The Helping Hands dinner dance is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 17, at the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Niagara County, 4487 Lake Ave., Lockport. The event runs from 5 to 11 p.m., and is presented by Former Troopers Helping Hands Inc., sponsored by the Association of Former New York State Troopers Inc., Niagara Frontier Chapter.

Assemblyman John Ceretto, R-I-Lewiston, spoke Thursday on Western New York's receipt of $100.3 million through the Regional Economic Development Program in economic development funding and tax credits to help revitalize its local economy and create jobs. The funding was distributed according to a merit-based system in which the 10 regional councils competed for competitive grants.

Assemblyman John Ceretto, R-I-Lewiston, released the following statement Thursday regarding his vote to pass Gov. Andrew Cuomo's tax-reform package:

The Niagara Region of the Office of New York State Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation has announced its winter 2012 programming, which starts with a "First Day Hike" on Jan. 1, 2012. As always, events are free and open to the public, but registration is always encouraged due to limited space.

State Sen. Mark Grisanti Thursday announced his endorsement of Gov. Andrew Cuomo's plan to overhaul state income tax rates as a means toward middle class tax relief.

Holiday themed events within the local community.

A local tradition continues this holiday season. The Greater Niagara Ballet Company presents its 34th annual production of "The Nutcracker."

The Lewiston Community Lions Club and new entertainment store Family Video are getting into the holiday spirit and donating time and resources to the less fortunate.

Pop or soda, the generic term for carbonated beverages has been a source of friendly debate between soft drink aficionados for decades.

From the Niagara USA Chamber:

Gov. Andrew Cuomo and the Regional Economic Development Council have announced the economic development awards. The Niagara USA Chamber of Commerce is happy to announce that the Western New York Regional Economic Council was awarded $100.3 million for economic development projects, and was also named one of the "Best Plan" awardees.

Many Niagara County projects received funding, including $2 million for Niagara County Community College's Culinary Institute, $970,000 to complete the Niagara Falls Airport's master plan, and $400,000 for Lockport's Home Ownership Program.

Calspan, a Niagara USA Chamber member, received $1.294 million.

Representatives from Roswell Park Cancer Institute and Dunkin' Donuts gather to announce the "Cups for Roswell" program at Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo on Wednesday.

After President Obama and Canadian Prime Minister Harper today announced a new joint action plan to reduce travel times and enhance border security between the U.S. and Canada, Congresswoman Hochul released the following statement:

In the wake of the Niagara Parks Commission's decision not to recommend support for Nik Wallenda's proposal for a tightrope walk across the Niagara Gorge, representatives from New York State are encouraging Wallenda to continue his pursuit directly with Canadian officials.

The Niagara Parks Commission has rejected a bid by daredevil Nik Wallenda to cross the Horseshoe Falls on a tightrope.

"Safety and our responsibility to preserve and protect the falls, and all those who wish to view its beauty, are our paramount concern in reaching the decision we have," said NPC Chairwoman Janice Thomson.

The denial comes three weeks to the day after Wallenda made a personal pitch to the commission, which has a long history of denying what it considers to be stunts. The NPC controls all provincial parks in and around the falls and a tract of parkway that runs from Niagara-on-the-Lake to Fort Erie.

"What we're doing is re-affirming our policy against stunting," said Thomson.

The 10-member commission held a conference call Tuesday night. At that time commissioners were asked if they wanted to re-open discussion of the Wallenda proposal. However, actual voting was done on an individual basis with Thomson; the commissioners do not know how others voted.

The Opportunities Unlimited of Niagara Foundation's gift-wrap booth is open through Saturday, Dec. 24.

The City of Lockport Refuse and Recycling Committee announces Friday, Dec. 9, will be the final day for residents to make changes to their cart size. Call the City of Lockport refuse and recycling hotline at 716-439-6752 or email recycling@niagaracounty.com by 3 p.m. Friday to make a request. Include your name, address, contact phone number, current cart size and desired cart size.

Remember and honor all of those who died on that day by lowering your flag to half-staff from sunrise to sunset on Pearl Harbor Day, Dec. 7.

The Niagara University Danceline is sponsoring its third annual dance clinic for girls ages 6 to 14 on Sunday, Jan. 29, 2012 at Niagara University.

Assemblyman John Ceretto had the honor Tuesday of acting as "Principal of the Day" at the Niagara Street School.

