Current News

The Town of Lewiston reminds residents it will hold a public information meeting on the proposed Lower River Road Town Park Project at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 28. The session will take place at the Town of Lewiston Senior Center, 4361 Lower River Road, and is expected to feature the latest town plans on the project.

The Grand Island Town Board set a hearing to consider a new law to address panhandling on the Island.

Four months after former Town Supervisor Nathan McMurray stated "Southpointe is dead again," Grand Islanders who oppose the development on the south end of the Island may fear what is dead may never die, but rises again harder and stronger.

A proposal to return high school football to league, rather than federation, play is on hold after complaints by City of Buffalo Public Schools.

All remains quiet on the Lake Ontario shores in Olcott as debate continues in many circles on IJC Plan 2014. But that doesn't mean other, more exciting discussions for the area's summer seasons aren't taking place.

One of the neat attributes of life in Buffalo-Niagara - beyond this region's vast amount of natural, historical, artistic and cultural qualities - is the constantly evolving entrepreneurship and insightful business talents of its residents.

Local elected leaders are again making a push to lower the speed limit on Center Street, from 30 miles per hour down to 25 mph.

The Town of Porter got down to business for 2020 at its annual reorganization meeting, held in early January at Town Hall.

With influenza activity widespread and laboratory-confirmed influenza reports increasing, the Niagara County Department of Health is encouraging everyone to prevent flu with a few key actions.

New data released by the Federal Trade Commission shows that consumers across New York received $7,508,818 in refund checks from the FTC in 2019.

"The Father's House," the rousing, gospel-fueled new single from Grammy-nominated Bethel Music singer/songwriter Cory Asbury, is now available. Produced by Ed Cash (Chris Tomlin, NEEDTOBREATHE) and penned by Asbury, Ethan Hulse (Jeremy Camp, Zach Williams) and Hillsong UNITED's Ben Hastings, the song is already making an impact at radio, landing at No. 31 on Billboard's Christian Airplay chart this week.

Colton Dixon has unveiled his first new music in nearly three years with "Miracles." The hopeful, catchy new track was co-written with Michael Jade and the late busbee, who also wrote Dixon's first No. 1 single, "You Are." The track, his Atlantic Record's debut, is also accompanied by a music video, which Dixon will premier during a live chat with fans tonight at 6 p.m. ET. To listen to the track, click here, or to watch the video tonight after 6 p.m., click here.

Arts Services Initiative of Western New York announced this year's "Lawyers for the Arts" fundraiser will be presented by Hodgson Russ LLP, Dansa D'Arata & Soucia CPAs LLP, and KeyBank on Saturday, April 4, at the Tralf Music Hall, 622 Main St., Buffalo. The event will see attorneys from across practice areas and industries come together to play music on stage to a crowd of supporters of Western New York's thriving arts and cultural sector.

Depeche Mode, along with Sony Music Entertainment and BBH Entertainment, announce their critically acclaimed feature-length documentary and concert film, "Depeche Mode: SPIRITS in the Forest," is now available for streaming on Prime Video. Described by Forbes as "the new gold standard for concert films," "Depeche Mode: SPIRITS in the Forest" is available on Prime Video in over 130 territories worldwide. Watch here.

It's madness on Food Network this March as Guy Fieri hosts and executive produces an all-new culinary competition where 16 of the nation's most celebrated chefs face-off on "Tournament of Champions," premiering Wednesday, March 4 (10 p.m.), with a supersized 90-minute episode stuffed with edge-of-your-seat action.

Niagara University has cut the ribbon on The Nest, a state-of-the-art sports lounge and new gaming area for the university's growing Esports club.

Lewiston-Porter's much-anticipated "One District, One Book" reveal was held at the Lewiston Public Library on Wednesday. And the winner is "The One and Only Ivan," by Katherine Applegate.

The New York Power Authority has successfully piloted a robotic technology that can navigate inside a power transformer to effectively identify any operational issues while reducing unplanned down time and reducing risk to personnel. The new inspection tool marks NYPA's latest investment in enhancing reliability and cost-effectiveness of its electricity generation assets and transmission network as part of New York's growing strength in technological innovation.

U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer and Congressman Brian Higgins announced federal grants totaling $500,000 for Albright-Knox Art Gallery initiatives.

Today, Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz was joined by Assemblyman Patrick Burke (142nd district), Commissioner of Parks, Recreation and Forestry Troy P. Schinzel, President of the Chestnut Park Conservancy Gordon Panek, and conservancy members at the Chestnut Ridge casino to announce the start of a capital campaign to fund the newest addition to the park's recreational offerings.

