Buffalo news

• Reward grows for man who fled during murder investigation

  09-03-2016 23:15 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — An available reward is growing for a man who is wanted by police on the suspicion of committing murder.
  Police have been searching for months for Dominick Cruz, who fled authorities when they attempted to arrest him on the job at Speed Global Services in early January.
  Officers highlighted Cruz as the person of interest after the murder of a local man in North Tonawanda. Cruz is suspected of firing on two men, killing 27-year-old Mark Sternin.
  Originally Crime S
  
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• Volkswagen’s top US executive out amid emissions scandal

  09-03-2016 22:58 via wivb.com
  
  WASHINGTON (AP) — Volkswagen’s top U.S. executive is stepping down amid the company’s ongoing emissions cheating scandal.
  Volkswagen Group of America announced Wednesday that president and chief executive Michael Horn is leaving “to pursue other opportunities effective immediately.” He had been with the German auto maker for 25 years, assuming his most recent post in 2014.
  Horn’s sudden departure comes as the company continues to grapple with the fallout from
  
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• Local developer fined for work on federally protected wetlands

  09-03-2016 22:40 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — A local developer that has worked for the federal government in the past will now have to pay up for violating a judge’s orders.
  Acquest Transit, LLC, a company associated with Williamsville-based Acquest Development, LLC, will have to pay a fine of $250,000 to the federal government and serve probation. A case against the developer has been ongoing since 2009, when officials decided a plot of land purchased in Amherst contained federally protected wetland
  
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• NHL considers case closed against Patrick Kane

  09-03-2016 21:57 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — According to the National Hockey League, an independent investigation into potential wrongdoing by Chicago Blackhawks star Patrick Kane is officially over.
  The league based its findings partially off the Erie County’s District Attorney’s Office decision to avoid filing charges. League officials made the announcement Wednesday after a final meeting between League Commissioner Gary Bettman and Patrick Kane himself.
  Allegations of sexual offenses s
  
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• Assemblywoman Wozniak responds after being officially sanctioned for conduct

  09-03-2016 21:43 via wivb.com
  
  ALBANY, N.Y. (WIVB) — A local assemblywoman is set to be sanctioned by the New York State Assembly over her conduct while in office.
  Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie announced Wednesday he implementing sanctions against 28-year-old Assemblywoman Angela Wozniak after claims of sexual harassment surfaced against her, leading the Cheektowaga-based lawmaker to dismiss her Director of Legislation.
  Heastie said sanctions have been approved by the New York State Assembly Ethics and Guidance Com
  
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• Assemblywoman Wozniak officially sanctioned for conduct

  09-03-2016 21:43 via wivb.com
  
  ALBANY, N.Y. (WIVB) — A local assemblywoman is set to be sanctioned by the New York State Assembly over her conduct while in office.
  Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie announced Wednesday he implementing sanctions against 28-year-old Assemblywoman Angela Wozniak after claims of sexual harassment surfaced against her, leading the Cheektowaga-based lawmaker to dismiss her Director of Legislation.
  Heastie said sanctions have been approved by the New York State Assembly Ethics and Guidance Com
  
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• Zika testing expanded for certain pregnant women in NY

  09-03-2016 19:48 via wivb.com
  
  ALBANY, N.Y. (WIVB) — On Wednesday, Gov. Andrew Cuomo directed the New York State Department of Health to expand free Zika virus testing to certain pregnant women.
  The expansion is for pregnant women who had unprotected sex with a partner who went to a part of the world with ongoing Zika virus transmission. The Department of Health already offers testing for women who have gone to those areas themselves.
  The NYSDOH is currently investigating the possible sexual transmission of the virus.
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• Lancaster man pleads guilty after December crash that killed a man and his dog

  09-03-2016 19:26 via wivb.com
  
  TOWN OF ELMA, N.Y. (WIVB) — A Lancaster man who was accused of vehicular manslaughter after a fatal December crash has pleaded guilty to the charge.
  John Zakrzewski, 31, pleaded guilty to the felony Wednesday.
  Prosecutors say Zakrzewski was driving 105 mph on Girdle Road in the Town of Elma when he struck a vehicle turning onto the road. The driver of the first vehicle struck was not hurt, but the striking of a second vehicle by Zakrzewski had fatal consequences.
  Indiana resident Guy
  
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• Vertical race brings hope to the fight against lung disease

  09-03-2016 19:00 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) –  Each spring, hundreds of people voluntarily race up all 38 stories of Buffalo’s tallest building in honor of those who are fighting and have fought against lung cancer and other lung diseases.
  The Fight For Air Climb is taking place at One Seneca Tower on Saturday, March 12th. The fundraiser for the American Lunch Association traditionally draws downs of local firefighters, who run in their full gear.
  “We have about one hundred fifteen firefighters
  
