Current News

The Niagara County Auxiliary Police hosts a pair of open houses.

He's logged 248,166 miles, visited 46 different destinations, traveled by airplane, zip line, camel and gondola, and said hello to America in 24 languages. Starting Monday, Nov. 7, on NBC's "Today," Americans can once again ponder one of television's greatest mysteries: "Where in the World is Matt Lauer?"

The Center for the Arts, University at Buffalo, welcomes The Temptations and The Four Tops on Sunday, Nov. 20, at 7:30 p.m. in the Mainstage Theatre, located on the North Campus.

The Village of Youngstown Recreation Department hosts its annual Halloween party.

Planning is now under way to mark the 75th anniversary of 4-H in Niagara County.

Senior high school students in Western New York are invited to participate in next year's War of 1812 speech and art competition, as part of the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Queenston Heights. Events are scheduled for the weekend of Oct. 12-14, 2012.

by Terry Duffy
Look for some changes in local U.S. Postal Service operations, starting next month.

As part of a national effort to address deficits and operation costs in the Postal Service, over past months USPS officials have been considering structural changes, including staff changes, consolidations and even closure of facilities throughout the country. Postal facilities large and small have been under review, including many in the Buffalo area.

The History Center of the Niagara County Historical Society celebrates and honors all veterans with a new exhibit called, "Veteran's Day 11/11/11 -- Never Before, Never Again."

by Terry Duffy
The Town of Lewiston continues in the preliminary stage for its 2012 budget, as department heads finalize and submit requests on a tentative $15.6 million spending plan, portions of which are expected to be discussed on Monday, Oct. 24.

That evening the Town Board also will hold a public hearing at 5:30 p.m., prior to its regular meeting, to consider an override by Lewiston of the state's 2 percent property tax cap.

"We have had town increases. We have to figure out how to adjust," Town Supervisor Steve Reiter told board members last month.

Ribbon-cutting ceremony for Brennan's Irish Pub, 418 Main St., Youngstown.

Members of Niagara Organizing Alliance for Hope invite area residents to attend a public meeting Sunday, Oct. 23, from 3 to 5 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church of Niagara Falls, 311 First St.

According to NOAH organizers, the meeting will focus on three issues of interest to the Niagara County community: the extension of the millionaire's tax; local hiring on area projects; and a discussion on the issue of hazardous waste in the towns of Lewiston and Porter, presented by the Porter environmental group Residents for Responsible Government.

The Lewiston Public Library, 305 S. Eighth St., in the Village of Lewiston, announces the following programs, events and activities for the month of November.

On the minds of most school administrators, teachers and parents are incidents both locally and nationally involving bullying.

Lewiston-Porter School District residents were told at Tuesday evening's Board of Education session that Lew-Port officials take reported incidents of bullying and harassment seriously, and that those incidents are fully investigated and appropriate actions are taken.

40 Years Ago, Oct. 20, 1971 Island honors dead Members of Grand Island Post 9249, Veterans of Foreign Wars, will render honors in memory of all veterans on Veterans Day, Oct. 25. Ceremonies will be conducted starting at 11 a.m. in DeGlopper Memorial Park.

St. Timothy's Fall Fest raised more than $3,000 for the church's day care.

Every year at this time the Neighbors Foundation relies on donations from the community to fund the Holiday Assistance Fund.

Tim Richard Jordan entered into rest on Tuesday, Oct. 18. He was 62.

The following incidents occurred from Oct. 10 to 16, as reported by the Grand Island Fire Co. A total of 36 calls were answered by the department during this period. The GIFC has now responded to 1,201 calls so far this year.

Grand Island's own David Nolf will perform Friday, Oct. 21, at 9:30 p.m., at Club 101 in the Seneca Niagara Casino.

The following activity occurred Monday, Oct. 10, to Sunday, Oct. 16, as reported by the Lewiston Police Department. A total of 82 calls were logged by LPD during this period.

Lewiston's Hops-N-Vines is hosting its first-ever pumpkin-carving contest.

Frank Brusino of Grand Island received special recognition for his services.

As formidable, but certainly not as scary as lions, tigers or bears, the second annual Wine, Chocolate & Cheese event will feature its namesake goods -- and much more. The event runs from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 22.

Hosted at the Cambria Volunteer Fire Department, located at 4631 Cambria Wilson Road, organizers of the fundraiser hope to have another successful year. The head count from last year's benefit was more than 400 satisfied guests; so don't be left out of this year's event.

NBC will debut its bigger and more outrageous version of the fan-favorite "Fear Factor" when the alternative series returns on Monday, Dec. 12 (8-10 p.m. ET).

Nik Wallenda, "King of the Highwire," today joined state officials at the Seneca Niagara Hotel & Casino in Niagara Falls to further discuss plans to walk a tightrope across the Niagara Gorge.

Scarecrow Expo winners announced.

The Wheatfield Farmers Market is sponsoring a Customer-Family Appreciation Day on Wednesday, Oct. 26, which is the last day of operations for the market's second season.

The market provides a source for local fresh produce, specialty food items and crafts. For its closing day, it also will provide free hot dogs to all customers, courtesy of the Hot Dog King. The YMCA will provide a bounce house, face painting and a fall-themed crafts table for children.

Hours are 3 to 7 p.m. in the Town Hall parking lot.

Assemblyman John Ceretto, R-I-Lewiston, and State Sen. George Maziarz, R-Newfane, sent a letter Wednesday to New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Commissioner Rose Harvey in order to find out what steps her department is taking to revitalizing state parks throughout Niagara County and to win support for legislation to restructure the state's funding to provide more local control over park resources and revenues.

Niagara-Wheatfield grad Michael Pittman and fellow members of the U of R's YellowJackets are still singing and dancing their hearts out on NBC's "The Sing-Off."

This year's message from the National Fire Protection Association was "Protect Your Family From Fire."

Kathy Harrington has announced her candidacy for re-election as Wheatfield Town Clerk. She is the endorsed Republican, Independence, and Conservative candidate.

Niagara University's College of Hospitality and Tourism Management hosts its annual convocation.

The Town of Niagara Town Board approved two new laws.

The Center for the Arts, University at Buffalo, will present "MacHomer" on Saturday, Nov. 19, at 8 p.m. in the Mainstage Theatre, located on UB's North Campus.

Massive donation kicks off food panty drive.

The "Judges' Homes" round of "The X Factor" came to an exciting and dramatic conclusion Tuesday.

Candice Lymburner, a 2011 Niagara University graduate currently pursuing an MBA at her alma mater, recently had an article published in the Journal of Marketing Development and Competitiveness. The paper, "The Future of the Music Industry," appears in Volume 5 of the peer-reviewed journal, which covers the marketing arena and the interface between marketing and firm competitiveness.

Lymburner, a Niagara Falls native and current Buffalo resident, completed the paper as an undergrad, along with Bohdan Pikas, a professor of marketing in NU's College of Business Administration and chair of its commerce department, and visiting professor, Anastasia Pikas.

Have no fear: Halloween's almost here at the Aquarium of Niagara.

St. Vincent de Paul Parish, the Prince of Peace worship site located at 1055 Military Road, Niagara Falls, presents a mini-retreat (or three-day mission) from 7 until 8:30 p.m. Nov. 1-3.

Patrons can join in each evening for inspirational contemporary Christian music and motivational speaking leading to prayer and meditation with John Michael Talbot. He is an engaging and inspiring speaker, as well as a respected author, who has facilitated retreats for more than 26 years.