Current News

The Grand Island Central School District introduced three new members of its Distinguished Alumni list at a ceremony June 1.

The Castellani Art Museum on the Niagara University campus held a professionals night reception on Thursday. The venue welcomed leading business, tourism and cultural leaders to check out the various artworks now on display.

Village of Youngstown trustees had their hands full with a series of lengthy meetings Thursday, marking a return to business following last month's village elections that saw uncontested wins by Mayor Raleigh Reynolds and trustees Stu Comerford and Mark Fox.

The Erie County Department of Parks, Recreation and Forestry is bringing back its popular "Junior Park Ranger" program for 2018 and is encouraging parks visitors aged 4 to 104 to start exploring Erie County Parks and recording their experiences in their free Erie County Park System Passport, available to download or at designated pick-up points in select parks.

Lewiston-Porter High School has announced the graduation of its sixth cohort of students from the Academy of International Business & Finance.

Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center and Unyts will host their annual communitywide blood drive from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday, June 13, in the medical center's auditorium, 621 10th St.

With beautiful, warm weather, a good-sized crowd and the perfect venue, The United States Air Force Blue Aces Band of the USAF Heritage Band couldn't have picked a better night to play at Hennepin Park in Lewiston than Thursday.

Hundreds were part of a special experience last weekend as the 2018 American Cancer Society's Greater Niagara Relay For Life took place from Saturday afternoon to Sunday morning at Reservoir State Park in the Town of Niagara.

Everyone in Lewiston knows about the prestigious Porter Cup and the excitement it brings to the area. Coming June 13-15, the fun begins as the sixth Women's Porter Cup will begin play.

Empower, the not-for-profit organization formerly known as Niagara Cerebral Palsy, will award Mike Marra the Neil and Mary Gruppo Service Award at its annual golf tournament on Monday, June 18, at the Niagara Frontier Country Club, 1058 Lake Road.

Michael Symon continues his search for the best of the American classics - burgers and barbecue - on a new season of "Burgers, Brew & 'Que," premiering Tuesday, July 3 (9 p.m. ET), on Cooking Channel. Join Symon on a summer roadtrip, as he tastes the most mouthwatering, decadent dishes, while washing it down with local beers and brews, sure to make any meal complete.

Every 66 seconds across the U.S., someone is diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. It kills more people than breast and prostate cancers combined, and cannot be prevented, slowed or cured.

The Erie County Agricultural Society announced Weidner's BBQ will return to the Erie County Fair after a devastating fire destroyed its long-time location on the Fairgrounds last year. One of the fair's heritage concessionaires, Weidner's BBQ has been an Erie County Fair tradition for 62 years.

Artpark & Company announced the 2018 summer schedule of Artpark Gallery exhibits. A series of "Third Thursday Artist Talks and Receptions" will be offered from 6-8 p.m. in conjunction with each exhibit.

Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center has received the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association's Get With The Guidelines-Stroke Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award. This recognizes the hospital's commitment to ensuring stroke patients receive the most appropriate treatment according to nationally recognized, research-based guidelines based on the latest scientific evidence.

On Friday, multi-Platinum award-winning singer/songwriter Josh Groban released "Granted," the first single from his anticipated forthcoming album, slated for release this fall via Warner Bros. Records. Groban wrote "Granted" with Toby Gad (Beyonce, Madonna, John Legend) and Bernie Herms (Selena Gomez, Kelly Clarkson, Barbra Streisand).

The University at Buffalo School of Management's Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership (CEL) will host an information session for individuals interested in learning more about the 2019 Allstate Minority and Women Emerging Entrepreneurs (MWEE) program.

Grammy Award-winning alternative rock pioneers The Smashing Pumpkins dropped "Solara," the first recording in over 18 years to feature founding members Billy Corgan, James Iha, and Jimmy Chamberlin.

Following the news Friday morning of a second celebrity suicide this week, mental health officials urged members of the public battling depression, addiction and suicidal thoughts that Niagara County offers resources including a crisis telephone line.

Joining forces for the third time, Swiss watchmaker Hublot and legendary band Depeche Mode have managed to raise the sum of $1.7 million for charity: water, an organization that brings drinking water to developing countries. Funds will bring clean water to more than 50,000 people.

