Lancaster/Depew Bee

04/14/2026

Depew resident Elizabeth Nelson, longtime employee at Fox Run at Orchard Park, has been promoted to a newly created role aimed at supporting its expanding marketing and sales operations, the retirement community announced.

“Elizabeth has a sharp recall for waitlist depositors and brings strong organizational skills along with a sense of humor to the team,” said CEO Bill Wlodarczyk.

Pictured below: Depew resident and Fox Run employee Elizabeth Nelson. (Contributed photo)

Read the full article online now:

https://www.beenews.com/lancaster_bee/news/depew-resident-promoted-to-new-position-at-fox-run-at-orchard-park/article_25ce4aa5-676f-4245-9791-c2c9740ee3ec.html

04/14/2026

FLOCK Security, a public safety and law enforcement technologies company, participated in Monday's Village of Lancaster Board of Trustees meeting, responding to recent criticisms from a small batch of residents upset over the potential storage of a new FLOCK drone atop the Municipal Building.

Residents addressing the board were united in their skepticism but varied in motive, some wary of the technology in general, and others noting FLOCK contract cancelations in other municipalities, over concerns of data sharing with federal authorities when apprehending undocumented individuals in sanctuary cities.

"We do not share with federal; we share with local," said LPD Lt. Grant Gunsher, explaining instances where evidence to capture a suspect could be shared with a nearby municipality; or that a link could be sent to local fire chiefs of drone footage monitoring an incident. He explained, however, that information can only be sent and viewed, but not saved or shared by outside local agencies.

Read the full article detailing this meeting, concerns from residents, and the various guidelines in place for the Town of Lancaster's two police drones.

https://www.beenews.com/lancaster_bee/news/security-company-stirs-concerns-from-cluster-of-village-residents-flock-representative-details-data-storage-sharing/article_0bc0e62d-5166-4e84-95ac-813565cccdfd.html

04/14/2026

💐 Voting is LIVE 💐

The entries are in for our Like Mother, Like Daughter (or Son) Look-Alike Contest, and now it’s time for YOU to decide the winner! Browse the adorable look-alike duos to vote for your favorite.

📅 Voting Period: April 14 – April 21 (11:59 pm)
To cast your vote, Visit👉: https://www.beenews.com/likemotherlikedaughter/

🏆 The winner will be announced on April 23!
Support your favorite and help us celebrate moms across Erie County 💖

04/14/2026

Over the weekend, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Erie, Niagara, and Southern Tier held a successful meat raffle with hundreds of attendees at The Grapevine Banquets & Event Center in Depew.

The event, which took place Saturday, April 11, drew funding in support of the organization's mission to connect caring adults with local youth as mentors and friends. According to the organization, this mission has impacted the lives of over 12,500 kids over the last fifty years.

Pictured below: Volunteers with Big Brothers Big Sisters help out with the meat raffled held Saturday in Depew. (Contributed photo)

Read the full article online now:

https://www.beenews.com/lancaster_bee/news/big-brothers-big-sisters-draws-hundreds-to-depew-in-support-of-organizations-mission/article_e614464e-3331-456d-ba8e-da0ac296fd11.html

04/13/2026

Arbor Day in Lancaster means that it’s time for the Forestry Department’s annual Poster Contest, inviting students from grades 4, 5 & 6 in Lancaster and Depew to participate.

This year’s theme is “What trees do for you and the community.” Students are encouraged to get creative and think of some ways to illustrate how the trees around us benefit everyone to be submitted for an award.

The deadline for the contest is April 17; and the winners will be honored at the Town of Lancaster’s Arbor Day Celebration at Westwood Park at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, April 25, at the park’s pavilion.

For a copy of the guidelines and entry form, contact Judy Wozniak at 716-684-3320.

Check out more springtime events in the Lancaster-Depew Bee.

Town of Lancaster Parks, Recreation & Forestry Department

https://www.beenews.com/town-of-lancaster-plans-arbor-day-celebration-poster-contest/article_22ee09cb-c41f-4498-aa68-94eadff640cc.html

04/13/2026

Members of AFSCME Local 1095, the labor union representing employees of Erie County, have approved a new five-year contract with the county, voting 444-83 to ratify the agreement covering Jan. 1, 2027, through Dec. 31, 2031.

The deal includes annual pay increases, job upgrades for certain positions and the introduction of a voluntary unpaid leave program.

https://www.beenews.com/lancaster_bee/news/erie-countys-employee-union-reaches-new-five-year-contract-with-county/article_a8b0e97d-3fd0-4740-85a4-7a1392667bb2.html

04/12/2026

The 20th Scotty Bowman Cup will be held on Monday, April 13 at KeyBank Center.

04/11/2026

The Bee Newspapers' Athlete of the Week for the March 19 editions was Depew junior bowler Emma Felton, who took third overall and helped the Lady Wildcats win their second Division 2 state title in three years on March 13 and then won the Division 2 girls individual state championship on March 14.

04/10/2026

The Erie County Fair is now accepting entries for its 2026 Competitive Exhibits, giving community members of all ages the opportunity to showcase their talents and be part of a long-standing fair tradition.

https://www.beenews.com/lancaster_bee/news/erie-county-fair-now-accepting-entries-for-2026-competitive-exhibits/article_9d66801e-3c65-456a-be87-39c81416ae3f.html

04/10/2026

An audit released by New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli found significant oversight failures, rising costs and declining revenues at the Western Regional Off-Track Betting Corp., limiting funds distributed to local governments.

Read the full article online now:

An audit released by New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli found significant oversight failures, rising costs and declining revenues at the Western Regional Off-Track Betting Corp., limiting funds distributed

04/10/2026

Sponsored by: UB | MD

04/09/2026

🥍🌟 Congratulations to Amherst's Boys Lacrosse Team, Crosby's Team of the Week! 🌟🥍

View each week’s team here:
👉 https://www.beenews.com/sports/team_of_the_week/