Buffalo news

• Skiers and snowboarders attempt world record at Holiday Valley

  08-01-2016 23:54 via wivb.com
  
  ELLICOTTVILLE, N.Y. (WIVB) – The slopes are looking great at Holiday Valley, thanks to some much needed relief from Mother Nature over the past week. The day started off on a fun note, as Holiday Valley, along with nearly 120 ski resorts across the country, participated in a Guinness Book of World Records attempt for the largest ski and snowboard lessons, to help kick off January’s learn to ski and snowboard month.
  “This morning we opened up our beginner area to a gro
  
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• EMS battle continues in Town of Concord

  08-01-2016 23:49 via wivb.com
  
  SPRINGVILLE, N.Y. (WIVB)- It’s a David and Goliath story in the Town of Concord.
  Rural Metro, a for-profit emergency services company, is one of the largest in the country. For years, it operated in Concord, but town leaders said the call response and response time were poor, so they looked for a new provider.
  “They’ve got a monopoly. Let’s face it, Twin Cities and Rural Metro have a monopoly in this county,” said Town Supervisor, Gary Eppolito.
  Mercy EMS, the
  
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• Concern over future of WNY Children’s Psychiatric Center

  08-01-2016 23:40 via wivb.com
  
  WEST SENECA, N.Y. (WIVB) –Assemblyman Michael Kearns turned his ‘Bank Shaming” campaign into a ‘State Shaming” campaign Friday.
  Kearns gathered with West Seneca Town leaders to announce their concern for the future of the West Seneca Developmental Center site on East & West Road. Kearns has sent a letter to the Commissioner of the NY State Office of General Services requesting a meeting.
  Kearns stood in front of the boarded up, vacant buildings which used to hou
  
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• Macy’s stores in Erie County to close in April, cutting 155 jobs

  08-01-2016 23:29 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Three Macy’s stores slated to close in Erie County will operate for at least three more months after company officials filed notice with New York State.
  Macy’s officials announced just days into January three stores in Erie County would close as part of a larger 40-store closure that will cut down in expenses for the company.
  Cited due to flagging sales and nearby stores that can absorb the closures, officials decided to shutter the Eastern Hill&rsqu
  
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• Powerball hysteria peaks as jackpot nears $1 billion

  08-01-2016 23:10 via wivb.com
  
   WASHINGTON (MEDIA GENERAL) – Powerball is ready to hand out $700 million in America’s largest jackpot ever. And it could even reach $1 billion by Saturday evening.
  The odds are long, but hopes are contagiously high.
  Inside D.C.’s Union Station on Friday, a man named Clayton sang “Here comes the Powerball” to the tune of the Spider-Man theme.
  “It’s the biggest lottery every; how could I not play?” bubbled one young professional.
  The line
  
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• Man climbs onto overpass, shuts down Thruway temporarily

  08-01-2016 22:33 via wivb.com
  
  DUNKIRK, N.Y. (WIVB) — New York State Police were forced to shut down the Thruway temporarily on Thursday night as they worked to talk down a person who climbed onto an overpass.
  Officers say a man climbed onto the Route 60 overpass in Dunkirk, just outside the safety fence. Police described the man as “despondent” and said he stood on a ledge that passed over the interstate road.
  After Troopers shut down the Thruway, police opened up conversation with the person and were
  
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• Job growth in December caps off stellar year, but stocks fall to start 2015

  08-01-2016 22:09 via wivb.com
  
  WASHINGTON (AP) — Nearly all sectors of the U.S. economy contributed to the stellar job gains in 2015. But three stood out for their sheer volume of hiring: Professional services, health care and restaurants.
  Professional and business services added 605,000 jobs last year. That category includes accountants, architects, attorneys, administrative services and temporary workers.
  Health care alone accounted for more than 474,000 new jobs, thanks to robust hiring by hospitals, clinics and nurs
  
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• Police search for missing 60-year-old woman

  08-01-2016 21:13 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Officers are on the hunt for a missing 60-year-old in the Queen City.
  The Buffalo Police Department released information about Lynn Hewitt, who they say went missing after an appointment on Harlem Road. Hewitt, who lives on Porter Ave., is described as 5’2″ tall, 140 pounds with brown eyes and brown hair.
  Hewitt was last seen wearing a turquoise jacket, grey pants, black shoes and a white sweater.
  Anybody who has information on Hewitt’s whereab
  
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• Lancaster authorities warn of high creek this weekend

