Current News

On Tuesday night, the Town of Wheatfield Community Center played host to a public information session on the Walmore Road rehabilitation project.

On Monday night, the Town of Wheatfield Town Board held its first meeting of December, but its second in as many weeks, which brought out a light agenda. A topic from last week's Nov. 26 meeting, though, was back in discussion.

On Saturday, the City of North Tonawanda, as well as the Downtown Merchants and Oliver Street Merchants played host to the 2018 Lumber City Walk. The walk included over 40 family-friendly events throughout the day around Webster and Oliver streets, which helped kick the holiday season off in North Tonawanda.

On Saturday, the Town of Wheatfield held its annual Christmas tree lighting and kids party at the town's Community Center. The festivities helped bring in the 2018 version of the holiday season, as Santa Claus arrived via a St. Johnsburg Fire Co. truck and greeted children upon arrival.

There is a countless number of local groups and organizations that donate their time to help residents in the Town of Niagara and neighboring communities. On Tuesday night, the Town of Niagara and the Fashion Outlets Mall gave back to those who are always searching to better the lives of local residents.

Canalside announced the lighting of the grand menorah at the third annual Chanukah celebration on Buffalo's waterfront. Chabad House of Buffalo will celebrate the Festival of Chanukah with a parade of cars adorned with custom-designed menorahs arriving at Canalside for the lighting of the menorah at 7 p.m. today. A branch of the 7-1/2-foot tall candelabrum, located adjacent to the Ice at Canalside, will be lit each night of the Jewish holiday.

Seven Western New York companies will compete to build structures ("Canstructions") made entirely out of canned goods. Each nonperishable used will benefit the Food Bank of Western New York.

The Summit Federal Credit Union Wine & Chocolate Festival will be held Saturday, Jan. 26, 2019, at the Adams Mark hotel in downtown Buffalo. Two sessions will be offered: 1-4 and 5-8 p.m. The festival showcases local chocolatiers, winemakers and other businesses, with activities at the festival supporting the Buffalo Niagara American Heart Association (AHA).

Congressman Brian Higgins announced a $300,000 federal grant from the Department of Commerce's Economic Development Administration (EDA) for Launch NY, an upstate New York Venture Development Organization (VDO) that supports and invests in high-growth, high-impact companies across 27 New York counties.

" 'Tis the SEAson" brings Santa Claus back to the Aquarium of Niagara, 701 Whirlpool St.

For the second consecutive year, "Good Morning America" co-anchor Robin Roberts and ABC late-night host Jimmy Kimmel join forces on a one-hour prime-time special to pay tribute to the legendary stars and icons the world lost this year and the legacies they left behind.

Postmenopausal women who have experienced loss of all teeth are at higher risk of developing high blood pressure, according to a University at Buffalo study published Dec. 4 in the American Journal of Hypertension.

The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation invites residents and visitors to celebrate the season at more than 40 holiday-themed events taking place at New York state parks and historic sites. Events include a number of hands-on activities, outdoor recreation, historic tours and holiday celebrations for visitors of all ages.

Emmy Award-winning personality, producer and talk show host Steve Harvey returns this holiday season to host "FOX's New Year's Eve with Steve Harvey: Live From Times Square," once again alongside Emmy Award-winning journalist and TV personality Maria Menounos. The second annual live broadcast special, airing from the heart of New York City's famed Times Square, airs Monday, Dec. 31 (8-10 p.m. and 11 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. ET live), on FOX.

Thursday morning, officials from Niagara University and Niagara County Community College, as well as elected officials, gathered to announce a new partnership between NU and NCCC, which will improve and increase collaboration between the two colleges.

"As a result of bruised vocal cords, Live Nation has confirmed that the Justin Timberlake 'Man Of The Woods' concerts in December are unfortunately postponed. However, all affected shows have been rescheduled to in 2019 and tickets for the originally scheduled shows will be honored at the 2019 events."

"Built For Buffalo 2" is now available through the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra box office and website. Released on the BPO's house label, Beau Fleuve, and recorded over four years, it features the world premiere recordings of three pieces commissioned for BPO musicians.

The Downtown Niagara Falls Business Association (DNFBA) presents its first "Santa Con" roving fundraiser, from 4 to 11 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 15. Santa Con will begin at the Anchor Bar Niagara Falls (located inside the Holiday Inn Hotel - 114 Buffalo Ave.) and visit four other DNFBA member restaurants and bars.

YMCA Buffalo Niagara President and CEO Olin "Buddy" Campbell Jr. recently announced he will retire from his position at the end of May 2019, after 50 years of service and employment with the YMCA.

The Taste of Buffalo presented by Tops announced that the organization donated $2,500 to the Food Bank of WNY through the "Food 2 Families" food and fund drive sponsored in part by Tops Friendly Markets. This donation was made possible thanks to the Taste of Buffalo participating restaurants and the purchases of festivalgoers at the event last July.

