| News |
| LATE NIGHT HOUSE FIRE |
| A fire around 1am today did an estimated $50,000 damage to a two story home at 8410 Ridge Road in Hartland. The homeowner, 32 year old Angela
Hanczarowski, said she thought it started in the chimney as a result of a wood burning stove. Deputies said flames were coming from the West Side when they arrived. The Red Cross is assisting three adults and seven children. The blaze was fought by four fire companies, Hartland, Gasport,
Middleport, and Barker. |
| DEL MONTE TO HOLD TOWN HALL MEETINGS |
| Assemblywoman Francine del Monte will hold two town hall meetings this week, and two more next week, to discuss the Governor's proposed budget. The first 90-minute session will be at 6:30pm Wednesday at the Newfane Community
Center. Another will take place at the same time Thursday at the Community Center in Wheatfield. The others will be next Tuesday at the LaSalle branch library in the Falls, and on Wednesday
in the Youngstown Village Hall. They also begin at 6:30. |
| State Plow Kills Lockport Woman |
| The Sheriff's Department says the 44 year old woman who struck by a snowplow Monday night on Dysinger Road was legally blind. Investigators also say Joyce Garvey had been drinking before the accident. Her son said he didn't think alcohol was a factor though and
says poor lighting on the road was a major factor. He wonders why the plow driver did not see his mother. Garvey would have celebrated her 45th birthday today. |
| WILD WEATHER COMING TO WNY....INCLUDING A HIGH WIND WATCH!! |
| A high wind watch will be in effect for all of Western New York later tonight
through tomorrow afternoon. The National Weather Service says a cold front moving across the region could produce winds of 30 to 40 miles per hour, and guests up to 60 mph. Those strong winds could cause trees and power lines to go down, so take the appropriate precautions. Here's your exclusive doppler radar forecast for
today: Showers, with a high of 46. Tonight: Very windy with showers and a chance of thunderstorms, and a low of 25. Winds increasing to 30 to 40 miles an hour, with gusts up to 60 after midnight. Tomorrow: Very windy with snow showers and temperatures falling to around 20 in the afternoon. Gusts up to 60 mph. And on Thursday: Mostly
cloudy with a high of 28. That's your weather, weather, weather, from Hometown 1340 WLVL. |
| STARPOINT SCHOOL BOARD APPROVES 2 SETS OF POLICIES!! |
| The Starpoint School District has a revised code of conduct and new policies about student substance, alcohol and tobacco abuse. All were approved Monday night at the school board meeting. The code is a method of preventing negative behavior such as bullying and violence on campus. It was passed with some changes to last yaer's code, and is designed to promote safety for everyone on district property. Superintendent Douglas Whelan says the changes were minor, and that the content is about the same, but organized in a much better fashion. Meantime, The board decided at a previous meeting to create new and seperate policies concerning student substance abuse and tobacco usage. The Tobacco policy passed unanimously, but
board member Gary Braun voted against the alcohol, drugs and substance abuse policy. Under the tobacco policy, a student would serve a one week suspension from their school activity for a first offense, and a 3 week suspension for a 2nd ofense. A 3rd efect could result in expulsion. This 2nd policy gives a student the same punishment for a first offense, as a 2nd offense under the tobacco policy. And you can find out more about both these new policies by going to "star point csd dot org"!! |
| AND THE WINNER OF A NEW MRI IS: LOCKPORT MEMORIAL!! |
| It's official! Lockport Memorial Hospital is the proud winner of a brand
spanking new MRI machine, that was given away in a nation-wide contest, sponsered by Seimen's Medical Solutions.
LMH won the $800,000 MRI, despite coming in 3rd in the on-line voting that ended on December 31st. But when Seimen's had the votes validated, Lockport ended up with the most official votes, over Sumter Regional Hospital in Americus, Georgia, and Grant Regional Medical Center in Lancaster, Wisconsin. And it was your votes on the internet that got the job done! So, congratulations to Lockport Memorial, and mostly to you! Because without your participation, there would have been no MRI for LMH. By the way, Sumter Regional Hospital was destroyed by a tornado last year, and although they didn't win the contest, Siemen's decided to give them an MRI machine as well, as part of their rebuilding process. A nice gesture to say the least. Meantime, LMH officials say their new MRI should be in house, in about 6 months.
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| PAY RAISES FOR STATE LAWMAKERS IN THE WORKS!! |
| State lawmakers could be getting a pay raise soon. The New York Times says Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver told legislators about the deal on Tuesday. The Govenor's budget only calls for a pay increase for judges, but Silver told lawmakers that Spitzer would send a bill to the legislature by the end of next month, that includes raises for senators and assembly members. The exact amount isn't known, but Silver had previously called for a 21 percent increase. Spitzer's budget proposal is for a 24 per cent pay raise for judges. It would cost the state more than $4 million a year is lawmakers get the same pay raise as they do. State lawmakers currently get $79,000 a year in base pay. Meantime, local representatives in Western New York are pretty much all against the idea of a pay raise. That includes Lockport Assemblyman Mike Cole and State Senator George Maziarz. |
| SLAUGHTER LEADS THE FIGHT AGAISNT NEW BORDER RULES!! |
| A federal court injunction could stop new border policies from requiring a passport, birth certificate, or some other proof of citizenship when crossing into the U.S. from Canada, if Congresswoman Louise Slaughter has her way. The birth certificate requirement starts next Thursday, January 31st. Under new rules from the Department of Homeland Security, a verbal declaration of citizenship will not be good enough.
Actual proof is required, such as a passport or NEXUS card, or a driver's license and a birth certificate. But Slaughter says that new policy will not be implemented without a fight. "We are researching every way to see what we can do, but whether we can stop it by Thursday is problematic". She adds that she's been talking to a couple constitutional lawyers to see if she has a leg to stand on to try and get an injunction, but she haan't got an answer to that yet, she tells WLVL news. According to the government, more than 31,000 people have tried to enter the U.S. over the past 3 years by falsely claiming to be U.S. citizens. But a coalition of Senators challenged those numbers yesterday, and are also pressing for a delay of the new rules. |
| FREE MRI MACHINE TO BE AWARDED ON FRIDAY!! LOCKPORT MEMORIAL IN THE RUNNING!! |
| Did they or didn't they?? Not even Lockport Memorial is saying for sure, if they have won a free MRI machine, in that nation-wide contest sponsered by Sieman's Medical Solutions. However,
WLVL News has learned that a special announcement will be made Friday morning at 8am at the hospital. And although Lockport Memorial finished 3rd in the on-line voting tablulated at "win an MRI dot com", those results weren't official. And once all the votes were officially counted, Lockport could have come out on top. Sumter Regional Hospital in Americus, Georgia
was listed as finishing first in the on-line voting, ahead of Grant Regional Medical Center in Lancaster, Wisconsin. Sumter is also having an 8am
announcement tomorrow, but Grant is not.
That means there's a possibility that 2 MRI's could be awarded, but we'll just have to wait and see. The MRI machine has a value of some $800 thousand dollars, and Lockport Memorial currently does not have one.
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| MIKE HUNTINGTON ORDERED TO UNDERGO A COMPETENCY EVALUATION!! |
| A competency evaluation has been ordered for the man accused of holding Lockport Police at bay for 2 hours on Olcott Street last week. 42 year old Michael Huntington appeared Wednesday in Lockport City Court for a felony hearing. Public Defender Michael Ingham, who is representing Huntington,
asked for an adjournment so a mental evaluation can be completed. The D.A.'s office also said they were in favor of that evaluation. A follow-up hearing was set for February 20th. Huntington is facing a slew of charges, including a felony charge of 1st-degree reckless endangerment. He pleaded not guilty to all the charges against him on January 16th. |
| LOCKPORT POSTAL SUPERVISOR FACING FALSIFYING CHARGES!! |
| A supervisor at lockport's post office, accused of filling out false timecards,
is scheduled for trial in Lockport City Court. 56 year old Leo Wheeler of Transit Road in Depew, is charged with 6 misdemeanor counts of 2nd-degree falsifying business records. In city court yesterday, Wheeler's attorney, Frank Buffomante, scheduled a non-jury trial for March 5th. Buffomante also said a plea deal might be reached by then. Wheeler, s post office delivery supervisor, is accused of falsifying the timecard for a female employee under his supervision. Wheeler allegedly made false entries in the time records for the woman on at least 6 occasions, allowing her to be compensated for time shen she was not actually clocked in. The female employee has not been charged in connection with the case.
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| A LAKE EFFECT SNOW AND BLOWING SNOW ADVISORY FOR TODAY FROM 3-9PM CALLED BY THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE!! |
| Look for some snow and blow today in Niagara County and vincinity. The National Weather Service has issued a lake effect snow and blowing snow advisory for Niagara and Erie counties, starting at 3 this afternoon, and continuing until 9 tonight. Light to moderate snow will develope in the morning and early afternoon, but it could turn heavy during drive time and snarl the afternoon commute. We could see anywhere from 1 to 3 inches, maybe even 4 in some areas, before this front moves on and the snow ends by 9 o'clock or so. Stay tuned to Hometown 1340 WLVL
for your exclusive doppler radar forecast, right after every newscast. And stay warm!!
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| LOCKPORT CONCERNED CITIZENS IN STATE OF CONFUSION, AFTER MONDAY NIGHT MEETING GETS CANCELLED!! |
| Lockport Concerned Citizens is regrouping after a hectic week, hi-lited by name-calling and finger-pointing. The watchdog group pulled the plug on a well-publicized meeting of residents and city aldermen that it had planned to hold Monday night at the Lockport public library. 3 members resigned from the group over the weekend: Michael Manning, Robert Kirkman and co-founder Jean Keane. Group co-director Diane Phelps declined to link the 2 events, saying the departures were without malice, and that the public meeting would be re-scheduled for a date that's more convenient to aldermen and group members. Phelps is trying to get the aldermen to recommit to a get-together, after all 6 declared last week that they would not attend the Monday meeting. They had all agreed to so so, but then pulled out as a group after reading a threatening letter to a homeowner from Lockport concerned citiznes dot com. Turns out, there is no such web site, and the author of the letter could not be traced. But the aldermen assumed one or more members of the watchdog group were responsible. Commen Council President John Lombardi says they're not the right group to work with, and that they're not proactive, but reactive. Mayor Michael
Tucker also believes the group is behind the letter, and called them vigilantes!!
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| THE EFFORT TO SAVE THE FALL'S MEMORIAL PSYCHIATRIC UNITS NOW UNDERWAY!! |
| Falls Memorial President Joseph Ruffolo said yesterday, that he's more than willing to sit down and talk face to face with county officials, to try and resolve the Medicade issues, which the hospital is blaming for its plans to close it psychiatric units. He also announced a larger meeting on Wednesday morning, to discuss the future of the units, and to present an advocacy plan to save them from shutting down. Meantime, 2 Democratic County Legislators, Dennis Virtuoso and Renee Kimble, are calling for a county-memorial get together. But County Manager Greg Lewis, when asked if he would take part in that type of meeting, declined to answer. Lewis says the county is waiting for written guidelines from the State Health Department, on how the county could speed up the processing of Medicaid applications from Memorial patients, including those at the behavioral health units. |
| DEGRAFF MEMORIAL HOSPITAL TO REMAIN OPEN!! |
| DeGraff Memorial Hospital in North Tonawanda getting a reprieve yesterday from the State Health Department. Which announced that DeGraff would not be converted into a nursing home, as recommended by the Berger Commission. Instead, the hospital will stay open, along with St. Joe's in Cheektowaga, because the transfer of nursing home beds to DeGraf could not be done without endangering public safety. That is huge news for the Tonawandss,
which had lobbied big time against the closure because it serves so many people in the area. Meantime, St. Joe's will become a satellite for Sister's Hospital and not jobs will be lost. However, Millard Filmore Gates will be closed, with the State Health Department to kick in 65 million dollars to help in that effort. |
| ROY HART VOTERS HAVE A CHANGE OF HEART!! |
| After turning down a capitol project plan on November 15th, Roy-Hart School District voters Thursday returned to the voting booth, and approved an $8.3 million dollar plan to improve the district's 3 public schools. Voters approved the proposal by an overwhelming 329 to 174 vote. The results came as a relief to School Superintendent Paul Bona, who said going in, he didn't know what to expect.
But that now, he's very grateful to the school community for its support. Unlike the first proposal, which would have increased the property tax rate by 17 cents per one thousand dollars of assessed valuation, there will be no impact on the local tax levy. |
| BENEFIT SET FOR SUNDAY TO HELP LOCKPORT MOM WITH BREAST CANCER!! |
| A single mom in Lockport has end stage breast cancer and organizers of a benefit on Sunday are hoping they can raise enough money to send her and her 9 year old daughter to Disney World. The benefit is for 44 year old Ann Marie Carullo, who's 9 year old daughter is named Joey. The benefit is being organized by her friend Jamie Aldridge, who calls Ann Marie a real fighter who is completely devoted to Joey. The benefit is from 1 til 5pm Sunday at Cornell Cooperative Extension, and the food will be catered by Donna Ike. Expect to be entertained by a juggler and there'll be about 45 baskets up for auction. Admission at the door will be $12 for adults and $8 for children 6 thru 12. Disney World has donated the tickets but ehy still need to raise about $25 hundred. You can also donate on-line at this website:
"szatkowski.net/amcarullobenefit". Thank you for your generosity. |
| 4 DEAD IN ORLEANS HOUSE FIRE!! |
| Tragedy in Orleans County overnight, after 4 people died in a housefire in Ridgeway, which is just north of Medina on Route 63. The Orleans County Sheriff's department says 2 adults and 2 children perished in the blaze, that was reported at about 11:47 last night.
After a 911 call, Ridgeway firefighters
arrived on the scene and found a 2-story
home fully involved in flames. 2 people managed to escapte the fire, an adult man and a maile teenager. The adult was transported to Medina Memorial, and then transferred to icmc. The male teenager was not injured. Meantime, 2 adult females, one 7-10 year old male and one 7-10 year old female, were all pronounced dead at the scene, and taken to Rochester for autopsies. The names of the victims and the survivors are being withheld, pending notification of next of kin. |
| CONCERNED CITIZENS DENY THEY'RE BEHIND "EYE SORE" LETTER!! |
| A threatening letter to a property owner has caused an uproar at City Hall.
It has also exposed a deep rift between elected officials and a citizen watchdog group that's been vocal about housing issues. The undated letter, recently received by a local homeowner,
informed him that his property was designated as an official City of Lockport "eye sore". The last line of the letter was signed "Lockport Concerned Citizens dot com." The letter was shown to the Union-Sun & Journal on Monday by Mayor Michael Tucker, who also believes it was written by a member of Lockport Concerned Citizens. When the Commen
Council met for business Wednesday night, founding member Jean Kiene stepped up to deny it. Stand by for the next chapter of "As Lockport Turns"
in the next couple days.
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| HITMAN SCAM RAISES ITS UGLY HEAD IN LOCKPORT!! |
| In Lockport, a frightening e-mail scam reached a city man this week, and police are warning the public not to fall for it. A Townline Road man told
police that Wednesday morning, that he received a threatening e-mail from an
anonymous sender who said h had been hired to kill him. The e-mail said the sender had been following the man closely for a week and 3 days, and that 10 thousand dollars to terminate hin!! The supposed hitman wrote that would call off the hit if the man paid him 30 thousand dollars. 15 now and 15 later.
According to the website "snopes dot com", the hitman scam is a commen scheme meant to extort thousands of dollars from people by instilling fear they might be killed. The FBI issued a warning on its website in january of 2007, regarding the scam, and warning people about giving out any identifying information. Anyone who receives one of these e-mails is asked to contact the police, or file a complaint with the FBI. |
| 2 HOUR STANDOFF ENDS WITH NO VIOLENCE!! |
| A tense situation ended with a peaceful resolution in Lockport on Monday, as an
apparently suicidal man held police at bay for 2 hours, near a city elementary school. 42 year old Michael Huntington
is now in the county jail and is facing
several charges after a standoff on Olcott Street. Huntington reportedly
stole a car and drove to Barker to get a shotgun. Once there, he contacted a woman and fired one shot from the gun. Upon returning to Lockport, police saw him crash into a tree in front of his former residence on Olcott, and the confrontation was on. Huntington held off the police by holding the shotgun to his head, and vowing to kill himself.
Meantime, the Niagara County Sheriff's Department and New York State Troopers resonded to the scene, and helped resolve the situation. It all ended just before 12:30pm when Huntington threw down his weapon and was corraled
by the police. He's now facing numerous
counts of menacing, first degree reckless endangerment, unauthorized use of a vehicle and aggravated harassment. Lockport Schools were locked down during the confrontatino. No one suffered any injuries.
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| MOTHER OF LOCKPORT HIGH STUDENT SAYS HIT LIST WAS NOTHING MORE THAN A DAILY JOURNAL!! |
| The mother of the student who wrote a supposed hit list at Lockport High School has been in contact with Hometown 1340 WLVL. Billie Jo Spencer is the mother of the LHS student, who was sent home last week after his notebook was found by school officials. Spencer has hired an attorney and is in the process of meeting with school officials about what kind of punishment, if any, her son is going to face. Spencer claims that her son did not write any kind of hit list, but what he did keep was a daily journal. A kind of diary that included fantasies about fellow students. Spencer also says another student contributed to that journal, and that her son was cleared of any wrong-doing after he was taken to the hospital for a mental evaluation. According to her attorney, Damien Spencer has a clean record since entering high school, and has never made a threat to any fellow student. The attorney claims the journal was found in his locker when the school was searched for any guns, after another student told officials about the list. His mom is scheduled to meet with school officials later today. But since her attorney has a prior committment and cannot attend today's meeting, she has asked for a postponement. |
| FALLS OK'S $50 GRAND FOR PRIVATE EYE TO SPY ON CITY EMPLOYEES!! |
| In the Falls last night, the City Council and Mayor Paul Dyster set a friendly tone during their first work session together, in which they also agreed to set aside $50,000 to investigate city employees who might be violating the city's residency law. Dyster, who returned to City Hall on Monday after unexpected gall bladder surgury last week, thanked the Council for its "trememdous cooperation" since he was elected and during his first two weeks in office. During a later meeting, the Council unanimously allocated $50,000 to hire investigators to check on information that some employees may be living outside of the city, in violation of the city's residency law. The rule requires all city workers hired after 1984 to live within the city limits. Firefighters are exempt by state law from the requirement. |
| LOCKPORT HIGH STUDENT SENT HOME AFTER OFFICIALS DISCOVER HIT LIST IN NOTEBOOK!! |
| A Lockport High School student who allegedly put together some kind of a hitlist with 40 names on it, was sent home from school on Wednesday, after a fellow student found his notebook with the names in it, and alerted school officials. And as a result, a joint investigation is now underway between the district and Lockport Police Department. The student also listed ways to injure the students listed in the notebook. School Superintendent Terry Ann Carbone says the student who owns the notebook with the alleged hit list won't be returning to school any time soon, and that student safety has always been the district's number one priority. Carbone confirms that the parents of the students listed in the notebook have been called and told about the incident. And she adds that once the appropriate punishment is decided upon, it will be implemented.
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| AMBER ALERT CALLED OFF AFTER CHILDREN FOUND SAFE!! MOTHER CHARGED WITH CHILD ENDANGERMENT!! |
| A mother of two is being charged with child endangerment following an Amber Alert that had police from Hamburg to southern Ontario on alert overnight.
36 year old Janet McConnell was arraigned in Hamburg Town Court on two counts of endangering the welfare of a child. Hamburg Police issued an Amber Alert around 2am this morning. The alert said McConnell had taken two children from a home in Hamburg and threatened to kill them and herself. The alert slso said her last known
location was Lewiston. Police say McConnell was found after apparently stopping at a gas station in Niagara Falls, Ontario. The clerk there felt there was something suspicious about the situation and notified the Niagara Regional Police, who had been notified about the Amber Alert. |
| FALLS MAYOR UNDERGOES SURGURY!! |
| Newly elected Falls Mayor Paul Dyster underwent surgery Tuesday night at Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center to have his gallbladder removed, according to the mayor's executive assistant. Elliot White, the head of Dyster's transition team, said laparoscopic surgery began about 7pm and took almost an hour. Falls Memorial doctors made small incisions in the mayor's side and performed the procedure using microscopes and small surgical equipment. Dyster went to Memorial after feeling sharp pains in his side Sunday night. White did not know how long Dyster would remain in the hospital, but said the mayor hopes to return to City Hall on Thursday. The 53 year old Dyster was sworn in last week. |
| 33% INCREASE FOR GRAND ISLAND TOLLS OUTRAGES WNY DRIVERS!! |
| You are now paying more to drive on the New York State Thruway. But some Western New Yorkers are wondering why the cost to cross the Grand Island Bridge is even higher than hikes elsewhere. On a day when tolls went up 10%, those using the Grand Island bridges found themselves shelling out an extra quarter to cross. Tolls there went from 75 cents to a dollar! Leaving anti-toll crusader Rus Thompson
to say: "I think it's unconscionable what they're doing and it needs to be stopped". Meantime, Thruway spokesperson Betsy Graham explained the quarter increase this way: "The cash increase at the bridges and barriers is slightly higher due to the fact those rates are rounded up to the next quarter. That has always been the policy." The Thruway Authority says there are no more proposed increases for the cash rate on the Grand Island bridges over the next 2 years, although a 10% hike is proposed for travelers on the Thruway. As for E-Z pass, there is no proposed rate hike for Grand Island residents using E-Z pass, and the communter plan is proposed to increase 3 cents in the next 2 years. |
| LOCKPORT INSPECTORS TARGETING LANDLORDS!! |
| Starting this week, Lockport's bolstered building inspection force plans to start coming down hard on landlords. Chief Building Inspector James McCann says 2 of the 3 new inspectors who start work this week will be given a quota. Each will be ordered to send out at least 30 inspection notices each week for rental housing in Lockport, mostly apartment houses. Many of those apartment houses are in once grand older homes that have been subdivided into apartments. A process widely blamed for the housing blight in Lockport. The landlords who receive the notices are supposed to mail them back and set up times for inspections. For every 30 sent out, McCann predicted, 20 are expected back. The others will be contacted by the city and ordered to comply. McCann vows to use search warrents if they have to. Penalties for not repairing housing violations by the deadline are fines of up to $250 a day, along with 15 days in jail. |
| PARISHIONERS NOMINATE 3 NAMES FOR LOCKPORT'S NEWEST CATHOLIC CHURCH!! |
| Naming the new Catholic Parish in Lockport became confusing and complicated Sunday afternoon at St. Patrick's Church. The selections that will go to Bishop Edward Kmiec are: All Saints, St, Patrick's and Blessed Trinity. However, a late entry, "Queen of All Saints", made by Sister Rene Ruberto, the director of religious education, may have become the populare choice. There was confusion during the voting and paper ballots were possibly collected prematurely. Parishioners from St. Mary's, St. Joseph's, St. Anthony's and the St. Patrick's churches filled about half of St. Pat's. Some questioned why the new parish, which will be based in St. Pat's, had to be renamed. One man asked, "why are we voting in the bishop has the last word?" Good question! |
| JACK DAVIS MULLING ANOTHER RUN AT REYNOLDS!! |
| Democrat Jack Davis says he is leaning toward another congressional run in 2008. The Akron industrialist came within a whisker of defeating republican Tom Reynolds back in 2006. The 74 year old Davis said yesterday that he's made no official decision on whether to mount a 3rd challenge to Reynolds, he also ran in 2004. But on a scale of 1 to 10, he said he's at a "5" in the committment to another race against Reynolds. Meantime, Davis continues to believe that nobody in Washington has heeded his calls for a serious re-examination of the nation's free trade policies. And as a result, he feels compelled to continue to highlight the issue and will again commit at least 2 million dollars of his own money if he decides to run. |
| LOCKPORT MEMORIAL IN 3RD PLACE IN UNOFFICIAL FINISH FOR MRI MACHINE!! |
| Lockport Memorial Hospital is in 3rd place in the unofficial finish for the Siemens Medical Solutions MRI contest, which ended on Monday. All votes have to be now validated by an outside agency before a public announcement is made declaring a winner. The winner will be announced on Jan. 18th, after the results are verified. According to the web site "win an mri dot com", LMH is in 3rd place with over 144 thousand votes. Grant Regional Health Center of Lancaster Wisconsin was in 2nd place with over 158 thousand votes. And Sumter Regional Hospital of Americus, Georgia was in first place with over 260 thousand votes. The first place prize is a Magnetom Essenza a new MRI machine released by Siemens in October. |
| NHL'S WINTER CLASSIC A RATINGS BLOCKBUSTER!! |
| The ratings are in and the NHL's winter classic was a huge hit! Not only in Western New York, but across the country. The Sabres 2-1 loss to the Penquins averaged about a 38.2 rating on Channel 2, meaning 38 percent of the TV households in western new york were tuned to NBC's coverage. That rating peaked at 43.1 at 4:30pm, shortly before the Pen's Sidney Crosby scored the game-winning goal in a shootout. That impressive rating compares with the 46.9 rating the Bills had for their late season game against the Browns, that had playoff implications. Meantime, NBC announced that the game had a 2.6 overnight rating. That's the best overnight NHL regular season rating in more than a decade. And NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman says there's a good chance that another Ice Bowl will be held sometime down the line. Stay tuned... |
| MARV LEVY TO RESIGN AS BILL'S G.M.!! |
| Marv Levy is set to resign from the Bills later this week. The 82 year old General Manager and former Head Coach of the Bills, met with team owner Ralph Wilson last week, and a mutual decision was made for him to step down after 2 years on the job. With that report being confirmed by 2 team sources and Chris Mortenson from ESPN. Levy has decided he doesn't want to carry on as head of the Bill's football operations, given the demands of the job. Levy took over the top job with the Bills in 2005, after the firing of then G.M. Tom Donahoe, who was also the team's president. Wilson is scheduled to come to Buffalo this week for meetings with the team's front office, and the announcement about Levy is likely to become official at that time. Marv will have an option to remain with the team as a consultant. He did not attend yesterday's season finale, reportedly because he wasn't feeling well. |
| BILLS LOSE TO EAGLES 17-9....TO FINISH AT 7 AND 9 FOR A 2ND STRAIGHT SEASON!! |
| The Bills lost their 3rd straight game to end their season yesterday: 17-9 the final to the Eagles in Philly. As Buffalo finished with a 7 and 9 record for a 2nd straight year. With the Bills simply unable to put the ball in the endzone, settling instead for 3 Rian Lindell field goals. With Josh Reed ripping the Bill's play calling after the game, along with outgoing offensive coordinator Steve Fairchild. Trent Edwards bemoaning his team's poor play in the red zone, and Head Coach Dick Jauron saying the Bill's inability to score points is the reason they lost this game, and 8 others during the course of the season. Meantime, the Bills will meet at the Ralph later today to clean out their lockers, and then it's off to part unknown. |
| NEW YEAR'S EVE SET IN LOCKPORT AND WILSON!! |
| Time to ring in the new tonight in Niagara county. With 2 balldrops scheduled in the town of Wilson and another in the city of Lockport. The first will be at 9pm as the Wilson Fire Company, and is mostly for kids who can't stay up until midnight. There will be festivities for the kids, and Wilson volunteer firefighters will provide drinks and cookies for the children. The 2nd ball drop in Wilson will be held at midnight at the Wilson House. Meantime, the city of Lockport will begin its celebration at 10 o'clock, holding its annual
"Rockin in the Locks" ball drop, at the big bridge in downtown Lockport. Be there!! |
| DID CANAL CONCERT SERIES PROMOTER GIVE PROPER NOTICE TO N.T.?? |
| North Tonawanda Mayor Larry Soos has asked the city attorney's office to review whether the promoter of the Canal Concert Series violated her contract by failing to give the city proper notice she was terminating her agreement. The popular free concert series will be moved to Lockport in 2008, and N.T. officials are looking to find another promoter to take over running the Saturday night event. According to Soos, his city may be able to collect $1000 a week rent from Kathy Paradowski if it does not fill concert dates this summer. But, the issue could become a moot point if another promoter is found to run the Saturday night concerts. Meantime, promoter Paradowski says she notified North Tonawanda officials of her intentions to move the series by November 30th, as required. City Attorney Shawn Nickerson
says his office did receive a letter from Paradowski, but after the legal window was closed. However, is was dated within the time frame specified in the contract. |
| STATE BRIDGES DEEMED SAFE, BUT 3 LOCAL SPANS YELLOW-FLAGGED!! |
| Detailed inspections of New York's 49 deck truss bridges have confirmed that they are safe for travel, state officials said yesterday. The state bridge task force also released a report that says bridge inspection procedures used in New York are effective. However, concerns were raised about 3 local bridges that were yellow-flagged by the task force. The Northbound south Grand Island Bridge was flagged for spalling. The Southbound North Grand Island Bridge received yellow flags for stringer cracks. And the 219 bridge over Cattaraugus Creek was flagged for having a frozen expansion bearing. But according to the state, all those bridges are still safe for travel. |
| THE RALPH BEING TRANSFORMED FROM FOOTBALL TO AN ICE RINK FOR THE NHL'S WINTER CLASSIC!! |
| The NHL's Winter Classic is less than a week away. And as the countdown continues to New Year's Day, Ralph Wilson Stadium is being transformed into a hockey arena for the game, better known as the Ice Bowl. On Wednesday, the field at the Ralph was looking more and more like a hockey rink. Gone was the green turf and yellow goalposts. In their place was a series of "ice mats" that cooling fluid and water will be pumped through. In addition, the dasher boards were laying
at the edge of the rink ready to be put up. The first test of the refrigeration system was set for Midnight Wednesday, and if all goes according to plan, an initial thin layer of ice will be in place by Thursday.
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| VANDALS SLASH SCHOOL BUS TIRES IN NEWFANE!! |
| Vandals struck overnight in the Newfane Central School District, slashing all the tires on the school buses in the district garage. That created chaos as
school officials starting calling parents and the media, to tell them they couldn't pick up any kids this morning because of the damage done. However, School Superintendent Gary Porgorzelski called other school districts and rounded up a flock of fresh buses, that were able to pick up Kindergarden and Elementary school kids and get them to school on time. And all students who take school buses to get home, will be able to be bussed as usual. Meantime, Sheriff Deputies are on the scene and looking for clues that could lead them to the suspect, or suspects, in this case.
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| MAJORITY CAUCAS NAMES NEW LEADERS FOR COUNTY LEGISLATURE!! |
| Meet the new boss, same as the old boss.
With Bill Ross named to serve as the County Legislature's Chairman for the 5th time last night, during the majority caucas held at Suzanne's restaurant. With Clyde Burmaster switching places with Ross, and to serve as Vice-Chairman in 2008, after
serving as chairman this year. Meantime, the new Majority Leader will be democrat Jason Murgia, who was just elected to his 2nd term in the legislature. Murgia succeeds Rick Updegrove, who served a year as Majority Leader, but said his law practice made it difficult for him to do both. However, Updegrove will continue as chairman of the dnomiomic development committee. The 14 member majority causus will include 5 republicans, 3 democrats a conservation and a member of the independence party. |
| MAYOR ELECT PAUL DYSTER TO FIRE SEVERAL CITY HALL WOKERS!! |
| The Mayor Elect in the Falls is planning on making some changes at city
hall. Paul Dyster has sent out letters to the city engineer, the corporation
counsel and the mayor's secretary, letting them know that they'll be replaced once he's sworn into office
on January 1st. The secretary is the daughter of Mayor Vince Anello. Other changes include replacing the department of Public Works managers with a director and deputy director. |
| OPPONENTS OF WAL-MART PLANNING LAWSUIT!! |
| It looks like there's going to be a court battle over the Wal-Mart Supercenter in the Town of Lockport. The group "Citizens for Smart Growth" is planning on filing a lawsuit to stop the project in the next couple weeks, after the Town Zoning Board gave it unanimous approval to Wal-Mart last week. Micki Magno, a spokesperson for the group, says they'll be represented by Buffalo attorney David Seeger during the court action, and that she plans on signing the papers to move forward later this week. The Wal-Mart plan calls for the Lockport Mall to be torn down and replaced by the massive Supercenter. Magno says the town has bent the rules to allow Wal-Mart to build on the site. Meantime, a spokesman for Wal-Mart says the new Supercenter will take at least a year to build, if and when they get the ultimate green light. |
| FALLS CITY COUNCIL GIVES BACKING TO SUSPENDED JUDGE ROBERT RESTAINO!! |
| Embattled City Judge Robert Restaino got better treatment in his home city Monday night than he did lasat week from judges on the state's highest court. The Falls City Council voted unanimously to authorize city attorneys to file a brief with the State Court of Appeals that would hi-lite Restaino's history of work in the community. The vote came after the Court of Appeals officially suspended Restaino with pay, while it considers his appeal. The Judge is accused of jailing 46 people back in November of 2005, over a ringing
cellphone that no one in the courtroom would admit to having. Several City Council members have said they feel the State's decision waa too harsh.
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| BORDER ID DELAY APPROVED BY HOUSE!! |
| Congresswoman Louise Slaughter got her wish late Monday night, when the House passed a Bill that would delay tougher ID standards at the Canadian border until June of 2009. However, the Bush
Administration isn't happy about that, and vows to impose its new border plan
next summer, no matter what Congress says. The bill, which also includes a treasure trove of funding for the Western New York area, such as $2.4 Million for improvements to the Falls International Airport, passed the house late Monday 253-154. It includes language by Slaughter delaying the border ID requirement set under the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, or "WHTL". Slaughter called the WHTI
foolishly misguided, and says it would devastate the economy of Western New York. |
| WINTER STORM WATCH SET FOR THIS WEEKEND....WITH 8 TO 12 INCHES OF SNOW EXPECTED!! |
| More snow is on its way to Western New York, after Thursday's storm that dropped about 4 inches or so on Lockport
and Niagara County. A winter storm watch has been called for Saturday night through Monday morning, with forecasters calling for anywhere from 8 inches to a foot of snow along the way.
Steve Mcglauphlin of the National Weather Service says this storm is a Nor'easter, and will impact all of Western New York with a general snowfall. No lake effect snow is expected, and Mcglauphlin says we really haven't much of that so far this fall season, and that is unusual. |
| WAL-MART GETS GREEN LIGHT FROM TOWN OF LOCKPORT ZONING BOARD!! |
| It appears that it's all systems go for the Wal-Mart Supercenter in the Town of Lockport. That's because the Zoning Board of Appeals granted the project 14 variances Thursday night by a unanimous 5-0 vote. Variances are legal excuses from the town's zoning laws, and granting them means there's nothing short of a lawsuit from stopping the Wal-Mart from being built at the Lockport Mall. There was oppostition to the project, in the form of the group "Citizens for Smart Growth", that was made up mostly of residents who live close to the Mall. But Board Member Larry Haseley says the board wasn't swayed by them because they didn't represent the majority. However, the group has said in the past that they plan a lawsuit to stop the Wal-Mart from coming to town. Stay tuned.... |
| CANAL CONCERT SERIES SHIFT TO LOCKPORT NOW OFFICIAL!! |
| Not only is the Molson Canal Concert Series changing venues next summer, it's also changing days, to Friday nights. The switch from Saturday was announced during a press conference involving Ulrich City Centre CEO David Ulrich, Lockport Mayor Michael Tucker and concert promoter Kathy Paradowski on Thursday. The series began in North Tonawanda 6 years ago, and probably would have stayed in N.T., if not for Mayor Larry Soos' criticism of the event after this summer. That opened the door for Lockport to take over, and the city did just that. The concerts will be held at the City Centre, which is a larger venue than the one at Gateway Harbor in North Tonawanda. The switch to Fridays was made because Paradowski wanted it that way. She says taking advantage of a Friday night event was not an option in N.T., and that was among the many reasons for making the change. As for the major bands that will be taking part next summer, those have yet to be announced. |
| CONCERTS MOVING FROM N.T. TO LOCKPORT NEXT YEAR!! |
| The Canal concert Series is coming to Lockport. With the popular free summer concerts to leave North Tonawanda for Lockport next year, and the official announcement to be made tomorrow. Mayor Michael Tucker will break out the big news at 1 o'clock at the Ulrich City Center. The Canal Concert Series, which has jammed Gateway Park for 8 Saturday nights each summer since 2001, is a huge event that brings the community together. has featured national acts and drawn as many as 15 thousand music lovers to a single event.
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| LOCKPORT RESIDENTS SPEAK OUT AGAINST WAL-MART PLAN!! |
| The tide may have turned against a Wal-Mart supercenter in the town of Lockport, after a two hour hearing last night, in which residents spoke out against the project. The town zoning board of appeals eventually delayed voting on the project, to give it's members a chance to review documents and public comments from meetings during the last 2 years. The board will meet again at 4pm Thursday to consider 14 variances for the supercenter. The public hearing last night started with an hour long presentation from Wal-Mart representatives that drew concerns about the size of the building, its distance from South Transit Road, and its impact on nearby residential streets. |
| JUDGE EXPECTED TO CLEAR THE WAY FOR DELPHI TO EMERGE FROM BANKRUPTCY!! |
| Delphi has won tentative court approval to send its bankruptcy plan to creditors for a vote, allowing the company to enter the final phase of its bankruptcy case. The company had delayed its bankruptcy exit from the end of this year to early next year as it grappled with tightened credit markets. Delphi attorney Jack Butler
says that U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Robert Drain orally approved the plan last Friday, and would enter a written decision today, if he's satisfied with how changes he requested were made. |
| BILLS SQUISH THE FISH 38-17 TO KEEP SLIM PLAYOFF HOPES ALIVE!! |
| The Buffalo Bills slam-dunked the Dolphins 38-17 at the Ralph yesterday,
improving to 7-6 on the season, and setting up a Wild Card showdown with the Browns this Sunday in Cleveland. Trent Edwards led the way for the Bills, throwing for 4 touchdowns, including a 70-yarder to Lee Evans in the 4th quarter that sealed the victory.
Marshawn Lynch and Fred Jackson both rushed for over 100 yards, while the defense held their ground as well. With George Wilson scoring a touchdown after recovering a John Beck fumble. Wilson broke 2 ribs later on in the contest and had to leave the game. His participation in Cleveland is questionable at best. The Bills next tackle the 8-5 Browns Sunday in Cleveland, with the winner to have the inside track to the AFC's last Wild Card
berth. |
| NIAGARA COUNTY RACKETEERING CONVICTION!! |
| A Western New York businessman and two family members are headed to prison after being convicted of running a violent gang that threatened, bullied and attacked business people in rural areas of Niagara and Orleans counties.
David Cain Jr. was convicted of 17 felony charges that prosecutors say will put him behind bars for 50 years.
His brother, Christopher Cain, and cousin, James Soha, were convicted of 5 felonies each. Authorities say they face mandatory prison terms of at least 10 years each |
| NEWFANE SCHOOLS LOCKED DOWN DURING POLICE CHASE!! |
| Hundreds of students in the Newfane Central School District were under a lockdown order on Thursday, while sheriff's deputies and state police
chased 3 burglary suspects through a wooded area in Northern Niagara County.
Two 18-year olds and a 19-year old from Lewiston and Ransomville were later arrested and charged with burglary and weapons possession. |
| COMMEN COUNCIL DELAYS LOCAL HIRING LAW!! |
| A proposed locals-first hiring law was withdraw from Commen Council consideration Wednesday night. The local law, under which the city would require its contractors to hire at least 30 percent of their job force from the Niagara County population, was pulled off the council's agenda at Mayor Tucker's request. Tucker said he had the final resolution withdrawn, so he can be sure those concerns don't also become Lockport's after the facts. |
| TRACTOR TRAILER RIG CRUSHES TRCK ON ROUTE 31 AND CAMPELL!! |
| A tractor trailer collided with a pick-up at the intersection of Route 31 and Junction road Wednesday morning. Niagara County Sheriff Kevin Lociero
said the 18-wheeler was in the left lane heading west on Route 31 when the driver turned right onto Junction Road, crossing over the right lane on Route 31 and into the path of a pick-up
that was also heading west. Charges are pending against the driver of the 18 wheeler, who name as not released. |
| COMMEN COUNCIL THROWS OUT WELFARE FOR LOCALS |
| The Salvation Army in Lockport and Niagara Falls is in urgent need of volunteers to become outdoor bellringers this holiday season. With the Red Kettle Campaign well into its 3rd week, the need for outdoor bellringers is becoming very critical. So says Major John Wheeler, the director of the Salvation Army in Lockport. Evidently there are plenty of volunteers to be inside bellringers, but Wheeler says they need volunteers who are willing to stand outside. Anyone interested is asked to call the Lockport Salvation Army at 434-1276. And in the Falls, call 283-7697. |
| PUBLIC HEARING ON FIGHT AGAINST TOLL HIKE TO BE HELD ON WEDNESDAY!! |
| A public hearing will be held in Buffalo
on Wednesday on the upcoming toll hikes on the thruway. It'll be hosted by Assemblyman Jack Quinn and take place from 10 till 2 at the Mahoney State Office Building at 65 Court Street. It's one of several hearings that'll be held by Assembly Republicans in the coming days. Their leader, James Tedisco, blasted the govenor recently for not speaking out against the increase, asking if Spitzer's silence doesn't indicate support. Tedisco said it amounts to "geographic discrimination" against upstate residents. Tedisco also said the thruway issue and a planned 5 percent increase in suny tuition next fall, will not help the upstate economy. |
| OLD HARRISON RADIATOR PLANT COULD BE RE-BORN IN 3 YEARS!! |
| With basic improvement, a new name and a different spin, the old Harrison Radiator Plant could be turned around in 3 years. So says consultant Thomas
Mancuso of Batavia, who was hired to interim-manage and assess future prospects for the massive downtown Lockport complex, last known as Commerce Square. Mancuso gave a report of his findings to the Greater Lockport Development Corporation's Board of Directors on Thursday. GLDC's stated goals for the complex, such as removing blight, achieving profitability and increasing employment within 3 years, can be achieved says Mancuso, for a price. With Mancuso adding that basic capital investment is needed to make the property more attractive to a range of tenants. And that seeking those tenants is critical in light of local economic trens. Mancuso also predicted that new tenants are most likely to come from a 10 to 15 mile radius, and that statistics show the vast majority of local businesses are small, employing 9 or fewer people. |
| ROY-HART SCHOOL BOARD HEARS CONCERNS OF RESIDENTS OVER NEW FACILITIES PROJECT!! |
| Another 2007 facilities project is on the table for the Roy-Hart Central School District, after the Board of Education listened to concerns from residents at a special meeting on Thursday night. The $8.3 million cost of the new project, up for a vote on January 17th, is less than the first project, which was voted down last month. The money is avaliable through state aid and will carry no cost to residents, unlike the old project, which included a tax increase. The new project will be missing some of the additions from the first proposal, such as a field house for athletics and phys ed. A few residents didn't like that idea, with Dave Huntington of Gasport among them, saying it's a fallacy to think the field house was a luxury. Indeed, he says it's more of a necessity! |
| STARPOINT SCHOOL DISTRICT AUDIT FINDS MANY FAULTS!! |
| Officials at Starpoint telling the state comptroller's office they agree with the findings in an audit of their financial and other district records. The comptroller telling the district they should adopt written policies and procedures addressing the collection, deposit, recording and reconcilliation of cash transactions and the electronic transfer of funds. The report also said they should make sure the cash recordkeeping duties are segregated from the cash custody function, and that the business administrator should confirm electronic transfers initiated
by the treasurer. The audit covered the period between July 2005 and May 26th of this year. The district said they planned to take corrective action. |
| BILLS TURN TO EDWARDS AS STARTER....LEAVING LOSMAN OUT IN THE COLD!! |
| The Bills pulling the switch at quarterback yesterday, for the 2nd time this season. With head coach Dick Jauron turning to Trent Edwards as his
starter, and leaving J.P. Losman to warm
the bench. Edwards had a good run as the starting quarterback for the Bills earlier this season, before spraining his wrist. Losman then took over, and had a good run of his own. But J.P. has struggled the last 2 games, both losses, and Sunday's loss in Jacksonville was the last straw.
