Ready to start grilling? Many New Yorkers are already enjoying their barbecues and other outdoor amenities. And while gas grills, portable fire pits, and patio heaters make outdoor spaces comfortable places to gather, it's important that they are used properly.

Hope United Methodist Church at 2914 Upper Mountain Road, Pekin, will hold its spring rummage and baked goods sale, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, May 4.

Niagara University's recreation department is now accepting registrations for its popular Summer Youth Camp, which will be held on campus from June 24 to Aug. 16.

Mount St. Mary's Hospital has received the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association's Get With The Guidelines-Stroke Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award.

Fresh off the stunning approval of a cut-rate electricity deal between a Canadian government-run power monopoly and New York City by the New York State Public Service Commission, local leaders rallied Thursday, calling for the deal to be blocked before local jobs are lost.

The New York State Humane Association, headquartered in Kingston, is offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for discarding an 8-week-old battered puppy with a broken jaw near a garbage pick-up site in the 600 block of 30th Street in Niagara Falls.

Congressman Brian Higgins, NY-26, announced today that he has introduced the Cancer Drug Coverage Parity Act (H.R. 1801), which would require health insurance companies to equally cover and reimburse intravenous/injectable and orally administered anti-cancer medication.

The seventh annual "I Love New York" Empire State Tourism Conference took place this week in Niagara Falls. This year's theme was "Building Our Empire," and the focus was on making tourism a strong foundation in New York state.

This Friday will be better than Christmas for 17-year-old Zach Nash.

The Town of Niagara teenager practically hums with excitement as he talks about his debut race in his own car at Ransomville Speedway.

Erie County Clerk Chris Jacobs is hosting the first-ever teen driver's "Learner Permit Testing Day" for high school students who are interested in taking steps to get their driver's license, while encouraging driver safety and care while operating a motor vehicle.

New York Farm Bureau is very appreciative of the quick work performed by Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand and her staff to correct a policy interpretation it said could have cost New York apple and fruit growers tens of thousands of dollars.

The Nurse Practitioner Association New York State has announced the appointment of Dr. Stephen Ferrara, DNP, FNP-BC, to serve as the NPA executive director. Ferrara is a practicing senior clinical associate in a large urban hospital system in the Bronx, and a leader in creating legislation to advance the practice of nurse practitioners in New York state.

Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman has announced the formation of a new animal protection initiative aimed at shutting down criminal animal fighting rings, ensuring compliance with New York state's Pet Lemon Law, charging those who abuse or neglect animals, and cracking down on the abuses of so-called "puppy mills" in order to protect the welfare of the animals being sold and the consumers.

The fifth annual "Run with the Rapids" 5K Race will be held on Saturday, May 18, in downtown Niagara Falls. This USA Track & Field-sanctioned race will benefit the Downtown Niagara Falls Business Association.

The Town of Niagara Town Board on Tuesday voted to take lead agency status for the expansion of Fashion Outlets of Niagara.

When someone is diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, they are not the only one with questions - family and friends also have a slew of them as well, such as what does it mean? What kinds of plans need to be made? What kinds of resources are available? As the disease progresses, new questions arise, reflecting the growing need for information, programs and services.

On May 11, the letter carriers in Western New York will be conducting a food drive to assist the less fortunate people of our city.

On Sunday, May 5, Furever Friends Dog Rescue of WNY will hold a Chinese auction fundraiser to assist its efforts to rescue and secure permanent homes for dogs in puppy mills. The event will take place from noon until 5 p.m. at the Tonawanda Sportman's Club, 5657 Killian Road, Pendleton.

High-ranking public officials, school administrators and union heads will link arms at the Somerset Operating Facility on Thursday to urge that a New York State Public Service Commission ruling that allows construction of a 1,000-megawatt line from Quebec to New York City be stopped.

Residents of Buffalo will call on State Sen. Mark Grisanti to bring "real democracy" to New York by supporting publicly financed elections. At "A Cup of Coffee for Democracy," residents will march to Grisanti's office with empty coffee cups to show how public financing will cost merely $2 per New Yorker a year, or less than the price of a single cup of coffee.

The buy-local boom is good news for our local farmers trying to get fresh produce to local restaurants and tables. A new business venture is set to unite growers and buyers in a quick, auction-style fashion.

