Current News

Big-screen star Sylvester Stallone, who made a name for himself in the "Rocky" and "Rambo" movies, will be appearing at Niagara Fallsview Casino for two nights in February 2012.

The Niagara County Industrial Development Agency board of directors today accepted an application for assistance from One Niagara LLC for a proposed $6 million renovation of the Niagara Falls landmark on 360 Rainbow Blvd. The owners plan to create a mixed-use center focused on tourism, retail, food and beverage; office space; data services; and hospitality. In total, this would create 17 new jobs while retaining 38 jobs.

The NCIDA board also approved applications for assistance it received at the October board meeting from Olin Corporation, Gateway Harbor Inn, Frank's Vacuum Truck Services Inc., Mawhiney Trucking Inc. and Taylor Devices for projects that, combined, total $30 million in new investment and 74 new jobs, while retaining 328 current jobs.

The Lewiston Community Lions Club is partnering with the newly opened Family Video, 731 Center St., to help those in need over the holidays.

InTENsity talks about the future, "X Factor" judges.

Why bake for the holidays when the Fiores will do it for you?

That's Michael Fiore's thought, anyway. He and his wife, Lindsay, are the new owners of the Village Bake Shoppe at 417 Center St., Lewiston. On Thursday morning, the store will reopen with a new look, newly painted walls, the previous staff ... and original owner Bridget Schroeder's from-scratch recipes.

Michael, who has known Bridget for several years, says her no-mix, original cakes, pies, cookies and brownies "can't be easily duplicated."

Pairing high-end products with a fresh décor, he says his plan is to develop the Village Bake Shoppe into "more of an attraction."

"I want this place to be a destination," Michael says.

Trustees in the Village of Lewiston on Monday opted not to talk about festival suggestions submitted by Mayor Terry Collesano's ad hoc committee. Though Collesano asked to discuss the five-person panel's recommendations for when and how to close Center Street, his colleagues asked for more time to review the letter submitted last week.

The Village Board did speak with accountant Pat Brown of Brown & Co. He informed trustees of a need to raise the water rate from $2.80 per 100 cubic feet to $3.55, and the sewer rate from $3.95 per 100 cubic feet to $4.65, to offset cost increases from the Niagara County Water District and the Town of Lewiston Master Sewer District.

The proposed increases would take effect with the Jan. 1, 2012, billing. Brown said the average Village of Lewiston resident would pay about $25 more per year.

ABC News President Ben Sherwood has announced three additions to the ABC News team.

Syfy will shake and stir the Thanksgiving holiday weekend with 15 James Bond movies - from Sean Connery, Roger Moore, Pierce Brosnan and Daniel Craig - beginning Wednesday, Nov. 23, with the midnight showing of "You Only Live Twice."

In one year, Americans will go to the polls to make their voice heard as they cast their vote for president of the United States.

The Niagara River Region Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with Manning & Napier Benefits, will host an educational seminar providing business owners with crucial answers to a variety of health insurance-related questions.

Santa Claus will visit the North Tonawanda History Museum at 54 Webster St., from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 10, and Saturday, Dec. 17.

"Million Dollar Quartet," the hit musical, announces a national partnership with non-profit organization Operation Homefront, which will include all three U.S. productions of the award-winning musical (including Chicago and New York). "Million Dollar Quartet" will engage in a series of special promotions and fundraising efforts that will benefit Operation Homefront, an organization that is dedicated to helping the families of this nation's service members and wounded warriors.

To celebrate this partnership, the New York production of "Million Dollar Quartet" will host a canned food drive the week of Nov. 28, which will benefit and support Operation Homefront veterans in need during this holiday season.

The Youngstown Free Library will accept "Food for Fines" from Nov. 8 through Dec. 10. Library patrons are encouraged to bring in non-perishable food items. In exchange, the library will waive each participant's fines.

Buffalo United presents a night of multi-denominational praise and worship on Nov. 11. The free event runs from 7 until 9 p.m. (doors open at 6 p.m.) at Resurrection Life, 2145 Old Union Road, Cheektowaga.

Worship leaders and musicians from different Christ-believing denominations have come together to form the Buffalo United worship team with one mission: the church working together for God and for Western New York. The "Rise" theme comes from Micah 7:8, which reads, "Though I have fallen, I will rise. Though I sit in darkness, the Lord will be my light."

The worship concert will focus on motivating the church of Buffalo to work together - regardless of theological differences. The goal is to worship, pray and minister the gospel with one another, and not just within four church walls. The Buffalo United ministry believes God will do even more amazing things in the Western New York area if the church -- His bride -- works as one.

The Village of Lewiston has a spiffy new garbage truck to replace the beaten and battered former trash hauler.

Sabres, ECMC, First Niagara join forces to purchase breast cancer prevention and education bus.

The following is a list of area Veterans Day observances and programs.