Edwards will thus start for the rest of the season, barring injury, leaving Losman's future with the Bills way up in the air. |
| 3-VEHICLE CRASH IN LOCKPORT SENDS 3 TO HOSPITAL!! |
| A 3-vehicle collision shut down part of Davison road Monday night, and sent 3 people to Lockport Memorial Hospital. City of Lockport Police and fire personell responded to Davison Road and Independence Drive about 5 o'clock, after a red car, a white van and a blue
pick-up collided, sending the pick-up flying into the grass, where it landed on its side. Lockport Police Leutinent
Doug Haak says all 3 drivers were transported by ambulance to LMH for evaluation, just to be safe. One driver was complaining about neck and back pain, but none of the injuries appeared to be serious. Police are still investigating the cause of the crash. |
| SKINS SAFETY DIES FROM GUNSHOT WOUND!! |
| Redskin safety Sean Taylor died early this morning, after being shot in his home during a burglary attempt early
Monday morning. The bullet his an artery in Taylor's leg and doctors say he lost a great deal of blood. He seemed to be improving last night, but overnight, he lost his battle for life and died at age 24. Taylor made the Probowl last season and was one of the hardest hitters in the NFL. The bills play in Washington this Sunday.
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| BILLS GET TAGGED BY THE JAGS 36-14!! IS THE LOSMAN ERA OVER?? |
| The Bills coming up small Sunday in Jacksonville, where they got tagged by the Jags 36-14, dropping their record to 5-6 after their 2nd straight loss. With J.P. Losman having a tough day, in a game even he called the biggest of his career with the Bills, after throwing 2 interceptions and comitting a fumble. That could signal the end of the Losman "era" in Buffalo, with Head
Coach Dick Jauron expected to announce
later this week that Trent Edwards will replace Losman as the Bill's starting
quarterback. The loss also pretty much
ended the Bill's faint playoff hopes,
as Jacksonville improved to 8-3 on the season, now 3 games ahead of the Bills for a wild card berth. Cleveland is 7-5, two games ahead of the Bills, who next play in Washington D.C. this Sunday
against the Redskins.
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| GROUND-BREAKING SET FOR TODAY FOR NEW FALLS PUBLIC SAFETY COMPLEX!! |
| Today will be the official ground-breaking ceremony for the $44.6 million
public safety complex in the falls. That's scheduled to take place at 10am this morning, at the building's future site on South Avenue between Main and 10th Streets. Today's ceremony comes 2 weeks after city council members approved final construction contracts with Ciminelli Development and Largo Real Estate, one month after an initial
ground-breaking was cancelled due to ongoing negociation talks. |
| TIME WARNER TO RAISE CABLE RATES!! |
| If you're a Time Warner Cable customer,
you'll soon be watching your bill go up.
The cable company is increasing rates for Western New Yorkers, beginning in February. The amount your bill will increase depends on where you live and what kind of service you have. Time Warner says notices will be sent out with upcoming bills. |
| WAL-MART SUPERCENTER GETS UNANIMOUS APPROVAL FROM TOWN OF LOCKPORT PLANNING BOARD!! |
| The Town of Lockport Planning Board unanimously approved the Wal-Mart supercenter last night, wrapping up a process that began in March of 2004. That's when Wal-Mart formally presented a plan for a combination supermarket and discount store at the Lockport Mall on South Transit Road. However, opponents of the project say they have just begun to fight against Wal-Mart. Buffalo attorney David Seeger says he thinks the planning board's action was illegal, and that he intends to discuss the matter soon with his clients: Lockport Citizens for Smart Growth. He says he expects to file a lawsuit around Dec. 15th. Approval of the project has been a foregone conclusion for nearly a year. The Lockport Mall is nearly emtpy except for a Bon-Ton store, which will remain on site and share the parking lot with Wal-Mart. |
| NIAGARA COUNTY'S CREDIT RATING GETS 3RD BOOST IN LAST 18 MONTHS!! |
| The fiscal management of Niagara County received a firm endorsement yesterday, in the form of another bond rating increase, the county's 3rd in less than two years. Moody's Investor Service, a firm that addresses the credit worthiness of public and private borrowers, upgraded its ranking of a series of 2007 county public improvements bonds. The company's decision will likely lead to lower interest rates for the county, and is considered a signal to investors, that the county's financial position is solid and continuing to improve. Majority Leader Richard Updegrove called the good news unprecedented and a credit to County Manager Greg Lewis and his staff. |
| NEW TERMINAL AT FALL'S AIRPORT TO BE BUILT BY LOCAL COMPANY!! FINAL VOTE DUE ON MONDAY!! |
| Plans for a new airport terminal in the Falls cleared a significant hurdle yesterday. Members of the NFTA's aviation committee unanimously endorsed a 26.7 million dollar contract for terminal construction with Walter S. Johnson Building Company of Niagara Falls. Support from the aviation committee clears the way for a vote by the full NFTA Board of Commissioners, which is expected to approve the terminal at a meeting scheduled for Monday. Approval by the full board would allow construction to begin in the spring with a target completion date of July 2009. |
| BILLS GET KILLED 56-10 BY THE PATRIOTS!! |
| Prime time was unkind to the Bills at the Ralph Sunday night, where the Patriots just killed the Bills 56-10,
snapping Buffalo's 4 game winning streak. With New England remaining
undefeated, and now 10 and oh on the season. Tom Brady threw 4 touchdown
passes in the first half to Randy Moss,
and added his 5th early in the 3rd quarter. The Pats led 35-7 at halftime,
and scored TD's the first 7 times they had the ball. Meantime, J.P. losman
struggled against the Patriot defense,
with the only big play a 47 year touchdown pass to Roscoe Parrish. Brady now has 38 TD passes on the season, and is on pace to finish with 60. With Marshawn Lynch sitting out for the Bills with a sprained ankle, and
Buffalo next to play in Jacksonville against the Jags come Sunday.
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| kEVIN EVERETT WOWS CROWD AT THE RALPH AND ON NATIONAL TV!! |
| Bills tight end Kevin Everett thrilled
Bill's fans at the Ralph and those watching on TV, with a taped message
thanking everyone for their support. In his first public message since suffering that devastating spinal injury, Everett said he's been overwhelemed by all the support, and urged his fellow Bills to beat the Patriots. That didn't happen but the
applause for Everett told the story, he is beloved in Western New York and across the country. Everett was discharged from a Houston Hospital last week, and continues to make remarkable progress from his broken neck.
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| SOLDIER FROM NIAGARA FALLS LATEST TO DIE IN IRAQ!! |
| A 22 year old Sargent from Niagara Falls
was killed Friday in Iraq, when he somehow fell out of a helicopter and 40 feet to the ground below. Steven Ganczewski became the 4th Western New Yorker in the past 3 weeks to be killed in the line of duty. He was a graduate of Niagara Falls High School, where he played football and was an honor student. After 9-11, he was determined
to enter the military and defend his country. Steven was married to his wife Rachael and had a two year old daughter. Sgt. Ganczewski served one tour of duty in Afghanistan and was on his fifth tour of duty in Iraq when he was killed. |
| THRUWAY AUDIT APPROVED!! VOTE ON TOLLS POSTPONED!! |
| Big news on the thruway front to report!
With thruway officials deciding to postpone a vote to increase the tolls that had been scheduled for Monday, because of a conflict in board member
schedules. Meantime, the state comptroller announcing that he will audit the authority, to determine if that proposed toll hike is necessary. Two state senators and a congressman had asked Thomas Dinapoli to look at the thruway's books. A review they say should guide action on any toll increases. Two government officials confirm that the comptroller has approved the audit. As for the scheduled vote to increase the tolls, the thruway board had been expected to approve the increases on Monday, but now that vote is on hold. If the hike had been approved, public hearings would have then ben held around the state before any final action next spring. |
| ROY HART VOTE KILLS EXPANSION PROJECT!! |
| The 2007 Roy-Hart Central School District facilitis project is dead in the water. Residents voted 385 to 331 against the renovation and expansion project that would have raised taxes approximately 17 cents more per $1000
of assessed value. The total cost of the project would have been about 15 million dollars, with most of that being covered by state aid. The amount after the aid would have been about 1.4 million, which is the amount the residents would be responsible for and paying through the tax increase. Superintendent Paul Bona said the district will try to find out what parts of the project residents didn't like. The voter turnout was a bright spot however, with board Vice-President Susan Hughes saying it was a great turnout for such a small district. |
| 11 YEAR OLD FROM NEWFANE IN SERIOUS BUT STABLE CONDITION!! |
| An 11 year old Newfane boy is said to be in serious but stable condition following an accident Wednesday afternoon in Newfane. Andrew Zysek was hit just before 4pm as he was crossing Ridge Road after getting the mail. The Sheriff's Department says their investigation is continuing, but at this point no charges are pending against the driver, 39 year old Judy Peterson, also of Newfane. The boy is at Buffalo's Women's and Children's Hospital. |
| SPITZER CAVES IN....DUMPS PLAN FOR ILLEGAL ALIENS!! |
| Govenor Eliot Spitzer throwing in the towel, and abandoning his plan of allowing illegal aliens to have a state driver's license. This on the heels of a new poll that shows his popularity has fallen to a new low, and that voters would prefer someone else as govenor. Spitzer met with the New York
Congressional delegation yesterday in Washington D.C. and then announced the
idea was kaput. He's been taking a beating in the polls, and said that this immigration issue is a matter for the federal government, and should be revived after the 2008 Presidential election. Meantime, a new poll by the Siena College Research Institute found that Spitzer's overall favorability rating is just 41 percent, down from 64 percent just 5 months ago.
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| MAZIARZ AND HOYT TEAM UP TO END THRUWAY FREEBIES!! |
| Two local state lawmakers want to end the practice of Thruway Authority employees and board members riding the toll road for free. State Senator George Maziarz and Assemblyman Sam Hoyt announced yesterday, they plan to introduce legislation that would require Authority employees to pay when they travel the Thruway for personal purposes. They say the disclosure that current and retired employees ride the Thruway for free is especially troublesome in light of the Authority's
proposal to raise tolls once again. Maziarz says they need to go back and look at other cost-cutting measures before even suggesting a toll increase.
5 board members and over 25 hundred employees have unrestricted E-Z passes allowing for any and all thruway travel.
An additional 391 have passes that allow them to commute to and from work without playing tolls. |
| BILLS NOT OPTIMISTIC ABOUT MARSHAWN PLAYING AGAINST THE PATS!! |
| Marshawn Lynch has a severly sprained ankle, and Bills Head Coach Dick Jauron
says he is not optimistic that the injury will allow him to play in prime time Sunday Night against the Patriots.
Lynch had to leave the game against the Dolphins after taking a nasty hit while making a first down late in the 4th quarter. Since then, the ankle has become very sore and swollen, and the Bills say he could even miss more than one game if the injury doesn't improve.
If Lynch can't play, his place will be taken by fellow rookie Duane Wright and veteran Anthony Thomas, the A-train! |
| BILLS WIN UGLY AND 4TH STRAIGHT 13-10 OVER THE DOLPHINS!! |
| The Buffalo Bills coming back to whack
the Dolphins 13-10 Sunday in Miami.
Good for the Bill's 4th straight win, and a 5-4 record, heading into Sunday
night's game in prime time against the undefeated New England Patriots. The Bills got off to a incredibly slow start against the fish, being held scoreless in the first half and trailing 3-nothing at halftime. But in the 3rd quarter, the Bills got a spark when Chris Kelsey sacked Dolphin's quarterback Cleo Lemon in the endzone,
scoring a safety. Then J.P. Losman came to life in the 4th quarter, leading the Bills down the field, with Marshawn Lynch carrying the bulk of the load, and scoring the Bill's lone touchdown and ensuing 2-point conversion to tie the game at 10.
And with 46 seconds left, Rian Lindell kicked the game-winning 34 yard field goal, giving the Bills a 13-10 win. Meantime, Lynch suffered an ankle injury during the game-winning drive, and his status for the Pat's game isn't known. Stay tuned...
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| A BATAVIA FAMILY OF 4 KILLED IN HEAD-ON COLLISION!! |
| A family of 4 from Batavia was killed instantly on Sunday, when their mini-van crashed head-on into a tractor trailer truck, on route 63 in Bethany.
Pronounced dead at the scene were 35 year old Peter Boyce, his 33 year old wife Connie, and their 9 and 5 year old sons Alex and Bradley. It happened at
about 11:20 Sunday morning, when the Boyce mini-van crossed into the southbound land and into the path of an oncoming semi operated by Brian Hack of Welland, Ontario. Hack was shaken up, but walked away uninjured. It's not known yet if Hack will face any charges in the accident. The investigation is continuing.
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| TOWN OF NIAGARA MAN SHOT BY SHERIFF'S DEPUTY!! |
| A Town of Niagara man was shot early yesterday morning, after he pointed a shotgun at a Niagara County Sheriff's Deputy. 40 year old Michael Rue was wounded in the abdomen and taken to ECMC, where he underwent emergency surgury. The unidentified Deputy who shot Rue has been placed on paid administrative leave, while the shooting is investigated. A paperboy
delivering on his route noticed Rue sitting on his porch at about 5:20am Sunday morning, with a shotgun lying next to him. When he got home to told his mother, who then called 911. The Deputy responded and as he approached, Rue pointed the shotgun at the officer, who then fired one shot from his .45 caliber pistol to "protect himself". The investigation is continuing, and charges are pending against Rue, who remains at ECMC. His condition is so far unknown.
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| 4500 SEATS WITH OBSTRUCTED VIEWS UP FOR GRABS FOR SABRES OUTDOOR GAME!! |
| If you've been shut out so far for tickets for the Sabres "Ice Bowl" game with the Penquins on New Year's Day at the Ralph, there's still hope for you!
The Sabres will make 4500 seats with obstructed views avaliable, via an on- line random drawing. Fans will have to register for the drawing to be eligible to buy the tickets. The Sabres' brain trust announced the plan today, and that the tickets will cost a mere $10 each. Also, both the Sabres and the Penquins will wear throwback jerseys during the game, which will be just the 2nd outdoor contest in NHL history. |
| ANOTHER SEAT BELT BLITZ STARTS ON MONDAY!! |
| Police agencies across the state will kick off another seat belt enforcement blitz on Monday, that'll continue till the Sunday after Thanksgiving. Acting State Police Superintendent Preston Felton says about a quarter of those killed in motor vehicle accidents in 2005 were not wearing safety restraints.
He said they'd conduct 19 seat belt checkpoints and there'd also be dedicated patrols. More than 35 thousand drivers got tickets for not buckling up statewide in the last blitz over the Memorial Day Weekend. |
| FALLS AIR BASE TO GET $27 MILLION FOR ARMY TRAINING CENTER!! |
| We're another step closer to getting the
money needed to build that Armed Forces
Reserve Center at the Falls Air Base. Senators Chuck Schummer and Hillary Clinton announcing that a joint house senate conference committee ok'd spending $27 million for the facility. The action confirms what was proposed in the President's budget for next year.
The bill must now pass both houses and then it's on to the President for his signature. The Reserve Center will include administrative and organizational buildings, designed to house headquarters, classrooms, motor pools and maintenance bays, arms rooms, and others for logistics and supply. About a hundred such facilities are being built nationwide to support the Brac consolidation plan. |
| SABRES WIN IN OVERTIME OVER THE BRUINS 2-1!! |
| The Buffalo Sabres snapped their 3 game losing streak with a 2-1 win in overtime
last night over the Boston Bruins. Clark McArthur scored the game-winner in OT with less than 2 minutes to go, thanks to a great feed from Drew Stafford, who got the game-winning assist. The Sabres trailed 1-nothing
after 1, before Alex Kotalik tied things up in the 2nd period. With McArthur just called up from Rochester, where he was leading the AHL in scoring,
and making that move pay off by lighting the lamp. Next up for Buffalo, the Maple Leafs tomorrow night at HSBC Arena. |
| ELECTION DAY 2007 IS HERE....WITH THE POLLS OPEN UNTIL 9PM!! |
| Election day 200 is here in all its glory, with the polls opening at 6 o'clock this morning, and to remain open until 9pm tonight. And after months of campaigning, candidates say they are ready to face the results of today's election. So, don't let the chilly weather stop you from casting your vote. Meantime, at 8:30 tonight,
WLVL will provide complete election coverage. Join News Director Doug Young, reporters Scott Leffler, John Raymond and Eric Olzak and political analyst Dr. Bruce Bryski for all the returns as they happen. Only on Hometown 1340 WLVL. |
| EGGERT NAMED LOCKPORT'S NEW POLICE CHIEF!! |
| Captain Larry Eggert has been named Lockport's new chief of police. The Citizen Board of Police Commissioners voted unanimously last night and named
Eggert to lead the department, after the current chief Neil Merrit retires on December 27th. Eggert is a 27 year
veteran of the Police forece, and the department's current chief of detectives. The 49 year old Eggert was appointed now so he has a couple of months to train with Merrit. After he was voted in, Eggert said he'll wade in gently, and listen to ideas from the Police Board, officers and the community, about ways to enhance the department.
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| BILLS GET BUMPED UP INTO PRIME TIME BY NBC!! |
| The Bills will be back in prime time in a couple weeks, thanks in part to John Madden of NBC sports. The NFL has switched the starting time of the Nov. 18th game against the Patriots from 1pm to 8:15pm at the Ralph. The game will be broadcast on NBC channel 2. The Bills-Pats game replaces the Bears and the Seahawks, and is attractive for a couple reasons. New England improved to 9 and 0 after beating the Colts on Sunday. The Bills are now 4 and 4, after winning 3 in a row. The Patriots have a bye this week while the Bills play in Miami against the Dolphins. Meantime, NBC colorman John Madden was reportedly so much in favor of moving the Bills and Patriots into prime time, that he didn't even consider his personal hardship: the fear of flying!
He'll make the 26 hundred mile journey in his private bus. |
| BILLS WIN 3RD STRAIGHT BY BASHING BENGALS 33-21!! |
| The Bills got solid performances from J.P. Losman, Lee Evans and Marshawn Lynch and blitzed the Bengals 33-21 at the Ralph on Sunday. With Buffalo winning their 3rd straight game, and improving to 4 and 4 on the season, at the halfway point. Losman was solid in
throwing for 295 yards and a touchdown.
Evans caught 9 passes for 165 yards and a touchdown, while Lynch finally has his
breakout game with 153 yards on 29 carries, and threw a touchdown pass to tight end Robert Royal. Meantime, the Bill's defense held the Bengals to just
28 yards rushing, while Rian Lindell made 3 field goals. It all added up to a complete team victory, as the Bills got back to the .500 mark after starting the season 0 and 3. Next up for Buffalo: the Dolphins in Miami next Sunday. With the fish getting squished a lot so far this year, still
winless at 0 and 8. Ouch!!
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| BODY OF YOUNG WOMAN WASHES UP ON LAKE ONTARIO SHORELINE!! |
| The body of a young woman was found on the shoreline of Lake Ontario Sunday morning. The body was found by 2 local residents in the area of Lake Road and Porter Center Road in the town of Porter. The body is described as a younger white female with long black hair. Sheriff's deputies are trying to identify just who the young woman is, and an autopsy is pending. |
| GOOD SAMARITAN GETS INJURED BY DRIVER CHARGED WITH DWI!! |
| A good samaritan from Pendleton ended up going to the hospital last night, while a Lockport man was arrested for felony DWI. It all started when 23 year old Steven Kramer tried to help out another driver, who's car had gone into a ditch, while trying to avoid a cat in the road. Kramer's truck was along side the other vehicle in the ditch, when another car driven by 32 year old Ryan Teague of Lockport struck his truck, which in turn hit Kramer. He was transported to ECMC by ambulance with non-life threatening injuries. Teague was arrested and charged with felony DWI. The incident remains under
investigation by the sheriff's department. |
| GOP TO FILE DRIVER'S LICENSE LAWSUIT!! |
| Assembly Republicans say they'll file a lawsuit tomorrow to stop Govenor Spitzer's plan to allow driver's licenses for illegal aliens. Assembly
Republican leader James Tedisco calls Spitzer's plan "illegal" and says it would make the state and nation less
secure. Tedisco says it will list five causes of action, including violation of vehicle and traffic law and defying
the principle of seperation of powers between the Executive and Legislative branches. The Republican led Senate says it will try to block the license program through legislation, and may deny funds in the 2008-2009 budget. But the Democratic led Assembly has no plans to oppose the Democratic govenor's plan. |
| NIAGARA AIR BASE TO PARTNER WITH NY NATIONAL GUARD!! |
| The Air Force has announced a key partnership between the New York Air National Guard and the Niagara Airlift Wing. Senator Charles Schumer says the partnership will improve the Guard's operability, increase efficiency at Niagara, and further support the Western New York economy. Senator Hillary Clinton called the partnership
a critical step in bringing the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station back to full strength with a full complement of C-130 aircraft. The Falls base is getting at least four C-130s from the Tennessee Air National Guard's 118th Airlift Wing, which is being converted to a training unit. |
| SPITZER DECIDES TO PUT COLLECTION OF TAXES FROM RESERVATIONS ON HOLD!! |
| Govenor Spitzer has decided to wait till next spring to begin collecting taxes on gas and smokes sold to non-indians at reservations stores. Spitzer
spokesman Jeffrey Gorden saying they moved the enforcement to April 1st of next year. He said soverignty issues had to be considered and caused the delay. The State Convenience Store Association is among those wanting the law enforced. Executive Director Jim Calvin says they'd continue to push in every direction to bring about a solution to the problem. He pointed out the law's been on the books since 2006. |
| LOSMAN LEADS BILLS OVER JETS 13-3!! |
| J.P. Losman came off the bench after Trent Edwards was injured, and led the Bills to 10 4th quarter point, as the Bills beat the Jets 13-3 Sunday at the Meadowlands. Losman threw an 85 yard touchdown pass to Lee Evans to clinch the contest, as the Bills won for the 3rd time in 4 games, improving to 3 and 4 on the season. Edwards suffered a sprained wrist while being sacked and didn't return. Losman hadn't played since being injured in New England 5 weeks ago. Meantime, the Bill's defense was magnificent in holding the Jets to a mere field goal.
Head Coach Dick Jauron says Edwards will have an MRI on his wrist, and no announcement will be made until Wednesday about who will start against the Bengals this Sunday, when both teams play at the Ralph. |
| DEAL STRUCK ON LICENSES FOR ILLEGAL ALIENS!! |
| Govenor Spitzer and the Bush administration have cut a deal to create a new generation of super-secure driver's licenses for New York State residents, that will also allow illegal aliens to get a version. New York is the 4th state to reach an agreement, joining Arizona, Vermont and Washington. Under the compromise,
New York will produce an "enhanced driver's license" that will be as secure as a passport. A second version of the license will meet new federal standards of the Real ID act. That law is designed to make it much harder for illegal aliens or would be terroists to obtain licenses. A third type of license will be avaliable to illegal aliens. Spitzer has said this ID will make the state more secure by bringing those people "out of the shadows" and into American society, and wll lower car insurance rates. |
| LESS THAN 3% TAX HIKE SEEN FOR NIAGARA COUNTY!! |
| The proposed Niagara County budget for 2008 would raise the average property tax rate by less than 3 percent, according to county manager Greg Lewis.
The new budget is to unveiled on November 15th. Lewis says this budget will be a bit unusual because although tax rates will rise, the amount to be collected in the tax levy will fall. That's because the PILOT arrangement the county IDA approved last year for AES Corp. whose Somerset power plant is the county's largest taxpayer. The county will receive about $5 million from AES under the PILOT, but that doesn't count as part of the tax levy,
it has a seperate revenue line in the budget. |
| BILLS TO URGE NFL OWNERS TO LET TEAM PLAY GAMES IN TORONTO!! |
| Will they or won't they? Not even the
Bills know for sure if NFL owners meeting today in Philadelphia will approve their plan to play a pre-season game in Toronto next season, and then a
regular season game at the Roger's Center in 2009 thru 2012. Local and state officials have given the Bills their permission to play in Toronto.
Now, three-quarters of the 32 NFL owners must sign off on the deal before it can be approved. Stay tuned to Hometown 1340 WLVL for latest on this story, from Philly.
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| MAYOR ANELLO'S BROTHER REMOVED FROM FALLS CITY COUNCIL MEETING IN HANDCUFFS!! |
| Matt Anello, the younger brother of Falls Mayor Vince Anello, was handcuffed
by a police officer and physically removed from Monday's City Council meeting, after he accused Council Chairman Bob Anderson of making inappropriate ethnic comments towards
Italians. The 59 year old Anello was taken away shortly after 7pm, and charged with disorderly conduct and resisting arrest. He was released on his own recognizance about 90 minutes later. Anello said he's been told by 3 different people over the last couple of weeks that Anderson had made inappropriate remarks about being Italian. |
| BILLS HOLD ON TO DOWN THE RAVENS!! |
| The Buffalo Bills finally won a close
game at home on Sunday. Nipping the Ravens 19-14, and improving to 2 and 4 on the season. With Rian Lindell's 4 field goals and a one yard touchdown run by Marshawn Lynch turning that trick, and the Bill's defense stopping
Baltimore on a 4th and one late in the 4th quarter to preserve the victory. Trent Edwards ended up 11 of 21 for 153 yards and an interception. Head Coach Dick Jauron praised Edwards after the game, but said he wouldn't announce the
starter at quarterback against the Jets
until Wednesday. Meantime, former Bill
Willis Magahee ran for 114 yards on 19 carries in his return to the Ralph, including a 46 yard touchdown jaunt. He missed some time in the 3rd quarter because of dehydration. Next up for the Bills, the Jets at the Meadowlands in a 4 o'clock start on Sunday.
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| TRENT EDWARDS TO GET THE BILLS STARTED OVER J.P. LOSMAN!! |
| The Buffalo Bills making it official
yesterday, naming rookie Trent Edwards
their starting quarterback, over former
starter J.P. Losman. With head coach Dick Jauron making that decision, with a little help from his friend Ralph Wilson. However, Jauron says this doesn't mean Edwards will start for the rest of the season, but for just this week's game against the Ravens, and then
he'll take it from there. Losman says
he deserves another chance to start, and
was visibly upset by the decision. Edwards meantime, is grateful for the opportunity to start against the Ravens.
Jauron did say that Losman's knee injury
played a part in his decision, and that J.P. is still rusty after missing the last 3 games with a sprained knee.
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| KEVIN EVERETT ISSUES STATEMENT OF THANKS TO WNY!! |
| Bills tight end Kevin Everett issuing a heart-felt statement yesterday, thanking
Western New York for all its support in his fight to recover from his spinal cord injury. Everett says: "I am deeply humbled by all your support, your thoughts and your prayers during this trying time in my life. As you may be aware, I have shown signigicant progree in my recovery. This week, with the assistance of a walker, I was able to take steps. I have also been able to move in my wheelchair, both of which are great triumphs for me. I an maintaining a positive attitude and feel fortunate every day that I am alive and well." Everett continues to rehab in Houston. |
| SEX OFFENDER RESIDENCY LIMITS PROPOSED FOR TOWN!! |
| The Lockport Town Board yesterday scheduled a November 7th public hearing,
on a law restricting the movements of registered sex offenders within the town. Supervisor Marc Smith says the law would prevent any sex offender from coming with 500 feet of any school, park, playground or child care facility.
A violation of the law would be a misdemeanor with a maximum penalty of a year in jail. The law is similar to those passed in several municipalities, including the city of Lockport, during a rash of activity a couple years ago. |
| CATHOLIC CLOSINGS IN NIAGARA COUNTY!! |
| Catholics learned the fate of their parishes at weekend Masses in Niagara
County. Bishop Edward Kmiec announced
the final decisions of the diocesan Faith and Grace Commission, which will
impact Lockport parishes and neighboring
communities. St. Mary's of Gasport will merge into St. John the Baptist to form a single parish at the Lockport
site. The buildings and property in Gasport will no longer be used. Meantime, St. Anthony's, St. Joseph's,
St. Patrick's and St. Mary's of Lockport will merge to form a new parish with a new name. St. Patrick's church will be the primary site. In Niagara Falls: St. George, Holy Trinity, Our Lady of Lebanon, Our Lady of the Rosary and St. Stanislaus Kostka
will merge into one parish, with a new name at the St. Stanislaus site. The other buildings will close. St. Charles Borromeo Church will close, and the parish will merge into St. John de LaSakke, Sacred Heart Church will close, and the parish will merge with St. Teresa of the Infant Jesus.
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| LOCKPORT TO LOSE 40 JOBS BECAUSE OF NIAGARA COUNTY IDA DECISION!! |
| A plan to expand and renovate a corrugated sheet plant in Wheatfield won support from most of the members of the Niagara County IDA yesterday. The lone vote against the project was Lockport Mayor Michael Tucker. That's because the project moves about 40 jobs from Lockport to the new facility. Niagara Sheets, a new company formed by 3 local companies, plans to build a $2.6 million dollar addition to a facility on Shawnee Road. The project will retain 70 jobs at the existing Wheatfield plant and create 20 to 30 more. Tucker asked representatives why the Lockport facility couldn't be expanded. He was told it was too old and is land-locked. Niagara Sheets is seeking a standard 15 year "Pilot" and sales and mortgage tax exemptions. |
| FALLS KARATE INSTRUCTOR CHARGED WITH SEX ABUSE OF 6 YEAR OLD BOY!! |
| A Pine Avenue karate instructor has been charged with sexually molesting a 6 year old boy. 50 year old Williams Pichcuskie was charged with predatory sexual assault against the child and a first degree criminal sex act. He was arrested Tuesday night after a meeting with Falls police detectives. Investigators say the boy was a student of Pichcuskie's for several months. He was leasing space from the Black Belt Studio of Karate on Pine avenue. Detectives were first alerted to what had happened by the boy's mother. Pichcuskie is accused of having oral sex with the boy at his home in August. |
| LOSMAN RETURNS TO PRACTICE, HOPE TO START AGAIN FOR THE BILLS |
| Bills quarterback J.P. Losman returned to practice yesterday, two weeks after suffering a sprained knee against the Patriots. Losman split time during the workout with rookie Trent Edwards, who
started the last two games for the Bills, beating the Jets and losing a heart-breaker to the Cowboys. Losman told reporters he wants to start the next time out against the Ravens, but that it was the Bill's decision, and what ever it turned out to be he would
support it. Meantime, wide-out Lee Evans came out in favor of Losman getting his job back, as soon as he's healthy. Head coach Dick Jauron won't be making any quarterback decisions until the middle of next week. |
| BILLS LOSE A HEARTBREAKER ON MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL!! |
| The Buffalo Bills forced the Dallas Cowboys into 6 turnovers last night on Monday Night Football. But even that wasn't enough to beat the Boys, who got a last second 53 yard field goal from
Nick Folk to win at the buzzer 25-24.
The sellout crowd at the Ralph sat and
watched in disbelief, as Dallas scored
9 points in the last 20 seconds to nip
the Bills, and stay undefeated at 5 and 0 on the season. While Buffalo lost it's 2nd game at home this season as time expired, and dropped to 1 and 4.
The Bills are off next week courtesy of
their bye, and next return to action at
home a week from Sunday, against Willis
Mcgahee and the Baltimore Ravens.
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| ERIE CANAL TO CLOSE EARLY THIS YEAR BECAUSE OF LACK OF RAIN!! |
| The Erie Canal will close to recreational and commercial traffic a bit earlier this year, because of persistent drought conditions in the Mohawk Valley. The New York State Canal Corporation will close the state's
canal system to recreational traffic on Nov. 1st, and to commercial traffic on Nov. 7th, a week ahead of the originally scheduled closing date of Nov. 15th. The change in scheduling is one of many ways the corporation is working to conserve water. The Canal has closed beore Nov. 15th before, but never as early as Nov. 1st. |
| FISHING FAMILY FINDS DEAD BODY IN NIAGARA RIVER |
| A fishing family from the Falls discovered a n unidentified man floating
in the Niagara River yesterday afternoon, roughly halfway between Niawanda Park and the Holiday Inn on Grand Island. The family called 911 at about 1:30pm, leading to a recovery operation that included City of Tonawanda Police and Fire Departments and the Niagara County Sheriff's Ofice.
Some personal items were found on the body, and police were checking with other local agencies to confirm the man's identity. |
| ONE WORKER DEAD AND ANOTHER INJURED IN FALLS CONSTRUCTION ACCIDENT!! |
| In Niagara Falls yesterday, one construction worker was killed and another was injured after a fall at a
construction site, previously cited by
federal and city inspectors as being unsafe. Non-union crews were working at the Holiday Inn Express being built on Niagara Falls Boulevard, when a pre-cast concrete slab shifted and fell. Two of the three men working on top of the structure fell about 25 feet to the ground as a result. 53 year old August Corvison of North Carolina died from what's believed to be massive head trauma. The other worker, Thomas Scerbacki, broke his leg and was sent to ECMC for treatment. Falls Senior Code Enforcement Officer Dennis Virtuoso
shut down the site after the accident,
until further notice.
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| COUNCIL DROPS DIEL RAISE, OK'S BUDGET!! |
| The Lockport Commen Council approved the same 2008 spending plans that it presented to the public a week ago. Bottom line: a $12,000 pay raise for Utility Director Michael Diel is not included in the sewer budget. And after hearing that from Mayor Tucker,
Diel said he would be retiring soon.
the 2008 sewer budget predicts $4.17 million in operating costs, and the water budget predicts #3.8 million. The budget for the 2008 general fund is $21.5 million. Nearly $10 million of that will be raised from property tax.
The tax ratte is $15,69 per $1,000 of assessed value, up 4 cents from the current rate. |
| DELPHI ASKS FOR DELAY!! |
| The Delphi Corporation told a judge yesterday it would push back the start of voting on its bankruptcy reorganization because of a tough credit market. Delphi opened a hearing
Wednesday to ask for permission to begin soliciting votes, but asked the judge to delay ruling as it negotiates for $7.1 billion in loans to help it emerge from court protection. The Wednesday hearing was scheduled to continue on Oct. 25th. Delphi's failure
to secure the loans could force it to make changes to portions of its restructuring plan, which calls for investors to pour in as much as $2.55
billion in capitol and the company to take roughly $7.1 billion in loans. |
| BILLS DOWN THE JETS 17-14....BEHIND BRILLIANCE OF ROOKIE QUARTERBACK!! |
| The Bills finally got their first win of the season yesterday at the Ralph,
where they jettisoned the Jets 17-14,
behind the brilliance of rookie quarterback Trent Edwards. Edwards
finished 22 of 28 for 234 yards and a touchdown, and was picked off once.
Marshawn Lynch scored on a tough 10 yard run in the 3rd quarter, after a scoreless first half. And later on:
the Bills passed on a 4th and goal from
the one, and scored what would be the game-winning touchdown on a one yard pass from Edwards to tight end Michael
Gaines. So, the Bills are now 1 and 3 on the season, and get to host the
Cowboys next Monday night. The game will mark the return of former Bill's head coach Wade Phillips to Orchard Park. He was hired in the off-season to
head-coach the Cowboys by owner Jerry Jones. |
| FALLS MAN GUNNED DOWN OUTSIDE NIGHTCLUB!! |
| A Falls man was gunned down early Sunday morning in the parking lot of a Highland Avenue nightclub, after apparently trying to stop a domestic argument. 41 year old Leslie Haslip died in the emergency room of Mount St. Mary's Hospital, an hour and a half after cops found him lying in a pool of blood in the parking lot of the Highland Bar and Grill. Detectives say they're now searching for a suspect in connection with the shooting: 23 year old Michael tabb. Witnesses say that Haslip tried to break up an argument between a man and a woman, and a fight
broke out. Tabb allegedly went to his car and got a gun and shot Haslip twice in the back. Police say there's been lots of violence at that club lately, and armed security guards had recently been hired. But the guards could not get to the parking lot Sunday morning before the shooting started. |
| HARRY NEAL TO REPLACE JIM LORENTZ AS SABRES COLORMAN!! |
| NHL analyst Harry Neale is leaving the Toronto Maple Leafs to join play-by-play
man Rick Jeanneret in the broadcast booth of the Buffalo Sabres. So says the Toronto Star. Neale, an Ontario native who lives in Amherst, replaces Jim Lorentz as color analyst. Lorentz
announced his retirement last week, after 26 years with the team. The 70 year old Neale will continue to work for CBC's Hockey Night in Canada, with Bob Cole. |
| DELPHI WORKERS EXPECTED BACK TO WORK SOON!! |
| Workers at the Delphi plant in Lockport
who got laid off earlier this week will
begin to get called back to work very
shortly. So says Delphi spokesman Lindsay Williams. Some 600 workers were affected by the ripple effect of the UAW strike against GM, which was tentatively settled yesterday. Voting
on the new contract is expected to begin this weekend across the country.
Meantime, at the GM Powertrain plant yesterday in the Town of Tonawanda, 2nd shift workers returned to the job. And on Monday, Delphi workers are scheduled to have their wages slashed in half, as part of the company's restructuring plan. |
| VIOLENT CRIME IN NIAGARA COUNTY DECLINES BIG TIME!! |
| Violent crime in Niagara County decreased by more than 17 percent overall in the first half of 2007, compared to last year. That according to figures released this week by the State Division of Criminal Justice Services. The city of Niagara Falls showed a reduction of more than 18 percent. And violent crime in Buffalo declined more than 20 percent, especially in the area of homicides, which dropped more than one-third from the same period last year. Meantime, across the 8 counties of Western New York, the statistics showed similar or even greater reductions, with the exception of two counties that showed increases. |
| MOTHER WHO SMOTHERED HER SON TO BE CHARGED WITH 2ND DEGREE MURDER!! |
| Shauna Mahoney, the Niagara Falls woman accused of killing her infant son on September 5th, will be arraigned on a 2nd degree murder charge today in Niagara County court. The D.A.'s office says a mental health evaluation was ordered for Mahoney in city court, but it has yet to be carried out. Mahoney was reportedly diagnosed with post-partum depression. She is being held without bail in the county jail, pending today's arraignment before Judge Sara Sperrazza. The 20-year old Mahoney is accused of suffocating her 17 month old son Trevor, because he wouldn't stop crying. She then called 911 and told the operator about the homicide. |
| UAW AGREES TO TENTATIVE SETTLEMENT WITH GM |
| The United Auto Workers union says it has agreed to a tentative contract with General Motors that could end the two-day old nationwide strike. The Associated Press is reporting that the agreement would shift the burden of retiree health care from GM to the union, and give workers bonuses and lump-sum payments. An early morning press conference is planned. Stay tuned to Hometown 1340 WLVL for the very latest on this breaking story. |
| BILLS GET SACKED BY PATS 38-7....LOSE TWO MORE STARTERS TO INJURIES!! |
| The Bills getting pasted by the Patriots
38-7 in New England yesterday, where the
Pats improved to 3 and 0 on the season,
by dropping the Bills to 0 and 3. With
quarterback J.P. Losman to miss at least 2 weeks with a sprained knee. And rookie middle linebacker Paul Posluszny out for 2 months and perhaps
the rest of the season, with a broken left forearm. He'll have surgury later
today. Meantime, Losman was hit on the first play of the game by nose tackle
Vince Wilfork, and suffered a sprained
knee. He'll miss two weeks at least.
Rookie Treat Edwards took over the Losman and drove the Bills 80 yards for their lone touchdown, an 8 yard run by
rookie running back Marshawn Lynch. But
after a slow start, Pats quarterback Tom
Brady put on a clinic, completing 23 of 29 passes for 311 yards and 4 touchdowns. With the last TD toss going
to Randy Moss, from 45 yards out. Next up for the Bills: the New York Jets Sunday at the Ralph. With the Jets winning their first game of the season
yesterday, by squishing the fish 31-28,
lealving the Dolphins at 0 and 3. |
| GM UNION WORKERS NOW ON STRIKE NATIONWIDE!! |
| United Auto Workers are now on strike at GM plants nationwide, including here in Western New York. The UAW had set a deadline of this morning at 11am if a new contract wasn't reached. At 11:38:
GM officials confirmed union workers walked off the job. GM says its working
with the union to resolve issues as soon as possible. A statement on the company Web site says the talks involve complex, difficult issues that affect the job security of the U.S. workforce and the long-term viability of the company. Sources familier with the talks had said they'd wrapped up work on most issues and were down to determining how much money GM must put into a trust fund or retiree health care that will be managed by the UAW. |
| FALLS CITY COUNCIL TO RECONSIDER RE-NAMING OF STREETS!! |
| Tonight in the Falls, the City Council will reconsider the requests to re-name two streets after two local U.S. Army soldiers killed while serving in Iraq.
Resolutions to change south 86th Street in honor of Srg. Aram Bass, and Lindbergh Avenue after Corporal Lorne Henry Jr. have been added to tonight's
council meeting at 7 o'clock. Councilman Chris Robins requested the matters be placed back on the agenda, after two months of debate and pleas from the soldier's families and friends.
He says it's time to make a decision. However, what that decision might be is still uncertain. |
| PILOT FOR AES IS A-OK!! |
| The Niagara County IDA was not improper or in error in awarding a tax break arrangement to AES Somerset. So said the judge in the case yesterday in a very lengthy decision. All of the plaintiff's claims against the IDA were dismissed or denied by Judge Richard Kloch. The IDA and AES were being sued by the Barker School District, the Town of Sommerset and Niagara County. Kloch's decision brings an end to years of dispute over the assessment of the AES Sommerset plant. A "pilot", or payment in lieu of taxes agreement, was awarded to AES by the IDA in October. That triggered all the lawsuits by the town, city and county. |
| BUDGET OVERSIGHT BRINGS TAXES DOWN!! |
| A mistake in the Lockport City Budget actually worked in lawmaker's favor yesterday. Officials spotted the error, and quickly figuered out that it
will reduce the projected increase in the tax rate. One building inspector position had been listed twice. The
34 thousand dollar correction reduced the tax rate to 5.9 cents, from 11.2 cents, per one thousand dollars of assessed valuation. Mayor Tucker said
he had to laugh that the mistake had been over-looked. No further changes
are expected in the budget before a public hearing at 7pm next Wednesday. |
| KEVIN EVERETT LEAVING BUFFALO FOR HOUSTON!! DOCTORS SAY HE COULD BE WALKING WITHIN WEEKS!! |
| Bills tight end Kevin Everett is making
incredible progress from his severe spinal cord injury. Dr. Andrew Cuppaccino says he should be standing soon, and could be walking within weeks,
or sooner. Everett left Millard Filmore Gates Friday morning, and flew
to Houston where he'll continue his rehab in another hospital. His doctors say he's made amazing progress considering that when he was first injured, many thought he'd be paralyzed for life. Meantime, Everett's mom, Patricia Dugas, met the media yesterday. She said that Kevin has a very positive outlook, and loves the cards he's received from fans. Espcially those from children.
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| PRIMARY DAY 2007 FEATURES MANY A RACE!! |
| Polls will be open from noon to 9pm today in Niagara county for primary election contests. Primaries include
Democratic contests for mayor and the city council in the falls. and the 1st, 3rd, 6th and 9th districts in the
county legislature. GOP contests include primaries for supervisor in
Cambria, Royalton and Somerset. And
for the 1st, 1th and 18th districts in the county legislature. Also to be
voted on today: the Commen Council in
Lockport and North Tonawanda, and the
Town Board in Newfane, Royalton and
Somerset. to find out where to vote,
visit the NIagara County Board of
Elections website, or just call the board at 438-4040. And please exersize
your right to vote won't you?? I know I
did!!
