Current News

Jennifer Hudson, John Legend, Raphael Saadiq, Sting, Stormzy, Chris Martin and H.E.R. are all joining forces and will perform at London's iconic Royal Albert Hall for NBC's "Global Citizen Prize" special airing Friday, Dec. 20 (8 p.m. ET/PT).

Due to unforeseen circumstances, the Aquarium of Niagara is extending the period of time it will remain closed this week while work continues on "M&T Bank Shark & Ray Bay."

Niagara Gospel Rescue Mission is in need of volunteers for its "Feed the Falls" Christmas program.

Nominees for the 26th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards for outstanding individual, cast and ensemble performances in film and television of 2019, as well as the nominees for outstanding action performances by film and television stunt ensembles, were announced this morning at the Pacific Design Center's SilverScreen Theater in West Hollywood.

Meredith Corporation's PEOPLE will once again host the official SAG Awards Post-Awards Gala, to be held immediately following the 26th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards on Sunday, Jan. 19, in Los Angeles. This is the 24th year PEOPLE has hosted the event, which takes place on a transformed Shrine Auditorium stage and honors the charitable endeavors of actors in their communities.

Cast and crew gathered on set at Sony Pictures Studios in Culver City to celebrate a milestone for the hit 1980-something comedy series inspired by Adam F. Goldberg's childhood. "The Goldbergs" 150th episode was filmed, lauded, and airs at 8 p.m. tonight.

Fallsview Casino Resort welcomes Billboard Music Award winner Lifehouse, actor Gianni Russo, international sensation Frances Yip, country rock classic duo Matthew & Gunnar Nelson, and singer-songwriter Tony Orlando in late winter.

The Taste of Buffalo presented by Tops will donate $2,000 to FeedMore WNY through "Food2 Families," an annual food drive sponsored, in part, by Tops Markets. This donation is possible thanks to the Taste of Buffalo's participating restaurants, and the purchases of festivalgoers at the event last July.

Winter storms, bad weather and sloppy road conditions are a factor in nearly half a million crashes and more than 2,000 road deaths every winter, according to research by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. AAA Western and Central New York wants to prepare drivers with winter driving tips to keep everyone safe on the road. The top three winter driving tips include slowing down, increasing the space between yourself and other vehicles, and braking, then turning.

The New York State Office for the Aging reminds older New Yorkers and caregivers to take precautions in winter weather, as cold temperatures and heavy snow can create hazardous conditions for older adults.

The Niagara Falls LongHorn Steakhouse served a free breakfast on Sunday to about 150 children and families who receive services from either Community Missions of the Niagara Frontier or Pinnacle Community Services (formerly Family & Children's Service of Niagara). Those same guests also took home gifts purchased by restaurant staff.

Lauren Alaina released her own version of the holiday classic, "O Holy Night," last month. She loves Christmas music so much she'd like to release a full album of holiday songs. She has a few favorite songs that she'd have to include on the collection.

The New York State Department of Public Service staff issued a report outlining options for the Public Service Commission to consider for future compensation for generation by residential rooftop or small commercial solar customers, also known as mass-market customers

Lyft, whose mission is "to improve people's lives with the world's best transportation," announced its fifth annual Lyftie Awards, a program that recognizes the most popular destinations in cities across the country. This year, the Lyfties expanded to celebrate more than 50 markets, including Buffalo, and refreshed its categories to celebrate multimodal transportation and its driver communities.

WYRK has announced the lineup for the "Toyota Taste of Country" 2020: Lady Antebellum, Jake Owen, Midland and Maddie & Tae. The show will be opened up by "TOC Riser Competition" winner Fuzzy and the Rustbelts.

Two-time Grammy-nominated DJ/producer Steve Aoki, 17-time Grammy Award-winning musician Sting, and Platinum-selling trio SHAED (known for their hit single "Trampoline") have teamed up to release a new collaborative anthem for soulmates everywhere. "2 in a Million" is an offering from Aoki's upcoming "Neon Future IV."

The League of Women Voters invites motivated high school students to apply for its annual youth conference, "Students Inside Albany."

Canisius College recently announced the John Templeton Foundation awarded a $1.8 million grant to its Institute for the Global Study of Religion (IGSOR). The grant will be used to conduct the first comprehensive, comparative and empirical study of megachurches in the global south.

The Rotary Club of Buffalo is sponsoring a Toys for Tots collection drive. New, unwrapped toys may be dropped off from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the lobby at the Larkin Center of Commerce, 701 Seneca St., Buffalo, until Dec. 15.

On Wednesday, Dec. 4, a Dave & Adam's Card World customer pulled the "Holy Grail" of modern basketball cards: a Zion Williamson Panini Prizms Black 1/1 Rookie Card worth over $100,000.

The Critics Choice Association announced the nominees for the 25th Annual Critics' Choice Awards. The winners will be revealed at the star-studded Critics' Choice Awards gala, which will once again be hosted by film, television and stage star Taye Diggs, and broadcast live on The CW Television Network on Sunday, Jan. 12 (7 p.m. ET).

The award for Best Cheese went to Jaco's Pizzeria. Sammy's Pizzeria took Best Specialty for its "7-1-6" pizza, which features chicken fingers and steak. The People's Choice award went to Favorites Pizzeria in Lewiston for its honey garlic chicken pizza.

