Village of Lewiston residents could have three candidates for mayor on June 17.

Jacqueline Lampman, a 30-year resident, is gathering petitions to run on an independent party line.

On April 22, Lampman lost her bid to secure the Democratic Party endorsement. She was selected to run for trustee, but was set to decline when her party was disqualified April 23.

Lampman wanted to run for mayor, and is now pursuing the office, "Because, in my career, I've risen to positions of authority," she said. "It kind of fit in that that's where I would go."

"I'm all for reasonability here; we're not going to nitpick every dime."

So commented John Camp, chair of the Artpark & Company board of directors, following conclusion of a prolonged discussion Monday among the Lewiston Town Board over Artpark funding. Included was a heated debate between Town of Lewiston Supervisor Dennis Brochey and Town Board member Ron Winkley. When it was all said and done, Artpark did get approved for an estimated $100,000 in town funding assistance. But the vote was not unanimous; Brochey, who is on record in opposition, voted a staunch "no."

You'd never know it by the cloud cover, but Friday marked the start of summer in Lewiston. The annual Smelt Festival drew in crowds from across Western New York, with each person hungry for a free sample of the tiny, deep-fried fish.

The Niagara River Anglers were set to batter and fry 400 pounds of smelt, which would be distributed inside white paper boats to festivalgoers.

My first introduction to "Mrs. Killdeer" was along a bumpy gravelly road, about 50 feet from a pond. As I approached it in my car I saw this bird skitter out right in front of me pretending to be hurt, like it had a broken wing or a crippled leg or something. It didn't just fly away.

The Niagara Falls Bridge Commission recently donated $2,000 to the Lewiston Garden Club. The money will be used to promote the annual Lewiston GardenFest, which is slated for June 21-22 along Center Street.

The state fishing season for walleye, northern pike, pickerel and tiger muskellunge opens Saturday, May 3, marking the opening of most of New York's freshwater sportfish seasons, state Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Joe Martens announced.

More than 220 volunteers from Mount St. Mary's Hospital and Health Center and the Our Lady of Peace Nursing Care Residence were honored at the annual volunteer recognition luncheon Thursday at the Niagara Falls Country Club.

Ransomville Speedway announced the cancellation of its season-opening program, which was scheduled for tonight, due to the heavy amounts of rain that fell through the middle of the week. Big R reported the speedway grounds are simply too saturated, forcing officials to cancel the 57th season opener.

Fox News' Bill O'Reilly (right) and political humorist Dennis Miller entertained a packed house at Shea's Performing Arts Center in downtown Buffalo as part of their "Bolder and Fresher" national tour.

If you have any plastic, two-liter pop bottles laying around in the garage, or in your recycling bin, consider donating them to the Lewiston Council on the Arts for a new art project that will take place at the "Modern Art Zone" during the 48th Annual Lewiston Art Festival Aug. 9-10.

Heart of Niagara Animal Rescue will be present with adoptable dogs this Saturday, May 3, from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. at Grandpaws Pet Emporium, 784 Center St. (near the corner of North Eighth Street), Lewiston. Meet Joey, Hal, Sally and Penny, and get information about the adoption process, animal care, upcoming meetings and events.

The New York Power Authority's "Sensational Saturday: Staying Safe in the Sun" event will be held May 10, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Niagara Power Vista, the visitors center at the Niagara Power Project.

During American Stroke Month in May, the American Stroke Association, a division of the American Heart Association, asks all New Yorkers to learn two things that may save a life.

Stroke is the most preventable cause of disability and the fourth leading cause of death in the U.S. Someone in the U.S. has a stroke every 40 seconds, yet 80 percent of strokes are preventable.

According to the American Stroke Association, knowing if you are at risk for stroke is critical, because many risk factors can be modified and controlled. The No. 1 stroke risk factor is high blood pressure.

Village of Lewiston Mayor Terry Collesano will represent the Republican Party in the June 17 election. The incumbent took 56 of 77 votes in Tuesday's caucus, defeating challenger Jamie Symmonds.

"I accept your nomination; thank you," Collesano told a crowd of almost 100 inside the Red Brick Municipal Building gymnasium.

A pair of Pulitzer Prize-winning reporters and a hospitality magnate will address Niagara University graduates during commencement ceremonies taking place in the Gallagher Center May 8 and 10.

The winners of the 19th annual Lewiston Kiwanis and Lewiston Service Guild Spring Fling "One Mile Race for Kids" are ...

Catholic Health, Ascension Health and Mount St. Mary's Hospital and Health Center have agreed in principle to formalize a comprehensive agreement to have Mount St. Mary's Hospital and Health Center in Niagara County become a full member of the Catholic Health System.

