Buffalo news

• Fire breaks out near Dubai’s New Year’s fireworks display

  31-12-2015 20:00 via wivb.com
  
  DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Fire broke out Thursday in a residential building near the world’s tallest skyscraper in Dubai, where a massive New Year’s fireworks display was set to be held.
  It was not immediately clear what caused the fire, which ran up at least 20 stories of the building near the Burj Khalifa, which is 828 meters (905 yards) tall.
  Burning debris rained down from the building as firetrucks raced to the scene. It was not immediately clear if anyone was wou
  
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• AP source: Bills planning to cut Mario Williams in offseason

  31-12-2015 19:31 via wivb.com
  
  ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — A person with direct knowledge of discussions has told The Associated Press that the Buffalo Bills plan to cut high-priced defensive end Mario Williams this offseason.
  The person spoke Thursday on the condition of anonymity because the team does not publicly discuss its player personnel plans.
  No timetable was provided as to when Williams will be cut, but the person said the team’s top pass-rushing threat will be playing his final game for Buf
  
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• Authorities investigating arson fires at vacant homes in Jamestown

  31-12-2015 18:53 via wivb.com
  
  JAMESTOWN, N.Y. (WIVB) — Police in Jamestown are investigating a series of arsons at vacant homes in the city.
  Police say the arsons occurred at three different homes on Spring Street and N. Main Street on the north side of the city during the past week. The first blaze occurred on Christmas Eve and the most recent ones occurred on Wednesday.
  Along with these, investigators are still looking into arson fires dating back to 2014.
  Authorities are asking anyone with information on a
  
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• Rochester man accused of plotting New Year’s Eve attack, supporting ISIL

  31-12-2015 17:39 via wivb.com
  
  ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WIVB) — Officials have announced the arrest of a Rochester man accused of attempting to provide material support to ISIL.
  Authorities say Emanuel L. Lutchman, 25, planned an armed attack against people at a restaurant/bar in Rochester on New Year’s Eve in support of his plans to join the terrorist organization overseas.
  He was arrested Wednesday and faces up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Assistant Attorney General for National Security Joh
  
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• New Year revelers unfazed by attack worries – in most places

  31-12-2015 16:30 via wivb.com
  
  (AP) — In Bangkok, police-flanked party-goers will ring in the new year at the site of a deadly bombing that took place just months ago. In Paris, residents recovering from their city’s own deadly attacks will enjoy scaled-back celebrations. And in Belgium’s capital, authorities anxious after thwarting what they say was a holiday terror plot have canceled festivities altogether.
  As the final hours of 2015 draw to a close, many are bidding a weary and wary adieu to a year marred
  
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• Tech Trends: Best of tech gadgets 2015

  31-12-2015 16:24 via wivb.com
  
  (KRON) – 2015 has been a huge year in the consumer technology sector, we saw virtual reality, wearables, new phones, tablets and gadgets.
  In 2015 Apple unveiled their first wearable…
  Apple Watch
  A lot of apple fans had been waiting years for this….
  It was’t a flop. Apple sold a lot of units, but it didn’t quite have that luster that most new apple gadgets receive, and it didn’t have that “I must have it” type feeling.
  Apple also re
  
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• Free coffee available at Thruway service stations starting Thursday night

  31-12-2015 16:13 via wivb.com
  
  ALBANY, N.Y. (WIVB) — The New York Thruway Authority says free coffee and hot tea will be served at all service stations Thursday night into Friday as part of a 45-year tradition.
  The complimentary drinks will be available from 11 p.m. on New Year’s Eve until 7 a.m. the next day to promote safe, alert driving.
  “Thruway’s New Year’s Eve tradition is an excellent way to encourage motorists to take a break during their travels and to promote safe driving duri
  
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• Niagara Falls USA counts down to 2016

  31-12-2015 15:58 via wivb.com
  
  NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. (WIVB) – Hundreds of people, and some familiar kids characters, will gather to count down to 2016 steps away from one of the seven wonders of the world. For third year in a row, Old Falls Street is hosting a family friendly New Year’s Eve celebration inside the Conference and Events Center.
  Activities include inflatable rides and bounce houses, indoor lawn games, a dance floor, balloon drop, and a photo booth. Popular children’s characters like Minnie and Mi
  
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• Bill Cosby’s lawyer says charge was part of campaign promise

  31-12-2015 15:57 via wivb.com
  
  ELKINS PARK, Pa. (AP) — Bill Cosby’s lawyer says the comedian was charged with a decade-old sex crime simply because a prosecutor was fulfilling a campaign promise.
  She also says that once she and Cosby can speak freely, “everything will be made clear.”
  Speaking on NBC’s “Today” show Thursday, attorney Monique Pressley said Cosby has been unjustly accused but is in good spirits and will be exonerated.
  Cosby is accused of sexually assaulting a then-Temple
  
