Current News

Niagara County Clerk Joseph A. Jastrzemski on Tuesday said New York state extended expirations for both vehicle inspections and five-hour course pre-licensing certificates due to the COVID-19 shutdown.

On Tuesday, New York State Sen. Rob Ortt sent a letter to Gov. Andrew Cuomo requesting that further measures be put in place to protect officers working in the state's correctional facilities, as well as parole officers.

The Erie County Department of Parks, Recreation and Forestry announced disc golf courses at Chestnut Ridge, Emery, Ellicott Creek and Como Lake parks will be closed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and due to concerns about safe social distancing while playing. New signage will be installed at each disc golf course advising of the closing, and baskets will be removed and stored until the courses are reopened.

The New York Power Authority board of trustees today met virtually for its regular meeting to review and approve its planned agenda items. At the meeting, the NYPA board approved a plan to provide fiscal relief to its economic development power customers during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Garth Brooks and his wife, Trisha Yearwood, will appear in the new primetime special, "Garth & Trisha Live!" Wednesday, April 1 (9 p.m., live ET/delayed PT) on the CBS Television Network.

AXS TV announced the network is airing 14 episodes of the multi-award-winning music series "Live From Daryl's House" - premiering Sunday, April 19 (9 p.m. ET). AXS TV has curated a roster of the popular series' episodes, highlighting an eclectic blend of artists that will appeal to the network's diverse audience.

The New York State Association of Counties has updated a report detailing the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on county governments, stating that NY's regional governments are now looking at a potential $2 billion loss in revenues. The report can be found here: Coronavirus Economic Impact: County Sales Tax Revenue Projections.

NYSEG and RG&E, AVANGRID companies, on Monday announced they are donating approximately 17,700 protective masks to assist health care workers across the state amid a shortage of protective gear for medical personnel fighting the coronavirus pandemic. The donation comes on the heels of Gov. Andrew Cuomo's call for assistance as New York continues to face increasing strains on the health care system.

Dollar General is proud to provide all medical personnel, first responders and activated National Guardsmen with a 10% discount on qualifying purchases*. Individuals can present their employment badge or ID at more than 16,300 stores to receive the discount.

This message is to update you on current issues in our city. As previously stated, the State of Emergency Act remains in effect, which means all closures are still enforced. Thank you, residents, for adhering to these guidelines.

Across New York, it is estimated there are more than 400,000 individuals living with some type of dementia, with another 1 million-plus people providing some kind of care for them. Their needs for access to help, support and education are ongoing.

Families and individuals across New York state are staying home to practice social distancing to help flatten the COVID-19 curve. With many restaurants closed or limited to takeout or delivery services, more New Yorkers are cooking at home. Cooking and baking can be a positive activity for family connections, but it also can lead to some lapses in home kitchen and cooking fire safety.

Starting this Thursday, The Winery at Marjim Manor will offer home delivery to two areas. Route one is Niagara County and northern Erie County while route two is Orleans County.

The "super nine" finalists from groups "A," "B" and "C" come together for the first time on an all-new, special two-hour episode of "The Masked Singer" this Wednesday, April 1 (8/7c), on FOX.

Dierks Bentley, Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Little Big Town, Darius Rucker (with Brad Paisley), Shania Twain, Carrie Underwood and Keith Urban are among the all-star lineup of performers for "ACM Presents: Our Country," a two-hour special featuring intimate conversations and at-home acoustic performances with country music's biggest stars, along with clips from the Academy of Country Music Awards' 55-year history.

Girl Scouts of Western New York has moved formally to all-online sales of cookies, after two weeks ago cancelling more than 750 planned, in-person cookie booth sales stations, given the region's current virus restrictions.

Duff Goldman and his Charm City Cake team of decorators, designers and builders return with an all-new array of top-tier cakes that are beyond wild imagination on the new season of "Duff Takes The Cake." For years, renowned clients have come to the "Ace of Cakes" star for his artistry and ability to design marvelous edible masterpieces made entirely of cake for noteworthy celebrations and A-list events. Now, Duff and his team are using their master skills to design epic cakes for deserving, good-hearted people serving their communities, to celebrate their hard work and special milestones.

The national average for a gallon of regular gasoline has dropped below $2 per gallon for the first time in four years. Today's national gas price average dipped to $1.997 to be exact. Here in New York, the average is $2.33 with motorists able to find gas for less than $2.25 per gallon at 24% of gas stations. AAA expects gas prices to drop by at least another quarter in April.

The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) announced it has been recognized with the 2020 ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year - Sustained Excellence Award. NYSERDA's accomplishments are being recognized for the 15th consecutive year by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Department of Energy.

