Buffalo news

• Jeff Sessions announces rule effectively banning bump stocks

  23-03-2018 23:31 via wivb.com
  (CBS NEWS) – Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced Friday that the Department of Justice is officially proposing a change to federal regulations to ban bump stock devices, devices that transform legal, semi-automatic firearms into automatic weapons. A bump stock device was used in last year’s deadly Las Vegas shooting.
  Specifically, the DOJ is looking to change the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives regulations to clarify that bump stocks do actuall
  
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• Lockport family feels police and DA swept murder investigation aside

  23-03-2018 22:57 via wivb.com
  LOCKPORT, N.Y. (WIVB) — Almost a year and half after the death of 54-year-old Holly Seiler, family members are still searching for answers.
  On October 20, 2016, firefighters found Seiler’s body in her burning Lockport home on E. High Street. Investigators called her death suspicious.
  A death certificate obtained by News 4 lists Seiler’s cause of death as manual strangulation.
  No one has been arrested for her murder.
  “My sister was brutally murdered in her home. There&rsqu
  
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• Ken-Ton schools planning security upgrades

  23-03-2018 22:56 via wivb.com
  TONAWANDA, N.Y. (WIVB) – Officials in the Kenmore-Town of Tonawanda Union Free School District have been wrestling with ideas to keep its schools safe. They think they’ve found part of the answer. Changes will soon be coming to the nine schools in that district.
  They will be adding cameras and a new way to keep track of visitors entering the schools.
  It’s being paid for by New York’s Smart Schools Bond Act.
  “The idea was to designate money specifically for tech
  
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• Local hospital becomes first in area to offer “laughing gas” option for childbirth

  23-03-2018 22:35 via wivb.com
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) – Mercy Hospital is the first hospital in the Buffalo area to offer nitrous oxide, or “laughing gas” as an option for women during childbirth.
  Nitrous oxide allows patients to stay awake and alert during childbirth, and can be used as an alternative for women who arrive too late to receive an epidural or aren’t eligible to receive one for medical reasons, Dr. Susan Littler, chair of the hospital’s OB/GYN Department, said.
  “The use of nitro
  
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• Bulls embracing underdog role as their historic NCAA Tournament run continues

  23-03-2018 21:28 via wivb.com
  ALBANY, N.Y. (WIVB) – Late Thursday night, Grand Island native Cassie Oursler said it finally sunk in she and her team would be playing in the Sweet 16.
  “I was scrolling through the sports channels and there was no women’s games playing so I think it hit me then,” she said.  “There are no games to be played except the ones we’re about to play in. I think that’s pretty cool.”
  After cruising through the first two rounds of the NCAA Tourname
  
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• CRIME STOPPERS: Up to $2,500 reward offered for information on man wanted by parole

  23-03-2018 20:32 via wivb.com
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) – Up to a $2,500 reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest of a man wanted by parole.
  Emmanuel Stokes, 22, is on parole for second degree criminal possession of a weapon.
  He is described as 5’6″ and 130 lbs.
  Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers Buffalo at 716-867-6161.
  
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• Former cancer patient now a doctor at the hospital that helped her survive

  23-03-2018 20:04 via wivb.com
  (CNN) – People say it’s important to give back to your community. Jennifer Pratt is doing exactly that.She was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a form of bone cancer, when she was just 11. The diagnosis meant she spent many days in the hospital.
  Pratt’s chemotherapy took over a year, and because she spent so much time at Children’s Minnesota in St. Paul, the hospital staff became like family to her. It was during her treatment that she decided to become a doctor and, 20
  
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• French president says suspect killed 3, injured 16

  23-03-2018 19:45 via wivb.com
  FRANCE (AP) — French President Emmanuel Macron says the armed man who took hostages in a supermarket killed three people and wounded 16 others.
  Macron said investigators are trying to establish how the suspect obtained the gun used in the attack in Trebes and nearby city of Carcassonne, where officials say the 26-year-old hijacked a car and claimed his first victim.
  Macron added detectives will also try to find out how and when Redouane Lakdim got radicalized. The suspect, who was shot and
  
