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Municipal updates

Fri, Apr 3rd 2020 09:05 am

Town of Niagara

The following announcement was posted on the Town of Niagara’s Facebook page on March 30:

Republic Services garbage and recycling crews are working diligently to continue to serve the Town’s residents with curbside collection services while experiencing an increase in volume of household trash. To protect garbage and recycling staff during this time, we ask that you do the following:

No garbage outside of bags and/or cans (anything else will be left at the curb).

No Recycling outside of the cart container.

Suspended bulk waste collection (during the COVID 19 Pandemic only).

Suspended yard waste collection (during the COVID 19 Pandemic only).

All collection dates and weeks will remain the same.

Thank you for your understanding during this time and once this pandemic is over, we will resume as normal. For all garbage and recycling questions, please call republic services at 614-3386.

House Fire in Wheatfield

On Sunday morning, the Niagara County Sheriff's Office received numerous 911 calls reporting a house fire at 2176 River Road in the Town of Wheatfield. Upon arrival of deputies, the house was fully engulfed in flames.

Frontier Volunteer Fire Co., with the assistance of Adams Volunteer Fire Co., Bergholz Volunteer Fire Co. and St. Johnsburg Volunteer Fire Co. extinguished the fire. Both occupants were able to exit the residence without incident.

The neighboring residence at 2170 River Road also suffered damage from the blaze. The occupants of 2176 River Road are being assisted by family.

The investigation is continuing by the Niagara County Fire Investigation Unit along with the Niagara County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Unit.

North Tonawanda

Downtown placemaking project shut down

North Tonawanda Mayor Arthur Pappas announced the following on Wednesday:

Per New York State Executive Order 202.6 issued March 27th, 2020, non-essential construction projects throughout the State are required to shut down. The Downtown Placemaking project, which began on March 24th, falls under this requirement.

The project began with the movement of water lines and fire hydrants. This work, as essential to public health and safety, was continued and completed on March 31. The contractor will demobilize and remove all equipment, signage, and traffic safety measures by the end of work on March 31. The normal traffic pattern will return for Main, Webster, Tremont, and Goundry streets.

The contractor will be placing concrete barriers around the new fire hydrants to protect them from vehicular traffic. The Department of Public Works will be installing temporary asphalt in the disturbed areas along the west side of Webster Street. This work is essential for public safety and will be completed by April 3.

Please contact Director of Community Development Michael Zimmerman at 695-8580 x5515 or City Engineer Chelsea Spahr at 695-8000 x2137 with any additional questions.

No bulk trash pickup in April

From North Tonawanda Mayor Arthur Pappas:

This message is to update you on current issues in our city. As previously stated, the State of Emergency Act remains in effect, which means all closures are still enforced. Thank you, residents, for adhering to these guidelines.

The number of cases in Niagara County continues to rise, as well as directly in North Tonawanda. We have a 1-year-old to an 83-year-old person with confirmed virus in Niagara County, so age is not a factor. As these numbers increase it is now irrelevant to where the contagious person has been, because the virus is everywhere. It is most imperative that you do not go out unless it is an emergency.

For these reasons, we need to take every precaution possible to keep this number from increasing dramatically. If we were to take less actions as some think we should, our numbers would, according to the medical field, increase dramatically.

Since this time period has been extended by the federal government until at least the end of April, all city departments are working at a minimum of employees and adjustments are being made. With that said, the bulk trash pickup for April has been cancelled. Please refrain from putting those items out.

The downtown construction area at Webster and Main streets has had to be postponed due to the governor’s orders. As soon as it is deemed safe, the construction will cease and traffic will be routed as normal.

These are unprecedented times, which call for strict measures for health and safety of all. Please be assured the city will continue to operate during this pandemic. Your cooperation and support will see us through this frustrating and challenging period. Please keep first responders, medical staff, postal employees, food workers and suppliers, and all those volunteering in your thoughts. We are so grateful for the blessings they provide us.

Again, stay home, stay well, and stay positive.

Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station

A Niagara airman has died while awaiting training.

Tech. Sgt. Nicholas A. Vogler, a member of the 914th Security Forces Squadron at NFARS, died Sunday, March 29, while awaiting training at Joint Base San Antonio. The cause of death is still under investigation. However, Vogler did not present with any COVID-19 symptoms and therefore COVID-19 is not thought to be a factor in his death.

“This is incredibly difficult for the 914th Air Refueling Wing family as we mourn the death of one of our own,” said Col. Mark Larson, 914 ARW commander. “Our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Tech. Sgt. Vogler.”

For updates, please follow us on Facebook and Twitter @914ARW or visit niagara.afrc.af.mil.

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