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• Local GM plants raise more than $5,200 for Flint amid water crisis

  09-03-2016 17:28 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Two local GM plants have raised thousands of dollars for Flint, Michigan amid the city’s clean water crisis.
  Employees at Tonawanda Engine and Lockport Components raised a grand total of $5,278 together. The money will be used to purchase clean water for the Michigan city.
  “With more than 7,000 GM employees in Flint, it made perfect sense for us to participate,” said Tonawanda Engine Plant Manager Steve Finch. “I lived in Flint for 11 years an
  
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• Iraqi officials: US captured top IS chemical arms engineer

  09-03-2016 17:01 via wivb.com
  
  BAGHDAD (AP) — U.S. special forces captured the head of the Islamic State group’s unit trying to develop chemical weapons in a raid last month in northern Iraq, two senior Iraqi intelligence officials told the Associated Press, the first known major success of Washington’s more aggressive policy of pursuing the jihadis on the ground.
  The Obama administration launched the new strategy in December, deploying a commando force to Iraq that it said would be dedicated to capturing an
  
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• Local State Troopers receive new bloodhound for searches

  09-03-2016 16:46 via wivb.com
  
  BATAVIA, N.Y. (WIVB) — For the first time in 21 years, New York State Police Troop A, who cover many portions of western New York, have a bloodhound.
  Law enforcement officers’ need for bloodhounds increased after the escape of convicts Richard Matt and David Sweat from Clinton Correctional Facility in 2015.
  The dogs search for people, bodies and animals.
  The canine pictured is 11-month-old Paris, one of four new animals in the NYS Troopers Agency.
  She was named after Troope
  
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• Iran fires 2 missiles marked with ‘Israel must be wiped out’

  09-03-2016 15:57 via wivb.com
  
  DUBAI (AP) — Iran test-fired two ballistic missiles Wednesday with the phrase “Israel must be wiped out” written in Hebrew on them, state media reported, a show of force by the Islamic Republic as U.S. Vice President Joe Biden visited Israel.
  Such phrases have been emblazoned on Iranian missiles before, but this test comes shortly after the implementation of a nuclear deal with world powers, including the U.S., and follows similar drills in recent days.
  Hard-liners in Iran&rsqu
  
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• Police: Discovery of drugs and weapons leads to three arrests in Dunkirk

  09-03-2016 15:42 via wivb.com
  
  DUNKIRK, N.Y. (WIVB) — Dunkirk Police say they discovered weapons and drugs after noticing suspicious activity in a local business’s parking lot earlier this week.
  Early Tuesday morning, Dunkirk Police arrested Angola resident Joshua Heimerl, 19, and Silver Creek residents Jesse Nahrebeski, 21, and Jesse Silvagnia, 20, after they say they found them acting suspiciously in a vehicle.
  Police noticed them just before midnight at a closed business. After a search, officers say they
  
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• Niagara Falls students to visit White House as Canada’s PM visits

  09-03-2016 14:55 via wivb.com
  
  NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. (WIVB) — A few lucky students left for a trip to the White House Wednesday morning.
  The students left Niagara Falls and will visit the White House’s South Lawn as President Barack Obama welcomes Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to the United States.
  It will be the first officials state visit from a Canadian Prime Minister in nearly 20 years.
  29 students from an advanced placement government class at Niagara Falls High School will get to experience this.
  
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• Erie Co. Exec. lays out $3.75 million plan to combat lead exposure

  09-03-2016 14:22 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz made an announcement regarding a new $3.75 million plan to combat lead exposure across the county Wednesday.
  Poloncarz was joined by Health Commissioner Dr. Gale Burstein and Commissioner of Environment and Planning Thomas Dearing.
  The $3.75 million budget translates to about $750,000 per year. Poloncarz said 8 new staff members would be hired as part of the initiative.
  The plan would provide enhanced case management to
  
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• Seattle explosion injures 9 firefighters

  09-03-2016 12:24 via wivb.com
  
  SEATTLE (WIVB) — Nine Seattle firefighters, including one Battalion Chief, were hurt during an early morning explosion Wednesday.
  Fire crews responded to 85th Street and Greenwood Ave. North in the city.
  Authorities met with members of the media 6:20 EST for updates on the situation.
  News 4 will have more information as it becomes available.
  (Photo courtesy of Seattle Fire Department)(Photo courtesy of Seattle Fire Department)(Photo courtesy of Seattle Fire Department)
  
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• Trump’s rivals left with few chances to stop his momentum

