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At the Monday evening meeting of the Grand Island Board of Education at Kaegebein Elementary School, Superintendent of Schools Robert Christmann announced the retirement of Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction Dr. Karen Karmazin effective Dec. 7.

Christmann said that Karmazin would be missed and that he would have more comments on her tenure with Grand Island at the next board meeting. Karmazin declined to speak much at the meeting about her retirement, but did comment that her years of service have been "an extraordinary experience."

Billy Crystal will serve as host for the 84th Academy Awards.

"I'm thrilled to welcome Billy back to the Oscar stage," said Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences President Tom Sherak. "He's a comic legend and Oscar icon, and it feels good to have him back where he belongs."

This will mark Crystal's ninth time as host. Only Bob Hope has hosted more Academy Awards presentations, with 19 ceremonies between 1940 and 1978. Crystal last hosted the Academy Awards in 2004.

"Some of the best moments of my career have happened on the Oscar stage. I am thrilled to be back there. Actually, I am doing this so that the young woman in my pharmacy will stop asking me my name when I pick up my prescriptions," Crystal said.

The Stereo Hogzz, one of Paula Abdul's Groups, was eliminated Thursday from "The X Factor." After Steve Jones announced that Lakoda Rayne and The Stereo Hogzz received the fewest votes following last night's movie-themed performance show, judges Simon Cowell, Abdul, L.A. Reid and Nicole Scherzinger asked the two finalists to perform their "song for survival" and then eliminated Houston's The Stereo Hogzz.

Members of FOAR SCORE, the oldest race fan club in America, presented a plaque to Salisa's All American Diner in Wheatfield.

A fox found Nov. 4 off of 21st Street under the Lockport Road Bridge in Niagara Falls is presumed positive for rabies.

Horizon Health Services has applied to the New York State Office of Alcohol and Substance Abuse Services for permission to establish an addiction service satellite center at the Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center.

If approved, the integrated center for primary care and addiction would be the first of its kind in Niagara County and one of the first in the state.

"This is a groundbreaking approach that will meet a very pressing community need. The integrated center takes a one-stop approach to serving patients, making it more convenient for patients to access a broader range of services at a single location," said Memorial Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Sheila K. Kee.

Organizers of the annual Electric Lights Parade are so excited about the results of the "care a ton" food drive, they've decided to extend the collection.

Town Supervisor Robert B. Cliffe got a nod of approval for a second term in office from Wheatfield voters on Tuesday, easily winning re-election.

The Niagara-Wheatfield Board of Education, reeling from an audit report received at last week's regular meeting, is looking at extra workshop meetings in upcoming off-meeting weeks to deal with some hard decisions on future school district spending.

On Nov. 2, Wayne Drescher of Drescher & Malecki presented a report on the district's external audit, which showed the district could end up having a deficit as high as nearly $8 million for the 2012-13 school year.

The Western New York Regional Economic Development Council on Wednesday finalized and adopted the council's five-year strategic plan and priority projects for the region, which is composed of Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie and Niagara counties. Focused on preparing the region's workforce for its key industry sectors, investing in smart growth infrastructure to pave the way for private investment, attracting and retaining more visitors and leveraging Western New York's research capacity to drive innovation and commercialization, the plan will be submitted in response to Gov. Andrew Cuomo's challenge to stimulate real, regional economic development.

When the first African-American woman to serve in the Niagara County Legislature retires in December after an 18-year legislative career, she will leave having repeatedly commanded the attention of some of the state's top leaders.

At least two of them will be on hand to toast her retirement at a gala later this month.

H. Carl McCall, who served as state comptroller during much of the George Pataki era in state government, will be the keynote speaker at a tribute honoring the accomplishments of Deputy Minority Leader Renae Kimble, D-Niagara Falls. That tribute will be held Nov. 17 at Niagara County Community College. Also on hand will be Assemblyman John D. Ceretto, the Lewiston Republican who often worked across the aisle with Kimble on a number of issues impacting western Niagara County.

