Current News

As 2011 draws to a close, ring in the new year with skin-saving resolutions suggested by the Skin Cancer Foundation. From seeing a dermatologist, to ending your tanning routine and practicing sun protection as a way of life, here are five healthy skin habits for next year:

Orleans/Niagara BOCES will be starting its winter/spring driver and traffic education course on Feb. 6, 2012.

The Youngstown Yacht Club announced its installation of new officers for the 2012 yachting season. New officers include:

The year 2011 is now fading into memory.

As we eagerly anticipate what's to come in 2012, we now look back at what was 2011. It was certainly memorable, with changes, countless ones, on a global, national, local, and even a personal scale.

For some it was a year of high expectations, some achieved. For others it might have been frustrations, possibly loss. You can say one thing though - we were all impacted by the events that occurred in the last year in some form or another.

What follows is a brief look at some of the major news reported on in the Sentinel coverage area over the past year. News, which will likely continue to impact area residents in 2012 and beyond.

As the countdown to the new year begins, the Sentinel takes a look back at 10 Village of Lewiston topics covered in 2011, all of which will impact residents in 2012.

Stars "Come on Down" and play for their favorite charities.

The Historic Riviera Theatre presents "Rhythm of the Dance," presented by the National Dance Co. of Ireland, on Sunday, March 8 for performances at 2 and 7:30 p.m.

The Historic Riviera Theatre presents "Best of Both: A Tribute to Billy Joel & Elton John" for one performance only on Friday, Feb. 17, at 7:30 p.m.

Yancey's Fancy launched its new website, www.yanceysfancy.com, with 360 Professional Services Group.

Known as "New York's Artisan Cheese," Yancey's Fancy has launched more than 50 varieties of specialty cheeses that reintroduce the flavors that made New York famous for handcrafted cheddar cheeses many years ago.

In need of a website that reflected dedication to their craft, the graphic design team at 360 PSG provided Yancey's Fancy with a full custom design that spotlights the company's complete selection of artisan cheeses. Additionally, visitors to the site can now easily search for recipes, view upcoming events, and contact customer service.

Jan. 2 is an important day for the NBC Sports Group as it broadcasts the 2012 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic at 1 p.m. on NBC and launches the NBC Sports Network, currently VERSUS, immediately following the game at 4 p.m. with a special NHL Live post-game show hosted by Bob Costas from Philadelphia.

Keeping up a 41-year tradition, free coffee and hot tea will be available to travelers along the New York State Thruway on New Year's Eve.

Mount St. Mary's Hospital will present a series of programs in January 2012 as part of its "Health For All Seasons" health education program and event series.

Assemblyman John Ceretto, R-I-Lewiston, is looking forward to building upon the success of last year's legislative session and has received tremendous feedback from his "Community Listening Tour" to help ensure that the needs of Niagara County residents are met.

The trustees and staff of the Youngstown Free Library wish all of our patrons and community members a very happy, healthy, well-read 2012

Johnson's Fudge stand stood just a few feet back on Lower River Road between Lewiston and Youngstown, but how many knew Johnson's Boat House was on the river below?

I never knew that, and when asking around not too many of the surviving old-timers didn't know it either. Several years ago, river man and commercial fisherman Art King gave me a manila folder with some old stuff in it before he passed away, and I kept it as a treasure from Art. It had some old papers, old New York and Ontario fishing licenses, a 1950 New York state fishing syllabus, and an old, undated, Johnson's Fudge Company/Boat House six-page booklet. In there was even an old Ontario beer rationing coupon book with eight coupons left and it is dated "valid until Oct. 31, 1944," but that is another Niagara story for later.

The following activity occurred Monday, Dec. 19, to Sunday, Dec. 25, as reported by the Lewiston Police Department. LPD responded to a total of 66 calls during this period.

Need help choosing a New Year's resolution? The University at Buffalo offers its annual list of 10 suggestions for achieving health, happiness and success in the new year.

New York state recently announced it launching of a new domestic incident report repository.

In the spirit of giving, the Coldwell Banker Talarico Real Estate Office in Lewiston adopted a family of five from the Air Force base in Niagara Falls.

Linda Isenhart and the Zonta Club of Grand Island presented a check for $1,500 to Ann Dahl of the Grand Island Neighbors Foundation to help needy families in the town.

The Grand Island Town Board held memorial adjournments at its regular monthly meetings for the following Islanders during 2011:

Reality Café is giving a big thanks to Jason Kopenski's family for donating a Christmas tree so the middle-schoolers at the café could decorate it on Thursday, Dec. 22.

Grand Island was a participating town in the Communities that Care blood drive for the American Red Cross on Dec. 27.

The inauguration of newly elected town officials will take place at 1 p.m. Monday, Jan. 1, at the Buffalo Launch Club, 503 E. River Road.

The extension of the current Move Over Law to include tow trucks and other maintenance vehicles is welcome news to those who job it is to help stranded motorists.

As another year ticks down this weekend, it's time to reflect on 2011 and look ahead to 2012.

Family caregivers know all too well the devastating effects of Alzheimer's on the families of seniors living with this incurable disease.

(Via readMedia) The annual "Tie One On For Safety" campaign of Mothers Against Drunk Driving was announced today by Thruway Authority Acting Executive Director Thomas J. Madison and Michele Fonda, MADD program specialist for New York state.

Mike Dallessandro, the Niagara-Wheatfield Central School District's transportation director, was the guest speaker at the Lewiston No. 2 Volunteer Fire Department recently.

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.