Current News

In order to maintain access to arts during times of economic stress, the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra is offering two free tickets to furloughed federal employees, veterans, and military families for the first BPO concert of 2019.

FOX has renewed the Emmy Award-winning dance competition series "So You Think You Can Dance" for a 16th season. From Industrial Media's 19 Entertainment and dick clark productions, "So You Think You Can Dance" will return this summer on FOX.

The Niagara County Sheriff's Office will work with Erie County Crimestoppers to set up a fund for those wishing to pledge money for a reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons involved in the Wilson Road dog abuse case. The Niagara County Sheriff's Office will not accept money directly, nor is the sheriff's office responsible for making any reward payment.

The Kenan Center announced a third season of "Jazz @ the Taylor," an eight-concert series featuring some of the finest musicians from Western New York and beyond. Produced in collaboration with Kathleen Rooney, a former Kenan Center board member and Lockport native, the adventurous jazz series is attracting critical acclaim and audiences from all over the region.

Disney|ABC Television and Disney Publishing Worldwide announced the seventh annual "Magic of Storytelling" campaign, which aims to donate up to 1 million books to First Book, a nonprofit that provides new free and affordable books to educators and organizations serving children from low-income families. Now through March 31, the campaign aims to inspire families' imaginations, cultivate a lifelong love of reading in kids, and bring books to underserved communities across the country.

Today's national average price for a gallon of gasoline is $2.245, up less than 1 cent from last week. One year ago, the price was $2.53. The New York state average is $2.55 - down 3 cents from last week. A year ago, the state average was $2.68.

The Alzheimer's Association, Western New York Chapter, is planning a special three-part educational program for caregivers of those living with middle-stage dementia. "Vital Care for the Caregiver" will focus on:

Canisius College will host urban wildlife expert Chris Nagy, Ph.D., director of research and education at Mianus River Gorge, Bedford, for a talk titled "New York's Newest Immigrant: Coyotes in the City." The event will take place at 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 17, in Grupp Fireside Lounge. Presented by the college's anthrozoology master's program, the event is free and open to the public.

For the second year in a row, property tax levy growth for school districts will be capped at 2 percent, according to data released by New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli. This 2 percent cap affects the tax cap calculations for 676 school districts as well as 10 cities with fiscal years starting July 1, including the "Big Four" cities of Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse and Yonkers.

BlueCross BlueShield of Western New York's "Blue Fund" is accepting letters of intent online through Feb. 4 for grants to organizations and initiatives that align with at least one of its key focus areas. These include behavioral health, cardiovascular health, diabetes, health-care workforce development, healthy children and the opioid epidemic.

The New York State Department of Taxation and Finance encourages taxpayers to prepare for income tax filing season by reviewing some important tips that can ease the process and ensure accurate returns and promptly issued refunds.

AAA of Western and Central New York wants to make sure drivers are prepared to battle the cold this winter. Hazardous storms and inclement weather are a factor in more than half a million crashes and more than 2,000 road deaths every winter, according to research from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. AAA urges drivers to slow down, be cautious and prepare their vehicles for cold days for their own personal safety.

Special Olympics New York President and CEO Stacey Hengsterman announced Rochester will host the New York State Winter Games Feb. 22-23. The event will bring approximately 1,000 athletes and coaches to the area to compete in six winter sports: alpine and cross-country skiing, figure skating, floor hockey, snowboarding and snowshoeing.

The Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo is accepting letters of intent for its 2019 competitive grant process through Feb. 4. Interested organizations should read the detailed guidelines/additional information that can be found here before submitting a letter of intent: https://www.cfgb.org/nonprofits/grants/community-foundation/.

The Who announced they will bring the "Moving On!" tour to KeyBank Center on Thursday, May 9. Tickets for the 8 p.m. go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday, Jan. 18. Prices range from $67.50 to $333.50 (includes $4.50 facility fee) and can be purchased at the KeyBank Center box office, online at www.tickets.com, or by calling 888-223-6000.

NBC's broadcast of the Kansas City Chiefs' 31-13 victory over the Indianapolis Colts on Saturday in the AFC Divisional Playoff averaged 29.1 million TV-only viewers - ranking as the most-watched Saturday 4:30 p.m. ET NFL Divisional Playoff in three years (31.5 million for Chiefs-Patriots on CBS, Jan. 16, 2016).

