Buffalo news

• Buffalo church continues efforts to canonize Father Nelson Baker

  27-01-2016 23:58 via wivb.com
  
  LACKAWANNA, N.Y. (WIVB) – It’s been almost 30 years, but the bid to secure sainthood for Father Nelson Baker continues. Those who work to carry on his legacy say it may take “heroic” patience.
  The Buffalo born priest has been praised for building what’s been called a “city of charity.” He’s well known for serving orphans, and the poor.
  Monsignor Paul Burkard said, “I think every community looks for a hero, someone they can look up t
  
  Read more

• Duke co-ed in critical condition; sorority activities suspended

  27-01-2016 23:36 via wivb.com
  
  DURHAM, N.C. (WNCN) – Duke University has suspended all sorority activities after a member was hospitalized following an alcohol-related incident, officials said.
  A new member was hospitalized and is listed in critical condition related to the incident, according to Clarybel Peguero, director of Fraternity and Sorority Life.
  The hospitalized student is expected to make a full recovery, according to a statement from Larry Moneta, Duke’s vice president for student affairs.
  All sorority
  
  Read more

• Police: Suspect leaves store after being told “no” to robbery request

  27-01-2016 23:30 via wivb.com
  
  FORT WAYNE (MEDIA GENERAL) — A robbery was foiled after a clerk told a would-be robber no, forcing the man to flee. Now police in Indiana are asking for the public’s help.
  A clerk at a Fort Wayne Walgreens location said a man on a cell phone approached the register and passed a note to the clerk that read he was robbing the store.
  Police say they learned the would-be robber threatened in the note to kill the clerk if she didn’t turn everything over to him. The cl
  
  Read more

• Transgender teen’s case heard before Virginia appeals court

  27-01-2016 23:23 via wivb.com
  
  RICHMOND, Va. (WAVY) — A Gloucester teen’s battle for the right to use the boy’s restroom went before the U.S. Court of Appeals in Richmond Wednesday morning.
  Gavin Grimm’s attorneys with the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Virginia are asking the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th District to overturn a Norfolk federal judge’s ruling — which banned him from using the boy’s bathroom.
  “I can say I did
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• Murder charge dismissed against mom accused of murdering baby then keeping body

  27-01-2016 22:56 via wivb.com
  
  BATAVIA, N.Y. (WIVB) — Officials announced on Wednesday charges will be dropped against a woman who faced accusations of murdering her newborn child.
  The story originally made headlines in late August, when police arrested Batavia woman Christina Colantonio on accusations of giving birth in her home, killing the baby and keeping the corpse. A person located the remains of a newborn in Colantonio’s cooler, sparking the investigation.
  Officers could not keep Colantonio in cus
  
  Read more

• FBI on militia: Actions are not without consequences

  27-01-2016 22:33 via wivb.com
  
  BURNS, Ore. (KOIN) — The FBI held a press conference on Wednesday about the arrests of militia members on Tuesday.
  FBI Special Agent in Charge Greg Bretzing said during the briefing that the investigation into the death of one of the militia men during the arrest on Tuesday was under investigation and details could not be released.
  He did not confirm the man’s identity, although it has been widely reported that he was militia spokesman LaVoy Finicum.
  Harney County She
  
  Read more

• Idaho police pick up Santa Claus for driving the wrong way

  27-01-2016 21:28 via wivb.com
  
  SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) — A man legally named Santa Claus was arrested after police in Idaho said they saw him driving on the wrong side of the street.
  KREM-TV in Spokane, Washington, reports that 67-year-old Claus initially was booked on one count of DUI. He later pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of reckless driving. He paid a $700 fine.
  Claus, pictured in a jail photo with a big white beard, was arrested Thursday in Post Falls, near the Washington border. Claus told police he wasn’t
  
  Read more

• Dispute forces heavy police response as BB gun is mistaken for pistol

  27-01-2016 20:58 via wivb.com
  
  BATAVIA, N.Y. (WIVB) — Teams of police surrounded a home in Batavia on Wednesday morning after they received phone calls detailing a dispute between a male and a female who wouldn’t leave his property.
  Officers say they originally responded to remove Raquel Duval from the home, but learned during their response that one of the Brooklyn Avenue residents allegedly escalated the dispute. Police say they learned Thomas Culver, 37, poured gasoline on Duval’s car, threatening to
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• Woman charged in Depew crash that killed 72-year-old woman

