Current News

"Dancing with the Stars" is waltzing its way into its upcoming season, and the new celebrity cast is adding some glitzy bling to their wardrobe, breaking in their dancing shoes and readying themselves for their first dance on the ballroom floor, as the season kicks off Monday, Sept. 24 (8-10 p.m. EDT), on The ABC Television Network, streaming and on demand.

While NBC was expected to win the 18-49 demo crown for the fifth consecutive 52-week season, for the first time in 16 years the Peacock has also won the overall total-viewer race to become the most watched network in America.

The Buffalo Beauts announced the team will open its training camp on Wednesday, Sept. 19, when players are scheduled to report for the first practice of the season.

The Erie County Department of Senior Services has announced a series of public hearings to be held in order to seek input on programs and services offered by the department, and solicit comments and ideas from the public on how to improve those services to better serve the county's senior population. Hearings will be held in late October and early November at five sites around Erie County.

The Buffalo Sabres announced the roster for the team's training camp, which begins Thursday, Sept. 13, when players are scheduled to report for testing and physicals.

From Nov. 22 to Dec. 9, Fallsview Casino Resort presents "Christmas on Ice," a thrilling Christmas-themed spectacle of championship ice skaters, dancers, singers and holiday cheer.

The My One Buffalo mobile app is back for the 2018-19 season, and features upgrades that create an even more user-friendly way to manage tickets, find team content, view schedules and venue information, connect with unique, team-based experiences, and participate in the membership program.

Niagara's Honeymoon Sweets will be the site of "Grannies Lemonade Stand Showdown" on Sunday, Sept. 16. The event runs from noon until 5 p.m. and is for children in age categories 5 to 7 and 8 to 10.

The Niagara-Wheatfield Falcons girls soccer team make it very difficult for teams to score. The team has given up just two goals in eight games, and on Tuesday, nothing was different versus Lewiston-Porter. The Falcons defeated the Lancers, 3-0, in Niagara Frontier League play behind two goals from Briana Zayatz and one from Erin Weir. The shutout was also the Falcons' sixth of the season.

As Western New York and the nation stop to reflect on the horrific events that changed the world on Sept. 11, 2001, Russell J. Salvatore marked the somber anniversary at the "Patriots and Heroes Park" in front of his restaurant, Russell's Steaks, Chops, and More, at 6675 Transit Road, on Tuesday.

As the nation commemorates the anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks, the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund remembers the brave men and women who lost their lives 17 years ago responding to attacks against the World Trade Center in New York, the Pentagon, and the plane crash in Shanksville, Pennsylvania.

Buffalo and Niagara Falls GuildCare adult day health programs were awarded a VA contract to provide services to veterans.

The Red Knights Chapter 47 will host its annual 9/11 tribute in "Patriots and Heroes Park" at 6 p.m. today. The majority of the 92 volunteer fire departments in Western New York will be represented in this special event.

Empire State Development on Tuesday announced the 18 finalists of this year's 43North competition. The $5 million startup competition, which is supported by the governor's Buffalo Billion initiative, is designed to encourage entrepreneurs with high growth potential to compete for enterprise funding in Western New York.

Four-time Emmy Award-winning hit musical competition series "The Voice" will debut its first-ever, 10-part "Comeback Stage" companion series in its upcoming 15th season, which premieres Monday, Sept. 24 (8 p.m. ET/PT), on NBC.

Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz joined Congressman Brian Higgins, City of Tonawanda Mayor Rick Davis, Commissioner of Mental Health Michael Ranney, Commissioner of Central Police Services James Jancewicz, and Police Chief William Strassburg with representatives of the City of Tonawanda Police Department at the Tonawanda City Police HQ to announce an early diversion grant of $1.65 million over five years to provide crisis intervention training ("CIT") to law enforcement agencies across Erie County.

"Jeopardy!" begins its 35th season in syndication this week, and as part of the anniversary celebration, "America's Favorite Quiz Show" will debut a new tournament in a never-before-seen format: the "Jeopardy! All-Star Games."

The Great Pumpkin Farm in Clarence will kick off its 23rd annual Fall Festival this weekend (10 a.m. to dusk Saturday and Sunday) with a special armed forces weekend in collaboration with WNYHeroes Inc. The regular admission fee will be waived for active duty and retired military, police or fire department personnel who present proper identification to WNY Heroes representatives at the gate.

