Current News

After, ahem, a few years of covering the Village of Lewiston for The Sentinel, Managing Editor Joshua Maloni was rewarded this week with (no, not a raise) an official nameplate. The marker comes courtesy of the clerk's office; Maloni said it is much appreciated.

In addition to its Jan. 7 approval for construction of the town's second privately owned utility-scale solar system, Lewiston Town Board members spent much of that session with approvals on a number of procedural matters, setting the stage for town operations in 2019.

WXRL Radio - Buffalo's home for classic county music - recently announced its new FM-95.5 signal, in addition to AM 1300.

Representatives of Northwest Bank, New York Region, stopped by Old Fort Niagara on Thursday to announce a new relationship with the Old Fort Niagara Association as presenting sponsor of special events programming.

Construction is nearly complete at 765 Fairchild Place, and a May move-in date was announced on Wednesday night. The 29-unit living complex was constructed at the site of the former Fairchild Manor nursing home.

A resolution introduced by Erie County Legislator Kevin Hardwick urges the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation to request federal funds for Tonawanda Coke clean-up.

Elected leaders and citizen activists who fought and won in court against polluter Tonawanda Coke criticized the researchers who are conducting a soil study mandated as part of the company's court sentence.

Community Missions will hold its 22nd annual Sweetheart Dinner, presented by KeyBank, on Friday, Feb. 8, at the Sheraton Niagara Falls. The annual event benefits the agency's crisis services, including the community soup kitchen, food pantry, clothes closet and emergency housing shelter, and will feature more than 100 baskets, gift cards, lottery tickets, silent auction items and numerous raffles.

Two leading United Way organizations in Niagara County - the United Way of the Tonawandas and United Way of Greater Niagara - announced completion this week of their merger and consolidation of services. Now operating under United Way of Greater Niagara, both chapters have come together to oversee and coordinate the services of 29 organizations throughout Niagara County, supporting a total of 46 different programs in the area.

The National Comedy Center in Jamestown, the country's first museum and cultural institution devoted to comedy as an art form, placed second in the final ranking of the 20 "Best New Attractions" in the USA Today 10Best Readers' Choice travel award contest. The National Comedy Center ranked as the top museum, as well as the top ticketed attraction.

Suzanne F. Volante of Grand Island died peacefully Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2019, at Kenmore Mercy Hospital. She was 96.

With winter weather watches and warnings in effect across upstate New York, National Grid is closely monitoring the weather and is prepared if the forecasted heavy snowfall impacts our system. To ensure customers also are prepared, the company offers the following safety reminders regarding the hazards of snow accumulating around electricity equipment.

The Buffalo Sabres on Thursday announced the team acquired forward Taylor Leier from the Philadelphia Flyers in exchange for forward Justin Bailey.

About 46 percent of crashes involving bad weather take place in the winter, making this the worst time of year for driving in treacherous conditions.

The New York State Public Service Commission announced New York's major electric and gas utilities are implementing special collection practices for customers furloughed and those working without pay due to the federal government shutdown.

The morning after Hollywood's biggest night, "Live with Kelly and Ryan" hosts Kelly Ripa and Ryan Seacrest will be up bright and early to continue the celebration with "Live's After Oscar Show." The broadcast will air in national syndication on Monday, Feb. 25, live at 9 a.m. EST.

When the stars align, they surely align, and that is exactly what is happening as country music's chart-topping group Rascal Flatts, award-winning CCM icons Point of Grace and Phil Keaggy, and comedians Henry Cho, Nate Bargatze and John Crist have all signed on to perform and honor Michael W. Smith during the once-in-a-lifetime tribute event taking place April 30.

The Buffalo Sabres Alumni Association will host the 15th annual Buffalo Sabres Alumni Wine Festival from 6 to 9:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 19, at KeyBank Center. The event, co-sponsored by KeyBank, Niagara Fallsview Casino Resort, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center and John W. Danforth, will feature wineries and restaurants from Buffalo, Niagara-on-the-Lake and beyond.