  27-01-2016 19:48 via wivb.com
  
  DEPEW, N.Y. (WIVB) — A driver in an autumn vehicle crash that killed a 72-year-old Depew woman has been charged with criminally negligent homicide — a felony, and third degree assault.
  Police say Depew resident Sarah Skotnicki, 26, was arraigned and remanded to the Erie County Holding Center on $25,000 bail
  The crash, which occurred on French Road on the morning of September 9, involved a car and a Skotnicki’s pickup truck.
  Neighbors at the scene say that th
  
  Read more

• Parolee absconder who beat man to death wanted by authorities

  27-01-2016 19:10 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — A man currently on parole for beating a man to death is wanted by authorities after they say he assaulted his girlfriend.
  Authorities say the girlfriend of Jameel Williams, 40, was hospitalized after the incident.
  Williams is described by officers as 6’0″ and 195 pounds with brown eyes.
  He is known to have anger issues and should be considered very dangerous.
  Anyone with information on Williams’ whereabouts can contact Crimestoppers a
  
  Read more

• Nursing home worker accused of pushing, kicking and leaving 68-year-old

  27-01-2016 18:22 via wivb.com
  
  ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (WIVB) — A social worker employed by Absolut Care of Orchard Park is accused of pushing a nursing home resident to the ground before kicking her.
  Prosecutors say Cheektowaga resident Susan Sanborn, 55, was observed on surveillance video pushing the 68-year-old resident during an incident near an exit door. Once the resident was on the ground, prosecutors say Sanborn kicked the their legs out of the way so that she could close the door and leave.
  Authorities say
  
  Read more

• VIDEO: South Carolina 2-year-old seen praying on baby monitor

  27-01-2016 17:16 via wivb.com
  
  SENECA, S.C. (WIVB) — Two-year-old Sutton Whitt of Seneca, South Carolina was captured praying in a video that has gone viral.
  In the video, little Sutton can be heard calling out the people she’s thankful for.
  Her parents put her to bed Sunday without asking her to say her normal bedtime prayers. They wanted to watch the Carolina Panthers in the NFC Championship game.
  The family’s baby monitor captured this video.
  She prays for her parents, grandmother and Santa Clau
  
  Read more

• Nexstar to buy WIVB operator Media General as Meredith bows out

  27-01-2016 16:36 via wivb.com
  
  NEW YORK (AP) — Nexstar said it is buying rival TV station operator Media General, which operates WIVB, after Meredith agreed to allow Media General to get out of a takeover bid for Meredith.
  Media General had offered to buy media company Meredith in September. About two months later, Nexstar offered to buy Media General.
  On Wednesday, Meredith said it agreed to allow Media General to get out of the deal. As a result, Media General will have to pay $60 million in cash to Des Moines, I
  
  Read more

• On the brink of Super Bowl glory

  27-01-2016 15:58 via wivb.com
  
  EAST AURORA, N.Y. (WIVB) –  It won’t be on the field, but the team at Vidler’s might be able to bring a little glory to Buffalo next Sunday.
  “People asking us every single day,” Owner Don Vidler told News 4 earlier this week. “When are you going to find out? Are you going to win? Do you know what’s going on?”
  East Aurora’s favorite five and ten store is known for its huge inventory and entertaining Youtube videos. Now it’s one step
  
  Read more

• Niagara County’s Tortorella named Deputy of the Year

  27-01-2016 15:57 via wivb.com
  
  ALBANY, N.Y. (WIVB) — Niagara County Sheriff’s deputy Joe Tortorella has been named Deputy of the Year by the New York State Sheriff’s Association.
  Tortorella is known for his heroic actions that potentially saved the lives of students at Errick Road Elementary School in North Tonawanda. After the deputy responded to a shooting at a nearby home, he was shot and returned fire. Following this, Tortorella ordered the school to go into lockdown.
  “Deputy Tortorella r
  
  Read more

• Home care provider accused of stealing $5,700 from elderly clients

  27-01-2016 15:27 via wivb.com
  
  BOSTON, N.Y. (WIVB) — A home care provider is accused of stealing nearly $5,700 following an investigation by the Erie County Sheriff’s Office.
  Deputies say Silver Creek resident Tonya Penrose, 40, forged seven checks from the checkbook of two clients — an elderly couple living in the Town of Boston.
  Investigation into the alleged thefts began when the clients’ daughter said she noticed suspicious checks and withdrawals on a bank statement.
  Authorities were
  
