Current News

Nationally syndicated morning talk show "LIVE with Kelly and Michael" announces the lineup of guests who will join hosts Kelly Ripa and Michael Strahan during the week of March 10-14.

The Aquarium of Niagara is celebrating the 23rd annual "Penguin Days" March with a penguin photography contest. This year one top winner will be chosen from all entries. In addition, a first- and second-place winner will be selected in two age categories: adult: (12 and older) and child (11 and under).

On March 12, students across Western New York will be able to experience a Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra "Music For Youth" concert from the comfort of their own classrooms.

Former "Beverly Hills, 90210" star Jennie Garth joins Clinton Kelly on "The Chew" and prepares a savory layered dish with mushrooms and polenta. She also discusses her new book, "Deep Thoughts from a Hollywood Blonde."

Sometimes it takes a bit of vision to get a good idea off the ground.

Skip Mazenauer purchased the Grand Island Dispatch, believing he could make the publication a success and wanting to make sure his hometown wasn't left without local news from its own newspaper.

The Aquarium of Niagara held its annual fundraising event "SEAsonings - The Original Taste of Niagara" on Thursday. Featured were samplings of food and beverages, as well as the premier of a new sea lion show.

The Lewiston Democratic Committee has announced it will be honoring Town of Lewiston Supervisor Dennis Brochey as its Lewiston Democrat of the Year for 2014 at a brunch on Sunday, April 6, at the Niagara Falls Country Club.

Participants in the Grand Island Relay For Life were asked to light a fire within at a kickoff meeting Wednesday at Connor Middle School.

The kickoff begins the season for the annual Relay, a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society.

Lynn Dingey, co-chair of GI Relay For Life, said the 2014 event will run at Veterans Park, May 31 at 2 p.m. to June 1 at 2 a.m. She asked those at the meeting to work to make the 2014 event "bigger and better."

Casey Dahlstrom was named the 2014 honorary survivor at the kickoff, while Mary Dunbar-Daluisio spoke on behalf of caregivers.

Grand Island Town Engineer John Whitney received the Charles W. Nichols Award from the American Public Works Association, New York chapter, western branch, at its recent 2014 awards banquet. The APWA is a group of engineers who honor their peers for exemplary work; seven project awards and three individual awards were presented.

Erie County Legislator Kevin Hardwick announces his fourth annual Valentines for Veterans program was once again a great success, creating thousands of cards for local veterans and active servicemen and women.

The Lewiston No. 2 Volunteer Fire Co. Ladies Auxiliary will hold a pasta and meatball dinner and basket auction to benefit Lewiston No. 2 firefighters Saturday, March 22, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the firehall, 1705 Saunders Settlement Road.

David Karwick of Key Investment Services has received the Citizen of the Year Award from the Town of Niagara Business and Professional Association, honoring him for his dedication to volunteer service.

"There's nothing more satisfying than giving back to the community, making it a better place and helping those in need," said Karwick, accepting the award and crediting KeyBank for encouraging community commitment and volunteerism in its employees.

"We take pride in the many contributions our dedicated employees make in volunteering their time, energies and expertise to improving the communities we serve," said Gary Quenneville, president, Western New York Region, KeyBank.

Honorably discharged veterans living in Niagara County are now eligible for discounts at the Catholic Cemeteries of Buffalo.

Veterans who enroll in the program through the Niagara County Clerk's office are eligible for a 20 percent discount on all services at any of the Catholic cemeteries, including Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Lewiston and Queen of Heaven Cemetery in Lockport.

"By participating in this worthwhile program, we are able to honor the selfless service of these brave men and women," said Carmen Colao, diocesan director of Catholic Cemeteries. "We are proud to recognize the countless sacrifices they have made on behalf of freedom."

The Rev. Dr. Gregory Hogg will present a talk on "My Personal Re-formation" at 5 p.m. Saturday, March 8, at St. George Antiochian Orthodox Christian Church, 1073 Saunders Settlement Road, Lewiston.

The Niagara Falls Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians will celebrate Irish Heritage on Sunday, March 9, with a traditional Irish breakfast at St. Raphael Parish, (formerly St. Teresa's), 1018 College Ave., Niagara Falls, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Volunteers from the board of the Friends of the Youngstown Free Library announce a fundraiser will be held Saturday, March 29, from 3 to 7 p.m. at the Lewiston Event Center, 845 Cayuga St.

New York State Sen. Mark Grisanti today recognized MS Awareness Week as it is continues to be celebrated in New York until Sunday, March 9.

Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center Auxiliary President Jane Grenke, right, and Vice President for Operations Patricia Berggren, center, presented a $100,000 auxiliary gift to medical center Vice President for Foundation and Community Relations Ann Marie Tucker.

The Buffalo Sabres and the Telly Awards have announced "Beyond Blue & Gold," a video series that takes fans behind the scenes of the Sabres organization, has won seven 2014 Telly Awards. The series, which won three Telly Awards in 2013, took home four silver and three bronze awards in 2014 for seven episodes that spanned the series' first and second seasons.

The Buffalo Sabres today announced the team has recalled forwards Luke Adam and Nicolas Deslauriers from the Rochester Americans of the American Hockey League. The forwards have been recalled on an emergency basis due to injuries.

