Current News

In the case of the Robert Moses Parkway North, no news is, well, no news.

Dr. Walter S. Polka, former Lewiston-Porter superintendent of schools, was recently granted promotion to full professor with tenure at Niagara University.

The American Business Women's Association of Western New York has announced that Amy Christieson of Youngstown was named ABWA WNY's 2011-12 Woman of the Year.

Area law enforcement agencies had their hands full Tuesday night, as a larger than expected crowd for the Sublime with Rome concert at Artpark resulted in scores of arrests, many of them on Village of Lewiston streets.

On Friday, Dr. Gino Sementa, a veterinarian from Rochester, was visiting Three Sisters Island at Niagara Falls State Park when he observed a white dog on "Little Brother Island," which is just down stream from Three Sisters Island.

KeyBank has completed its acquisition of 37 retail banking branches owned by HSBC Bank NA in Buffalo and Rochester.

Aaron Radatz, the magician Time magazine calls "the magical entertainer to see" and about whom MSNBC says is "nipping at the heels of David Copperfield," will perform at Darien Lake from July 16 to Sept. 3.

Assemblyman John D. Ceretto, R-I-Lewiston, wrote to Gov. Andrew Cuomo Thursday urging him to nominate a Niagara County resident to succeed John Dyson on the New York Power Authority board of trustees, citing the critical role Niagara County plays in power production in New York state. Dyson's resignation is slated for Aug. 5 of this year.

Celebrating its ninth summer at Artpark, the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra presents an afternoon performance of classical favorites from Berlioz, Mozart, Mendelssohn and Tchaikovsky as part of Artpark's new "Sundays in July" matinee theater series.

While Saturday night's crescent moon won't give off a lot of light, locals and visitors to the Lake Ontario port of Olcott this weekend can still expect to spend their time there "Dancing in the Moonlight."

Star of "Glee," Kevin McHale, is set to co-host "Teen Choice 2012," alongside Demi Lovato. The 14th annual special airs live Sunday, July 22 (8 to 10 p.m.), on FOX.

The Historic Riviera Theatre presents Hugh Laurie with The Copper Bottom Band on Tuesday, Aug. 28, at 7:30 p.m., for one performance only.

Seneca Casinos will make it an October to remember will an all-star lineup of entertainment. Coming to Seneca Niagara Events Center on Oct. 5 is Grammy winner Tony Bennett, followed by country singer Martina McBride on Oct. 6 at Seneca Allegany Events Center.

HYDRO NF (Happening, Youthful & Driven, Reinventing our Niagara Falls) is hosting a drum circle every other Friday until Sept. 21.

The Historic Trinity Committee will present its final garden tour this upcoming Saturday, July 14, from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. The tour costs $15 after Thursday, July 12, and at the door.

Nine-year-old friends Mike Valle and Jack Dlugokinski have been friends since kindergarten. Even though they attend different elementary schools, one at Huth Road Elementary and one at Kaegebein Elementary, they still do things together. Mike and Jack decided to team up as business partners and participate in this year's KidBiz event held on June 23. This Grand Island Chamber of Commerce event allows students in grades 2 through 8 to get an idea of what it is like to run a business. Mike and Jack made 60 marshmallow shooters and sold them all at KidBiz for $5 apiece. After seeing just how successful their product was at KidBiz, they decided to make another 125 marshmallow shooters to sell up and down Grand Island Boulevard during the Independence Day parade. The students went to Town Hall and applied for a peddler's permit and got to work. Mike and Jack decided after reviewing costs to make the product and to decorate each shooter with paint and duct tape they made a business decision to sell the shooters for $6 apiece during the parade. They worked together and sold 115 shooters on the Fourth of July. After paying their parents back for purchasing the materials, they had a nice profit. Mike and Jack play hockey together and decided to put some of that profit towards a hockey camp, but first they wanted to make a contribution back to their community. Mike and Jack met with Kim McMahon of the Miracle League of Grand Island and Western New York and donated $115 towards the organization, which provides an opportunity for disabled baseball players to play games on an adaptive diamond. Both boys love baseball, but Mike has a cousin who is now 4 years old and has special needs. His hope is to someday play baseball with his cousin at the new Miracle League Field located at Veterans Park on Grand Island. Mike and Jack are looking to continue the growth of their business. Those interested in purchasing marshmallow shooters for gifts or party favors can contact them by emailing mvalle4205@aol.com.

The family of Jonathan Miller, a member of Lewiston-Porter High School's Class of 2010 who died in a tragic car accident, announce that the upcoming J-Mill Memorial Charity Giving Fund's third annual golf outing and dinner will be the last. However, the cancellation of future fundraisers is not for a lack of generosity, support, kindness, and empathy from the Niagara Falls community.

