The Grand Island Town Board voted Monday to give New York state’s Department of Environmental Conservation and the federal Environmental Protection Agency access to Veterans Park to do radiological assessments.

Assessments could begin within a few days at the site that was identified by the DEC as a “location of interest,” said Patrick Concannon, DEC engineering geologist who presented the information to the Town Board on Aug. 3.

“As far as I am aware, it’s the only municipal property on Grand Island that we’d like to have access to,” Concannon said. “The purpose is to come (to the Town Board meeting) and explain what we are looking to do and answer any questions you might have relative to that.

“Basically, we saw one point on a map in Veterans Park. That doesn’t indicate that there’s a problem. It’s simply a location of interest that we’d like to access with our boots on the ground. We may see things that could relate to understood manmade features. We’ve seen granite curbing, decorative rocks and boulders. Materials that are naturally occurring. Bedrock, soils. There’s a natural radiological aspect to everything. We just want to see what is there, how it relates to the information that we have, and see if we have to do any follow-up. Hopefully, we can just say that this is pretty easy to determine whether we do or do not need to have any follow up.”

When asked when results of the radiological assessment would be available, Concannon explained, “We want to make sure we don’t send results out without them being thoroughly analyzed and digested by our health physics folks. We have staff from all of our agencies taking a look at these things. I think that, right now, we’re looking at a time frame of a couple of weeks.”

When asked if utility vehicles are necessary to complete the assessments, Concannon explained that such vehicles would not be necessary.

“(Utility vehicle usage) allows us to access larger properties a little more easily,” he said. “We’re very understanding that sometimes that’s not acceptable to the property owner or the municipality. We don’t want to rut up your field. We don’t want to take liberties with ballfields. We’ll certainly be conscientious of the paths and whatnot. If we have to do it by hand, we’ll do it by hand.”

When asked if the work could be done after Little League completes its season, Concannon said, “Whatever you need, we will work with you. We are working seven days a week and we can accommodate schedules. We will work around your schedules, your limits, whatever concerns you have.

“We’re continuing to deal with an increasing number of requests (for assessments). Not so much on Grand Island. More in Niagara County.”

Residents who have questions about the ongoing radiological assessments can call 518-712-8279, a dedicated phone line for the Niagara and Erie County radiological assessment.

Niagara County Joseph A. Jastrzemski today led a ceremony at the Niagara County Courthouse in Lockport in honor of National Purple Heart Day. Legislator Dave Godfrey and Town of Wheatfield Supervisor Don MacSwan raised the Purple Heart flag while members of the Gates Pipe & Drum band performed.

The Purple Heart is awarded to those wounded or killed as a result of enemy action while serving in the U.S. military.

“We are very proud to stand here and honor the more than 400 Niagara County residents who have earned the Purple Heart award defending our country and our freedoms,” Jastrzemski said. “These men and women, and all those across the country who have received a Purple Heart, have our deepest appreciation.”

Both Godfrey and MacSwan are Vietnam veterans. MacSwan, a Purple Heart recipient, wrote a book on his experience: “Doc, A Combat Medic’s Story.” Godfrey spearheaded the effort to build the Purple Heart Monument and courtyard at the county courthouse.

Jastrzemski said Niagara County continues to add names of residents to the monument and Purple Heart Book of Honor that is on display in the rotunda of the courthouse. This year, 18 more names will be added.

If you know a Purple Heart veteran, alive or deceased, the county encourages you to come forward. There is a short application to fill out that can be found at www.niagaracounty.gov/purpleheart. Those with questions can call the clerk’s office at 716-439-7025 or the veteran’s service agency at 716438-4090. 

Tops Friendly Markets has completed a $1 million remodel of its Niagara Falls store at 1000 Portage Road, marking the company’s 52nd major store remodel in six years. The project is part of Tops’ capital improvement project, which has included more than $100 million invested across its three-state imprint.

“There's no more fitting place to invest in the future of Tops than the community where our story began. Refreshing our Portage Road store – just steps from the site of our first modern supermarket opened in 1962 – honors our legacy while reaffirming our commitment to serving Niagara Falls with the best possible shopping experience for generations to come,” said Ron Ferri, president of Tops Markets.

