Current News

Niagara-Wheatfield girls tennis coach Kristin Janese always says year in and year out, "I want to improve off of last season's record." This year, that's tough to do, because her squad last season went 14-0. Nevertheless, she hopes for much of the same in 2018.

This past week, the Niagara-Wheatfield Falcons fall athletic teams continued their ways. A couple teams also started up their seasons: the girls swimming and diving team, along with boys and girls cross country.

The Town of Wheatfield Town Board met Monday night for their first meeting of the month. At the light meeting, the board discussed increases to certain permit and building fees in the town.

If you've lived in the Town of Niagara long enough, you've more than likely heard of, or ran into, Jim Walsh.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced more than 200 communities across the state have earned the Clean Energy Community designation, completing more than 1,250 total high-impact clean energy actions. The designation recognizes community leadership in reducing energy use, cutting costs and driving clean energy, all supporting the state's clean energy goals.

The Visiting Nursing Association of Western New York announced that it will move its Erie County operations to Airborne Business Park next fall.

The Buffalo Sabres announced the team's Road Crew will make its first tour stop of the 2018-19 season on Monday, Oct. 15, in Las Vegas prior to the team's game against the Golden Knights on Oct. 16. This tour stop will take place at Beerhaus (3784 South Las Vegas Blvd.) from 6-8 p.m. Tickets are $15 each, with all proceeds benefiting the Buffalo Sabres Foundation.

Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo on Wednesday announced approximately $585.2 million in low-cost, tax-exempt bonds has been issued through the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York on behalf of 56 school districts. This financing is the largest pooled school district issuance in DASNY history.

Last week, New York State Sen. Rob Ortt presented $45,000 in education funds and public protection monies to four Niagara County community organizations. Joining Ortt for the event was Isaiah 61, the YWCA of the Niagara Frontier, the Mental Health Association of Niagara County and the Family and Children's Services of Niagara Falls (Passages).

"Dancing with the Stars" is waltzing its way into its upcoming season, and the new celebrity cast is adding some glitzy bling to their wardrobe, breaking in their dancing shoes and readying themselves for their first dance on the ballroom floor, as the season kicks off Monday, Sept. 24 (8-10 p.m. EDT), on The ABC Television Network, streaming and on demand.

While NBC was expected to win the 18-49 demo crown for the fifth consecutive 52-week season, for the first time in 16 years the Peacock has also won the overall total-viewer race to become the most watched network in America.

The Buffalo Beauts announced the team will open its training camp on Wednesday, Sept. 19, when players are scheduled to report for the first practice of the season.

The Erie County Department of Senior Services has announced a series of public hearings to be held in order to seek input on programs and services offered by the department, and solicit comments and ideas from the public on how to improve those services to better serve the county's senior population. Hearings will be held in late October and early November at five sites around Erie County.

The Buffalo Sabres announced the roster for the team's training camp, which begins Thursday, Sept. 13, when players are scheduled to report for testing and physicals.

From Nov. 22 to Dec. 9, Fallsview Casino Resort presents "Christmas on Ice," a thrilling Christmas-themed spectacle of championship ice skaters, dancers, singers and holiday cheer.

The My One Buffalo mobile app is back for the 2018-19 season, and features upgrades that create an even more user-friendly way to manage tickets, find team content, view schedules and venue information, connect with unique, team-based experiences, and participate in the membership program.

Niagara's Honeymoon Sweets will be the site of "Grannies Lemonade Stand Showdown" on Sunday, Sept. 16. The event runs from noon until 5 p.m. and is for children in age categories 5 to 7 and 8 to 10.

The Niagara-Wheatfield Falcons girls soccer team make it very difficult for teams to score. The team has given up just two goals in eight games, and on Tuesday, nothing was different versus Lewiston-Porter. The Falcons defeated the Lancers, 3-0, in Niagara Frontier League play behind two goals from Briana Zayatz and one from Erin Weir. The shutout was also the Falcons' sixth of the season.

As Western New York and the nation stop to reflect on the horrific events that changed the world on Sept. 11, 2001, Russell J. Salvatore marked the somber anniversary at the "Patriots and Heroes Park" in front of his restaurant, Russell's Steaks, Chops, and More, at 6675 Transit Road, on Tuesday.

As the nation commemorates the anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks, the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund remembers the brave men and women who lost their lives 17 years ago responding to attacks against the World Trade Center in New York, the Pentagon, and the plane crash in Shanksville, Pennsylvania.

