Current News

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.

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.

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.

The Niagara County-Central Rotary Club will host the 30th annual Roger W. Andrews Senior Citizen Breakfast on Saturday, May 11, in the Niagara-Wheatfield Senior High School cafeteria.

The Coalition of Agencies in Service to the Elderly will hold its 24th annual spring networking conference, "Navigating Transitions: Preparing for the Next Phase of Life," from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, May 8, at the American Legion Post 1451 at 6525 Ward Road, Sanborn.

Niagara-Wheatfield High School held a safety day showcasing careers in law enforcement, military branches and first responder fields.

On the sunny Saturday last month, Project Future held its annual Kick-A-Thon Against Drugs and Violence at Niagara Catholic High School.

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.

Lindsay Pass of Sanborn was recently awarded the Dr. Glen Jones Radiology Award for 2013 in the radiologic technology program at Niagara County Community College.

The Twin City Quilters Guild will present "Kaleidoscope Of Quilts - A Quilt Show" from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, May 4, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, May 5, at the Wheatfield Community Center 2800 Church Road.

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.

"Let's Make A Deal," celebrating 50 years on television, welcomes back the Publishers Clearing House Prize Patrol for a week-long cash giveaway event Monday, May 6, through Friday, May 10, on CBS.

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.

Axl Rose and Guns N' Roses return to Western New York this summer after more than 20 years away. The band will headline the Buffalo Outer Harbor Concert Series on Wednesday, June 5.

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.

Niagara-Wheatfield School District voters will be presented with a balanced budget that features a $2.3 million increase and a 5.91 percent tax levy increase, but they will have full-day kindergarten, if the budget passes. The proposed budget is set at $62,753,100 for 2013-14.

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.

Cooking Channel follows four aspiring chefs as they try to earn a degree at the Louisiana Culinary Institute in Baton Rouge in the new docu-series "The Freshman Class," premiering Monday, June 10, at 10:30 p.m.

The Historic Riviera Theatre and Performing Arts Center has announced country legends Roy Clark and Mel Tillis will perform a rare double-bill show at the Riviera Theatre, 67 Webster St., North Tonawanda, at 8 p.m. on June 1.

Last night, YMCA Buffalo Niagara hosted its 161st annual meeting in the Statler City Golden Ballroom. The annual event allows the Y to honor outstanding volunteers and youth that, in the past year, have helped the YMCA achieve its mission and help Western New Yorkers to learn, grow and thrive.

Some of the best live musical acts from Western New York, Southern Ontario and beyond can be seen for free at Club 101 at Seneca Niagara Casino & Hotel in Niagara Falls. Club 101 features an elevated circular lounge at the center of Seneca Niagara Casino's gaming floor.

"That's Fresh: For Kids," a new iteration of the popular Disney Junior Night Light cooking series "That's Fresh," will premiere Monday, May 6 (10:55 a.m.), on Disney Channel, with new episodes debuting every morning throughout the week. Hosted by chef Helen Cavallo, the series encourages young viewers to play an active role in the cooking process and imparts the importance of healthy eating habits.

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.

Crystal Lorenzo, a Niagara University sophomore majoring in psychology and Spanish, has been named a 2013 Newman Civic Fellow by Campus Compact for demonstrating outstanding leadership and civic engagement. The Fredonia native was among the less than 200 students in the country to receive the award.

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).