Featured News

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

INTERVIEW: After winning their first "Battle Round," Bria and Christina are just one round away from competing on the live shows, where the audience will decide which singer (or group) will win "The Voice."

James (Jim) R. Franey was chosen by Village of Lewiston Mayor Terry Collesano as the 2014 Village of Lewiston Citizen of the Year. Franey's service and commitment to the community has been part of his life for more than half a century, as he worked to protect the businesses and residents of Lewiston and educate the public about fire safety and prevention.

Niagara University will formally inaugurate its 26th president, the Rev. James J. Maher, C.M., during a ceremony scheduled for Friday, April 4.

Artpark & Company is set to welcome Ringo Starr & His All Starr Band to the "First Niagara presents Tuesday in the Park" concert series June 24 in the Outdoor Amphitheater. The All Starr Band will feature Toto's Steve Lukather, Mr. Mister's Richard Page, original Santana singer Gregg Rolie, Todd Rundgren and drummer Gregg Bissonette. Tickets go on sale Friday.

Season after season, without fail, the singers on "The Voice" enthusiastically talk about the friendships they've made, the company they've shared, and the memories they'll cherish.

Opposition to a proposal to rezone a parcel in the neighborhood of East River and Whitehaven roads is gaining momentum, residents said.

After three weeks of blind auditions, and more than four-dozen performances, "The Voice" began whittling down the field of hopefuls in the first week of the "Battle Rounds." Artists squared off in a duet-duel, tag-teaming on a song of their coach's choice in an attempt to show who could sing it better.

The first episode of NBC's "Crisis" was delightfully twisty. A busload of Ballard High School students is kidnapped; these teens, the offspring of D.C.'s power players, are used as pawns as their parents are forced to work for the captors.

Lewiston residents spoke in favor of the proposed Niagara Marketplace & Bistro at a public hearing Monday. The business would operate at 400 Plain St., at the corner of South Fourth Street, and serve vegan and vegetarian dishes.

The Town of Lewiston moved Tuesday on finalizing its agreement with Niagara County to fund the legal services of environmental attorney Gary Abraham.

The Lewiston-Porter Board of Education urges residents of the district to attend its weekly budget workshops on Tuesdays at 6 p.m. in the Community Resource Center (times could vary, visit www.lew-port.com for more information).

The Ransomville Volunteer Fire Co. has been chosen by Town of Porter Supervisor Merton Wiepert as recipients of the 2014 Town of Porter Citizens of the Year award. The fire company, all volunteers, leads an active schedule of community service, responding to emergencies, and is dedicated to making this area of Niagara County a great place to live.