Buffalo news

• Local businesses doing well despite unfavorable weather

  17-12-2015 23:54 via wivb.com
  
  From record warmth to no snow, this December has certainly been unusual so far. This has led to many businesses across the Northeast taking a big hit this season, as many people simply don’t need winter gear.
  Planalytics, which analyzes weather’s impacts on businesses, estimates that specialty retailers lost $185 million in sales in November, and $158 million in the first two weeks of December due to unusual warm weather. Thankfully, those impacts don’t seem to be happenin
  
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• 1,500 refugees came to Erie County in 2015 from across the globe

  17-12-2015 23:42 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Over the past year, 1,500 refugees, mostly Burmese and Somalian, have settled for the first time in Erie County.
  It was one of the facts that came to light in an informational meeting Thursday. Erie County Legislature Majority Leader, Joseph Lorigo called together experts of the local Refugee Resettlement Program. After the terrorist attacks in Paris last month, Lorigo has been concerned about how many refugees have been coming into Western New York.
  Some of that con
  
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• EMT hurt in rollover accident

  17-12-2015 23:40
  
  The driver of an ambulance was hurt following an accident in Amherst.        
  
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• 2016 Rock and Roll HOF Inductees include N.W.A. & Cheap Trick

  17-12-2015 23:39 via interactives.wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — N.W.A., Chicago, Cheap Trick, Deep Purple and Steve Miller were announced Dec. 17, 2015 as the 2016 inductees into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
  APP USERS | Click here to see the gallery if on the News 4 app. 
  
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• Father creates ‘real’ Elf on the Shelf photos with 4-month-old son

  17-12-2015 23:33 via wivb.com
  
  PARADISE, UT (WFLA) – A father has started an adorable new holiday photography project. He’s dressing up his 4-month-old son in an “Elf on the Shelf’ outfit, taking daily photos and chronicling the photos online.
  Alan Lawrence, a father of six children, admits his family had never had an “Elf on the Shelf,” but got the idea for the photography project during a recent Christmas party when someone told him his son, Rockwell, looked like an elf.
  “What if a
  
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• Dealing with Drones: Keeping the crowded skies safe

  17-12-2015 23:30 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Fifty dollars at the grocery store could buy you an entry-level drone. Want an advanced model? Prepare to pay a thousand dollars or more.
  Drones have revived the debate over privacy and protection — rights and regulations, but like them or not, the drone days are here.
  Todd Salansky has spent the past two years flying for Norris Clifton Aerial Photography.
  “We’ve been taking pictures for over a hundred years, and we’ve had to go up in a helico
  
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• Swimmer Alize Allen plans to swim at Canisius College

  17-12-2015 23:18
  
  Alize Allen will attend Canisius College        
  
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• Deputy involved in fatal Niagara County crash to resign

  17-12-2015 23:08 via wivb.com
  
  CAMBRIA, N.Y. (WIVB) — A Niagara County Sheriff’s Deputy will resign on Friday, more than a month after a fatal crash in Cambria.
  Niagara County Sheriff James Voutour confirmed the deputy, who never returned to active duty, will resign from his position. Voutour said on the night of the crash on Oct. 22, the deputy drove on the corner of North Ride and Ride Roads at around 7 p.m.
  The deputy reportedly struck a Jeep Grand Cherokee, causing the SUV to flip, killing Glenn T. Annalo
  
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• Buffalo cop charged after ‘home alone’ fire

  17-12-2015 23:06 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB)- A Buffalo Police officer has been charged with endangering the welfare of his two children.
  29 year old Larry Muhammad Jr., is a three year veteran of the Buffalo Police force who is still working his regular shift in Buffalo’s North District. On Sunday, he was charged with two misdemeanor counts stemming from an incident last February 1, when his children were left home alone and the house caught fire.
  “I didn’t know what was going on. All I thought about
  
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• Judge imposes lifetime prison terms in Amish kidnapping case

