Current News

Wednesday, in a double-elimination, it was announced that Lakoda Rayne, Paula Abdul's last remaining group, and LeRoy Bell, one of Nicole Scherzinger's Over 30s finalists, were eliminated from "The X Factor."

The following activity occurred from Monday, Nov. 14, to Sunday, Nov. 20, as reported by the Lewiston Police Department. LPD logged a total of 72 calls during this period.

Orleans/Niagara BOCES classes from the Royalton-Hartland Learning Center, the North Tonawanda Learning Center, Newfane Learning Center and the Lockport Learning Center recently took part in a day of special games at the Kenan Center in Lockport.

Several Lockport area youth have been selected to perform alongside the Russian professionals in Moscow Ballet's Great Russian Nutcracker at the Palace Theater in Lockport on Monday, Dec. 5, and Tuesday, Dec. 6. Both shows begin at 7:30 p.m. Dyan Mulvey Dance Academy of Lockport is the host studio for Moscow Ballet's Student Program, with a Moscow Ballet Russian master dance instructor and soloist serving as the audition and rehearsal director.

Dyan Mulvey Dance Academy combines the excitement of dance, the power of music and the feeling of self-confidence for students in classes that include ballet, jazz, tap, hip hop, acro, and cheer dance.

Moscow Ballet has worked with dance studio owners in 70 cities across the country for almost two generations making a significant impact on aspiring dancers' lives.

In news from the Nov. 15 Lewiston-Porter Board of Education session, the Lewiston-Porter Alumni Association awarded $3,500 in mini-grants to provide teachers with funds to conduct special projects at the school.

From Thanksgiving to "Black Friday" to holiday music and fairs, it's all starting this week. Here's a few events to add to your calendar.

As a means of expressing thanks to the U.S. armed forces, NBC's "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" will once again host a special show for U.S. military personnel on Thanksgiving Eve, Wednesday, Nov. 23. This marks the 11th time the "Tonight Show" has dedicated its audience to service men and women.

From long waits to short tempers, undercooked food to over-sauced fare, there's nothing worse than poor service at a restaurant. Fortunately, most of Western New York's restaurants excel at pairing exceptional cuisine with outstanding service.

In our new Web contest, we want to hear from you: Which restaurant has the best service? Where can you go to find a great meal served in a warm and inviting atmosphere?

The restaurant with the most votes will receive a special recognition and a write-up in all four of our newspapers.

The following is a sampling of calls received by the Niagara County Sheriff's Office in Wheatfield and Town of Niagara between Nov. 7 and 13.

The following is a sampling of calls received by the Town of Niagara Police Department between Nov. 5 and 9.

Nicolette Jacobs, a sophomore from Niagara-Wheatfield High School, has been selected to compete in the Queen of Diamonds North at Kent State University on Jan. 7 and 8, 2012. Currently in its 18th season, the QDSN is part of the Queen of Diamond's Showcase events, which are the largest fastpitch softball showcases of their kind in the U.S.

This event continues to attract athletes from more than 30 states and two Canadian provinces. Its sister showcase, the Queen of Diamonds South, is in its fifth season. Each of these events has more than 2,400 applicants from which only 264 athletes are selected as participants.

The Niagara Falls International Airport has almost doubled the number of parking spaces in lot 3, according to the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority.

In an effort to accommodate the ever-increasing number of passengers utilizing the NFIA, an additional 500 parking spaces have been added to the 600 that were created this past January, when the overflow lot was first opened.

Lot 3, located just south and across the street from the terminal on Niagara Falls Boulevard, is fenced, paved and lighted. Additionally, shelters are in place to provide protection from the elements and the NFTA police patrols the lot.

The I-190 near Porter and Packard roads was closed for about two hours early Monday after an acetylene tank inside a van at a construction site exploded and scattered debris on both sides of the road.

On Thursday, Nov. 17, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation notified the Niagara County Department of Health that between 1 and 1:30 p.m., they observed a woodchuck fighting with a domestic dog on Artpark property in Lewiston.

The New York State Disaster Assistance Handbook, which provides an overview of disaster assistance resources for individuals, families, and small businesses in New York, has been updated.

Before overfilling that plate with fat-laden, high-calorie foods this holiday season, consider this: Experts say not only are Americans getting fatter, but the numbers of those who develop diabetes is growing significantly.

And the title went to ...

