Current News

The New Niagara Community Center Inc. was awarded prequalified status for the creation of a community center in Niagara Falls' north-end by the Niagara Falls Community Development Department, with application for a $120,000 Community Development Block Grant as the next step.

Congress members Brian Higgins (D-NY-26), Brett Guthrie (R-KY-2), Doris Matsui (D-CA-6) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL-12) announced introduction of the Cancer Drug Parity Act, a bipartisan bill requiring health insurance plans that cover intravenous and injectable cancer medications to also cover orally administered cancer medications at the equivalent rate.

A year after a number of high-profile automated vehicle incidents, American attitudes toward fully self-driving cars have not rebounded. AAA's annual automated vehicle survey found 71 percent of people are afraid to ride in fully self-driving vehicles - indicating overall sentiment has not yet returned to what it was prior to these incidents occurring (63 percent).

Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz joined Patrick Kaler, president and CEO of Visit Buffalo Niagara, to discuss the findings of the recent 90-day public comment period on the Buffalo Niagara Convention Center market analysis and feasibility study (released in September 2018), and to outline next steps in the convention center process.

The Castellani Art Museum of Niagara University has announced the lineup for this year's "Meet Me at the CAM" programs. This popular series features lectures, films and artist talks covering a variety of historical and contemporary art-related topics.

ABC Entertainment has picked up fan-favorite game shows "Press Your Luck" and "Card Sharks" for a return to television. The Fremantle-produced game shows will go into production this spring with, as ABC said, "exciting updates that everyone in the family will enjoy."

With three months to go before the 2019 Special Olympics New York Summer Games kick off in Dutchess County, state and local organizers officially opened volunteer registration to the public at a press conference at Mr. Todd's Gymnastics. Approximately 2,000 volunteers are needed for the Summer Games, which will take place on June 14-15 at venues throughout Dutchess County.

Four years after the devastating tragedy in Charleston, South Carolina, that shook the nation, Arbella Studios, in association with JuVee Productions and Unanimous Media, presents an SDG and Fiction Pictures Production, "EMANUEL," opening in movie theaters nationwide through Fathom Events on June 17 and 19 only. Documenting the events of June 17, 2015, "EMANUEL" is a documentary that examines how faith, hope and forgiveness healed a devastated community after the heinous church shooting at Emanuel A.M.E.

The construction of a replica of the packet boat used by Gov. DeWitt Clinton to travel from Buffalo to New York City to open the Erie Canal in 1825 took a major step forward on Thursday, with the start of a painstaking, age-old process that will create the template for reimagining this historic wooden vessel.

Robert Bilson, a resident of LaSalle, recently announced his candidacy for the 3rd District of the Niagara County Legislature. Bilson will challenge Mark J. Grozio (D-Niagara Falls), a three-term incumbent.

Collin Holycross has formally announced his candidacy for the North Tonawanda School Board.

On Tuesday afternoon, Robert Schmigel announced his candidacy to seek the open seat in the first ward for the North Tonawanda Common Council. Current Alderman Mark Berube has decided not to seek re-election after winning the seat vacated by the late Russ Rizzo.  

On April 6 and 7, the Sanborn Farm Museum, 2660 Saunders Settlement Road, Sanborn, will host an Antique Show & Sale. The show is $3 for the two days, which includes a basket auction (drawings at 4 p.m.), free parking and hot food on the premises.

From 6-9 p.m. on March 22, Maghrak and her team will host the evening at Events at Wurlitzer, 908 Niagara Falls Blvd. Included at the event will be wine and chocolate samples, live music by Queen City Lights, hors d'oeuvres, basket raffles, vendors, a cash bar and giveaways. 

Niagara-Wheatfield kindergarten registration will be held 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 25 to 29. Registrations will be accepted in the district administration location at 5700 West St.  Children must be 5 years old, on or before Dec. 1, to be eligible for this fall.

Thirty-one students from the Orleans and Niagara Career and Technical Education Centers placed in the top-three at the Regional SkillsUSA competition held at Alfred State University.

Congratulations were extended to Jake DuMond and Colton Whitlock in the Niagara Career and Technical Education Center's auto technology program.

On Friday, the Niagara Frontier League announced its all-league all star teams for the winter season. Several Niagara-Wheatfield High School athletes made the cut for their success on the athletic surfaces. The following are Falcons who reached All-NFL status for the winter. 

At Niagara Falls High School, Lauren Granieri, a junior tennis player for the Wolverines, has gone above and beyond in supporting Unified sports. 

Following the success of their 2018 film, "I Can Only Imagine," the Erwin brothers are set to bring Jeremy Camp's story to the big screen next year. "I Still Believe" is set to bow March 20.