The 73,000-square-foot-plus store has undergone a comprehensive renovation, featuring a new exterior storefront with updated awnings, new building signage, and fresh exterior paint, cart corrals, along with a refresh of the fuel station and renovated restrooms.

Inside, the store showcases a brand-new, state-of-the-art pharmacy, which will officially open Aug. 10. Tops’ friendly, professional pharmacists and technicians will provide prompt service including one-on-one consultation, during our full-service pharmacy hours, seven days a week (Sunday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Monday-Friday 9 a.m.-7 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m.-3 p.m.) Refills are available 24/7 by phone, at www.Topsmarkets.com or through the Tops mobile app.

The store also has enhanced décor and interior paint, new LED lighting throughout, a complete store reset, new expanded refrigerated cases in deli and carry out café featuring marketplace deli, meals to go, and an expanded bakery with gluten-free offerings from Vin-Chet’s, new fixtures, and delicious doughnuts. An expanded produce department with new cases and display fixtures focus on a commitment to fresh, local produce.

Additional highlights include a new healthy hydration and health and natural/organic offerings, and improved overall store layout designed to enhance the shopping experience.

Customers will also find convenient services including Instacart pickup and delivery, DoorDash delivery, order-ahead meals and catering, and the Flashfood app where customers can save up to 65% off items nearing their best buy date.

The fuel station has been upgraded with new Gilbarco fuel pumps featuring PCI- and EMV-compliant touchscreen technology, a 3-D barcode reader for Apple Pay, Google Pay and Samsung Pay, and a 9-inch interactive screen highlighting savings opportunities. Customers can also scan their BonusPlus card from the Tops app at the pump to redeem GasPoints savings.

Headquartered in Williamsville, Tops Markets operates a robust network of 152 grocery stores spanning New York, Pennsylvania and Vermont, including one franchise location in Lewiston. Discover more at www.topsmarkets.com.

Submitted by Visit Buffalo

For the first time ever, the Professional Disc Golf Association will host its amateur championship in the Buffalo Niagara Region this month. The event will bring about 350 athletes and their families from 44 states and 11 countries to the area over the week, with tournament play held in Erie and Niagara counties. The event is estimated to bring $1.5 million in economic impact to Erie County.

Rounds are scheduled for Como Lake Park in Lancaster and Emery Park in South Wales, as well as Bond Lake Park in Lewiston and Royalton Ravine Park in Gasport. Warm-up and social events for the competition kick off Saturday, Aug. 8. Competitive rounds start Tuesday, Aug. 11.

The Buffalo Niagara Region was selected to host the competition following a 2024 site visit by PDGA Executive Director Doug Bjerkaas at the invitation of the Buffalo Sports Commission. He found that, between Erie and Niagara, the region has a wealth of top-notch disc golf courses with both professional facilities and natural beauty.

“I was impressed not only with the quality of the courses in the Buffalo region, but also with the PDGA members from Buffalo and the leaders from the Buffalo Sports Commission who were motivated to submit a bid to run a PDGA major,” Bjerkaas said. “It became very clear that Buffalo was poised to host a PDGA major.”

Erie and Niagara counties are ready to deliver as first-time hosts of the tournament, Visit Buffalo President and CEO Patrick Kaler said.

"We're honored that the PDGA recognized what makes Buffalo such a special place to host a championship of this caliber," he said. "We’ve worked with Destination Niagara USA to make this a true bi-county effort, and we look forward to welcoming hundreds of competitors and their supporters to the area to experience our exceptional disc golf courses and all of the other great attractions that make our area an unforgettable destination.”

Disc golf is a popular – and growing – sport in the WNY area, thanks to a low cost of entry – most courses are free or inexpensive to play on, and the only equipment needed are a few discs, said James Carman, New York State Professional Disc Golf Association coordinator.

“It’s also great exercise while not being too strenuous, basically hiking with an occasional throw,” he said.

To prepare for the competition, Erie County’s Forestry and Parks crews worked to remove downed trees and low-hanging branches along the courses, and completed three major safety improvement projects at the Emery Park course using capital budget dollars.

Several Western New York disc golf organizations played an essential role in getting the parks ready for the competition.

