Current News

William Mattar law offices have kicked off the "William Mattar 4 Graduates" contest, where 2020 high school graduates can enter to win free college textbooks for the upcoming fall semester. Car accident attorney Mattar launched this contest to support students in the community as they begin their college education. Three winners will be randomly selected to each receive $500 toward their textbook purchase for college and university courses.

EPIC (Every Person Influences Children) has received $10,000 from M&T Charitable Foundation for its annual summer literacy program, "Storytime at Canalside." This is the fifth year M&T Charitable Foundation has funded the program.

As June is Elder Abuse Month, this is a prime example of the crimes scammers commit to prey on our vulnerable elder population. If you suspect a family member is a victim of fraud, call your local police agency or NY CONNECTS (1-800-342-9871) to report.

Destination Niagara USA has released commitment guidelines to support the safety of locals, the hospitality and tourism community, and visitors to Niagara Falls USA as COVID-19 restrictions are lifted.

To further meet the needs of U.S. small businesses and nonprofits, the U.S. Small Business Administration reopened the economic injury disaster loan (EIDL) and EIDL advance program portal to all eligible applicants experiencing economic impacts due to COVID-19.

Seven Niagara University Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) cadets were commissioned as second lieutenants in the United States Army during ceremonies held May 23 on the Niagara University campus. While this was the 79th consecutive year that members of NU's Purple Eagle Battalion have taken the oath of office, it was the first time the ceremony contained both virtual and face-to-face elements.

As it turns out, fireworks might light the night sky July 4 in Lewiston, after all.

Calling all country music fans! The Country Music Association and ABC are set to host the hottest country music event of the summer when "CMA Best of Fest" features a retrospective of more than 25 unforgettable performances from the past 16 years of CMA Fest in Nashville.

The Premier League's return is just two days away - with the league resuming the 2019-20 season this Wednesday, June 17. NBC Sports' coverage begins at noon ET on NBCSN, with "Premier League Live," followed at 1 p.m. by 19th-place Aston Villa, looking to avoid relegation, hosting seventh-place surprise package Sheffield United. Then at 3:15 p.m. on NBCSN and Universo, second-place Manchester City host ninth-place Arsenal. Arlo White and former Premier League footballer Graeme Le Saux will call the match from Etihad Stadium.

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Basil Seggos encouraged New Yorkers to reduce the potential for conflicts with bears in communities across the state.

Erie County Medical Center Corp. on Monday announced the hospital's medical intensive care unit (MICU) has again been awarded a silver-level American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN) Beacon Award for Excellence, which is a three-year designation highlighting the unit's achievement of exceptional care through improved outcomes and greater overall patient satisfaction. ECMC's MICU had previously received the silver-level Beacon Award for Excellence in June 2017 and is one of 16 silver- level Beacon awards in New York for 2020.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and the ABC Television Network on Monday announced the 93rd Oscars ceremony will move to Sunday, April 25, 2021, as a result of the global pandemic caused by the coronavirus. The show, which will air live on ABC, was originally scheduled for Feb. 28, 2021.

New York Attorney General Letitia James on Monday urged two of the world's largest technology companies - Apple, maker of the iPhone, and Google, developer of the Android operating system - to take necessary steps to protect consumer information and privacy as New Yorkers and Americans across the country continue to battle the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

The governor announced global public health experts have cleared Western New York to enter phase three on Tuesday, while the Capital Region is still on track to enter phase three on Wednesday. Business guidance for phase three of the state's reopening plan is available here.

Girl Scouts of Western New York (GSWNY) on Monday launched its new reimagined Girl Scout summer camp with "The Summer We Camped At Home" virtual summer camp experience. This new form of summer camp allows girls and their families a variety of ways to stay connected and get outdoors given the limited camp and outdoor options due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Niagara County Department of Health, in partnership with the Niagara County Veterinary Society, will hold a free "drive-thru" rabies immunization clinic from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. Saturday, July 11.

NYSEG and RG&E, subsidiaries of AVANGRID Inc., announced they will begin a phased approach to resuming customer-facing work that was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The first phase will begin in the coming weeks and will include work that will directly support customer safety and service reliability, such as indoor gas line safety inspections, which state regulations require the companies to complete.

The New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) announced more than $100 million in additional emergency food assistance for New Yorkers adversely affected by the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic. About 750,000 low-income individuals and families enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) will receive the maximum allowable benefit for June to help them avoid food insecurity.

The Alzheimer's Foundation of America's (AFA) will host a free virtual educational conference as part of its national Educating America Tour to help New Yorkers affected by Alzheimer's disease during the COVID-19 crisis. The event will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 16. It is designed to provide information and advice from health, legal and caregiving experts. Guest speaker is Dr. Mehmet Oz, host of "The Dr. Oz Show." The event is free and open to all. To register, go to www.alzfdn.org/tour.

