Current News

The following incidents occurred from Dec. 5 to 11, as reported by the Grand Island Fire Co. A total of 30 calls were answered by the department during this period. The GIFC has now responded to 1,429 calls so far this year.

Ransomville Speedway is proud to announce and welcome Brittany Catchpole as Miss Ransomville Speedway 2012.

WGRZ proudly announces a new partnership with Antenna TV, a move that will bring classic television back to Western New York.

Post-holiday youth spiritual event returns for the fifth year in a row.

Multi-talented comedian and actor Rodney Carrington will stay up late to host the biggest celebration of the year and ring in 2012 on "American Country New Year's Eve Live" airing Saturday, Dec. 31 (11 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.) on FOX. Carrington, and co-hosts Rick Harrison and Austin "Chumlee" Russell of "Pawn Stars," will help count down to 2012 during the ultimate year-end party featuring some of country's biggest and brightest musical stars.

Budget comes in under county tax cap despite state mandates

Niagara County lawmakers approved a $316.5 million spending plan Tuesday night in Lockport, with a slight 1.8 percent property tax increase that is below the county's legally required 2 percent tax cap.

The 2012 county budget was approved by a 16-3 vote.

The approved budget sets a full value tax rate of $7.63 per $1,000 of assessed value, a 13-cent shift from the 2011 spending plan. Taxes remain sharply lower than the $8.78 per $1,000 in 2004. The Legislature has, despite this year's minor tax increase, managed to preserve a 13 percent tax reduction accomplished since then.

Hall of Fame Buffalo Sabres "French Connection" legend hosts meet-and-greet.

Listening to Marcus Canty, you'd never know he was eliminated from "The X Factor" (and the $5 million grand prize) - or that he had spent a full month in the bottom three.

Guests include Drake, Jessie J, Blake Shelton, Cee Lo Green, Jimmy Fallon, Megan Hilty, The Roots and Tony Bennett.

New York State Sen. Mark Grisanti, City of Buffalo Common Council Member Mike LoCurto of the Delaware District and City of Buffalo Common Council Member David Rivera of the Niagara District are working together to spread holiday cheer this year by giving Christmas trees to local families.

Assemblyman John D. Ceretto, R-I-Lewiston, today continued his fight to urge New York state to invest in regional transit in Western New York. Writing to incoming New York Power Authority President and CEO Gil Quiniones, Ceretto is requesting that NYPA provide an additional eight megawatts (for a total of nine) of low-cost power to Western New York, specifically, to the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority.

For the first time, the Super Bowl, Pro Bowl and NBC's wild card Saturday doubleheader will be available to fans on television, online and on select mobile phones, the NFL announced today. NBC's postseason games will be broadcast on NBC as well as streamed live on www.NFL.com and www.NBCSports.com, and will be available on NFL Mobile only from Verizon. This marks the first time postseason games will be available in the U.S. via live online streaming and via a mobile app.

The Grand Island Central School District will put a capital project proposal with two propositions before the residents on Tuesday, Dec. 20.

After several years of feeling that Grand Island was being spared the tough times that have dragged down Western New York and the country, the Neighbors Foundation now sees a much increased need for its help to Grand Islanders in temporary need. Whether local families have now exhausted their resources, or whether it is the shrinkage of government help services, our food and financial reserves are being depleted by recent increased calls for help.

The foundation is determined to continue the tradition of helping families in need at this 2011 holiday season with food and gift baskets, but earnestly asks the Grand Island community for extra support in our holiday "Share Your Happiness" fund drive through donations to P.O. Box 155, Grand Island, NY 14072.

The past few years have been a defining moment in our nation's history. With the radical recession of the economy in the late 2000s, and the aftermath, there is no doubt that Americans everywhere have had to gird their loins and follow through with a number of real gut-checks. It has been a time of stress and hardship. We have seen a spike in unemployment, a weaker dollar, and the death of small business all over the nation.

Still, I knew that there had to have been some success somewhere in the country, and I didn't think that it would be too hard to find either. As it turns out, I was right.

The City of Lockport is announcing that extra-capacity tags/stickers (for refuse) will be sold at the city clerk's office starting today. These tags/stickers will be sold for $2 per tag and will cover properly sealed and marked bags that are no larger than 30 gallons and/or 30 pounds placed out for collection.

Let's face it: It's finals week - the worst time of the year. You've taken about five or six classes all semester and now have about the same amount of finals; you're pondering to yourself, "What was I thinking!?!"