  Read more

• Bundy brothers, five others jailed after Oregon standoff

  27-01-2016 14:50 via wivb.com
  
  PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Militia leaders Ammon and Ryan Bundy along with five other members of the group were booked into Multnomah County Jail in Oregon early Wednesday morning.
  One person died and 8 were arrested after the FBI and the Oregon State Police intercepted the group along Highway 395.
  The militants were heading to a community meeting in John Day when they were confronted by authorities.
  Shots were fired after FBI agents, Oregon State Police and other authorities made t
  
  Read more

• Ex-champ, lawmakers push for legal mixed martial arts in NY

  27-01-2016 14:41 via wivb.com
  
  ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — Former mixed martial arts champion Chris Weidman wants his title back and wants to fight in New York, where the sport is banned.
  Surrounded by lawmakers Tuesday, the Long Island native said he’d like to fight in Madison Square Garden, a short train ride away for hometown fans and for fellow fighters who train at his Garden City gym.
  “I want to congratulate everybody for being here because it’s probably a historic event. It’s going to be the
  
  Read more

• Orchard Park Police looking for suspected Rite-Aid thieves

  27-01-2016 14:34 via wivb.com
  
  ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (WIVB) — Police in Orchard Park are trying to identify two people accused of stealing approximately $450 worth of memory cards from a local Rite-Aid.
  The two were last seen leaving the area in a dark-colored SUV.
  Anyone with information on the suspects is asked to call the Orchard Park Police Department Detective Bureau at 662-6475 (ext. 4016).
  
  Read more

• Zeus McClurkin appears on Wake Up! as Harlem Globetrotters prepare for Buffalo show

  27-01-2016 13:50 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — The world-famous Harlem Globetrotters are bringing their basketball stunts to Buffalo next month, but one of their own made an early visit to Wake Up! Wednesday.
  Julian “Zeus” McClurkin will be spending time with kids at Women and Children’s Hospital as part of “Smile Patrol” — the team’s hospital outreach program designed to bring joy to fans who can’t make it to games.
  Zeus will visit with patients, show them &ld
  
  Read more

• Crews respond to water main break on Kentucky Street

  27-01-2016 13:24 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Crews responded to the scene of a water main break on Kentucky Street in Buffalo Wednesday morning.
  Traffic was not being affected by the break.
  About 20 people have been affected by the incident and officials hope to have water restored by early Wednesday afternoon.
  
  Read more

• State to present plans to rebuild bridges, dewater the Falls

  27-01-2016 13:12 via wivb.com
  
  NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. (WIVB) – Plans are in the works to replace deteriorating pedestrian bridges on the American side of Niagara Falls, a proposal which would have crews dewatering the falls for a time to allow them to work.
  The project is still four to six years out, but when it begins, engineers would build a dam at the tip of Goat Island to divert the water that usually goes over the American Falls to the Canadian side instead.
  State Parks and DOT leaders say that’s needed to repla
  
  Read more

• Six-alarm fire breaks out in New Orleans

  27-01-2016 12:17 via wivb.com
  
  NEW ORLEANS, La. (WIVB) — A six-alarm fire broke out on Canal Street in New Orleans, Louisiana.
  Breaking News: big 4 alarm fire off of Canal St in CBD. This is shot from several blocks away. @WWLTV pic.twitter.com/JOPRCSvUsh
  — Mike Hoss WWL-TV (@MHossWWL) January 27, 2016The blaze was located around the French Quarter — a popular Mardi Gras celebration location.
  Looked out my website and saw this fire.It has been burning for at least 20 min @FOX8NOLA pic.twitter.
  
  Read more

• Lawyer who won his clients millions of dollars reveals what he’ll never eat again

  27-01-2016 11:53 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — An attorney who has won his clients millions of dollars filing lawsuits over food borne illness cases revealed which six foods he’ll never eat again.
  Bill Marler published his list of no-no’s in the food poison journal this week.
  First on the list? — Unpasteurized (“raw”) milk and packaged juices. Marler says he won’t go near them because there is no benefit big enough to take away the risk of drinking products that pasteuriza
  
  Read more

• Enter To Win Buffalo Auto Show Tickets

  27-01-2016 06:01 via wivb.com
  
  February 11-14, 2016
  The Buffalo Auto Show is Western New York’s  Premier New Vehicle Automotive Event! See the latest and greatest new SUV’s, Hybrids, Minivans, High Performance and Economical Cars and Trucks on the road today! Every new car brand sold in WNY will be on display! Get to the show at the Buffalo Niagara Convention Center and see them all!
  Buffalo Auto Show Contest RulesNO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. A PURCHASE WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCE OF WINNING.
  HOW
  
