Buffalo news

• Mail carrier will donate kidney to a stranger

  19-11-2015 23:43 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB)- “I really feel something has drawn me to this man”
  That’s what Kim Zielkiewicz told us during a brief stop on her east Aurora mail route. She’s been putting in more hours than usual before her surgery to donate a kidney to a man she doesn’t even know.
  “I call her my heaven sent angel because I mean really she is.” said the kidney recipient, Bob Parczewski.” She’s gonna save my life.”
  Parczewski needs a kidney so ba
  
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• Buffalo rally to support refugees

  19-11-2015 22:48 via wivb.com
  
   
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) –  Hundreds of people marched in Buffalo today to support refugees and send a strong message to the Erie County Legislature. Leaders got the message, passing a resolution to have an informational meeting about the ongoing debate over Syrian refugees.
  At the meeting there will be representatives from homeland security, the FBI, local law enforcement, and other necessary parties to discuses myths and facts about the impact refugees have on our community.
  &ldq
  
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• State audit points to embezzlement in Town of Ellicott

  19-11-2015 21:26 via wivb.com
  
  ELLICOTT, N.Y. (WIVB) State auditors have uncovered a case of possible embezzlement by the court clerk in the Town of Ellicott.
  State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli released a report showing a shortage of around $34,000 as of October 2014.  The auditors say that not all the money taken in by the court from January 2011 through April 2015 was properly recorded or deposited.
  The town clerk’s name has not been released. Town Supervisor, Patrick McLaughlin says although he disagrees with sev
  
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• UN eyes draft that urges wiping out IS havens

  19-11-2015 20:55 via wivb.com
  
  PARIS (AP) — France has circulated a U.N. Security Council draft resolution that calls on all countries to “redouble and coordinate their efforts” to prevent further attacks by Islamic State and similar groups and “eradicate the safe haven they have established over significant parts of Iraq and Syria.”
  The text, seen by The Associated Press, also condemns the recent attacks by IS — which include the Paris attacks that killed 129 people — and urges count
  
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• Cheektowaga PD looking for missing woman

  19-11-2015 20:41 via wivb.com
  
  CHEEKTOWAGA, N.Y. (WIVB) — Cheektowaga Police are looking for a missing woman.
  Corinne Bermudez, 46, is described as 5’5″, 90 pounds, white, blond, and having blue eyes.
  On Sunday, Bermudez texted her family saying that she would be home soon.
  Police say she never arrived and has not had contact with family since.
  Her 2008 Hyundai Elantra was found unnoccupied in Niagara Falls Wednesday.
  Authorities say Bermudez may need “treatment for a serious medical con
  
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• House votes to curb Syrian refugees, snubs Obama veto threat

  19-11-2015 20:03 via wivb.com
  
  WASHINGTON (AP) — The House of Representatives has rebuked President Barack Obama by ignoring his veto threat and approving a Republican bill erecting fresh barriers for Syrian and Iraqi refugees trying to enter the United States.
  Thursday’s passage came on a 289-137 vote — exceeding the two-thirds majority that would be needed to override a veto.
  The roll call came after White House officials visited the Capitol and lobbied Democrats to oppose the legislation. D
  
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• Radio station goes all Christmas all the time

  19-11-2015 19:42 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) – Christmas is more than five weeks away, but one local radio station is in full holiday mode. Star 102.5’s annual tradition of playing nonstop Christmas carols leading up to the big day began on Thursday morning.
  News 4 Wake Up cameras were in the radio station’s Amherst studio when Morning Host Rob Lucas officially kicked off the holiday season with his listeners at 6am.
  The switch over is always a surprise. November 19th is not the earliest the station h
  
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• Ex-Subway pitchman Fogle gets more than 15 years in prison

  19-11-2015 19:33 via wivb.com
  
  INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — A judge has sentenced former Subway pitchman Jared Fogle to 15 years and eight months in prison for trading in child pornography and having sex with underage prostitutes.
  U.S. District Judge Tanya Walton Pratt sentenced Fogle on Thursday after he pleaded guilty to one count each of travelling to engage in illicit sexual conduct with a minor and distribution and receipt of child pornography.
  Fogle agreed to the plea deal in August after authorities raided his suburb
  
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• Accused Lackawanna ISIS supporter ruled competent to stand trial

  19-11-2015 18:16 via wivb.com
  
  LACKAWANNA, N.Y. (WIVB) — A Lackawanna man accused of supporting terror group ISIS has been ruled competent to stand trial.
  U.S. Magistrate Judge Hugh B. Scott says a mental health evaluation proved that Arafat Nagi, 44, can understand the charges of attempting to provide material support to ISIS that are placed against him.
  Concerns over Nagi’s mental health were raised by Nagi’s family and his defense lawyer.
  Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy Lynch says “It’s obviou
  
