With momentum building toward next Tuesday's Niagara Greenway Commission public meeting/review/vote to determine consistency and funding for the proposed Lewiston Civic Center, the Town Board has taken further steps to make the project a reality.

At its Monday work session, the Lewiston Town Board voted in favor of three items pertaining to the Civic Center. One of those items was paying $50,000 for a 10-acre parcel of land at Lew-Port.

Assemblywoman Jane Corwin, in an effort to help restock the shelves of many local charities that have run bare, delivered food to local Western New York food banks as part of her "Annual Food Drive to Combat Hunger."

Cornerstone Community Federal Credit Union, headquartered in Lockport, has announced its award of scholarships to 10 high school student members of the credit union in the amount of $350 each.

About 125 runners and walkers came to Youngstown Saturday, May 11, for the 19th annual Nancy Price 5K Race and Walk.

Community Missions of Niagara Frontier honored many of the volunteers and supporters who make its mission possible at its 21st annual Compassion in Action Awards Brunch, hosted Thursday by the LaSalle Yacht Club in Niagara Falls.

Two benefit events are being planned this month for the three children of the late Kevin Lapp of Wheatfield.

Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo today announced the launch of New York's largest tourism campaign in decades, committing nearly $60 million to grow the industry, create jobs and attract even more visitors to the Empire State.

The governor's announcement came at the conclusion of the New York State Tourism Summit, where hundreds of tourism experts gathered in Albany to discuss ideas and new ways to bring tourists to every corner of the state.

"Yesterday was huge," said Niagara Tourism and Convention Corp. President and CEO John Percy on Thursday.

Congressman Brian Higgins, NY-26, has announced the winners of the 2013 annual Congressional Art Competition, "An Artistic Discovery."

The American Diabetes Association, Western New York Chapter, has named Vincent Harrer of Lockport its youth ambassador for the 2013 Tour de Cure.

First Niagara Financial Group Inc. and Hospice Buffalo worked together to welcome spring with the 27th annual Hospice Buffalo Spring Bouquet Sale.

Vince Schiano set off on a 4,000-mile bike ride last summer to raise money and awareness for young adults suffering from cancer.

Little did he know that his cross-country venture would also inspire three young women back "home" on Monteagle Ridge to join the cause this year.

The Rev. Joseph L. Levesque, C.M., is slated to speak during Niagara University's second undergraduate commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 11. It will be the final graduating class that he will address as president of Niagara University.

With more than 15,000 food trucks rolling across America, it's only a matter of time before one makes its way to Lewiston - a 2012 top food finalist in the Rand McNally/USA Today "Best of the Road" competition.

One candidate is The Black Market Food Truck, a gourmet deli sandwich unit co-owned and operated by Lewiston native Christian Willmott.

On Monday, he addressed village trustees. Willmott, who called himself an "ambassador for food trucks," told board members these traveling kitchens can bolster the local economy - and help restaurants succeed.

State Sen. Mark Grisanti invites constituents to share their input on "The Future of the Buffalo Skyway" with a roundtable of stakeholders that will examine what he considers the best practices moving forward with the Skyway. Grisanti would like to address a number of issues, including access to the inner and outer harbor; Ohio Street and Furhman Boulevard; the role that the Skyway plays with regards to business; the cost effectiveness of the overall maintenance of the Skyway versus the removal of it; and what could be developed on the waterfront if the Skyway is removed.

Community volunteers teamed up with employees from the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation on Saturday to spruce up Artpark's historic woods, its trails, and improvement projects for the summer.

The seventh annual "I Love New York" Empire State Tourism Conference took place this week in Niagara Falls. This year's theme was "Building Our Empire," and the focus was on making tourism a strong foundation in New York state.

This Friday will be better than Christmas for 17-year-old Zach Nash.

The Town of Niagara teenager practically hums with excitement as he talks about his debut race in his own car at Ransomville Speedway.

The buy-local boom is good news for our local farmers trying to get fresh produce to local restaurants and tables. A new business venture is set to unite growers and buyers in a quick, auction-style fashion.

Calling all Lewiston residents with a green thumb: The Lewiston GardenFest is looking for interested homeowners who are willing to showcase their private gardens during this year's annual event, to be held Saturday, June 22, and Sunday, June 23.

