At least 110 million consumers were affected by the hacking involving Target and Neiman Marcus retailers. Whether or not millions more will have their identities manipulated and finances ruined within the coming months due to more breaches of security at other stores is anyone's guess, says identity theft recovery expert Scott A. Merritt.

The Niagara River Greenway Commission has announced its vote on project consistency for the 37th round of projects submitted.

The University at Buffalo will host a commercialization lecture series event Jan. 30 to introduce businesses and entrepreneurs to Gov. Andrew Cuomo's START-UP NY initiative, which creates tax-free zones for certain businesses in university communities.

YMCA Buffalo Niagara has launched its annual campaign on Jan. 22 to ensure that everyone in Western New York has access to community programs and resources that support youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility.

Assemblyman John Ceretto, R-C-I-Lewiston, commented on Gov. Andrew Cuomo's executive budget address, saying it's important to deliver on the promises made and pass a fourth consecutive on-time budget.

Artpark & Company is seeking schools, Scout troops, regional artists, community groups and families to create fairy houses for display at Artpark's annual Fairy House Festival. The popular event returns to Artpark Sunday June 8.

HARBORCENTER President John R. Koelmel has announced IMPACT Sports Performance will operate HARBORCENTER's 5,000-square-foot, high-performance off-ice training facility.

The Lewiston Council on the Arts recently received notification of its award of decentralization grant funding in support of two projects.

Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo delivered his 2014 executive budget address Tuesday, outlining a disciplined and innovative plan that allows for tax cuts that will create jobs, grow the economy and provide much-needed relief for struggling families.

"In the past, budgets in New York state have meant little more than out-of-control spending that catered to special interests and created a fiscally dilapidated and unhealthy New York. But over the last three years, with fiscal discipline and responsible policymaking, New York state has turned a $10 billion deficit into a $2 billion surplus and made the government work again," Cuomo said.

Earlier this week, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo deployed the Department of Financial Services' mobile command center to West Seneca to help homeowners and businesses affected by recent flooding.

The "Kohl's Cares" scholarship program is part of "Kohl's Cares," Kohl's philanthropic program focused on improving the lives of children. Since the program began in 2001, Kohl's has recognized more than 19,500 kids with more than $3.9 million in scholarships and prizes. To learn more about last year's winners, visit kohlskids.com.

Trustees in the Village of Lewiston have asked The Great Foodini owner/operator Michael Attardo for more time before granting his facility contract to operate a food truck on Center Street.

From its seminal studies in the first half of the 20th century linking tobacco use and cancer incidence to its latest findings on electronic cigarettes, Roswell Park Cancer Institute has been a major force in tobacco-control research.

Univera Healthcare has committed $70,000 over the next three years to fund behavioral health programming at Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center's new Niagara Wellness Connection Center, set to open at the end of January.

"The Wellness Connection Center will be the first integrated service center of its kind in Western New York," said Sheila K. Kee, Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center vice president and chief operating officer. "Under one roof, at a single location, people will be able to conveniently access primary care, behavioral health treatment, screening for drug or alcohol addiction, health and wellness education, fitness activities, community support services and financial and health insurance counseling."

Get ready to lose those winter blues. Toast & Jam, now in its 15th year, begins Monday, Feb. 17, at 7 p.m., at The Brickyard Pub & B.B.Q, 432 Center St., Lewiston. This jazz-jammin', blues-rockin', poetry-reading coffeehouse event is back by popular demand and continues until March 24.

The Historic Riviera Theatre, 67 Webster St., North Tonawanda, presents its Family Film Series during the month of February.

The Western New York community continues to show support to homeless and abandoned animals. Heart of Niagara Animal Rescue reports an outpouring of support for the organization's second annual "Heart to Heart" fundraising event, "A Taste of The Niagara Region."

City of North Tonawanda Mayor Robert G. Ortt has announced the city, in partnership with the City of Tonawanda, has been awarded $99,995 in federal funding under the FY2013 Tactical Team Grant Program. Funding for this initiative is provided by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's State Homeland Security Grant Program.

Congressman Brian Higgins, D-NY-26, wrote to the acting commissioner of Social Security, Carolyn Colvin, expressing his concerns with the proposed plans to close the Amherst Social Security office.

Congressman Brian Higgins, D-NY-26, offered the following statement Tuesday:

A second food truck operator is interested in bringing mobile dining to the Village of Lewiston. Chef Michael Attardo, owner and operator of The Great Foodini, will present his plan to trustees at tonight's Village Board meeting.