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• Trump signs $1.3 trillion budget after threatening veto

  23-03-2018 18:49 via wivb.com
  WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump signed a $1.3 trillion spending measure Friday averting a government shutdown at midnight, acting just hours after saying he was considering a veto.
  Trump complained that the legislation does not fully fund his plans for a border wall with Mexico and does not address some 800,000 “Dreamer” immigrants who are now protected from deportation under a program that he has moved to eliminate. He said he signed it in order to provide needed mone
  
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• 8th Graders get sweet STEM lesson with Cupcake Wars in Erie 1 BOCES kitchen

  23-03-2018 18:39 via wivb.com
  CHEEKTOWAGA, N.Y. (WIVB) – Flour was flying in the kitchen at the Erie 1 BOCES Harkness Career and Technical Center Friday morning, as more than 80 eighth graders from Maryvale Middle School put their culinary skills to the test.
  They were going head to head in the annual Cupcake Wars baking challenge.
  “I think it was a great experience to have, a great opportunity. It was really fun, too,” said Alex George, one of the students who took part.
  Throughout the competition, the emp
  
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• Man who committed sledgehammer attack gets 107 years in prison

  23-03-2018 18:16 via wivb.com
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — A Cheektowaga man was sentenced to 107 years in prison.
  Mark Dublino, 54, was found guilty of two counts of attempted murder, four counts of burglary, two counts of assault and one count of aggravated criminal contempt.
  In June of 2016, Dublino entered his ex-girlfriend’s Williamsville home, violating an order of protection, and attacked her and her friend.
  Each victim was struck in the head with a sledgehammer multiple times. After this, officials say Dublino
  
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• Threat prompts lockout at Ellicottville schools

  23-03-2018 17:31 via wivb.com
  ELLICOTTVILLE, N.Y. (WIVB) — Ellicottville Central Schools are no longer on lockout.
  The district went into lockout around 8:30 a.m. following a threat.
  New York State police investigated the matter and the lockout was lifted in the early afternoon.
  The school will follow a regular schedule for the remainder of the day.
  
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• New items, players, and rules on deck as Bisons prepare to start season

  23-03-2018 17:05 via wivb.com
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — We are counting down to the Bisons baseball season. The herd will be on the diamond in less than three weeks.“It’s hard to believe it’s our 31st year,” said Mike Buczkowski, the Bisons General Manager. 
  For 31 seasons, the Buffalo Bisons have been working to bring high level baseball to the ballpark. New this season, promotions like Labatturdays and new snacks are on deck too. They’ve been switching up traditional ite
  
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• News 4 fur family members visit studio during National Puppy Day

  23-03-2018 16:40 via wivb.com
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB)– Across the nation, thousands of pet parents are celebrating National Puppy Day.
  Potter is News 4’s Ali Ingersoll’s dog. He’s a 4-year-old shepherd, lab, and hound mix. Ali rescued him from the Lakeshore Humane Society. Potter had a rough start to life and spent about six months in the shelter before meeting Ali. The two enjoy running, hiking, and exploring new cities together.
  Sioux is Mel Orlin’s dog. She’s a 2 and a half year old
  
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• 11 Fun Facts – Sweet 16: Buffalo Vs. South Carolina

  23-03-2018 16:00 via wivb.com
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) – As an 11-seed in the NCAA Tournament not many thought Buffalo, which earned an at-large bid, would have made it past the first weekend.
  Passion & Defense are the hallmark of this year’s history making team and now they’re showing the entire country what Bulls basketball is all about. So, in honor of their 11-seed, here are 11 “fun facts” about the Bulls and Gamecocks heading into their Sweet 16 matchup on Saturday.
  11 – The Bulls are
  
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• Louise Slaughter’s funeral to take place in Rochester

  23-03-2018 14:35 via wivb.com
  ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WIVB) — People will come together to remember the life of Congresswoman Louise Slaughter.
  Her funeral service will be held at the Eastman Theatre in Rochester at 11 a.m.
  She served the Rochester area for decades as a county legislator, state lawmaker and congresswoman.
  At one point, she served parts of Niagara and Erie counties.
  
