Clarence Bee

09/02/2025

An outdoor fire caused an estimated $20,000 in damage this morning, Tuesday, Sept. 2, behind a building at 11111 Main Road, Newstead.
Amherst Fire control received one call reporting the fire, and Newstead Fire Chief James Infanti arrived to find an abandoned trailer and large pile of metal and debris on fire, but well off the road. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Other assisting or involved agencies included the Clarence, Akron, Clarence Center, Swormville, Crittenden, Pembroke and Indian Falls fire companies/departments; the Clarence Disaster Coordinator's Office; the Newstead Fire Inspector's and Code Enforcement offices; Twin City Ambulance; and the Erie County Sheriffs Office.

09/02/2025

135 Years Ago, Aug. 28, 1890: Miss Flora M. Harris is on the sick list with scarlet fever. She is doing finely under the skillful treatment of Dr. Lapp.

Read this and other entries from old Bee papers in our Out of the Past column.

135 Years Ago

09/01/2025

Tuesday, Aug. 19: Nine tires were allegedly slashed at a home on County Road.

Read about this and other police calls in this week's police blotter.

Saturday, Aug. 16

08/31/2025

Clarence’s girls soccer team had a season to remember, reaching the Class AA state semifinals and finishing with a 19-2 record.

Although eight seniors graduated, including five who were starters and key contributors, third-year coach Mike Silverstein said the goal this fall remains the same, which is to be playing for a state championship, something that hasn’t happened since 2022. Clarence has also won a Section VI AA title in 11 out of the past 12 years.

Silverstein said other goals have to be achieved prior to the big goal.

Clarence’s girls soccer team had a season to remember, reaching the Class AA state semifinals and finishing with a 19-2 record.

08/30/2025

Beginning just in time for the fall, The Clarence Senior Center is changing the name of the Fiber Arts Room back to the So-Sew Project Room. Along with the change in name comes brand-new sewing classes for all senior center members to enjoy.

“I absolutely love teaching in any respect,” said Kathy Tepas, the So-Sew teacher for the Clarence Senior Center. “I absolutely love when somebody can create something from nothing and their joy of seeing what they can accomplish.”

Beginning just in time for the fall, the Clarence Senior Center is changing the name of the Fiber Arts Room back to the So-Sew Project Room. Along with the change

08/29/2025

Labor Day weekend is officially here! Celebrate the unofficial send-off of the summer at the annual Labor Day Fair, put on by the Clarence Center Volunteer Fire Company.

Be aware - no backpacks allowed (except diaper bags/medically necessary accommodations), and no bikes, ebikes or scooters can be on the grounds.

08/29/2025

Harris Hill Development LLC is heading to the zoning board for its proposed mixed-use project at 8450 Sheridan Drive, but neighbors still have concerns about flooding that was allegedly caused by tree-clearing on the property.

The proposed project would have 85 residential units and just over 24,000 square feet of commercial space spread across 18 buildings — however, the company originally received approval of a similar mixed-use project with fewer residential units, more commercial space and more buildings. The originally approved version of the project was scrapped for financial reasons when a partner dropped out, but not before vegetation was removed — leading to flooding problems for nearby homes, according to neighbors.

Harris Hill Development LLC is heading to the zoning board for its proposed mixed-use project at 8450 Sheridan Drive, but neighbors still have concerns about flooding that was allegedly caused

08/28/2025

When the call came out to help the victims of a tour bus crash on the Thruway Friday afternoon, people from all over the region stepped up in several ways.

Preliminary reports indicate that a tour bus carrying 52 passengers and two drivers overturned. Multiple individuals were injured, and five fatalities were confirmed, according to the New York State Police.

Emergency personnel, including state police, local first responders and multiple medical helicopters, were on the scene providing aid and transporting victims to area hospitals. Volunteer firefighters from Clarence were among those responding to the crisis, and a widely circulating social media post from a Pembroke-based firefighter credits Clarence and Akron firefighters in particular for their professionalism and the evident strength of their training.