  Read more

• Steelworkers locked out by ATI rally to go back to work

  27-01-2016 05:42 via wivb.com
  
  LOCKPORT, N.Y. (WIVB)- Steelworkers picketed outside Allegheny Technologies in Lockport on Tuesday fighting for their jobs.
  “We went to work one day, we were there about four hours and they told us all to go home,” said Todd Prynn, who has worked for the company for 11 years.
  Prynn is one of about 44 hourly employees locked out by the company on August 15 after contract negotiations stalled.
  “They wanted to take away our 40 hour guaranteed work week, be able to schedule us
  
  Read more

• Father pleads not guilty in crash that killed son, 4

  27-01-2016 05:16 via wivb.com
  
  SARDINIA, N.Y. (WIVB) — Kevin McCabe’s father said Tuesday night the bond between his son, Kevin, and his 4-year-old grandson, Tristan, was one that couldn’t matched.
  But that bond was broken on Oct. 8, and the Erie County Sheriff’s Office says the 32-year-old Kevin McCabe should pay for it.
  “This was a very tragic accident and as we know, the life of a 4-year-old boy was lost,” said Chief Scott Joslyn, of the Erie County Sheriff’s Office.
  Kevin McCabe,
  
  Read more

• Eichel scores twice, Sabres beat Senators 3-2

  27-01-2016 04:48 via wivb.com
  
  OTTAWA, Ontario (AP) — Standout rookie Jack Eichel scored twice to erase a one-goal deficit and the Buffalo Sabres came back to beat the Ottawa Senators 3-2 on Tuesday night.
  Eichel tied it 2-2 with 6:12 left in the second period, then got the winner 1:08 into the third to help the Sabres end a three-game slide.
  Evander Kane had the other goal for Buffalo, which got 34 saves from Robin Lehner in his first win of the season.
  Erik Karlsson and Bobby Ryan scored for the Senators, and Craig An
  
  Read more

• Parents should watch for these signs of dangerous synthetic drug ‘Molly’

  27-01-2016 04:42 via wivb.com
  
  LARGO, Fla. (WFLA) — Overdoses of a synthetic drug called “Molly” recently sent two people from Largo to the hospital.
  Don’t let the pretty name fool you. “Molly” is serious stuff.  It’s a synthetic concoction that is sometimes mixed with other drugs. It’s slang for “molecular” and also goes by ecstasy or “MDMA.”
  “It’s a very dangerous drug. And one of the biggest problems with it is, a lot of times whe
  
  Read more

• Bus driver: Principal pushed students to safety before dying in crash

  27-01-2016 04:41 via wivb.com
  
  INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — A beloved school principal died and two children were seriously injured when a school bus jumped a curb at Amy Beverland Elementary School on the far northeast side of Indianapolis Tuesday afternoon, officials said.
  Two 10-year-olds were seriously injured and taken to Riley Hospital for Children at IU Health, an Indianapolis Fire Department spokesperson said.
  Officials said principal Susan Jordan died after being hit by the bus. The bus driver told investigators Jorda
  
  Read more

• Buffalo Zoo reduces admission prices during February

  27-01-2016 04:25 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — As the winter winds on, officials at the Buffalo Zoo are working to keep the winter fun rolling.
  The price of admission will drop in February to just $5 per person, naming the month “Polar Bear Days” in a tip of the hat to International Polar Bear Day, which is recognized on Feb. 27.
  The push isn’t just a move for fun, it’s also a campaign for awareness on climate change, as the zoo will ask western New York to reduce emissions by lowerin
  
  Read more

• Oregon Militia’s Bundy brothers among 6 arrested, 1 dead near Malheur

  27-01-2016 04:06 via wivb.com
  
  BURNS, Ore. (KOIN) — Authorities say shots were fired Tuesday during the arrest of members of an armed group that has occupied a national wildlife refuge in Oregon for more than three weeks.
  In a statement, the FBI said one individual “who was a subject of a federal probable cause arrest is deceased.” No other information about the deceased was immediately released.
  The FBI said authorities arrested Ammon Bundy, 40, his brother Ryan Bundy, 43, Brian Cavalier, 44, Shawna Co
  
