Current News

"We just want everybody to be smart, and stay healthy, and stay safe," she told a room where the three audience members were seated at a distance from one another, as part of the Centers for Disease Control coronavirus guidelines.

The general public is receiving information about COVID-19 at a blistering pace and from many different news sources. Factor in amplification from social media - which is how many people receive the news - and it can be difficult to discern what news stories are accurate.

Soft corals at three sites in the U.S. Virgin Islands were able to recover from the destructive effects of nearly back-to-back Category 5 storms in 2017, but the story of these apparently hardy communities of colorful marine life is part of a larger, rapidly shifting narrative surrounding the future of coral reefs, according to a new study led by a University at Buffalo marine ecologist.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo today signed an executive order directing all schools in New York to close by Wednesday, March 18, for two weeks ending April 1.

Acting Sheriff Michael J. Filicetti would like to address the decision made by New York state to reduce local government employees by 50% until further notice. Filicetti said all emergency personnel will remain available, which includes our road patrol, communications and corrections.

Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center today updated its revised visitation policy to better protect its patients, staff and visitors in the wake of the worldwide coronavirus COVID-19 outbreak.

Cooking Channel springs into the season with new episodes of favorite shows. "Good Eats: Reloaded" returns with a new season featuring Alton Brown updating and renovating classic episodes of "Good Eats" beginning Monday, April 13 (9 p.m. ET/ 6 p.m. PT).

The 55th Academy of Country Music Awards, scheduled to air live on CBS on Sunday, April 5, from Las Vegas with host Keith Urban, is postponed and will be rescheduled to air on CBS in September, at a date, time and venue to be determined.

During a novel coronavirus briefing Monday, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo issued an executive order allowing the state to increase hospital capacity to prepare the state's health care system to handle the potential influx of patients suffering from COVID-19.

Community Missions of the Niagara Frontier President and CEO Robyn L. Krueger issued the following statements on Monday:

Beginning tomorrow, Tuesday, March 17, National Fuel Gas Distribution Corp. will close its Customer Assistance Centers at 409 Main St., Buffalo; 2875 Union Road, Suite 44, Cheektowaga; and 1384 Peck Settlement Road, Jamestown, as part of its coronavirus response plan.

With the presence of coronavirus in Western New York, Catholic Health is taking the following steps to protect the health and safety of its patients, visitors and staff, effective March 18:

Town of Wheatfield Supervisor Don MacSwan announced that, in response to numerous directives taken by New York state to address the coronavirus outbreak, the town is updating a number of its service operations and policies for residents.

Earlier today, Gov. Cuomo issued several mandates in the continuing effort to control the spread of COVID-19. One such mandate requires local governments to reduce the number of people reporting to government offices for work by 50% in an effort to promote social distance.

Yesterday, Niagara County Legislator Becky Wydysh declared a state of emergency for Niagara County as the coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to spread across New York state. The Village of Lewiston, in consultation with Niagara County, continues to take all necessary measures to ensure the safety of our employees, residents and the public.

Per the Seneca Nation president directive released today, all Seneca Resorts & Casinos will temporarily close as of 8 p.m. this evening. This will include the entire resort and casino properties, including bars and restaurants.

Monday morning, Town of Grand Island Supervisor John Whitney issued a proclamation to address the COVID-19 threat and declared a local state of emergency within the Town of Grand Island.

Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz and Commissioner of Health Dr. Gale Burstein provided an update on COVID-19 in Erie County at a press conference on Monday.

Following in line with the Niagara County State of Emergency declaration, I am directing that all North Tonawanda City Hall activities after 4:30 p.m. each day be canceled until further notice. This is effective starting today.

As the coronavirus has taken hold, all schools, bars and restaurants, and many business and community organizations throughout New York state have been forced to take drastic measures with extended closings.

The first priority of the Niagara Falls City School District is the health and safety of our students and our families. As part of our continued response to the Covid-19 virus outbreak, schools will be closed for an indefinite period beginning tomorrow Monday, March 16, 2020.

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation announced "DECinfo Locator," the agency's interactive data application, now includes downloadable annual water withdrawal reports and functionality updates to improve user experience.

In light of the transition to remote learning for all SUNY and CUNY campuses and restrictions on public gatherings in New York state, all UB Department of Theatre and Dance rehearsals and productions have been cancelled for spring 2020.

The Lewiston Public Library will be closed indefinitely.

Historical Society of the Tonawandas President Alice Roth announced that all March and April programs currently scheduled are cancelled. All city buildings are now closed as of 4:30 p.m., and no night meetings will take place. This includes the Niawanda Pavilion, and thus, prevents the March 26 program regarding native Tonawandan Gladys Parker from occurring.

Amid what they called "a lack of federal direction and nationwide standards," New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy and Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont on Monday announced a regional approach to combating the novel coronavirus - COVID-19 - throughout the tri-state area.

The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Niagara River Greenway Standing Committee will not meet on Wednesday, March 25, as previously announced, due to lack of business. There are no projects to vote on.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic and to help keep guests and staff safe, Heart, Love & Soul will continue operating under crisis-response guidelines.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced via Twitter, "NY, CT and NJ are taking joint regional action to reduce the spread of #COVID19: Effective 8PM TONIGHT:

The Erie County Department of Health (ECDOH) received results for four additional positive COVID-19 cases in Erie County residents on Sunday evening.

In accordance with the Erie County Executive recommendation that people avoid large gatherings of more than 50 people, and in light of the declaration of multiple States of Emergency, all Erie County school districts will be closed until April 20, 2020.

Niagara Wheatfield Central School District Superintendent Daniel G. Ljiljanich provided the following message Sunday night via the NW website:

Lewiston-Porter Superintendent of Schools Paul Casseri provided this message via the Lew-Port website Sunday night:

"Salvation Army shelters have been following guidance from county and state health officials to ensure current shelter residents stay healthy while putting procedures in place to get the appropriate care for anyone showing symptoms of the virus. Shelter managers and staff are reviewing procedures for such a situation and are making sure spaces are cleaned and sanitized."

Fallsview Casino Resort and Casino Niagara will temporarily close all casino and resort operations as a precautionary measure.

Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz has joined elected officials from across Erie County in a unified call for residents to refrain from panic buying, as well as continue supporting local businesses and restaurants, as fears of the spread of coronavirus grow.

Speaker Carl Heastie issued this statement on Sunday:

Following the positive test results of three individuals in Erie County for COVID-19 late Saturday, epidemiologists with the Erie County Department of Health ("ECDOH") began an intensive investigation into tracing the movements and potential close contacts of each individual following their return to Erie County from out of the area.

Though Niagara County is still free of confirmed COVID-19 cases, a state of emergency was declared Sunday - and all school districts will be closed Monday.