  17-12-2015 22:53 via wivb.com
  
  SYRACUSE, New York (AP) — A man and a woman who kidnapped and sexually abused two Amish girls in northern New York last year were sentenced Thursday to lifetime federal prison terms.Nicole Vaisey, 26, and her boyfriend, 40-year-old Stephen Howells, admitted in state and federal courts that they kidnapped the two girls and sexually exploited six children altogether. Victims were drugged and recorded during sex acts, authorities said.
  Judge Glenn Suddaby sentenced both to the maximum possibl
  
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• PA man charged with providing support to ISIS

  17-12-2015 22:42 via wivb.com
  
  HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM) – A Harrisburg man has been arrested on charges of conspiring and attempting to provide material support to ISIS.
  Jalil Ibn Ameer Aziz, 19, is accused of assisting persons seeking to travel to and fight for the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL). He is charged in a two-count criminal complaint that was unsealed Thursday in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania.
  U.S. officials released the following statement:
  “According to the
  
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• “Mimosa Resolution” passes in Erie County Legislature, heads to New York State

  17-12-2015 22:16 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — A resolution strongly supported by the public is heading to the desks of New York State lawmakers for consideration.
  Erie County lawmakers passed the Mimosa Resolution on Thursday. The resolution, first submitted by Patrick Burke, seeks to allow bars to serve alcohol on Sunday as if it were any other day of the week. Presently, bars can’t sell alcohol before 12 p.m. on Sundays.
  Now that the legislature has passed the resolution, it will fall to New York St
  
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• Friend who purchased guns used in San Bernardino attack arrested on terrorism charges

  17-12-2015 21:12 via wivb.com
  
  LOS ANGELES (AP-Mod.) — A former security guard who bought the assault rifles used by his friend in the San Bernardino massacre has been charged, according to police.
  The federal charges against Enrique Marquez, 24, were described as terrorism charges. The officials who confirmed he would be charged to the Associated Press weren’t authorized to discuss the charges by name and spoke on condition of anonymity.
  Marquez legally purchased the high-powered weapons used by Syed Ri
  
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• Friend who purchased guns used in San Bernardino attack arrested

  17-12-2015 21:12 via wivb.com
  
  LOS ANGELES (AP-Mod.) — A former security guard who bought the assault rifles used by his friend in the San Bernardino massacre has been charged, according to reports.
  The specific federal charges against Enrique Marquez, 24, were not immediately clear. The officials who confirmed he would be charged to the Associated Press weren’t authorized to discuss the charges by name and spoke on condition of anonymity.
  Marquez legally purchased the high-powered weapons used by Syed R
  
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• 7th person charged in kidnapping of 2 NY college students

  17-12-2015 20:34 via wivb.com
  
  ROCHESTER, N.Y. (AP) — Authorities say they’ve charged a seventh person in the kidnapping and beating of two Rochester college students earlier this month.
  Rochester police announced Thursday that 24-year-old David Alcaraz-Ubiles was charged with second-degreekidnapping in connection with the Dec. 5 abduction of Nicholas Kollias and Ani Okeke Ewo, both of Illinois.
  Officials say the University of Rochester students were forcibly restrained for more than 40 hours and repeatedly beaten
  
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• New Procedure for those with varicose veins

  17-12-2015 19:59
  
  New procedure less invasive for treatment of varicose veins.        
  
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• Crooked contractor goes to jail, again

  17-12-2015 19:45 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) – For the second time in a year, George Anna, a Western New York home improvement contractor, is going to jail.
  In July, 2014 Anna was sentenced to 90 days in jail for violating a court order obtained by New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman barring Anna from the home improvement business unless he first posted a $100,000 performance bond. The Attorney General proved that, time and time again, Anna took money from consumers and failed to provide the home improvem
  
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• Buyer of rifles used in massacre to be charged

