Current News

A Dumpster fire outside the SPCA of Niagara on Lockport Road in Wheatfield Tuesday afternoon will result in some extra security measures at the facility.

Niagara University has announced that Thomas A. Chambers, Ph.D., has been promoted to the position of associate vice president for academic affairs.

As part of a comprehensive effort by the Obama administration to involve more of the country's youth in science, technology, engineering and math studies, known as STEM, the U.S. Department of Transportation has requested proposals from college and high school students for unique scientific and engineering innovations in aviation and aerospace.

The following activity occurred Monday, Feb. 18, to Sunday, Feb. 24, as reported by the Lewiston Police Department. LPD logged a total of 102 response calls during this period.

Grand Island resident Leah E. (Boyd) Gollwitzer entered into rest Feb. 25, 2013.

Janet E. (Snyder) Hobba, 80, of Grand Island, went to be with her Lord and Savior in eternal rest on Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2013, following a long illness.

The Buffalo Sabres announced Thursday that MSG will air new episodes of "Beyond Blue & Gold," a video series that takes fans behind the scenes of the Sabres organization, beginning this Saturday, March 2, at 2 p.m.

VIDEO: In front of a crowd of nearly 10,000 people in Abany, Assemblyman John Ceretto, R-I-C-Lewiston, called Thursday for the repeal of the controversial SAFE Act.

New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli released this statement on Thursday:

A four-student team from Niagara University claimed the silver medal at the CFA Investment Research Challenge, held Feb. 19 at Canisius College.

Adult contestants and kid participants Biingo, Lindsay and Sunny all reveal their new looks at home with family and friends for first time ever on the series.

Congressman Chris Collins, NY-27, released this statement on Thursday:

On Thursday, Congresswoman Louise M. Slaughter, D-NY, an original author of the landmark Violence Against Women Act, hailed the House of Representatives' bipartisan 286-138 vote to strengthen VAWA and extend the law's protections to LGBT, Native American and immigrant victims.

Congressman Brian Higgins, NY-26, voted in support of S. 74, the Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization Thursday. The bill had previously passed in the Senate with a vote of 78-22 and now heads to the White House for the president's signature.

During a Wednesday taping of WBBZ-TV's "Political Buzz," Carl Paladino, president of Ellicott Development and former Republican candidate for governor, announced he is running for a seat on the Buffalo School Board.

Thursday from Las Vegas, the second group of "American Idol" girl semifinalists faced the "Sudden Death Round." Then, in a dramatic conclusion, judges Mariah Carey, Randy Jackson, Nicki Minaj and Keith Urban announced the final five girls who will join the 10 semifinalists announced last week in this season's Top 20.

Naxos Music has released the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra's recording of five of Duke Ellington's orchestral works.

"Home Is Where The Art Is," a fundraising event for the Niagara Arts and Cultural Center, will feature a basket raffle, and art auction on Sunday afternoon, March 10. Organizers said they hope to have 200 baskets and fine art pieces. They are looking for contributed fine art, art prints, company gift cards, gift certificates and/or gift baskets

The Buffalo History Museum presents "Giants of Buffalo," a brand new discussion series that spotlights specific industries and Western New York individuals who have made extraordinary contributions in their field. The first round of this kickoff series is in collaboration with the Buffalo Broadcasters Association, Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame and Buffalo Music Hall of Fame.

Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman issued an open letter Wednesday to doctors, pharmacists and other medical professionals alerting them that the prescription painkiller hydrocodone is now a Schedule II controlled substance under New York state law.

Quadruple-platinum, Billboard chart-topper and "American Idol" winner Phillip Phillips will perform his second single, "Gone, Gone, Gone," from his debut album, "The World From The Side Of The Moon," on "American Idol" Thursday, March 14 (8 p.m.), on FOX. "Gone, Gone, Gone" also will serve as the "goodbye" song of the season and will be featured when the "American Idol" finalists are eliminated week by week.

Congressman Brian Higgins, NY-26, spoke on the Floor of the House of Representatives detailing the stress sequestration would put on the nation's borders and the impact that would have on Western New Yorkers and the local economy.

The most popular recording artists among kids and tweens will be celebrated during the Radio Disney Music Awards, Saturday, April 27, at Nokia Theatre L.A. LIVE. Selena Gomez, Bridgit Mendler, Cody Simpson, Austin Mahone and Coco Jones are scheduled to perform at the event.

Assemblyman John Ceretto, R-I-C-Lewiston, passed legislation Wednesday to enhance transparency at the New York Power Authority. Ceretto, a co-sponsor of Assembly bill 4017, noted the legislation will provide increased oversight at NYPA by standardizing the annual report, making it similar to the report electric corporations currently file under the public service law.

The Diana Krall show scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 27, at UB Center for the Arts has been cancelled due to an upper respiratory infection.

Season 11 fires up Tuesday, March 12, on FOX; winner to receive a head chef position at Gordon Ramsay Pub & Grill at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas.

The Conservative Committee of Grand Island invites the public to attend round 2 of "The Right to Bear Arms Debate" at the Holiday Inn Grand Island on Thursday, March 7, from 7 to 9 p.m.

Tops Friendly Markets, a leading full-service grocery retailer in upstate New York, northern Pennsylvania and western Vermont, recently received state and national honors for its outstanding efforts in the merchandising and marketing of its beef category in Tops stores.

Season three of Food Network's top-rated series "Chopped All-Stars" debuts Sunday, April 7, at 9 p.m., as 16 culinary competitors battle it out for the title of all-star champion and a $50,000 prize for the winner's charity.

The Rotary Club of Grand Island at its meeting on Wednesday at the Buffalo Launch Club and received a presentation from Heather Maras, social worker at Kaegebein and Huth Road elementary schools, on the Grand Island Central School District's efforts to combat bullying behavior in students.

R.J. Wynne, right, president of The Miracle League of Grand Island and Western New York, accepted a check for $1,000 from Josh Heim, from M&T Bank Charitable Foundation.

The Grand Island Memorial Library, 1715 Bedell Road, has library hours of operation on Monday and Tuesday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Thursday, 1 to 9 p.m.; and Friday and Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The library is closed on Sundays.

Lynn Alan Konovitz, director of the Grand Island Memorial Library, reports that a digital collection of the Island Dispatch is now available online.

Kimberly Yaeger isn't avoiding hard work in her senior year of high school.

Yaeger is among the first group of Grand Island High School students enrolled in the new International Baccalaureate program at the school that has raised the workload for participating students. That's OK with Yaeger.

Erie County Legislator Kevin Hardwick has announced his third annual Valentines for Veterans program generated thousands of cards as a result of the hard work of schools located within the district he represents.

The Grand Island Chamber of Commerce has recognized Life Technologies for once again showing their support for one of the largest community events held on Grand Island, the Citizen of the Year Dinner and Awards Ceremony.

The new 2013 Grand Island Community Directory has been successfully delivered to more than 7,100 homes, businesses, schools and churches on Grand Island.

The New York State Department of Health will hold a public meeting to discuss a health outcomes review for Tonawanda and surrounding areas in Erie County, including Grand Island.

On Feb. 18, Sam's Club in Niagara Falls held its 20th year of operation celebration event.

The second post-Oscars broadcast of "LIVE with Kelly and Michael" delivered a 3.9 rating, 11 share in Households across the U.S. metered markets, marking the show's highest-rated telecast of the season (tied with the debut telecast of Strahan as co-host on Sept. 4).