Buffalo news

• Man pleads guilty to rape after attempting to flee trial

  11-03-2016 23:42 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Just as a rape victim who took the stand to testify to the crime, her assailant jumped from his seat and attempted to flee the courtroom.
  That escape attempt led Emmanuel Jenkins to plead guilty in an ongoing trial after authorities linked him to multiple rapes and sexual assaults. Authorities say Jenkins preyed on women who may have worked as prostitutes to pay for drug addictions, leading them into dark or abandoned areas to assault them.
  One such victim detai
  
  Read more

• Despite warmth, Holiday Valley hosts weekend Winter Carnival

  11-03-2016 23:23 via wivb.com
  
  ELLICOTTVILLE, N.Y. (WIVB) — For Western New York ski resorts, this winter has not been ideal, but thanks to Holiday Valley’s investment in snow-making, there is still enough snow on the ground to ski during Winter Carnival this weekend despite the warm weather we’re expecting.
  “Skiing will be best in the morning, when it’s still a little firm,” explained Jane Eshbaugh, the Director of Marketing at Holiday Valley. “It’ll get sof
  
  Read more

• Man who shot kids with BB gun as punishment pleads guilty

  11-03-2016 23:16 via wivb.com
  
  CONCORD, N.Y. (WIVB) — An Erie County man faces time in prison for firing a BB gun on young girls as punishment.
  Erie County District Attorney Michael Flaherty’s office announced on Friday Steven Scroger pleaded guilty as charged to two counts of second degree assault for firing the BB gun on 4- and 6-year-old girls as punishment.
  Scroger, who was engaged to the girls’ mother, shot the children multiple times on their legs, arms and torsos, leaving markings on their b
  
  Read more

• Local leaders call for Assemblywoman Wozniak to take a step back, evaluate stepping down

  11-03-2016 22:30 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — A local New York State Assemblywoman representing the people of Cheektowaga said she’s pleased with the result of an investigation into her conduct which led to sanctions against her. Fellow lawmakers on the other hand are calling for her to seriously evaluate her position.
  As the New York State Assembly can’t force a representative to step down, sanctions were filed against Assemblywoman Angela Wozniak after an investigation revealed she took r
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• TSA confiscates loaded guns from 2 NY women at Buffalo Niagara International Airport

  11-03-2016 22:21 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Transportation Security Administration officers on duty this past week seized two loaded weapons from women attempting to board planes at the Buffalo Niagara International Airport.
  Officials announced Friday a Niagara County woman and a Jefferson County woman each were stopped as they attempted to bring loaded handguns past checkpoints at the airport. A Cambria resident attempted to bring the gun through security in her handbag, and the Jefferson County woman at
  
  Read more

• Evander Kane won’t face criminal charges following sexual assault investigation

  11-03-2016 21:25 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — After an investigation into Buffalo Sabres star Evander Kane’s conduct, Erie County’s District Attorney’s Office confirmed he will not be charged criminally.
  Allegations of sexual assault surfaced against him and an investigation began in December into Kane’s conduct. The investigation made headlines when police impounded his vehicle.
  Unlike an investigation into Chicago Blackhawks star Patrick Kane, the case has been quiet and officials
  
  Read more

• Town of Tonawanda woman murdered, investigation underway

  11-03-2016 20:28 via wivb.com
  
  TOWN OF TONAWANDA, N.Y. (WIVB) — Detectives are on the hunt for a murderer after police in the Town of Tonawanda located a 51-year-old dead in her apartment.
  Police went to Roberta A. Rybinski’s apartment on Newell Avenue on Tuesday to check on her welfare after family and friends hadn’t heard from her in some time. When police went inside, they found her dead body.
  A subsequent autopsy revealed Rybinski had been killed, although police have yet to say how she was mur
  
