Officials from the towns of Lewiston and Porter are advising River Region residents to be on a lookout for a possible scam involving an out-of-town party seeking to perform testing on their water.

Somewhere around the age of 9 is when Veronica Swift started doing her own thing.

The Northwest Jazz Festival, Lewiston, NY, has become one of the region's premier summer music events, with more than 40,000 visitors annually enjoying over 30 performances, culinary samplings and wine tastings along Center Street. Now in its 17th year, the 2018 edition is slated for Aug. 24-25. Headliners include Veronica Swift and The Benny Green Trio on Friday, and Elio Villafranca (pictured) and the Jass Syncopators on Saturday.

Come Monday, Sept. 3, a Niagara County favorite - the annual Youngstown Labor Day Parade - returns to the village and all are invited. Presented by the Village of Youngstown and the parade committee, Mayor Raleigh Reynolds extends the invitation to residents from throughout the River Region to "join in the celebration."

Theatre in the Mist, along with Cornerstone Community FCU, presents "Disney's Mary Poppins" from Friday, Sept. 7, through Saturday, Sept. 22, at The Performing Arts Center at Niagara Falls High School, 4455 Porter Road.

At the request of Mayor Anne Welch, the New York State Department of Transportation has patched up portions of Center Street - Ninth and Center, in particular. Crewmembers have been out in force this month, and were seen working near Tops on Monday.

A historic fort with a past that spans more than 300 years will be the focus of RIT's Big Shot next month, as the community photographic project travels to the Canadian border to capture a dramatic nighttime image.

The volunteers of Bond Lake Park will hold their annual BugFest on Sunday, Aug. 19, at Bond Lake Park. Everyone is invited to join from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. in the Bond Lake Nature Center on Lower Mountain Road in the Town of Lewiston.

The 38th annual Louis J. Fernandez Memorial Golf Classic raised more than $23,000 this year. The event is coordinated by the board of associates.

Kate Fowler, below, left, executive director of the It Happened to Alexa Foundation, chats with visitors last Sunday at Buffalo Riverworks about the upcoming IHTAF Great Contraption Race, set for Saturday, Aug. 18, on the Buffalo River.

To say Melissa Morinello is trying her hand at something new is an understatement.

Jamie Symmonds' Lewiston Artisan Market has grown since its June debut in Academy Park.

Caitlin Fager, the membership and event manager at the Niagara River Region Chamber of Commerce, has been chosen to participate in the 2018 Cystic Fibrosis Rising Star Leadership Program.

Tuesday night, the 2017-18 Niagara County Peach Queen Jamie Hagerty held a Paint Night fundraiser to raise money for Hillside Family of Agencies.

Twenty-four airmen from the 4th Special Operations Squadron at Hurlburt Field, Florida, were awarded Distinguished Flying Crosses for four separate engagements, all of which included an AC-130 protecting friendly forces in Afghanistan.

The New York Power Authority has moved a step closer toward becoming the nation's first all-digital electric utility by testing an array of sensors at its Robert Moses-Niagara Power Plant that will help determine the life expectancy of key equipment and head off potential problems before they can affect operations.

Congressman Chris Collins announced $84,202 in federal funding for the Olcott Fire Co. The grant was awarded through the Department of Homeland Security's Assistance to Firefighters Grant program, which is designed to help first responders improve their capability to respond to fires and emergencies of all types.

The Town of Lewiston received favorable news Monday on the status of its overall financial health. It received a preliminary results analysis of fiscal year 2017 ending Dec. 31 by external auditing firm Dresher & Malecki.

Kiwanis Club of Lewiston President Marty Pauly announced Jillian Colucci was named chairwoman of the 2018 Niagara County Peach Festival. Colucci is the first woman to serve in the capacity as chair in the history of the festival, which is celebrating its 61st year Sept. 6-9 at Academy Park on Center Street in Lewiston.

The Youngstown Volunteer Fire Co. invites residents to enjoy a day on the links in Youngstown at its annual golf tournament, Monday, Aug. 13, at the Niagara Frontier Golf Club.

The village's transaction is contingent on acquiring financing, the results of the 120-day due diligence period, as well as the comments received from the public.

The Lewiston Veterans of Foreign Wars has released its new coin commemorating the future "Circle of Honor." It is the first "challenge" coin the local veterans organization has minted and features the "Circle of Honor" project, which is being undertaken to replace the 1955 memorial at Academy Park with a redesigned and more inclusive monument.

The Niagara Gospel Rescue announces its first "Love Your Neighbor Bicycle Ride" will take place from 9:30 a.m. until noon on Saturday, Aug. 11.

Come next Saturday, stop by Porter on the Lake for a day of family fun as the Town of Porter presents the 2018 edition of Summerfest at the town park located on the shores of Lake Ontario.

Get ready - the Porter Cup turns 60 this year.

Modern Disposal Services recently assisted the Town of Lewiston in an electronic-waste recycling day for town residents. Many people came by to drop off old televisions, computers, electronics and tires.

The 2018 Spirit of the '80s concert event will feature Mike Peters and The Alarm at Academy Park in Lewiston on Saturday, Aug. 4. This year, the annual event will also promote bone marrow screening as part of Mike Peter's "Love Hope Strength Foundation," with concert proceeds going to Roswell Park's bone marrow donor screening program.

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation will convene a pre-adjudicatory issues conference next week pertaining to a long-sought permit application by CWM Chemical Services LLC for purposes of siting a new hazardous waste landfill.

Lower Niagara Community Survivors announces "Rock Out Cancer," its first fundraising event, will take place from noon to 8 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 16, at The Lewiston Stone House, 755 Center St.

On Saturday, July 28, Lewiston resident Mike Carroll will hold a fundraiser - a "Christmas in July" costume party - for Gavin at 8 p.m. at the Brickyard Brewing Co., 436 Center St. The evening will feature an open bar, a DJ, 50/50 raffle, costume prizes and a huge basket auction. Tickets are priced at $30.

Village of Lewiston Department of Public Works Superintendent Terry Brolinski is pleased to report this DPW crew is now collecting recyclables in a brand-new vehicle. The yellow truck made its debut Thursday.

The It Happened to Alexa Foundation announces its 2018 Great Contraption Race, relocated to the Buffalo River and taking place Saturday, Aug. 18, is now officially open for registrants.

With work sessions now on the shelf for the summer, one could surmise that Lewiston Town Board business has lightened. But one could not tell that from Monday's regular meeting - one that addressed a number of matters and stretched for close to two hours before convening to an executive session.

Each year, the Village of Lewiston organizes a grand Fourth of July fireworks display, which is enjoyed by residents from all over the River Region.

Canadian music royalty again visited Lewiston this week, as Artpark & Company hosted Blue Rodeo with Colin James. Between the two acts, fans were treated to an assortment of rock, blues, country and pop songs.

Town of Lewiston Justice Hon. Thomas Sheeran on Wednesday dismissed the Village of Lewiston's charges against Hastings Lewiston without prejudice. What this means is that, if the municipality moves forward with purchasing the Frontier House, the alleged building code violations become the village's responsibility. If the purchase doesn't happen, charges can be refiled against Hastings Lewiston.

Experience "Music in the Woods," a free Sunday music series presented in Artpark's lower park (Emerald Grove) along the Niagara River Gorge. The 4 p.m. shows include:

Anne Welch's three-vote margin of victory in the general election will stand, as opponent Bruce Sutherland will not take legal action to challenge the mayoral race results.

The Lewiston Community Lions Club is proud of all our members. There are a few members that stand out as promising leaders for the future of the club.