The Niagara Military Affairs Council is wasting no time in the wake of a Jan. 26 announcement by U.S. Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta that could again put the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station in danger of closing.

Get a taste of what it means to go "Back to Zero" when Leadership Niagara hosts its "Breakfast for the Breakthrough Leader" from 8:30 until 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 29, at the Vantage Center, 6311 Inducon Corporate Drive, Sanborn.

Artpark presents "Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella" for eight enchanting performances Aug. 9-17.

The Alternative Parenting Program students at Orleans/Niagara BOCES recently put together a fundraiser to help support Save-A-Pet of Niagara County, a non-profit animal rescue organization.

Beginning April 1, parking fees at Niagara Falls International Airport will double to a maximum daily rate of $10 and a weekly rate of $50.

The second annual "Fairy House Festival" extends to two days in June.

Get ready to lose those winter blues! "Toast & Jam," now in its 13th year, begins on Monday, Feb. 13.

The Niagara University Family Business Center celebrated its ninth anniversary with a celebration and awards banquet at Rich's Renaissance.

Dunkin' Donuts restaurant owner and manager Paul Orsino didn't need fancy market research to tell him that opening a restaurant on Grand Island would work.

Members of the Catholic Charities of Buffalo Appeal leadership team gathered at Antonio's Restaurant and Banquet Facility in Niagara Falls.

State Supreme Court Justice Richard C. Kloch Sr. has dismissed the second lawsuit filed by developer Jerome Williams and Lewiston Management Group against Whirlpool Jet Boat Tours and the Village of Lewiston.

The lawsuit, which was filed March 21, 2011, questioned the validity of an agreement between the village and WJBT. It asserted the Village of Lewiston violated Section 51 of general municipal law and was in violation of the public trust doctrine. The plaintiffs claimed a 2002 lease between the two parties violated easement requirements, and inferred trustees illegally granted said lease. This action, the suit alleged, resulted in the "waste of public property" alongside Water Street Landing on Water Street, where WJBT operates.

Assemblyman John Ceretto (left) met Tuesday with Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

Both the Village of Lewiston Planning Board and the Board of Trustees approved the first submission for Emery Simon's "First and Last Chance Saloon."

The Castellani Art Museum of Niagara University's TopSpin Series of exhibitions for emerging regional artists continues with "Betsy Potter: Breaking Nature."

There wasn't enough snow to use snowshoes on Old Fort Niagara's annual "Snowshoe Patrol" Saturday, but the cold and small amount of snow on the ground was much better than muddy grounds.

Grand Island High School completed a three-peat of the Tech Wars competition Wednesday, winning for the third year in a row in the battle of school technology programs held at Niagara County Community College.

The Niagara Falls International Airport Stakeholders Group Inc. will promote further development and utilization of the airport.

Bishop Edward U. Kmiec, bishop of Buffalo, announced Wednesday a $10.6 million goal for the 2012 Appeal in support of Catholic Charities of Buffalo.

Looking for something special for your sweetheart this Valentine's Day? The Aquarium of Niagara has just the thing: A special program on "Penguin Romance: Love on the Rocks."

Assemblyman John Ceretto delivered his and State Sen. George Maziarz's "Empower Niagara" petitions to Gov. Andrew Cuomo's office on Tuesday.

The first action of the January Wheatfield Town Board meeting was to issue a statement regarding the SPCA investigation. With more than 60 people filling the meeting room, Supervisor Bob Cliffe explained that this is a Niagara County-wide issue affecting all 12 towns and three cities.

The Niagara Falls branch of YMCA Buffalo Niagara has begun its fundraising effort for the 2012 "Strong Kids Campaign" under the leadership of co-chairs Donald E. Burns and Albert Parker.

In stark contrast to the previous two Village of Lewiston Board meetings, residents Monday overwhelmingly voiced their support for a new indoor sports complex.

In a surprising turnabout Saturday, the Village of Lewiston has shelved the recreation center proposal. Gary Hall, who was to spearhead project financing, has withdrawn himself from the project.

Assemblyman John Ceretto completed his health product drive for the Heart, Love & Soul Food Pantry by delivering thousands of collected goods to the site.

A new prescription drug law is being praised by New York's pharmacists.

Jessie Miller, a seventh-grader at DeSales Catholic School in Lockport, organized a dress down day at her school to raise money for Niagara Hospice.

State of County address calls on state to fund own programs.

Chris Castellani, president of Supermarket Liquors and Wines, recently completed a fundraising effort to benefit the Toys for Tots fund.

As representatives in the 15-member Niagara County Legislature were sworn in around Niagara County this past weekend, several were taking oaths for the first time as elected officials.

Surrounded by family, friends, top county elected officials and judges, Niagara County's new family court judge was sworn in Sunday.

New year, new fund-raising campaign for the Niagara Falls Air Base.

The year 2011 is now fading into memory.

As we eagerly anticipate what's to come in 2012, we now look back at what was 2011. It was certainly memorable, with changes, countless ones, on a global, national, local, and even a personal scale.

For some it was a year of high expectations, some achieved. For others it might have been frustrations, possibly loss. You can say one thing though - we were all impacted by the events that occurred in the last year in some form or another.

What follows is a brief look at some of the major news reported on in the Sentinel coverage area over the past year. News, which will likely continue to impact area residents in 2012 and beyond.

As the countdown to the new year begins, the Sentinel takes a look back at 10 Village of Lewiston topics covered in 2011, all of which will impact residents in 2012.

As another year ticks down this weekend, it's time to reflect on 2011 and look ahead to 2012.

Residents of The Woodlands and Forestview teamed up with students from Niagara Charter School to spread the Christmas spirit through "The Giving Tree."

Assemblyman John Ceretto, R-I-Lewiston, on Tuesday wrote Empire State Development President and CEO Kenneth Adams to discuss new information regarding Unifrax, a manufacturing company that received $700,000 in Empire State Development funding to relocate from Niagara Falls to the Town of Tonawanda in Erie County.

Empire State Development claimed the $700,000 payment was used to ensure that Unifrax did not relocate to Indiana. However, Ceretto's recent FOIL request to the state of Indiana shows no proof that the Hoosier State was trying to entice the company to move.

More than $1,500 was designated for the Mount St. Mary's Foundation thanks to the generosity of Izzy and Francine Ahmed, owners of Fenton's Café.

Every year, the Haseley family on Lockport Road, right across from the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station entrance, puts up a holiday display. (photo by Marc Carpenter)

One of the largest Christmas displays in the area is done by the Greinert family over three acres at 6962 Errick Road, Wheatfield. Paul Greinert carries on the tradition started 26 years ago by his dad, Ed Greinert, former town supervisor.

Visitors are welcome, but asked to stay in their cars due to the vast amount of wiring involved for the many different scenes, showing elves, snowmen, a nativity scene, shooting stars, snowflakes, candy canes, wreaths, Christmas trees, carolers, Santa's sleigh, and much more, including the toy-filled choo-choo train shown above right.