Niagara County's taxpayers can expect their property tax rates to be reduced to a historic low next year if the budget prepared by County Manager Rick Updegrove and Budget Director Dan Huntington is approved by county lawmakers next month.

So, what is going on with the Lewiston Family Ice Rink?

The Town of Porter Town Board took limited commentary at its special meeting Tuesday to consider the town's preliminary $5.241 million budget for 2020.

The Lewiston Town Board held a Nov. 7 public hearing on its 2020 $18,463,867 preliminary budget. The numbers represent a $336,238 (1.85%) increase over the 2019 budget. However, the plan also shows a projected 0.47% tax decrease.

The New York Power Authority, in recognition of Native American Heritage Month, will host a variety of cultural activities, presentations and performances on Saturday at its Niagara Power Vista, 5777 Lewiston Road. Visitors can help build longhouses and learn about the history of lacrosse.

Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul and New York Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Commissioner Erik Kulleseid today showcased 20 shoreline resiliency projects in Niagara and Orleans counties that are receiving an estimated $49 million in state funding through Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo's Lake Ontario Resiliency and Economic Development Initiative (REDI). The projects were reviewed at a meeting of the Niagara and Orleans REDI Region Planning Committee, which includes local elected officials and other stakeholders.

The Niagara River Greenway Commission will meet Tuesday, Nov. 19, to determine the consistency of the next round of projects. The meeting will take place at 3 p.m. at the NOCO Pavilion in Sheridan Park at 450 Ensminger Road, Tonawanda.

At nightfall on the 11th day of the 11th month - Veterans Day - Veterans of Foreign Wars Downriver Post 7487 officially unveiled its "Circle of Honor" monument inside Lewiston's Academy Park.

Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7487 held a Veterans Day observance at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, in honor of those who served this country in the armed forces. The event took place at the new "Circle of Honor" memorial at Academy Park in Lewiston.

Niagara County Community College will participate in its first "Day of Giving" on Tuesday, Dec. 3. The one-day online campaign to benefit the students, faculty, staff and community of NCCC.

The Lewiston Choraleers will present its popular holiday concert series at four area church sites, including a performance one Saturday, Dec. 7, to coincide with the annual Lewiston Christmas Walk sponsored by the Niagara River Region Chamber of Commerce.

In addition to River's Edge, residents have been wondering what's going on with other notable developments around the Village of Lewiston. Here is an update:

Janet Hoffman, president of Celebrate Wilson, announced plans for hosting a unique culinary event. Titled "Field to Table," it's intended to celebrate the end of the growing season in northern Niagara. A bountiful dinner (with entertainment) will take place at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 13, at the Wilson House Restaurant.

One can add the nicest countertops, largest bathrooms and comfiest bedrooms to a residence, but it still won't have what the principals behind River's Edge can boast about. "Definitely the water, and the lack of condos, and that type of living in the village," Alisa Talarico said. "Anything new or with the water view was huge."

Deputy Clerk Shannon Fundis and Deputy Treasurer Stephanie Myers were promoted and will take the reins on Jan. 1.

Ransomville Speedway celebrated the performances of its racers and teams from the 2019 season at its annual season awards banquet, Friday Nov. 1, in the Lewiston Fire Co. No. 2 firehall.

Additional Veterans Day events in Niagara County this weekend include:

The St. Francis Guild of Mount St. Mary's Hospital will conduct its annual holiday bazaar from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, Nov. 15, in the hospital's south (main) lobby.

The Lewiston Police Department announced this week the national Aftermath K-9 Grant Program voting results found K-9 Shadow, pictured, finishing an impressive first among the 36-department New England Region, He also tied for sixth in the nationwide six-region contest, among hundreds of law enforcement agencies.

Niagara County Community College's search for a president is finished, according to board of trustees Chairman Bill Ross. The trustees, having interviewed four finalists for the position and chosen the applicant most suited, are sworn to confidentiality on the subject, but have sent their chosen applicant to the SUNY Board of Trustees and SUNY chancellor for approval.

The Town of Porter recently received designation as a Clean Energy Community by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority for its efforts in reducing energy use, cutting costs, and pursuing clean energy locally.

The Lewiston Opera Hall, 732 Center St., will be the location of a new children's musical, "The Princess and the Pea," with performances taking place at 7 p.m. today and Sunday.

The New York Power Authority, in recognition of Native American Heritage Month, will host a variety of cultural activities, presentations and performances Saturday, Nov. 16, at its Niagara Power Vista, 5777 Lewiston Road. Visitors can help build longhouses and learn about the history of lacrosse.

Old Fort Niagara, the 18th century historic site, is getting ready for its popular Christmas event in a very 21st-century way.

The Republican Party in northern Niagara County scored major victories on Election Day in the Town of Lewiston and in the legislature.

Two large gifts to the new playground project were announced prior to Monday's Village of Lewiston Board of Trustees work session.

"The Legend Lives On."... At 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 19, Lewiston Council on the Arts proudly presents "A Tribute to the Edmund Fitzgerald" at the Brickyard Brewing Company, 436 Center St., Lewiston. This multisensory, multimedia tribute will be hosted by artist and Edmund Fitzgerald enthusiast Thomas Paul Asklar, who will commemorate the 44th anniversary of the disaster.

Funtime Presents and Artpark & Company welcome AWOLNATION "The Lightning Riders Tour" with special guest Andrew McMahon for an amphitheater performance on Sunday, May 31, 2020. The show also features performances by The Beaches and Bleeker.

For well over a decade now, the Niagara Wine Trail USA wineries have partnered with local food banks and charitable organizations - and this year is no different. To ensure a bountiful holiday season for area residents in need, the annual "Share the Bounty" event will be held Veterans Day Weekend, Nov. 9-11.

After nearly two years of planning, fundraising, engineering and construction, the new Veterans of Foreign Wars "Circle of Honor" will be dedicated during a nighttime ceremony at 6:15 p.m. Veterans Day, Monday, Nov. 11.

Our Lady of Fatima Shrine Knights of Columbus Council No. 14622 will hosts its 11th annual spaghetti dinner from 3-7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 23, in the Shrine dining hall, 1023 Swann Road, Lewiston.

The Historical Association of Lewiston announced the release of its ninth annual holiday ornament, featuring Apple Granny Restaurant.

First Presbyterian Church of Lewiston will hold a bazaar and white elephant sale from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Election Day, Tuesday Nov. 5, at the church, South Fifth and Cayuga streets. Available will be baked goods, jams and jellies, pies, cookies, and better white elephant treasures, including jewelry.

A Medicare educational symposium will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 13, at the Lewiston Public Library Community Room, 305 S. Eighth St.

Shown in a storefront window across the street from the post office in Ransomville is a tribute to former 1st District Niagara County Legislator Clyde Burmaster, who lost his lengthy battle to cancer earlier this fall. It was prepared by Ransomville resident Ruth Anne Buzzard, who wrote, "The Hamlet of Ransomville gives a Hometown Tribute to their friend, and Niagara County Legislator Clyde Burmaster.