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• 5 children, ages 1-5, found clad in only dirty diapers trying to cross Florida highway

  31-12-2015 15:51 via wivb.com
  
  SPRING HILL, Fla. (WFLA) — Five young children, ages 1 to 5, were only wearing soiled diapers when a motorist stopped them as they tried to cross U.S. 19 by themselves on Tuesday morning.
  The children were attempting to cross the busy highway to get to Weeki Wachee Springs State Park in Spring Hill, according to the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office.
  At 9 a.m. on Tuesday, deputies were dispatched to U.S. 19 in front of a Motel 6 located at 6172 Commercial Way.
  Dispatchers received a c
  
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• Texas city plans to house all homeless veterans by 2016

  31-12-2015 15:44 via wivb.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Earlier this year, Austin, Texas mayor Steve Adler took the challenge of finding homes for an estimated 200 homeless veterans.
  Adler promised a deadline of Veterans Day and missed it. The new goal is to find homes for the veterans by the new year.
  “Homelessness is like the worst. You know what I mean. Being homeless is worse than being in the penitentiary,” said Gary Robinson. He served in the Marine Corps. In January he lived in his car. Now
  
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• Clean your cars! Loose ice shatters windshield

  31-12-2015 15:32 via wivb.com
  
  BYRON CENTER, Mich. (WOOD) — A Michigan mother involved in a close call on a highway has a winter warning for other drivers.
  Kim Krupiczewicz said big sheets of ice flying off cars on the expressway is a regular occurrence in winter. But she didn’t know how dangerous the situation could be until it happened to her.
  “You think they’ll hit your car and just kind of bounce off,” said Kim Krupiczewicz. “You don’t really realize the damage it c
  
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• Albion man accused of setting sleeping roommate on fire

  31-12-2015 14:33 via wivb.com
  
  ALBION, N.Y. (WIVB) — A man in Albion is accused of setting another man on fire while he was sleeping Thursday morning.
  Albion Police responded to the alleged incident on West State Street in the village to find the suspect, Frank G. Carter, II, 50, in the street holding a knife. He was then taken into custody.
  The victim lives with Carter, according to police. Police say Carter poured flammable liquid on the victim as he slept on a bed. He then ignited the liquid, causing burns
  
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• Crimestoppers looking for Niagara Falls parolee

  31-12-2015 14:13 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Up to $1,000 is being offered by Crimestoppers for the finding and arrest of Anthony Carl Green.
  Green, 38, was placed on parole after an attempted assault case where authorities say he shot a person and threatened a witness. Authorities say Green should be considered armed and dangerous.
  Parole officers believe he is no longer taking his medication, making him a potential threat.
  Green is a black male standing at 5’6″ tall and weighing 180
  
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• Former Cheektowaga assemblyman accused of sexual harassment

  31-12-2015 13:23 via wivb.com
  
  CHEEKTOWAGA, N.Y. (WIVB) — Former Cheektowaga assemblyman Dennis Gabryszak is facing accusations of sexual harassment by more than half a dozen women who use to work for him.
  The Joint Commission on Public Ethics released the report Wednesday. It claims Gabryszak used his position to create an inappropriate environment for women he worked with.
  The assemblyman resigned earlier this year when the allegations came about. The case now goes to the Legislative Ethics Commission.
  MORE | A link t
  
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• Belgium: 10th suspect arrested in Paris attacks probe

  31-12-2015 13:07 via wivb.com
  BRUSSELS (AP) — A Belgian judge has delivered an arrest warrant against a 10th suspect in the Paris attacks probe, charging him with terrorist murder and participation in the activities of a terrorist group.
  The man arrested, a Belgian national born in 1993 and identified only as Ayoub B., was detained Wednesday following a search in the Molenbeek neighborhood of Brussels, where some of the Paris attackers lived.
  In a statement Thursday, the Belgian Federal Prosecutor’s Office s
  
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• List of roads closed for Buffalo New Year’s Eve Ball Drop

  31-12-2015 12:11 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — The New Year’s Eve Ball Drop at Roosevelt Square will temporarily close a number of streets from Thursday to early Friday.
  See the list of closings here:
  Washington between East Huron and Genesee St. — 7 a.m. Thursday until 8 a.m. Friday
  West Huron Southside, between Pearl and Main St. — 7 a.m. Thursday until 8 a.m. Friday
  East Huron Southside, between Main and Washington St. — 10 a.m. Thursday until 8 a.m. Friday
  West Huron Nor
  
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• List of New Year’s Eve road closures in Buffalo

