Buffalo news

• Buffalo-based rapper with autism releases debut album

  17-11-2016 23:38 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — For as long as Avery can remember, rapping has always been a part of his blood.
  “When I was in my freshman year of high school I wrote my first song back in 2004 and ever since then I never looked back,” said Avery Gill, rapper.
  Avery Gill or ‘The Definitive’ comes up with his own rhymes and writes all his music. He recently released his debut album called, ‘The Legend’ inspired by one of his favorite rappers.
  “That album the
  
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• Mayor of Tonawanda proposes to his girlfriend inside the White House

  17-11-2016 23:25 via wivb.com
  
  TONAWANDA, N.Y. (WIVB) — The Mayor of Tonawanda, Rick Davis, asked his girlfriend Megan Morrow to marry him inside the White House earlier this week!
  Davis was one of 20 mayors who went to the White House Monday for an event recognizing Mayors across the country for their role in reducing veteran homelessness.
  Davis brought his girlfriend with him, little did she know he also brought a surprise too.
  At one point Megan put her purse and shawl down, thinking they were about to take a picture
  
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• Bills player becomes U.S. citizen

  17-11-2016 22:55 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — It was a big day for Buffalo Bills player Cyrus Kouandjio and 33 others.
  They took the oath of allegiance Thursday morning, and officially became U.S. citizens.
  Federal magistrate Michael Roemer presided over the naturalization ceremony.
  The candidates say they worked very hard to become citizens and they’re so thankful.
  Kouandjio says Buffalo was always important to him, but this is something he will never forget.
  
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• Tesla, SolarCity shareholders approve merger

  17-11-2016 22:19 via wivb.com
  
  (AP) — Electric car maker Tesla Motors won the backing of shareholders to acquire SolarCity Corp., the nation’s largest solar panel installer.
  Shareholders of both companies approved the merger by a wide margin Thursday.
  Tesla CEO Elon Musk proposed the merger in June, saying he wanted to create a one-stop shop for solar panels and electric cars. Musk is also chairman of SolarCity, which is run by his cousins.
  The all-stock deal was worth $2.6 billion when the companies approved it i
  
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• Dogs taken to SPCA after fighting paraphernalia allegedly found in home

  17-11-2016 22:03 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — The Erie County SPCA and Buffalo police headed out to a home on Congress St. Thursday after a concerned resident contacted them about a “crying” puppy.
  Officials found a puppy and two dogs in the home, which had a basement loaded with dog fighting paraphernalia, according to the SPCA.
  The animals were taken away and will be examined at the SPCA.
  No one has been charged as of 4 p.m.
  
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• Anana the polar bear to leave Buffalo Zoo

  17-11-2016 21:48 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — As part of a breeding recommendation, one of the Buffalo Zoo’s polar bears will be saying goodbye.
  Anana, who is the mother of another well-known bear, Luna, will be leaving the zoo after living in Buffalo since 2002.
  (Photo courtesy of The Buffalo Zoo)“With a declining population, Anana’s genes are vital to polar bear survival,” Buffalo Zoo President and CEO Dr. Donna Fernandes said. “Anana is one of a small set of females in North
  
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• Upward trend in philanthropic giving continues

  17-11-2016 20:43 via wivb.com
  
   
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — The number of Western New Yorkers giving to local organizations is continuing to increase. Thousands of people donated last year, giving millions of dollars to community nonprofits.
  “All you have to do is look around you and see the footprint of philanthropy,” said Betsy Constantine, the Vice President of the Community Foundation which helps manage donations for thousands of Western New York organizations, museums, etc.
  Last year, the Community Fou
  
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• Grand opening of West Seneca housing development announced

  17-11-2016 19:49 via wivb.com
  
  WEST SENECA, N.Y. (WIVB) — On Thursday, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced the opening of a $24.4 million mixed-use housing development in West Seneca.
  Ebenezer Square, a three-story building on Seneca St., will have 100 apartments for low-income families and people with behavioral health needs.
  “These strategic investments help support some of our most vulnerable New Yorkers by ensuring they have access to a safe and decent place to call home,” Cuomo said. “This project brings
  
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• UB police investigating attempted armed robbery of 2 women

  17-11-2016 19:33 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — University at Buffalo police are investigating an attempted armed robbery at the school’s South Campus.
  The incident occurred in Parker Lot around 12:30 p.m. Thursday, police say. The victims were two women.
  Police say the suspect had a knife.
  He is described as a thin, black man standing at 5’6″. He was wearing a black and gray patterned ski mask and a light gray zip-up hoodie.
  The suspect is no longer on campus, police say.
  Anyone with i
  
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• Brendan Dassey will remain in prison through appeal

