Indeed, the Destino family has returned to 3909 Creek Road. Signs on and in front of the building boldly state, "Grandma D's Pizzeria" and "The Original Destino's."

Niagara County boasted a bevy of holiday tree-lighting ceremonies, artisan markets, dinners, singalongs and family events this past week.

The Youngstown Lions annual holiday lighting contest will take place the evening of Friday, Dec. 20. Lions Club members will judge home decorations from the areas of Lower River Road to Porter Center Road, from Lake Road to Porter town line, and in the Village of Youngstown.

The Lewiston-Porter Lancers 2018-19 basketball season could be summed up in one word - historic. The squad went 21-4, won the Niagara Frontier League title, a feat that hadn't been accomplished in 34 years; were victorious in the Section VI Class A championship and made an appearance in the Far West Regional before the season came to a close. All in all, it was the program's best season in 41 years.

Sanborn's Business Association is hosting its fifth annual Shop Local / Shop Sanborn event for Small Business Saturday. For the first time, it has expanded into a full weekend of deals and holiday comforts for those who are in the know.

Jim Fittante and Cheryl Krouse of Samana Salt Spa recently served as speakers for the Salt Therapy Association conference in Orlando. They were invited to participate based on their knowledge of salt spa benefits, and the success they've already had with their new Lewiston business.

The Niagara River Region Chamber of Commerce announced its holiday events for 2019 that will bring the community together.

Rivercrest Financial celebrated a ribbon-cutting and grand opening at its new office location, 765 Center St., Lewiston. Owner Kristin Meyer had an open house with food catered by The Griffon House.

The Lewiston Town Board held a Nov. 7 public hearing on its 2020 $18,463,867 preliminary budget. The numbers represent a $336,238 (1.85%) increase over the 2019 budget. However, the plan also shows a projected 0.47% tax decrease.

The Town of Porter Town Board took limited commentary at its special meeting Tuesday to consider the town's preliminary $5.241 million budget for 2020.

So, what is going on with the Lewiston Family Ice Rink?

The New York Power Authority, in recognition of Native American Heritage Month, will host a variety of cultural activities, presentations and performances on Saturday at its Niagara Power Vista, 5777 Lewiston Road. Visitors can help build longhouses and learn about the history of lacrosse.

At nightfall on the 11th day of the 11th month - Veterans Day - Veterans of Foreign Wars Downriver Post 7487 officially unveiled its "Circle of Honor" monument inside Lewiston's Academy Park.

Deputy Clerk Shannon Fundis and Deputy Treasurer Stephanie Myers were promoted and will take the reins on Jan. 1.

One can add the nicest countertops, largest bathrooms and comfiest bedrooms to a residence, but it still won't have what the principals behind River's Edge can boast about. "Definitely the water, and the lack of condos, and that type of living in the village," Alisa Talarico said. "Anything new or with the water view was huge."

In addition to River's Edge, residents have been wondering what's going on with other notable developments around the Village of Lewiston. Here is an update:

The Republican Party in northern Niagara County scored major victories on Election Day in the Town of Lewiston and in the legislature.

Amid public outcry against the influx of new solar farms in the town, the Lewiston Town Board introduced a moratorium that would temporarily halt new proposals for industrial-scale solar facilities in the area for six months. The moratorium is set to be voted on following a newly scheduled public hearing at 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 14.

Former Deputy Treasurer Edward Walker, now an employee with the U.S. Census Bureau, provided the Village of Lewiston Board of Trustees with an update on the 2020 decennial census at the start of the Oct. 21 monthly meeting.

On behalf of Lewiston Council on the Arts, I want to thank our faithful and dedicated volunteer actors who sacrifice every Saturday night in September and October to perform in the "Marble Orchard Ghost Walks." The Marble Orchard Players are a polished and talented cast that braves the rain and cold to provide audiences with an enjoyable and entertaining experience.

November is the time when the Niagara River Region Chamber of Commerce and the Lewiston Business Group invite the outside world to descend the hill and experience the magic of our main street.

Financial disagreements between the Town of Porter and the Ransomville Fire District continue following an acrimonious meeting with district commissioners Tuesday at the Ransomville Volunteer Fire Co.

A number of outraged residents came out to the Oct. 17 Lewiston Town Board meeting to sound-off on a proposed utility-grade solar energy system planned for 4352 Williams Road.

Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo on Wednesday announced the state is providing $49 million to advance 20 projects in Niagara and Orleans counties as part of the first round of funding under the Lake Ontario Resiliency and Economic Development Initiative. Cuomo launched REDI in May to increase the resilience of shoreline communities and bolster economic development in the region.

As the Town of Porter continues to work on the many details of its 2020 spending plan, one hang-up involves the Ransomville Fire District Commission, which oversees operations for the Ransomville Volunteer Fire Co.

Niagara University, in partnership with the Niagara County Probation Department, has been selected to participate in the Reducing Revocations Challenge, a national initiative of Arnold Ventures and the CUNY Institute for State and Local Governance dedicated to understanding the drivers of probation revocations and identifying ways to reduce the community supervision failures that send almost 350,000 people to jails and prisons each year.

October is National Pregnancy & Infant Loss Awareness Month, and the Center for Women of Mount St. Mary's Hospital will hold a special memorial service to provide comfort and support to families coping with the loss of a baby. The service will take place oat 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 19, at the Gate of Heaven Cemetery, 500 Riverdale Ave., Lewiston.

At Monday's board meeting, Village of Lewiston trustees approved many items of next summer's Lewiston Council on the Arts schedule, but chose to table a resolution asking to host the "Summer of '69" event in Hennepin Park over possible alcohol sales.

The Town of Porter will review its tentative 2020 budget in a presentation, open to the public, at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 16, at Town Hall.

The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, along with the City of Niagara Falls, cut the ribbon today on a new comfort station, as well as the city's first dog park, in DeVeaux Woods State Park.

Life Recovery is a 12-step-based ministry for people with addictions or other life-controlling problems. Starting Thursday, Oct. 24, the meetings will be held every Thursday at 7 p.m. at Lewiston Assembly of God, 4754 Creek Road.

The Niagara County Peach Festival will likely get another year at Academy Park - if not more.

Two weeks after the Lewiston Town Board held a public hearing regarding a proposed utility-grade solar energy system planned for 4352 Williams Road, a second hearing was announced at this week's session.

The Lewiston-based Home Assistance Referral Team held its seventh annual dinner and awards celebration Thursday night at the Niagara Falls Country Club.

The St. Francis Guild Auxiliary of Mount St. Mary's Hospital will hold its 39th annual "Pink Elephant" basket raffle and dinner from 5:30-8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 3, at Niagara Falls Country Club in Lewiston.

The Lewiston Police Explorers will hold an open house at from 6-7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 3, at the Lewiston Police Department, 4059 Creek Road (Lewiston-Porter campus).

For more than 20 years, Tin Pan Alley has been a culinary institution in Lewiston. On Saturday, the Niagara River Region Chamber of Commerce officially welcomed a new owner, William Castiglione, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

In a continuing effort to keep pace with today's technology advancements, the Lewiston Police Department announced release of a new mobile app.

In addition to a regular work session, the Lewiston Town Board held a pair of public hearings at the beginning of Monday's meeting.

On behalf of the Kiwanis Club of Lewiston, a special thank you to the community for coming out in droves to make the 62nd Niagara County Peach Festival a success this year. The course of events leading up to this festival led to an enhanced sense of urgency by the many volunteers and participants to make sure this festival was going to be the best it possibly could.