  08-01-2016 21:08 via wivb.com
  
  LANCASTER, N.Y. (WIVB) — Those living in flood-prone areas in Lancaster are being warned of rough waters ahead this coming weekend.
  Lancaster Emergency Management officials say Cayuga Creek is forecasted to reach near flood stage on Sunday afternoon. They say the water levels are projected to be just over a foot below flood stage, coming in at about six feet and six inches high.
  Rain showers are expected to fall on Sunday morning, turning to snow in the afternoon and evening. That pre
  
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• Police: Open alcohol bottle found in car after rollover crash

  08-01-2016 20:55 via wivb.com
  
  KENT, N.Y. (WIVB) — After responding to the scene of a rollover crash, police say they found the car unoccupied with illegal items inside.
  Officers say they found an open bottle of vodka and a pipe with marijuana residue inside the rolled over Honda Civic Del Sol on Sawyer Road. Following their investigation, they set out to find the person behind the wheel.
  New York State Police found Daniel Arbia, 51, a short time later and linked him to the accident as the driver. Police charged hi
  
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• Mexican president: Drug lord Chapo Guzman re-arrested

  08-01-2016 19:46 via wivb.com
  
  MEXICO CITY (AP) — Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto announced Friday that fugitive drug lord Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman was recaptured seven months after he escaped from a maximum security prison.
  An official who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to be quoted by name said Guzman was apprehended after a shootout with Mexican marines in the city of Los Mochis, in Guzman’s home state of Sinaloa.
  Responding to what was seen as one of the bi
  
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• Accused Niagara St. arsonist charged with attempted murder, assault in unrelated incident

  08-01-2016 19:07 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — A man accused of a Niagara Street arson from last week is now facing charges for attempted murder, assault and criminal possession of a weapon in connection to a December incident.
  Jerome Wingfield, 32, is accused of shooting Darius Washington in early December on 22nd Street in Niagara Falls. Washington was shot several times in the hip, legs, abdomen and groin area. He spent many weeks at ECMC.
  Wingfield, who is being held without bail, was previously arrested
  
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• Health coach Dechantell Lloyd talks about upcoming wellness conference on Wake Up!

  08-01-2016 18:32 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Health and wellness coach Dechantell Lloyd appeared on Wake Up! Friday and spoke on the upcoming New Year, Be You wellness conference set to take place at the University at Buffalo.
  The event takes place at the Educational Opportunity Center and tickets for the event are $20. See Lloyd’s full interview with News 4 Anchor Brittni Smallwood in the video above.
  
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• Depew man accused of stealing guns from Elma home

  08-01-2016 18:18 via wivb.com
  
  ELMA, N.Y. (WIVB) — Members of the Erie County Sheriff’s Office have made an arrest in relation to guns that were stolen from a home in Elma back in August.
  Deputies say Jonathan Dulak, 27, was charged with felony criminal possession of stolen property after detectives say they found one of the stolen guns in his possession.
  Dulak will appear in Cheektowaga Town Court at a later date as the investigation into the incident continues.
  
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• Powerball: Comparing the odds of winning

  08-01-2016 17:59 via interactives.lintvnews.com
  
  (LIN MEDIA) — The odds of winning the record-setting Powerball jackpot are not good. Here’s a look at things you are more likely to experience than winning Powerball.
  APP USERS | Tap here to view the gallery.
  
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• Woman in critical condition after being hit by tractor trailer

  08-01-2016 17:40 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — A local woman is in critical condition after police say a tractor trailer struck her in Buffalo.
  First responders rushed to the scene of Bailey Avenue and South Park at 11 a.m. where officers say a tractor trailer made a turn, striking a pedestrian.
  Officers say the 29-year-old woman is in critical condition after first responders rushed her to the Erie County Medical Center.
  An investigation is ongoing, but police say no charges have been filed.
   
  
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• Woman hit by semi in Buffalo

  08-01-2016 17:40 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — First responders say a woman was struck by a semi truck Friday morning at South Park Ave. and Bailey Ave.
  Injuries from the accident are unknown at this time.
  News 4 will have more information as it becomes available.
  
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• Ski resort employee accused of stealing money

  08-01-2016 17:29 via wivb.com
  
  CLYMER, N.Y. (WIVB) — A ski resort employee was accused of stealing $100 from her employer.
  The Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office says management at Peek n’ Peak in Clymer noticed money missing from a drawer at the front desk area of the Main Inn.
  Following an investigation, deputies say Pennsylvania resident Sylvia Whiteley, 42, who was an employee of Peek n’ Peak at the time, stole the money.
  Whiteley was issued an appearance ticket for French Creek Court.
  
