Current News

Earlier this week, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Basil Seggos announced the first round of statewide competitive grants for the Trees for Tributaries Program, designed to support riparian tree-planting projects for communities across the state. Approximately $525,000 in grant funding is available to help plant trees and shrubs along streams to improve wildlife habitat, water quality and storm resiliency.

The Erie County Department of Budget and Management announced the preliminary findings of the budget monitoring report (BMR) for May, which indicated strong growth of 4.93 percent in sales tax through April, and also showed an accompanying positive variance of $9,552,893 for May year-to-date. By comparison, the May 2017 BMR indicated an unfavorable variance of $8,478,351, which means the May position for Erie County has improved by $18,031,244 when comparing the two years.

The Buffalo Sabres on Friday announced forward Jack Eichel will wear No. 9 on his jersey starting during the 2018-19 season.

"Black Horse and the Cherry Tree" and "Suddenly I See" made KT Tunstall a household name 14 years ago. These songs propelled her music into commercials, movies, TV shows and late-night talkers.

The Village of Lewiston Recreation Department's summer programming series recently began, with activities at the recreation center within the Red Brick Municipal Building (145 N. Fourth St.) as well as in Toohey Park (adjacent to the recreation center). The Recreation Department is offering many new programs as well as expanded summer hours. Included are sports, arts, crafts, a toddler program and health and fitness.

On Saturday, July 28, Lewiston resident Mike Carroll will hold a fundraiser - a "Christmas in July" costume party - for Gavin at 8 p.m. at the Brickyard Brewing Co., 436 Center St. The evening will feature an open bar, a DJ, 50/50 raffle, costume prizes and a huge basket auction. Tickets are priced at $30.

Bohdan Pikas of Grand Island entered into rest July 4, 2018.

Greater Niagara FCU recently awarded their 2018 scholarships to two Niagara-Wheatfield High School seniors.

Latavia Ward, a senior from Niagara Falls, was recently honored with the New York State Senate Youth Leadership Award.

On Saturday, at the Town of Niagara Active Hose, families from Niagara-Wheatfield High School came together for a good cause.

Last Thursday, the Niagara Military Affairs Council held their annual members meeting at the Niagara Aerospace Museum.

Town of Niagara Supervisor Lee Wallace has announced the annual "Pride in the Park" Independence Day celebration will take place from 2 to 10 p.m. on Saturday, July 7 at Veterans Memorial Community Park, 7000 Lockport Road.

On Monday night, the Town of Wheatfield Town Board met for the monthly meeting at Wheatfield Town Hall. The meeting was rather brief, but covered a few interesting topics for residents.

North Tonawanda Mayor Arthur G. Pappas announced that another city resident will experience an exterior paint makeover this summer.

Mayor Arthur G. Pappas will announce the 2018 Thunder on the Niagara boat-racing event during a press conference that will take place at Gratwick Riverside Park at 3 p.m. on Monday, July 9.

Former Town of Wheatfield Attorney Charles J. Naughton, Esq., announced his intention to run for Wheatfield Town Justice.

The Niagara Small Business Development Center will present free workshops this summer aimed at individuals who are planning, work in, or own a small business.  Information provided in the sessions is geared towards assisting with starting, operating, or enhancing a small business. 

The Niagara County Department of Health Nursing Division, in partnership with the Niagara County Office for the Aging, is offering a free diabetes self-management workshop.

Village of Lewiston Department of Public Works Superintendent Terry Brolinski is pleased to report this DPW crew is now collecting recyclables in a brand-new vehicle. The yellow truck made its debut Thursday.

Two previous Artpark "Tuesdays in the Park" stars co-headlined a night of hits on Independence Day eve. Peter Frampton and the Steve Miller Band brought six decades of classic rock staples to Lewiston.

Assemblywoman Crystal D. Peoples-Stokes and New York State Sen. Chris Jacobs announced they have secured a combined $800,000 to support the construction of the nation's first monument dedicated solely to African-American veterans and service members.

