Current News

Niagara University's Levesque Institute for Civic Engagement has developed an array of online programming for the broader community to offer supports while the pandemic continues.

Social Services Commissioner Marie Cannon is reminding Erie County residents that they do not have to (and are not advised to) visit Social Services offices to access the assistance programs the department offers. Programs can either be accessed online or by requesting an application over the phone.

Dash's Markets is offering exclusive shopping hours for doctors, nurses and all first responders: 6-7 a.m. Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, beginning April 4.

Congressman Brian Higgins announced Western New York will receive over $19.939 million in federal emergency funding to help local communities respond to and recover from the COVID-19 outbreak. The funding was included in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act recently approved by Congress to address urgent public health and economic crisis.

Susan G. Komen Upstate New York has rescheduled its annual Western New York "More Than Pink" Walk amid health concerns around COVID-19. The original date of June 13 has been rescheduled to Saturday, Sept. 5. The event will remain at Buffalo RiverWorks.

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Basil Seggos reminded New Yorkers across the state to recreate locally (#RecreateLocal) and use DEC's "I Bird NY" as a resource to enjoy nature and stay connected to the great outdoors.

Erie County Sheriff Timothy B. Howard recently issued warning about area parks and recreational areas.

On Tuesday, the Town of Niagara was awarded nearly $600,000 in Niagara River Greenway funding for a proposed Town Square project for Veterans' Memorial Community Park, bringing the total funds provided by Greenway to upward of $1 million.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Wednesday said there's no immediate end date to social distancing or brick and mortar restrictions put in place to slow the spread of COVID-19. Moreover, though he said there is likely a way to have businesses reopen as people are still taking precautionary measures, he acknowledged the coronavirus would still pose a public danger into the summer months.

The Niagara County Department of Public Works announced Thursday the Lockport portion of the Tonawanda Creek Road Rehabilitation and Tonawanda Creek Slide Stabilization project will be open to two-way traffic by the end of the business day Friday.

Thanks to the fast action of two University at Buffalo faculty members, Kaleida Health Labs will have two more crucial tools to help it fight the COVID-19 crisis in Erie County.

Congressman Brian Higgins on Thursday announced Western New York will receive more than $61.3 million in federal funding to support public transportation through an emergency package approved by Congress in response to the COVID-19 outbreak.

ECDOH is sharing precautions from the New York State Poison Control Centers on chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine, two drugs that are being discussed as a possible treatment for COVID-19.

Read the full April 3 Tribune/Sentinel.

Congressman Brian Higgins, D-NY-26, and his colleagues on the House of Representatives Ways and Means Subcommittee on Social Security requested and won agreement by the U.S. Department of Treasury to automatically provide stimulus checks to senior citizens who are Social Security recipients - reversing course on previous directives that would have required seniors to complete forms to receive the COVID-19 relief payment.

On Thursday, the Niagara County Health Department released the following update on positive COVID-19 cases in Niagara County:

Elizabeth Corey Coffey and Jen Heinze recently invited community members to place bears and other stuffed animals in their windows, thus providing families an opportunity to get in the car and scavenger hunt.

Stay-at-home orders and social distancing have disrupted day-to-day life as the world works to mitigate the effects of the global coronavirus pandemic.

The Department of Public Service on Wednesday issued the first "State of Storage" annual report announcing progress in reaching New York's statewide energy storage goal of 3,000 megawatts (MW) by 2030, with an interim objective of deploying 1,500 MW by 2025.

For the first time, Food Network's "The Kitchen" will premiere a food-filled, special quarantine edition this Saturday, April 4 (11 a.m. ET). Join co-hosts Sunny Anderson, Alex Guarnaschelli, Katie Lee, Jeff Mauro and Geoffrey Zakarian from the confines of their homes, as they partake in a kitchen pantry pull, sharing and cooking recipes from their home kitchens for this special edition of "The Kitchen."

World-renowned chefs Anne Burrell and Tyler Florence are back to whip a fresh cast of all-star cooking nightmares into culinary shape in a brand-new season of "Worst Cooks in America: Celebrity Edition," premiering Sunday, May 10 (9 p.m. ET/PT) on Food Network.

Congressman Brian Higgins, D-NY-26, and other members of New York and New Jersey's federal delegation are calling for the U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary to expedite funding to health care providers in the two states.

Buffalo Sabres forward Jack Eichel has purchased 5,000 personal protective equipment (PPE) masks from hockey equipment manufacturer Bauer that will be distributed to various hospitals throughout Western New York.

Attorney General Letitia James, along with state and local officials and advocates, reminded victims of domestic violence they are not alone and that help remains available around-the-clock. On average, more than 10 million individuals per year are physically abused by an intimate partner in the U.S. Her camp said, "While social isolation is necessary amidst the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, it may aggravate what is already a widespread problem."

Parents: If your child doesn't have access to the Easter coloring contest found in our newspaper, or if you are looking for an additional entry form, please feel free to download the poster HERE (PDF).

Per New York State Executive Order 202.6 issued March 27th, 2020, non-essential construction projects throughout the State are required to shut down. The Downtown Placemaking project, which began on March 24th, falls under this requirement.

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a complete halt of community and business activity for many in Western New York. Until the pandemic risk subsides, many businesses will continue to be interrupted.

The Niagara County Health Department on Wednesday released the following update on positive COVID-19 cases in Niagara County:

Fair Trade Services announced the newest release from Micah Tyler. Titled "New Today," his second full album project is slated to release April 24.

The Niagara County Center for Economic Development shared this information with local elected leaders, who are, in turn, sharing it with NFP readers.

With Easter is right around the corner - and residents with less access to items they'd normally purchase to celebrate the holiday - Willow Consulting is organizing a special drive-up event from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Saturday, April 4, outside 625 Center St., Lewiston (across from St. Peter R.C. Church).

Kaleida Health on Tuesday announced it has received its most recent planned shipment of protective face masks. Purchased from Foam Depot Inc., the 1 million surgical/procedural masks (pictured), are the types the hospital system is using with its "universal masking" guidelines. They are available for staff and visitors to use in all of our sites, including in hospitals, long-term care and home care.

Following President Donald Trump's signing of the historic Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, Small Business Administrstion Administrator Jovita Carranza and Treasury Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin today announced the SBA and Treasury Department have initiated a robust mobilization effort of banks and other lending institutions to provide small businesses with the capital they need.

As more states mandate that nonessential employees stay home to slow the spread of COVID-19, many leaders and teams are navigating the complexities of remote work for the first time.

As of noon today, we have received reports of 499 total positive COVID-19 cases in Erie County residents. Eight Erie County residents have died, and 53 people have recovered. There are currently 438 people in isolation.

Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo today announced a new hospital network central coordinating team that will help facilitate a more coordinated and strategic approach among the state's health care system in combating the COVID-19 pandemic.

Empire State Development sent the following information to Niagara County elected leaders, who are sharing it with NFP.

Destination Niagara USA sent the following information to Niagara County elected leaders, who are sharing it with NFP.