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• Looking for a challenge, legally blind girl joins high school wrestling team

  08-01-2016 16:58 via wivb.com
  
  RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) – Liana Mutia just can’t understand what the big fuss is.
  “I don’t think there’s anything interesting about me,” said Mutia, of Millbrook High School in North Carolina.
  But a female wrestler competing in a male-dominated sport is indeed interesting.
  But what is even more amazing is she is legally blind.
  “I was legally blind for a couple of years, but it’s really this year that the eye’s started to get bad,” Mutia sa
  
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• Countdown is on for Bandits fans

  08-01-2016 16:47 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) – First Niagara Center is set to transform on Saturday. Crews will start laying the turf down Friday afternoon, and soon after, the arena will become Banditland.
  The Bills season is over, the Sabres are on the road, and Buffalo sports fans will flock to the First Niagara Center Saturday night to cheer on Buffalo’s beloved lacrosse team. The club is celebrating its 25th anniversary season this year, and hopes to top last year’s 7-2 home record, which was tie
  
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• Former Eden swim coach sentenced to 3 years in prison for raping teen

  08-01-2016 16:26 via wivb.com
  
  EDEN, N.Y. (WIVB) — Former Eden Dolphins Swim Club coach Glenn Nellis, 41, was sentenced Friday to three years in prison for raping a 16-year-old girl.
  Former Erie County District Attorney Frank Sedita, III, said Nellis had pleaded guilty to rape, disseminating indecent material to a minor and promoting a sexual performance by a child.
  Nellis had exchanged a number of sexually explicit emails and texts with the girl, whom he knew from the swim club. The sexual encounter happened in Ch
  
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• Former Eden swim club coach sentenced to 3 years in prison for raping teen

  08-01-2016 16:26 via wivb.com
  
  EDEN, N.Y. (WIVB) — Former Eden Dolphins Swim Club coach Glenn Nellis, 42, was sentenced Friday to three years in prison for raping a 16-year-old girl.
  In August, Nellis pleaded guilty to rape, disseminating indecent material to a minor, and promoting a sexual performance by a child.
  Prosecutors said Nellis traded sexually explicit photos and text messages with the teen from November of 2014 to last February. In court, they also said he asked the victim to take back her initial statem
  
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• Third doctor says accused Attica husband killer competent to stand trial

  08-01-2016 15:49 via wivb.com
  
  WARSAW, N.Y. (WIVB) — There has been a battle between two sides trying to say whether Charlene Mess, the Attica woman accused of killing her husband last year, is competent to stand trial or not.
  Charlene Mess was charged with murdering Douglas Mess, her husband of more than 30 years, in April of 2015. Police say Douglas was stabbed with a pitchfork, attacked with another weapon and shot in the back of the head. His body was found in a pile of manure after he had been reported mi
  
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• Toddler found driving Power Wheels on Florida highway

  08-01-2016 15:09 via wivb.com
  
  CRYSTAL RIVER, Fla. (WFLA) – Talk about a wild ride.  A 3-year-old in his diaper took off on his Power Wheels and ended up in the median of busy US 19 in Crystal River, Florida on Wednesday.Photo courtesy Danny CollinsThe Florida Department of Children and Families is investigating a scary situation involving a child and a busy Bay Area road. Shocked drivers spotted a three-year-old boy in his Power Wheels in the median of busy US 19 in Crystal River Wednesday. Witnesse
  
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• GALLERY: January sunrise in WNY

  08-01-2016 14:47 via interactives.wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Viewers sent us their photos of a beautiful sunrise that came up across western New York on Friday, January 8.
  APP USERS | Tap here to see the gallery.
  
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• ‘Affluenza’ teen’s mom set for arraignment

  08-01-2016 14:17 via wivb.com
  
  FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — The mother of a fugitive teen who used an “affluenza” defense after killing four people in a drunken crash is set to be arraigned on a charge of hindering the apprehension of a felon.
  Tonya Couch was taken to the Tarrant County jail on Thursday after arriving at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport on a flight from Los Angeles. Her arraignment is scheduled for Friday morning.
  Authorities believe Couch and her 18-year-old son, Ethan Couch, fled Texas
  
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• Fire engulfs barn in Town of Porter

  08-01-2016 14:05 via wivb.com
  
  TOWN OF PORTER, N.Y. (WIVB) — Deputies with the Niagara County Sheriff’s Office, along with firefighters from Ransomville and Youngstown, responded to a barn fire in the Town of Porter around 2:40 a.m. Friday.
  Authorities say the Youngstown-Lockport Road fire had fully engulfed the 40×50 barn by the time they arrived. Fire companies were able to extinguish the flames.
  It is not known what started the fire or how much damage it caused.
  
