NYSEG and RG&E, subsidiaries of AVANGRID, are monitoring weather forecasts in advance of a potential wind storm forecasted for New York state. High winds are expected to begin Sunday morning, lasting through the day and possibly into Monday, impacting NYSEG and RG&E service areas in Western New York.

On Friday, Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn moved to vacate outstanding warrants stemming from the failure to appear in Buffalo City Court on violation and misdemeanor marijuana possession cases. This action effectively cleared the entire docket of warrants for low-level marijuana arrests in Buffalo City Court.

The New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) announced New York is one of five states selected to partner with Shatterproof, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to ending addiction, to develop and implement a rating system for addiction treatment programs.

The public will have the opportunity to learn about the "State of Lake Ontario" fisheries at public meetings to be held in Niagara, Monroe, Oswego and Schenectady counties in March, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Basil Seggos announced.

Catholic Diocese of Buffalo Bishop the Rev. Richard Malone released the following statement on Thursday:

An ad hoc committee was officially appointed by the chairman of Niagara County Legislature, Keith McNall, in order to examine the local impact of the impending marijuana legalization in New York.

The Niagara Falls Community Development Department is launching the small business support fund to help local entrepreneurs improve their businesses.

On Feb. 6, the Niagara County Department of Health Nursing Division was lauded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The Rev. Raymond Allen, pastor of Bethany Missionary Baptist Church and the president of the Niagara Ministerial Council, will be the keynote speaker Friday, Feb. 22, at Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center's 12th Annual Black History Celebration.

United Way of Greater Niagara (UWGN) has announced its 2018 campaign results, as well as plans for its 2019 campaign. The campaign recently wrapped up its fundraising efforts for 2018, achieving a little over 96 percent of its target goal. The $1 million-plus raised will allow the organization to continue substantially supporting its dozens of member agencies throughout Niagara County.

The Niagara River Region Chamber of Commerce will celebrate the community at the annual Chamber Gala awards dinner, to be held at Niagara Falls Country Club on Thursday, May 9. The chamber board of directors will present awards for Business of the Year and Citizen of the Year honorees in the Lewiston, Youngstown, Ransomville and Sanborn communities.

On Thursday, the Kaleida Health Foundation announced a $100,000 commitment to support construction for two transitional resident quarters in the new Buffalo City Mission Community Center at 100 E. Tupper St.

The University at Buffalo will host the nation's first-ever mobile produce market summit on March 5-6. The two-day conference will invite representatives from mobile produce markets across the U.S. to Buffalo to network, attend training sessions and share their successes and failures.

The Erie County Department of Budget and Management on Tuesday announced final sales tax receipts for 2018 were 4.25 percent greater than 2017, the largest one-year increase since 2011, despite slowing growth in the fourth quarter of the year. Erie County realized additional sales tax revenue of $12.565 million over budget in 2018, while the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority share of sales tax was $559,000 over budget, leaving Erie County with net revenue of $12.006 million.

The 195-year-old Frontier House was sold to a group consisting of Ellicott Development CEO William Paladino and Lewiston developers Jeff and Jerry Williams. Their newly formed LLC purchased the building and almost one acre of land - including a parking lot - from Hastings Lewiston Inc. for the price of $800,000.

The Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo - a local nonprofit organization committed to helping individuals, families and organizations make their charitable goals a reality - is celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2019. To mark this milestone, the Community Foundation will award $1 million in honor of 12 local change-makers who have made a difference in the lives of Western New Yorkers. Voting will occur through a communitywide nomination process.

Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper has begun a new chapter of its successful Young Environmental Leaders Program with Niagara Falls High School students, thanks to a Niagara Falls Community Block Grant from the City of Niagara Falls Community Development.

The New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services announced the launch of the "Know the Facts" campaign. This multifaceted PSA campaign will dispel myths, provide facts, and raise awareness about addiction services in New York, and is designed to help direct people to addiction services and help.

The Opportunities Unlimited of Niagara Foundation will honor local community heroes who generously invest in the community inspiring others to make Western New York a better place in which to live.

Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center and Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center on Friday announced a collaborative effort to greatly improve the availability of cancer care in Niagara County.

