Niagara County Legislator Dave Godfrey on Tuesday announced the Niagara County Department of Emergency Services will hold a giveaway event in Niagara Falls to provide free masks and small bottles of hand sanitizer to the general public.

Coronavirus stats for June 30

Coronavirus stats for June 29

Full edition: The Tribune and The Sentinel for June 26, 2020

Acting Niagara County Sheriff's Office Sheriff Michael J. Filicetti would like to notify residents about a newly reported scam using New Yorker's personal information to file fraudulent claims for unemployment benefits.

While the global pandemic has altered many aspects of the spring semester for students at Niagara County Community College, the administration wanted to ensure graduates still received a proper acknowledgment of their accomplishments.

Niagara County Community College, in accordance with the National Junior College Athletic Association's "Path for 2020-21 Sports," plans to offer intercollegiate athletics during the 2020-21 academic year. Fall championship sports may begin practice on Aug. 1.

Coronavirus stats for June 26

If you've driven through the Niagara-Wheatfield School District in the last few weeks, you've certainly noticed the myriad black and red lawn signs honoring recent high school graduates. They're generally about the standard size of the campaign signs you see around election time, roughly 24-by-18-inches or so. They make for a nice, quaint, school-spirited way for a parent to show pride in their child's accomplishments.

The Wheatfield Town Board held a brief special meeting via Zoom on Monday. Among the announcements, the board declared an end to the town's state of emergency put in place due to the coronavirus. A request from a local softball league to utilize town playing fields was also denied.

At a recent Niagara County municipal historians meeting, Middleport historian Christa Lutz discussed her participation in the national Hometown Heroes program. The program honors veterans of the U.S. military by displaying a picture of them on a banner along with their name, rank, branch of service and dates served.

Legislator Richard Andres and the Carnegie Arts Center are sponsoring a kids Fourth of July parade. The event will take the place of the annual Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum Fourth of July kids parade, which was canceled due to COVID-19 concerns.

Niagara County SPCA has teamed up with De Dee's Dairy in Niagara Falls on a brand-new #AdoptAPupInACup campaign to help raise funds and get shelter dogs get adopted.

Although initially thought to be included in Gov. Andrew Cuomo's phase four reopening plans, this week malls across the state learned they would have to remain closed for now. During the governor's press briefing on Wednesday, Cuomo said state health officials would continue to "study malls, movie theaters and gyms," as concerns rise that air conditioning systems could propel a resurgence of the coronavirus.

Coronavirus stats for June 25

Niagara County Clerk Joseph A. Jastrzemski on Wednesday announced additional services provided by the county clerk's office would be reopening on Monday, June 29, including appointments for all DMV transactions at the Niagara Falls location, as well as appointments for the Veterans Service Agency and the Pistol Permit Office.

The "New York Forward" website has begun to detail the fourth phase of Gov. Andrew Cuomo's reopening plan. Western New York is expected to enter this stage on Tuesday, June 30.

Niagara County Legislator Dave Godfrey on Tuesday announced the Niagara County Department of Emergency Services will hold its first drive-thru event to provide free masks and small bottles of hand sanitizer to the general public.

Niagara County's Department of Health issued the following update on positive COVID-19 cases in Niagara County: "We regretfully report the death of a 77-year-old male with underlying health conditions. We extend our deepest sympathies to his family and friends."

The Niagara Count Department of Public Works on Monday announced it will soon begin survey work on Sunset Drive from Upper Mountain Road to Stone Road as the first step in the design process to rehabilitate the driving surface. The actual project would be a few years away.

Testing for COVID-19 leads to quick identification of cases, medical support for those that need it, and immediate isolation of the person to prevent spread. Close contacts to positive cases are considered quarantines to further reduce spread.

I hope all residents are enjoying the summerlike weather we are having now. Everyone is eager to get outside and enjoy the sunshine, but please maintain social distancing and wearing your mask when among people. Since the Governor has allowed groups of 25 to assemble, there still needs to be social distancing. While dining outside is enjoyable, the rules still need to be followed. Dining inside is now allowed for 50% capacity.

Coronavirus stats for June 22

North Tonawanda City Hall will be reopening to the public by appointment only, beginning June 22. The following rules and conditions will apply:

The Town of Niagara will begin the gradual process of reopening the Town Hall. Below are the procedures in place for the week of June 22:

Full edition: The Tribune and The Sentinel for June 19, 2020

As planning continues toward restoration of Niagara County shoreline areas under the New York State Lake Ontario Resiliency and Economic Development Initiative (REDI), Niagara County legislators are now putting out the call for Gov. Andrew Cuomo to consider waiving the 5% local funding share.

Show off your "red, white and blue" for the Fourth of July in Wheatfield from June 24 through July 8.

Graduating seniors from Niagara-Wheatfield High School are set to get a send-off to remember on Saturday, June 20. Co-developed by school administrators as well as students, the three-part graduation ceremony will include a virtual ceremony, drive-up commencement and a community parade.

The Town of Niagara water tower was the subject of some discussion at the regular Town Board meeting on June 16. A late agenda resolution to award the "Water Tank Exterior Painting Project" to Utility Service Co. Inc. for $1,581,600 raised some questions among board members.

Niagara Clerk Joseph A. Jastrzemski on Thursday announced the Niagara County Department of Motor Vehicles offices in North Tonawanda and Lockport will be open for in-person transactions for Niagara County residents only beginning Monday, June 22. In-person transactions are by appointment only. Residents can begin scheduling their appointments as of 9 a.m. Friday.

Coronavirus stats for June 18

Niagara County will open one playground area in each of Krull, Oppenheim and West Canal parks on Friday, and will open the rest of the playground areas next Friday, Niagara County Legislature Chairwoman Becky Wydysh said. Splash pads at Krull and Oppenheim are set to open by the end of June.