Current News

Franklin B. Pinzel entered into rest Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2011. He was a resident of Grand Island and Fort Meyers Beach, Fla.

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.

The Niagara Regional Theatre Guild is presenting "Ladies First Jazz Combo Christmas Concert and Christmas Sing Along" from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 18, at the Ellicott Creek Playhouse, 530 Ellicott Creek Road, Tonawanda.

The Castellani Art Museum of Niagara University's annual Museum Shop Holiday Sale will run from Dec. 11 to 21.

The Niagara Junior Purple Eagles Squirt Tier 3 Travel Hockey Team won all tournament games.

Edward Town Middle School Principal Laura Palka and assistant principals John Fitzpatrick and John Griesmer have announced the high honor, honor and merit rolls for the first marking period of the 2011-12 school year.

The following is a sampling of calls received by the Town of Niagara Police between Nov. 18 and 25.

The law enforcement community in Niagara County was saddened this week by the sudden loss of Niagara County Sheriff's K-9 "Rocky."

A provision in the New York State Rechargeable Battery Recycling Act prohibiting disposal of most rechargeable batteries as a solid waste in the state began this week.

Holiday themed events within the local community.

The Niagara County Sheriff's Office reports that one Town of Porter man is now recovering from injuries and another town resident faces follow-up court appearances following a stabbing incident that occurred Friday, Dec. 2, at a residence on 3309 Creek Road.

Two-night "The X Factor" finale airs Dec. 21-22

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

Golden Globe winner and Oscar nominee Uma Thurman will have a five-episode guest-starring arc on NBC's new musical drama "Smash" as a famous and somewhat difficult movie star who flirts with the idea of starring in "Marilyn," the musical within the musical.

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.

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 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.

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

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

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.

Chelsea Riedl, a 2010 Niagara University graduate currently pursuing a master's degree in literacy instruction, reads to ESL (English as a Second Language) students from Geraldine J. Mann Elementary School in Niagara Falls.

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 following performers were honored Monday at the second annual American Country Awards broadcast live on FOX from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

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.

Syfy shows offer up new Christmas episodes.

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.

About 45 minutes into Thursday's Student Culture Expo, Kaitlin Slowe hurried across the Castellani Art Museum's main gallery to seek the counsel of event organizer Laura Brownlie.

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.