Winter storms, bad weather and sloppy road conditions are a factor in nearly half a million crashes and more than 2,000 road deaths every winter, according to research by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. AAA Western and Central New York wants to prepare drivers with winter driving tips to keep everyone safe on the road. The top three winter driving tips include slowing down, increasing the space between yourself and other vehicles, and braking, then turning.

The New York State Office for the Aging reminds older New Yorkers and caregivers to take precautions in winter weather, as cold temperatures and heavy snow can create hazardous conditions for older adults.

Lewiston Veterans of Foreign Wars Downriver Post 7487 has released a rare commemorative "first day cover" that will become a prized collector's item. The envelope displays the VFW symbol, the front and back of the VFW's commemorative coin, and the "Circle of Honor" postage stamp that has a Lewiston, NY, postmark dated Nov. 11, 2019 - the day the new monument was dedicated at Academy Park during a dramatic nighttime ceremony.

Local officials, Native Americans and volunteers will assemble for a brief remembrance ceremony at 9 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 19, at the Tuscarora Heroes Monument at the corner of Center Street and Portage Road in Lewiston. The public is invited to attend and is welcomed to partake in a Dutch-treat fellowship breakfast at Syros Restaurant immediately after the ceremony.

The New York Power Authority holds its annual "Deck the Halls" from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14, at the admission-free Niagara Power Vista at the Niagara Power Project in Lewiston.

Santa Claus flew into the Village of Lewiston on Saturday morning to kickoff Christmas Walk weekend. He was accompanied on his PatProctorCopter by Mrs. Claus and Town of Lewiston Supervisor Steve Broderick. Once the Rainbow Air crew landed, Santa greeted Mayor Anne Welch, Niagara River Region Chamber of Commerce President Jennifer Pauly, and 2019 Peach Queen Victoria Skrlin-Kozak.

The New York Power Authority, along with its New York state utility partners, has reviewed and updated its mutual assistance protocol in advance of the winter storm season. The update further details and strengthens the escalation of requests and coordination of mutual assistance resources with the electric industry national mutual assistance programs, which bring resources throughout the U.S. to New York in the event of widespread electric outages.

Empire State Development today announced plans for a civic improvement project at the Rainbow Centre in downtown Niagara Falls that will establish greater public access and walkability, create commercial opportunity, and also improve parking to support new and existing businesses at and near the site.

Raising money for charity is probably not a primary focus for most students at the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at the University at Buffalo.

Congressman Brian Higgins announced House passage of bipartisan legislation that will push back against the increasing volume of illegal robocalls Americans are faced with, and strengthen law enforcement's ability to prosecute those responsible. S. 151, the Pallone-Thune TRACED Act, requires every call to be verified through a nationwide caller authentication system, allows the blocking of spam calls, and empowers the Federal Communications Commission to go after scammers by lengthening the statute of limitations for these violations and imposing greater fines.

Niagara County Public Health Director Daniel J. Stapleton on Wednesday announced a case of hepatitis A virus in a local restaurant worker. The Niagara County Department of Health launched a disease investigation on Tuesday, directly after receiving notification of the suspected case. Following laboratory testing, interviews and a restaurant inspection, an employee who handles food at Taco Bell on Niagara Falls Boulevard in Niagara Falls was identified with the hepatitis A virus.

Following several days of media speculation regarding his future, it was officially announced Wednesday that the Most Rev. Richard J. Malone is stepping down as bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Buffalo.

The 24th annual Colvin Cleaners "Coats 4 Kids" campaign will hold its final free distribution of winter coats and accessories from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, at The Belle Center, 104 Maryland St., Buffalo. There is limit of one coat per person, and proper identification is needed. Through its first two events, more than 10,000 coats were distributed.

The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation invites residents and visitors to celebrate the season at more than 80 holiday-themed events taking place at New York state parks and historic sites. Events feature a variety of hands-on activities, historic tours, outdoor recreation, and holiday celebrations for visitors of all ages.

"Jingle Falls USA" kicked off its three-week holiday celebration Saturday with a LiveNF makers market, a "Community Candlelight Stroll" from City Hall to Old Falls Street, and the lighting of a majestic Christmas tree in front of The Conference & Event Center Niagara Falls.

November is National Family Caregivers Month, a time to recognize and say "Thank you" to the millions of people in New York and across the country who provide care and support to their loved ones so they can live with dignity in their homes and communities. In New York, more than 4 million informal caregivers provide 2.6 billion hours of unpaid care each year at an economic value of $32 billon.

For the past two years, Jamie Symmonds' Holiday Market has been the place to go to find unique, handmade gifts while enjoying a holiday atmosphere - and probably a few other things - inside the majestic Brickyard Brewing Company.

On Thursday around 2:43 a.m., Town of Niagara Police officer Dobmeier heard the sound of exchanging gun fire coming from the area of the Power City Lodge on Delaware Avenue where there was a large party going on. As Dobmeier was approaching the scene, he observed a Cadillac SUV leaving the scene at a high rate of speed.