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• South Buffalo man reunited with National Guard Soldier who helped rescue him during November Storm

  19-11-2015 17:09 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB)-
  Gary Lehsten smiled as he put his sunglasses on and pointed out that the sun was shining, and the streets were dry. This was November, 2015, and it couldn’t be more different than one year prior.
  On November 19, 2014, Lehsten tried to leave his apartment on Seneca Street in South Buffalo. He lives above a pharmacy, and had been alone up there for four days, watching the news coverage of the November storm. Lehsten could see from his second floor window that the Nation
  
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• Lexington Co-op increases starting wages for employees

  19-11-2015 17:04 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — The Lexington Co-op announced a wage hike in advance of the opening of its second store.
  The starting hourly wage for staff at the Co-op has been raised to $11.24 per hour as of November 15, 2015.
  The Elmwood Avenue grocery store is community owned and features “fresh, local, seasonal and organic foods.”
  “We’ve been inspired by the work of the Coalition for Economic Justice with the Livable Wage certification and the Fight for $15,”
  
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• State Police: missing Wellsville woman found dead near her home

  19-11-2015 16:18 via wivb.com
  
  AMITY, N.Y. (WIVB) — New York State Police have recovered the body of missing Wellsville woman Kristen Hunt late Thursday afternoon.
  Kristen A. Hunt, a.k.a. Kristen A. Mattison, 33, was last seen early Sunday morning.
  Her cause of death remains under investigation. News 4 will update as more information becomes available.
   
  
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• State Police looking for woman missing out of Wellsville area

  19-11-2015 16:18 via wivb.com
  
  AMITY, N.Y. (WIVB) — New York State Police in Amity are looking for help finding a woman last seen in the Wellsville area.
  Kristen A. Hunt, a.k.a. Kristen A. Mattison, 33, was last seen early Sunday morning.
  She is described as 5’1″ and weighing 105 pounds. Hunt has blond hair and blue eyes.
  Anyone with information on Hunt’s whereabouts is asked to call (585) 343-2200.
  
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• Superstar Stevie Wonder inspired a super fan to overcome his disability

  19-11-2015 16:09 via wivb.com
  
  ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (WIVB) – As Stevie Wonder hits the stage at First Niagara Center Thursday night, one of his biggest fans will be in the crowd.
  Jason Smith has been inspired by the Soul Legend’s ability to overcome being blind and to live out his dreams.
  “He taught me it’s not the disability. It’s what you do with it,” Smith said.
  The Orchard Park man has cerebral palsy, but he doesn’t let it stop him.
  “Stevie doesn’t think about his disabi
  
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• Wegmans recalls packages of ravioli

  19-11-2015 15:43 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Wegmans is recalling 9 oz. plastic tray packages of Italian Classics Butternut Squash Ravioli.
  The items being recalled were sold this year from June 6 until November 17.
  Wegmans is recalling the product because it might contain “undeclared cashews and almonds” that can affect people with tree nut allergies.
  The packages were sold in refrigerated cases in the store’s dairy department and bear the code “UPC: 77890-36434”.
  The st
  
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• Buffalo man jailed after Jamestown drug raid

  19-11-2015 15:02 via wivb.com
  
  JAMESTOWN, N.Y. (WIVB) — An investigation into the sale and trafficking of cocaine in the Jamestown area has led to an arrest by New York State Police and Jamestown Police.
  Authorities say they executed a search warrant at a residence on Bush Street Wednesday afternoon.
  After gaining entry into the residence, the Jamestown Police SWAT team and inside investigators say they found “a quantity of cocaine, cash and prescription pills.”
  Buffalo resident Maurice Cheatom, 21, was
  
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• Police: Wanted Bank robber from Massachusetts caught with stolen truck in WNY

  19-11-2015 14:36 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — New York State Police say a Boston, MA man wanted by US Marshalls was caught with a stolen truck on the I-190.
  Just before 9 a.m. Tuesday, State Police responded to a report of a stolen 2007 International Harvester truck on that highway.
  Authorities caught up with the vehicle and during their investigation said it was stolen from the City of Schenectady, NY.
  State Police say the driver, Joseph Arbing, 60, was wanted by U.S. Marshalls on a felony warrant for bank
  
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• Man crashes into Michigan medical facility, tries to convince cops to shoot him