  31-12-2015 12:11 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — The New Year’s Eve Ball Drop at Roosevelt Square will temporarily close a number of streets from Thursday to early Friday.
  See the list of closings here:
  Washington between East Huron and Genesee St. — 7 a.m. Thursday until 8 a.m. Friday
  West Huron Southside, between Pearl and Main St. — 7 a.m. Thursday until 8 a.m. Friday
  East Huron Southside, between Main and Washington St. — 10 a.m. Thursday until 8 a.m. Friday
  West Huron Nor
  
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• One person killed in overnight N. Tonawanda fire

  31-12-2015 11:58 via wivb.com
  
  NORTH TONAWANDA, N.Y. (WIVB) — A fire on Belling Place in North Tonawanda left one person dead Wednesday night.
  The fire started around 7 p.m. that night. The name of the deceased has not yet been released.
  Firefighters are trying to figure out how the blaze started.
  
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• What to do during New Year’s Eve in WNY

  31-12-2015 11:27 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Festivities will be widespread in Buffalo as a number of venues prepare celebrations for the new year.
  See some ways you can have fun on Thursday night here:
  BUFFALO
  First Night Buffalo — Buffalo-Niagara Convention Center, Convention Center Plaza, 153 Franklin Street, Buffalo, NY 14202. —  Event starts at 5 p.m. — (716) 855-5555
  5th annual Ice Ball on New Year’s Eve — Statler City, 107 Delawar
  
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• What to do during New Year’s Eve in Buffalo

  31-12-2015 11:27 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Festivities will be widespread in Buffalo as a number of venues prepare celebrations for the new year.
  See some ways you can have fun on Thursday night here:
  BUFFALO
  First Night Buffalo — Buffalo-Niagara Convention Center, Convention Center Plaza, 153 Franklin Street, Buffalo, NY 14202. —  Event starts at 5 p.m. — (716) 855-5555
  5th annual Ice Ball on New Year’s Eve — Statler City, 107 Delawar
  
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• Job safety

  31-12-2015 06:10 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB)– The Bills fell short of their goals this season and there is plenty of blame to go around. Most the heat landed on general manager Doug Whaley and coach Rex Ryan. Bills owner Terry Pegula released a statement Wednesday supporting his head coach and GM. “As our first full season as owners of the Buffalo Bills draws to a close, management, coaches, players and fans all feel that our expectations were not met,” said Pegula. “Kim, Russ and I look fo
  
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• Bills fall short of season goals

  31-12-2015 06:10 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — The Bills fell short of their goals this season and there is plenty of blame to go around.
  Most the heat landed on general manager Doug Whaley and coach Rex Ryan.
  Bills owner Terry Pegula released a statement Wednesday supporting his head coach and GM:
  “As our first full season as owners of the Buffalo Bills draws to a close, management, coaches, players and fans all feel that our expectations were not met,” said Pegula. “Kim, Russ and I l
  
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• 2015 Recap: National terror scare shakes the nation in December

  31-12-2015 04:26 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Across the nation, citizens of the United States were reminded that terrorism is still alive, as two extremists took the lives of 14 people in San Bernardino, California.
  Two terrorists, husband and wife, opened fire on a room of people celebrating a Christmas party, killing 14 and wounding dozens more. The gruesome scene shut down that part of California as the nation watched helicopter footage of police confronting the terrorists.
  The nation followed the story
  
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• 2015 Recap: Rough, yet warm, weather makes national news in November

  31-12-2015 04:09 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — In western New York, records were shattered throughout winter as warmth permeated the area, but the warmth brought fierce storms.
  One such storm wreaked havoc throughout the Lake Erie shore as winds tossed massive waves onto the shore, causing damage and shutting off power for many.
  Relive some of the storms in our galleries here. 
  The entire region also followed closely the story of a rape in south Buffalo, from the onset of the police investigation when p
  
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• 2015 Recap: Buffalo landmark tumbles to the ground in October

  31-12-2015 03:59 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — For Buffalo residents, and adults who were born at the Millard Fillmore Hospital, the implosion of the old hospital came as a sore spot, but it made for good television.
  Thousands watched online and on-air as the hospital tumbled to the ground as developers make way for new development in the City of Buffalo.
  “It is important to acknowledge this event is part of a new era for the City of Buffalo,” Tom Montante, the developer, said. “This hospit
  
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• 2015 Recap: Bills stir excitement as September begins

  31-12-2015 03:48 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Hot off one of the most exciting off-seasons in modern Buffalo Bills history, the team looked poised to be able to do good things in September.
  That goal hasn’t materialized in December, however the team drew excitement with its flashy talent and loud coaching staff in Rex Ryan. Their first few games, like a stampeding victory over the Miami Dolphins, showed what the Bills could have been without injuries and coaching woes.
  Serious crimes and crashes
  
