Current News

Residents of The Woodlands and Forestview teamed up with students from Niagara Charter School to spread the Christmas spirit through "The Giving Tree."

Santa and Mrs. Claus recently paid a visit to all the good little girls and boys at the Orleans/Niagara BOCES' North Tonawanda Learning Center, sponsored by the Pendleton Lions Club.

Fricano Primary School students gathered to decorate more than 250 homemade holiday treats to be shipped to U.S. troops in Afghanistan and at home.

The following is a sampling of calls received by the Town of Niagara Police between Dec. 13 and 20.

A "Morning Acoustic Music Jam" is held every third Wednesday of the month from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on the second floor of the Lewiston Opera Hall, 732 Center St., Lewiston.

Arthur Elia, 83, of Wilson, passed away peacefully on Thursday, Dec. 22, 2011, at the Niagara Hospice House in Lockport.

He was born on July 3, 1928, in Niagara Falls, New York, the son of Albert Sr. and Josephine (Eugeni) Elia, both Italian immigrants. Arthur grew up in the Falls where he attended Niagara Falls Senior High, and graduated in 1946. It was there he met his childhood sweetheart, and eventual wife, Shirley Knize. The two would marry on June 19, 1948, and they had four children: sons Laurence, Michael and Richard; and daughter Christine.

"New Year's Rockin' Eve: The 40th Anniversary Party" will be hosted from Times Square by Jenny McCarthy and from Los Angeles by Fergie this Saturday, Dec. 31 (8 to 10 p.m., ET), on the ABC Television Network, kicking off ABC's night of New Year's celebrations. The special will look back at the amazing moments from four decades of ringing in the new year, counting down the biggest names in the world of music and entertainment.

The Conference & Event Center Niagara Falls rounds out 2011 with the 17th annual Joshua Revolution Conference, with ceremonies beginning last night, Dec. 27, and running through this Friday, Dec. 30. Traditionally held the week between Christmas and New Year's Day, the Christian conference welcomes more than 2,000 youth and adult attendees from Western New York and Southern Ontario. This year marks the fifth year that the convention has been held in the facility.

Rock in the new year at Hard Rock Café Niagara Falls, USA.

Physicians on staff at Mount St. Mary's Hospital have been named to the list of "America's Top Doctors." Based on research by Castle Connolly Medical Ltd., the names are gathered based on peer research and listed in the company's annual guidebook.

Assemblyman John Ceretto, R-I-Lewiston, on Tuesday wrote Empire State Development President and CEO Kenneth Adams to discuss new information regarding Unifrax, a manufacturing company that received $700,000 in Empire State Development funding to relocate from Niagara Falls to the Town of Tonawanda in Erie County.

Empire State Development claimed the $700,000 payment was used to ensure that Unifrax did not relocate to Indiana. However, Ceretto's recent FOIL request to the state of Indiana shows no proof that the Hoosier State was trying to entice the company to move.

Dunkin' Donuts today announced a New Year's Day initiative to celebrate 2012 as the year of "20 Dozen." The first 20 guests to visit a participating Dunkin' Donuts restaurant in the greater Buffalo area after 7 a.m. on Jan. 1, 2012 will receive a dozen donuts for free.

More than $1,500 was designated for the Mount St. Mary's Foundation thanks to the generosity of Izzy and Francine Ahmed, owners of Fenton's Café.

The snow may have just started to fly, but preparations for the 2012 Taste of Buffalo presented by Tops are well under way. The event is now accepting applications from restaurants and wineries interested in participating in one of the region's favorite summer events. The 2012 Taste of Buffalo is set for July 7 and 8 in downtown Buffalo.

This holiday season, many New Yorkers will make the New Year's resolution to quit smoking in 2012. While quitting smoking is extremely difficult - six out of 10 smokers require multiple quit attempts to stop smoking - preparing a quit-smoking plan can greatly improve a person's chance for success.

The Niagara Arts and Cultural Center will host the fifth annual "Art of Beer" at the NACC on March 9, 2012. Tickets are now available in the NACC office.

Amateur cook and blogger Melissa Sperka of Greensboro, N.C., beat out nearly 900 competitors in the Flour Power baking contest with her caramel, chocolate and almond "Gooey Butter Cake." The contest was hosted by Just A Pinch Recipe Club, the online food-focused social network at www.justapinch.com.

The Niagara Holiday Market begins its final week of operation today as the region's newest holiday destination, with a great strolling street for after-Christmas shopping, dining, skating and family fun.

Every year, the Haseley family on Lockport Road, right across from the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station entrance, puts up a holiday display. (photo by Marc Carpenter)

The Historic Riviera Theatre and YWCA of the Tonawandas present their Family Film Festival at the performing arts venue, 67 Webster St., North Tonawanda. The following 2012 dates have now been scheduled:

The Village of Lewiston Recreation Department presents a free showing of "Happy Feet" on Thursday, Dec. 29, at 7 p.m. inside the Red Brick Municipal Building gymnasium, North Fourth and Onondaga streets.

