Current News

The Greater Niagara Ballet Company will host its annual trivia night fundraiser at 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 23, inside the American Legion VFW Post at 8643 Buffalo Ave., Niagara Falls. Join in for a night of fun, with pizza, chips, a cash bar, a basket raffle, a pie auction, "catch the joker" and a 50/50 raffle.

On Dec. 5, the Lewiston-Porter Alumni Association will induct three Class of 1996 graduates into its Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame: Adam Burns, Dr. Michael Gambacorta and Dr. Peter Gambacorta.

Western Door Playhouse presents "All Through the Night," written by L. Don Swartz and directed by Robert Priest, the weekends of Nov. 22 through Dec. 1. Show times are 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and 2:30 p.m. Sundays at the Woodbox Theater on the third floor of the Niagara Arts and Cultural Center, 1201 Pine Ave., Niagara Falls.

"The Kelly Clarkson Show," the No. 1 new daytime show, has been renewed through the 2020-21 season by NBCUniversal, it was announced Monday.

Through community fundraising events throughout 2019, the Buffalo Zoo has raised $13,500 to support the International Rhino Foundation (IRF) expansion of the Sumatran Rhino Sanctuary in Indonesia.

The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation and the Department of Environmental Conservation announced early-bird savings for online renewals of the 2020 Empire Pass. Customers who keep their existing card and renew online before Jan. 1 will save $15 off a single or multi-season pass. Those users who renew online from Jan. 1 to March 31 will save $10 - and any online card renewals after those dates will receive a $5 discount from the standard price.

Looking for a unique gift on your shopping list this holiday season? Look no further than the charming store located inside the Museum of disABILITY History.

Fan-favorite competition series "Food Network Challenge" is back and better than ever with new host Ian Ziering and a fresh roster of the country's top cake-makers, bakers and sugar artists going head-to-head in pop culture-themed battles to create mind-blowing works of delicious art. The six-episode season kicks off Monday, Dec. 23 (10 p.m. ET/PT), with a celebration of the beloved holiday classic "A Christmas Story," complete with over-the-top edible recreations of the iconic film's most memorable moments.

Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo announced $4 million is available under the "P-12 Schools: Green and Clean Energy Solutions" program to reduce energy use and assist with the conversion to carbon-free energy solutions for schools serving prekindergarten through grade 12 students. The program supports the state's goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 85% by 2050, and the governor's "Green New Deal," the most aggressive climate and clean energy program in the nation.

Fan-favorite celebrities, dancers and judges from all seasons of "Dancing with the Stars" will be headed to Atlantis Resort, Paradise Island, in the Bahamas for the ultimate VIP dancing fan getaway. The cast includes judge Bruno Tonioli, Joey Fatone of *NYSYNC, ABC News chief meteorologist Ginger Zee, NFL star and season 24 Mirrorball champion Rashad Jennings, with current season 28 pro dancers Cheryl Burke, Val Chmerkovskiy, Jenna Johnson, Lindsay Arnold, Sasha Farber, Emma Slater, Gleb Savchenko, Alan Bersten, Brandon Armstrong, Pasha Pashkov, Keo Motsepe and Daniella Karagach, plus "DWTS" alumni Sharna Burgess, Artem Chigvintsev, Tony Dovolani and Kym Herjavec. More celebrity cast members, including some fan favorites from seasons past, as well as the current season, will be announced soon. (Cast subject to change.)

On the heels of the iconic "Tournament of Champions," "JEOPARDY!" is coming to ABC in a multiple consecutive night event with "JEOPARDY! The Greatest of All Time," premiering Tuesday, Jan. 7 (8 p.m. EST), on ABC. Hosted by Alex Trebek, "JEOPARDY! The Greatest of All Time" is produced by Sony Pictures Television. Harry Friedman will executive produce.

In an effort to provide holiday meals to hungry community members, 97 Rock, Kaleida Health, WKBW-TV Channel 7 Eyewitness News and FeedMore WNY are teaming up for the 14th annual "Operation: Rock Out Hunger." The weeklong holiday food and fund drive will be held from 2 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 19, through 10 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 26, in the Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital parking lot, 1540 Maple Road, Williamsville.

Artpark & Company and Funtime will present Joe Russo's Almost Dead on Friday, June 19, 2020, in the Artpark Amphitheater. Tickets go on sale at noon on Friday, Nov. 22.

"Due to a widespread technical error with Ticketmaster processing orders for Billy Joel at New Era Field this morning during the American Express presale, some fans were unable to purchase tickets. The technical error has now been repaired and American Express cardholders are now able to buy tickets through Ticketmaster.com without issue."

The Buffalo Sabres announced the team will partner with Wegmans and Entercom Buffalo for a Thanksgiving turkey drive on Wednesday, Nov. 20, to benefit local food pantries. The turkey drive will take place from 7-9 a.m. in the following locations:

The Western New York Regional Economic Development Council announced Dr. Katherine Conway-Turner, president of Buffalo State College, has been appointed co-chair of the council. Conway-Turner succeeds Dr. Virginia Horvath, who served as co-chair since 2017 and who recently retired as president of SUNY Fredonia.

dick clark productions and ABC announced Christina Aguilera & A Great Big World and Post Malone feat. Ozzy Osbourne, Travis Scott and WATT will debut world television premiere collaborations at the 2019 American Music Awards, while Green Day will roar back to the stage for a fiery career-spanning performance.

