Current News

As freezing weather continues to paralyze the eastern U.S., the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety urges residents to remain cautious and prepare for the harsh conditions that are likely to last into the weekend.

With plans to buy 2400 F-35s already seven years behind schedule and $163 billion over budget, the head of the program vows, "Long gone is the time when we will continue to pay for mistake after mistake after mistake"

The New York Lottery has announced the jackpot for Saturday's Powerball drawing has been increased to $330,000,000. The $43,900,000 jump from Wednesday's advertised jackpot is due to brisk sales across all 43 participating Mega Millions states, Washington, D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Oscar winner Jennifer Lawrence will return to present at this year's Oscars, show producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron announced today. The Oscars, hosted by Ellen DeGeneres, will air on "Oscar Sunday," March 2, live on ABC.

Ten innovative education and preservation projects will get off the ground this year with funding support from Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor. Congressman Brian Higgins joined representatives from the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor to announce $65,630 in grants, which will be matched by an additional $478,000 in private and public project funding raised by grant recipients.

The grants are aimed at inspiring people to learn more about New York's legendary canals and further explore the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor.

With a thumping bass, bright lights, energetic dancers, hot music - oh, and, a 20-by-40-foot, high-definition video wall, one thing became perfectly clear Thursday: There is a new energy growing inside Seneca Niagara Casino & Hotel.

Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center has appointed Sarah Obot coordinator of its Niagara Falls community health worker program.

On Thursday, Assemblyman John Ceretto, R-C-I-Lewiston, called on the Assembly Majority to pass the Public Assistance Integrity Act to protect taxpayers and prevent the state from losing $120 million in federal funding.

The Niagara Catholic Jr./Sr. High School's 2014 Mardi Gras dinner and auction recently held at Antonio's Banquet Center was a huge success, raising more than $60,000 for the school. The event included a basket auction (pictured), silent auction, live auction and a dinner.

For the first time as part of its annual "Oscar Week" events, the Academy will present a live "Oscar Concert" celebrating this year's nominated scores and songs on Thursday, Feb. 27, at 8 p.m. at UCLA's Royce Hall.

Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center President and CEO Joseph A. Ruffolo lauded the health network's 1,100-member staff after learning Memorial was selected as a finalist for the 2014 Business First's "Best Places to Work."

HARBORCENTER VP and Director of the Academy of Hockey Kevyn Adams have announced 11 Academy of Hockey development clinics will be offered to travel players at the AAA and AA levels from March 25 through April 12. Included are two sessions dedicated to goaltenders on April 10, and a girl's-only clinic on April 12. All sessions will be at the First Niagara Center.

"We are excited to have this opportunity to jumpstart our programming to support youth hockey development," Adams said.

Syfy and The Asylum have announced Kelly Osbourne, Judd Hirsch, Andy Dick, Judah Friedlander, Vivica A. Fox and Mark McGrath will join the eagerly anticipated original movie "Sharknado 2: The Second One."

Singer-songwriter Karen O will, for the first time, perform the Oscar-nominated original song "The Moon Song" for a global television audience on the Oscars, show producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron announced Thursday. The Oscars, hosted by Ellen DeGeneres, will air on "Oscar Sunday," March 2, live on ABC.

Town of Lewiston Councilman Ernest C. Palmer announced Friday he will give up his seat on the Town Board effective next Friday, Feb. 21.

Palmer, a Republican councilman since 2007, said he has new projects he would like to pursue, and looks forward to traveling and spending time with his family. A tax accountant, Palmer said he wishes to spend more time growing his business.

"It is time to give someone else an opportunity to bring fresh ideas and energy to the board," he said.

Globally renowned recording and performing artist Morrissey will embark on an extensive U.S. Tour on May 7 in San Jose at the City National Civic Center Auditorium.

Artpark & Company and Funtime Presents welcome Morrissey to Lewiston for a concert Monday, June 16. Kristeen Young is the opening act. It's a 7 p.m. gate.

INTERVIEW, VIDEO: Jeri Ryan, who cut her teeth in science fiction as Seven of Nine on "Star Trek: Voyager," is returning to the genre with a multiple-episode guest-starring arc on "Helix" (and this time she's literally cutting her teeth).

Today is the last day to enter the Niagara Tourism and Convention Corps.' Valentine's Day-themed "Love Letters to Niagara USA" contest.

Some stories are told in words. DeeDee's story is told in her scars.

DeeDee, a chocolate brown pit bull mix with white markings, was rescued Dec. 2 by Lauren Zaninovich, SPCA supervisor for adoptions/admissions, who also works as the cruelty dispatcher and a rescue driver.

The recently established K-Kids (Kiwanis Kids) at Errick Road Elementary School hosted an assembly in the school's gymnasium back on Dec. 10. The assembly for 595 students centered on caring, was administered by gym teacher Anthony Vekich, school counselors Jenn Henry and Liz Antonelli.

