Buffalo news

• Sabres report to training camp with one expectation: Playoffs

  22-09-2016 23:51 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — The Buffalo Sabres have one goal in mind for the 2016-2017 season, and for the first time in a while, it’s not a hope but instead an expectation.
  “Our mindset is playoffs,” says a healthy Tyler Ennis, back with the team after recovering from multiple concussions last season.
  Head coach Dan Bylsma was quoted in the offseason saying the Sabres’ new goal would be 95 points, fourteen more than they earned this past year.
  “Things have ch
  
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• Local, state officials react to state corruption case

  22-09-2016 23:25 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y.(WIVB)- State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman called out SUNY Polytechnic leader Alain Kaloyeros for what his office claims is blatant bid-rigging in the Buffalo Billion project, including Solar City.
  “This is an inexcusable way for a state official to behave. This is an inexcusable way to do business in the state of New York,” Schneiderman said in a news conference Thursday.
  “This scheme is unusual in it’s brazenness. I mean, this is remarkable.
  
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• Previously convicted man charged after alleged fight in Tonawanda

  22-09-2016 23:24 via wivb.com
  
  TONAWANDA, N.Y. (WIVB) — Tonawanda police charged a Buffalo man with criminal weapon possession following a fight at a Main St. bar early Wednesday morning.
  Police say Sean Trefethen, 23, started a fight inside Stamps Bar, but the situation was brought outside.
  After police say Trefethen was identified as the aggressor, officers searched him and allegedly found a stun gun in his possession.
  Due to the fact that Trefethen was convicted of assault with a weapon in 2011, the criminal pos
  
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• Previously convicted man charged after alleged fight at Tonawanda

  22-09-2016 23:24 via wivb.com
  
  TONAWANDA, N.Y. (WIVB) — Tonawanda police charged a Buffalo man with criminal weapon possession following a fight at a Main St. bar. early Wednesday morning.
  Police say Sean Trefethen, 23, started a fight inside Stamps Bar, but the situation was brought outside.
  After police say Trefethen was identified as the aggressor, officers searched him and allegedly found a stun gun in his possession.
  Due to the fact that Trefethen was convicted of assault with a weapon in 2011, the criminal po
  
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• Upscale Westin Buffalo hotel officially opens its doors

  22-09-2016 23:16 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — The ribbon has officially been cut for the Queen City’s first upscale boutique lifestyle hotel of it’s kind.
  “It’s a hotel that the city of Buffalo wanted but it also needed. It’s a level of service that is very special and it’s a great asset to the community,” said Thomas Long, the Westin Buffalo General Manager.
  The 12 story glass tower has 116 guest rooms and suites that feature Westin’s signature heavenly bed and he
  
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• Police: Drunk woman crashes classic car into another vehicle

  22-09-2016 23:05 via wivb.com
  
  TONAWANDA, N.Y. (WIVB) — Police in the city of Tonawanda say a drunk woman crashed her classic car into a parked vehicle on Syracuse St. Wednesday night.
  Sharon Bidell, 55, was driving her 1965 Chevy Nova, a car which she told police was not her “drinking car,” just before 11 p.m.
  After police say she crashed into another vehicle, she was taken back to the Tonawanda police station.
  At the station, authorities say her blood alcohol content measured out to .21 percent, which
  
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• Tulsa police officer charged in man’s death

  22-09-2016 22:54 via wivb.com
  
  TULSA, Okla. (AP) — Prosecutors in Tulsa, Oklahoma, have filed first-degree manslaughter charges against the white police officer who fatally shot an unarmed black man on a city street.
  District Attorney Steve Kunzweiler filed the charges Thursday against officer Betty Shelby, who shot and killed 40-year-old Terence Crutcher on Sept. 16. Dashcam and aerial footage of the shooting and its aftermath showed Crutcher walking away from Shelby with his arms in the air.
  The footage does not offer
  
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• DEC announces early deer bowhunting seasons