On Saturday, Nov. 12, members of the Youngstown Volunteer Fire Co., dressed in full uniform, alongside family and friends, celebrated 100 years of dedicated service.

Despite her big voice and even bigger dreams, Stacy Francis didn't win "The X Factor." Ultimately, she's not sure she could've won the FOX reality series. But that didn't stop her from trying.

The fate of Nik Wallenda's proposed wirewalk over the Niagara Gorge is in the hands of the Niagara Parks Commission, but Jim Diodati figures it can't hurt to take the American daredevil's case right to the top.

Gary Hall, village residents, Village Board agree to look elsewhere.

Once again, the Health Association of Niagara County Inc. is offering a free, six-week series that helps older adults manage chronic conditions and enjoy better health.

Hartland United Methodist Church, 8017 Ridge Road, Gasport, will hold a free weekly supper at the church each Wednesday during the Advent season. Advent is the period beginning four weeks before Christmas and marks the coming of Christ into the world.

The suppers will consist of a half sandwich, a bowl of soup, a beverage and dessert. These suppers are for anyone in the community who would like to share both food and fellowship. Scheduled dates are Nov. 30, and Dec. 7, 14 and 21 from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Food will be prepared and served by church members and other volunteers.

For more information, call 772-2376.

The Steering Committee of the Lake Ontario Ordnance Works Restoration Advisory Board, more commonly known as the LOOW RAB, announces the re-launch of its website at LOOWRAB.com accompanied by a vital call for public input on whether the Town of Lewiston should become home to a radioactive waste disposal facility.

Shawnee Sno-Chiefs Snowmobile Club, in cooperation with the Shawnee Volunteer Fire Co., will be offering a New York state snowmobile safety course, Saturday, Dec. 17, at the Shawnee Volunteer Fire Co., 3747 Lockport Road, Sanborn. Course time is from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The course is available to children ages 10 and up. Parents are required to accompany the child at registration to sign the state required permission slip and provide a signed note for their child to take the course. Parents are also encouraged to attend the course with their child.

Students are advised to bring a pencil and/or pen and a snack. Soft drinks will be provided courtesy of Shawnee Sno-Chiefs.

Niagara University's English department is pleased to present a mini-conference featuring papers from students in Dr. Philip Collington's senior seminar English class on William Shakespeare's romantic comedies.

Helen Milleville, a resident at The McGuire Group's Northgate Health Care Facility in Wheatfield will celebrate her 101 birthday on Nov. 22.

The "Devil Without a Cause" now has a mission and (possibly) a way into Heaven.

The holidays should be a special time for everyone, especially children.

There's now a different sign on the window of the Little Yellow Artisan House on Center Street. The recent "We're leaving" notice has been replaced with store hours and the promise of even more hours of operation following Thanksgiving.

Rivershore Inc. and the Kiwanis Club of Lewiston teamed up Monday to host an installation dinner for the Niagara County Aktion Club.

An artist's rendering of the new Academy Park temporary ice rink the Town and Village of Lewiston will open next month.

Gary Hall spoke to the Sentinel about his intentions to build a new recreation center in the Village of Lewiston.

Without much fanfare, the Town of Porter adopted its $4.471 million budget Monday on a unanimous vote. The budget, detailed in last week's Sentinel and in earlier issues, includes a tax rate of $1.837 per thousand of assessed valuation for Porter property owners, an increase of roughly 9 cents over last year.

Assemblyman John Ceretto, R-I-Lewiston, has signed legislation that seeks to address a dangerous loophole in state law and help protect children from abuse.

Academy Award nominee Elisabeth Shue will join the cast of "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation," as a series regular, on CBS. Her character will be introduced in the episode scheduled to air on Feb. 15, 2012.

Shue will play the newest CSI, fresh off an anger management course, amid rumors that D.B. Russell (Ted Danson) fired her when she worked for him in Seattle.

ABC Family delivers the gift of holiday cheer with the world premiere of the original movie, "12 Dates of Christmas," starring Amy Smart and Mark-Paul Gosselaar.

The following activity occurred Monday, Nov. 7, to Sunday, Nov. 13, as reported by the Lewiston Police Department. LPD logged a total of 92 responses during this period.

Niagara coyotes are described as the Eastern coyote (canis latrans), and the theory is they migrated to New York state in the late 1930s and early '40s. In the 1970s they became very abundant across the state, and in some pockets they over-populated.