Featured News

Erie County Legislator Kevin Hardwick and Town Supervisor Mary Cooke have announced a partnership to outfit town offices with furniture from the county's surplus warehouse.

Bottle Junction co-owner Ray Pabon watches as a customer returns 519 plastic and glass bottles and aluminum cans and then walks out the door $25.95 richer than when he walked in just minutes before.

The Niagara River Region Chamber of Commerce will honor 10 businesses and individuals at its annual Chamber Awards Gala this Friday, May 16, at the Niagara Falls Country Club in Lewiston.

Monday, the state Department of Environmental Conservation made its long-awaited announcement that a notice of application for CWM Chemical Services LLC's planned expansion at the company's Balmer Road hazardous waste landfill is now complete and a comment period is underway.

Town of Niagara Supervisor Steve Richards submitted his official resignation and retirement to the town last Friday and on Monday pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of official misconduct before State Supreme Court Justice Christopher Burns in Lockport.

PHOTOS: The auditorium at Grand Island High School has been gutted as part of the ongoing capital project in the Grand Island Central School District. Work on the ceiling went on high above the aud floor on the platform.

Erie Canal Harbor Development Corp. has announced a diverse lineup on Buffalo's waterfront. Thirty concerts will rock the park, including 10 free Thursday concerts and four ticketed concerts.

Canalside is bringing the likes of Buffalo favorite and lead singer of the Tragically Hip, Gord Downie & The Sadies; reggae fusion artist Shaggy; neo soul/indie pop group Fitz and the Tantrums; and the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, featuring the music of Earth, Wind and Fire and Michael Jackson.

Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman announced the conviction Monday of Steven C. Richards and his immediate retirement as Town of Niagara supervisor. Richards, 61, of Lawson Drive in Niagara, pleaded guilty to official misconduct, a class A misdemeanor, before the Hon. Christopher J. Burns in Niagara County Court. Sentencing is scheduled for July 14.

"Steven Richards has admitted that he misused his position and used town resources to benefit himself personally, abusing both his office and the trust placed in him by the public," Schneiderman said. "He has vacated his office and submitted his retirement papers last week. With Richards' retirement and guilty plea, we have ensured that hardworking Niagara families will no longer have to pay for their town supervisor's personal use of town property and resources."

The City of Niagara Falls will soon be home to a $6 million sports and educational facility, which will offer a number of programs and services for members of the community. Once built, The Niagara Community Center (run as a nonprofit organization) will be located next to Niagara Catholic Junior-Senior High School at 520 66th St.

When we last saw Jack Bauer, his country abandoned him. The government, the agencies he had protected so many times, sought his end. He was on the run, and going off the gird.

When Jack Bauer returns Monday, after four years in exile, he will once again risk his life to protect American lives.

Why?

Because he's Jack Bauer.

"24" is about to join a very small, very elite club.

The show and its characters are returning to television four years after the series ended thanks to a 12-part event series, "24: Live Another Day." In doing so, the "24" franchise joins a small list of TV shows that returned with new stories after being canceled.

The Niagara River Region Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce Water Street Landing as the recipient of the Lewiston Business of the Year Award.

Town of Niagara residents had an opportunity Tuesday to review revised plans for Benderson Development's Military Place plaza on Military Road.

Rumors were rampant in the Town of Niagara this week that Supervisor Steve Richards will be accepting a plea deal in State Supreme Court on Monday and stepping down from office.

Three new Military Road businesses are celebrating openings this weekend - Petco, Firehouse Subs and Supercuts.

The grand opening and ribbon-cutting celebration of Firehouse Subs, located in the Fashion Outlets of Niagara mall, will begin at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, May 3.

Supercuts is holding its grand opening at 1520 Military Road with $5.99 haircuts from Friday, May 2, through Friday, May 30.

Coming soon in the LaSalle Center are a Five Below discount store and a Shoe Carnival store.

Village of Lewiston Mayor Terry Collesano will represent the Republican Party in the June 17 election. The incumbent took 56 of 77 votes in Tuesday's caucus, defeating challenger Jamie Symmonds.

"I accept your nomination; thank you," Collesano told a crowd of almost 100 inside the Red Brick Municipal Building gymnasium.

Not every show gets to end on its own terms, nor does every cast get to bring closure to its characters. "Warehouse 13" was fortunate enough to conclude its five-year run in a manner its showrunner and stars said was gratifying for them, and will be satisfying to fans of the "thrilleromedy" (thriller-drama-comedy).

"Warehouse 13" impressively accomplished much in five seasons.

It was a ratings hit at a time when sci-fi shows are hit-and-miss with viewers. The show's writers wonderfully blended action, drama and comedy into storylines that were suitable for any audience type - families included.