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• Plans for group home in Eden on halt

  31-12-2015 03:20 via wivb.com
  
  EDEN, N.Y. (WIVB) — The Town Board in Eden has appealed New York State’s decision to allow a Buffalo-based company to place a group home in a residential area.
  Tensions in Eden are high over the proposed group home as it could potentially house sex offenders in the residential neighborhood. Officials say the six-bed group home would be build on the corner of Jennings Road and East Church Street, just up the road from a school.
  New York State can force the home to house registere
  
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• Downtown gears up for New Year’s Eve

  31-12-2015 03:07 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB)- The New Year’s Eve celebration could be the biggest ever in Downtown Buffalo.
  At the Pearl Street Brewery and Grill, they’re gearing up for New Year’s Eve. “We’re expecting a very busy night tomorrow night, all night long.” said Manager Roy Bakos. “There’s a Sabres game at six o’clock for the Tux & Pucks. That’s always great for us with all of our Canadian friends come over, but they’re expecting good wea
  
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• Buffalo’s oldest fire boat holds free tours, celebrating 115th anniversary

  31-12-2015 02:55 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — One of the oldest pieces of Buffalo’s modern history was on display for all to see Wednesday as locals got a glimpse at Buffalo’s oldest fire boat.
  The Edward M. Cotter took on passengers, not water, Wednesday as it showcased how it has protected Buffalo’s waterfront while still maintaining its National Historic Landmark status.
  The Cotter is also raising funds to make repairs. Its crew says it needs two new propellers and other minor repairs.
  
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• Friend of California shooter indicted on gun, terror charges

  31-12-2015 02:42 via wivb.com
  
  RIVERSIDE, Calif. (AP) — A friend of one of the shooters in the San Bernardino massacre that killed 14 people was indicted Wednesday on charges that include conspiring in a pair of previous planned attacks and making false statements when he bought the guns used in this month’s shootings, authorities said.
  The indictment by a federal grand jury avoids the need for a probable cause hearing before a judge to determine whether 24-year-old Enrique Marquez Jr. should stand trial on t
  
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• Keeping your New Year’s healthy resolution—work and homework

  31-12-2015 01:33 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) – Among the top resolutions for ringing in the New Year, every year, are losing weight and getting into shape.
  If you are one of those looking to join a health club or gym to get healthy for 2016, the Better Business Bureau is offering a few tips to consider before making your decision, while New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman is looking into a local owner, who has been a subject of Call 4 Action.
  Peggy Penders, spokesperson for the Upstate BBB advises consum
  
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• Mexico official: ‘Affluenza’ teen’s mom deported

  31-12-2015 01:15 via wivb.com
  
  GUADALAJARA, Mexico (AP) — A Mexican official says the mother of young U.S. fugitive Ethan Couch has been deported to the United States.
  The National Immigration Institute official says Tonya Couch left late Wednesday afternoon on a flight from Guadalajara, Mexico, to Los Angeles. The person was not authorized to discuss the case and revealed the information on condition of anonymity.
  The official says she was sent home because immigration authorities did not receive a judge’s i
  
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• Local hospitals report more hoverboard injuries after Christmas

  31-12-2015 01:12 via wivb.com
  
  JAMESTOWN, N.Y. (WIVB)- Hoverboards were one of the hottest toys on the market this Christmas but now the Consumer Product Safety Commission is investigating the technology. The agency says it’s looking into 22 reports of hoverboards catching on fire in 17 states.
  Gravity seems to be another problem. There are more than 70 reports of emergency room visits because of injuries people got falling off their hoverboards, including here in Western New York.
  Maddie Harris is one of many
  
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• Landmark Buffalo church gets state funding for renovations

  31-12-2015 00:43 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB)- The state is helping a landmark church on Buffalo’s East Side return to its former glory.
  Illuminated arches and century old stained glass windows used to draw crowds to Corpus Christi but now there are fewer parishioners.
  A group called Friends of Corpus Christi hopes a $50,000 grant from New York Empire State Development will help breathe new life into both the church community and the neighborhood.
  “We hope and we believe that this grant will be good for
  
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• Fredonia Walmart evacuated as juvenile threatens shooting

  31-12-2015 00:33 via wivb.com
  
  FREDONIA, N.Y. (WIVB) — Local police responded in droves to the Walmart in Fredonia after workers there received several calls threatening violence.
  In the calls, police say a person threatened to be inside the store with a loaded weapon, promising to open fire. Fredonia Police responded first and took control of the situation at 2:20 p.m., evacuating the store.
  During the evacuation, police say they checked patrons who exited and cleared the store without finding any threat insi
  
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