Snow may be on the ground and the temperatures a little chilly, but golf is already on the minds of the staff at the Niagara County Golf Course.

The 23rd annual Sweetheart Dinner is trudging through each snowy day of the winter calendar to wow the community by showing them an enjoyable evening at 6 p.m. Friday, Feb. 7, at the Sheraton Niagara Falls.

The Town of Niagara Town Board meeting began early Tuesday, as the public hearing to collect input from residents on a new gas-station/convenient store being proposed for 7001 Packard Road was canceled.

The Merrell Lane Memorial Aviation Scholarship was established in memory of Merrell Lane, co-founder and the first chairman of the Niagara Military Affairs Council (NIMAC). Each year, NIMAC awards a $1,500 scholarship to a well-deserving enlisted member assigned to the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station who has shown an interest in the aviation field.

Cynthia Erivo, Oscar winner Elton John, Idina Menzel, Chrissy Metz and Oscar winner Randy Newman will perform this year's nominated songs at the 92nd Oscars ceremony, show producers Lynette Howell Taylor and Stephanie Allain announced today.

Army veteran Bob Nowakowski made his second donation of $50,000 to Niagara SPCA during a check presentation held at the shelter this week.

On Tuesday, Deputy Commissioner of Niagara County DPW Jeffrey Gaston and Town of Lewiston Parks and Recreation Department Director Mike Dashineau presented projects to the Niagara River Greenway Commission's Host Communities Standing Committee, a body of appointed and elected officials who oversee projects financed by the Greenway Recreation/Tourism Fund.

Food insecurity has been targeted as an issue that affects nearly half of all college students, and can be a barrier to academic success and even affect graduation. A food pantry was established at Niagara County Community College in 2016 - and continues to expand - to address the growing needs.

Rather than take the day off for the federal holiday, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday, BankOnBuffalo employees decided to turn their "day on," by helping at Community Missions of Niagara Frontier's Clothes Closet. Joining staff, the bankers worked organizing clothes at the Buffalo Avenue location, while volunteers from Damascus Baptist Church worked in the kitchen.

Planning for 2020 is underway in Youngstown.

Before an overflow crowd at Town Hall on Monday, Jan. 13, the Town of Porter held a public hearing to consider a six-month moratorium covering Tier 3 Solar Energy Systems. A related measure would go on to be approved.

Grand Island Town Supervisor John Whitney administered the oaths of office to newly elected Grand Island Fire co. officers on Saturday, Jan. 11, at fire headquarters.

A former parsonage at Trinity United Methodist Church will serve as the permanent home of the Grand Island satellite of the Family Justice Center, announced the center's executive director, Mary Travers Murphy, on Jan. 9 at a community meeting at the church.

Nikhil Satchidanand, Ph.D., a research assistant professor in the department of medicine in the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at the University at Buffalo, has been awarded a grant from the Health Foundation for Western and Central New York to continue his work with vulnerable older adults.

Cornerstone Building Brands, the largest manufacturer of exterior building products in North America, launched its Home for Good project in 2016 to help address the affordable housing crisis. This year, it will partner with country music superstar Luke Bryan to continue efforts to help build affordable homes across the U.S.

Multi-Platinum, four-time Grammy-nominated rock band Goo Goo Dolls have debuted a brand-new music video for their song "Lost." Directed by Joelle Grace Taylor, the piece follows a person on a journey of self-discovery. Watch the video now HERE.

New research from AAA finds that, over five years and 75,000 miles of driving, the annual cost of owning a new compact electric vehicle is only slightly more expensive - about $600 annually - than its gas-powered counterpart. The study also revealed the experience of owning an electric vehicle eases one of the biggest fears associated with these cars: range anxiety.

George Lodick III, chairperson for Greater Niagara FCU board of directors, announced this week that Joe Chille, morning host on 96.1 The Breeze and owner of Joe Chille Productions, has joined the credit union's board of directors. Chille has served on many local organizations' boards and brings that experience to Greater Niagara FCU.

As "The Conners" gets ready to celebrate the grand opening of the new Lanford Lunch Box, fans are invited to submit a creative name for a stew for the menu as part of a contest that runs through Thursday, Jan. 23, at 11:59 p.m. EST.

The Niagara SPCA recently underwent an external audit completed by Barbara Carr, former CEO of the SPCA Serving Erie County and currently a senior shelter consultant. The entire report is posted on the Niagara SPCA website (www.niagaraspca.org). Below is a summary of some of her recommendations.