Three regional artists whose work was featured in the Castellani Art Museum's exhibition "TopSpin 10: The Ten Year TopSpin Retrospective" were presented with Viewer's Choice Awards.

The extensive Christmas display at the home of Paul Greinert, 6962 Errick Road, is a Wheatfield holiday tradition. It was begun by his father, Edward Greinert, who initiated the display for his grandchildren and the community.

The lighted display, spread across the grounds, includes a manger scene, an igloo with penguins, snowmen, toy soldiers, a Santa house, train, elves, Santa and his sleigh, snowflakes, Christmas trees, signs, Mickey and Minnie Mouse and more.

Niagara Hospice and Northgate Health Care Facility recently held a holiday tree lighting celebration at Hospice at Jeanne's House - A Northgate and Niagara Hospice Collaboration. Prior to the tree lighting, residents throughout Northgate were serenaded with Christmas carols by more than 35 Boy Scouts from Pack 193 and their families.

Niagara County lawmakers approved a $321.8 million spending plan Tuesday night in Lockport, with a slight 1.2 percent property tax rate increase that is below the county's legally required 2 percent tax cap.

The approved budget sets a full value tax rate of $7.72 per $1,000 of assessed value, up slightly from the $7.63 rate in the 2012 spending plan. Despite the minimal uptick in rates, the fiscally conservative budget maintains deep cuts in county tax rates achieved over the course of the past decade

The Mount St. Mary's Foundation recently dedicated a "Wall of Donors" to formally recognize individuals and businesses that gave to its successful Breast Care Center capital campaign, which raised more than $1.2 million.

Despite a 50-17 loss Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks in Toronto, Buffalo Bills running back Fred Jackson told co-host Bob Koshinski that he is sticking by Coach Chan Gailey.

Members of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve joined Dunkin' Donuts franchisees and Basil Family of Dealerships representatives Friday for a large-scale shopping spree today at Toys "R" Us in Amherst to prepare the Toys for Tots program in Western New York for the holiday season.

Big changes may be in store for a prominent stretch of the Village of Lewiston.

The Buffalo-based Ellicott Development has purchased 756, 784-790 Center St., and adjacent vacant land on Onondaga Street (bordering North Eighth Street) from HoganWillig PLLC. Current tenants of these properties include The Country Doctor, Grandpaws Pet Emporium and Smith Brothers Pizza.

Ellicott Development CEO William Paladino signed the property transfer and has served as the point person on the $1.4 million transaction. The sale was finalized Nov. 7. William's father, former gubernatorial candidate Carl Paladino, founded Ellicott Development, a property management, leasing and development firm, in 1973.

At a surprise birthday party for Les Dumas, a Knights of Columbus member, guests brought contributions to Toys for Tots and the WNY Food Bank in lieu of birthday gifts.

St. John Lutheran School is helping support The Food Bank of WNY. In the past few weeks, students have been donating food items as part of their chapel offerings. They have collected more than 400 pounds of food and plan to donate more to help those in need during the Christmas season.

PHOTOS: The annual Christmas Senior Dance at the Wheatfield Community Center last Saturday drew a large crowd for a turkey dinner, dancing and prize drawings.

In celebration of the holidays, leather- and denim-clad members of Niagara Falls Harley Owners Group recently made their annual convoy to New Directions' Wyndham Lawn Home for Children in Lockport to give the children residents' holiday presents.

As millions of fans celebrated the success of the "Believe" album and accompanying sold-out "Believe" world tour, global superstar Justin Bieber announced additional 2013 shows on his headlining tour of North America, which includes a stop at First Niagara Center on July 15, 2013.

The cities of Niagara Falls and Salamanca continue to be hampered by population loss, decreased property values and a significant decline in revenue, according to two fiscal reports issued Monday by State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli. The reports are the first in a series of fiscal profiles on cities across the state.

The reports detail the impact of the ongoing dispute over casino revenue on the two Western New York communities. The cities are home to casinos operated by the Seneca Nation - the Seneca Niagara Casino and the Seneca Allegany Casino. Niagara Falls and Salamanca have not received their "local share" of casino revenues since 2009, when the Senecas halted gambling compact payments to the state.

Imagine a street lined with flames and filled with chaos as dozens of Lewiston's citizens run barefoot through the night trying to escape attacks from British forces.

Competition was stiff this year for the People's Choice Award for Best Holiday Décor at the Historical Association of Lewiston's 2012 Tour of Homes. More than 1,000 ballots were cast and, while the numbers were close, the winner is ...