Western New York country music station WYRK presents a double-headline bill featuring Willie Nelson and Alison Krauss & Union Station Saturday, June 7, at Artpark in Lewiston (450 S. Fourth St.).

The Buffalo Sabres today announced the final installment of the team's fourth-annual "Power Play Luncheon" series will take place at noon Friday, March 28.

Marking National Consumer Protection Week, Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman released the list of the top 10 consumer fraud complaints received by his in 2013. In addition to highlighting the scams most reported by New Yorkers, the attorney general offered tips on how to avoid them in the future.

ACM nominees Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan, Miranda Lambert, Blake Shelton, George Strait, Keith Urban and The Band Perry are scheduled to perform on the 49th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards.

Air Force Reserve Col. Steven B. Parker assumed command of the 914th Airlift Wing from Col. Walter Gordon on March 1.

Emily Piriz was eliminated Thursday on "American Idol XIII" after she received the fewest of the more than 70 million votes. From Orlando, Fla., the 18-year-old sang "Let's Get Loud" on Wednesday night's "Home"-themed performance show.

There's a green ogre lurking at Niagara-Wheatfield High School, both literally and figuratively. There's also four young princesses with long red braids, sometimes they're green and sometimes not.

A blockbuster spring entertainment lineup for Seneca Casinos just got better. Country legend Kenny Rogers is booked for an April 26 performance at Seneca Allegany Casino & Hotel, and a full lineup for May is set - with high-profile acts including The Osmonds, Justin Hayward from The Moody Blues, Jimmie Vaughan, Dion, and Katey Sagal and the Forest Rangers.

The Buffalo Sabres Hall of Fame selection committee today announced the induction of Dominik Hasek into the Buffalo Sabres Hall of Fame. Hasek, one of the most prolific goaltenders in NHL history, will be officially inducted as the 42nd member of the Sabres Hall of Fame in a ceremony on March 29, prior to the team's home game against the Tampa Bay Lightning at First Niagara Center.

Hasek, who was originally acquired by the Sabres from the Chicago Blackhawks on Aug. 7, 1992, remains one of the most decorated goaltenders in team and league history.

Kevin Pereira has been tapped to host the "Psych After Pshow," a hour-long live special to run on March 26 at 10 p.m. that will bid farewell to USA Network's favorite faux detective series.

The Buffalo Sabres have announced the 10th annual Scotty Bowman Showcase will take place on Wednesday, April 9, at First Niagara Center. The 2014 Scotty Bowman Showcase consists of three all-star hockey games between players from Buffalo and their rivals from Rochester.

Admission for the games is $5.

The first game will begin at 6 p.m., with high school juniors from the two cities facing off against one another for the Tim Horton Memorial Cup.

VP and Director of Hockey Nik Fattey has announced the HARBORCENTER 2014-15 youth hockey tournament schedule, which will include 20 new events for boys and girls, mite through midget, at the AAA and AA levels.

"Our tournaments will create a unique and differentiating experience for hockey families from Western New York and beyond," Fattey said. "At the AAA level, we will host some of the best youth teams from around the country and provide a competitive level of hockey that places our events among the best tournaments currently available. For AA teams, we will similarly provide a special high-end opportunity. Our best-in-class facilities, geographic location, amenities and affiliation with the Buffalo Sabres are a major attraction for top teams, providing the region with tens of thousands of visitors each year."

Wednesday morning on "LIVE with Kelly and Michael," hosts Kelly Ripa and Michael Strahan announced "LIVE's" fifth annual "Top Teacher Week." Each day during the week of May 12-16, "LIVE" will honor teachers from across the country for making their schools better, and for their service and commitment to their students and communities.

The Historic Riviera Theatre presents The Von Trapp Children Sunday, April 27, at 2:30 p.m.

Ty Pennington is heading to the kitchen to host TNT's new series "On the Menu," with legendary chef Emeril Lagasse signing on as "menu master." "On the Menu" is television's first cooking show ever to give viewers the chance to taste the winning dish after every episode, as well as give everyday cooks the chance to have their dish appear in dining institutions across the country.

In an effort to help offset expensive training costs, NBC has sponsored a puppy that will be trained to become a guide dog and be paired with an individual who is visually impaired.

Home cooks from across the country compete, with the guidance and determination from Food Network chefs, for a $50,000 cash prize in the new culinary competition series "America's Best Cook," premiering Sunday, April 13, at 9 p.m.

After a myriad of appearances in support of "20 Feet From Stardom" - including "The Ellen DeGeneres Show," "The Arsenio Hall Show" and the MusiCares Person of the Year concert - Judith Hill is turning her attention to her debut album, which will be released this summer by The Cherry Party/Sony Music

Heart of Niagara Animal Rescue has been awarded an $899 grant from the Petco Foundation to be used for rescue dogs and foster behavioral training. The grant will enable the organization to obtain behavior and obedience training, which ultimately helps in the adoption process.

World Tuberculosis Day is March 24. It is a time to promote awareness about the disease. Tuberculosis (TB) is spread through the air by people who are sick with TB disease. Each year, about 9 million people become sick with TB disease and more than 1 million die from it. TB continues to present challenges.