Buffalo news

• Locked up: Solitary confinement

  02-05-2016 23:45 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB)- New York State will soon make sweeping reforms to solitary confinement in state prisons.
  Currently, there are almost four thousand inmates being held in cells about the size of a parking space, for 23 hours per day.
  More than 500 of them are in Western New York.
  “There’s just no doubt that this constitutes cruel and unusual punishment,” said Associate Professor of Psychology at UB, Shira Gabriel.
  Changes in the use of solitary or “special housin
  
  Read more

• Neighborhoods not seeing development benefits stepping up to create their own physical changes

  02-05-2016 23:39 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Many Western New Yorkers know Main Street acts as a divider between parts of the city. People living in those communities are now noticing the development boom isn’t happening in their areas so instead of staying behind, they’re taking matters into their own hands and beautifying their neighborhoods.
  “Innovation is such a key thing right now,” said Alma Carrillo, the executive director for the Buffalo Arts Studio, a non-profit organizatio
  
  Read more

• Local legislators react to Buffalo Billion investigation

  02-05-2016 23:33 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) – Legislators head back to Albany Tuesday as the corruption in state government continues to be front and center. In fact, ethics reform is the first item on their agenda. It’s part of a broadening probe into Governor Andrew Cuomo’s economic-development initiatives in Western New York.
  Assemblyman Mickey Kearns reacts to a new round of subpoenas sent out to Cuomo’s executive chamber on Friday. He said, “When someone says
  
  Read more

• EPA-Owned homes in WNY still vacant

  02-05-2016 23:15 via wivb.com
  
  HOLLEY, N.Y. (WIVB) — News 4 Investigates continues asking questions about homes abandoned fourteen years ago in Orleans County. Your tax dollars have paid for half a million dollars in maintenance for eight homes in Holley.
  The EPA purchased the properties following a chemical release in 2002 at Diaz Chemical.
  Records show, aside from lead paint, the homes are safe for families. Instead, the homes sit shuttered, caught up in a web of local and government red tape.
  The Chemical release
  &ld
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• Police search for suspect behind First Niagara Bank robbery

  02-05-2016 22:29 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Officers are on the hunt for a man who fled the scene of a bank robbery on foot, and they’re asking for help from the public.
  Officers responded to a Monday morning bank robbery at the Clinton Street First Niagara Bank only to find the man had already fled. Police say he demanded money from a teller at about 9:15 a.m.
  Described as a black man wearing a blue baseball hat, police say he made off with cash from the bank, but dropped evidence on a side street
  
  Read more

• Patient of Dr. Gosy speaks out

  02-05-2016 21:56 via wivb.com
  
  NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. (WIVB)- The pain treatment center of Dr. Eugene Gosy in Williamsville is closed for two weeks.
  The announcement came days after the Clarence physician was indicted on 114-counts for allegedly over-prescribing medication and health care fraud, among other charges.
  His DEA registration, which allows the doctor to prescribe narcotics, has been revoked.
  “I cannot function, unfortunately, without medication. I have metal everywhere,” one of his patients, 
  
  Read more

• Patient of Dr. Gosy: “I cannot function without medication”

  02-05-2016 21:56 via wivb.com
  
  NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. (WIVB)- The pain treatment center of Dr. Eugene Gosy in Williamsville is closed for two weeks.
  The announcement came days after the Clarence physician was indicted on 114-counts for allegedly over-prescribing medication and health care fraud, among other charges.
  His DEA registration, which allows the doctor to prescribe narcotics, has been revoked.
  “I cannot function, unfortunately, without medication. I have metal everywhere,” one of his patients, 
  
  Read more

• Bills sign 14 undrafted rookies including Gronkowski

  02-05-2016 21:34 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — A host of rookies who weren’t selected during the NFL Draft will get their shot at professional play in Buffalo, including the younger brother of renowned tight end Rob Gronkowski.
  The Buffalo Bills chose to bolster their offense more through the undrafted rookies, adding a total of eight players to the offense. Five will head to the defense, and another to special teams. Buffalo added a kicker and long snapper in the days following the draft.
  Glenn G
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• Angola Key Bank robbed, suspect cuffed

  02-05-2016 21:08 via wivb.com
  
  ANGOLA, N.Y. (WIVB) — Fast response and followed protocols by bank employees and police in the Angola area led to the arrest of a suspect accused of robbing a Key Bank location there.
  Evans Police Department officers rushed to the Erie Road Key Bank where employees notified officers of a bank robbery underway. Within receiving that notification, police were on scene in just 60 seconds and stopped 24-year-old Patrick Demmerly in his path.
  The Demmerly allegedly had cash from
  
