Current News

Assemblyman John Ceretto, R-I-Lewiston, and State Sen. George Maziarz, R-Newfane, sent a letter Wednesday to New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Commissioner Rose Harvey in order to find out what steps her department is taking to revitalizing state parks throughout Niagara County and to win support for legislation to restructure the state's funding to provide more local control over park resources and revenues.

Niagara-Wheatfield grad Michael Pittman and fellow members of the U of R's YellowJackets are still singing and dancing their hearts out on NBC's "The Sing-Off."

This year's message from the National Fire Protection Association was "Protect Your Family From Fire."

Kathy Harrington has announced her candidacy for re-election as Wheatfield Town Clerk. She is the endorsed Republican, Independence, and Conservative candidate.

Niagara University's College of Hospitality and Tourism Management hosts its annual convocation.

The Town of Niagara Town Board approved two new laws.

The Center for the Arts, University at Buffalo, will present "MacHomer" on Saturday, Nov. 19, at 8 p.m. in the Mainstage Theatre, located on UB's North Campus.

Massive donation kicks off food panty drive.

The "Judges' Homes" round of "The X Factor" came to an exciting and dramatic conclusion Tuesday.

Candice Lymburner, a 2011 Niagara University graduate currently pursuing an MBA at her alma mater, recently had an article published in the Journal of Marketing Development and Competitiveness. The paper, "The Future of the Music Industry," appears in Volume 5 of the peer-reviewed journal, which covers the marketing arena and the interface between marketing and firm competitiveness.

Lymburner, a Niagara Falls native and current Buffalo resident, completed the paper as an undergrad, along with Bohdan Pikas, a professor of marketing in NU's College of Business Administration and chair of its commerce department, and visiting professor, Anastasia Pikas.

Have no fear: Halloween's almost here at the Aquarium of Niagara.

St. Vincent de Paul Parish, the Prince of Peace worship site located at 1055 Military Road, Niagara Falls, presents a mini-retreat (or three-day mission) from 7 until 8:30 p.m. Nov. 1-3.

Patrons can join in each evening for inspirational contemporary Christian music and motivational speaking leading to prayer and meditation with John Michael Talbot. He is an engaging and inspiring speaker, as well as a respected author, who has facilitated retreats for more than 26 years.

Seneca Gaming Corporation has taken a progressive step to combat rising costs in health care and keep its employees healthy and happy.

Welcome back to "Dallas."

The Western New York Regional Economic Development Council today announced it will present its draft strategic plan to the public on Oct. 25 via an interactive session webcast live from the University at Buffalo. The council invites the public to participate in the webcast at locations in Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua and Niagara counties, as well at UB. Those who wish to watch live from home may do so by visiting http://nyworks.ny.gov/content/western-new-york.

The Cantalician Center for Learning Inc., a private, not-for-profit organization that serves children and adults with developmental disabilities, launched its new website www.cantaliciancenter.org with 360 Professional Services Group.

360 designed the Niagara Frontier Publications website, www.wnypapers.com.

The Cantalician Center is an educational, rehabilitative and occupational facility for children and adults who are challenged by developmental and physical disabilities. Services offered by the organization include daycare, center-based classes, home and community therapies, speech/language therapy, occupational therapy and physical therapy, vision therapy, as well as adult and contract services.

With the rapid pace of treatment advances and options, variances in screening guidelines and recommendations, and the ongoing national conversation about health care policy changing the oncology landscape, it can be hard to keep up with new information about breast cancer and to sort out reliable, evidence-based recommendations from those that are more speculative. Recognizing this, Roswell Park Cancer Institute is offering a program as part of its "Pledge to Go Pink" awareness initiative.

A "State of Breast Cancer" forum, to be held Wednesday, Oct. 19, at 6 p.m. at the Roswell Park Amherst Center, 100 College Parkway, Amherst, will feature an open discussion of timely topics, such as who is at highest risk for breast cancer; can breast cancer be prevented; what are the most effective imaging methods; and what are some of the latest discoveries and advances from breast cancer researchers at RPCI and around the world.

Auditions for "It's A Wonderful Life" will be conducted at the Ghostlight Theatre, 170 Schenck St., North Tonawanda, from 7 to 9 p.m. on Nov. 1 and 2.

The Niagara Regional Theatre Guild presents "The Crucible," directed by Les Bailey, from Nov. 11-20. Performances are Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m, at the Ellicott Creek Playhouse, 530 Ellicott Creek Road, Tonawanda.

Fallsview Casino will kick off the New Year with a concert line-up meant to please all audiences.