Academy President Tom Sherak announced today that Academy Award-winner Brian Grazer will join Don Mischer as a producer of the 84th Academy Awards. This will be the first time Grazer has produced the Oscar telecast.

The Niagara County Early Child Care QIP is set to graduate its first cohort of child care centers.

"The X Factor" Top 11 finalists, including Girls - Melanie Amaro, Rachel Crow and Drew; Boys - Astro, Marcus Canty and Chris Rene; Over 30s - LeRoy Bell, Stacy Francis and Josh Krajcik; and Groups - Lakoda Rayne and The Stereo Hogzz, will perform songs from the movies live tonight (8 to 10 p.m.) on FOX.

"Damn Yankees," directed by NU's director of theatre Steven Braddock, opens at the Leary Theatre on Nov. 10. This Tony Award-winning musical, with music and lyrics by Richard Adler and Jerry Ross, is a story about how Joe Boyd (played by sophomore John Staton Jr.), a fan of the hopeless Washington Senators, makes a deal with the devil in hopes of bringing his team to victory against those "damn Yankees."

As Regis Philbin prepares to depart his long-running talk show on Nov. 18, the staff of "LIVE! with Regis and Kelly" has put together a spectacular send-off, with favorite guests, musical tributes and an hour-long final show commemorating Philbin's nearly three decades on "LIVE!"

Jennie Garth ("90210," "What I Like About You") has been cast as the lead in the ABC Family comedy pilot, "Village People," from executive producer Meg DeLoatch ("Brothers," "Eve," "One on One").

It's an inspiring Thanksgiving special unlike any before on "The Biggest Loser," when the holiday treat "The Biggest Loser: Where Are They Now?" premieres on Wednesday, Nov. 23 (9-11 p.m.). Viewers can catch up with some of their favorite contestants from past seasons of the series, but they'll also be treated for the first time ever to hilarious bloopers featuring the trainers, host Alison Sweeney and the contestants.

Big-screen star Sylvester Stallone, who made a name for himself in the "Rocky" and "Rambo" movies, will be appearing at Niagara Fallsview Casino for two nights in February 2012.

The Niagara County Industrial Development Agency board of directors today accepted an application for assistance from One Niagara LLC for a proposed $6 million renovation of the Niagara Falls landmark on 360 Rainbow Blvd. The owners plan to create a mixed-use center focused on tourism, retail, food and beverage; office space; data services; and hospitality. In total, this would create 17 new jobs while retaining 38 jobs.

The NCIDA board also approved applications for assistance it received at the October board meeting from Olin Corporation, Gateway Harbor Inn, Frank's Vacuum Truck Services Inc., Mawhiney Trucking Inc. and Taylor Devices for projects that, combined, total $30 million in new investment and 74 new jobs, while retaining 328 current jobs.

The Lewiston Community Lions Club is partnering with the newly opened Family Video, 731 Center St., to help those in need over the holidays.

InTENsity talks about the future, "X Factor" judges.

Why bake for the holidays when the Fiores will do it for you?

That's Michael Fiore's thought, anyway. He and his wife, Lindsay, are the new owners of the Village Bake Shoppe at 417 Center St., Lewiston. On Thursday morning, the store will reopen with a new look, newly painted walls, the previous staff ... and original owner Bridget Schroeder's from-scratch recipes.

Michael, who has known Bridget for several years, says her no-mix, original cakes, pies, cookies and brownies "can't be easily duplicated."

Pairing high-end products with a fresh décor, he says his plan is to develop the Village Bake Shoppe into "more of an attraction."

"I want this place to be a destination," Michael says.

Trustees in the Village of Lewiston on Monday opted not to talk about festival suggestions submitted by Mayor Terry Collesano's ad hoc committee. Though Collesano asked to discuss the five-person panel's recommendations for when and how to close Center Street, his colleagues asked for more time to review the letter submitted last week.