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| E-COLI CONCERNS LEAD TO RECALL OF DOLE BAGGED SALAD!! |
| Dole Food company has issued a recall of bagged salad. It comes after a sample tested positive for E. Coli, but the company says it has received no reports of illness. The voluntary recall affects all packages of Dole's Hearts Delight salad mix sold in the U.S. and Canada. The packages in question have a "best if used by" date
of September 19, 2007, and a production code of "A24924A" or "A24924B". Consumers with bags involved in the recall are being asked to throw them out. |
| THE ICE BOWL IS OFFICIAL!! AND NOW SOLD OUT!! |
| The National Hockey League making it offical yesterday. The Sabres and Penquins will play an outdoor game New
Year's Day at Ralph Wilson Stadium. And
unbelievable, after tickets went on sale at 10am this morning, the game is now a sellout!! It'll be only the second outdoor game in NHL history, and the first in the U.S. The Canadians and Oilers played outdoors in 2003 in Edmonton. The game will be televised nationally on NBC, before what is expected to be the largest crowd in league history. |
| JUDGE FRICANO TO NOT HAVE HER DRIVER'S LICENSE REVOKED!! |
| Judge Amy Jo Fricano's driver's license
will not be revoked, despite her refusal
to take a blood test for drugs, after her April 9th arrest. After a 2 hour
hearing yesterday, Rita Los, an administrative law judge for the state
DMV, told Fricano her driving privleges will remain intact. She also
questioned whether the Judge should have
been arrested in the first place. Asked if she felt vindicated, Fricano said she'd never gloat about something like that. The 52 year old Judge from Lockport was acquited of drugged driving
charges last month.
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| NIAGARA COUNTY NOW THE 2ND HIGHEST TAXED COUNTY IN THE LAND!! |
| Niagara County isn't number one anymore!
And that shouldn't bother anyone at all!! Because according to the Tax
Foundation, Niagara County is now the
2nd most taxed county in the country, after being the top dog last year. The
Tax Foundation is a think tank in Washington D.C. that evaluated taxes in
each county by measuring them against
home values. And lo and behold: Niagara County has been replaced by Wayne County as the most taxed county in
the land. The study also found that the highest taxes can be found in the Northeast, specifically in Western New
York. Wayne County comes in first with a 2.94 tax percentage rate. Niagara County is next at 2.91. And rounding out the top five: Monroe, Erie and Fort
Bend County in Texas.
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| KEVIN EVERETT HAS A LONG WAY TO GO, SO SAYS HIS DOCTORS!! |
| The news continues to improve about Bill's tight end Kevin Everett, with his doctors meeting the media at the Ralph yesterday, and providing the latest on his condition. Dr. Kevin Gibbons says Everett is able to move his legs and his arms, but not his hands. With Gibbons also saying that
Everett has a long way to go before he's able to walk again. And that he's
got no chance to play football ever again. Meantime: Everett's mom says her son is like a miracle, and can shake
his head and even throw it back in lsughter. Kevin is now off a respirator
and is breathing normally.
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| FALLS FIRE BRINGS RADIOACTIVE DANGER TO LIGHT!! |
| A fire in the Falls this morning, at the
Rapids Bowling Center, is now out. Falls firefighters responded to the call
at about 6am, and responded to the scene. Traffic was shut down in the area of Niagara Falls Boulevard and 95th
Street, because of all the fire hoses. Their isn't a damage estimate just yet, and the building has now been turned over to the owner. That's the good news. The bad news is that the parking lot at the bowling alley is radioactive!! So says Lou Ricciuti: a
local researcher and author on nuclear
issues. And in fact, according to an
article in the Niagara Gazette last September, State Health officials determined that radioactive slag was buried under the parking lot. And that
documents show concentrations of uranium, thorium and radium in that area. The investigation continues, and
coming up Friday morning at 6:30, we'll
talk live with Lou Ricciuti, known as Nuclear Lou, about radioactivity in the
Falls!! Only on Hometown 1340 WLVL!!
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| PAT SCHRAEDER IN ACCIDENT LAST MONTH, 9 YEAR OLD GIRL INJURED!! |
| The Lockport Union-Sun and Journal is
reporting that 4th Ward Alderman Pat
Schrader was involved in an accident last month, when he backed out of his driveway and hit a 9 year old girl. But
they couldn't get confirmation from Schrader or the Lockport Police Department. Now, armed with the freedom
of information act, they finally did get ahold ofthe accident report. It says the back of his car struck the girl
while he was leaving his home, at about
835pm on August 4th. The girl's mom told the paper her daughter was slightly
injured in the accident, and spent the night in the hospital as a precaution.
Schrader now says she's fine and that he sees her every day. He insists there
was no attempt on his part to cover up the accident, or on the part of the police!! |
| WHEATFIELD CRASH KILLS MOM AND DAD AND INJURES 2 DAUGHTERS!! |
| Tragedy in Wheatfield yesterday, when a family of 4 driving in an SUV, collided head-on with a tractor trailer on Niagara Falls Boulevard and then
careened into a Lockport garbage truck.
55 year old Randall Burgio was rushed to
ECMC where he was pronounced dead. His
wife, 49 year old Roseanne Burgio, died
at the scene. Their daughters, 22 year
old Ashley and 17 year old Jillian were
ejected during the crash and taken to
ECMC, where they underwent surgury.
Ashley was listed in serious condition,
while Jillian was in critical condition.
Randall Burgio was a 22 year safety officer with the NFTA. The drivers of the tractor trailer and garbage truck
walked away from the crash and declined
medical treatment.
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| LOCKPORT COUNSELOR ACCUSED OF RAPE!! |
| A 38 year old counselor from a group home for troubled kids has been arrested
on rape and other charges, in connection
with his actions with a 16 year old
former resident of the home. David
Clayton of Lockport, a counselor at
Wyndham Lawn, was charged with 3rd degree rape, criminal sexual acts and
endangering the welfare of a child.
The investigation began early Tuesday
after police stopped Clayton's car after
it left a Niagara Falls Boulevard motel
at about 2:55am. Police later learned that his 16 year old passenger had been
discharged from Wyndham Lawn last month.
Further investigation led to the criminal charges against Clayton. Bail was set at $500,000. |
| CATS CAUGHT IN TRAPS LEAVE SPCA OUTRAGED!! |
| Niagara county SPCA officials are concerned after having seen two cats caught in leg traps over the past couple weeks. After not having seen a trapped cat in several years, two have been brought to the SPCA's attention,
one on August 23rd in the town of Niagara and the other Tuesday morning in the town of Lewiston. Both cats were found the same way, with a rounded metal trap clamped over one leg. The traps on both cats looked identical.
The fact that traps were used has SPCA
Executive Director al Chille very upset.
He says a small child could have been caught in those traps. And since these traps had no names on them, they are illegal. State law requires traps to have the trapper's name and address on them. |
| MOTHER WHO SMOTHERED HER SON TO BE CHARGES WITH 2ND DEGREE MURDER!! |
| Shauna Mahoney, the Niagara Falls woman acused of killing her infant son on September 5th, will be arraigned on 2nd degree murder charges today in county court. The D.A.'s office says a mental health evaluation was ordered for Mahoney in city court, but it has yet to be carried out. Mahoney was reportedly diagnosed with post-partum depression. She is being held without
bial in the county jail, pending today's arraignment before Judge Sara Sperrazza. The 20 year old Mahoney is accused of suffocating her 17 month old son, Trevor, because he wouldn't stop
crying. She then called 911 and told the operator about the homicide. |
| NIAGARA COUNTY GETS FAILING GRADE!! |
| Niagara County, along with 30 other New York counties, received a failing grade
for economic growth in a study prepared by the Public Policy Institute of New York State. Using data from the U.S.
Department of Commerce from 1995 to 2005, the institute found that Niagara
County and the other failing counties
did not have growth that met or exceeded the average national growth in any of the following five areas: jobs,
average wage per job, total personal income, per capita personal income and population. Niagara County officials
dismissed the report as old news and said it doesn't provide an accurate picture of the county's future course.
County Manager Greg Lewis said people in
Niagara County are more positive, and the media too often plays up studies that show the county's economy is in bad shape. |
| STARPOINT ELECTION RESULTS NOT TO BE CHALLENGED!! |
| Despite some questions about the reliability of a voting machine in last
Tuesday's election, two candidates for
the Starpoint School Board say they are unlikely to challenge the results of that election. Linda Biernat and Annmarie Reeb were concerned about one of the 3 voting machines that seemed to malfunction during the voting process.
Biernat came in first and won a 3 year term on the School Board, while Reed came in 4th in the voting. However,
Superintendent Dr. Doug Whelan and those
responsible for counting the results defended the vote count, but did say one of the machines has been impounded,
and will be examined next week. Reeb says she's happy that Biernat was elected, and that the proposed land purchase went down to defeat, insisting
she's not a sore loser. Biernat and Rae
Ann Amacher will be sworn in today at 2. |
| BILLS END PRE-SEASON WITH A BANG!! BULLS BEGIN SEASON WITH A WHIMPER!! |
| The Buffalo Bill finishing their pre-season with a flouish last night in Motown, where they caged the Lions 16-13, ending the summer with a 2 and 2 record. With rookie quarterback Trent
Edwards completing 18 of 24 for 182 yards, and running back Fred Jackson
scoring the only touchdown for the Bills on a 5 yard run in the 3rd quarter. Rian Lindell's 21 yard field
goal with 1:46 left won it for Buffalo,
who scored the last 16 points of the contest after falling behind 13 zip.
Next up for the Bills: the real deal!! Their home opener a week from Sunday against the Denver Broncos and former Bill Travis Henry. Meantime, it was the same old song and dance for the U.B. Bulls. They got roughed up by Rutgers 38-3 last night in Jersey, in their first game of the season. The Scarlet Knights came into the game ranked 16th in the nation. |
| JUDGE AMY JO FRICANO FOUND NOT GUILTY ON DRUGGED DRIVING CHARGES!! |
| After a nearly five-hour trial Monday,
Judge Amy Jo Fricano was acquited of a
drugged driving charge, while being found guilty of two minor traffic violations. The justice smiled as the verdict was announced by Lockport Town
Judge Leonard Tilney, who heard the case without a jury. Tilney said the
special prosecutor handling the case
needed to convince him that Fricano had taken prescription drugs, had operated
her vehicle and that her ability to operate the SUV was impaired by the drugs she had taken. Fricano passed a numher of field sobriety and breath
screening tests, but refused police
requests for a blood test. |
| ATTORNEY GENERAL GONZALES RESIGNS!! |
| Alberto Gonzales, the nation's first Hispanic attorney general, announced his
resignation today, ending a nasty months
long standoff over his honestly and competence at the helm of the Justice
Department. Republicans and Democrats
alike had demanded his resignation over the botched handling of FBI terror investigations and the firings of U.S.
attorneys, but President Bush stood by his Texas friend until accepting his resignation Friday. A senior Justice Department official said Solicitor General Paul Clement, would be named acting attorney general until a permanent replacement is found.
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| TROTT CENTER NEEDS MORE SECURITY!! |
| The Niagara County Health Department is calling for better security at the Trott Access Center in the Falls, after an incident earlier this month in which a man with a gun entered the sexually transmitted disease clinic there. Sheriff Thomas Belein said he's aware of the problem, and has presented County
Manager Greg Lewis with a proposal to assign Deputies to the center. Public Health Director Dan Stapleton calls the situation at Trott acute, saying the man with the gun was not threatening, but the fact he had a handgun is very troubling. |
| FALLS POLICE INVESTIGATGE 2ND HOMICIDE THIS WEEK!! |
| Niagara Falls Police have another homicide on their hands, the second one
this week. Two people were shot, one
fatally, on 21st Street shortly after
10pm last night. Witnesses say a robbery attempt at the home ended with
a struggle, and shots being fired. The
victim, an unidentified man, was pronounced dead at the scene. His sister was taken to ECMC with a gunshot
wound to her arm. Police are asking anyone with information to contact them at 286-4553. This is the second homicide in the Cataract City this week. Early Monday morning, a cab driver was shot and killed during a robbery attempt. A candlelight vigil was helf for Thomas Zacher last night. |
| MARK ZITO FILES $67.5 MILLION DOLLAR LAWSUIT!! |
| Mark Zito is fighting back against the Niagara Power Coalition, and in a big way. Zito filed a $67.5 million dollar lawsuit yesterday, against his former employer, claiming he was not properly reimbursed for his work in negociating
relicensing settlements with the New York Power Authority. Zito's attorney,
Steve Cohen says, despite doing an excellent job, Zito is being denied the compensation he deserves. The lawsuit
mentions as defendents both the power
coalition and all of its individual members. Including Niagara Falls, the Lew-Port and Niagara Wheatfield school districts, and the towns of Niagara and Lewiston. |
| DOWNTOWN MARKET TALK STILL ALIVE!! |
| A downtown market in Lockport is still a possibility, thanks to an established produce chain. Niagara County Produce is looking at setting up shop downtown,
but according to spokesperson Jody Chesko, that search is still very tentative. Meantime, Mayor Michael Tucker has been trying to contact Benderson Developement, the owner of the former Jubilee Market on Chestnut Street, to see if they can show Chesko that space. She had told the Mayor the family is interested in downtown but wants to own it's own space, not lease it from someone else. How a farm market locating downtown would afect developer David Ulrich's deals with the city isn't clear, according to City Attorney John Ottaviano. |
| BURN-OUT PIT GETS ANOTHER REPRIEVE FOR ANOTHER WEEK!! |
| Revising the Burnout Pit at the Wednesday night cruise night at the Summit Mall has paid off, at least for now. That smokey exhibition of burning rubber will be allowed to continue for another week, after preliminary test results from this past Wednesday showed greatly reduced levels of Carbon Monoxide in the air. Public Heath Director Dan Stapleton says the levels were way down. Previous tests had showed Carbon
Monoxide readings that were more than
15 times the level they would be in the home. |
| SLOTS FUEL INCREASE IN $ AT SENECA NIAGARA CASINO!! |
| A big jump in slot machine activity is behind a 9 percent increase in revenues at the Seneca Niagara Casino in Niagara Falls. The Seneca Gaming Corporation says net revenue for the 2nd quarter of 2007 was up about 9 million dollars over the same quarter in 2006, to $103.9 million. The earnings were spurred by an 11 percent gain in slot revenue, from $75 million to $83 million. So far this year, the Falls casino has raked in more than $306 million dollars, an 18 percent surge over the first three months of 2006. The fatter bottom line means the city will also get more money. The Seneca's deal with the state includes a payment equal to 25 percent of slot machine revenues to be given to the Falls. |
| ANELLO DENIED IN STATE SUPREME COURT!! MAYORAL RE-ELECTION BID HINGES ON FINAL APPEAL NEXT WEEK!! |
| Falls Mayor Vince Anello's effort to revive his re-election bid failed in State Supreme Court yesterday, when a judge ruled that the County Board of Elections was right to have disqualified him from the democratic primary ballot. But Anello says he will appeal that decision next Wednesday in Rochester. So, if that effort fails, what's next for the embattled mayor?? Anello says if and when that is turned down, that will be the end of it. He confirms that he won't pursue a write-in effort or an independent candidacy, saying "I wouldn't put my supporters through that." |
| WAL-MART SUPERCENTER ALL BUT APPROVED BY TOWN OF LOCKPORT PLANNING BOARD!! |
| It may be October before the Wal-Mart Supercenter project for the Lockport Mall is approved, but it almost surely will be, according to planning board chairman Richard Forsey. At yesterday's work session, attornies for Wal-Mart said some changes in the environmental impact report are all that's needed to move forward. The changes would make it clear that Wal-Mart would be responsible for finding a new tenent for its existing Lockport store a quarter mile south of the mall on Transit Road. A financial dispute caused the project to be put on hold for 6 months. Tuesday's meeting was the first time the planning board has taken up the project since Wal-Mart asked for the halt.
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| ANELLO TO TAKE ON ELECTION COMMISSIONERS TODAY IN STATE SUPREME COURT!! |
| Niagara Falls Mayor Vince Anello will be in court today in a last-ditch efort to save his re-election bid. Anello filed a lawsuit against the County Board of Elections yesterday,
in an effort to overturn its ruling from last Thursday, that disqualified him from appearing on the Democratic Ballot come the fall primary. The main issue up for grabs: whether two witnesses who gathered signatures for Anello were elegible to do so. Betwwen them, their disqualifications cost Anello 331 signatures wout of the 791 needed. Attornies for Anello intend to show that at least one of those witnesses was a registered Democrat after all. and thus eligible to witness signatures for the Mayor. |
| BIKE PATH RAPIST SENTENCED TO 75 YEARS TO LIFE!! |
| Admitted murderer and bike path rapist Altemio Sanchez will likely spend the rest of his life in prison. After the Judge in the case sentenced him to 75 years to life behind bars, as expected.
Sanchez was convicted in the murders of 3 women: Linda Yalem in 1990, Majane Mazur in 1992 and Joan Diver last September. The families of those victims made statements today in court, and so did Sanchez before being sentenced. He said he deserved whatever sentence he received. He apologized to the family of his murder victims, and said everthing said about him by Yalem's and Diver's family in court was true. During his sentencing, Sanchez broke down and cried, before being led from the courtroom in handcuffs. |
| GREEN SEEING RED OVER PASCERI BEING ALLOWED TO STAY ON 1ST WARD BALLOT!! |
| Richelle Pasceri will get her chance to run against Phyllis Green in the race to become a 1st Ward Alderwoman.
Judge Ralph Bonello heard the case yesterday, the promptly ruled that Pasceri had just enough signitures to stay on the GOP ballot in the September Primary. Pasceri is a first time candidate, who says she was relieved at the decision. But Green said she was outraged because of it,
and blames the GOP machine for her struggle. Quoting Green: "Somebody is out to get me, that's obvious"!! Richelle Pasceri will talk live tomorrow morning at 6:30, only on Hometown 1340, WLVL. Be there!! |
| BUFFALO BISHOP CHARGED WITH HARASSMENT AND UNWANTED TOUCHING!! |
| A Dunkirk man has filed a police report against Bishop Edward Kimiec for harassment and unwanted touching.
The alleged victim, Bill Parks, is co-founder of Catholic Parishioners Against Church Suppression, an activist group fighting the closing of churches by the Catholic Diocese of Buffalo. At a church function, the altercation between the two men reportedly got physical. Parks says the bishop "went ballistic", "yelling and moving his arms about in a hysterical manner", and repeatedly pounded Parks in the chest, saying "you don't know anything about this." Kevin Keenan, a spokesman for the diocese, acknowledged that an "animated discussion" occurred between the bishop and Parks, but denied that the incident involved physical contact. Parks and his fellow activists are fighting the close of Saint Hedwig and Saint Hyacinth churches in Dunkirk. |
| PAUL DYSTER SPEAKS ABOUT MAYOR VINCE ANELLO |
| The political future of Falls Mayor Vince Anello should be a lot more clear by the end of the week. Anello suffered a double dose of bad news last Thursday, when his mother died from the effects of a massive stroke,
and election commissioners kicked him off the democratic primary ballot, because of a lack of valid signitures.
Paul Dyster is a fellow Democratic candidate for Mayor, and knows Anello well. Dyster says he doesn't think think the Mayor can get back on the Democratic ballot, unless his expected court challenge is successful. And Dyster thinks the job as Mayor is a thankless one. And trying to conduct a re-election campaign simply snuck up on Anello. He just didn't have the people he needed working for him, and getting the signitures he needed. Mayor Anello will be a special guest on WLVL radio tomorrow morning at 6:30, don't miss it. And you can hear the entire interview with Paul Dyster by going to the podcast section of our website, at WLVlL dot com. |
| JOHN RIGAS AND SON TIME TO BEGIN LONG PRISON TERMS TODAY!! |
| Former Adelphia Cable founder John Rigas and his son Timothy are finally going to jail for stealing billions of dollars from their company. The former owner of the Buffalo Sabres reported yesterday to the Federal Medical Center in Rochester, Minnesota, to begin his 15 year sentence. Tim was sentenced to 20 years behind bars. The Rigases were convicted of using Adelphia as their own personal piggy bank, according to prosecutors. That mega-fraud led to the collapse of what was then the country's 5th largest cable company.
Both will stay at that Minnesota detention center for now. It's been the site for many high-profile criminals, including preacher Jim Baker. |
| ANELLO OFF DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY BALLOT!! |
| Niagara Falls Mayor vince Anello won't be on the Democratic ballot come the fall primary, after the Board of Elections ruled yesterday that he didn't have enough valid signitures to be on that ballot. And to add insult to that injury, Anello's mother passes away yesterday at age 81, after suffering a stroke last Friday. Those two blows might combine to end Anello's political career, although he does have some options left before throwing in the towel. He can challenge that decision in court within 3 business days, which he told WLVL News he would if it came to that.
The 62 year old Anello because the first incumbent in Niagara County to be knocked off a major party line, because of faulty nominating petitions, since county legislator Frank Conde back in 1997 |
| LOCKPORT HOCKEY DAD HAS ALL CHARGES DISMISSED!! |
| All the charges against Lockport dad Charles Schmidl were dropped yesterday by Amherst Judge Mark Farrell. Thus ending the saga that began at the Pepsi Center last April. That's when Schmidl was accused of dragging a 10 year old boy of the ice, because he wouldn't stop firing pucks at Schmidl and his 5 year old son. The mother of the 10 year old vowed to sue Schmidl and the town, but eventually backed off, and asked D.A. Frank Clark to drop the charges. Clark agreed and so did Judge Farrall. Who said Schmidl did what any responsible adult would have done, and should have done.
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| EXPERTS SAY GRAND ISLAND BRIDGES ARE SAFE!! |
| Both an independent bridge safety expert and the state Thruway Authority
say the Grand Island bridges are safe.
That news comes in the wake of the collapse of the Minneapolis bridge, which has the same design the Grand Island bridges do. New York inspects its bridges every other year. The south Grand Island bridges were inspected last year, and an inspection of the north bridges began in June. |
| LACK OF VALID SIGNATURES PUTS ANELLO RUN IN JEPORDY!! |
| A process that could knock Niagara Falls Mayor Vince Anello out of the Democratic primary took a big leap forward on Tuesday, when Niagara County Board of Elections commissioners voided nearly 500 of his election petition signatures. Democratic ComissionerNancy Smith said if about 100 more of the challenged signatures are deemed invalid, Anello will not have enough to stay on the ballot. She didn't know how many more signatures are left to be investigated.
That process will continue today. If the board rules against Anello, he has the option of challenging the decision in court. |
| FRICANO TO FACE JUDGE, NOT A JURY, WHEN HER DRUGGED DRIVING TRIAL STARTS LATER THIS MONTH!! |
| State Supreme Court justice Amy Jo Fricano will face a judge and not a jury, when she stands trial later this month on drugged driving charges. During a brief hearing in Lockport Town Court Tuesday afternoon. Fricano's lawyer, Joel Daniels, and a special prosecutor both agreed on a trial date of August 27th. The case will be heard by Town Justice Leonard
Tilney Jr. Both attornies predict the trial will not last more than a day!!
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| ESCAPED BROWN BEAR HAS BEEN CAPTURED!! |
| A 350-pound brown bear that escaped overnight from a nature park near Fort Erie has been captured in an area near the zoo property. Police and other officials cornered and tranquilized
the bear in a heavily wooded area along Ott Road behind the Zooz Nature Park. The facility is about five miles from Crystal Beach. The bear, named "Willy", is a five-year old brown bear, not a 700-pound grizzly bear as described by police earlier in the day. He was taken back to the park by firefighters, who carried the tranquilized bear out of the woods on a tarp. |
| GREEN FILES SUIT AGAINST OPPONENT!! |
| A signature on a nominating petition belonging to a newcomer First Ward candidate is being taken to Niagara County State Supreme Court. Second Ward Alderwoman Phyllis Green had an order to show cause filed on her behalf Tuesday afternoon to invalidate the designating petition. The lawsuit names the defendent as Green's First Ward primary opponent Richelle Pasceri, and both county Board of Election commissioners. Pasceri was served with papers on Wednesday, telling her to appear in a week in a Niagara Falls courtroom. She said losing the suit would bump her off the ballot because it questions the validity of a signiture she needs. |
| RESULTS OF DNA FROM PITBULL SHOW NO HUMAN INVOLVMENT!! |
| Lockport Police say DNA results show no human involvment in the sexual assault of a two year boy on July 8th,
by the family pitbull named Bear. Police Chief Neil Merritt says they continue to investigate how a pitbull could sodomize the toddler. They're looking into the possibility the dog may have been trained, but they don't know by who. Some experts are saying it's not possible for a dog to do that without being trained, but others say it's very possible. The pitbull has been evaluated by animal behaviorists, and the results of that evaluation will be turned over to the police. |
| FISHER PRICE RECALLS ALMOST A MILLION TOYS BECAUSE OF LEADED PAINT!! |
| Another Chinese product is being recalled, and this one hits too close to home. Fisher Price is realling 83 types of toys, because their paint contains excessive amounts of lead. Those toys include the popular Big Bird, Elmo, Doran and Diego characters. The worldwide recall announced yesterday involves some 967,000 plastic preschool toys made by a chinese vendor and sold in the U.S.
between May and August. It's the latest in a wave of recalls that have heightened global concern about the safety of Chinese made products. |
| HARASSMENT CHARGES AGAINST MAYOR ANELLO DISMISSED!! |
| Falls Mayor Vince Anello has been cleared of the harassment charges against him filed by Roger Trevino, if there's no more trouble by Anello in the next 6 months. Anello's attorney Joel Daniels accused Trevino of "puffing up" the harassment charges against the mayor, in order to cause him embarassment in an election year.
Daniels also said it was just an altercation between two guys who don't like each other. The incident occured on June 26th, when Trevino locked a gym on 13th street, preventing disadvantaged kids from having breakfest. The mayor showed up and blew his stack, cursing and threatening Trevino. Anello admitted to losing his temper and called the harassment charge ridiculous. |
| FIERY THRUWAY CRASH KILLS TRUCKER!! |
| The driver of a tractor trailer was killed this morning, when his truck went off the Thruway in Hamburg and burst into flames, State Police reported. Troopers still were trying to confirm the identity of the driver, who was pronounced dead at the scene. Officials said the truck was eastbound, between Exits 56 and 57 at ahout 7am, when it went through the median, crossed into the westbound lanes and then went into the woods, causing the cab to catch on fire. Following the fatal crash, police closed one of the two westbound lanes during the early part of the morning rush hour. |
| WHEATFIELD MAN DEAD AFTER TRUCK HITS TREE!! |
| The Niagara County Sheriff's department is investigating a fatal accident last night on Nash Road in the town of Wheatfield. Deputies say the driver of a blue Chevy Pick-up was heading southbound when he lost control of his vehicle and hit a tree. The driver was partially ejected from the truck and died at the scene. The man's name was not released. Investigators don't know what caused the crash. The man was traveling with a dog, who survived the accident, and was taken away by the SPCA. |
| $1 BILLION DATA CENTER COMING TO CAMBRIA!! |
| HSBC bank wants to build a $1 Billion dollar data center in the town of Cambria. But no one at the bank seems to know when contruction would begin on such a project. The data center would be huge, as in 275 thousand square feet. The project would be a boon to Cambria, by adding $14.5 million to the town, school district and county coffers in property tax payments over 15 years. And it would be good for HSBC as well. They would save some $89.5 million because of tax breaks, with most of that sales tax on equipment. And as for jobs, a total of about 550 new, construction and indirect jobs would be created by this new data center. An HSBC spokeswoman says she didn't know when the project would get started, and offered few details. |
| 3 YEAR OLD BOY IN TOWN OF LOCKPORT DIES FROM FALL DOWN FLIGHT OF STAIRS!! |
| Tragedy in the town of Lockport over the weekend, when a 3 year old boy died after falling down a flight of 13 stairs outside the family apartment. Police were called on Saturday and found the little boy unconscious in the Robinson Road apartment building.
He was transported by Mercy Flight to Women's and Children's Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Sheriff Deputies are investigating the fatal fall, and an autopsy will be performed to determine the exact cause of death.
A small tribute to the 3 year old sits outside the family's door. |
| BILLS TRADE DARWIN WALKER TO THE BEARS FOR 5TH ROUND PICK!! |
| The Buffalo Bills making a trade on Sunday, sending disgruntled defensive tackle Darwin Walker to the Chicago Bears, in return for a 5th round draft pick. The Bills acquired Walker from the Eagles, when they traded Takeo Spikes and Kelly Holcomb to Philly in the off-season. Walker had demanded the Bills re-negociate his contract, which had 2 years to run. But Marv Levy wasn't interested. The Bills are thin at defensive tackle, but have been bolstered by the return of last year's number one draft pick John McCargo, who broke his foot after just 5 games last season. He suffered the same kind of injury in college. Training camp continues today for the Bills, with a single workout at 11am at St. John Fisher. |
| FALLS MAYOR CHARGED WITH HARASSMENT!! |
| Harassment charges have been formally filed against Falls Mayor Vince Anello, over that confrontation with Roger Trevino last month. The charges were filed by Erie County D.A. Frank Clark, after Matt Murphy: the Niagara County D.A. passed on the case. On June 26th, Anello allegedly swore and threatened Trevino over the use of a gym on 13th street. It was going to be used as a breakfest place for disadvantaged kids. But Trevino and the NFR denied access because of insurance concerns. That rubbed Anello the wrong way, and he exploded. He'll be in court next Tuesday to answer those charges, and faces 15 days in jail and a $250 fine if convicted. |
| RIDGEWAY GETS 50 YEARS TO LIFE, GIVES FINGER TO JUDGE!! |
| Javon Ridgeway was sentenced to 50 years to life in state prison yesterday, for the execution style killing of his ex-girlfriend, and the wounding of her cousin. R1idgeway responded to the Judge's maximum sentence by making an obscene gesture!
He was convicted of killing Lanerra Street last Sept. 9th. as she lay on the floor of her 9th street apartment. he then shot her cousin Nicole Nabors as she sat on the couch, leaving her a paraplegic. |
| ROY AVOIDS ARBITRATION WITH SABRES, BILLS SIGN FIRST ROUND PICK LYNCH!! |
| Derek Roy signed a new 6 year contract with the Sabres, avoiding his arbitration hearing that was scheduled for later today. Terms were not disclosed, but the 3rd year center had a career year last season, with 63 points on 21 goals and 42 assists in 75 games. Sabres G.M. Darcy Regeir praised Roy, calling him a solid young player who's just going to get better. Meantime, The Bills signed their first round pick late last night.
Marshawn Lynch will get almost $19 million over the next 5 years. He missed the first two practices of training camp yesterday, but will be in attendence at St. John Fisher today. Starting quarterback J.P. Losman also missed the first day of practice, with a lower back strain caused by lifting weights. He's listed as day to day. |
| LOSMAN MISSED FIRST DAY OF BILLS TRAINING CAMP WITH BAD BACK!! |
| Bills quarerback J.P. Losman missed the first day of Bill's training camp today, after injuring his back lifting weights. Losman is listed as day to day with a lower back strain. He hurt his back on Tuesday in the weight room
Rookies and veterans reported yesterday at St. John Fisher, and today marks one of the few 2-d-days of training camp. Today's first practice was at 8:30 and the second is at 2:30.
2nd round pick Paul Posluszny signed in time to work it out today, but first round pick Marshawn Lynch did not, making him a holdout. |
| GRAND ISLAND MAN SHOT DEAD BY SHERIFF'S DEPUTY!! |
| A bizarre shooting on Grand Island last night left a man dead and a woman wounded, with a sheriff's deputy shooting the man when he didn't drop his weapon as ordered. Police responded to a call about an attempted suicide at about 10 o'clock, and found a man chasing a woman and shooting at her. Authorities told him to stop, but he began firing at them. He was then shot dead. The woman was wounded and taken to ECMC, with non-life threatening injuries. Deputies then found a pipe bomb in the man's backpack, and the bomb squad was called. Some homes were evacuated as a precaution. Investigators aren't releasing the man's name, or the woman's. They are trying to figure out if they were in a relationship. |
| DNA TIES BIKE PATH RAPIST TO 8 MORE RAPES!! |
| The man known as the Bike Path Rapist has been linked by DNA to 8 more rapes across Western New York. Altemio Sanchez is currently awaiting sentencing, after pleading guilty to 3 murders. Now he's got at least 8 more rapes to worry about, and possibly as many as 23. Erie County D.A. Frank Clark says DNA slides at ECMC from the 80's and 90's prove that Sanchez committed many of those unsolved rapes. But because their statute of limitations has expired, Sanchez will not stand trial for any of them!! |
| WAL-MART WANTS SUPERCENTER IN TOWN OF LOCKPORT AFTER ALL!! |
| Wal-Mart is back on the Town of Lockport's agenda, with a final deal still pending between the mega-retailer and the Lockport Mall property owner. A Wal-Mart attorney sent a letter to town officials last week, asking for the project to be placed on the planning board's work session agenda on August 14th. The renewal of the project comes 6 months after Wal-Mart pulled it off the table, and started looking at other sites in the area for a supercenter. Now negociations are back on with General Growth Properties, who owns the old Lockport Mall. Town Supervisor Marc Smith says Wal-Mart was a week or two away from getting a decision on its site plan. We'll keep you posted!! |
| HOCKEY MOM NIXES SUIT AGAINST AMHERST, WANTS CHARGES DROPPED AGAINST LOCKPORT MAN!! |
| The hockey mom who's son was dragged off the ice by a Lockport man has had a change of heart, and won't be suing the Town of Amherst. Charlene Van Dusen filed the papers for such a suit last week, but has grown tired of all the media attention and bashing on various Internet sites. She also says she would like the charges against Charles Schmidl dropped. Erie County D.A. Frank Clark says if she calls him and makes that request, he'd certainly consider it. Van Dusen says all the publicity surrounding the incident has left her wary and frustrated. She also noted that she grounded her son for two weeks after he was dragged off he ice at the Pepsi Center by Schmidl,
who snapped after her son wouldn't stop firing pucks at his son. |
| CHURCH SECRETARY GETS 6 MONTHS FOR STEALING $488,000 FROM ST. CHRITOPHERS!! |
| A church secretary at St. Christopher's CAtholic Church was sentenced to 6 months in jail yesterday, for stealing $488,000
over the course of 7 years. 48 year old Maureen Durrell cried openly as she apologized for her crime in front of her family in court. With Judge Penny Wolfgang also ordering her to repay $135,000 to the church in restitution. Erie County D.A. Frank Clark says one mistake St. Chris made was not firing Durell immediately, after they discovered the thefts some 9 months before she was finally arrested. More money was taken during that period, and church records were destroyed. |
| SIEJAK STEPS ASIDE AT UAW |
| The man who's been the president of United Auto Workers, Local 686, Unit One, at Delphi for the last 7 years, stepped aside yesterday. Paul Siejak, who is a 31 year employee at Harrison Radiator and Delphi, appointed Daniel Schrader interim president. Schrader had been the second vice president.
Siejak, who has worked at the auto plant since 1976, retired on January 1st, 2007. He has not received any pay since December 31st, 2006. |
| BANKRUPTCY JUDGE APPROVES SETTLEMENT BETWEEN DELPHI AND UAW!! |
| A Federal Bankruptcy Judge has approved a settlement between Delphi and the UAW that reduces wages and benefits for about 16 thousand workers.
Delphi also announced a proposal from a group led by Appalossa Management, to invest $2.55 billion in exchange for stock in the reorganized company.
Delphi picked Appaloosa over rival Highland Capitol, which submitted a bid it says was worth $3.3 billion. The settlement with the UAW means Delphi is now on solid ground with its largest union. The company expects to emerge from bankruptcy before the end of the year. |
| NIAGARA IDA REJECTS TAX BREAKS FOR 1ST NIAGARA BANK!! |
| The Niagara County IDA did something it rarely does yesterday, deny an application for tax breaks. The IDA board of directors said no to an application from 1st Niagara Bank to save $200,000 in sales tax for equipment and materials to upgrade its data center. 4 members of the board wanted to allow those savings, but IDA Chairman Henry Sloma's vote against it prevented the deal from happening, along with an absence of 4 members during the board meeting. However, the application can be re-submitted to the Project Review Committee, and if it passes there, it can be brought again before the full board. |
| HARSH WORDS FOR COALTION FROM STATE AUDIT!! |
| The state comptroller's office issued a harsh audit of the Niagara Power Coalition's past practices yesterday, but stopped short of saying the actions of anyone involved were criminal. "There is a complete lack of financial oversight at the Niagara Power Coalition", said State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli. "No one was looking out for the public's interest". The state audit was very critical of former Executive Director Mark Zito, accusing him of mis-using funds and spending them on his finacee. Zito announced yesterday that he'll be suing the coalition and seeking greater compensation for his work negotiating with the New York Power Authority. |
| LOCKPORT LAWMAKERS GIVE GREEN LIGHT TO PAY HIKE!! |
| The Lockport Commen Council voted itself a 23% pay raise over 2 years last night, despite criticism from the public. In a 5-nothing vote, the council's pay will rise from the current $6500 a year to $7250 in 2008 and $8000 in 2009. The Council President will continue to earn $500 a year more than his collegues. The council also approved a series of four 5% raises for for city treasurer Michael White. |
| 2 YEAR OLD BOY CRITICAL AFTER BEING FOUND BY PARENTS IN A WADING POOL!! |
| A 2 year old boy is in critical condition, after being found in a wading pool by his parents yesterday in West Seneca. Police say the parents were cleaing the garage and lost sight of the toddler playing in his toy room. A search of the house proved fruitless, before the boy was discovered laying face down in 20 inches of water in an infatable pool in the back yard. He was rushed to Mercy Hospital where he was stabalized and then transported to Women's and Children's Hospital. He's listed in critical condition. The yard was fenced in and there was no ladder in the pool. Police say the incident is under investigation. |
| 10 YEAR OLD GIRL RESCUED FROM WOODLAWN BEACH DIES!! |
| An East Aurora girl has died at Women's and Children's Hospital after a rescue from Lake Erie off Woodlawn Beach. Authorities say 10 year old Bethany Morgan was not breathing when a lifeguard and a citizen pulled her from the water Monday aftertoon. She was revived on the way to the hospital, but unfortunately, passed away yesterday afternoon. Funeral arrangements are now pending. |
| NEWFANE TEENS APPEAR IN COURT AND GET A REPRIEVE OF SORTS!! |
| The 4 Newfane High teens accused of trespassing will not have those charges on their record, if they stay out of trouble for the next few months.
A Newfane judge issued that ruling Tuesday afternoon, clearing "The Heads" of any wrong-doing, after their impromtu concert on the roof during the last day of class created a furor.
It was all part of a senior prank that resulted in those trespassing charges being filed, and the boys being banned from graduating with the rest of their class. The Heads found themselves in the spotlight last week when the band Moe invited them to play at the Thursday at the Square, where they got a standing ovation. All 4 will be attending NCCC in the fall. |
| GOVENOR SPITZER COMES TO WESTERN NEW YORK!! |
| Govenor Eliot Spitzer will be in Western New York today, taking a tour of the Harbor with Congressman Brian Higgins, and meeting with Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown. The purpose of the visit is economic developement, giving the govenor a chance to update local officials on efforts underway in Albany to help the area, and to listen to concerns of local business executives and politicians. Spitzer will also be meeting with the Amherst Chamber of Commerce to talk about regional issues. That meeting is closed to the press. |
| JUDGE AMY FRICANO CALLS THE POLICE AFTER TRESPASSING SCARE!! |
| Judge Amy Jo Fricano called the police to her home over the weekend, after a trespassing scare that proved to be a false alarm. Police arrived at her Lockport home Friday evening, after the Judge thought she heard someone on her property. A search of her residence and the surrounding grounds found no intruders, and officers left soon after. Fricano will be going to trial on drugged driving charges, after the Judge in the case rejected a defense motion to dismiss the case. Defense Attorney Joel Daniels claimed officers had no probable cause to arrest her, and took too long to do so. Judge Leonard Tilney ruled otherwise, setting up a trial that should begin soon. We'll keep you posted!! |
| FRICANO DRUGGED DRIVING CASE GOING TO TRIAL...AFTER MOTION TO DISMISS IS REJECTED!! |
| It's full speed ahead in the drugged driving case against Judge Amy Jo Fricano. That's because the Judge in the case, Leonard Tilney, denied the defense motion to dismiss the charges against her yesterday. Tilney ruled that officers had ample probable cause to stop and arrest her on April 9th. Defense Attorney Joel Daniels had challenged the validity of the arrest,
arguing that Fricano was held in custody too long before being arrested,
and that the officers had no probable cause to accuse her of being under the influence of pain-killing drugs. Tilney ruled otherwise, leaving Special Prosecutor Leonard Krawcheck to call the judge's decision "well-reasoned". Next up, the trial of Judge Fricano, with Daniels saying he has no interest in the plea bargin. And it's expected the trial will be decided by Judge Tilney and not a jury. |
| NEWFANE TEENS PLAY DURING NIAGARA IN THE SQUARE, AFTER BEING INVITED BY THE BAND "MOE"!! |
| The Newfane High teens who got in trouble for playing on the roof of their school got a big break yesterday,
after they were invited to perform during Thursday at the Square by the headlining band "Moe". The teens will be in court next Tuesday to face criminal trespassing charges, which were filed against them after their impromtu concert on the roof on the last day of classes. The Newfane School Board has asked the District Attorney to drop the charges against them. Meantime, the Heads got a standing ovation from the audience at Thursday at the Square, and the boys in the band were very grateful to Moe for the invitation. |
| 2 YEAR OLD BOY IN CRITICAL CONDITION SUFFERING FROM SYMTOMES OF SHAKEN BABY SYNDROME!! |
| A 2 month old boy is in critical condition at Women's and Children's Hospital, with injuries that resemble shaken baby syndrome. The father of the boy, 18 year old Jamal Garner, was baby-sitting him Wednesday night, when he called the mother and said something was wrong with the toddler. He was rushed to the hospital suffering from internal bleeding and swelling to his brain. Police say they are investigating the case, and that Garner has been co-operative. No charges have been filed against him, but that remains a possibility. |
| LOCKPORT COMMEN COUNCIL GOES IN SEARCH OF A PAY RAISE!! |
| The Lockport Commen Council hasn't had a pay raise in 7 years, and Council President John Lombardi says the time has come for a pay hike. Aldermen make 65 hundred dollars a year, while Lombardi as President makes 7 grand.