The disc golf community was able to hire a contractor to install 19 concrete tee pads at Como Lake Park with funding support from local legislators, said Nicole Ruberto, deputy commissioner of recreation for Erie County’s Parks, Recreation, and Forestry Department.

The disc golf community also held volunteer workdays in the parks, moving tee boxes and putting in erosion control walls.

“An event of this magnitude could not take place without a strong partnership, like the one we have with Niagara Region Disc Golf,” Ruberto said. “The Parks Department has over 10,000 acres to maintain across 35 properties, so partnerships with passionate user groups such as disc golfers, mountain bikers, and hikers are essential.”

Niagara County’s disc golf facilities have also been redesigned and improved through a collaborative partnership between the Western New York Disc Golf Club (WNYDGC), the Professional Disc Golf Association (PDGA) and Niagara County Parks Department under Foreman Frank Rotella.

"Outdoor recreation continues to be an important driver of tourism in Niagara County, offering visitors unique ways to experience our destination beyond the iconic waterfalls," said John Percy, president and CEO of Destination Niagara USA. "As disc golf continues to grow in popularity nationwide, we are thrilled to welcome the PDGA Amateur World Championships to Niagara Falls USA. This event showcases the outstanding courses throughout our region while generating meaningful economic impact for our local tourism and hospitality businesses."

The improvements to the parks will make them attractive locations for future events, said Sam Castiglione, vice president of the Western New York Disc Golf Club. "Their dedication has transformed these parks into world-class championship venues. The improvements made for Amateur Worlds will serve local players and future tournaments for decades, creating a lasting legacy for Niagara County."

Spectators are invited to attend the competition. In addition, several nighttime activities are planned throughout the tournament, which will be open to the public. Find a list of events here.

The Buffalo Sports Commission is a nonprofit subsidiary of Visit Buffalo dedicated to promoting the region as a premier destination for amateur athletic tournaments, collegiate sporting championships, and youth sports events.

Visit Buffalo is the destination marketing organization for Buffalo and Erie County, promoting the region for tourism, meetings and sporting events. By showcasing the area’s culture, attractions and hospitality, Visit Buffalo drives visitor spending and supports economic growth.

Destination Niagara USA works to ensure Niagara County is a preferred international destination for group and leisure travel. It supports its mission to expand the economic prosperity of Niagara County by generating individual and group visitation. 

Shea’s Performing Arts Center press release & photos

Shea’s Performing Arts Center will mark its 100-year anniversary with Shea’s centennial gala on Saturday, Oct. 3, an evening celebrating the theater’s rich history while raising funds for its future.

Tony Award nominee Megan Hilty will make a special appearance during the evening. Hilty is widely known for originating the role of Ivy Lynn in the NBC musical drama “Smash,” for playing Glinda in Broadway’s “Wicked,” and most recently for her Tony- and Grammy-nominated performances as Madeline Ashton in “Death Becomes Her.”

The event includes red carpet arrival, silent and live auctions, and a gourmet dinner on the Shea’s Buffalo Theatre stage. The evening will also honor Tony Conte, former president of Shea’s, with the Michael Shea Lifetime Legacy Award, recognizing his leadership and lasting influence on the organization and the community it serves.

A portion of the gala’s proceeds will benefit the Elevate Shea’s Buffalo expansion project, supporting accessibility, with the addition of three high-speed elevators, and the future of Shea’s as it looks to welcome the community in for the next 100 years. Construction is now underway on the project, with completion scheduled for November 2027.

Presenting sponsors include Rupp Pfalzgraf LLC, Carmina Wood Design, and Ticketmaster. Chairing this year’s gala are Shea’s Board of Trustees Chair Marco Cercone and his wife, Kari. Single tickets, tables and sponsorship opportunities are available. For more information, visit www.sheas.org/gala.

Hilty is a Tony and Grammy award-nominated actress and singer, most recognizable for her portrayal of triple-threat Ivy Lynn on “Smash.”

Immediately after graduating from the prestigious Carnegie Mellon University School of Drama, she went into the Broadway company of “Wicked” and spent four-plus years playing Glinda the Good. She originated the role of Doralee Rhodes in “9 to 5 The Musical” and went on to play Brooke Ashton in “Noises Off,” where she was honored with her first Tony Award nomination.