Hats off to Angelo Grande, who entered Niagara Frontier Publications' recent "Like Us on Facebook" contest and won a $50 gift certificate to Casa Antica, Lewiston's Italian restaurant at 490 Center St.

For the third year in a row, Kelly's Country Store, at 3121 Grand Island Blvd., is selling Christmas trees, with proceeds to benefit the Grand Island Lions Club's annual Special Kids Picnic, as well as the club's other service projects.

Dr. Stuart Weinstein is again offering the community an opportunity to brighten their holiday smiles and, at the same time, the financial outlook of families with members serving in the military.

Paul and Jan DePlato of Bergholz once again are offering a chance to see one of the area's largest Christmas displays, with an added bonus: a visit with Santa.

Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo announced an agreement Tuesday that will prevent the Maid of the Mist scenic boat excursions from shutting down. The multilateral agreement spearheaded by the governor provides for the Maid of the Mist to continue to operate in the Niagara Gorge and for it to produce increased revenues for Niagara Falls State Park.

The agreement will also lead to improvements of the boat tour experience for park visitors and will protect New York state from potential disruptions to a critical tourism attraction for decades to come.

Candles twinkle in the windows of the 286-year-old French Castle. Outside the imposing stone structure, lanterns line Old Fort Niagara's walkways as soldiers in cocked hats and wool coats prepare their muskets to perform a grand feu de joie, a firing of joy, in honor of the holiday season.

Niagara County Community College, in conjunction with the College Association of NCCC, will host "Santa's Workshop" weekends at the college's new Niagara Falls Culinary Institute through Dec. 24.

Interested in LASIK surgery for yourself, a relative, a friend or someone in need? Get your video cameras and iPhones ready. Fichte Endl & Elmer Eyecare presents the Great Holiday LASIK Giveaway.

The efforts of Grand Islanders are making a great difference in the lives of people on an island 1,500 miles away.

The Castellani Art Museum of Niagara University will host its sixth annual Holiday Bash on Friday, Dec. 14, from 5 to 8 p.m. Celebrate the holidays with friends in the central gallery of Niagara University's Castellani Art Museum.

Hard Rock "drops" 10-foot Gibson guitar, painted by local artist Rob Lynch and illuminated by Ken-Ton Electronic, to ring in the new year; special performances by Everclear and Eve 6

PHOTOS: The Center for Women at Mount St. Mary's Hospital was formally unveiled to the public on Wednesday, Nov. 28, with a blessing and open house.

The Tuscarora Indian School K-Kids recently concluded its 11th annual Canned Food Drive. Club adviser Paul Beatty reports the event encourages students in pre-K through sixth grade to collect non-perishable food items that are donated to families in need during the holiday season.

For Rick Updegrove, leader of the Niagara County Legislature's Republican Majority, convincing his caucus to support the third annual Peanut Butter and Jelly Drive may have been the easiest thing he's done all year.

It's also the most rewarding.

The Buffalo Bills and the American Red Cross are again teaming up to host a community blood drive. The event runs from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 4, at Ralph Wilson Stadium (Paul Maguire Club), One Bills Drive in Orchard Park.

The Buffalo Philharmonic Chorus has announced the return of the ever-popular, annual holiday concert "Messiah," presented by M&T Bank. The BPC returns to the OLV Basilica after spending a year away due to restoration, performing live on Sunday, Dec. 2, at 8 p.m. with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra.

The Christmas play "All Through The Night," written by local playwright L. Don Swartz, will be presented at the Ghostlight Theatre, 170 Schenck St., North Tonawanda.

PHOTOS: While the Niagara Falls Wintergarden is now gone, its holiday magic lives on in Lewiston.

The Lewiston Choraleers will present "A Christmas Potpourri 2012" on Dec. 1, 2, 8 and 9 at six area churches.

PHOTOS: Anyone who ends up sick of turkey and Black Friday sales this week can find a little oasis of peace and beauty, complete with a camel, at Lewiston's Our Lady of Fatima Shrine.

A number of employees who work at The McGuire Group's Northgate Health Care Facility in Wheatfield recently puckered up to kiss Lucy the llama from Spirit Wind Farms for a worthy cause.

Houghton College is hosting the sixth annual "Christmas Prism" Dec. 7 to 9 in Houghton, as well as Rochester and Buffalo.

The Tatler Club Inc. and a community friend made donations to Opportunities Unlimited of Niagara, providing complete holiday meals for seven individuals with intellectual and other developmental disabilities and their families.

Culinary Arts students at the Niagara Career and Technical Education Center have been putting their skills to use to help out the Salvation Army in Lockport.