Current News

The Buffalo Sabres on Sunday announced defenseman Casey Nelson has completed his conditioning assignment and has been recalled from the Rochester Americans (AHL).

Erie County Clerk Michael Kearns on Friday announced that, due to the recent blizzard that canceled the first day of extending the downtown auto bureau by an additional hour, change would now begin Thursday, Feb. 28.

The Carnegie Art Center in North Tonawanda will host the 2019 "North Tonawanda School District Student Spotlight Exhibition" from Feb. 23 through March 22, with an opening reception at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 28. The venue will also host a family night beginning at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 19. That night, art teachers from the North Tonawanda public schools will show attendees how to create art.

United Way of Greater Niagara (UWGN) has announced its 2018 campaign results, as well as plans for its 2019 campaign. The campaign recently wrapped up its fundraising efforts for 2018, achieving a little over 96 percent of its target goal. The $1 million-plus raised will allow the organization to continue substantially supporting its dozens of member agencies throughout Niagara County.

As part of Niagara Frontier Publications' annual "Best Fish Fry" contest, vote for the restaurant serving your favorite fish fry. The eatery with the most votes will receive a feature article with photos in the Tribune, Dispatch and Sentinel, plus additional photos and a video posted at www.wnypapers.com.

Saturday, Niagara-Wheatfield defeated Clarence, 3- 0, in the quarterfinals of the Section VI large schools playoffs.

The annual Rotary Club of Grand Island's Undie Sunday has added three additional donation locations.

The event? Well, it's the 50th anniversary of the Olcott Lions Club's legendary "Swim For Sight," of course.

Following discussion with Lewiston Police Department Chief Frank Previte this week, the Village of Lewiston Board of Trustees is expected to review its recent decision regarding traffic ingress and egress at the Center Street (Rite Aid) Plaza. The municipality's monthly meeting will be held at 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Red Brick, 145 N. Fourth St.

Kara M. Hibbard, acting town clerk for the Town of Porter, has announced her candidacy for the position of Porter town clerk. She was appointed town clerk by the Porter Town Board in September 2018, following the retirement of Barbara DuBell. Hibbard is running for a four-year term.

All is quiet at Lewiston Town Hall, with select town officials scheduled to visit the annual Association of Towns meetings in NYC next week.

Dr. Celia Spacone will present a suicide prevention program from 4-6 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 17, at Riverside-Salem United Church of Christ Cottage, 3449 West River Road, Grand Island.

Peacefully at home, James Richard (Dick) Watkins entered into eternal rest.

The new eatery Nikki's Eats in Sandy Beach was the vision not of its eponymous owner, Nikki Pelsoni, but her spouse.

The Joint Commission on Public Ethics announced Feb. 7 that it and the Legislative Ethics Commission reached a settlement agreement, including a $10,000 fine, to resolve its investigation into violations of the Public Officers Law by former New York State Sen. Marc Panepinto for making unwanted sexual advances toward a staff member and attempting to obstruct JCOPE's ensuing investigation.

Erie County Legislator Kevin Hardwick stopped by the Pfc. Charles N. DeGlopper Memorial Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 9249 on Tuesday, Feb. 12, to present a check for $5,000 to the VFW, American Legion and the DeGlopper Memorial Park Expansion Committee. These funds are from the 2018 Erie County budget and will go towards the expansion expenses.

Representatives from Price Rite Marketplace and the University at Buffalo football team donated 36 "sacks" of food to New Beginnings Food Pantry on Feb. 13 at Price Rite Marketplace of Amherst. The donation was a result of the football team's 36 sacks this season and included canned goods, fresh produce, rice, pasta and water.

Congressman Chris Collins announced the application period for the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response grant program. Administered through the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the SAFER grant program is designed to help local fire departments and emergency management service providers to increase or maintain the number of trained, "frontline" firefighters available in their communities.

The Niagara County Legislature has designated Niagara County as a "Purple Heart County," through a resolution that recognizes and honors those who have received the Purple Heart Medal as a result of being wounded or killed in combat.

On March 16, the Erie County Agricultural Society will conduct a "Maple Extravaganza Tour" providing a behind-the-scenes look at Western New York's vibrant maple syrup industry. The four-hour tour, open to all ages, costs $20 per person and includes bus transportation to two local maple farms, a homecooked pancake breakfast, guided tours of two sugar bushes, and a maple cream "make & take" activity.

