Current News

Businessman Emin Eddie Egriu announced he will challenge Congressman Brian Higgins in the Democratic primary election for Congress in NY-26. Egriu, a local builder and community activist, said, "Higgins has sat there too long for any good he has done. It's time for him to go."

Emmy Award-winning entertainer, producer and TV host Steve Harvey, returns for "FOX's New Year's Eve with Steve Harvey: Live from Times Square," a star-studded three-and-a-half-hour primetime celebration, featuring musical performances and celebrity appearances. Co-hosted by Emmy Award-winning journalist and TV personality Maria Menounos, and three-time Super Bowl Champion and FOX Sports NFL Analyst Rob Gronkowski, "FOX's New Year's Eve with Steve Harvey: Live from Times Square, Part One" airs Tuesday, Dec. 31 (8-10 PM ET live). Part two airs from 11 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.

The New York State Department of Labor announced the implementation of a new law that prohibits both public and private employers from asking about salary history. One of the pillars of the new law, which takes effect on Jan. 6, is New York employers cannot request job applicants provide wage or salary history as a condition of employment. Current employees do not have to provide their salary history from any outside employers. It also prevents businesses from seeking similar information from other sources.

The SAG Awards red carpet bleacher seat auction, the second in a trio of online auctions benefitting the SAG-AFTRA Foundation, is open at sagawards.org/auction. Film and television fans have the chance to bid on over 90 bleacher seats from which they can watch their favorite stars walk the 26th SAG Awards Red Carpet and have the opportunity to take pictures and request autographs. The 26th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards will be simulcast live from the Shrine Auditorium and Expo Hall in Los Angeles on Sunday, Jan. 19, at 8 p.m. ET.

AAA wants to remind everyone to be extra vigilant this holiday season and to enjoy New Year's Eve festivities responsibly.

Niagara County Community College will host the 23rd annual Tech Wars competition from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 8. This day boasts more than 700 competitors from over 20 middle and high schools in 20-plus categories. The half-day event consists of robotic competitions, seismic building design, bridge design, parametric modeling and architectural design, among other specialties.

Following an extensive five month search by the board of trustees, Bishop Edward B. Scharfenberger, apostolic administrator of the Diocese of Buffalo and chairman of the board of Catholic Charities of Buffalo, announced the appointment of Deacon Steve Schumer as the organization's new president and CEO, effective Jan. 6.

Lumagination is a captivating and interactive exhibit that will transform the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens with light, sound and imagination from Jan. 25 through Feb. 29. Lumagination will delight all ages during this unique exhibit that showcases the architecture and horticulture collection of the Botanical Gardens.

NBC kicks off 2020 with top names in music for an evening of holiday fun with "NBC's New Year's Eve 2020." The special will feature performances from X Ambassadors, Brett Eldredge, Julianne Hough, Ne-Yo, Leslie Odom Jr., Blake Shelton, Gwen Stefani and The Struts.

New Yorkers can greet 2020 with a choice of 85 guided hikes at state parks, historic sites, wildlife areas, trails and public lands sponsored by the state Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation and the state Department of Environmental Conservation.

Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz and Commissioner of Health Dr. Gale Burstein recently announced the date for a free mid-winter rabies vaccination clinic. The Erie County Department of Health has scheduled this event for 3-7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 29, at the North Buffalo Community Center, located at 203 Sanders Road, off Colvin Boulevard in north Buffalo.

On Christmas, the Buffalo City Mission launched its annual "Hambone Express" event to deliver hot meals to the poor and homeless across Western New York.

For more than three decades, Lions Club branches around the globe have sponsored a special art contest in schools and youth groups.

Niagara University will host the Disney Institute and bring elements of the professional development course, Disney's Approach to Business Excellence, to Niagara Falls on Thursday, March 12. The event will be held at The Conference & Event Center Niagara Falls.

Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Billy Gibbons (ZZ Top) hosts the benefit concert and is joined by guitar legends including George Thorogood (George Thorogood & The Destroyers), Grammy Award-winner Warren Haynes (Allman Brothers, Gov't Mule), Nancy Wilson (Rock and Roll Hall of Famer and co-founding member of Heart), Steve Lukather (co-founding member of Toto), Charlie Starr (Blackberry Smoke) and Ellis Hall (Tower of Power lead vocalist). World-renowned drummer Kenny Aronoff leads an all-star band.

The U.S. Small Business Administration announced certain private nonprofit organizations (PNPs) located in 18 counties throughout upstate New York that do not provide critical services of a governmental nature may be eligible to apply for low-interest rate disaster loans. These loans are available following a presidential disaster declaration for public assistance resulting from damages caused by severe storms, straight-line winds and flooding on Oct. 31 and Nov. 1, 2019.

