Current News

Niagara University intended to host the Rev. James L. Heft, S.M., for an address on "Catholicism and Interreligious Dialogue" in March, but a blizzard blew those plans away.

Village of Lewiston residents can expect a mild tax increase in the next fiscal year. Trustees voted Monday to increase the tax rate to $7.26 per $1,000 of assessed valuation - an increase of 14 cents. They also approved a special use permit for the new Fresh Start café.

Attention Village of Lewiston Republican voters: The GOP caucus is scheduled for Tuesday, April 29, in the Red Brick Municipal Building gym. Registration begins at 6 p.m. Voting begins promptly at 6:45 p.m.

Quasar Energy Group brought a four-man team to Wheatfield's Community Center to answer questions about the safety of equate and the company's plan to build a 5 million gallon storage tank.

Residents opposed to the rezoning of a parcel of the Light House Pointe housing development walked out of a meeting with developers after 20 minutes Tuesday, but stayed long enough to criticize the developers for scheduling the meeting on short notice.

The Grand Island Chamber of Commerce has named Teddy Linenfelser Citizen of the Year for Service to the Community.

The chamber will honor Linenfelser at the 48th annual Citizen of the Year Awards Thursday, April 24, at Byblos Niagara Resort and Spa.

Teddy Klingel Linenfelser was born to Ted and Marion Klingel shortly after they and daughter Mary Ellen moved into their new house in Grandyle Village. She attended grades kindergarten through ninth grade at Charlotte Sidway School before taking the school bus off the Island for 10th through 12th grades. Her children attended Sidway and her grandchildren also went to kindergarten and first grade at Sidway.

Seven-year-old Gavin Firmstone got a surprise ride home from Huth Road Elementary School Thursday.

Candidates interested in a seat on the Grand Island Board of Education must file nominating petitions with District Clerk Janet Schuster by 5 p.m. April 21.

Marjorie L. Egan, entered into rest March 24, 2014. She was a resident of Grand Island.

The Erie County Legislature issued a proclamation at its recent meeting to recognize and commend the Island Dispatch on the celebration of its 70th anniversary.

Dale L. McCready, 58, a longtime resident of Grand Island, died suddenly March 19, 2014.

Marjorie L. Egan, entered into rest March 24, 2014. She was a resident of Grand Island.

The Erie County Sheriff's Office responded to 183 calls from March 22 to 28. Below is a sampling of the noteworthy incidents on Grand Island.

The following incidents occurred from March 24 to 30, as reported by the Grand Island Fire Co. A total of 31 calls were answered by the department during this period. The GIFC has now responded to 337 calls so far this year.

The Grand Island Chamber of Commerce has named Grand Island High School teacher Cheryl Chamberlain Citizen of the Year - Educator 2013.

The chamber will honor her at the 48th annual Citizen of the Year Awards Thursday, April 24, at Byblos Niagara Resort and Spa.

Chamberlain has been teaching with the Grand Island Central School District since 2000 when she and her husband, Gregory, moved back to where he grew up to raise their daughters Brooke and Sarah. When they moved into their home on Stony Point Road, Chamberlain was considering going back to school and her husband said, "Why don't you substitute teach at the schools on Grand Island?" This started Chamberlain's career focus in business education.

Be a pampered princess in a "castle" on Saturday, April 12, as the Chamber of Commerce of the Tonawandas hosts the Tonawandas' Women's Expo & Boutique at the landmark Tonawanda Castle, 69 Delaware St., in Tonawanda.

Niagara Cerebral Palsy held its fifth annual Snowflake Basket Auction on March 21 and 22 at the Niagara Falls Elk Lodge. Shown are attendees choosing where to put their tickets.

The Niagara County Sheriff's Office is investigating a robbery that occurred in the early morning hours of Wednesday, April 9, at the 7-11, 6955 Ward Road, Wheatfield.

The following is a sampling of calls received by the Town of Niagara Police between March 28-31.

The Easter Bunny was a special guest at the quarterly senior dance at the Wheatfield Community Center last Saturday. The next senior dance will be in July.

Leadership Niagara will travel to St. Catherines, Ontario, for a daylong session on binational relationship building and best practices on creating and sustaining cross-border communities with their Canadian counterparts, Leadership Niagara of Ontario.