  Read more

• Former Lockport teen accused of sex crimes against 10-year-old girl

  11-03-2016 19:32 via wivb.com
  
  WARSAW, N.Y. (WIVB) — A former Lockport resident is accused of various sex crimes against a 10-year-old girl.
  The 17-year-old suspect currently resides in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. New York State Police have not released his name, but say he is charged with criminal sexual act, attempted rape, sexual abuse and endangering the welfare of a child.
  State Police say the criminal actions took place in the Wyoming County town of Covington over one year’s time starting in January of 2015.
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• Guinness: Israel Holocaust survivor, 112, world’s oldest man

  11-03-2016 19:16 via wivb.com
  
  JERUSALEM (AP) — A 112-year-old Israeli who lived through both World Wars and survived the Nazi concentration camp Auschwitz is the world’s oldest man, Guinness World Records announced on Friday.
  Guinness said in a statement that Israel Kristal is 112 years and 178 days old as of March 11.
  Marco Frigatti, Head of Records for Guinness awarded Kristal a certificate at his home in Haifa on Friday.
  “I don’t know the secret for long life,” Guinness quoted Kristal as
  
  Read more

• Transit Drive-In to open this weekend

  11-03-2016 19:05 via wivb.com
  
  LOCKPORT, N.Y. (WIVB) — In what they call the “end” of their “shortest off-season in the last 35 years,” the Transit Drive-In announced it will be open on weekends only now until further notice as part of their 2016 season.
  From Friday, March 11 until Sunday, March 13, the drive-in will be showing ZooTopia, The Finest Hours, Deadpool and The Revenant on their first two screens. The theater says Screens 3 and 4 will reopen soon.
  Tickets for anyone 12 or older co
  
  Read more

• Friends, family say final farewells to Nancy Reagan

  11-03-2016 18:01 via wivb.com
  
  SIMI VALLEY, Calif. (AP) — Close friends and family remembered Nancy Reagan as more than a first lady Friday, recalling at her funeral service how she and husband Ronald Reagan made up “two halves of a circle,” with a love for one another that inspired everyone they crossed paths with.
  Inseparable in life, the pair were to be reunited in death in side-by-side graves at the Reagan’s presidential library.
  During a service filled with poignant and often humorous memorie
  
  Read more

• Browns release QB Johnny Manziel after 2 troubling seasons

  11-03-2016 17:52 via wivb.com
  
  CLEVELAND (AP) — The Browns have released troublesome quarterback Johnny Manziel.
  The team cut ties on Friday with the 2012 Heisman Trophy winner after two disappointing, drama-filled seasons. Manziel faces an uncertain future in the NFL and potential criminal charges in Texas following a domestic violence incident.
  The Browns used a first-round pick in the 2014 draft to select Manziel, an electrifying star at Texas A&M who earned his “Johnny Football” nickname in coll
  
  Read more

• St. Patrick’s Day events in WNY

  11-03-2016 17:41 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — St. Patrick’s Day is just around the corner. Here is a list of activities happening before, on and after the popular holiday, which takes place March 17:
  Buffalo – Old Neighborhood St. Patrick’s Day Parade
  Also known as Old First Ward Parade
  Saturday, March 19
  12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
  Parade starts at the Valley Community Center
   
  Buffalo Shamrock Run
  Saturday, March 12
  10 a.m.
  Old First Ward Community CenterBuffalo Saint Patrick’s Da
  
  Read more

• Darien Lake seeking employees for upcoming season

  11-03-2016 17:27 via wivb.com
  
  DARIEN CENTER, N.Y. (WIVB) — Darien Lake Theme Park will be holding a job fair on Saturday, March 19.
  They are looking for people to fill various positions such as cooks, ride operators, lifeguards, security officers and more.
  The job fair will take place from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the theme park’s hotel located on Route 77 in Darien.
  Darien Lake provides employees with benefits like free park admission and free tickets for friends and family.
  Anyone interested in applying for
  
  Read more

• New auto bureau opens in Town of Tonawanda

  11-03-2016 17:13 via wivb.com
  
  TOWN OF TONAWANDA, N.Y. (WIVB) — The new Northtown Auto Bureau in the Town of Tonawanda is officially open as local dignitaries cut the ceremonial red ribbon at the facility Friday morning.
  The new bureau is located at 2309 Eggert Road in the Sheridan Plaza.
  Services like license renewal, vehicle registration and other Department of Motor Vehicles transactions are available at the facility.
  
