New York State Sen. Chris Jacobs announced he will sponsor legislation that will enable telecommunication providers to pre-emptively block phone numbers that are the source of unsolicited automated phone calls. Commonly known as "robocalls," these pre-recorded messages are rising "at an alarming rate," the senator's camp said, as scammers continue to use new technologies to evade "do not call" registries.

Congressman Brian Higgins announced federal funding totaling $6,939,646 for Federally Qualified Health Centers in Western New York. The Community Health Center of Buffalo and Neighborhood Health Center will each receive over $3 million through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services toward services provided at eight local clinics.

New York State Electric & Gas Corp., a subsidiary of AVANGRID Inc., urges customers to follow some these electrical safety and energy-saving tips to ensure a safe and enjoyable holiday season. In addition to testing smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and planning emergency fire escape routes for your family, people should keep the following safety tips in mind for safety and energy efficiency:

The New York State Department of Taxation and Finance today encouraged New Yorkers to be wary of "cyber grinches" while shopping online or donating to charities during the holiday season.

The holiday season is officially underway, and New Yorkers are decorating trees, lighting candles, stringing lights, and getting into the spirit of things. The Firemen's Association of the State of New York urges everyone to exercise caution and keep fire safety in mind when decorating for the holidays. When holiday lights and other decorations are not used properly, they can cause fires, injuries, and even death.

On Tuesday night, the Town of Wheatfield Community Center played host to a public information session on the Walmore Road rehabilitation project.

On Monday night, the Town of Wheatfield Town Board held its first meeting of December, but its second in as many weeks, which brought out a light agenda. A topic from last week's Nov. 26 meeting, though, was back in discussion.

Canalside announced the lighting of the grand menorah at the third annual Chanukah celebration on Buffalo's waterfront. Chabad House of Buffalo will celebrate the Festival of Chanukah with a parade of cars adorned with custom-designed menorahs arriving at Canalside for the lighting of the menorah at 7 p.m. today. A branch of the 7-1/2-foot tall candelabrum, located adjacent to the Ice at Canalside, will be lit each night of the Jewish holiday.

Seven Western New York companies will compete to build structures ("Canstructions") made entirely out of canned goods. Each nonperishable used will benefit the Food Bank of Western New York.

The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation invites residents and visitors to celebrate the season at more than 40 holiday-themed events taking place at New York state parks and historic sites. Events include a number of hands-on activities, outdoor recreation, historic tours and holiday celebrations for visitors of all ages.

On Wednesday, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums presented an accreditation plaque to the Aquarium of Niagara. This recognizes the aquarium's "unwavering commitment to the highest standards in animal care, education, conservation and guest experience.

Congressman Brian Higgins was joined Monday by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Buffalo District to announce $12.455 million in federal funding to the Army Corps in 2019 for improvements to the Buffalo Harbor.

As religious intolerance continues to grow across the globe, 10 Niagara University students took advantage of an opportunity to experience the realities involved with, and to gain further understanding of, current efforts and issues in interreligious relations at the Parliament of the World's Religions (PoWR). The conference, held in Toronto Nov. 1-7, endeavored to cultivate harmony among the world's religious and spiritual communities to achieve a just, peaceful and sustainable world.

The New York State Gaming Commission Division of Lottery renewed its appeal to "gift responsibly" this holiday season; advising holiday shoppers to avoid gifting lottery tickets to those under the legal purchase age. The reminder marks the fifth year the New York Lottery has joined with the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) and other lotteries nationwide to promote industry efforts to curb underage gaming and encourage responsible play.

The average American plans to spend $600 on holiday gifts in 2018 according to a survey of 2,028 American consumers conducted by Decluttr. The survey revealed 25 percent of respondents will go into debt due to holiday spending.

What's a better way to kick off the holiday season than by going to see your favorite musical artists in concert?

When members of the CAO Head Start-Early Head Start program visit homes, they often see a family has more needs than anticipated and are able to link those families with the proper service agencies.

The Festival of Slice debuted Friday as part of the 2018 Jingle Falls downtown Niagara Falls holiday programming. The Cataract City is world-famous for its pizza, and throngs of people flocked to the Niagara Falls Culinary Institute on Old Falls Street to taste $1 slice samples - everything from cheese to old-fashioned, steak and mushroom to steak, chicken finger and onion ring.

