The aviation class at Niagara-Wheatfield High School, taught by science teacher Norm Utech, recently visited the Buffalo-Niagara International Airport's TSA secure facility as well as the FAA's air traffic control tower.

Members of the Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center family gathered at the waterfall by the gift shop Friday to show their support for National Wear Red/Go Red for Women Day.

Niagara-Wheatfield Superintendent Carl Militello, beset by angry union members, budget shortfalls and a disgruntled school board, on Wednesday retired from the school district.

The troops are rallying to once again fight for the survival of the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station, but these fighters aren't necessarily wearing uniforms.

Beginning April 1, parking fees at Niagara Falls International Airport will double to a maximum daily rate of $10 and a weekly rate of $50.

Students at Edward Town Middle School are excited about their school's musical production of "Beauty and the Beast."

About 1,000 students lined the front hallway of Niagara-Wheatfield High School and the school band played "Pomp and Circumstance."

The Niagara Falls International Airport Stakeholders Group Inc. will promote further development and utilization of the airport.

Evelyn Lazo, R.N., B.S.N., left, and Kathleen Syposs, R.N., prepare a new motorized stretcher for use in Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center's ER1 emergency department.

It wasn't your everyday reorganization meeting Monday night at the Town of Niagara's Calvin K. Richards Senior/Youth Activity Center.

The Counseling and Career Center at Niagara-Wheatfield High School recently hosted an Alumni Day at the school's auditorium.

Culinary arts students Tiffanie Tisack's and Taylor Brielley's gingerbread house creation took third place at the Gilda's Club Competition.

Three seventh-grade students at Edward Town Middle School recently held a fundraiser to support the SPCA of Niagara.

As another year ticks down this weekend, it's time to reflect on 2011 and look ahead to 2012.

Mike Dallessandro, the Niagara-Wheatfield Central School District's transportation director, was the guest speaker at the Lewiston No. 2 Volunteer Fire Department recently.

Fricano Primary School students gathered to decorate more than 250 homemade holiday treats to be shipped to U.S. troops in Afghanistan and at home.

Every year, the Haseley family on Lockport Road, right across from the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station entrance, puts up a holiday display. (photo by Marc Carpenter)

One of the largest Christmas displays in the area is done by the Greinert family over three acres at 6962 Errick Road, Wheatfield. Paul Greinert carries on the tradition started 26 years ago by his dad, Ed Greinert, former town supervisor.

Visitors are welcome, but asked to stay in their cars due to the vast amount of wiring involved for the many different scenes, showing elves, snowmen, a nativity scene, shooting stars, snowflakes, candy canes, wreaths, Christmas trees, carolers, Santa's sleigh, and much more, including the toy-filled choo-choo train shown above right.

The Wheatfield Seniors enjoyed their annual Christmas dance on Dec. 10. (photos by Walt Bissett)

The American Legion Riders from Wheatfield Post 1451 donated $500 to the Airman and Family Readiness Center of the 914th Airlift Wing at the Niagara Falls Reserve Center.

Ceremony pays tribute to beloved member of the police force.

Town of Niagara youngsters were enchanted at the Recreation Department's annual Christmas party last weekend.

Kathy Otto of Wheatfield has won the Tri State Weimaraner Rescue 2011 Photo Contest with a shot of her Weimaraner Sophie Sue.

A four-star hotel and extra airport parking have been added to the possibilities for future use.

Holiday themed events within the local community.

By spring, Wheatfield residents should be wheeling out 64-gallon totes filled with recyclables to the end of their driveways every other week.

The Town Board on Monday awarded a three-year contract for refuse and recycling to Modern Disposal. Supervisor Bob Cliffe said Modern offered the town the best deal and the most return on recycling over the other two bidders, Waste Management and Allied Recycling.

Modern offered a guaranteed minimum recycling rebate to the town of $30,000 per year, which would reduce the town's total three-year cost for refuse removal to $2,466,548 or less. The contract includes the possibility of two two-year extensions.

Final contract details have yet to be negotiated with Modern and a bid awarded for the totes.

An official signing ceremony was held at Niagara-Wheatfield High School for senior Caitlin Attfield, who will attend the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

Before overfilling that plate with fat-laden, high-calorie foods this holiday season, consider this: Experts say not only are Americans getting fatter, but the numbers of those who develop diabetes is growing significantly.

Town of Niagara resident Nick Occhipinti and his grandson, Vinny, drop off a donation at the bin in Town Hall supporting the second annual "Peanut Butter & Jelly Drive" to help area food pantries feed less fortunate families with children.

Organizers of the annual Electric Lights Parade are so excited about the results of the "care a ton" food drive, they've decided to extend the collection.

Horizon Health Services has applied to the New York State Office of Alcohol and Substance Abuse Services for permission to establish an addiction service satellite center at the Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center.

If approved, the integrated center for primary care and addiction would be the first of its kind in Niagara County and one of the first in the state.

"This is a groundbreaking approach that will meet a very pressing community need. The integrated center takes a one-stop approach to serving patients, making it more convenient for patients to access a broader range of services at a single location," said Memorial Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Sheila K. Kee.

The Niagara-Wheatfield Board of Education, reeling from an audit report received at last week's regular meeting, is looking at extra workshop meetings in upcoming off-meeting weeks to deal with some hard decisions on future school district spending.

On Nov. 2, Wayne Drescher of Drescher & Malecki presented a report on the district's external audit, which showed the district could end up having a deficit as high as nearly $8 million for the 2012-13 school year.

On Election Day, Holy Ghost Lutheran School will have hundreds of homemade baked goods for sale starting at 6 a.m.

Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 8, for Election Day.

Wheatfield has the most contested town races (supervisor and two Town Board seats), while Town of Niagara has only one (highway supervisor). In county races, all voters will vote in the county clerk race, and depending on district, some also will vote for County Legislature candidates.

Wheatfield Supervisor Robert B. Cliffe is seeking re-election to a second term, running on the Republican, Conservative and Independence lines, while Donald J. Wallace is running on the Democratic and Working Families lines. Wheatfield councilmen Larry L. Helwig (R, C, I) and Gilbert G. Doucet (R, C, WF, I) are seeking re-election. Opposing them are Robert J. Pino (D) and Barbara A. Lange (D). Town Clerk Kathleen M. Harrington and Superintendent of Highways Arthur F. Kroening are running unopposed.

The show is over for The YellowJackets from the University of Rochester on NBC's "The Sing-Off."

St. Vincent De Paul Parish's Youth Ministry is holding a pumpkin sale fundraiser through Oct. 31.

Shown are the youngest members of Rotary Club of Niagara County Central.

by Olivia Bitetti

Take a break from raiding the Halloween candy this Saturday and head to Military Road in Town of Niagara for the annual Niagara Electric Lights Parade.

Organized by the Town of Niagara Business and Professional Association, the event is designed not only to get the upcoming holiday season rolling, but also to ensure needy local residents have full bellies when Thanksgiving arrives.

Wheatfield residents might see an even bigger tax decrease in 2012.

The Wheatfield Farmers Market is sponsoring a Customer-Family Appreciation Day on Wednesday, Oct. 26, which is the last day of operations for the market's second season.

The market provides a source for local fresh produce, specialty food items and crafts. For its closing day, it also will provide free hot dogs to all customers, courtesy of the Hot Dog King. The YMCA will provide a bounce house, face painting and a fall-themed crafts table for children.

Hours are 3 to 7 p.m. in the Town Hall parking lot.