  Read more

• Buffalo man sentenced to 25 years in prison following August manslaughter

  02-05-2016 19:53 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — A Buffalo man who admitted to killing another man during an attempted August robbery has been sentenced to 25 years behind bars.
  German Rosado-Thomas, 21, and his 17-year-old brother Alvin Marrero, 17, admitted to crimes that led to the death of 54-year-old James McCloskey.
  McCloskey was pushing a shopping cart full of cans down Arkansas St. after midnight when he was assaulted by the brothers. Following the initial assault and attempted robbery, Rosado-Thomas s
  
  Read more

• Enter to Win two tickets to Shea’s Love Letters at 710 Main Street

  02-05-2016 18:00 via wivb.com
  
  Love Letters at 710 Main street hits the stage in buffalo at Shea’s Performing Arts Center, May 11, 2016 through May 22, 2016. Andrew Makepeace Ladd III wrote his first letter to Melissa Gardner to tell her she looked like a lost princess. They were both seven years old. For the next fifty years, through personal triumphs and despair, through wars and marriages and children and careers, they poured out the secrets of their hearts to each other. They defied a fate that schemed to keep
  
  Read more

• Preventing the summer learning slide

  02-05-2016 17:51 via wivb.com
  
  GRIFTON, N.C. (WNCT) – With the school year winding down, many families are looking for ways to help their children combat what’s known as the summer slide.
  Most students K-12 will lose about two months of grade-level learning in math and reading over the summer.
  Meanwhile, according to the National Summer Learning Association, low-income students are expected to lose even more.
  That’s why so many organizations in the area are reaching out to families to encourage them to enrol
  
  Read more

• Family demands answers after Army vet overdoses at VA treatment facility

  02-05-2016 17:40 via wivb.com
  
  FOX VALLEY, Milwaukee (WBAY) — A Wisconsin family is begging for answers about the death of a loved one who died after checking himself into a treatment facility at the VA in Milwaukee.
  The Schuler family has run into roadblocks trying to find out how it could happen. When Media General contributors started asking questions on the family’s behalf, federal investigators also started getting involved.
  “You don’t go to a treatment facility and you don&rsq
  
  Read more

• World reacts to bin Laden’s death

  02-05-2016 17:20 via interactives.wivb.com
  
  (MEDIA GENERAL) — News 4 has obtained photos from around the U.S. and world in reaction to Osama bin Laden’s death on May 2, 2011.
  APP USERS | Tap here to view the gallery.
  
  Read more

• Buffalo Society of Natural Sciences hires new CEO

  02-05-2016 17:02 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — The Buffalo Society of Natural Sciences has hired a new President and CEO.
  Marisa Wigglesworth was introduced by the Board of Directors on Monday. The previous CEO, Mark Mortenson left the position in September.
  “We on the society board are thrilled to have Marisa Wigglesworth leading our programs and facilities,” said Board Chair Chris Hogan. “We are confident that Marisa’s guidance will help continue and accelerate the growth and improv
  
  Read more

• Dixie Chicks coming to Buffalo in September

  02-05-2016 16:39 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — While in the middle of a sold-out tour in Europe, the Dixie Chicks announced that they’ll be coming to Buffalo on September 17.
  The Dixie Chicks, who are the biggest-selling female band in the U.S., will bring along special guest Elle King for the stop on their DCX MMXVI Tour.
  Tickets for the show go on sale Saturday, May 7th at 10 a.m. Prices range from $35 to $125 and can be bought at the First Niagara Center Box Office, online at Tickets.com, or by call
  
  Read more

• Missionary, western New York native, found slain in rural Jamaica

  02-05-2016 16:12 via wivb.com
  
  KINGSTON, Jamaica (AP) — Jamaican police said Sunday that two U.S. missionaries were found slain in a rural area of the Caribbean island that has long struggled with high rates of violent crime.
  In a statement, the Jamaica Constabulary Force identified the two men as Randy Hentzel, 48, and Harold Nichols, 53. Their battered bodies were found in bushes in separate areas of St. Mary Parish.
  There have been no arrests, and investigators made no comment about a possible motive.
  Both missionari
  
  Read more

• Missionary, native of Salamanca area, found slain in rural Jamaica

  02-05-2016 16:12 via wivb.com
  
  KINGSTON, Jamaica (AP) — Jamaican police said Sunday that two U.S. missionaries were found slain in a rural area of the Caribbean island that has long struggled with high rates of violent crime.
  In a statement, the Jamaica Constabulary Force identified the two men as Randy Hentzel, 48, and Harold Nichols, 53. Their battered bodies were found in bushes in separate areas of St. Mary Parish.
  There have been no arrests, and investigators made no comment about a possible motive.
  Police did not
  