Residents do not need to showcase their entire yard, but instead can choose a section they wish to highlight.

PHOTOS: A Youngstown marina owner and jetboat operators from Idaho made history Saturday in the Niagara River gorge. In the process, they drew the attention of the U.S. Border Patrol, Department of Homeland Security and the Niagara Parks Police Service in Ontario, Canada.

A number of Lewiston volunteers recently gathered at Susan Geissler's art studio in Youngstown to inspect the larger-than-life-size clay models of the Tuscarora Heroes Monument.

More than 220 volunteers from Mount St. Mary's Hospital and Health Center and the Our Lady of Peace Nursing Care Residence were honored at the annual Volunteer Recognition Luncheon on Thursday, April 25, at the Niagara Falls Country Club.

Niagara University's College of Business Administration presented awards to five business leaders, alumni and students during its 23rd annual Business Appreciation and Accounting Banquet, held April 25 at the at the Buffalo Marriott.

The Niagara River Region Chamber of Commerce will honor 10 businesses and individuals at the annual Chamber Awards Gala on Friday, May 17, at the Niagara Falls Country Club in Lewiston.

Leadership Niagara's 24th annual awards luncheon brought 180 regional leaders together at the Niagara Falls Conference & Events Center on Friday, April 26, to honor four individuals and organizations who exemplified the organization's mission and core values.

The Father's Day Classic Car Show and Lawn Mower Race, benefiting the American Cancer Society's Relay For Life of Grand Island, will be held again this year on West River Parkway at Long Road, Sunday, June 16, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The Niagara Tourism & Convention Corp. will welcome the seventh annual I Love New York Empire State Tourism Conference, titled "Building Our Empire," from May 1-3. This is the first time the annual conference will be held outside of the Albany region in many years.

We have the most comprehensive list of Artpark events and pictures around -- plus a video presentation of the "Tuesday in the Park" and "Coors Light Wednesdays" schedule.

Artpark President George Osborne announced the venue's 2013 summer events schedule at a press conference Wednesday morning.

Congressman Brian Higgins, NY-26, a member of the Congressional Great Lakes Task Force, has introduced legislation to provide grants to upgrade wastewater treatment plants in the Great Lakes basin.

Isa Witte, a student matriculating toward a dual degree from Niagara University and the International University of Applied Sciences in Germany, received the Best Undergraduate Research Paper Award at the 2013 Korea America Hospitality and Tourism Educators Association (KAHTEA) Conference.

A prominent cardiologist will join a local business executive in chairing the 22nd annual Niagara Cup Classic.

Plans are shaping up for the fifth annual Lewiston Region Tour of Kitchens, taking place Saturday and Sunday, June 8 and 9, from 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. at select addresses in Lewiston and Youngstown.

New Directions Youth and Family Services, Western New York's leading provider of services for at-risk children and families, invites the community to join the organization for an evening of fine wines, music and gourmet hors d'oeuvres at the fourth annual "Wines of Distinction" fundraiser.

Supermarket Liquors and Wines has signed on to be a platinum sponsor for Artpark's 40th anniversary gala on June 1. Owner Chris Castellani has personally donated two bottles of wine from his own collection.

The Niagara River Region Chamber of Commerce, the Village of Lewiston and The Silo Restaurant, in cooperation with the Niagara River Anglers, will celebrate one of the region's most famous natural resources as they host the Lewiston Smelt Festival on Friday, May 3, at the foot of Center Street along the Lewiston waterfront.

The Niagara Catholic Jr./Sr. High School board of trustees announced Tuesday Ronald K. Buggs has officially taken on the role of president/principal of the school. He replaces Robert DiFrancesco, who retired in March.

The Erie Canal Discovery Center has announced local Canalway Trail enthusiast Carol Schmelz was selected to receive the eighth annual Key to the Locks Award on May 4 at 11 a.m. at the Discovery Center in Lockport.

Niagara University's College of Business Administration will be taking care of a lot of important business at the Buffalo Marriott on April 25.

The Castellani Art Museum of Niagara University is hosting "A Night of Country Line and Couples Dancing" from 7-11 p.m. on Friday, April 26.