Current News

Though Friday marks the official start of fall, Western New York residents can expect unseasonably warm temperatures for the rest of the month. The Weather Channel predicts high 70s and low 80s for the next seven days, followed by a mix of 70s and 60s the following week.

Food expert Damaris Phillips and NASCAR personality Rutledge Wood are obsessed with everything southern, especially the food and the people behind it. They will take viewers on a mouthwatering road trip through the region to visit the down-home food spots they love in the new series "Southern and Hungry."

Linkin Park have announced a special show in honor of their bandmate and friend, Chester Bennington. The one-night-only celebration will take place in Los Angeles, at the legendary Hollywood Bowl on Friday, Oct. 27.

Sunday evening, at the 69th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards ceremony held at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, Hulu became the first streaming service in history to win a Primetime Emmy Award in the Best Series category for its critically acclaimed, breakout drama series "The Handmaid's Tale."

On Saturday, New State Sen. Rob Ortt joined other elected officials and the Mason's Mission Foundation in Pendleton to cut the ribbon on a unique playground designed specifically for children who are differently abled. Ortt has secured a total of $263,040 in state grants in support of Mason's Mission Playground at 6570 Campbell Blvd.

On Thursday, Sept. 21, the Western New York Land Conservancy will host a special history walk at the Stella Niagara Preserve in Lewiston. The hike will take place at 5:30 p.m. and will be led by Karen Noonan, a member of the Town of Porter Historical Society and the Youngstown Heritage Tours and Tourism Committee. Noonan is also the co-author of "From the Mouth of the Lower Niagara River: Stories of Four Historic Communities."

Old Fort Niagara in Youngstown is seeking individuals who would be interested in helping out with uniform production and repair on a volunteer basis. OFN would like these volunteers to commit, at minimum, to one day per month. These individuals would take direction from Suzannah Emerson, and need the following skills.

The track, produced by T-Minus (Drake, Big Sean, Travis Scott), will be featured on the Grammy Award-winning rap artist's Columbia Records debut album, "All Things Work Together," which will be released Sept. 22. The 14-track album features the top 10 urban radio hit "Blessings" featuring Ty Dolla $ign and the powerful track "I'll Find You" featuring Tori Kelly.

The Niagara River Region Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Saturday to mark the official grand-opening of Cask & Cow at 840 Center St., Lewiston. Local business and elected leaders joined owners Jack Hornung and Joe Garfalo to christen the eatery.

The 34th annual Lewiston Harvest Festival and Craft Show will take place from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 23-24. This year, there's a big change to the festival: Center Street will be closed from Fourth to Seventh streets. Vendors will be set up in the street to ease congestion for attendees and allow more room throughout the festival, leaving areas in front of retail storefronts open for customers.

"The Morning Sun" will rise once again in Western New York.

Roswell Park Cancer Institute has once again been named to Becker's Hospital Review's 100 Hospitals and Health Systems with Great Oncology Programs, an annual list of centers that are national leaders in patient care, cancer outcomes and research.

Congressman Chris Collins and 18 additional members of Congress sent a letter to U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao and Federal Aviation Administration Administrator Michael P. Huerta expressing concern and disappointment with recommendations to modify and repeal pilot training rules.

The Lewiston Garden Club concluded celebrations for its 90th anniversary with a party Tuesday night at the Niagara Falls Country Club in Lewiston.

Alan R. Elia, Jr. of Sevenson Environmental and Carol and Dr. John D. Greene of Lewiston will be honored at the Mount St. Mary's Hospital Foundation's 18th annual Good Works Gala, titled "Calling All Superheroes." The sold-out, creative-black-tie event will be held Saturday, Sept. 23, at the Niagara Falls Country Club, 505 Mountain View Drive, Lewiston.

The Grand Island Lions Club named Neighbors Foundation President Henry Kammerer a Melvin Jones Fellow during the club's general meeting Wednesday in the Radisson Grand Island.

Because every public building needs the Stars and Stripes, new flagpoles were set up at the town's highway garage recently.

Wildlife and science shows, a glimpse of Tuscarora culture and a variety of kid-friendly conservation activities will top the New York Power Authority's 32nd annual Wildlife Festival on Sept. 23-24 at the Niagara Power Vista visitor center in Lewiston.

