Featured News

The Youngstown Yacht Club hosts the inaugural CanAm Challenge regatta this weekend on Saturday, July 26, and Sunday, July 27 on Lake Ontario.

Artpark & Company will present the popular Disney musical "Mary Poppins" July 31 through Aug. 8 inside the Mainstage Theater.

Leads Emilie Renier and John Barsoian recently met last at The Orange Cat in Lewiston to drink coffee and preview the show.

Paddles Up Niagara, the Niagara River Greenway Commission's annual paddle sports event, returns to Grand Island for its ninth year of operation.

The main attraction of Paddles Up is its 4.8-mile paddle from the Little Beaver Launch Site to the East River Marsh Site and back.

A Grand Islander stole the spotlight from a famous Victoria's Secret model Monday and ended up on the front page of various international news websites.

Island native Kara Dudley is the anonymous woman seen upstaging supermodel Karlie Kloss in several Internet photos posted July 21 on celebrity websites. Dudley was photographed coming out of a New York City shop after searching for Taylor Swift, who had appeared to have gone into it earlier. She saw the paparazzi, but was oblivious to the statuesque Kloss, who was standing directly behind her.

Host Adam Richman ("Man v. Food") previews new NBC reality series; "Food Fighters" will pit home cooks against some of the country's most famous professional chefs in a battle to determine who can make select dishes best.

Starting tomorrow, the Village of Lewiston will start enforcing its law concerning so-called "pop-up" businesses on residential and municipal property. Trustees will especially crack down on homeowners on South Fourth Street who charge for parking on Artpark concert nights.

"Pop-up" food vending and ticket scalping will not be allowed, either. The board voted 4-0 to prohibit such business ventures.

"I think we all agree that now is the time to do something," Mayor Terry Collesano said.

Last week was an eventful one at Artpark. Find links to our interviews, photos, reviews and previews.

During the summer months, people crave juicy homegrown fruits and vegetables. Purchasing these goods locally rather than at your corporate grocer is a simple "feel good" way to give back to your community.

Working with children is a big part of Ali Casale's life. And because her brother spent part of his childhood in the Ronald McDonald House, she knows the value of bringing a smile to a sick child.

Orchard Park developer James Jerge, his architect, David Giusiana, and his project consultant, Robert Savarino, provided an update on 765 Fairchild Place - the former Fairchild Manor Nursing Home - at Monday's Village of Lewiston Planning Board meeting.

Some 1,000 volunteer firefighters, fire police and emergency medical services personnel are expected to arrive in Wheatfield for the 115th annual Western New York Volunteer Fireman's Association Convention.

3 Doors Down has been an absolute hit machine since 2000, with a dozen songs cracking top 10 music charts, and four albums hitting No. 1.

But the band behind "Kryptonite," "Loser," "When I'm Gone" and "Here Without You" will be the first to say there's no magic formula or absolute path to success when crafting music.

Sarah McLachlan performed Monday in Lewiston.

Take a moment to let that sink in.

McLachlan's appearance at Artpark was no insignificant happening. In fact, I'd liken it to Pope Francis giving Mass at St. Peter's, or President Obama presiding over a Village Board meeting.

The World Cup is heating up near its end, but for young athletes in Niagara County, the real soccer excitement is only just beginning.

This weekend marks the 30th annual Niagara Pioneer Soccer Tournament, billed as the county's largest and longest-running youth sporting event. It is hosted by the Niagara Pioneer Soccer League and held at Fort Niagara.

You can say one thing about the folks at Niagara Jet Adventures: They always seem to come up with the unexpected.

Thursday evening, NJA co-owners Mike Fox, and Chris Bohnenkamp of Bohnenkamp's Whitewater Customs of Meridian, Idaho, introduced NJA's latest series of boats - called spinners - to a small gathering at the NJA docks in Youngstown.

The Village Vet of Lewiston, was recently awarded a $20,000 "clinic makeover," courtesy of Novartis and Onsior. Funds went toward reconfiguring her year-and-a-half-old office so that its feline patients - and their owners - could have a more positive experience.

Megadeth bassist David Ellefson has toured the world. He's been everywhere from India to Argentina, Thailand to Estonia and Russia to Switzerland.

We've all watched "The Voice" on television and rooted for its singers. But few of us have had the opportunity to experience the show live.

Realizing this, the powers that be behind America's favorite singing competition have arranged it so that "The Voice" could come to "the venue" in each fan's backyard.

Remember the old Starlite drive-in movie on Military Road? The Town of Niagara can't bring back the joys of sitting in or on the hood of your car to watch the latest movies in the summertime in what is now Wegmans Plaza. However, local residents can bring the family and spread a blanket or bring a lawn chair to Veterans Park on Lockport Road (across from Town Hall) this summer to watch outdoor movies on a giant screen.

As we begin the month of July and with summer now in full swing, the Rotary Club of Niagara County-Central is busy preparing for its 24th annual Olde Sanborn Days festival, featuring live entertainment, arts and crafts and food vendors.

Village of Lewiston Mayor Terry Collesano has appointed a new chairman for the municipality's Historic Preservation Commission/Planning Board, and taken steps to replace two departed members.

At Monday's reorganizational meeting, Collesano selected Norm Machelor to replace Ken Slaugenhoupt, who opted not to continue on the board.

