Buffalo news

• Top toys in 2015 feature STEM toys that promote science, math, technology

  15-10-2015 23:51 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (MEDIA GENERAL) – The holidays are just around the corner along and that means holiday shopping will soon be underway.
  On Thursday, Amazon released its 2015 Holiday Toy List that features over a thousand of this year’s top toys for kids.
  Amazon toy experts say some of the top toy types include STEM toys, which are related to science, technology and math. They also say toys from the movie Star Wars and Jurassic World are also a hot item.
  Amazon said this year’
  
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• Applications for US unemployment aid drop to 42-year low

  15-10-2015 23:46 via wivb.com
  
  WASHINGTON (AP) — The number of Americans seeking unemployment aid fell last week, matching the lowest level in 42 years, strong evidence that employers remain confident enough in the economy to hold onto their staffs.
  The Labor Department said Thursday that weekly applications for unemployment benefits fell 7,000 to a seasonally adjusted 255,000. Applications last touched that level in July, but before that hadn’t been so low since November 1973.
  The four-week average of application
  
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• Kia recalls 377,000 SUVs to fix shift lever problem

  15-10-2015 23:44 via wivb.com
  
  DETROIT (AP) — Kia is recalling more than 377,000 Sorento SUVs because the transmission can be shifted out of park when the driver’s foot isn’t on the brake.
  The recall covers Sorentos from the 2011 through 2013 model years. Kia says in documents filed with U.S. safety regulators that the cars can roll away unexpectedly. The problem happens when the gear shift lever is pushed too hard, causing a part in the shifter to crack. It has caused three injuries.
  Kia says it began inves
  
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• Students pepper-sprayed, cuffed during high school protest

  15-10-2015 23:41 via wivb.com
  
  PAWTUCKET, R.I. (WPRI) — Eight juveniles and two adults were placed under arrest and some were pepper-sprayed following a protest outside Tolman High School in Pawtucket Thursday morning.
  About 100 students took part in the protest, which was staged in response to a video (watch below) that surfaced online Wednesday purportedly showing police slamming a teenage student to the floor.
  “The message is for cops to ease up on kids. We shouldn’t be treated as criminals,” said s
  
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• Woman admits to leaving her baby in the woods while on meth

  15-10-2015 23:39 via wivb.com
  
  JACKSBORO, Tn. (WATE) – A woman in Tennessee was charged with aggravated child abuse and neglect after her baby was found in the woods.
  Virginia Cora-Lee Seal, 25, admitted to Campbell County deputies she was high on methamphetamine. She said she took her child into the woods and give the child to a man in a blue fireman’s jacket with her dad’s voice.
  The baby was found Friday morning near the woods in Tennessee. Deputies said child appeared to be around 2 years old and ha
  
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• Police: Falconer man drives drunk with baby on board

  15-10-2015 23:38 via wivb.com
  
  ELLICOTT, N.Y. (WIVB) — Following a traffic stop in the Town of Ellicott, a Falconer man is faced with multiple charges after allegedly driving drunk with a baby in the vehicle.
  State Police stopped 39-year-old Ricky Bemis after they say he crossed into the center lane while driving on State Route 60.
  New York State Troopers performed field sobriety tests on Bemis, who was driving with a one-year-old passenger, after noticing his speech was slurred.
  State Police say Bemis had&nbs
  
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• Two indicted for allegedly murdering barber near downtown Buffalo

  15-10-2015 23:34 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — After police in Buffalo say they closed the case on who murdered a Buffalo barber, the Erie County District Attorney’s Office announced two indictments.
  Frank Sedita’s office announced the indictments of both 29-year-old Victor Martinez and 24-year-old Luis Olivera on second degree murder charges after the allegedly gunned down Juan Ortiz in a barber shop on Sept. 1 on Niagara Street.
  Police arrested both Martinez and Olivera just
  
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• Trick or treating and other events are widespread across western New York this month

  15-10-2015 23:04 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Halloween is just over two weeks away, and many locations across western New York are getting ready for trick-or-treaters and people looking to party. Here’s a list of places and events to check out, wherever you are in the region.
  AMHERST“Mall-O-Ween” will be happening at the Eastern Hills Mall on Thursday, October 29th from 5 until 7 p.m.
  Trick or treating will happen at the Buffalo Niagara Heritage Village on October 23rd from 5 un
  
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• Experts encourage Medicare recipients to review plan

  15-10-2015 22:49 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB)- Medicare open enrollment began Oct. 15 and goes through Dec. 7.
  Experts say while making changes to your coverage might see daunting, chances are you need to.
  Fore most individuals, premiums, prescription costs and health needs change from year-to-year, so reassessing your plan is important.
  “It’s intimidating, within Erie County, there’s approximately 56 different plan options,” said Louanne Bakk, Ph.D.
  She’s an assistant profes
  