Are the kids already bored with their holiday presents and restless being home during winter recess? Why not bring the entire family to the Niagara Falls Family YMCA (1317 Portage Road) Dec. 26-31 for winter recess - family style.

Crosby's, a division of Reid Group Inc. raised $10,000 to benefit the Western New York Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure during its month-long October breast cancer awareness promotion. Crosby's consists of 45 locations In Western New York into Northwestern Pennsylvania and has been in business since 1922. In October, Crosby's went "Pink for the Cure" at all of its locations.

The YI-DAN-CHA-GI Martial Arts Center is bustling on evenings with karate classes led by Grand Master Jim Wood, Krav Maga close combat self-defense and Kid Safe Network classes.

One of the largest Christmas displays in the area is done by the Greinert family over three acres at 6962 Errick Road, Wheatfield. Paul Greinert carries on the tradition started 26 years ago by his dad, Ed Greinert, former town supervisor.

Visitors are welcome, but asked to stay in their cars due to the vast amount of wiring involved for the many different scenes, showing elves, snowmen, a nativity scene, shooting stars, snowflakes, candy canes, wreaths, Christmas trees, carolers, Santa's sleigh, and much more, including the toy-filled choo-choo train shown above right.

To this technician, said Hooker Lab Supervisor Art Bartlett, "Al, will you cover Christmas?"

To this, you say "Of course," for not just recently you came back from New York City after waiting for a berth on an Esso Standard tanker with your tail between your legs, with your eyes sunken in from insufficient rations. Therefore, working on Christmas Day would be more of a joy than an annoyance. Besides, there was pay.

Right off the bat it was pleasant. A little more than a mile from home, 17th and Ferry, large snowflakes in the mild winter darkness hitting you in the face, Christmas carols in your mind, you walk to work. You say "Hi" to the guard Bill Oliver, who drives in from Wilson, punch in, and walk the 150 feet to your lab building, where you analyze poison gas for the U.S. government. Wow, all those stars.

This Christmas marks 20 years that Norm Cerrillo of Grand Island (Santa at Kelly's Country Store) has been making glad the heart of childhood.

The recent Tour of Homes drew nearly 1,900 to the Village of Lewiston to see five beautifully decorated homes by some of Western New York's most talented designers.

Holiday passage over the Niagara River - and through the woods and beyond - is again free for Christmas on the three bridges the Niagara Falls Bridge Commission operates.

The Wheatfield Seniors enjoyed their annual Christmas dance on Dec. 10. (photos by Walt Bissett)

Francesca Baase's new children's book, "Didn't You Hear the Rumor?" has been recently released nationwide.

Florida singer wins 'The X Factor' title, $5 million recording contract and Pepsi commercial.

The holiday spirit is alive and well at Niagara-Wheatfield High School.

A festive atmosphere hovered over the Lewiston-Porter Board of Education meeting as students performed, people were recognized, and gifts from donors received.

A group of third-graders performed several traditional Christmas carols and the entire room joined in on "We Wish You a Merry Christmas." Student carolers, under the direction of Nicole Mosier, included Elizabeth Teal, Maya Marcyan, Makenna Barrientos, Emma Sand, Nathan Rhodes, Olivia Naughton, Julia Thomas, Meghan Baio, Graciana Auer, Ciaran Edwards, Alexandra Lee, Ellie Phillips, Jaden Lombardo and Isabella Tolliano. Vicki Mehr accompanied.

Much greater insight on the state of the radioactive Interim Waste Containment Structure was shared at the Dec. 14 session of the Lake Ontario Ordinance Works Community Action Council, held on the Lew-Port campus.

Passage of two capital project propositions by voters Tuesday indicates renewed trust in the school district, Board of Education members said.

The capital project, totaling $51 million, passed by wide margins. A $46.8 million proposal passed with 1,610 yes votes and 292 no votes, an 84.6 percent approval. Proposition 2, a $4.6 million project for work on the Grand Island High School auditorium and athletic fields, passed 1,361 to 516, or 72.5 percent in favor.

"I think it's a resounding demonstration that the board put together a good package, two good propositions, and I think we're starting to build back the trust that the community expects of the board," said School Board President David Goris, after the vote totals were announced in the high school Viking Mall by Superintendent of Schools Robert Christmann.

The New York Elks Association has announced this year's drug awareness poster and essay contest and an Americanism essay contest.

Grand Island Neighbors Foundation: need to assist Islanders down on their luck this holiday greater than last year; donations have risen even faster.

... a $5 million recording contract and a Pepsi commercial. Singer tops Chris Rene and Josh Krajcik in season finale.

The following activity occurred Monday, Dec. 12, to Sunday, Dec. 18, as reported by the Lewiston Police Department. LPD reported a total of 79 response calls during this period.