Current News

The chairman of the Public Service Commission on Wednesday approved an order that will allow New York American Water (NYAW) to delay implementing the previously approved rate increase scheduled to take effect April 1 under its existing four-year rate plan.

AARP Community Connections, a new online platform launched by AARP Innovation Labs, allows users to organize and find local volunteer groups to help pick up groceries, provide financial assistance or lend emotional support to neighbors, friends and loved ones. Across the country, these informal online groups - also called "mutual aid" groups - help communities stay connected at a time when people must practice social distancing to stay safe.

In 1996, titans of Buffalo's preservation community, including John Conlin, Edward J. Patton, and Paul Redding, were commissioned by then Common Council President George K. Arthur to identify structures in the City of Buffalo built prior to 1860. The resulting list included approximately 215 buildings, with the oldest from 1818.

New York's farmers are among the best in the nation when it comes to supporting people in need through their regional food banks. This week, American Farm Bureau Federation recognized New York Farm Bureau's Young Farmers and Ranchers (YF&R) program for its efforts to donate more than 7.3 million pounds of food to the regional food banks across the state last year. That was the second-highest donation total in the country, behind Florida.

The Salvation Army is changing the way it serves people in need. Unemployment in New York state has skyrocketed in just a few weeks. The state labor department reported that parts of the state are seeing a 1,000% increase in jobless claims, and Salvation Army officers and staff members are continuing to meet human needs without discrimination across New York.

When Tami Maglier headed to work on Saturday, March 21, she didn't expect to have much business.

Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo on Thursday announced the state has received significant donations from a number of major corporations, philanthropic organizations and celebrities to help increase the state's supply capacity amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Lewiston's Memorial Day Remembrance Committee (LMDRC) announced that our Memorial Day free town and village community luncheon has been cancelled for 2020. Of course, the reason is the coronavirus. The governor has required that we not gather in large groups, and serving 500-700 people lunch under a huge tent certainly looks like what he was talking about.

On Tuesday, Charter announced it is expanding the eligibility for its 60-day free offer for Spectrum broadband internet and Wi-Fi access to include educators (K-12 teachers and college/university professors) who do not already have a Spectrum account.

Kaleida Health is taking extra precautions to ensure the health and protection of its staff, patients and visitors, with the move to "universal masking."

The New York States Department of Labor on Thursday announced the initial unemployment insurance claims data for New York state for the week ending March 21, 2020 - the first week in which claims were impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Initial unemployment insurance claims last week, increased over the past year by 520% in New York. Overall, more than 80,500 claims were filed last week. Initial claims for UI increased by a minimum of 284% in each of New York's 10 labor market regions.

Six local newsrooms in New York were selected to receive almost $30,000 in funding - CNY Latino, Examiner Media, Niagara Frontier Publications, Spotlight Newspapers, Wallkill Valley Publications Inc., and Watertown Daily Times, with each of these recipients getting $5,000. In this first round, 50 local newsrooms across the U.S. and Canada are receiving $5,000 grants to help cover unexpected costs associated with covering the crisis in their communities. Additional recipients will be announced in the coming weeks.

Catholic Health admitted the first patients to its COVID-19 treatment facility today at St. Joseph Campus located at 2605 Harlem Road in Cheektowaga. Treatment units at the site are being "phased-in" to help alleviate pressure at other Catholic Health hospitals and support the governor's plan to increase surge capacity.

Empire State Development on Thursday announced the launch of the $12 million Buffalo-Niagara Talent Initiative to help cultivate Western New York's tech workforce. This new initiative is designed to train, attract and retain tech talent to fuel the region's continued economic transformation. The ESD board of directors met today and approved a $2 million grant to TechBuffalo, a not-for-profit that will partner with ESD and lead coordination and implementation for the initiative.

What "A Million Little Things" has is two things - and these things showrunner D.J. Nash and his crew do better than any other show on TV. It has stars who are not stars, and a storyline that effortlessly leaves viewers desperate for five more minutes each week.

