Buffalo news

• Buffalo Police drops college requirement

  16-06-2016 23:49 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Thousands of city residents are expected to take the Buffalo police exam this Saturday.
  It’s the first time in years the city has lowered the minimum qualifications for education.
  In the past the city required 60 hours of college credit.
  But now a high school diploma, GED or equivalency diploma will get you a seat at the exam table.
  “This is a dangerous job and you have some people that just don’t want to put their life at risk,” said Officer
  
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• Queen City Pop Up propelling local businesses

  16-06-2016 23:42 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — The Queen City Pop Up is helping small business owners learn the ropes and check out the market before making a big commitment to rent out their own storefronts.
  The Pop Up popped up on Main Street a few months ago. It’s an idea the city is supporting to bring businesses back downtown. Four local small businesses rotate in there — each having three month leases.
  “We though this is a good opportunity to test the market see if people will pu
  
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• 2 injured in Buffalo shooting in broad daylight

  16-06-2016 23:33 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Two Buffalo victims are recovering from injuries sustained when shots were fired on Thursday on the city’s east side.
  Officials say police responded to Butler Avenue just after 2 p.m. when gunfire struck a 37-year-old Buffalo man, injuring another victim with shattering glass.
  The gunshot victim is now in stable condition at the Erie County Medical Center after first responders rushed him to the hospital.
  Now police are on the hunt for a suspect and are as
  
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• Learning how to coach: Ed Reed making transition

  16-06-2016 23:29 via wivb.com
  
  ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (WIVB) – The Bills held their third and final practice of minicamp on Thursday. The team added several big name assistant coaches this offseason including Ed Reed who spoke with the media for the first time. Reed said he is still working on the transition into coaching and lack of sleep has been the biggest change in this eye opening experience.
  “It taught me how much football I didn’t know,” the Super Bowl champion said. “As a coach, coaches are
  
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• Erie County man scratches off $3 million winner

  16-06-2016 23:29 via wivb.com
  
  AKRON, N.Y. (WIVB) — A retired Akron resident just scratched off a winning ticket, making him the latest millionaire of Erie County.
  Officials say he scratched off a $3 million ticket — the first person in Erie County to win over $1 million in 2016. In the last year, eight have won sums of $1 million or more in Erie County.
  The lottery winner will receive his over-sized check on Friday afternoon .
  
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• New lofts open in historical downtown building

  16-06-2016 23:18 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — The Bosche building has been transformed. The building, located at 916 Main Street, was constructed in the late 1800s and carriages used to be built there. Now, Buffalonians can call it home.
  There was a ribbon cutting today, signifying the official reopening of the historical building.  The mayor was on hand as well as the CEO of Greenleaf, the development firm behind the remodel.
  Greenleaf’s CEO, Jim Swiezy, purchased the building in 2007, long befo
  
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• Police: Baby sustains serious injuries dealt by Lockport father

  16-06-2016 22:31 via wivb.com
  
  LOCKPORT, N.Y. (WIVB) — A local man has been arrested on felony charges of dealing serious injuries to his 5-week-old child in April.
  Police say they’ve been investigating how the child sustained such serious injuries on April 16 at a Lockport home, later gathering enough evidence to charge the baby’s 32-year-old father David Barnes.
  Niagara County Sheriff’s Deputies cuffed Barnes on charges of second-degree assault and reckless assault of a child.
  Following his arra
  
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• Man with lengthy criminal history wanted for absconding parole

  16-06-2016 21:57 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — A local man who served time for a list of crimes, including assault and grand larceny, is wanted after police say he stopped reporting to parole.
  Officers have been attempting to locate Randy Biaselli since he stopped reporting, but have yet to locate him. Police are now teaming up to offer a public reward of up to $1,000 for information leading to Biaselli’s capture.
  Although officers warned Biaselli should be considered armed and dangerous, they’re
  
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• Philadelphia becomes 1st major American city with soda tax

  16-06-2016 21:42 via wivb.com
  
  PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Philadelphia became the first major American city with a soda tax on Thursday despite a multimillion-dollar campaign by the beverage industry to block it.
  The City Council gave final approval to a 1.5 cent-per-ounce tax on sugary and diet beverages.
  Only Berkeley, California, had a similar law. Soda tax proposals have failed in more than 30 cities and states in recent years. Such plans are typically criticized as disproportionately affecting the poor, who are more likel
  