  22-09-2016 21:51 via wivb.com
  
  ALBANY, N.Y. (WIVB) — Bowhunters, get ready, because deer season is just around the corner.
  The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) announced the dates for early deer bowhunting season on Thursday.
  “We expect that bowhunters will see more deer than in years past,” DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos said.  “With many hunters interested in seeing more older bucks in the field, bowhunters might want to consider passing up shots on young bucks,
  
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• Buffalo police investigating early morning gang assault

  22-09-2016 21:39 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Buffalo police are investigating an early Thursday morning gang assault in the city.
  Police say that around 5:40 a.m., a man in his mid-60s was attacked by three or four other people near Broadway and Ellicott St.
  The victim was taken to ECMC, where he is in critical condition.
  Anyone with information on the assault is asked to call police at 847-2255.
  
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• Yahoo says hackers stole info in 500 million user accounts

  22-09-2016 21:17 via wivb.com
  
  SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Yahoo says the personal information in 500 million accounts was stolen in a massive security breakdown. The breach disclosed Thursday, the latest setback for the beleaguered internet company, dates back to late 2014.
  The stolen data includes users’ names, email addresses, telephone numbers, dates of birth, hashed passwords and security questions for verifying an accountholder’s identity. Yahoo is blaming the hack on a “state-sponsored actor.”
  Th
  
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• Man responsible for 2010 infant death sentenced

  22-09-2016 20:46 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — The man responsible for the death of a one-year-old baby in Buffalo has been sentenced to 10 years in prison.
  Prosecutors say Raymond Gonzalez, 39, caused the death of his girlfriend’s infant son more than six years ago on Busti Ave. The baby suffered head trauma and later died.
  In addition to the 10-year prison sentence, Gonzalez was also sentenced to five years of post-release supervision.
  
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• Farmers celebrate start of fall

  22-09-2016 19:30 via wivb.com
  
  AKRON, N.Y. (WIVB) — Andy Kelkenberg starts his day before the sun comes up – he’s out in his more than 140 acres tending to gourds and other goods on his farm.
  “It’s probably our biggest season,” said Kelkenberg.
  Kelkenberg says it’s the start of his favorite season. He enjoys the cooler weather and welcoming visitors to his farm. He says it’s a really important season for business.
  “Fall is our big time. This is one of our main incomes
  
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• Poloncarz responds to “bribe” allegation involving repair of county roads

  22-09-2016 18:19 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — After local legislative leaders came together on Tuesday to address “extremely poor” road conditions in Erie County, County Executive Mark Poloncarz made a statement on Thursday.
  Erie County Legislature Chairman John Mills, Majority Leader Joseph Lorigo and Legislator Edward Rath called on Poloncarz to take action in fighting the road conditions.
  MORE | Details of that conference can be found here.
  Poloncarz’s ears were open to the call for action,
  
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• ATF conducts training with day of explosions

  22-09-2016 17:07 via wivb.com
  
  GASPORT, N.Y. (WIVB) — The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms set off more than a dozen blasts Wednesday, including several vehicles.
  This training is all about the post blast approach — the minutes, hours, and days after an explosion that investigators use to trace how it was made and where it came from.
  Explosives travel at 24-thousand feet per second and often come with shrapnel. And when you’re talking about an IED, or a homemade explosive, things get even harrier
  
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• Public corruption charges filed against nine defendants

  22-09-2016 15:01 via wivb.com
  
  NEW YORK, N.Y. (WIVB) — News 4 expects to learn more later today about nine defendants who now face public corruption charges. U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara for the Southern District of the state will detail the allegations at a noon news conference.
  His office released a statement this morning naming nine defendants, including Joseph Percoco, the former Executive Deputy Secretary to the Governor, Alain Kaloyeros, the President of SUNY Polytechnic Institute and western New York develope
  
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• LIVE STREAM: AG Schneiderman announces public corruption charges