"The Chew" premiered on Sept. 26, 2011, celebrating life through food - from cooking and home entertaining to exploring food trends and bringing original ideas to holiday events. Now, after seven seasons, Emmy Award-winning co-hosts Michael Symon, Clinton Kelly and Carla Hall will tape their final show on Thursday, June 14 (set to air Friday, June 15).

NBC Sports' exclusive coverage of the Stanley Cup Final concluded Thursday in historic fashion on NBC, as the Washington Capitals won the Stanley Cup and snapped a 44-year title drought by defeating the Vegas Golden Knights, 4-3, in Game 5 from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Girl Scouts of Western New York recently announced Shavon Scive of North Tonawanda, as a 2018 Gold Award Girl Scout. Scive's project was titled Spreading Awareness Of Childhood Anxiety Disorders and Selective Mutism. Selective mutism is the inability for a child to communicate in social or school settings due to anxiety, but are able to speak where they feel comfortable.

This year's Best of SUNY Student Art Exhibition featured a piece, "Untitled" by Niagara County Community College graduate, Danielle Dirks. The art exhibition showcases work by student artists from across the 64 State University of New York campuses, allowing for a year-round display to be seen by wider audiences at the State University Plaza in Albany, the SUNY Global Center in New York City, and Gov. Andrew Cuomo's office in Washington, D.C. Danielle's piece was selected to receive an honorable mention award and a prize of $500. 

Recently, the Fashion Outlets of Niagara Falls, USA, security team was honored for their hard work on keeping shoppers safe when an emergency health situation arose with a shopper and the security team stepped in to help save a life.

Recently, trips for Wheatfield seniors were announced. The trips are as follows:

The Wheatfield Town Board held its regular meeting on Monday. During that time, a motion was approved to allow dogs in all the parks within the town.

Town of Niagara Supervisor Lee Wallace has announced the 2018 sponsorship list for the "Music Mania Mondays" concert season, which begins June 11.

On Thursday, Niagara-Wheatfield High School hosted their second college signing day of the year. Several student-athletes who made their college decision following the February signing were honored by N-W Athletic Director Matt McKenna. In all, five students signed in front of their peers, while one student was absent.

Everyone in Lewiston knows about the prestigious Porter Cup and the excitement it brings to the area. Coming June 13-15, the fun begins as the sixth Women's Porter Cup will begin play.

On Thursday, Mayor Arthur Pappas announced that the Thursdays on the Water concert series at Gratwick Riverside Park would return for a second year.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Buffalo District, urges the public with properties along Lake Erie to contact USACE's regulatory branch at 716-879-4330 or visit online at http://www.lrb.usace.army.mil/Missions/Regulatory.aspx to ensure proper permits are in order for any existing or planned shoreline alterations.

GOP Congressman Chris Collins announced funding for a state-of-the-art fitness facility at the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station (ARS) is included in an appropriations bill expected to pass the House this week.

KeyBank is making a $750,000 donation to Goodwill of Western Ne w York to support a new program, the long-term employment support initiative. LTES aims to improve job retention by supporting Goodwill's clients for up to 36 months after their initial job placement.

To celebrate the brand's 47th birthday, on Thursday, June 14, Hard Rock Cafe, Niagara Falls USA, will pay homage to 1971 with an Original Legendary Burger offer for just 71 cents per guest on a first-come, first-served basis from 11 a.m. to noon.

Spandau Ballet has made a return to the stage, introducing their new singer, Ross William Wild, at a very special club show at London's Subterania. The band sought to prove that, as the song goes, members no longer "find it hard to write the next line."

New York State Sen. Chris Jacobs announced passage of a bill he sponsored (S5884) that will add four new derivatives of fentanyl to the controlled substance schedule regulated by the Department of Health.

Afternoon downpours could spell disaster for millions of road trippers this summer, thanks to an unlikely suspect: tires. New research from AAA reveals driving on relatively worn tires at highway speeds in wet conditions can increase average stopping distances by a staggering 43 percent, or an additional 87 feet - more than the length of a semi-trailer truck - when compared to new tires.

When Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush agreed to take a break from their band, Sugarland, little did they know "BIGGER" things would await them.

On Wednesday, Erie County Clerk Mickey Kearns announced the Erie County Sheriff's Office will conduct an assessment of security at each of the county's 11 auto bureau offices and mobile locations. Kearns has also written to the Erie County Legislature, requesting the appropriate committee consider and review the issue of security at local auto bureaus.