Mayor MIchael Tucker makes 43 thousand 8 hundred a year, and says he won't accept a pay raise, if he's re-elected to his second 4-year term. Meantime, the City Charter says the Council can only vote themselves a pay hike in the month of July, during an election year. That means for these Alderman to get a raise, they would have to vote "yay" before the end of the month. |
| "TODAY" COMES TO NIAGARA FALLS, TO SHOW OFF ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL PLACES IN THE COUNTRY!! |
| The Today Show showed off Niagara Falls this morning on national T.V.,
as one of the most beautiful places to be in the country. The NBC morning show picked the Falls as the first place in this series to be show-cased, and kept that fact pretty secret. Even keeping their affiliate Channel 2 in the dark until 3 days ago. National Correspondent Natalie Morales hosted the segments, live from Goat Island. And the Falls never looked better!! |
| tHE TOWN OF LOCKPORT ON A MISSION TO GO WIRELESS!! |
| The Town of Lockport wants to go "Wi-Fi", and sooner rather than later. That's short for wireless, so laptop users could enjoy a nice cup of coffee and surf the net in many of the fine establishments on Transit Road. The Town Planning Board met last night to ducuss plans of installing wireless internet through the transit corridor. Supervisor Mark Smith says the service would be free to those who use it, and believes the cost of installing the service would be around 50 thousand dollars. He believes that money could be partly paid for by grants, and that the money paid by town taxpayers would make it a good investment for the future. |
| COLD FRONT BRINGS RELIEF FROM HEAT AND HUMIDITY!! |
| A long-awaited cold front finally passed through Western New York today,
bringing some much needed relief to the region. Niagara County got rained on quite a bit around noon...and the temperture then dropped about 10 good degrees to about 65!! The cooler days and nights should continue for the next few days, before things start heating up again next week. |
| NEWFANE BOARD OF ED CALLS FOR PRANK CHARGES AGAINST TEENS TO BE DROPPED!! |
| The Newfane Board of Edcation wants to have the charges dropped against the garage bank that pulled off a senior prank back in June. By a 4-1 vote, the Board directed Superintendent Gary Pogorzelski to ask the District Attorney, the Sheriff's Department and the Town Justice not to prosecute the 4 graduated seniors: Aaron Brown, Christopher Florio, Paul Gazzon and Jesse Jolley. The "Heads" climbed to the roof of Newfane High on the last day of school, and played two songs. They were then promotley charged with trespassing, and will back in court on July 17th!!
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| LOCKPORT 2 YEAR OLD SEXUALLY ASSAULTED BY FAMILY PIT BULL!! |
| Lockport Police are investigating an apparent attack by a pitbull on a small boy. The 2-year-old is recovering at Women and Children's Hospital after police say he was attacked and sexually assaulted by his family's pitbull. Police say the toddler was in his home on Washburn Street about 2pm when the pitbull attacked. According to officers, the dog sodomized the boy and caused some significant injuries. The boy's family had to beat the pitbull to get it off the boy. The dog has been impounded at the Niagara County SPCA and the investigation is continuing. DNA samples have been taken from both the dog and the boy. |
| FALLS COUPLE WANTS STREET RE-NAMED IN HONOR OF THEIR FALLEN SON!! |
| Family and friends of deceased U.S. Army Corporal Lorne Henry Jr. made an emotional plea last night to Niagara Falls City Council members, asking them to reconsider re-naming Henry's childhood street in his memory. Henry was killed while serving in Iraq this past February, and lived on Lindburgh Avenue his entire life. His mother, Wendy Kovacs, and step-father, Charles Primerano, made their pitch to re-name the street "Lorne Henry Jr. Way" before the council, supported by neighbors and some of Henry's fellow soldiers. Council President Robert Anderson asked that the city wait until the war is over, to honor Henry and other fallen soldiers. The couple says they shouldn't have to wait that long. |
| DELPHI AGREEMENT FOR 3.4 BILLION DOLLAR INVESTMENT GOES UP IN SMOKE!! |
| Delphi has scrapped its agreement with a group of investors who were going to kick in up to 3.4 billion dollars to help the struggling auto parts maker emerge from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. But a Delphi spokeman says a revised agreement is in the works, and could be announced later this month. Delphi spokesman Lindsey Williams says the company's Board of Directors will meet on July 16th to consider the matter, and that the end of this agreement won't stop Delphi from getting out of Chapter 11 by the end of the year. We shall see!! |
| WHEATFIELD PLANT CLOSE TO SHUTTING DOWN!! 70 WORKERS COULD LOSE THEIR JOBS!! |
| In less than 30 days, at least 70 workers at the Smurfit Stone Plant on Shawney Road in the Town of Wheatfield could be out of work. Union leaders say the problem is that the company owns a number of facilities that are too close to each other. Workers were at the Union Hall in North Tonawanda last night, getting briefed on what could happen next. More than 100 people work at the facility, and 70 are represented by United Steel workers. They make cardboard boxes, earning on average between 15 and 17 dollars an hour. |
| MORE BAD NEWS FOR DELPHI,...WITH WORK FORCE TO BE CUT DOWN TO 23 HUNDRED BY 2012!! |
| The bad news just keeps on coming for Delphi workers. With the Detroit News
reporting that Delphi expects to have as few as 23 hundred workers at its 4 remaining plants by 2012. Currently Delphi has about 17 Thousand workers nation-wide, down from more than 24 thousand since it filed for bankruptcy
in 2005. That drop is due to buyouts and early retirements. By the end of this year, reports say the company expects to have 4 thousand 7 hundred workers. That stat doesn't bode well for Delphi workers in Lockport. |
| STATE SAYS NIAGARA COUNTY DOESN'T HAVE TO BUILD NEW ASSISTED LIVING FACILITY!! |
| The State Health Department confirmed last week it will not require Niagara County to build an assisted living facility, or open an adult day care program. The announcement clears the way to the county to wash its hands of institutionalized elder care, after the mount view health facility closes sometime in the next 12 months. That means that as predicted by the Niagara Falls Legislature, the County will be getting out of the nursing home business. |
| MAYOR TUCKER VETOS OUTDOOR ANTI-BURNING LAW IN LOCKPORT!! |
| As you heard first on Hometown 1340 WLVL, Mayor Michael Tucker has vetoed the law banning outdoor firepits, furnaces and boilers in the City of Lockport. That action now makes it O.K. to burn wood and other materials in the appropriate device. Mayor Tucker says the issue needs to be revisted, and will be during the next Commen Council meeting. The Mayor told WLVL news there could be some in-fighting between council members over the proposed law, and that it could be reinstated in a new form. The Council meets again next week. |
| DELPHI PRESIDENT SAYS FUTURE OF LOCKPORT PLANT IS IN JEPORDY!! |
| The President of Delphi says the local jobs at the Lockport plant are in jepordy, because of the overwhelming rejection of the new labor agreement last week. Ronald Pirtle is the President of Delphi Thermal Systems, and he wrote a letter to plant manager Scott Kitowski. That letter said the lopsided rejection by Lockport workers of the 4 year proposal, casts doubt on the plant's future, despite it being approved by 68 percent of Delphi workers nation-wide. Mayor Michael Tucker told WLVL news that Pirtle is sending a message, but that he's sure the new contract will be implemented at the plant, and that the company will move forward. We shall see if that's the case, so stay tuned!! |
| NEWFANE DENTIST INDICTED BY FEDERAL GRAND JURY ON HEALTH CARE FRAUD CHARGES!! |
| A Newfane dentist has been indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of health care fraud. 45 year old Dr. Scott Geise was arraigned on Thursday in federal court, on charges of theft from an employment benefit plan, and making false statements relating to health care matters. Prosecutors say he helped another person submit a fraudulent claim for health benefits to the Laborers Local 91 welfare fund for services that weren't performed. If convicted, Geise faces 5 years behind bars or a fine of up to 250 hundred thousand dollars, or both. |
| RAIN POSTPONES FIREWORKS DISPLAY IN THE FALLS...FOG DISUPTS MORNING COMMUTE!! |
| The rain on July 4th clearing up for most of the firework displays to go on as scheduled, except in Niagara Falls.
The show at Hyde Park Stadium was post-poned until tomorrow night at 10.
A concert will start the festivities at 7 o'clock. The fireworks disply in Olean was also re-scheduled. Meantime,
heavy fog this morning made driving very tough during the commute to work. With the fog caused by all that rain yesterday, according to Dave Sage of the National Weather Service. The fog was particulary thick on the 990 and on Transit Road heading to Lockport. It had cleared up by mid-morning, with clouds and some sun expected during the rest of the day, along with a chance of showers and thunderstorms, with a high of 78. |
| CARL ANDOLINA IN SERIOUS BUT STABLE CONDITION AFTER MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT!! |
| The Buffalo cop who was shot last December suffered a serious leg injury early Wednesday morning, when he and his girlfriend were thrown from their bike, after a SUV cut them off. Carl Andolina had a handlebar go into his thigh and tear an artery. He was taken to ECMC where he underwent emergency surgury. His girlfriend, Patricia Gibson, was treated and released. Police gave several tickets to the driver of the SUV, 17 year old Allen Reid, who has a junior driver's license and shouldn't have been behind the wheel. this was the 3rd time Andolina has been injured in the last 3 years. |
| SABRES AND DRURY HAD A DEAL...BUT BUFFALO LET IT SLIP AWAY!! |
| As it turns out, the Sabres could have re-signed Chris Drury last fall, for $21.5 million over 4 years, but for some reason it didn't happen! Published reports say that the Sabres never finalized the agreement, and now it's too late! With Drury now a New York Ranger, for $35 million over 7 years. During the Sabres press conference yesterday, Larry Quinn and Darcy Regeir both said they were ready to match the Ranger's offer, but by then Drury had called to say he wanted to play for the team he loved as a kid:
the blueshirts!! |
| STATE TROOPERS READY TO CRACK THE WHIP ON JULY 4TH!! |
| New York State Troopers are ready to crack down on drunk drivers and on those who use fireworks come tomorrow,
the 4th of July holiday. Sargent Sam Tagliani telling WLVL News, that there will be an increase in sobriety checkpoints, seat-belt checks and the use of illegal fireworks. The use and possession of fireworks is illegal in New York State, so troopers will be on the alert. Take care and enjoy your holiday! |
| THE SENECA BUFFALO CREEK CASINO IS OPEN FOR BUSINESS!! |
| Casino gaming has officially come to downtown Buffalo. Less than a day after the National Indian Gaming Commission approved the opening of the Seneca Buffalo Creek Casino, the casino opened at 10am this morning,
much earlier than expected. Casino supporters say the interim casino is the first step towards economic balance in the Queen City. The project
is expected to emply more than 1,000 people and be a key piece in the effort to beautify the Inner Harbor. |
| SABRES LOSE BRIERE AND DRURY TO THE FLYERS AND RANGERS!! |
| The Sabres had their chance to resign their two co-captains, and in the opinion of many of their fans, they blew it!! Daniel Briere and Chris Drury both signed with new teams yesterday, the first day of free agency. With Briere now a Philadelphia Flyer, after coming to terms on an 8 year 52 million dollar contract. While Drury opted to become a New York Ranger, for 5 years and 35 million. The Sabres could have resigned them to a new contract before Sunday, but dropped the puck. Briere joins former sabre Marty Biron in Philly. While the Rangers also signed former Devil Scott Gomez, in addition to Drury. |
| PROSECUTOR IN FRICANO CASE SAYS OFFICERS HAD PLENTY OF PROBABLE CAUSE!! |
| The special prosecutor in the drugged driving case against Judge Amy Jo Fricano says police had plenty of probable cause to arrest and charge her. Leonard Krawcyzk filed a memorandum of law with Lockport Town Court Justice Leonard Tilney, on the heels of defense attorney Joel Daniels
filing his last week. Tilney has told Krawcyzk and Daniel that after they review each other's statements, they'll have until July 18th to submit any additional arguments to the court. The judge will then issue a written decision "some time" after that. |
| RANSOMVILLE TEEN DEAD IN CAR CRASH...ANOTHER IN CRITICAL CONDITION!! |
| A Ransomville teen is dead and another is in critical condition after a car crash Sunday morning on the Robert Moses Parkway. Alcohol and speed may have been factors in the accident. 19 year old DAvid Broussard was pronounced
dead at the scene, while police aren't releasing the name of his 19 year old passenger, who currently in critical condition at ECMC. Both teens were wearing their seatbelts and an autopsy is planned. The coroner says Broussard appeared to have died from massive head trauma. |
| LOCKPORT DELPHI WORKERS WAITING FOR NATIONAL VOTING RESULTS!! |
| The waiting is the hardest part for Delphi workers in Lockport, for the results of the national voting results on the new labor contract. As you heard first yesterday, on Hometown 1340 WLVL, 80 percent of those who voted in Lockport voted no. And here are the numbers: 1,382 workers voted and 1,107 voted against the new agreement. That means some 800 workers didn't bother to vote, which may be the biggest surprize of all.
Meantime, today the national vote totals will be announced, and that's what workers here will have to live with. Stay tuned to WLVL for the very latest results, when the national totals are announced. Depend on it!! |
| DANIEL BRIERE SAYS THANKS BUT NO THANKS TO SABRES OFFER!! |
| Bad news man for the Buffalo Sabres!! Who were informed last night that their contract offer to co-captain Daniel Briere was turned down flat by his agent. That means they have until Sunday at noon to re-sign Briere and Chris Drury, or they'll both be free as a bird on the open market to sell themselves to the highest bidder. The Sabres reportedly offered Briere 25 million dollars over 5 years. Not that good an offer, considering that's what he made last year, so this new offer doesn't even include a raise. Somehow it seems the Sabres are more inclined to re-sign Drury, who could command as much as 7 million dollars a year, or more!! Contract negociations with agents of both co-captains are continuing. |
| NIAGARA COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH ORDERS END OFTIRE BURNOUT PIT AT SUMMIT CRUISE NIGHT!! |
| The Niagara County Board of Health has ordered the tire burn-out pit at the cruise night at the Summit on Wednesday to be shut down immediately. That following complaints from neighbors and air quality tests by the board. Staff from the county's Health Department say that toxic levels of carbon monoxide at the site and fumes that travel wherever the wind blows are created every Wednesday, when a tire burnout pit is held in the parking lot.
However, organizers of the cruise night and Wheatfield Supervisor Timothy Demler say there weren't told of the county's concerns, and didn't know a decision was being made. A hearing will be held in 15 days, if the property owners don't obey the order to shut down the tire burn-out pit. |
| LOCKPORT DELPHI WORKERS REJECT NEW CONTRACT PROPOSAL!! |
| Delphi workers in Lockport have overwhelemingly rejected the proposed new labor contract, voting 80 percent against it, while just 20 percent voted for it. The one-sided result was expected, because of the high number of top-tier employees at the plant. UAW Local 686 President Paul Sejak says he knows local workers were mostly furious about the agreement, and didn't think it had much of a chance to pass. Meantime, workers in Rochester will vote on the labor proposal today, and the nationwide results will be announced tomorrow. Those are the ones that will determine if this labor contract is accepted or not. |
| WHEATFIELD SHOWS THE MOST GROWTH IN UPDATED CENSUS BUREAU STUDY!! |
| The Census Bureau releasing new population estimates of Niagara County, with just 5 communities showing gains, as the overall population continues to decline.
Areas showing positive growth include Wheatfield, Pendleton, the Town of Lockport, Lewiston and Cambria. Wheatfield's population increased by a whopping 14.3 percent, the most of any community in Western New York. |
| MAYOR ANELLO GOES TOE TO TOE WITH ROGER TREVINO!! AND GETS CHARGED WITH HARRASSMENT!! |
| A Niagara Falls Redevelopement executive claims Mayor Vince Anello swore at him and called him a "Buffalo crook" yesterday morning, after NFR closed a gym on 13th Street that city officlas presumed would be avaliable for underprivledged kids. Roger Trevino filed a police report against the mayor, claiming harrassment. Meantime, Anello telling WLVL news that indeed he did get mad at Trevino, and said that NFR was using the gym in an attempt to force the city to convey 7 properties to NFR. Finally, this incident has left the city's park's director wondering where to move the summer program for those kids. |
| MOUNT VIEW TO CLOSE AFTER LEGISLATURE PULLS THE PLUG!! |
| The Niagara County Legislature voted 13-6 last night to close the Mount View Health Facility. The doors of the county-owned nursing home will shut sometime before June 30th, 2008. The closure means that about 200 county employees will lose their jobs, and that about 130 patients will be transferred to other facilities. Those locations are as yet unselected, but must be within 50 miles of Lockport. |
| DELPHI VOTERS TO VOTE TODAY ON NEW LABOR CONTRACT!! |
| Union workers will begin voting today on a tentative deal offering lump sum buy downs for wage cuts at Delphi. Lockport Delphi workers will cast their ballots from 6am until 7pm at the UAW Local 686 Union Hall. The proposed deal among Delphi, G.M. and the UAW calls for early retirement buy-outs. Senior workers who stay would be offered lump sum buy-downs to accept lower hourly wages. The deal is designed to allow Delphi to emerge from bankruptcy. The UAW expects to announce nationwide results on Friday. |
| NEWFANE PRANKSTERS APPEAR IN COURT, BUT ARE TOLD TO COME BACK NEXT MONTH WITH AN ATTORNEY!! |
| The beat will go on it court for the 4 Newfane HIgh School students who raised the roof on campus, by playing rock music on the roof of their school earlier this month. All 4 had a chance to end their case by pleading guilty to trespassing charges, but the judge wouldn't allow it, saying they must first be represented by an attorney. So they had to plead not guilty instead. Published reports say the parents blame the media for the court action, and kept reporters, cameras and microphones away from the young men after the proceedings. They'll be back in Newfane Town Court next month, with a lawyer in tow, and are expected to plead guilty and ask for leniency. |
| DELPHI WORKERS TO BE BRIEFED TODAY ON TENTATIVE AGREEMENT |
| Workers at Delphi in Lockport will be updated today on the tentative agreement reached on Friday with the UAW and General Motors. According to published reports, Delphi will offer workers buyouts based on years served,
in exchange for wage concessions. Local union officials have already said the deal would provide 3 annual payments of $35,000 each for about 4 thousand workers, who would then see their hourly wage cut from about $28 dollars to between $14.50 and $18.50 an hour. Delphi and the UAW signed the agreement on Friday, but it still must be approved by the company's 17 thousand UAW workers and a federal bankruptcy judge. |
| LOCKPORT TEEN FIGHTING FOR LIFE IN CRITICAL CONDITION FOLLOWING MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT |
| A teenager is clinging to life at ECMC following a motorcycle crash in Lockport last night. 18-year-old Louis Hollenbech was critically injured whenhis motorcycle collided with a vehicle at the corner of Ernest and Lincoln in Lockport. Niagara County Sheriff's investigators say the driver of the vehicle was making a left turn and pulled into Hollenbeck's path. Charges may be pending. The other driver was identifed as Ann Lipt-Read of East Amherst. |
| CHERTOFF IN WNY TALKING PASSPORTS AND PEACE BRIDGE |
| Homeland Security Chief Michael Chertoff will be in Western New York today, checking out the Peace Bridge and talking passports with local lawmakers. Congresswoman Louise Slaughter invited Chertoff to Buffalo,
and she says using passports at our borders is wrong. Insisting they could have a very negetive effect in the region. We'll have to wait and see how Chertoff reacted...so stay tuned!! |
| TENTATIVE AGREEMENT REACHED AT DELPHI |
| Delphi has reached a tentative agreement with the UAW and General Motors. Nothing's official yet, but it could stop a possible strike at the Lockport plant. In November 2005, workers rallied outside the Lockport plant against potential pay cuts after Delphi filed for bankrutcy. Back then, Delphi's CEO told employees, plants would close unless unions agree to cuts. Now, almost 2 years later, a tentative agreement is in the works. Union member Jim Krolokowski says on Monday, an informal meeting will take place and the agreement will be discussed. Until then, no details of the agreement will be released. |
| TRESPASSING LAWS TO BE ENFORCED ON TRESTLES |
| After a Lockport man fell off a railroad trestle and died on Wednesday,
a Falls Road Railroad police officer is asking residents not to get near the tracks. Chief Special Agent Paul Beakman, who is also the Lockport Police Department's warrents officer, said the railroad is planning to crack down on people who trespass on its property. He revealed that 3 people had been arrested the day before Stanley Howard fell to his death. The bridges are clearly marked as "No Trespassing". Howard was walking on the trestle with 3 family members on Wednesday when he fell off the bridge, and rolled down a steep 65 foot slope.
When police and firefighters arrived at the scene, Howard wasn't breathing and had no heartbeat. He was pronounced dead soon after at Lockport Memorial Hospital. |
| 13 YEAR OLD GRANDDAUGHTER OF BUFFALO FIRE VICTIM ARRESTED FOR MURDER |
| Buffalo Police arrested a 13-year-old girl and charged her with murder in connection with an overnight fire. Early Friday morning 43-year-old Vince Fairfax was killed in a house fire on Sprenger Avenue on Buffalo's east side.
Police arrested his 13-year-old granddaughter and say she set the fire.
The girl will be charged as an adult with arson and second degree murder. Police are not releasing her name. |
| NIAGARA COUNTY GOP HEAD TO FACE ETHICS REVIEW!! |
| The activities of the head of the Niagara County GOP will be reviewed by the legislature's ethic's committee, because of those multi-million dollar tax breaks given to AES Sommerset. Henry Wojtaszek came under fire during Tuesday's meeting of the legislature, with Dennis Virtuoso taking him to task for being part of meetings with AES officials. And as promised,
Wojtaszek's activities with the Niagara County IDA will now be probed by that ethics committee. Stay tuned!! |
| LOCKPORT MAN KILLED FROM FALL FROM RAILROAD TRESSLE!! |
| A Lockport man died yesterday afternoon, after falling from a railroad tressle. Police say 53 year old Stanley Howard was walking with 3 family members along the tressle between Market and Gooding Strets, when he fell from the structure. Police found him unconsious under the bridge, and city paramedics took Howard to Lockport Memorial Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Meantime, Howard's nephew interfeared with the police and paramedics and was arrested. 19 year old Christopher Howard resisted the officers, and had to be tasered. |
| 4 NEWFANE HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS FACING TRERSPASSING CHARGES FOR A HARMLESS PRANK!! |
| 4 Newfane High School students are facing trespassing charges, for an impromtu concert on the roof of the school. The students snuck their instuments onto the roof and played rock n' roll music as part of an end of the year prank. The 4 have now been banned from the school grounds during and after their upcoming graduation, after the school filed a formal complaint with the sheriff's department on June 12th. The 4 are Aaron Brown, Christopher Florio, Paul Giazzon and Jesse Jolley. They'll all face 3rd degree criminal trespass charges when they appear in Newfane Town Court on June 26th. |
| THUNDERSTORM BLOWS OUT NIAGARA COUNTY...AND ALL OF WESTERN NEW YORK!! |
| Niagara County and all of Western New York getting pummelled by a line of thunderstorms yesterday, featuring 60+ mile an hour winds, that toppled tree limbs, downede power lines and left traffic signals dark. Some 10,000 customers were affected and lost power, but it's all turned back on now. Meantime, the National Weather Service says now that the cold front has left the area, we'll have temperatures in the low to mid-70's and low humidity for the rest of the week. Good news indeed!! |
| COUNTY LEGISLATURE PUTS MOUNT VIEW VOTE ON HOLD!! |
| The Legislature's vote on whether to close the Mount View Health Facility has been put on hold for one week. There was supposed to be a special committee meeting last night about the county-run nursing home, but it was cancelled. Lawmakers said they wanted to devote a full special meeting to the matter. If the closure plan is not filed by June 30, the county risks losing grant funding to cover some closure costs. |
| INJURED FIREFIGHTER'S LEG IS AMPUTATED!! |
| Buffalo firefighter Mark Reed has to have his leg amputate yesterday at ECMC, according to a source close to the family. Infection has spread in the right leg of Reed, threatening to spread to organs in his body and hampering doctor's efforts to conduct
additional medical procedures. |
| HILLARY CLINTON IN TOWN FOR FUNDRAISERS!! |
| Presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton in Buffalo and Rochester today, for a pair of fund-raisers, that should add about $300,000 dollars to her war chest. Mrs. Clinton started her day at 7:30am at Kleinhans with a breakfest fundraiser. Tickets started at $500, and those willing to pay the maximum of $4600 were treated to a VIP reception. Then it was off to City Honors High School to promote her "green" agenda, and to re-plant some of the trees lost in the October storm. Hillary then heads to Rochester for another fundraiser. Meantime, a University of Buffalo Professor says this may be one of her last appearences in Western New York, because of all the campaigning she has to do in New Hampshire and Iowa. Professor james Campbell is a Presidential Scholar at U.B. |
| RIVIERA THEATHER SPARED IN N.T. BLAZE!! |
| A blaze at a commercial strip early yesterday in North Tonawanda caused fire damage and left two neighbororing storefronts with smoke and water damage. But thankfully, j.P. Dwyers and the Riviera only suffered smoke and water damage. No injuries were reported and early damage estimates are 74 thousand dollars. Water was 6 feet deep in Dwyers and the smell of smoke was strong in the Riviera. Owners of the theater say they'll work round the clock to get the Riviera up to snuff for a Thursday performance, which has not been cancelled. |
| TOWN OF LOCKPORT SUPERVISOR RECEIVES PRESTIGIOUS AWARD!! |
| Town of Lockport Supervisor Marc R. Smith has received the "Distinguished
Leadership Award" from the American Planning Association--Western New York Chapter. The award recognizes an elected official for significant contribution to excellence in public planning. Smith is being recognized for his proactive involvement in community planning and dedication to the economic vitality of the town. He will honored at an award ceremony on June 19th. |
| SABRES ANNOUNCE CONTRACT EXTENTIONS FOR RUFF AND REGEIR!! |
| The Buffalo Sabres holding a press conference this morning, and announcing that G.M. Darcy Regier and Head Coach Lindy Ruff have both signed contract extentions, as expected. Both were hired by the Sabres in the summer of 1997, and now they're the longest tenured duo in team history. Ruff has won 50 games in back to back seasons, while Regier has a fine eye for talent and has seen some of his lower draft picks make large contributions to the Sabres in the regular season and in the playoffs. Now Darcy can concentrate on re-signing unrestricted free agents Chris Drury and Daniel Briere before the July 1st deadline. |
| DRUGGED DRIVING CHARGES AGAINST FRICANO SUBJECT OF HEATED HEARING!! |
| The legal team of Judge Amy Jo Fricano gave it their all in Lockport Town Court yesterday, trying to have the drugged driving charges against her dismissed. Defense Attorney Joel Daniels contends that Sheriff Deputies and State Troopers had no probable cause to arrest Fricano, and that they took too long to charge her with any crime. The Special Prosecutor in the case, Ledonard Krawcheck, disagreed with that assesment, saying the police had to wait for a drug use specialist to drive over and examine Fricano. The answer on whether to dismiss won't be made until at least July 18th, and that decision will be made by Judge Leonard Tilney. |
| AES HEARING FINDS SLOMA ON THE STAND, GETTING GRILLED!! |
| IDA Chairman Henry Sloma defending to the hilt that the property tax break for the AES corporation was not under-handed in State Supreme Court yesterday. Sloma testifying that he was assured by AES that the company wouldn't bid on a one billion dollar clean coal power plant, unless it received a tax break on its existing coal-fired plant. That point is the crux of the lawsuit filed by Niagra County against the IDA and AES. the county contends that AES was going to bid whether is received the tax break or not, and that constitutes fraud.
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| RAY TOWNSEND OF LOCKPORT PLEADS GUILTY TO MANSLAUGHTER INSTEAD OF MURDER!! |
| After a change of heart, Ray Townsend of Lockport decided his chances of beating a murder rap weren't too good, so he pled guilty to a reduced charge of manslaughter instead. Townsend was accused of the baseball bat killing of Robert Camarra last year. Jury selection in that murder trial was about to begin, when Townsend got cold feet. He allegedly killed Camarra in a dispute over his ex-wife. Townsend now faces 15 years in prison when he's sentenced on August 3rd. |
| THE LONGEST RAPE SENTENCE EVER HANDED OUT TO LOCKPORT MAN!! |
| A Lockport man has received the longest rape sentence in Niagara County history. 42 year old Ryan McNaughton was sentenced to 65 years in prison yesterday, after being convicted of 2 counts of first degree rape. Judge Sara Sperraza called him "a predator of the very worst kind", and threw the book at him, sentencing him to the maximum time allowed on every count. Ironically, she gave him a break last year by placing him on probation on an armed robbery charge. This time around, he wasn't as lucky!! |
| FIRE AT NIAGARA FOODS IN MIDDLEPORT CLOSES ROY-HART SCHOOL DISTRICT!! |
| The Roy-Hart School District will be closed all day, because of a fire at Niagara Foods in Middleport. The heavy smoke from the fire proved too dangerous for students, who were sent home to the day. Low water pressure added to the problems at the school. Meantime: Route 31 is closed in both dirctions to any traffic in the area, and expected to remain closed for the news few hours! |
| AES IN COURT TODAY VERSUS NIAGARA COUNTY!! |
| Niagara County has decided to play hardball with the AES Corporation, and will be in court today for a long-awaited hearing, on whether the controversial tax break for the county's largest taxpayer was adopted legally. The county filed a motion on Friday for a separate jury trial on the allegations of fraudulent conduct in lodged against AES. If the county's motion is granted today by Judge Richard Kloch, he'd only hear testimony on whether the IDA followed
the correct procedures in adopting the "payment in lieu of taxes" or "PILOT" agreement and how AES' payments are to be allocated among the county, the town of Somerset and the Barker School District. |
| SOPRANOS ENDS WITH A BLACK SCREEN...KEEPING VIEWERS IN THE DARK!! |
| The much-awaited conclusion of HBO's "The Sopranos" aired last night in a frenzy of audience speculation.
Would mob boss Tony Soprano live or be killed? Would his family die before his eyes? Would he go to jail or vanish into the shadows of witness protection. Well, I guess we'll never know because at the end of the final episode, the Sopranos cut to a black screen, leaving viewers in suspense after 8 years and 86 episodes. What can HBO do for an encore? Stay tuned! |
| MOUNT VIEW TO CLOSE!! |
| Niagara County officials will soon begin the process of shutting down the Mount View Health Facility, following the lead of New York State. If all goes according to plan, the nursing home will be closed on or before june 30th, 2008. A purchase agreement for 2.4 million dollars with Senior Associates wil be terminated, according to county manager Greg Lewis.
The 172 bed county run nursing home was slated for closure and transformation into an assisted living facility. That plan was recommended last year by the Commission on Health Care Facilities in the 21st century. |
| PASSPORT POLICY TO BE PUT ON HOLD!! |
| The Bush Administration has put on hold a controversial new policy requiring passports for Americans who travel to Canada and other countries.
That plan has overwhelmed the State Department with passport applications and disrupted summer travel plans for many. Under the change, which was announced today, travelers could show a receipt for a passport application along with a driver's license as identification. The suspension is expected to last until the end of September. |
| PARIS HILTON SENT BACK TO JAIL!! |
| Paris Hilton was sent screaming and crying back to jail on Friday, after a judge ruled she must serve out her sentence behind bars rather than in the comfort of her Hollywood Hills home. "It's not right" shouted Hilton,
who was convicted of violating her probation in a reckless driving case.
"Mom", she cried out to her mother.
She was taken to a Los Angeles County jail facility for medical and psychiatric examination. Despite being ordered to serve the remaining of her original 45 day sentence, Hilton could still be released early. Inmates are given a day off their terms for every 4 days of good behavior, and her days in home detention counted as time served. |
| LOCKPORT FATHER PLEADS NOT GUILTY FOR ACTIONS AT PEPSI CENTER!! |
| A Lockport father is defending his actions at the Pepsi Center, after pleading not guilty yesterday to a second charge against him. Charles Schmidl is facing child endangerment
and harrassment charges for dragging a 10 year old boy off the ice by the neck, after he wouldn't stop firing pucks at him and his 3 year old son. Both charges will be combined in a non-jury trial, at a time and date to be announced. Schmidl says his son is what's most important to him, and blames lax supervision at the Pepsi Center for all the trouble. He says he intends to prove that during the trial. |
| GAS PRICES FALL FOR THE FIRST TIME IN WEEKS!! |
| Gas prices in the Lockport area have finally gone down for the first time in weeks. The cost of a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline dropped by 6.1 cents, down to 3 dollars and 13 cents a gallon. That's according to the Triple A Fuel Gauge. Meantime, the national average price fell to $3.14 a gallon, down 7.9 cents from last week's all-time high. Motorists can check current fuel prices in the various regions across the country by logging on to aaa.com and selecting the Daily Fuel Gauge Report. |
| ST. CATHERINE'S RESTAURANT CLOSED AFTER E COLI OUTBREAK!! |
| An E Coli outbreak has shut down a restaurant in St. Catherines, Ontario.
Public health officials are asking anyone who has eaten at the Yamen restaurant between May 17th and yesterday to call them ASAP, after 4 people who ate there were diagnosed with E Coli. Those affected should call the Niagara Region Public Health Department at 1-800-263-7248. Yaman has been closed while the investigation continues. |
| ALBION MAYOR ARRESTED FOR DWI!! |
| Bad news man, for the mayor of Albion. He's been charged with driving while intoxicated, following a crash on Sunday. 37 year old Michael Haddick rolled his car and initially told police he had swerved to avoid a deer. He then failed a sobriety test and blew a .12, and was charged with DWI, speeding and failure to keep right. Haddick was elected in March of 2006, when he beat the incumbent mayor by just 2 votes. He'll be in court to answer those charges on June 12th. |
| CITY OF LOCKPORT TO CRACK DOWN ON UNMOWED LAWNS!! |
| The City of Lockport is going after property owners who don't keep their grass mowed. Effective next week, Mayor Michael Tucker said the 48 hour warning given errant property owners will be just that: 48 hours and no more. If quick compliance with orders to clean up doesn't come, the Parks Department will be instructed to hire a lawn contractor and send the property owner a bill for $325 or more. The past practice of relying on up to 3 city employees to document the problem and write a letter is being abandoned. Now, a streets or park supervisor will have ready-made warning letters in city trucks, and have the authority to deliver notices on the spot. |
| TWO REPUBLICANS AMONG DEMOCRATIC ENDORSEMENTS!! |
| Taking a page out of the local GOP playbook, Niagara county Democrats have endorsed two local Republicans
to run for the county legislature. Merill Bender of Somerset and Charles Dahlquist of the town of Lockport will run this fall with Democratic backing
despite their status as registered Republicans. The Democratic county committee interviewed candidates, and took the recommendaions of local Dems
and took the recommendations!! |
| SMOKE FROM SUMMIT MALL CRUISE NIGHT HAS RESIDENTS FUMING!! |
| The Cruise Night and Bike Show at the Summit Mall every Wednesday Night isn't
sitting well with neighbors of the mall. The event draws 5-7 thousand people to the area to see classic cars and motorcycles on display. It also included a "burnout pit" where drivers rev their engines and produce large volumns of gray smoke and a lot of noise. It's this portion of the festivities that have neighbors concerned, and rightly so according to Wheatfield Town Supervisor Tim Demler.
Organizers of the event were supposed to be using 2 large fans to dissapate the smoke, but only one has been used so far. Neighbors say they can put up with the noise, but not with the smoke and smell of burning rubber, that fills their houses with the stench. |
| WAL-MART MAY BE COMING TO THE LOCKPORT MALL AFTER ALL!! |
| Town of Lockport Supervisor Marc Smith says that negociations are still going on to save the Wal-Mart supercenter Project at the Lockport Mall. Smith says he met with officials of General Growth Properties, the owners of the mall, while he was in Las Vegas a couple weeks ago for a convention of shopping centers. They told him they were still trying to work out a deal with Wal-Mart, which said last month that General Growth wanted too high a price to renew a purchase option for the property. Wal-Mart announced at its annual shareholder's meeting on Friday that it's cutting back on construction of new stores, but it was unclear if that affects the Lockport situation. |
| WEST SENECA FIRE CHIEF KILLED IN HEAD-ON COLLISION!! |
| One corrections officer is dead and another is in serious condition after their vehicles collided Sunday morning on Route 5 in Chautauqua County. 43 year old Daniel Shanahan was also the Fire Chief of the Seneca Hose Fire Company in West Seneca. He was on his way to work in Brockton at the Lakeview
Shock facility, when he drove head-on into 55 year old John Mackowiak of Dunkirk. Shanahan was killed instantly, while Mackowiak was airlifted to Hamet Medical Center in Erie, where he's listed in serious condition. He was on his way home from work at the Chautauqua county jail. The cause of the accident is under investigation. |
| CATHOLIC DIOCESE ANNOUNCES PLAN FOR THE FUTURE!! |
| The Catholic Diocese announcing its action plan for the future today. With its Strategic Planning Commission taking the last 2 years to complete that plan. It's really the plan for after the plan, and will take effect after the merging of churches and parishes is complete. It involves
keeping adults engaged in church, marking sure parishes have the tools they need to stay vibrant throughout the merger process, and making church boards inclusive of both genders. |
| FALLS FIRE BURNS 3 HOUSES AND SINGES 5 OTHERS!! |
| A fire erupted this morning on 20th street in the Falls...and charred 3 homes and damaged 5 others. Every fire unit in the city responded to the early morning call, and reserve equipment was used fighting the fire. Even the Frontier Volunteer Fire Deparment showed up to lend a hand. No one was injured, and the homes will have to be destroyed. Fire officials are trying to determine the cause. |
| DAVID GROVER ADMITS TO ABDUCTING 4 YEAR OLD GIRL WHILE HIGH ON COCAINE!! |
| The man accused of taking a 4 year old girl on a 4 hour joyride pleaded guilty in Lockport yesterday, and now faces at least 2 to 4 years in state prison, and could receive as much as 7 years. 29 year old David Grover of the Town of Tonawanda accepted a plea bargin, and was charged with reckless endangerment rather than kidnapping. He admitted he was high on cocaine when he took little Serenity Platts from her home on April 2nd. He was a family friend and took the girl behind her grandmother's back. Grover will be sentenced on July 26th. |
| STEVE TASKER TO BE INDUCTED ONTO THE BILLS WALL OF FAME ON OPENING DAY!! |
| Steve Tasker, the Bills special teams standout for 12 years, will be inducted onto the Wall of Fame on opening day, when the Bills host the Denver Broncos. That'll be on September 9th at Ralph Wilson Stadium. And at halftime, Tasker will become the 24th member to go up on the wall. Tasker is regarded as the best special teams player in NFL history, and currently works for CBS sports as a color analyst. |
| HAMILTON MAYOR SAYS PREDATORS WILL BE MOVING INTO COPPS COLESIUM!! |
| The Mayor of Hamilton says the Nashville Predators will soon be moving into the Copps Colesium, courtesy of a billionaire named Jim Balsillie. According to the Hamilton Spectator, Balsillie has agreed to buy the Predators and wants to move the franchise. The city has reportedly agreed to not only let Balsillie run the Colesium, but also let him run Hamilton Place and the convention center. However, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman says even if the sale of the Predators goes through, the franchise isn't going anywhere. Stay tuned!! |
| GAS PRICES RISE FOR THE 16TH STRAIGHT WEEK!! |
| The price of gas continues to rise in the Lockport area, and has for the 16th straight week. As of today: a gallon of regular unleaded costs $3.19.
The all-time record for a gallon of gas in Lockport is $3.22, set back in September of 2005. But despite that increase, the Triple A says those numbers bode will for lower prices at the pump in the days ahead. |
| FRANK CLARK REACTS, WHILE ECMC WHACKS!! |
| A new report, commissioned by ECMC, suggests that ecmc should be praised for saving evidence that ultimately led to Anthony Capozzi's freedom. William Breen, sho has national credentials, led ECMC's investigation into its own handling of DNA slide evidence that proved Capozzi is not a rapist. The report shifts the blame to prosecutors who failed to access the information in a proper way. That didn't sit well with Eric County D.A.
Frank Clark, who called the report helpful but fairly self-serving. He also said that ECMC should have let law enforcement know they had DNA files from the 70's and 80's. Clark added that there's no bad blood between he and ECMC, despite the DNA controversy. |
| CORPORATION COUNSEL DAMON DECASTRO RESIGNS FROM CITY COUNCIL!! |
| For the second time in a year, the city of Niagara Falls needs to hire a new top attorney. Mayor Vince Anello informed City Council members yesterday, that Acting Corporation Counsel Damon DeCastro has tendered his resignation. The Council had asked him to resign 2 weeks ago, after being appointed by the Mayor last year.
DeCastro telling WLVL's John Raymond that he will stay on the job until a replacement is named. |
| FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER A WESTERN NEW YORKER TO HEAD THE NYPA!! |
| A Western New York business executive as appointed yesterday at the president and CEO of the New York Power Authority. Roger Kelley of Amherst has more than 30 years of experience in the electric ultility industry. He'll replace Timothy Carey, who announced last week he was stepping down. Kelley is Govenor Spitzer's pick to turn around the agency. He's the first Western New Yorker to head the NYPA in its 50 year history. |
| BUSINESS FIRST NAMES BEST SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN WNY!! |
| For the 4th straight year, the Williamsville School District was named the best in Western New York by Business First. In fact, the top 5 on the list are the same as last year: Williamsville, Clarence, Amherst, Orchard Park and Bemus Point. Buffalo came in last at number 97. Meantime,
Niagara Wheatfield ranked number 28, a sharp increase from their almost 70 ranking of a few years ago. And in the cost effectiveness category, meaning where you get the most bang for your buck, the top 5 are Iroquois,
Lancaster, Orchard Park, Bemus Point and Clarence. Number 9 on that list is Starpoint, so Niagara County Schools seem to be improving. The entire list will be published by Business First this Friday.
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| TRACTOR TRAILER COLLISION ON ROUTE 77 AND GASPORT ROAD SNARLS TRAFFIC!! |
| A terrifying collision between 2 tractor trailer trucks snarled traffic this morning, at the intersection of Route 77 and Gasport Road. Despite the bright sunshine and clear conditions, the trucks hit almost head-on in the 8 o'clock hour, causing police to divert traffic until the afternoon. No one was killed in the accident, but one of the drivers was airlifted by Mercy Flight to ECMC. The other was taken by ambulance to Lockport Memorial. Neither driver suffered life-threatening injuries. Meantime, debris littered the highway as investigators tried to re-create the accident and figure out the cause. |
| ECMC BLAMES PROSECUTORS FOR DNA DELAY!! |
| An internal review of DNA slides and other evidence stored over the decades by ECMC shifts the blame to prosecutors who failed to access the information in a proper way, as they tried to exonerate a man held in prison for crimes that are now tied to Bike Path Rapist Altemio Sanchez. The report, released by the hostipal today, says that had it not been for ECMC's record keeping, Anthony Capozzi would not have have been released from jail, on the basis of DNA kept at the facility for 22 years when Capozzi was behind bars. |
| LOCKPORT PARADE MAKE MEMORIAL DAY SPECIAL!! |
| The Lockport Memorial Day Parade marching down East Avenue and Main Street yesterday, as hundreds of people turned out to watch the festivities, hosted by the Navy Marine Club. More than 34 groups participated in the parade, including scourt troops, members of the ancient order of Hibernians, and a large crowd representing the upcoming relay for life. The parade was led by this year's honorary Grand Marshalls
Burton and Carol Lenhart, who waved to the crowd via a convertible. |
| CLICK IT OR TICKET CAMPAIGN WORKING!! |
| Niagara Falls Police have been cracking down on seal belt violators,
as part of the nationwide "click it or ticket" campaign. A roadblock on Factory Outlet Drive over the weekend issued just 79 seat belt tickets, out of almost two thousand drivers stopped.
That's about a 96% complicance rate.
