niagara county

By Tony Farina It may not be another world wonder, but the idea fomenting these days about the Niagara Aerospace Museum for Niagara Falls, N. Y., is important because it is another way to connect tourism with education, workforce development, and regional identity. With long, cold winters, the reality is that indoor attractions matter, encouraging overnight stays, supporting nearby restaurants and hotels, and creating educational opportunities for local students. Western New York has a long history in aviation, engineering, and manufacturing, and an aerospace-focused attraction fits naturally with this history and is extremely worthy of serious discussion, which we heartily

By Tony Farina The City of Niagara Falls has land, location, and market potential, but unfortunately, city leadership is unpredictable, adversarial, litigious, and strategically incoherent, making it a poor city for long-term investment possibilities. Investors who might be willing to commit to Niagara Falls in effect are turned off by the city’s unwelcoming posture and preference for using lawsuits rather than collaboration to manage public policy disputes. What has happened is that the city’s developmental pipeline—a steady flow of projects in planning, construction, and financial backing stages—is deteriorating and getting worse the longer the city manages the process unprofessionally, and

By Tony Farina There was a time in the middle of the last century that the City of Niagara Falls was a powerhouse of American industry, home to more than 100,000 people, and a tourist attraction featuring one of the most powerful and majestic waterfalls in the world. People were drawn to make the city home with one of the world’s wonders on its doorstep and all the electrical power it delivers along with the stream of millions of tourists every year. There was steady factory work, reliable wages, and bustling business corridors on Main St. and Pine Ave. with

By Dave Seminara I’m a mad traveler who has visited 85 countries and is never happier than when I’m in an unfamiliar place. My travel addiction was born in Niagara Falls in the 1980s. As a kid growing up in nearby Williamsville, my mom — a fellow compulsive traveler — would take me to both sides of the Falls often. I loved the waterfalls, of course, but what fascinated me even more was hearing foreign languages and feeling like I was on an exotic vacation so close to home. Now I live in Florida but come back to Western New

On paper, the City Court race wasn’t a contest. Two open seats for Niagara Falls City Court judge. Two candidates – only two: Chief Judge Danielle Restaino running for reelection and attorney Jason Cafarella making his transition from lawyer to the bench. Both were sure to be elected—as long as they got at least one vote, since there was no other opposition. Both were cross-endorsed by every party — Democrats, Republicans, Conservatives, and Working Families. Both were guaranteed to win. Out of roughly 9,000 voters of this small city with the famous name, Cafarella received 5,457 votes. Restaino got 3,517 — a difference

Mayor Robert M. Restaino financed a mailer for City Council candidate Bridgette V. Myles. The proof is in the corner, printed in plain type—the mayor’s name like an artist signs a canvas. Paid for by Restaino for Mayor.      The mayor is financing his very own personal pet council. The executive financing the legislature. Forget that under New York Election Law, a mayor’s campaign committee cannot directly fund or coordinate campaign materials for another candidate without reporting it as an in-kind contribution and adhering to contribution limits.   Forget about how by financing a council candidate’s mailer, Restaino blurred ethical boundaries intended

By Tony Farina It’s time for Niagara Falls voters to elect a council that will be more than just a rubber stamp for the mayor!  Mayor Restaino and his administration have been actively campaigning to “vote in his own slate of politically beholden candidates” and is even paying for many of their campaign mailers from his own political coffers! It is a bad idea, both legally and politically, for a sitting mayor to underwrite or fund campaign mailers! But that is a topic that can be addressed at another time. Now that Election Day is upon us, it is more important

The following was written by investigative journalist Ken Cosentino. Mayor Robert Restaino has been intentionally misleading his constituents for the past 3+ years by telling us that Centennial Park will cost taxpayers an estimated $150 million. When the Niagara Gazette attempted to uncover the actual projected costs of the project by a Freedom of Information Act request, Restaino’s administration rejected their FOIA. After appealing the initial rejection, the Niagara Gazette was successful in obtaining the financial information which showed that the projected cost is actually $165 million; or $15 million higher than the mayor has been telling us. Mayor Restaino’s

Connect Niagara – the bus service operated by the Niagara County Department of Public Works (DPW) – will allow all riders to ride for free the week of July 1st.  The bus service does not operate on the 4th of July holiday. “We want our residents to see how convenient this service is to get anywhere in our region, especially with our free transfers to other Connect Niagara routes, NFTA buses and tourism shuttles,” said Garret Meal, Commissioner of DPW.  “So we are waving bus fares next week to encourage people to give it a try.” Connect Niagara – formerly