  09-03-2016 12:15 via wivb.com
  
  LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Donald Trump’s easy victories in Michigan, Mississippi and Hawaii left his rivals with shrinking opportunities to slow his momentum in the Republican primaries and little indication that a flurry of intense efforts to undermine his credibility are pushing voters away from the brash billionaire.
  Democrat Bernie Sanders surprised front-runner Hillary Clinton in Michigan, a victory that breathed new life into his White House bid and forecast a long Democratic conte
  
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• Beatles’ producer George Martin dies at 90

  09-03-2016 12:04 via wivb.com
  
  LONDON (AP) — George Martin, the Beatles’ urbane producer who quietly guided the band’s swift, historic transformation from rowdy club act to musical and cultural revolutionaries, has died, his management said Wednesday. He was 90.
  “We can confirm that Sir George Martin passed away peacefully at home yesterday evening,” Adam Sharp, a founder of CA Management, said in an email.
  Sharp called Martin “one of music’s most creative talents and a gent
  
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• One of men behind brutal killing to be sentenced Wednesday

  09-03-2016 11:52 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) – One of three men behind a brutal killing in Buffalo in 2014 should learn how long he’ll spend behind bars for his role.
  Juakeen Glenn is scheduled to be sentenced in Erie County Court Wednesday morning at 9:30.
  Glenn and two others, Kenneth Smith and Mahalia Guest, all pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the death of 57-year-old Rafael Martinez in November 2014.
  Smith was sentenced to 23 years in prison earlier this month.
  Martinez was killed in a gruesome attack
  
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• Juakeen Glenn sentenced to 23 years in prison after brutal Buffalo killing

  09-03-2016 11:52 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) – One of three people behind a brutal killing in Buffalo in 2014 learned how long he’ll spend behind bars for his role.
  Juakeen Glenn, 30, was sentenced to 23 years in prison and five years of post-release supervision in Erie County Court Wednesday morning.
  Glenn and two others, Kenneth Smith and Mahalia Guest, all pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the death of 57-year-old Rafael Martinez in November 2014.
  Smith was sentenced to 23 years in prison earlier this mo
  
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• U.S. Labor Secretary Perez addresses workforce bias in WNY

  09-03-2016 05:32 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB)- U.S. Secretary of Labor Thomas Perez spoke to Western New Yorkers Tuesday night about preventing bias in the workforce.
  Secretary Perez said employers need to realize every person is talented and not to discriminate based on race, gender or criminal background.
  He also voiced support for a new coalition of community groups including Catholic Charities and VOICE Buffalo, which will offer support to job seekers. The coalition plans to train refugees, create a pipeline to
  
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• Local non-profit out nearly $1,800

  09-03-2016 04:39 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. ( WIVB)- The Latin American Cultural Association in Allentown is out nearly a years worth of donations due to a weekend burglary.
  You might not notice it while walking down Elmwood Avenue, but the moment you step inside El Buen Amigo, you’re in another world.
  The walls are covered in crafts from Central and South America.
  Santiago Masferrer arrived in Buffalo from Chile as a political refugee in the 1980s. He opened the store as a way to promote cultural understanding.
  M
  
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• Study: Smartphones to blame for many pedestrian traffic fatalities

  09-03-2016 04:29 via wivb.com
  
  INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – So-called distracted walking is likely leading to more pedestrian deaths in traffic crashes.
  According to a study by the Governors Highway Safety Association, pedestrians account for 15 percent of all traffic deaths in the United States.
  In Indiana, the study shows a 6 percent jump in pedestrians hit and killed by cars between January to June 2015 compared to that same time in 2014.
  “People are getting so wrapped up in media and their phones that they forget wha
  
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• 7 sky watching events in 2016 you don’t want to miss

  09-03-2016 04:26 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Seven of the coolest things happening in the night sky in 2016 range from supermoons to meteor showers to another NASA fly-by, this time with Jupiter.
  1. Quadrantid meteor shower, January 3
  This annual sky event is known for being the first major meteor shower of the new year. Those who were able to catch the shower saw as many as 50-100 meteors per hour,according to Earth Sky.
  2. Five planets seen together, late January
  Ask any sky-watching enthusiast and they&
  
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• Man allegedly used cellphone to watch woman in changing room

  09-03-2016 04:19 via wivb.com
  
  BYRON TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD) — A Michigan man has been arrested after allegedly using a cellphone to watch a woman in a changing room.
  It happened on March 4 at the Tanger Outlet Mall in Byron Township, according to a news release from the Kent County Sheriff’s Department.
  Deputies say the victim was changing her clothes when she noticed a cellphone being held over top of the wall of the changing room, the release said.
  The victim yelled, then employees confronted the suspect wh
  
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• Vote approves expanded fire hall in West Seneca

