Trick-or-treating will have new meaning starting next weekend, as the Village of Lewiston will offer a cornucopia of events, costume competitions, food and drink specials and even a petting zoo.

As the Town of Porter continues to work on the many details of its 2020 spending plan, one hang-up involves the Ransomville Fire District Commission, which oversees operations for the Ransomville Volunteer Fire Co.

Though Casey LaFlair is from Pittsburgh and has no family ties to this area, she volunteered at the first "Rockout Cancer" event in 2018. LaFlair worked alongside the Lower Niagara Community Survivors group in raising funds for others - for people she didn't know and had never met, who were battling the disease and in need of assistance.

The Niagara County Central Rotary is holding its annual "Car Corral and Auto Parts Swap Meet" from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 3, at the Frontier Firehall, 2176 Liberty Drive, Niagara Falls. The event will give car enthusiasts a chance to meet, share and swap.

The Niagara River Region Chamber of Commerce celebrated a ribbon-cutting for member Gail's Diamond Exchange located at Gail's Smoke Shop on the Tuscarora Nation.

When water supplies exceed capacity in the Lake Ontario-St. Lawrence River system, water levels rise. When this happens, regulation is looked to as the solution. But during periods of extreme water supply, the ability of regulated outflows to influence Lake Ontario levels is greatly diminished. In practical terms, no regulation plan can eliminate high water events on Lake Ontario or the St. Lawrence River.

Artpark & Company's board of directors announced the election of new officers and directors at the organization's annual meeting on Oct. 15 at the Niagara Falls Country Club.

The Niagara River Greenway Commission will meet Tuesday, Nov. 19, to review the consistency of the 88th round of project submissions. The meeting will begin promptly at 3 p.m. in the NOCO Pavilion in Sheridan Park at 450 Ensminger Road, Tonawanda.

Learn what is needed to be prepared in an emergency at "Cultures of Preparedness: Strengthening Partnerships to Build a Stronger Community," from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26, on the Niagara University campus.

Niagara SPCA announced a major milestone: More than 15,000 animals have been saved since the organization became no-kill in 2012.

October is National Pregnancy & Infant Loss Awareness Month, and the Center for Women of Mount St. Mary's Hospital will hold a special memorial service to provide comfort and support to families coping with the loss of a baby. The service will take place oat 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 19, at the Gate of Heaven Cemetery, 500 Riverdale Ave., Lewiston.

The latest public forum session as part of Artpark & Company's master plan process will be held at 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 24, at the Martin House Education Center located at 125 Jewett Parkway, Buffalo.

The It Happened to Alexa Foundation announced this week it would discontinue its wide-ranging support services to victims of sexual violence effective immediately. The sudden announcement was conveyed in an email sent Oct. 14 by Kate Fowler, executive director, on behalf of the It Happen to Alexa board of directors.

Empower, a not-for-profit organization that supports people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, will hold its fourth annual "Living the Values" Awards Luncheon at noon on Friday, Oct. 25, at Four Points by Sheraton, 7001 Buffalo Ave. Tickets are $35, and may be reserved at 716-297-0798, ext. 120, or [email protected]

Niagara County Sheriff James R. Voutour on Tuesday announced he will retire Dec 30.

At the foot of the Tuscarora Heroes Monument, the Historical Association of Lewiston awarded a $500 scholarship to Devin Napoleon on Monday - Indigenous Peoples' Day.

The Reminisce group of Ransomville, called "Our Town's Past," will meet at 1 p.m. Thursday Oct. 24, at the Ransomville Library conference room. Those interested in historical events, people and places in Ransomville history are invited to join in for lively conversations.

Lewiston Republican Party Chairman Karl Frankovitch announced there will be a pre-Election Day Rally from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 24, at G-Macs, 5894 Ward Road, Sanborn. This event will give the voters an opportunity to talk to the candidates before the election on Tuesday, Nov. 5.