  19-11-2015 14:06 via wivb.com
  
  LANSING TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WLNS) – Teams of police with guns drawn responded to a situation at the mid-Michigan Physicians building Wednesday morning.
  That’s the same facility that went on lockdown back in June of 2014 after a man claimed he had a bomb.
  Wednesday’s incident started just around 11 p.m. on the 1500 block of Lake Lansing Road in Lansing Township.
  More than 30 emergency responders were on the scene today shortly after a man plowed his car into the main entrance of th
  
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• France says suspected Paris attack ‘mastermind’ was killed

  19-11-2015 13:45 via wivb.com
  
  PARIS (AP) — The Paris prosecutor says that the suspected mastermind of the Paris attacks, Abdelhamid Abaaoud, was killed in a police raid.
  In a statement Thursday, the prosecutor’s office said that Abaaoud’s body was found in an apartment building targeted in the raid in Saint-Denis north of Paris Wednesday.
  It said he was identified based on skin samples.
  Three police officials say a woman killed during a raid on an apartment in suburban Paris was the cous
  
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• France says Paris attack ‘mastermind’ was killed

  19-11-2015 13:45 via wivb.com
  
  PARIS (AP) — The Paris prosecutor says that the suspected mastermind of the Paris attacks, Abdelhamid Abaaoud, was killed in a police raid.
  In a statement Thursday, the prosecutor’s office said that Abaaoud’s body was found in an apartment building targeted in the raid in Saint-Denis north of Paris Wednesday.
  It said he was identified based on skin samples.
  Three police officials say a woman killed during a raid on an apartment in suburban Paris was the cous
  
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• Jared Fogle to learn prison sentence Thursday

  19-11-2015 13:32 via wivb.com
  
  INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Thursday morning, Jared Fogle will learn how long he’ll spend behind bars.
  A judge will sentence the former Subway pitchman for the sex crimes he’s agreed to admit to in a plea deal. Fogle could face five to 50 years in prison. The decision will be up to Federal Judge Tanya Walton Pratt.
  The prosecution recommended Pratt give Fogle a sentence of 12.5 years, and Fogle’s attorneys have asked for the minimum five years. Fogle agreed to plead guilt
  
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• Grand Island to have new Town Supervisor

  19-11-2015 13:16 via wivb.com
  
  GRAND ISLAND, N.Y. (WIVB) — A close count has led to the decision that Democrat Nathan McMurray will be Grand Island’s next Town Supervisor.
  Republican incumbent Mary Cooke lost by 14 votes after counters tallied up the absentee and affidavit ballots.
  “In Grand Island, on election night, they were only separated by two votes. So if ever there’s an example of every vote counts,” said Democrat Elections Commissioner Leonard Lenihan. “Your vote counts. People don
  
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• Tree crashes down on 2 Linden Park houses

  19-11-2015 12:45 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — A tree came crashing down on two homes on Linden Park.
  The tree damaged the porch and railing at one of the homes. No one was hurt.
  Windy weather caused thousands of power outages across western New York overnight and Thursday morning, but only around 400 people remain without power as of 6:45 a.m. Thursday.
  
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• Mill Middle School closed due to power outage

  19-11-2015 12:12 via wivb.com
  
  WILLIAMSVILLE, N.Y. (WIVB) — Mill Middle School in Williamsville is closed Thursday due to a prolonged power outage.
  All other Williamsville schools remain open today.
  Stay tuned to News 4 and follow us on Facebook and Twitter for updates on closings and delays.
  
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• British police arrest man in 1984 killing of policewoman

  19-11-2015 11:55 via wivb.com
  
  LONDON (AP) — British police have arrested a Libyan man in his 50s on suspicion of conspiracy to murder in the 1984 killing of London policewoman Yvonne Fletcher.
  They said it is “the first significant arrest” in the investigation into the killing of the 25-year-old policewoman more than 30 years ago.
  Fletcher was killed and 10 others injured when a gunman opened fire on police and protesters from inside the Libyan embassy in London.
  The killing led Britain to break diplomatic
  
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• Firefighter taken to hospital after Brighton Avenue blaze

  19-11-2015 11:47 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — An early morning fire on Brighton Avenue sent one firefighter to the hospital Thursday.
  It is not known how the firefighter was hurt.
  The blaze began around 3:30 a.m. and caused $6,000 in damages.
  The Red Cross is helping out a family of five who lived at the house.
  News 4 has reached out to investigators to learn more about what caused the fire and will provide more information as it becomes available.
  