  Read more

• World Anti-Doping Agency says 99 meldonium cases this year

  11-03-2016 16:50 via wivb.com
  
  MOSCOW (AP) — The World Anti-Doping Agency says there have been 99 positive tests this year for meldonium, the drug found in Maria Sharapova’s sample at the Australian Open.
  WADA spokesman Ben Nichols tells The Associated Press in an e-mail that since the drug was banned on Jan. 1 “there have been 99 adverse analytical findings for Meldonium recorded.”
  Nichols did not provide details of who has tested positive.
  Seven of the 16 confirmed cases come from Russian athletes, i
  
  Read more

• Car collides with house on East Side

  11-03-2016 16:46 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — A car collided with a house at Richlawn Ave. and Central Park Plaza in Buffalo Friday.
  A witness provided pictures to News 4 that show extensive damage to the car’s rear portion.
  It is not clear what caused the collision, and information on the driver is not yet available.
  News 4 will have more information as it becomes available.
  (Photo courtesy of Twitter user @Zuessesin.)
  
  Read more

• What to expect at Apple’s spring press event on March 21

  11-03-2016 16:28 via wivb.com
  
  CUPERTINO, Calif. (KRON) — Apple announced Thursday morning that their spring press event will take place on March 21 in Cupertino, California.
  The event will kick off at 10 a.m. at their headquarters, but like usual, Apple has yet to disclose any details on what kind of announcements they will make.
  So what should we expect?
  Typically, Apple uses these press events to unveil their new products. So if you’re looking to buy a new Apple product, it’s best to wait until after thei
  
  Read more

• Large crowd expected for Tavares jersey retirement

  11-03-2016 16:18 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) – It’s the biggest day of the season for the Buffalo Bandits. They’re set to honor the best player to ever suit up for their team at tonight’s game against the Rochester Knighthawks.
  In a pregame ceremony, John Tavares will take the field to address the crowd and watch as his #11 jersey is hung from the rafters at First Niagara Center. Tavares retired following last season and is now an assistant coach for the team.
  “John was here from day one,&
  
  Read more

• Police: Former student stole 22 computers from college lab

  11-03-2016 15:57 via wivb.com
  
  SYRACUSE, N.Y. (AP) — Authorities say a former Syracuse University student has been charged with stealing nearly two dozen computers from a campus lab.
  The Post-Standard of Syracuse reports that city police say 31-year-old Dhawal Gandhi was arrested last week and charged with stealing 22 desktop computers and equipment worth more than $30,000 from the university’s Link Hall.
  Police say Gandhi entered the building on the night of Feb. 19 and cut the cables securing the computers to ta
  
  Read more

• Carson buries ‘the hatchet,’ endorses Trump for president

  11-03-2016 15:36 via wivb.com
  
  PALM BEACH, Florida (AP) — Former Republican presidential candidate Ben Carson says he and Donald Trump have “buried the hatchet” after months of political wrangling, and he is endorsing the GOP front-runner’s White House bid.
  At a press conference in Palm Beach, Florida on Friday, Carson, who left the race earlier this month, described “two Donald Trumps” — the persona reflected on stage, and a private, “very cerebral” person who “cons
  