The Niagara County Department of Public Health released a "heat map" today.

•We have received reports of 31 Erie County residents who are hospitalized as of yesterday due to COVID-19. As of today, at noon, we have had 166 lab-confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Erie County residents.

Village of Lewiston Mayor Anne Welch issued the following message to the community. Click the link below for a larger version.

Beginning as early as today, Tops will be rolling our additional safety measures at all of its 162 stores in New York, Pennsylvania and Vermont, a press release stated. Those safety measures include installing Plexiglas shields on as many of their frontend registers as possible.

Tune-in to the premiere of "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire" Wednesday, April 8 (10:01 p.m. EDT), on ABC.

iHeartMedia and FOX announced "FOX Presents The iHeart Living Room Concert for America," a music event to provide entertainment relief and support for Americans to help fight the spread of the COVID-19 virus, and to celebrate the resilience and strength of the nation during this pandemic.

"Hollywood Week" is in the past for the lucky Top 40 contestants as they say aloha to the "Final Judgment" round at Aulani, a Disney Resort and Spa on the sands of Ko Olina, Hawaii, Sunday, March 29 (8-10 p.m. EDT), on ABC.

With Gov. Andrew Cuomo's declaration that all gatherings be prohibited until further notice, the BPO has made the "difficult decision" to suspend all performances through April 26. Details on canceled and rescheduled performances are still in development. Check bpo.org for the latest details.

FeedMore WNY was set to hold a supplemental food distribution at Kleinhans Music Hall today to help feed hungry neighbors and meet the increased need for food assistance in the community due to the coronavirus outbreak.

Congressman Brian Higgins announced new federal resources to help federally qualified health clinics in Western New York respond to COVID-19. Three local clinics will receive a total of $192,735 in new federal funding.

With spring officially here, DEC reminds residents the statewide ban prohibiting residential brush burning began March 16, and runs through May 14. Conditions for wildfires are heightened in springtime when most wildfires occur.

Per the Niagara County Center for Economic Development (www.niagaracountybusiness.com/716-278-8750), more tips and tools for locally owned businesses.

The following is a statement from Chip Rogers, AHLA president and CEO, on the Senate passage of the CARES Act.

The COVID-19 outbreak has changed the everyday lives of people rapidly. It's a time to be particularly cautious, especially for those who can't avoid being exposed to the public for work, urgent matters, or other reasons.

What initially appeared to be a mistake might actually have been a happy accident, as an order of personal protective equipment, initially intended to be used by Niagara University nursing students, is now being donated to the places that need them most: area hospitals and nursing homes.

State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Basil Seggos reminded New Yorkers to take steps to reduce conflicts with bears.

Congressman Brian Higgins and other members of the House of Representatives' New York delegation sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, asking the secretary to authorize the transfer of 20,000 ventilators to New York from the national stockpile.

WellNow Urgent Care has instated a new in-vehicle triage process in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Patients will be asked to complete an in-vehicle check-in process before entering a WellNow Urgent Care facility. This new procedure is a precautionary measure to help reduce the spread of the virus.

Gallo Coal Fire Kitchen is the first Gallo restaurant owned and operated by Michael Hibbard. The Lewiston restaurant offers an exceptional array of coal-fired pizzas, pasta and large salads. Visit http://gallorestaurants.com/ for more information.

The Erie County Department of Health (ECDOH) is announcing there was one death attributable to COVID-19 in Erie County in the past 24 hours. The individual was a male in his 70s.

While readers are safe at home, and businesses are temporarily closed, we're offering our Niagara County newspapers online. As in, the full edition. For free. Enjoy (and support our advertisers)!

Pegula Sports & Entertainment, in partnership with the Buffalo Bills and Buffalo Sabres foundations, will provide at least $1.2 million in direct community aid to Western New York residents in need during the COVID-19 pandemic, owners Terry and Kim Pegula announced Wednesday.