Becker Farms has been in the local tourism business for more than 30 years. As a fully operational farm, we offer a family-friendly experience, including a petting zoo, strawberry and apple picking and various other hands-on activities throughout the year. But for a good majority of the time we've been in business, our visitors are primarily members of the local community.

However, in the last decade, we have seen an emergence in visitors who are coming to see Niagara Falls and have added a side trip to Becker Farms and eastern Niagara County to their itinerary.

This is the result of the hard work of the Niagara Tourism & Convention Corp. as it continues to promote all of Niagara County, including eastern Niagara County.

Artpark announced the final performers in the "First Niagara presents Tuesday in the Park" and "Coors Light Wednesdays" outdoor concert series 2014 season lineups Monday morning. The list includes:

Seven Erie and Niagara County cultural attractions are teaming up to present a collaborative weekend, May 8-10, enabling guests to visit seven locations for one price. "History in Your Backyard" participants will receive a commemorative passport that will be stamped at each attraction. The passport will also contain discounts for numerous local restaurants.

Oh, you won't believe this.

The Niagara River Region Chamber of Commerce, the Village of Lewiston and The Silo Restaurant, in cooperation with the Niagara River Anglers, will celebrate one of the region's most famous natural resources when they host the Lewiston Smelt Festival.

Chef Victor Parra has something special planned for the moms who eat at Jaguar at the Bistro this Mother's Day.

The Lewiston Senior Center recently had its "Easter Bonnet Day." Seniors made there own bonnets and competed for bragging rights.

The Niagara County Genealogical Society will present the free program "Genealogical Records Found in the Lockport Public Library and the Niagara County Historians Office" at 7 p.m. on April 30 at 215 Niagara St., Lockport.

The Niagara River Region Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce Bandana's Bar & Grill as the recipient of the Youngstown Business of the Year Award.

This first-of-its-kind happening will take place rain or shine at 9 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 2, in the lower Niagara River between Lewiston and Youngstown. Briefly put, it's a new type of on-river competition/social experience to benefit the It Happened to Alexa Foundation.

An inspiring message runs across the Buffarun Distance Club's website which reads, "I run for others. I run for my family. I run for a challenge. I run for a cure. I run because I can."

Once a year, Lewiston enthusiasts get together to celebrate achievements and to honor the people and organizations that make Lewiston a premiere community in Western New York. Top volunteers and benefactors who preserve and promote Lewiston's rich heritage are honored at this event, the Historical Association of Lewiston's annual celebration.

As part of an Earth Day celebration, Jessica Lemke's pre-K class at St. Peter R.C. School had to create something using recycled materials. Their creativity was notable, as seen in everything from guitars, castles and robots, to telescopes, pirate ships and more.

In a shocking turn of events Wednesday, the Lewiston Democratic Party candidates appointed to run in the June 17 Village of Lewiston election were ruled ineligible. Village Clerk Anne Welch disqualified mayoral candidate Jamie Symmonds and trustee candidate Jacqueline Lampman on the grounds their party failed to adhere to state election law.

Section 15-108(2)(c) states "Notice must be filed in the offices of the village clerk and the county board of elections at least 10 days before the scheduled caucus."

Welch said she did not receive notice from the Democrats of their caucus, which was held Tuesday, nor was a public announcement posted in her office.

For the first time in 20 years, Village of Lewiston Democrats have a candidate for mayor.

Jamie Symmonds will represent the party in the June 17 election. She was nominated during Tuesday's Democratic Party caucus.

So, you have an older book and you're not quite sure how old it is or if it's worth something. This presentation is for you.

The Latitude 43 Music Festival will settle into its new home in the Outdoor Amphitheater at Artpark in Lewiston this June. The event, formerly known as PubFest, will continue its tradition of raising money for the Variety Kids Telethon.

Three New York Power Authority engineers will address the World Green Energy Symposium and Expo April 22-24 at the Conference & Event Center in Niagara Falls.

Theatre in the Mist, a local community theater group, recently presented the Lisa Gravel Memorial Performing Arts Scholarship to two students: Sabrina Kahwaty, a theatre performance major at Niagara University; and Magdalyn Chauby, a senior at Grand Island High School with aspirations to attend college for vocal performance.

A special open house will be held at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, 500 Riverdale Ave., Lewiston, on Saturday, May 3, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The Niagara University Family Business Center will hold its next breakfast forum Tuesday, May 6, at Giancarlo's, 5110 Main St., Williamsville. The event begins at 7:30 a.m.

The Lewiston Democratic Party is poised to have a Democrat run for the village's top office for the first time in two decades.

Supervisor Dennis Brochey created a firestorm Monday as he revealed his intent to redirect an estimated $120,000 in Modern Disposal tipping fees from Artpark & Company back to town coffers. The money, which Lewiston receives annually, has gone to help fund Artpark & Company's family programing.