The Village Board did speak with accountant Pat Brown of Brown & Co. He informed trustees of a need to raise the water rate from $2.80 per 100 cubic feet to $3.55, and the sewer rate from $3.95 per 100 cubic feet to $4.65, to offset cost increases from the Niagara County Water District and the Town of Lewiston Master Sewer District.

The proposed increases would take effect with the Jan. 1, 2012, billing. Brown said the average Village of Lewiston resident would pay about $25 more per year.

ABC News President Ben Sherwood has announced three additions to the ABC News team.

Syfy will shake and stir the Thanksgiving holiday weekend with 15 James Bond movies - from Sean Connery, Roger Moore, Pierce Brosnan and Daniel Craig - beginning Wednesday, Nov. 23, with the midnight showing of "You Only Live Twice."

In one year, Americans will go to the polls to make their voice heard as they cast their vote for president of the United States.

The Niagara River Region Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with Manning & Napier Benefits, will host an educational seminar providing business owners with crucial answers to a variety of health insurance-related questions.

Santa Claus will visit the North Tonawanda History Museum at 54 Webster St., from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 10, and Saturday, Dec. 17.

"Million Dollar Quartet," the hit musical, announces a national partnership with non-profit organization Operation Homefront, which will include all three U.S. productions of the award-winning musical (including Chicago and New York). "Million Dollar Quartet" will engage in a series of special promotions and fundraising efforts that will benefit Operation Homefront, an organization that is dedicated to helping the families of this nation's service members and wounded warriors.

To celebrate this partnership, the New York production of "Million Dollar Quartet" will host a canned food drive the week of Nov. 28, which will benefit and support Operation Homefront veterans in need during this holiday season.

The Youngstown Free Library will accept "Food for Fines" from Nov. 8 through Dec. 10. Library patrons are encouraged to bring in non-perishable food items. In exchange, the library will waive each participant's fines.

Buffalo United presents a night of multi-denominational praise and worship on Nov. 11. The free event runs from 7 until 9 p.m. (doors open at 6 p.m.) at Resurrection Life, 2145 Old Union Road, Cheektowaga.

Worship leaders and musicians from different Christ-believing denominations have come together to form the Buffalo United worship team with one mission: the church working together for God and for Western New York. The "Rise" theme comes from Micah 7:8, which reads, "Though I have fallen, I will rise. Though I sit in darkness, the Lord will be my light."

The worship concert will focus on motivating the church of Buffalo to work together - regardless of theological differences. The goal is to worship, pray and minister the gospel with one another, and not just within four church walls. The Buffalo United ministry believes God will do even more amazing things in the Western New York area if the church -- His bride -- works as one.

The Village of Lewiston has a spiffy new garbage truck to replace the beaten and battered former trash hauler.

Sabres, ECMC, First Niagara join forces to purchase breast cancer prevention and education bus.

The following is a list of area Veterans Day observances and programs.

The Niagara-Wheatfield Senior High School Band will play a free concert at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 9, in the school auditorium at 2292 Saunders Settlement Road in Sanborn.

This year's Lewiston Lions Peace Poster Contest was held at Stella Niagara Education Park. First place was awarded to Camille Bennett. The second-place award went to Susan Dobrasz, who, incidentally, placed third in the 24-club district in last year's contest.

The Village of Lewiston Board of Trustees will review recommendations related to closing Center Street (for festivals or large-scale events) at its 6 p.m. work session on Monday.

In September, Mayor Terry Collesano formed an ad hoc committee to review how, when and why the village's main thoroughfare is closed. The panel wasted little time in drafting a letter that suggests the creation of an all-encompassing event application and event/procedure form.

"It seemed like there was no set application form or process to get approval" to close Center Street, said Rick Haight.

Look for a somewhat low-key Election Day, Tuesday Nov. 8, especially if you're voting in the towns of northern Niagara County.