Buffalo and Niagara Falls GuildCare adult day health programs were awarded a VA contract to provide services to veterans.

The Red Knights Chapter 47 will host its annual 9/11 tribute in "Patriots and Heroes Park" at 6 p.m. today. The majority of the 92 volunteer fire departments in Western New York will be represented in this special event.

Empire State Development on Tuesday announced the 18 finalists of this year's 43North competition. The $5 million startup competition, which is supported by the governor's Buffalo Billion initiative, is designed to encourage entrepreneurs with high growth potential to compete for enterprise funding in Western New York.

Four-time Emmy Award-winning hit musical competition series "The Voice" will debut its first-ever, 10-part "Comeback Stage" companion series in its upcoming 15th season, which premieres Monday, Sept. 24 (8 p.m. ET/PT), on NBC.

Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz joined Congressman Brian Higgins, City of Tonawanda Mayor Rick Davis, Commissioner of Mental Health Michael Ranney, Commissioner of Central Police Services James Jancewicz, and Police Chief William Strassburg with representatives of the City of Tonawanda Police Department at the Tonawanda City Police HQ to announce an early diversion grant of $1.65 million over five years to provide crisis intervention training ("CIT") to law enforcement agencies across Erie County.

"Jeopardy!" begins its 35th season in syndication this week, and as part of the anniversary celebration, "America's Favorite Quiz Show" will debut a new tournament in a never-before-seen format: the "Jeopardy! All-Star Games."

The Great Pumpkin Farm in Clarence will kick off its 23rd annual Fall Festival this weekend (10 a.m. to dusk Saturday and Sunday) with a special armed forces weekend in collaboration with WNYHeroes Inc. The regular admission fee will be waived for active duty and retired military, police or fire department personnel who present proper identification to WNY Heroes representatives at the gate.

Maj. Gen. Anthony P. German, adjutant general for the state of New York, announced the recent promotion of members of the New York Army National Guard in recognition of their capability for additional responsibility and leadership. Included was Kassandra Bissell of Sanborn, assigned to the 105th Military Police Co., who received a promotion to the rank of private first class.

Family Promise of WNY, a community organization providing temporary shelter and support to families experiencing homelessness within Western New York, will host its fourth annual "Choctoberfest" at 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 20, Resurgence Brewing Co.

Mark Bridges, a Niagara Falls native and two-time Academy Award winner, will be among Hollywood filmmaking celebrities being honored at the upcoming inaugural Niagara Falls International Film Festival.

The Auxiliary of Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center will hold its annual chicken and rib dinner from 4-7:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 17, at the Bakery Restaurant, 3004 Niagara St. Guests may dine in or take out. The meal includes a chicken leg quarter, ribs, mashed potatoes, vegetable, roll and beverage.

Erie Canal Harbor Development Corp. (ECHDC) has released the results of its Outer Harbor "Capital Planning Phase" public survey. The qualitative survey, which was conducted both online and in-person, was part of the agency's first community meeting to seek public input for three projects focusing on access and the activation of over 150 acres of Buffalo's Outer Harbor.

The Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum has been selected to join the STEM 2035 cohort, a $5.5-million initiative developed by the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation, through which grant funding and technical assistance will be provided to 17 existing afterschool and summer STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) programs in Western New York and Southeast Michigan.

Modern Disposal Services Inc., a growing and fully integrated solid waste services company, announced it has acquired the assets of Ball Toilet & Septic Services Inc. An established and well-respected service business, Ball Toilet & Septic Services has served Western New York for more than 25 years. The acquisition of Ball strengthens Modern's construction and events services offering throughout Western New York.

The Western New York Independent Living Family of Agencies, with support from a number of community agencies, is holding its fourth biannual Summit on Aging and Independence, with expert speakers conducting workshops in 16 different areas. The event will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 18, at Adam's Mark Hotel, 120 Church St., Buffalo.

The Historical Association of Lewiston's September program is titled "One Hundred and One Years of Crystal Beach." The event will take place at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 27, at the Lutheran Church of the Messiah Fellowship Hall, 915 Oneida St., Lewiston.

The thriller "A Night of Dark Intent," written and directed by L. Don Swartz, will be presented at the Ghostlight Theatre, 170 Schenck St., North Tonawanda.

Join members of Villa Maria College's board of trustees and the college community to meet Interim President Dr. Matthew Giordano on Thursday, Sept. 20.

UBMD Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine is welcoming a couple of new doctors to the practice.