  17-12-2015 18:31 via wivb.com
  
  LOS ANGELES (AP) — A former security guard who bought the assault rifles used by his friend in the San Bernardino massacre was expected to be charged as early as Thursday, according to two law enforcement officials.
  The federal charges against Enrique Marquez, 24, were not immediately clear. The officials were not authorized to discuss the charges by name and spoke on condition of anonymity.
  Marquez legally purchased the high-powered weapons used by Syed Rizwan Farook and his wife, Ta
  
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• WNY man, admitted ISIS sympathizer, likely to face decades in prison

  17-12-2015 18:17 via wivb.com
  
  ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WIVB) — A Rochester man admitted in federal court Thursday to two charges of trying to help recruit two people to fight for ISIS in Syria.
  Turns out, those two people were FBI informants, and his involvement with them eventually led to his arrest on a series of federal charges.Mufid Elfgeeh, 31, was originally charged with attempting to kill members of the U.S. military and possessing illegal firearms, among other charges in a total of two federal cases. The two charg
  
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• Man accused of trying to help ISIS pleads guilty, faces 30 years in jail

  17-12-2015 18:17 via wivb.com
  
  ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WIVB) — A man accused of attempting to provide material support to ISIS has pleaded guilty to two counts of the charge placed against him.
  Mufid Elfgeeh, 30, was also charged with attempting to kill members of the U.S. military and possessing illegal firearms. He faces 15 years in prison for each count of attempting to help ISIS placed against him, bringing the total to 30 years.
  Elfgeeh first discussed jihad with FBI sources in late 2013 and continued into the next y
  
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• Man sentenced to 12 years in jail after brutally assaulting girlfriend

  17-12-2015 17:45 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — A man who pleaded guilty as charged to beating and stabbing his ex-girlfriend multiple times will serve 12 years behind bars.
  First Assistant District Attorney Michael Flaherty, Jr. says Jeffrey Williams, 21, was prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law after pleading guilty to 1st degree assault.
  “While the severity of this assault is, fortunately, rare,” Flaherty observed, “this is but one of too many examples of violence inflicted up
  
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• Holiday fire safety tips from the pros

  17-12-2015 17:23 via wivb.com
  
  TOWN OF WHEATFIELD, N.Y. (WIVB) – The holidays are meant to be a time for fun and family, but fire safety has to be a priority. There are several extra fire hazards in your house this time of year.
  News 4 spent some time with the Frontier Volunteer Fire Company this week talking about fire prevention, with live demonstrations to help spread the fire safety message, covering everything from Christmas lights to candles to cooking fire dangers and the importance of watering your tree regularl
  
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• Cheektowaga driver killed in Wednesday night crash

  17-12-2015 16:20 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Buffalo Police are investigating a crash that resulted in the death of a Cheektowaga man.
  Police say a driver was turning onto East End when he struck a fire hydrant and then a utility pole around 9:45 Wednesday night.
  The 46-year-old man killed in the accident has not yet been identified and the cause of his death is unclear. He was pronounced dead after being taken to St. Joseph’s Hospital in Cheektowaga.
  
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• US celebrates Wambach’s final game, but falls 1-0 to China

  17-12-2015 15:51 via wivb.com
  
  NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Abby Wambach walked off the field for the final time like a rock star — mic drop and all.
  It sounded as if she was ready to party like one, too.
  She wasn’t able to leave with a victory in her final game with the U.S. national team. China’s 1-0 victory on Wednesday night — the U.S. team’s first home loss in more than a decade — wasn’t going to diminish the triumphant nature of Wambach’s extraordinary career.
  “Toni
  
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• Police locate missing Alzheimer’s patient

  17-12-2015 15:38 via wivb.com
  
  AMHERST, N.Y. (WIVB) — Police searching for a missing Alzheimer’s patient in New York say they found him Wayne County.
  John P. Lane, 85, reportedly left a party on Wednesday around 2 p.m. and did not return home. Police originally said Lane was seen at the Country Club of Buffalo in Williamsville, however they say he was spotted at 9 a.m. Thursday at a gas station in Oswego.
  Officers located him later Thursday after receiving the updated information in Wayne County. New Yor
  