Town of Wheatfield musician Jay Moynihan, well known for his mastering of the sax, guitar and piano for more than 20 years, entertained the pregame crowd at the Chicago Bulls-Atlanta Hawks NBA contest Tuesday, Feb. 11, at the United Center in Chicago.

Every time I get a few dollars ahead and think I will have a vacation someplace other than Veranda Beach, a silent alarm must go off at my house.

The Niagara County Sheriff's Office Criminal Investigation Bureau is working on tracing the 7:55 a.m. 911 call on Monday reporting bombs at Niagara-Wheatfield and Niagara Falls high schools.

Early proposals for a new memorial honoring veterans were presented to the Wheatfield Town Board by its Veterans Memorial Focus Group on Monday.

Col. Donald V. McGuire, a Lewiston resident, assumed command of the New York Air National Guard's 107th Mission Support Group during an assumption of command ceremony held at the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station on Feb. 8.

Heart of Niagara Animal Rescue held its second annual "Heart to Heart" fundraising event, "A Taste of The Niagara Region," Feb. 8, at the Lewiston First Presbyterian Church Social Hall. The event featured sample tastes from more than 20 area restaurants, plus a basket auction with row upon row of donated baskets.

The commissioners of the Niagara Falls Bridge Commission have announced the appointment of Linda McAusland to the board of commissioners, effective immediately. The addition of McAusland fills a vacant seat on the eight-person board, which is made up of four residents of the U.S., and four residents of Canada.

World-renowned rock band U2 will perform their Oscar-nominated song "Ordinary Love" for a global audience at the Oscars, show producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron announced Wednesday. U2's exclusive Oscar show performance will be the first time the band will perform the song live.

The Niagara County American Legion Organization will host a joint visitation by State Commander Kenneth Governor, Auxiliary President Barbara Corker and Sons of the American Legion Detachment Commander John P. Chang on Saturday, March 1.

An early start to the winter heating season, coupled with sustained cold weather in January, has National Fuel Gas Distribution Corp. urging consumers to consider budget billing to spread out heating bill balances over 12 months and to check to see if they qualify for available payment assistance programs.

Without question, this winter has been cold. The month of November was 11. 7 percent colder than normal, December was 5.4 percent colder, and January was 11.7 percent colder than normal. When compared to last year, January 2014 was a staggering 29 percent colder than 2013.

Congressman Chris Collins spoke on the floor of the House of Representatives about the fifth anniversary of the crash of Flight 3407 and to honor the victims and their families.

"Late Night with Seth Meyers," launching Feb. 24 from Studio 8G in Rockefeller Center, has set its premiere week guests. The lineup includes:

Not every guardian of peace and justice was lost to the tragedy of Order 66. Introducing Kanan, a survivor of the Emperor's Jedi purge and one of the main characters of "Star Wars Rebels."

On Wednesday, State Sen. George Maziarz and State Sen. Mark Grisanti released a joint letter to The Most Rev. Carlo Maria Viganò, the Apostolic Nuncio to the U.S., in support of keeping St. Francis of Assisi open.

Congressman Brian Higgins spoke on the House Floor Tuesday to honor the contributions of the families of Flight 3407 in enacting landmark safety reforms in the wake of the tragic crash of Continental Flight 3407 in Western New York on Feb. 12, 2009.

Higgins, and the entire Western New York congressional delegation, has fought along with the families of Flight 3407 since 2009 to secure passage of the Airline Safety and Federal Aviation Administration Extension Act of 2010, and ensure the release and enactment of final rules on pilot qualifications and flight and duty times.

Congressman Brian Higgins and The Buffalo History Museum Executive Director Melissa Brown have announced plans to relocate the "Inside Tim Russert's Office: If It's Sunday, It's 'Meet the Press' " exhibit currently at the Newseum in Washington, D.C., to The Buffalo History Museum in Western New York.

"I am honored to be a part of the effort to bring a very personal piece of Tim Russert's life and work home to Buffalo," Higgins said. "We are thankful to the Russert family and commend the great cooperation between The Buffalo History Museum and Newseum to make this all happen. Tim and the Buffalo community always shared a unique love and respect for one another, and with this move that bond lives on."

"Pontiac's War on the Niagara Frontier" is an illustrated presentation that explores the little-known conflict of 1763-64, when Native American nations rose up against English forts and settlements throughout the Great Lakes.

With the "Hollywood" round ending this week on "American Idol XIII," fans can expect even more surprises, as the show prepares for "Rush Week" and the first live shows of the season.

Assemblyman John Ceretto met with North Tonawanda Mayor Robert Ortt at the Capitol on the New York Conference of Mayor's annual Winter Legislative Meeting. Ceretto and Ortt talked about local issues in North Tonawanda that affect their constituents and actions the state can take to help North Tonawanda lower its costs and deliver better services.