Other stage credits include Audrey in “Little Shop of Horrors” (Kennedy Center), Annie Oakley in “Annie Get Your Gun” (Encores/NY City Center), Lily St Regis in “Annie” (Hollywood Bowl) and Lorelei Lee in “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes” (Encores/NY City Center). Most recently, Hilty originated the role of Madeline Ashton in “Death Becomes Her, The Musical”, earning two Broadway.com audience choice awards, a Tony Award nomination and a Grammy nomination for her performance.

Her numerous television credits include “Sean Saves The World” with Sean Hayes; “Difficult People”; “Braindead”; “The Good Fight”; and playing the iconic Patsy Cline in “Patsy and Loretta,” which earned her a Critics Choice Nomination. She also had the great pleasure of playing Lily in NBC’s “Annie Live!” Hilty’s voiceover work spans from full-length audiobooks to kids animated favorites on Disney, Nickelodeon, Netflix, Hulu and Cartoon Network. She continues to tour her cabaret show with her band, led by Grammy-nominated Matt Cusson, which has been taped for “Live from Lincoln Center” on PBS, and regularly appears with world-renowned orchestras including the NY Pops, Boston Pops and the National Symphony Orchestra.

Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Keane announced Renaiyah A. Cornelious, 32, of Buffalo, was sentenced before State Supreme Court Justice Paul B. Wojtaszek. Cornelious received a split sentence of six months in jail followed by five years of probation. As a condition of the sentence, her New York state driver’s license was revoked.

On the evening of Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025, the defendant, while under the influence of alcohol and cannabis, with two children inside the vehicle, hit a pedestrian at the intersection of McKinley Avenue and Lorraine Avenue in the City of Buffalo. The victim was walking a dog through the crosswalk at the time of the incident. The victim, 81-year-old Daniel H. Zuchlewski, was pronounced dead at the scene. The dog was also killed in the crash.

In May 2026, Cornelious pleaded guilty to one count of vehicular manslaughter in the second degree (class D felony) and one count of aggravated driving while intoxicated (class E felony under New York state vehicle and traffic law). She entered a guilty plea to the two highest counts in full satisfaction of the indictment.

Keane commends Lt. Patrick McDonald, officer Creana Jenkins, officer Nikko Casillas and the Buffalo Police Department accident investigation unit for their work in this investigation.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant Chief Christopher M. McCarthy of the Buffalo City Court bureau and Chief Patrick B. Shanahan of the vehicular crimes bureau.

On Saturday, Aug. 8, Casella Waste Systems will pick up items that were damaged due to this past Sunday's rainstorm. This service is for City of Niagara Falls residents. They are asked to place any damaged items at the curb where regular trash and tote pickup occur by Friday evening.

Here is the link to the social media post from the City of Niagara Falls Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1E3wTPrNFM/.

The Niagara County Legislature honored E&R Machine as its inaugural “Neighborhood Business of the Month.” The company, located on Grand Street in Lockport, is a precision CNC machining and contract manufacturing firm serving a wide array of industries. The award was presented by Niagara County legislators Tony Nemi and Rick Abbott and Niagara County Economic Development Commissioner Andrea Klyczek.

E&R Machine has been in business for over six decades, celebrating its 65th anniversary earlier this year. It is a family-owned business, with President Timothy Sauls representing the third generation in charge.

Nemi said E&R Machine was chosen for this award based on its longevity, reputation and commitment to the community.

“Manufacturing is a highly competitive business, and the fact that E&R has been successful for 65 years right here in Niagara County is a testament to hard work and sound management,” he said. “We also loved the fact that, in the nomination for this award, the company was cited for treating all employees like family, with tremendous support and compassion.”

Klyczek added that E&R, and Sauls specifically, have been a tremendous partner for the Dream It, Do It program, which connects middle and high school students with hands-on learning and career exploration in manufacturing. Sauls also supports the Niagara Tech Wars competition at SUNY Niagara where students compete in various technology competitions.

