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.

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.

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.

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.

Shannon Hardy, Class of 2011, was awarded a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant Scholarship.

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

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."

Ribbon-cutting ceremony for Brennan's Irish Pub, 418 Main St., Youngstown.

Frank Brusino of Grand Island received special recognition for his services.

Scarecrow Expo winners announced.

Niagara University's College of Hospitality and Tourism Management hosts its annual convocation.

Massive donation kicks off food panty drive.

Candice Lymburner, a 2011 Niagara University graduate currently pursuing an MBA at her alma mater, recently had an article published in the Journal of Marketing Development and Competitiveness. The paper, "The Future of the Music Industry," appears in Volume 5 of the peer-reviewed journal, which covers the marketing arena and the interface between marketing and firm competitiveness.

Lymburner, a Niagara Falls native and current Buffalo resident, completed the paper as an undergrad, along with Bohdan Pikas, a professor of marketing in NU's College of Business Administration and chair of its commerce department, and visiting professor, Anastasia Pikas.

Have no fear: Halloween's almost here at the Aquarium of Niagara.

With the rapid pace of treatment advances and options, variances in screening guidelines and recommendations, and the ongoing national conversation about health care policy changing the oncology landscape, it can be hard to keep up with new information about breast cancer and to sort out reliable, evidence-based recommendations from those that are more speculative. Recognizing this, Roswell Park Cancer Institute is offering a program as part of its "Pledge to Go Pink" awareness initiative.

A "State of Breast Cancer" forum, to be held Wednesday, Oct. 19, at 6 p.m. at the Roswell Park Amherst Center, 100 College Parkway, Amherst, will feature an open discussion of timely topics, such as who is at highest risk for breast cancer; can breast cancer be prevented; what are the most effective imaging methods; and what are some of the latest discoveries and advances from breast cancer researchers at RPCI and around the world.

Simonson: "Flames Through Lewiston" "will be bigger than ever."

During Monday's episode of "The Chew," it was announced that ABC Daytime's new lifestyle series has joined forces with Feeding America to help fight the hunger epidemic in America. Hosted by "Iron Chef America" stars Mario Batali and Michael Symon, "Top Chef" alum Carla Hall, entertaining and style expert Clinton Kelly and health and wellness enthusiast Daphne Oz, "The Chew" brings viewers a daily dose of food, life and fun along with information on how to live a more full and healthier life.

As part of the partnership with Feeding America, "The Chew" will donate $1 for each person who sits in its 150-seat studio audience throughout the 2011-12 television season. Each $1 donation provides eight meals to someone at risk of hunger, and all monetary donations support the 200 local Feeding America member food banks nationwide.

Seven area churches to host a safe and fun alternative event to trick-or-treating at Kenan Center.

On Monday Oct. 31, seven community churches (The Chapel at Lockport, Grace Chapel, Friendship Baptist, Lockport Christian Church, Faith Tabernacle, Salvation Army and Victory Christian Church) unite to host an annual event called "Hallelujah Night" for children up to sixth grade. The event will take place at the Kenan Center Arena, located at 433 Locust St., Lockport.

The family of Zac Jaenecke has announced plans for a fundraiser to help their son and his girlfriend recover from a devastating September fire that destroyed the couple's home on Sy Road in the Town of Wheatfield. The benefit will take place from 2 to 6 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 22, at the Town of Niagara Active Hose Co., 6010 Lockport Road.

NFMMC working to prevent transmission of hepatitis B virus.

Steve Braddock admits it's a good thing that he's fond of puzzles. As Niagara University's new director of theater, he'll be responsible for ensuring that the classical and contemporary performances he selects are compatible with and challenging to his students. Braddock will also have to make sure that the quality of the shows live up to the expectations of the university's loyal theater audience and appeal to a wider demographic.

Niagara County customers purchased 2,353 "Opportunities Unlimited Donuts" in August during a special promotion created by the Niagara County-area Tim Hortons Cafe & Bake Shop restaurant owners. At the Tim Hortons Cafe & Bake Shop located at 8500 Niagara Falls Blvd., Niagara Falls, restaurant owner Bob Burns presented a check for $2,000 to Connie S. Brown, executive director of Opportunities Unlimited of Niagara.

Niagara University is joining more than 100 colleges and universities across the U.S. to honor the 6,200-plus American servicemen and women who paid the ultimate sacrifice in Iraq and Afghanistan since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

During Tuesday night's meeting of a key committee, members of the Niagara County Legislature's majority caucus announced a move to cut health benefits for lawmakers sworn in this coming January and require former lawmakers that received lifetime health care under old rules to pay a portion of their health care costs.

First Presbyterian Church of Lewiston hosts its second annual "Pooch Parade" and blessing of the animals on Saturday, Oct. 15.