It all started on a Sunday morning last December. Kristi Moore of Lewiston was relishing a rare moment of solitude in front of the TV (mothers of young children know what I'm talking about. ...). CBS "Sunday Morning" was airing a segment on "Beads of Courage," a charitable organization that provides arts-in-medicine supportive care for children coping with serious illness. Kristi was so touched and moved by this story that she wanted to get involved right away.

In the mounds of paperwork accompanying legal counsels for developer Jerome Williams and Lewiston Management Group LLC (the plaintiffs), Whirlpool Jet Boat Tours and the Village of Lewiston (the defendants), one tiny bit of information was missing Thursday in State Supreme Court: the original argument bringing the opposing sides before Justice Richard C. Kloch Sr. Without an attachment of complaint in a motion to dismiss, Kloch said, "I cannot do what I would love to do," and that is shelve Williams' case, which alleges the village violated the public trust doctrine.

The plaintiff contends the village's 2002 lease with the tourism company is contrary to the required usage of the waterfront land's easement, which is for the public benefit as a public recreation area.

November is National Hospice and Palliative Care Month, making it the perfect time to learn how hospice and palliative care may benefit you or a loved one when faced with serious illness.

The full spectrum of residential health care services for seniors will be highlighted from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 29, during an open house at ElderWood's Crestwood Community, 2600 Niagara Falls Blvd., Wheatfield.

The Niagara County Board of Elections at 111 Main St., Suite 100, Lockport, will be open for absentee balloting for the November election from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Oct. 29; 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday, Nov. 1 and 3; and 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Nov. 5.

In an effort to enhance Empire State Development's ability to create jobs and spur economic growth in the City of Niagara Falls and throughout Niagara County, Assemblyman John Ceretto, R-I-Lewiston, is calling for increased dialogue between state lawmakers and the public authority.

With a few clicks, users of a social networking site can get information about medium- and high-risk sex offenders living in their neighborhoods

Niagara University announces Dr. Roselind Gullo Bogner, associate professor of school counseling, is receiving the career achievement award from the New York State School Counselor Association. The award is being presented to Bogner at the Statewide Conference of the New York State School Counselor Association Friday, Oct. 28, in Rochester.

The award recognizes the school counselor or counselor educator whose contributions to his or her students, place of employment, colleagues and community have been substantial and ongoing. In addition, the recipient exhibits a commitment to professional school counseling and has a record of service to the profession.

After six months of talking, debating, listening, fighting, bickering, negotiating, arguing and sometimes smiling, it remained clear Thursday night that there are still divisions and mistrust among Regional councillors about who should run economic development in Niagara.

The Artpark & Company annual meeting was held Wednesday, Oct. 26, at the Niagara Falls Country Club to confirm the re-election of officers and new directors to the board. The meeting reviewed the successful 2011 season, which broke attendance records and saw programming growth with the expansion of children's camps, the return of the "Edges" Outdoor Sculpture Competition, the rise in popularity of the Niagara Wine Trail Wine & Culinary Festival, and the introduction of the new "Fairy House Festival."

Christopher H. Brown of Brown & Company LLP was re-elected for a fifth season as chairman of the Artpark & Company board of directors.

Get your candy bags ready!

Calling all ghosts, mummies, Draculas and Disney princesses -- get your candy bags ready! Trick-or-treating is just around the corner, literally. Local towns and villages have announced their respective Halloween trick-or-treat hours, along with a host of parties and parades, ensuring all little monsters can gather as much of their favorite treats in one evening as possible.

The Dale Association encourages members of the community to be proactive about memory health by taking advantage of free, confidential memory screenings and information about successful aging on Nov. 15. The event is part of National Memory Screening Day, an annual initiative that the Alzheimer's Foundation of America holds each November during National Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month.

St. George's Pro-Cathedral Church, an Anglo-Catholic parish, will hold its first "Jazz Service" at 6:30 p.m. on Nov. 10 with a service titled "Fusion: Encounters of Jazz and Spirit."

