Smallwood teacher receives state award
      Jennifer Higgins, an elementary physical education teacher at Smallwood Elementary School in the Amherst School District, is the 2007 recipient of the Elementary Physical Education Teacher of the Year Award from the New York State Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance.
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Diverse religious traditions celebrated by many young Amherst residents
      Tradition lends a sense of belonging and a feeling that things are "OK." Young people learn resilience through traditions because they realize that no matter what happens they can always count on family and friends. When the community recognizes different cultural traditions, a sense of pride is ...
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Incoming classes expected to be smaller
Williamsville School Board discusses resident issues
by JESSICA L. FINCH Associate Editor
      The Williamsville Central School District shouldn't see any major changes in next year's student population. Hezel Associates, LLC of Syracuse presented the 2008-09 enrollment projections at the Dec. 11 School Board meeting.
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Teacher positions could be eliminated due to projected enrollment rates
by JESSICA L. FINCH Associate Editor
      After receiving the Enrollment Project and Audit Report, the Williamsville Central School District is going one step further: projecting the staffing level needed for next year. The early projection estimates smaller classes in 2008-09, which has led to a current recommendation to cut 11 full-tim...
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Board's mill resolutions address parcel, not buildings
by ELIZABETH TAUFA Reporter
      In an effort to nail down the Village Board's concrete intentions for the Mill Restoration Committee, Trustee Jeff Kingsley proposed three resolutions at Monday night's meeting that were passed by the board.
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     HELPING HANDS - Eggertsville firefighters recently conducted their annual holiday food drive. Firefighters Jeff Gilson, top, and David Winzig are shown loading a truck. This year's effort helped provide food and other household items for more than 40 families in the Eggertsville area.
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Shop with a Cop benefits children
by ANDREA KIMBRIEL Reporter
      Shop with a Cop provides the opportunity for police officers and area children to interact in a positive way during the holiday season, said Capt. Joel Budimirovich, president of the Police Captains and Lieutenants Association of Erie County.
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     TOYS FOR TOTS - Amherst Masonic Lodge 981 Brother Marv MacKellar, left, chaired the lodge's Toys for Tots drive, which ended on Dec. 12. Sergio Rodriguez, author of "The Little Santa" series, donated 50 copies of the book to the drive.
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Christian Central Academy wins LEGO competition
by JESSICA L. FINCH Associate Editor
      The regional championship tournament had been a hard day for Christian Central Academy's team. They knew they hadn't performed their best, and when it came time to announce the winners, they weren't sure what to expect. As the judge named the runners up, not naming the academy - the defending ch...
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Field hockey captain sets Olympic goal; soccer captain works with youth
by KATE FASSL AND COLIN KNOER
      Williamsville North Student Council proudly recognizes the extraordinary achievements of two members of its senior class each month. Students featured in this column are selected by faculty recommendation. The Spartan Spots for December 2007 are Chantae Miller and John Piaggione.
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Community News
      Northeast Family Branch YMCA's 2008 Strong Kids Campaign will be chaired by Ellen Cortellucci. She will lead the branch's efforts to raise $58,000 by March. Board of Management members for the campaign are: John Paczos, Laurel Schreiner, Scott Yanity, Robin Maggio, Doreen Daniels, Joe Bochiech...
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Fire departments name officers
Boehm reelected in Eggertsville
      The Eggertsville Hose Company of Amherst has elected its officers for 2008. Michael Boehm was re-elected to a third term as chief of the Hose Company. Other Firematic officers elected were John Buttino, first assistant fire chief, and Brian Multerer, second assistant fire chief.
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Ellicott Creek officers elected
      Mike Parker has been re-elected chief of the Ellicott Creek Fire Company. Dave DeMeester and Joe Osika were also re-elected first and second assistant chiefs respectively. Russ Stith, Phil Asarese, Paul Dusel and Rob DeMeester were elected to fire captain. Brandon Vizzi was elected EMS Captain an...
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Hutchinson Hose re-elects Strobel
      Peter Strobel has been elected to his fourth term as president of the Hutchinson Hose Co., Williamsville Fire Dept. Other administrative officers are Jim Lion Jr.
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Snyder firefighters elect Balcom
      Firematic and administrative officers of the Snyder Fire Department were recently installed. Megan L. Balcom was installed as president. Assisting her will be Thomas Kenney Jr., vice president; William Balcom, secretary; Karen Murray, treasurer, and Eugene Kremzier, line clerk.
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      FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS - Brian Schectman, along with his sons, Zachary, 8, and Maxwell, 10, light the final candle of the giant menorah Dec. 11 at 811 Maple Road. Hanukkah was celebrated this year from sundown Dec. 4 through Dec. 11. This year marked the 25th anniversary of the giant menorah lighti...
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Hayes calls for full public database of all public investment
      State Assemblyman Jim Hayes, R-Amherst, described pension reforms announced by Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli as a "first, tentative step" at protecting public pension funds from the abuses that are being alleged under former Comptroller Alan J. Hevesi.
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Booth space available at mall health fair
      Eastern Hills Mall will be hosting a Healthy Resolutions health fair from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 26 The day will offer area families important information and demonstrations related to healthy living from area businesses and organizations.
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