"Thunder," the anticipated eighth recording by acclaimed singer/songwriter and author Rick Lee James, will be available beginning Feb. 8. Produced by Chris Hoisington of Brothers McClurg at Old Bear Studio in Buffalo, "Thunder" features 10 songs, including the title cut co-written by the late Rich Mullins along with renowned songsmiths Lowell Alexander and Phil Naish.

Industry powerhouses Bethel Music and Jeff Roberts & Associates (JRA) are partnering to support the extensive touring efforts of Bethel Music. The collective of artists that form Bethel Music have been taking their music across the U.S. and around the world, including a recent trek in the U.K. JRA has been serving artists for 33 years, including Casting Crowns, for KING & COUNTRY, Matt Maher, Skillet and Rebecca St. James. The collaboration will continue the forward touring momentum.

Actor-comedian and Oscar-nominated writer Kumail Nanjiani and actress/producer/director Tracee Ellis Ross announced the 91st Oscars nominations today, live from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' headquarters in Beverly Hills.

The Erie County departments of health, social services and senior services are seeking public input on ways to improve health and human services programs countywide, and have introduced an online survey for public usage to gather such information for incorporation into an enhanced health and human services plan.

The Niagara Falls Underground Railroad Heritage Center puts black history at the center of its programming all year round. During Black History Month, like throughout the year, staff and programs celebrate everyday heroes of the Underground Railroad and today.

The New York State Department of Taxation and Finance reminds employers to accurately file their withholding taxes ahead of the Jan. 31 deadline. This will help ensure any refunds owed to their employees won't be delayed.

The Diocese of Buffalo has established the adult sexual abuse and misconduct task force. The group will review and recommend policies and procedures for assessing and responding to allegations of sexual misconduct with adults by priests, deacons, religious and lay employees.

While Buffalo's first storm is in the rearview, Lyft has an initiative to support its drivers during winter's high ridership demand. Known as the "snow team," Lyft's program invites a select number of Buffalo drivers to participate, offering exclusive benefits to help create a safe experience during winter's challenges - all season long.

From 9 a.m. until noon Saturday, Feb. 9, Dr. Glenda R. Rose and Dr. Thomas G. Barba of Rose Chiropractic P.C. in Lewiston will sponsor the 29th annual "Doctors with a Heart Day" for their patients. Nonperishable food items will be collected to benefit the Niagara Community Action Program (NiaCAP) food pantry in exchange for chiropractic services.

Joining a growing list of community groups in the River Region helping out affected federal employees in the midst of the U.S. government shutdown, the Town of Porter will begin assisting affected personnel at U.S. Coast Guard Station Niagara in Youngstown.

The Erie County Fair has announced its "I-Hub at the Fair" exhibit will expand during the upcoming 180th Erie County Fair this August. "I-Hub at the Fair," with the "I" standing for "innovation, imagination & ingenuity," debuted in 2018 to highlight Western New York's growing STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics)-based economy and educational opportunities. During the 2019 Erie County Fair, the I-Hub's exhibit and demonstration space will be further developed into a stand-alone, 6,000-square-feet pavilion.

With the fall release of his critically lauded "Living Hope," named "Worship Album of the Year" (New Release Today), Phil Wickham has unveiled "Living Hope (The House Sessions)," available now. Recorded live in an intimate setting, "Living Hope (The House Sessions)" invites listeners into a meaningful, visceral time of worship.

Grammy Award-winning rock band Switchfoot has released its 11th full-length album, "Native Tongue," via Fantasy Records. Throughout 2019, Switchfoot will take the project's message of love and hope to a multitude of fans on the North American leg of their "Native Tongue Tour," which kicks off Feb. 14 in Asheville, North Carolina, and includes a Feb. 28 stop at Danforth Music Hall in Toronto.

Sony Masterworks Broadway announced the release of "Rent - Original Soundtrack of the FOX Live Television Event," with music from the Tony Award- and Pulitzer Prize-winning musical "Rent," as performed by cast members, with a live orchestra on stage, during FOX's anticipated live broadcast.

IRS-certified accounting students from the University at Buffalo School of Management will again provide free tax preparation services to individuals and families with annual incomes below $54,000.

After a break following a bustling holiday season in which the BPO performed for more than 25,000 people at 13 separate concerts, the orchestra returns for a second half of quality entertainment, classical masterworks, and hidden gems.