Sheriff Michael J. Filicetti announces that the Corrections Division of the Niagara County Sheriff’s Office has achieved re-accreditation from the New York State Sheriff’s Association. In April 2024, accreditation assessors conducted a thorough review of the Sheriff’s Office and determined our agency was in full compliance with all 166 standards set forth by the Sheriff’s Association. Some of these standards include administrative practices, operational procedures and training requirements as well as the jail’s medical department standards. Sheriff Michael J. Filicetti said “receiving this re-accreditation stands to affirm that the Niagara County Sheriff’s Office is a professional agency, meeting the standards

Today, New York State Senator Rob Ortt visited with his New York State Senate Veteran Hall of Fame Nominee, Tech Sergeant Henry “Uncle Hank” Ross. Uncle Hank served in the United States Army Air Corps during World War II, from 1943-1945 as a radio operator and a side waist gunner on board a B-24 Liberator. Uncle Hank survived 50 bombing missions flown over hostile skies that were heavily protected by anti-aircraft guns throughout Italy, France, Romania, Bulgaria, Hungary, and Germany. To this day, Uncle Hank has a piece of flak stuck in his shoulder. He received the Purple Heart

This week, Senate Bill S.8382 passed with a vote of 57-2, which allows for rifle hunting of big game in Niagara County. Currently, Niagara County is one of five counties in the entire state which does not allow rifle hunting. By amending existing Environmental Conservation Law, at no cost to taxpayers, licensed hunters in the county will be able to hunt big game between November 15th and December 7th using a rifle. “Big game hunting is enjoyed by many sportsmen throughout New York State. Unfortunately, Niagara County remains one of the few areas that does not allow it, forcing local

The Niagara County Office for the Aging (OFA) is planning a month-long information campaign as part its efforts to raise awareness of elder abuse.  Each year, June is recognized as Elder Abuse Awareness month, culminating with World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) on June 15 when communities around the world come together to promote a better understanding of elder abuse and neglect. “The Niagara County Office for the Aging collaborates all year long on elder abuse awareness and prevention, providing advocacy and case management to older adults who are victims,” said Darlene DiCarlo, Director of OFA.  “What people do

Niagara County is now recruiting for corrections officers and is continuing a program begun last year that replaced the civil service written exam with a three-component process that includes an evaluation of training and experience, a physical fitness screening test and a medical screening.  Interested candidates have until June 17 to complete the application and then have between July 1 and July 31 to fill out an extensive online questionnaire that covers their training, experience, any special skills and so on.  All applications will be graded by New York State to create the hiring list. In addition, due to issues

Yesterday State Senator Rob Ortt, who represents the entirety of Niagara County, posted the following to his X (formerly Twitter) account: “This morning I had the great pleasure of addressing our (NYS Republican Party) members as they met to select delegates for the 2024 Convention. Make no mistake: New York State is in play, but only if every one of us gets out there and puts the work in to not only re-elect President Donald J. Trump, but also take back our State Senate, win every seat up and down the ballot, and restore common sense back to New York

Sheriff Michael J. Filicetti announces that Niagara County law enforcement agencies will participate in a special effort to bring awareness to the dangers of impaired driving. In a combined effort to stop impaired driving, prevent injuries and save lives, law enforcement officers across New York State will take to the roads. The statewide STOP- DWI High Visibility Engagement Campaign efforts start on Friday, May 24th and will end on Monday, May 27th. The Niagara County Sheriff’s Office, as well as law enforcement agencies across Niagara County, will be out in force in this coordinated effort to reduce the number

On May 21, 2024, Sheriff Filicetti announced the arrest of Shirley A Hobbs-Mills, 63 of Lockport, NY. Following an investigation by the Niagara County Drug Task Force, Hobbs-Mills was arrested on the following felony charges: Two counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Sell 3rd degree. Two counts of Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance 3rd degree. Hobbs-Mills was held in Niagara County Jail pending arraignment.