  Read more

• Half & Half boutique re-opens in the Elmwood Village

  02-05-2016 15:51 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) – Kilby Bronstein used to work at Half and Half boutique in the Elmwood Village when she was in high school. Now, she’s one of the owners, and was responsible for its recent transformation. Well, half responsible.
  Her mother, Jennifer, is her business partner and co-owner. They bought the shop, and the building it is located in in between Forest and Bird Avenues, earlier this year.
  “Our real goal is to make this part of the Elmwood Village. The gateway to t
  
  Read more

• Mystery solved? Australian says he’s Bitcoin founder

  02-05-2016 15:28 via wivb.com
  
  LONDON (AP) — An Australian man long rumored to be associated with the digital currency Bitcoin has publicly identified himself as its creator, a claim that would end one of the biggest mysteries in the tech world.
  BBC News said Monday that Craig Wright told the media outlet he is the man previously known by the pseudonym Satoshi Nakamoto. The computer scientist, inventor and academic said he launched the currency in 2009 with the help of others.
  The founder’s identity has been shrou
  
  Read more

• Sick-out by teachers shuts nearly all Detroit public schools

  02-05-2016 15:23 via wivb.com
  
  DETROIT (AP) — Nearly all of Detroit’s public schools were closed Monday after the teachers union urged members to call out sick following a weekend announcement that the district wouldn’t be able to pay its teachers starting this summer.
  District spokeswoman Michelle Zdrodowski said in an email Monday morning that 94 of the district’s 97 schools would be closed for the day. About 46,000 students are enrolled in the district’s schools.
  The move by the Detroit Federa
  
  Read more

• Monkey bars alert: Playground concussions on the rise

  02-05-2016 15:21 via wivb.com
  
  CHICAGO (AP) — Playground concussions are on the rise, according to a new government study, and monkey bars and swings are most often involved.
  Most injuries studied were mild, but all concussions are potentially serious and the researchers say the trend raises public health and safety concerns.
  The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study examined national 2001-2013 data on playground injuries to kids aged 14 and younger who received emergency-room treatment. Of almost 215
  
  Read more

• USS Truman deployment extended, loved ones left waiting

  02-05-2016 15:15 via wivb.com
  
  NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — Sailors and pilots with the USS Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group will have to wait a little longer to be reunited with their loved ones.
  The Navy announced Friday they have extended the deployment by 30 days as they ramp up their fight against ISIS in the Arabian Gulf.
  The Truman deployed from Naval Station Norfolk in November and was slated to return in mid-June. The crew is now expected home sometime in July.
  The U.S. Navy released the following statement in a n
  
  Read more

• Saving a stranger’s life: Transplant recipient meets his donor

  02-05-2016 15:12 via wivb.com
  
  ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – An Albuquerque man signed up to see if he’d be a potential bone marrow match to help a friend; instead he ended up saving a complete stranger’s life.
  The two men met for the first time this weekend and now they’re hoping their story will help another Albuquerque man make it through his fight.
  In December, Jesse Cooler was diagnosed with aplastic anemia. Doctors told him he would need a bone marrow transplant in order to survive.
  “My mother
  
  Read more

• National Fuel customer services to be limited over weekend

  02-05-2016 14:48 via wivb.com
  
  WILLIAMSVILLE, N.Y. (WIVB) — Those trying to access some functions of National Fuel may encounter some trouble this weekend.
  The gas company plans to perform system enhancements from Thursday, May 5 to Monday, May 9.
  During this time, customer access to the company online or via phone will be limited.
  Phone services will not be available, except in emergency situations, on Friday. The emergency number is 1-800-444-3130.
  Online services will be disrupted from 6 a.m. Thursday until
  
  Read more

• Orchard Park school reopens after last week’s mass illness

  02-05-2016 14:22 via wivb.com
  
  ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (WIVB) — Orchard Park Middle School has reopened after mass sickness among students and faculty forced the school to close on Friday.
  At least a dozen teachers and hundreds of students had to miss school last week after experiencing symptoms characteristic of norovirus.
  The virus, which is a highly contagious bug that shows itself with signs like vomiting, a fever and abdominal cramps, typically lasts one to three days.
  Because of these symptoms, around 25 perc
  
  Read more

• Arrest made following explosion that shook homes across Genesee County

  02-05-2016 13:47 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — An arrest has been made after investigators looked into an April incident where binary explosives blew up, shaking houses across Genesee County.
  Authorities with the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office say Alexander resident Nicholas Wall, 25, shot between 14 to 60 pounds of Tannerite, a brand of harmless explosives used to create imposing visual and sound effects when target shooting.
  The alleged incident happened on April 15.
  After the Tannerite was des
  