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• First Niagara looks to name the top Sabres Fan as the official Sabres 7th man

  15-10-2015 22:28 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — One of the official sponsors of the Buffalo Sabres is working to honor fans of the franchise in a competition across Twitter.
  The competition will involve members of the Buffalo Sabres organization, too, as fans tweet pictures that describe their fandom with the hashtag #SabresFanDraft.
  A fan will be chosen as a winner each week, and those winners will get a chance to compete in a series of fan duels on-ice during breaks in Sabres games.
  Winners of the fan face
  
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• Prostitution sting nets 3 arrests in Grand Island

  15-10-2015 21:37 via wivb.com
  
  GRAND ISLAND, N.Y. (WIVB) — Undercover operations led to the arrests of three alleged prostitutes on Grand Island in Erie County on Thursday.
  Both detectives and patrol units with the Erie County Sheriff’s Office worked together on Grand Island to capture three separate women attempting to offer prostitution services.
  Police say they arrested 31-year-old Jennie Delmonte, 25-year-old Felicia Mingo and 29-year-old Jennifer Furan, charging each with prostitution. Officers say while
  
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• Teal Pumpkin Project reassures WNY parents

  15-10-2015 21:32 via wivb.com
  
  WILLIAMSVILLE, N.Y. (WIVB)- You might be hearing “Trick-or-Teal” instead of just “Trick-or-Treat” this Halloween season.
  The second year of the nation-wide Teal Pumpkin Project is underway, and it’s picking up steam in Western New York.
  Here’s how it works: homes that display a teal pumpkin symbolize non-food treats are available there. The initiative started to give children with food allergies a safe way to enjoy Halloween.
  “We have stickers, note
  
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• State Police educate and inform during Domestic Violence Awareness Month

  15-10-2015 20:58 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — October is Domestic Violence Awareness month and State Police are seeking to inform and educate residents about the widespread issue.
  Domestic violence is defined as “a variety of behaviors or tactics that are used to control another person in an intimate relationship”, according to the New York State Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence.
  New York State Troopers report more than 400,000 calls from victims asking for help in these situations
  
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• The Rent is Too Damn High Party candidate tosses glove in 2016 election campaign

  15-10-2015 20:03 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Move over Donald Trump, there’s another disgruntled New Yorker attempting to make his way in the Republican party.
  Jimmy McMillan, a famously well-known figure in New York State, is tossing his figurative glove in the ring for the 2016 presidential election. McMillan became known for his bid for governor in New York State in 2010 when he placed his “Rent is Too Damn High Party” squarely in the face of all New Yorkers.
  McMillan has since ru
  
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• 2 local mail carriers accused of aiding drug trafficking ring

  15-10-2015 19:26 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Two employees of the federal government have been implicated in a drug trafficking ring that could land them behind bars for decades.
  The U.S. Attorney’s Office announced Thursday two local United States Postal Service mail carriers were arrested and charged with multiple crimes in relation to an uncovered drug ring.
  Officials say they learned of potential malfeasance on two mail routes belonging to Dennis Bernhard, a 56-year-old Derby native, and Briana F
  
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• “I Love Lucy” celebrates 64th anniversary

  15-10-2015 18:58 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Fans of “I Love Lucy” are celebrating 64 laughter-filled years since the show first aired.
  On Oct.15, 1951, the very first episode of “I Love Lucy” hit the airwaves, featuring a local actress and comedian by the name of Lucille Ball.
  Ball and her comedic cast enthralled Americans from 1951 through 1957, but the love for the show has never died — especially in western New York.
  Still today, many celebrate Ball’s talent in James
  
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• Hamburg business owner sentenced for welfare fraud

  15-10-2015 18:12 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) – The owner of the Cleaning Pixies was sentenced Thursday for defrauding the welfare system.
  Rhonda Heinen faced up to seven years behind bars. She was sentenced to five years of probation and received a $1,000 fine.
  Heinen pleaded guilty to welfare fraud in July. She admitted that between 2009 to 2012 she didn’t tell Erie County’s Department of Social Services that she owned the Hamburg business and made six figures.
  During that time, Heinen received Medic
  
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• Police search for missing 18-year-old who is potentially endangered

  15-10-2015 18:05 via wivb.com
  
  LOCKPORT, N.Y. (WIVB) — A search is on in Niagara County and officers there are asking for help from the public to find a missing 18-year-old.
  Officers put out a call for help to find Thomas R. Townsend, a white man with blonde hair and green eyes. Officers say the 5’6″ teen weighs about 145 pounds and was last seen in a black Carhartt jacket and blue hooded sweatshirt.
  Police say the teen could potentially be endangered, and said he was last seen on Parkwood Drive in Lock
  
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• Police locate missing 18-year-old who was potentially endangered