On March 11, at approximately 5:26 p.m., a Niagara County Sheriff's deputy initiated a traffic stop on an uninspected motor vehicle. Upon stopping the vehicle, the deputy discovered the vehicle to be operated by 50-year-old Jeffrey J. Fader. In the vehicle was a 14-year-old child.

At approximately 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, a suspicious package was found inside the human resources building at 301 10th St., Niagara Falls. Precautionary measures were taken, and all employees were evacuated from the building.

The National Comedy Center was formally designated Tuesday as the nation's official cultural institution dedicated to the art form of comedy. In a bipartisan show of support, both the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives passed this bill in February, and the president signed it into law this week, recognizing the Center as the "Official National Comedy Center of the United States."

The world's most popular video game symphonic program is coming to Buffalo during the BPO's summer season. At 7:30 p.m. Saturday, July 20, the BPO will present "Video Games Live" at Kleinhans Music Hall.

Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Basil Seggos reminds residents that, with spring approaching, conditions for wildfires will become heightened. Accordingly, residential brush burning is prohibited March 16 through May 14 across New York.

Patricia E. Berggren was inducted into the New York State 2019 Notable Women in Human Services Hall of Fame at an event inside the legislative office building near the state capitol in Albany. She joined more than 60 women who were recognized for their unwavering work in the human services sector.

Save-A-Pet of Niagara County will host its ninth annual "Basket Bonanza" on Sunday, March 24, in the 4-H building at the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Niagara County, 4487 Lake Ave., Lockport. Doors will open at noon, with ticket sales ending at 3 p.m. and the drawing commencing at 3:30 p.m.

With sunshine and warmer temperatures on the horizon, the Lewiston Garden Club is in the midst of planning for Lewiston GardenFest. Set for Saturday, June 15, and Sunday, June 16, organizers are now recruiting both vendors and local residents interested in showcasing their own gardens during this year's 14th annual event.

The Niagara History Center's March Family Night theme is "Irish in Niagara County." Guests can celebrate and learn about the accomplishments of Irish residents including boxer Jimmy Duffy; Chauncey Olcott, the composer of "My Irish Rose"; Mary Ellen Powers, "The tallest woman in the world"; Mary Macaulay, the first woman telegrapher; and Frank Gaffney, the second-most-decorated soldier in World War I.

Niagara County Legislature Chairman Wm. Keith McNall allocated $2,000 to the Salvation Army of Lockport through a resolution last month during a code blue.

New York State Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie and Governmental Operations Committee Chairwoman Michele Titus marked the nationwide observance of Sunshine Week with the passage of legislation to strengthen the state's Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) in order to enhance openness and accountability in government.

The Niagara Falls Community Development Department announced a "What's the 311" skate day wil take place from noon to 4 p.m. Wednesday, April 24, at the Conference & Event Center Niagara Falls on Old Falls Street. DJ P-Nasty is the musical guest.

Critically acclaimed food blogger and best-selling cookbook author Molly Yeh is expecting her first child, and her cozy Midwest farmhouse is filled with excitement for the new arrival in the third season of "Girl Meets Farm" (premiering Sunday, March 31, at 11 a.m. on Food Network). From make-ahead meals and family recipes to Molly's baby shower, the new season welcomes viewers into Molly's home for her joyful journey.

Premier 2019 co-chairs Dr. Sachin Wadhawan, left, Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center's chief of cardiology, and Senior Vice President for Service Line Operations Sanjay Chadha, center, present a check for $269,000 to Chief of Diagnostic Imaging Dr. Mark D. Perry.

Empower will hold its 10th annual "Snowflake Basket Auction" from 4-8 p.m. Friday, March 22, and then from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, March 23, at the Volare Lodge, 56th Street and Kies, Niagara Falls.

The Buffalo Sabres on Monday announced Jeffrey Cutler was named the recipient of the 2019 J. Michael Duffett Memorial Award, presented each year to the coach or administrator whose contributions to amateur hockey in Western New York "best exemplify the knowledge, teaching, love of the game and gentle humanity of Mike."

Legendary music group Earth, Wind & Fire will perform at 6:30 p.m. July 16 at the Artpark Amphitheater as part of "Tuesdays in the Park" presented by M&T Bank. Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday, March 15.

The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 3-1 is offering an 'About Boating Safely" one-day class taught by Coast Guard-certified instructors. The course runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays, March 23, April 27, May 18 and July 13, at the Officers Club of Fort Niagara in Youngstown, plus June 22 at Lewiston No. 2 Fire Co.

Leadership Niagara's 29th annual awards luncheon will bring regional leaders together May 17 at the DoubleTree by Hilton to honor six individuals and organizations who exemplify the organization's mission and core values while working toward strengthening the community. Awardees include:

Graduate programs across the University at Buffalo were named among the nation's best by U.S. News & World Report in its 2020 Best Graduate Schools rankings released Tuesday.