Simonson: "Flames Through Lewiston" "will be bigger than ever."

Recording artist Justin Bieber will perform live in Times Square on "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2012," Saturday, Dec. 31, on the ABC Television Network. He joins previously announced act Lady Gaga for the 40th anniversary of the annual year-end celebration.

During Monday's episode of "The Chew," it was announced that ABC Daytime's new lifestyle series has joined forces with Feeding America to help fight the hunger epidemic in America. Hosted by "Iron Chef America" stars Mario Batali and Michael Symon, "Top Chef" alum Carla Hall, entertaining and style expert Clinton Kelly and health and wellness enthusiast Daphne Oz, "The Chew" brings viewers a daily dose of food, life and fun along with information on how to live a more full and healthier life.

As part of the partnership with Feeding America, "The Chew" will donate $1 for each person who sits in its 150-seat studio audience throughout the 2011-12 television season. Each $1 donation provides eight meals to someone at risk of hunger, and all monetary donations support the 200 local Feeding America member food banks nationwide.

For the second straight Christmas season, Syfy will present special, stand-alone holiday episodes of its hit scripted series "Eureka," "Warehouse 13" and, for the first time, "Haven."

Syfy will celebrate the holiday season with its second annual "Countdown to Christmas Week" (De. 4-10), featuring the two-night miniseries "Neverland," stand-alone holiday episodes of hit series "Eureka," "Warehouse 13," "Haven" and "Ghost Hunters," and the Saturday Original Movie "Snowmageddon."

In keeping with Niagara Frontier Publications' policy of restricting the printing of letters to the editor received two weeks prior to the general election, readers are advised that letters about candidates seeking political office will not be accepted after this week's issues.

Seven area churches to host a safe and fun alternative event to trick-or-treating at Kenan Center.

On Monday Oct. 31, seven community churches (The Chapel at Lockport, Grace Chapel, Friendship Baptist, Lockport Christian Church, Faith Tabernacle, Salvation Army and Victory Christian Church) unite to host an annual event called "Hallelujah Night" for children up to sixth grade. The event will take place at the Kenan Center Arena, located at 433 Locust St., Lockport.

Dozens of four-legged parishioners visited St. Martin-in-the-Fields.

Town Supervisor Peter McMahon has announced his candidacy for re-election. McMahon is a Grand Island native. He and his 10 brothers and sisters grew up in a new subdivision build by Sears Roebuck on Love Road in 1942. He attended Charlotte Sidway School and Bishop Fallon High School.

Councilwoman Mary Cooke is running for Grand Island Supervisor because she believes the supervisor's office needs new energy and a clearer focus on the issues important to Grand Island residents.

Maintaining the status quo does not work in today's constantly changing business environment, she said. Leadership means maximizing time and resources to do the work required to make informed decisions.

America's favorite pies are now available. Just in time for Thanksgiving, the "little old church ladies" at the Island Presbyterian Church on Huth Road are busy baking their famous homemade pies once again.

Their pies are 9-inch, deep pan pies, all made from scratch with hand-rolled crusts. Bakers peel and slice apples, add the spices and top each apple pie with another hand-rolled and crimped crust.

As the crisp chill hits the air and the colored leaves fall to the ground, the ghosts and goblins of Lewiston's historic past begin to creep out of the dark night - especially around Halloween.

Niagara University announced Peter van Inwagen, one of the world's leading philosophers, will deliver this year's Albertus Magnus Lecture on Thursday, Oct. 20. The free event, presented by NU's philosophy department, will begin at 5:15 p.m. in the university's Castellani Art Museum.

The address will be focused on the coherence of the Judeo-Christian and Islamic doctrine of the resurrection of the body.

Nineteen months after being diagnosed with breast cancer, Huth Road Elementary School teacher Carol Horrigan is fighting back the best way she knows how: in song.

The following activity occurred Monday, Oct. 3, to Sunday, Oct. 9, as reported by the Lewiston Police Department. LPD reported a total of 88 calls during this period.

The Friends of Dave Quarantillo recently presented members of Lewiston Volunteer Fire Co. No. 1 with a check for more than $2,500, which was the proceeds from the fifth annual Dave "Q" Memorial Bike Run.

The Niagara Career and Technical Education Center recently held an induction ceremony for 10 students invited into the National Technical Honor Society.

The family of Zac Jaenecke has announced plans for a fundraiser to help their son and his girlfriend recover from a devastating September fire that destroyed the couple's home on Sy Road in the Town of Wheatfield. The benefit will take place from 2 to 6 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 22, at the Town of Niagara Active Hose Co., 6010 Lockport Road.