Congressman Brian Higgins announced the award of a five-year federal grant totaling $2,224,925 through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to University at Buffalo for the development of a method to accurately diagnose Parkinson's disease (PD) before clinical symptoms are present.

A Broadway Market virtual community engagement meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Tuesday, June 23. The purpose of the meeting is to obtain public input to help develop a comprehensive business and marketing plan for the revitalization on the iconic downtown Buffalo market. The goal is to develop the market as a focal point for the Broadway-Fillmore neighborhood and eventually, as a regional attraction.

The University at Buffalo is planning to return to campus this fall, offering educational and research programs under a "modified in-person" format.

Coronavirus stats for June 15

"FEAR NOT," the BEC Recordings debut from Los Angeles-based worshippers FEARLESS BND, will be available June 26. Called "An inspired sound of revival for the city and the world," the 13-track project was produced by Joshua O'Haire and Jeremy Johnson and showcases the heartbeat of Southern California's Fearless Church.

Scholarships are given annually to area graduates in memory of Nancy Price, who was the beloved director of Youngstown Recreation for 20 years. She worked tirelessly in all aspects of her work with youth and truly made a difference in the lives she touched. These scholarships allow our community to continue to make an impact on our youth in Nancy Price's memory.

Attorney General Letitia James announced her office will make its "Election Protection" hotline available for the June 23 election and during New York's early voting period, which lasts from June 13-21. The hotline will be available to troubleshoot and resolve a range of issues encountered by voters, including voting by absentee ballot due to the COVID-19 crisis or in-person at their polling place.

North Tonawanda Mayor Arthur Pappas announced the following on Saturday:

Learn from a panel of top executives in the automotive and real estate industries, as well as business consultants, about ways to help guide a business and employees into the future as society continues to navigate the challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. This last in a four-part virtual series exploring "How Western New York Businesses Are Dealing with the COVID-19 Pandemic" will be held from 3-4 p.m. Thursday, June 18, via Zoom.

You've seen them before: Facebook posts designed to grab your attention and stop your scrolling. There are many versions. Some tug at your heartstrings, others tempt you with offers to win a new car or RV.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Sunday announced low-risk youth sports for regions in phase three of reopening can begin on July 6, with up to two spectators allowed per child.

Speaking to reporters on Sunday, Gov. Andrew Cuomo warned he could stop reopened regions from advancing to the next phase, knock them down a phase, or send them back to "New York State on PAUSE" nonessential closings if they get too loose with safety regulations designed to limit the spread of the coronavirus.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Saturday signed legislation (S.8275-A/A.10348) suspending the forfeiture of unemployment benefits during the COVID-19 state of emergency, aligning with the executive order he issued on May 14. Over 44 million Americans across the U.S. have applied for unemployment insurance during the COVID-19 pandemic, and this number is expected to grow as the pandemic continues.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo and New York Health Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker on Saturday said sleepaway camps will not be permitted to operate this summer, because of the possibility the coronavirus could spread among children.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Saturday reaffirmed Western New York is slated to enter phase three on Tuesday.

Project Olive returned to the town government's agenda with an online joint meeting of the Grand Island Town Board and Planning Board Thursday night.

NBC is bringing more song and dance to the network with the season two renewal of its critically acclaimed and buzzworthy new series "Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist."

CBS and the Recording Academy recently announced a new, two-hour special event "United We Sing: A Grammy Tribute to the Unsung Heroes," hosted by Grammy and Emmy Award-winning singer and actor Harry Connick Jr., celebrating essential workers across America. The special will be broadcast Sunday, June 21 (8 p.m., ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.

On Friday, at precisely 2 p.m., associates, leadership and medical staff will gather outside Catholic Health ministries and be led by mission/site chaplains through an 8 minute and 46 second prayer service - the length of time George Floyd was restrained, ultimately causing his death.

Grammy-nominated Jesus Culture releases the second collection of songs in 2020 today: "Church Volume Two (Live)." This release follows "Church Volume One (Live)," which released on April 24. The complete collection, "Church," will release as a physical CD only on June 19. Worship leaders featured during the recording include Kim Walker-Smith, Bryan and Katie Torwalt, Chris McClarney, Chris Quilala, Mack Brock, Derek Johnson and Jake Ithurburn.

John Legend, father of two and EGOT winner, invites everyone to a celebration of dads with a one-hour variety special, "John Legend and Family: A Bigger Love Father's Day," airing Sunday, June 21 (8 p.m. EDT), on ABC.