Current News

Signs, utility wires and the notion of visual clutter in a historic village have been the talk of the town in Lewiston over the past three weeks. Lee Simonson's report was featured in The Sentinel on June 22 and, since then, "All the feedback I'm getting is positive on the sign/wire report."

I recently took a little tour of the launch ramp at Wilson Harbor, searching for a safe place to launch a boat. I knew the lower river launches were a mess except for Lewiston, but Lewiston is a long way from the lake.

On Tuesday, the Youngstown Yacht Club announced the 2019 edition of the Can Am Challenge has been cancelled. It was originally scheduled to run July 26-28.

Boating slipholders in Lewiston are once again out of luck.

Patrick Joseph DeCillis, 96-plus, a formerly of Grand Island, died peacefully June 23, 2019, in Paducah, Kentucky, after a brief stay at Parkview Nursing and Rehab.

The Grand Island Town Board honored 96-year-old Lenore Tetkowski for her lifelong commitment to her hometown.

The Grand Island Farmers Market is moving to a new location starting this summer: the Western NY Welcome Center on Grand Island.

Each summer, people look forward to experiencing live music at Artpark. But beyond its award-winning concert series, Artpark has a rich history intertwining art experimentation and numerous accessible programs for all in a stunning natural setting.

The Buffalo Sabres on Friday announced the team signed forward Zemgus Girgensons to a one-year contract with an average annual value of $1.6 million.

Porter Empty Return has announced the winners of the 2019 Eco - Echo Awards. This year, the scholarships were presented to graduates of both Wilson and Lewiston-Porter high schools.

Every day, Lewiston residents are reminded of the Tuscarora Nation's unexpected and brave actions taken more than 200 years ago.

On June 28, Charles Dieteman, a sophomore student at Lewiston-Porter High School, was awarded with both the 2019 Prudential Spirit of Community Award and the President's Volunteer Service Award for his work raising money for Empower.

Monday evening, the Town of Wheatfield Town Board held its regular meeting for July. The meeting began with a public hearing regarding terms of office. The board's goal is to extend the term limit for supervisor from two years to four. 

The staff of Assemblyman Angelo J. Morinello will hold mobile office hours from 1 to 3 p.m. on Wednesday, July 10, at the Wheatfield Community/Senior Center, 2790 Church Road, and from 10 a.m. to noon Tuesday, July 16, at the Grand Island Town Hall, 2255 Baseline Road.

Last Wednesday, the Niagara Military Affairs Council met at the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station Heritage Center to celebrate longtime volunteers, as well as award the annual Merrell Lane Memorial Aviation Scholarship.

The Erie County Fair is looking for greatest "Fair Fan" in Western New York. Nominations are now being accepted for someone to be named the 2019 "Ultimate Fairgoer."

The Niagara History Center's "Summer History Program for Kids" returns with a different theme in four Wednesday sessions.

Without further ado, here is the 2019 Falcons Flashback Team MVPs for each team and, additionally, the team of the year.

Recently, the New York State Department of Transportation responded to two Errick Road Elementary students who were concerned about monarch butterfly population in the area. 

When people think of legendary Niagara-Wheatfield coaches, some names stand out, but none more than Armand "Ace" Cacciatore.  With a resume packed full of accolades, Cacciatore further etched himself into the N-W history books, as the school's wrestling room was dedicated in his name last Wednesday.

Niagara County Legislator John Syracuse joined county officials at Krull Park in Olcott on Tuesday to announce the opening of the park's Pine Grove Playground.

Mount St. Mary's Hospital and its Center for Women recently was lauded by the March of Dimes for decreasing its caesarean section rate from 40% in 2014 to 33% in 2018.

Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announced his office would no longer pursue misdemeanor charges against individuals arrested for low-level possession of marijuana. All current and incoming cases for those accused of possessing smaller amounts of marijuana will be reduced to non-criminal violations.

Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz announced his appointment of Troy P. Schinzel to the position of commissioner of parks, recreation and forestry - a position Schinzel held from January 2012 until November 2015 when he resigned to accept a position with the Dallas Parks and Recreational Department.

Niagara Falls City Councilman Chris Voccio will lead a Niagara River Gorge hike at 2 p.m. Saturday, July 13.

Grammy Award-winning superstar Carrie Underwood wrapped the first leg of "The Cry Pretty Tour 360" on June 23 in Lincoln, Nebraska, culminating with a run of seven straight sold-out shows. Of the final show on this leg, the Lincoln Journal Star declared: "There can't be a better arena show on the road than the spectacle Carrie Underwood brought to Pinnacle Bank Arena. ... (She) is the reigning queen of country."

ABC has set fall premiere dates for its new and returning series for the 2019-20 season.

The Buffalo Sabres on Tuesday announced the team signed forward C.J. Smith to a two-year contract with an average annual value of $700,000.

Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino announced today "Hammer's House Party Tour" will hit the outdoor stage at 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 16. In addition, country music superstar Tim McGraw will perform at 8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 17.

The Buffalo Sabres on Tuesday announced forward Dylan Cozens will undergo a procedure Wednesday on his left thumb following an injury he sustained on June 29 at Sabres Development Camp.

Congressman Brian Higgins on Monday announced a federal grant totaling $2,853,778 to the Niagara Falls Water Board for improvements to the Niagara Falls Wastewater Treatment Plant.

The "Circle of Honor" is moving.

The Village of Lewiston Board of Trustees held its reorganizational meeting on Monday. Mayor Anne Welch announced the following appointments for the new fiscal year:

Disney Television Studios, including Twentieth Century Fox Television, ABC Studios and Fox 21 Television Studios, will take over the San Diego Comic-Con convention with stars and creators of 14 fan-favorite shows descending on the world-famous gathering next month. In addition to exclusive sneak peeks of its programs and panel discussions with the casts and creators, the studio will rotate producers and stars through the ABC and 20th Century Fox Television booths on the convention center floor for autograph signings and activities, including distribution of exclusive 2019 poster tubes, collectible mini-posters, premium giveaways and DVD sales.

It was last fall when BEC Recordings announced the signing of singer, songwriter, worship leader, speaker and author Tasha Layton. Her current radio single, "Love Lifting Me," has reached Top 25 status on the Billboard Christian Airplay and AC Monitored charts, and Top 20 on the AC Indicator chart. Her debut single, "I Belong To You," which was touted by listeners as "beautiful with an amazing message," and "excellent lyrically and musically," is also featured on the brand-new EP, titled "Love Running Wild," available now.

WarnerMedia has ordered "Gremlins: Secrets of the Mogwai," a 10-episode, half-hour prequel to original "Gremlins."

Local Sound is set to release their second EP, "Sunday School," with Integrity Music on July 19. True to the title, "Sunday School" takes five of the group's favorite worship songs from their childhoods and puts a Local Sound pop-worship spin on each track.

Citizen Way's new song "The Lord's Prayer," the debut single from their upcoming album, is currently on all streaming platforms and will hit radio on Aug. 2. This song sets the stage for the band's third studio album with Fair Trade Services (releasing this fall) and reflects the core purpose of the band.

Six physicians will soon join the medical staff at Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center - five in primary care and one in obstetrics and gynecology - expanding the availability of care at six outpatient centers.

Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz was joined Monday by Commissioner of Central Police Services James Jancewicz, Director of the Erie County STOP-DWI Office John Sullivan, and President of the Erie County Chiefs of Police Association Greg Wickett to provide an update on driving while intoxicated arrests in Erie County in 2019. Their goal also was to promote safe driving around Fourth of July weekend.