Featured News

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.

Artpark rings in spring a day early, giving a sneak peek at who is coming to the popular "First Niagara presents Tuesday in the Park" (Daryl Hall & John Oates, Widespread Panic, Boston), and "Coors Light Wednesdays" outdoor concert series (Sublime with Rome).

Who, what, when, where, why and how - it's a journalist's call to action, and the exact set of questions "Crisis" viewers asked themselves following Sunday night's pilot.

INTERVIEW: "The Voice" is a life-changing opportunity for singer Ria Eaton. To put it bluntly, her appearance on the hit NBC reality series was like winning the lottery - a one-in-a-million shot to be plucked from obscurity, and to work with musicians she'd never be able to work with on her own.

INTERVIEW: "The Voice" is a perfect fit for singers Kat Perkins and Paula DeAnda.

Lewiston residents can weigh in Monday on plans to convert the historic Kelly House into a café and specialty market. A public hearing is scheduled for 6 p.m. in the Red Brick Municipal Building, 145 N. Fourth St.

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

Among the many news items covered at Monday's Lewiston Town Board work session came a bombshell: Town Supervisor Dennis Brochey revealed the state Department of Environmental Conservation has moved on approving four permits with Quasar Energy of Ohio, allowing for use of upward of 2,500 acres of lands in the Town of Lewiston for the injection of processed equate from a Quasar facility in Wheatfield.

Among the many news items covered at Monday's Lewiston Town Board work session came a bombshell: Town Supervisor Dennis Brochey revealed the state Department of Environmental Conservation has moved on approving four permits with Quasar Energy of Ohio, allowing for use of upward of 2,500 acres of lands in the Town of Lewiston for the injection of processed equate from a Quasar facility in Wheatfield. State DEC approved the permits last summer; they allow for the injection/spreading of equate on lands in the town to begin almost as soon as the ground thaws.

It was learned Monday the permits were approved by DEC last August. That information was conveyed via correspondence from DEC to then Lewiston Supervisor Steve Reiter where it sat with no response.

Performing in "The Voice's" blind auditions is hard, but it's nothing compared to taking the stage for the "Battle Rounds" and the "Knockouts."

If "American Idol's" "thing" is to showcase less-talented singers in the hopes of getting a laugh from viewers, then "The Voice's" "thing" is to showcase more-talented singers in the hopes of inspiring viewers.

Lewiston residents can debate which pizzeria is best, where they'd rather grab a drink after work or hang out on weekends. Where time and money are spent will vary depending on the person. One unquestioned, undeniable certainty is that almost every one of them will set foot inside DiMino Tops Lewiston to grocery shop.