Current News

The Niagara Falls Community Development Department is launching the small business support fund to help local entrepreneurs improve their businesses.

On Feb. 8, St. Peter's School host its annual "Valentines for Veterans" event. Students shared their thanks and support of veterans by creating valentine cards both for guests and those at the Buffalo VA Medical Center. In addition, veterans and active service members who are parishioners and/or family members of the student body were invited to join in for a special Mass to our past and current service men and women.

ABC is rolling out the red carpet, showcasing a 30-minute promotional special "American Idol: A New Journey Begins" on "Oscar Sunday," Feb. 24, ahead of the anticipated Academy Awards show. In the "Idol" special, host Ryan Seacrest sits down with judges Luke Bryan, Katy Perry and Lionel Richie to discuss the return of the iconic series and share a preview of this year's crop of new talent. Additionally, the panel will answer fan questions and share behind-the-scenes secrets.

The elite group of superfans representing all 50 states have voted and magician Shin Lim was crowned the first-ever winner of "America's Got Talent: The Champions" on Monday.

Pictures may be worth a thousand words but, with medical images, that's an understatement. Digital images of biopsies are especially valuable in diagnosing and tracking the progression of certain diseases, such as chronic kidney disease and cancer.

The New York State Complete Count Commission has announced six public hearings across the state to gain public input and hear from census experts and advocates, beginning March 4 in Rochester.

Coming into the postseason, many questioned how far the Niagara-Wheatfield Falcons hockey team could go. After a regular season record of 10-10, the Falcons didn't let the number put any dampers on a run to the Section VI large school championship. Tuesday night, the Falcons strived forward and defeated No. 1 Lancaster, 4-1, in the Section VI large school semifinal.

The Niagara Career and Technical Education Center HVAC (heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration) students recently had an up-close look at the rink at KeyBank Center in downtown Buffalo. Teacher Vincent Piaskowski and his junior and senior classes were the guests of head engineer Bruce Johnson.

NYSEG and RG&E, subsidiaries of AVANGRID Inc., will be in your neighborhood over the next several months conducting a safety inspection of your natural gas meter and service to ensure the safe delivery of natural gas to your home or business. The inspections are mandatory.

On Feb. 6, the Niagara County Department of Health Nursing Division was lauded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

One of the hardest-rocking bands in history is back on the road and headed to Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino. Whitesnake will bring its "Flesh & Blood World Tour" to the Seneca Niagara Events Center at 8 p.m. Saturday, May 18. Tickets go on sale at noon Friday, Feb. 22.

The Taste of Buffalo presented by Tops is now accepting applications for its annual scholarship program to support Western New York-area high school seniors aspiring to careers in the foodservice and hospitality industries. This year's program will award five recipients with a $1,000 scholarship to be applied toward their college educations.

Stars continue to line up to present on the Oscars - the year's most-watched, live entertainment event - on Sunday, Feb. 24, announced show producer Donna Gigliotti and co-producer and director Glenn Weiss.

A group of Long Island area co-workers have claimed the $437 million jackpot for the Jan. 1 Mega Millions drawing, the largest jackpot in New York Lottery history.

The Rev. Raymond Allen, pastor of Bethany Missionary Baptist Church and the president of the Niagara Ministerial Council, will be the keynote speaker Friday, Feb. 22, at Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center's 12th Annual Black History Celebration.

On Jan. 23, 13 Niagara University social work students participated in the national Point-In-Time count of people experiencing homelessness. Due in large part to their efforts, this year's local PIT was one of the most successful in identifying unsheltered individuals in recent years.

Western Door Playhouse will present "The Dining Room," directed by Sharon Priest, at the Woodbox Theatre inside the Niagara Arts and Cultural Center, 1201 Pine Ave. (at Portage Road), Niagara Falls. Show times are 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2:30 p.m. Sundays, March 15-24. For more information, call 716-297-5910.

Niagara Falls City Councilman Chris Voccio has scheduled his next "Coffee with Chris" event for 9 a.m. Saturday, March 2, at Knack's Parkview Cafe, 2110 Hyde Park Blvd.

NBC Sports presents eight NHL games this week on NBC and NBCSN, highlighted by the 2019 Coors Light NHL Stadium Series on Saturday night at 8 p.m. ET on NBC, when Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins face Claude Giroux and the in-state rival Philadelphia Flyers at Lincoln Financial Field, home of the NFL's Philadelphia Eagles.

