After a 3-0 start to the season, the Niagara-Wheatfield Falcons football team was finally handed its first loss from Jamestown, Friday night. The Red Raiders defeated the Falcons, 26-14.

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Basil Seggos announced the start of DEC's annual 2019 state Arbor Day poster and artwork contests.

Rocket Entertainment and Universal Music Group, the world leader in music-based entertainment, announced a significant new agreement to provide Elton John, one of music's most iconic artists and the most successful male solo artist in U.S. Billboard chart history, the industry's best resources and expertise across recorded music, music publishing and licensing rights.

Regular season high school football is back at New Era Field. Pegula Sports and Entertainment announced a three-game slate of Monsignor Martin action that will kick off with a rivalry matchup between St. Joe's and Canisius on Friday, Sept. 28.

"Dancing with the Stars" is back with a new cast of 13 celebrities who are ready to move out of their comfort zones and hit the ballroom floor on a special two-night premiere. The competition begins with a two-hour season premiere, live, Monday, Sept. 24 (8-10 p.m. EDT), on The ABC Television Network, streaming and on demand. The show will kick off with an opening number featuring the full cast dancing to Erin Boheme's "I Won't Dance," choreographed by the show's own Emmy-winning Mandy Moore.

Grammy and Dove Award-nominated songwriter and artist Tim Timmons debuts his latest single today. Titled "I Belong" and featuring Amy Grant, the upbeat and anthemic song can be found on all digital formats by clicking HERE. "I Belong" is also featured on Spotify's "New Music Friday" song list.

Much of Western New York is forecast to see strong and potentially damaging winds today, and National Grid is preparing its storm response plans and urging customers to be safe and ready. The company will staff all of its crews in the region with electrical and forestry workers into the evening in the event the winds cause power outages.

The New York Power Authority announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding with the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA) to help Puerto Rico rebuild its power grid, organize and maximize efficiencies in its utility operations, and prepare for future severe storms.

Empire State Development announced the panel of finals judges that will determine the prize money for the fifth annual 43North startup competition. The esteemed group of judges will evaluate pitches from 10 finalists on stage in front of a live audience at Shea's Performing Arts Center in downtown Buffalo at 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 5. The judges will award one top startup 43North's $1 million grand prize with seven other competitors receiving $500,000 prizes.

Multi-Platinum-selling country singer Josh Turner's "I Serve A Savior" will release on Oct. 26, adding a new dimension to the Grammy nominee's already acclaimed career. The faith-based collection includes handpicked hymns, alongside brand-new originals and live recordings of some of Turner's most memorable hits, including "Me and God" and "Long Black Train."

Applebee's Neighborhood Grill & Bar locations throughout the Buffalo area will celebrate National Good Neighbor Day by assisting local organizations within their communities. Throughout the month of September, Applebee's employees will participate in various supply drive and volunteer opportunities to help make a positive impact in the communities that they serve and to honor the holiday, which takes place on Sept. 28.

We recommend taking a trip to Center Street to check out the annual Harvest Festival - which, this year, is adding a hops element. On Saturday and Sunday, a plethora of top craft vendors will have unique items for sale. At the same time, Lewiston's finest eateries will offer special food and drink offerings to complement both the festival and the season.

Janice L. Previte, 55, of Lewiston, died Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2018, at the Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo after a six-month battle with leukemia.

The Buffalo Zoo has accomplished another successful artificial insemination of its greater one-horned rhinoceros, Tashi, who is expected to give birth in Summer 2019. In 2014, the Buffalo Zoo made history as the first organization to use artificial insemination to produce a greater one-horned rhino who survived past early infancy. That rhino, Monica, now lives at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, where she is part of a breeding program and is anticipated to produce many offspring of her own.

The New York State Department of Transportation on Thursday announced a road closure has been scheduled on a portion of Hyde Park Boulevard (NY Route 61) in the city of Niagara Falls to conduct railroad maintenance.