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• Teen arrested for stealing youth’s sneakers, iPhone at gunpoint

  16-06-2016 21:39 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — A Buffalo 16-year-old faces felony charges following an investigation into an armed robbery.
  Officers say the 16-year-old held up a juvenile just before 9 p.m. Wednesday on Wohlers Avenue and Brunswick. Working from an anonymous tip, police say they were able to track down the teen.
  When police encountered the teen later that night, police say he had the victim’s Air Jordan sneakers in his possession. The teen faces felony charges of robbery/forcible theft
  
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• CDC: 3 babies born in US with birth defects caused by Zika

  16-06-2016 21:22 via wivb.com
  
  NEW YORK (AP) — The government is reporting that three babies have been born in the U.S. with birth defects caused by the Zika virus.
  Birth defects from Zika were also seen in three other pregnancies that ended.
  Thursday’s report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is the first accounting of pregnancy outcomes in the U.S. that involve an infection with mosquito-borne virus.
  The CDC says 234 pregnant women in the United States — residents and visitors — hav
  
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• Medina woman killed in 11-vehicle Texas crash

  16-06-2016 19:41 via wivb.com
  
  AMARILLO, Texas (WIVB) — A Medina woman was killed in an 11-vehicle crash in Texas, according to CBS contributors there.
  Six tractor-trailers and five other vehicles collided with one another on I-40 “about 30 miles east of Amarillo Wednesday night,” contributors say. The lone fatality of the crash was Medina resident Tammy Page.
  The multi-vehicle incident temporarily closed down traffic on I-40, leading drivers to take other routes. Sources say chemical spillage was
  
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• Buffalo Airport begins direct flights to Los Angeles

  16-06-2016 19:21 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Those looking to travel from Buffalo to Los Angeles in just one trip can do so starting Thursday.
  The first flight from Buffalo-Niagara International Airport directly to Los Angeles International Airport departs at 6:05 p.m. It is set to arrive in Los Angeles at 8:33 p.m.
  The flights are through JetBlue.
  Tickets for these direct flights from the Queen City to the City of Angels start at just $99. Those looking for a round trip can get that for $99 more, but the trip
  
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• Former Erie County judge convicted of drunk driving agrees to never hold office again

  16-06-2016 18:03 via wivb.com
  
  EVANS, N.Y. (WIVB) — Former Evans Town Court Judge Timothy Cooper has agreed to never hold a judicial office again after being convicted of drunk driving exactly two years ago Wednesday.
  Cooper, 61, served as a justice in the Erie County town for nearly 30 years. In April of 2014, he drove drunk and crashed into an SUV while driving on the former Robert Moses Parkway in Lewiston.
  The SUV’s 74-year-old driver only suffered a cut to his ear, despite the crash knocking hi
  
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• Fatal alligators attacks in Florida over past 20 years

  16-06-2016 16:58 via wivb.com
  
  ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — The body of a 2-year-old Nebraska boy was found Wednesday after he was snatched by an alligator at a lake in Walt Disney World. He’s one of 16 people killed in alligator attacks in Florida since 1997.
  Here are the other 15 fatal encounters.
  ___Nov. 23, 2015: Brevard County deputies determined that Matthew Riggins, 22, was killed by an alligator in a Barefoot Bay lake while possibly hiding to avoid law enforcement. Divers recovered his body with injuries consisten
  
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• Rosado confirmed as 66th Secretary of State

  16-06-2016 16:48 via wivb.com
  
  ALBANY, N.Y. (WIVB) — New York State’s 66th Secretary of State was confirmed without opposition by the State Senate Wednesday.
  Journalist and Westchester resident Rossana Rosado was nominated by Gov. Andrew Cuomo for the position back in February.
  An award-winning producer, Rosado served as the first woman to become editor and publisher of El Diario La Prensa — the country’s largest Spanish-language newspaper.
  From 2012 to 2015, Rosado also served on the bo
  
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• Egypt: Black box of crashed plane found, pulled out of sea

  16-06-2016 16:11 via wivb.com
  
  CAIRO (AP) — The cockpit voice recorder of the doomed EgyptAir plane that crashed last month killing all 66 people on board has been found and pulled out of the Mediterranean Sea, Egypt’s investigation committee said on Thursday.
  The development raises hopes that investigators would find clues as to the cause of the May 19 crash.
  The Egyptian committee said the so-called black box — one of the two on board the plane — has been damaged but that the vessel searching for the
  