“There are tremendous job opportunities in manufacturing but, unfortunately, too many young people are unaware of this as a viable career option and the jobs of unfilled,” Klyczek said. “E&R is trying to change that through their work with Dream It, Do It. Tim Sauls has been a regular speaker at their camps and has welcomed students into his plant so they can be exposed to the industry. This is the type of leadership we need from the business community and it’s another reason why E&R is being honored today.”

The “Neighborhood Business of the Month” recognition program to highlight small, locally owned businesses that contribute to the county's economy and enhance the quality of life. The award is open to any for-profit business located in Niagara County, with a particular focus on small, locally owned businesses. Nominations are accepted year-round and will remain eligible for consideration in future months. Anyone can submit a nomination by completing the online form at https://forms.gle/QeprKwwQ6KTnVUaLA or by visiting www.niagaracountybusiness.com.

On Aug, 6, at approximately 9:30 p.m., The Niagara Falls Police Department crash investigation unit responded to the 8100 block of Niagara Falls Boulevard to investigate a crash involving a vehicle and a pedestrian.

An 18-year-old female from the Town of Niagara was operating her 2016 Jeep westbound when she struck a 50-year-old male pedestrian in the roadway. The pedestrian was thrown forward, sustaining life-threatening injuries. He was transported to Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center, where he succumbed to his injuries a short time later.

A portion of Niagara Falls Boulevard was closed for approximately three hours while the scene was surveyed. The driver of the Jeep, who claimed no injuries, remained on scene and cooperated in the investigation.

The name of the pedestrian is not being released until his family can be notified. If you were a witness to this crash, please contact the crash investigation unit at 716-286-4565 or the non-emergency number at 716-286-4711.

Capt. Angela Munn

Commander – Traffic Division

The Niagara County Department of Health has lifted the advisory at Olcott Beach. Water quality retesting conducted Aug. 5 indicates conditions are suitable for recreational swimming.

The NCDOH will continue to monitor water quality closely and conduct follow-up testing. The status of all Niagara County permitted beaches can be found at www.niagaracounty.gov/BeachReport.

Submitted by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation

The state Department of Environmental Conservation and Environmental Protection Agency continue to advance fieldwork across areas of interest in Niagara and Erie counties.

On Wednesday, one property was visited within the area of interest to request permission to conduct screening. Assessment teams will continue throughout the week to focus on the properties that are identified in the areas of interest, weather-permitting. More than 1,230 properties have been visited since July 23, with 756 access forms received to date.

On Wednesday, joint NYSDEC and EPA teams screened 45 properties. Surveying and sampling continued Thursday.

Once an on-site radiological survey is complete, the data is brought back to the NYSDEC, EPA, and NYSDOH experts to thoroughly analyze the data and determine if additional assessment is needed. 

Preliminary data reviews indicate that the vast majority of properties screened will need no further action. EPA and NYSDEC will contact residents and property owners when screening results and a property-specific technical review are complete to advise when no further action is needed at this time. Notifications to residents and property owners will be forwarded on a continuing basis as the data is reviewed. The initial notification will be followed up in the coming weeks with a more detailed information packet by mail that will include a formal letter of determination, a copy of the property’s screening map, fact sheet, and frequently asked questions with contact information.

Where additional investigation is needed, EPA and NYSDEC are working directly with property owners and residents to schedule and complete additional assessment activities, which may include additional radiological scans, air sampling, and soil sampling.

Staff also remain in direct contact with four residential properties offering voluntary temporary relocation, providing updates, discussing next steps, and helping connect them with available support.

Residents who have questions about the ongoing radiological assessments are encouraged to call 518-712-8279, a dedicated phone line for the Niagara and Erie County radiological assessment. This phone line will be monitored daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Or, they can email the team at NECRA@dec.ny.gov. Residents can also visit the dedicated webpage, on.ny.gov/NECRA, and sign up for updates by email.

The next scheduled drop-in session to learn more about NECRA project is from 3-7 p.m. Monday, Aug. 10, at the Town of Niagara’s community center (Veterans Memorial Community Park, 7000 Joe Rotella Way, Niagara Falls).

NYSDEC and EPA will continue providing updates as fieldwork progresses and additional information becomes available.