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• FDA: Pizza box chemical can damage your health

  08-01-2016 13:21 via wivb.com
  
  AUSTIN, Texas (KXAN) — Ordering pizza could be damaging to your health, but not for the reasons you may think.
  The Food and Drug Administration is now banning a common chemical found in many pizza boxes, perchlorate. The government believes the chemicals may cause birth defects and cancer.
  The chemicals are are also used in some sandwich wrappers and the lining of microwave popcorn bags.
  Almost a dozen groups filed a petition for the ban.
  The FDA said the final rule will go into effect 30
  
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• 3-alarm fire blazes on Niagara Street Friday morning

  08-01-2016 12:44 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Firefighters responded to a three-alarm fire on Niagara Street near Rhode Island Street and Massachusetts Ave. Friday morning.
  The call for the fire came out just after 6 a.m. Friday morning. Emergency personnel were seen carrying two children from the scene. Both were unharmed.
  Numerous crews, including the Salvation Army Disaster Services team, were at the scene. Officials say the fire was brought under control just after 7 a.m.
  Six adults and an unknown
  
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• Bent beam eyed in salt mine elevator mishap near Ithaca

  08-01-2016 12:31 via wivb.com
  
  LANSING, N.Y. (AP) — A spokesman for the owner of a salt mine near Ithaca says it appears a beam that kept an elevator car aligned in the mine shaft bent or broke before 17 miners got stuck in it 90 stories underground.
  Spokesman Mark Klein says Cargill Inc. is looking at that possibility as it and authorities explore what went wrong at the Cayuga mine in central New York. The miners were rescued Thursday morning after about 10 hours.
  The federal Mine Safety and Health Administration
  
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• Man wanted by State Police believed to be in Lockport area

  08-01-2016 12:15 via wivb.com
  
  LOCKPORT, N.Y. (WIVB) — New York State Police are looking for a man believed to be in the area of Lockport.
  Daniel R. Vargas is wanted for 4th degree grand larceny.
  Anyone with information on Vargas is asked to call Trooper Brian Wilcox or Investigator John Spero at (716) 434-5589.
  
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• Buffalo home hit by vehicle twice in two years

  08-01-2016 11:51 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — After it was hit by a vehicle in May of 2014, a house on Nottingham Terrace in Buffalo has been struck by one once again.
  The car drove by trees and crashed into the house near Amherst St. around 2:30 a.m. Friday morning. Most of the car’s airbags were deployed.
  An ambulance was at the scene, but no one was seen being transported from the home or car.
  In 2014, a driver who hit the house was drunk and the family was inside. Both accidents occurred before 5
  
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• Opposition arises to state medical marijuana dispensaries opening

  08-01-2016 05:07 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — The state is preparing for 20 medical marijuana dispensaries to open nearly 18 months after passing the Compassionate Care Act.
  On the brink of this opening, some opposed to medical marijuana are speaking out.
  “I do think it was too soon for New York State,” said Ellen Morehouse, who works at a state substance abuse prevention agency. “I think New York should have waited for the FDA to do the testing and regulation.”
  Morehouse has fe
  
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• Beyonce to perform at Super Bowl halftime show next month

  08-01-2016 04:52 via wivb.com
  
  NEW YORK (AP) — Beyonce is returning to the Super Bowl halftime show.
  Pepsi confirmed to The Associated Press on Thursday that the 34-year-old singer will perform at the Feb. 7 show at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. Last month, Coldplay announced it would perform at the halftime show.
  Beyonce headlined the 2013 Pepsi Super Bowl halftime show in New Orleans at the Superdome, where she was joined by her Destiny Child’s bandmates, Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams.
  B
  
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• VIDEO: Motorcyclists doing stunts on highway in front of cops

  08-01-2016 04:26 via wivb.com
  
  ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) – Video shows motorcyclists doing stunts on the highway right in front of cops.
  The riders can be seen standing on their seats near the Big I.
  “The driver is playing Russian roulette,” said Sgt. Elizabeth Armijo with State Police.
  The tricks don’t stop, even after cops get involved. State Police calls the video foolish.
  “People do these things in the moment, they look like they’re fun and they can lead to serious consequences and it&rsq
  
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• Most Common Powerball Numbers

  08-01-2016 04:13 via interactives.wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — With Saturday’s Powerball jackpot estimated at $700 million and counting we’re breaking down the 10 most commonly drawn Powerball and main draw numbers.
  GALLERY | See the informational gallery here. 
  
