• Most Syrian refugees arriving in US are kids; schools adapt

    Most Syrian refugees arriving in US are kids; schools adapt
    EL CAJON, Calif. (AP) — Seated at his desk at a suburban San Diego middle school, 12-year-old Abdulhamid Ashehneh tries not to let his mind wander to the painful memories of his life in civil war-torn Syria.
    His father disappeared suddenly four years ago and, the family believes, was killed. Months later, Abdulhamid’s mother boarded a bus with her six children, the youngest 2, and fled to Jordan, the sound of bombs ringing in the distance.
    “I think about my Dad a lot,” Ab
  • US: Ex-contractor committed ‘breathtaking’ theft of secrets

    US: Ex-contractor committed ‘breathtaking’ theft of secrets
    WASHINGTON (AP) — A former National Security Agency contractor’s theft of top secret government information was “breathtaking in its longevity and scale,” federal prosecutors said in a court filing Thursday aimed at keeping the man locked up as the case moves forward.
    The Justice Department also said it anticipated bringing additional charges against Harold T. Martin III, including under the Espionage Act, which would expose him to far harsher penalties.
    The filing offers
  • Kansas man gets probation in octopus-in-throat case

    Kansas man gets probation in octopus-in-throat case
    WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A southern Kansas man who admitted to endangering a child after a 2-year-old boy in his care ended up with a small octopus lodged in his throat has been sentenced to two years of probation.
    Thirty-seven-year-old Matthew Gallagher also was sentenced Thursday to a suspended one-year jail term. Gallagher pleaded guilty to a reduced count of child endangerment, as well as charges of battery and interference with law enforcement. All are misdemeanors.
    The boy’s mother
  • Amherst residents pushing to stop plans for proposed cell tower

    Amherst residents pushing to stop plans for proposed cell tower
    AMHERST, N.Y. (WIVB) — Passionate residents of Dellwood Road have a clear message: they want to stop Verizon, and they don’t want cell towers in their backyards.
    “It’s going to be unsightly and the asthetics of our community and our neighborhood will be affected,” said Jamie Smith of Amherst.
    In September the Amherst Zoning Board of Appeals approved a special permit for the construction of a 90 foot cell tower on a wooded lot behind Public Storage on Sheridan. Resid
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  • Winter outlook: Warm south; cooler north; murky in middle

    Winter outlook: Warm south; cooler north; murky in middle
    WASHINGTON (AP) — Federal forecasters predict this winter may paint the U.S. in stripes of different weather: Warmer and drier than normal in the south, and colder and wetter than usual in the far north.
    The National Weather Service winter outlook , issued Thursday, gets murky in the nation’s middle belt, with no particular expectation for trends in temperature or precipitation.
    Still, some nasty storms might make the winter there memorable, said Mike Halpert, deputy director of the
  • Llama on the loose in the town of Arcade

    Llama on the loose in the town of Arcade
    ARCADE, N.Y. (WIVB) — Llama drama in the town of Arcade. An award winning llama has gone missing.
    Snow the llama has been missing since Tuesday night. It happened when her handler took her for a walk around 6:30.
    Snow took off running after her handler tripped over a tree branch and lost her grip of the lead rope. She got spooked and ran the other way.
    Snow’s owner searched the area with a 4-wheeler that night to find her but had no luck. Her last reported sighting was heading back t
  • Man found in WNY sentenced after two decades on the run

    Man found in WNY sentenced after two decades on the run
    CHEEKTOWAGA, N.Y. (WIVB) — 21 years of fake names has ultimately led to two years in prison for a Cheektowaga man.
    Since 1995, Scott Keener, 47, has made his way through life with false documents like U.S. passports and driver’s licenses.
    In 1996, after being taken into state custody in Colorado, Keener escaped. He later purchased false identification documents associated with a person who had been missing from his Virginia family since 1993.
    Keener bought the documents fro
  • Critically injured toddler showing signs of improvement

    Critically injured toddler showing signs of improvement
    NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. (WIVB)- 22-month-old Devyn Grabowski was in the care of his aunt’s boyfriend when he suffered critical injuries in early October.
    The incident occurred in the Town of Tonawanda. Police told News 4 they responded to a call for a child who fell down the stairs. They’re currently investigating the matter.
    The child’s father, Jeffrey Grabowski, doesn’t believe his son’s injuries were caused by falling. The toddler suffered spinal fractures
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  • Rex hopeful McCoy will be in Sunday’s game; says Shaq Lawson will play

    Rex hopeful McCoy will be in Sunday’s game; says Shaq Lawson will play
    ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (WIVB) — LeSean McCoy was only watching practice, Rex Ryan told News 4 on Thursday, but the Buffalo Bills coach expects him to be back on the field this Sunday.
    McCoy recently injured his hamstring and could not finish practice on Wednesday. During this past Sunday’s game against the San Francisco 49ers, McCoy walked off the field in the first half, but returned in the second as he battled injury.
    Along with hopes of McCoy’s return to the field, Rya
  • New Tim Hortons coming to Buffalo airport

