Current News

Town of Grand Island Supervisor Nathan McMurray on Monday announced he will not seek re-election.

From the characters to the plot to the fight scenes and the music playing in the background, everything about FOX's new series "The Passage" is stylish and cool.

The Mount St. Mary's Hospital Foundation will hold its annual $1,000 reverse draw dinner fundraiser on Wednesday, March 27, at The Wurlitzer Building, 908 Niagara Falls Blvd., North Tonawanda. Sister Nora Sweeney, D.C., social worker at the Mount St. Mary's Neighborhood Health Center, will be honored for 10 years of service to those in need.

A second wave of stars is headed for the Oscars stage on Sunday, Feb. 24. Academy Awards producer Donna Gigliotti and co-producer and director Glenn Weiss announced 13 more Hollywood luminaries will celebrate the year in movies.

Today's national average price for a gallon of gasoline is $2.28, up 2 cents from last week. One year ago, the price was $2.58. The New York average is $2.47, down 2 cents from last week. A year ago, the state average was $2.76.

The Historical Association of Lewiston's February program, "Blanche Stuart Scott - Untamable Tomboy of the Air," will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 28, at the Lutheran Church of the Messiah Fellowship Hall, 915 Oneida St.

Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra music director JoAnn Falletta took home a third Grammy at the 61st Grammy Awards for a recording with the world-renowned London Symphony Orchestra. Falletta and producer Tim Handley were nominated for Best Classical Compendium for the recording of "Fuchs: Piano Concerto 'Spiritualist'; Poems Of Life; Glacier; Rush."

Save the date for a night of fine dining that supports the Niagara County Historical Society, as Lockport's Shamus Restaurant presents the 14th annual "History Night," Wednesday, Feb. 27, from 4:30-9 p.m. The restaurant will donate a portion of all proceeds raised that evening.

It's never too early to start thinking about summer. The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation has announced four lifeguard qualifying procedures are scheduled in the Niagara Region for the 2019 season.

The Home Assistance Referral Team (HART) hosted its annual recognition luncheon honoring caregivers Thursday at Lewiston's First Presbyterian Church.

Motorists entering the Center Street (Rite Aid) Plaza take note: On Monday, the Village of Lewiston Board voted to switch the Center Street exit from the Stone House side over to the Orange Cat corner. Additionally, trustees agreed to make the entrance both an ingress and egress - thus allowing for two-way traffic at this driveway.

Lewiston-Porter High School announces this year's musical, "The Addams Family," will open at 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 15, in the high school auditorium.

Organizers of the Niagara Footprint Festival received a proclamation from the Grand Island Town Board praising their success in establishing the first-ever winter event.

The biggest home basketball crowd in decades packed the Grand Island High School gymnasium for the retirement ceremony of Julie Roth Neville's basketball jersey Friday.

The Grand Island Town Board is stepping up to convey residents' complaints to state elected officials in Albany regarding frequent overcharges on E-ZPass statements.

The timing of this year's Rotary Club of Grand Island's Undie Sunday to benefit the homeless in Niagara Falls, Buffalo and surrounding areas is ideal considering the recent below-zero temperatures during the Blizzard of 2019. Beginning on Sunday, Feb. 10, and concluding on Sunday, Feb. 24, Island residents are encouraged to donate the basic needs of new and unused underclothing and socks for homeless men, women and children.

Natalie Smith a 2018 graduate of Lewiston-Porter High School was named to the fall 2018 dean's list at the University of New Hampshire. Smith earned highest honors with a grade-point average above 3.85 in University of New Hampshire's biomedical pre-veterinary program for the fall semester.

The Grand Island Republican Committee has announced its endorsed candidates for this election cycle. From left: Mike Madigan, Town Council; Pattie Frentzel, town clerk; John Whitney, town supervisor; Tom Digati, Town Council; and Mark Nemeth, town justice.

The children of Rosemary and Richard (Bud) Whiting have announced the 75th wedding anniversary of their parents on March 4, 2019. The immediate family will celebrate on Saturday, March 2, with a luncheon at The Terrace at Delaware Park's Marcy Casino.

Grand Island Relay For Life has announced these upcoming events. Relay For Life, with the theme "Cooking Up a Cure," will take place at Veterans Park from 4 p.m. to midnight Friday, June 7.

