On behalf of the Greater Niagara Falls Church of God, Pastor Joe Whitman has invited the community to its annual church picnic, Sunday, July 1, to be held on church grounds at 2334 Lockport Road, Sanborn.

The highlight of the Town of Niagara's bicentennial celebration arrives this weekend with a parade on Military Road followed by two days of activities at Veterans Memorial Park on Lockport Road.

The Town of Wheatfield Focus Group presented to a public forum ideas for the town in the future as relating to agriculture, economic development, disaster planning, town center and the veterans memorial.

It was like stepping back 200 years when the U.S. Brig Niagara sailed into the Niagara River on an unexpected visit late Tuesday afternoon.

Gaenhyenhawi "Hawi" Solotes of Lewiston has been awarded the ElderWood Senior Care Mary S. and Robert R. Chur Scholarship.

The Niagara-Wheatfield School District's second attempt to get a budget passed for 2012-13 on Tuesday was a success as voters passed the revised $60.5 million budget.

The Wheatfield Farmers Market now is open from 3 to 7 p.m. on Wednesdays in the parking lot outside Town Hall.

Edward Town Middle School students in John Mikulski's eighth grade class have been sharpening their writing skills this year by submitting school-related articles to the Tribune.

Colonial Village Elementary School in Wheatfield celebrated Flag Day in grand style.

Sixth-grade students at Edward Town Middle School participated in an unusual school assignment - they organized and took part in a walkathon to benefit a number of local charities.

Why are these people smiling?

Dean Venturin and Rachel Aquino were recently crowned king and queen at Niagara-Wheatfield's senior prom.

Although the Town of Niagara began as a farming community, to date there are only two farms left within its borders.

The church family of Faith Community Church of the Nazarene, located at 3520 Saunders Settlement Road in Sanborn, has a new pastor: the Rev. Wayne Hokanson.

The North Tonawanda History Museum's participation in New York Heritage Weekend included the Jim (Herk) Hurtubise Memorial Car Show. Hurtubise was a North Tonawanda racing legend and the museum has a permanent exhibit in his honor.

The Town of Niagara continued its celebration of its bicentennial with the dedication of an 1812 replica cannon at the corner of Packard and Military roads.

Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center recently was presented with the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association's Get With The Guidelines-Stroke Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award.

Lauren Bonilla, fundraising coordinator for the Muscular Dystrophy Association of Western New York, accepts a $1,000 check from Robert Burns at his Wheatfield Tim Hortons location on Niagara Falls Boulevard.

St. John Lutheran School performed "Schoolhouse Rock Live Jr." in two recent performances. Students in kindergarten through sixth grades sang familiar toe-tapping songs.

The Town of Niagara is celebrating its bicentennial this year. Here's a look back at a bit of its history.

A plaque on the wall to the entrance to the new wing at Northgate Health Care Facility in Wheatfield shows the face of Jeanne D'Arc Abou-Antoun.

Another bit of waterfront property was kept open to the public as LaSalle Waterfront Park was officially opened Monday in Niagara Falls.

The Niagara-Wheatfield School District's $61.78 million budget for 2012-13 failed Tuesday by a 2,004 (no) to 1,713 (yes) vote in what was described as the largest voter turnout in recent memory.

Toby White, right, of Spacelabs Healthcare Inc., demonstrates a central patient monitoring station to Yvonne DeMarco, R.N., in the Intensive Care Unit at Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center.

The Town of Niagara was formed on June 1, 1812, under the name of Schlosser. On Feb. 14, 1816, its name was officially changed to the Town of Niagara.

Getting ready for the 29th annual Roger W. Andrews Senior Citizen Breakfast, to be held at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, May 12, in the Niagara-Wheatfield High School cafeteria.

Pictured are the 2012 officers of Niagara Falls Elks Lodge No. 346.

Edwards, a United Kingdom-based global manufacturer of vacuum and abatement equipment and services, officially opened its new $3.5 million North American headquarters at 6416 Inducon Drive West in Wheatfield

Video: Nik Wallenda, "King of the High Wire," will dare to tightrope walk across the American Falls and the Horseshoe Falls.

The Sanborn Business & Professional Association has chosen H.A. Treichler & Sons greenhouse and farm as the 2012 Sanborn Business of the Year.

St. Johnsburg Volunteer Fire Co., like many across the state participated in RecruitNY last weekend. According to Philip R. Richardson, emergency medical services captain, more than 50 people visited St. Johnsburg and six applications for membership were handed out.

Thanks to a $1,449.54 donation by the Town of Niagara Police Club, officers in the town's police department will have access to another Taser unit.

The Niagara-Wheatfield Board of Education last week gave its approval to proceed with planning for an Adult Education Program for fall 2012, despite budget constraints.

Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center held a ceremonial ribbon-cutting today to celebrate the completion of a half-million dollars in building renovations and technology and women's services upgrades at the Summit Healthplex.

It's no secret that school cleaners have a difficult job. That's why 10 students at Edward Town Middle school helped out after school on March 14 as part of the school's "Cleaner Appreciation Day."

Project will enhance international tourism destination and create 240 construction-related jobs.

Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo has announced a $29.7 million investment for New York Works projects to upgrade and repair six parks in Western New York.

Anyone who has an interest in the diverse history of the Niagara Region is welcome to attend the Annual Congress of the Niagara County Federation of Historical Societies.

They've cast up dust on family barbecues, damaged farmer's crops, dug ruts in parks, and their noise has forced residents to close windows despite balmy weather.

In the wake of complaints, the Wheatfield Town Board on Monday approved up to $7,000 to provide about nine extra Niagara County Sheriff's Office ATV patrols to provide "stings" on those riding ATVs and motorcycles illegally.

The town's contract with the NCSO already provides ATV patrols in areas difficult to reach by car two or three times a year, according to Town Supervisor Bob Cliffe. He's hoping the additional patrols will help solve the growing problem of irresponsible ATV and motorcycle riders driving off-road in posted and private areas.

The Niagara-Wheatfield Board of Education meeting started out on a high note on March 21 with a commendation to Natalie Borga, named 2012 valedictorian.

Borga has a 100 percent plus average, is active in numerous school organizations and does community service.

The meeting took a turn when more than 30 people signed in to speak during the public comment portion.

For two hours students, parents and teachers came forward to plead to save the music program in the K-5 grade levels. Each voiced how music was an integral part of their life or their child's life.