Niagara County Department of Social Services Commissioner Meghan Lutz today said residents who receive benefits through the New York Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance will not be able to use their EBT cards on Sunday, May 19, 2024, between the hours of 12:01 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.  New York State will be changing over to a new EBT vendor during this time. “The state has hopes to do this quickly, but the actual down time could be longer or shorter, obviously based on how smoothly the changeover goes,” said Lutz.  “EBT users need to plan accordingly, as they will

The Niagara County Department of Health Nursing Division, in partnership with the Niagara County Office for the Aging is offering a free Diabetes Self-Management Workshop. The six-week workshop is scheduled on Wednesdays, February 28-April 3 from 1 to 3:30 p.m. at the Dale Association, 33 Ontario Street, Lockport. This program covers both the physical aspects of managing diabetes as well as the emotional part and is designed to improve an individual’s A1Cs and reduce complications associated with diabetes. The program has demonstrated proven health benefits and complements the diabetic medical management services people receive from their providers. Participants will enhance their

By Tony Farina The Batavia Downs-sponsored holiday movie event on Dec. 13 at the Riviera Theater in North Tonawanda was a big success and along with 21 local restaurants who donated 10 percent of their proceeds that night, cash totaling more than $7,500 was presented to Twin Cities Community Outreach on Thursday to help with their Christmas season work. “It was just a great program at the historic Riviera and we were so glad to be able to give the money to Community Outreach in time for Christmas,” said Henry Wojtaszek, president and CEO of Batavia Downs Gaming & Hotel

For over 20 years, state agencies have tolerated an open door to terrorist attack on the Niagara Power Project, also known as the Niagara Scenic Parkway (formerly the Robert Moses Parkway), which provides 24×7 access to the heart of the generation plant that supplies electricity to most of the northeastern United States. For more information, read some of our previous reporting on the subject: Did Parkway Removal speech trigger Power Project Terror Drills? More on the same subject: https://www.niagarafallsreporter.com/Stories/2013/Sep24/high.html https://www.niagarafallsreporter.com/Stories/2013/Nov19/terrorist.html

The Western New York Land Conservancy, which in the past few years has spearheaded multimillion dollar restoration projects at both Stella Niagara and the Niagara Gorge, and is probably the most effective voice for the natural environment in the entire region, has named a new Deputy Director, Cathleen Maine. Maine most recently served as the Development Director of the Northeast Wilderness Trust in Montpelier, VT. During her nine years there, she had many roles from finance to development director, helping to grow the Trust’s staff, capacity to execute on land protection projects, and revenue. To the Land Conservancy, she brings

With Crime So High, What Do We Have to Lose? By Ken Hamilton Niagara Falls, NY. What an unusual city we live in, especially when it comes to the dynamics surrounding its minority population. Mayor Robert Restaino, a Democrat currently facing re-election in just 10 days, has accomplished something that the city hasn’t been seen in years – he has mobilized the city’s black population. However, it’s not in the way he had hoped. The traditionally Democratic Black community is now moving away from supporting the Democratic Party and towards Republicans, particularly a Republican candidate who is like themselves and

On Thursday, Sept. 31, at 5:30 PM, The First Unitarian Universalist Church of Niagara on Main Street hosted the Orleans/Niagara BOCES High School Equivalency graduation ceremony for Niagara Falls residents. Students earned their High School Equivalency by either passing the GED exam or completing the NEDP program. This was the first graduation of its kind in Niagara Falls. GED/NEDP graduations are significant milestones for individuals who have worked hard to earn their diplomas, and they often represent a fresh start or new opportunities for the graduates. We want to recognize their dedication and perseverance. Grads and their guests enjoyed refreshments

LOCKPORT, NY: A Niagara County jury took about an hour to find Nathan C. Marziale, 39, guilty of Leaving the Scene of a Fatal Motor Vehicle Incident. The incident, which occurred on February 19, 2022, led to the death of 28-year-old Rafael Medina-Gonzalez. Medina-Gonzalez was working as an Amazon contractor at the time and was helping to dislodge a stranded vehicle stuck in the snow on Dysinger Road when Marziale hit him. Marziale continued driving with Medina-Gonzalez still on his vehicle’s roof until the victim eventually fell off. A passerby later discovered Medina-Gonzalez’s body in a snowbank, approximately two miles

Three months ago the Reporter broke the story that millions of gallons of run-off containing a family of toxic compounds collectively called PFASs are being shipped into Western New York from a garbage dump in the Finger Lakes, for “treatment” and discharge into the Niagara River. PFASs have been shown to cause a host of human ailments and diseases, including ulcerative colitis, thyroid dysfunction, testicular and kidney cancers, pregnancy-induced hypertension and lowered human fertility rates. The Buffalo Sewer Authority, which receives and processes the waste from, and we kid you not, the inaptly-named Seneca Meadows landfill located in the