  Read more

• ECMC names next permanent CEO after switchup in 2015

  27-01-2016 03:41 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — After months of acing as the interim CEO of the Erie County Medical Center, Thomas J. Quatroche Jr., Ph.D., has been promoted to permanent CEO of the corporation.
  Quatroche stepped in as leadership at the Erie County Medical Center went through a tumultuous end of 2015. The Board of Directors ousted then-CEO Richard Cleland in November, soon after the hospital’s Chief Operating Officer Mary Hoffman resigned.
  Officials say they took opinions from local comm
  
  Read more

• Trump refuses to debate; calls Fox’s Kelly ‘a lightweight’

  27-01-2016 02:31 via wivb.com
  
  MARSHALLTOWN, Iowa (AP) — Republican Donald Trump on Tuesday bowed out of the final Republican presidential debate before the leadoff Iowa caucuses, saying Fox News moderator Megyn Kelly is “a lightweight.”
  With 48 hours to go before the faceoff, campaign manager Corey Lewandowski confirmed Trump’s decision Tuesday evening after a press conference in which Trump lashed out at Kelly and said she’d been “toying” with him.
  “He will not be participatin
  
  Read more

• United, American offering refunds for travel to Zika areas

  27-01-2016 02:23 via wivb.com
  
  NEW YORK (AP) — Two major U.S. airlines are offering refunds to passengers worried about the Zika virus outbreak in many tropical countries.
  United Airlines says customers booked to fly to areas affected by the virus can reschedule or get refunds. American Airlines says it will give refunds to pregnant women who were planning to travel to parts of Central America.
  The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have warned pregnant women to take precautions against mosquito bites when
  
  Read more

• Musical mystery continues: vacant Niagara Falls building plays Iowa fight song on repeat

  27-01-2016 01:35 via wivb.com
  
  NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. (WIVB) – Neighbors in Niagara Falls say they’re hearing the Iowa fight song on repeat at night, and it’s driving them nuts. After six months, the song ended temporarily.
  The song plays between 3 and 11 p.m. every evening from a vacant building. By 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, the song was back on, and playing on repeat.
  The building, located at 500 3rd Street, is owned by Thunderfalls LLC.
  Executive Chef Kevin Robertson lives upstairs from the restaurant he works
  
  Read more

• 911 logs fill in gaps on Snowvember car death of Donald Abate

  27-01-2016 00:42 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — When Donald Abate called 911 during the height of the Snowvember storm he said he was trapped in his car on Broadway in Alden.
  “He can’t get out of the vehicle. He’s close to Broadway which means he could be hit by the plow so he’s in a dangerous situation. As far as we can tell nobody makes an effort to find him,” said Brian Fitzgerald, attorney for Abate’s estate and his wife, Jacqueline.
  It’s an error that a lawsuit on beh
  
  Read more

• From assisted living to free college courses

  27-01-2016 00:27 via wivb.com
  
  SANBORN, N.Y. (WIVB)- They give the term ‘college seniors’ a whole new meaning.
  Marge, Cecile, and Sandra, could’ve opted to stay back at the assisted living facility Tuesday, and played Bingo, or go to a sing along. Instead, they’re starting their second week at Niagara County Community College.
  “It’s just a lot of fun and it’s enjoyable. I’m meeting a lot of different people.” said Marge Reinhard, who used to be a nursing assistant, but her
  
  Read more

• FBI prevents Wisconsin mass shooting

  27-01-2016 00:16 via wivb.com
  
  WISCONSIN (MEDIA GENERAL) — A Wisconsin man has been arrested after the FBI says he planned a mass shooting at a Masonic Temple in Milwaukee.
  Samy Mohamed Hamzeh, 23, has been charged with possessing machine guns and a silencer, according to court documents obtained by Action 2 News.
  According to the criminal complaint, Hamzeh was under investigation since September 2015. The investigation revealed that in October 2015, Hamzeh planned to travel to Jordan and attack Isra
  
  Read more

• Former public defender sentenced to five years on gun conviction

  27-01-2016 00:09 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — A former western New York public defender who now lives in Rochester will call a jail cell home for five years after he was convicted on federal charges.
  Adam Rissew, 39, acted as a Monroe County Public Defender when he created a marijuana grow operation. Drug investigators caught on to the operation and seized more than 50 marijuana plants, multiple guns and over 600 rounds of ammunition in a raid.
  Police arrested Rissew after the raid in 2012, and charged him
  
  Read more

Follow @Buffalo_News_US on Twitter!