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• South Buffalo residents address drug recovery house

  19-11-2015 04:13 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB)- A home with six recovering drug addicts continues to draw attention in South Buffalo.
  About forty people turned out for a meeting of a group called Stand Up for Seneca Street. One of the main topics was the house on Weyand Avenue, where six recovering drug addicts live. It’s part of a Supportive Living program run by Cazenovia Recovery System which rents the apartments from other landlords.
  Neighbor Kim Dupere says there are several in South Buffalo. “They conta
  
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• ‘Keep your little mouth shut’: Parents’ secret recorder catches teachers

  19-11-2015 03:56 via wivb.com
  
  ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) – A couple says their son won’t be going back to a school in northwest Albuquerque anytime soon after finding out how their son’s teacher treats him.
  “I don’t see any proper guidance, proper behavior, appropriate behavior,” Juliet Walker said about the kindergarten teacher.
  Last Tuesday and Friday, Walker and her husband placed a USB audio recorder in their child’s pocket and sent their 5-year-old, Alex, to school.
  
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• Uber to deliver flu shots, health kits in 35 cities

  19-11-2015 03:39 via wivb.com
  
  GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD)— First it was rides, then paczkis and  kitten cuddle sessions.  Now Uber is pitching in to help prevent the spread of flu.
  From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday, UberHEALTH will be making stops throughout the nation, dropping off “wellness packs” and a nurse who can provide flu shots.
  Each wellness pack costs $10 and includes hand sanitizer, a water bottle, tissues and more.
  Uber users can also request a Fluzone vaccine for up to 10 people at no a
  
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• Conn. welcomes refugee family rejected by Indiana

  19-11-2015 03:29 via wivb.com
  
  NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) — A family of Syrian refugees rejected by Gov. Mike Pence, of Indiana, has found a warmer welcome right here in Connecticut. Gov. Malloy was there to personally greet the family of three as they arrived in the state.
  “This is a country built by immigrants,” said Chris George, executive director of Integrated and Refugee Services, in New Haven.
  George calls refugees fleeing war-torn homelands today’s immigrants. He runs IRIS, which is charged by the
  
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• 15-year-old boy charged in connection with 3 murders

  19-11-2015 03:20 via wivb.com
  
  BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) — Birmingham police have arrested and charged a 15-year-old male in connection with three homicides.
  According to a media release sent by Birmingham police, “The incidents occurred Friday, October 23, 2015 in the 1300 Block of McMillon Avenue SW and Saturday, November 14, 2015 in 1300 block of Cotton Avenue Southwest.”
  The victims have been identified as 34-year-old Kenneth Davidson, 26-year-old Shundria Peoples, and 22-year-old Tramone Mi
  
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• Witness: Ex-NY Senate leader’s son said he’d smash my head

  19-11-2015 03:18 via wivb.com
  
  NEW YORK (AP) — Jurors at the corruption trial of a former state Senate leader got a taste of smash-mouth politics Wednesday when a witness testified that the politician’s son threatened to smash his head in if he again criticized the son for failing to show up for what had become a no-show job.
  Chris Curcio’s testimony, a day after opening statements in the Manhattan federal court trial of 67-year-old Sen. Dean Skelos and his 33-year-old son, Adam Skelos, came as prosecutors s
  
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• Buffalo Bills pitch in at Food Bank of WNY

  19-11-2015 03:13 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — More than a dozen Buffalo Bills players were on hand at the Food Bank of WNY to hand out food to families in need.
  Players and the Bills organization helped by handing out food to more than 600 local families for the fourth year. The Bills have helped out with the event each year barring last year during the Snowvember storm.
  Organizers of the event say the Buffalo Bills pay for turkeys and other food, bringing a total impact to more than 900 families.
  “It
  
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• Sabres’ Kane Hints at Thursday Return

  19-11-2015 02:51 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Evander Kane was told he’d be out 4-6 weeks after suffering an MCL injury against the New Jersey Devils back in October.
  He’s trying to trim that recovery time to 3.5 weeks.
  Kane told reporters today he’s feeling good and thinks he’ll be on the ice Thursday when the Sabres visit the St. Louis Blues. He was a full participant in practice and showed no signs of wear or tear on his injured knee.
  “Why not play?” Kane said, referri
  
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• Gowanda receives financial aid from FEMA for floods

  19-11-2015 02:37 via wivb.com
  
  GOWANDA, N.Y. (WIVB) — More than a year after a flood in Gowanda in 2014, the federal government is paying out aid.
  New York’s Senior Senator Chuck Schumer announced Wednesday FEMA will pay out more than $436,000 in funds following the devastating floods.
  FEMA will sign the first check over to the Village of Gowanda to be used towards repairs, however Schumer says he’s pushing to get the area an additional $800,000 in aid.
   