A similar checkport held before the TV and Radio blitz started found just 74%
of drivers in compliance. Also: Police said so many drivers were using cellphones while driving, that no tickets were issued for those infractions. |
| FRICANO'S ATTORNEY FILES TO DISMISS DRUGGED DRIVING CHARGES!! |
| The lawyer for State Supreme Court Justice Amy Jo Fricano has filed 2 motions to dismiss drugged driving charges against her. Attorney Joel Daniels says those charges should be thrown out because police had no probable cause to arrest her, and because she was kept in custody too long between the vehicle stop and the acutal arrest. Special Prosecutor Leonard Krawczyk has until next Monday to make a written reply to those motions, and says his position is the cops had probable cause to stop her. |
| DOWNTOWN LOCKPORT TO GET A BOOST FROM DAVID ULRICH!! |
| Downtown Lockport well soon be getting a boost from the Ulrich Development company. With David Ulrich making good on his promise to breath new life into the area, with plans to open a restaurant and nightclub this summer. Ulrich says his Taboo restaurant and nightclub will operate on either side of the city center's Main Street Archway. That location is perfct for outdoor dining and entertainment. Ulrich getting a $300,000 loan for the start-up cost of Taboo. |
| ADELPHIA FOUNDER JOHN RIGAS AND SON TIM CONVICTION UPHELD!! |
| A federal appeals court upheld the fraud conviction of Adelphia founder John Rigas and his son yesterday. The 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals said the 82 year old Rigas and his son Tim were guilty as charged: of securities fraud, conspiracy and bank fraud. The court did reverse their conviction on one lesser count. Lawyers for the men had argued that fraud charges should be thrown out because accounting terms were not explained to the jury, but the appeal was thrown out. Rigas gets 15 years in prison, while son Tim gets 20. |
| SAFE BOATING A MUST DURING MEMORIAL DAY HOLIDAY WEEKEND!! |
| The Memorial Day Weekend is upon us, and that means lots of folks will be breaking out their boats and hitting the waterways with a vengence. And the Coast Guard will be out in force,
making sure all the boating laws are followed to a tee. Coast Guard spokesman Bill Callahan telling WLVL News that wearing a life jacket is job one, for adults and kids. Also: drinking and boating don't mix. If you are caught drinking on board and get a ticket, that counts against your driving record. Other things to consider: the water is very cold and if you fall in, that could lead to hypothermia. And don't run out of fuel! Be sure to fill er up at the dock, no matter what the cost. Have a great weekend!! |
| JORDIN TAKES AMERICAN IDOL CROWN...YOUNGEST WINNER EVER!! |
| 17 year old Jordin Sparks taking the American Idol crown on T.V. last night,
becoming the youngest winner ever in the history of the singing competition.
Sparks beat beatboxer Blake Lewis in heavy voting, with the over 74 million votes cast also setting a record. Sparks is the daughter of former NFL player Phillippi Sparks, and gets a record contract as the winner. As for Blake, he's hardly a loser, and is expected to also release an album by the end of the year. |
| RIDGEWAY MURDER TRAIL BEGINS WITH GRILLING BY NIAGARA COUNTY D.A.!! |
| Javon Ridgeway went on trial yesterday,
for the murder of Lanerra Streeter last September. Niagara County D.A. Matt Murphy's opening statement painted a picture of a cold-blooded and calculating killer, who allegedly
executed his estranged girlfriend, and left her cousin paralyzed in an act of bloody carnage. Murphy conceded he can offer no murder weapon, no DNA evidence evidence or any fingerprints.
But he did say compelling eyewitness testimony and Ridgeway's confession to police should produce a conviction. |
| DELPHI DEAL MAY BE NEAR!! |
| Two months ago, top oficials at the UAW
rejected a Delphi contract offer they called insulting. But now that the UAW has a counter-offer on the table, there have been weeks of silence about the negociations. Several industry analysts say these are signs that a deal could be near, bringing an end to more than a year of contentious talks aimed at cutting Delphi's labor costs to better match competitors, in the rough and tumble auto parts business.
Stay tuned!! |
| RUDY GIULIANI KNOCKS EM DEAD AT KLEINHANS!! |
| Presidential hopeful Rudy Giuliani came to Buffalo last night, and raised more than $400,000 for his GOP campaign during a fundraiser at Kleinhans. The former New York City Mayor was a huge draw, as over 200 supporters paid $2300 each for the right to hear him speak. All of that added up to the most successful GOP fundraiser ever in Western New York, according to organizer David Ulrich of Lockport. |
| FALLS WATER BOARD SUES CITY FOR HALF A MILLION DOLLARS!! |
| The Niagara Falls Water Board is suing the city for $506,000, for losses from unpaid water bills by the Memorial Medical Center, that were forgiven by the city council. The lawsuit was filed yesterday in state supreme court, and claims the city breached its contractual obligation with the Water Board, by failing to pay the overdue bills orginally owed by Memorial. A board spokesman says the city's unwillingness to even acknowledge the debt, left them with no choice but to sue. |
| BATAVIA WOMAN CHARGED AFTER 4 YEAR OLD FALLS OUT OF MOVING CAR!! |
| A Batavia Woman arrested last week after a young child fell from a moving car, was in Batavia City Court yesterday. 28 year old Stacy Lear was charged with endangering the welfare of a child, which is a misdemeanor. Lear is accused of failing to properly secure 2 children ages 4 and 6 in the rear seat of her car last Thursday. While making a turn, the rear door opened and the 4 year old fell from the vehicle into the street. The girl was treated at the scene for minor lacerations to her hands. Lear was also ticketed for the child not wearing a seat belt. |
| SABRES CLEAN OUT LOCKERS...WILL DRURY AND BRIERE STAY OR GO?? |
| The Buffalo Sabres doing some spring cleaning yesterday, cleaning out their lockers and talking with the media about what might have been. Chris Drury and Daniel Briere commanded the most attention, with the press pressing the two co-captains about their future here in Buffalo. Both said they would like to stay as Sabres,
but the fact is both will command a lot of money as unrestricted free agents. Their futures are up in the air to say the least! |
| NIAGARA FALLS DEPUTY GETS HIS DAY IN COURT COME MID-JUNE!! |
| A year after his arrest, a NIagara County Sheriff's Deputy will face a jury, after an incident with a 16 year old girl at NIagara Wheatfield HIgh School. 13 year veteran Hugh Messer has been on unpaid leave since he was charged with 3rd degree sexual assault and other charges. Jury selection in the case is set for June 18th. |
| RUDY GIULIANI IN TOWN FOR MEGA-FUNDRAISER!! |
| GOP hopeful and candidate for President Rudy Giuliani coming to Buffalo tonight, for a mega-fundraiser at Kleinhans. Organizers hope to raise as much as $350,000 for Giuliani's campaign. Developer David Ulrich of Lockport is organizing the event, along with major GOP fundraiser Anthony Gioia. Political experts say Giuliani is the one Republican candidate that could carry New York, just like Ronald Reagan did in the 80's. |
| LOCKPORT RAPE TRIAL GETS MIXED VERDICT |
| 3 Lockport teens accused of raping a 15 year old girl with behavioral problems were acquited of rape charges late Friday night, but one of them was convicted of 2 felonies, and now faces 5 to 25 years in prison. 17 year old Dartaine Ubiles was found guilty of 2 counts of aggravated sexual battery and most likely will appeal that decision. Meantime, 17 year old Nicholas Smith was convicted of a misdemeanor, and Dontre Woods was acquited. He's also 17. The trial turned into a media circus, with the mother of the victim saying because none of the teens were convicted of rape, that justice was not served. |
| SABRES TO CLEAN OUT THEIR LOCKERS...AFTER SEASON ENDING LOSS TO SENS!! |
| The Sabres won't be skating for Lord's Stanley's cup this year, after losing ame 5 to the Senators 3-2 on Saturday.
With Ottawa taking that Eastern Conference Final 4 games to 1. All that's left for the Sabres to do is clean out their lockers later today,
and then hit the links! Meantime, both Chris Drury and Daniel Briere are unrestricted free agents, and it's doubtful the Sabres can keep both of them. And the contracts of Lindy Ruff and Darcy Regeir are both up, so this off-season is a critical one. The Sens advanced to the Stanley Cup Finals by beating Bufalo in 4 games, and now await the winner beteen Detroit and Atlanta in the west. |
| D.A. MATT MURPHY NIAGARA COUNTY'S HIGHEST PAID!! |
| Niagara County's highest paid employee is District Attorney Matt Murphy, who makes almost $120,000 a year. The county's highest paid employees are department heads and corrections officers, like Robert Watson, who's number 2 on the list with almost $104,000, which includes a lot of overtime. County Manager Greg Lewis is number 3, at almost $96,000. County Sheriff Thomas Beilein comes in 6th, with over $92.5 hundred thousand. |
| LOCKPORT FIRE BOARD SWITCHES DISPATCH DUTY TO COUNTY SHERIFFS!! |
| The Lockport fire board voting unanimously yesterday to shift fire department dispatching to the Niagara county Sheriff's office starting on August 1st. But Fire Chief Thomas Passuite said the switch-over could happen sooner, based on the results of technical work between the two agencies. The Chief also said he expects the city's fire union to file a grievence over the move. The current minimum manning level at the Fire Department is 9 firefighters per shift. |
| JURY DELIBERATIONS TO BEGIN IN TEEN RAPE TRIAL!! |
| The trial of 3 teens charged with raping and sexually abusing a 15 year old girl last year, is wrapping up in Niagara county court. Closing arguments are on track to end this morning, and then the jury will begin deliberations. The 3 17 year olds are acused of raping the girl last year in a Lock Street home. She says they threatened her with a knife, before forcing her to have sex. They say the sex was consenual at the girl's invitation. |
| SABRES STAY ALIVE BY SLAYING SENS 3-2!! |
| The Buffalo Sabres staying alive in Ottawa last night, where they shaded the Senators 3-2. With Buffalo now trailing the Sens 3 games to 1 in the Eastern Conference Finals, and setting up a Game 5 Saturday afternoon at HSBC arena. Derek Roy scored with just 9 seconds gone in the game, Maxim Afinogenov netted a power play goal, and Chris Drury filled out the scoresheet. The Sabres bolted to a 3 nothing lead before the Senators rallied, to make the score close. The puck drops at 2 o'clock on Saturday afternoon, in a nationally televized game on NBC. |
| BIKE PATH RAPIST PLEADS GUILTY...WILL GET 75 YEARS TO LIFE!! |
| Altemio Sanchez, the Bike Path Rapists,
admitted his guilt in a Buffalo courtroom yesterday. By telling the judge we was guilty of murder, in the deaths of 3 women. Sanchez sobbed as hie admitted strangling his victims!!
The were Linda Yalem, Majane Mazur and
Joan Diver. Come August, it'll be the sentencing of Schultz. He's epected to get 75 years to life.
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| SALE OF ALDI'S GETS VOTER APPROVAL!! |
| Niagara Falls voters approved the sale of school district land to Aldi's yesterday, paving the way for the discount grocer to build a store across the street from Tops Market on Portage Road. In a vote that wasn't finalized until Wednesday, residents spproved the proposal by just 71 votes.
The race was declared too close to call as the polls closed Tuesday night, because of improper reporting Meantime, on the School Board front, Jimmy "Vincent" Cancemi took the lone 5 year school board seat, with about 600 votes more than Dolores Marino. |
| SABRES TRY AND STAVE OFF ELIMINATION TONIGHT IN OTTAWA!! |
| It's do or die for the Sabres tonight in Ottawa, where the Senators lead the Sabres 3 games to none. With that zero for Buffalo, playing tricks on their heads, and seemingly firing up the Sens!! Only 2 teams in NHL history have come back from 3 games down to win a playoff series. We shall see if the Sabres can pull off the mother of all comebacks. The puck drops at 7 o'clock...on Versus!! |
| VOTERS APPROVE BUDGETS FOR ALL 10 LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS |
| It was a clean sweep for all 10 of Niagara County's school district yesterday, as voters gave their seal of approval for next year's budget. The total cost of all those budgets was $490 million!! Meantime: 23 members were elected to school board positions. The race in the falls involving a new site for Aldie's has been delayed, because the city can't find all the ballots. We'll have the latest, as details get clearer. |
| COLUMBINE-LIKE PLOT FOILED AT NIAGARA WHEATFIELD HIGH!! |
| 2 seniors at Niagara-Wheatfield High have been arrested, after they were overheard discussing a plan to blow up the school and burn fellow students. The arrests were made Monday morning after other students heard Larry Burket and Nicholas Gates talking about the plot in an english class. Burkett, who's 19 and Gates, 17, were each charged with a single count of 3rd-degree falsely reporting an incident. They were arraigned in Lewiston Town court. |
| SABRES LOSE ONE ZIP...TRAIL SENS 3 GAMES TO NONE!! |
| The Buffalo Sabres are now on the brink of elimination from the Stanley Cup Playoffs, after losing 1 nothing to the Senators last night in Ottawa.
The win was the Sens 3rd straight over Buffalo, who are now trailing in this Eastern Conference final 3 games to none. The Sabres outshot 32 to 15 on the night, with the only goal scored by Daniel Alfreddson. Ryan Miller was stellar with 31 saves on the night, and save for a bad bounce off the back board, he could have spun the shutout. The Sabres were also a woeful oh for 6 on the power play, and are now oh for 18 in the series. Game 4 is tomorrow night in Ottawa, with the puck to drop at 7 o'clock. |
| MAYOR ANNELLO WAVES BYE-BYE TO NFR!! |
| Niagara Falls Mayor Vince Annello has had it with NFR, after announcing yesterday that Niagara Falls Redevelopment has failed to deliver. And as a result of that situation, Annello says the development agreement between the city and NFR has expired.
The Mayor says a new development partner must now be found, and that DNR will be treated as just another property owner. |
| GAS PRICES REACH AN ALL-TIME HIGH!! |
| The price of gas continues to rise across the country and here in Western New York, with higher levels now than they were after Hurricane Katrina 2 years ago. With the cost of a gallon of regular unleaded a whopping $3.10 a gallon. That's a signal for New York Senator Charles Schumer to fly into action. He's accused the oil companies of conspiracy in setting these high prices, and has promised an investigation into this problem. The $3.10 per gallon is the highest ever, according to the AAA. |
| SABRES DOWN 2 GAMES TO NONE...GAME 3 TONIGHT IN OTTAWA |
| The Buffalo Sabres find themselves down 2 games to none to the Senators,
after losing game 2 4-3 in double overtime Saturday night at the arena
Game 3 is tonight in Ottawa, with the Sabres winless in their Playoff History, after losing the first 2 games of a playoff series. Will that jinx be broken tonight?? The puck drops at 7 o'clock on Versus!! |
| STEVE TASKER MAKES BILL'S WALL OF FAME GRADE!! |
| Good news for a former Buffalo Bill's special team ace. With Bill's owner Ralph Wilson giving Tasker a call over the weekend, and telling him he'll be inducted into the Bill's Wall of Fame come the fall. Tasker becoming the 24th Buffalo Bill to be so honored, and the 7th from the Bill's Superbowl teams of the 90's!! Tasker is known as the greatest special teams player in Bill's history, and in the hisroty of the Bills for that matter. The Bills have yet to announce the date when Tasker will be inducted. |
| MOTHER'S DAY BREAST CANCER CANAL WALK SETS A RECORD!! |
| The 11th annual Mother's Day Breast Cancer Canal walk was a huge success yesterday, with over 500 walkers taking part, setting a new record!! The event was held at the Wide Waters Marina, and featured food, drink, games of chance, and a worthy cause. Proceeds from the event went to the American Cancer Society, and Mary's Room, a charity that provides cancer patients with cost-free wigs. |
| SABRES STUNG BY SENS 5-2...TRAIL SERIES 1 GAME TO NONE!! |
| The Sabres got outshot 34 to 20 and lost ugly to the Senators 5-2 at the arena last night. With Buffalo falling behind 2 nothing, coming back to tie the game at 2, and then allowing 3 goals in the 3rd to lose going away. The loss leaves the Sabres trailing the Sens 1 game to none in the Eastern Conference Finals. Buffalo went oh for 5 on the power play while Ottawa was 2 for 5 with the man advantage, and opened the scoring with a short-handed goal by Mike Fisher. Game 2 is tomorrow night at HSBC, with the puck to drop at 8 o'clock!! |
| NT BANK ROBBER GETS 5 TO 15 YEARS IN PRISON |
| A North Tonawanda bank robber was sentenced to 5 to 15 years in prison yesterday, one week after attempting suicide at the brink of the falls. William Bradigan was the master-mind of a scheme that involved his girlfriend Heather Davey, who was a teller at the First Niagara Bank on River Road in N.T., where the robbery took place. Davey pretended to be a kidnapping victim of Bradigan, who then tied up another teller and made off with about $150,000. Davey confessed to the crime soon after and was sentenced to 1 to 3 years for her part in the theft. Bradigan was arrested in Florida and returned to Niagara County to face the music. |
| RAPE VICTIM AND HER MOM TAKES THE STAND!! |
| The Niagara County trial of 3 Lockport teenagers accused of raping a mentally challenged girl continued yesterday, with some dramatic testimony by the mother of the victim. She cried on the stand as she admitted under cross examination that her daughter never mentioned being raped when she showed up at home, after going missing from the group home she was staying at. One of the defense attornies said the sex was consensual. Meantime, the victim took the stand later in the day, and said she was forced into the bedroom at knifepoint before being raped. She also said one of the suspects send her a letter a few days later, urging her not to implicate him in the incident. The 3 boys each face up to 25 years in prison if convicted. |
| SABRES AND SENATORS READY TO GO TOE TO TOE!! |
| Finally, Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals hits the ice tonight at HSBC Arena. With the Sabres and Senators ready to go toe to toe, and fight for the right to skate for Lord Stanley's Cup!! Both teams are at full strength coming in, but Buffalo has more motivation because of making the finals grade last year, but were outsed by the Carolina Hurricanes, in 7
games. Face-Off time is at 7 o'clock,
with Game 2 on deck Saturday Night at 8 o'clock...in Bufalo once again! |
| ANIMAL BONES FOUND IN LOCKPORT - NO HUMAN REMAINS |
| Police in Lockport have identified the remains found down on dream street,and they aren't human!! Analysis indicated the bones found were of a cow or a pig. But, there is a silver lining: police say the search uncovered other new leads in the dissappearence of Cynthia Bulmer, who vanished in March of 1998. |
| EDEN GETS BACK TO NORMAL AFTER 5 HOUR STANDOFF |
| Life in Eden has returned to normal, after a despondent Iraqi war veteran held police at bay for 5 hours yesterday. 26 year old Eric Podosik reportedly fired a rifle in the woods behine a relative's home, prompting a call to 911. When police arrived, they closed Eden Central School as a precaution, and parents were called and told to pick up their children. After 5 hours, Podosik finally walked out of the house and surrendered to police. Turns out he was intoxicated and was asleep in the house for much of the standoff. |
| SENS GOALIE RAY EMERY PUTS FOOT IN MOUTH BY BASHING BUFFALO!! |
| Senators goalie Ray Emery has provided the Sabres with even more motivation to beat Ottawa in their upcoming playoff series. With Emery telling an Ottawa newspaper, he wanted the Rangers to beat the Sabres, because there's nothing to do in Buffalo during his days off. The bashing didn't seem to bother the Sabres much, but made great bulliten board fodder.
Game One between the two is tomorrow night at HSBC arena. |
| DEFENSE OF JUDGE AMY JO FRICANO REVEALED!! |
| The defense of Judge Amy Jo Fricano has been revealed by the defense attorney who hopes to clear her of the drugged driving charges against her. Joel Daniels says his plan includes the fact that Fricano took the prescription pain-killer hydrocodone the night before she hit that utility poll, 15-20 hours before the accident!
Daniels also says a 911 tape may show that Fricano actually called the police immediately after the accident.
That could possibly clear her of the leaving the scene of an accident charges against her. Stay tuned!! |
| LOCKPORT MAN PLEADS NOT GUILTY TO ROUGHING UP 10 YEAR OLD AT THE PEPSI CENTER!! |
| A Lockport man says he is innocent of roughing up a 10 year old boy at the Pepsi Center last month. Charles Schmidl of Aiken Road pleaded not guilty in court yesterday, to harrassment and child endangerment charges. He was teaching his 5 year old to skate in mid-April, when a 10 year old boy began peppering them with pucks. Schmidl told the boy to stop, but when he didn't, he grabbed him by the neck and dragged him off the ice. The case is set to go to trial in early June. Both have been banned from the Pepsi Center, as a result of the incident. |
| SABRES-SENATORS SCHEDULE SET...GAME 1 THURSDAY NIGHT AT HSBC!! |
| The NHL finally releasing the schedule for the Eastern Conference Finals, starring the Buffalo Sabres and Ottawa Senators. Game 1 hits the ice Thursday night at HSBC, at 7 o'clock. Game 2 is Saturday night at the arena, at 8 o'clock. Games 3 and 4 are in Ottawa, next Monday and Wednesday. Game 5, if necessary is Saturday, May 19th at 2pm. Game 6 is back in Ottawa Monday, May 21st. And Game 7 is in Buffalo on Wednesday May 23rd. The Sabres get back to the practice grind today...after taking yesterday off. |
| JURY SELECTION UNDERWAY IN RAPE TRIAL ACCUSING 3 LOCKPORT TEENS!! |
| Jury selection is underway in the NIagara County trial of 3 teenagers
charged with the rape of a 15 year old disabled girl from Lockport. 16 year old Dartained Ubiles and Nicholas Smith are on trial, along with 17 year old Dontre Woods. They're accused of raping and sexually abusing the girl at a Lock Street Home last year. All 3 rejected plea deals last week. |
| LEWISTON BOARD MEMBERS LAY DOWN THE LAW...ABOUT PARKING DURING TUESDAY IN THE PARK!! |
| Some of the homeowners who have been making cash by parking cars and motorcycles during Artpark concerts may be out o business this summer. That's because Village Board members voted last night, to prohibit parking on Tuesday's on South 1st Street, 2nd, 3rd and 4th Streets, as well as Seneca and Tuscarora Streets. That should stop the bottleneck affect during Tuesday in the Park. |
| SABRES PREVAIL IN 6 GAMES OVER RANGERS!! OTTAWA IS NEXT!! |
| The Sabres coming up big in the Big Apple yesterday, where they skated past the Rangers 5-4, taking that playoff series 4 games to 2. With Buffalo thus earing the right to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals against the Ottawa Senators as a result. The Sabres scoring 4 times in a 10 minute span of the 2nd period,
and Yoken Hecht scoring his first 2 goals of the playoffs, including the game winner. Game 1 against the Sens hasn's been scheduled yet, but it won't be played before Thursday night.
So says the NHL!! |
| MODEL TRAIN SHOW IN LOCKPORT GETS MOBBED, THEN ROBBED!! |
| Perhaps thousands of dollars in model railroad equipment was stolen over the weekend, from the 21st Annual railroad showcase at the Kenan Arena. Police say the burglary occured sometime between 5pm on Saturday, and 7am on Sunday. Almost all the vendors suffered some kind of loss. Police are investigating. |
| THE PRICE OF GASOLINE, MAY MAKE YOU SCREAM!! |
| Gas prices in Western New York and across the country are higher than a kite it seems! With the average local cost of a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline: $3.04. And the nation-wide average: $3.07 a gallon. So, when will all these price hikes end? No one knows! But Triple AAA spokesman and V.P. Wally Cox says change is needed and needed now! Stay Tuned... |
| GREEN STREET DIG YIELD'S NO REMAINS |
| An attempt to find the remains of a Lockport woman came up empty yesterday,
during a dig on Green St. Lockport Police got a tip from federal agents that Cynthia Bulmer had been buried in the backyard of 139 Green St. Bulmer has been missing since 1998, after she disappeared from a local tavern just blocks from her home. Police used a back-hoe to search for 6 hours, but found nothing but unidentified fragments, which were sent to the Eric County Lab. For now, the dig is over, but the effort to figure out what happened to Bulmer, will continue. |
| LOCKPORT ASSEMBLYMAN MIKE COLE FACES THE MUSIC |
| Lockport Assemblyman Mike Cole has been formally censured and stripped of his leadership position on an Assembly committee, after admitting he slept in a female intern's apartment, after a night of heavy drinking. Cole was removed as the ranking Republican on the Assembly Committe on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse. That cost him $9000!!
So he won't be going to any Hockey parties soon. In a statement released to the media, Cole apologized for a terrible lack of judgement. |
| BANK ROBBER ATTEMPTS SUICIDE AT THE BRINK OF THE FALLS |
| A convicted bank robber attempted suicide at the brink of the falls early yesterday morning, rather than face a scheduled sentencing hearing. William Bradigan was rescued by Park Patrol Deputies, and taken to the Falls Medical Center for observation.
His sentencing was re-scheduled for May 10th. Meantime, his girlfriend and accomplice in the crime, Heather Davey, was sentenced to 1 to 3 years in state prison yesterday, and ordered to re-pay 34 thousand dollars to the bank. |
| NIAGARA UNIVERSITY SET $80 MILLION FUNDRAISING GOAL!! |
| Niagara University trying to go where no other college has gone before,
to the very heights of fund-raising success. With University President the Reverand Joseph Levesque announcing yesterday, an $80 million goal they hope to reach by 2011. Believe it or not, about 40% of that money has already been raised, $30 million dollars worth. |
| COPS TO BE ON CAMPUS AT LOCKPORT HIGH SCHOOL!! |
| Come the fall, a full-time police officer will be stationed at Lockport High School, in an effort to keep students safe. The Lockport Commen Council putting together an agreement last night, and to use $65 thousand dollars in state aid to secure the officer for the post. That money was arranged for by State Senator George Maziarz. |
| MAD MAX TO RETURN TO SABRES LINE-UP, MAYBE THE GOOSE AS WELL!! |
| The Buffalo Sabres have turned the page on that no-goal call that allowed the Rangers to tie up this playoff series at 2 wins apiece. Head Coach Lindy Ruff says he's got confidence in his guys, and expects to win Game 5 tomorrow night at the arena. Maxim Afinogenov will be back in the line-up, after being benched in Game 4. And the Goose, Paul Gaustad, has been cleared to play by doctors, after missing the last 3 months with a torn tendon. |
| THE SABRES LOSE 2-1 TO THE RANGERS...TYING SERIES AT 2!! |
| The Sabres losing their 2nd straight game 2-1 to the Rangers last night in the Big Apple. Where the apparent game-tying goal was denied to Buffalo,
after a video replay was deemed inconclusive. Jaromir Jagr and Brendan Shanahan both scoring on the power play for New York, while Alesh Kotalik lit the lamp for the Sabres. Daniel Briere appeared to score with just under 13 seconds left, but it wasn't meant to be. Game 5 is Friday night at HSBC arena. |
| JUDGE AMY JOE FRICANO LETS HER ATTORNEY DO THE TALKING!! |
| Judge Amy Joe Fricano wasn't in court yesterday, but she didn't have to be. Instead, she let her defense attorney do the talking, and Joel Daniels confirmed that he'll be fighting the charges against her in court. Meantime, both the prosecution and the defense will ask for those charges to be consolidated to one court, the Lockport County Court. The case was also being heard in Lockport City Court before both sides huddled and made that decision. Fricano is due back in court next month. |
| THE LOCKPORT UNION-SUN AND JOURNAL...ROBBED OF CASH AND CHECKS!! |
| The Lockport Union-Sun and Journal was the victim of a robbery early Tuesday morning. Thieves broke into the office and stole a safe that contained both cash and checks, totaling about 27 hundred dollars. Police say a window was broken during the break-in, but they're not sure if that route was used to gain entry, because it was so small. Lockport Police continue to investigate, and look for suspects. |
| SABRES VOW TO WIN UGLY TONIGHT IN THE BIG APPLE |
| The Sabres and Rangers skate in Game 4 of their Playoff match-up tonight at Madison Square Garden. Sabres Head Coach Lindy Ruff reading his guys the riot act yesterday, imploring the Sabres to stop trying to make the perfect play, and just play "ugly" hockey. Ruff also has some tough decisions to make regarding the line-up, with Maxim Afinogenov perhaps to be benched. The puck drops at 7 o'clock...on Versus. Game 5 is friday night back in Buffalo. |
| JUDGE AMY FRICANO TO HAVE HER DAY IN COURT...TWICE!! |
| State Supreme Court Judge Amy Fricano is due in court twice today: at 1pm in Lockport City Court, and then again at 7pm in Lockport Town Court. However, her attorney Joel Daniels, telling WLVL News that the Judge won't personally appear, and that he'll be doing all the talking. Fricano has been charged with leaving the scene of an accident and driving under the influence of drugs, among other charges. Stay tuned to Hometown 1340 WLVL all day for the latest on the Fricano situation. |
| SHOOTING SUSPECT BEING SOUGHT...WHILE VICTIM IS STILL VERY CRITICAL |
| A Falls man shot late Sunday in the city is still on the critical list at ECMC, make that very critical!! Preston Edwards was shot in the chest with a shotgun, and Police are now looking for a "person of interest" in this case. 25 year old Wayne "Weezy"
Tabb is thought to be in the area, but he has no known address. Weezy should be considered armed and dangerous, and may have a shotgun in his possession.
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| SABRES AND RANGERS IN GAME 2 AND BEER BACK FOR PRE-GAME PARTY |
| The Sabres face-off against the Rangers tonight at the arena, with Buffalo leading this best of 7 playoff one game to none. Lindy Ruff holding 4 players out of practice yesterday: Tim Connolly, Brian Campbell, Tony Lydman and Drew Stafford. None of their injuries are serious and all will skate tonight. The puck drops at 7 o'clock on MSG. Meantime, beer is back at the Sabres Party in the Plaza before the game. With Larry Quinn bringing back beer sales...and imposing a 3 beer limit. Hand stamps will be used...and 3 stamps and you're out. |
| SENATE LAWMAKERS GIVE THEMSELVES A PAYRAISE |
| Senate lawmakers granting themselves a payraise yesterday, and clearing the way for judges to get their first pay hike since 1999. All 62 members of the State Senate voting unanimously for a bill that would create a commission, to help decide the amount of the increase. A similar bill would have to be introduced for the state assembly, but that hasn't happened yet. The payraise would take effect in January 2009. |
| LIGHTNING STRIKE CAUSES $60,000 IN DAMAGES TO LOCKPORT HOME |
| A town of Lockport home and garage struck by lightning yesterday, causing about 60 thousand dollars in damage.
It happened at about 4:40 Thursday afternoon at 6090 Crosby Road. Residents called 911, and it took firefighters about an hour to put out the flames. Damage was heavy, with the family now staying with relatives. |
| Sabres rip Rangers 5-2 |
| The Buffalo Sabres skated past the New York Rangers 5-2 last night at HSBC Arena. The victory gives the Sabres a one game to none lead in their best of 7 2nd round playoff series. After a scoreless first period, the Sabres scored 3 times in the 2nd, with Thomas Vanek leading the way with 2 goals. Jasen Pomenville, Ales Kotalik and Drew Stafford scored the other goals, while Ryan Miller was stellar between the pipes with 32 saves. Jaromir Jagr was held to just 2 shots by the Sabres defense. Game 2 is tomorrow night at the arena, with face-off time set for 7 o'clock. |
| Trooper shot and killed hailed from Springville |
| A New York State Trooper with roots in Western New York was shot and killed yesterday, by a fugitive who police say wounded two other troopers, and then was most likely killed when a farmhouse he was hiding in went up in flames. David Brinkerhoff was born in Springville, and graduated from Hamburg High. He leaves behind a wife and 7-month old daughter. 23 year old Travis Trim is suspected of killing Brinkerhoff and wounding the other 2 troopers. The farmhouse he was reportedly hiding in burned to the ground after it was surrounded by officers. A charred body was found in the burnt-out rubble. Police are still trying to I.D. that body. |
| Mike Cole Spent the Night at Intern's Apartment |
| Lockport Assemblyman Mike Cole is facing possible sanctions, after spending the night in the apartment of a 21-year-old female intern. The incident occured on April 16th in Albany, where Cole and several staff members and interns watched a Sabres playoff game in a sports bar. Cole was too drunk to drive, so he walked the intern home, and spent the night on the floor in her apartment. Cole telling WLVL News there was no sexual contact between the two and that he's very sorry for the incident. The intern has been fired, and Cole appeared before the Assembly's Ethics Committee yesterday. It's not clear just what punishment he faces. |
| WNY students return to Va. Tech |
| Two Western New York native are back in Blacksberg, Virginia this morning. Ready to resume their classes at Virginia Tech just one week after the shooting massacre that claimed 33 lives.
Matt Walden of Oakfield and Joe Cosentino of Lewiston both returned home last week after the tragedy to spend time with their families.
Both flew out of Buffalo yesterday to return to school and WLVL's Doug Young interviewed both Monday morning.
Each said they wouldn't let the shooter get to them. |
| SUNY Geneseo approves guns |
| In the wake of the shootings at Virginia Tech, SUNY Geneseo security officers will now be able to carry weapons on campus, making them the last SUNY 4-year school to make the change.
SUNY Geneseo president Christopher Doll says the new policy does not reflect increased risk on campus, but is a response the the tragic events at Va. Tech. |
| Lockport man arrested after high-speed chase |
| A Sunday morning high-speed chase that reached speeds of 85 miles per hour ended with the arrest of a Lockport man on drunken and drugged driving charges.
The chase began at 1:30 a.m. in the town of Pendleton and eventually ended near the former Melody Fair.
Karl Phillips, 27, of Aiken Road was found to be intoxicated and in possession of a small amount of cocaine. |
| Council considers moving meetings |
| Lockport's Common Council will debate the idea of moving committee meetings from early afternoons to 5:30 p.m.
Council President John Lombardi says meetings should be held when residents can attend. Not all aldermen agree with the idea.
Alderman Pat Schrader says the only people who care about meeting times are fellow alderman Tom Grzebinski and WLVL's Scott Leffler. Schrader says meeting shouldn't be moved to "satisfy two people." |
| Annello still voteless |
| Niagara Falls Mayor Vince Anello has asked three times in the past two months for a vote on the city council. Monday the council again voted unanimously against a public referendum allowing him a vote.
Anello was also denied an events secretary, a position that would pay $38,000 a year. That vote was unanimous as well. |
| NT man escapes injury at Va Tech |
| One of those to escape injury at Virginia Tech in yesterday morning's shooting spree was Greg Jablonski of North Tonawanda.
He's a junior studying civil engineering and was walking on campus between classes when he heard a flood of gunfire.
Jablonski's roommate, Justin Klein, was shot three times but survived the ordeal. |
| McDonough to oppose McNall |
| Former Lockport City School District Board Member Beverly McDonough has decided to oppose fellow former board member Keith McNall for the 16th district seat in the Niagara County Legislature.
McDonough, a Democrat, will seek that line and others. |
| Fall board welcomes state aid |
| The Niagara Falls School Board last night amended it's budget to acknowledge extra state aid.
The spending plan was at $117.3 million. Now it's $121.2 million.
Deputy School Superintendent Cynthia Bianco said they haven't decided how to spend the extra cash. |
| Lockport family put out by fire |
| A Lockport family of four being assisted by the Red Cross after a fire did about $65,000 damage to their home at 76 North Adam Street.
Officials say the blaze in the two-story wood frame broke out around 8 a.m. |
| Erie County DA to handle Fricano case |
| Niagara County District Attorney Matt Murphy said Wednesday that Erie County's DA, Frank Clark, offered to handle the Fricano case.
Murphy has a conflict since Fricano previously worked for him.
Fricano's attorney, Joel Daniels, said she was on her way to report the accident when she was stopped on Ernest Road by sheriff's deputies. |
| City to consider rubber sidewalks |
| Lockport lawmakers are expected to vote next week on a plan to replace sidewalks damaged by heaving tree roots.
Mayor Tucker suggested they might reach a deal with Rubberform for new rubber sidewalks. |
| Teens stopped with marijuana |
| A sheriff's deputy allegedly found $1,000 worth of marijuana Tuesday when he stopped a van being driven by a city of Lockport teen.
The deputy said he found eight ounces of marijuana in the van, as well as a pair of brass knuckles, and a small scale. |
| Fricano says it was a prescription |
| State Supreme Court Judge Amy Fricano told a sheriff's deputy she had taken Hydrocodone before she crashed her SUV into a NYSEG pole Monday night in Lockport.
She twice refused to take a blood test. Deputy Mike Dunn's report said the 52-year-old failed the one leg stand and the finger-to-nose test and was taken to the county jail.
Her license was suspended for refusing a blood test, but she has a hearing at the North Tonawanda DMV to fight that. |
| Ulrich may drop condo project |
| Developer David Ulrich says he would drop plans for a 139 unit condominium project in the town of Lockport if the town puts up too many roadblocks.
Town planner Andy Reilly said he's recommended declaring the project would have a significant impact on the environment, which would force Ulrich and partner Tim Mulvey to do a full environmental impact statement delaying the project four or five months. |
| Lewis: Keep the sales tax at 8 percent |
| County Manager Greg Lewis told the legislature's administration committee that the county needs to retain an 8 percent sales tax in order to continue to offset the costs of Medicaid.
Lewis said dropping the sales tax back to 7 percent, as it had been until two years ago, would cost the county $24 million, and result in a 36 percent property tax increase. |
| Wheatfield fire puts family out |
| The Red Cross is helping four Wheatfield residents after an overheated deep fryer caused a fire Saturday night that did between $175,000 and $200,000 damage to their two-story home at 7283 Ward Road. |
| Sabres to play Islanders |
| The Sabres found out Sunday that they will play the New York Islanders in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Game one is Thursday at 8 p.m. at HSBC Arena. |
| IDA board to stay put |
| The two leaders of the county legislature said Saturday that they advised against making any changes to the IDA board during a closed-door meeting of the majority caucus. Vice-chair Bill Ross said no final decision was made. |
| Kloch splits on AES deal |
State Supreme Court Judge Richard Kloch threw out more than half of the "causes of action" in the case against the AES tax break yesterday morning.
He said a hearing date of May 7 for the causes he didn't negate.
Both sides of the case report that they are happy with yesterdays results.
Kloch, meanwhile, said he knew that no matter how he ruled, an appeal would be made, but he expects AES would be successful in an appeal. |
| Judge agrees with Delphi |
A federal bankruptcy judge approved Delphi's extension plan to pay as much as $37 million in bonuses to its top executives.
Judge Robert Drain ruled that paying the bonuses was an excercise in sound business judgement and were necessary for the company to be successful. |
| Bus station construction to start |
The NFTA will begin construction on the new bus terminal in Niagara Falls on Monday.
The terminal - being built in the old Grossman's site on Factory Outlet Boulevard - will have seven bus bays and 56 parking spaces.
It will cost $4.1 million to build and should be open in December. |
| Unions upset over information breach |
Leaders of city unions are upset that city officials gave personal information - including their Social Security numbers - to a reporter for the Union Sun & Journal.
The information was provided for a story the paper did last week on the pay of city workers.
A press release by the "City of Lockport Union Partnership" says the city was negligent in giving the information out, and the newspaper was negligent in not giving the paperwork back. The release said unions are worried about identity theft.
There were five contact names and numbers on the press release, but WLVL has been unable to get comment from any union officials. |
| Vigils mark war anniversary |
About 75 people packed the main lobby of Lockport's City Hall last night for a candlelight vigil marking the 4th anniversary of the start of the Iraq war.
Organizer Beverly McDonough said she originally planned the event as a protest, but decided to focus on the positives, such as the teachers, students, and citizens who've sent cards and gifts to the soldiers.
A vigil held Monday afternoon in the Falls drew a small crowd of anti-war protestors. |
| Lilly pushes for drug testing |
Lewiston Porter School Board Member Ed Lilly will make a second effort to introduce a plan calling for random drug and alcohol testing of all district teachers, administrators and school board members.
Lilly made a similar effort in 2003, but decided to try again due to the recent accusations that a substitute teacher was using cocaine in a classroom full of elementary students. |
| Wilson could see millions in new tax revenue |
A group from Cleveland has expressed interest in building a retirement community in Wilson - including a golf course.
The firm says their planned 800 duplexes could increase Wilson's tax revenue by $8 million per year.
The duplex homes would cost $275,000 a piece. |
| Lockport school budget goes up |
Lockport City School District Superintendent Terry Carbone introduced a school budget of $70.4 million for the upcoming year, a 4 percent increase over the current year.
Increased state aid, however, would mean the local tax levy - and your tax bill - would only be increasing by .05 percent. |
| Study: Reynolds ranking drops |
An independent study by congress.org found that Congressman Tom Reynolds power in the house dropped dramatically as of the beginning of this term.
The study also found that Congresswoman Louise Slaughter's clout jumped significantly.
Reynolds, ranked 20th in 2006, is now ranked 377th overall. He is ranked as the least powerful member of the New York delegation.
Slaughter is now listed as the 41st most powerful member of congress and the 5th most powerful of the New York delegation. |
| Niagara makes it official |
Niagara University won it's play-in game Wednesday beating Florida A&M by a score of 77-69 and moving on to play Kansas in Chicago.
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| Silver Creek audit points to Mills |
State officials found what they say is another questionable split-dollar life insurance policy issued to former Newfane School Superintendent Jim Mills when they audited the Silver Creek School District.
Mills ran the Silver Creek schools from January 2001 and July 2002 before coming ot Newfane.
Auditors say Mills refused to sign over the $17,000 paid in premiums to the district when he left until auditors pointed out that he was obligated to do so.
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| Newfane supervisor says fire was set |
Tim Horanburg told WLVL's John Raymond that three buildings in Olcott that burned out early Monday morning were set ablaze on purpose.
Horanburg said the fire won't have much effect on plans to rehabilitate Main Street.
Five fire companies were on-scene at the hight of the blaze with three more on standby. One firefighters was treated for chest pains at ICMH. |
| Four treated after hit-and-run |
Four people were treated at area hospitals after being struck by a hit and run driver just before 2 a.m. Sunday near 6510 Lincoln Avenue in the town of Lockport.
The driver of the car - Pamela Bochniarz - was arrested a short time later and charged with DWI, failure to use a designated late, and further charges are pending.
Nineteen-year-old Joshua Cooney and 16-year-old Kelly Battison are in stable condition at ECMC. Sixteen-year-old Brianna Cummings was treated and released from the same hospital, while 20-year-old Mark Bolden was treated at the scene. |
| NU miffed at placement |
Coaches and players at Niagara University are scratching their head over their seeding for the upcoming NCAA tournament.
NU will have to play a play-in game tomorrow night against Florida A&M. The winner of that game will play number 1 seed Kansas.
Niagara's post in the play-in game has confounded many becuase NU has better statistics than most of the other 16-seeds and at least one other 15 seed. Many think NU being required to play the play-in game stems from the fact that several players were suspended earlier in the season for an off-court incident. |
| Mercury dips to record low |
The temperature at the Buffalo-Niagara International Airport dropped to zero degrees shortly before 6 a.m., breaking the old record of 1 set in 1901.
We could also reach a new record later if the temperature doesn't go above 11 for a high. The current record for lowest high is 12. |
| Bad roads lead to bad accidents |
White-out conditions caused a four-vehicle accident around 2:15 Monday afternoon near 4640 Griswold in Royalton.
Sheriff's deputies say the mishap was triggered by a two-car head on collision. A third vehicle had stopped to help and was then hit by the fourth. One person was taken to ECMC by Mercy Flight, a second was taken to LMH and a third to Medina Memorial.
In another accident Sheriff's Deputy Brian Harrer was treated at LMH for neck and back pains after his car was rear-ended on Orangeport Road. The impact pushed Harrer's cruiser into the oncoming lane, where it struck another car. |
| Hundreds brave Lake Ontario for polar plunge |
The water temperature was warmer than the air Sunday as a record number of swimmers made their way into Lake Ontario for the 38th annual Polar Bear Swim for Sight plunge.
Organizer Bill Clark said 560 people signed up for the swim and expected that the Lions Club likely raised between $12,000 and $14,000.
The money goes to support pledges for the blind and they also give contributions to local organizations such as Hospice, soup kitchens, and canine helpers for the handicapped. |
| Patterson visits Falls |
Leiutenant Governor David Patterson was among those showing up Sunday night to honor the longest serving pastor in Niagara Falls.