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• Amherst PD looking for missing Alzheimer’s patient

  17-12-2015 15:38 via wivb.com
  
  AMHERST, N.Y. (WIVB) — Amherst Police are looking for help in finding a missing Alzheimer’s patient.
  John P. Lane, 85, is a white male standing at 6’0″ tall and weighing 140 lbs. He left a party on Wednesday around 2 p.m. and did not return home. Lane was last known to be at 250 Youngs Road in Williamsville at the Country Club of Buffalo.
  He was last seen wearing a blue blazer, blue coat, gray pants and a gold tie. He may be driving a black 2012 four-door Toyota Camr
  
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• Former neighbor of San Bernardino shooters to be charged

  17-12-2015 14:52 via wivb.com
  
  (KRON) CNN is reporting that Enrique Marquez a friend of the San Bernardino terrorists will be charged as early as today. However CNN’s sources are not saying what Marquez will be charged with.
  Fourteen people were killed and 21 others were injured at a workplace holiday party in San Bernardino on Dec. 2 by a gun-wielding husband-and-wife team. Federal authorities say the pair had become self-radicalized in the years before Syed Rizwan Farook, 28, and his wife, Tashfeen Malik, 29, opened f
  
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• CEO known for substantial drug price hike arrested on securities fraud charges

  17-12-2015 14:32 via wivb.com
  
  NEW YORK (AP) — Martin Shkreli, the former hedge fund manager under fire for buying a pharmaceutical company and ratcheting up the price of a life-saving drug, is in custody following a securities probe.
  Calls to an attorney that has represented Shkreli in the past were not immediately returned. His arrest was confirmed Thursday by FBI spokewoman Kelly Langmesser.
  A furor over the staggering price hike triggered multiple government investigations and pledges from politicians to rein in soa
  
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• Transit Drive-in open for Star Wars

  17-12-2015 13:57 via wivb.com
  
  LOCKPORT, N.Y. (WIVB) — Although snow normally covers the region during this time of year, The Transit Drive-in Theatre in Lockport will be open Thursday for the public debut of Star Wars Episode VII.
  Abnormally warm temperatures will keep the theater open “rain or starlight” to show the movie at 7 p.m and 8 p.m. The theater is normally long-closed by this time of year.
  Star Wars: Episode VII: The Force Awakens is rated PG-13.
  MORE | Find more information on The Transit Dr
  
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• Officer’s mistrial in Gray’s death a letdown for both sides

  17-12-2015 13:18 via wivb.com
  
  BALTIMORE (AP) — As jurors deliberated the fate of one of six police officers charged in the death of Freddie Gray, Baltimore braced for a possible repeat of the protests, destruction and dismay that engulfed the city in April, when Gray died of a broken neck in the back of a police van. But instead of a dramatic conclusion, there was confusion.
  Baltimore Circuit Judge Barry Williams declared a mistrial Wednesday after jurors made it clear they were hopelessly deadlocked over whether
  
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• Truck collides with several trees in early morning crash

  17-12-2015 12:59 via wivb.com
  
  PAVILION, N.Y. (WIVB) — After colliding with several trees in Pavilion, a driver was hospitalized early Thursday morning.
  The Genesee County Sheriff’s Office says Perry resident Taylor Scaccia, 22, was driving his Nissan pickup truck on York Road when he lost control and went off the South shoulder and hit the trees.
  Scaccia had to be extracted from the vehicle by members of the Perry and LeRoy Volunteer Fire Departments. He was then flown to the University of Rochester Medical
  
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• Girl gives up birthday presents, raises $1 million to help others

  17-12-2015 12:40 via wivb.com
  
  LUTZ, Fla. (WFLA) – Leigh Dittman didn’t want birthday presents, she wanted donations instead.
  The 15-year-old from Lutz, Florida wanted to help children at the Shriner’s Hospital in Tampa by raising money. It was her way of giving back to children just like her.
  The night before she was born, doctors gave Leigh Dittman mere minutes to live but she beat the odds.
  We here at News Channel 8 have watched Leigh grow up at Bucs’ games and at official events, posing with former
  
