Current News

M&T Bank recently announced the return of its "Gift of Warmth" campaign, the region's longest-running warm clothing collection program. At all of M&T's 65 local branches, Western New Yorkers can donate new gloves, mittens, scarves, hats and coats now through Jan. 3. All donations are given to local families served by The Salvation Army of Buffalo.

The Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens Society Inc. adopted a master plan for the future of the Botanical Gardens and has engaged the community to measure and gain support for the proposed 40,000-square-foot expansion. Informational meetings have been conducted with local community organizations, partners, government entities and community leaders to explain the expansion plan and secure input to ensure the plan addresses the needs of the community.

As a new generation is discovering Mister Rogers and his famed neighborhood, another generation of artists are celebrating his tremendous talent, career and humanity in a newly released album project: "Thank You, Mister Rogers: Music & Memories."

Mount St. Mary's was the only hospital in Niagara County to receive an "A" in The Leapfrog Group's fall 2019 Hospital Safety Grade Report of more than 2,600 hospitals across the country.

Ransomville Speedway will welcome back The Lucas Oil Empire Super Sprints for the first time in over 10 years when the winged sprint cars take to the "Big R" on Aug. 14, 2020, in a special doubleheader with the Krown Undercoating 358 Modifieds.

NYSEG and RG&E, subsidiaries of AVANGRID Inc., are preparing for the potential of high winds and light snow impacting regions of their service areas Wednesday afternoon and into Thursday morning. The storm is expected to impact most of the NYSEG and RG&E footprint, which includes the Western New York, Rochester, Southern Tier, Capital Region, Hudson Valley and Westchester regions. The Plattsburgh area is expected to be spared from high wind gusts, but may see 2-3 inches of snow.

Niagara Falls Music Hall of Fame jazz trumpeter Lew Custode will once again donate his talents to help raise funds for this year's Salvation Army Christmas fund drive.

There's 30 seconds left on the clock. Everyone watching in the small crowd that has gathered is extremely tense. The two opponents - one a middle-aged plumber wearing a red cap and overalls, the other a tall knight equipped with a sword, a bow and other weapons - dance back and forth on the stage, trying to find an opening in their opponent's defenses. One strong hit from either combatant could end the match.

Buffalo's fan superstore does more than offer tailgating necessities and autographed memorabilia at competitive prices: Dave and Adam's facilitates free-to-play Saturday Pokémon tournaments that are open to all ages and all levels of knowledge.

Hawaii is often referred to as "Paradise on Earth." Located in the Pacific Ocean, approximately 2,100 miles southwest of the mainland, the Hawaiian Islands have become a popular destination for tourism.

Though this is the coldest time of the year, winter brings friends and family together making this the best season out of all. From watching the snow fall from the warmth of your couch to drinking a cup of hot chocolate, winter is the escape everyone needs.

How is it possible you ask? Can you enjoy a football game while being able to consume one of the most popular snacks in your surrounding area, and have it be meat-free?

The long-awaited streaming service from the Walt Disney Company finally arrived on Nov. 12. Disney+ has come and people's lives seem to have been changed for the better. The app has anything and everything a Disney fanatic would want. There is everything from classic Disney animated films like "Alice in Wonderland" to series such as "Boy Meets World" to most things Marvel Cinematic Universe and "Star Wars."

The winner of the fall 2019 "Niagara's Got Talent" has been decided: K-pop Union.

Celine Dion returns to the top after 17 years, hitting No. 1 on the Billboard 200. Dion's anticipated album, "Courage" - her first English album in six years - is her fifth career No. 1 album (earning her a No. 1 album each decade for the past three decades). "Courage" has also landed in the top 10 in more than 10 countries - and counting. It was released through Sony Music Canada/Columbia Records (listen here).

Integrity Music's Nashville Life Music will release a new Christmas song on Nov. 29: "Gloria."

The Buffalo Sabres announced plans for the second annual "Sabres Skills Challenge" presented by New Era Cap, on Sunday, Jan. 5, at KeyBank Center. Current Sabres players will be divided into two teams to compete against each other in an all-star-style event designed for fans of all ages. Net proceeds from the event will benefit the Buffalo Sabres Foundation.

For the first time, Alton Brown is joining Anne Burrell to transform a roster of terrible cooks into culinary shape with challenges bigger and crazier than ever in a brand-new season of "Worst Cooks in America."

Jingle Falls USA will kick-off its three-week holiday celebration this Saturday, Nov. 30. The event will once again feature the Niagara Falls "Community Candlelight Stroll" from City Hall (795 Main St.) to Old Falls Street USA - where the Christmas tree will be lit. Participants are invited to gather in the City Hall parking lot beginning at 4:30 p.m. The stroll will start at City Hall to Old Falls Street at 5 p.m.

