Current News

The Buffalo Beauts continued their torrid second half of the season over the weekend with a 4-1 decision against the Boston Pride at Harborcenter. A three-point game for Dani Cameranesi and a pair of goals from Maddie Elia helped propel the Beauts to their fourth-straight win.

With the increasing likelihood New York state will legalize adult recreational marijuana use in the coming months, Niagara County Legislator Jesse P. Gooch is presenting a resolution calling for the formation of an ad-hoc committee to analyze the state's decision, consider the county's options, and measure the public's perspective on the matter.

On Jan. 10, Greater Niagara FCU hosted its first Charity Hockey Classic at Buffalo RiverWorks. The Greater Niagara FCU Lady Ghosts played the WNY Media All-Stars in an exciting game, with the Media All-Stars winning by 1 goal.

Local sales tax collections continued to climb in 2018, growing for the third year in a row, according to a report released by New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli. Collections across the state of $17.5 billion grew by $872 million, or 5.3 percent.

Today's national average price for a gallon of gasoline is $2.26, up 1 cent from last week. One year ago, the price was $2.58. The New York state average is $2.50 - down 3 cents from last week. A year ago, the state average was $2.75.

The New York State Department of Taxation and Finance announced the statewide opening of its free tax-filing assistance sites. These locations are open to help eligible taxpayers electronically prepare and file their income tax returns, claiming potentially valuable credits owed to them.

Attorney General Letitia James announced "Zombies 2.0," the expansion of a grant initiative to address the growing statewide issue of "zombie homes" - vacant and abandoned homes that are not maintained during a prolonged foreclosure proceeding.

About 70 parish volunteers, clergy, and Catholic Charities' Appeal leadership team and staff attended a volunteer training workshop on Saturday to help kick off the 2019 Appeal in support of Catholic Charities in Niagara County.

The Village of Lewiston announced Niagara Falls-based Mark Cerrone Inc. will oversee construction of the Mason's Mission Playground at Marilyn Toohey Park.

"We're really happy to have this new van," said Village of Youngstown Mayor Raleigh Reynolds on Thursday, as village officials joined with elected leaders from the Town of Porter to dedicate a new 2019 Chrysler Pacifica. It will serve as the Youngstown-Porter Senior Van.

Community solar continues to make inroads throughout New York state, including in Buffalo-Niagara.

The Town of Grand Island's insurance carrier will reimburse the town for nearly all of its loss from a theft in the Golden Age Center.

About 30 people attended the Buffalo Launch Club for the first-ever Grand Island State of the Town & Schools event presented by the Grand Island Chamber of Commerce yesterday.

Elsie O. Gasbarro of Grand Island entered into rest Jan. 20, 2019.

On Thursday, Jan. 17, during its first meeting of 2019, the Grand Island Chamber of Commerce installed its officers and newly elected board members.

New York State Sen. Chris Jacobs administered the oath of office to newly elected Grand Island Fire Co. officers on Saturday, Jan. 12, at fire headquarters. Both firematic and administrative officers were sworn to uphold their community protection duties. Honored guests and family members joined in praising the steadfast commitment of these volunteers.

Ransomville's Billy Quarantillo will step into the cage Saturday, Feb. 23, as he returns to the Seneca Niagara Casino, hoping to improve his record to 3-0 as a professional mixed martial artist for "King of The Cage."

The Grand Island Conservative Party is seeking qualified conservative candidates to fill town positions of supervisor, councilmember (two), town clerk, and town justice for this fall's election.

Everyone knows the saying, "absence makes the heart grow fonder." In the case of '90s hitmakers +LIVE+, a seven-year breakup actually made the four Pennsylvania rockers better at what they do - onstage and in the studio.

On Friday afternoon, the Town of Porter welcomed staff from U.S. Coast Guard Station Niagara to Porter Town Hall for the presentation of donated items to assist personnel during the government shutdown. Town of Porter Supervisor John "Duffy" Johnston said 300 pounds of food collected from the community over the past week was donated.

Every year, more than half of Americans (52 percent) fail to use all their time off, creating a stock pile of 705 million unused vacation days - up from 662 million days the year before.