  Read more

• After past raucous rhetoric, civility rules at GOP debate

  11-03-2016 15:24 via wivb.com
  
  MIAMI (AP) — Nothing to see here but statesmen.
  On the debate stage Thursday night in Miami, the four Republican presidential candidates calmly discussed their policies — a striking turnaround from the shouted insults of their previous few match-ups.
  With just days until make-or-break voting in the home states of two candidates, front-runner Donald Trump’s opponents may be more desperate than ever, but they didn’t let it show. The tone was so sedate that Trump exclaimed,
  
  Read more

• Witnesses urged to come forward in deadly Pa. cookout ambush

  11-03-2016 14:46 via wivb.com
  
  WILKINSBURG, Pa. (AP) — Police were seeking to identify suspects in a deadly ambush attack by two men who methodically shot and killed five people, including a pregnant woman, at a backyard cookout in Pennsylvania.
  The gunmen appeared to have targeted one or two of the victims in the Wednesday night attack, and drugs haven’t been ruled out as a motive, said District Attorney Stephen Zappala.
  “The murders were planned. They were calculated, brutal,” Zappala said of the sho
  
  Read more

• Dog lands on wrong side of law — underside of patrol car

  11-03-2016 14:36 via wivb.com
  
  PHOENIX (AP) — A puppy landed on the wrong side of the law with the Phoenix police, or rather the underside of it.
  Police say the dog became stuck in the undercarriage of a patrol vehicle Wednesday.
  Sgt. Vincent Lewis says the canine run-in happened when an officer was doing afternoon patrol.
  The officer pulled over his Chevrolet Tahoe when the Chihuahua mix ran under the vehicle.
  The animal refused to move for at least 20 minutes, even rejecting a hot dog.
  Animal control workers responded
  
  Read more

• VIDEO: Military dad surprises daughter at Michigan school

  11-03-2016 14:29 via wivb.com
  
  PORTLAND, Mich. (WOOD) — A girl who recently moved to West Michigan got an incredible surprise at her new school on Thursday.
  The last nine years have been full of surprises for the Johns family. Lana and her husband, Army staff Sgt. Ryan Johns, have packed up and moved quite a few times.
  While they have gotten used to all of the changes, there is no one who loves surprises more than their daughter, 7-year-old Rylan who is in second grade at Oakwood Elementary School in Portland.
  Rylan tho
  
  Read more

• Woman to face judge for stealing money from Safyre Terry’s Christmas cards

  11-03-2016 14:17 via wivb.com
  
  ROTTERDAM, NY (NEWS10) – It was just about one month ago that Kimberly Bradford told Media General contributors it restored her faith in humanity to see the outpouring of support for Safyre Terry. Now Bradford will face a judge accused of stealing more than $1300 from the little girls Xmas cards
  Rotterdam Police arrested Kimberly Bradford on Feb. 25 after receiving a complaint from the organization Safyre’s Angels.
  The group suspected volunteers may be stealing from them as
  
  Read more

• Community raises $30K for Vanderbilt student slain in Israel

  11-03-2016 14:10 via wivb.com
  
  NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) – Donations have poured in for Vanderbilt University student Taylor Force, who was stabbed to death this week during a school trip to Israel.
  Supporters have raised more than $30,000 for his funeral expenses as his family prepares to lay him to rest.
  Force, a 28-year-old Texas native and student at Vanderbilt University’s Owen Graduate School of Management, was visiting Tel Aviv on an Owen school trip when the attack in Jaffa, a town outside of Tel Aviv, occur
  
  Read more

• Officer who shot and killed mentally ill grandmother finds therapy in presentations

  11-03-2016 13:49 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Officer Robert Yeates still has nightmares about the day in 2012 when he shot and killed a mentally ill grandmother. It happened in Riverside.
  Yeates said she tried to attack him with two large knives.
  That grandmother had just stabbed her own young grandson. At the time, Officer Yeates and his partner were trying to save the boy.
  Yeates now gives presentations about the deadly day. He has worked in law enforcement for 30 years and wants to help other officers and th
  