The Western New York Land Conservancy, which in the past few years has spearheaded multimillion dollar restoration projects at both Stella Niagara and the Niagara Gorge, and is probably the most effective voice for the natural environment in the entire region, has named a new Executive Director, Marisa Riggi. In just six years as the WNYLC Conservation Director, Marisa Riggi has led major conservation projects, and helped conserve more than 1,450 acres of land, including such high-profile forests as the College Lodge Forest near Fredonia, Mossy Point in Wales, and the Janet Gallogly Allegany Wildlands in Cattaraugus County. “Marisa has

LOCKPORT, NY: Niagara County District Attorney Brian D. Seaman announced that Niagara County juries returned guilty verdicts in two separate Aggravated Driving While Intoxicated trials in as many weeks. Peter Brounscheidel, age 30 of Lockport, was convicted of Aggravated DWI and common law DWI by a County Court jury after he drove his car off the road causing property damage in Lockport in September 2022. Brounscheidel registered a .25 BAC on tests administered after the accident by Niagara County Sheriff’s Deputies. A prior DWI conviction elevated Brounscheidel’s charges to a felony for which he faces up to 4 years in

Bill Ross, former Niagara County Legislature chairman, presents Achievement Award to Niagara County Clerk Joe Jastrzemski on Thursday night at Niagara County Conservative Party fund-raiser at Wheatfield Lion’s Club. Ross is party chairman. The event drew big crowd.

By Tony Farina Former Republican State Sen. George Maziarz was crushed by his two Republican rivals as the three were vying for two open seats on the Newfane Town Board. Robert Horanburg and Pete Robinson, both endorsed by the Niagara County Republican Committee, also have the Conservative line and on Primary night, they easily overwhelmed Maziarz, a long time political powerhouse when he served in the State Senate and ruled Niagara County politics with an iron fist. Maziarz is a long-time Newfane resident. Horanburg and Robinson buried Maziarz by better than 3 to 1 in Tuesday’s Primary voting, stopping any comeback

Last week, the Niagara Falls Reporter was the first in Western New York to break the story that the Seneca Meadows landfill, located in the bucolic Finger Lakes region of New York State, ships millions of gallons of leachate containing the toxic family of chemicals known as PFASs to the Buffalo Sewer Authority, where it ultimately finds its way into the Niagara River. There are no updates to report on a local level, although it has come to our attention that there have been private conversations among some politicians in cities like North Tonawanda and Niagara Falls, whose source of

The Mental Health Association in Niagara County (MHA) will be having a volunteer recruitment event on Saturday, May 20th from noon to 6pm at The Ship Bar Grill, 5612 Tonawanda Creek Road, Lockport, NY 14094. There will be food and drink specials all afternoon, giveaways, as well as DJ Rosario playing music at the event. The MHA’s Compeer Niagara Program is a volunteer-driven program and is looking to bring more volunteers into its program to support individuals with a mental health diagnosis. “Volunteering for our Compeer Niagara Program may be the easiest and most fun local volunteer opportunity there is.

The Niagara County District Attorney Brian D. Seaman announced charges against former Town of Wilson building inspector Christopher L. Jordan, 47. Jordan was charged with Corrupting the Government in the Third Degree, a class D felony; Grand Larceny in the Fourth Degree, a class E felony; and Official Misconduct, a misdemeanor. The charges are the result of an investigation conducted by the District Attorney’s Office into Jordan’s conduct as the building inspector and code enforcement officer for the Town of Wilson. Jordan, as a Wilson code enforcement officer and building inspector, is alleged to have pocketed cash from homeowners for

Lockport,NY – Law enforcement across the region was made aware of an animal activist meeting taking place on Saturday, April 15th.  The meeting was advertised on social media as a forum to encourage animal rescue.  It further offers instruction on stages of animal rescue, researching of facilities and winning at trial.  This group is actively recruiting individuals for this purpose.  All farmers in the area need to be aware and stay alert of suspicious activity related to this meeting.  This past weekend two farms in the Newfane area experienced suspicious activity and reported that to law enforcement.  Individuals typically arrive