Recorded in front of nearly 40,000 young adults, Passion is unveiling "Step Into The Light" featuring Sean Curran today. Not initially on the January release of "Follow You Anywhere," the song's release comes in the midst of much anticipation and conversation after the song was debuted live at Passion 2019. That event drew audiences from across the globe filling arenas in Atlanta, Dallas and Washington, D.C.

LEDGER has released a brand-new single, "Completely," available now with Fair Trade Services.

Newly anointed EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony) winner and multi-Platinum singer-songwriter John Legend has premiered the music video for his new single "Preach" via Columbia Records. Watch HERE. The video was directed by Dominique DeLeon and is inspiring viewers to action as the first of its kind to use YouTube's donate/fundraising feature in which viewers will be able to donate (via a donate button) to FREE AMERICA.

With 100 days until the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge, NBC Sports announced Mike Tirico will serve as host of its first-ever coverage of the event. The 103rd Indy 500 from Indianapolis Motor Speedway will air at 11 a.m. ET on Sunday, May 26, on NBC - the first time the race has ever aired on the network after 54 years on ABC.

Each year, the incoming state commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars selects a theme for the state commanders special project. During the 2017-18 period, then-Cmdr. Michael Burke's theme was homeless veterans. Each of the eight districts in the state of New York were asked to submit the names of organizations that assisted homeless veterans in their respective areas.

Maryland-based husband/wife duo Wild Harbors is set to bow their full-length debut, "Monument," on March 15. Produced by Andrew Osenga (Laura Story, Caedmon's Call), the alt-pop singer/songwriter collection features 10 story-driven tracks wrapped in memorable melodies and warm harmonies.

Christopher M. Shores II of Grand Island entered into rest Feb. 12, 2019.

The Niagara River Region Chamber of Commerce will celebrate the community at the annual Chamber Gala awards dinner, to be held at Niagara Falls Country Club on Thursday, May 9. The chamber board of directors will present awards for Business of the Year and Citizen of the Year honorees in the Lewiston, Youngstown, Ransomville and Sanborn communities.

It's been 34 years since the Lewiston-Porter Lancers boys basketball team last hoisted a Niagara Frontier League title. Thursday night, the Lancers reset that number back down to zero, as the team defeated Niagara Falls, 75-71, to win the 2018-19 Niagara Frontier League title.

Thursday night, the Grand Island Vikings defeated the Lockport Lions, 45-33 in the Niagara Frontier League title game at Lockport High School.

Special Olympics New York and the Golisano Foundation on Thursday announced a $265,000 grant to support the expansion of Unified Champion School (UCS) programming in the Western, Genesee and Central New York regions over the next three years.

Recently, the Town of Niagara Business and Professional Association honored winners at its annual awards dinner, Jan. 30.

Taking a cue from what he gets asked about most from fans, a desire to have some fun and to live out the golden rule, multi-Platinum and Grammy-nominated Skillet frontman John Cooper has officially launched his "Cooper Stuff" podcast.

Justin Trainor, an artist and physical therapy assistant at The McGuire Group's Northgate Health Care Facility, will be the featured artist at an art show titled Enter the Artist, running from Feb. 25 through March 11 at the facility.

In a news conference on Capitol Hill, Congress members Brian Higgins (NY-26), John Larson (CT-01), Joe Courtney (CT-02) and Peter Welch (VT-AL) announced plans to introduce the Medicare Buy-In and Health Care Stabilization Act. The legislation will expand access to Medicare to allow those aged 50-64 to buy into the program, providing millions more Americans who are more likely to have pre-existing conditions and face premium increases as they near retirement with an option for affordable health care.

The Western New York Law Center is expanding its Niagara County consumer debt defense legal clinic to include sessions held in North Tonawanda. 

Key Private Bank, the wealth management division of KeyCorp, was recognized by Private Asset Management Magazine for "Best private wealth manager client service - over $5 billion." This award is designed to honor industry-leading firms with over $5 billion in assets under management providing best-in-class services and innovative wealth management solutions to clients. PAM is a leading publication that reports on the wealth management and family office industry.

The North Tonawanda High School Fine Arts Department recently announced that senior Samuel Fesmire was recognized for his outstanding work of art on display at Daemen College's 50th annual All-High Exhibition, which is shown through Feb. 22 in the Peter and Elizabeth C. Tower Gallery.

The next meeting of the Buffalo and Erie County Greenway Fund Standing Committee will be at 4 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 28, at the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo, 726 Exchange St., Suite 525, Buffalo. The meeting is open to the public. The agenda includes presentations by applicants who are seeking Greenway project funding in the current round of requests.