Grammy-nominated Christian rock favorites Fireflight have signed an exclusive recording contract with Nashville Label Group's RockFest Records, it was announced Monday. Since their 2006 debut, Fireflight has become one of the genre's most beloved bands, with nine No. 1 Christian rock hits to their credit.

Students are invited to attend Harmonia Chamber Singers' March 2 concert, "Rise Up!", at a special $5 per student price.

Hundreds of teens from across New York, Pennsylvania and Southern Ontario gathered this past weekend in downtown Buffalo at the Buffalo Grand Hotel for the inaugural Awaken Youth Conference.

The Alzheimer's Association chapter is scheduling training for volunteers interested in overseeing a monthly support group meeting in the Lewiston area and willing to commit to the role for at least one year.

The New York State Department of Taxation and Finance has provided a checklist to help taxpayers choose a qualified, honest and timely tax professional.

The Niagara County Department of Health nursing division, in collaboration with the Niagara County Office for the Aging, is offering free workshops throughout Niagara County for individuals with any ongoing health condition (for example: arthritis, diabetes, heart disease, pain or high blood pressure.

The Niagara County Central Rotary Club will award a total of three $1,000 scholarships to students in the Niagara-Wheatfield, Starpoint and Wilson school districts.

Do you love art? Are you a lifelong learner? Do you enjoy connecting with people of all ages? The Castellani Art Museum of Niagara University is seeking volunteers who are interested in becoming docents - volunteer tour guides - for the venue.

Joining his colleagues in Erie, Niagara, Chautauqua, Wyoming, Allegany, Steuben, Ontario, Livingston, Monroe, Yates, Cattaraugus, Genesee, Seneca, Chemung, Orleans and Schuyler counties, Wayne County District Attorney Michael Calarco stated he will not prosecute any violation of the SAFE Act seven-round capacity limit.

The Buffalo Sabres on Sunday announced defenseman Casey Nelson has completed his conditioning assignment and has been recalled from the Rochester Americans (AHL).

Erie County Clerk Michael Kearns on Friday announced that, due to the recent blizzard that canceled the first day of extending the downtown auto bureau by an additional hour, change would now begin Thursday, Feb. 28.

The Carnegie Art Center in North Tonawanda will host the 2019 "North Tonawanda School District Student Spotlight Exhibition" from Feb. 23 through March 22, with an opening reception at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 28. The venue will also host a family night beginning at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 19. That night, art teachers from the North Tonawanda public schools will show attendees how to create art.

United Way of Greater Niagara (UWGN) has announced its 2018 campaign results, as well as plans for its 2019 campaign. The campaign recently wrapped up its fundraising efforts for 2018, achieving a little over 96 percent of its target goal. The $1 million-plus raised will allow the organization to continue substantially supporting its dozens of member agencies throughout Niagara County.

As part of Niagara Frontier Publications' annual "Best Fish Fry" contest, vote for the restaurant serving your favorite fish fry. The eatery with the most votes will receive a feature article with photos in the Tribune, Dispatch and Sentinel, plus additional photos and a video posted at www.wnypapers.com.

Saturday, Niagara-Wheatfield defeated Clarence, 3- 0, in the quarterfinals of the Section VI large schools playoffs.

The annual Rotary Club of Grand Island's Undie Sunday has added three additional donation locations.

The event? Well, it's the 50th anniversary of the Olcott Lions Club's legendary "Swim For Sight," of course.

Following discussion with Lewiston Police Department Chief Frank Previte this week, the Village of Lewiston Board of Trustees is expected to review its recent decision regarding traffic ingress and egress at the Center Street (Rite Aid) Plaza. The municipality's monthly meeting will be held at 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Red Brick, 145 N. Fourth St.

Kara M. Hibbard, acting town clerk for the Town of Porter, has announced her candidacy for the position of Porter town clerk. She was appointed town clerk by the Porter Town Board in September 2018, following the retirement of Barbara DuBell. Hibbard is running for a four-year term.

All is quiet at Lewiston Town Hall, with select town officials scheduled to visit the annual Association of Towns meetings in NYC next week.

Dr. Celia Spacone will present a suicide prevention program from 4-6 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 17, at Riverside-Salem United Church of Christ Cottage, 3449 West River Road, Grand Island.