On Jan. 1, Erie County Clerk Michael Kearns implemented a policy rejecting court filings for confessions of judgment that do not comply with New York state law.

"Just Say Jesus" and "God Is On The Move" hitmakers 7eventh Time Down return March 1 with "Brand New Day," the band's fourth BEC studio recording. Featuring 10 tracks, six of which were produced by 7eventh Time Down frontman Mikey Howard, the project also showcases production contributions from Grammy Award-winner Theron "Neff-U" Feemster (Michael Jackson, Mary J. Blige), Ian Eskelin (Francesca Battistelli, Sidewalk Prophets) and Colby Wedgeworth (Tauren Wells, Zach Williams).

Last week, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo announced the "Green New Deal," a nation-leading clean energy and jobs agenda that will "aggressively put New York state on a path to economy-wide carbon neutrality," is included in the 2019 executive budget. The plan provides for a transition to clean energy that "spurs growth of the green economy and prioritizes the needs of low- to moderate-income New Yorkers."

"During the government shutdown so many families are being affected with no paycheck. Our U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officers and TSA officers in the Western New York area are still working to keep everyone safe despite not getting paid. Seneca Resorts & Casinos wants to show their appreciation for their hard work and dedication by offering all TSA officers and U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers two free buffets at Thunder Falls Buffet inside Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino any Monday through Friday in January."

In preparation for the significant amounts of snow and ice that are expected from this weekend's storm, the New York Propane Gas Association has issued the following notice for propane customers in New York state. Propane users should take these steps now to help ensure they stay safe and warm during and after this weekend's storm:

A coalition of groups has formed to establish a new winter event on Grand Island for families suffering from cabin fever.

After, ahem, a few years of covering the Village of Lewiston for The Sentinel, Managing Editor Joshua Maloni was rewarded this week with (no, not a raise) an official nameplate. The marker comes courtesy of the clerk's office; Maloni said it is much appreciated.

In addition to its Jan. 7 approval for construction of the town's second privately owned utility-scale solar system, Lewiston Town Board members spent much of that session with approvals on a number of procedural matters, setting the stage for town operations in 2019.

WXRL Radio - Buffalo's home for classic county music - recently announced its new FM-95.5 signal, in addition to AM 1300.

Representatives of Northwest Bank, New York Region, stopped by Old Fort Niagara on Thursday to announce a new relationship with the Old Fort Niagara Association as presenting sponsor of special events programming.

Construction is nearly complete at 765 Fairchild Place, and a May move-in date was announced on Wednesday night. The 29-unit living complex was constructed at the site of the former Fairchild Manor nursing home.

A resolution introduced by Erie County Legislator Kevin Hardwick urges the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation to request federal funds for Tonawanda Coke clean-up.

Elected leaders and citizen activists who fought and won in court against polluter Tonawanda Coke criticized the researchers who are conducting a soil study mandated as part of the company's court sentence.

Community Missions will hold its 22nd annual Sweetheart Dinner, presented by KeyBank, on Friday, Feb. 8, at the Sheraton Niagara Falls. The annual event benefits the agency's crisis services, including the community soup kitchen, food pantry, clothes closet and emergency housing shelter, and will feature more than 100 baskets, gift cards, lottery tickets, silent auction items and numerous raffles.

Two leading United Way organizations in Niagara County - the United Way of the Tonawandas and United Way of Greater Niagara - announced completion this week of their merger and consolidation of services. Now operating under United Way of Greater Niagara, both chapters have come together to oversee and coordinate the services of 29 organizations throughout Niagara County, supporting a total of 46 different programs in the area.

The National Comedy Center in Jamestown, the country's first museum and cultural institution devoted to comedy as an art form, placed second in the final ranking of the 20 "Best New Attractions" in the USA Today 10Best Readers' Choice travel award contest. The National Comedy Center ranked as the top museum, as well as the top ticketed attraction.

Suzanne F. Volante of Grand Island died peacefully Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2019, at Kenmore Mercy Hospital. She was 96.

With winter weather watches and warnings in effect across upstate New York, National Grid is closely monitoring the weather and is prepared if the forecasted heavy snowfall impacts our system. To ensure customers also are prepared, the company offers the following safety reminders regarding the hazards of snow accumulating around electricity equipment.

The Buffalo Sabres on Thursday announced the team acquired forward Taylor Leier from the Philadelphia Flyers in exchange for forward Justin Bailey.