Current News

Bala Thatigotla, M.D., M.R.C.S. - a general, gastrointestinal and advanced laparoscopic surgeon - will join the medical staff at Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center effective Aug. 1.

Niagara University ranks as one of the top colleges and universities to work for among medium-size institutions in the U.S, according to a survey released today by The Chronicle of Higher Education.

Recent surveillance sampling conducted on July 22 by the Niagara County Department of Health at Olcott Beach in Olcott has determined that the water is suitable for swimming.

National Grid offers tips to help customers stay cool and save energy.

Niagara University's College of Education and the Samaritan Counseling Center of Western New York announce a new graduate course designed to integrate training for "faith-based" healing in counseling education. The course, spirituality in counseling and vocation, will commence this fall and take place at Niagara University's Academic Complex.

CraigCat is taking the nation by storm. Water lovers are now invited to get their splash on in the Niagara River, Lake Erie, Lake Ontario and nearby regions. CraigCat of Niagara is the area's newest sensation sure to accommodate riders on the water. The sport boat initiates a new level of excursion while traveling in style. A two-seater catamaran, it's ideal for fishing, relaxing, day cruising and enjoying the beautiful waters of the Niagara River.

Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center and its Healthy Moms-Healthy Babies Coalition will celebrate the benefits of breastfeeding July 26 with a community picnic and baby shower at Hyde Park.

The 45th reunion of the Niagara-Wheatfield Class of '66 will begin at 7:30 p.m. Friday, July 29, at the Rapids Theatre on Main Street in Niagara Falls.

The Sanborn Band will be performing a concert of summer classic favorites at the Wilson Historical Society Grounds, 645 Lake St., Wilson, at 2 p.m. Sunday, July 24.

Area students are having a blast this summer at the Orleans/Niagara BOCES Career and Technical Education summer camp. The program, which is in its first week, is exposing students entering the fifth to seventh grade to different career opportunities.

The Ransomville Volunteer Fire Co. announces its fifth annual Summer Raffle will take place Saturday, Aug. 6, at the firehall, 2521 Youngstown-Lockport Road.

If you don't go on vacation this summer, here's a day trip that will feel like a vacation.

Friends of the Lewiston Public Library announce the winner of its Fountain of Gold raffle, drawn on June 26 during the Lewiston GardenFest.

Niagara County is experiencing a heat wave that is expected to last for the next several days. Heat waves can have serious health effects or even cause death in overheated individuals. The Niagara County Public Health Director, Daniel Stapleton, offers some common-sense measures the public can take to prevent health consequences of heat exposure.

Western New Yorkers could be dealing with record-breaking heat the rest of this week, with high humidity and temperatures predicted to top 90 degrees the next three days.

by Joshua Maloni Village of Lewiston trustees received an earful Monday from Oneida Street resident Jacqueline Lampman at their monthly board meeting. They heard complaints on everything from traffic models to spending patterns. "It's not a quiet place to live anymore," Lampman said of the village. She began her comments with observations of the north Fourth Street and River Road areas. "(Cars were) going 50 mph," she said, noting they weren't stopping, either. But, with the arrival of Lewiston Police vehicles, "It stopped. These people significantly slowed down." Lampman said quality of life in the village has diminished with the increase in concerts and other large events. "You just keep adding them (festivals), and adding them, and adding them," she said. "Now I've got tour buses (driving down my street) ... I've got Modern (Disposal trucks) in the middle of the night. ... It's horrible." "I didn't come into this village to listen to rock music at 8:30, 9 o'clock," she said. "I know I'm not the only one who feels that way." Lampman said Ridge Street has become a "horrible" haven for "bar traffic"; village parks have become overrun with "older kids from Niagara Falls" who "intimidate all the younger kids"; and questioned spending for recreation programs. Trustees listened to Lampman, but didn't engage her in a debate. "We are working to try to make things better," Mayor Terry Collesano said. He stated sound levels were adjusted at Artpark and Water Street Landing (two popular noise complaint targets), and parking adjustments were implemented for "Tuesday in the Park" concerts. Wiz Khalifa concert questioned The Artpark conversation turned to the Wiz Khalifa concert on Aug. 4. The 23-year-old Pittsburgh rapper is currently on his "Rolling Papers" tour. "There could be some very tense moments that night," Village of Lewiston Police Commissioner Al Soluri said. "We don't want a reoccurrence of what happened in Niagara Falls." Soluri was referring to a July 2 concert at the Rapids Theatre on Main Street, which ended with a shooting, several fights and multiple arrests. Responding after the meeting, Artpark & Co. President George Osborne said, "The Wiz Khalifa concert should not be compared to the 'after hours' private party at the Rapids Theatre. Wiz Khalifa plays to a demographic of 16 to 20 year olds, and our concert is scheduled to end at 10:30. The Rapids party didn't even start until 11 p.m." Lewiston Police Chief Chris Salada said Osborne would not cancel the show. Khalifa's show is a ticketed, Mainstage Theater event. Soluri said the previous indoor show, the July 13 Black Keys concert, was larger than police expected. "Chris doesn't know when they have a big crowd coming," Soluri said of ticketed events. Salada said he is ready for the Khalifa show. "We're going to have all our guys in, and we're going to try and get some (Niagara County) Sheriff's Department and state police in there for that, too," he said. Salada also is preparing for larger outdoor crowds. Artpark's next two "Tuesday in the Park" concerts feature Lynyrd Skynyrd and ZZ Top. Weather permitting, crowds are expected to range from 15,000 to 25,000. "The next two weeks are probably going to be our biggest," he said. "Besides the coverage we now have between the state police and sheriff's department, I'm also going to write a letter to the Town of Niagara - (Police Chief James Suitor) says he could probably give me five guys - and I'm going to get at least one officer from Youngstown to supplement the patrols for those nights." Salada and the Lewiston Police Department also have worked this summer with New York State Parks Police, Niagara County Auxiliary Police and U.S. Border Patrol to ensure crowd control, run driving while intoxicated checkpoints, and direct traffic out of the village. News and Notes •Music promoter Steve Goodman was granted permission to host the first "Hot Pepper & Salsa Festival" on Aug. 16-17 at Academy Park. Proceeds will be used to pay for security cameras, which will be installed on Water Street. •The Village of Lewiston Recreation Department is planning a Facebook course this fall for people looking to learn the ins and outs of the social networking site. The department was also given permission to use Marilyn Toohey Park and the Red Brick Schoolhouse grounds for its 15th annual Country Fair and Community Yard Sale on Saturday, Sept. 17. •Theatre in the Mist was granted a facility contract to use Academy Park from 5 until 9 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 25, for a Chiavetta's chicken barbecue fundraiser. Proceeds will benefit the company, which is staging "Annie" in September. •Paving was expected to end this week. The Department of Public Works placed new blacktop on Mohawk and South Ninth streets.

