Wednesday evening at its annual recognition event in Ransomville, the Town of Porter Republican Committee presented Courtney Zimmerman of the Ransomville Fire Co. Ladies Auxiliary with a $200 check. The funding will go toward this year's Halloween celebrations, set for Wednesday evening, Oct. 31.

Lewiston Community Lions President Sheila Zuhlke presents a check for $1,300 to Youngstown Lions Club President Millie Gibbs. Funds were raised as part of a Niagara County Peach Festival parking program.

Fresh Fit Foods celebrated a ribbon-cutting on Monday. Co-owners Ramcy and Tyler marked the occasion with the Niagara River Region Chamber of Commerce board of directors, Village of Lewiston Mayor Anne Welch and Deputy Mayor Claudia Marasco.

Opposition continues to build in Youngstown on village plans to modify a long-standing street parking arrangement for a Lockport Street liquor store.

The Castellani Art Museum of Niagara University's annual fall fundraiser will return to the campus museum this year. "CAMfest" will take place from 6-9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 19.

The opportunity to "paint light" on a historic fortress drew hundreds of people to Old Fort Niagara on a crisp, fall Saturday night, helping make the Rochester Institute of Technology's nighttime Big Shot photograph a picturesque success.

Forecasters are calling for warmer-than-usual temperatures this fall, which will provide ideal conditions for those looking to soak up the colors of the changing seasons.

On Tuesday, New York State Sen. Rob Ortt joined five local police departments to present more than $60,000 in public protection funding.

A new mural titled "Peaces" can now be seen in the International Peace Garden at 476 Center St., Lewiston. This work of art is the latest creation by artist Thomas P. Asklar. He was assisted by artists Matthew Conroy, Zach Carlson, Matthew LeBoeuf and a few local high school art students.

Lewiston Council on the Arts Artistic Director Eva Nicklas recently presented Elderwood at Wheatfield Community Relations Coordinator Stacey Zahno with an appreciation plaque for the generous sponsorship of Lewiston's "Blue Mondays" concert series. The seven-week series regularly hosts an audience of 400-600 in the charming setting of the Hennepin Park Gazebo.

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

The Niagara River Region Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Monday for Niagara Outfitters. As the outdoors company has no brick and mortar location, the event took place at the foot of Water Street in Lewiston.

Two legendary rock 'n' roll superstars joined forces on Tuesday at Artpark.

On Friday evening, July 27, Town of Porter resident Eric Olds-Reid, 37, was the victim of a tragic ATV accident on Youngstown Wilson Road. He was taken via Mercy Flight to ECMC in Buffalo, where he succumbed to his injuries the following morning.

Niagara Boundary and Mapping Services President Kenneth Lee Slaugenhoupt spent part of the past week laser-scanning the Frontier House. Working inside and outside the building, he used a FARO Laser Scanner, which, he said, is capable of collecting 488,000 measurements per minute with a tolerance of ±3mm (or 1/8 inch).

The 19th annual Jack Beatty Memorial Cruise and Clambake, held Friday, July 13, continued its tradition of lively entertainment, delicious food and leisurely sailing, all to benefit Niagara Hospice. The event raised a large amount to support the purchase of a new ambulette for Niagara Hospice. A formal check presentation will be in October at Niagara Hospice.

Theatre Academy director Paschal Frisina was tasked with finding student-professional, semiprofessional and the acting equivalent of softball league talent to work alongside director Roger Danforth; Broadway's Terence Archie (Odysseus) and Emily Skinner (Penelope/Circe); Off-Broadway and Buffalo actor Christopher Guilmet (The Singer); and celebrated mime Gregg Goldston (Cyclops).

The Village of Lewiston has a new mayor, as Anne Welch was sworn into office on Monday. Her four-year term began with applause, as family, friends and supporters crammed into the Morgan Lewis Village Boardroom to watch the former clerk/treasurer take the oath of office.

On July 7 and 8, Niagara Pioneer Soccer League will host the annual R.E. Krug 2018 Niagara Pioneer Soccer League International Tournament at Fort Niagara State Park.

