From the basement to the sky

¦ New exhibit highlights history of Scott Aviation

Jim Nelson and Harley Scott knelt beside a black case holding a small green cylinder with a valve and hose attached to it. “This was not the hydro pack, but it was the first model of the medical inhalator,” Nelson said looking at the gauges on the mobile oxygen unit. “Before scuba diving was a big sport, Harley and I […]

Depew draft budget projects 5 percent tax increase



A Depew resident voiced his concerns Monday night during a public hearing on the Depew Village Board’s tentative budget. The proposed spending plan for 2013-14 stands at $14.2 million. The board must vote on the budget by May 1 and is expected to do so at its April 22 meeting. The plan goes into effect on June 1. The tentative […]

Understanding the property tax cap

¦ Provisions allow limit to be above 2 percent

For the past two years, local governments have been working within a strict set of budget regulations that limit the amount of taxes that can be passed on to property owners. In 2011, New York State passed a property tax cap law that prevents local governments from approving budgets that increase tax levies by more than 2 percent. It applies […]

Sugg busy at first village meeting



Trustee Russell Sugg wasted no time getting comfortable in his new chair Monday night at the Lancaster Village Board meeting. Sugg, a member of the Integrity of Choice Party, was elected to a four-year seat on March 19. Fellow party member Edward Marki, who had served for the last eight years, was not re-elected. Sugg was the only member to […]

Cayuga Hose names award winners, officers



Several members of Depew’s Cayuga Hose Company No. 3 were honored Saturday at the fire company’s annual installation dinner. Kenneth Sikora was named Firefighter of the Year. The award recognizes a member for his effort at fire calls, drills and involvement in training. Sikora also finished first in the New York State Firefighter 1 Class. The Company Service Award, which […]

Exploring prehistoric culture one book at a time



Anthropologist, educator and author Neil O’Donnell has been promoting cultural understanding for the better part of his life, and the release of his latest novel, “Calling Wren,” marks his seventh published book generated from both creative perspective and accurate historical research. “It’s great to learn, but I feel kind of weird if I learn something and don’t talk about it,” […]

Meals on Wheels schedules fundraiser, spring flower sale



The Meals on Wheels Foundation of Western New York is holding a spring flower sale in partnership with Lavocat’s Family Greenhouse and Nursery in Clarence Center. The fundraiser, “Meals on Wheels Magic Flower Garden,” will accept pre-orders now through Friday, May 3. The orders will be available for pickup on May 10 and 11. Proceeds will support the programs at […]

Lancaster Youth Bureau to offer new scholarship



A new scholarship will now be available to Lancaster High School students. The Town of Lancaster Youth Bureau has created the Mary Lucariello Scholarship, named after the first executive director and co-founder of the Youth Bureau, who left funds in her will to establish the scholarship. In June, the scholarship committee will donate two $1,000 scholarships to a pair of […]

Scott Aviation history, exhibit puts Lancaster on map

Bee Editorial

Many of us may not recognize Lancaster as the birthplace in the development of lifesaving equipment. But we are. And now there is a growing exhibit to showcase Scott Aviation Corp.’s inception and contributions. Hundreds of workers employed by Scott helped create its products used across the world. They in turn also helped to promote Lancaster’s name throughout the nation. […]

Spindle items




• TRASHING COMMON SENSE? — Earlier this week, I received an email from a concerned resident in Lancaster. His issue? Garbage and recycling totes his neighbors are overloading, resulting in newspapers, pizza boxes and bottles blowing all over lawns and the streets. The man said he spends at least several hours per week picking up items off his lawn. He […]