Current News

On Wednesday morning, Niagara County Public Health Director Daniel J. Stapleton and Niagara County Legislature Chairperson Becky Wydysh confirmed Niagara County's first positive test for COVID-19. During his time, Stapleton voiced his frustrations about the severe lack of testing kits available in the region.

A member of the University at Buffalo community has tested positive for the novel coronavirus COVID-19, the university learned today from the Erie County Department of Health (ECDOH).

Amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Wednesday announced the USNS Comfort will be deployed to New York harbor and is expected to arrive in April. The 1,000-bed hospital ship has 12 fully equipped operating rooms and will significantly increase New York's hospital surge capacity. The governor is meeting with leadership of the Army Corp of Engineers to discuss ways to increase hospital capacity in New York.

With news of a binational plan for strict restrictions at the border between the United States and Canada, Congressman Brian Higgins, D-NY-26, is asking U.S. Customs and Border Protection to provide clear details on the procedures for necessary border crossings and other information related to staffing levels and protections.

Town of Niagara Supervisor Lee Wallace posted the following Monday on the municipal website:

CountryMax issued the following COVID-19 MESSAGE:

New York State United Teachers is calling on U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos to waive state testing mandates for children in grades 3-8 for the rest of this school year and the duration of the coronavirus pandemic, as New York schools are shut down to help stem the spread of the virus.

It's been a very busy time for the management staff in the Erie County Clerk's Office and our auto bureaus to combat the spread of COVID-19. Nothing has been more serious to this office than ensuring the continuity of operations while preserving the health, safety and welfare of the public and our staff. In light of yesterday's first revealed community transmission, we are stepping up efforts to limit spread of COVID-19 in Erie County.

Modern Disposal Services, a family-owned company founded locally in 1964, today announced its acquisition of the Western New York operations of Phoenix-based Republic Services, the nation's second-largest waste-disposal company.

Village of Lewiston Mayor Anne Welch on Wednesday announced the Red Brick Municipal Building is now closed to the public.

Niagara County Public Health Director Daniel Stapleton on Wednesday said the first positive COVID-19 case is a 42-year-old woman from the "western" portion (likely River Region) of the county. She is in isolation at Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center.

In a letter to Admr. Brett Giroir, assistant secretary of health and human services and coronavirus czar, Congressman Brian Higgins, D-NY-26, is demanding the Trump administration address the urgent need for coronavirus disease (COVID-19) test kits.

National Grid is directing $500,000 to support customers affected by the health impacts, financial hardships and disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The funding will provide immediate relief to families and individuals in need and bolster efforts by local organizations to assist communities across Massachusetts, New York and Rhode Island.

Acting Niagara County Sheriff Michael J. Filicetti announced law enforcement is remaining vigilant and fluid during these times.

A state of emergency has been declared in North Tonawanda by Mayor Arthur Pappas.

The Erie County Department of Health (ECDOH) on Tuesday notified Kaleida Health that a positive COVID-19 (coronavirus) result came back on a patient who was evaluated at Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital on Monday, March 16.

Providing unemployment insurance benefits is DOL's No. 1 priority, and everyone who is entitled to UI benefits will receive them in a timely manner.

Statement from Public Health Director Daniel J. Stapleton regarding Niagara County's first positive test for COVID-19: "This afternoon, the Niagara County Health Department was notified of the county's first positive test for COVID-19. All of our protocols are now underway. We are well aware that the community will have many questions. We will hold a press conference tomorrow at 10 a.m. where we will attempt to provide answers to those questions."

Niagara County Legislature Chairwoman Becky Wydysh and Niagara County Manager Rick Updegrove on Tuesday announced the following series of closings and service reductions as county government complies with Gov. Andrew Cuomo's mandate to reduce staff reporting to government offices by 50%. This mandate, they said, will promote social distancing and curtail the spread of COVID-19.

