Current News

The U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Transit Administration (FTA) on Wednesday announced a $48.6 million grant award to the New York State Department of Transportation as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, signed by President Donald Trump on March 27.

The department of dentistry, oral oncology and maxillofacial prosthetics at the Erie County Medical Center, and the Buffalo General location at High Street, have remained open for emergencies throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Gov. Andrew Cuomo's updated executive order now allows for dental practices - including ECMC's dental services - to reopen for nonurgent procedures, as well.

James Joyce lovers worldwide are welcome to join the University at Buffalo for the James Joyce Collection Virtual Bloomsday Celebration, an evening to honor the famed writer's landmark book "Ulysses" - considered by many to be the novel of the 20th century.

Fifty medical residents from the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at the University at Buffalo will cap off their professional education June 9 with an unconventional, vehicle-based graduation ceremony at the Transit Drive-in Theatre in Lockport.

On Fridays, June 5-19, the Herb and Aaron Siegel Foundation will spearhead an effort to deliver meals across the East Side of Buffalo in order to address food insecurity during the COVID-19 pandemic. With the support of partners Rich Products, Back to Basics Outreach Ministries, Citizen Action of New York, Foundation for Jewish Philanthropies, Jewish Family Services and the Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy, the Siegel Foundation will donate 1,000 meals on each of those days to families during these difficult times.

Erie County Clerk Michael P. Kearns announced the Erie County Pistol Permit Department will once again be accepting new applications for pistol permits by mail only.

The Opportunities Unlimited of Niagara Foundation, Intandem's charitable foundation in Niagara County, has announced a new date for its annual golf raffle. Originally planned as a May event, the raffle drawing will now be held as a Facebook Live online event at 7 p.m. Thursday, June 25.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Wednesday announced outdoor dining at restaurants will be permitted in phase two of reopening. Restaurants in the seven regions that have already entered phase two.

Old Fort Niagara will continue to offer live, interactive, distance-learning programs during the month of June. Unique sessions will share important information about Fort Niagara's military history, from the early 1700s to World War I, at 10 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. The content is suitable for adults and children alike and all programs are free.

Niagara County Clerk Joseph A. Jastrzemski issued the following statement Wednesday regarding Department of Motor Vehicle offices:

Coronavirus stats for June 3

The Niagara County Community College Small Business Development Center, in conjunction with Workforce Development, will hold training for Western New York restaurants to help them prepare for reopening.

Sidewalk Prophets frontman Dave Frey will be one of few to fondly recall the great pandemic of 2020.

Area residents concerned about visiting the emergency room during the COVID-19 pandemic now have another option for seeking care.

Coronavirus stats for June 2

Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz announced a curfew will be in effect tonight, Tuesday June 2, starting at 8 p.m., and ending tomorrow at 5 a.m. in the cities of Buffalo and Lackawanna and the towns of Amherst, Cheektowaga, Tonawanda and West Seneca.

In light of Monday's violent protests, the City of Buffalo is enacting a curfew from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. tonight through Monday.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Monday proposed a positive reform agenda amidst the ongoing protests across the state and nation in response to the death of George Floyd. The reform agenda includes a national ban on excessive force and chokeholds by law enforcement officers; independent investigations of police abuse conducted by independent, outside agencies - not by local prosecutors; and disclosure of disciplinary records of police officers being investigated.

Congressman Brian Higgins announced the award of $803,135 to in federal funding to provide telehealth services to Western New Yorkers during the coronavirus pandemic. The funding is distributed through the Federal Communication Commission's COVID-19 telehealth program.

Dozens of people descended upon downtown Lockport on Monday to hold a peaceful rally and encourage racial equality.

Speaking Monday morning with local leaders, Lewiston Fire Co. No. 1 Chief Les Myers said it was fortunate last week's fire at the Brickyard Brewing Company didn't carry over to the neighboring project, which is under construction.

Western New York is entering phase two of Gov. Andrew Cuomo's reopening plan on Tuesday.

Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo and New York City Mayor de Blasio on Monday announced a citywide curfew that will take effect beginning at 11 p.m. and will be lifted at 5 a.m. tomorrow.

Cornell Cooperative Extension of Niagara County's board of directors held a special meeting on Friday, May 29, resulting in the decision to postpone the Niagara County Fair until 2021, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Erie County will be assisting licensed local barber shops and hair salons reopening their businesses by providing face shields for barbers and stylists' use as they return to work in phase two of Gov. Andrew Cuomo's plan to reopen New York.

It is with great sadness that we announce the postponement of the 12th Annual Niagara Uncorked Wine Festival in Lewiston on July 25th and July 26th due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

People of color and those with compromising health conditions make up the majority of COVID-19 deaths according to national, state and regional data. In response to these facts, community leaders in Niagara Falls announced the creation of the Niagara Falls Health Equity Task Force.

Join a panel of financial experts from 3-4 p.m. Thursday, June 4, as they provide insight into ways to navigate the financial challenges family businesses are facing as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. The discussion, presented via Zoom, is the second in a four-part virtual series exploring "How Western New York Businesses Are Dealing with the COVID-19 Pandemic."

On Monday, multi-Platinum, four-time Grammy-nominated rock band Goo Goo Dolls released a brand-new live video for their uplifting new single, "Fearless." The performance was filmed at the historic Kalamazoo State Theatre in Kalamazoo, Michigan, during the band's fall 2019 headlining tour in support of their 12th studio album, "Miracle Pill" (Warner Records). Watch the video now HERE.

The Center for Wound Care and Hyperbaric Medicine at Erie County Medical Center, a member of the Healogics network, is helping raise awareness of chronic wounds during the seventh annual Wound Care Awareness Week, being held from June 1-5.

On Saturday, Erie County Medical Center Corp. celebrated the opening of the institution's new $55 million KeyBank Trauma and Emergency Department, which will double the size of the existing 40-year-old facility and feature state-of-the-art technology and equipment for the region's only level one adult trauma center.

Coronavirus stats for June 1

Artpark is churning with activity and fresh initiatives that will allow visitors to interact with the public park in new ways. In the face of multiple concert cancelations and postponements, Artpark has been actively developing new and adapted programs designed to bring the community both relief and inspiration while practicing social distancing and all COVID-19-related precautions to keep visitors safe at all times.

Dozens of people showed up Sunday night in different parts of Niagara Falls to protest the untimely death of George Floyd.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Sunday announced New York dentists can reopen statewide on Monday.

With the coming of Flag Day, June 14, we may think of the symbol it stands for and how it is flown. As an example, the U.S. flag on Memorial Day has special rules. The flag is to be hoisted from sunrise to noon at half-staff to honor those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. From noon to sunset, the flag is to be raised to full staff to honor our nations living heroes.

Erie County District Attorney John Flynn on Sunday afternoon announced the arrest of 10 people following a protest Saturday night in the City of Buffalo. He said his office is investigating general property damage in the downtown area, as well as arson at City Hall, and looting and property damage in Amherst and Kenmore.

Michelle Marcotte, a Lewiston artist, will revive the occasional Niagara River Region Art Studio tours this summer - but, outside and socially distanced. She invites Lewiston-area artists to contact her so they can get organized to collaborate in timing, organization and publicity.

Tesla Owners Club New York State (TOCNYS) was able to raise $2,800 toward a GoFundMe campaign. With leadership at Tesla's Gigafactory New York, TOCNYS will partner to donate these funds to the Food Bank of WNY.

Speaking Friday on LCTV, Niagara County Legislature Chairwoman Becky Wydysh said, "From my perspective, I don't see any reason that Western New York should not begin phase two next week; and it appears that we are on target to do so."