From the Niagara River Greenway Commission: “We’re so close to closing the gap in the Shoreline Trail in Niagara County! Come see the proposed off-road multi-use path next Wednesday at this public hearing.” When: Wednesday, March 22 from 4 pm to 6pm – presentation at 5 pm Where: Wheatfield Community Center, 2790 Church Road in Wheatfield What: proposed Shoreline Trail segment, connecting Gratwick Park to Griffon Park via a 10′ wide multi-use path Who: hosted by the New York State Department of Transportation

Numerous studies support the concept of planting native trees, shrubs and flowers to foster a suitable environment for insects and the birds that feed on them. The unfortunate trend of planting foreign ornamental species, and the ongoing threat of invasive species, have created biological deserts in many suburban tract housing locales and their surrounding areas. Here are links that will get you started towards creating a yard that supplies food for the bird population in your neighborhood and community. Click on the following links and place your order today to ensure that your native flora arrives in time for spring

The 2023 Birds on the Niagara Festival will take place at various locations around the region, including free events featuring Marcus Rosten, Jajean Rose-Burney, and Marisa Riggi. Marcus is leading a walk at the Stella Niagara Preserve. Jajean is leading a walk at the Margery Gallogly Nature Sanctuary. You must register to attend each bird walk. Marisa will give a WNY Wildway presentation at 12:15 on Feb 18 at the Burchfield-Penny Art Gallery; no registration is required for her presentation. Click here to learn more. Also taking place this month is the Global Bird Count. We strongly encourage anyone interested

ATTENTION WNY LGBTQ+ & ALLY OWNED BUSINESSES: Be Part of WNY Shopping with Pride 2023 (www.wnyshoppingwithpride.org) WNY Shopping with Pride is a unique fundraiser for Niagara Pride, Inc. which not only serves to help raise funds to support local LGBTQ+ programs and services, but also highlights and celebrates locally owned and operated LGBTQ+ and ally businesses and merchants in WNY and beyond. Last year, this event was able to showcase over 30 different local WNY businesses. The event was not only a successful fundraiser for our organization, but it was an incredible opportunity to highlight the importance of supporting locally

New York State’s minimum wage went up on Jan. 1 for workers in Niagara County as part of the $15 minimum wage phase-in. On December 31, workers outside of New York City, Long Island, and Westchester County saw the minimum wage increase by $1 per hour, from $13.20 to $14.20. A minimum wage increase has also gone into effect for home care aides. Effective December 31, the minimum wage for home care aides in the same areas of the state increased to $16.20 per hour. If you are not getting what you deserve under the new minimum wage, call 1-888-4-NYSDOL for

The Niagara County Department of Health (NCDOH) is holding a FREE rabies clinic at the City of North Tonawanda Public Works Department, 758 Erie Avenue, on: Saturday December 10, 2022 from 9:00 AM to 12:00 Noon All appointments are by reservation only. Please go to www.niagaracounty.com/health and click on the “Rabies Information” icon and follow the link under rabies clinic to register. Those unable to register online may call (716) 439-7444 for registration assistance. Please note that once appointment slots have filled, registration for this event will close. Rabies Vaccination Clinics have returned to “walk through” to accommodate as many

Most everybody can tell a maple from an oak, but would you know an American Hornbeam if you walked into one? The Western New York Land Conservancy, the organization restoring the Stella Niagara preserve as well as spearheading the $2.1 million Niagara Gorge ecological diversity project, will be sponsoring a Winter Tree ID Hike at the Niagara Escarpment Preserve on Saturday, Feb. 3, from 10 am to noon. “Bundle up and join us for a winter walk at the Niagara Escarpment Preserve in Lockport and learn how to identify our region’s trees in the wintertime.” The hike will be led by

Niagara Falls, NY – Niagara Falls Young Republicans, a new group for people 18-40 who believe in Republican principles of limited government, free enterprise and individual responsibility, is starting a local chapter. Their first meeting will be a pizza party to be held on Tuesday, January 30th, at 5:30 pm at Mr. Ventry’s on Niagara Falls Boulevard www.magicwatches.cn. People attending the meeting can learn more about the organization and join the group. Contact: Joey Tiberi 716-201-5862 Ashley Newbury 716-345-7348

Legislature rewards itself with raises after election By Joe Kissel Single-party governance — which is never in the best interests of the people — is part of why Niagara Falls currently finds itself between a rock and a hard place. With the election of libertarian and registered Republican Chris Voccio and independent-minded Democrat Bill Kennedy, there’s hope the council will have the votes necessary to break the administration’s hold over the council regarding spending decisions. (Last week’s nearly complete override of the mayor’s budget amendment vetoes by Ezra Scott Jr. and Andrew Touma also provide a glimpse into how they