The nationwide audition tour for the upcoming season of "American Idol" may be complete, but the group of budding superstars heading to Hollywood is about to get bigger. The series that sparked the evolution of the singing competition genre is teaming up with the 2019 American Music Awards for an epic opportunity that will allow America to vote a former fan-favorite contestant through to Hollywood ahead of the upcoming premiere on ABC.

Erie County has been designated a "Clean Energy Community" by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, recognizing the county's leadership in reducing energy use, cutting costs and driving clean energy locally. Erie County received the designation for completing four of 10 high-impact clean energy actions identified by NYSERDA as part of the $16 million Clean Energy Communities initiative announced by Gov. Andrew Cuomo in August 2016.

Join LiveNF for a celebration of local creativity and holiday fun on Small Business Saturday, Nov. 30. The 2019 Makers Market presented by The Niagara Falls National Heritage Area will feature 120 vendors, seven musical guests, live art, and three craft workshops for kids, including the Western New York Book Arts Center Printing Letter Press.

On Friday, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Basil Seggos recognized Nov. 15 as "New York Recycles Day," celebrating the state's national leadership in promoting recycling and reducing waste. New York's efforts complement America Recycles Day, a national initiative to raise awareness of the economic, environmental and social benefits of reducing, reusing and recycling.

Sheriff James R. Voutour announced Deputy Chief Daniel Engert, the deputy jail administrator at the Niagara County Correctional Facility, received a Gold Key Award from the WNY Chemical Dependency Consortium at the 30th annual awards luncheon.

Niagara County's taxpayers can expect their property tax rates to be reduced to a historic low next year if the budget prepared by County Manager Rick Updegrove and Budget Director Dan Huntington is approved by county lawmakers next month.

Earlier this week, the Kaleida Health Foundation coordinated the donation of hundreds of personal care items, child care items and clothing to the Buffalo City Mission to benefit the agency's women and children's shelter, Cornerstone Manor.

The worship team of David and Nicole Binion will release their first holiday album, "Dwell: Christmas," on Friday, Nov. 22, with Integrity Music. The 11-song project features such guests as William McDowell, Steffany Gretzinger, Potter's House Choir, Daniel Johnson, the Binion's 18-year-old daughter and fellow Integrity artist MDSN (Madison).

Legendary New York Yankees closer and five time World Series champion Mariano Rivera will join celebrities, sports icons, former teammates, family and friends to be honored for his unanimous, first-ballot induction into the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame.

So, what is going on with the Lewiston Family Ice Rink?

The Town of Porter Town Board took limited commentary at its special meeting Tuesday to consider the town's preliminary $5.241 million budget for 2020.

The Lewiston Town Board held a Nov. 7 public hearing on its 2020 $18,463,867 preliminary budget. The numbers represent a $336,238 (1.85%) increase over the 2019 budget. However, the plan also shows a projected 0.47% tax decrease.

Sandy and Bill Gworek Sr. will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary this month.

Bob Artis, the Rotary District 7090 governor, visited the Rotary Club of Grand Island's recent breakfast meeting to share Rotary International President Mark Maloney's theme for the 2019-20 year: "Rotary Connects The World."

The late William Koch was honored at the Nov. 4 Grand Island Town Board meeting with a town proclamation noting his lifelong advocacy for preservation of area history.

Arielle Lynn Reed, 28, of Grand Island passed unexpectedly on Nov. 2, 2019.

Building on the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation's lawsuit against the International Joint Commission, Attorney General Letitia James and Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo today filed an expanded lawsuit on behalf of New York state against the IJC for failing to implement its flood protocol for the Moses-Saunders Power Dam.

Veterans Day was a very busy day at Explore & More - The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Children's Museum. Through the support of National Fuel, active military personnel and veterans were invited to come play in the museum for free.

More shoppers are carrying less cash these days, and it poses a challenge to The Salvation Army, which funds much of its yearly budget through The Red Kettle Campaign.

Michael E. Benedict has announced his candidacy for Niagara County Court judge in 2020.

A special guest visited the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station last week named, Tianna Colarusso. The 9 year old was commissioned in as the youngest honorary U.S. Air Force 2nd lieutenant as part of the "Airman for a Day" program.

Though the New York Legislature is out of session, Assemblyman Angelo Morinello wants to start the grass-roots conversation on a bill that is likely to pass if opposition does not stop it.

dick clark productions and ABC announced chart-topping powerhouse trio Jonas Brothers - who received two American Music Award nominations this year for Favorite Duo or Group-Pop/Rock and Favorite Song-Pop/Rock - are partnering with T-Mobile to connect fans coast to coast with a special live performance from their sold-out Boston tour stop as part of the 2019 American Music Awards. The AMA-winning group, whose Platinum-certified comeback album debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart, will perform at the awards for the first time since 2007.