Niagara County has been awarded a $6 million grant from The New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services, Office of Interoperable and Emergency Communications. The award is from the 2018 SICG-targeted program that is being distributed based on an analysis of data related to the implementation of national interoperability channels in New York.

Pegula Sports & Entertainment has hired CAA ICON to assist its efforts in determining the next steps for the Buffalo Bills stadium needs and for potential renovations of KeyBank Center, the home of the Buffalo Sabres and Buffalo Bandits. CAA ICON will conduct a privately funded study to help identify the best options for ownership, fans and the community. The study will include direct feedback from Bills and Sabres fans.

The Buffalo Sabres announced the team will partner with Child & Family Services of Buffalo for "Sabres Holiday Angels." The adopt-a-family program allows Sabres fans to support neighbors in need this holiday season.

Today's national average price for a gallon of gasoline is $2.56, down 6 cents from last week. One year ago, the price was $2.51. The New York state average is $2.83 - down 4 cents from last week. A year ago, the state average was $2.68.

Excitement is growing for an all-inclusive play area unlike anything else in Lewiston. Village officials met recently to review a near-final set of designs for Mason's Mission Playground at Marilyn Toohey Park. When completed - hopefully by next summer - the playground is expected to be almost 14,000 square feet.

A Niagara Gorge Corridor Parkway Removal Project (Main Street to Findlay Drive) public information meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 27, at the Niagara Falls Train Station & Customhouse Interpretive Center, 825 Depot St. W.

New York Air National Guard Col. Gary Charlton II, a Skaneateles resident, took command of the 107th Attack Wing during a ceremony at the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station on Saturday, Nov. 17.

This Friday, the switch will be flipped on to illuminate more than 1 million lights as the Fairgrounds Festival of Lights opens its 14th season. This time-honored, Western New York holiday tradition takes place at the Erie County Fairgrounds in Hamburg.

Food is a big part of holiday fun, but festivities can take your attention away from cooking and lead to fires. Cooking caused half of residential building fires in 2015, according to the U.S. Fire Administration.

Get ready to kick off your holiday season in the hamlet of Ransomville.

Gallo Coal Fire Kitchen owner Michael Hibbard led a charge this week to provide turkeys to the Ransomville Care-n-Share Food Pantry - just in time for Thanksgiving pickup.

While any animal on the road is dangerous, deer are most often the cause of collisions. Opening day of shotgun deer hunting season is Saturday, Nov. 17, in most areas in Western and Central New York, which will stir the deer population. This is also the height of deer mating season across the region.

The New York State Department of Transportation on Thursday announced work is scheduled to begin this week on the project to remove a portion of the Niagara Scenic Parkway in the City of Niagara Falls. As a result, road closures are scheduled to begin this week.

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

Niagara Falls State Park will again be offering free prime viewing of the "Cascades of Fire" International Fireworks Competition for the upcoming weekend. Each show will begin at 9 p.m. and run approximately 18 minutes.

Nate McMurray released the following statement Wednesday, as he continues to monitor the vote totals for NY-27 (edited for style):

On Thursday, New York State Sen. Rob Ortt will attend the White House as a guest for a special conference that is being coordinated by the White House's office of intergovernmental affairs. This event will examine how veterans and their families are currently supported through state and federal government relationships.

The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation announced there will be a public meeting to outline upcoming projects related to the habitat restoration of the Niagara River.

The Buffalo Sabres announced the team will partner with Wegmans and Entercom Buffalo for a Thanksgiving turkey drive on Thursday, Nov. 15, to benefit local food pantries. The turkey drive will take place from 6 to 9 a.m. in the following locations:

Veterans were saluted Sunday - at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month - at a ceremony held inside Academy Park in Lewiston. The event was presented by Veterans of Foreign Wars Downriver Post No. 7487 and American Legion C.C. Kenney Lewiston Post 1083.

Property owners in the Town of Lewiston can anticipate a tax increase for 2019.

Applications for Home Energy Assistance Program ("HEAP") regular benefits will be accepted beginning Tuesday, Nov. 13 - and Erie County's Department of Social Services ("DSS") anticipates receiving high numbers. The HEAP program is scheduled to run through March 31, 2019, but households are encouraged to apply sooner rather than later. Last season, more than 90,000 households in Erie County received benefits.