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• 2 Niagara County women accused of driving impaired with a child in 24 hours

  16-06-2016 16:06 via wivb.com
  
  LEWISTON, N.Y. (WIVB) — Just after 6 p.m. on Monday, New York State Police stopped a woman on Witmer Rd. in the Town of Niagara for an alleged equipment violation.
  When Troopers questioned her about the equipment, they say she showed signs of impairment. After investigation, Brenda Myles, 51, admitted to drinking beer before driving the vehicle.
  The Lewiston resident was not allowed to drive due to a previous DWI conviction, but Troopers say she was on the road anyway. In ad
  
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• Niagara Falls offers chance to get rid of hazardous medicine

  16-06-2016 15:09 via wivb.com
  
  NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. (WIVB) — Those looking to get rid of hazardous medicine from their home can do so in Niagara Falls this weekend.
  The city is hosting a special waste drop off day on Saturday, June 18 at 1785 New Rd. They will be collecting and safely disposing of unwanted medications, including prescriptions.
  Anyone wishing to participate must make an appointment by calling the Niagara County Department of Public Works at (716) 439-7250 or visiting rethinkyourwaste.com.
  Any ot
  
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• Mental health counselor accused of raping man in her care

  16-06-2016 14:37 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Prosecutors have accused a local mental health counselor of raping and sexually abusing a man in her care.
  Hamburg resident Pamela Grzechowiak, 46, used to work for Cazenovia Recovery Systems in Buffalo. Authorities say it was during this time that she took advantage of one of her patients.
  “With the epidemic of substance abuse spreading across the state, we need to be extremely vigilant to be sure that individuals receiving treatment are not being ab
  
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• Local counselor accused of raping man in her care

  16-06-2016 14:37 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Prosecutors have accused a local mental health counselor of raping and sexually abusing a man in her care.
  Hamburg resident Pamela Grzechowiak, 46, used to work for Cazenovia Recovery Systems in Buffalo. Authorities say it was during this time that she took advantage of one of her patients. Grzechowiak faces a felony rape charge, along with two misdemeanors for sexual abuse and misconduct.
  Cazenovia Recovery Systems told News 4 it immediately terminated Grz
  
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• Looking into the “Medical ID” feature on iPhones

  16-06-2016 13:38 via wivb.com
  
  ROCHESTER, Minn. – As we’ve learned this past week, in an instant, you could find yourself in an emergency situation. iPhone users can activate what’s called the Medical ID feature, which provides medial information about you that may be helpful in an emergency.
  Through the Health app, there’s a Medical ID tab, clicking on that allows users to input as much or little information as they would like. Examples include; name, picture, blood type, any medical conditi
  
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• GoFundMe: ‘Only donate to campaigns you trust’

  16-06-2016 13:22 via wivb.com
  
  FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) – In the wake of the tragedy in Orlando, many people are looking for ways to help. Crowdfunding websites have become a popular way to do that, but it’s important to do your research before you donate.
  More than 200 campaigns have been created in the days following the deadly attack; all of them aimed at helping the victims. But there are criminals hoping to cash in on your donations too.
  Creating an account simply requires you to go to the
  
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• Man killed in Cheektowaga motorcycle crash

  16-06-2016 13:08 via wivb.com
  
  CHEEKTOWAGA, N.Y. (WIVB) — Police vehicles clustered around a fatal motorcycle accident on Genesee St. in Cheektowaga Thursday morning.
  The incident happened near Rein Rd. and closed off the right lanes of Genesee eastbound in that area.
  After News 4 cameras captured a body bag being taken from the scene, Cheektowaga Police confirmed the crash victim to be a man.
  The motorcycle involved was seen in some grass off the road.It is not yet clear what caused the crash, but police
  
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• Depew man killed in Cheektowaga motorcycle crash

  16-06-2016 13:08 via wivb.com
  
  CHEEKTOWAGA, N.Y. (WIVB) — Police vehicles clustered around a fatal motorcycle accident on Genesee St. in Cheektowaga Thursday morning.
  The incident happened near Rein Rd. around 6 a.m. and closed off the right lanes of Genesee eastbound in that area for about five hours.
  After News 4 cameras captured a body bag being taken from the scene, Cheektowaga Police confirmed the crash victim to be a man from Depew in his 20s.
  The motorcycle involved was seen in some tall grass off
  
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• Cheektowaga man killed in local motorcycle crash