During the holiday season, Americans across the country have a unique opportunity to strengthen their local economies, support their communities, and get great services and products by "shopping small" - patronizing small businesses in their own communities. The holidays give us all the chance to reconnect with our neighbors and, whether you're grabbing a cup of coffee from the shop around the corner or shopping at a local bookstore, every purchase at a small business makes a difference to those who matter most: our neighbors.

Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz provided an update Tuesday on driving while intoxicated arrests in Erie County in 2019. He also encouraged safe driving around the Thanksgiving holiday weekend.

The REACH (Restorative Environments Allowing Children Hope) Division of Community Missions provides a safe haven for neglected, abused and troubled youth, ages 7-17. We are challenged with providing services to the needy, troubled and emotionally disturbed population in Niagara County and other neighboring counties as needed.

Heart of Niagara Animal Rescue Inc. welcomes families to its "Breakfast With Santa Paws" benefit this holiday season. Taking place at the Four Points by Sheraton Hotel, 7001 Buffalo Ave., Niagara Falls, "Breakfast With Santa Paws" will be from 11 a.m. through 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8.

The Buffalo Sabres will partner with Child & Family Services of Buffalo and Spectrum News for the Sabres "Holiday Angels." The adopt-a-family program allows Sabres fans to support neighbors in need.

On the evening of Tuesday, Dec. 10, the idea of compassionate public policy will be explored at a mini-conference at Niagara Falls' City Council Chambers, 745 Main St. All members of the community are welcome to this free event, which will include refreshments and will be held from 6-8 p.m.

On Thursday, scientists hosted a community meeting to update the public on the Tonawanda Coke Soil Study.

Heart, Love & Soul was founded by a prayer group from Sacred Heart Parish more than 30 years ago. Originally a pantry group, it became a place for a daily meal, and eventually moved to Ontario Avenue in the City of Niagara Falls.

The Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra has something for everyone's musical wish list this holiday season, from classical masterworks to popular hits of Hollywood, Broadway and the radio. As staffers deck Kleinhans Music Hall with boughs of holly, audiences should prepare to be dazzled by the sights and sounds of the season, and memory-making moments with the BPO.

The State University of New York Board of Trustees, in conjunction with the board of trustees of Niagara County Community College, on Wednesday announced the appointment of Dr. William J. Murabito as the seventh president of the institution.

Niagara will soon have another Golisano Center - one in which lives will be saved.

The Erie County Department of Public Works has announced the approval of a county energy performance contract designed to drive energy-efficiency improvements in Erie County facilities. The EPC is the end result of a project designed to select a group of facility improvement measures that will pay for themselves through energy savings in 39 years or less.

As a result of distributing a one-day record high of more than 5,200 coats at its first free Colvin Cleaners "Coats 4 Kids" event on Nov. 4, a desperate need for kids' coats exists for the two remaining free coat distributions. As a result, Colvin Cleaners is again reaching out to the community for donations of gently used kids' coats, while also providing the option of purchasing coats online or making cash donations for the purchase of coats.

Through community fundraising events throughout 2019, the Buffalo Zoo has raised $13,500 to support the International Rhino Foundation (IRF) expansion of the Sumatran Rhino Sanctuary in Indonesia.

On Friday, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Basil Seggos recognized Nov. 15 as "New York Recycles Day," celebrating the state's national leadership in promoting recycling and reducing waste. New York's efforts complement America Recycles Day, a national initiative to raise awareness of the economic, environmental and social benefits of reducing, reusing and recycling.

Join LiveNF for a celebration of local creativity and holiday fun on Small Business Saturday, Nov. 30. The 2019 Makers Market presented by The Niagara Falls National Heritage Area will feature 120 vendors, seven musical guests, live art, and three craft workshops for kids, including the Western New York Book Arts Center Printing Letter Press.

Erie County has been designated a "Clean Energy Community" by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, recognizing the county's leadership in reducing energy use, cutting costs and driving clean energy locally. Erie County received the designation for completing four of 10 high-impact clean energy actions identified by NYSERDA as part of the $16 million Clean Energy Communities initiative announced by Gov. Andrew Cuomo in August 2016.

Niagara County's taxpayers can expect their property tax rates to be reduced to a historic low next year if the budget prepared by County Manager Rick Updegrove and Budget Director Dan Huntington is approved by county lawmakers next month.

Opening day of regular season deer hunting is Nov. 16 in most areas of Western and Central New York, which will stir the deer population, which is already active due to mating season. AAA is warning motorists to be extra cautious on the roads and to scan for deer.

More than 55 million travelers are making plans to kick off the holiday season with a trip of 50 miles or more away from home this Thanksgiving. This will be the second-highest Thanksgiving travel volume since AAA began tracking in 2000, trailing only the record set in 2005.

Tis the season when well-intentioned charitable organizations conduct raffles to raise funds for worthy causes. The New York State Gaming Commission's Division of Charitable Gaming reminds everyone that raffles, like other forms of charitable gaming, are subject to certain laws.

The Buffalo Sabres announced the team, in partnership with Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, will again take part in the NHL's Hockey Fights Cancer program during the team's home game against the Ottawa Senators at 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 16.