Today, as part of the Trump administration's aggressive, whole-of-government efforts to combat the coronavirus outbreak (COVID-19) and minimize economic disruption to the nation's 30 million small businesses, U.S. Small Business Administration Administrator Jovita Carranza issued revised criteria for states or territories seeking an economic injury declaration related to coronavirus (COVID-19).

The Erie County Department of Health (ECDOH) will continue to offer regular updates to the media and community on COVID-19. For March 17:

AMC Theatres, the largest theatrical exhibition company in the United States, announced that as of Tuesday, March 17, all AMC locations in the United States will close for at least six to 12 weeks, in compliance with local, state and federal directives, and as a precaution to help ensure the health and safety of moviegoers and theater staff. AMC will continue to monitor the situation closely, and the company will remain flexible on reopening, in accordance with CDC recommendations and governmental directives.

With the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Gov. Andrew Cuomo now strongly recommending that gatherings of more than 10 people be canceled, the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra was forced to suspend its next four weeks of performances, and possibly more in the future.

Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo and Attorney General Letitia James announced that - effective immediately - the state will temporarily halt the collection of medical and student debt owed to the state of New York and referred to the Office of the Attorney General for collection, for at least a 30-day period, in response to growing financial impairments resulting from the spread of 2019 novel coronavirus, or COVID-19.

Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo today announced a three-way agreement with the Legislature on a bill guaranteeing job protection and pay for New Yorkers who have been quarantined as a result of novel coronavirus, or COVID-19. The program bill also includes the permanent comprehensive paid sick leave policy first advanced in the governor's FY 2021 executive budget proposal.

New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli has issued a revenue projection for the 2020-21 state budget, which reflects an estimate of the economic impact and ongoing volatility stemming from the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19).

Eastern Niagara Hospital and Niagara County today announced they have entered into a short-term agreement for the use of the former Newfane Intercommunity Hospital for housing quarantined individuals, should it be needed in the effort to contain the spread of COVID-19.

The Community Action Organization of WNY Inc. Head Start program released this statement:

The Erie County Agricultural Society announced it is extending the cancellation and postponement of events on the Erie County Fairgrounds until April 30. In addition, pari-mutuel harness racing at Buffalo Raceway has been suspended until May 2, and New York state has closed Hamburg Gaming until further notice.

People who have lost their jobs or had their work hours cut because of business closings related to COVID-19 are invited to interview for temporary direct care positions at Empower.

Planning is in the works for a "Literary Arts Café" that will take place on Wednesday evenings from April 1-29 upstairs at the Lewiston Opera Hall, 732 Center St., Lewiston.

Beginning Wednesday, March 18, AAA Western and Central New York will be closing all AAA Travel & Insurance Centers to walk-in traffic. This is an effort to keep our work environment as safe as possible for our hard-working associates and to protect the health of our members, as well.

The meeting for the Buffalo and Erie County Greenway Fund Standing Committee announcements of awards will be conducted via Web Ex, following advice from county, state and federal elected and health officials.

The Buffalo Sabres have released the following statement regarding a relative of a Buffalo Sabres employee:

The Buffalo Ronald McDonald House released the following statement:

The Buffalo City Mission announced updates to community partner activity and community meal services - all in response to ongoing developments with the coronavirus (COVID-19).

Gov. Andrew Cuomo directed all restaurants to close in-house offerings as of 8 p.m. Monday. Eateries were directed to switch over to a takeout/delivery-only model.

The Erie County Department of Social Services (ECDSS) is taking measures in an attempt to keep both staff and clients healthy and safe in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Niagara County Clerk Joseph Jastrzemski on Tuesday announced a series of closing and service curtailments as his office complies with Gov. Andrew Cuomo's mandate to reduce staff reporting to government offices by 50% to promote social distance and curtail the spread of COVID-19.

Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz on Monday announced the county's on-site workforce will be limited to 50% through March 31 in response to a call from Gov. Andrew Cuomo to impose such limits as a way to further protect the health and safety of the public and government workers during the spread of the COVID-19 virus.