The Niagara Tourism and Convention Corp. helped to land some "big ones" in the outdoor media world. National media will be in town next week for some of the area's stellar spring fishing.

Congressman Chris Collins, NY-27, is pushing the Main Street Revival Act (H.R. 952), bipartisan legislation that is intended to help promote economic growth and fill vacancies along America's main streets. Collins is the lead Republican co-sponsor of the legislation in the House.

An open session meeting of the Western New York Regional Economic Development Council, which will include CFA status reports; a "Buffalo Billion" update; and presentations on the New York State Energy Research & Development Authority Cleaner Greener Communities Sustainability Plan for Western New York, Path Through History's heritage tourism marketing plan and New York State "Work for Success" Employment Initiative.

Modern Recycling of Model City (Lewiston) and Daemen College in Amherst announce a collaboration to recycle food waste and raise awareness about the value of composting as part of International Compost Awareness Week, May 6-12 (http://compostingcouncil.org/icaw).

Calling all Lewiston residents with a green thumb: The Lewiston GardenFest is looking for interested homeowners who are willing to showcase their private gardens during this year's annual event, to be held Saturday, June 22, and Sunday, June 23.

Residents do not need to showcase their entire yard, but instead can choose a section they wish to highlight.

Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz and Congressman Brian Higgins joined Erie Community College and regional workforce development officials for a ribbon-cutting ceremony of ECC's new, state-of-the-art One-Stop Career Training Center inside its North Campus Gleasner Hall on Tuesday.

Assemblyman John Ceretto, R-C-I-Lewiston, is putting pressure on the Assembly to, as he calls it, "stop protecting their own corrupt members and allow two government reform bills to come to the floor for a vote."

In order to encourage greater voter participation, shorten waits and lines at polling places, and expand voting access for all New Yorkers, Speaker Sheldon Silver and Chair of the Election Law Committee Michael Cusick today joined with Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman to announce the Assembly's intention to pass legislation (A.689-A) instituting early voting in New York state.

Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo today announced New York is approaching a record-breaking year for television production in the state, with television production companies echoing a resounding chorus of "I Love New York." From CBS to Home Box Office to NBCUniversal, more and more television producers are choosing New York as the place to bring their business.

The New York Energy Highway Task Force has announced the availability of a progress report - the New York Energy Highway Blueprint Update - affirming that all of the actions called for in the comprehensive blueprint plan to upgrade and modernize the state's energy infrastructure are underway and moving forward on or ahead of the aggressive schedules set for them.

Overtime earnings at state agencies rose nearly 11 percent in 2012 to $529 million, escalating a trend that began in 2009, according to a report released today by New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli.

PHOTOS: A Youngstown marina owner and jetboat operators from Idaho made history Saturday in the Niagara River gorge. In the process, they drew the attention of the U.S. Border Patrol, Department of Homeland Security and the Niagara Parks Police Service in Ontario, Canada.

Pre-orders are due May 2 for Mother's Day flowers and arrangements shaped by members of the Niagara Floral Center and Greenhouse of Opportunities Unlimited of Niagara. Orders can be picked up on May 10 or 11 in Wheatfield or May 10 in Lockport.

Niagara University's College of Education is playing a prominent role in a new statewide faculty development initiative affiliated with New York's Race to the Top federal program.

A number of Lewiston volunteers recently gathered at Susan Geissler's art studio in Youngstown to inspect the larger-than-life-size clay models of the Tuscarora Heroes Monument.

The Kiwanis Club of Lewiston presented a $5,000 check to the Mount St. Mary's Foundation for the hospital's Steve Washuta Cardiac Center. The funds were raised at the club's annual clambake, which was held last summer.

State Sen. Mark Grisanti, R-I-60, has urged his colleagues in both the Senate and Assembly to act on legislation he introduced last year that would create a state registry of all criminals convicted of abusing animals. He said this is an effort to prevent these individuals from gaining access to another innocent victim.

Hilbert College has selected Vincent O. Hanley, a partner at Jaeckle Fleischmann & Mugel LLP, to receive the Hilbert College Medal at the institute's commencement exercises May 11 at the Wesleyan Church of Hamburg.