Buffalo news

• Volunteers give out free Christmas Trees on Christmas Eve

  24-12-2015 23:47 via wivb.com
  
  TONAWANDA, N.Y. (WIVB) – Christmas Eve morning, some local teenagers volunteered their time to help spread the holiday spirit and give out Christmas Trees to those who didn’t have them.
  In the parking lot of Phillip Sheridan School in Tonawanda, donated trees were lined up on display. Those needing a tree could choose the one they wanted, have it freshly cut to their preference, and one of the volunteers would pack it up to take home.
  This event has been going on for 28 years, a
  
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• “Hearts for the Homeless” feeds those in need

  24-12-2015 23:38 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB)- Ron Calandra has been running the “Hearts for the Homeless” mobile soup kitchen since 1990.
  Every weekday he and him tea, load up an old camper with hundreds of sandwiches, soups and clothes.
  They head downtown and without fail, there’s always a crowd there to greet them.
  “I come down here about 4-4:30 to beat the long lines,” said Joe Adams, holding a hot cup of beef stew.
  “It’s just rewarding because you know that they’
  
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• Good Samaritans turn over more than $1,000 found in movie theater parking lot

  24-12-2015 23:26
  
  ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- A Good Samaritan embodied the holiday spirit Wednesday night and helped return more than $1,000 to someone who had lost it.        
  
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• WNYers enjoy record-breaking green Christmas Eve

  24-12-2015 23:18 via wivb.com
  
  TONAWANDA, N.Y. (WIVB)- There was no sitting by the fire and drinking hot chocolate this Christmas Eve.
  Buffalo reached the mid sixties Thursday morning, and several Western New Yorkers took advantage of the unseasonably nice weather.
  Brenden Gee and his buddy decided to hit a few balls. Normally, they count on putting their clubs in storage by mid fall, but not this year.
  Thursday wasn’t a perfect day for a game of golf though, strong wings made for a bit of a challenge, but Gee told
  
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• Heavy police presence at mall after reports of shots fired

  24-12-2015 21:37 via wivb.com
  
  CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Dozens of police vehicles have converged on a mall in North Carolina after receiving reports of shots fired.
  The Northlake Mall in Charlotte was crowded with shoppers when officers from the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department arrived. Firefighters were also on the scene.
  It was unclear whether anyone was injured or killed.
  
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• 1 dead after fight at North Carolina mall

  24-12-2015 21:37 via wivb.com
  
  CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — One person was killed after an argument erupted at a crowded shopping mall in North Carolina on the afternoon before Christmas, police said Thursday.
  Detectives from the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department are investigating what the department called “an officer involved shooting” inside the Northlake Mall in Charlotte.
  Police said in a statement that off-duty officers who were working at the mall arrived at the scene after the fight broke out. One &l
  
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• Robert Downey Jr. pardoned for drug conviction

  24-12-2015 19:37 via wivb.com
  
  SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California’s governor has pardoned Robert Downey Jr. for a 1996 drug conviction that sent the actor to prison.
  Gov. Jerry Brown’s office announced Thursday that Downey was among 91 people receiving pardons.
  Downey was convicted of felony drug possession after he was arrested on a Los Angeles County highway and authorities found heroin, cocaine and a pistol in his vehicle.
  In 1999, he was sent to prison for nearly a year after he acknowledged
  
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• NY state to prohibit traffic fees when charges are dismissed

  24-12-2015 18:14 via wivb.com
  
  ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — New York next spring will prohibit municipalities from collecting fines, surcharges or administrative fees for traffic cases when the violations are dismissed.
  The amendment to state traffic law was approved by the Legislature and signed by Gov. Andrew Cuomo this week.
  It takes effect in March.
  The law’s sponsor, Democratic Assemblyman Michael DenDekker of Queens, says fining motorists whose violations are dismissed places “an undue burden” on them.
  He
  
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• Police investigating suspicious activity in Orleans County

  24-12-2015 18:07 via wivb.com
  
  ALBION, N.Y. (WIVB) — Police in Albion are investigating suspicious activity that occurred early Christmas Eve morning.
  Police say a number of properties and businesses on West Avenue in the village had outside equipment tampered with or disabled. These include electrical systems, phone lines and cameras.
  Authorities say a blue Chevrolet Cruze was seen in the area and may be related to the incidents. Anyone with information on the incidents is asked to contact Albion Police by ca
  