The holiday table can be pretty redundant year after year, but for 2019, party hosts and goers can look no further than award-wining Bella Rose Vineyard & Winery in Lewiston for wine pairings and more.

Gallo Coal Fire Kitchen owner Michael Hibbard recently took over the property at 453 Center St., formerly Center Cut: The Village Steakhouse. Hibbard said he hopes to open "Gather" sometime in February.

Customers who walk into Sue's Frame of Mind should be prepared to block out.

The Village of Lewiston celebrated retiring Clerk/Treasurer Amy Salada's last board meeting Monday with a slideshow, cake, congratulations and thanks. Her family was in attendance and presented Salada with flowers.

As more communities across Western New York continue to sign on to Gov. Andrew Cuomo's green energy campaign of energy alternatives - namely commercial utility solar installations - many are also contending with unfavorable reactions from residents and questions on capacity. Some are also now reconsidering their options.

The Town of Porter will be the location for the next get-together of the Lake Ontario Preparedness Group. A detailed planning conference for 2020 will take place at 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 9, at Porter Town Hall.

Winter cold also wasn't enough to cancel Lewiston's annual War of 1812 remembrance ceremony Thursday at the Tuscarora Heroes Monument on the corner of Center Street and Portage Road.

Stella Niagara students and faculty took part in a reverse Advent calendar this Christmas season.

A group from the town's Golden Age Center has used its Christmas spirit to raise money for Children's Hospital.

The DeGlopper Memorial Expansion Committee is recommending a fitting Christmas gift for the Island's veterans.

The Town of Grand Island has announced the inauguration of the newly elected officials will take place at noon Wednesday, Jan. 1, at the Grand Island Community Center in the Nike Base, 3278 Whitehaven Road.

A proposed town tree ordinance is going back to committee following another public hearing before the Grand Island Town Board Monday.

Barbara Ann Joseph, 70, of Niagara Falls, passed away on Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2019, at Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center. Born in Niagara Falls on Feb. 22, 1949 she was the daughter of the late Samuel and Susan (Ferris) Joseph and attended local schools. She was a 1967 graduate of Madonna High School.

Miles E. Havens, 89, of Grand Island, passed away on Dec. 13, 2019, at Elderwood at Grand Island. Born in Buffalo, on July 9, 1930, he was the son of the late Lillian (Raffel) and Clifford Havens.

Cystic fibrosis has been in the news with the approval of a new drug for its treatment. Although Trikafta was approved in October by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, hailed by doctors and patients alike as a breakthrough, many children still deal with daily regimes of airway cleaning techniques, enzyme and antibiotic therapies, and frequent clinic appointments and hospital stays for check-ups and tune-ups.

Members of the Grand Island High School and Connor Middle School Interact clubs and the Early Act Club members from the William Kaegebein and the Huth Road elementary schools have teamed up with members of the Grand Island Rotary Club this month collecting donations through the Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign at Tops Friendly Markets on Grand Island Boulevard.

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Basil Seggos announced the state's plans for fish stocking in Lake Ontario to ensure the lake remains one of the top fishing destinations in the country.

Jamie Symmonds' recent Holiday Market at the Brickyard Brewing Company was a success, with scores of people attending and myriad vendors showcasing their wares for guests.

While the holidays are usually a time of joy and cheer, getting ready for them can be stressful and overwhelming - especially if you're rushing. The final shopping weekend is upon us, which means shoppers are anxious to check off their lists!

With the cold weather here and Christmas approaching, Community Missions of the Niagara Frontier Inc. is again asking for donations of men's gloves.

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and the Great Lakes Research Consortium announced $125,000 in grants to support Great Lakes projects. The 2020 Great Lakes Research Consortium small grants program will provide up to $25,000 for projects that contribute to the protection and restoration of the health of New York's Great Lakes and to ecosystem-based management.

As part of round IX of Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo's Regional Council initiative, the Western New York Regional Economic Development Council (WNYREDC) was awarded $67.3 million for 109 projects that build on the region's assets and invest in the future. The announcement, which supports projects in Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie and Niagara counties, was made Thursday in Albany. The Western New York region has now been awarded $620.5 million cumulatively through nine rounds of the Regional Council initiative, in state support for 890 projects across the region.

Skillet, a 12-times-Platinum rock band, is closing out 2019 inside multiple Billboard decade-end and year-end charts for their latest hit record, "Victorious" (Atlantic), top 10 active rock single "Legendary," as well as numerous past albums and tracks. Skillet has amassed 1 billion global streams over the past year alone.