When the call came out to help the victims of a tour bus crash on the Thruway Friday afternoon, people from all over the region stepped up in several ways.

08/27/2025

With summer nearing its end and school being right around the corner, every year many local residents head to Clarence Center to attend the Labor Day Fair and parade hosted by the Clarence Center Volunteer Fire Company.

Held at 9415 Clarence Center Road, the fair has run every year since 1922, aside from two years canceled for World War II and COVID-19. This year, the fair will run from Friday, Aug. 29, to Monday, Sept. 1.

“It’s a fun family atmosphere for everybody,” said Clarence Center Volunteer Fire Company Chief Paul Herberger. “We’ve pretty much turned it into a community event for everybody in town over the years; so we love and enjoy it.”

With summer nearing its end and school being right around the corner, every year many local residents head to Clarence Center to attend the Labor Day Fair and parade hosted

08/26/2025

CONGRATULATIONS, to Jeff Markel and his family - They are the winners of our first annual Backyard Bar-BEE-Que Giveaway contest…thank you SO much for joining in the fun this year!

Their holiday weekend prize package includes hamburgers, hot dogs, rolls, salads, paper products and more from Butcher Dave's on Route 16 in South Wales; a new charcoal grill from Elma Hardware on Bowen Rd in Elma; a Charcuterie appetizer tray from Foodies Pantry 716 on Maple Rd in Williamsville; pop, water and Gatorade from Macy's Place Pizzeria on Main St in Clarence & Cheektowaga; a cookie dessert tray from Cookie Jarz on Armor Duells Rd in Orchard Park, and last but not least backyard fun and games from Clayton's Toys on Main St in Williamsville. We cannot thank our sponsors enough for their participation in this giveaway! The Markel’s prize package will be delivered this weekend for them to enjoy for the Labor Day holiday!

All of us here at Bee Group Newspapers in Williamsville, would like to thank EVERYONE who participated by entering online or by mailing in the form, and for visiting our sponsors to get the code word for one extra entry into this year’s contest. We had almost 2,000 entries online and from the mail in paper forms.

We want to again thank our amazing sponsors: Butcher Dave’s for the food; Elma Hardware for the grill & charcoal; Foodies Pantry 716 for the charcuterie appetizer tray; Macy’s Place Pizza for the pop, water and gatorade; Cookie Jarz for the cookie dessert tray; and Clayton’s Toys for all of the backyard games and fun! Without them and their generosity, this year’s giveaway would not have been possible!

Did you miss this contest? Want to make sure you’re in the know for the next big giveaway (coming for spring 2026) or do you want more info on new things at The Bee? Join our email list today for future contests and giveaway alerts! Next time it could be YOU who wins the big prize package. Go to BeeNews.com/Newsletter today!

08/26/2025

The Land Conservancy is holding a free educational program for Clarence residents from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 28, at the Clarence Public Library, 3 Town Place, Clarence.

This program will give people the opportunity to learn about common invasive species that can be found on their property. Some of these common species include Buckthorn, Knotweed and Phragmites. Once the event concludes, attendees will know how to identify these invasive species and understand the best strategies for managing and removing them from their property. Although it is not required, registering to attend the event is recommended.

The Land Conservancy is holding a free educational program for Clarence residents from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 28, at the Clarence Public Library, 3 Town Place, Clarence.

08/25/2025

When students in Clarence head back to school on Sept. 2, all students will be able to have breakfast and lunch for free for the first time thanks to the New York State Fiscal Year 2026 budget.

Back in May, Gov. Kathy Hochul signed new legislation as part of the state’s FY 2026 Enacted Budget to make P-12 education investments, including $37.6 billion in total school aid for the 2025-2026 school year – the highest level of school funding in state history. The budget also includes the governor’s plans to foster better learning opportunities for all students through the adoption of a Universal Free School Meals program and her Distraction-Free Schools initiative, making New York the largest state in the country with a smartphone restriction policy in schools, according to a press release.

When students in Clarence head back to school on Sept. 2, all students will be able to have breakfast and lunch for free for the first time thanks to the