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• 2015 Recap: Rapper DMX is jailed in Buffalo in July

  24-12-2015 18:00 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — By far the most popular story in July, just after the excitement of the end of the prison break man hunt, was the capture of a rapper, and his imprisonment in Erie County.
  Police took custody of Earl Simmons, better known as DMX, in July, and jailed him in Buffalo for an outstanding warrant related to unpaid child support.
  The story blew up as hundreds of thousands of readers from across the nation flocked to see the story News 4 just broke.
  However the exciteme
  
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• Free Christmas trees given out in Town of Tonawanda

  24-12-2015 17:51 via wivb.com
  
  TOWN OF TONAWANDA, N.Y. (WIVB) — A tradition in the Town of Tonawanda continues Thursday as free Christmas trees are being given out behind the Philip Sheridan School on Elmwood Avenue.
  Former County Legislator Chuck Swanick started the tree giveaway over 30 years ago.
  Volunteers are helping load trees into cars from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. Any trees not picked up by that time will be left for whoever wants to take them.
  
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• Traffic stop leads to heroin arrest

  24-12-2015 16:27
  
  Two people are facing charges following a traffic stop in Elma.        
  
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• Sheriff: Woman found with heroin during traffic stop

  24-12-2015 15:40 via wivb.com
  
  TOWN OF ELMA, N.Y. (WIVB) — Deputies with the Erie County Sheriff’s Office say a vehicle stop on Route 400 led to charges against both a driver and passenger early Thursday morning.
  Authorities say Lackawanna resident David Hathaway, 51, was found swerving while driving well below the speed limit. He had been driving with a suspended license, according to authorities.
  While searching the vehicle’s passenger, Buffalo resident Nicole Metz, 30, deputies say they found he
  
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• New ‘revolutionary’ DNA test a potential game-changer for prosecutors

  24-12-2015 15:19 via wivb.com
  
  MUSKEGON, Mich. (WOOD) — It started with an armed robbery at a Norton Shores Shell station in July 2014 — and a shoe that was left behind.
  “Whoever he was, he ran out of his shoe while he was being shot at by the clerk in the store,” said the suspect’s defense attorney. “Ten rounds.”
  But could police find the robber that fit the shoe?
  Police say they did, that it was Elamin Muhammad, 38, of Caledonia.A mug shot of Elamin Muhammad from July 1, 2014.But th
  
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• Michigan community supports Indian store clerk who was shot in face, called a terrorist

  24-12-2015 15:11 via wivb.com
  
  GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — There has been an outpouring of support for the clerk at a Michigan party store who was robbed and then shot in the face.
  The shooting happened just before midnight Dec. 12 at Bottlenecks in Grand Rapids. The victim told his manager that a masked man carrying along gun robbed the store, then led the clerk to a back room and put the gun in his mouth.A surveillance photo showing the robber who shot a liquor store clerk. (Dec. 12, 2015)The masked man the
  
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• Mall hours change on Christmas Eve

  24-12-2015 14:47 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Last minute shopping? At least five western New York malls’ hours of service are changed for Christmas Eve (December 24). Here is a list of hours when they will be open.
  Walden Galleria, Cheektowaga — open today from 8-5 p.m.
  Boulevard Mall, Amherst– open today from 8-5 p.m.
  Fashion Outlets, Niagara Falls — open today from 10-6 p.m.
  McKinley Mall, Buffalo — open today from 8-5 p.m.
  Eastern Hills, W
  
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• Firearms are topping many Christmas lists

  24-12-2015 14:28 via wivb.com
  
  SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – Business is booming at gun ranges and gun shops across the country.
  “We’re doing an increase, most of the state is doing an increase,” said Mark Poirier, a firearm safety instructor with the Agawam Revolvers Club and a firearm dealer.
  Amid fear of terrorism, and the perceived threat of changing gun laws, firearms are topping Christmas lists, especially among women.
  “Women are already at a disadvantage because of their size,” said Je
  
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• Cost of lighting up Christmas

  24-12-2015 14:24 via wivb.com
  
  MASON CITY, Iowa (KIMT) — Kramer Ace Hardware is one of many places to go to buy Christmas lights.
  “For sale wise our LED lightbulbs are flying out more than traditional ones because they do last longer,” Kevin Greiner, manager of the store said.
  Greiner believes it sells because our love for the Christmas looks.
  “People like twinkling lights, the bright shiny, anything that draws your attention a lot better than just the standard solid lights,” Greiner said.
  B
  
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• Volunteer: ‘What do I get paid with? Love.’