It all came down to this: Four celebrity and pro-dancer couples returned to the ballroom to compete for the last time for the coveted Mirrorball Trophy on the season finale of the 2019 season of "Dancing with the Stars," live, Monday on ABC.

Following a successful run last summer that propelled ABC to rank No. 1 across all key adult demos, the network announced the return of seven shows from its popular "Summer Fun & Games" lineup, including "The $100,000 Pyramid" (season five), "Card Sharks" (season two), "Celebrity Family Feud" (season six), "Match Game" (season five), "Press Your Luck" (season two), "To Tell the Truth" (season five), and, as previously announced, the second season of "Holey Moley."

Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz provided an update Tuesday on driving while intoxicated arrests in Erie County in 2019. He also encouraged safe driving around the Thanksgiving holiday weekend.

Congressman Brian Higgins on Monday announced Mission:Ignite was awarded a three-year $1,021,122 federal grant to oversee a program that engages AmeriCorps members in expanding science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) skills among area youth. Mission:Ignite will match the grant with $449,000, while an additional $472,000 in AmeriCorps education awards will be available to participating AmeriCorps members, bringing total investment in the program to $1.942 million.

The REACH (Restorative Environments Allowing Children Hope) Division of Community Missions provides a safe haven for neglected, abused and troubled youth, ages 7-17. We are challenged with providing services to the needy, troubled and emotionally disturbed population in Niagara County and other neighboring counties as needed.

Junior Achievement is currently celebrating its centennial. Strathmore Paper Founder Horace Moses, AT&T Chairman Theodore Vail and U.S. Sen. Murray Crane started JA in 1919 in Springfield, Massachusetts. JA's founding was in response to families moving from farms to the growing industrial cities. The goal was to provide young people with the skills they would need to be successful adults in their new communities.

It takes talent honed over a period of time to master the art of antiquing - skills that are cultivated by research, practice, patience and, ultimately, a trained eye.

On Friday, Nov. 29, the switch will be flipped to illuminate more than 1 million lights as the Fairgrounds Festival of Lights opens its 15th season. This time-honored, Western New York holiday tradition takes place at the Erie County Fairgrounds in Hamburg.

New York City. A beautiful place for the holidays. A massive Christmas tree located in Rockefeller Center, Christmas shops with lights, and music on every corner. One place, in particular, stands out in the city during the festive season - it's known as Radio City Music Hall.

Christmas is coming soon, and most people enjoy a Christmas party with friends or spending time with family. Also, there are many films that come to mind every Christmas holiday.

Pegula Sports & Entertainment and Seneca Resorts & Casinos have announced an additional partnership this time involving the Buffalo Sabres franchise. Seneca Resorts & Casinos is now the exclusive sportsbook partner of the Buffalo Sabres.

College is an interesting way of life. It's new, exciting, freeing, scary, messy and everything in between.

August 1962 marked the start of a journey Dr. Sharon Watkinson would never forget. She took her first step onto the Niagara University campus, with a love of English and a passion for theater. Her education would be the start of many students' collegiate careers.

Student-athletes are among the most hard-working students on any campus in the country. They work with hectic schedules throughout the academic year, from keeping up with their work in the classroom to attending practices and competitions. Athletes are left with very little time for other hobbies or an active social life.

Poverty has now taken over this once-beautiful city and now the question is what can we change in the community?

Last night, the world's biggest artists and pop-culture icons came together to honor idols, newcomers and record-breakers at the 2019 American Music Awards. Multi-Platinum-selling artist Ciara hosted the show and kicked the night off with a performance of her new single, "Melanin." The show aired live on ABC from the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.

Parks & Trails New York joined Assemblywoman Patricia Fahy to thank Gov. Andrew Cuomo for signing legislation (S.4416B/A.5035B) directing the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation to develop a coordinated plan for linking existing trails with potential trail corridors.

Today's national average price for a gallon of gasoline is $2.59, down 1 cent since last week. One year ago, the price was $2.56. The New York average is $2.68, down 1 cent from last week. A year ago, the state average was $2.83.

Food is a big part of holiday fun, but festivities can take your attention away from cooking and lead to fires. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, "from 2014 to 2016, an estimated 2,400 residential building fires were reported to fire departments in the U.S. on Thanksgiving Day and caused an estimated 5 deaths, 25 injuries and $19 million in property loss."

The Aquarium of Niagara announced the return of Arie, an 11-year-old California sea lion, after a successful, four-year-long breading loan.

On the evening of Tuesday, Dec. 10, the idea of compassionate public policy will be explored at a mini-conference at Niagara Falls' City Council Chambers, 745 Main St. All members of the community are welcome to this free event, which will include refreshments and will be held from 6-8 p.m.