A special celebration took place Sunday afternoon on the Village of Lewiston waterfront. The Freedom Crossing Monument's 10th anniversary was celebrated with speeches, historical reenactments, choral performances, a documentary screening and reception.

Diamonds in the Ruff, a local nonprofit animal rescue, will hold its annual "Fall Fling" chowder sale and basket raffle from noon until 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 13. The event will be held at the Shawnee Fire Hall, 3747 Lockport Road, Sanborn.

Niagara County Sheriff James R. Voutour announced the Niagara County Law Enforcement Foundation awarded grant funding to local police agencies.

At Monday's board meeting, Village of Lewiston trustees approved many items of next summer's Lewiston Council on the Arts schedule, but chose to table a resolution asking to host the "Summer of '69" event in Hennepin Park over possible alcohol sales.

The Town of Porter will review its tentative 2020 budget in a presentation, open to the public, at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 16, at Town Hall.

With The Silo and Water Street Landing closed for winter, and other eateries looking to scale back as the days grow shorter and the temperature decreases, the Lewiston Event Center is expanding its culinary offerings. The family-fun center recently began serving lunch.

The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, along with the City of Niagara Falls, cut the ribbon today on a new comfort station, as well as the city's first dog park, in DeVeaux Woods State Park.

Ramping up its effort to focus on long-range planning and help New York achieve its ambitious clean energy goals, the New York Power Authority has hired a business strategist to serve in the new position of senior vice president, strategy and corporate development. Yves Edouard Noel joined NYPA Oct. 1.

Niagara Frontier Bible Church is hosting a family-friendly Halloween event from 6-7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 31, at 5287 Bronson Drive, Lewiston. A story and refreshments will be provided. For more information, email [email protected] or visit www.niagarafrontierbible.com.

Life Recovery is a 12-step-based ministry for people with addictions or other life-controlling problems. Starting Thursday, Oct. 24, the meetings will be held every Thursday at 7 p.m. at Lewiston Assembly of God, 4754 Creek Road.

The Academy of International Business & Finance in 2019 is marking its 10th year as part of the Lewiston-Porter High School educational experience.

High water levels wreaked havoc with the Niagara County boating season, and led some to skip out on visiting the villages of Lewiston and Wilson this summer. Not wanting a repeat of this in 2020 - and seeking to reinforce the idea local stores are open for business - Village of Wilson Mayor Arthur Lawson and Village of Lewiston Mayor Anne Welch held a "Lake Ontario 2020 Preparedness Meeting" Thursday at the Red Brick Municipal Building.

The Niagara County Peach Festival will likely get another year at Academy Park - if not more.

Join the Friends of the Lewiston Library at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 23, for the "Annual Friendly Gathering."

Niagara County Legislature Chairman Wm. Keith McNall, who represents the 13th District, has officially announced his candidacy for reelection.

Niagara Hospice will celebrate the 28th anniversary of its longest-running fundraiser, "Cocktails and CA$H," at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 11. The event will be held at the Cornell Cooperative Extension at 4487 Lake Road, Lockport. It is presented by the Niagara Hospice board of directors.

Our Lady of Peace residents and associates celebrated the nomination and selection of six members of their team as the most recent Spotlight Award recipients. The accolade recognizes associates for going above and beyond in meeting the needs of those under their care.

The Weatherization Assistance Program was created at the federal level in 1976 in response to a national energy crisis. Since its inception, it has continued to serve as the nation's core program for delivering energy-efficient services to eligible households in every state in America, with priority given to the elderly, persons with disabilities, and households with children.

Rain put a damper on the first day of Lewiston''s Harvest and Wildlife festivals. Both events will look for a Sunday rebound.

Two weeks after the Lewiston Town Board held a public hearing regarding a proposed utility-grade solar energy system planned for 4352 Williams Road, a second hearing was announced at this week's session.

At its session earlier this month, the Youngstown Business and Professional Association reviewed recent developments as well as plans for events entering into this fall.

The Lewiston-based Home Assistance Referral Team held its seventh annual dinner and awards celebration Thursday night at the Niagara Falls Country Club.