Bishop Euriah Colvin was honored for serving the Independent Church of God in Christ for 50 years.
More than 200 others including other prominent local politicians showed up to honor Colvin.
He'll be 80 in June. |
| Both sides wait for decision on PILOT |
State Supreme Court Judge Richard Kloch said yesterday that negotiations are still going on and he issued no ruling on a requested injuction to block the AES PILOT.
Kloch said he would release a written statement and is likely to do so today since exemptions for the Town of Somerset tax roles must be on record by March 1.
A Syracuse attorney hired by the Barker School District said hte judge gave him a proposal for a new PILOT when he met with him before yesterday afternoon's court appearance.
He said Kloch hoped to kick-start negotiations for a settlement. |
| Falls native dies in Iraq |
A 21-year-old soldier from Niagara Falls was killed in Iraq.
Specialist Lorne Henry Jr., of Lindbergh Avenue had been home just a few weeks ago to see family.
Henry, a member of the swim team when he was in high school, enlisted in the army after graduation. |
| Ruhmel denies porn charges |
Former Newfane School Board member Rick Ruhmel denies that he used his district-owned laptop computer to look at pornography.
Ruhmel said he has room mates, and while he wouldn't say who he thought was viewing the porn, he said he surely wasn't him.
Current board member Anthony LaRose told the Buffalo News that he did use his for personal activities but said he was told to use the computer as if it was his own when he was issued it in 2002. |
| DELPHI WORKERS IN LOCKPORT TO BE BRIEFED ON PROPOSED LABOR AGREEMENT |
| Workers at Delphi in Lockport will be updated today, on the tentative agreement reached on Friday, with the UAW and General Motors. According to published reports, Delphi will offer workers buyouts of up to $140,00 and other payments, in exchange for wage concessions meant to help the struggling auto supplier emerge from bankruptcy and avoid a strike. Delphi and the UAW signed the agreement on Friday, but it still must be approved by the company's 17,000 UAW workers and a federal bankruptcy judge. Workers would get a ballon payment based on years of service, and then have their hourly wage cut as much as fifty percent. |
| Commerce Square may have buyer |
Lockport Mayor Mike Tucker says a local businessman is interested in buying Commerce Square.
The mayor, who will be Scott Leffler's guest today on Dialog, wouldn't say who the businessman was, but did confirm it is not David Ulrich.
Tucker was also re-elected president of the Greater Lockport Development Corp., the city's economic development arm. |
| Airport closer to new terminal |
The NFTA announced on Thursday that the Federal Aviation Administration has OK'd the agency's aviation activity forecast at a proposed new terminal.
The move clears the way for final planning and construction.
The agency also unveiled an updated action plan to get the rest of the $13.1 million needed for the project.
Officials give Tom Reynolds credit for the getting the money and FAA approval. |
| Hospitals to get cheap power |
After approving a Democratic sponsored resolution at their last meeting urging the power authority to grant low-cost electricity to Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center, the majority caucus has a resolution on tomorrow's agenda of the Niagara County Legislature calling for low-cost power to four other hospitals.
Minority Leader Dennis Virtuoso says he'll probably vote for the resolution even though Memorial's request was tied to an expansion project and more jobs while the other four have no such plans. |
| Catholic parished to merge |
| A published report on Sunday says that the nine Catholic parishes in Niagara Falls would be merged into three under a plan being considered by Bishop Edward Kmiec. |
| Salmonella cases found in Niagara County |
Two cases of salmonella poisoning have been reported in Niagara County and five in Erie County.
The recent rash is assmumed to be from tainted Peter Pan and Great Value peanut butter with batch numbers starting in 2111.
Symptoms include fever, diarrhea, and stomach cramps and generally show up within a couple days of eating the tainted food and most recover on their own. However, young children and the elderly could suffer more dire consequences. |
| IDA accepts HSBC application |
The Niagara County Industrial Development Agency formally accepted HSBC's application for tax breaks on it's proposed $935 million data canter in Cambria.
Chairman Henry Sloma says he thinks it may be a beginning of a whole new era for the county.
A hearing on the project has been set for March 13th at 4:30 p.m. at Cambria Town Hall. |
| Needler: I'm out |
Niagara County Legislator Mal Needler announced yesterday that he will not seek re-election.
Needler, 55, has represented the 11th district of the legislature for 20 years.
He said he needs to concentrate on his full-time job at the New York Power Authority, and lamented the fact that he's had to abstain from several votes that dealt with power issues.
He has not ruled out future forays into politics. |
| County ratifies power agreement |
County lawmakers last night agreed to terms with the New York Power Authority over the distribution of the county's low-cost electricty.
The discount power is part of the deal for their support of the relicensing.
Assistant county attorney Tom Burgasser said the deal is very flexible, giving the county a great deal of lattitude on how they use the 9 megawatts of power. |
| Demler goes on offensive |
Wheatfield Town Supervisor Tim Demler called a press conference for 5:30 today to discuss the recent discrimination allegations regarding the town homes of Shawnee Landing project.
Demler, who will be on WLVL's Ask the Pro today at 10:15, plans to set the record straight on several issues surrounding the project, he said. |
| Legislature forms AES task force |
Three members of the Niagara County Legislature have been charged with revising the AES deal.
Jason Murgia and Keith McNall will represent the majority caucus, while Renea Kimble will represent the minority caucus. Kimble is a past member of the IDA board and has dealt with the issue before.
Lawmakers created the panel last Tuesday after hearing that the judge overseeing the lawsuit directed the two sides to come up with a better agreement. |
| Town of Niagara resident dies in fire |
One person was killed in a house fire around 10:15 p.m. Sunday at 4172 Military Road in the Town of Niagara.
State police say the two-story wood framed structure was divided into several apartments.
No damage estimate has been provided and the cause is under investigation. Further details on the deceased were not released. |
| Lockport to look at ramp costs |
The City of Lockport is looking for a consultant to come up with an estimate on the cost of saving the Main Street parking ramp.
Proposals are due by March 9, asking for three scenarios: repairing the 32-year-old structure, fixing only the bottom three levels and making the top two safe, or repairing the bottom three and removing the top two.
The ramp has been closed since August. |
| Newfane to voters: You decide |
The Newfane School Board decided Wednesday to offer voters a choice when they vote in March on the proposed capital project.
Board president Jamie Reineke says $26 million worth of work needs to be done, but they're also offering a $7.2 million project by itself. |
| Cuddahee opts out |
Niagara Falls legislator Rebecca Cuddahee announced on Wednesday that she will not seek election to a third term.
The third district representative didn't give a reason for her decision, which she announced by press release.
She did say it was an honor and priveledge to have served. |
| NF mayoral candidates line up |
Niagara Falls council member Lewis "Babe" Rotella is planning a run for the mayor's office in the fall.
The city's Democratic Committee chair saying rotella informed them of his decision last week. Council chair Robert Anderson says he plans to run for another term. Council member Charley Walker hasn't ruled out running for mayor. And current Mayor Vince Anello is expected to run for another term.
Meanwhile, County Republican Chairman Henry Wojtaszek says he's recieved several calls from potential candidates. |
| State budget benefits area |
The Lockport School District will get $2.6 million more in state aid under the $120.6 trillion budget unveiled yesterday by Governor Eliot Spitzer.
The Niagara Falls School District would get an additional $4.9 million and other schools would get increases as well.
The county's cities, towns and villages would all recieve more state aid, as well.
In addition, Spitzer called for a $6 billion cut in property taxes over the next three years. |
| AES wants Barker audited |
The A-E-S corporation on Wednesday, asked the state comptroller to do an audit of the Barker School District, saying there was an extraordinary increase in revenues with no apparent increase in instructional services or increase in student performance.
School chief Steve LaRock says he welcomes an audit, since every school district in the state is having one done anyway.
LaRock says he's met priavtely with 24 people who will lose their jobs if the district doesn't get releif from the tax break given to the IDA. |
| Nemi to run for legislature |
Lockport Youth and Recreation Director Toni Nemi announced that he's running for the 15th district seat in the Niagara County Legislature.
Nemi said he's worked with the youth of the community for over 25 years and watched them leave for other parts of the country. He says he can't sit back and watch it happen any more.
Nemi is a registered member of the Independence Party and will be running on that line and seek the nomination of the Republican, Conservative and Working Families Party lines. |
| Former Local 91 president gets four years |
Former Laborers Local President Robert Malvestuto was sentenced Monday to ver four years in prison for his guilty plea to a racketeering conspiracy charge.
Malvestuto will be in jail for 51 months and will have 24 months of probation thereafter.
Judge Richard Arcara said he could not grant a request to lessen the sentence despite getting 175 letters asking him to do so.
Arcara said the three acts Malvestuto admitted to were the most serious the union was involved in. |
| Leadership Niagara to honor Sloma |
Leadership Niagara, a leadership development program serving Niagara County, will honor Henry Sloma as "Leader of the Year" at their annual dinner on Wednesday.
Sloma - chairman of the IDA - is being honored for his extensive community involvement in health care, other projects and business accomplishments.
Also being awarded at the $50 a plate dinner: Bob Confer, Niagara University and the Grigg Lewis Foundation. |
| Violante to run for DA |
The county's public defender - Michael Violante - will run for District Attorney, he announced over the weekend.
Violante, a Republican, has been a practicing attorney since 1971.
Democratic incumbent Mike Murphy said last year that he will not run again this fall. |
| IDA refuses meeting with school district |
The county IDA on Thursday cancelled a meeting with Barker School District Business Adminitrator Bill Leardini about their payments under the AES PILOT deal.
IDA officials said they can't meet since Barker is suing them over the deal.
Barker Superintendent Steve LaRock says they just want help figuring out how much money they'll be getting from AES, calling the IDA formula confusing. |
| GLDC tables Tucker |
The Greater Lockport Development Corporation, the city's version of an IDA, tabled a motion Thursday that would have kept Mayor Mike Tucker on as president of the organization.
The mayor has been chairman and president since the organization's founding 15 years ago.
The board was concerned about a statement in their annual audit saying it may be a conflict of interest. |
| Palace to run new movies? |
With the recent closure of the Lockport Mall's movie theater, the Palace Theatre is now considering showing first-run films.
Member George Fritz says no firm decision has been made, but it looks favorable.
Theatre manager Jim Kretz says there may be a problem with staffing. |
| Barker School District sues IDA |
The Barker School Disctrict filed a lawsuit Monday aimed at cancelling the AES PILOT deal.
The suit charges the IDA with repeatedly violating its own policies and state law, accusing them of ignoring the protests by the school district and inadequately notifying taxing jurisdictions involved in the matter.
The first court date before judge Richard Klock is set for Feb. 22 in Lockport. |
| NF Council hikes mayor's, own salaries |
The Niagara Falls City Council voted 5-0 Monday to hike the mayor's salary from $30,000 to $78,000 - the first pay raise for the job in nearly 20 years.
Lawmakers also voted to increase their own pay from $8,000 a year to $12,000.
Both increases take effect in 2008. |
| Spitzer looks south to boost Upstate |
Governor Eliot Spitzer hired Pennsylvania's economic development czar to lead his efforts to revitalize Upstate.
Daniel Gunderson has had a lot of success in the Keystone State since taking over operations there in 2003. Prior to that, he had a simlar job in Maryland.
Spitzer will be in Buffalo this afternoon to formally introduce Gunderson to the public. |
| Clinton plans health care for kids |
Senator Hillary Clinton followed her announcement on Saturday that she's formed an exploratory committee to run for president with a plan Sunday to make health insurance available to all children.
She said health care would be a major part of her campaign while speaking yesterday during an event with Children's Health Associates in Manhattan. |
| County conducts homeless survey |
A survey is being done this week on the number of homeless people in Niagara County.
The executive director of the Community Mission of Niagara Falls says the county missed out on as much as $10 million in homeless funding over the last decade because no homeless surveys were done.
A survey last year showed there were 135 people in the county who were homeless or "marginally housed." |
| Kimble asks attorney general to step in |
County Lawmaker Renea Kimble wants the state attorney general's office to investigate the recently granted AES PILOT.
She says she'll introduce a resolution at the next meeting of the legislature, but says if it doesn't pass, she'll write her own letter requesting the probe. |
| Mayors salary to triple |
The Niagara Falls City County is expected to vote on Monday to triple the current $30,000 salary of the mayor's position.
The change would take effect in 2008.
Another resolution would raise the pay for the council from $8,000 to $12,000. |
| Beware "jury duty" calls |
The public is being warned to be wary of phone calls concerning jury duty.
Officials say someone's been calling people trying to get them to give their names, dates of birth, and Social Security Numbers.
Never give out such information over the phone. TO verify the validity of a jury duty related call, contact the county at 439-7239. |
| IDA gets ahead of legislature |
Niagara County Legislators asked the IDA to rescind it's deal with AES for a PILOT program that would save the multi-billion-dollar company $42 million over 12 years. But the deal was already inked and only a court order can stop it now.
Some legislators, upset that the IDA signed the deal secretly on Friday, demanded the head of IDA chairman Henry Sloma. That resolution failed 7 to 12.
Dennis Virtuoso, D-Niagara Falls, said he plans to ask the FBI to step in, saying he won't say the deal was corrupt, "but it was shady."
More than 100 were at the meeting last night. Many were for it, and could be recognized by their AES garb or union attire. Others opposed it, recognizable by their signs decrying the deal.
The town of Somerset and Barker School District plan to sue the IDA over the PILOT agreement. |
| State plans reforms |
A balanced budget is one of the many reforms announced Tuesday by legislative leaders and Governor Eliot Spitzer.
Spitzer said they agreed that lump-sum appropriations, including "member items" would be itemized.
They also agreed to set aside a rainy day fund of five percent. |
| Fire at NACC |
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ABOUT 20 PEOPLE WERE EVACUATED WHEN THE NIAGARA FALLS FIRE DEPARTMENT RESPONDED TO FIRE AT THE NIAGARA ARTS AND CULTURAL CENTER AT THE CORNER OF PINE AND PORTAGE YESTERDAY .
THE FIRE STARTED IN A STOREROOM ON THE FIRST FLOOR OF THE BUILDING. ACCORDING TO FIRE OFFICIALS A GREAT DEAL OF SMOKE WAS CAUSED BECAUSE PAPER PRODUCTS AND PLASTICS THAT WERE STOCKED IN THE ROOM.
THE FIRE WAS CONTAINED TO THAT PORTION OF THE BUILDING. DESPITE THAT THERE WAS SMOKE DAMAGE ON THE FIRST AND SECOND FLOORS. IT WAS ESTIMATED THAT THE DAMAGE WAS BETWEEN 5 AND 10 THOUSAND DOLLARS.
NACC IS OPEN TODAY FOR ALL ACTIVITIES EXCEPT THOSE TAKING PLACE IN THE BUILDINGS WEST WING. |
| Pieszala to sue |
A town of Lockport woman signed papers Wednesday to sue both the town and it's zoning board, demanding to be reinstated as an alternate member of the zoning board, a position she says should be hers through 2011.
A trio of lawyers led by Niagara Falls attorney Ned Perlman are handling her case. They filed a stay yesterday preventing the town's zoning board from using new alternate member Mike Bartus in any vote.
The case is expected to be heard in February by Judge Frank Caruso in state Supreme Court. |
| Granto to present closing options |
Niagara Falls School Superintendent Carmen Granto is slated to present his school closing recommendation during tonight's board meeting.
The session begins at 5:30 in the Walnut Street Annex. |
| Somerset to get wind farm? |
About 75 residents were at Somerset Town Hall last night for an information session about allowing an Oneida-based company to build a windmill farm in the community.
Town Supervisor Richard Meyers says town officials are leaning towards moving ahead with the project, but there are many unanswered questions.
The windfarm would be built by Empire State Wind Energy, partly owned by Sabres owner Tom Golisano. |
| County moves towards OKing CSEA contract |
The county legislature's administrative committee gave it's OK to a tentative new contract for about 850 CSEA members.
The union has already ratified the new deal. It needs to be voted on by the legislature on Tuesday. |
| Panel formed to find comptroller |
Governor Eliot Spitzer and legislative leaders said Tuesday that a three-member panel will be created to find a new state comptroller.
The state constitution gives the legislature the power to fill the vacancy.
Former comptroller Alan Hevesi resigned after being re-elected in order to avoid prosecution. |
| Palace latest theft victim |
The cleaning crew at Lockport's Historic Palace Theatre found the box office broken into when they showed up for work Sunday morning.
The president of the threatre board, Ellen Schratz, says the safe was broken and doors kicked in. The glass was kocked out of the office doors. The safe contained about $200. There was no estimate of damage.
Police say there was no sign of forced entry and the culprits likely hid in the building after Saturday night's viewing of the Sabres/Mapleleafs game. |
| Niagara Falls loses convention |
The president of the Niagara Falls Teachers Union says a lack of quality hotel rooms lost the city the 2009 New York State United Teachers Convention.
Joe Catalano says they were about 200 rooms short. There would be enough rooms if those in the Seneca Niagara complex were counted, but those rooms can't be booked this far ahead of time. |
| Man shot in Niagara Falls |
An unnamed man was taken to Erie County Medical Center Sunday night after being shot while sitting in a car on Ashland Avenue in the Falls.
Police say a passenger in the vehicle had gone into a house on the 1500 block of Ashland and that two males approached the car afterwards, opening the door and shooting the driver in the upper right arm.
The victim was able to get to the house his passenger had gone into and call police.
Police say they have no suspects. |
| County workers okay contract |
County CSEA workers agreed to a six-year contract on Wednesday by a 56 vote margin.
The unit's 850 workers are getting lump sum payments for the first three years of the retroactive deal and a 2.5 percent increase in each of the final three. The deal runs through 2008.
The agreement does away with cosmetic surgery coverage. Insurance will be through Independent Health and covers prescriptions, medical and surgical procedures and hospital stays. |
| Pieszala plans lawsuit |
Town of Lockport officials voted Wednesday night to replace Donna Pieszala on the Zoning Board of Appeals.
Pieszala says her term was set to run through 2011 and she'll sue over the discrepancy.
Supervisor Marc Smith said Pieszala's 2011 term was actually a clerical error.
Councilman David Knight voted against the change. |
| Legislature sets 2007 calendar |
County lawmakers are basically taking most of the summer off.
Their recently approved 2007 meeting schedule only calls for one session between June 19th and September 4th.
That meeting will be July 24th. |
| Health care workers hike across state |
Western New York health care professionals are set to kick off a 19 day march to Albany to persuade the state legislature to reject the findings of the Berger commision.
The "Walk to Rescue New York State Hospitals" will begin with an 11:45 rally at DeGraff Hospital in North Tonawanda. |
| Wal-Mart get over first hurdle |
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THE NEXT STEP IN THE PROCESS OF BUILDING A WAL-MART SUPER CENTER IN THE TOWN OF LOCKPORT WAS COMPLETED YESTERDAY AFTERNOON… THE LOCKPORT TOWN PLANNING BOARD APPROVED THE DEVELOPERS’ ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT. THE 186 THOUSAND SQUARE FOOT STORE WOULD REPLACE THE LOCKPORT MALL ON TRANSIT ROAD.
RESIDENCE WHO LIVE NEAR THE SITE SAY THAT THE STORE WOULD HAVE A NEGATIVE IMPACT ON THE THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD. THE TOWN OF LOCKPORT ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS HAS ANOTHER PUBLIC HEARING ON THE PROJECT SET FOR JANUARY 11 AT THE TOWN HALL.
A SPECIAL USE PERMIT, APPROVAL OF THE SITE PLAN AND APPROVAL TO SUB DIVIDE THE MALL PROPERTY IS STILL NEEDED FROM THE PLANNING BOARD … THOSE COULD COME AS SOON AS JANUARY 16. |
| Legislature names new leadership |
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THE 14 MEMBER MAJORITY CAUCUS OF THE NIAGARA COUNTY LEGISLATURE DID WHAT WAS EXPECTED LAST NIGHT AND PROMOTED RANSOMVILLE REPUBLICAN CLYDE BURMASTER AS LEGISLATIVE CHAIRMAN AFTER A THREE AND A HALF HOUR SESSION IN WHEATFIELD.
BURMASTER WILL TAKE OVER FOR BILL ROSS WHO WILL ASSUME THE DUTIES AS THE VICE CHAIRMAN.
BURMASTER’S PROMOTION WILL BE MADE OFFICIAL NEXT TUESDAY AT THE LEGISLATURE’S REORGANIZATION MEETING.
ANTHER CHANGE IN THE LEGISLATURE. THE CAUCUS CHOSE LOCKPORT REPUBLICAN RICHARD UPDEGROVE AS MAJORITY LEADER… THIS WAS A LITTLE BIT OF A SURPRISE SINCE UPDEGROVE HAS ONLY BEEN IN THE LEGISLATURE FOR THREE YEARS.
UPDEGROVE WILL REPLACE NORTH TONAWANDA’S MALCOLM NEEDLER.
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| Wal-Mart wants variances |
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THE TALKS OVER THE WAL-MART SUPER STORE WERE ON THE TABLE YESTERDAY AT THE TOWN OF LOCKPORT PLANNING BOARD MEETING.
WAL-MART HAS ASKED FOR 40 VARIANCES FROM THE BOARD IN ORDER TO BUILD ITS FACILITY ON THE CURRENT LOCKPORT MALL SITE.
OPPONENTS TO THE SUPER CENTER SAY THAT THE NUMBER OF VARIANCES ARE EXCESSIVE. REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE CITIZENS FOR SMART GROWTH BELIEVE THAT THE PROJECT PLANNERS NEVER REALLY CONSIDERED ALL OF THE OPTIONS. INCLUDING A PLAN FOR A TWO STORY BUILDING THAT WOULD ELIMINATED THE NEED FOR THE VARIANCES.
BOARD CHAIRMAN PAUL SIEJAK SAYS THAT A DECISION ON THE VARIANCES WILL NOT BE MADE UNTIL A FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT IS MADE. THAT WILL BE DISCUSSED LATER TODAY AT A PLANNING BOARD MEETING. |
| No deal yet between Time Warner and Fox |
|
TIME IS RUNNING OUT FOR TIME WARNER CABLE AND SINCLAIR BROADCASTING TO REACH A DEAL. SINCLAIR WHICH CURRENTLY OWNS FOX 29 AND ITS SISTER STATION MY NETWORK 49 MAY BE TAKEN OFF THE AIR ON CABLE. IF A DEAL IS NOT REACHED BY NEW YEAR’S DAY.
TIME WARNER REPRESENTATIVES SAY THAT TALKS ARE CONTINUING… THEY ADD THAT THESE NEGOTIATIONS TRADITIONALLY GO UP TO THE LAST MINUTE AND DEADLINES ARE NORMALLY EXTENDED AS NOT TO INTERRUPT SERVICE. BUT THAT HAS NOT HAPPENED AS OF YET. |
| Moratorium in Wheatfield ends |
|
THAT THREE WEEK MORATORIUM THAT WHEATFIELD SUPERVISOR TIM DEMLER IMPOSED ON THE BUILDING OF THE SHAWNEE LANDING HOUSING PROJECT HAS ONLY LASTED ABOUT TWO DAYS.
DEMLER’S STATED THAT HE WAS OVERRULED BY THE TOWN’S ATTORNEY.
DEMLER HAS BEEN IN THE MIDDLE OF A SWARM OF CONTROVERSY CONCERNING THE SHAWNEE LANDING HOUSING PROJECT. MEMBERS OF THE WHEATFIELD COMMUNITY FELT THAT THEY WERE MISLEAD INTO THINKING THAT THE PROJECT WAS A SENIORS ONLY DEVELOPMENT. IN FACT THE PROJECT WAS ALSO TO INCLUDE LOW INCOME HOUSING.
DEMLER PUT A THREE WEEK SUSPENSION ON THE CONSTRUCTION BUT IT WAS LATER FOUND OUT THAT HE HAD NO LEGAL AUTHORITY TO DO SO. |
| Burmaster to be named chairman |
|
THERE MAY BE A CHANGE IN THE HIERARCHY IN THE NIAGARA COUNTY LEGISLATURE.
VICE CHAIRMAN AND THE 13TH DISTRICT LEGISLATOR FROM RANSOMVILLE CLYDE BURMASTER MAY SOON TAKE OVER AS THE CHAIRMAN.
THE CURRENT CHAIRMAN BILL ROSS WILL SWITCH WITH BURMASTER IN A DEAL WORKED OUT BY COUNTY REPUBLICAN PARTY CHAIRMAN HENRY WOJTASZEK.
ROSS HAS BEEN THE CHAIRMAN FOR THE PAST TWO YEARS AND IS SLATED TO STEP DOWN AS OF JANUARY 2ND.
THE 14 MEMBER MAJORITY CAUCUS WILL MEET ON THURSDAY TO VOTE ON THE SWITCH… BUT IT IS THOUGHT TO BE NOTHING MORE THAN A RUBBER STAMP.
THE SWITCH IS SAID TO BE MADE BE CAUSE REPUBLICAN LEADERS BELIEVE THAT BURMASTER’S LEADERSHIP STYLE IS MORE SUITED FOR A VERY DIFFICULT ELECTION YEAR. |
| Wheatfield likely to purchase land |
|
A STUDY OF A FIVE ACRE PIECE OF LAND IN WHEATFIELD THAT THE TOWN BOARD WANTS TO USE FOR A RIVER FRONT PARK HAS FOUND LOW LEVELS OF METALS IN IT… BUT NOT ENOUGH TO STOP THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT…
THE BOARD MET WITH MEMBERS OF A INFRASTRUCTURE AND ENGINEERING GROUP LAST WEEK TO DISCUSS THE FINDINGS… BEFORE THE BOARD ACTED ON THE PURCHASE THE LAND FROM A PRIVATE OWNER…
THE TOWN ATTORNEY HAS RECOMMENDED THE APPROVAL OF THE DEAL WHICH WILL TOTAL ABOUT 160 THOUSAND DOLLARS…
THE PROPOSED PARK WILL BE ON RIVER ROAD NEAR WILDWOOD DRIVE JUST WEST OF WILLIAMS ROAD AND WILL BE A HOME TO BOAT DOCKS… |
| Wal-Mart gets the go ahead |
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AFTER MUCH LEGAL RANGING IT SEEMS THAT THE PROPOSED WAL-MART AND SAM’S CLUB ON MILITARY ROAD IN THE TOWN OF NIAGARA WILL MOVE FORWARD.
A NEW YORK SUPREME COURT UPHELD THE DECISION TO DISMISS A LAWSUIT THAT SOUGHT TO VOID THE PROPOSED SUPER CENTER…
THE LAW SUIT WAS BROUGHT ABOUT BY A GROUP IN THE TOWN OF NIAGARA CALLED THE CITIZENS AGAINST SPRAWLMART.
THE GROUP SOUGHT TO BLOCK THE STORE FROM BUILDING BECAUSE THEY CLAIMED THAT THE STORE WOULD INCREASE TRAFFIC AND NOISE IN THE AREA.
IT IS THOUGHT THAT THE PROJECT WILL NOW BEGIN IN THE SPRING. |
| Hevesi admits guilt |
|
NEW YORK COMPTROLLER ALAN HEVESI YESTERDAY ENDED HIS 35 YEAR CAREER IN PUBLIC SERVICE WITH HIS RESIGNATION AND AGREEMENT TO PLEAD GUILTY TO A FELONY. THE ACT ENDS THE INVESTIGATION INTO HIS USE OF UP TO FOUR STATE EMPLOYEES AS DRIVERS AND COMPANIONS FOR HIS WIFE.
ASSEMBLY SPEAKER SHELDON SILVER AND GOVERNOR ELECT ELLIOT SPITZER WILL TRY TO AGREE ON A REPLACEMENT. UNDER THE CONSTITUTION THE LEGISLATURE WILL MAKE THE CHOICE.
THE BODY IS DOMINATED BY DEMOCRATS AND THAT WILL GIVE SPEAKER SILVER THE LOUDEST VOICE. SPITZER IS EXPECTED TO HAVE CONSIDERABLE SAY AND HE WANTS SOMEONE WHO WILL HELP HIM QUOTE CLEAN UP ALBANY. |
| Tax break for Tecmotiv |
|
DESPITE ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLAINTS THE NIAGARA COUNTY IDA APPROVED A 15 YEAR PROPERTY TAX BREAK FOR THE EXPANSION OF TECMOTIV USA IN NIAGARA FALLS.
RESIDENTS AROUND THE VEHICLE PARTS PLANT HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THE NOISE AND EMISSIONS FROM THE FACTORY… BUT THE IDA BOARD APPROVED THE DEAL ANYWAY.
ONCE TECMOTIV SUPPLIES THE CITY WITH PROOF IT HAS ORDER NOISE REDUCTION EQUIPMENT FOR THE PLANT… CONSTRUCTION ON THE TEN THOUSAND SQUARE FOOT 700 THOUSAND DOLLAR PROJECT EXPANSION CAN BEGIN. |
| Niagara County cities receive grants |
|
STATE SENATOR GEORGE MAZIARZ ANNOUNCED YESTERDAY THAT THERE WOULD BE THREE STATE GRANTS AWARDED UNDER THE SHARED MUNICIPAL SERVICES INCENTIVE GRANT PROGRAM . THESE GRANTS ARE INTENDED TO PROMOTE INTER MUNICIPAL COOPERATION.
LOCKPORT AND NORTH TONAWANDA WOULD RECEIVE 400 THOUSAND DOLLARS TO LOOK INTO THE FEASIBILITY OF MERGING THE WATER AND SEWER SYSTEMS OF THE TWO CITIES.
NIAGARA AND ERIE COUNTIES RECEIVED 275 THOUSAND DOLLARS TO CREATE AN INFORMATION SYSTEMS NETWORK THAT WOULD INCLUDE 911 EMERGENCY CENTERS .
AND FINALLY OVER 77 THOUSAND DOLLARS WOULD GO TO THE TOWN OF WILSON AND THE CITY OF NIAGARA FALLS FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF A SHARED ASSESSMENT SERVICES PROJECT. |
| Hevesi may resign |
|
ACCORDING TO THE ALBANY TIMES UNION NEW YORK STATE COMPTROLLER ALAN HEVESI WILL RESIGN AS PART OF A PLEA DEAL TO STAY OUT OF JAIL.
HEVESI WILL REPORTEDLY PLEAD GUILTY TO CHARGES STEMMING FROM THE USE OF A STATE EMPLOYEE TO CHAFFER HIS WIFE…
SOURCES SAY THAT HEVESI WILL STEP DOWN ON FRIDAY…
EARLIER THIS MONTH HEVESI AGREED TO Pay back OVER 206 THOUSAND DOLLARS TO SETTLE THE ATTORNEY GENERAL’S INVESTIGATION.
IN OCTOBER THE STATE ETHICS COMMISSION SAID HEVESI VIOLATIOED THE LAW WHEN HE USED A STAFFER TO CHAUFFEUR HIS WIFE FROM 2003 TO MID 2006.
HEVESI CLAIMED THE DRIVER WAS NEED TO PROVIDE SECURITY FOR HIS WIFE. |
| Congi gets 15 years |
|
THE FORMER PRESIDENT OF NIAGARA FALLS LABORERS LOCAL 91 WILL SERVE 15 YEARS IN FEDERAL PRISON FOR RACKETEERING AND CONSPIRACY.
MARK CONGI ADMITTED USING ACTS OF VIOLENCE AND THREATS AGAINST COMPANIES THAT REFUSED TO HIRE MEMBERS OF LABORER LOCAL 91 FOR CONSTRUCTION.
THE 46 YEAR OLD YOUNGSTOWN RESIDENT WAS HIT WITH THE LONGEST SENTENCE OF ANY DEFENDANT IN ONE OF THE BIGGEST LABOR RACKETEERING CASES EVER PROSECUTED IN WESTERN NEW YORK.
CONGI IS THE 16TH MEMBER OF THE NIAGARA FALLS UNION TO BE SENTENCE SINCE A SERIES OF ARREST IN 2002. |
| Holka gets 30 years |
|
CONVICTED RAPIST JOSEPH HOLKA RECEIVED 30 YEARS IN PRISON YESTERDAY.
THE 22 YEAR OLD HOLKA WAS FOUND GUILTY OF RAPPING A 16 YEAR GIRL AND CUTTING THE THROAT OF HER 12 YEAR OLD BROTHER IN THEIR WHEATFIELD HOME IN EARLY MARCH.
NIAGARA COUNTY COURT JUDGE PETER BRODERICK CHARACTERIZED HOLKA AS A PSYCHOPATH AND BARBARIC.
HOLKA SNAPPED BACK, “ YOU ACT LIKE YOU KNOW ME… YOU DON’T EVEN KNOW ME… I’LL SEE YOU GUYS BACK AT APPEAL.“
THE TWO VICTIMS MOTHER SPOKE DURING SENTENCING BEGGING THE JUDGE TO GIVE HOLKA THE MAXIMUM SENTENCE.
SHE INDICATED THAT THE RAPE VICTIM IS HAVING TROUBLE GOING TO SCHOOL WHILE HER SON WILL BE SCARED FOR LIFE. |
| Wheatfield residents blast a housing project |
|
ABOUT 400 WHEATFIELD RESIDENCE CROWD INTO THAT TOWN’S COMMUNITY CENTER TO VOICE THEIR DISPLEASURE AT A THE PROSPECTS OF A LOW INCOME HOUSING PROJECT COMING TO THEIR COMMUNITY.
THE TOWN BOARD, SUPERVISOR TIM DEMLER, REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE PROJECTS PARENT COMPANY BELMONT SHELTER CORPORATION AND PAYNE AVENUE CHURCH OFFICIALS LISTENED TO RESIDENTS CONCERNS OVER THE DEVELOPMENT.
THE TOWN’S PEOPLE IN ATTENDANCE WHILE DENOUNCING THE RACIALLY CHARGE MEMO THAT WAS PASSED AROUND THE COMMUNITY WAS DID FEEL THEY WERE MISLEAD BY THE TYPE OF PROJECT THIS WOULD BE.
DEMLER WAS PLEASED WITH THE TURN OUT OF THE COMMUNITY.
THERE WILL BE A THREE WEEK POSTPONEMENT OF THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE FACILITY TO DISCUSS THE ISSUES OF THE PROJECT FURTHER. |
| Barker family survives crash |
|
A FAMILY OF SIX FROM NIAGARA COUNTY NARROWLY ESCAPED TRAGEDY WHEN THEIR MINIVAN SLAMMED INTO TRACTOR TRAILER THAT HAD JUST PLUNGED MORE THAN 60 FEET OFF AN OVER PASS ON AN UPSTATE NEW YORK HIGHWAY.
THE CRASH OCCURRED SUNDAY AFTERNOON ON INTERSTATE 86 JUST OUTSIDE CORNING.
POLICE SAY THE TRACTOR TRAILER WAS TRAVELING ACROSS A NEWLY CONSTRUCTED RAMP THAT CARRIES ROUTE 15 OVER I-86...
THE DRIVER APPEARED TO LOSE CONTROL AND CRASHED THROUGH A BARRIER SENDING THE TRUCK ONTO THE HIGHWAY.
A MINI VAN CARRYING JAMES AND MARIA CANTELLA OF BARKER AND THEIR FOUR CHILDREN THEN SLAMMED INTO THE TRUCK.
THE FOUR CHILDREN ESCAPED WITH MINOR INJURIES BUT THEIR PARENT ARE LISTED IN STABLE CONDITION AT AN ELMIRA HOSPITAL.
THE TRUCK DRIVER WAS KILLED IN THE MISHAP…. |
| Falls school board hear from the public |
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THE NIAGARA FALLS SCHOOL BOARD HELD A PUBLIC HEARING LAST NIGHT AT THE 66 STREET SCHOOL TO HEAR VIEWS ON THE PROPOSED CLOSING OF TWO CITY SCHOOLS .
THE BOARD IS CONSIDERING THREE POSSIBLE SCENARIOS WHICH CALL FOR THE CLOSING OF THE 60TH STREET ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AND THE NIAGARA MIDDLE SCHOOL. TWO OTHER PLANS HAVE THE 66TH STREET SCHOOL ALSO CLOSING .
MAJORITY OF THE 50 PLUS PEOPLE MET THE PLANS WITH RELUCTANT ENDORSEMENT OR OUT RIGHT OBJECTION.
THE BOARD SAYS THAT IT MUST CLOSE SOME SCHOOLS TO COMPENSATE FOR THE RAPID DECLINE IN POPULATION WITHIN THE CITY OF NIAGARA FALLS….
ACCORDING TO DISTRICT FIGURES ENROLLMENT HAS DROPPED BY 14 HUNDRED STUDENTS OVER THE PAST FIVE YEARS. |
| Councilman Wants Billboards In the Falls |
|
NIAGARA FALLS CITY COUNCILMAN SAM FRUSCIONE WANTS TO TRY AND MARKET THE CITY’S DOWNTOWN AREA A BIT MORE.
FRUSCIONE WILL PUT FORTH A RESOLUTION AT TONIGHT’S COUNCIL MEETING TO LIFT THE BAND ON BILLBOARDS.
THE AMENDMENT WOULD ALLOW FIVE MORE ROOFTOP BILLBOARDS IN THE DOWNTOWN TOURIST AREA , 10 REGULAR AND 10 ROOFTOP BILLBOARDS IN THE COMMERCIAL DISTRICTS OF PINE AVENUE AND NIAGARA FALLS BOULEVARD.
FRUSCIONE BELIEVES THAT RESIDENTS WOULD NOT BE OPPOSED TO THE BILLBOARDS BECAUSE THEY WILL BE IN COMMERCIAL DISTRICTS…
BUSINESS ASSOCIATIONS LIKE THE NIAGARA FALLS BOULEVARD BUSINESS ASSOCIATION SUPPORT THE IDEA.
WHILE SOME PLANNING BOARD MEMBERS ARE CONCERNED THAT RESIDENTS WERE NOT CONSULTED ABOUT THE PROPOSAL. |
| Wheatfield Residents Oppose Housing Project |
|
SOME WHEATFIELD RESIDENTS ARE NOT HAPPY WITH A PROPOSED HOUSING PROJECT SLATED FOR THEIR COMMUNITY.
THEY SAY THAT SUCH A HOUSING PROJECT WOULD DEPRECATE THE VALUE OF THEIR HOMES.
THE TOWN HOMES AT SHAWNEE LANDING WILL BE A 10 MILLION DOLLAR DEVELOPMENT GEARED TOWARD LOWER INCOME RESIDENTS.
THE SUBJECT WILL BE DISCUSSED AT A MEETING TUESDAY AT THE COMMUNITY CENTER BEHIND THE TOWN HALL IN WHEATFIELD AT 7 PM.
SOME 28 RESIDENT VOICED THEIR DISPLEASURE FOR THE PROJECT AT LAST WEEK’S TOWN BOARD MEETING. SAYING THAT IT WAS NOT TOLD TO THEM THAT THE PROJECT WAS FOR LOW INCOME RENTERS…
THE PROJECT WAS ORIN ALLY FOR DISABLED AND ELDERLY RESIDENTS BUT THOSE PLANS WERE SINCE MODIFIED.
ONE OF THE THREE DEVELOPERS MICHAEL RIGEL OF THE BELMONT SHELTER CORPORATION SAYS THAT IT IS A MISCONCEPTION THAT THESE TYPE OF HOMES LOWER PROPERTY VALUES. |
| State to clean up Willow Street |
The state D.E.C. is asking for public comments on a plan to remediate a property at 316 Willow Street - the site of Peters Dry Cleaning.
Comments must be submitted by January 11.
They should be sent to:
New York State DEC
Division of Environmental Remediation - Region 9
270 Michigan Avenue
Buffalo, NY 14203-2999
Attention: Jeffrey Konsella |
| Schmer backs off on Plant announcement |
IN WHAT IS BEING VIEWED AS A PREMATURE ANNOUNCEMENT NEW YORK STATE SENATOR CHUCK SCHUMER ANNOUNCED THAT NRG HUNTLEY IN TONAWANDA WAS BEING AWARDED THE NEW CLEAN COAL POWER PLANT…
THAT ANNOUNCEMENT WAS MADE IN PRESS RELEASE THAT WAS SENT OUT BY SCHUMER WHICH INDICATED THAT NRG WON THE BIDDING PROCESS… SHORTLY AFTER THAT SCHUMER RELEASED ANOTHER STATEMENT RECANTING THE PREVIOUS ANNOUNCEMENT…
IT IS THOUGHT THAT THAT SCHUMER RECANTED HIS POSITION BECAUSE REPUBLICAN GOVERNOR GEORGE PATAKI WAS UPSET THAT THE SENATOR MADE THE DECLARATION FIRST… NRG HAD ENTERED BIDS WITH AES SOMERSET, JENNISON AND TWO OTHER PLANTS…
THE NEW YORK STATE POWER AUTHORITY IS SUPPOSED TO MEET TUESDAY TO DISCUSSED THEIR CHOICE AND MAKE A DECISION BY THE END OF THE YEAR… |
| Kolkmeyer gets $2.3 Million in severance |
Former First Niagara President and CEO Paul Kolkmeyer is getting a severance package of $2.3 million after he was let go a week ago.
The money is due as part of his contract and the seperation was arrived at last Friday. He will also continue to get insurance coverage for three years.
The agreement concluded that he was terminated without cause. |
| Lockport block club splits |
A group within Lockport's North End Neighborhood Watch Block Club announced Thursday that they're splitting from teh organization and have formed a new seperate club.
The "Washington All Street Block Club" will hold an organizational meeting in January.
Former president of the North End club, Dan Wilson, is the front runner to be the new group's new president.
The original club will continue under president Dave Licata. |
| 69th Street sports two winners |
Two homes right next to each other on 69th Street tied for Niagara Falls' city-wide holiday lighting contest.
Niagara Beautification Commission spokesman Merrell Lane says you need sunglasses to look at the two homes. |
| McNall to leave school board |
Keith McNall announced to the Lockport School Board on Wednesday that he would be leaving the school board as of January 17th.
McNall is leaving becuase he's been appointed to the Niagara County Legislature seat vacated by Glenn Aronow.
School Board Vice President Marietta Schrader will be the school board's new president. |
| Robinson to leave planning board |
Lester Robinson has been on the Town of Lockport Planning Board for more than 30 years.
This year will be his last as the long time chairman is stepping down. |
| Brewer to leave Lockport |
Barb Brewer, also a member of the Town of Lockport's Planning Board, is also calling it quits as of the end of the year.
Brewer, owner of the now-defunct Brewhaus coffee shop, is leaving for a job in North Carolina.
She still owes the city of Lockport's development arm more than $90,000 for the coffee shop. She was recently let go from a city job overseeing the restoration of the Flight of Five. |
| Council vetoes Vince |
Lawmakers in the Falls Tuesday night easily overrode all of mayor Vince Anello's 28 vetoes, going on the pass a $85.3 million budget for 2007.
The spending plan means homeowners will see a 4.4 percent tax break, but commercial property owners will see an increase of 3.3 percent in their taxes. |
| Newfane: Mills to stick around for cleanup |
Newfane Schol Board President Jamie Reineke said last night that outgoing schol chief James Mills may stay on in some capacity after he steps down on January 1.
Reineke said Mills is instrumental in their ongoing lawsuit against Wendel Duchscherer over alleged problems in their pool and aquatic center. |
| Teen pleads guilty |
Sixteen-year-old Antonio Shephard pleaded guilty in County Court Tuesday to a charge of endangering the welfare of a child.
Shephard was one of four teens charged with raping and sexually abusing a fellow student.
Police say he made a video recording of the assault on his cell phone.
