Over the weekend, the seventh annual Greater Niagara Fishing and Outdoor Expo invaded downtown Niagara Falls. The event was held at the Conference and Event Center with a focus on "Teaching Fishing" to the legions of anglers that can be found in New York, Southern Ontario and other nearby states.

The Erie County Department of Health has scheduled a free rabies vaccination clinic for dogs, indoor and outdoor cats, and ferrets from 3-7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 29, at North Buffalo Community Center, 203 Sanders Road, Buffalo.

The Erie County Department of Environment and Planning will host public hearings for the draft 2020-24 Consolidated Plan for Community Development and the 2020 Action Plan for the Community Development Block Grant ("CDBG"), Home Investment Partnership Grant ("HOME"), and Emergency Solutions Grant ("HESG") during the week of Jan. 20 in three communities across Erie County.

The Erie County Department of Parks, Recreation and Forestry, in conjunction with WNY PRISM, the Cornell University Cooperative Extension, and the NYS Hemlock Initiative is presenting a free public event focusing on the hemlock woolly adelgid, an invasive aphid-like forest pest that is currently spreading in Western New York forests. The spread of HWA threatens the Eastern Hemlock, an important tree species that is a critical part of forest ecosystems, provides stream habitat for trout species and creates habitat for numerous other plant and animal species.

The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority on Monday announced it has selected Home Inspections By The Fulmer Group to deliver home energy ratings for homebuyers in Erie County, as part of the second phase of the Home Energy Ratings Pilot. The pilot supports the state mandate for a 40% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo's "Green New Deal," which puts New York on a path to economywide carbon neutrality.

Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz was joined Monday by Commissioner of Parks, Recreation and Forestry Troy P. Schinzel along with parks' staff, Ed Leake and members of the Town of Orchard Park Town Recreation Department, and event sponsors to announce WinterFest 2020 will be held at Chestnut Ridge Park from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 19. If weather permits, the free event will feature sledding, skiing, snowboarding and a snow sculpting contest along with other seasonal outdoor activities.

The New York State Thruway Authority has announced cashless tolling customer assistance sessions will continue in 2020 at the Western New York Welcome Center on the first Tuesday of each month.

The Grand Island Chamber of Commerce has announced the second annual State of the Town and Schools event.

In its first meeting of 2020, the Grand Island Town Board issued proclamations to two cornerstones of the town court.

Approximately 4,500 town and county tax bills are now in the mail thanks to the volunteer work of members of the Golden Age Club at the town's Golden Age Center.

Legislator Kevin Hardwick has announced that the Island Dispatch will again serve as one of the official newspapers of Erie County for the 2020 legislative year.

The Thruway Authority is moving ahead with a proposal to adjust tolls on the Thruway beginning Jan. 1, 2021 -- the first since 2010 -- after we have converted to cashless tolling system-wide by the end of 2020. I want to further clarify what this means for motorists in Western New York, and how the proposed changes will impact our customers.

January is National Cervical Health Awareness Month, and the Erie County Department of Health is reminding women that screening and vaccination are important tools to detect and prevent cervical cancer.

Just days into a new year and decade, thoughts of area fishers and outdoors aficionados are already turning to warmer weather. We have to admit that winter 2019-20 is already getting on our nerves; the holidays are thankfully over and the Bills short run at the playoffs is now history.

The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation will issue temporary seasonal dock permits for up to 50 docks along the West River Shoreline Trail on a first-come, first-served basis for the 2020 season.

The Neighbors Foundation of Grand Island thanks the hundreds of individuals and organizations who contributed to our successful 2019 holiday distribution. Fifty-three of your neighbor families were helped with food baskets and, where appropriate, gift cards for their children.

Grand Island government began the transition to a one-party Town Board with a New Year's resolution to work toward town unity.

The Grand Island Fire Co. responded to nearly five calls a day in 2019, the company reported.

The Island Café in Tops Friendly Markets on Grand Island Boulevard hosted the prize giveaway for winners of the Island Dispatch 2019 Christmas Coloring Contest on Dec. 20.

Erie County Sheriff Timothy B. Howard reports his office is investigating an armed robbery that occurred on Jan. 1, at approximately 8:15 p.m. on Grand Island.

The New York State Thruway Authority, MTA Bridges and Tunnels, and The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey announced Dec. 23 the creation of Offices of the Toll Payer Advocate for customers of these tolling agencies.

The Notaro Chiropractic Group, which has a location on Grand Island, will have a new location at 950 Maple Road in Williamsville opening Jan. 30.

Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz announced his appointment of Geoffrey M. Szymanski as Erie County director of workforce development. In that position, he serves as executive director of the Buffalo and Erie County Workforce Investment Board.

A group from the town's Golden Age Center has used its Christmas spirit to raise money for Children's Hospital.

The DeGlopper Memorial Expansion Committee is recommending a fitting Christmas gift for the Island's veterans.

The Town of Grand Island has announced the inauguration of the newly elected officials will take place at noon Wednesday, Jan. 1, at the Grand Island Community Center in the Nike Base, 3278 Whitehaven Road.

A proposed town tree ordinance is going back to committee following another public hearing before the Grand Island Town Board Monday.

Cystic fibrosis has been in the news with the approval of a new drug for its treatment. Although Trikafta was approved in October by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, hailed by doctors and patients alike as a breakthrough, many children still deal with daily regimes of airway cleaning techniques, enzyme and antibiotic therapies, and frequent clinic appointments and hospital stays for check-ups and tune-ups.

Members of the Grand Island High School and Connor Middle School Interact clubs and the Early Act Club members from the William Kaegebein and the Huth Road elementary schools have teamed up with members of the Grand Island Rotary Club this month collecting donations through the Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign at Tops Friendly Markets on Grand Island Boulevard.

Santa Claus (Noah Teator) and an elf (Megan Stanley) of the Grand Island Fire Co. rode ladder truck No. 6 last Saturday in the Light Up the Boulevard Parade to the Town Commons, where Santa lit the town Christmas tree. (Photo by Larry Austin)

The Grand Island Central School District's coaching staff and supporters of the Unified basketball team took the plunge this weekend for the Special Olympics.

A fire on Tuesday, Nov. 26, at the Tai Pei restaurant, 2315 Grand Island Blvd., has impacted neighboring businesses in the same plaza.

This year's Neighbors Foundation food drive once again supported dozens of Island families in temporary need this holiday season.

Sixteen local organizations have been designated to receive over $1.6 million in grant funding as part of the 2019 poverty initiatives allocation following recommendations from the Erie County Poverty Committee, which evaluated 61 proposals from qualified not-for-profit agencies seeking to provide transformational projects that empower those living in or at risk of falling into poverty.