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By a unanimous vote Monday, the Village of Lewiston Board of Trustees voted against accepting Primrose Lane, one of two roads in the Gardens at Oxbow subdivision, as a village street.

On Saturday, June 29, and Sunday, June 30, the Niagara Pioneer Soccer League will host the Northern Customs Services' 29th annual Niagara Pioneer International Soccer Tournament.

Benjamin Franklin once said, "In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes."

Come Tuesday, we can reasonably add something else to that list of certainties: The only thing pouring down from above at Artpark will be hit songs.

The first phase of the multi-year plan features a $1.8 million restoration at Three Sisters Islands that includes a new trolley shelter, expanded parking area, new pedestrian walkways and overlooks, enhanced landscaping, as well as new railings.

The First Niagara Foundation is providing financial support for Community Missions of Niagara Frontier Inc. and its community soup kitchen as staff work to provide food for local families in need. Representatives made a $1,000 donation on Thursday.

A collection created by Opportunities Unlimited of Niagara artists was dedicated and blessed at a reception inside Mount St. Mary's Hospital. The works were created by people with intellectual and other developmental disabilities during fine arts classes offered through "Artisans Unlimited" at three OUN locations.

Joan Jett and The Blackhearts performed "Bad Reputation," "Cherry Bomb," "I Love Rock-N-Roll" and a slew of new songs at Artpark, June 11, as part of the "Tuesday in the Park" concert series.

Mike Shubic, one half of the Rand McNally/USA Today "Best of the Road" "Best for Food" team the "Road Bros," returned to Lewiston this week - but not to judge its culinary offerings.

The Wheatfield Farmers Market will reopen June 12 and run Wednesdays through Oct. 9, still outside of Town Hall, but relocated to the front parking lot to provide more visibility and convenience for both the vendors and clientele.

Earlier this season, Miles Matheson and Sebastian Monroe battered, bruised and bloodied each other in one stellar fracas. The former besties, once thick as thieves, realized they could (and probably would) kill one another if given the opportunity.

Call it a matter of consistency.

Members of the Niagara River Greenway Commission met Tuesday, May 21, at the Beaver Island State Park Clubhouse to consider three submissions for project consistency with Greenway Plan objectives.

America's search for the next great home cook begins tonight. Season four of "MasterChef" premieres at 8 p.m. on FOX. Undiscovered culinarians will seek to impress judges Gordon Ramsay, Joe Bastianich and Graham Elliot, earn a white apron, win the title of "MasterChef," and join the ranks of previous season winners Whitney Miller, Jennifer Behm and Christine Ha.

Part two of "Grimm's" season finale promises to be action-packed, as Nick (David Giuntoli), Hank (Russell Hornsby), Monroe (Silas Weir Mitchell), Rosalee (Bree Turner) and, yes, Juliette (Bitsie Tulloch) battle new breeds of evil forces in Portland.

VIDEO/PICTURES: The Niagara River Region Chamber of Commerce welcomed its largest crowd - more than 300 people - to the annual Chamber Awards Gala Friday at the Niagara Falls Country Club.

Buffalo Place Inc. announced its "Thursday at Canalside" summer concert lineup on Wednesday. This year, the entire series is moving to the Buffalo waterfront. Free weekly concerts run from 5 until 9:30 p.m.

Tops Friendly Markets, a leading full-service grocery retailer in upstate New York and northern Pennsylvania, held a grand re-opening celebration Wednesday to mark the completion of a major renovation of the family-owned and operated Lewiston Tops Market at 906 Center St.

With momentum building toward next Tuesday's Niagara Greenway Commission public meeting/review/vote to determine consistency and funding for the proposed Lewiston Civic Center, the Town Board has taken further steps to make the project a reality.

At its Monday work session, the Lewiston Town Board voted in favor of three items pertaining to the Civic Center. One of those items was paying $50,000 for a 10-acre parcel of land at Lew-Port.

Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo today announced the launch of New York's largest tourism campaign in decades, committing nearly $60 million to grow the industry, create jobs and attract even more visitors to the Empire State.