He could get a year in jail when he's sentenced March 22nd. |
| Newfane Superintendent search nearly over |
The seach for a new school chief is just about complete according to school board president Jamie Reineke.
Reineke says the school is waiting on attorneys to complete a tentative deal with one candidate.
A reception is slated for 6:15 p.m. at the high school for outgoing superintendent Jim Mills, followed at 7 p.m. by the school board meeting. |
| Maziarz focuses on closure commission |
State Senator George Maziarz spent much of MOnday focusing on a hospital closure commissions recommendations for Niagara County.
Maziarz told the commission they had pulled the rug out from under the county legislature's tentative deal to sell Mount View.
He said he was also skeptical about other parts of the closure plan. |
| Shipwreck found in Lake Ontario |
Two explorers announced Monday that they found the wreck of a 19th century commercial sailing ship about five miles off Point Breeze in Orleans County.
The 93 foot schooner Milan was first discovered in the summer of 2005.
It had carried a thousand barrels of salt in October 1849 before is sprung a leak and sank.
The cold water has kept the ship in good shape, they say. |
| Ross: County will sue state |
County Legislature Chairman Bill Ross said Thursday that the county will sue the state for damages over the Mount View issue.
He said a state commission report saying the nursing home should be converted into an assisted living facility will kill a deal to sell it to Senior Associates for $2.4 million.
He said the county would close the facility rather than make the change.
A resolution authorizing the lawsuit will be made next Tuesday at a meeting of the legislatures Administration Committee. |
| Lockport to hold lights contest |
The City of Lockport is resurrecting it's holiday lighting contest.
The annual event wasn't held last year after the Youth and Recreation Department was written out of the budget.
Prize packages for the top three homes are being assembled now.
Entries may be given by phone and are due by December 18th. |
| Falls to judge lights this weekend |
Preliminary judging for the home lighting contest in Niagara Falls will be done Sunday and Monday.
Call 285-5030 and leave a name and address to get your name in the running.
Final judging will be done Thursday and the winners announced December 16th. |
| Buffalo cop may be paralyzed |
A Buffalo police officer shot in the line of duty Tuesday night may be paralyzed.
Fourty-one year old Patricia Parete, a Lockport High School grad, is in serious condition at E.C.M.C.
Parete is the first female officer shot while on-duty in Buffalo. |
| Slaughter to chair Rules Committee |
Representative Louise Slaughter was officially elected on Wednesday to chair the House Rules Committee.
Slaughter, the first female to chair the committee, said she's committed to the agenda of the new Democratic majority, including a new ethics bill.
She hopes the position will benefit her constituents as well as the rest of the country. |
| City gives up property |
Lockport lawmakers officially signed off on a plan to allow the Town of Lockport to annex John Hall's property into the town.
The Ruhlman Road farm was partly in the city and party in the town. |
| McNall will fill Aronow's seat |
Lockport School Board President Keith McNall will take the seat in the county legislature given up by 16th district legislator Glenn Aronow as McNall was the only person to apply by the deadline.
Aronow resigned effective last Friday and had thrown his support behind McNall who had opposed him in the last election.
McNall will be sworn in on Dec. 19th. |
| Newfane could pick new Super today |
Newfane School Board President Jamie Reineke says the board could decide on a new superintendent today.
The board is meeting at 10 a.m. at the early childhood center.
The last of the three candidates - Scott Pane of Amherst - answered questions from the public last night. |
| Lewis fined ... and retained |
County Manager Greg Lewis began his day Tuesday in Lockport City Court, pleading guilty to a reduced charge of violating the city's noise ordinance and paying a $50 fine. He had been ticketed for putting his trash out too early.
Later in the day he more than made up for the fine, recieving a 18-0 vote of confidence and a four year contract extension with a salary of $105,000 and possible bonuses for performance. The new salary is an increase of $9,500 annually.
Lewis said he will retract his name from any other municipalities he was in negotiations with. |
| City to raise ambulance rates |
Lockport city officials are poised to raise ambulance fees.
Under the new proposed costs, basic life support service will increase from $354 to $400, while advanced life support will go from $531 to $600 and advanced life support 2 service will increase to $700 from $600. |
| Legislature may asks for help |
|
NIAGARA COUNTY LEGISTURE MINORITY LEADER DENNIS VIRTUOSO WILL PUT FORTH A RESOLUTION FOR HIS GOVERNING BODY TO VIEW DURING THIS WEEK MEETING…
THE MEASURE IS WILL ASK THE BUFFALO NIAGARA ENTERPRISE TO HELP LAND A CLEAN COAL PLANT…
THE ENTERPRISE, WHICH IS AN ORGANIZATION WHICH HELPS PROMOTES NEW BUSINESSES, WILL BE ASK TO USE THEIR EXPERTISE IN BRING THE CLEAN COAL PLANT AND ALL OF ITS JOBS TO NIAGARA COUNTY…
THE AES CORPORATION IS BIDDING IN A STATE WIDE COMPETITION WITH THE WINNER TO GET THE ONE BILLION DOLLAR PLANT FOR ITS PROPERTY IN SOMERSET…
THE STATE POWER AUTHORITY IS TO SELECT A SITE LATER THIS MONTH… |
| New Parking Meters for the Falls? |
|
A CANADIAN COMPANY WANTS TO INSTALL HIGH TECH PARKING METERS AS PART OF A PILOT PROGRAM…
FALLS MAYOR VINCE ANELLO ANNOUNCED THAT A VANCOUVER BASED COMPANY WANTS TO PUT IN OVER 400 DIGITAL PARKING METERS FREE OF CHARGE…
THE METERS WOULD ACCEPT CASH , CREDIT CARDS, PREPAID CARDS AND DRIVERS WOULD BE ABLE TO PAY FINES AT A KIOSK…
THE CITY WOULD BE ABLE TO KEEP ALL THE PROFITS EXCEPT FOR THE CREDIT CARD FEES…
THE METERS WOULD BE ON A SIX MONTH CONTRACT…
THE CITY COUNCIL WOULD HAVE TO APPROVE THE METERS AT TONIGHT’S MEETING BEFORE THE INSTALLATION… |
| Flight of Five could cost $14 Million |
Lockport Mayor Mike Tucker says he's not scared by a report that it may cost $10 to $14 million to restore Lockport's "Flight of Five."
Tucker said the estimate - prepared by Bergman Associates of Rochester - prepares for several contingencies the mayor hopes never occur.
The city currently has about $3 million on hand for the project. |
| Brewer sacked as project manager |
Barb Brewer will be replaced as project manager for Lockport's "Flight of Five" restoration, according to Mayor Mike Tucker.
The mayor said the project has grown too big for one person to manage and he is reaching out to Wendel Duchscherer to possibly take over. |
| Annual toy drive airs Saturday |
The annual Niagara Falls Firefighters Toy Fund Telethon will run from noon 'til 10 p.m. Saturday on Time Warner's channel 72.
The show is broadcast live from Niagara Falls High School and firefighters will be collecting donations at stores Saturday and Sunday.
The money collected goes to buy toys and clothes for needy children, and food for seniors.
WLVL's Joe Major will be on the telethon in the afternoon. |
| Committee approves Lewis' contract |
Niagara County's administrative committee approved a new contract for County Manager Greg Lewis last night.
Lewis' new contract - if approved by the entire legislature as expected - will offer a salary of $105,000 a year, a $9,500 increase. |
| Maziarz' weight helps AES |
State Senator George Maziarz says his campaign to get teh AES Corporation the OK to build a clean coal power plant in Somerset is getting a lot of support.
The decision on who gets to build the plant is expected next month. |
| Mount View sale dead? |
Officials said Tuesday that the sale of Mount View won't move forward unless lawmakers in Albany reject the recommendations of a state panel on health care facilities.
That commission said the nursing home should be replaced with a new facility with 100 assisted living beds and 50 adult dare care slots.
In another fallout from the release of the commission report, the Catholic Health System filed suit in state supreme court to stop the proposed closing of St. Joseph's Hospital in Cheektowaga.
Kaleida Health threatened legal action over the panel's suggestion they merge with ECMC. |
| New wrinkle in Mt View saga |
The state's hospital closure and restructuring commission is expected to ask Niagara County's Mt. View Health Facility to change from a long-term care facility into assisted living.
Eastern Niagara County's other two health care facilities, Inter-Community Memorial Hospital and Lockport Memorial Hospital are being asked to work more closely together and to share a single board of directors. |
| Lewiston drops raise |
Lewiston Town Supervisor Fred Newlin was set to receive a raise of more than $7,000 - about 27 percent - from the town board on Monday.
Instead he got a three percent raise, just $813.
The problem arose because the board had approved Newlin's higher raise after the town's public hearing on the budget. State law prohibits raises for public officials after the budget hearing. |
| Bills Blacked out |
|
IF YOU PLANNED TO WATCH THE BILLS ON TV SUNDAY GUESS AGAIN. THE BILLS DID NOT SELL OUT THE THEIR GAME AGAINST THE JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS 72 HOURS BEFORE THE CONTEST SO THE GAME WILL BE BLACKED OUT LOCALLY.
THIS IS THE FIRST GAME IN THE ENTIRE NFL TO BE BLACKED OUT THIS SEASON.
THERE ARE A REPORTED SEVEN THOUSAND TICKETS LEFT FOR THE GAME.
NEXT WEEK'S GAME MAY NOT BE TELEVISED EITHER AS THERE ARE TEN THOUSAND TICKETS LEFT FOR THE CONTEST BETWEEN THE BILLS AND SAN DIEGO. |
| Miss N. Y. may be in the Falls |
|
THE MISS NEW YORK STATE BEAUTY PAGEANT MAY BE COMING TO NIAGARA FALLS.
THE ORGANIZERS OF THE PAGEANT HAVE SAID THAT IT WILL MOVE THE EVENT FROM WATERTOWN WHERE IT HAD BEN HELD FOR THE PAST 27 YEARS TO A NEW LOCATION IN 2007.
IT IS BELIEVED THAT THE TWO CITIES VYING FOR THE EVENT ARE HUNTINGTON, LONG ISLAND AND THE FALLS.
THE PAGEANT COULD BE AN ECONOMIC BOON FOR THE CATARACT CITY.
WATERTOWN HAS SEEN AS MUCH AS 1.3 MILLION DOLLARS IN SPIN OFF BUSINESS FROM THE EVENT.
THE COMPETITION IS SET FOR JUNE 24 TO JULY 1 OF NEXT YEAR. |
| Rollover accident in Cambria |
A garbage truck rolled over on its side around 7:30 this morning at 4210 Lower Mountain Road in Cambria.
Minor injuries were reported. |
| Man charged with rape |
Lockport police have charged a 23-year-old man with raping a juvenile in a Pine Street apartment on Nov. 12th.
Marcus McCarter of 89 Pine is also charged with endangering the welfare of a child.
The victim said she and a friend went to a party at a Pine Street apartment where people were smoking marijuana and drinking.
McCarter allegedly had sex with the victim in a bedroom. |
| Ross Steps Down |
|
THE NIAGARA POWER COALITION IS LOOKING FOR A NEW PRESIDENT.
NIAGARA COUNTY LEGISLATIVE CHAIRMAN BILL ROSS WILL STEP DOWN AS PRESIDENT CITING THAT THE NEW BY LAWS OF THE COALITION BARS ANY ELECTED OFFICIAL FROM BEING PRESIDENT OR ANY BOARD MEMBER FROM SERVING AS AN OFFICER.
ROSS DID INDICATE THAT HE WOULD CONTINUE AS THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS.
NIAGARA WHEATFIELD SCHOOL DISTRICT’S REPRESENTATIVE BUSINESS MANAGER KERIN DUMPHERES ALSO RESIGNED AS VICE PRESIDENT.
ROSS APPOINTED A THREE MEMBER SEARCH COMMITTEE TO LOOK FOR NEW OFFICERS.
THE SEARCH COMMITTEE IS COMPOSED OF NIAGARA FALLS MAYOR VINCE ANELLO, LEWISTON SUPERVISOR FRED NEWLIN AND LEW-PORT SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT DON RAPPOLD. |
| Smith wins seat |
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MARY SMITH WAS ELECTED LAST NIGHT TO VACANT ROY HART SCHOOL BOARD SEAT.
SMITH THE CURRENT ACCOUNTANT FOR THE NIAGARA COUNTY TREASURER’S OFFICE WON IN A LAND SLIDE OVER FOUR OTHER INDIVIDUALS.
SMITH WILL ASSUME THE SEAT VACATED BY ROBIN LUMBACKER WHO DIED IN A CAR ACCIDENT IN MAY…
THE 50 YEAR OLD SMITH WILL TAKE OVER THE SEAT WHEN THE BOARD MEETS AGAIN ON DECEMBER 14. |
| Lewiston Approves Budget |
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THE LEWISTON TOWN BOARD GAVE THE 2007 BUDGET ITS STAMP OF APPROVAL YESTERDAY.
THE 12 POINT ONE SEVEN MILLION DOLLAR BUDGET AVOIDS ANY NEW TAXES AND USES A QUARTER OF A MILLION DOLLARS IN POWER AUTHORITY SETTLEMENT MONEY TO FUND HIGHWAY COST.
THE BUDGET WILL ALSO GIVE THE TOWN SUPERVISOR AN INCREASED IN SALARY BY OVER SEVEN THOUSAND DOLLARS FROM $27,100 TO $34,500.
BUT THERE WILL BE A SPECIAL DISTRICT TAXES THOUGH… THOSE TAXES WILL TOTAL ONE POINT EIGHT MILLION DOLLARS… THESE TAXES WILL BE FOR WATER INFRASTRUCTURE, SEWER AND FIRE PROTECTION. |
| Lewis: I have another option |
Niagara County Manager Greg Lewis says he may have another job lined up if the County Legislature decides not to hire him next Tuesday.
Lewis says he got the impression he'd be chosen as the administrator in Wayne County following a Nov. 1 job interview there.
He says they're waiting to see what Niagara County does.
Wayne County is just East of Monroe County.
Lewis says he'd rather stay here. |
| Vote in Roy-Hart today |
Voters in Roy-Hart will choose someone to fill out the term of former board member Robin Laubacker during a special election today.
Five candidates are running for the one spot.
Voting is from noon 'til 9 p.m. in the high school gym.
The term runs through June 2008. |
| Newfane chooses Kauffmann |
The Newfane School Board chose Lorie Kauffmann to fill the vacancy created when Lois Farley quit the board.
Kauffmann was chosen after the board interview seven people for the seat.
Her term will run through June when the seat will be put up for a vote. |
| Niagara Falls residents hurt in Lockport crash |
Two residents of Niagara Falls were taken to area hospitals after a Crown VIctoria and a cement truck collided at the intersection of Routes 31 and 93 Wednesday afternoon.
The driver of the car, 23-year-old Crystal Kemp, was taken to ECMC with a hip injury, while passenger 16-year-old Reginal Caldwell was taken to the same hospital by Mercy Flight.
The driver of the truck, 43-year-old Thomas Danna of Lockport was not injured. |
| PS3 line grows |
The ranks of those waiting in line to buy the new Play Station 3 at the Lockport Wal-Mart swelled to 14 in the past 24 hours.
That's the perfect number as Wal-Mart says they have 10 machines in stock and four rainchecks to give out when the systems go on sale at midnight.
People are camped out around Western New York for the new high definition machines. |
| County loosens Mount View employment rules |
The County Legislature's administration committee last night waived a residency requirement for nurses at Mount View.
Administrator Patricia O'Conner says is comes down to money.
County residents will continue to have priority in filling spots. |
| Myrtle Beach for $99 |
The CEO of Myrtle Beach Direct Air and Tours announced Tuesday non-stop service will begin March 7th.
The flights will cost $99 one-way.
At least 25 seats have already sold for the inaugural flight. |
| Flight of Five plans hit snag |
That modern bridge spanning the old Flight of Five spillway may be in the way of plans to completely restore the old lock system.
Mayor Mike Tucker says a study will be done by early December to determine whether its function can be substituted elsewhere.
The mayor is confident the city can overcome the obstacles. |
| Falls plant to close |
About 150 jobs at the Ferro Electronics Materials in Niagara Falls will be gone by the middle of next year.
The operation on Hyde Park Boulevard will move its jobs downstate and overseas.
Many employees said the closing was not a surprise. |
| Barden blaze blames on electrical problem |
Investigators say an electrical problem cause last Tuesday's early morning fire at Barden Homes in Middleport.
The fire did an estimated $1 million in damage, destroying a 20,000 square foot steel warehouse and damaging an adjacent building. |
| Starpoint to discuss land acquisition |
The Starpoint School Board will discuss the acquisition of new land at tonight's board meeting.
Superintendent Doug Whelan confirmed to WLVL that land will be an item on the agenda, but declined further comment. |
| Royalton holds off on budget |
The Royalton Town Board has decided to delay their budget vote by a week in order to look at more options for the town.
Currently, the town has a proposed tax increase of 35 percent. |
| Newfane goes for state title |
The Newfane Varsity soccer team will play a Long Island school for the state title after beating Hornell by a 2-1 score on Saturday.
Coach Bob Roach said it was a team effort.
The state championship is set for 11:15 a.m. Saturday at Oneonta State College. |
| Hillary holds "thank you" tour |
Senator Hillary Clinton took a whirlwind tour of the state Tuesday.
She was at the Buffalo Niagara Airport in the afternoon to thank her supporters in Western New York.
She also made stops in New York City, Long Island, Binghamton and Rochester. |
| Incumbents rule roost |
Niagara County area incumbents kept their spots in Tuesday's election.
Congressman Tom Reynolds beat Jack Davis while Congresswoman Louise Slaughter maintained her seat.
County Treasurer David Broderick beat Patrick Brown and Royalton Town Supervisor Cal Rhoney beat Jim Budde.
Mike Cole won out over Laura Monte and Francine DelMonte beat Dan Bazzani.
For complete results, visit the Niagara County Board of Elections website. |
| Election Day coverage on WLVL |
Stay tuned to WLVL all day for early polling numbers and thoughts from candidates.
Tonight beginning at 8:30, make sure to listen to our election night coverage of all local races. Once polls close at 9, we'll have numbers to you as soon as the local boards of elections get them. |
| Budde's signs vandalized |
One of the candidates for supervisor in the town of Royalton found at least seven of his signs damaged.
Jim Bude says he's run an issue oriented campaign and he's disappointed to see something like this happen.
Polls are open until 9 tonight and voters should vote in their normal polling places. There's one county-wide proposition in addition to the state races for governor, attorney general, comptroller, US Senator, congress, state senate and assembly. There are also supreme court justice elections and local elections including Niagara County Treasurer and city of Lockport treasurer. |
| Lockport to look at Urban Park Towers |
The Lockport Planning Board will look at proposed changes to the exterior of Urban Park Towers during a meeting at 5 p.m. today.
The $300,000 plan is designed to make the first four floors of the building similar in appearance to the granite facade of the nearby Bewley Building.
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| Polls side with Dems |
Several recent national polls indicate public opinion is with the Democrats for tomorrow's election.
USA Today/Gallop, NBC/Wall Street Journal, Washington Post/ABC News, CNN and Newsweek polls in October all show Americans trust Democrats more than Republicans to handle the Iraq war and two of those five show Democrats ahead of Republicans on the issue of terrorism.
The Pew Research Center and Newsweek also have recent polls showing the majority of Americans trust Democrats more on tax and federal budget issues. |
| Lions invade Lock City |
The City of Lockport Teachers Union is proposing a fundraiser similar to the "Herd About Buffalo" program done a few years ago.
Biology teacher Eric Bernardi wants to cover the city with at least 25 fiberglass lions that would be painted a variety of designs. He told the common council last week that he hopes to have them on display next July and August and then auction them off for charity.
Bernardi suggested the money might go to help the Palace get a new heating and air conditioning system or to other charitable causes.
The council gave its approval to have the lions placed in public places.
The seven-foot-long lions weigh about 100 pounds each and are manufactured in Nebraska. |
| Reynolds aide tells of damage control meeting |
A third aide to Congresman Tom Reynolds apparently knew about overly friendsly emails sent by Congressman Mark Foley.
Carl Forti is the communications director for the Republican Congressional Campaign Committee. He says he had a "damage control meeting" before the scandal broke. |
| Town residents to see tax cut |
Most residents in the Town of Lockport will see a tax cut next year under a $13.7 million budget expected to be passed next Wednesday.
The exception will be residents of Carlisle Gardens and Lincoln Village whose sewer rates will go up to pay for expected future infrastructure repairs.
Town Supervisor Marc Smith said that aside from those two areas, owners of homes assessed at $100,000 will see a tax cut of $12.21.
The budget includes a three percent raise for elected officials and union employees, although deals with the unions are not yet settled. |
| NFTA gets $1 million from state |
Congressman Tom Reynolds was at the Niagara Falls International Airport Wednesday to announce a million dollars in funding for the airport.
The money - which Reynolds got from George Pataki's discretionary funds - will build a 68,000 square foot apron, a new parking and loading area.
NFTA Chair Greg Stamm said it would make it possible for larger planes to park there.
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| Brewhaus closes |
Citing ongoing road construction and bad publicity, Barb Brewer announced that the Brewhaus is closed for business.
Brewer owes over $97,000 plus interest to the Greater Lockport Development Agency, the city's development arm.
City attorney John Ottaviano says the building could be put up for auction soon. |
| Reynolds, Davis go toe-to-toe |
A standing room only crowd a the Clarence Town Hall watched Congressman Tom Reynolds debate Jack Davis for the first time last night.
Each portrayed the other as flawed and bad for the area and country; Davis questioning Reynolds role in the congressional page scandal, while Reynolds said Davis' trade policies are dangerous.
A recent poll shows Reynolds with a 5 point advantage in the race. The poll had a margin of error of 4.9 percent. |
| LPD: Stay inside, lock doors |
Lockport Police are asking residents to stay indoors and not answer the doors to strangers.
A gunman was reportedly wandering the city's North end, particularly Grand and Washington streets.
Mayor Mike Tucker told WLVL, "There is some unconfirmed reports from various residents ... of gunshots. But as of this moment, I have not been able to confirm anything."
Tucker said Trick-or-Treating complicated the issue. "I think it makes it more serious than most circumstances."
A canned message went out to North End residents asking them to stay inside.
Stay tuned to WLVL for the latest details. |
| NU Students Overdose on Alcohol |
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Four Niagara University students were taken to Mount St. Mary’s hospital on Sunday for alcohol overdoses.
The four students, all under the legal drinking age, were said to be drinking at local bars according to investigators.
It is thought that one of the women was drinking at a bar in Canada while the others may have gotten their alcohol from an establishment on Main Street in the Falls.
Niagara Falls police have been investigating allegation of under age drinking recently.
All of the women were treated an released. |
| Sabres go for record tonight |
The Buffalo Sabres will try to make history tonight when they take on the Atlanta Thrashers at HSBC Arena.
The Sabres tied the record for most consecutive wins to start a season when they beat the New York Islanders, winning 10 in a row. |
| Copper stolen from airport ... again |
For the third time this month, spools of copper were stolen from the Niagara Falls International Airport.
A total of $10,000 worth of copper was taken Thursday. They had hit the airport October 4th and again the 9th.
The wire is being used in teh installation of new landing lights at the airport.
Copper has been a popular target for thieves becasue the price continues to rise. The current price for copper is more than $2.50 a pound. |
| Thurway tolls could be done by Monday |
The tolls on the Niagara section of the Thruway could be gone by next Monday.
The thruway authority's executive board is expected to vote on a plan then to have the state senate pick up the cost through its discretionary fund.
The authority's director said yesterday that they're already making plans to stop collecting them soon after the vote is taken. |
| Crowd expected for AES hearing |
Officials in the town of Somersetare expecting a full house tonight for the IDA hearing on AES Somerset's application for a 25 year payment in lieu of taxes (PILOT) deal.
Tonight's meeting starts at 6 at town hall, which only holds about 80 people. The plan is to immediately adjourn and move the proceedings to the high school auditorium, which holds about 600. |
| Town sets limit on brush pickup |
The Town of Lockport says residents must have all their brush to the side of the road by 7 a.m. next Tuesday for pickup.
This will be the last collection stemming from the Oct. 13th snowstorm and no further pickups will occur until next spring.
They ask that brush be piled with the butt-end to the roadway. |
| Lewis offered new contract |
The Niagara County Legislature's majority caucus decided on Saturday to offer the county manager a new contract with performance incentives.
Legislator Pete Smolinski said Lewis would be given more money if he can deliver a budget without a property tax increase. He said the base salary is between what Lewis is currently making and what he asked for.
Lewis makes $95,500 and wants a $15,000 raise.
There is a provision on the ballot to allow a four-year-term for the manager. |
| Waiting for disaster declaration |
President Bush is expected to make a disaster declaration for the area soon.
Congressman Tom Reynolds said Saturday that the president may do so yesterday.
A disaster declaration would free up millions in federal funds for cleanup. |
| Clinton, Spencer spar in Rochester |
During a debate Sunday, Hillary Clinton said she hasn't made up her mind about running for president in 2008. She wouldn't commit to serving her entire term if re-elected senator.
Challenger John Spencer said Clinton would make an excellent presidential candidate, but shouldn't use New York as a doorstep. He vowed to be a "full-time Senator." |
| FEMA assessing damage |
Officials from the Federal Emergency Management Agency are in Niagara County today assessing the damage.
They will report to Washington by the end of the day. The current disaster declaration only provides assistance to municpalities but help could also be made available to individual citizens if the president makes a major disaster declaration.
State Senator George Maziarz expects such a declaration will eventually be made.
Save your receipts and take photos if possible. |
| NYSEG: 18,500 still without power |
In it's morning update, NYSEG said about 18,500 customers in Erie County are still without power. They say it may be the end of the week before service is restored.
National Grid spokesman Tom Corbett said last night about 500 customers were without power in the towns of Newstead, Royalton and Alabama. In all, about 83,000 National Grid customers await power restoration. |
| Pass card to be needed |
Americans would have to buy a pass card to travel to and from Canada under a plan announced yesterday.
The cards would cost $45 for adults and $35 for children and would take four to six weeks to obtain.
Senator Hillary Clinton said it would hurt families and tourism, while Congresswoman Louise Slaughter said it was a step in the right direction, but still too expensive and time consuming. |
| Most of Lockport back online |
NYSEG says only about 200 customers in Lockport remain without power.
The company says service has been restored to about 66,000 of it's 132,000 customers throughout Western New York. They expect to have power restored to the rest of their customers by tomorrow night.
More than 650 workers from the company and its sister operations worked throughout the weekend to get area residents back on the power grid.
The company reminds customers not to touch downed lines. |
| Commerce Square to stay open longer |
Tenants of Lockport's Commerce Square were granted a six month extension on their eviction notice.
The happened after an Erie County storage business signed a lease for 48,000 feet of space through next May.
The city says the additional business means they'll make enough to in rent to pay the heating bill over the winter.
Mayor Mike Tucker said the city continues to talk with a tenant about buying the building. |
| Millions in aid coming |
Niagara County will be one of the four Western New York counties to recieve federal aid from the storm last week.
Local government and homeowners may be eligible for a 75 percent reimbursement from FEMA.
The reimbursement process isn't clear, but it's advised to keep receiepts and take lots of photos. |
| Falls schools to discuss impending closures |
The committee charged with coming up with a plan on which schools to close in Niagara Falls are expected to tell the school board on Thursday night how it will impact busing, staffing and financing.
Committee chair Bob Bradley continues to say nothing is concrete yet, they just present the facts to the school board and see what happens thereafter.
The board must decide by next September which schools, if any, to close. |
| Haunted Caves prepare to open |
The Lockport Cave and Underground Boat ride is reopening Friday for it's annual "haunted cave" Halloween tours.
The unique, one-of-a-kind walk through of an underground maze will be offered weekends through October 29th.
The cave runs beneath the city and was blasted out of rock in 1858 by inventor Birdsall Holley.
The 45 minute tour is not recommended for kids under age 7. |
| Wheatfield to approve youth center |
Lawmakers in Wheatfield are expected to approve a $2.39 million bid for the construction of a new youth center and a garage for the water and sewer department.
The youth center will go up by Town Hall. It will replace a rented site on the Boulevard. It'll contain two gyms and several rooms for recreation and youth programming. |
| Parking meters to return to NF |
Lawmakers in the Falls will consider a third request by Mayor Vince Anello to put in 400 parking meters on downtown streets.
He'd paid for them with $160,000 in casino money.
The council rejected the idea twice before, but two councilmen who had opposed it - Sam Frusicone and Chris Robbins - now say they support the idea.
Anello says the meters won't be put on Third Street or on the North side of Niagara Street. |
| City passes tax increase |
Lockport lawmakers last night whittled down next year's property tax hike to 2.47 percent as they passed the budget by a 5-1 vote.
Alderman Tom Grzebinski was the dissenter, saying he objected to the city adding a building inspector trainee with a $40,000 salary.
The council had removed two other new jobs from the budget and increased fees in building permit fees.
Mayor Mike Tucker said he was happy with the result. |
| Bazzani rounds up support from Dems |
About 40 Democrats gathered Wednesday night to announce their support of Republican candidate for the assembly, Dan Bazzani in his race against Francine DelMonte.
Supporters held signs saying "Dems for Dan" and "Coach knows you need 'D' to win." |
| Reynolds aide resigns |
The chief of staff of Congressman Tom Reynolds resigned Wednesday as a result of the Mark Foley scandal.
Kirk Fordham had tried to broker a deal with ABC News - offering an exclusive interview with Foley in exchange for keeping details of Foley's conversations under wraps.
Wednesday, Fordham said it was clear Democrats intended to use him to against Reynolds and he would not let that happen.
Fordham also said he told House Speaker Dennis Hastert about concerns over Foley's actions as many as three years ago. |
| Reynolds plays defense |
Congressman Tom Reynolds last night denied that he covered up the actions of now-disgraced Florida Representative Mark Foley.
Reynolds addressed the issue in a 45 minute press conference at Daemen College.
Reynolds is especially vulnerable since he chairs the Republican's national campaign committee.
Reynolds said his main concern is the safety of the pages. |
| Lockport takes second look at budget |
Lockport lawmakers think they can get the city's tax increase down to 2.67 percent by raising ambulance fees and eliminating two new proposed jobs.
The cuts would make the tax rate about $15.85 per $1,000 of assessed value. |
| Niagara Falls proposes small tax hike |
Niagara Falls Mayor Vince Anello caled for an $86 million spending plan for 2007.
The mayor said an increased in state aid and casino revenue would help to hold taxes down to an increase of 2.6 percent. |
| Reynolds linked to disgraced congressman? |
Democrats are trying to link Congressman Tom Reynolds to disgraced Florida representative Mark Foley.
Foley allegedly sent suggestive emails to former house pages.
Foley gave $100,000 to the RNC, of which Reynolds is in charge of fund raising.
A spokesman for the RNC said many members donate and the democrat charges are just election rhetoric. |
| Apple growers lack apple pickers |
The owners of several county apple orchards say they don't have enough people to harvest this year's record crop.
They say recent raids on illegal immigrant workers cut their workforce and made hundreds of others afraid to come back to do the work.
The county farm bureau estimates losses could amount to hundreds of thousands of dollars. |
| High school evacuated |
Students at Lockport High School were evacuated for about 20 minutes just after 7:30 this morning after an expirament went awry in a biology lab filling portions of the building with smoke.
Superintendent Terry Carbone said all is fine now and students are back in class. |
| Lockport woman arrested for theft |
A 26-year-old Lockport woman was charged Monday with stealing more than $47,000 from the Department of Social Services.
Sadie Taylor of 86 Allen Street is facing seven counts of offering a false instrument for filing and two others of misusing food stamps.
The thefts allegedly took place between June of 2003 and June of 2005.
According to the arrest report, Taylor falsely reported how many people were living in her home and that resulted in overpayment of aid and food stamps. |
| Canal convention to come to Lockport |
The Canal Society of the State of New York will hold it's 2008 convention in Lockport.
Mayor Mike Tucker made the announcement Monday at this year's conference in Troy.
The dates aren't set yet, but Tucker expects it'll be held around this time of year and bring several hundred people to Lockport. |
| Real Estate firm to move into City Center |
Hunt Real Estate will be opening an office on the Walnut Street Side of the Ulrich City Center.
David Ulrich also says he has three other tenants lined up for spaces facing Walnut leaving only two of the seven storefronts still available.
Ulrich said he's continuing to negotiate with restaurant owners to be an anchor tenant. |
| Starpoint worker charged with having child porn |
A 27-year-old food service worker at Starpoint was arrested Friday and charged with possession of a sexual performance by a child.
School superintendent Doug Whalen told the school board Monday night that Klein is no longer employed by Advanced Meals and is not allowed on school grounds.
Klein was a cafeteria monitor at the school.
Investigators at the sheriff's department claim they have found child porn on his computer and turned it over to the computer task force in Erie County for further study. |
| Tenant wants to buy Commerce Square |
A tentant of Lockport's Commerce Square wants to buy the building. Dan Dudek of Maple Street told city leaders last night that he has some financial support from other occupants in the building.
Dudek didn't say how much he was prepared to offer for the building, nor did the city offer up what they considered to be an acceptable price.
The two sides may meet tonight to talk more. |
| Council delays Michigan Street abandonment |
After councilwoman Flora McKenzie said she has gotten negative feedback on a city proposal to give a portion of Michigan Street to Candlelight Cabinetry.
Mayor Mike Tucker said the economic contribution by Candlelight will be worth closing the end of the street. Candlelight president John Yakich said the plan would create 100 jobs over the next three years.
A public hearing will be held on the topic before the city moves forward. |
| Farley quits Newfane board |
Citing personal reasons, Lois Farley resigned last night from the Newfane School Board.
The former board president read a statement saying it has always been an honor - not neccessarily a pleasure - but always an honor to seve the people.
In her parting words, she challenged members of the community to consider running for the seat.
The board will decide on a temporary replacement and may hold an election in May to fill the remainder of the term. |
| E. Coli in Niagara |
The first positive case of E. Coli in Niagara County was confirmed yesterday.
Public Health Director Paulette Kline said they were still trying to contact the 19-year-old male, who lives in the western part of the county. He has not been hospitalized. |
| Devine resignation accepted |
The Lockport Fire Board accepted the resignation Monday of Assitant Fire Chief Mark Devine.
The resignation - effective August 31st - accompanies a drop of all charges by the department.
Devine still faces a jury trial in city court on November 30th. He stands accused of violating an order of protection July 18th when he was allegedly seen with former girlfriend Jane Olear. |
| Wilson man accidentally burns down barn |
A man trying to rid his driveway of box elder beetles accidentally destroyed his barn.
Ron Sax of Chestnut Road in WIlson used a propane torch to kill the insects. A spark from it caused some grass clippings to smolder - eventually leading to his barn catching fire.
Neighbors helped him pull four classic cars out of the barn before they were destroyed. |
| LPD has ticket blitz on Outwater |
Lockport Police issued 26 tickets and made three arrests Monday afternoon during a radar blitz on Outwater Drive. |
| Rebate checks coming |
State tax rebate checks will be mailed out to Niagara County residents the week of October 5th.
Homeowners receiving a basic or enhanced star exemption of the 2006-2007 school tax bill will get one automatically.
The amount will be based upon the school district you are in. |
| Fire board to vote on Devine |
The Lockport Fire Board is slated to vote today on accepting the resignation of Assistant Fire Chief Mark Devine.
A settlement of the disciplinary charges against the 28 year department veteran were worked out last week in a closed door meeting.
The resignation would be retroactive to August 31st and the city would drop all internal charges, but the deal will not affect criminal charges filed against the 52-year-old. |
| Lockport to host free concert |
The Flyin' Blind Blues Band will perform at a free concert on Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. at Widewaters Marina.
The rest of the bill includes the Road Home and Madeleine White and Jeremy Mohr of Williamsville.
The gig is being called a "test concert" by First Ward Alderman Tom Grzebinski and WLVL talk show host Scott Leffler.
If it's successful, they hope to line up sponsors and present six to 10 shows next year.
Spectators are asked to bring their own lawn chairs, but leave coolers at home and food and beverage will be available from vendors who are sponsoring the show. |
| Autopsy ordered for Lockport man |
An autopsy is to be conducted today on the body of a 22-year-old town of Lockport man found dead in Clarence yesterday morning.
Brian Barrett had been shot multiple times.
The Erie County Sheriff's Department said he was killed late Friday or Early Saturday. |
| Standoff ends peacefully |
The county Sheriff's Department helped Lockport police bring a peaceful end to an armed standoff around 1 a.m. Sunday at 12 Sunnydale Drive.
Fourty-one-year-old Richard DeMarco was charged with assault in the third degree.
Police said he had barricaded himself in the house shortly before midnight.
Deputies sealed off the area while a police negotiator convinced DeMarco to give himself up. |
| BILLS WIN! |
|
THE BILLS PULLED OFF THE UPSET YESTERDAY AS THEY BEAT MIAMI 16-6 IN DOLPHIN STADIUM…
THE DEFENSE WAS THE KEY IN THE GAME SACKING DOLPHIN QUARTERBACK DONTE CULPEPPER SIX TIMES… THE OFFENSE WAS LEAD BY A 91 YARD RUSHING PERFORMANCE BY WILLIS MCGAHEE…
J P LOSMAN ONLY THREW FOR 83 YARDS AND A TOUCHDOWN…
THE BILLS MOVE INTO A SECOND PLACE TIE IN THE AFC EAST WITH THEIR NEXT OPPONENT THE NEW YORK JETS… |
| HS Football roundup |
In high school football last night:
Ken West upset the #1 ranked North Tonawanda Lumber Jacks 35-19
Williamsville North got past Niagara Falls 13-12
Cleveland Hill downed WIlson 14-6 in a game broadcast on WLVL.
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| Faso claims Spitzer will be costly |
Republican and Conservative gubernatorial candidate John Faso says an analysis of Eliot Spitzer's spending promises will result in $53.8 billion in new taxes.
He says it would raise the average taxpayer's income tax by over $2,000 a year.
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| Newfane super search draws small crowd |
About 20 people showed up last night in Newfane for the first of two public input sessions on what residents would like to see in a prospective new school superintendent.
Consultant Clark Godshall said a lot of issues came out.
Another session is planned for 10 a.m. Saturday at the Newfane High School. |
| First lady stumps for Reynolds |
First Lady Laura Bush will come to Amherst next month to campaign for Congressman Tom Reynolds.
She'll attend a $150 a plate luncheon October 4th at the Buffalo Niagara Marriott. |
| Lockport asked to give up street |
Lockport's Candlelight Cabinetry told city lawmakers last night that they want to expand and need a portion of Michigan Street to do so.
President John Yakich asked the Common Council to abondon Michigan Street between West and Park avenues so they can put in a connecting structure to the former International Foods Mill.
The company bought the mill last year for $375,000.
Yakich said they would add another 100 jobs within three years and invest between $250,000 and $400,000.
Council President John Lombardi says he's all for the plan. |
| Newfane seeks community input |
The Newfane School District is looking for community input tonight as tehy begin the search for a new school superintendent. Orleans Niagara BOCES chief Clark Godshall has been restrained as a consultant and he'll be at a meeting at 7 tonight in the high school amphitheatre.
Another meeting will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday at the same location. |
| City to investigate sewers |
Lockport lawmakers voted yesterday to spend almost $108,000 for testing on the city's water system.
Assistant city engineer Norm Allen said it's needed so the city can show the state DEC that the sewers are within state guidelines and not have to spend millions replacing about a dozen lines.
Also at the meeting, Alderman Pat Schrader said they need to consider raising water rates next year by about a dime per 100 cubic feet. |
| Primary battles expected to bring Dems to polls |
Two races in the Falls are expected to bring more Democrats then ever to the polls in today's primary.
The battle for the party nomination in the 138th district assembly race has been downright nasty ... and the three-way fight between incumbent Marc Coppola, his cousin Al, and Antoine Thompson for the 60th district senate nomination has featured a battle of endorsements.
There are also several statewide races being voted on today. Primaries are being held for the Democratic and Republican lines for governor. There is also a battle for the Democratic nomination for attorney general.
In Lockport Louise Kern and Mike White battle for the GOP nomination for City Treasurer.
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| Town cancels 4-year supervisor term |
Lawmakers in the Town of Lockport on Monday cancelled plans to place a 4 year term for supervisor on the November ballot.
They also called of a public hearing on the issue.
The town attorney told lawmakers that such a vote must be held in the same year that all town positions are on the ballot.
Supervisor Marc Smith also announced yesterday that CWM will sell stickers to residents wanting to place more than the town limit of six bags of trash per week for pickup. They'll be $1 each and will be sold in books of 12 or 24. |
| City approves video store |
The city of Lockport Planning Board approved all items they heard at last night's meeting, including modifications to the planned Family Video on East Avenue.
Chief Building Inspector James McCann said the store will not be carrying any adult videos, in compliance with the city's adult entertainment law.
Also approved were facade changes to Granchelli Main Street properties and signs for tenants of the Ulrich City Center. |
| September 11 tributes planned |
Tributes and remembrances are planned around Niagara County today on the fifth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.
In Lockport, photos of 38 active military men and women will be hung in CIty Hall during a 2 p.m. ceremony.
Organizer Patricia Craft says the project - which she started a couple of months ago - is fitting to be displayed today since her own son entered the Navy following the Sept. 11 attacks. |
| Bills drop game to Pats |
New England scored 12 unanswered points in the second half to beat the bills 19-17 in Foxboro, Mass.
The Pats Ty Warren sacked Bills quarterback JP Losman in the fourth quarter to break a 17 all tie.
The Bills play at Miami next Sunday. |
| Apple Harvest to be good |
The New York State Apple Association is predicting a harvest of 25 million bushels.
Spokesman Peter Gregg says that about the same as last year, but the quality is better this year.
The state's most popular varieties are McIntosh and Empire. Fifty-two percent of the crop will be sold as fresh apples and the rest will be used for apple sauce, slices, cider and juice. |
| "Bucky" caught in Pennsylvania |
For over five months, police have been searching for alleged cop killer and escaped convict Ralph "Bucky" Phillips.
Last night, around 8 p.m., they got their man as Phillips was caught near a golf course outside of Warren, Pennsylvania.
Phillips had just been added to the FBI's ten most wanted list a day earlier.
Phillips faces attempted murder charges in teh shooting of one trooper in Chemung County. He is also the only suspect in last week's shooting of two state troopers in Chautauqua County. |
| HS Football Roundup |
Last night in high school football:
Orchard Park beat Niagara Wheatfield 30 - 13.
Arch Bishop Walsh downed Niagara Catholic 34 - 6.
Niagara Falls upset Jamestown 20 - 12.
Silver Creek beat Wilson 26 - 14.
Depew toppled Medina 32 - 6. |
| Smith to be inducted in Broadcasters Hall of Fame |
Former WLVL, WBEN and WKBW personality Warren "Clip" Smith will be inducted into the Buffalo Broadcasters Hall of Fame.
The ceremony for the legendary Lockport broadcaster, who also wrote a weekly column for the Lockport Union-Sun & Journal, is set for October 3rd in the studios of WNED in Buffalo. |
| Commerce Square tenants voice concerns |
Tenants of Lockport's Commerce Square were in force at last night's Common Council meeting pleading their case after getting an eviction notice effective December 1.
The Greater Lockport Development Corporation says it would lose between $40,000 and $70,000 a year maintaining the former Delphi plant.
The list of tenants includes six manufacturers, three art studios, a communications company and a defense department contractor.
Mayor Mike Tucker set a meeting for 7:30 tonight in the old plant to discuss the building's future.