On the morning of Wednesday, March 13, a descendant of Mahatma Gandhi will provide the keynote address for an annual conference that is open to the public. Arun Gandhi, "The Peace Farmer" and grandson of Mahatma Gandhi, will speak at the Compassionate Niagara Conference, highlighting an event meant to evoke discussion and participation.

Ontario Power Generation (OPG) and New York Power Authority (NYPA) have launched a public safety detection and alerting system that will help around the vicinity of the International Niagara Control Works in Niagara Falls.

The Niagara River Greenway Commission will meet Tuesday, March 12, to determine the consistency of the 64th round of projects. The meeting will begin promptly at 3 p.m. in the Town of Lewiston Board Room, 1375 Ridge Road. The general meeting will be preceded at 2 p.m. by the business meeting.

Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn has named Assistant District Attorney Erin E. Hart to the Animal Crimes Subcommittee of the District Attorneys Association of New York.

Rock Burger quickly became a cult smash. This was the place where one could get a giant burger, juicy and oozing from the inside out, dripping with head-scratching foodstuffs straight from Lizardo's imagination.

The nation's fight against cancer has new champions on the House of Representatives Cancer Caucus. Leading the caucus in the new Congress are co-chairs Congressmen Brian Higgins (D-NY-26), Peter King (R-NY-3), Derek Kilmer (D-WA-6) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA-1).

The University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine will host its 18th annual "Give Kids A Smile Day," a national program dedicated to raising awareness about the prevalence of untreated dental disease and teaching children good dental health habits.

EPIC - Every Person Influences Children - received $5,000 from the Rite Aid Foundation KidCents program.

Today's national average price for a gallon of gasoline is $2.26, no change from last week. One year ago, the price was $2.60. The New York average is $2.49, down 1 cent from last week. A year ago, the state average was $2.77.

NYSEG, a subsidiary of AVANGRID Inc. reminds customers to take measures to stay safe and warm during the bitterly cold weather in the region.

Mount St. Mary's Hospital will celebrate Heart Month in February. The annual lipid panel screening highlights a series of events throughout the month.

The New York State Legislature on Tuesday passed legislation designed to prevent and reduce gun violence in New York. The legislative package includes bills to keep guns out of the hands of those who have demonstrated they pose a risk, banning bump stocks, and creating a buyback program for illegal guns.

Colvin Cleaners often gets publicity for its mammoth clothing drives for the less-fortunate - and rightfully so. But this weekend, the 90-years-young family business is garnering attention for another reason: a fundraiser all of WNY will get behind.

Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz has issued a travel advisory, in effect until further notice, for the City of Buffalo and all of northern Erie County due to a winter storm that could leave snow accumulations of up to 2 feet in some areas by Thursday morning. The entire region will see lake-effect snow, blowing and drifting snow, and extreme cold temperatures and wind chills over the next 36 hours and into Thursday. The travel advisory urges against any unnecessary travel during this period, and using extreme caution if travel is unavoidable.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Monday announced nearly $4.5 million was awarded to 13 animal shelters and humane societies across the state through the New York State Companion Animal Capital Fund. The funding will support construction, renovation and expansion projects that will enhance animal care and health, and help ensure adoptions for New York's dogs and cats.

Extremely cold temperatures and negative wind chills are expected this week, along with significant snowfall. AAA Western and Central New York is making sure drivers are prepared for what lies ahead.

The New York State Legislature passed the Child Victims Act on Monday. The legislation (A.2683, Rosenthal) would help survivors of childhood sexual abuse seek justice by allowing them more time to pursue legal recourse as adults.

It's pretty common to see construction workers and other manual laborers stop into a convenience store on lunch to grab a refreshing cold beverage on a hot day. And more often than not, the product they're reaching for is a soft drink.

Local sales tax collections continued to climb in 2018, growing for the third year in a row, according to a report released by New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli. Collections across the state of $17.5 billion grew by $872 million, or 5.3 percent.

Civic leaders and resident stakeholders gathered Thursday at the future home of the African Heritage Food Co-op to introduce the Niagara Falls Local Food Action Plan. With 400-plus resident voices contributing to the proposed actions, the Niagara Falls Local Food Action Plan is designed to be a roadmap to improving the overall food environment in the city.