  15-10-2015 18:05 via wivb.com
  
  LOCKPORT, N.Y. (WIVB) — A day after putting out an alert in Niagara County to help locate a missing 18-year-old, police say they’ve made contact with him.
  Officers put out a call for help to find Thomas R. Townsend, a white man with blonde hair and green eyes, Thursday, noting he may have been in danger.
  The teen, who had last been seen on Parkwood Drive in Lockport early Thursday morning, was located on Friday afternoon and was put into contact with police and his fam
  
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• Upscale food hall coming to downtown Buffalo

  15-10-2015 17:45 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) – An upscale craft food and beverage market will soon bring new life to the old Market Arcade on Main Street. The food hall, EXPO, is set to open at the end of November.
  The 8,000 square foot facility, inspired by the food halls of New York City, will feature six craft food and beverage stalls. The vendors include:
  Agave Dos
  Crush Juicery
  Gypsy Bohemian Grove Bar
  Newbury Street
  Osteria
  Sun Restaurant
  Each vendor will have a share in a large, commercial kitchen, and the
  
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• Medina men accused of stealing video games; facing felonies

  15-10-2015 17:26 via wivb.com
  
  ALBION, N.Y. (WIVB) — Two Medina residents are accused of illegally entering two residences and stealing video games following a State Police investigation.
  Steven Fletcher, 24, and Kevin Reamer, 22 are each charged with 3rd degree burglary.
  Investigators and New York State Troopers worked together to recover the stolen items and make the arrests of Fletcher and Reamer.
  The two are locked up in the Orleans County Jail on $5,000 bail.
  
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• Police searching for suspects in fatal Syracuse shooting

  15-10-2015 17:03 via wivb.com
  
  SYRACUSE, N.Y. (AP) — Police in Syracuse are searching a 160-acre cemetery for suspects believed to be involved in a shooting that left one man dead and another man injured.
  The Post-Standard of Syracuse reports that officers had responded to Hope Avenue Wednesday night after receiving a call of shots fired.
  When officers arrived at the scene they heard gunshots coming from a vehicle and began pursuit.
  At one point police say the suspects fired at the officers before ditching their vehicle
  
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• Road trip update: Buffalo girls exploring STEM opportunities in Detroit

  15-10-2015 16:59 via wivb.com
  
  DETROIT, M.I. (WIVB) – A group of 14 high school girls from across the Buffalo Public School district got right to work exploring opportunities in the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math, or STEM, fields after arriving in Detroit Wednesday.
  The young ladies loaded the bus to leave from Buffalo before dawn Wednesday morning, for a trip that’s meant to open doors for them, thanks to the Success Looks Like Me program and General Motors.
       Watch | Click here
  
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• Niagara Falls reveals trash-eating mascot “Totes McGoats”

  15-10-2015 16:58 via wivb.com
  
  NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. (WIVB) — Following the reveal of a new mascot in Niagara Falls, western New York got its first taste of “Totes McGoats” the trash-eating goat.
  The intended goal of the mascot is encouraging kids to practice recycling, and to learn that more than just plastic and aluminum can be recycled. The response may have been slightly different than intended.
  On Facebook and Twitter, many western New Yorkers couldn’t believe the masked man was more than a rus
  
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• Clarence man tells police he’s wanted, then attempts to convince them otherwise

  15-10-2015 16:16 via wivb.com
  
  CLARENCE, N.Y. (WIVB) — A Clarence man is arrested on a warrant after trying to tell State Police he was not wanted for a theft charge.
  As New York State Troopers were talking to 32-year-old Nicholas Amati Tuesday evening on Main Street, Amati informed them of a warrant for his arrest out of Amherst — but also that he was not wanted by police.
  Following the conversation, Troopers called Amherst Police, who said they were interested in Amati, and seeking his arrest.
  Amati told au
  
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• Officials: Obama to keep troops in Afghanistan beyond 2016

  15-10-2015 15:00 via wivb.com
  
  WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama will keep 5,500 U.S. troops in Afghanistan when he leaves office in 2017, according to senior administration officials, casting aside his promise to end the war on his watch.
  Obama had originally planned to pull out all but a small, embassy-based U.S. military presence by the end of next year, a timeline coinciding with the final weeks of his presidency. But military leaders argued for months that the Afghans needed additional assistance and support
  
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• Police say store clerk stabbed a customer in dispute over matches

  15-10-2015 11:19 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) – A store clerk is in police custody Thursday morning.
  Buffalo police spokesperson, Michael DeGeorge told News 4, it appears the clerk stabbed an individual during a dispute over a book of matches.
  The incident happened around 2:00 a.m. inside the Mobil on Elmwood Avenue near Forest.
  The victim was taken to a local hospital.
  His injuries appear to be serious.
   