The council agreed last night to file for a state grant that would provide up to $5 million to tear down both Commerce Square and the dilapidated parking ramp, although the mayor says they have not yet decided to tear down either structure. |
| Managers term up to voters |
Voters will decide in November if the county manager should have a four year term after the legislature voted last night to place the issue on the ballot.
Current manager Greg Lewis had a four year deal, but the legislature recently discovered voters had to OK a tenure longer than the two year terms of those who appointed him.
Lawmakers also voted last night to send a letter to state legislators asking them to override the governor's veto of the Great Lakes water bill.
They appointed Niagara USA chief Tom Kraus to a vacant seat on the IDA board and voted 13-6 to buy a seat on the Buffalo Niagara Enterprise for $50,000. |
| Newfane begins nationwide search for super |
The Newfane School Board decided last night to conduct a national search for a new school superintendent.
The action following last week's surprise announcement by current administrator Jim Mills that he would step down December 30th.
The board appointed Orleans-Niagara BOCES chief Clark Godshall as a consultant in the search. He will not be paid for his work. |
| Search for "Bucky" moves back to Erie |
Swat teams and police helicopters detained a freight train near the Ford stamping plant in Hamburg for about three hours after a man was seen jumping from a freight car at about 9 p.m.
Troopers searched the train, a nearby residential area and the woods, but found no sign of Philips.
The train had passed within a few miles of where state troopers were ambushed last Thursday. |
| Knight returns home |
Town of Lockport councilman Dave Knight is back home after heart surgery at the Cleveland Clinic.
His wife tells WLVL that Dave is convelescing and the he was very touched by the outpouring of support. She said hundreds of cards were waiting for them when they returned home. |
| Trooper dies from gunshot |
One of the two state troopers ambushed THursday night in Chautauqua County has died.
32-year-old Joseph Longobardo passed away just after 3:30 p.m. Sunday afternoon at E.C.M.C.
State police superintendent Wayne Bennett said teh condition of the other trooper has improved.
Police maintain that escaped convict Ralph "Bucky" Philips remains the primary suspect in the shooting. |
| Morning fire damages Mac Limo |
A blaze just after 8 a.m. Sunday did an estimated $17,000 damage at Mac Limo on South Niagara Street in Lockport.
The manager said eh was doing office work when he heard a loud "pop" and smoke started coming through the seams of the walls.
Officials said it was caused by an electrical problem and had started in an outlet on an east side wall. |
| High School Football roundup |
High School football kicked off last night with a full slate of action involving Niagara County schools.
North Tonawanda beat Orchard Park 22-14
Lew-Port downed Wilson 28-0. The Lancers also retired the jersey for alum and former Dallas Cowboy Darryl Johnston during a halftime ceremony.
Alleghany Limestone beat Roy-Hart 49-0.
Frontier upended Niagara Falls 6-0.
Bennett shut out Niagara Catholic 30-0.
This afternoon, the Lockport Lions will play Lancaster at 2 p.m. in a game broadcast on WLVL. |
| Hunt for "Bucky" intensifies |
State police believe their search for Ralph "Bucky" Philips may be the largest man-hunt in state history.
He is now number one on America's Most Wanted list and a reward of $225,000 has been offered for information leading to his capture and conviction.
Two state troopers were shot Thursday night while searching for the prison escapee. |
| Woman finds Virgin Mary in tree |
An 84-year-old Lockport woman claims to see the Virgin Mary in the tree in front of her Harvey Avenue home.
Antonia Filipertis says the blessed mother spoke to her about 2:30 Tuesday afternoon and told her she would would see her in three places on the tree. Filipartis said she did see her and that Mary later told her to look through her window and pray to her.
She says Mary was dressed in a blue dress with a white vail and looked very beautiful.
Two other members of the family claimed to have seen a vision of the holy family in 1960 when they were seven years old. |
| NT aliens found |
Thirty-four illegal aliens were arrested in North Tonawanda Wednesday while working at a hydroponic tomato greenhouse.
The operation on Shawnee Road was run by Fortistar.
Most of the aliens are expected to be sent back to Mexico within a week, but one man, 24-year-old Ruben Balthazar, will face felony charges because he had been deported before in 2001.
Another coulud not be found and is considered a fugitive. |
| Devine case headed to jury |
The case again Lockport Assistant Fire Chief Mark Devine will be heard by a jury November 30th.
He's accused of violating an order of protection July 18th when he was seen with his former girlfriend Jane Olear.
Officials said they were unable to arrive at plea deal in the case.
Devine was suspended without pay August 7th and a disciplinary hearing began Tuesday but was not completed.
His defense attorney says the city is trying to fire Devine. |
| Police claim "Bucky" threatened them |
State police aren't saying how they received them, but they say Ralph "Bucky" Phillips has threatened to retaliate for the arrest of his family members.
They're concerned because they think he may be responsible for the theft of numerous handguns and long guns from a gun shop in Ellington overnight Saturday.
They say a gold '96 Dodge Intrepid was also was stolen a few miles away in the Town of Gerry.
There is still a $50,000 reward for information leading to his arrest and conviction. |
| Golisano to endorse Parenti |
Rochester Billionaire and Buffalo Sabres owner Tom Golisano will appear at a rally tonight for Assembly Candidate Gary Parenti.
He and Baby Joe Mesi will be on hand to endorse Parenti at the Christoforo Colombo Society - at Pine and 22nd.
Parenti faces Francine Del Monte in the Primary. |
| Military Reunions could mean economic boon |
Representatives from a variety of veterans' groups are in the Falls this week for a look-see as they search for a spot to hold military reunions.
Niagara Tourism and Convention Corporation spokeswoman Elizabeth Davis says the planners are here with "The Reunion Network," which brings the planners to various spots across the country.
Each reunion could have an economic impact of around half a million dollars. |
| Eliot to be a no-show at debate |
Two of the three leading candidates for governor will be at The Center for the Arts at UB's North Campus.
Republican John Faso and Democat Tom Souzzi will answer questions for a panel moderated by Channel 7 News Ancor Keith Radford.
Attorney General and leading candidate Eliot Spitzer declined to attend the event.
The debate will be carried live on channel 7 at 8 p.m. |
| PETS PLUS GETS ANIMALS BACK |
|
A LOCAL PET STORE WAS ABLE TO RETRIEVED THE MAJORITY OF ANIMALS THAT WERE SEIZED IN A RAIDED SIX WEEKS AGO…
PETS PLUS IN LOCKPORT PICKED UP THE REPTILES THAT WERE TAKEN BY THE SPCA UNDER A SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT…
THE SETTLEMENT ALLOWS THE NIAGARA COUNTY SPECT O MAKE UNANNOUNCED INSPECTIONS OF THE LOCKPORT STORE OVER THE NEXT THREE YEARS…
ANIMAL CRUELTY CHARGES WILL BE DROPPED AFTER SIX MONTHS IF NO ADDITIONAL PROBLEMS OCCUR… |
| MOUNT VIEW BUYER MISSES DEADLINE |
|
THE POTENTIAL BUYERS OF THE MOUNT VIEW HEALTH CARE FACILITY
HAVE MISSED THE DEADLINE TO FILE FOR APPROVAL FOR THE DEAL BUT THE COUNTY SAYS THAT ITS NO BIGGIE..
SENIOR ASSOCIATES OF AMHERST WAS APPROVED BY THE COUNTY LEGISLATURE TO BUY MOUNT VIEW ON JUNE 20...
THEY HAD 60 DAYS FROM THAT POINT TO FILE FOR APPROVAL FROM THE STATE…
STATE REGULATORS MUST ISSUE A CERTIFICATE OF NEED FOR ANY TRANSFER OF A HEALTH CARE FACILITY…
COUNTY MANAGER GREG LEWIS HAS SAID QUOTE “THERE IS NOTHING ROAD BLOCKING THIS… IT‘S IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE COMMUNITY TO MAKE THIS THING WORK…”
SENIOR ASSOCIATES HAS OFFERED TWO POINT FOUR MILLION DOLLARS FOR MOUNT VIEW… |
| City residents to see school tax hike |
Vary assessment rates in Lockport School District communities mean that the city of Lockport and town of Pendleton will see rate hikes of 44 cents per thousand and 54 cents per thousand respectively.
Meanwhile, town of Lockport residents will see a $1.07 per thousand decrease and the town of Cambria will see a $1.24 per thousand decrease. |
| City looks for demo money |
Lockport lawmakers convened a special meeting during last night's work session to OK two resolutions for economic development.
The city wants money from the Empire State Development Corporation to rehab or knock down several properties including parts of Commerce Square and possibly the municipal parking ramp.
A public hearing was set for September 5th at which time the city will provide a full list of properties involved. |
| City looks for demo money |
Lockport lawmakers convened a special meeting during last night's work session to OK two resolutions for economic development.
The city wants money from the Empire State Development Corporation to rehab or knock down several properties including parts of Commerce Square and possibly the municipal parking ramp.
A public hearing was set for September 5th at which time the city will provide a full list of properties involved. |
| Much marijuana found |
Members of the county drug task force and the border patrol harvested hundreds and hundreds of marijuana plants last night behind a home at 4949 Royalton Center Road.
The homeowner found the plants as the land was being surveyed.
Deputy Brian Grear called it "quite a crop." He said they were between six and seven feel tall.
Sheriff Tom Beilein said the department would be sending it's chopper out to check for more in the coming weeks. |
| NU moves towards future |
Niagara University President, the Reverand Joseph LeVesque told those attending a media luncheon on Tuesday that the school's board of trustees has developed a task force on campus development.
LeVesque said they want to expand and improve the university's footprint in the community. |
| Knight transferred |
Town of Lockport councilmember Dave Knight was transferred Monday from Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital to the Cleveland Clinic.
Knight needs heart surgery. He was admitted last Thursday after complaining of stomach pains at a meeting a week ago. |
| Parking Ramp to stay closed |
After getting a copy of an engineers report on Monday, Lockport Mayor Mike Tucker says the Main Street parking ramp is not going to re-open any time soon.
Tucker said he had not completely read the report, but that city engineer Norm Allen told him the results of testing done last week are not too promising.
Tucker said he would talk to the council after reading the complete study. |
| Knight awaits heart surgery |
Town of Lockport Councilmember Dave Knight is in critical condition in the Intesive Care Unit at Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital awaiting heart surgery.
He was taken to the hospital early last Thursday by family members.
WLVL will provide more details as they become available. |
| Bucky eludes police again |
Escaped fugitive Ralph "Bucky" Phillips managed to escape from a state trooper Saturday night in Cassadaga.
Phillips ran into a home on Route 60 after a trooper had been chasing him on his motorcycle. Phillips slipped out of a back window and into the woods while the trooper was guarding the front door and calling for help.
The three residents of the home were charged with harboring Phillips and are being held without bail in the Chautauqua County jail. More charges are pending. |
| IDA seat may go to chamber president |
County Legislature Chairman Bill Ross said he wants Niagara USA chairman Tom Kraus to get the IDA seat left vacant when Steve Brady resigned.
Kraus said he'll take it if asked. |
| Beach Boys draw crowd |
Thousands attended the free Beach Boys concert at Seneca Square on Sunday.
The show kicked off with an 11 song medley including "Surfin' Safari," "Surf City," "Catch a Wave," and "Summertime Blues."
The crowd also enjoyed ballads like "Surfer Girl," "In My Room," and "Don't Worry Baby." |
| New voting machines available for review |
Niagara County residents get their chance to test-drive three potential new voting machines today.
Representatives from Avanti, Liberty and Sequoia are showing off their products today and tomorrow at the County Training Facility, next to the Niagara County Jail.
County elections commissioners said we'll be using the current lever machines this fall, but we should have new ones for the 2007 primary. The state will distribute federal dollars to pay for them.
The demonstrations continue today til 1 p.m. and then from 3 to 8 tonight. They'll also be going on tomorros from 10 a.m. til 1 p.m. |
| Tucker takes helm of power coalition |
Lockport Mayor Mike Tucker is the new chairman of the Eastern Niagara Power Coalition after Newfane School Chief James Mills announced in a press release that he was stepping down from the post.
Mills says the alliance is seeking a politically supported solution to their concerns and the best person to help find one is someone within the political arena.
Tucker said he'll need the help of congressional representatives Tom Reynolds and Louise Slaughter as well as State Senator George Maziarz. |
| Delphi posts loss |
Delphi reported on Tuesday that they lost $2.6 billion in the first half o f2006.
The company said it was largely due to the cost of employee buyout programs and early retirement packages.
Revenues increased slightly to $14 billion from $13.9 billion over the same period last year, company officials said. |
| NF worker suspended for giving a ride |
The top man in the Niagara Falls forestry department has been suspended for 20 days without pay for insubordination.
Joe Urso apparently gave recently reinstated forestry worker Ernie Bivins a ride to a job site after being told not to do so.
Urso maintains the action is politically motivated, but the city's assistant corporation counsel denies the allegation.
|
| County finds crow with West Nile Virus |
The Niagara County Health Department says a crow found last week on Nash Road in North Tonawanda tested positive for the West Nile Virus.
It's the first positive find of WNV in the county this year.
The health department says they have tested over 50 pools for the virus this year and all have been negative. |
| Chick Wing Hall of Fame coming |
National Chicken Wing Festival Founder Drew Cerza is looking for inductees for the National Chicken Wing Hall of Fame.
They'll be named Labor Day Weekend when the annual festival is held at Dunn Tire Park.
Cerza says a search for a temporary location is underway and a permanent spot should be chosen in two years. |
| Voter deadline looms |
The deadline to register to vote in teh September 12th primary is Friday.
Those who have moved to a new county must re-register and those who have moved within the county should notify the board of their new address in writing.
Requests for registration forms can be obtained by calling 800-FOR-VOTE. |
| Circus denies abuse |
A spokesman for the Carson & Barnes Circus denies allegations by PETA that they mistreat their elephants.
PETA says they have video documenting abuse, but Jennifer Johnson says if you look closely you can tell it's been doctored.
The circus will be at the fairgrounds for two performances on Wednesday. |
| Krispy Kreme puffs out |
The Krisy Kreme donut shop across from the Boulevard Mall closing for good at 11:00 last night.
Ironically, a vitimin shop will take over the 4,200 square foot space.
The store opened with great fanfare in 2000.
The Walden Avenue store in Cheektowaga is still open. |
| Seneca Gaming CEO Stays |
|
THE CEO OF SENECA GAMING IS RETHINKING HIS RESIGNATION…
JOHN PASQUALONI THE PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF THE SENECA GAMING CORPORATION… HAS DECIDED NOT TO RETIRE AT THE END OF THE MONTH AND REMAIN UNTIL HIS CONTRACT RUNS OUT IN SEPTEMBER OF 2007...
PASQUALONI WAS GOING TO RETIRE AND RETURN TO HIS NATIVE NEW JERSEY SIGHTING PERSONAL REASONS…
BUT AFTER TALKING TO HIS FAMILY AND FEELING THAT HE HAD LEFT SOME PROGRAMS INCOMPLETE PASQUALONI RECONSIDERED HIS DECISION… |
| People injured when police car runs into car |
| Four people pushing a car on Hyde Park Boulevard in the Falls were hurt after a police car accidentally drove into them around 11:30 last night. One is said to be in serious condition at ECMC after being pinned between the two vehicles. Police say the area was very dark and the officer did not see the victims. No names have been released. |
| Devine suspended again |
The Lockport Fire Board suspended Assistant Fire Chief Mark Devine without pay following his July 18th arrest for violating an order of protection.
Devine allegedly was caught in his van with former girlfriend Jane Olear.
This is Devine's third suspension after being arrested by police. |
| Pataki to push oil plan |
| New York Governor George Pataki continues his presidential push today. He's slated to be on Fox News to discuss his plans to reduce US reliance on foreign oil. He's also scheduled to deliver a major speech at the National Press Club at 1 p.m. The speech is said to detail a number of initiatives that'll make the country less dependent on imports from hostile oil producing nations. |
| Kendig sets Challenger deadline |
Rochester Developer Ben Kendig set a deadline of December 31st for a group to raise the money to put a Challenger Learning Center in the Old Harrison Building on Canal Street.
The group needs $1.4 million. They currently have about $26,000.
Mayor Mike Tucker met with the group last week and said afterwards they don't really have a plan.
The regional director of the challenger chain calls it a great site with a lot of history behind it. |
| City makes it affordable to fix your home |
Lockport lawmakers voted Wednesday night o expand a local law providing tax relief for residents wanting to spruce up their homes.
City attorney John Ottaviano said he hopes the changes will encourage more residents to invest in their homes, but also said residents first need to know its available. |
| Newfane opens doors to elderly |
Officials in Newfane invited teh elderly without air conditioning to spend the day at town hall.
It's at 2896 Transit and will be open until 6 tonight.
They do have a television and you can calso bring books and board games to pass the time. |
| Alleged johns arrested |
Lockport police arrested two men Saturday night for attemting to patronize a prostitute.
Sammy Bell, 52, of 87 Spalding, allegedly offered an undercover female officer $10 for a sex act at the corner of Pine and Genesee.
Douglas Townsend, 36, of 39 Price was also arrested for offering money for a sex act at the same location. |
| DelMonte has one less rival |
A Falls man who intended to challege Francine DelMonte for her 138th assembly seat was thrown off the ballot this week.
Mark Sanchez of South Avenue in Niagara Falls was disqualified by the board of elections because he had not been authorized to circulate petitions for the Working Families Party.
Sanchez had registered as a republican in an election years ago and his party change does not take effect until after the nex election.
This means that DelMonte will be unchallenged on that party line. |
| Cruising to the cruise |
Last night's Lockport Monday Night Cruise - sponsored by WLVL and the Lockport Cruise Optimists Club - enjoyed it's best turnout of the season so far, as organizers honored area fire departments.
The Lockport, Middleport, and Ellicotville Fire Departments were among those at Ida Fritz Park.
About 150 cars and motorcycles were on display. |
| Tonawanda band takes top honors |
The American Legion Band 264 of the Tonawandas won the legion's state convention parade in Rochester this past Friday.
THey were named champs in the senior band category and placed second overall in the event. |
| Rooftop skate park? |
City leaders in Niagara Falls think the roof of the parking ramp on Rainbow Boulevard would be a good place for a public skate park.
They've created a commission of local skateboarders to research the idea, but no money has been earmarked for the project.
The city had put out a request for proposals for such a facility last month, but recieved zero responses. |
| City Hall closes due to water main break |
Lockport City Hall was shut down just before noon on Friday due to a water main break on Canal Street. Mayor Mike Tucker said it was discovered Thursday afternoon.
The break wasn't as bad as the two earlier this month in the downtown area, the mayor said.
All administration offices were closed but police and fire continued to operate in the building. |
| Pets Plus to sue SPCA |
The owners of Lockport's "Pets Plus" are taking the Erie County SPCA to court.
George Muscato, attorney for the store, has served an order to show cause in Lockport City Court.
He said he wants over 100 reptiles and amphibians back.
The agency seized them on July 11th. |
| Cocaine Arrest |
Lockport City Court Judge Bill Watson yesterday ordered 26-year-old David Carter of Washburn Street to be held without bail after he was allegedly caught with crack cocaine during a traffic stop.
Carter had been pulled over around 7 p.m. Tuesday on Outwater Drive. He's charged with sale and possession. Police say he had more than 500 milligrams of the drug. |
| Lenhart takes plea |
The former chairman of the Niagara County Democratic Party took a plea deal in Lockport City Court on Wednesday.
Cindy Lenhart, 53, pleaded guilty to driving without a license and recieved a conditional discharge on a 15 day jail sentence and must pay $150 in surcharges and fines.
She was arrested on a warrant last Wednesday after failing to show for an earlier appearance.
She was stopped June 28th on Stevens Street and charged with driving with a suspended license. |
| Frampton draws |
A record breaking crowd, estimated at over 15,000, went to Artpark last night for the free Peter Frampton concert.
Next week's concert will feature Kim Mitchell.
Click for more on Artpark's Tuesday in the Park Series. |
| Presbyterian Home holds re-dedication |
Ceremonies were held Tuesday afternoon at the newly refurbished and expanded Lockport Presbyterian Home.
Angela Hahn, the administrator of the facility said the renovations cost $6.2 million. |
| Golf course pro-shop broken into |
A number of golf balls and $948 in cash was taken during an early morning break-in at the pro shp at the county golf course on Davison Road on Tuesday.
A police patrol heard the alarm go off at the adjoining Caddy Jack's restaurant around 2:45 a.m. Police say a window had been pushed in at the restaurant and another was forced open at the pro shop.
There was nothing reported missing from the restaurant.
Police suspect the alarm scared the burglars off. |
| Mayor Anello may be called |
|
NIAGARA FALLS MAYOR VINCE ANELLO IS ON A LIST OF POSSIBLE GOVERNMENT WITNESSES WHO COULD TESTIFY AGAINST LEADERS OF LABORERS LOCAL 91...
ANELLO MAY BE CALLED BECAUSE OF SOME DAMAGE DONE TO HIS AUTOMOBILE AFTER HE CRITIZED LOCAL 91 DURING A NIAGARA FALLS CITY COUNSEL MEETING IN DECEMBER OF 1999…
ANELLO TOLD POLICE THAT HIS TIRES WERE PUNCHIER AND THE SIDES OF HIS VEHICLES WAS SCRATCHED…
IT WAS NOT REVELED IN COURT PAPERS IF THERE WAS ANY LINK BETWEEN LOCAL 91 AND THE CART DAMAGE…
OPENING ARGUMENTS ARE SCHEDULED FOR MONDAY ON RACKETEERING CHARGES FOR THE FORMER UNION BOSSES… |
| School Board could get a boost |
|
THE NIAGARA FALLS SCHOOL DISTRICT COULD RECEIVE A BUMP UP IN STATE AID IF THE ASSOCIATION OF SMALL CITY SCHOOL DISTRICTS WIN ITS LAW SUIT AGAINST NEW YORK STATE…
THE SUIT FILED IN 2005 CLAIMS THAT THE STATE VIOLATED ITS OWN CONSTITUTION BY NOT SUFFICIENTLY FUNDING 18 SMALL SCHOOL DISTRICTS INCLUDING NIAGARA FALLS…
THE STATE MADE A MOTION TO DISMISS THE CASE WHICH WAS GRANTED BY AN ACTING SUPREME COURT JUDGE…
THE GROUP WILL NOW TAKE ITS CASE TO THE APPELLATE COURT…
THE SMALL CITY’S EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ROBERT BIGGERSTAFF SAYS THAT THE CASE WAS DISMISSED NOT BECAUSE OF ITS MERITS BUT BECAUSE MEMBERS OF THE SCHOOL BOARDS IN THE 18 DISTRICTS WERE NAMED IN THE SUIT… AND THEY ARE IN ELIGIBLE TO SUE THE STATE…
IF THE DISTRICTS WIN THE SUIT THE NIAGARA FALLS SCHOOL DISTRICT IS DUE TO RECEIVE A 29 PERCENT INCREASE OR 22 POINT FIVE MILLION DOLLARS… |
| Carbone New Superintendent |
The Lockport school system has a new leader as Terry Carbone was named superintendent in a special school board meeting last night.
The board voted 7-2 to hire Carbone who is the districts director of reasearch and development and elementary education.
Carbone had been offered the job once before but turned it down. She now feels the time is right.
Carbone will make an annual salary of $135,000. |
| Town of Lockport "Strong and Solid" |
An independent outside auditor says that the financial situation of the town of Lockport is quote "strong and solid."
John Sciavone of Lumsden and McCormick told the Town board that its surplus is an indication of its good financial health.
The town's genreal fund was $2.5 million as of the end of 2003.
The only problem has been the refuse fund. It is $31,700 in the hole and owes the other funds about $50,000.
|
| Pendleton okays First Niagara plans |
The Pendleton Town Board last night gave its blessing to plans by First Niagara to move about 70 jobs to an empire zone in Buffalo.
Supervisor Jim Reister said the bank has undertaken similar efforts in the past and that the Transit Road headquarters has again filled to capacity. |
| Oz remains on track |
Wheatfield Supervisor Tim Demler says things are progessing on plans to build a theme park in Wheatfield based on the Wizard of Oz.
Many local folks remain skeptical of the planned park, but Demler says their skepticism isn't warranted, explaining that the developers have already spent over a million dollars on the plan, and people don't spend that kind of money to do nothing.
More Oz updates will be coming soon, he said, including the project's financing. |
| Falls fireworks a good bet for many |
Spectators lined city streets and others stood on the roof of the hotel Monday night as the Seneca Niagara Casino presented its annual fireworks display.
Mary Abramowitz of Lockport brought relatives along with watch the 45 minute spectacle.
Casino public relations manager Phil Pantano says he's been working on the planning since February and was happy with the result.
The display was just one of many events in the Cataract City over the weekend. |
| GLDC set to foreclose on Brewhaus |
The Greater Lockport Development Corporation is getting ready to foreclose on the Brewhaus.
Records show that owner Barb Brewer hasn't made a monthly payment on her $100,000 GLDC loan in more than a year. She owes over $97,000 plus interest.
The loan was granted in August of 2004 and the last payment was made in April of 2005.
Brewer says this is only a pending action and she will do what she can to keep her business open, but city officials say their hands are tied and regulations require that they move forward with foreclosure. |
| More than a thousand UAW workers are taking buyout |
The United Auto Workers said more than 1,050 workers at Lockport's Delphi plant have signed up for a buy-out or early retirement plan.
About 1,200 were eligible. The deadline to accept was last Friday.
Nationally, about 47,000 workers at Delphi and GM accepted some sort of deal. |
| Niziol returns to post |
Less than a month after stepping down, Steve Niziol will be returning to his job Thursday as Lockport Community Services Aide.
Mayor Mike Tucker says Niziol will only work about ten hours a week. He used to do 20. Niziol will focus on enforcing the city's garbage ordinance and removing illegally posted fliers from traffic and light poles.
The highways and parks department will enforce the grass mowing ordinance. |
| Work camp begins |
About 500 teen volunteers from around the country are beginning work today on a variety of projects for low income homeowners in Lockport.
The students, who pay about $450 for the priveledge of improving our fair city, began arriving Sunday and sleep at Lockport High School. |
| Kendig signing slated for Wednesday |
The contract giving Rochester Developer Ben Kendig control of Lockport's Canal Street is expected to be signed on Wednesday.
The city's community development director expects work on the four buildings on the block will begin shortly thereafter. Interior and exterior rennovations are planned. |
| Three vie for super job |
Three administrators already working for the district are now in the running for the job of Lockport School Superintendent.
Terry Carbone's back in the running after changing her mind last week about previously rejecting the offer. Two others applied after Carbone originally declined the offer. They are also in the running.
Current school chief Bruce Fraser retires August 21st. |
| Carbone changes mind |
Lockport Board of Education President Keith McNall said he has received a letter from Terry Carbone stating that she is now willing to take the package the school district had previously offered for her to be the district's new superintendent.
It's not quite that simple, though, becuase the board had already started looking for other candidates and had told other administrators that they should submit letters of interest on the position.
The issue will be discussed at an upcoming board meeting, McNall said. |
| GLDC may take old Harrison building |
The City of Lockport's development arm, the GLDC, could end up owning the former Harrison building downtown.
The owners of the former building has defaulted on two loans and owe the Greater Lockport Development Corporation over a million dollars.
The city would get the title to the building if no one else bids on it in an upcoming auction, according to Corporation Counsel John Ottaviano. |
| Albany decides casino cash disbursement |
Niagara Fall will receive 44 percent of the $24 million obtained from the Senecas since 2004. That would amount to $10.7 million.
The county IDA and the Niagara Tourism and Convention Corp., meanwhile, will receive $2 million. A million dollars will go to the city school district and another million to the medical center.
The state entity, USA Niagara, will recieve $7.2 million. |
| Delphi deal in the works |
The state is working on a deal to give Delphi $25 million
State Senator George Maziarz told WLVL's John Raymond that many details still need to be worked out and it would be contingent on Delphi keeping employment at or near it's current levels. |
| Perna commemorated |
The ownners of the Tops in Lockport will dedicate a park bench today in memory of the late Paul Perna.
The ceremony will take place at 2 p.m. in Memorial Park at Lincoln and Transit.
Perna had managed the store until his death in February 2005. |
| Delphi gets extension |
A bankruptcy court on Monday gave Delphi until next February to submit their re-organization plan.
Judge Robert Drain also extended the deadline for responses until next April 2nd. The deadline had been August 5th.
The company reserved the right to file other extensions as needed. |
| LaRock extends contract |
The Barker School Board last night extended the contract of school superintendent Steve LaRock till next June as part of a transition plan. LaRock said he'd retire at that point.
Former middle school principal Roger Klatt is being groomed as the next superintendent. Klatt's been with the district since July of 2000 and had been serving as the director of instruction and special education.
LaRock's salary will remain the same through the transition. |
| Lottery has high payout |
The New York State Lottery said they paid out more than $8.3 million a week ago today when the daily numbers ended up being 4-4-4 for the mid-day draw and 1-2-3 in the evening.
It was a new record for the lottery and director Nancy Palumbo said the popular numbers combination were drawn during "numbers bonus week," which meant winners took home even more.
Over 9,500 players picked the 4-4-4 combination and 16,000 picked the 1-2-3.
The previous record had been set in August 2002 when the mid-day numbers were 6-6-6 and the evening ones were 2-2-2. |
| Walnut Street Closed |
A water main break has caused the closure of Walnut Street in Lockport.
The problem was reported around 2 a.m.
Stay tuned to WLVL for updates. |
| Reynolds secures funds for area |
Congressman Tom Reynolds annouced that the US House of Representatives has approved cash for several county projects.
Appropriations include $500,000 for the restoration of the Flight of Five, $500,000 for construction and safety improvements to a section of Pendleton-Wheatfield Town Line Road, and another $1 Million for a new circular road system at the Niagara Falls International Airport.
The projects must be approved by the senate before any money is spent. |
| Charter school asks for more |
Citing a high demand for it, officials at the new Niagara Charter School on Tuesday asked the state for permission to add a third Kindergarten class.
The school's CEO Gary Stillman says there have 70 kids on a waiting list.
If the state okays another Kindergarten class, it would up the school's enrollment from 240 to 264. |
| Union: Mount View sale could lead to layoffs |
The union for two-thirds of the workers at the county-owned nursing home Mount View says that the sale of the facility could trigger layoffs because of a provision in the contract.
Officials for AFSCME Local 182 say tha a clause in the current contract requires that all part-time, temporary, seasonal and probationary workers who are union members be let go before any full-time workers can be fired.
Opponents of the sale say the provision could devastate the county. |
| Sheriff's Department looking for robber |
The Niagara County Sheriff's Department is searching for a man wearing a dark hoodie that robbed between $400 and $700 from Jay Place in Lewiston last night.
Police say a man displayed a handgun and ordered the clerk to hand over the money.
The man was last seen running northeast across from Walmore Road into a wooded area. |
| Accident leads to Mercy Flight |
A Hartland man has been taken to ECMC via Mercy Flight after he was thrown from his four wheeler behind his home on Hosmer Road.
Thirty-three year old Michael Deemer apparently lost control of his four wheeler in tall grass. He was treated at the scene by Miller Hose. His injuries do not appear to be life threateneing. |
| Courthouses to get improvements |
| Niagara County Courthouses in Niagara Falls and Lockport will recieve facelifts in the coming month as the county legislature awarded more than $1 million in contracts last week to upgrade the heating and air conditioning systems in the Lockport facility, while the Niagara Falls courthouse will have some HVAC work and possibly some parking lot and space issues addressed. |
| Delphi offers more buyouts |
A UAW official in Indiana said Friday that "everybody's eligible for something" after Delphi announced it had reached a deal to offer buy-outs to hourly workers not eligilble for previously announced early retirement deals.
The company also said it was expanding those early retirement offers to take in those with 26 years of service. The previous offer was for those with 27 to 30 years.
As for the buy-outs, those on the job for 10 years will be eligible for $140,000, but they'd get no health care benefits. Those with 10 years of less would get $70,000. |
| Ransomville man ordained |
| David Harvey of Ransomville was one of three men ordained today as a permanent Deacon within the Catholic Diocese. Deacons are married men and they're assigned a parrish or other ministry. The ceremony was held at 10 a.m. today at the cathedral in downtown Buffalo. |
| County threatens to quit power coalition |
Two county attorneys said the county will quit the corporation recently formed to distribute low cost power unless the other members of Power Niagara agree that any excess electricity be put in a pool to attact new business.
Besides the county, the other members are the City of Niagara Falls, the Town of Lewiston, and the Lewiston-Porter, Niagara Wheatfield and Niagara Falls school districts. Each gets a different amount of power under the settlement and each has it's own plans for that power.
There was no plan to pool the excess originally. |
| Lockport "Super" search continues |
The Lockport School Board is still looking for a new school superintendent.
Board president Keith McNall said Thursday that hewy will first consider people already working for the district before they expand their search to look elsewhere.
Interested applicants must apply by June 23rd.
One internal administrator has already expressed an interest, McNall said.
Current school chief Bruce Fraser retires August 21. |
| Teacher pleads not guilty |
A Niagara Wheatfield Latin teacher pleaded not guilty Wednesday in Lewiston Town Court.
Bruce Strassburg, 57, was charged with using too much force when he disciplined some members of a middle school lacrosse team on May 24th.
About 40 teachers, dozens of parents, students and former students filled the courtroom to show their support for Strassburg. Some of the former students had come in from out of town for the hearing.
Strassburg is due back in court June 28th. |
| First Niagara says it needs more space |
First Niagara Bank Transit Road headquarters is full according to a public relations spokesperson.
As a result, they're in the process of moving about 70 workers to the 9th floor of the Larkin Building in Buffalo. About 200 more from other service areas would also be working there, she said.
The building is in an empire zone, making the bank eligible for numerous tax breaks.
The move will not impact the town of Pendleton. |
| Artpark off to good kickoff |
About 4,000 were at Artpark for the first free concert of the Tuesday in the Park series with Little Feat kicking off the 13-week schedule.
Officiials say hundreds of local acts auditioned to be part of the Artpark Wednesdays which begins July 26th. |
| DeSales reunion planned |
The DeSales class of 1961 is planing its 45th reunion for August 18th and 19th.
Anyone interested is advised to contact Peter Stutz at 433-0814.
They are looking for information about seven missing class members. |
| Rotary takes lead to save pool |
The Lockport Rotary Club is looking to the community to help them with their goal of refurbishing the Lockport Community Pool.
Co-chair Mike Alexander says they've raised about $69,000 so far from private foundations and civic organizations.
They're sending out letters to all homes in all Lockport zip codes looking for the rest. The letter states that the project required $150,000. |
| Villella refuses appointment |
Lockport Deputy Assessor Lena Villella refused an appointment on Monday as acting city assessor.
Mayor Mike Tucker wanted to give her the post so she could sign the 2005 tax roll, which is being used again this year because the new assessments were eliminated last week when assessor VInce Smith resigned.
Villella told Tucker she wasn't interested in a temporary appointment - only a permanent one.
Tucker said he'll have to call Albany to find out who can sign the tax roll. |
| Kern to run |
An accountant for a chemical manufacturer in the Falls announced her candidacy for Lockport treasurer.
Louise Kern works for the Niacet corporation, but it a lifelong resident of Lockport.
She's already got the Democratic line and is challenging appointed incumbent Mike White in the Republican primary.
Kern graduated from UB in 1991 with a degree in business administration with a concentration in accounting.
She and her husband James have two children. |
| City/Town look to share assessor |
A deal may be in the works for the city and town of Lockport to share the services of one assessor.
Former city assessor Vince Smith resigned last week and Mayor Mike Tucker has said he'd like to look into the possibility of sharing.
Town Supervisor Marc Smith says he's confident he can make a presentation to the city in a few months.
Town Assessor Kevin VanDusen previously did double duty for three months, but former town supervisor John Austin didn't like the arrangement.
VanDusen lives in the city and fought the re-assessment of his own home this year. |
| Kane relents, pays fine |
The possibility of missing tonight's seventh game because he might be jailed was enough to convince Lockport landlord Dan Kane to pay a $100 fine yesterday for violating the city's garbage ordinance.
The 70-year-old had repeatedly said he'd be willing to go to jail rather than pay, but said yesterday he was not going to take the chance. |
| Assessment meeting still on |
Last Friday's announcement that recent property assessments in Lockport would be cut by 40 percent were not enough to call off a meeting on the issue tomorrow night.
Organizer Joe Malnerich said Buffalo attorney Tim Lovallo will help them restore their options.
Malnerich says he can't sell his Willow Street home because of the tax burden that comes with it.
The meeting starts at 7 in the community room at the Lockport Public Library. |
| Robinson adds to book |
Local businessman Lester Robinson contributed a chapter to a new book called "101 Great Ways to Improve Your Life."
His section is entitled "The Negatives Must Always Make a Positive."
He maintains that certain events in your life may look negative at the time but actually turns out positive in the long run.
The theme came from a series aired on LCTV in 2004 and 2005. |
| Large crowd expected in Wilson |
As many as 8,000 or 9,000 are expected to make the annual pilgrimage to Wilson today for the Memorial Day flea market and fair.
Chairman Kyle Andrews said about 280 vendors are expected.
The 34th annual fair is put on by the Wilson Historical Society and their main fundraiser for the year.
Planning for the event started in January and workers started getting the grounds ready last week. |
| Delphi to pare hourly force by 75 percent |
Delphi plans to cut its hourly work force from 33,000 employees to 6,000 in its bankruptcy reorganization plan.
Testifying in courst yesterday, a Delphi executive confirmed the company's plan. The Delphi official also said that the company plans to cut 37 percent of its salaried workers.
Critics has said that this is a continued shift by Delphi to move its manufacturing operations to a low wage offshore employer.
Currently, Delphi has 135,000 workers overseas compared to 45,000 in the United States. |
| Palace's new director credited with Sabres plan |
It was the Palace's new executive director who came up with the idea of showing the Sabres games at the theatres.
Jim Kretz joined the theatre five weeks ago after spending six years at the helm of the Riviera in North Tonawanda.
Building a highly respected and ever expanding client base was one of his duties at the Riviera and he hopes to do the same here.
Kretz says the Sabres games have brought a lot of people into the theatre that had never entered it before. |
| Anello to meet on casino |
Niagara Falls Mayor Vince Anello is expecting to meet today with State Senator George Maziarz and Assemblywoman Francine Del Monte on a deal in the works on the casino money.
Anello says the issue was discussed during a conference call Wednesday afternoon involving Maziarz, members of USA Niagara and officials from the governors office.
He says the potential agreement would encompass parts of the deal worked out by two lawmakers last November.
Anello had threatened to picket the state park in Niagara Falls. |
| Carbone turns down offer |
The finalist in the search for a new Lockport School superintendent declined a proposed contract.
In a letter, Terry Carbone said she was disappointed in the district's offer, which would have raised her baseline salary to $135,000, but called for 10 fewer vacation days, the elimination of a $5,000 flex plan, and eliminted a $1,000 career credit.
School Board President Keith McNall says the same deal will be offered to any and all finalists in the future.
The board started looking for a replacement for School Superintendant Bruce Fraser last fall. His last day is slated to be August 21.
McNall has called a special meeting for June 5 to decide what to do next. |
| Delphi loses $127 million |
In court papers filed Thursday, Delphi said it's Lockport plant lost $127 million last year.
The company says expenses outstripped income by 13.3 percent.
Lockport was listed as the company's 13th best performing plant in the US. The company has 30 US plants. |
| Lewis to discuss contract with legislature |
County manager Greg Lewis is slated to talk about a possible new contract today in a session with four senior members of the legislature.
Majority leader Malcolm needler says Lewis increased his salary demand last week to $109,400. He currently makes $95,500 and was asking for $105,500. |
| City could save $1 million |
Lockport Alderman Pat Schrader told the common council last night that a consulting firm from Brewster claims it can save the city up to a million dollars a year on it's water and sewer operations.
Schrader said representatives of Severn Trent Engineering would send a representative to next week's work session.
Schrader also said the city's tax rate must not be allowed to increase next year because of the spike in property re-assessments. He said he knows what people are going through.
The council also talked about buying four more police cars. Mayor Mike Tucker said there's money left in the department budget.
Two cars will replace those wrecked in a police chase may 3rd. Tucker said drug forfeiture money or homeland security cash will be used to buy a car for police chief Neil Merrit.
Council president John Lombardi said he will introduce a measure to limit the use of portable storage units outside city homes. He said they are accessory structures. |
| College budget proposal cut |
Two commitees of the County Legislature last night cut Niagara County Community College's budget by $249,000.
The action came after a nearly three-hour interrogation of college president James Klyczek.
The college had requested an increase of $749,000 in the county's property tax contribution.
Klyczek said he didn't know what impact the reduciton would have in terms of jobs or tuition for the coming year. |
| City to bill insurance for fire calls |
Niagara Falls Fire Chief Bill Mackay said his department is looking to a plan to bill insurance companies for the department's response to residential fire and rescue calls.
He said they wouldn't send the bill to homeowners, but rather to their insurance companies, some of whom provide up to $500 to pay fire fees. Homeowners who do not have insurance would not be billed, he said. |
| NU, NYPA reach accord |
Niagara University and the New York Power Authority have come to a deal over the relicensing of the power project.
The power authority board vited Tuesday to accept a settlement that'll give the school 24 acres of vacant land, three megawatts of low-cost power each year, $9.5 million for capital projects and a million dollars for landscaping. |
| Smolinski for Assembly? |
County lawmaker Pete Smolinksi says he'll decide very shortly wheterh to run for the 140th District Assembly seat against Democratic incumbent Robin Schimminger.
The North Tonawanda Republican saying after years of service to the county he's come to learn the real problem is in the state assembly. He called it the biggest dysfunction in the state.
County Republican chairman Henry Wojtaszek says Erie County party leaders also are inclined to give the nomination to Smolinski. |
| Sabres rock Palace |
Lockport's Palace Theatre was packed last night as the Hurricanes took a 4-3 win over the Sabres.
There's no admission charge to get it. The theatre makes money on the sale of snacks and beverages. The theatre's executive director was excited with the turnout.
Many fans in attendance were wearing "Dare to Believe" t-shirts sold by the American Cancer Society. |
| IDA projects fall short |
The Legislative Gazette News Service reportedthat an audit by state comptroller Alan Hevesi has found that just a third of IDA supported projects meet job creation goals.
His findings come on the heels of another report released by a group called "New York Jobs with Justice." They found that 63 percent of the state's 115 IDA's supported companies that lost jobs or were not paying adequate wages or benefits.
Hevesi wants new measures to prove more data about IDA projects. He wants to standardize IDA practices across the state and he wants to give them the power to require repayment of benefits from businesses that do not deliver on promised results. |
| Police hold seat belt blitz |
A two week seat belt enforcement blitz begins today.
The thruway authority says they issued 5,100 tickets to travelers on the superhighway during last year's campaign.
Drivers and front seat passengers can be fined as much as $50 for failing to buckle up.
The campaign runs through June 4. |
| Firefighter collapses, dies |
A Cambria Volunteer Firefighter collapsed and died Sunday afternoon while working at the scene of a three vehicle accident that injured six people at Saunders Settlement and Lockport Junction roads.
The Sheriff's Department said 62-year-old Gerald Machajewski of Shunpike Road was pronounced dead shortly after being taken to Lockport Memorial Hospital. |
| Bazzani to run for assembly |
Niagara Falls basketball coach Dan Bazzani announced he will run for the 138th district assembly seat held by Francine DelMonte.
Bazzani says he's concerned about the continued exodus of young people from the area. He says nothing seem to have changed since he first ran for office 26 years ago.
County Republican Chair Henry Wojtaszek says Bazzani is an ideal candidate. |