  16-06-2016 13:08 via wivb.com
  
  CHEEKTOWAGA, N.Y. (WIVB) — Police vehicles clustered around a fatal motorcycle accident on Genesee St. in Cheektowaga Thursday morning.
  The incident happened near Rein Rd. around 6 a.m. and closed off the right lanes of Genesee eastbound in that area for about five hours.
  After News 4 cameras captured a body bag being taken from the scene, Cheektowaga Police confirmed the crash victim to be 25-year-old Andrew Berghold, a resident of the town and former resident of Depew
  
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• NY officials to target underage drinking at summer concerts

  16-06-2016 12:51 via wivb.com
  
  ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — New York officials say they plan to crack down on underage drinking at summer concerts.
  Gov. Andrew Cuomo says enforcement sweeps will occur unannounced this summer at concerts and at places where young adults congregate. The sweeps will be carried out by state and local police, the Department of Motor Vehicles and the State Liquor Authority.
  The drinking age in New York is 21. People using fake IDs to purchase alcohol can be arrested and have their license revoked for
  
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• In wake of mass shootings, Dem. senator wages filibuster

  16-06-2016 12:35 via wivb.com
  
  WASHINGTON (AP) — A Democratic senator who mourned the loss of 20 children in his home state of Connecticut four years ago waged a nearly 15-hour filibuster into the early hours of Thursday morning, demanding votes on gun control measures just days after a mass shooting at a Florida nightclub.
  As compromise on the gun issue remained improbable, Sen. Chris Murphy stood on the Senate floor for most of Wednesday and into Thursday, saying he would remain there “until we get some signal,
  
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• Wanting to see a black protagonist, NFL player writes a children’s book

  16-06-2016 11:55 via wivb.com
  
  FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (WIVB) — Martellus Bennett has a lot more on his resume than the record for most NFL catches in 2015.
  His latest endeavor will be up for sale this weekend. It’s a children’s book, and it features a protagonist Bennett says is rare for children’s stories — someone who is black.
  (Photo courtesy of martellusb on Instagram)The book is called “Hey A.J., it’s Saturday!” and the character is based on his daughter, also A.J.
  She’s t
  
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• “Marshall” actress Kate Hudson takes in the local sights in WNY

  16-06-2016 11:48 via wivb.com
  
  NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. (WIVB) – As filming continues for the upcoming film “Marshall”, you may get a glimpse of Hollywood star Kate Hudson in Western New York.
  The Oscar nominee is now in town to make the film which is based on the early career of Thurgood Marshall, the first African-American to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court. Hudson plays a wealthy socialite named Eleanor Strubing in the film.
  Hudson is taking in the Western New York experience while she’s here. She’
  
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• Clarence town board rejects proposal for plaza driveway near Transit

  16-06-2016 05:28 via wivb.com
  
  TOWN OF CLARENCE, N.Y. (WIVB) — Dozens of residents in the Town of Clarence voiced their concerns Wednesday night at a planning board meeting.
  The owner of Wolters Plaza on Transit Road, Joe Basil, submitted a proposal which would create a curb cut entrance in his plaza.
  Tenants in Wolters Plaza said it’s dangerous to make a left hand turn when leaving the plaza onto Transit Road.
  The proposal would allow drivers to leave through the side of the plaza into a residential neighborhood
  
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• WHO: Not enough proof to link coffee to cancer

  16-06-2016 04:16 via wivb.com
  
  LONDON (AP) — The World Health Organization’s research arm has downgraded its classification of coffee as a possible carcinogen, declaring there isn’t enough proof to show a link to cancer.
  But the International Agency for Research on Cancer, or IARC, also announced in a report published on Wednesday that drinking “very hot” beverages of any kind could potentially raise the cancer risk, and it classified them as “probably carcinogenic” to humans.
  In part
  
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• Female veteran’s response to note left on car goes viral

  16-06-2016 04:15 via wivb.com
  
  CONCORD, N.C. (WNCT/MEDIA GENERAL) — A female veteran’s post on social mediahas gone viral after she fired back at the person who left a note on her car saying the parking spot she chose was meant to be used only by veterans.
  The note was left on Rebecca Landis Hayes’ car earlier this week while she shopped at a Harris Teeter in Concord, North Carolina.
  It read, “This parking is for Veterans, lady. Learn to read and have some respect.”
  Hayes is a veteran, having ser
  
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• Combos snacks being recalled due to possible peanut residue