  24-12-2015 14:18 via wivb.com
  
  FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) – It may be the season of giving, but an Indiana woman makes it a year-round job. Pat Ludy started volunteering at the Salvation Army in 1997. You’ll find her there every Monday through Friday, happy to take on any task thrown her way.
  Ludy, or Ms. Pat, as she’s affectionately known at the Salvation Army, may be a volunteer. However, leaders there said she probably puts in more time than most paid employees. It’s not uncommon for Ms.
  
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• ‘It wasn’t his day to die,’ says rescuer who saved trapped deputy

  24-12-2015 13:44 via wivb.com
  
  TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) – In 29 years, Battalion Chief Tom Schwer has never seen anything quite like this. Some call it a miracle. Others call it the most amazing luck ever. The longtime veteran with Hillsborough Fire Rescue calls it his mission in life – helping others. “When things are bad, we come in and make it better,” he said. On Tuesday, Schwer and his team completed an emotional rescue like no other, and it involved one of their own in the first responder community.
  Th
  
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• Couple finds more than $1,200, returns money to owner

  24-12-2015 13:12 via wivb.com
  
  ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (WIVB) — $1,250 was returned to a Hamburg man after he did not even know he lost it Wednesday.
  Shortly after 4:30 p.m. that day, Orchard Park couple Francine Decerbo, 32, and Thomas Brzywuski, 31, found $1,150 in 50 and 100-dollar bills in a Regal Cinemas parking lot at the Ouaker Crossing Plaza.
  After collecting the money, the couple took note of the closest vehicle’s license plate number and reported the information to police. Police searched for the ow
  
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• BPD looking to identify man seen approaching students at East High School

  24-12-2015 12:39 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Buffalo Police are asking for the public’s help in keeping an eye out for a man seen approaching female students at East High School.
  The school is located on Northampton Street.
  If anyone knows the man’s identity, call or text the confidential tip line at (716) 847-2255. If anyone sees him, call 911.
  
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• Hyatt warns of malware on its payment-processing system

  24-12-2015 12:24 via wivb.com
  
  SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Hyatt Hotels Corp. says it found malicious software on the computer system that processes customer payments, raising the possibility that hackers may have obtained credit card numbers or other sensitive information.
  The resort chain is advising customers to review their payment card statements, although it has not said if any customer data was stolen. Hyatt spokeswoman Stephanie Sheppard said in an email that the malware was discovered Nov. 30, but she didn’
  
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• Belgian authorities arrest 9th suspect over Paris attacks

  24-12-2015 12:12 via wivb.com
  
  BRUSSELS (AP) — Belgian authorities have announced the arrest of a ninth suspect linked to last month’s Paris attacks, a man they said had been in contact with the suspected ringleader’s cousin.
  The Belgian federal prosecutor’s office said the suspect, whose full name was not disclosed, was being held on charges of taking part in a terrorist group and terrorist murders.
  His arrest took place Tuesday, the prosecutor’s office said.
  It said the suspect, a Belgian citiz
  
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• Over-the-top Western New York Christmas displays

  24-12-2015 05:36
  
  DEPEW, N.Y. -- Some Western New Yorkers do not hold back for the holidays, and go all out, with over-the-top Christmas displays.        
  
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• Four-legged friends greeting holiday travelers

  24-12-2015 05:27 via wivb.com
  
  CHEEKTOWAGA, N.Y. (WIVB) — With the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, some people, especially travelers, can be stressed. The Buffalo Niagara Airport is hoping some fur friends can relieve that.
  “It just helps take the edge off as people are standing here and a little stressed after having traveled all day,” said Kathy Galus, the owner and handler for Lily, a two-year-old therapy dog.
  The two are one of the pairs at the airport arrival gate near the luggage pick up
  
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• Donations Pile In For Young Mother After Fire

  24-12-2015 05:26
  
  Donations are pouring in for a young mother who lost her home in a fire.        
  
