The 26th president of Niagara University will be the Rev. James J. Maher, C.M., D.Min.

The Catholic and Vincentian institution announced Maher, currently the executive vice president for mission and student services at St. John's University, would succeed the Rev. Joseph L. Levesque, C.M.

The Niagara County Industrial Development Agency board of directors conducted its annual reorganizational meeting on Wednesday. Scott P. Kiedrowski, the clerk and treasurer and registrar of vital statistics for the City of North Tonawanda, was elected chairman. He will have time to consider his slate of officers, as well as committee chairs and members, which will be voted on at the April 17 board of directors meeting.

State Sen. George Maziarz announced the New York State Senate unanimously approved legislation (S.1095) he sponsored to expand and rename the Niagara Wine Trail and Niagara Escarpment Wine Trail. In effect, the wine trails would be enlarged to encompass all of Orleans County and Western Monroe County, bringing more wineries than ever into the popular wine trails' network.

"The wine industry in the greater Niagara Region is growing so fast that our laws designating the various wine trails must keep up with the pace of growth," Maziarz said. "Agritourism is an important part of the regional economy and the state must act now to support it."

The Ontario Junior Hockey League has announced that Michael Peca of the Buffalo Jr. Sabres was named the recipient of the 2012-13 OJHL Coach of the Year Award. Peca is a former Buffalo Sabres captain.

More than 2,500 guests will fill The Conference & Event Center Niagara Falls, 101 Old Falls St., for the 31st annual St. Patrick's Day Celebration, hosted by the Ancient Order of Hibernians

Artpark in Lewiston is kicking off its 40th anniversary season with a gala evening on Saturday, June 1. The celebration event will take place in the scenic Outdoor Amphitheater area overlooking the Niagara River gorge. The evening will be highlighted by entertainment and a gala dinner.

As the B. Thomas Golisano Center for Integrated Sciences takes shape on the south side of campus, Niagara University faculty members continue to investigate ways to furnish the state-of-the-art facility with the latest in scientific instrumentation.

Niagara Tourism & Convention Corp., Visit Buffalo Niagara and Wyoming County Chamber & Tourism are partnering with www.TripCentral.ca to participate in a Canadian consumer based marketing and sales program now through March 31.

The overall program is being conducted and managed by TripCentral.ca, one of Canada's largest and most established Internet drive vacation distributors. Accommodations and attractions from all three counties are participating in the "Vacation Station," a live branded kiosk in Toronto's Union Station (the main transportation hub in the region and busiest building in Canada).

More than an office or a single site for service, the Niagara Health Home is a one-stop care management network that provides an unprecedented level of care coordination and service linkages to patients and their families.

Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver and Mental Health Committee Chair Aileen Gunther announced the Assembly's budget proposal would restore $120 million in critical funding to the state Office of People with Developmental Disabilities for services provided by nonprofit organizations that serve individuals with developmental disabilities.

The programs and services provided through non-profits under the auspices of OPWDD help improve the quality of life for individuals with developmental disabilities. These programs help to develop home, personal, behavioral, recreational and social skills to ensure greater independence in their day-to-day lives. In order to ensure these services are not compromised, the Assembly proposes to restore $120 million to mitigate the governor's proposed 6 percent rate reduction to nonprofit providers.

Assemblyman John Ceretto, R-I-C-Lewiston, met earlier this week with James Tomkins, Grand Island highway superintendent, in the Assembly chamber. They discussed the importance of increasing state support for the region's roads and bridges.

Assemblyman John Ceretto, R-I-C-Lewiston, ranking member on the Assembly tourism committee, is calling on the State Assembly to follow the Senate's lead and pass legislation to legalize mixed martial arts in New York.

Proud colleagues heaped praise on Niagara County Legislature Chairman William L. Ross, C-Wheatfield, Tuesday in Lockport as the long-time government head gaveled his 200th meeting as presiding officer of the Legislature to order.

Rocker Billy Idol will ignite the summer concert season at Artpark on June 4, kicking off "First Niagara presents Tuesday in the Park." One week later, Joan Jett and The Blackhearts are slated to take the Outdoor Amphitheater stage. Tickets go on sale March 15.

Growing the state's agriculture industry and helping New York's family farms prosper is the goal of the "Grown in New York" plan, unveiled Tuesday at a Capitol news conference by members of the Senate's agriculture committee, as well as leaders of the New York Farm Bureau. The plan is designed to strengthen the state's $5.2 billion agriculture industry by expanding markets for New York-grown products, improving the bottom lines of family farms, and investing in the future of farming.

Sen. Patrick M. Gallivan said, "Agriculture is New York's most important industry and one of its most diverse, impacting every individual and family in the state."

The Town of Niagara Lions Club celebrated its 60th anniversary at Antonio's Banquet Hall in Niagara Falls.

