Current News

As the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency celebrates its 50th anniversary year and this month's anniversary theme of "successful partnerships," the agency announced it has awarded $220 million to New York for State Revolving Funds (SRFs) to assist with water infrastructure projects that help protect surface water and provide safe drinking water to communities throughout the state.

The film "Aging Out" is a dramatic comedy, rooted in the love of a found family. The movie touches on some of the harsh realities of the adoption system. "Aging Out" displays diversity, togetherness, courage and sacrifice that family makes to stay together.

A series of papers published recently by two teams of vision researchers at the University at Buffalo and the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) is revealing important new information about the possible cause of a condition that underlies a rare form of irreversible blindness in young children.

Congressman Brian Higgins announced NeighborWorks Community Partners Niagara Falls will receive a $14,969 grant through the U/S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's housing counseling program.

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Basil Seggos urged New Yorkers to practice the utmost safety when burning wood and brush outdoors during recent dry conditions. Although the state's prohibition on residential brush burning ended in May, fire danger still exists.

Niagara County Legislator Dave Godfrey on Tuesday announced the Niagara County Department of Emergency Services will hold its first drive-thru event to provide free masks and small bottles of hand sanitizer to the general public.

Niagara County's Department of Health issued the following update on positive COVID-19 cases in Niagara County: "We regretfully report the death of a 77-year-old male with underlying health conditions. We extend our deepest sympathies to his family and friends."

Erie County District Attorney John Flynn is reminding residents that setting off fireworks is not only dangerous and disruptive, but also an illegal activity.

The University at Buffalo School of Nursing has received a $1.5 million grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to increase access to mental health and substance abuse treatment by integrating care in nurse-led primary care clinics in rural and medically underserved areas in Western New York.

Arts Services Initiative of Western New York Inc. announced it is entering the next stage of organizational governance with several members of its board of directors terming off, others elected to a second term, and a few being elected to serve as chairs of specific committees. This news comes as ASI prepares for fiscal year 2021, when it will celebrate its 10th anniversary.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Tuesday announced $65 million in federal CARES Act funding is available for child care providers statewide through the "New York Forward" child care expansion incentive program.

Safe summer fun has arrived as decade-long partners the City of Buffalo, BlueCross BlueShield of WNY, and the Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy announce the opening of the MLK Jr. splash pad at the historic Humboldt Basin.

To celebrate Independence Day, iHeartMedia announced its all-new television and radio special, "iHeartCountry 4th of July BBQ" and featuring country music artists Kane Brown, Lauren Alaina and Old Dominion performing live from the backyards of their homes. Hosted by Bobby Bones, the celebration invites Americans to tune-in for of an evening of music and storytelling.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development on Monday awarded nearly $40 million in housing counseling grants to help over 1 million individuals and families access HUD-approved housing counseling to help them avoid foreclosure and make more informed homebuying and rental choices.

Hosted by Dwayne Johnson of "The Titan Games," NBC will air the two-hour special "Global Goal: Unite for Our Future — The Concert" on Saturday, June 27 (8 p.m. ET/PT).

Island Dispatch for June 19, 2020

The Niagara Count Department of Public Works on Monday announced it will soon begin survey work on Sunset Drive from Upper Mountain Road to Stone Road as the first step in the design process to rehabilitate the driving surface. The actual project would be a few years away.

The Critics Choice Association announced the 26th annual Critics Choice Awards will air live on The CW Network on Sunday, March 7, 2021 (7-10 p.m. ET/delayed PT), with acclaimed film, television and stage star Taye Diggs returning to host for his third consecutive time.

Depeche Mode and Live Nation have partnered to bring audiences around the world together for a one-time-only live stream of the full concert film "LiVE SPiRiTS" from Depeche Mode's boundary-breaking, feature-length documentary and concert film, "Depeche Mode: SPiRiTS in the Forest."

In celebration of Black Music Month, Apple Music invites listeners to travel through genre, time and place as it celebrates black artists and their foundational contributions to modern pop music.

USA Niagara Development Corp. and New York State Parks announced the start of construction of a new pedestrian entry into Niagara Falls State Park. Located at 305 Buffalo Ave., on the corner of Third Street and Buffalo Avenue, the entry goes through a vacant parcel purchased by USAN through the Buffalo Billion strategic land acquisition program. The program provides funding to acquire vacant or underutilized properties near Niagara Falls State Park.

Cornerstone Community FCU, Cornerstone Arena and Mills Jewelers invite the community to come out for a canned food drive on Friday, June 26. Businesses and neighbors are asked to bring their canned goods to help support Niagara County food banks.

Testing for COVID-19 leads to quick identification of cases, medical support for those that need it, and immediate isolation of the person to prevent spread. Close contacts to positive cases are considered quarantines to further reduce spread.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Monday updated New Yorkers on the state's progress during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The number of new cases, percentage of tests that were positive and many other helpful data points are always available at forward.ny.gov.

I hope all residents are enjoying the summerlike weather we are having now. Everyone is eager to get outside and enjoy the sunshine, but please maintain social distancing and wearing your mask when among people. Since the Governor has allowed groups of 25 to assemble, there still needs to be social distancing. While dining outside is enjoyable, the rules still need to be followed. Dining inside is now allowed for 50% capacity.

Coronavirus stats for June 22

Artpark & Company drew rave reviews when, in 2017, Director of Visual Arts & Family Programs Tanis Winslow and a team of artists recreated "Niagara 1979" - the late Gene Davis' "Painted Parking Lot."

Spring training appears headed to New York.

With Father's Day fast approaching, I wanted to take a moment to share this message of thanks. Today, fatherhood is sometimes drily described as a craft or an occupation, something which competes with career or outside pursuits for time and attention. In our era of new pressures and strains on families, we often forget just what it is that is special about fatherhood.

As states begin to relax stay-at-home COVID-19 restrictions, populations on lockdown are flocking outside - just in time for summer. As the mercury rises, however, so do reports of heat-related illnesses. Heat can trigger exhaustion and heat stroke, and, like COVID-19, can exacerbate underlying conditions like cardiovascular, respiratory, kidney or mental diseases.

After a long Tuesday night and Wednesday morning of counting absentee ballots for the budget vote and trustee election, the Grand Island Central School District announced Wednesday passage of its $64 million 2020-21 school budget.

The Town of Grand Island Board approved motions at its meeting on Monday to open playgrounds and begin accepting registrations for adult and youth recreation programs this summer because of COVID-19 pandemic restrictions being lifted by the state.

The Town of Grand Island and the Erie County Board of Elections announced this week that the Western New York Welcome Center on Alvin Road will be used as an additional early voting location for the upcoming elections in New York state.

The Town of Grand Island has partnered with two local agencies to provide a virtual, live presentation with a question and answer session about solar parks and community solar.

Trinity United Methodist Church has announced the first of a series of monthly food giveaways.

Congressman Brian Higgins announced two Western New York organizations were selected for September 11th National Day of Service and Remembrance Grant awards totaling more than $103,000 from the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS). The purpose of the grants is to encourage volunteering as a tribute to victims, survivors, and those who served in response to the attacks on 9/11.

Earlier this week, HBO Max unveiled the first clip from #ReleaseTheSnyderCut, the version of "Justice League" helmed by Zack Snyder.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Friday gave his final daily coronavirus update. He has appeared on TV before the media for 111 straight days - since the COVID-19 pandemic began and New York state went on "PAUSE."

Since 1846 and continuously since 1885, Maid of the Mist vessels powered by steam and diesel engines have carried millions of passengers to the base of Niagara Falls for an iconic, up-close view of one of the wonders of the world.