The Buffalo Beauts extended their winning streak to three games on Saturday, topping the Metropolitan Riveters at Harborcenter by a score of 5-1 to improve to 7-4-0 on the season.

Talk about a song getting stuck in your head. How about a song getting stuck in your car's cassette deck? It happened to Adam F. Goldberg, executive producer and creator of the ABC hit comedy "The Goldbergs." He, of course, turned this into a storyline and will feature the song prominently in an all-new episode titled "The Pina Colada Song" on Wednesday, Jan. 16 (8 p.m.).

The Neighbors Foundation helps those on Grand Island who are in temporary need. While its biggest fundraiser takes place at Christmas time, its work is year-round.

Grand Island voters approved a $24 million capital project plan in a referendum Tuesday.

Right before Christmas, Empire State Development announced Artpark & Company was the recipient of a $100,000 award from the Western New York Regional Economic Development Council. The money will go toward the creation of a master plan - a road map outlining what Artpark could and should be now and well into the future.

The Buffalo Launch Club held its installation of 2019 officers on Sunday, Dec. 30, at the club, 503 E. River Road. The installation followed an 11 a.m. brunch.

A large crowd, mostly young women and girls, attended a forum on women in science and mathematics presented by the Grand Island Zonta Club Wednesday evening at Grand Island High School.

Whatever 2019 new year's resolutions made for more congeniality in Grand Island Town Board meetings lasted little more than an hour.

The DeGlopper Memorial Expansion Committee signed a contract Monday with a sculptor to produce a life-sized statue of Charles DeGlopper that would be a centerpiece of the new and improved DeGlopper Park.

Eleanor Mae Swain (Turnbull), 91, of Grand Island, entered into rest Jan. 4, 2019.

The Youngstown Business and Professional Association held its annual winter meeting Tuesday evening at Rays Tavern, with a full house in attendance.

Starting Monday, Jan. 14, the Village of Lewiston Department of Public Works will begin replacing water meter heads. Residents are asked to call the clerk's office at 754-8271 to make an appointment. There is no fee for this service, which should only take about 10 minutes.

Excitement continues to build for the Town of Lewiston's newest residential community.

Community solar is beginning to make waves around Lewiston.

The Lancers have come into the 2018-19 season with, quite possibly, one of the most talented rosters compiled in some time.

Niagara-Wheatfield's Raejaun Smith would be the first to admit he's been struggling at the free throw line the past couple games. Despite the struggles, Smith came through when it mattered most for the Falcons. The Falcons defeated the Kenmore East Bulldogs 71-69 Friday night, in what was a thriller from start to finish.

NBC's "Blindspot" gave fans a pre-Christmas gift in the form of a midseason finale stocking-stuffed with story setups normally reserved for the season-ender.

Republican Assemblyman Angelo J. Morinello will join Republican New York State Sen. Robert Ortt and Niagara County Clerk Joe Jastrzemski on Saturday, Jan. 26, to host an informational event on the Second Amendment.

University at Buffalo faculty member Gregory Fabiano is continuing his nationally recognized work with ADHD children with a new study that will test how best to meet the special education goals of these children.

Hit culinary competition series "MasterChef Junior" returns Tuesday, Feb. 26 (8 p.m. ET/PT), on FOX.

Buffalo Sabres left wing Jeff Skinner (Atlantic), Colorado Avalanche left wing Gabriel Landeskog (Central), Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Kris Letang (Metropolitan) and Edmonton Oilers center Leon Draisaitl (Pacific) have been awarded the final roster spots for the 2019 Honda NHL All-Star Weekend as a result of voting in the 2019 NHL All-Star "Last Men In" presented by adidas.

Celebrating Hollywood's biggest night of year, ABC will showcase a special sneak preview of the highly anticipated, high-octane dramedy "Whiskey Cavalier," on "Oscar Sunday," Feb. 24, in advance of the series premiere on Wednesday, Feb. 27 (10-11 p.m. EST).

Recording artist Lennon Stella has been named Radio Disney's "NBT" (Next Big Thing).

The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation and State Department of Environmental Conservation remind snowmobilers to ride responsibly while enjoying the state's abundant snowmobiling opportunities.