Current News

Oscar-winning actors Michael Douglas and Jamie Foxx will join Jennifer Aniston and Paul Rudd as presenters on the Oscar telecast, show producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron announced Tuesday.

Donald J. Trump and Mark Burnett have partnered with some of the world's most prominent and recognizable brands for NBC's "All-Star Celebrity Apprentice," premiering Sunday, March 3 (9 p.m.).

"After conducting a rigorous onsite review of Niagara County's emergency preparedness program on Oct. 22, 2012, the New York State Department of Health awarded the Niagara County Department of Health a perfect score of 100 percent for its efforts," said Niagara County Public Health Director Daniel Stapleton.

Actors Salma Hayek Pinault, Melissa McCarthy, Liam Neeson and John Travolta will present on the Oscar telecast, show producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron announced Monday.

"Food Network Star" season eight winner Justin Warner hits the road in search of unique culinary rule-breakers in the one-hour special "Rebel Eats," airing Saturday, March 30, at 10 p.m. on Food Network.

The next season of "Food Network Star" is currently in production with returning hosts/mentors Alton Brown, Giada De Laurentiis and Bobby Flay.

The Lewiston Republican Committee recently elected new officers to lead members. Elected were Bob Ciszewski as chairman, Mark Davis as vice chairman, Ron Winkley as secretary and Bill Conrad as treasurer.

The Lewiston "Knit-Wits" recently met for the first time at the historic Lewiston Opera Hall. Organizers report a very successful turnout and said everyone enjoyed a relaxed and inspiring evening. At the first meeting, members adopted this motto: "Commit senseless acts of beauty and random acts of knitting!"

Operating room staff members at Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center Monday celebrated the successful completion of the hospital's 200th robotic surgical procedure by "SAL" the Surgical Robot.

The Village of Lewiston Board of Trustees will meet Tuesday to discuss underwater hydropower turbines.

Country music singer Scotty McCreery got up close and personal with some of the Aquarium of Niagara's biggest stars on Friday, Feb. 15. McCreery was in town for a performance at the Rapids Theater, which marked the second stop on his Weekend Road Trip tour.

State Sen. Mark Grisanti was named "Elected Official of the Year" by the Southtowns Walleye Association, the largest single species fishing club in North America.

Josh's Journey: A Foundation of Hope, is teaming with the National Alliance on Mental Illness, to sponsor the NAMI Family-to-Family Education Program, specifically for families of persons diagnosed with serious mental illness. The 12-week series of classes begins Monday, April 8, with sessions from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at Generation Church, 1001 E. Robinson St., North Tonawanda.

Opportunities Unlimited of Niagara announces "Guardians, Wills and Trusts," a free workshop for families of people with developmental disabilities and self-advocates, presented by the Parent Network of Western New York, will take place Tuesday, Feb. 26, from 6 to 8 p.m., at 1555 Fashion Outlet Blvd., Niagara Falls.

The Lewiston Town Board will hold a meeting on Monday, March 4, at 6 p.m. in Town Hall, 1375 Ridge Road, to discuss the proposed Lewiston Recreation and Senior Center.

The Erie Canal Discovery Center/Penney Gallery will hold a "Spring Fever Antique Fair," on Saturday, March 2, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the historic Hamilton House, 24 Church St., Lockport.

The Porter Town Board session was more or less routine, with non-eventful public hearings and a host of procedural approvals being the norm.

"Billiards for Books," a pool tournament with proceeds benefitting the Youngstown Free Library, returns Saturday, Feb. 23, beginning at 4 p.m. at Brennan's Irish Pub, 418 Main St., Youngstown.

Author Dick Lang will be a guest speaker on Monday, Feb. 25, at 7 p.m. at the Wilson Historical Society.

The Town of Lewiston launched its new website, www.townoflewiston.us, with 360 Professional Services Group.

Niagara Area Habitat for Humanity will hold two orientation meetings on the second floor of the Niagara Falls Public Library, 1425 Main St.

