Current News

Recently, the Chamber of Commerce of the Tonawandas named Confer Plastics Inc. its January Member of the Month.

For Lisa Keller, of North Tonawanda, and her daughter, Olivia, the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Northtowns holds a special place in their hearts.

LiveNF will hose its 25th Pints for Progress event from 6-8:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 21, at the DoubleTree by Hilton, 401 Buffalo Ave., Niagara Falls.

Kicking off its seventh season, "MasterChef Junior" gives talented kids between the ages of 8 and 13 the chance to showcase their culinary abilities and passion for food through a series of fun, mouth-watering challenges. Having already won a coveted white apron, 24 young chef-testants - 12 girls and 12 boys - must prove that they deserve to stay in the game by completing their first "Mystery Box Challenge."

Erie County Clerk Michael P. Kearns announced that, beginning Thursday, Jan. 31, the Erie County Auto Bureau will be open until 5:15 p.m. the last Thursday of each month. Kearns said he hopes the extra hour will be of benefit to city residents, as the downtown office is regularly open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. weekdays.

The Erie County Department of Parks, Recreation and Forestry has announced the return of Winterfest to Chestnut Ridge Park 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. this Sunday, Jan. 27. The free, family fun event will offer sledding, a snow-sculpting competition with prizes awarded for the cutest, funniest and most original compositions, marshmallow roasting, as well as chainsaw-carving demonstrations, arts and crafts, and a monster mural.

Families that cook together stay together - and those that do it well have the chance to win $10,000 on new Food Network series "Family Food Showdown."

The Recording Academy has announced the next wave of artists to perform on this year's 61st Annual Grammy Awards.

Following a championship win at their first tournament at the Niagara Frontier Kickoff on Jan. 13, the Niagara Frontier 15-and-under Navy squad traveled to Cleveland for the JVA Rock n' Rumble Jan. 19-20.

Sylvia Virtuoso recently announced she will run for her sixth term as Town of Niagara Town Clerk.

After receiving several media inquiries, Sheriff James R. Voutour announced Monday that William C. Shrubsall, also known as Ethan Macleod, 47, is in the custody of the Niagara County Sheriff's Office. Shrubsall was taken into custody Monday with assistance from Canadian Border Services, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and the New York State Troopers.

Tuesday, the Chamber of Commerce of the Tonawandas hosted its business connections meeting featuring Laura Bernsohn and Mike Zimmerman of Lumber City Development. The duo discussed the NT MomeNTum Project, which is a revitalization strategy for a 546-acre study area in North Tonawanda. It is focused on redevelopment projects that will provide new opportunities for the community to live, work and play.

All alumni of Niagara-Wheatfield High School are invited to attend the "Once a Falcon, Always a Falcon" reunion event at 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 1, at the Niagara Active Hose Hall, 6010 Lockport Road in the Town of Niagara.

With Mother Nature dumping a couple feet of snow and bitter temperatures on Western New York, the storm threw a wrench into the Niagara-Wheatfield Falcons wrestling season.

St. Peter's R.C. School will host an open house and pancake breakfast from 9 a.m. to noon Sunday, Jan. 27. Guests will have an opportunity to discuss the school with other parents, students and teachers. Tours will be available throughout the morning.

In commemoration of Human Trafficking Awareness Month, Erie County District Attorney John Flynn was joined Wednesday by county officials, law enforcement and community partners to discuss ongoing efforts to end all forms of human trafficking in Western New York.

The Lewiston Council on the Arts recently received notification of its award of decentralization grant funding in support of a new event that will take place at Hennepin Park during the Lewiston Art Festival on Aug. 10-11. The gazebo area will be transformed into an Iroquois market, bringing to life the rich history of Native American traditions, and featuring traditional drumming, music, dance and free hands-on activities.

The Oliver Street corridor, located within the City of North Tonawanda, will soon become home to a public art initiative known as "Art on Oliver Street." The initiative will consist of various public art installations in hopes of re-activating the streetscape.

Black River Christian artist/songwriter Hannah Kerr's newest single, "Split the Sea," is at Christian radio now after being one of the most added singles on add date. "Split the Sea" can be heard on many stations nationwide. In addition, the lyric video exclusively debuted at CBN online.

"He'll Do It Again," the latest single from one of southern gospel's most lauded soloists, Ivan Parker, is set to impact radio stations across the format beginning this week. Penned by Jason Cox and Tony Wood, "He'll Do It Again" is featured on Parker's critically acclaimed 2016 Difference Media debut, "Dancing in the Rain."

Workers from Montante Construction this week began construction on the renovation of Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center's main lobby. The project involves the transformation of the current former information desk and patient registration area to create a patient-focused, welcoming and secure reception center.

Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz on Wednesday issued the following statement in response to Ingersoll Rand's announcement of its intention to end manufacturing operations at its plant in Cheektowaga. The company has proposed cuts of an estimated 180 hourly workers and 100 salaried workers, but plans to maintain a technological center at the Broadway site that would still employ 150 workers.

Republican Assemblyman Angelo J. Morinello attended an Albany rally with the Restaurant Workers of American (RWA) and tipped-wage workers from New York state to voice their concerns surrounding the governor's proposal to remove tipped-wages and pay restaurant workers minimum wage.

Unlike the fish it's named for, which is tiny and landlocked, the Lewiston Smelt Festival is large and needs room to expand. On Tuesday, the Niagara River Region Chamber of Commerce was granted permission by the Village Board to move the May 3 event from the Lewiston waterfront into Academy Park.

The Falcons defeated the Depew Wildcats 79-72 inside the Niagara-Wheatfield gymnasium.

"Thunder," the anticipated eighth recording by acclaimed singer/songwriter and author Rick Lee James, will be available beginning Feb. 8. Produced by Chris Hoisington of Brothers McClurg at Old Bear Studio in Buffalo, "Thunder" features 10 songs, including the title cut co-written by the late Rich Mullins along with renowned songsmiths Lowell Alexander and Phil Naish.

Industry powerhouses Bethel Music and Jeff Roberts & Associates (JRA) are partnering to support the extensive touring efforts of Bethel Music. The collective of artists that form Bethel Music have been taking their music across the U.S. and around the world, including a recent trek in the U.K. JRA has been serving artists for 33 years, including Casting Crowns, for KING & COUNTRY, Matt Maher, Skillet and Rebecca St. James. The collaboration will continue the forward touring momentum.

Actor-comedian and Oscar-nominated writer Kumail Nanjiani and actress/producer/director Tracee Ellis Ross announced the 91st Oscars nominations today, live from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' headquarters in Beverly Hills.

The Erie County departments of health, social services and senior services are seeking public input on ways to improve health and human services programs countywide, and have introduced an online survey for public usage to gather such information for incorporation into an enhanced health and human services plan.

The Niagara Falls Underground Railroad Heritage Center puts black history at the center of its programming all year round. During Black History Month, like throughout the year, staff and programs celebrate everyday heroes of the Underground Railroad and today.

The New York State Department of Taxation and Finance reminds employers to accurately file their withholding taxes ahead of the Jan. 31 deadline. This will help ensure any refunds owed to their employees won't be delayed.

The Diocese of Buffalo has established the adult sexual abuse and misconduct task force. The group will review and recommend policies and procedures for assessing and responding to allegations of sexual misconduct with adults by priests, deacons, religious and lay employees.

While Buffalo's first storm is in the rearview, Lyft has an initiative to support its drivers during winter's high ridership demand. Known as the "snow team," Lyft's program invites a select number of Buffalo drivers to participate, offering exclusive benefits to help create a safe experience during winter's challenges - all season long.

From 9 a.m. until noon Saturday, Feb. 9, Dr. Glenda R. Rose and Dr. Thomas G. Barba of Rose Chiropractic P.C. in Lewiston will sponsor the 29th annual "Doctors with a Heart Day" for their patients. Nonperishable food items will be collected to benefit the Niagara Community Action Program (NiaCAP) food pantry in exchange for chiropractic services.

Joining a growing list of community groups in the River Region helping out affected federal employees in the midst of the U.S. government shutdown, the Town of Porter will begin assisting affected personnel at U.S. Coast Guard Station Niagara in Youngstown.

The Erie County Fair has announced its "I-Hub at the Fair" exhibit will expand during the upcoming 180th Erie County Fair this August. "I-Hub at the Fair," with the "I" standing for "innovation, imagination & ingenuity," debuted in 2018 to highlight Western New York's growing STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics)-based economy and educational opportunities. During the 2019 Erie County Fair, the I-Hub's exhibit and demonstration space will be further developed into a stand-alone, 6,000-square-feet pavilion.

With the fall release of his critically lauded "Living Hope," named "Worship Album of the Year" (New Release Today), Phil Wickham has unveiled "Living Hope (The House Sessions)," available now. Recorded live in an intimate setting, "Living Hope (The House Sessions)" invites listeners into a meaningful, visceral time of worship.

Grammy Award-winning rock band Switchfoot has released its 11th full-length album, "Native Tongue," via Fantasy Records. Throughout 2019, Switchfoot will take the project's message of love and hope to a multitude of fans on the North American leg of their "Native Tongue Tour," which kicks off Feb. 14 in Asheville, North Carolina, and includes a Feb. 28 stop at Danforth Music Hall in Toronto.

Sony Masterworks Broadway announced the release of "Rent - Original Soundtrack of the FOX Live Television Event," with music from the Tony Award- and Pulitzer Prize-winning musical "Rent," as performed by cast members, with a live orchestra on stage, during FOX's anticipated live broadcast.