Jonathan Shimon, an assistant professor in the University at Buffalo Department of Theatre and Dance, has been selected as the technical director by the U.S. Institute for Theatre Technology (USITT) for the U.S. entry in the 2019 Prague Quadrennial (PQ), the global showcase for the best in performance design, scenography and theater architecture.

The next meeting of the Historical Society of North German Settlements will feature a program on the 175th anniversary of St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Walmore. 

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Basil Seggos reminded anglers to be cautious when ice fishing.

The Sanborn Area Historical Society will hold its regular meeting at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 22, at Sanborn Firehall. The meeting will host Ruth and Rise Pirinelli who will present "The Holy Land - a trip you won't forget."

The Niagara-Wheatfield Kiwanis ended 2018 supporting the community in various ways.

Harvey N. Albond passed away Sept. 23, 2018. Harvey was the son of the late Isadore and Frances Albond and was proud to be a first-generation American.

Terry Collins, RN, LNHA, administrator at The McGuire Group's Northgate Health Care Facility in North Tonawanda, is a recipient of the 2019 Eli Pick Facility Leadership Award presented by the American College of Health Care Administrators.

Maj. Gen. Ray Shields, the adjutant general for the state of New York, announced the recent promotion of members of the New York Army National Guard in recognition of their capability for additional responsibility and leadership.

From 5-8 p.m. Friday, March 1, Errick Road Elementary School, 6839 Errick Road, will host its annual basket auction. Admission is free, and there is a wide assortment of baskets and gift cards.

Catholic Charities on Tuesday announced the launch of the 2019 Appeal. The goal for the 2019 fundraiser once again is $11 million, of which $1.4 million has already been raised. The theme for the Appeal 2019 is "Help your neighbor find HOPE."

Douglas J. Regan Intermediate School will host its annual Invent-A-Thon program for students in grades 3 through 5 on Thursday, Feb. 7. 

Edward Town Middle School's Production of "The Wizard of Oz," is playing at Niagara-Wheatfield Senior High School at 7 p.m. Jan. 25 and 26, and at 2 p.m. Jan. 27. The Edward Town Middle School cast of approximately 70 students is directed by Ken Fick and Andrea Letcher.

Resolve to learn something new in 2019. The Niagara-Wheatfield Central School District's Community Education program starts on Feb. 4, and continues through spring. The program's motto, "Never stop learning," remains the same, but new classes have been added and old favorites have evolved.

The Cosmetology classes at the Niagara Career and Technical Education Center recently had an informative and energetic guest speaker. 

The Niagara County Community College nursing program routinely ranks above state and national averages for pass rates on the National Council License Examination for both registered nurses and practical nurses. 

The Niagara County Community College Alumni Association, the NCCC Career and Transitional Services Office, and Student Life are teaming up with JCPenney to help people find everything they need for their next job interview.

Nominating petitions are now available for any school district resident interested in running for a seat on the 2019-20 Starpoint Central School District Board of Education.  

The local Geico office in Tonawanda recently partnered with the local Disabled American Veterans chapter at the Brounschidle Post in Kenmore for a fundraiser for disabled veterans.

Allegiant announced Tuesday that service from Niagara Falls International Airport to Savannah, Georgia via Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport will begin June 7. To celebrate, the company is offering fares on the new route as low as $49* each way.

This past holiday season, the Future Leaders Program at Niagara County Community College participated in a community service project to benefit Casey House. The youth shelter is a safe space in Niagara Falls for runaway, homeless or "at-risk" area youth.

Elite bakers Buddy Valastro ("Cake Boss") and Duff Goldman ("Ace of Cakes") face-off in an epic baking battle for the chance to be crowned the undisputed "King of Cake" on new Food Network series "Buddy vs. Duff," premiering Sunday, March 10 (9 p.m. ET/PT).

The Recording Academy has announced the first group of artists to perform on this year's 61st Annual Grammy Awards. Taking the stage on "Music's Biggest Night" will be current nominees Camila Cabello, Cardi B, Dan + Shay, Post Malone, Shawn Mendes, Janelle Monáe, and Kacey Musgraves. Live from Staples Center, and hosted by Alicia Keys, the 61st Annual Grammy Awards will be broadcast live on the CBS Television Network, Sunday, Feb. 10 (8 p.m. ET).