Patricia McGee, founder of McGee Coaching, presented "Center of the Hourglass - Middle Management - Sink or Swim?" Tuesday as part of the NU Family Business Center breakfast forum at Sonoma Grille.

Pam Buccirosso is the featured artist this month at The Winery at Marjim Manor.

The Niagara Parks Commission sure has its hands full on this Nik Wallenda wirewalk deal for the Niagara Gorge, and they probably never saw it coming.

'Flames Through Lewiston' highlights British attack during the War of 1812.

Village of Lewiston Mayor Terry Collesano said Monday his board has been inundated with comments suggesting Gary Hall build his proposed recreation center in the Village of Lewiston. Many, too, he said, have complained about comments made last month by those who oppose the building's suggested placement behind the Red Brick Municipal Building. Trustees, Collesano said, want to hear from all residents, and not just one segment. So, the Village Board is hosting a public forum on the recreation center idea at 6 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 9, 2012.

Representatives from the Buffalo Niagara Association of Realtors joined 18,000 other Realtors and guests from across the country at the REALTORS Conference & Expo held in Anaheim, Calif., Nov. 11-14.

The year's meetings encouraged Realtors to "seize the day" for the real estate industry to defend and support the rights of homeowners and real estate investors across the nation. Attendees participated in forums and shared their insights into the challenges and opportunities of local markets across the country, examined how changing political and economic landscapes are likely to affect the real estate industry, and networked with colleagues from across the U.S. and around the world.

John Ceretto and Richard Pope were on hand as a new household hazardous waste disposal unit was installed in the Village of Lewiston.

The Polish Writers Union has bestowed the honor of Best Book of 2011 in poetry on "Winter Vision," a poetry collection by Western New York author Robert M. Giannetti.

"Christmas Belles" will ring in the December season on the Stella Niagara stage in Lewiston. This rollicking comedy, presented by Theatre in the Mist, brings Fayro, Texas, to the forefront as the Futrelle sisters try to bring an updated Christmas program to the Tabernacle of the Lamb.

State Supreme Court Justice Richard C. Kloch Sr. took no action Thursday morning on a motion to dismiss the lawsuit Jerome Williams and Lewiston Management Group LLC filed against Whirlpool Jet Boat Tours and the Village of Lewiston.

Holiday-related festivities are going full swing throughout northern Niagara.

The Wilson Free Library will host its second annual Christmas Tour of Homes on Saturday, Dec. 10, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Members of the Assembly Republicans' Western New York delegation today sent a letter to Lt. Gov. Robert Duffy; Kenneth Adams, president and CEO of Empire State Development; and members of the state's Strategic Plan Review Committee urging them to closely analyze Western New York's regional economic development strategic plan and allocate the funding needed to help revitalize the regional economy.

New York State Senator Mark Grisanti has scheduled three more bi-partisan listening sessions in the 60th Senate District.

The Niagara County Native Coalition invites Niagara Falls-area Native American families to come and enjoy festive fun, friends and lunch on Saturday, Dec. 10, from 1 to 4 p.m. at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, 1010 Michigan Ave., Niagara Falls.

WHAT: Celebration of the grand opening of the new KeyBank Pine Avenue branch. The 2,356-square-foot branch is one of 40 new KeyBank branches projected to open in 2011; four new branches and six ATM kiosks to open in the Western New York market.

An information campaign regarding the Grand Island Central School District capital project vote ramps up into high gear Monday.

The Niagara Parks Commission will meet via conference call over the next few days to make a final decision on daredevil Nik Wallenda's bid to stage a tightrope walk over the Niagara Gorge.

NPC Chairwoman Janice Thomson said commissioners and staff are currently reviewing information Wallenda provided when he appeared at a commission meeting Nov. 16. Wallenda and his delegation spoke for 12 minutes about his desire to walk across a steel and rope cable between the United States and Canada just in front of the Horseshoe Falls. Commissioners did not ask any questions.

"We have his economic impact statement and the walk proposal document," Thomson said. "The commissioners are going through that and staff has been asked to do the same thing and see if there was anything in it that we need to know and get back to us. We'll be getting that report (from general manager Fay Booker) and having a conference call and discussing the information at that time."

Reckless and impaired driving is among the leading causes of combat veterans dying or serving jail time when they return home.