Machelor was appointed to the Planning Board in 2013. Prior to that, he served 12 years on Grand Island's Planning Board.

"I like the way he is with people that come in looking to build, or for expanding or whatever," Collesano said. "He's got a level head."

A plaque honoring Nik Wallenda, "King of the High Wire," was installed Monday in Niagara Falls, New York. The monument sits near the spot where Wallenda mounted his tightrope to cross the falls into Canada June 15, 2012.

The U.S. Postal Service is looking for community input on the hours of the Youngstown Post Office.

For centuries, Niagara Falls has attracted visitors from around the world. In the past two decades, however, it's had genuine competition from the Niagara River.

Eight months after releasing their debut album, "Talking Dreams," the four Sierota siblings - Sydney, 17 (vocals/keyboard); Jamie, 21 (vocals/guitar); Noah, 18 (vocals/bass); and Graham, 15 (drums) - better known as Echosmith - are an MTV "Artist to Watch."

Christina Grimmie, a 20-year-old New Jersey native, has been on the road almost three weeks with "The Voice" Tour, performing in Texas and Florida, and winding her way toward Niagara Falls, where she'll take the stage July 11 at the Seneca Niagara Events Center.

When Will Champlin auditioned for NBC's "The Voice" in season five, it was his intent to step out from the shadow of his father, former Chicago instrumentalist Bill Champlin. Thanks to standout covers of songs such as "When I Was Your Man," "Secrets," "At Last" and "Love Me Again," he became a coaches' favorite (both Adam Levine and Christina Aguilera saved him - a show first), and a fan favorite.

Phillip Phillips has taken us behind the light, which is the name of his new sophomore album, to expose what was hidden in the shadows. What we find, if we turn off the spotlight - forget about "Idol" and the song featured across television - is a singer/songwriter who is crafting authentic, anthemic, emotionally charged alt-rock songs that are just plain good.

In a pre-election interview, Village of Lewiston Mayor Terry Collesano was quoted as saying he was disappointed in what he termed "lack of movement" at the historic Frontier House on Center Street.

Ken Slaugenhoupt and David Giusiana, two prominent Village of Lewiston Planning Board members, are stepping down.

"I notified the mayor a couple weeks ago that I didn't want to be re-considered when they re-organize the Planning Board in July," Chairman Slaugenhoupt said Thursday. "I did not resign, but I am not going to be continuing at the transition in July."

Past Chairman Giusiana resigned Wednesday, following Mayor Terry Collesano's re-election Tuesday.

GardenFest is this weekend in Lewiston. The annual event is a time for residents and visitors to get out and explore different gardens and to take notice of the Garden Club's work in beautifying the village. In keeping with that idea, why not venture out a little further this weekend when in search of breakfast? You might find a new morning favorite food.

A new ride at Martin's Fantasy Island provides a view of Canada, Buffalo and the mist from Niagara Falls, and an 80-foot spinning freefall.

At its Monday evening meeting, the Grand Island Board of Education recognized the service of two departing trustees: Emily Ciraolo and Tak Nobumoto.

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Teresa Lawrence thanked Ciraolo and Nobumoto for their service. Ciraolo has been responsible for creating and helping maintain the district's Facebook page. Nobumoto has served as board president after a tenure as vice president. Nobumoto finished fourth out of four candidates up for election to three seats last month. Known for his insightful questions and orderly running of meetings, he will serve until a new president is elected in July at the board's annual reorganizational meeting.

Scott Stapp doesn't hold back on his solo album, "Proof of Life." He readily admits his past substance abuse could've prematurely taken his life.

Artpark & Company welcomes rock royalty June 24 when Ringo Starr & His All Starr Band headline "Tuesdays in the Park" in the outdoor amphitheater. The legendary Beatles drummer will be joined by Steve "Luke" Lukather, Richard Page, Gregg Rolie, Todd Rundgren and Gregg Bissonette.

Residents in the Village of Lewiston re-elected Mayor Terry Collesano Tuesday. He will begin his second term in July.

Collesano, a Republican, defeated independent candidates Jamie Symmonds and Jacqueline Lampman by a 255-232-55 vote.

It will be a pet lover's dream come true July 2 when Grandpaws Pet Emporium moves into its new location at 402 Center St., in the Village of Lewiston. Owner Andrew Bell is renting the entire Fourth and Center streets property in order to expand his popular business, add more food, treat and toy lines, open a pet-friendly café, and adopt out cats to loving homes.

You can say one thing about Town of Lewiston Supervisor Dennis Brochey since he has taken office: Once he sets his mind on something - good, bad or indifferent - he certainly acts on it.

Cheryl Martin, one of three co-chairs on the Lewiston/Niagara Relay For Life committee, has been an involved member of this American Cancer Society event for 14 years.

Cancer impacts the lives of some of the people closest to our hearts, and that is part of the reason for Martin's, as well as many other participants', involvement.

Local leaders were pleasantly surprised the first "Tuesdays in the Park" concert at Artpark didn't run into any thruway construction-related traffic problems this week. Just one month ago, they had expressed serious concern motorists would experience long delays heading into and out of the Village of Lewiston on event nights as a result of I-190 lane restrictions in front of the New York Power Authority.