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• Economists say December is a good month to job hunt

  17-12-2015 12:27 via wivb.com
  
  NEW LONDON, Conn. (WTNH) — Some folks coming to the American Job Center in New London, Connecticut are out of work looking for a new job but there are many others who are working and looking for a better job. December may be a good time to do that.
  Often times you think of seasonal work around the holidays but this is also the peak month to hire people for permanent jobs.
  “More people start a new job in the fourth quarter than any other quarter of the year,” says Patrick Flaher
  
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• At least one reason to watch every college football bowl game

  17-12-2015 12:22 via wivb.com
  
  (WTNH) – Love sitting on the couch watching football? Hate taking part in holiday festivities such as baking, shopping, and talking to relatives? Well, you’re in luck.
  Here at SportzEdge, we’ve decided to give you a holiday gift just a little early. It’s OK–you don’t have to get us anything back. Like we said, we know you hate shopping. With 41 bowl games spread across the holiday season, you’re going to need plenty of excuses—er—re
  
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• RI company offers high-end Star Wars merchandise

  17-12-2015 12:13 via wivb.com
  
  LINCOLN, R.I. (WPRI) — As the world prepares for the release of the new Star Wars movie on Friday, Rhode Island-based A.T. Cross is hoping the Force will be with their new line of pens.
  The pen manufacturer has released a collection of Star Wars memorabilia, including pens and journals.
  Three limited-edition pens – available with Darth Vader, C-3PO, or Stormtrooper theming – are part of the collection.
  MORE | See a gallery of the memorabilia here.Photos: Star Wars Pen Coll
  
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• Tiny kitten rescued from conveyor belt at recycling plant

  17-12-2015 11:58 via wivb.com
  
  GALT, Calif. (AP) — A worker at a Northern California recycling center saved a tiny kitten from certain death when he spotted the animal heading down a conveyor belt.
  Tony Miranda says he was sorting recyclables Tuesday when he found the pink-nosed, white-pawed cat between the debris and scooped it up.
  It’s not clear how the kitten got in with the trash, but it may have survived a ride in a dump truck before a tractor pushed it onto one of two conveyer belts.
  A call went out to
  
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• Shady speaks

  17-12-2015 06:04 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, NY(WIVB)–  The last time LeSean McCoy was in front of the media…. Shady was silent. The Bills running back refused interviews following the Sunday’s disappointing loss to the Eagles. McCoy met with media on Wednesday for the first time since. “Just upset that we didn’t win the game. You know the same as any game if you lose… but you move on. We’ve got the Redskins this week.” McCoy says he’s put the Eagles game behind him and
  
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• The Impact of Higher Interest Rates

  17-12-2015 05:31
  
  Here's some advice for consumers, following the decision by the Federal Reserve to increase interest rates.        
  
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• New tax credit helps fuel Solar City recovery

  17-12-2015 05:24
  
  The budget deal in Congress includes an extension of a 30 percent tax benefit for businesses that buy solar panels.        
  
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• Citizens learning what happens behind the badge

  17-12-2015 05:14 via wivb.com
  
  CHEEKTOWAGA, N.Y. (WIVB) — “It’s not an easy job for them,” said Kim Eberle, one of the newest graduates from the Cheetowaga Citizen Police academy, an intensive 13-week program designed similarly to the real police academy. The goal of the citizen academy is to give civilians, everyday people, an inside look at what it takes to be on the force.
  “They’re human beings,” said Eberle who went through the academy with her son. “They have to protec
  
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• Are laser light Christmas decorations catching the eye of pilots?