The Erie County Sheriff's Office reports its officers responded to 163 calls from June 23 to 29. Below is a sampling of incidents the ECSO reported to the Island Dispatch.

The following incidents occurred from July 2 to 8, as reported by the Grand Island Fire Co. A total of 35 calls were answered by the department during this period. The GIFC has responded to 719 calls so far this year.

Shortly before 1 a.m. on Monday, July 9, Grand Island Fire Co. rescue personnel responded to a motor vehicle accident in the southbound lane of the I-190 near the Staley Road overpass. The horrendous crash was reportedly caused by a driver who was travelling in the wrong direction and then collided head-on with another vehicle.

In a late addition to the Grand Island School Board meeting agenda Monday evening, Superintendent of Schools Robert Christmann announced his retirement effective Oct. 1.

Recent surveillance samplings conducted on July 11 by the Niagara County Department of Health at Olcott Beach in Olcott and Camp Kenan Beach in Somerset have determined that the water at both locations is suitable for swimming.

Steven Tyler has decided to depart his role as a judge on "American Idol." Tyler served as a judge during the 10th and 11th seasons of "American Idol." He made his announcement Thursday afternoon.

Emily Spina, a senior at Starpoint High School, has been writing novels since she was 13. Now, her dream of being a published author is becoming a reality, as her novel, "Book of the Legion," is currently available as an e-book on both www.amazon.com and www.bn.com.

Anne Gonzalez has been a resident of the new ElderWood Assisted Living at Crestwood for about three months now, and she loves it.

Known for its powerful live shows, YES teams up with another pioneer in progressive rock, Procol Harum, for an epic double-headlining gig July 17 at Artpark's Outdoor Amphitheater. The music gets underway at 6:30 p.m. as part of the venue's weekly "Tuesday in the Park" concert series.

If your mom or dad is looking for affordable housing, or if you are a senior looking to move, consider People Inc.'s Willow Senior Living. People Inc. Willow Senior Living will host an open house and multi-family yard sale from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday, July 13, at 3990 Forest Parkway in Wheatfield to showcase its living options.

The Niagara County History Center has announced the return of Lockport Old Home Week scheduled for July 21 to 28.

The New York Power Authority will hold a Family Safety Fair from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, July 14, at the Power Vista, the visitors' center for the Niagara Power Project.

The key issue at Wheatfield's Town Board meeting on Tuesday was a motion set for bid to agree to a proposal by Modern Disposal. The proposal would change Wheatfield's trash disposal process to a cart-based system.

Community Missions and Canal Fest of the Tonawandas are partnering again this year to help the homeless and hungry through the 2012 annual Duck Race. The ducks will swim and race on Saturday, July 21, at 3 p.m. in the canal between Tonawanda and North Tonawanda.

The Duck Race will have yellow, pink and blue ducks racing down the Erie Canal; 2,000 ducks up for adoption at $5 each. Buyers can purchase individual ducks or they can choose to purchase a "Quack Pack" for $25, in which they will receive six adopted duck racers.

The musical "Fiddler on the Roof" will be presented at the Ghostlight Theatre, 170 Schenck St., North Tonawanda. Show times are Aug. 2 at 7 p.m.; Aug. 3, 4, 10, 11, 17 and 18 at 8 p.m.; and on Aug. 19 at 2 p.m.

High school juniors and seniors looking for a way to earn college credits outside of the Advanced Placement curriculum should look no further.

On Wednesday, the Niagara County Industrial Development Agency approved an application for assistance submitted by Merani Holdings LLC for a proposed 7,800-square-foot restaurant adjacent to the Holiday Inn at 114 Buffalo Ave., in the City of Niagara Falls. The NCIDA board also accepted an application for assistance for consideration from hotelier Ali Rizek, who plans to build a new Comfort Inn and Suites on Niagara Falls Boulevard in the city.

On Tuesday, the Niagara County Department of Health issued a beach advisory at Olcott Beach in Olcott, and one for Camp Kenan beach, located in the Town of Somerset.

Harry Gong, NU director of admissions, was honored by Visit Buffalo Niagara with a Buffalo Ambassador Distinguished Service Award in recognition of his leadership and service in support of the region's tourism industry.

By the decree of the President of the French Republic, Joseph M. Consiglio is appointed to receive the "Chevalier" of the Legion of Honor for his contribution to the liberation of France during the Battle of the Colmar Pocket in World War II.

Lockport Community Television announces its summer orientation session will be held at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, July 17, at the LCTV studio located at 293 Niagara St., Lockport.

The historic Oakwood Cemetery, the second oldest cemetery in Western New York, commemorates the War of 1812 in conjunction with the Main Street Business and Professional Association's second annual Garden Walk on July 14.

Special appearance by the dragon Baby Nadder and Viking Trainer during the Buffalo Sabres development camp in the First Niagara Center pavilion on July 11 at 11 a.m.