Niagara County

09/01/2026

Niagara's WorkSourceOne Releases September Calendar of Events

Niagara's WorkSourceOne provides employment, re-employment and recruitment assistance for Niagara County residents. Below is their calendar of events for Septembr and key information on who to contact about their programs. Note the Job Fair on Wednesday, September 23. Learn more at https://www.worksource1.com/

08/31/2026

The Niagara County Department of Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services (NCDMH) Deputy Director and Hope Speaks Niagara (HSN) Community Coalition Chair Myrla Gibbons Doxey announced today the launch of the “You Matter!” Coffee Sleeve Campaign as one of several September Su***de Prevention and Recovery Month Activities organized by the Department in collaboration with HSN.

This is the fourth year of partnering with local coffee shops, stops, schools and area businesses to distribute coffee sleeves with their hot beverages featuring:

• Niagara County 24-Hour Crisis Line: (716) 285-3515
• National 988 Su***de & Crisis Lifeline
• Message: “You Matter!”
• QR Code directing the community to the Well Niagara app’s corresponding webpage to learn how to download the app or to utilize the site to find valuable information on local supports and resources.

“In every day places, businesses and community partners can make a powerful impact by meeting people where they are,” said Laura Kelemen, NCDMH Director, “Showing compassion, facilitating connection, and sharing a hopeful message that remind every person they matter. Together, we can End Stigma, Build Hope and Save Lives.”

“Community partnerships turn hope into meaningful action and action speaks volumes” said Gibbons Doxey, “When the community comes together to champion simple, visible efforts like this coffee sleeve campaign, they help create a culture where reaching out for support is normalized, encouraged, and celebrated.”

By participating in this simple initiative, the Niagara County businesses can collectively make a positive impact in the lives of thousands in our community.

Approximately 16,000 coffee sleeves will be distributed to the following participating businesses:

Lewiston, NY:
DiCamillo Bakery at 535 Center Street
Orange Cat at 703 Center Street
Village Bake Shoppe at 417 Center Street

Lockport, NY
Cornerstone Arena at 1 Grigg Lewis Way
Freedom Church at 5676 Beattie Road
Gypsy Kitchen at 5881 S. Transit Road
Kith & Kin at 5850 S. Transit Road
Steamworks Coffee at 51 Canal Street

Middleport, NY:
Alternative Grounds at 17 Main Street

Niagara Falls, NY:
DiCamillo Bakery at 7927 Niagara Falls Blvd
DiCamillo Bakery at 811 Linwood Avenue
Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center Cafeteria at 621 Tenth Street

North Tonawanda, NY
Coffee & Stone at 54 Webster Street
Coffee Holiday at 7296 Schultz Road
Little Black Heart Coffee at 321 Oliver Street
Namaste Counseling at 84 Sweeney Street
Platter’s Chocolate Factory at 908 Niagara Falls Blvd
Studio 14120 at 603 Division Street #31

Olcott, NY
Dragonfly Express at 5955 Ontario Street
Olcott Food Market at 5764 W Lake Rd

Pendleton, NY
Craft Coffee House at 6612 Campbell Blvd

Ransomville, NY
Wandering Gypsy at 3301 Brayley Road

Sanborn, NY
Buffalo Coffee Roastery at 5844 Buffalo Street
Niagara Wheatfield School District at 2292 Saunders Settlement Road

Tonawanda, NY
Donut Craze at 129 Main Street

Youngstown, NY
Sanger Farms at 852 Lockport Road

About 2,000 more coffee sleeves are available for other interested Niagara County entities who wish to participate. Simply send an email to [email protected] with the Subject Line Coffee Sleeve Campaign with your contact information.

Why It Matters:
Su***de affects every community. Anyone, regardless of age, gender, or background, can experience suicidal thoughts, and although discussing this topic can be challenging, engaging in open and genuine conversations about su***de can enhance awareness and potentially save lives.

In January 2026, HSN was established following the merger of the Niagara County Su***de Prevention Coalition and the Niagara County OASIS (Opioid) Task Force Public Awareness Advisory Panel. The HSN’s mission is to unite organizations, communities and individuals in a collaborative effort to reduce harm, prevent deaths, and end stigma around mental health and substance use related concerns. Through diverse, hope-centered initiatives, we break down barriers to care, increase access to live-saving resources, promote education and advocacy, and ensure everyone is met with empathy, respect, and the tools to thrive.

Data collected through the New York State Department of Health Connector shows the rate for su***de per 100,000 population in 2023 slightly decreased in New York State compared to 2022, but increased in Niagara County. Additionally, Niagara County’s su***de rate was higher than several other NYS counties. Su***de affects individuals in Niagara County across age groups and genders and specifically impacts LGBTQ and rural communities.

If you or someone you know is in need of help, call the Niagara County Crisis Services 24-Hour phone line for free, confidential support, guidance, information, referral and interventions as needed at (716) 285-3515 or 988. There is Help; There Hope! Recovery is Possible.

