Grand Island resident and U.S. Customs and Border Patrol agent Christopher J. Dlugokinski was recognized for his part in courageous rescue efforts undertaken on July 19, 2011.

More than 100 golfers teed off at River Oaks Golf Club to support an Island boy with autism.

On June 26 at Coca-Cola Field in Buffalo, Chuck Thore of Harvey Road was the honorary PALS member (Person with ALS) at a Buffalo Bisons game, and got to throw out the first pitch of the game with the assistance of his wife Kristen, and step-daughter Sarah Brand.

The Historic Trinity Committee will hold the ninth and final Garden Tour on Saturday, July 14, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. starting at Historic Trinity Church, 2100 Whitehaven Road.

One of the darkest days in Grand Island history was remembered Sunday during a ceremony along the West River. June 23 marked the 100th anniversary of the Eagle Park Resort pier collapse, which took the lives of 39 people.

Scores of Island children took over the Town Commons Saturday in the 16th annual display of youth capitalism.

David Nolf and Stacy Clark, Two talented Grand Island-native musicians, will open for major artists performing in the Niagara County area in coming weeks.

The Grand Island High School Class of 2012 heard Sunday that graduating isn't the end of the learning process.

The Grand Island Chamber of Commerce Island Happenings - KidBiz and Business Expo Event will be held on Saturday, June 23, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the lawn of the Town Commons.

Sunday's Father's Day Lawn Mower Races on West River raised thousands of dollars for the American Cancer Society's Relay For Life.

KeyBank Foundation, and KeyBank of Grand Island presented the Miracle League of Grand Island and Western New York $10,000.

The Kaegebein PTA recently recognized two of its members with the PTA Honorary Lifetime Membership award, Mary Haggerty and Tracy Melisz. In addition, Kathy Chadwick, pictured, was the recipient of the PTA Distinguished Service Award.

It's Father's Day on Sunday. Celebrate! Don't mow the lawn, instead rev that motor over to West River Parkway, between Long Road and Sunset Drive, for the Grand Island Lawn Mower Races and Classic Car Show.

Viridian and the Alliance for the Great Lakes are working to clean Beaver Island State Park.

At 6:16 p.m. on Monday, June 11, Grand Island firefighters responded to a reported structure fire at the home of Jeremy and Elizabeth Lange, after multiple calls for GIFC assistance.

Fire Chief Kevin Koch reported that the fire spread so quickly that the entire unattached garage was totally engulfed in flames when the first engine arrived on location within three minutes. Engines, Nos. 3, 4, and 5 and Ladder Truck No. 6 commenced a sustained interior and exterior attack on the house, but fire suppression crews encountered difficulty in keeping pace with the fire, which had penetrated the attic loft area directly beneath the roof of the house.

Mrs. Percival's third grade class at Huth Road Elementary School recently created nine fleece blankets for Project Linus as an end of the year community service project.

On May 26, at Veterans Park, Grand Island High School's Interact Club, with the help of the Grand Island Rotary Club, organized the Grand Island Flag Football Tournament to raise money for charity.

What started as "a little shoebox store" is celebrating 30 years in business this month.

The Zonta Club of Grand Island installed officers and new members at its annual installation dinner at the Buffalo Launch Club.

The Grand Island Central School District's music program recently accepted a national award that notes its status as one of the "Best Communities for Music Education in America."

Mike Madigan of Grand Island officially announced his candidacy for Congress in the 26th District Sunday at his campaign headquarters on Buffalo's East Side.

Grand Island native Stacy Clark, a national recording artist, is back with a brand new music video.

Grand Island is home to a new gasoline convenience store brand with the opening of the long-awaited Dino-Mart at the corner of Ransom and Stony Point roads.

Grand Island opened a new "gateway" at a ribbon-cutting for the new Fisherman's Landing on East River Road.

When cancer survivor Rita Thurnherr raises money for the American Cancer Society's Relay For Life, she reminds sponsors and donors about the impact that their donations make. It's standing right in front of them.

Before doing battle on the ball diamond, two opposing softball teams joined in a shared effort to honor the memory of one who lost her battle with cancer.

The Grand Island Community Chorus invites the public to its biggest concert event in the group's history.

The Grand Island Central School District participated in Operation Safe Stop, a statewide effort to help ensure that motorists stop for the school bus.

The sheriff was in town recently to meet Islanders and address local concerns.

The students of Grand Island High School recently had the unique opportunity once again to "shadow" a career for a day.

Beginning the day with breakfast and inspiration from guest speaker, the Hon. State Supreme Court Judge Henry Nowak, the students were prepared for a peek into the world of work. Locations this year included: the Buffalo FBI office, 98.5 WKSE radio station, Sweet Beginnings Bakery, Cannon Design, and local Grand Island schools.

One Island, One Team, One Dream, to be Drug Free, was formed in 2006 as a very grass roots movement when newly appointed Grand Island High School Principal Sandra Anzalone issued a survey to parents to determine the most pressing needs in the school body.

While millions have watched the annual Easter television broadcast of "The Sound of Music," Shannon McNaughton was recently watching it for just her second time.

Photo gallery; the Island Dispatch congratulates the following winners of the 2012 Easter coloring contest:

Sixteen years ago, Grand Island Central School Superintendent Paul Fields appointed Bruce Benson and challenged him to "take Grand Island Middle School into the next century." With forethought and meticulous planning, Benson met the task head on and accomplished exactly that.

During his tenure as principal, six new classrooms were added to the existing building, and it was renamed the "Veronica E. Connor Middle School." More significantly, however, Benson was instrumental in Connor Middle School's rating as one of the top 10 middle schools in Western New York.

Dick and Jenny Benz met in New Orleans at the Upperline Restaurant - she was a server and he was the chef. After getting married on Uncle PJ's boat on the West River, they decided to open a little dinner restaurant in uptown New Orleans. They called it Dick & Jenny's, of course.

Work of Grand Island native on "Bones" return episode.

Grand Island Moose Lodge No. 180 will be the site of a benefit for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention on Saturday, April 28.

Brothers Gregg and Jeff Richard have been selected the Athletic Persons of the Year 2012 by the Grand Island Chamber of Commerce.

Young Life is Christian organization that is committed to reaching teenagers with support and encouragement that they may need during their tumultuous teenage years.

The Grand Island Chamber of Commerce has announced the 2012 Citizen of the Year Awardees.

•Community Service Person of the Year: Francine McMahon

•Athletic Persons of the Year: Jeff and Gregg Richard

•Organization of the Year: One Island, One Team, One Dream, To Be Drug Free

•Service to the Youth: Young Life

•Business of the Year: Dick & Jenny's Bake & Brew

•Educator of the Year: Bruce Benson

These citizens, organizations and businesses will be recognized at the Citizen of the Year awards ceremony on Thursday, April 26, at the Holiday Inn Grand Island.