As the coronavirus pandemic reached American shores, grocery chains - both large and small - experienced an unexpected surge in demand for many products, triggered by a wave of panic buying on the part of consumers.

Amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, District Attorney John J. Flynn is reminding the residents of Erie County about resources that remain available for victims of domestic violence.

Community Missions (CMI) has launched a website (www.HopeForNiagara.org) and companion Facebook page (www.Facebook.com/HopeForNiagara) to provide a resource for spiritual help and hope to Niagara during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC), the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), the Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee, the Tokyo metropolitan government and the government of Japan on Monday agreed new dates for the Games of the XXXII Olympiad, in 2021. The Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 will be celebrated from July 23 to Aug. 8, 2021. They also agreed on new dates for the Paralympic Games, which will be celebrated from Aug. 24 until Sept. 5, 2021.

Amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo on Monday announced a statewide public-private hospital plan to fight COVID-19. As part of the plan, public and private hospitals from across the state have agreed to implement a new balanced approach to fighting the virus where hospitals that are beginning to reach or exceed capacity can transfer patients to other hospitals that are not as full.

While the coronavirus pandemic is causing fear, it is also inspiring beautiful acts of kindness. Associates at Kenmore Mercy Hospital were recently greeted with uplifting chalk messages on the sidewalk from a local family.

Sunday night's broadcast of the benefit special "FOX Presents the iHeart Living Room Concert for America" brought viewers together to thank first responders and medical workers on the front lines, and to celebrate America's everyday heroes. The event raised money to support two charities that are doing critical work during these challenging times: Feeding America and First Responders Children's Foundation. The one-hour special was created to help fight the spread of the COVID-19 virus and to celebrate the resilience and strength of the nation during this pandemic.

At a public safety briefing Monday morning, Village of Lewiston Mayor Anne Welch and Town of Lewiston Supervisor Steve Broderick provided updates on efforts to keep residents safe and financially stable as the COVID-19 pandemic continues.

Today is the annual Doctors' Day celebration across the country, and Kaleida Health is extending a "Thank you" to all the dedicated physicians working tirelessly across its health system to care for the community each and every day, but especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

At a press update Monday afternoon inside the LCTV studios in Lockport, Niagara County Legislature Chairwoman Becky Wydysh and Public Health Director Daniel Stapleton announced a sharp - but not unexpected - spike in the number of positive COVID-19 cases.

This week, HBO is highlighting family-friendly movies that are available to stream on HBO NOW and HBO GO.

On Monday morning, Mount St. Mary's Hospital held a "blessing of the tents" that are set up outside of the emergency department.

The Erie Canal Harbor Development Corp. board of directors met last week and approved several items, including two measures that will secure parking for tenants and businesses at Canalside.

American Red Cross Disaster Action Team volunteers provided immediate emergency assistance for 33 people from 12 households following an evacuation in Niagara Falls Wednesday evening, March 25.

Recognizing an emerging urgent need for COVID-19 post-acute care beds, Elderwood has established a dedicated unit for post-acute care of COVID-19 patients at its Elderwood at Amherst Skilled Nursing Facility located at 4459 Baily Ave., Amherst.

Niagara University's Rev. Joseph L. Levesque, C.M. Institute for Civic Engagement, in partnership with Leadership Niagara, is asking the community to "Halt Hate" on Thursday, April 2. Now in its second year, this annual initiative encourages participants to spend 24 hours choosing not to hate, but rather, to respond compassionately to situations they encounter in their everyday lives and to consciously seek to understand, practice tolerance, and gain perspective.

Lewiston Tops will continue to meet the needs of River Region residents, even as demand for food and supplies increases amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

Amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo on Sunday announced all "New York State on PAUSE" functions will be extended for the next two weeks. He also directed the state nonessential workforce to continue to work from home for an additional two weeks, through April 15. The state will re-evaluate after this additional two-week period.

On Sunday morning, the Niagara County Sheriff's Office received numerous 911 calls reporting a house fire at 2176 River Road in the Town of Wheatfield. Upon arrival of deputies, the house was fully engulfed in flames.

•On Sunday, Niagara County Public Health Director Daniel J. Stapleton said, "As of today, March 29, Niagara County has 38 positive test results for COVID-19. This is 10 more than our last report and continues the upward trend. Our public health nurses have been working with these individuals all weekend. The heat map that shows test results by municipality with be updated with these new cases on Monday."

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Conservation (State Parks) today encouraged New Yorkers to engage in responsible recreation during the ongoing COVID-19 public health crisis.