The Niagara Falls Country Club, 505 Mountain View Drive in Lewiston, announces "The Great Gatsby Night On The Town" happy hour will take place on Wednesday, Feb. 27, from 5 to 7 p.m. Featured will be two for one house wine with free appetizers.

Relay For Life of Lewiston/Niagara invites the community to its Oscar party, Sunday, Feb. 24, at Water Street Landing, 115 S. Water St., Lewiston.

The Lew-Port Swim Club will offer a Red Cross lifeguarding course on Feb. 26, 27 and March 1, from 4 to 10 p.m., at Lewiston-Porter High School. Register by Friday, Feb. 22.

Town of Porter Republican Committee Chair John "Duffy" Johnston this week announced the slate of Town of Porter candidates, all seeking re-election to office.

The Historic Riviera Theatre presents "Winter Dance Party" at 8 p.m. on Friday, March 22.

James and Jayne Brasser recently presented Odd Fellow members of Sacarissa Bell Rose Lodge No. 307 artifacts inherited from William James, a prominent Lewiston Odd Fellow during the 1970s.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and mtvU, MTV's 24-hour college network, have announced the six winners of the "Oscar Experience College Search" for aspiring filmmakers. The winners will appear live on stage to deliver Oscar statuettes to ceremony presenters at the Academy Awards on "Oscar Sunday," Feb. 24.

The Academy and Disney/ABC Television Group's Digital Media team have unveiled the talent lineup for their Emmy Award-winning Oscar second screen experience, Backstage Pass, on Oscar.com and the official Oscars app.

Grammy Award-winning singer Kelly Rowland has announced she was invited to join Emmy and Tony award-winning actress Kristin Chenoweth, Entertainment Weekly Managing Editor Jess Cagle and "Good Morning America" anchor Lara Spencer to host the official Oscar pre-show, "The Oscars Red Carpet Live."

Assemblyman John Ceretto, R-C-I-Lewiston, on Friday criticized a legislative proposal to ban youth football in New York. The bill, which was introduced earlier this week, seeks to prohibit children younger than 11 from playing organized tackle football anywhere in the state.

"The Package Tour," featuring New Kids on the Block with special guests 98 Degrees and Boys II Men, is coming to First Niagara Center on Friday, Aug. 2, at 7:30 p.m.

"Let's Make A Deal," with host Wayne Brady, will celebrate its 50th anniversary with two weeks of the "Super Deal."

The "American Idol" auditions came to a conclusion Thursday as the judges' semifinalists picks were revealed. After intense deliberations, Mariah, Randy, Nicki and Keith chose the Top 40 contestants, who will now head to Las Vegas to perform on the stage of Cirque du Soleil's Beatles LOVE Theatre at The Mirage.

Final voting for the Oscars will end on Tuesday, Feb. 19, at 5 p.m. PT. Ballots received after the deadline will not be counted.

"American Idol" will kick off "Idol Across America," a cross-country relay of the "Idol" microphone, traveling from New York City to the "Idol" stage in Los Angeles.

Emmy and Tony award-winning actress Kristin Chenoweth, Entertainment Weekly Managing Editor Jess Cagle and "Good Morning America" anchor Lara Spencer will host the official Oscar pre-show, "The Oscars Red Carpet Live."

The Historic Riviera Theatre presents the Doo Wop Legends Tour Shows for three performances on April 20, June 8 and Oct. 5.

Greif Inc., a manufacturer of industrial packaging located in Tonawanda, recently made a timely donation to Niagara Hospice.

Have you ever wondered what makes the Niagara Escarpment a geological and ecological wonder? Did you know that the entire escarpment zone in Canada has been permanently protected as a World Biosphere Reserve for its distinctly unique characteristics?

Seneca Hickory Stick Golf Course announced this week its selection as the host course for the 2013 Western New York PGA Section Championship on Aug. 19 and 20. The prestigious regional event comes to the Robert Trent Jones II-designed course in just its third full season of existence.