The governor's announcement came at the conclusion of the New York State Tourism Summit, where hundreds of tourism experts gathered in Albany to discuss ideas and new ways to bring tourists to every corner of the state.

"Yesterday was huge," said Niagara Tourism and Convention Corp. President and CEO John Percy on Thursday.

Vince Schiano set off on a 4,000-mile bike ride last summer to raise money and awareness for young adults suffering from cancer.

Little did he know that his cross-country venture would also inspire three young women back "home" on Monteagle Ridge to join the cause this year.

Vincenzo's Pizza House opened Tuesday in the Village of Lewiston. ... And within 10 minutes, it was filled with customers munching on old-fashioned and cheese slices.

With more than 15,000 food trucks rolling across America, it's only a matter of time before one makes its way to Lewiston - a 2012 top food finalist in the Rand McNally/USA Today "Best of the Road" competition.

One candidate is The Black Market Food Truck, a gourmet deli sandwich unit co-owned and operated by Lewiston native Christian Willmott.

On Monday, he addressed village trustees. Willmott, who called himself an "ambassador for food trucks," told board members these traveling kitchens can bolster the local economy - and help restaurants succeed.

It was epic.

It was dramatic.

It was the best episode of "The Voice."

Ever.

The Town of Niagara Town Board on Tuesday voted to take lead agency status for the expansion of Fashion Outlets of Niagara.

NBC is rewarding "Grimm" for not just surviving on Friday nights, but thriving in a 9 p.m. timeslot where other sci-fi action-adventure series have faltered. The Peacock Network is shifting "Grimm" to Tuesdays at 10 p.m. - following its highly successful reality singing contest "The Voice."

PHOTOS: A Youngstown marina owner and jetboat operators from Idaho made history Saturday in the Niagara River gorge. In the process, they drew the attention of the U.S. Border Patrol, Department of Homeland Security and the Niagara Parks Police Service in Ontario, Canada.

Fans of "The Voice" may be in for a big surprise when the "Knockouts" begin. One of the show's top talents is about to make her debut (of sorts) - a full five weeks into the season.

Let's face it: The performers on "The Voice" are not likely to duke it out with other acts in a ring-shaped stage once this season is over.

"So what is the purpose of the 'Battle Rounds'?" you might ask. Well ...

With the annual Smelt Festival right around the corner, I thought I would give you a little background on how it started. Make note: I was there at the beginning, so my story is accurate!

We have the most comprehensive list of Artpark events and pictures around -- plus a video presentation of the "Tuesday in the Park" and "Coors Light Wednesdays" schedule.

Artpark President George Osborne announced the venue's 2013 summer events schedule at a press conference Wednesday morning.

"The Voice": Judith Hill, left, and Karina Iglesias competed in an epic "Battle Round" performance.

"The Voice" always saves the best for last.

When it comes to the "Battle Rounds," the final duel is the matchup the whole episode leads up to - the title fight.

It appears one of the most interesting "Battle Round" performances ... was one we didn't see on "The Voice" last week.

Alan Hastings has one simple goal for his Water Street eatery: He wants The Silo to be the best fast food restaurant in the world.

The West Street Elementary School Parent Group annual basket auction and chicken barbecue last year was an "awesome" success, according to Co-President Jeff Haseley. Check out what's planned for this year's event.

The Grand Island Chamber of Commerce has named Paul Leuchner, recipient of the Citizen of the Year Award, as Civic Person of the Year

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 as they host the Lewiston Smelt Festival on Friday, May 3, at the foot of Center Street along the Lewiston waterfront.

"The Voice" enters the second stage of competition this week with the start of the "Battle Rounds." Acts from each of the four squads - "Team Adam," "Team Shakira," "Team Usher" and "Team Blake" - will be paired off and asked to perform a duet of a coach-selected song. The winner will advance, while the loser may be eliminated from the show.

INTERVIEWS: The final week of blind auditions on "The Voice" proved NBC's singing competition is no respecter of persons.

HARBORcenter Development LLC officially broke ground Saturday on HARBORcenter, a mixed-use hockey and entertainment facility being developed on the Webster Block in downtown Buffalo, directly across Perry Street from First Niagara Center.