Today's national average price for a gallon of gasoline is $2.57, down 2 cents since last week. One year ago, the price was $2.42. The New York state average is $2.68 - no change from last week. A year ago, the state average was $2.75.

Tedeschi Trucks Band's "Wheels of Soul Tour" returns to the Artpark Amphitheater on July 14, 2020, as part of the "Tuesdays in the Park presented by M&T Bank" series. Tedeschi Trucks Band will be joined by eight-piece soul band St. Paul and the Broken Bones plus singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Gabe Dixon. Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday, Dec. 13.

Lewiston Veterans of Foreign Wars Downriver Post 7487 has released a rare commemorative "first day cover" that will become a prized collector's item. The envelope displays the VFW symbol, the front and back of the VFW's commemorative coin, and the "Circle of Honor" postage stamp that has a Lewiston, NY, postmark dated Nov. 11, 2019 - the day the new monument was dedicated at Academy Park during a dramatic nighttime ceremony.

For a limited time, the Erie County Agricultural Society will offer 12-day gate admission passes to the 181st Erie County Fair for $35. The sale began today and will continue until the limited supply is gone. Passes allow for one gate admission per day of the Erie County Fair (passes do not include parking.)

The Niagara County History Center's "Family Nights" continue with fun and informative programs on the third Tuesday of the month. Dec. 17's event begins at 5:30 p.m. with a pizza supper available for a nominal donation, followed by a brief presentation and a hands-on activity appropriate for adults and children. The program concludes by 7:15 pm. The topic for this month's evening is: "A Baby Boomers' Christmas: Holiday Shopping in the 1950s and 1960s."

Washington Capitals defenseman John Carlson, Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Tristan Jarry and Buffalo Sabres center Jack Eichel have been named the NHL's "Three Stars" for the week ending Dec. 8.

Empire State Development on Monday congratulated 22 New York-based productions that earned 46 nominations for the 77th Annual Golden Globe Awards. The productions generated more than $809 million in spending and created approximately 41,955 new jobs across the state. All nominated productions participated in the New York State Film Tax Credit Program.

Hoda Kotb and Jenna Bush Hager will ring in 2020 with an all-star New Year's Eve primetime special, "A Toast to 2019!", Dec. 31 (8 p.m.) on NBC. Kristen Bell, Martin Short, Maya Rudolph, Tony Hale, Terry Crews and Nikki Glaser will join Kotb and Hager as they break down the biggest pop culture moments and trends of the year.

Local officials, Native Americans and volunteers will assemble for a brief remembrance ceremony at 9 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 19, at the Tuscarora Heroes Monument at the corner of Center Street and Portage Road in Lewiston. The public is invited to attend and is welcomed to partake in a Dutch-treat fellowship breakfast at Syros Restaurant immediately after the ceremony.

The Greater Niagara Ballet Co. will present "The Nutcracker" at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 13, and 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14, at the Niagara Falls High School Performing Arts Center, 4455 Porter Road. The GNBC's production showcases both local and Canadian dancers in a ballet set to the direction of artistic director Beverley Feder, FISTD, FCUSA, FICIA. In addition, local character actors and brave parents will participate in the Act I party scene.

Western New York businesswomen will come together for networking and cheer when the Buffalo Niagara Chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) meets at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 11, at 500 Pearl St., Buffalo. The cost is $35 for NAWBO members and $40 for guests. Register online at www.nawbowny.org/.

The "Blue Christmas Service" at First Presbyterian Church of Youngstown has been rescheduled for 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 23, at 100 Church St.

The New York Power Authority holds its annual "Deck the Halls" from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14, at the admission-free Niagara Power Vista at the Niagara Power Project in Lewiston.

Santa Claus flew into the Village of Lewiston on Saturday morning to kickoff Christmas Walk weekend. He was accompanied on his PatProctorCopter by Mrs. Claus and Town of Lewiston Supervisor Steve Broderick. Once the Rainbow Air crew landed, Santa greeted Mayor Anne Welch, Niagara River Region Chamber of Commerce President Jennifer Pauly, and 2019 Peach Queen Victoria Skrlin-Kozak.

Indeed, the Destino family has returned to 3909 Creek Road. Signs on and in front of the building boldly state, "Grandma D's Pizzeria" and "The Original Destino's."

Over past weeks, residents and visitors in our neck of the woods have certainly had the opportunity to experience and be part of a multitude of holiday delights. That included the "Noel of Niagara" light display that continues throughout the season at the Town of Niagara's Veterans Park on Lockport Road; holiday shopping offerings such as Small Business Saturday in Lewiston and Sanborn, "Jingle Falls USA" in Niagara Falls; last weekend's Ransomville Festival of Lights; and Friday evening's Holiday Light Up Parade in Newfane.

Grand Island firefighters chose 2020 firematic and administrative officers during annual elections held on Wednesday, Dec. 4, at fire headquarters.

Suspicious that a new solar farm will be developed in their neighborhood, several Islanders criticized plans to rezone two pieces of property near the intersection of Alvin and Whitehaven roads up the road from the WNY Welcome Center.