  17-11-2016 19:27 via wivb.com
  
  PORTAGE, Wis. (WBAY) – The state of Wisconsin’s emergency motion to keep Brendan Dassey in prison during his appeal has been granted by an appeals court.
  On Thursday a 3-judge panel on the Seventh District Court of Appeals granted a stay to Wisconsin’s Department of Justice, denying a lower court’s order that Dassey be released from prison.
  “It is ordered that the appellant’s motion to stay is granted. The district court’s order releasing appellee Brenda
  
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• Ken-Ton school district to receive $2.2 million after power plant closure

  17-11-2016 18:41 via wivb.com
  
  TOWN OF TONAWANDA, N.Y. (WIVB) — New York state officials say Tonawanda taxpayers will see relief after the NGR Huntley Power plant closure that led to a loss in tax revenue.
  Kenmore-Town of Tonawanda Union Free School District Superintendent Dawn Mirand says the plant’s closure led to a “loss of $3 million annually in school district revenue.”
  “After years of devastating losses from the Gap Elimination Adjustment and other cuts to state education aid, the
  
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• 3 men who stopped suspected Lockport robber to be honored

  17-11-2016 18:07 via wivb.com
  
  LOCKPORT, N.Y. (WIVB) — On Friday morning, New York State Police will honor three men who saw and apprehended a suspected robber earlier this month.
  Troopers say Matthew Biles, 31, pushed an 87-year-old woman to the ground as she was walking from a building on Robinson Rd. in Lockport. He then stole her purse and ran, according to officials. The woman suffered numerous injuries including a broken arm.
  (Matthew Biles)The next day, Troopers say Biles did the same thing to a 73-year-old
  
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• Rush for snow tires precedes first widespread snow of season

  17-11-2016 17:48 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) – Across Western New York, municipal crews have been preparing for the first time they’ll need to clear the snow off the roads this season. Drivers are also preparing their cars to deal with snowy roads.
  That’s keeping the staff at places like Dunn Tire on Broadway pretty busy. “A crazy rush of customers just coming in and trying to beat the rush of having to wait in line for hours on end and get the work done and get them ready for whatever snow is c
  
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• Erie County DPW Commissioner to retire

  17-11-2016 17:45 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — The Commissioner of the Erie County Department of Public Works has announced his retirement.
  John Loffredo will end his 5-year tenure as Commissioner at the end of January. Before taking the job in 2012, he previously served as Commissioner from 1988 to 2000.
  “I thank John Loffredo for his years of service to the people of Erie County and for the good work that his department has done throughout the county,” Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz said. &
  
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• Gov. Cuomo: Want Uber upstate? Call your lawmaker

  17-11-2016 17:35 via wivb.com
  
  ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — Gov. Andrew Cuomo says upstate residents who want to see Uber in cities like Buffalo, Syracuse and Rochester should call their state lawmakers.
  The Democratic governor told reporters this week that it will take public pressure to get lawmakers to support Uber’s expansion plan.
  The app-based ride-hailing service is legally prohibited from operating outside of New York City. The company wants the Legislature to lift that ban when they return to Albany next year
  
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• Police: Crack smoking, robbery with sword lead to arrests

  17-11-2016 17:28 via wivb.com
  
  TONAWANDA, N.Y. (WIVB) — City of Tonawanda police say a night of smoking crack ended with accusations and an alleged robbery with a katana.
  Police say William Harris III, 47, and two others spent the night smoking crack in a Fletcher St. apartment. During this time, Harris got into an argument with another man after discovering that his bracelet had been pawned earlier in the evening “to buy more crack cocaine,” police say.
  After the argument began, officials say
  
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• Car crashes into school bus in Wheatfield

  17-11-2016 16:58 via wivb.com
  
  TOWN OF WHEATFIELD, N.Y. (WIVB) — A car collided with a school bus in the town of Wheatfield Wednesday afternoon.
  New York State Police say North Tonawanda resident Elijah Zapp, 21, was going south on Hoover Rd. when the bus in front of him stopped to drop off a child.
  Despite its red lights flashing, Troopers say Zapp ended up crashing into the bus from behind.
  29 children were on the bus, but no one was injured.
  Zapp was ticketed for following the bus too closely, driving at an unsa
  
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• Sick of the same ol’ pumpkin pie? Try these pumpkin desserts instead

  17-11-2016 16:33 via wivb.com
  
  (MEDIA GENERAL) — Thanksgiving is a holiday steeped in tradition. From turkey and stuffing to football and friends, every family does it differently — but mostly the same.
  Pumpkin pie is a Thanksgiving staple for many American households, but for those who aren’t fan or those looking for something a little different this turkey day, here are some pumpkin desserts to try, instead.
  Pumpkin Torte
  I’m not the biggest pumpkin fan out there – hence the desire to write thi
  
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• Food company recalls cheese possibly contaminated with Salmonella