Congressman Brian Higgins announced Roswell Park Cancer Institute has been awarded $406,247 in grant funding from the National Cancer Institute. The two-year federal grant will provide $221,589 toward the project in the first year, and $184,658 the following year.

"We know that cancer research saves lives," said Higgins, a member of the House Cancer Caucus. "The certainty of continued funding from sources like the National Cancer Institute that allows researchers to explore a wide range of treatment options is critical to the goal of finding a cure."

The grant will allow Roswell Park researchers to study an innovative new treatment, anticancer agent FL118, for pancreatic cancer.

The Buffalo Sabres will host their annual "Fan Appreciation Night" Sunday, April 13, during the team's final game of the 2013-14 regular season.

The American Business Women's Association Western New York Charter Chapter has announced Dr. Donna Fernandes, president and CEO of the Buffalo Zoo, will be the keynote speaker at ABWA WNY's spring networking and professional development event.

NBC's "America's Got Talent" returns to Radio City Music Hall, one of the nation's most storied and historic venues, for its upcoming ninth season. The show will air live from Radio City Music Hall twice a week when live episodes begin this summer on July 29 (9 p.m.). "AGT," ranked as the No. 1 summer reality series, premieres May 27 at 8 p.m.

The Most Rev. Richard J. Malone, bishop of the Diocese of Buffalo, announced earlier this week Catholic Charities' 90th annual appeal has raised $7,941,945.04 to date, representing 73.5 percent of the $10.8 million goal.

New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner Joan McDonald has kicked off the highway and bridge construction season with a message to New York motorists to use caution in highway maintenance and construction work zones.

On April 26, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Mount St. Mary's Hospital and the Drug Enforcement Administration will give the public its eighth opportunity in three years to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused and unwanted prescription drugs.

As spring weather brings more outdoor work by individuals, contractors and excavators, National Grid offers an important safety message: Call before you dig.

Congressman Brian Higgins, a member of the Congressional Great Lakes Task Force, spoke on the House Floor to recognize Water Week, which brings clean water advocates from all over the country to Washington, D.C., to work together to develop strategies to keep waterways healthy and ensure access to clean water for all Americans.

Assemblyman John Ceretto renewed his commitment to the concept of equal pay for equal work on Tuesday, Equal Pay Day. As the sponsor of equal pay legislation in the Assembly (A8784), Ceretto is pushing to have the bill brought to the Assembly floor for a vote.

The History Center of Niagara is taking reservations for its 2014 spring bus trip, which will be held Saturday, June 7. The daylong bus tour, running from approximately 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., will feature visits and views of some of Buffalo's most historic places.

Cornell Cooperative Extension is looking for entrants for its 2014 photo contest. The theme is: "A Good Thing Growing - Celebrating Niagara County Agriculture." Organizers are looking to recognize, promote and celebrate:

The Castellani Art Museum's art history series "Meet Me at the CAM" continues Wednesday, April 16, with "Dream Windows: An Exploration of the Japanese Garden," a presentation by Robert Poczik.

The Rev. Darius Pridgen of True Bethel Baptist Church led the House of Representatives' opening prayer Wednesday. Pridgen, who serves congregations in both Buffalo and Niagara Falls and holds the position of Buffalo Common Council president, was invited to address U.S. Representatives by Congressman Brian Higgins.

According to US2020, by 2018, there will be 1.2 million job openings in the U.S. in the science, technology, engineering, and math fields, with a significant shortage of qualified applicants to fill them.

The Ride for Roswell is more than just a bike ride around the city or a fundraiser for cancer research. It's a rare bond between thousands of strangers who are fighting for the same cause: a cure for cancer.

The Erie Canal Harbor Development Corp. announced this week the state is moving ahead on plans to redevelop and dramatically transform the soon-to-be-acquired state land holdings on Buffalo's Outer Harbor into a vibrant and accessible waterfront for residents and tourists alike.

On Tuesday, a request for proposals was distributed to consultants to develop a master "blueprint" of land use and development recommendations for 171 acres on the city's waterfront. The selected consultant team will work with the public to plan Buffalo's future on the waterfront.

Attention resident and nonresident anglers and hunters: The Niagara Tourism & Convention Corp. is alerting outdoor enthusiasts New York has made several changes to its sporting licenses this year, including a reduction in fees.