The Metz Building on Long Road has been sold, clearing the way for development of what many consider the Island's most notorious eyesore.

Councilman Gary Roesch said at the end of Monday's Grand Island Town Board meeting that owner Jim Metz had sold the building, former home to Dunlop Tire headquarters, to Rudra Management of Cheektowaga, which he called developers of other hotels and motels in the area.

Roesch said he didn't know the sale price but said Metz, probably didn't get "anywhere near what he was asking" for all along in the sale.

State Sen. Mark Grisanti has announced the Most Rev. Richard Joseph Malone, bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Buffalo, will give the invocation for opening day of the New York State Senate's 2014 legislative session.

Congressman Brian Higgins, D-NY-26, announced completion of the first phase of a pilot project to streamline traffic and the flow of goods across the border between the U.S. and Canada. Phase II will soon begin at the Peace Bridge.

An anonymous donor has provided what some are calling a "Christmas miracle" to the Miracle League of Grand Island and Western New York.

Fuccillo Automotive Group presented the Salvation Army with $200,000 Dec. 23 at Fuccillo Chevrolet of Grand Island as part of this year's campaign in which Fuccillo matched red kettle proceeds throughout Upstate New York.

The Neighbors Foundation of Grand Island would like to thank the hundreds of individuals and organizations who contributed to make our 2013 holiday distribution so successful. More than 65 of your neighbors were helped with food baskets and, where appropriate, gift cards or toys, for their children.

The foundation itself is a small, all-volunteer organization; we cannot do anything "ourselves." We depend on the community to recognize the need around us, and to respond so generously. Even in beautiful, pleasantly suburban Grand Island, there are needs, and you have helped. Thanks to all of you!

On Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2014, Grand Island's inaugural ceremony for all newly elected town officials will take place. Officials to be inaugurated are: town councilmen Christopher K. Aronica and Raymond A. Billica, Town Justice Mark K. Frentzel and Highway Superintendent James B Tomkins.

The Erie County Legislature has announced that Home Energy Assistance Program outreaches will be held throughout the county to assistance residents in need this year. Attendees do not have to live in the specific town/village/city hosting the outreach to attend.

The Miracle League of Grand Island and WNY Inc. is closer to realizing the dream of a handicapped-accessible playground at the Miracle League baseball complex in Veterans Park of Grand Island.

The Miracle League of Grand Island and WNY announced Dec. 21 that it is the recipient of a $60,000 grant from an anonymous donor. Members of the board of directors accepted a $60,000 grant to be used toward the construction of the playground, a disability-friendly play area, purpose-built to accommodate all children.

In addition to the immediate grant, a matching challenge has also been made.

The students at St. Stephen School performed their Christmas Concert on Wednesday, Dec. 18, in the parish church.

On Saturday, Dec. 14, more than 100 children and parents enjoyed making graham cracker houses with Explore and More, A Children's Museum.

Grand Island Fire Chief Kevin Koch reports Grand Island firefighters responded to 12 storm-related incidents during a seven-hour period on Sunday, Dec. 22. Most of these early-morning calls involved instances of flooding, power lines down, and transformer failure, but no major structural damage, he noted.

Robert P. Corcoran, age 82, of New Smyrna Beach, Fla., passed away on Friday, Dec. 13, 2013, in Columbia after a brief illness.

The Island Dispatch is looking for the first baby born in its circulation area in 2014.

Jim Toellner, president and general manager of WGRZ-TV, has been named Broadcasting & Cable Magazine's GM of the Year in markets 51-100.

Broadcasting & Cable Magazine, the pre-eminent trade magazine in the television industry, states, "An investment in reporting and a watchdog mentality are catalysts for Jim's success in turning WGRZ into the market leader in Buffalo."

"Television is a team sport, and our great team here at Channel 2 is responsible for this award," Toellner said.

Members of the Interact Club of Grand Island High School are volunteering to support the Salvation Army's red kettle Christmas drive.

St. Stephen's Mission Club students were busily preparing Christmas greeting cards for the elderly. These cards, made with loving care, are being delivered to the residents at Our Lady of Peace Skilled Nursing Facility.

At the regular meeting of the Grand Island Board of Education Monday evening at Veronica E. Connor Middle School, board President Tak Nobumoto announced the appointment of Susan Anstett Marston to fill the seat left vacant by the passing of trustee Joan Droit on Oct. 5.

The Neighbors Foundation of Grand Island is assisting a record 68 families in temporary distress this holiday season.

Happy holidays, Grand Islanders!