By Joseph Kissel Other than Town of Lockport Supervisor Mark Crocker, all the speakers at Tuesday’s public hearing on the county’s proposed budget shot down the idea of raises for legislators. Mr. Crocker and legislators in favor of the 28 percent raise said it was time after 18 years of flat wages. Residents, however, pointed out the part-time legislators receive full health care and pensions, and those costs have skyrocketed over the years. Some suggested 3 percent raises more in line with private enterprise averages across the country. Some suggested making the positions volunteer since the health care is worth

Having held the position for barely a year, Jeanne Leccese abruptly and unexpectedly resigned as Executive Director of the Niagara River Greenway last month, leaving unanswered questions. Namely, why did she leave the high-paying, prestigious position at the public benefit corporation for a staff job at a lowly non-profit? But for an abbreviated, three paragraph notice buried at the bottom of page B3 in the Buffalo News on November 25, it might have escaped the public’s attention entirely, since no other news media outlet in Western New York appears to have reported it. That’s odd, considering that the Niagara River

When it comes to Niagara Falls, it’s like the Wild West around here. That’s because New York State completely and willfully ignores the law when it comes to just about anything to do with the 80% of Niagara Falls waterfront that it owns and operates. The Cuomo administration blatantly violated the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA), which mandates public scoping and oversight of major construction activities, when it implemented the Niagara Falls State Park Landscape Improvements plan, attempted to build the new State Parks Police barracks on the Niagara Gorge and approved construction of the new Maid of the

If you asked the average person whether their elected representative to the County Legislature deserved a raise, you can be almost certain the answer would be a resounding, ‘No!’  Even if the county is fiscally solvent, most people do not appreciate giving raises to politicians with their hard-earned tax dollars.  So perhaps understandably, asking for a raise usually is not on the top of the meeting agenda of any legislative body. Still, raises do happen, with or without public input.  As the Niagara County Legislature proved last week, they could vote themselves a raise, an additional $4,000 a year, which

If Niagara County Democratic Party Chairman Nick Forster entered Tuesday night hoping for redemption, he found none. Despite being given the political equivalent of kryptonite with the fall from grace of former State Senator George D. Maziarz, the bombastic Democratic boss has failed to convert the county from its current red leanings to blue. With one of his most high-profile incumbents wiped out in Niagara Falls, the only bright spot on the map for Forster anywhere was a Democratic win in North Tonawanda’s alderman-at-large race. Unfortunately, while he was certainly close to Kristen Grandinetti’s campaign, a former North Tonawanda Democratic

The speed limit on Mapleton Road in front of the sprawling Starpoint Central School campus in the town of Pendleton has been lowered to 40 mph, and some have questioned the reasonableness of the adjustment. Previously 45 mph on the long, straight stretch of road, with no intersections in the vicinity save those servicing the school, it was recently lowered to 40 mph, necessitating a change of signs and installation of new flashing yellow warning lights. The Starpoint school buildings themselves are set back several hundred feet from the road. “In the long term, we’d like to see the school

Is local government stalling, wearing down citizen opposition? The debate over a new, high-density housing subdivision proposed for the town of Lewiston seems to be winding down, as only a handful of citizens attending the Lewiston Town Board meeting Monday evening voiced opposition to the new construction. For the third public meeting in a row, Supervisor Steve Broderick announced that the board intended to again defer voting on approval of the 80.2 acre, 107 unit project on Upper Mountain Road, east of Bronson Drive, comprising four apartment houses and 91 “patio homes.” He did not specify as to when the

Even stinkier than the skunk invasion written about just weeks ago on these pages, a smelly landfill rivals only the city’s own Buffalo Avenue Wastewater Treatment Plant in terms of the putrid, nauseating stench that now blankets much of the city, particularly during the summer tourist season. Complaints about the landfill’s obscene aroma have poured into City Hall for the past few years. But Niagara Falls Mayor Paul Dyster and his City Council majority of Kristen Grandinetti, Andrew Touma and Charles Walker put it on the pay no mind list. So residents went to the New York State Department of

Sources say that the New York State Attorney General’s prosecution of George Maziarz may wind up in a dismissal. The reason: No crimes were committed. The trial was supposed to commence in September. It has been adjourned. Sources familiar with the case said that expected testimony of prosecution witnesses unraveled when election law violations turned out not to be violations of law after all. The case may now be dismissed. A similar dismissal occurred with Mr. Maziarz’s senate successor Rob Ortt, whose felony indictment for election related matters was dismissed earlier this year. A motion to dismiss is expected to

