Current News

The Niagara-Wheatfield High School 50+ Alumni Picnic Committee announced the reunion set for Aug. 16 is canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The Riviera Theatre was set to reopen its lobby box office and telephone sales on Thursday.

This summer, visitors are invited to reinterpret the Artpark experience through "The Art of Walking." A new approach to a traditional walking tour, participants will explore the nature, poetry and story of Artpark in an engaging and surprising way while adhering to social distancing guidelines.

The BPO and JoAnn Falletta have partnered with WNED PBS Buffalo Toronto Public Media to present "BPO Musician Portraits with JoAnn Falletta," a four-part musical showcase of television specials on WNED PBS featuring select musicians from the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra.

Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz on Thursday announced his 2020 COVID-19 budget deficit remediation plan, identifying budgetary gap-closing measures to address a projected $137.8 million pandemic-related deficit in the county's fiscal year 2020 budget. The plan identifies seven key measures, including usage of some fund balance and closeouts of some capital projects, to bridge the gap caused by significant losses in sales tax, hotel occupancy taxes, and other revenue generators since the COVID-19 pandemic began.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Thursday announced schools will be permitted to hold drive-in and drive-thru graduation ceremonies this year. The state will reexamine socially distanced outdoor commencements at a later time.

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo offered some additional ideas on outdoor dining, a caveat he granted eateries in phase two reopening regions.

In a few short months, an interdisciplinary team of University at Buffalo researchers has reoriented its focus from academic pursuits in order to model the local transmission of COVID-19 cases. Now, with the first wave of cases subsiding, members are turning their attention to modeling the effects of reopening the local economy.

The Walt Disney Company has pledged $5 million to support nonprofit organizations that advance social justice, beginning with a $2 million donation to the NAACP to further its longstanding work promoting social justice by eliminating disparities and racial discrimination through advocacy and education programs.

Guy Penrod, one of gospel music's most awarded vocalists, will be bringing his signature live performance experience to viewers around the globe June 21 as his "Concert On The Couch—A Father's Day Celebration From Franklin Theatre" premiers for one-time online viewing at 7 p.m. ET. Virtual doors will open at 6 p.m. with special preshow content.

The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Niagara River Greenway Standing Committee will not meet on Wednesday, June 17, as previously announced due to lack of business. There are no projects to vote on.

Coronavirus stats for June 4

Good news, avid readers: The Lewiston Public Library is preparing to reopen for curbside pickup. Materials will be available as of Wednesday, June 10.

In response to Gov. Andrew Cuomo's decision to allow restaurants to offer outdoor seating in phase two, the New York State Liquor Authority posted the following:

Inspirations on Canvas owner and artist Kathy Pignatora is auctioning off an original creation inspired by her friends at the Brickyard Brewing Company.

The U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Transit Administration (FTA) on Wednesday announced a $48.6 million grant award to the New York State Department of Transportation as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, signed by President Donald Trump on March 27.

The department of dentistry, oral oncology and maxillofacial prosthetics at the Erie County Medical Center, and the Buffalo General location at High Street, have remained open for emergencies throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Gov. Andrew Cuomo's updated executive order now allows for dental practices - including ECMC's dental services - to reopen for nonurgent procedures, as well.

James Joyce lovers worldwide are welcome to join the University at Buffalo for the James Joyce Collection Virtual Bloomsday Celebration, an evening to honor the famed writer's landmark book "Ulysses" - considered by many to be the novel of the 20th century.

Fifty medical residents from the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at the University at Buffalo will cap off their professional education June 9 with an unconventional, vehicle-based graduation ceremony at the Transit Drive-in Theatre in Lockport.

On Fridays, June 5-19, the Herb and Aaron Siegel Foundation will spearhead an effort to deliver meals across the East Side of Buffalo in order to address food insecurity during the COVID-19 pandemic. With the support of partners Rich Products, Back to Basics Outreach Ministries, Citizen Action of New York, Foundation for Jewish Philanthropies, Jewish Family Services and the Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy, the Siegel Foundation will donate 1,000 meals on each of those days to families during these difficult times.

Erie County Clerk Michael P. Kearns announced the Erie County Pistol Permit Department will once again be accepting new applications for pistol permits by mail only.

The Opportunities Unlimited of Niagara Foundation, Intandem's charitable foundation in Niagara County, has announced a new date for its annual golf raffle. Originally planned as a May event, the raffle drawing will now be held as a Facebook Live online event at 7 p.m. Thursday, June 25.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Wednesday announced outdoor dining at restaurants will be permitted in phase two of reopening. Restaurants in the seven regions that have already entered phase two.

Old Fort Niagara will continue to offer live, interactive, distance-learning programs during the month of June. Unique sessions will share important information about Fort Niagara's military history, from the early 1700s to World War I, at 10 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. The content is suitable for adults and children alike and all programs are free.

Niagara County Clerk Joseph A. Jastrzemski issued the following statement Wednesday regarding Department of Motor Vehicle offices:

Coronavirus stats for June 3

The Niagara County Community College Small Business Development Center, in conjunction with Workforce Development, will hold training for Western New York restaurants to help them prepare for reopening.

Sidewalk Prophets frontman Dave Frey will be one of few to fondly recall the great pandemic of 2020.

Area residents concerned about visiting the emergency room during the COVID-19 pandemic now have another option for seeking care.

Coronavirus stats for June 2

Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz announced a curfew will be in effect tonight, Tuesday June 2, starting at 8 p.m., and ending tomorrow at 5 a.m. in the cities of Buffalo and Lackawanna and the towns of Amherst, Cheektowaga, Tonawanda and West Seneca.

In light of Monday's violent protests, the City of Buffalo is enacting a curfew from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. tonight through Monday.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Monday proposed a positive reform agenda amidst the ongoing protests across the state and nation in response to the death of George Floyd. The reform agenda includes a national ban on excessive force and chokeholds by law enforcement officers; independent investigations of police abuse conducted by independent, outside agencies - not by local prosecutors; and disclosure of disciplinary records of police officers being investigated.

Congressman Brian Higgins announced the award of $803,135 to in federal funding to provide telehealth services to Western New Yorkers during the coronavirus pandemic. The funding is distributed through the Federal Communication Commission's COVID-19 telehealth program.

Dozens of people descended upon downtown Lockport on Monday to hold a peaceful rally and encourage racial equality.

Speaking Monday morning with local leaders, Lewiston Fire Co. No. 1 Chief Les Myers said it was fortunate last week's fire at the Brickyard Brewing Company didn't carry over to the neighboring project, which is under construction.

Western New York is entering phase two of Gov. Andrew Cuomo's reopening plan on Tuesday.

Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo and New York City Mayor de Blasio on Monday announced a citywide curfew that will take effect beginning at 11 p.m. and will be lifted at 5 a.m. tomorrow.

Cornell Cooperative Extension of Niagara County's board of directors held a special meeting on Friday, May 29, resulting in the decision to postpone the Niagara County Fair until 2021, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Erie County will be assisting licensed local barber shops and hair salons reopening their businesses by providing face shields for barbers and stylists' use as they return to work in phase two of Gov. Andrew Cuomo's plan to reopen New York.