The heat will be on this weekend. Forecasters are calling for an extended run of high temperatures and humidity throughout the region. With that, home energy usage in most households also will rise, so National Grid encourages customers to use these simple summer energy-saving tips to stay cool and beat the heat.

Born-and-bred Southerners Damaris Phillips and Rutledge Wood are obsessed with every aspect of Southern food, from the restaurants and recipes to the culture and people behind it.

American Authors and Brandon Victor Dixon join the slate of performers for NBC's annual "Macy's 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular," which airs Wednesday, July 4 (8-10 p.m. ET/PT), with an hourlong encore presentation at 10 p.m. Dixon will be joined by the iconic Harlem Gospel Choir for a rendition of the patriotic "America the Beautiful."

Erie Canal Harbor Development Corp. announced the 10th anniversary of Canalside, which historically, was the western terminus of the Erie Canal and today has become a rich site of development, revival and activity in Buffalo.

For the first time Guy Fieri is heading back to some of his all-time favorite "Diners, Drive-ins and Dives" spots on new series, "Triple D Nation," beginning Friday, July 13 (9 p.m. ET/PT).

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Basil Seggos advised the public that black bears are becoming increasingly active as the summer season ramps up. Homeowners can reduce the potential for human-bear conflicts by preventing bears from accessing food sources.

Niagara County Department of Social Services employees recently held a "Wear Blue Day" to raise awareness about child abuse and to support the Child Advocacy Center of Niagara, a service of Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center. By wearing blue and donating a dollar or more each, they demonstrated their commitment to preventing child abuse and supporting strong families. The effort raised $250 for the Child Advocacy Center.

Two Niagara University graduate students presented their research at the 13th annual Symposium on Information Assurance, which was held June 5-6 at the Empire State Plaza Convention Center in Albany.

Niagara Falls Community Development's 2018 "Summer In Your City" begins Thursday with a free yoga session at Hyde Park's Duck Island (corner of Linwood Avenue and Robbins Drive). Thursday's event kicks off a four-month, family-friendly event series sponsored by the New York State Health Foundation, in partnership with the Niagara Falls City School District.

Audiences at the 179th Erie County Fair this August will be amazed and dazzled by a collection of international circus performers in the all-new "Cyrk LIVE!" show to debut on Aug. 8. "Cyrk LIVE!," a custom produced show created especially for the Erie County Fair, will feature cycling stars, amazing aerial artists, eccentric jugglers and comedy. The family-friendly, single-ring spectacular will take place under a colorful European-style big top tent that will host three shows on weekdays and four shows on weekends.

The Village of Lewiston has a new mayor, as Anne Welch was sworn into office on Monday. Her four-year term began with applause, as family, friends and supporters crammed into the Morgan Lewis Village Boardroom to watch the former clerk/treasurer take the oath of office.

The Buffalo Sabres on Sunday night announced the team acquired forwards Tage Thompson, Patrik Berglund and Vladimir Sobotka, as well as a first-round pick in the 2019 NHL Draft and a second-round pick in the 2021 NHL Draft, from the St. Louis Blues in exchange for forward Ryan O'Reilly.

The Buffalo Sabres on Sunday announced the team agreed to terms with goaltender Carter Hutton on a three-year contract with an average annual value of $2.75 million.

Thomas Insana's artwork will be on display at the Grand Island Memorial Library right before the holiday and continuing through the month of July.

Each year, the Village of Lewiston organizes a grand Fourth of July fireworks display, which is enjoyed by residents from all over the River Region.

On July 7 and 8, Niagara Pioneer Soccer League will host the annual R.E. Krug 2018 Niagara Pioneer Soccer League International Tournament at Fort Niagara State Park.

With work sessions now on the shelf for the summer, one could surmise that Lewiston Town Board business has lightened. But one could not tell that from Monday's regular meeting - one that addressed a number of matters and stretched for close to two hours before convening to an executive session.

The It Happened to Alexa Foundation announces its 2018 Great Contraption Race, relocated to the Buffalo River and taking place Saturday, Aug. 18, is now officially open for registrants.