The Niagara-Wheatfield Falcons came into week three of the high school football season with an average of 44 points allowed per game. It was much of the same Friday night vs. the Grand Island Vikings.

Let the fright fest begin, as "Halloween Wars" returns with a new season, a new special, and exciting new series, dishing out tricks and treats and frightful delights.

Monday, Sept. 18, has officially been designated as "National Birth of the Burger Day" by the Erie County Fair in Hamburg. The day will commemorate the invention of the hamburger sandwich by Frank and Charles Menches of Canton, Ohio, which took place during the 1885 Erie County Fair.

"The Chew's" Emmy-winning co-hosts Mario Batali, Michael Symon, Clinton Kelly and Carla Hall welcome first-time guest Justin Theroux, as well as Donald Driver, Mike Epps, Olivia Munn and Elisabeth Shue, during the week of Sept. 18.

Larger-than-life country duo Big & Rich are releasing their sixth studio album, "Did It For The Party," today before the pair rocks NBC's "Today" Monday, Sept. 18.

Eight-time Grammy-nominated artist Matt Maher will release his sixth studio album, titled "Echoes" (Essential/Sony), on Friday, Sept. 29. The album is now available for pre-order with two instant downloads, the radio single, "Your Love Defends Me" along with the track "What A Friend."

Singer/songwriter Grace VanderWaal has announced her debut album, "Just the Beginning," will release Friday, Nov. 3. The 12-track album features her infectious single "Moonlight," which has over 15 million combined video views and 18 million combined worldwide streams, along with the beat-driven track "Sick of Being Told" and the just-released song "So Much More Than This."

On Friday, Grammy-nominated artist and songwriter Zach Williams released "Chain Breaker: Deluxe Edition," digitally with Provident Label Group/Sony Music. Fans can download HERE or stream the album HERE or by visiting his website. The physical version of "Chain Breaker: Deluxe Edition" will be available Friday, Nov. 3.

Dori R. Marshall, M.D., assistant professor in the department of psychiatry in the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at the University at Buffalo, has been appointed director of admissions and assistant dean.

Seven Niagara University chemistry and biochemistry majors presented their research findings at the 254th American Chemical Society National Meeting & Exposition. The event took place Aug. 20-24 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C.

Mayor Arthur G. Pappas joined Niagara County Legislator Rich Andres, North Tonawanda Director of Parks and Recreation Patty Brosius, as well as additional city and county officials for a groundbreaking ceremony in dedication of a new open-air bandshell in Raymond Klimek Veterans Park. The bandshell will replace the aging event stage purchased in 2003.

Two pet blessings will take place in October at Island churches.

Rosemarie (née Kasprzak) Kud, of Grand Island, peacefully passed on Sept. 9, 2017, surrounded by her loving family after a long illness.

Sally A. (née Clarke) Black of Grand Island passed away Sept. 3, 2017.

Harry "Sed" Sedler Jr. passed away quietly in his sleep Aug. 28, 2017, at the SpringMeade Rehab Center in Tipp City, Ohio. He was 92.

Donald W. Richard, 92, of Grand Island, passed away peacefully Sept. 10, 2017, in St. Petersburg, Florida, where he resided for the past five years.

On Monday evening, as Supervisor Robert Cliffe opened the floor to the public to begin Wheatfield's Town Board meeting, a citizen showed her appreciation for the board's work.

When The Maize, 3901 Niagara Falls Blvd., North Tonawanda, opens in the fall, weather permitting each year, there is always a certain theme that the maze wants to promote. In certain years its promoted Buffalo, with the maze being designed in a Sabres logo or Bandits logo and more. In 2017, the maze has been designed to the theme "Hometown Heroes."

Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo on Thursday announced the grand-opening of the new, $12.8 million Courtyard by Marriott Hotel at 900 Buffalo Ave., Niagara Falls.

Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo on Thursday directed the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation to take a series of actions to hold the Niagara Falls Water Board accountable and protect water quality.

Earlier this week, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo announced the completion of a $4.3 million wetland restoration project on Strawberry Island, located off Grand Island in the upper Niagara River near Buffalo, that will rejuvenate the island's fish and wildlife preserve.