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• Woman charged with driving while on drugs

  23-03-2018 13:52 via wivb.com
  MARILLA, N.Y. (WIVB) —  Erie County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a rollover crash in the Town of Marilla.
  When officers arrived at the scene on Two Rod Rd., they found a vehicle in a ditch, and a woman trapped inside.
  Marilla resident Jessica Jurewicz, 34, was rescued and taken to ECMC for treatment.
  Jurewicz was evaluated by a drug recognition expert, who says she had been driving under the influence of drugs.
  She was charged with DWI-drugs and a vehicle and traffic law infr
  
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• NYC firefighter dies battling blaze on Harlem movie set

  23-03-2018 13:39 via wivb.com
  NEW YORK (AP) — A raging fire gutted an unoccupied residential building in Harlem being used as a film set and left a New York City firefighter dead.
  The blaze broke out on the set of “Motherless Brooklyn,” directed by Edward Norton, at about 11 p.m. Thursday. Flames poured out the windows as firefighters swarmed the scene, dumping water on the blaze to get it under control.
  Firefighter Michael R. Davidson of Engine Company 69 was assigned to the nozzle and was using the hose-l
  
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• Union leaders send AMR notice of intent to strike

  23-03-2018 12:11 via wivb.com
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Union workers at one of Buffalo’s ambulance services are one step closer to walking off the job.
  Teamsters Local 449 members voted Thursday to authorize a strike.
  In a statement sent to News 4, union leaders say they have sent AMR a 10-day notice of intent to strike on April 2.
  The union has said negotiations can be rocky, but they do plan to try and resolve its issues before the official contract is set to expire on March 31.
  
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• Fundraiser to be held for victim of Grand Island hit-and-run

  23-03-2018 11:55 via wivb.com
  GRAND ISLAND, N.Y. (WIVB) — Co-workers will gather Friday night for a fundraiser for a Grand Island woman who was the victim of a hit and run.
  A driver hit Dana Papaj while she was walking her dog last June. The driver, Edward Kuebler, was sentenced to 1-3 years in prison.
  Papaj was in a coma — part of her long recovery from a brain injury.
  The fundraiser for her will take place at the Radisson Hotel on Whitehaven Rd.
  Tickets are $20 per person.
  
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• East side church celebrates after fake grant writer admits to stealing thousands

  23-03-2018 04:17 via wivb.com
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — A fake grant writer is facing hard time after she admitted to stealing more than $200,000 from Buffalo churches and community groups.
  Christina Sanford Gordon, 47, pleaded guilty Thursday to grand larceny, scheme to defraud and criminal possession of a forged instrument.
  Officials say Gordon used the money for personal expenses like cruises, jewelry and beauty treatments.
  One of the churches financially hit the hardest from Gordon was Good Shepherd Temple Church. Gor
  
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• Uber and Lyft drivers warn passengers of car seat safety

  23-03-2018 04:06 via wivb.com
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) –– Uber drivers in Western New York are facing a roadblock — many of them have had to turn down riders with young children. That’s because they don’t have a car seat and New York state law requires one, even with ride sharing services.
  “I ask do you have a car seats for them especially if they’re at home, no I don’t. I’m sorry I can’t give you a ride,” said Craig Sieh, who drives for Uber and Lyft in Buffalo.
  