Maj. Gen. Anthony P. German, adjutant general for the state of New York, announced the recent promotion of members of the New York Army National Guard in recognition of their capability for additional responsibility and leadership. Included was Kassandra Bissell of Sanborn, assigned to the 105th Military Police Co., who received a promotion to the rank of private first class.

Family Promise of WNY, a community organization providing temporary shelter and support to families experiencing homelessness within Western New York, will host its fourth annual "Choctoberfest" at 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 20, Resurgence Brewing Co.

Mark Bridges, a Niagara Falls native and two-time Academy Award winner, will be among Hollywood filmmaking celebrities being honored at the upcoming inaugural Niagara Falls International Film Festival.

The Auxiliary of Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center will hold its annual chicken and rib dinner from 4-7:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 17, at the Bakery Restaurant, 3004 Niagara St. Guests may dine in or take out. The meal includes a chicken leg quarter, ribs, mashed potatoes, vegetable, roll and beverage.

Erie Canal Harbor Development Corp. (ECHDC) has released the results of its Outer Harbor "Capital Planning Phase" public survey. The qualitative survey, which was conducted both online and in-person, was part of the agency's first community meeting to seek public input for three projects focusing on access and the activation of over 150 acres of Buffalo's Outer Harbor.

The Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum has been selected to join the STEM 2035 cohort, a $5.5-million initiative developed by the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation, through which grant funding and technical assistance will be provided to 17 existing afterschool and summer STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) programs in Western New York and Southeast Michigan.

Modern Disposal Services Inc., a growing and fully integrated solid waste services company, announced it has acquired the assets of Ball Toilet & Septic Services Inc. An established and well-respected service business, Ball Toilet & Septic Services has served Western New York for more than 25 years. The acquisition of Ball strengthens Modern's construction and events services offering throughout Western New York.

The Western New York Independent Living Family of Agencies, with support from a number of community agencies, is holding its fourth biannual Summit on Aging and Independence, with expert speakers conducting workshops in 16 different areas. The event will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 18, at Adam's Mark Hotel, 120 Church St., Buffalo.

The Historical Association of Lewiston's September program is titled "One Hundred and One Years of Crystal Beach." The event will take place at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 27, at the Lutheran Church of the Messiah Fellowship Hall, 915 Oneida St., Lewiston.

The thriller "A Night of Dark Intent," written and directed by L. Don Swartz, will be presented at the Ghostlight Theatre, 170 Schenck St., North Tonawanda.

Join members of Villa Maria College's board of trustees and the college community to meet Interim President Dr. Matthew Giordano on Thursday, Sept. 20.

UBMD Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine is welcoming a couple of new doctors to the practice.

Compassion Productions is announcing a re-branding of its popular touring division to "Compassion LIVE." During its eight-year tenure, the touring arm of Compassion International has welcomed over 650,000 people to experiences that matter and witnessed more than 40,000 children sponsored through Compassion International, which aims to release children from poverty in 25 countries.

The Niagara Falls City School District Athletic Hall of Fame induction dinner will take place at 6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 21, at The Como, 2220 Pine Ave. The cost is $30 per person and $12 for each child age 12 and younger. There will be a cash bar. Reservations can be made by calling the district athletic office at 716-286-0794.

A book signing for "Johnnie's Adventures: Germans Coming to America" will take place from 1-3 p.m. Saturday at the Town of Porter Historical Museum (Red Brick Village Center second floor), 240 Lockport St.

To mark National Grandparents Day, Attorney General Barbara D. Underwood on Sunday issued an alert to New Yorkers about the "Grandparent Scam," a common phone scam that targets senior citizens with calls from fraudsters that pose as a grandchild of the victim. Underwood also shared a public service announcement that explains how the scam works and offers tips on how to avoid becoming a victim.

Eight of the world-famous Anheuser-Busch (Budweiser) Clydesdales were on display in the Village of Lewiston on Sunday afternoon.

Perhaps the most successful Niagara County Peach Festival of all time - four days strong and no rain this year - concluded Sunday night with the crowning of a new Peach Queen: Santana Sawma.

The first three days of the 61st annual Niagara County Peach Festival have gone off without a hitch. Thousands of people have traveled to Academy Park -- many in free, air-conditioned shuttles -- to enjoy Lewiston's signature event.

What a difference a year makes. Last year, the Niagara-Wheatfield Falcons football team's defense struggled to slow teams down. In 2018, the Falcons haven't given up a point. The Falcons defeated the Frontier Falcons, 19-0, Saturday, on a cool and breezy day at Terry Harvey Field.