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• Erie County Legislature elects John Mills as Chairman

  08-01-2016 03:54 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — For the third year in his career, the Erie County Legislature has chosen Legislator John Mills as its Chairman.
  The election was unanimous among legislators at the Jan 7. meeting. Mills said he’s ready to build on his previous term, saying his work is never done as a public servant.
  “It is an honor to have the unanimous support of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle, and I look forward to again serving as Chairman of this honorable body,”
  
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• SolarCity announces 550 job cuts in Nevada following state decision to cut subsidies

  08-01-2016 03:30 via wivb.com
  
  LAS VEGAS, NV (WIVB) — After the State of Nevada decided to hike its rates for solar customers, a massive company that is building in western New York decided to layoff a bulk of its employees in Nevada.
  Rates will change for customers as subsidies from the Nevada government slashes its subsidies. Supporters of the change say it’s time to let the industry take off without government help, as subsidies were meant to help the industry take off.
  SolarCity officials paint a differen
  
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• WNY honors the memory of President Fillmore

  08-01-2016 03:16
  
  BUFFALO, NY - Western New York celebrated an important part of its history on Thursday by wishing a happy 216th birthday to our nation's 13th President, Millard Fillmore.        
  
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• Dunkirk woman wins $1,000,000 Powerball prize

  08-01-2016 02:57
  
  FREDONIA, NY - No one won the grand prize in Wednesday night’s Powerball drawing, but there were 24 winners of the million-dollar prize -- including a woman from Dunkirk.        
  
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• Feds say terrorism-related arrests made in 2 states

  08-01-2016 02:56 via wivb.com
  
  SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Authorities said Thursday that two people have been arrested on terrorism-related charges in California and Texas, including a refugee from Iraq who is charged with lying to federal investigators about his travels to Syria.
  A criminal complaint unsealed Thursday accuses Aws Mohammed Younis Al-Jayab, 23, of traveling to Syria to fight alongside terrorist organizations and lying to investigators about it.
  The complaint said Al-Jayab, a Palestinian born in Iraq who c
  
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• Ambulance woes in Concord

  08-01-2016 02:48
  
  Town of Concord Supervisor prefers Mercy EMS over Rural Metro        
  
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• Lockout at Niagara Wheatfield High School

  08-01-2016 02:34
  
  Police confirm a lockout was in effect at Niagara Wheatfield High School.        
  
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• Compassionate Care Act goes into effect, but few dispensaries open

  08-01-2016 02:04
  
  BUFFALO, NY - Medical Marijuana in New York was approved in 2014 but on Thursday, the first day of the roll out, most of the registered dispensaries statewide weren't even open.        
  
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• Macy’s downsizing could be a sign of things to come

  08-01-2016 01:43 via wivb.com
  
  WILLIAMSVILLE, N.Y. (WIVB) – The new year is shining a spotlight on a harsh reality in retail:many department stores are struggling to compete with online retailers, and the latest chain to announce an overhaul is Macy’s
  The Cincinnati-based retail giant is closing 40 of its stores, nationwide, and slashing 4,500 jobs, or about 3% of its workforce.
  Retail experts say cyber shopping—shopping on the Internet–is giving the brick-and-mortar stores more than a run for their m
  
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• Gorgeous sunset falls over WNY

  08-01-2016 01:30 via interactives.wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — On a warm winter day, a gorgeous sunset fell over WNY.
  APP USERS | Tap here to see the gallery. 
  
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• Fees in Buffalo Schools human rights case mount

  08-01-2016 01:01
  
  BUFFALO, NY - There are mounting bills connected to a human rights civil lawsuit within the Buffalo School District.        
  
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• Crews pull stranded miners 800 feet from NY salt mine

  08-01-2016 00:47 via wivb.com
  
  ITHACA, N.Y. (WIVB) — For more than 10 hours, 17 men sat huddled in a steel elevator, suspended more than 1500 feet off the floor of the deepest salt mine in the country.
  Just about 800 feet above them, a small crew from a local company, engineered their only way back to the surface.
  “I really didn’t know the conditions, but we really hoped that everyone would make it out in one piece,” David Smith, a crane operator for Auburn Crane and Rigging, said. “It was a
  
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• Certified doctor talks medical marijuana

  08-01-2016 00:42 via wivb.com
  
  AMHERST, N.Y. (WIVB)- The state’s medical marijuana program rolled out Thursday, but Erie County’s two dispensaries were relatively quite.
  “We’re waiting on the final green light. Once that final green light comes down, we will move product from our cultivation centers and bring it on site,” said Rachel Schepart, General Manager of PharmaCann’s dispensary in Amherst.
  It’s almost ready to open its doors, pending final approval from the state.
  Once mo
  
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• Medical marijuana now legal but few patients on first day

  08-01-2016 00:26
  
  Two WNY dispensaries opened but without any patients receiving medicine        
  
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