  17-11-2016 16:25 via wivb.com
  
  NEW YORK (AP) — A New York-based food company is recalling various cheese products that were distributed across the U.S. They could be contaminated with Salmonella.
  Salmonella is a bacteria that could be fatal for kids, elderly people or others with weak immune systems.
  4C Foods Corp. is recalling the following products:
  4C All Natural Parmesan Grated Cheese (UPC 41387-33126)
  4C All Natural Parmesan/Romano Grated Cheese (UPC 41387-37126)
  4C All Natural 100% Imported Italian Pecorino R
  
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• Ancient Ten Commandments tablet sold at auction for $850,000

  17-11-2016 15:51 via wivb.com
  
  BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. (AP) — The world’s earliest-known complete stone inscription of the Ten Commandments, described as a “national treasure” of Israel, sold at auction in Beverly Hills for $850,000.
  Heritage Auctions said the two-foot square marble slab sold Wednesday night at a public auction of ancient Biblical archaeology artifacts.
  The tablet weighs about 115 pounds and is inscribed in an early Hebrew script called Samaritan.
  It likely adorned the entrance of a syna
  
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• Tesla, SolarCity shareholders prepare to vote on merger

  17-11-2016 15:24 via wivb.com
  
  Tesla Motors CEO Elon Musk will learn Thursday if shareholders support his plan to merge with SolarCity Corp. after a lengthy debate over the merits of the deal.
  Musk says the combination will create a one-stop shop for solar panels and electric cars.
  Shareholders of both companies are scheduled to vote Thursday afternoon at two separate meetings near the companies’ California headquarters.
  The all-stock deal was worth $2.6 billion when the companies approved it in August, but their shares
  
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• Humboldt House support workers picket for a new contract

  17-11-2016 05:29 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Healthcare workers at one Buffalo nursing home want a contract. The workers say they’re sick of their working conditions and pay. The workers are trying to make a living at the Humboldt House as support staff. They’re the housekeepers, the laundry workers, and the maintenance workers.
  Reverend Justo Gonzalez said,”14, 15, 10 year employees and no increases. It is utterly ridiculous, and we in the faith community stand always on the side of work
  
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• North Tonawanda residents outraged over changes to terrace parking restrictions

  17-11-2016 05:12 via wivb.com
  
  NORTH TONAWANDA, N.Y. (WIVB) — People living in the city of North Tonawanda are outraged. What use to be a convenient parking place for many is now off limits.
  “People that do not have curbs are allowed to park on the terrace and people that have curbed streets are not,” said Arthur Pappas, Mayor of North Tonawanda.
  Residents have been parking on the terrace during the winter months for years. The terrace is the grass or black top between the street and the house. It’s al
  
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• Suspect arrested in PA linked to shooting of 11 year old

  17-11-2016 01:53 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) – An accused Buffalo street gang member was arrested in Erie, PA, after a grand jury in Erie County, NY indicted him on weapons charges, linked to the shooting of an 11 year old boy, last summer.
  Juan Rodriguez was shot once in the head, as he tried to protect his younger siblings from a shootout in front of their home on Humason Avenue on June 29. Rodriguez has endured several surgeries, and spent months in the hospital recuperating.
  The community has rallied around
  
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• Despite arrest, Ken Anderson not suspected in 2008 disappearance of ex-wife

  17-11-2016 01:47 via wivb.com
  
  CHAUTAUQUA LAKE, N.Y. (WIVB) — Ken Anderson appeared in court Wednesday in Kentucky, some 500 miles away from the home records show he still owns in Asheville. It’s a home he shared not only with his former wife Corrie, who’s been missing since 2008, but his most current wife, who he’s accused of kidnapping and raping at a motel in Richmond.
  “Her story is very similar, almost identical to Corrie’s,” said Corrie’s sister Autumn Boardman, about Ken A
  
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• Local officials say crews are on standby to deal with anticipated snow

  17-11-2016 01:19 via wivb.com
  
  HAMBURG, N.Y. (WIVB)- Crews are on standby across Erie County, prepared for the first snowfall of the year.
  “Hopefully it won’t be nearly as bad and we can stay with these warmer temperatures,” said Bill Geary, the Erie County Commissioner of Highways.
  4 Warn Meteorologists predict 70 degree temperatures on Friday and then a cooldown and snowfall Sunday into Monday.
  “In the Highway Department, we’ll be on call over the weekend if Sunday’s weather gets as
  
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• Wilson Foundation donates $6M to Albright Knox

  17-11-2016 00:23 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, NY (WIVB)  – The Wilson Foundation is taking the Albright-Knox Art Gallery over the top in meeting their financial goal for a major expansion.
  Wednesday, the gallery’s A-K 360 campaign announced the Wilson Foundation donated $6 million toward the project.
  The gallery is mounting a major development that will double the gallery space, create new areas and better integrate the campus with Delaware Park.
  The Albright Knox recently announced that billionaire western New Yor
  
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