Order forms for the 2019 conservation tree and shrub seedling sale are now available from the Erie County Soil and Water Conservation District.

The Grand Island Chamber of Commerce will host the 2019 Grand Island State of the Town and Schools event from 10-11:45 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 24, at the Buffalo Launch Club, 503 E. River Road. Scheduled guest speakers include Town of Grand Island Supervisor Nate McMurray and Grand Island Central School District Superintendent Brian Graham, Ed.D.

The Neighbors Foundation had a very successful holiday season with donations to its "Share Your Happiness" program and the pancake breakfast hosted by Ellden's Restaurant (River Oaks Clubhouse).

The Neighbors Foundation helps those on Grand Island who are in temporary need. While its biggest fundraiser takes place at Christmas time, its work is year-round.

Grand Island voters approved a $24 million capital project plan in a referendum Tuesday.

The Buffalo Launch Club held its installation of 2019 officers on Sunday, Dec. 30, at the club, 503 E. River Road. The installation followed an 11 a.m. brunch.

A large crowd, mostly young women and girls, attended a forum on women in science and mathematics presented by the Grand Island Zonta Club Wednesday evening at Grand Island High School.

Whatever 2019 new year's resolutions made for more congeniality in Grand Island Town Board meetings lasted little more than an hour.

The DeGlopper Memorial Expansion Committee signed a contract Monday with a sculptor to produce a life-sized statue of Charles DeGlopper that would be a centerpiece of the new and improved DeGlopper Park.

In basketball terms, when Niagara-Wheatfield and Grand Island stepped onto the hardwood inside N-WHS Tuesday night, the teams were battling to improve their record in the Niagara Frontier League and gain points for the sectional playoffs. As important as a win was, though, Tuesday night was a lot more than basketball. The Falcons and Vikings joined in the 2019 Hoops for Hope game, which was played in honor of a friend close to each school's heart - Julie Neville.

Again this holiday season, the Town of Grand Island benefited from the Erie County Correctional Facility's Horticulture Program. The wreaths and poinsettias visitors to town buildings and in offices were grown/made by the inmates at the Correctional Facility and donated to the town for use on town property.

Girls in the Grand Island School District and their parents will have a unique opportunity on Wednesday evening, Jan. 9, to learn about women in science and mathematics, and how they, as students, can begin a career path in these fields while still in school.

Erie County Legislator Kevin Hardwick announced Thursday additional funding in the 2019 Erie County budget, which was signed into law on Dec. 10 by County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz.

The American Red Cross will hold a blood drive from 1 to 5:45 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 22, at the Grand Island Firehall, 2275 Baseline Road.

Town Clerk Pattie Frentzel enjoyed the volunteer services of eight ladies from the Grand Island Golden Age Center on Thursday.

The Neighbors Foundation of Grand Island thanks the hundreds of individuals and organizations who contributed to our successful 2018 holiday distribution. Over 50 of your neighbors were helped with food baskets and, where appropriate, gift cards for their children.

Erie County Clerk Michael P. Kearns was sworn into office for a four-year term on Jan. 2.

Niagara-Wheatfield High School and Grand Island High School might be rivals on the basketball court, but come Jan. 8, the two schools will join together to remember someone very close to their hearts.

Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn was selected by the National District Attorneys Association (NDAA) to serve as a member of its newly formed veterans committee.

Not even the prospect of forking out $24 million was enough to entice a single member of the voting public to attend a capital project public hearing held by the Grand Island Central School District last week.

Tops Markets hosted the 2018 Island Dispatch/Grand Island PennySaver Christmas Coloring Contest award presentations on Saturday for artists in three age groups. The prizes and sponsorship of the coloring contest were provided by Tops Markets, John's Pizza & Subs, Kelly's Country Store, and Phil Mastantuono Allstate Agency.

Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz was joined Friday at Buffalo's Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center by Erie County Legislature Chairman Peter Savage (3rd District), Legislator John Bruso (8th District), Assemblyman-elect Patrick Burke (142nd District), Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center President and CEO Dr. Candace Johnson, and Western Region Youth Advocate of the Year Zoe Kaminski, as well as personnel from the Erie County Department of Health and Roswell Park, as he signed the Public Health Protection Act of 2018.

Notaro Chiropractic, with an office on Grand Island Boulevard, recently donated turkeys for the underprivileged at the holidays.

The Buffalo Launch Club invites Grand Island residents and nonmembers to stop in for dinner this holiday season.

For the third year, Veronica Connor Middle School social studies teacher Dawn Hayes and her students have sold poppies in the fall. This year's sale took place prior to the second annual Veterans Parade.

A national ranking of top fairs and exhibitions has named the Erie County Fair the largest county fair east of the Rocky Mountains, the fourth-largest county fair in the U.S., and 13th-largest fair overall in North America in 2018. The ranking of fairs, based on attendance, is published annually by CarnivalWarehouse.com. The "Top 50 Fair" list includes all county and state fairs, exhibitions and rodeo shows in the U.S. and Canada.

Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz issued the following statement Tuesday regarding the decision of Erie County Legislator Kevin Hardwick (4th District) to join the legislature's Democratic caucus:

The Erie County Agricultural Society has announced a revised gate admission structure. Under the plan, which will go into effect during the 180th Erie County Fair in 2019, full-price, adult gate admission will increase from $10 to $12. The revised admission cost is the first gate increase for the Erie County Fair in a decade.

Cheryl Chamberlain called Thursday her "favorite day of the year."

Elevated levels of contaminants have been found at both Charlotte Sidway Elementary School and Kaegebein Elementary School.

Trend Setters Hair Design held a ribbon-cutting on Monday, Dec. 10, at its new location at 2094 Grand Island Blvd. Owner Karen Benninger cut the ribbon along with employees, town officials, and members of the Grand Island Chamber of Commerce. There will also be a grand re-opening to follow in January.

The Erie County Department of Health has confirmed a recent émigré treated at Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital has been diagnosed with measles. This individual had visited multiple venues in Erie County, potentially exposing others to measles from Dec. 4-11.

The next meeting of the Buffalo and Erie County Greenway Fund Standing Committee will be at 8:30 a.m. Friday, Dec. 14, at the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo, 726 Exchange St., Suite 525, Buffalo.

Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz was joined Tuesday by Erie County Legislature Chairman Peter Savage (3rd District), Legislature Majority Leader April Baskin (2nd District) and Legislator Barbara Miller-Williams (1st District) to present highlights of the recently adopted 2019 Erie County budget, which was passed by the legislature last week in an 8-3 vote.

Empire State Development announced Amanda M. Mays will join ESD's Western New York regional leadership team. Mays, who previously served as senior project manager, was named regional director and will serve alongside Stephen Gawlik, vice president, poly and capital projects and senior counsel; Steven Ranalli, VP of development at Erie Canal Harbor Development Corp.; and Paul Tronolone, VP of policy and planning.