Artpark announced the final performers in the "First Niagara presents Tuesday in the Park" and "Coors Light Wednesdays" outdoor concert series 2014 season lineups Monday morning. The list includes:

Chef Victor Parra has something special planned for the moms who eat at Jaguar at the Bistro this Mother's Day.

The Niagara River Region Chamber of Commerce, the Village of Lewiston and The Silo Restaurant, in cooperation with the Niagara River Anglers, will celebrate one of the region's most famous natural resources when they host the Lewiston Smelt Festival.

An inspiring message runs across the Buffarun Distance Club's website which reads, "I run for others. I run for my family. I run for a challenge. I run for a cure. I run because I can."

This first-of-its-kind happening will take place rain or shine at 9 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 2, in the lower Niagara River between Lewiston and Youngstown. Briefly put, it's a new type of on-river competition/social experience to benefit the It Happened to Alexa Foundation.

The Niagara River Region Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce Bandana's Bar & Grill as the recipient of the Youngstown Business of the Year Award.

Three Grand Island High School music groups earned superior ratings at the Dixie Classic Festival in Washington, D.C., with one winning the top prize.

In a shocking turn of events Wednesday, the Lewiston Democratic Party candidates appointed to run in the June 17 Village of Lewiston election were ruled ineligible. Village Clerk Anne Welch disqualified mayoral candidate Jamie Symmonds and trustee candidate Jacqueline Lampman on the grounds their party failed to adhere to state election law.

Section 15-108(2)(c) states "Notice must be filed in the offices of the village clerk and the county board of elections at least 10 days before the scheduled caucus."

Welch said she did not receive notice from the Democrats of their caucus, which was held Tuesday, nor was a public announcement posted in her office.

For the first time in 20 years, Village of Lewiston Democrats have a candidate for mayor.

Jamie Symmonds will represent the party in the June 17 election. She was nominated during Tuesday's Democratic Party caucus.

How many times have you watched a TV show and thought, "Why did they do that?" Or, "Where is this story going?" Perhaps even, "I wish they wouldn't have killed off that character." Wouldn't it be cool if, just once, a show actually went back and made major revisions to previous episodes?

The Lewiston Democratic Party is poised to have a Democrat run for the village's top office for the first time in two decades.

The Niagara River Region Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the Sanborn Old General Store as the recipient of the Sanborn Business of the Year Award.

Speaking of his new restaurant, chef Michael Clark promises, "We're not going to be your everyday pizzeria."

Business partners Clark, of Niagara Falls, and Lewiston's Tony Vescio plan to open Big Guys Pizzeria and More early next month in the addition next to Hibbard's Original Frozen Custard on Portage Road. The eatery's name comes from its signature pie, a 28-inch pizza affectionately called "The Big Guy."

INTERVIEW: Christina Grimmie is a serious contender - and that makes her a serious threat to the other coaches.

But that's not how she sees it.

In an effort to reach out further to the community, Youngstown Police Chief Chris Salada announced this week a series of new initiatives intended to make his department more visible to village residents and businesses.

The Niagara River Region Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce Patti's Cut Above as the recipient of the Ransomville Business of the Year Award.

Tina Oddy has been chosen by Village of Youngstown Mayor Raleigh Reynolds as the 2014 Village of Youngstown Citizen of the Year. With just under 20 years dedicated to making Youngstown a better place to live and raise a family, Oddy is committed to the youth of the community, helping to create programs that enrich lives.

If you like puzzles, enjoy history or are curious about that older relative's claim of being a cousin to Scotland's Duke of Argyll, genealogy and growing your own family tree might be the hobby for you.

Village of Lewiston residents can expect a mild tax increase in the next fiscal year. Trustees voted Monday to increase the tax rate to $7.26 per $1,000 of assessed valuation - an increase of 14 cents.

The Village Board approved a special use permit allowing Niagara Marketplace & Bistro to operate inside the "Kelly House" at 400 Plain St. Now called "Fresh Start," the business will offer vegan, vegetarian and organic foods.

The Rev. James J. Maher, C.M., was formally inaugurated as Niagara University's 26th president during a ceremony held Friday, April 4, in the Gallagher Center.

Artpark & Company announced another batch of bands Monday in the "Tuesday in the Park" and "Coors Light Wednesdays" outdoor concert series. Tickets for these events will go on sale Friday, April 11, at 10 a.m.

Acts include:

Spring has sprung, and winds of change are brewing in Youngstown.

Last Saturday, Cash Cunningham of Cash Realty & Auctions held an auction of the former Brennan's Irish Pub. Roughly 20 potential buyers attended the event. When all was said and done, it was Mike Fox who acquired the building