The "Jazz Service" will build on a rich tradition of jazz music and worship. Some of the most recognizable names in jazz history, including Duke Ellington, John Coltrane, Dave Brubeck and Oscar Peterson, have written and performed sacred works.

by Olivia Bitetti

Take a break from raiding the Halloween candy this Saturday and head to Military Road in Town of Niagara for the annual Niagara Electric Lights Parade.

Organized by the Town of Niagara Business and Professional Association, the event is designed not only to get the upcoming holiday season rolling, but also to ensure needy local residents have full bellies when Thanksgiving arrives.

Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center and the Niagara Falls City School District will host a local site for the National Prescription Drug Drop-Off on Saturday, Oct. 29.

Wheatfield residents might see an even bigger tax decrease in 2012.

November is Native American Heritage Month and Old Fort Niagara is celebrating by hosting a series of special programs.

On Nov. 5, 6 and 12, the fort will offer workshops on traditional Native American skills, such as finger weaving, cornhusk twining, beadwork, quillwork and basketry. The cost of each workshop is $40, and all necessary materials are provided. A full list of workshops and scheduling information is available on the fort's website www.oldfortniagara.org, or by calling 745-7611.

Congresswoman Kathy Hochul spoke Wednesday on the House floor about putting American veterans back to work by passing the American Jobs Act.

The Niagara USA Chamber presents "Economic Vision: 2012 and Beyond: Creating a Vibrant Future." The event begins at 8 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 14, at The Conference Center Niagara Falls, 101 Old Falls St. It is sponsored by National Grid.

The Niagara USA Chamber of Commerce is committed to shaping the county's future. Its "Vision 2012" initiative imagines a county built on a vibrant and robust economy. Gary Keith, vice president and regional economist with M&T Bank, will serve as keynote speaker.

The Niagara County Auxiliary Police is assisting the Matthew Foster Foundation raise money for families of children with cancer -- families that are having a difficult time with huge financial burdens. The NCAP is selling raffle tickets for a 2012 Ford Mustang or $15,000 cash. The drawing will be held at 7 p.m. on Nov. 10 at Cobber's, 6831 Seneca St., Elma.

The Matthew Foster Foundation works very closely with Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Essential Care, Women's and Children's Hospital and other local organizations.

From one of the worst to one of the fastest-growing neighborhoods, the Buffalo Niagara Association of Realtors is conducting a press conference and walking tour of the Essex Street neighborhood on Buffalo's west side.

The Niagara Social Project is inviting anyone who wants to be part of a music video to meet in front of Planet Hollywood in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Thursday morning.

For the second straight year and the fourth time in five years, Niagara University's American Chemical Society student chapter has been recognized by The Society Committee on Education. Dr. Mary McCourt, chair of Niagara's biochemistry/chemistry department, received a letter in late September from the society notifying her that the student chapter had been selected for an Honorable Mention Award for activities it conducted during the 2010-11 academic year.

More than 330 reports were submitted to The Society Committee on Education for 2010-11, with only 107 of them receiving honorable mention awards.

The first night of the popular "Haunted Fortress" fundraiser at Old Fort Niagara was a great success. A perfect autumn evening greeted 1,200 people as they came to the fort Saturday for a good time and to help raise money for programming.

It's the No. 1 cause of death for both men and women over the age of 50. Almost 85 million Americans have early symptoms, and there are more than a million heart attacks each year. Yet in many cases, heart disease can be prevented.

"Cutting Edge: Attacking Heart Disease, will air tonight at 8 p.m. on WGRZ. The prime-time health special is the third in the series being produced and aired by the Gannett Broadcast division for its stations across the country.

In light of another teen suicide as a result of bullying, the Niagara Region PTA wants to share the details of its "Stop Bullying Now!" initiative and implore adults and children alike to learn how emotionally damaging bullying behaviors can be.

A diverse task force of dedicated volunteers (including school administrators, Niagara Region PTA board members, PTA parents and students) has been working on this initiative since January of 2010. Each of the 31 individual PTA units and two councils within the Niagara Region has received (or will receive shortly) a "Stop Bullying Now!" toolkit to assist in finding unique ways to get the message out to students, parents and school districts that bullying cannot be tolerated.