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• Patients can now register for medical marijuana

  24-12-2015 05:24
  
  The state Health Department on Wednesday launched its system for patients to enroll in New York’s medical marijuana program.        
  
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• Weather cooperates for Niagara Falls wedding

  24-12-2015 04:30 via wivb.com
  
  NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. (WIVB)- When Chris and Kyshawn Jackson planned their wedding months ago for Niagara Falls, they could never have guessed it would be sixty degrees on Christmas week.
  Just after 4pm on Wednesday, the stood with a priest along the railing at Prospect Point and exchanged vows. “I think the weather’s beautiful. I think it’s a gift from God. we decided to get married maybe six months ago but weren’t sure how. We’ve been together for a decade and then
  
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• 2015 Recap: Prison Break captures New York’s attention in June

  24-12-2015 04:10 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — The world turned to New York State in June to watch how officials handled two escaped murders on the lam.
  News 4 was on the scene in Dannemora as police searched for David Sweat and Richard Matt. The search took police through the entirety of New York State as they chased down thousands of leads, even in western New York.
  Eventually, police were able to corner Richard Matt, killing him after he refused to put his gun down. They only found Matt because he and his
  
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• 2015 Recap: Reform follows fatal accident on 198 in May

  24-12-2015 03:53 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — The start of May in 2015 brought tragedy to a community, followed by reform.
  A car crashed into two children on the Scajaquada Expressway, killing one and severely injuring the other. The driver, who fell asleep at the wheel, was not charged for the accident.
  Lawmakers, however, saw room for improvement, and took the opportunity to lower the speed limit from 50 miles per hour to 30 miles per hour.
  The community rallied around the Sugorovskiy family following the
  
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• ECMC reaches settlement with former CEO

  24-12-2015 03:40
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. -- The Erie County Medical Center Corporation says it has reached a settlement with former CEO Richard Cleland, who was let go last month.        
  
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• Health officials offer tips food safety during holiday season

  24-12-2015 03:35 via wivb.com
  
  NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) – Health officials are offering up some tips on how to stay healthy this holiday season.
  Whether enjoying a pot-luck spread at work or a fancy feast at home, the rules of food safety are the same, health officials said.
  “If foods are sitting out or left out that should be under temperature control, there’s an opportunity for contamination by the way of bacteria growth,” Metro Health Inspector Danny Ripley said.
  Ripley added that it’s importan
  
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• Good Samaritans turns over $1,000 found in parking lot

  24-12-2015 02:57 via wivb.com
  
  ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (WIVB) — An honest moviegoer and her boyfriend helped out a fellow western New Yorker in an act of kindness on Wednesday.
  Orchard Park Police say the Good Samaritans called in to report finding an envelope with more than $1,000 inside in the parking lot of the Regal Cinemas in Orchard Park. With the help of police, officers say they utilized the license plate of the nearest car to locate the owner of the lost funds.
  That owner had gone to a movie with his kids and d
  
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• Good Samaritans turn over $1,000 found in parking lot

  24-12-2015 02:57 via wivb.com
  
  ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (WIVB) — An honest moviegoer and her boyfriend helped out a fellow western New Yorker in an act of kindness on Wednesday.
  Orchard Park Police say the Good Samaritans called in to report finding an envelope with more than $1,000 inside in the parking lot of the Regal Cinemas in Orchard Park. With the help of police, officers say they utilized the license plate of the nearest car to locate the owner of the lost funds.
  That owner had gone to a movie with his kids and d
  
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• Over a dozen Tornadoes rip through the south in fatal storm system

  24-12-2015 02:41 via wivb.com
  
  LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — An unusually warm December is seeing a fatal system of tornadoes rip through several states, including Tennessee, Mississippi and Arkansas.
  Storm Prediction Center meteorologist Matt Mosier says a preliminary report shows that there were 14 tornadoes to touchdown in Mississippi alone.
  Mosier says the tornado raced for more than half an hour for about 100 miles Wednesday. He says it went from the Mississippi River to the northern part of the state including Hol
  
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• 8 dead after over a dozen Tornadoes rip through the south in fatal storm system