  22-09-2016 15:01 via wivb.com
  
  NEW YORK (AP modified) — A former top aide to Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo was among eight people charged Thursday in a bribery and fraud case that threatened to tarnish Cuomo’s efforts to revitalize the upstate economy and the reputation of a governor who until now had been spared from a federal prosecutor’s public corruption crusade.
  APP USERS | Tap here to watch a live conference with New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman.
  See U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara announce
  
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• Cuomo’s ex-aide, university head, WNY developer charged with bribery

  22-09-2016 15:01 via wivb.com
  
  NEW YORK (AP modified) — A federal prosecutor on Thursday accused two people close to Gov. Andrew Cuomo of bribery and fraud relating to Cuomo’s high-profile economic development projects in a significant blow to the Democratic governor’s administration.
  Joseph Percoco, Cuomo’s former executive deputy secretary, and Alain Kaloyeros, president of SUNY Polytechnic Institute, are among nine who face charges, according to a criminal complaint by U.S. Attorney Preet Bhara
  
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• Cuomo’s ex-aide, university head, WNY contractor charged with bribery

  22-09-2016 15:01 via wivb.com
  
  NEW YORK (AP modified) — A former top aide to Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo was among eight people charged Thursday in a bribery and fraud case that threatened to tarnish Cuomo’s efforts to revitalize the upstate economy and the reputation of a governor who until now had been spared from a federal prosecutor’s public corruption crusade.
  See U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara announce the charges in the video below:
  Joseph Percoco, Cuomo’s former executive deputy secretary an
  
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• Cuomo’s ex-aide, university head, Buffalo contractor charged with bribery

  22-09-2016 15:01 via wivb.com
  
  NEW YORK (AP modified) — A former top aide to Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo was among eight people charged Thursday in a bribery and fraud case that threatened to tarnish Cuomo’s efforts to revitalize the upstate economy and the reputation of a governor who until now had been spared from a federal prosecutor’s public corruption crusade.
  See U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara announce the charges in the video below:APP USERS | Tap here to activate the video.
  Joseph Percoco, Cuomo&r
  
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• Man attacked outside Downtown library

  22-09-2016 14:35 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO (WIVB) – Police are trying to find the suspect who attacked a man near the Buffalo and Erie County Library early Thursday morning. Officers closed Ellicott Street from Broadway to Clinton for several hours overnight as they investigated.
  Buffalo Police tweeted that the man who was assaulted had serious injuries. Officers encouraged people to avoid the intersection.
  Police Spokesperson Mike DeGeorge so far has not responded to News 4’s request for additional information.
  
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• Make-A-Wish Radio-Thon aims to hit $3 million mark as legendary host returns to air

  22-09-2016 12:21 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) – People tuning into 97Rock during the Make-A-Wish Radio-Thon should hear a very familiar voice.
  Legendary radio host Larry Norton has come out of retirement to help with this year’s fundraiser for Make-A-Wish of Western New York, which started its 22nd year at 6 a.m. Thursday.
  The 28-hour marathon aims to raise about $100,000 by 10 a.m. Friday, which would put the drive over the $3 million total mark. All of the money stays in Western New York to help grant wish
  
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• Marine Drive Apartment residents complain of rat problem

  22-09-2016 05:49 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — People who live at the Marine Drive Apartments near Canalside in Buffalo say when the sun goes down, rats take over. The housing authority says they’re aware of the problem, and they are working to get rid of them as soon as possible, but it’s not an easy task.
  According to the Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority, the problem is being blamed on several things – including a massive electrical infrastructure upgrade, exposed trash, and the drought. Bu
  
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• Airbnb wants changes to NYS law as home-sharing grows in popularity

  22-09-2016 05:43 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB)- New Yorkers have welcomed guests into their homes through Airbnb since 2008 but in the last year the number of people staying with Airbnb hosts in Erie County has grown by more than 200 percent.
  “Just in the last few days, I’ve had two bookings, three bookings,” said Dorothy Mehnert, a host. “It’s just amazing.”
  Mehnert was one of the first Western New Yorkers to join Airbnb as a host. There are now more than 215 listings in Erie Cou
  