Niagara County Sheriff's Deputy Allen Gerhardt continues his recovery from surgery at Erie County Medical Center in Buffalo following a serious automobile accident early Monday morning on Lake Road in the Town of Porter.

If you seek a weekend activity combining educational merit and whimsical fun, look no further than the Sanborn Area Historical Society's upcoming annual Farm Festival.

A trio of powerhouse actors - Lindsay Wagner, Sasha Roiz and Rene Auberjonois - will guest star on Syfy's hit series Warehouse 13 Monday, July 25, at 9 p.m. (ET/PT).

In a unique format twist during Sunday's episode of Oxygen's "The Glee Project," the remaining eight contenders paired up for four separate performances to learn the art of the duet.

You can satisfy your sweet tooth without the guilt when Bravo's most delectable series, "Top Chef Just Desserts" returns for a second season on Wednesday, Aug. 24, at 10 p.m.

Chemical Waste Management, located on Balmer Road in the Town of Porter, held its annual open House on Friday, July 16.

Situated on Lake Ontario 11 miles east of Fort Niagara in picturesque Wilson Harbor, the 43-year-old Tuscarora Yacht Club has just completed a $400,000 upgrade of its entire facility.

Catholic Charities of Buffalo officials reported Wednesday that the 2011 Appeal exceeded its $10.5 million goal by June 30 with cash and pledges received in the amount of $10,601,157.94.

Whirlpool Jet Boat Tours is being credited with saving a St. Louis woman's life.

Assemblyman John Ceretto, R-I-Lewiston, today thanked the governor for signing legislation into law that will greatly reduce regulations placed on wineries by the State Liquor Authority.

An absolutely gorgeous night greeted race fans and drivers last Friday for the Investor's Services and RPM-sponsored event. A five-division program was on tap, resulting in the largest car count of the season, coming in at 111.

The following activity occurred Monday, July 11, to Sunday, July 17, as reported by the Lewiston Police Department. LPD reported a total of 116 responses during this period.

On Monday evening, July 25, Old Fort Niagara and the Town of Porter Historical Society will join to commemorate the 252nd anniversary of the Battle of La Belle Famille with a walking tour of the original battle site.

Professor Herbert Richardson, an author with Edwin Mellen Press, is selling his roughly 8,500-square-foot mall on the corner of Center and North Fourth streets. The Village of Lewiston space consists of merchants selling ice cream, books and art, as well as a vacant center that was intended to house artisans and/or community events.

Fuccillo Chevrolet added another assist to its stat sheet of corporate good will.

Assemblyman John Ceretto, R-I-Lewiston, is urging residents of Niagara County to take advantage of extended hours at local parks and swimming facilities. Gov. Andrew Cuomo today announced that the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation will begin extended hours today through Saturday evening.

The 45th reunion of the Niagara-Wheatfield Class of '66 will begin at 7:30 p.m. Friday, July 29, at the Rapids Theatre on Main Street in Niagara Falls.

Celebrate Greek and other cultures, c'mon!

The following is a sampling of calls received by the Town of Niagara Police between June 27 and July 3.

Presti Karate's Demo team "Team Fierce" was voted No. 1 by Chuck Norris, his wife Gena, his brother Aaron, and famed stunt man Richard Norton on July 15 in Las Vegas.