The Niagara-Wheatfield Senior High School Band will play a free concert at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 9, in the school auditorium at 2292 Saunders Settlement Road in Sanborn.

This year's Lewiston Lions Peace Poster Contest was held at Stella Niagara Education Park. First place was awarded to Camille Bennett. The second-place award went to Susan Dobrasz, who, incidentally, placed third in the 24-club district in last year's contest.

The Village of Lewiston Board of Trustees will review recommendations related to closing Center Street (for festivals or large-scale events) at its 6 p.m. work session on Monday.

In September, Mayor Terry Collesano formed an ad hoc committee to review how, when and why the village's main thoroughfare is closed. The panel wasted little time in drafting a letter that suggests the creation of an all-encompassing event application and event/procedure form.

"It seemed like there was no set application form or process to get approval" to close Center Street, said Rick Haight.

Look for a somewhat low-key Election Day, Tuesday Nov. 8, especially if you're voting in the towns of northern Niagara County.

The town budget and finances dominated for the most part at the Lewiston Town Board's recent session on Oct. 24. However there was also news of different sorts discussed at the session.

The New York Power Authority and Seaway Trail, Inc. have installed three history- and nature-themed Great Lakes Seaway Trail "Outdoor Storyteller" signage units at the Niagara Power Project locations in Lewiston and the City of Niagara Falls.

The "Fort Schlosser: Guarding the Upper Landing" panel is at the project's water intakes in a scenic overlook park that is part of the NYPA project, but located in the City of Niagara Falls on the shoreline of the Niagara River. The natural history-theme Great Lakes Seaway Trail "Outdoor Storyteller" featuring the "Great Cataract of Niagara" is also here.

Two of the panels chronicle the local area's role in the French and Indian War. The panel titled "Fighting for Homeland: American Indian Allies" is located next to the outdoor turbine exhibit at NYPA's Power Vista Visitor Center for the Niagara Power Project in Lewiston.

The following activity occurred Monday, Oct. 24 to Sunday, Oct. 30, as reported by the Lewiston Police Department. LPD reported a total of 74 calls during this period.

The Youngstown Free Library, located in the Youngstown Red Brick School village center, 240 Lockport St., announces the following activities for the month of November.

Assemblyman John Ceretto today invited Gil Quiniones, who has been nominated as the new president and CEO of the New York Power Authority by Gov. Andrew Cuomo, to visit Niagara County. The two would discuss Niagara County's role in the NYPA system. Quiniones currently serves as NYPA's acting president and CEO.

The Western New York Land Conservancy recognized the acquisition of the first protected property on the Niagara Escarpment, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony Tuesday.

Lewiston-Porter Middle School was buzzing Monday, but not with noise, with hair clippers.

The Western New York Association of Historical Agencies has announced that five awards will be presented to groups for excellence in the museum field in the 11-county WNY area, including two organizations in Niagara County.

Close to 300 guests gathered recently to celebrate the 2011 season of Ransomville Speedway and the accomplishments of many. The night started out with a delicious buffet dinner catered by Johnston's Restaurant and was followed by an awards ceremony and music by Jonesie and the Cruisers. And the celebration lasted well into the night as guests enjoyed the festivities.

Lewiston-Porter Youth Travel Football will hold a Chiavetta's chicken barbecue fundraiser.

Presti Karate Centers hosted international black belt testing on Saturday, Oct. 8, conducted by an international board. Eight students were promoted to the rank of black belt or higher.

First-degree black belt recipients included: Lewiston's Robert Blakelock, 13; Rory McGuire, 13; and Jordan D'Angelo, 12; and Niagara Falls' Chris Smith, 15; Amanda Mrzygut, 16; Chris Drake, 13; and Philip D'Angelo, 15.

Carly Presti, 10, of Wilson ranked as the youngest-ever promoted to black belt. Presti has compiled more than five years of training.

Third-degree black belt recipients included Greg Bullock of Niagara-Wheatfield and Doug Boje of Pendleton.

Tables full of books of all types are available at the Youngstown Free Library's fall book sale.

During an Oct. 20 "Meet the Candidates Night," candidates for town offices were asked durng the question-and-answer portion of the forum: Do you believe the town should pay for the maintenance of sidewalks not owned by the town, and if so, how would you propose paying for it?

I was pleased to learn in a recent issue of the Island Dispatch that our Grand Island Community Federal Credit Union is expanding its services to anyone who lives, works, worships, attends school or volunteers on Grand Island.

Grand Island put together its most dominating performance of the football season last Thursday to win the Chuck Funke Memorial Classic, 28-0 over Hamburg.

Veronica Connor Middle School
Five musical groups performed at the Connor Middle School fall concert on Wednesday night in the Grand Island High School auditorium.

School Bus Safety Poster Contest winners from Sidway, St. Stephen, Kaegebein and Huth Road schools were treated to breakfast at Tops on Thursday morning.