New York state has unveiled a new website and Facebook page to educate teens and young adults about dating abuse, and to empower them to make healthy relationship choices.

"Respect Love, Love Respect." That simple phrase eloquently captures the important message behind a new website and Facebook page designed to educate teens and young adults about dating abuse.

New online and social networking resources are designed to raise awareness of dating abuse, encourage healthy relationships, empower teens and young adults to take action on the issue, and link them -- and the adults in their lives -- to resources and assistance.

Do you know who will make health care decisions for you if you can't? Or why everyone should have a health care proxy? October is national Health Care Proxy Month, making it the perfect time to learn what you can do now to ensure your family and physician know your health care wishes.

Healthy and Halloween are not often used in the same sentence. Halloween is usually seen as a time to get dressed up, gather sugary treats, and enjoy the spookiness of the season. TOPS Club Inc. provides tips to stock the kids' bags with better treats, host a healthy party, and more.

It's inevitable that kids will receive candy, so parents should take steps to limit sugar consumption. Feeding children a nutritious meal before trick-or-treating will help curb their urge to snack on sweets. Once the candy is home, adults can let kids pick out their favorite pieces and decide how much to have each day.

At a press conference Monday afternoon, the Niagara County Sheriff's Office and the Town of Niagara Police Department announced the arrest of two people in connection to a July 20 house explosion at 3225 Military Road. Crystal D. Knepp of the Town of Lockport and Eric S. Waterstram of Niagara Falls were arrested on charges of burglary in the second degree, criminal mischief in the second degree, and petit larceny.

Gretchen L. Wylegala, assistant U.S. attorney, will talk about her experience prosecuting and preventing investment fraud during a one-hour session Wednesday, Oct. 26, at Niagara University. The free, public event will begin at 5:30 p.m. in Room 351 of Bisgrove Hall.

The Niagara County Auxiliary Police hosts a pair of open houses.

Planning is now under way to mark the 75th anniversary of 4-H in Niagara County.

The Village of Youngstown Recreation Department hosts its annual Halloween party.

The History Center of the Niagara County Historical Society celebrates and honors all veterans with a new exhibit called, "Veteran's Day 11/11/11 -- Never Before, Never Again."

by Terry Duffy
Look for some changes in local U.S. Postal Service operations, starting next month.

As part of a national effort to address deficits and operation costs in the Postal Service, over past months USPS officials have been considering structural changes, including staff changes, consolidations and even closure of facilities throughout the country. Postal facilities large and small have been under review, including many in the Buffalo area.

by Terry Duffy
The Town of Lewiston continues in the preliminary stage for its 2012 budget, as department heads finalize and submit requests on a tentative $15.6 million spending plan, portions of which are expected to be discussed on Monday, Oct. 24.

That evening the Town Board also will hold a public hearing at 5:30 p.m., prior to its regular meeting, to consider an override by Lewiston of the state's 2 percent property tax cap.

"We have had town increases. We have to figure out how to adjust," Town Supervisor Steve Reiter told board members last month.

Members of Niagara Organizing Alliance for Hope invite area residents to attend a public meeting Sunday, Oct. 23, from 3 to 5 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church of Niagara Falls, 311 First St.

According to NOAH organizers, the meeting will focus on three issues of interest to the Niagara County community: the extension of the millionaire's tax; local hiring on area projects; and a discussion on the issue of hazardous waste in the towns of Lewiston and Porter, presented by the Porter environmental group Residents for Responsible Government.

On the minds of most school administrators, teachers and parents are incidents both locally and nationally involving bullying.

Lewiston-Porter School District residents were told at Tuesday evening's Board of Education session that Lew-Port officials take reported incidents of bullying and harassment seriously, and that those incidents are fully investigated and appropriate actions are taken.

St. Timothy's Fall Fest raised more than $3,000 for the church's day care.