Just before the Fourth of July holiday, the Lewiston Veterans of Foreign Wars has announced it will embark on a major project that will transform the current Veterans Memorial at Academy Park into a "Circle of Honor" that will pay tribute to Lewiston veterans who have served this country.

Village of Lewiston Mayor Terry Collesano, far left, presided over his final Board of Trustees meeting on Monday.

Former Village of Lewiston Clerk/Treasurer Anne Welch was elected mayor on Tuesday, defeating Deputy Mayor Bruce Sutherland by four votes (359-355).

On Monday, architect James Fittante presented the Village of Lewiston Planning Commission with a proposal to expand the Tops Xpress mini-market on Cayuga and South Eighth streets. The five-member panel unanimously supported the idea, which now goes to the Village Board for approval.

Fresh from organizing the second annual "A Taste of Lewiston," the Lewiston Council on the Arts has released the rest of its culturally enriching - and entertaining - lineup for 2018.

With beautiful, warm weather, a good-sized crowd and the perfect venue, The United States Air Force Blue Aces Band of the USAF Heritage Band couldn't have picked a better night to play at Hennepin Park in Lewiston than Thursday.

As reported in last week's Sentinel, delays in construction of a new plaza on Center Street in Lewiston led the Zoning Board of Appeals to rule previously granted variances had expired. The ZBA's unanimous opinion is that construction should've begun on the project within one year of the granting of eight village code modifications - by late July 2017.

Planning - albeit slowly - continues for this year's Great Contraption Race.

Old Fort Niagara welcomes the public to its "Soldiers through the Ages" military history re-enactment event on Saturday and Sunday, May 26 and 27, over Memorial Day weekend. This annual event features special displays of military vehicles, period camps from the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries, weapons demonstrations, uniform programs and hands-on activities for families. In commemoration of the centennial of the Battle of Cantigny in World War I, a special program will also be presented in the Fort Niagara Officers' Club.

Mount St. Mary's Hospital congratulated six of its registered nurses as graduates with Bachelor of Science degrees from the Niagara University School of Nursing on May 12. All graduated as part of an initiative between Catholic Health and Niagara University.

New York Power Authority representatives joined with local elected officials and members of local preservation groups at the Niagara Power Vista visitors center in Lewiston on Tuesday to commemorate the listing of NYPA's Niagara Power Project in the National Register of Historic Places.

Following-up on her successful holiday vendor fair, Lewiston entrepreneur Jamie Symmonds will debut a weekly artisan market on June 2 inside Academy Park. Each Saturday (through Oct. 13), a collection of a dozen-plus vendors will offer an assortment of locally grown or produced foods, plus handcrafted bath and body products.

Until recently, visitors to the American side of Niagara Falls had to utilize their own cellular data - sometimes while roaming - when determining where to eat, shop and enjoy themselves.

The United Way of Greater Niagara held its eighth annual meeting and awards breakfast on Friday morning inside the Four Points by Sheraton in Niagara Falls. The agency strives to make a difference in Niagara County by enhancing lives. To do so, it requires time, talent and resources. This event paid tribute to those who help the United Way achieve its mission.

More than 160 volunteers from Mount St. Mary's Hospital and the Mount St. Mary's Child Care Center were honored at the annual Volunteer Recognition Luncheon Friday at the Niagara Falls Country Club.

Participating organizations of "Cross Border Blues" recently came together in a collaborative effort at FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre in downtown St. Catharines to cross-promote events on both sides of the border. They are using the blues to build bridges across cultures, generations and geographies.

Tuesday evening at the Mug and Musket was full of news of interest for northern Niagara, as the Youngstown Business and Professional Association held its annual membership meeting.

The Lewiston Democratic Committee is recognizing Town Board member John Jacoby as its Democrat of the Year. Jacoby took office Jan. 1. He is a retired battalion chief with the Niagara Falls Fire Department.

Jeff Beck with special guest Ann Wilson of Heart will perform on Aug. 7 as part of "Tuesdays in the Park" presented by M&T Bank at Artpark. Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday, April 6.

Town of Lewiston Supervisor Steve Broderick and the Town Board have selected David Perreault as the 2018 Town of Lewiston Citizen of the Year.