In May, Lewiston's Christian Willmott pitched trustees The Black Market Food Truck, a mobile gourmet deli sandwich unit he drives in Buffalo. Board members were lukewarm to the idea, but didn't reject it.

Attardo, who is also a Lewiston native, and a Lewiston-Porter High School graduate, has one significant advantage ...

The Niagara University Family Business Center will hold its next breakfast forum Tuesday, Feb. 4, at Giancarlo's (Tony Walker Plaza), 5110 Main St., Williamsville. The event begins at 7:30 a.m.

Buffalo Sabres captain Steve Ott takes a moment away from signing autographs at the AT&T store in the Walden Galleria Mall to pose with Jackson, Grady and Kobee Decker. Ott was at the AT&T store to meet with fans and to assist the company in educating the community on the dangers of texting while driving.

The Buffalo Junior Sabres youth organization today announced details for the upcoming season, including team coaches, tryout dates and player fees. The organization also announced additions to its website, buffalojuniorsabres.com, which has been expanded and re-launched.

Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman released the following statement today in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day:

Gov. Andrew Cuomo offered the following remarks Monday:

Descendants of the Townsend family of Lewiston recently donated an original 1815 Village of Lewiston map to the Historical Association of Lewiston. It is the oldest original map now at the Lewiston Museum.

The Niagara County Department of Health, which directs and coordinates the Niagara County Medical Reserve Corps Unit 0220, was awarded a $20,000 MRC Challenge Award from the National Association of County and City Health Officials, in partnership with the office of the surgeon general.

The University at Buffalo will host a Commercialization Lecture Series event on Jan. 30 to introduce businesses and entrepreneurs to Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo's START-UP NY initiative, which creates tax-free zones for certain businesses in university communities across the state.

Speaking at UB's New York State Center of Excellence in Bioinformatics and Life Sciences, UB Associate Vice President for Economic Development Marnie LaVigne, Ph.D., will provide attendees with information on START-UP NY, which is available to new and expanding businesses, and companies looking to relocate from outside New York.

The Canisius College Joseph J. Naples '41 Conversations in Christ & Culture Lecture and Performance Series presents Peter C. Phan, Ph.D. Thursday, Feb. 6 at 7:30 p.m., in the Grupp Fireside Lounge of the Richard E. Winter '42 Student Center. Phan's lecture, titled "Vatican II and the Asian Catholic Churches: Reception, Renewal, Revival," is free and open to the public.

Adell's School of Dance recently held a successful hat and scarf drive. Students, their family members, and school staff dropped off items at a Christmas tree in the front lobby. Those items were then donated to the Niagara Falls Boys and Girls Club.

Friends of the Ransomville Library will hold a used book sale Friday, Feb. 7, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday, Feb. 8, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (with a bag sale from 3 to 4 p.m.), at the Ransomville Library, 3733 Ransomville Road.

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation today released draft species management plans for black bears and mute swans, and will be accepting public comments on these management plans through Jan. 31.

Assemblyman John Ceretto's office will hold mobile office hours at the Grand Island Town Hall, located at 2255 Baseline Road, from 2-5 p.m. Jan. 22. Grand Island constituents are encouraged to come and discuss issues of importance to them and their community.

City of North Tonawanda Mayor Robert G. Ortt will deliver the State of the City address Feb. 5 at Webster's Bistro & Bar, 102 Webster St.

Monday's Town of Porter Board session was very ordinary - save for an abrupt break for an executive session to iron out board differences over a summer part-time salary schedule from the board's reorganization meeting earlier this month.

News from the New York State Association of Counties finds sales tax receipts are slowing in a number of counties upstate, reflecting a still fragile recovery among consumers from the prolonged recession that began in 2008.

The fourth quarter in New York shows a mixed picture and uneven impact of sales tax on a county-by-county basis. While aggregate sales tax collected statewide is up by 5.24 percent ($26.7 billion compared to $25.4 billion), much of the total dollar increase is generated from strong growth in New York City, Long Island and downstate counties, likely due to Hurricane Sandy rebuilding.

State Sen. George Maziarz, R-C-Newfane, has confirmed two projects in his district were included in a round of Transportation Enhancement Program grants announced this week by the New York State Department of Transportation.

Meals on Wheels Foundation of Western New York is the recipient of a $1,000 donation through Compu-Mail's "Charity Connection" program. The organization was selected from numerous online nominations made by Compu-Mail's clients and associates throughout last fall.

The Relay For Life of Lewiston/Niagara is looking for passionate volunteers to join its 2014 planning committee.