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• Storefront fire under investigation

  22-09-2016 05:10 via wivb.com
  
   
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — A fire that broke out in a William Street plaza Friday afternoon is under investigation.
  According to fire officials, smoke and flames coming out of the Towne Gardens plaza were reported by a passerby around 4 p.m. Both a Boost Mobile and a beauty supply store suffered smoke and water damage.
  Buffalo Fire Commissioner Garnell Whitfield says the fire is considered suspicious because it appears to have started outside the structure.
  Everyone inside the stor
  
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• The Latest: Officials: 1 person treated for apparent gunshot

  22-09-2016 03:28 via wivb.com
  
  CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — The latest on police shooting and protests in Charlotte, North Carolina (all times local):
  9:10 p.m.
  The emergency medical service in Charlotte says a person has been taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries from an apparent gunshot wound.Charlotte Medic tweeted that the person was injured Wednesday night but didn’t give details.
   The service says it has taken eight patients — seven law-enforcement officers and one civilian — to are
  
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• ITT closure halts futures for graduating students

  22-09-2016 03:13 via wivb.com
  
  TOWN OF AMHERST, N.Y. (WIVB) — Nearly two dozens students at ITT’s Getzville campus were less than a month from graduation, each having completed all their coursework to earn an Associate’s degree.
  But like the tens of thousands of ITT students across the country, they were out of luck. Two years of course work could all be for not.\
  “You’re basically screwing over not just myself, but people I call brothers and sisters, who are now wondering where do I go from here
  
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• Best time to ‘go solar’ could be now, but with caution

  22-09-2016 01:56 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) – As solar power develops into a powerful engine driving Western New York’s economy and our everyday lives, reaping the full benefits of “going solar” can sometimes be a lot easier said than done.
  With state and federal tax incentives, Nathan Rizzo vice president of Williamsville based Solar Liberty said homeowners’ only have to pay about 40% of the overall cost for a residential solar power roof installation, “So it is a beautiful time t
  
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• Locked outlets at bus station mean charge phone before you go

  22-09-2016 00:55 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) – Travelers using the downtown bus station recently, have likely noticed plastic lockboxes covering the electrical wall outlets. The covered plugs can be a pain, especially for folks who need their cell phones and their batteries are running low.
  Officials for the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority say the wall plugs have created a safety issue.They said as users huddle around the outlets, charging their phones, tablets, and other electronic devices they have b
  
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• New musical makes history at Shea’s

  22-09-2016 00:34 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) – The curtain will soon rise on a popular musical in downtown Buffalo. Finding Neverland has taken Broadway by storm, and will now take the stage at Shea’s Performing Arts Center.The musical was inspired by the book about Peter Pan.
  The show is launching its first national tour and it picked Buffalo as its first stop. There will be ten shows here at Sheas. To put on a production that size takes a lot of moving parts. Orchard Park nat
  
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• Knox horse-therapy program could replace brewery proposal

  22-09-2016 00:15 via wivb.com
  
  EAST AURORA, N.Y. (WIVB) — New York State Parks rejected a proposal to develop a brewery or distillery at Knox Farm State Park. Officials say it was the only proposal submitted during their Request for Proposal process (RFP) in June.
  Thousands of East Aurora residents petitioned against the proposal that would have established the brewery on over 80 acres of land at Knox Farm State Park.
  Now the president of the Stables at Knox Inc., has a new plan in the works.
  “To make the Knox sta
  
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• Social Security: Deciding when to take retirement benefits

  22-09-2016 00:07 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) – You can start collecting Social Security retirement benefits as early as 62 or as late as age 70.
  Your monthly benefit will be different depending on the age you start collecting.
  If you choose to collect benefits early, they’ll be reduced based on the number of months you receive benefits before reaching full retirement age.
  If you haven’t figured it out yet, there’s no one “best age” for everyone. It can be tricky – because no on
  
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