The Grand Island Town Board approved a $1 million service contract with the Grand Island Fire Co. at its meeting Dec. 16.

During a public hearing on the contract, Greg Butcher, chairman of the board of the GIFC, said the contract with the town "has been longstanding and the fire company provides an incredible amount of services to the residents of Grand Island, and I would challenge any other community in Erie County to provide as many services as we do to this community."

The Neighbors Foundation of Grand Island is happy to report that we will be helping 68 families, your neighbors on Grand Island, this holiday season. Well, no, we are not happy to report that number of families in temporary distress on the Island; all wish that the economy and sources of good-paying employment were better. What we are happy about is that so many Grand Islanders have helped: financial and food donations, gift cards, hands-on help, to allow the Foundation to provide that service to some of our less fortunate neighbors.

With the hustle and bustle of the holiday season in full swing, please consider taking the following precautions to help alleviate the possibility of becoming a victim while you are out shopping for that special gift:

Fahim Mojawalla, owner of Island Ship Center, has announced the launch of his new website at www.IslandShipCenter.com.

After running his ship center business for seven years under the umbrella of his corporation, Creative Leather Concepts Inc., Mojawalla decided to make a new site for the pack and ship portion of his Island business, which has grown to offer services like package holding and printing.

As your Erie County Clerk, responsible for overseeing auto bureau operations, it is time to remind everyone not to drink and drive this holiday season and not to ride with anyone who has had too much to drink. If you have had too much to drink, for everyone's sake, please do not get behind the wheel of your car.

Grand Island firefighters chose 2014 firematic and administrative officers during annual elections held Wednesday, Dec. 4, at fire headquarters.

The Grand Island Chamber of Commerce welcomed a new business driven by service.

Grand Island Fire Chief Kevin Koch reports that a group of concerned citizens recently donated several lifesaving rescue breathing units for family pets that have been overcome by smoke or noxious fumes during a fire emergency.

Assemblyman John Ceretto, R-C-I-Lewiston, has announced that, once a month starting Dec. 18, he will open a satellite office on Grand Island. Hours will be from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Grand Island Town Hall, 2255 Baseline Road. Island constituents are encouraged to come meet with Ceretto and discuss issues of importance to them and their community.

The Niagara River Greenway Commission has announced that the public comment period has opened for the 37th round of projects. In addition, the commission announced that the public comment time will close at the end of the day on Dec. 31.

Projects are posted at www.niagaragreenway.org. Comments may be submitted either at the website or by hard copy to the Commission at 2136 West Oakfield Road, Grand Island, NY 14072.

Sixty-three years to the day after his actions saved the lives of his fellow soldiers, a Marine was honored Wednesday on Grand Island.

At the Charles N. DeGlopper Veterans of Foreign Wars Post, Congressman Brian Higgins presented the family of Cpl. Richard J. Blasinski with medals earned by Blasinski as a member of the "Chosin Few," a name given to the Marines who fought in the Battle of Wonsan-Hungnam-Chosin in North Korea during the Korean War. Outnumbered 8 to 1 on one of the coldest days in North Korea, Marines fought Chinese forces in rough terrain.

The Grand Island Town Board has proclaimed Nov. 30, two days after Thanksgiving, as "Small Business Saturday" on Grand Island and urged all residents "to support local businesses that we value in our community by patronizing them on 'Small Business Saturday' and repeatedly throughout the year."

At its regular meeting Monday evening at Veronica E. Connor Middle School, the Grand Island Board of Education received an update from Campus Construction Management on the district's extensive capital project.

Grace M. (Tedesco) Calvano, 100, passed away peacefully on Saturday Nov. 2, 2013, at Our Lady of Peace in Lewiston, on All Souls Day surrounded by her loving family.

Margaret Virginia Ridgway "Dena" Kunkel entered into rest Nov. 12, 2013. She was a longtime Grand Island resident.

On Nov. 27, 1950, during the Korean War, Corporal Richard J. Blasinski saved many lives. He was awarded the Silver Star, but was never formally recognized before his passing in 1991.

The area's largest pediatric medical practice has recently created a new corporate identity that will place its four local offices under the umbrella of the new Integrity Health Group.

Patricia A. (Ertl) Mikulsky entered into rest Nov. 10, 2013. She was a resident of Grand Island.

The St. Stephen Mission Club has been busy collecting gently used and new winter coats, hats, mittens, and scarves for the "Coats4Kids Drive" for the needy of Western New York.

The Grand Island Chamber of Commerce is hoping the second edition of the Light Up the Boulevard 2.0 will top the first.