  Read more

• Deep South Taco to host Cinco de Mayo celebration

  02-05-2016 13:10 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Music, live art, and lucha performers are just a few ways Deep South Taco plans to celebrate their current success and the opening of their new location on Hertel Ave.
  The Ellicott St. restaurant will host their Cinco de Mayo Street Fiesta on Thursday, May 5.
  “The event is a mash-up of sorts,” says Hamilton. “We’re taking the best parts of a Mexican fiesta, and combining them with some of Buffalo’s authentic musicians and performers
  
  Read more

• Next up in NY Legislature: Uber, ethics and NYC schools

  02-05-2016 12:50 via wivb.com
  
  ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — A proposal to allow Uber to expand outside of New York City and long-awaited reforms to address government corruption are among the top issues facing state lawmakers as they return to Albany to wrap up their 2016 session.
  The Senate and the Assembly will reconvene Tuesday for what’s expected to be seven weeks of work.
  One item that must be resolved is the renewal of mayoral control of schools in New York City, which expires this year. Democratic Mayor Bill de Blas
  
  Read more

• Work begins to move Nikola Tesla monument at Niagara Falls

  02-05-2016 12:47 via wivb.com
  
  NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. (WIVB) — Work is underway on Goat Island in the Niagara Falls State Park to give an iconic statue a new look and a new view of the Falls.
  The Nikola Tesla statue is being moved to a spot overlooking the American Falls at scenic Stedman’s Bluff, near the entrance to the bridge to Luna Island, where state officials say it will be more accessible to visitors. It now stands in the center of the Cave of the Winds plaza on Goat Island, greeting visitors as they get off
  
  Read more

• Prince Harry to visit Canada

  02-05-2016 12:06 via wivb.com
  
  TORONTO, Canada (WIVB) — Britain’s Prince Harry will be in Toronto on Monday in anticipation of 2017’s Invictus Games.
  The Prince is expected to meet with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau around 10 a.m.
  Prince Harry will hold a meeting with Canadian PM @JustinTrudeau, before attending @InvictusToronto launch event at the Royal York Hotel.
  — Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) May 1, 2016Afterwards, they will officially launch the games, which will be held in T
  
  Read more

• SUV crashes in auto parts store on East Delavan

  02-05-2016 05:44 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB)- Buffalo Police say a 66 year old woman from Depew drove into an auto parts store on East Delavan.
  The crash happened around 10:00 p.m. Sunday. Police tell News 4 the woman initially hit a fence on Fillmore before crossing East Delavan and hitting Delavan Auto Parts.
  Investigators say the car went about 20 feet inside the store. The building and business suffered extensive damage.
  The woman was taken to ECMC with non-life threatening injures.
  Police are still investigat
  
  Read more

• Women could soon be required to register for selective service

  02-05-2016 05:17 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Last week the House Armed Services Committee narrowly passed a measure that would require women to register for the selective service. The proposed require still has to be voted on by the House. The highly controversial topic is one step closer to becoming a reality.The Armed Fores recently opened up most combat jobs for women. A woman in the military now has the opportunity to volunteer for jobs like infantry, or field artillery. After the combat job openings, back
  
  Read more

• Community gathers for Holocaust remembrance event

  02-05-2016 02:09 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB)- Six holocaust survivors gathered with the community on Sunday at Temple Beth Zion in Buffalo to remember the millions of people killed during the Holocaust.
  The theme of this year’s gathering was “We Remember”. It’s been 71 years since liberation of the Nazi Concentration Camps.
  The survivors all lit a candle, each of the six candles represented one million Jewish victims of the German Holocaust.
  A candle was also lit in remembrance of Miron Was
  
  Read more

• U.S. senator calls for an investigation into ‘spying billboards’

  02-05-2016 00:49 via wivb.com
  
  NEW YORK (AP) – An outdoor advertising company says its use of mobile phone data to learn about potential consumers is based on anonymous information.Clear Channel Outdoor Americas spokesman Jason King said in a statement Sunday its RADAR program used for billboard advertising has existed for years.
  U.S. Senator Charles Schumer is calling on the Federal Trade Commission to investigate the technique. The New York Democrat wants to know if the company has employed deceptive trade practices b
  
  Read more

• Armed Forces Week kicks off in Western New York

  02-05-2016 00:32 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Sunday marks the first day of the 56th annual Western New York Armed Forces Week.
  The week-long event is a tribute to the men and women of the United States Armed Forces.
  News 4 photojournalist Dan Holland captured the sights and sounds of the event.
  
  Read more

Follow @Buffalo_News_US on Twitter!