Lockport Union-Sun & Journal Online Local News

Water levels a concern with lakeside land owners

2012-02-11T02:24:43-05:00

Land owners along Lake Ontario are concerned about a potential International Joint Commission plan which may allow water levels to reach higher highs and lower lows.

Mild winter? S'no kidding!

2012-02-10T01:49:27-05:00

Towns are stockpiling salt and saving on plowing, wear and tear on machinery and overtime costs thanks to the winter of 2012 that wasn’t — so far.
Somerset Supervisor Dan Engert joked that as soon as it becomes a story, the winter will arrive and blow the budgets down.
Highway workers, who could be called at anytime on any day to clear the roads, have been cleared to indoor maintenance jobs and have been able to get outside to get a jump on other projects.
The so-far mild winter has created a mixed bag for City of Lockport streets and parks workers. When there’s no snow to plow, crews have been out trimming trees, fixing storm receivers and maintaining heavy equipment. These are all chores that usually don’t get done in winter, according to Norman Allen, director of engineering and public works.

Town to aid in Wegmans pursuit

2012-02-10T01:44:43-05:00

Maybe they should call it We Really Want Wegmans.
The group of local supporters who are hoping to attract a Wegmans supermarket to the Lockport area have received some additional support from the Lockport Town Board. At a meeting Wednesday night, town officials were presented a petition from the We Want Wegmans campaign with 8,000 signatures.
Given to the board by We Want Wegmans chairperson Charlene Bower, Supervisor Marc R. Smith said the petition was twice the size of a phone book.

Reform agenda touted

2012-02-09T02:25:25-05:00

Empire State Development Corporation executive Sam Hoyt visited Lockport on Wednesday to tout Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s state budget and government reform plans.
Changing the way the state does business will bring fiscal relief to counties, cities and towns, eventually, Hoyt suggested.
It’s too bad the reforms won’t kick in before municipalities like the City of Lockport begin confronting fiscal crises, Mayor Michael Tucker said in response.

Tucker: 'Best days lie ahead'

2012-02-08T02:06:51-05:00

The City of Lockport government is smaller than it was 18 months ago but is in a stronger financial place, Mayor Michael W. Tucker said in his annual State of the City address.

Trio of new classes proposed for Newfane

2012-02-08T02:03:10-05:00

Newfane High School could have three new business courses in the fall, one of which would center on video game design.

Municipalities take wait-and-see approach on SPCA funding

2012-02-07T00:35:42-05:00

The City and Town of Lockport are each withholding payments to the Niagara SPCA, while other Eastern Niagara County towns are taking a wait-and-see approach.

Rocky II

2012-02-06T06:05:39-05:00

Friends of Deputy Craig Beiter of the Niagara County Sheriff’s Department plan a benefit on Feb. 26 to raise money to buy and train a new dog for the K-9 Unit.
Beiter’s German shepherd, Deputy Rocky, was killed while on duty in December, and the sheriff’s department is close to getting a replacement.

Basket Factory closes

2012-02-06T06:02:09-05:00

The Basket Factory has gone out of business.
The owners, Julie Thompson Riegle and Dawn Thompson, made the difficult decision last Monday and put the sign on the door Tuesday.

No snow is no problem

2012-02-06T06:00:01-05:00

Unseasonably warm weather didn’t keep Roy-Hart Winterfest from being a fun day for the families who came out to Roy-Hart Elementary School on Saturday.
More than 500 people attended the third annual festivities, which Gasport Lions Club officials said was a big increase from last year. The halls of Roy-Hart Elementary were filled with vendors, programs and movement as excited children rushed from one activity to another.