As we head into the third week of this school closure, we hope you are doing well - physically, mentally, spiritually. In these challenging and uncertain times, I am very grateful for the dedication, leadership and unity of our administrators, faculty, staff and families. I am inspired by the incredible outpouring of support and kindness throughout our community, coming together in such creative and thoughtful ways. While we wait for the worst to arrive, we find strength knowing we will get through it together.

As Mount St. Mary's Hospital and Catholic Health continue to provide services in this COVID-19 pandemic, the community is showing its support for the front line medical workers.

On Thursday, Destination Niagara USA released the "Destination of Hope" video across all @NiagaraFallsUSA social media channels.

Niagara County Clerk Joseph A. Jastrzemski on Friday said the Department of Homeland Security has delayed implementation of the REAL ID requirements for domestic flights until Oct. 1, 2021. The requirements were set to take place this October.

During these very challenging times, we so appreciate the tireless work of our partners - elected officials, our peers in health and human services, vendors and supporters. Above all, I'm incredibly thankful for and proud of the 4,000 staff members of People Inc. Their dedication and talent are evident on a "typical" day, and in times like this, are even more vivid and extraordinary. We wanted to share some of the proactive measures we have taken within People Inc. to prepare and deal with this crisis.

Lewiston's Memorial Day Remembrance Committee (LMDRC) announced that our Memorial Day free town and village community luncheon has been cancelled for 2020. Of course, the reason is the coronavirus. The governor has required that we not gather in large groups, and serving 500-700 people lunch under a huge tent certainly looks like what he was talking about.

Six local newsrooms in New York were selected to receive almost $30,000 in funding - CNY Latino, Examiner Media, Niagara Frontier Publications, Spotlight Newspapers, Wallkill Valley Publications Inc., and Watertown Daily Times, with each of these recipients getting $5,000. In this first round, 50 local newsrooms across the U.S. and Canada are receiving $5,000 grants to help cover unexpected costs associated with covering the crisis in their communities. Additional recipients will be announced in the coming weeks.

The Niagara County Department of Public Health released a "heat map" today.

Village of Lewiston Mayor Anne Welch issued the following message to the community. Click the link below for a larger version.

Beginning as early as today, Tops will be rolling our additional safety measures at all of its 162 stores in New York, Pennsylvania and Vermont, a press release stated. Those safety measures include installing Plexiglas shields on as many of their frontend registers as possible.

Per the Niagara County Center for Economic Development (www.niagaracountybusiness.com/716-278-8750), more tips and tools for locally owned businesses.

Gallo Coal Fire Kitchen is the first Gallo restaurant owned and operated by Michael Hibbard. The Lewiston restaurant offers an exceptional array of coal-fired pizzas, pasta and large salads. Visit http://gallorestaurants.com/ for more information.

At a closed press conference televised live on LCTV Wednesday, Niagara County 8th District Legislator Rich Andres said Niagara County intends to extend the April 1 county tax deadline by 30 days. A formal legislature vote is slated for Friday.

Our Niagara Wine Trail family would like to keep you updated on what is happening right now along the trail:

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Basil Seggos recently reminded New Yorkers that trout and salmon fishing season opens Wednesday, April 1.

Niagara County Sheriff's Office Acting Sheriff Michael J. Filicetti would like to give the children at home an opportunity to connect with members of the NCSO through the "Niagara Sheriff" YouTube page. Children are able to listen to a member of the NCSO read one of their favorite books while following along.

In an effort to slow the spread of the coronavirus, Gov. Andrew Cuomo issued a mandate earlier this month forcing New York restaurants and bars to close their doors to the public. Once that happened, many of these eateries switched to an acceptable form of service: takeout and delivery.

Niagara County Clerk Joseph Jastrzemski on Tuesday announced the clerk's office would be fully closed to the public as of 4:30 p.m. today.

As Mount St. Mary's Hospital continues to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic, Manager of Public Relations and Community Affairs Karrie Gebhardt said, "The community is being awesome" in supporting the health center.

Local leaders are working to establish a community watch program within the River Region as the COVID-19 pandemic continues, and businesses are working with reduced staff.

Niagara County Public Health Director Daniel J. Stapleton on Monday said the county has received three new positive test results from the New York State Department of Health. As of this morning, Niagara County now has 12 positive results, 64 people quarantined, 12 in isolation and still four pending test results from last week.

Parents: If your child doesn't have access to the Easter coloring contest found in our newspaper, or if you are looking for an additional entry form, please feel free to download the poster HERE (PDF).

Niagara County Clerk Joseph Jastrzemski on Sunday announced an update to the operations of his office based on executive order 202.8 of Gov. Andrew Cuomo that is in effect until April 19, 2020. The order includes:

Niagara County Public Health Director Daniel J. Stapleton on Saturday said that, since Friday night, the county has received five new positive test results from the New York State Department of Health.

Niagara River Region Chamber of Commerce President Jennifer Pauly organized a conference call Thursday morning with Lewiston Police Department Chief Frank Previte, Lewiston Fire Co. No. 1 Chief Les Myers, Town of Lewiston Supervisor Steve Broderick, Village of Lewiston Mayor Anne Welch, chamber staff and board members.

In the interest of public safety, Gov. Andrew Cuomo has severely curtailed the ways in which people can gather together. Restaurants and bars are limited to takeout and delivery; movie theaters, bowling alleys, shopping malls and hair salons are temporarily closed; events are cancelled; and nonessential businesses have to reduce workforce 100%.

Our community's new normal is drastically different than what it was one week ago. Businesses, organizations and residents have had to adapt to changes that seem to be happening by the hour. New ways of doing business has evolved with owners becoming innovative with what they have to offer. Some businesses have had to adjust their hours or close - hopefully temporarily. The workplace has changed, the community has changed, the home has changed. It is a change for everyone.

Things have escalated very quickly since I last wrote this column, and much more may change by the time you read this.

The Lenten fish fry has become increasingly popular in the past decade, as more and more eateries have added haddock or cod to their menus. While some are still learning how to perfect that beer batter or the keys to quality coleslaw, Lewiston's Tin Pan Alley has long since mastered the fish fry. In fact, its dish has been a spring staple in the River Region for a quarter-century.

The Niagara County Department of Social Services today announced it has been working to identify open child care slots for public and private sector employees who are deemed essential and are having child care issues.

Niagara County Public Health Director Daniel J. Stapleton on Thursday afternoon released the following statement regarding the three positive COVID-19 test results the Niagara County Department of Health received from the New York State Health Department. These three individuals live in western Niagara County, which includes Niagara Falls and the towns of Niagara, Lewiston and Porter.

"Our communicable disease investigation team immediately began their investigation and now, after one full day of work, they believe they have an accurate picture of the affected individual's community contact."

With news of the coronavirus dominating the headlines, announcements of states of emergency, cancellations, postponements and business adjustments have been continuing nonstop. The following were announced this past week.

On Wednesday morning, Niagara County Public Health Director Daniel J. Stapleton and Niagara County Legislature Chairperson Becky Wydysh confirmed Niagara County's first positive test for COVID-19. During his time, Stapleton voiced his frustrations about the severe lack of testing kits available in the region.

Modern Disposal Services, a family-owned company founded locally in 1964, today announced its acquisition of the Western New York operations of Phoenix-based Republic Services, the nation's second-largest waste-disposal company.

Niagara County Public Health Director Daniel Stapleton on Wednesday said the first positive COVID-19 case is a 42-year-old woman from the "western" portion (likely River Region) of the county. She is in isolation at Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center.

Village of Lewiston Mayor Anne Welch on Wednesday announced the Red Brick Municipal Building is now closed to the public.