  Read more

• Life Saving Reminders for Daylight Saving Time

  11-03-2016 12:11 via wivb.com
  
  TOWN OF WHEATFIELD, N.Y. (WIVB) – We will be springing ahead this weekend, setting our clocks forward one hour, for Daylight Saving Time, and fire officials say this is a perfect time to take some steps to protect your family.
  Every time you change you clocks for Daylight Saving Time, you should change the batteries in your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors. Remembering to do it every Daylight Saving Time ensures you change the batteries every six months, which everyone is urge
  
  Read more

• Lockport rollover hospitalizes 1 man

  11-03-2016 12:03 via wivb.com
  
  LOCKPORT, N.Y. (WIVB) — A vehicle rolled over several times this morning in Lockport, sending one man to ECMC.
  The car was driving on Akron Road when it flipped numerous times before landing upright.
  Authorities say the driver managed to escape the vehicle through a passenger door and went to a nearby home for help.
  Officials arrived at the scene and took the man to the hospital, where he is being treated for a number of injuries including those to his head.
  
  Read more

• Marching On

  11-03-2016 06:35 via wivb.com
  
   
  BUFFALO N.Y. (WIVB)- UB took the first step in defending their MAC Tournament title. The Bulls knocked off Miami (OH) 94-81 to advance to the semi-finals. UB was led by Willie Conner’s 25 points and Blake Hamilton chipped in with 11 points and 16 rebounds. UB will take on Ohio Friday night at 9:00 PM.
  
  Read more

• Local vet reacts after top two Wounded Warrior execs are fired amid scandal

  11-03-2016 05:22 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — After CBS News first broke a story several weeks ago about the Wounded Warriors Project (WWP) lavish spending, the foundation announced Thursday that the top two executives are out.
  The WWP has fired their Chief Executive Officer, Steven Nardizzi, and Chief Operating Officer, Al Giordano. The CBS report exposed the spending habits for the foundation, showing only a little over half of the donations went to wounded soldiers.
  “There are a lot of people
  
  Read more

• Suspect identified in late night shooting that injured 2 men, 1 seriously

  11-03-2016 04:59 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Gunfire rang out in Buffalo on the city’s east side Thursday night, striking two men.
  Officers rushed to respond to reports of a shooting on Richlawn Ave. just after 9:30 p.m.
  Buffalo Police Crime Scene Investigation and Homicide units responded to the scene, highlighting several bullet casings on the ground.
  The two men who were shot are 25 and 31 years old. The 25-year-old was seriously injured, but both were listed as in fair condition at ECMC
  
  Read more

• Officers investigate reported late-night shooting

  11-03-2016 04:59 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Gunfire rang out in Buffalo on the city’s east side Thursday night.
  Officers rushed to respond to reports of a shooting near the intersection of Marigold and Shawnee just before 9 p.m.
  Buffalo Police Crime Scene Investigation and Homicide units responded to the scene, highlighting several bullet casings on the ground.
  Officers were canvassing the area, looking for witnesses, but have yet to release a statement on what may have happened.
  It’s not yet
  
  Read more

• New IRS phone scam targeting college students, posing as FBI office

  11-03-2016 04:39 via wivb.com
  
  LANSING, MI. (WLNS) — A new IRS phone scam is targeting college students here in mid-Michigan — and unfortunately it’s been successful.
  The FBI is getting complaints about the scam — every day for the past few weeks.
  Fake IRS phone calls are nothing new — but this scam is a little different.
  It’s targeting students at Michigan State University — the FBI won’t say how many exactly — but so far they’ve lost money, ranging from $1,500
  
  Read more

• Trump, GOP rivals fight on, politely, in late debate

  11-03-2016 04:30 via wivb.com
  
  MIAMI (AP) — Abandoning the nasty insults of past debates, Donald Trump and his Republican rivals turned Thursday’s presidential face-off into a civil and detailed discussion of Social Security, Islam and trade that left Trump to shake his head and declare at the midpoint: “I can’t believe how civil it’s been up here.”
  The candidates found plenty of areas of common ground, but also plenty of differences. But when they differed, they often laid out their differ
  
