Deputy County Executive Lisa Chimera

09/04/2026

Yesterday’s heavy rainfall caused flooding and property damage in communities across Erie County, including the Town of Amherst, Town of Tonawanda, and The City of Buffalo.

If your home or business was impacted, please document the damage before beginning cleanup by taking photos and saving relevant receipts, repair estimates and insurance information. Residents can report damage through New York State’s self-reporting tool: https://on.ny.gov/3xLeNbY

Municipalities are also offering cleanup resources, including free flood-relief buckets in Kenmore today and emergency trash collection in designated areas of Buffalo on Monday. Please review the graphics for important details and share this information with anyone who may need assistance.

09/04/2026

September is Su***de Prevention Month which is a time to reduce stigma and remind the community around us that help is available.

Su***de prevention is something we can all be a part of simply by checking in on someone or encouraging a person to seek help when needed. These acts can have a life saving impact on a person.

If you or someone you know is struggling, help is available:

Call or text 988 to reach the Su***de & Crisis Lifeline which is available 24/7.

For local support, call Erie County's Crisis Services 24-Hour Hotline at (716) 834-3131.

More information from Erie County Department of Mental Health: https://www3.erie.gov/mentalhealth/i-need-help-now

09/03/2026

Gloria Steinem leaves behind an extraordinary legacy of advocacy, courage and service.

For generations, her work helped advance equality, elevate women’s voices and open doors that once seemed firmly closed. Her impact will continue to be felt through the countless women and girls she inspired to lead, speak up and make a difference.

Throughout my own career in education and public service, I have seen firsthand how important it is for women and girls to know that their voices matter and that there is a place for them at every table. Gloria Steinem helped make that possible for so many, and her influence will continue to inspire generations to come.

09/03/2026

Ellicott Island Bark Park is closed until further notice after sustaining significant storm damage last night.

For everyone’s safety, please avoid the park while our Erie County Parks crews assess the damage and begin cleanup. We appreciate your patience and will share updates when available.

09/02/2026

A Tornado Watch is in effect until 11 p.m., according to the US National Weather Service Buffalo NY. Severe storms could produce damaging winds, hail, heavy rain and possible tornadoes.

Continue monitoring local forecasts and be prepared to seek shelter if a warning is issued. You can also receive critical emergency updates by downloading the free ReadyErie app and enabling notifications: erie.gov/readyerie

09/02/2026

Today is the final day to submit applications for the October 17 civil service examinations for individuals seeking to become a Police Officer or Deputy Sheriff.

The Deputy Sheriff - Criminal exam allows successful candidates to be hired by the Erie County Sheriff's Office, while the Police Officer exam lets candidates be hired by town or village police departments across the county.

To view qualification requirements, associated fees and an application link, visit bit.ly/law-enforcement-civil-service-exams.

09/02/2026

📚 It’s back-to-school season across Erie County!

As a former educator, I know how important it is to start the school year with the resources students and families need to stay healthy, safe and supported.

Check out my latest guest editorial in Buffalo Rising, where I highlight resources available across Erie County as we begin the 2026–27 school year. Read “Back to School Health and Safety” here:
https://www.buffalorising.com/2026/08/2026-back-to-school-health-and-safety/

09/01/2026

The 2nd Annual SMART Youth Mental Health Summit is almost here!

As we prepare for this important event, we thank the organizations that lead the WNY SMART Collaborative, along with the many community partners and school districts that make this work possible. Together, we are building stronger partnerships and championing mental health supports for youth and families across Erie County.

Thank you to Erie 1 BOCES, Erie 2-Chautauqua-Cattaraugus BOCES, Live Well Erie, and UBuffalo Social Work

08/31/2026

My thoughts are with the family, friends, and loved ones of Marilla Town Supervisor Earl “Skip” Gingerich Jr., as well as the entire Marilla community, following his tragic passing.

Skip dedicated many years to public service, and his commitment to the community he loved will not be forgotten.

Earl “Skip” Gingerich Jr., who was involved in town politics for decades, is being remembered as a hardworking leader who always made time to give back to his community.

08/31/2026

Supporting women in the workplace means creating opportunities, removing barriers and building systems that allow women to grow, lead and succeed.

Join the Erie County Commission on the Status of Women on Thursday, September 10 at The Buffalo History Museum for its next Roundtable Discussion, “Women and Work: Creating Sustainable Models to Support Women’s Advancement in the Workplace.”

The conversation will explore findings from the Women and Work in Erie County report and bring together local leaders to discuss workplace barriers, advancement and meaningful solutions. Please RSVP to [email protected] by September 4.