    New Tim Hortons coming to Buffalo airport
    BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Whether they’re leaving the region or entering it, travelers can soon get a taste of a local favorite at the Buffalo Niagara International Airport.
    Delaware North says they will be opening a new Tim Hortons restaurant at the airport later this year.
    “Tim Hortons is beloved in Western New York and around the world, so we are thrilled to bring it to Buffalo Niagara International Airport,” Kevin Kelly, president of Delaware North’s
  • Help the Humboldts: Donations needed to keep penguins in WNY

    Help the Humboldts: Donations needed to keep penguins in WNY
    NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. (WIVB) – The Aquarium of Niagara is one of only 20 places in the US and Canada where you can see Humboldt penguins, but more help is needed to keep the threatened species in our area.
    The Aquarium is working to raise $3.2 million for a new exhibit for the Humboldt penguins, and is seeking donations from the public to reach the goal.
    MORE | Click here to make a donation to help save the penguins.
    The new exhibit will allow the Aquarium of Niagara to add nearly 20 more pe
  • Orchard Park police looking for man in relation to car theft

    Orchard Park police looking for man in relation to car theft
    ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (WIVB) — Orchard Park police are looking for a man wanted in relation to a stolen vehicle.
    Police say the vehicle was taken from a convenience store at the corner of Abbott Rd. and Southwestern Blvd. It was later recovered on Deshler St. in Buffalo’s Lovejoy neighborhood.
    The man wanted for questioning is described as approximately 35 years old, white and having a goatee. He stands at approximately 5’6″ and looks to weigh roughly 170 lbs.
  • Cleaning crew accused of stealing medicine from home

    Cleaning crew accused of stealing medicine from home
    ELMA, N.Y. (WIVB) — A local cleaning crew has been charged with stealing medication from a client.
    Erie County Sheriff’s deputies say Jaclyn Martin, 37, of Amherst, and Miranda Schmidt, 23, of Kenmore were caught on a home camera system stealing a woman’s medicine.
    The alleged video was seen by the woman’s son, who told deputies about what he says he saw.
    Martin and Schmidt were charged with conspiracy and petit larceny. Martin was additionally accused of t
  • 2 charged with robbing man at North Tonawanda home

    2 charged with robbing man at North Tonawanda home
    NORTH TONAWANDA, N.Y. (WIVB) — Police in North Tonawanda arrested two people accused of robbing a man at his home.
    According to officials, Buffalo residents Adam Cleary, 33, and Elyse Schurkus, 32, entered the man’s home and took his safe, which contained an unknown amount of cash and jewelry.
    At the time, police say Cleary was armed with a handgun.
    The victim of the robbery knew both of the suspects, according to police. They were later apprehended on Wheatfield St.
    Police char
  • Final debate brings little clarity to undecided voters

    Final debate brings little clarity to undecided voters
    RIVER FALLS, Wis. (AP) — As a tumultuous campaign nears an end, undecided voters across the country watched the final debate of the U.S. presidential race with a mix of skepticism and rapt attention Wednesday night.
    They were searching for clarity, and some found it. But others remained painfully undecided just a few weeks before the election, saying neither candidate won them over.
    “I heard a lot of the same rhetoric spewed over and over again,” said 41-year-old Damon Holter,
  • Niagara Falls crash victim identified

    Niagara Falls crash victim identified
    NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. (WIVB) — A 51-year-old man was killed in a vehicle crash on Niagara Falls Blvd. in Niagara Falls.
    Niagara Falls resident Brian Lewis died at a local hospital after his vehicle collided with an eastbound vehicle driven by a 21-year-old Lockport man. The accident happened shortly before 7 a.m. Thursday.
    The Lockport man’s vehicle hit Lewis’ vehicle’s side. He was also taken to a local hospital for evaluation.
    The northbound lanes of the road were cl
  • Man killed in Niagara Falls crash

    Man killed in Niagara Falls crash
    NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. (WIVB) — A 51-year-old man was killed in a vehicle crash on Niagara Falls Blvd. in Niagara Falls.
    It is not clear what happened, but in addition to the 51-year-old’s death, another man was hospitalized to be evaluated for chest pains.
    This was not a pedestrian-related accident.
    The northbound lanes of the road were closed at 89th St.
    Investigators could remain at the scene for the rest of Thursday morning as they piece together what happened.
  • Humboldt shooting suspects identified

    Humboldt shooting suspects identified
    BUFFALO, NY (WIVB) –  Buffalo police have arrested two men in connection with a late night shooting on Humboldt Parkway.
    Detectives say a 58-year old man was struck by gunfire in the 300 block of Humboldt around 11:45 pm Wednesday.
    The victim was transported by ambulance to ECMC where he is listed in fair condition.
    The suspects, Hakeem Hosein, 19, and Royce Roberts, 24, were charged with assault, robbery and criminal possession of a weapon.
     
  • Arrests made in Humboldt shooting

    Arrests made in Humboldt shooting
    BUFFALO, NY (WIVB) –  Buffalo police have arrested two men in connection with a late night shooting on Humboldt Parkway.
    Detectives say a 58-year old man was struck by gunfire in the 300 block of Humboldt around 11:45 pm Wednesday.
    The victim was transported by ambulance to ECMC where he is listed in fair condition.
    The suspects, a 19 year old and a 24-year old, were charged with assault, robbery and criminal possession of a weapon.
     