Kaleida Health’s plan to enhance and upgrade its Niagara County hospital location continues to progress. Today, the health system broke ground on its $7.8 million emergency department renovation. The project is the focal point of “DeGraff 2020,” Kaleida Health’s plan for the future state of the North Tonawanda hospital. “The new state-of-the-art Emergency Department is a critical part of the future success of DeGraff Memorial Hospital and demonstrates that the hospital is here to stay,” said Darcy Craven, president, DeGraff Memorial Hospital. “It will allow DeGraff to continue delivering the personalized care that the community has relied upon for over

Take a wild guess. Which was the only municipality in Niagara County to opt out of a money saving, state health care consolidation and the lion’s share of a $15.8 million state grant to bring current costs for municipal employees health benefits back in line? If you guessed the city of Niagara Falls you would be correct. With the county set to receive about $15.8 million for municipal employees’ health benefits, Dan Engert, Town Supervisor of Somerset, said the goal of a countywide healthcare consortium is to have all municipalities in Niagara County as members — which saves taxpayer money.

Niagara Jet Adventures, the Youngstown firm that sought to challenge Lewiston’s Whirlpool Jetboat Tours, Hornblower Niagara Falls and even Jimmy Glynn’s incomprehensibly still-in-business Maid of the Mist franchise, has hit some extraordinarily rough water For starters, Christopher Bohnenkamp, founder of Niagara Jet Adventures, was sentenced last month to five years and three months in federal prison on charges of defrauding 13 people in eight states and Canada who tried to buy jet boats from his Idaho-based boat-building firm. According to court papers, Mr. Bohnenkamp spent the money on gambling, vehicles and vacations. One of the victims was Michael J. Fox of Lewiston,

For the first time in the ten year history of the Niagara River Greenway, not a single proposal was submitted for review this bimonthly project period. The September 19 meeting was strictly a formality, with no presentations taking place. Funded through the 2007 relicensing agreement with the New York Power Authority for the Niagara Power Project, the mission of the Niagara River Greenway, as presented on the home page of its website, is “To continue and advance the state’s commitment to the preservtion, enhancement and development of the world-renowned scenic, natural, historic, cultural and recreational resources of the Niagara River

Opposition to a proposed new housing development in the Town of Niagara is gaining momentum, as more information becomes available to residents of the Colonial Drive and Miller Road neighborhoods which will adjoin the subdivision, should it be built. The local office of Yonkers, NY-based Double C Realty Inc. has been navigating the labyrinth of local and state zoning regulations for several months, as well as seeking approvals from regulatory agencies such as the Army Corps of Engineers and the state DEC, towards commencing construction of the 119 unit “Bri Estates” subdivision on an empty lot in the town. Actually,

To: Gretchen Leffler, Colleen Larkin, Renae Kimble, Nick Forster and Dan O’Callaghan, Niagara Falls is being waterboarded. In general parlance, waterboarding is a form of water torture in which water is poured over a cloth covering the face and breathing passages of an immobilized captive, causing the individual to experience the sensation of drowning. But in our fair city, it constitutes control of our water supply by a group of political hacks, apparently answerable to no one, who represent a clear and present danger not only to human beings but to every fish and animal living in the Niagara River ecosystem.

New study finds high levels of drugs, antidepressants in Niagara River fish Everyone knows Niagara Falls has a serious drug problem. But a new study shows that the problem isn’t confined to humans. Even the fish in the Niagara River are swimming around high. In the study, researchers detected high concentrations of drugs and their metabolized remnants in the brain tissue of 10 fish species found in the Niagara River. This vital conduit connects two of the Great Lakes, Lake Erie and Lake Ontario, via Niagara Falls. The discovery of antidepressants in aquatic life in the river raises serious environmental

NIAGARA OFFICIALS REACT TO AG’s FENTANYL WARNING County Opiate Task Force Will Meet to Consider Further Steps                                                                             LOCKPORT—Niagara County officials are taking the discovery of fentanyl-laced pills that resemble prescription oxycodone pills in Western New York seriously, pledging today to devise steps to deal with the new threat. The information, revealed today in a briefing by New York State Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman, comes as the county continues to implement steps to combat the presence of