The Niagara Falls Community Development Department is releasing a request for proposals (RFQ) for the creation and operation of a community center in the city's north-end neighborhood. Project funding is available from a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Community Development Block Grant. Responses are due by noon on Feb. 28 via email to [email protected]

Civic leaders and resident stakeholders gathered Thursday at the future home of the African Heritage Food Co-op to introduce the Niagara Falls Local Food Action Plan. With 400-plus resident voices contributing to the proposed actions, the Niagara Falls Local Food Action Plan is designed to be a roadmap to improving the overall food environment in the city.

M&T Bank employees loaded thousands of winter clothing items - which were packed into more than 100 boxes - into a Salvation Army box truck Friday at One M&T Plaza. The cold-weather gear was gathered at M&T branches during the annual "Gift of Warmth" drive, which collects warm clothing for families served by The Salvation Army of Buffalo.

New York State Sen. Chris Jacobs made public today a letter he sent to Gov. Andrew Cuomo formally requesting the governor make full restoration of Aid and Incentives to Municipalities Funding as part of the executive's 30-day budget amendments. The senator was joined by local elected officials from across the 60th Senate District who supported his call for the restoration.

"Greatness Of Our God," the debut single from Christian music supergoup Newsboys United, bows today from FairTrade Services. Penned by Colby Wedgeworth, Bryan Fowler and Ethan Hulse, and co-produced by Peter Furler and Geoff Duncan, the song is hitting Christian radio formats around the country this week and is now available to stream/buy.

NBC Sports will stream a first-of-its-kind digital-only presentation of the 2019 Honda NHL All-Star Game on Saturday night on NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports app, showcasing new puck and player tracking technology that will deliver data and information in real time as the NHL's top players compete for $1 million.

The ABC Television Network will air "Be My Valentine, Charlie Brown" and "A Charlie Brown Valentine" on Friday, Feb. 8 (8-9 p.m.)

Federal workers affected by the month-long governmental shutdown are facing unnecessary uncertainty in providing for themselves and their families while the shutdown continues. The Erie County Department of Social Services is offering supports to these furloughed workers with two programs for emergency assistance that furloughed federal workers may qualify for and utilize immediately: emergency temporary assistance and emergency food pantry referral. Help with home energy heating needs is also available.

Third Eye Blind and Jimmy Eat World bring their "Summer Gods Tour" to the Artpark Outdoor Amphitheater at 6 p.m. Wednesday, July 3, as part of the "Coors Light Concert" series. Ra Ra Riot will serve as the opening act.

Tuesday night, the Niagara-Wheatfield boys swimming and diving team honored its 10 seniors prior to the Falcons' meet versus Kenmore.

Four members of the National Guard recently talked to Wes Blidy's diesel technology students at the Niagara Career and Technical Education Center. 

The Niagara County Community College animation program will host internationally acclaimed animator Bill Plympton at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 29, in the NCCC Arts and Media Theatre.

The Niagara-Wheatfield Central School District is looking for nominations for its Falcon Wall of Fame and the Athletic Hall of Fame. 

The cosmetology students at the Niagara Career and Technical Education Center spent their day talking to professionals in the fields of beauty, wellness and fashion. Their teachers, Jill Beatty, Cathy Bonaccorso and Pauline Carney, arranged for local vendors and colleges to come set up tables at the center and talk to the students. 

Author Jennifer Gold was the honored guest at Spruce Elementary School recently. Gold read to the students from her books "Top Leaf," which tells the story of a very rude leaf who lives at a top of a tree, and "Yes, I Knew the Queen" which is a long poem about letting a story get out of hand. 

Recently, the Chamber of Commerce of the Tonawandas named Confer Plastics Inc. its January Member of the Month.

For Lisa Keller, of North Tonawanda, and her daughter, Olivia, the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Northtowns holds a special place in their hearts.

LiveNF will hose its 25th Pints for Progress event from 6-8:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 21, at the DoubleTree by Hilton, 401 Buffalo Ave., Niagara Falls.

Kicking off its seventh season, "MasterChef Junior" gives talented kids between the ages of 8 and 13 the chance to showcase their culinary abilities and passion for food through a series of fun, mouth-watering challenges. Having already won a coveted white apron, 24 young chef-testants - 12 girls and 12 boys - must prove that they deserve to stay in the game by completing their first "Mystery Box Challenge."