08/26/2026

The NCSO Explorers Post is Recruiting!
Are you between the ages of 16 and 20 and interested in a future career in law enforcement? This is your opportunity to gain valuable experience, develop leadership skills, and learn more about the profession!

Welcome Night is September 14 at 7 p.m.

The NCSO Explorers Post is Recruiting!

Are you between the ages of 16 and 20 and interested in a future career in law enforcement? This is your opportunity to gain valuable experience, develop leadership skills, and learn more about the profession!

Join us for our Welcome Night:
Monday, September 14
7:00 p.m.

We will provide an overview of the program and explain how to get involved. Participants under the age of 18 must attend with a parent or guardian to complete the required paperwork. Start preparing for your future today!

08/24/2026

This Buffalo News article from Saturday, finally confirms what Niagara County has been saying all along…New York State has no idea how much its two-decades-old internet data center sale tax exemption that is now being claimed by AI data centers like Lake Mariner in the Town of Somerset to avoid sales tax is costing state and local governments.

Governor Hochul has still not responded to the letter from the Niagara County Legislature calling on the NYS Department of Taxation and Finance to conduct a full audit of this exemption that data centers are claiming…..and determine if they are even entitled to it.

According to the Buffalo News article, the state Department of Taxation & Finance says it does not collect the tax exemption certificates that are supposed to be used by internet data centers to avoid paying millions – and potentially tens of millions – in sales taxes on costly purchases of equipment, machinery and other eligible items. Instead, a state official said, data center operators just fill out a form, certify their eligibility and submit it to vendors or sellers of the equipment and materials at the time of purchase for the sellers to retain for their own records.

Please consider emailing the Governor and asking her to follow through on the request from Niagara County and conduct this long-overdue sales tax audit: https://www.governor.ny.gov/content/governor-contact-form

https://buffalonews.com/news/local/business/article_e3c756b5-d3bf-43aa-af58-825b4bf7c5d6.html

Amid the controversy over data centers, NY officials acknowledge that they may not know how often a narrow 26-year-old sales tax exemption is being used by developers, who is using it, or even how much tax revenue NY is losing as a result.

08/21/2026

From Legislature Chairman Mike Hill: “This septic system reimbursement program for priority water protection zones is an important step toward protecting our water quality. I encourage all eligible property owners to consider applying for this funding."

New York State offers funding to help property owners replace or upgrade aging septic systems in priority water protection zones. To learn more about the program and see if your property may be in a blue zone to qualify, go to: www.niagaracounty.gov/SepticReplacementFund

08/20/2026

When someone charged with a crime is found unable to understand the proceedings against them, they are sent for competency restoration services. Under the current system, people can remain in restoration (which is NOT treatment) for months or even years. New York State forces the counties to pay for all these costs, even though it is their program and counties have zero control. In 2016, this program cost Niagara County taxpayers $178,000. Last year, it climbed to over $2.3 million. A single additional case can create hundreds of thousands of dollars in unplanned expenditures. This system is broken and Niagara County continues to advocate with fellow counties in calling for reform.

For Patients, Counties, and Local Taxpayers

08/18/2026

Niagara County Department of Public Works (DPW) Commissioner Garret Meal today announced that the Wilson Burt Rd Bridge over 18 Mile Creek in the Town of Newfane will be closed to all motorists beginning Monday, August 24. The bridge is expected to be closed for three days. Detour signs will be posted.

The closure is needed to provide access for diving inspection of 2 piers, which will be repaired as part of Phase II of the project. That work could begin in Spring 2028. Phase I was completed in July of last year and included extensive bridge work and rehabilitation to one of the concrete piers

“The Wilson Burt bridge rehab project is a major undertaking and we are looking forward to getting the preconstruction work done for Phase II and hopefully be in the field for the 2028 construction season,” said Meal. “As always, we recognize the inconvenience to motorists and appreciate the public’s patience and adherence to all works zone signage as we work on these projects.”

08/14/2026

This Sunday, August 16, the “I Was There – Unknown Stories of Vietnam” exhibit at the Kenan Taylor Theater in Lockport will host a Vietnam Veterans Roundtable discussion. Six distinguished, local Vietnam Veterans – including Niagara County Legislator Dave Godfrey – will share their firsthand experiences of service, sacrifice and coming home. The event will run from 2-3 p.m. It is free and open to the public.

08/13/2026

The latest edition of “Niagara County Update” – the monthly show highlighting issues, programs and opportunities from county government – is now available in the LCTV on-demand library. This month, Legislator Jesse Gooch and Don Jablonski, Director of Employment & Training, discuss WorksourceOne and the support that is offered to job seekers and employers looking to hire. In this clip, Legislator Gooch discusses grants to help pay for training new employees.

Click here to view the full show: https://trms.lctv.net/internetchannel/show/14743?channel=3

Visit https://www.niagaracounty.gov/worksource_one/index.php to learn more about the programs offered by WorkSourceOne.

08/12/2026

With the flooding conditions now subsided, the Niagara County Parks Department has announced that as of today, Wednesday, August 12th, Oppenheim Park is now re-opened for public use.