VIDEO: In front of a crowd of nearly 10,000 people in Abany, Assemblyman John Ceretto, R-I-C-Lewiston, called Thursday for the repeal of the controversial SAFE Act.

A four-student team from Niagara University claimed the silver medal at the CFA Investment Research Challenge, held Feb. 19 at Canisius College.

The Castellani Art Museum's TopSpin Series will resume with an exhibition by Youngstown artist Carol Carreno. "Carol Carreno: Fragments of a Beautiful Journey" opens with a reception and artist talk on Sunday, March 3, from 2 until 4 p.m.

The Opportunities Unlimited of Niagara Foundation's 20th annual Baskets O'Plenty Auction is scheduled for Thursday, March 14, at BPO Elks Lodge No. 346, 1805 Fashion Outlet Blvd., in the Town of Niagara.

What began as a simple idea earlier last week blossomed into a sight to see Sunday afternoon at Seneca Niagara Casino & Hotel. A small group of servers at The Western Door: A Seneca Steakhouse learned about "Goin' Bald for Bucks" - a fundraising program through Roswell Park Cancer Institute - and decided to take part.

The Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum is excited to offer its first annual "Home School Day," designed specifically for home-educated children and their families.

Dig out the bathing suits and grab your friends. The 2013 Olcott Lions Club "Swim for Sight" at Krull Park in Olcott Beach is just around the corner.

ECOsponsible project manager Dennis Ryan met Tuesday with Village of Lewiston trustees to update them on his company's intent to use the lower Niagara River to generate electricity through hydrokinetic turbines.

More than 40 Niagara University students worked the phones to raise almost $100,000 during the college's recent fundraising campaign.

Three remaining Robert Moses Parkway North alternative designs are in agreement regarding the section of roadway between Main Street and Findlay Drive. (Image courtesy of the scoping report presentation.)

Three pastry chefs will go head-to-head in Verona next month to see who will win the title of American Culinary Federation Northeast Region Pastry Chef of the Year, sponsored by Plugrá European-Style Butter.

Niagara University's "What's On Your Mind?" advertising campaign garnered a silver medal in a national competition of college and university marketing materials.

Niagara Hospice is looking to grow the number of volunteer services the organization provides to hospice patients. It has launched a volunteer campaign to recruit dedicated and compassionate individuals looking for fulfilling volunteer experiences that truly make a difference - qualities all hospice volunteers are known for.

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.

The 2013 Relay For Life season began in a full sprint with a kickoff rally Wednesday.

New teams and veteran Relayers gathered at Grand Island High School to award medals for 2012 and to begin the 2013 event, which will have an Olympic theme of "Going for the Gold."

Operating room staff members at Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center Monday celebrated the successful completion of the hospital's 200th robotic surgical procedure by "SAL" the Surgical Robot.

Greif Inc., a manufacturer of industrial packaging located in Tonawanda, recently made a timely donation to Niagara Hospice.

What do bingo, candy and a pharmacy have in common?

Not much, unless they are in the hands of Christopher Sauls, pharmacist at Summit Park Pharmacy in Wheatfield, as he works his audience of senior citizens.

In an effort to improve upon what he called failings in the SAFE Act, and to reduce violent crimes in the communities, Assemblymen John Ceretto joined several of his colleagues Wednesday at a forum to discuss the issues of mental health, school safety, gun violence and general public safety.

Sunnking Inc., in partnership with Camp Good Days, has created a program titled "E-Scrap 4 Camp," which facilitates recycling old electronics from participating locations to generate funds for Camp Good Days and Special Times. 2013 marks the third year for the program - and the first time that fundraising efforts will be expanded to allow participation from Rochester-area businesses and organizations.

The Historical Association of Lewiston announces the availability of a just-minted "Tuscarora Heroes" commemorative coin.

On Feb. 24 and 25, the Field & Fork Network will host its biennial "Connections Conference" (formerly the Farmer-Chef Conference) at the new, state-of-the art Niagara Falls Culinary Institute.

The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation has announced that the draft scoping report for the Robert Moses Parkway North/Niagara Gorge Corridor project will be available for the public to review beginning on Wednesday, Feb. 20, with a public open house. The open house will take place from 3 until 7 p.m. in the Cataract Room at the Conference Center Niagara Falls, 101 Old Falls St.

The format of the open house will allow the public to review the alternatives derived from the scoping process and to have questions answered by the consultants. Members of the public can also leave written comments. The plan covers the area of the Robert Moses Parkway from Main Street in the City of Niagara Falls to the Village of Lewiston.

On Friday, the Niagara USA Chamber announced its award winners for the Chamber Honors Gala on March 22. Honorees include Nik Wallenda, the Rev. Joseph Levesque, Dr. James Klyczek, Certo Brothers and Timothy Mulvey of Mulvey Construction. Wallenda will also serve as keynote speaker for the event.