First, try not to cram. I know at the time it might seem like a good idea, but in the long run it isn't. Finals are an extremely stressful time; no one is denying that. However, for finals, it would be more advisable to study in small increments. In the days before your final, study that subject about a half an hour each day. The material will stick with you better this way rather than studying it all at once at ungodly hours of the night.

Don't worry, you can do this. Just read, and use some of my tips and take a deep breathe, everything is going to be OK.

The Village of Lewiston accepted Gary Hall's gift of a new, $2 million recreation center at Monday's monthly board meeting. ... Now the question is where to put it.

Congresswoman Kathy Hochul today sent a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano and Commerce Secretary John Bryson requesting a timetable for the implementation of the U.S.-Canada "Beyond the Border Action Plan" and encouraging the inclusion of Western New York businesses in any pilot programs.

Plus some sort of onion-looking cop ...

Beginning Dec. 19, fans can relive all of the first season's episodes of "The Voice," "Up All Night," "Parenthood," "Whitney" and "Grimm"

Syndicated morning program "LIVE! with Kelly" will feature a special themed week of guest co-hosts Jan. 9-13, 2012, with some of the brightest stars from the world of sports making their co-hosting debuts with "LIVE!" host Kelly Ripa.

Marguerite D. "Marnie" Eydt, 54, of Lewiston, died suddenly on Sunday, Dec. 18, 2011, in Mount St. Mary's Hospital in Lewiston.

The NBC Sports Group, and its action sports arm Alli, and Red Bull Media House announced today a long-term partnership for the development of a new property, the "Red Bull Signature Series." The strategic endeavor will bring 35 hours of one-of-a-kind action sports programming to NBC and the NBC Sports Network starting in January 2012.

Time Warner Cable reiterated its pledge Sunday to not take MSG off the air through the NHL and NBA seasons. MSG is the TV home of the Buffalo Sabres.

Border Community SERVICE of Niagara University will host a free CERT training course beginning Jan. 17, 2012, at the St. Johnsburg Fire Co., located at 7165 Ward Road, in North Tonawanda (Wheatfield).

Mount St. Mary's Hospital is celebrating the nearing of completion of more than $10 million in diagnostic equipment and infrastructure improvements made at the facility over the past three years.

And starting this month, Mount St. Mary's is beginning an investment that will total more than $2.4 million for the implementation of an electronic medical record that will be needed to meet the requirements of the federal Healthcare Reform's Affordable Care Act, while enhancing patient care.

Hospital President and CEO Judith Maness said the investments would add to the overall life of the hospital building and enhance comfort for patients and employees.

"These investments in our hospital's infrastructure and building systems are critical to our sustainability and efficiency," she said.

The board of associates of Mount St. Mary's Hospital recently celebrated another successful year of activities with a donation to the hospital. The board conducts events such as the Hewitt Scholarship Awards, Pro-Am Golf Tournament, pancake breakfast, and the Father's Day "Gift of Life and Love" free prostate screening.

It's easy to see what customers like about Sandi's Family Restaurant.

Uniquely crafted woodworkings are now on display.

Jean Baruch, founder of the Tuscon, Ariz.-based Beads of Courage Inc., visited Stella Niagara Education Park to engage students in a prayer-partner activity.

Winners of the annual DiMino's Lewiston Tops-NFP/Sentinel Holiday Coloring Contest were announced recently at the Tops store on Center Street.

The Town of Lewiston's new ice rink at Academy Park continues to gain in popularity.

Lewiston restaurant Brio will re-open to the public on Wednesday, Dec. 21, owner Mike Wylke said Thursday. In the meantime, customers are encouraged to continue utilizing the pizzeria via takeout and delivery orders. To place an order, call 754-2707.

Organizers of the Lake Ontario Ordinance Works Community Action Council held a session focused on transparency and information sharing Wednesday at the Lewiston-Porter School District Community Resource Center boardroom.

Enjoying the annual "Christmas in the Village" holiday event.

The Holiday Inn Grand Island invited Islanders to a coming out party Tuesday to show off the hotel's new look.

At the Monday evening meeting of the Grand Island Board of Education, Superintendent of Schools Robert Christmann announced that Jerry Parisi, assistant principal of Grand Island High School, would become the new principal of Veronica E. Connor Middle School effective Jan. 1, 2012.

Members of the Second Tuesday of the Month Book Club presented the Grand Island Memorial Library with a check on Thursday, Dec. 8.