  24-12-2015 02:41 via wivb.com
  
  LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — An unusually warm December is seeing a fatal system of tornadoes rip through several states, including Tennessee, Mississippi and Arkansas.
  Storm Prediction Center meteorologist Matt Mosier says a preliminary report shows that there were 14 tornadoes to touchdown in Mississippi alone.
  Mosier says the tornado raced for more than half an hour for about 100 miles Wednesday. He says it went from the Mississippi River to the northern part of the state including Hol
  
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• Sabretooth visits kids in school

  24-12-2015 02:10 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — A lucky group of kids received a special visit from the mascot of the Buffalo Sabres.
  Sabretooth surprised students in Lancaster as thanks for their work in the Hockey Scholar Program. The program is an online learning course aimed at bringing science, technology, engineering and math to life with the help of the game of hockey.
  Students in Lancaster are just one of 80 schools across western New York who use the program in their education.
  
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• Light display dazzles Springville for the holidays

  24-12-2015 01:19 via wivb.com
  
  SPRINGVILLE, N.Y. (WIVB)- Thousands of Christmas lights illuminate a street in Springville for the holidays. It’s a seven year tradition that many people look forward to.
  “We’re the house with all of the lights,” said Jim Jozwiak, who put up 23,000 lights on his Mill St. property.
  It features pieces of Western New York history.
  “The two on the lower part of the house are from the Village of Springville that were on the lamp post and the two on the second s
  
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• Former Buffalo cop won't get city legal defense

  24-12-2015 01:06
  
  Former Buffalo cop won't get city legal defense        
  
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• Cheektowaga teens spread Christmas cheer

  24-12-2015 00:40 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — On the eve of Christmas eve, and winter break for schools across western New York, traditional learning usually isn’t high on the list.But while many schools were trading in tests and quizzes for movies or other laid back activities, 8th graders in Cheektowaga were volunteering.
  More than 160 8th graders from Cheektowaga Middle School hit the road this morning to spread Christmas cheer throughout the community.The group stopped by four spots, including the VA H
  
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• Rusti reels in red kettle donors

  24-12-2015 00:33 via wivb.com
  
  TONAWANDA, N.Y. (WIVB) — Typically, you’d expect to see a Salvation Army bell-ringer, well, with a bell. But that’s not the way Rusti Goon of Tonawanda does things.
  In fact, she put the bell in her pocket about 15 years ago, which is only about half way through her overall time volunteering with the organization.
  “I don’t use the bell because a lot of people don’t like hearing it,” Goon said. “A lot of people do, too, but I get a lot of enjoyment o
  
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• Williams says Bills personnel doesn't fit Ryan's defense

  24-12-2015 00:30
  
  Mario Williams insists he's simply stating a fact and not intending to be critical when suggesting the Buffalo Bills personnel doesn't fit coach Rex Ryan's defensive scheme.        
  
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• Public Works helps you “go green” with your Christmas trees

  24-12-2015 00:19 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB)- The Department of Public Works is making it easy to get rid of your Christmas tree after the holidays.
  Beginning Jan. 4 and running through Jan. 15, you can leave your real Christmas trees out on your curb during recycle day, and Public Works crews will pick it up and recycle it for you.
  Commissioner Steve Stepniak told News 4 the program has been going on for about five years now; there’ll be 4-5 extra crews on the roads to help with tree recycling.
  Stepniak sai
  
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• Joe Mascia hearing adjourned till Monday

  24-12-2015 00:09
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. -- The hearing for Buffalo Housing Commissioner, Joe Mascia, has been adjourned till Monday.        
  
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• Was dead mother failed by social services?

  24-12-2015 00:08
  
  The story of the four-year-old boy who spent days alone with his mother’s dead body, surviving on milk and maple syrup, has prompted a public outpouring of sympathy and the donation of gifts that piled up at police headquarters.        
  
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• Erie Co. dedicates first of six Purple Heart signs

  24-12-2015 00:08
  
  HAMBURG, N.Y. -- The sacrifices of some service members in Western New York were honored on Wednesday when a Purple Heart sign was dedicated to them in Hamburg.        
  
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• Frank Sedita Looks Back At Seven Years As Erie County DA

  24-12-2015 00:01
  
  Frank Sedita looks back at his seven years as ErieCounty District Attorney. Next week he will become a judge.        
  
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