A presentation on ConnectLife, the blood and organ donor network formerly known as Unyts, will be held from 6-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 4, at First Presbyterian Church of Youngstown, 100 Church St.

Barenaked Ladies return to the Artpark Amphitheater with the sixth edition of their "The Last Summer On Earth Tour" on July 7 as part of the "Tuesdays in the Park presented by M&T Bank" concert series. Barenaked Ladies will be joined by Gin Blossoms and Toad the Wet Sprocket.

Buffalo Coffee Roastery hopes to solve this question by roasting, grinding and selling fresh beans from around the world in the hamlet of Sanborn, at 5844 Buffalo St.

As it begins its 125th year in service to the community, Pinnacle Community Services has announced Laura Pennington Gawel will now lead the organization as president and CEO.

Junior goalkeeper Brian Wilson of the Niagara University men's hockey team has been nominated for the prestigious Hobey Baker Award, presented annually to the top player in NCAA Division I men's ice hockey.

Lewiston author, actor and community advocate Sophia Smith will participate in a book-signing event inside the Lewiston Public Library, 305 S. Eighth St. She will autograph copies of "Swinging From the Chandeliers" from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 1.

"Shrek The Musical," produced by the Wilson Music Parents Association, will be staged in the William H. O'Connor Performing Arts Center at 7 p.m. Jan. 23-25 and at 2 p.m. Jan. 26.

Looking forward to spring, warmer weather, and a little green? Then join the Youngstown Garden Club at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 19, for "An Evening of Wintergreen" and garden-themed auction at First Presbyterian Church, 100 Church St.

Niagara University's online programs in education were ranked among the Top 5 in New York state by U.S. News & World Report, a global authority in education rankings. In addition, Niagara was the only institution of higher education from Western New York to appear on the list.

The History Center of Niagara will host a trivia program - reminiscing about old TV shows and movies - at 2 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 23, at 215 Niagara St., Lockport.

Construction is continuing on the second-floor living quarters above The Como Deli and The Country Doctor at South Sixth and Center streets in Lewiston. Owner Zach Casale is renovating the units while also adding a clock tower.

The binational Rotary Club of Lewiston and Niagara-on-the-Lake on Wednesday presented its annual contribution for the promotion of autism services to Jana Mertz, program coordinator of the Autism Spectrum Disorder Center at Oishei Children's Hospital.

Community Ed is alive and well at Lewiston-Porter.

The Lewiston Town Board held its annual reorganization meeting this week, setting the stage for town operations in 2020. This marked the first official meeting by newly elected board member Jason Myers.

Two Lewiston businesses originally slated to become part of the renovated Fourth and Center streets complex are moving. The owners of Brewed and Bottled Craft Beer Shop and Sgt. Peppers Hot Sauces said the corner's concept just wasn't the right fit for them. As such, they're headed to 442-444 Center, a property developed by attorney and Town of Lewiston Councilman Alfonso Marra Bax.

Visit WilsonNY (formerly known as Wilson Community Tourism), serving the Town and Village of Wilson, elected a new slate of officers with their terms beginning on Jan. 1.

The Lake Ontario Preparedness Group met Thursday in Porter Town Hall to hear updates on local tourism initiatives, and to jointly sign a resolution opposing the International Joint Commission's Plan 2014.

Just days into a new year and decade, thoughts of area fishers and outdoors aficionados are already turning to warmer weather. We have to admit that winter 2019-20 is already getting on our nerves; the holidays are thankfully over and the Bills short run at the playoffs is now history.

The Lewiston-Porter School District Board of Education on Monday announced the appointment of Bradley Rowles as the new principal of Lewiston-Porter High School.

Traveling on the road to play a basketball game in a hostile environment is no easy task. The Lewiston-Porter Lancers felt the affects of playing in Niagara-Wheatfield's gym Tuesday night, but as good teams do, the Lancers were able to overcome an early stumble. Lew-Port defeated the Niagara-Wheatfield Falcons, 80-51, Tuesday, in a game that was close for the first 16 to 17 minutes.

The Lewiston Council on the Arts is already at work on this summer's Lewiston Art Festival. Two items of interest were announced Tuesday:

The Sisters of St. Francis at Stella Niagara are having a craft show on June 26 weekend. All the items are handmade by the sisters. Proceeds will benefit the Alzheimer's Association of WNY.

The Historical Association of Lewiston's first program of 2020 program, "Saving Sergeant Niland: The Local True Story Behind Spielberg's Epic Film," will take place at 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 23, at the Lutheran Church of the Messiah Fellowship Hall, 915 Oneida St., Lewiston. Historian Douglas DeCroix will keynote.

On Monday, Dec. 30, during the Town of Lewiston's final board meeting of 2019, Kiwanis Club of Lewiston President Lee Allan presented a $1,500 donation toward the Lewiston Family Ice Rink.

The Town of Porter this week released the agenda for the upcoming Lake Ontario Preparedness Committee. The group, consisting of representatives from the Town and Village of Lewiston, Town of Porter, Village of Youngstown, Village of Barker, Town and Village of Wilson, and Town of Newfane will meet at 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 9, at Porter Town Hall.

In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Old Fort Niagara will present a special walking tour that illuminates the hidden African American history of the fort.

DiMino Lewiston Tops once again partnered with Niagara Frontier Publications/The Sentinel to present a holiday coloring contest for children.

The 2019 Community Christmas Baskets Program, an annual project of the Youngstown Civic Guild, saw a successful conclusion in the days before Christmas.

The Town of Porter held its swearing-in ceremonies of elected officials Thursday at Town Hall.

The VIP Food Service students from the Niagara Career and Technical Education Center spread some holiday cheer to troops in Afghanistan. For the second year, students in Lisa Cook's class helped out a local Lewiston organization that tries to make the season brighter for men and women who cannot be home with their families.

Wojtaszek said the laws were placed in an appropriations bill by Gov. Andrew Cuomo and "pretty much passed in the middle of the night."

Joined by family, friends and supporters, nine officials were sworn into office Jan. 1 at the Town of Lewiston Town Hall.

U.S. Army Spec. Riley Johnston, daughter of Town of Porter Supervisor John "Duffy" Johnston, was recognized by the Buffalo Bills on Sunday for her service to this country. The event was part of the Bills-New York Jets game at New Era Field.

For more than three decades, Lions Club branches around the globe have sponsored a special art contest in schools and youth groups.

The holiday table can be pretty redundant year after year, but for 2019, party hosts and goers can look no further than award-wining Bella Rose Vineyard & Winery in Lewiston for wine pairings and more.

Barbara Ann Joseph, 70, of Niagara Falls, passed away on Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2019, at Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center. Born in Niagara Falls on Feb. 22, 1949 she was the daughter of the late Samuel and Susan (Ferris) Joseph and attended local schools. She was a 1967 graduate of Madonna High School.

Stella Niagara students and faculty took part in a reverse Advent calendar this Christmas season.

Winter cold also wasn't enough to cancel Lewiston's annual War of 1812 remembrance ceremony Thursday at the Tuscarora Heroes Monument on the corner of Center Street and Portage Road.

The Town of Porter will be the location for the next get-together of the Lake Ontario Preparedness Group. A detailed planning conference for 2020 will take place at 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 9, at Porter Town Hall.

As more communities across Western New York continue to sign on to Gov. Andrew Cuomo's green energy campaign of energy alternatives - namely commercial utility solar installations - many are also contending with unfavorable reactions from residents and questions on capacity. Some are also now reconsidering their options.