The Buffalo Bills and Unyts have teamed up to host a One Buffalo community blood drive on Tuesday, Oct. 2, inside the Dunn Tire Club at New Era Field. The event will give presenting donors an opportunity to spend part of their Tuesday in the stadium in the Dunn Tire Club. All donors will receive a pair of One Buffalo socks, and have a chance to meet Bills and Sabres alumni.

On Thursday, Kristen Bell confirmed "Veronica Mars" will return to TV as part of the Hulu Originals slate in 2019. She said fans will be able to watch all past episodes on Hulu beginning in summer 2019.

Lockport Boy Scout Troop 82 recently provided a hot meal at the Lockport CARES Emergency Homeless Shelter, located at 188 Genesee St., Lockport. Pictured outside the shelter, representatives of the BSA Troop are seen holding the meal that the Troop supplied. From left are Scouts Parker, Ian and Joe.

Officials from the Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy, joined by Bank of America, The Buffalo and Erie County Greenway Fund and several dignitaries, kicked off restoration of the historic Rumsey Shelter House on Thursday.

The Community Network of Care for Children and Families in Niagara County, a collaboration of school districts and mental health stakeholders in Western New York, has been honored by the New York State Office of Mental Health for advancing suicide-safer settings in school districts across the region.

At Starpoint's Regan Intermediate School the theme of the year is the Power of Yet.  Principal Monica Daigler said it's all about the growth mindset.

The North Tonawanda Botanical Garden Organization will sponsor a community workday from 9 a.m. until noon, Saturday, Oct. 6, at the North Tonawanda Botanical Garden, 1825 Sweeney St.

Howard J. "John" Ritter, 75, of Lewiston, passed away peacefully at home with the loving care of Niagara Hospice and his family on Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2018.

Ohio Street School Principal Michael Hiller said everyone at the North Tonawanda City School District is excited about the new One District, One Book initiative. 

On Sept. 22, the Shawnee Sno-Chiefs Snowmobile Club will host its 20th annual Snowmobile Grass Drags/ATV Races/Vintage Snowmobile Show.

The Das Haus German Heritage Museum invites the public to its annual harvest dinner, which celebrates and commemorates the 175th anniversary of migrations of the Old Lutheran Prussian German settlers the local region, starting the congregations of St. Martins, Holy Ghost and St. Peters churches.

Last Friday, seniors and community members joined Drifa Seiwell at the Wheatfield Community Center for a 100th birthday celebration. Seiwell was joined by her son, Roy, as well as senior director Arlene Mante and councilmen Larry Helwig and Gil Doucet.

On Saturday and Sunday Oct. 6 and 7, the Sanborn Business Association will present Autumn Fest in Sanborn at the Sanborn-Lewiston Farm Museum grounds, 2660 Saunders Settlement Road. The event, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., will feature a vendor show, country crafts, food, music, kids activities, wagon rides and a basket auction.

Everyone in Niagara County can usually admit the region is notorious for helping each other out and having each other's backs. For 12-year-old, Town of Niagara resident and Edward Town Middle School student Samantha Tierney, that has been her mindset for years now.

The Starpoint Spartans boys modified soccer team will play for a good cause this season as the team shows its support for the Ronald McDonald House of Buffalo. In its first game Monday, the Spartans wore the signature Ronald McDonald red and white socks.

Last fall, Falcons athletics accrued four Niagara Frontier League titles. As of now, this season's teams are on pace to do the same and then some.

Last season, the Niagara-Wheatfield boys soccer team won four games and lost two, but tied seven times. Every game seemed to wind up in a tie. In 2018, ties are turning into victories for the Falcons.

For the last three years, Niagara-Wheatfield girls swimming and diving has set up quite a history. After not winning a Niagara Frontier League title until 2015, the team started their own little legacy by clinching a share of the NFL titles in 2016 and 2017. For 2018, Falcons coach Mike Corsaro thinks title No. 4 could be in reach, too.

On Tuesday night, at the Town of Niagara Town Board's monthly meeting, Supervisor Lee Wallace and the board took time to recognize several children who volunteered in the fourth annual Neaten Up Niagara.

Last Saturday, families and children alike gathered at Veterans Memorial Community Park in the Town of Niagara for the 21st annual "Kidz 'N' Kites" celebration.