  • Zoo president Donna Fernandes to retire

    Zoo president Donna Fernandes to retire
    BUFFALO, NY (WIVB) –  The Board of Directors of the Buffalo Zoo is announcing the retirement of president Dr. Donna Fernandes.
    Fernandes, who has been at the helm of the zoo for sixteen years, will remain committed and involved with the zoo exhibit design and fundraising.
    Under Fernandes’ leadership the zoo has logged over $50 million in new exhibits and visitor attractions under a master plan that has transformed the attraction.
    Annual attendance at the zoo exceeds a half milli
  • Woman found dead in a burning Lockport home

    Woman found dead in a burning Lockport home
    LOCKPORT, NY (WIVB) –  Authorities say a woman was found dead in a burning home.
    They’re trying to figure out if the fire on High Street near Akron Road cased her death.
    Initially, crews were called to the scene at 650 E. High Street around 3:30 a.m. for reports of a house fire. The home is located near Roy Kelley Elementary.
    Police began to clear the scene between 8:30 and 9 a.m.
    Later, the woman’s ex-husband told News 4 she was 55 years old. Police have not confirme
  • Man hospitalized after east side shooting

    Man hospitalized after east side shooting
    BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Police are investigating a shooting that happened near East Ferry and Genesee Streets Wednesday night.
    Officers responded to the scene just after 7 p.m. Police say a man was shot in the ankle and suffered non-life threatening injuries.
    Anyone with information should contact the Buffalo Police Department.
  • LIVE STREAM: Final Presidential debate

    LIVE STREAM: Final Presidential debate
    LAS VEGAS, Nev. (WIVB) — The last Presidential debate between Donald Trump (R) and Hillary Clinton (D) takes place on Wednesday night at 9 p.m.
    APP USERS | Tap here to watch the Presidential debate live.
  • Cutting your cable bill can be tougher than it looks

    Cutting your cable bill can be tougher than it looks
    BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) – Kathy Farmer tried cutting costs by cutting channels from her Time Warner Cable package, but when she took a close look at her new leaner bill, she was shocked to find new charges she had never seen before.
    “I had all these channels that went up into the hundreds. I never watched any of them,” said the South Buffalo grandmother, so she downsized her channel lineup to about 60, and cancelled her digital home phone’s free long distance.
    All told, Far
  • Datebook, notes call into question ethics violation for Ceretto

    Datebook, notes call into question ethics violation for Ceretto
    BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Assemblyman John Ceretto (D-Lewiston) tells voters in a recent campaign commercial, he’ll fight corruption in Albany.
    But it’s been state officials and Ceretto’s opponent in the race for another term who believe he’s instead part of the problem.
    Emails made public earlier this month show Ceretto and his top political aid decided how to divvy up state grants to lower governments.
    But rather than using the merits and worthiness of particular pro
  • Hundreds petition Buffalo leaders to move BPD headquarters to Broadway-Fillmore

    Hundreds petition Buffalo leaders to move BPD headquarters to Broadway-Fillmore
    BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB)- Hundreds of people have petitioned Buffalo leaders to consider creating a public safety campus in the Broadway-Fillmore community.
    Fillmore Forward board members Bradford Watts and Michael Threat told News 4 it will build on momentum already growing in the neighborhood.
    “I grew up in this neighborhood community, shopped and worked in this neighborhood and community and I see there’s that growth, new opportunity,” said Watts.
    Fillmore Forward is p
  • Father of man beaten to death at county holding center: ‘My son still needs me’

    Father of man beaten to death at county holding center: ‘My son still needs me’
    BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Richard Metcalf, Sr., smiled softly Wednesday morning as he remembered the last conversation he had with his son.
    It was in late Nov. 2012, after his arraignment in local court on a burglary charge.
    “Just basically proceeded to tell him that everything would be alright, you know,” he said. “Whatever happens here, just know that mom and I love you, we’re going to help you any way you can.”
    Though it was their last conversation, Richard wo
  • Scholar Athlete: Austin Reamsnyder

    Scholar Athlete: Austin Reamsnyder
    BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — News 4’s Scholar Athlete series has returned for 2016, highlighting the Western New York high school seniors who excel both on the field and in the classroom.
    Our first Scholar Athlete is Maryvale senior Austin Reamsnyder. He maintains a 3.9 GPA, is third in his class and hopes to attend Cornell to study engineering.
    Austin has also spent four years as a member of the Flyers’ varsity football team and has been a captain since his sophomore year.
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  • California attorney general investigating Wells Fargo bank

    California attorney general investigating Wells Fargo bank
    SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California’s attorney general is leading a criminal investigation into the sales practices scandal that has rocked San Francisco-based Wells Fargo bank.
    A search warrant released Wednesday by the state Department of Justice shows that agents sought evidence related to allegations that bank employees created up to 2 million bank and credit card accounts without customers’ approval in order to meet sales goals.
    The warrant, first reported by th

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