Mount St. Mary's Hospital joined with the Our Lady of Peace Nursing Care Residence for a special appreciation luncheon to honor associates, volunteers and residents on Veterans Day.

As multi-Platinum Grammy-winning group Casting Crowns prepares for this week's release of a brand-new studio album, "Only Jesus" (Nov. 16), the group announces the "Only Jesus" Tour, a 37-city spring arena tour featuring fellow Grammy winner Zach Williams and Austin French.

The Zonta Club of Niagara Falls (New York) recognizes young women, ages 16-19, in the Lewiston-Porter, Niagara Wheatfield and Niagara Falls school districts for their commitment to volunteerism, community service, leadership and dedication to empowering women with the Young Woman in Public Affairs Award (YWPA).

As America pauses to honor it military veterans, Dunn Tire is giving customers a chance to support the area's many military heroes in a special way this month through the "Boots for Heroes" program.

Lewiston Music will present a "Carols for a Cause" music recital at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 11. The event is a benefit the Heart, Love & Soul Food Pantry and Dining room at Stella Niagara Education Park, 4421 Lower River Road.

Music icon Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys brings the "Pet Sounds Final Performances Tour" to the Artpark Mainstage Theater at 8 p.m. June 15, 2019. Joined by original bandmate Al Jardine and guitarist Blondie Chapman, Wilson will perform the "Pet Sounds" album in its entirety along with deep cuts and hits.

Grammy Award-winning artist/producer duo The Chainsmokers have released the official music video for "This Feeling," their new single with Kelsea Ballerini.

The Rapids Theatre, 1711 Main St., Niagara Falls, welcomes Sevendust, with special guests Tremonti, Cane Hill, Lullwater & Kirra, for a 6 p.m. show Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2018.

As fall inches closer to winter, many Western New Yorkers will begin to decorate their homes for the holidays. But for some residents, decorating is a luxury. So, for the 11th straight year, hundreds of young volunteers will "brighten" a Buffalo neighborhood out of the kindness of their hearts.

Ann Magers, office coordinator in Niagara University's College of Arts & Sciences, was presented with NU's Outstanding Employee Award on Nov. 6 by the Rev. James J. Maher, C.M., president.

The University at Buffalo School of Law has appointed eight new members to the dean's advisory council (DAC).

A theme tray raffle will be conducted Sunday, Nov. 18, at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 755 Erie Ave., North Tonawanda, to benefit the Ghostlight Theatre. Doors open at noon. Admission is $5 and includes one sheet of 25 tickets. Drawing starts at 2:30 p.m. Pizza, nachos, desserts, pop and coffee will be available.

Get ready for pizza, pizza and more pizza! The inaugural "Festival of Slice," "A Celebration of Niagara Falls USA Pizza," is planned for 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 30, at the Niagara Falls Culinary Institute, 28 Old Falls St. Admission is free and the event is open to the public.

Grand Island Supervisor Nate McMurray, who ran against Chris Collins for the NY-27 Senate seat, released the following statement on Monday:

"Weird Al" Yankovic's "Strings Attached" tour will make an Artpark stop at 7 p.m. July 23 as part of the "Tuesdays in the Park presented by M&T Bank" 2019 concert series. Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday, Nov. 16

Veterans were saluted Sunday - at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month - at a ceremony held inside Academy Park in Lewiston. The event was presented by Veterans of Foreign Wars Downriver Post No. 7487 and American Legion C.C. Kenney Lewiston Post 1083.

In the Town of Porter, taxes will also be going up - but they will remain within the 2 percent cap.

Property owners in the Town of Lewiston can anticipate a tax increase for 2019.

This month, sites in Western New York will be among 5,000 U.S. drop-off locations collecting shoebox gifts for children overseas during Operation Christmas Child's National Collection Week, Nov. 12-19.

Ahead of Veterans Day, the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance reminded veterans of valuable tax exemptions and credits available to them, their families, and their employers.

The Buffalo Sabres announced a new season ticket exchange program, which will allow season ticketholders to trade in tickets for games they cannot attend.

Applications for Home Energy Assistance Program ("HEAP") regular benefits will be accepted beginning Tuesday, Nov. 13 - and Erie County's Department of Social Services ("DSS") anticipates receiving high numbers. The HEAP program is scheduled to run through March 31, 2019, but households are encouraged to apply sooner rather than later. Last season, more than 90,000 households in Erie County received benefits.

Singer/songwriter Mallary Hope released her brand-new single, "Christmas Is All About You," available now. Joining Hope's previously released Christmas songs, "Just A Baby (Mary's Song)" and "Mary, Did You Know?", the expectant mother of two understands first-hand the business of the Christmas season. In her new heart-felt track, Hope invites listeners to press pause, and instead experience the deeper meaning of why we celebrate.

Tyler, the Creator has unveiled his new original song "I Am the Grinch" for Universal Pictures' & Illumination's feature film "Dr. Seuss' The Grinch." Check out the official lyric video HERE.

Village of Lewiston Mayor Anne Welch on Monday unveiled a conceptual plan to revitalize Academy Park. Proposed improvements would allow the municipality's most prominent green space to be used year-round.As a result, the Niagara County Peach Festival would need a new home. Welch and the Board of Trustees discussed this with members of the Lewiston Kiwanis Club, who run the annual event.

Despite calls by some its residents to dissolve, it appears that, for now, the Village of Youngstown is staying put on considering any changes.

Neal Urban Photography will bring its annual "Photos for Toys" drive to Youngstown this year. More than 150 families from all over Western New York will have a discounted photo shoot in a beautifully designed Christmas scene when they donate an unwrapped toy. Cradle Beach Camp in Angola will distribute presents.

The Town of Grand Island Veterans Day Services will begin at 11 a.m. at the Veterans Park Memorial Wall on Sunday, Nov. 11, the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I.

The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation has announced there will be a public meeting to outline upcoming projects related to the habitat restoration of the Niagara River.

The Town of Grand Island Town Board heard a proposal for a new tree law that has been decades in the making.

On Friday, Grammy-winning CCM band Casting Crowns released an Amazon Original single "Only Jesus." The new recording is a stripped-down re-imagination of the song from their upcoming album, "Only Jesus," which releases Friday, Nov. 16.

Singer/songwriter/feminist/activist Ani DiFranco is gearing up for her memoir, "No Walls and the Recurring Dream," which will be published by Viking on May 7, 2019.

Niagara County Legislator Kathryn L. Lance announced she will step down from her seat effective immediately. Lance has been a county legislator since 2012.

Last Saturday, the Niagara-Wheatfield Falcons girls volleyball team notched the program's first-ever Section VI title. On Friday night, at Webster-Thomas High School, the girls etched another first into its history. The Falcons defeated the Irondequoit Eagles, 3-1, in the Far West Regional crossover matchup. The victory sends the girls to the New York State Tournament in Glens Falls.

Veterans Day 2018, observed Sunday, Nov. 11, brings new significance this year as it also marks the 100th anniversary of the ending of World War I (in addition to the nation's traditions of honoring its veterans who served in all wars, conflicts and in peacetime).