  17-12-2015 05:08 via wivb.com
  
  CHEEKTOWAGA, N.Y. (WIVB)-  On Towers Boulevard in Cheektowaga, Mike Oshirak has no regrets about buying the newest laser Christmas lights.
  After a friend at work showed the lights to Oshirak he decided to get some and thought it would be a lot easier than hanging lights.
  Less than a mile from the airport Joe Sass was thinking the same thing. Sass loves how easy the new decorations are to set up.
  Last week an airline pilot in Dallas noticed a laser decoration po
  
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• Driver in fatal 198 crash has license revoked

  17-12-2015 03:43
  
  The driver who hit a little boy in Delaware Park after his car ran off the 198 has had his license revoked.        
  
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• BPD arrest six students fighting on Ontario St.

  17-12-2015 03:16 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB)- Buffalo police arrested six students following an altercation at approximately 3:30 p.m. Wednesday afternoon.
  Police say a fight erupted in the 500 block of Ontario Street involving students from at least two different schools.
  Six students face charges ranging from disorderly conduct, trespassing, harassment and assault. Police say at least two individuals were injured during the incident. Police continue to investigate the matter.
  
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• Bridgestone to build new facility in Wheatfield

  17-12-2015 02:36
  
  The project will create 89 new jobs within five years.        
  
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• Cheektowaga Settles Harassment Lawsuit Against Judge, Town

  17-12-2015 02:20
  
  The Town of Cheektowaga has settled a federal lawsuit filed by a former court clerk against a judge and the town        
  
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• What did the DEC dig up from under Carney Street?

  17-12-2015 02:05 via wivb.com
  
  TONAWANDA, N.Y. (WIVB) – Residents on Carney Street, in the City of Tonawanda, have been on edge since last spring when a sinkhole suddenly formed, and when a street crew dug down to find out what caused the portion of the street to collapse, they discovered a thick, dark colored, oily substance they suspected was coal tar.
  Remnants of an old coal gasification plant, known as Gastown, which is now a state Superfund site is a block away on East Niagara Street, and has been leaking coal tar
  
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• Vandals, thieves hitting more electric utility facilities

  17-12-2015 00:54 via wivb.com
  
  CLARENCE, N.Y. (WIVB) — Vandals who cut through two utility poles in Clarence sometime late Monday were the latest in a series of thefts and other incidents involving local utility facilities.
  And officials from NYSEG and the Erie County Sheriff’s Office are reminding people just how dangerous these incidents are.
  In late October, thieves broke into a NYSEG substation in Springville, and cut what they thought were grounding wires to steal copper. There was no trace of the thieves, an
  
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• Communication at issue after emergency bus evacuation

  17-12-2015 00:45 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Parents of students at the Charter School for Applied Technologies were outraged Tuesday when they found out an emergency evacuation of a school bus was caused by what authorities initially thought was a loaded handgun.
  They grew even more frustrated by the lack of communication from the bus company, First Student. And the school administration on Wednesday sided with parents, saying improved communication is a must.
  “Even if they’re just going to be late
  
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• US, Cuba reach understanding on restoring commercial flights

  17-12-2015 00:41 via wivb.com
  
  HAVANA (AP) — Officials say the United States and Cuba have reached an understanding on restoring regularly scheduled commercial flights.
  U.S. and Cuban officials said the aviation deal was reached Wednesday in Washington, a day before the anniversary of the declaration of detente between the former Cold War foes.
  The deal paves the way for negotiations between the Cuban government and U.S. airlines that could take months, and it’s not clear when the first flights will take off. The
  
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• Elma woman uses her voice to raise money for Wounded Warriors Project

  17-12-2015 00:41 via wivb.com
  
  ELMA, N.Y. (WIVB) –  An Elma woman is giving back this holiday season through the gift of her voice. She’s raising money for the Wounded Warrior Project in a unique way.
  Cecilia Rowell, 75, has handed Christmas CD’s out across her area. She says she sings to honor her late- husband, who she says is her hero.
  Rowell and her husband, Paul, got together right after the blizzard of 1977.  For decades they were best friends. Paul, a Korean War veteran died l
  
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