  Read more

• More than half of what Americans eat is ‘Ultra-Processed’

  11-03-2016 04:26 via wivb.com
  
  MOUNT PLEASANT, SC (WCBD) — A new study reveals more than half of all calories in the typical American diet come from ultra processed foods.
  Researchers looked at dietary data from more than 9,000 people.
  They found foods like soft drinks, pre-packaged snacks and baked goods, chicken nuggets and instant noodles — made up nearly 60-percent of total calorie intake.
  Ultra processed foods also contributed to almost 90% of added sugar consumption.
  These added sugars increase the risk of o
  
  Read more

• Red Cross asks for volunteers to deliver blood and plasma

  11-03-2016 04:22 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Some choose to donate their blood, but others can choose to help out the American Red Cross of western New York by donating their time — and vehicle.
  Red Cross officials say they need blood delivery drivers who can transport blood and plasma from blood drives and from the Red Cross center to Area Hospitals. Drivers are needed about twice to four times each months, and shifts last between four and six hours.
  “This is a way you can give back to the Ame
  
  Read more

• Niagara Falls business breaks ground on brand new $11.7 million facility

  11-03-2016 04:13 via wivb.com
  
  NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. (WIVB) — An assortment of lawmakers and business officials stood together at the groundbreaking of a brand new facility for a local business.
  Tulip Corporation announced a new $11.7 million manufacturing facility on Highland Avenue that will replace its 114-year-old facility in which it has operated for years.
  The new building will support Tulip’s molded products division, as the old facility can’t support new growth. The new facility will allow th
  
  Read more

• Niagara County to receive $2.7M to bolster flood defenses

  11-03-2016 03:32 via wivb.com
  
  NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. (WIVB) — New York State will commit a chunk of funds to Niagara County officials to be used towards flood prevention — with a large majority heading to Lockport.
  The City of Lockport most recently struggled with flooding in the summer of 2013, severely damaging the city’s sewer system and 600 residents in total. Thanks to a series of funds set aside after the massive hurricane Sandy slammed into New York City, Lockport will receive $1.5 million to insta
  
  Read more

• Former Niagara Falls businessman to pay back $177k for bank fraud

  11-03-2016 02:53 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — A former businessman from Niagara Falls who pleaded guilty to bank fraud has been sentenced and will be forced to pay restitution.
  Federal officials say Timothy DePetris was sentenced on Thursday to 27 months in prison, along with restitution of just over $177,500 after he pleaded guilty to bank fraud.
  DePetris, a 46-year-old Niagara Falls man, formerly owned Electro-Dyn Choke Corporation, admitted to issuing payroll checks to himself and another person despite
  
  Read more

• Hamister hotel project being delayed again in Niagara Falls

  11-03-2016 01:02 via wivb.com
  
  NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. (WIVB) — A $35.7 million hotel project in downtown Niagara Falls is being delayed yet again.
  The Hamister Hotel project has been a topic of discussion for the past few years, but a groundbreaking has yet to happen and it could still be a while before there is any action at the Rainbow Boulevard site.
  There’s still an empty space at the site and signs that say coming soon- but on Wednesday the Niagara County Industrial Development Agency extended tax breaks for the
  
  Read more

• Poloncarz aims to ban plastic bags in Erie County

  11-03-2016 01:01 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB)- Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz wants plastic shopping bags out of Erie County.
  He announced the proposal Thursday as part of his State of the County address, along with several other initiatives.
  News 4 spoke to local shoppers, who are generally on board with the idea.
  “I use them for cleaning up after my dog, but other than that I try to use my cloth bags for everything,” said Shannon Boswell of Buffalo.
  “I think they’re a waste, they acc
  
  Read more

Follow @Buffalo_News_US on Twitter!