  09-03-2016 04:16 via wivb.com
  
  WEST SENECA, N.Y. (WIVB) — A controversial vote cleared the Union Fire Company, a volunteer department in West Seneca, to expand its fire hall — a much needed upgrade, according to officials.
  Volunteer firefighters say the expanded hall would double as an emergency shelter for the region, and would aid in equipment storage. Fire officials say they’ve simply outgrown their 60-year-old home.
  Voters took to the fire hall on Tuesday to either approve or shoot down a 30-year mu
  
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• Rangers build 3-0 lead, hang on for 4-2 win over Sabres

  09-03-2016 03:57 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — Mats Zuccarello had a goal and two assists, and the New York Rangers edged the Buffalo Sabres 4-2 on Tuesday night after nearly blowing a three-goal lead.
  J.T. Miller sealed the victory with a backhander into an empty net with a minute left after he lost a glove on the rush up the right wing. Derrick Brassard and Jesper Fast also scored for New York, which extended its winning streak over Buffalo to nine.
  The Rangers haven’t lost to the Sabres since a 3-1 decisio
  
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• Protesters stand with signs outside court date for alleged animal abusers

  09-03-2016 03:52 via wivb.com
  
  FARMERSVILLE, N.Y. (WIVB) — Outside an arraignment for two farmers from Cattaraugus County stood protesters who held signs decrying crimes Donald and Bonnie George are accused of committing.
  Police and SPCA officials have been investigating the George family since learning they may not have provided adequate care for their dogs. The realization led to the seizure of multiple dogs, and a broader investigation into their 600-animal farm.
  The property, although since sold off, had extrem
  
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• More veterans speak out about quality of care at the VA

  09-03-2016 03:03 via wivb.com
  
  CLARENCE, N.Y. (WIVB) – Lynn Magistrale’s account of developing cancer, and how the Department of Veterans Affairs in Buffalo mishandled it, seems to have struck a chord with many other veterans, their families, and even non-veterans about medical care at the VA.
  The story aired on News 4, last week, and the next day Lynn, a disabled veteran of the war in Iraq, was getting calls from the Department of Veterans Affairs in Washington to try to resolve her problems.
  The phone has been
  
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• Four states decide on their primary candidates; Hillary, Trump with early gains

  09-03-2016 02:05 via wivb.com
  
  WASHINGTON (AP) — Michigan was front and center Tuesday as voters in four states weighed in on the 2016 presidential race, testing Donald Trump’s staying power at the top of the Republican pack and Bernie Sanders’ narrowing chances to sideline Hillary Clinton’s march to the Democratic nomination.
  HOW IT UNFOLDS
  Polls close in Mississippi at 8 p.m., as they do in Michigan. But because there are a few counties in that state’s upper peninsula in the Central time zone,
  
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• US Labor Secretary Perez draws inspiration from Buffalo roots

  09-03-2016 01:31 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — U.S. Secretary of Labor Thomas Perez said Tuesday paid family leave should be the rule rather than the exception at both the state and federal levels. And that New York’s proposal should serve as a model for other states.
  “I have absolutely no doubt that paid family medical leave at a federal level is a “when” question,” Perez said Tuesday before representatives of several local organizations.
  If approved by the legislators this yea
  
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• Crews describe harrowing ravine rescue of toddler

  09-03-2016 01:25 via wivb.com
  
  SOUTH WALES, N.Y. (WIVB) — A local toddler is recovering from injuries he sustained Tuesday evening when he fell down a nearly 100-foot ravine at Emery Park.
  First responders from several agencies were called to the Erie County park at approximately 5 p.m. Tuesday. They found the boy, who is 2 and a half, was found at the bottom of the mostly shale ravine with other adults attending to him.
  Crews used hoists and a basket to lift him to the surface, where he was taken via ambulance to a sit
  
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• Construction companies basking in the mild winter

  09-03-2016 01:25 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) – Western New York’s mild winter has turned into a windfall for the construction industry and other types of businesses that do most of their work outside.
  Without the typical onslaught of winter’s cold, snow, and ice, contractors have been bringing on new customers and getting a lot of work done now, rather than waiting for the weather to break in the spring.
  Some public works projects have built-in incentives with bonuses for contractors that finish thei
  
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• Child airlifted to Children’s hospital after fall in Emery Park

  09-03-2016 01:25 via wivb.com
  
  SOUTH WALES, N.Y. (WIVB) — First responders rushed to the scene of a fall in Emery Park Tuesday afternoon.
  Officials confirmed a 2-and-a-half-year-old boy sustained injuries in the fall at the Erie County park, requiring emergency removal by Mercy Flight.
  Erie County Sheriff’s Deputies described the fall as from a “significant height.” The boy had slipped and fallen to the bottom of the ravine while walking with his mother.
  Another visitor in the park heard screams a
  
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