On Wednesday, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums presented an accreditation plaque to the Aquarium of Niagara. This recognizes the aquarium's "unwavering commitment to the highest standards in animal care, education, conservation and guest experience.

Andrew Mangan has always been an overachiever and very competitive, which runs in his family of eight. His mother and father chose to homeschool all of their children up until the high school level, at which point Mangan attended Canisius High School, a private boys Jesuit school, in Buffalo. Like all of his siblings, Mangan was an outstanding rower and an accomplished downhill ski racer.

Recently, television has widened its range of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning and/or queer representation for the better. The more representation of diversity there is in media, the more acceptance of diversity is likely to come out of it. Shows like "RuPaul's Drag Race" have played a pivotal role in the increased spread of representation in media.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is recognizing Wegmans Food Markets as one of 12 national Safer Choice Partner of the Year award-winners for outstanding achievement in 2017 for the design, manufacture and promotion of cleaning and other products that carry the Safer Choice label for use in households and facilities nationwide.

From 11:30 a.m. until 2 p.m. Saturday, St. Peter R.C. School will host "Lunch with Santa." A full pasta lunch will be served in the school cafeteria, compliments of the Macri family and Macri's Italian Grille.

M&T Bank announced Ronald Dussett was awarded the grand prize in its first "What's Important to You?" video contest, an initiative that asked individuals to share short videos of the people, places and things they love the most. As the grand prizewinner, Dussett will receive a GoPro Fusion camera and a feature in M&T advertising. Four other finalists will each receive a standard GoPro HERO camera.

Mount St. Mary's Hospital has issued a scam alert. Unknown individuals have been calling residents in the local community falsely identifying themselves as representatives of the hospital and offering Medicaid services. Be aware this is a scam.

The Buffalo Sabres announced plans for the inaugural "Sabres Skills Challenge" at 12:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 6, 2019 at KeyBank Center. Current Sabres players will be divided into two teams to compete against each other in an all-star style skills contest in an event designed for fans of all ages.

As part of Jingle Falls USA 2018, the second annual LiveNF Makers Market is coming to 310 and 324 Niagara St., on Saturday. LiveNF will create a one-day shopping experience featuring artists, artisans and crafters from Niagara Falls and the Greater Western New York area.

Price Rite Marketplace has announced its annual "Check Out Hunger" fundraising campaign, which raises funds to benefit local food banks in communities served by Price Rite Marketplace stores across the northeast.

Australian-based, multi-Platinum-selling Hillsong UNITED has announced that, after three years, they are returning for their highly anticipated US tour in 2019. UNITED will be joined by special guests Amanda Lindsey Cook and Mack Brock (*lineup to vary by city). Tickets will go on sale Friday.

Congressman Brian Higgins was joined Monday by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Buffalo District to announce $12.455 million in federal funding to the Army Corps in 2019 for improvements to the Buffalo Harbor.

Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz was joined Monday by Commissioner of Parks, Recreation & Forestry Daniel J. Rizzo, members of the Orchard Park Recreation Department and the Chestnut Ridge Conservancy, and Santa Claus at the Casino at Chestnut Ridge Park to announce the return of Santa Land to Chestnut Ridge.

The Niagara County Peach Festival will remain at Academy Park for another year.

For many, the holiday season is filled with joy, family and friends. People come together to celebrate their religion, beliefs and each other. The holiday season also gives one time to reflect on one's blessings in life and be grateful for what one has.

Sam Van Aken is developing real-life trees that will bloom in multiple colors and bear 40 different kinds of fruit.

Buffalo Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin, who topped first-year blueliners and ranked fourth among all rookies with 10 points in 15 games (1 goal, 9 assists), was named the NHL's Rookie of the Month for November.

WellNow Urgent Care - one of New York's fastest-growing urgent care providers, formerly known as Five Star Urgent Care - announced it has expanded its operations by adding seven locations currently operated by MASH Urgent Care. Both WellNow and MASH provide treatment of non-life-threatening injuries and illnesses.

Singer/songwriter and former "American Idol" contestant Dave Pittman is set to bow his anticipated sophomore recording, "Different Kind of Love," on Jan. 11, 2019. Produced by Jay Speight and Tyrus Morgan - whose combined production and writing credits include Trace Adkins, NewSong, Unspoken and Ginny Owens - the seven-song set features six original selections, along with a fresh arrangement of the beloved hymn "I'd Rather Have Jesus."

Howie Mandel's hit game show "Deal or No Deal" is back after 10 years - and he's offering up the possibility of a $1 million holiday present in this special episode tonight on NBC (10 p.m.). A family who has overcome all odds, an incredible adoption story and a player who pushes the limits will have the chance to bring life-changing money home for the holidays.