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• Cheektowaga Police warning of “extremely potent” doses of heroin

  23-03-2018 04:00 via wivb.com
  CHEEKTOWAGA, N.Y. (WIVB) – The Cheektowaga Police Department is warning the public of “extremely potent” doses of heroin Thursday night after three overdoses were reported in six hours.
  All three were not fatal.
  Anyone who needs help should contact Cheektowaga Police or the Opiate Addiction hotline at 831-7007.
   
  
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• VIDEO: State Sen. Tim Kennedy talks about Child Victims’ Act

  23-03-2018 03:47 via wivb.com
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) – State Senate Democrats made their final push Thursday in Albany to drum up support for the Child Victims’ Act, which would extend the current statute of limitations for victims of childhood sexual abuse to report the crimes that were committed against them.
  The bill is facing an uphill battle from Senate Republicans, who are standing firmly by what’s known as the “look back window”.
  Democratic Sen. Tim Kennedy, who has been a strong supporter
  
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• Maryland school shooting victim ‘brain dead,’ life support ending

  23-03-2018 02:02 via wivb.com
  GREAT MILLS, Md. (AP) — A teenage girl who was shot when a classmate opened fire inside their Maryland high school is brain dead and is being removed from life support, her mother said Thursday.
  Melissa Willey told news reporters Thursday night that her daughter, 16-year-old Jaelynn Willey has “no life left in her.” She said Jaelynn would be removed from life support during the evening, by the family’s decision.
  The mother, holding a young baby, said that with the shootin
  
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• Orbitz: Data on 880,000 consumers exposed in hack

  23-03-2018 01:50 via wivb.com
  (CNN) – As many as 880,000 customers of Orbitz may have had personal information compromised in a security breach, the online travel booking site warns.
  Orbitz on March 1 determined that an attacker may have accessed information stored on a computer system used by consumers and a separate tool used by businesses, the Expedia (EXPE) subsidiary said on Tuesday.
  The attacker potentially accessed Orbitz users full names, credit card information, dates of birth, phone numbers and addr
  
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• Final push for Child Victims Act in NYS Legislature

  23-03-2018 01:32 via wivb.com
  ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) – Senate Democrats today held a press conference to do one last large push to have the Child Victims Act included in the budget.
  “One in five New York Children is sexually abused,” said Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins (D – Yonkers).
  With these staggering numbers, Democrats say, the time is now to get the Child Victims Act included in the budget. This bill would extend the statute of limitations for sex crimes so a victim abused as a child, would have
  
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• Thruway sends her an E-ZPass violation, but she has no car

  23-03-2018 01:25 via wivb.com
  HAMBURG, N.Y. (WIVB) – A South Towns woman was surprised and slightly amused when she received a bill from E-ZPass in the mail. Michele Struzyk knew there had to be a mistake because she has not owned a car for nearly a decade.
  The violation notice Struzyk received claimed she had driven through an E-ZPass lane without paying, and it was time to pay up, so when she contacted the collection firm to correct the error, and was told to pay up anyway, Michele contacted Call 4 Action.
  Struzyk an
  
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• Why do so many golden retrievers get cancer? Massive study hopes to find out

  23-03-2018 00:38 via wivb.com
  SPRINGFIELD, Va. — The sweet and playful golden retriever is one of the most popular dog breeds in America, with a special talent for getting even so-called grown-ups to join in the fun. But, as Kris Campesi has learned through painful experience, they also rate high on another scale.
  “Goldens have a high probability for cancer,” she explained.
  That rate is about 60 percent, one of the highest in the dog world. Campesi recently lost one golden to cancer and now 7-year-old
  
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• Baseball players in minors to lose minimum wage protection

  23-03-2018 00:31 via wivb.com
  (AP) – Minor league baseball players who make as little as $5,500 a season would be stripped of the protection of federal minimum wage laws under a provision in government spending legislation expected to be approved by Congress this week.
  The “Save America’s Pastime Act” is included on page 1,967 of the $1.3 trillion spending bill and appears to pre-empt a lawsuit filed four years ago in U.S. District Court in San Francisco by three players alleging Major League Baseball
  
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