U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer on Friday launched a final push to pass legislation that will designate Jamestown's National Comedy Center as the official "National Comedy Center" of the U.S. via a provision Schumer pushed to include in the 2019 Lands Package.

United Way of Greater Niagara is now accepting "Community Care" applications for 2020-21. The form has been streamlined with the hope that it'll be easier to complete for all agencies.

In anticipation of her live EP, "Faith And Wonder (Live)," releasing on March 8, Meredith Andrews has released another new song "Open Over Us (Live)." Check out the song and pre-order the EP HERE.

Maryland-based husband/wife duo Wild Harbors are set to bow their anticipated full-length debut, "Monument," on March 15. Produced by Andrew Osenga (Laura Story, Caedmon's Call), the alt-pop singer/songwriter collection features 10 story-driven tracks wrapped in memorable melodies and warm harmonies.

SYCO/Columbia Records singing sensation Susan Boyle is celebrating a decade in the music industry with her new album "TEN," available for pre-order today. The 17-track album features her favorite recordings from the past 10 years and four never-heard-before tracks, which, in her own inimitable style, she has chosen to keep a surprise for her fans.

Curb | Word Entertainment award-winning band Big Daddy Weave's anticipated new song, "Alive," released today. The new single makes its debut at radio while the music video for "Alive" launches on multiple outlets online. "Alive" is the first single from the band's new album, slated to release this fall.

Singer/songwriter Sara Groves unveiled "Jesus, See The Traveler," available today. A poignant collaboration with Groves' daughter, Ruby, she received inspiration for the song while traveling overseas, listening to recounted stories of refugees fleeing war and oppression in various parts of the world.

American Niagara Hospitality announced the opening of a newly renovated Starbucks location inside Sheraton Niagara Falls. The spot is for hotel guests, tourists and local patrons alike.

As part of Niagara Frontier Publications' annual "Best Fish Fry" contest, vote for the restaurant serving your favorite fish fry. The eatery with the most votes will be featured in the Tribune and Dispatch and Sentinel, with additional photos and a video posted at www.wnypapers.com.

Dr. Terrence Vargo passed away unexpectedly on Feb. 5, 2019, leaving behind his spouse, Charlene; a daughter, Caitlin, from his first marriage to Becky Watford; his mother, Loretta; his brothers, Tim and Dan; and his sisters, Jacquie, Mimi and Carolyn.

Continuing a tradition that has become nearly as inevitable as taxes themselves, accounting students from Niagara University's College of Business Administration will again provide free tax preparation assistance to members of the Niagara Falls community this tax season.

The Opportunities Unlimited of Niagara Foundation will honor local community heroes who generously invest in the community inspiring others to make Western New York a better place in which to live.

Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center and Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center on Friday announced a collaborative effort to greatly improve the availability of cancer care in Niagara County.

Mount St. Mary's Hospital conducted a special ceremony on Thursday as part of its Black History Month events. The ceremony was held in front of a capacity gathering in the cafeteria.

Republican Congressman Chris Collins is fighting the New York Secure Ammunition and Firearms Enforcement (SAFE) Act.

The New York State Department of Transportation announced demolition work is scheduled to begin next week on a project to remove a portion of the Niagara Scenic Parkway in the City of Niagara Falls. As a result, a new road closure is scheduled to begin.

With strong winds carrying gusts of up to 60 mph in the forecast for Western New York, National Grid is increasing its evening and overnight staffing and will have line crews report for duty earlier than normal tomorrow morning.

NYSEG and RG&E, subsidiaries of AVANGRID, are closely monitoring weather forecasts in advance of strong winds due to sweep across the state later tonight through tomorrow. The companies encourage customers to stay tuned to local media for current weather and travel conditions, and plan ahead for any potential weather impacts.

On Wednesday, several Niagara-Wheatfield athletes signed their letters of intent to extend their sports careers into college.

On the morning of Wednesday, March 13, a descendant of Mahatma Gandhi will provide the keynote address for an annual conference that is open to the public. Arun Gandhi, "The Peace Farmer" and grandson of Mahatma Gandhi, will speak at the Compassionate Niagara Conference, highlighting an event meant to evoke discussion and participation.