   
  
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• Couple escapes burning home in Buffalo

  15-10-2015 10:54 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) – Buffalo firefighters battled a blaze on Fox Street early Thursday morning.
  It started around 1:30 a.m.
  Neighbors say a couple who lived in the home was able to get out safely.
  They are being assisted by the Red Cross.
  Officials say the fire caused $100,000 in damages.
  There is no word on the cause of the fire.
   
   
   
   
   
   
  
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• Child care costs rising, exceeding housing costs

  15-10-2015 05:25 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Jon Mahoney plays with his one and a half year old daughter as he waits for his three year old son to be finished an after school program. He and his wife use the program as a meeting place where one parent drops off the children and the other picks them up. It’s a normal day in their busy lives.
  “My wife and I are very career minded and we work full time so they go to school and daycare basically full time,” said Mahoney, holding his daughter
  
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• School Board wrestles with high absenteeism

  15-10-2015 04:13 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB)- If you ask Carl Paladino, some parents should go to jail for knowingly letting their children skip school.
  At Wednesday night’s Buffalo School Board meeting he introduced a resolution that would, in rare cases, “prosecute irresponsible parents for failure to ensure their children attend school.”
  School Board President James Sampson says he’s not even sure if that’s possible.”I think we need a legal opinion of what we can and can’t d
  
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• Field Hockey teams ‘Play for the Cure’

  15-10-2015 01:45 via wivb.com
  
  TONAWANDA, N.Y. (WIVB) High School field hockey players in Western New York are joining forces to “Play for the Cure” during October, which is Breast Cancer Awareness month.
  The Niagara Orleans field hockey league is wearing pink jerseys during several games in October.  The players wear their jerseys to school on game days and say the special shirts have generated much positive discussion among students and staff.
  On Tuesday, the Kenmore Field Hockey Team, which includes player
  
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• Experts warn not to just toss boarding passes

  15-10-2015 01:45 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB)- You might want to think twice the next time you upload a photo of your boarding pass to Instagram or Facebook.
  Experts say the bar-code can hold personal information like your date of birth and phone number. A quick internet search can also lead to your home address and more information.
  All of this is bait for identity thieves and hackers.
  And it’s not the airlines putting travelers at risk, it’s the travelers themselves. Showing your bar-code to the wrong
  
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• Depew call center could be close to a bedbug solution

  15-10-2015 01:21 via wivb.com
  
  CHEEKTOWAGA, N.Y. (WIVB) – After a summer invasion of 6-legged pests, workers at a Depew call center took matters into their own hands, this week. iQor’s offices on Dick Road have a bedbug infestation, and on Wednesday, several employees walked out and went home.
  iQor workers contacted Call 4 Action, after they were told–in no uncertain terms–their homes would be inspected, and if bedbugs were found they would have to pay hundreds of dollars to treat for bedbugs, out of
  
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• Thursday concerts may move from Canalside

  15-10-2015 00:57 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB)– Thursday night concerts could move from Canalside in the future. The Buffalo Common Council voted unanimously on Tuesday to consider new locations.
  At least 160,000 people turned out to see more than 25 bands in the summer 2015 series.
  “The sound was coming directly at us,” said Lizzie Sneed. “I live at the far end building down there and I could literally make out what they were saying.”
  Sneed said she enjoys the concerts. She’s liv
  
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• Residents, officials want answers after second death at apartment complex

  15-10-2015 00:39 via wivb.com
  
  BATAVIA, N.Y. (WIVB) — On Tuesday morning, a 91-year-old resident at 400 Towers in Batavia was found dead, after wandering to the roof, and reportedly succumbing to the elements.
  As of Wednesday evening, there’s no cause of death, but it’s the second time in four months a resident at 400 Towers was been found dead under troubling circumstances.
  “I have a lot of friends. Yeah, I got a lot of them in here,” said Mildred Smith, who’s lived at 400 Towers for 22 ye
  
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• Buffalo hosts major bio-medical conference

  15-10-2015 00:39 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) – A major event in Buffalo is targeting one of the city’s fastest growing industries.
  The MedTech 2015 Conference is the largest New York State gathering of leaders who are looking for new ways to treat diseases and improve the quality of life for people around the world.
  The hottest trends in bio-science and medical technology are featured here on the 7th floor of Harbor Center, which has plenty of space for displays on its seventh floor. As the conference progr
  
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• Cars carted off after taxi, vehicle collide

  15-10-2015 00:37 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Two vehicles were towed off after an accident in the City of Buffalo Wednesday.
  Two cars crashed at the corner of Sycamore and Spring Streets on Wednesday afternoon, prompting the response of Buffalo Police.
  Neither driver remained with the vehicle or taxi as they were carted away, however it’s not clear if anybody suffered injury in the accident.
  News 4 has reached out for information from police, however they have yet to respond.
  
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