  16-06-2016 04:06 via wivb.com
  
  McLean, VA (WCMH) —  Varieties of the Combos snacks are being recalled because of possible undeclared peanut residue from a flour supplier.
  The recall covers the following snacks:
  Item Number
  Description
  UPC
  Code Date
  Best Before Date
  10099128
  COMBOS CHEDDAR CHEESE PRETZEL – FAMILY PEG PACK – 6.3 OZ – 12/CA
  41419420058
  613EAALB01613EBALB01613ECALB01613FAALB01613FBALB01614FAALB01614FBALB01614FCALB01
  3/2017
  10099130
  COMBOS PIZZERIA PRETZEL – MEDIUM BAG – 6.
  
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• Orlando gunman called TV station during shooting: ‘I’m the shooter. It’s me.’

  16-06-2016 04:03 via wivb.com
  
  ORLANDO (MEDIA GENERAL) – Investigators have said Orlando nightclub shooter Omar Mateen called 911 during the shootings to pledge allegiance to the Islamic State. Now, we’re learning a television producer said Mateen called him as well during the assault.
  Matthew Gentili is a producer at News 13, a cable news channel in Orlando.
  The organization published an article Wednesday where Gentili describes hearing words he’ll never forget.
  “I’m the shooter. It’s me.&
  
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• Summertime warning to consumers: ‘Don’t Get Burned’

  16-06-2016 01:40 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) – Attorney General Eric Schneiderman is offering New Yorkers a consumers’ guide to avoid summertime ripoffs, it is called “Don’t Get Burned”.
  The warmer months are the time of year for vacations, summer travel, and those home improvement projects you had to put on hold for the winter, prompting the Attorney General to remind residents to keep your guard up, to avoid some common summertime ripoffs.
  “The most common scams to look out for th
  
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• Syracuse couple helps save Buffalo Marathon runner’s life

  16-06-2016 01:24 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB)- When runners took off at the Buffalo Marathon at 6:30 a.m., it was already 70 degrees. Shellie Rizza and her husband, Phil, were cheering on runners around mile 18.
  They were about to head to the finish line to watch their friends complete the race when they saw a runner in his late 20’s starting to slow down.
  “He started falling, flat, arms at his side, last thing that he hit was his chin,” said Phil Rizza.
  They jumped into action.
  “S
  
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• Kathryn Smith speaks with media at Bills minicamp

  16-06-2016 00:24 via wivb.com
  
  ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (WIVB) – Never has so much attention been paid to a special teams quality control coach, but never before has there been a full time assistant coach in the NFL. Kathryn Smith met with the media on Wednesday afternoon, not so much as a pioneer but as a coach doing her job.
  “It was amazing that it made that much of a splash, a bit overwhelming too because I was just trying to to do my job and wasn’t expecting all that,” Smith said.
  In fact, she wasn&rsquo
  
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• Gosy’s office closure could be more imminent than first thought

  16-06-2016 00:22 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Since April, the clock has been ticking on when the office of Dr. Eugene Gosy would close. At the time, the date was July 30, and it still is.
  But because of requirements to notify patients and logistics, the actual date of closure could be two weeks away.
  Since Gosy was indicted on 114 counts ranging from over-prescribing narcotics and health care fraud, to instructing office staff to forge his signature, three doctors have been running practice. Now they’re r
  
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• Farmers working double-time to keep up with rain deficit

  16-06-2016 00:18 via wivb.com
  
  EDEN, N.Y. (WIVB) — Most of Western New York is looking a little dry after a rain deficit. Local farmers are working double-time trying to keep crops watered with irrigation systems and water guns.Zittel Farms in Eden says because of the lack of rain, they’ve lost some of their crops, but the damage is limited.
  Mark Zittel, co-owner of Zittel Farms, said, “Right now we are watering 24/7, we’re almost at the maximum amount of watering that we could be doing right now.&rdqu
  
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• Niagara Falls High School senior students’ dates denied approval to prom

  16-06-2016 00:09 via wivb.com
  
  NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. (WIVB) — Selena Patterson says she spent $550 on her dress and nearly $1000 total for her and her boyfriend Omara to go to Friday’s senior prom together, only to find out about a week ago that her boyfriend is not allowed to attend.
  “I just picked my dress up and we went and we got the suit and it’s like months of wasted time and money,” said Selena Patterson, Niagara Falls High School Senior.
  Seniors who want to bring a guest who is not a Niagar
  
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