  
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• Sex offender charged with failing to notify police of a change of address

  19-11-2015 01:42 via wivb.com
  
  WARSAW, N.Y. (WIVB) — A level two sex offender is behind bars after reportedly failing to update his address with police.
  Officers in Warsaw say they learned a former Town of Perry resident failed to notify police after he vacated his home. The man is under close watch due to his registration as a sex offender.
  Police say they located Grant Whitney in the City of Rochester and charged him with failure to register per the New York State Corrections Law, a felony offense.
  Whitney will r
  
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• BPD permits officers to grow beards

  19-11-2015 01:33 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — It may only be for a month, but officers with the Buffalo Police Department will be allowed to grow beards for a good cause.
  As part of No Shave November, BPD officers will partner with the Police Benevolent Association to support the Roswell Park Cancer Institute.
  If officers donate and receive donations, they’ll be allowed to let beards grow to show support from Nov. 16 through Dec. 16 as a show of support for cancer research.
  
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• ISIS threatens NYC in new propaganda video

  19-11-2015 00:56 via wivb.com
  
  NEW YORK, N.Y. (WIVB) — A new video released on Wednesday by members of the media arm of the Islamic State is raising the alarm in New York City.
  The new video utilizes still photos to depict Times Square in New York City, the building of an explosive device, then a man carrying the explosive device inside a jacket.
  Although the video implies the Islamic State terrorist organization will attack Times Square, the group also released a video threatening to attack Washington, D.C.
  While
  
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• Southtowns company, slammed by “Snowvember” storm, bouncing back

  19-11-2015 00:54 via wivb.com
  
  EVANS, N.Y. (WIVB) – The scene on November 18, 2014 was horrific:the massive roof over Flexovit’s 62,000 sq. ft. manufacturing facility was in shambles, splintered by hundreds of tons of heavy wet snow, during the historic “Snowvember” storm.
  On Wednesday–one year later to the day–the Erie County Industrial Development Ageny approved a $500,000 package of tax incentives to green light Flexovit’s comeback, and in an ironic twist, the IDA’s approval
  
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• Police warn of bogus home inspectors in Cheektowaga

  19-11-2015 00:41 via wivb.com
  
  CHEEKTOWAGA, N.Y. (WIVB) — During a meeting in the Town of Cheektowaga, police say they uncovered a potential scam going around.
  Officers say people have reported to them people traveling to their homes asking to inspect plumbing in the basement as part of an ongoing sewer project, however Cheektowaga’s inspection program isn’t currently active.
  Residents are advised to turn away anybody who offers a bogus inspection, or to ask for official identification. Police say the T
  
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• Refugee controversy: Gov. Cuomo says focus should be on vetting process

  19-11-2015 00:34 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB)-  Governor Andrew Cuomo says lawmakers who want to ban Syrian refugees are just playing politics since the states have no authority to do that. Governor Cuomo spoke on the issue at a press conference in Buffalo on Wednesday.
  He said the focus should be on the refugee vetting process, which he told News 4 should be a fairly basic task if the federal government has the right resources available.
  “If you don’t believe the federal government can do screening, th
  
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• Local doctor warns about high volume, earbuds

  19-11-2015 00:29 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB)- How high do you crank your tunes? Do you think the people next to you notice?
  If they do, chances are you’re causing permanent hearing damage, especially if you’re using earbuds.
  “You’re not dissipating sound distanced traveled. You’re placing it right in your ear, and then you’re executing the volume that you like,” said Dr. David Nelson, an audiologist with Audiology Service Associates.
  For most of us, our preferred volume is
  
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• WNY travelers’ baggage won’t include fear

  19-11-2015 00:15 via wivb.com
  
  CHEEKTOWAGA, N.Y. (WIVB) — Local medical student Eric Kaczor was traveling through New York to Washington, D.C., as the first news broke of the massacre in Paris.
  He said the changes were immediate.
  “The news was going, everyone was on Twitter,” said Kaczor, of Buffalo. “Everyone was sharing what was going on. Everyone looked to be a little more careful. You could definitely see the uptick in the security going on.”
  In the 24 hours that followed, ISIS would directly
  
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• Buffalo native living in Paris shares atmosphere of people living there following terror attacks

  19-11-2015 00:11 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) – It’s been frightening few days for Ari Pugh. She’s working as an Au Pair in Paris. Pugh tells us it is hard being far from home during a tragedy like this, but says the support she has received from family and friends is humbling.
  She said, “I was here in January for the Charlie Hebdo events unfortunately. But I kind of woke up when that happened. But to live through this and kind of watch it unfold, It was definitely really frighteni
  
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