Buffalo news

• 3 more bodies found in Tennessee wildfire ruins, toll at 7

  30-11-2016 23:59 via wivb.com
  
  GATLINBURG, Tenn. (AP) — Three more bodies were found in the ruins of wildfires that torched hundreds of homes and businesses in the Great Smoky Mountains area, raising the death toll to seven, a Tennessee mayor said Wednesday.
  Search-and-rescue missions continued, and Sevier County Mayor Larry Waters said they had found three people who had been trapped since the fires started spreading wildly in high winds on Monday night. The mayor said the three were OK.
  “That is some good, posit
  
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• Scholar Athlete: Kenmore West’s Colin Lynch

  30-11-2016 23:51 via wivb.com
  
  Colin Lynch’s resume is impressive, to say the least.
  The senior at Kenmore West is third in his class, was selected as the the only student on the Ken-Ton school board, runs cross country and indoor and outdoor track for the Blue Devils.
  “Through all the hard work I have put in and my teammates have helped me with and my coaches, I have been able to develop and become a better runner,” Lynch said.
  “He is very goal oriented, he sets a plan and does anything and everything
  
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• Local clinics optimistic about medical marijuana program expansion

  30-11-2016 23:49 via wivb.com
  
  AMHERST, N.Y. (WIVB)- New York’s Department of Health recently announced nurse practitioners will have the power to certify patients for the state’s medical marijuana program.
  “Our patients ask us daily and it’s difficult because we just don’t have a space for these patients,” said family nurse practitioner, Kathryn Murphy.
  Murphy works at the Dent Cannabis Clinic in Amherst. She told News 4 the office gets up to 70 calls a day from perspective patients.
  Direc
  
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• Residents to learn more about impact of Lackawanna fire’s smoke following analysis

  30-11-2016 23:25 via wivb.com
  
  LACKAWANNA, N.Y. (WIVB) — The state has secured a commitment from Great Lakes Industrial Development to respond to smoke cleanup damage requests from homeowners following the fire at the former Bethlehem Steel site.
  “The fire is out, but community residents living around the Bethlehem Steel Plant are struggling with its aftermath in their own homes,” DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos said. “DECcommends Great Lakes Industrial Development for agreeing to provide peace of m
  
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• Keeping warm: Local organization kicks off “buy one, give one” program to support Buffalo refugees

  30-11-2016 23:24 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) – The growing refugee population is coming to Western New York from all over the world. A lot of them have never seen snow! Now a local organization is starting a new program to welcome them to our area.
  A Buffalo winter is not always a welcome surprise, even to those born and bred in Western New York. Now the Buffalo blog and business, Rise Collaborative wants refugees, new to Buffalo, to be prepared.Executive Director Kevin Heffernan is kicking off a b
  
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• Amtrak to move into new Niagara Falls station Tuesday

  30-11-2016 22:49 via wivb.com
  
  NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. (WIVB) — As of Tuesday, Dec. 6, Amtrak will be at the new rail station in Niagara Falls.
  All trains at the old station on Willard Ave. will stop on the day before that. Trains 280 and 284 will stop at the old station on Dec. 6. After train 284 departs at 6:50 a.m. Tuesday, the old station will be closed. At this time, the station staff will go to the new one.
  On that day, trains 64, 63, 281 and 283 will stop at the new station on Depot Ave. West.
  From Dec. 7 therea
  
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• Syria’s Aleppo loses clown who warmed war-torn hearts

  30-11-2016 22:15 via wivb.com
  
  BEIRUT (AP) — When war is constant, it can be easy to lose sight of how much a single death can matter. But the passing of one committed social worker will be especially devastating to his community in Aleppo.
  The 24-year-old Anas al-Basha was a center director at Space for Hope, one of many unheralded local initiatives operating against the odds to provide civil society services to Syria’s war-torn opposition areas.
  He was also a joker who dressed as a clown to cheer up the Aleppo&r
  
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• Farm to Food Bank bill vetoed

  30-11-2016 20:19 via wivb.com
  
   
  YOUNGSTOWN, N.Y. (WIVB)– Every year thousands of items are donated to the Food Bank of Western New York.
  “It’s always important for us to make sure that our families are getting fresh fruits and vegetables to make sure they’re living healthy lives,” said Catherine Shick, the Public and Community Relations Manager for the Food Bank.
  She says there’s a growing interest from families for fresh veggies. This, as they’re continuing to promote more
  
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• Starpoint CSD goes into lock-out situation

  30-11-2016 19:31 via wivb.com
  
  LOCKPORT, N.Y. (WIVB) — Starpoint Central School District entered into a lock-out Wednesday afternoon.
  The lock-out began as the Niagara County Sheriff’s Office attempted to check the welfare of a person at Pets Alive on Campbell Blvd., roughly five miles from Starpoint. The lock-out is a precautionary measure..@NiagaraSheriff SWAT/Rescue squads at Pets Alive on Campbell. Chking welfare of man inside. Why @StarpointCSD on lockout. @news4buffalo pic.twitter.com/Dd6zIOpf7l
  &m
  
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• Law enforcement searches for wanted man during Starpoint lock-out

  30-11-2016 19:31 via wivb.com
  
  PENDLETON, N.Y. (WIVB) — Starpoint Central School District entered into a lock-out Wednesday afternoon.
  The lock-out began as the Niagara County Sheriff’s Office attempted to check the welfare of a person at a home on Oakwood, near Pets Alive on Campbell Blvd., roughly five miles from Starpoint. The lock-out was a precautionary measure and no one was allowed to enter the buildings.
  The person, a man, is wanted for a criminal investigation, but law enforcement did not reveal
  
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• Authorities locate man wanted on sex abuse charges following manhunt

  30-11-2016 19:31 via wivb.com
  
  PENDLETON, N.Y. (WIVB) — The manhunt for a Pendleton man who was wanted on charges of sexual abuse and endangering the welfare of a child has come to an end. Christopher M. Wright, 44, was taken into custody at his home around 10:30 a.m. Thursday, nearly 24 hours after the search for him began.
  During the search, Starpoint Central Schools were placed in a lock-out situation, preventing people from entering the buildings but maintaining normal operations inside.
  The Starpoint superintendent
  
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• Authorities locate man wanted on sex abuse charge following manhunt

  30-11-2016 19:31 via wivb.com
  
  PENDLETON, N.Y. (WIVB) — Starpoint Central School District entered into a lock-out Wednesday. This was prompted by a welfare check and search for a wanted man who was found the next morning.
  The lock-out began when the Niagara County Sheriff’s Office attempted to check the welfare of 44-year-old Christopher M. Wright at a home on Oakwood Dr., near Pets Alive on Campbell Blvd. The home is roughly five miles from Starpoint. Pets Alive, which is an adoption center, was a stagi
  
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• Assistance animals at center of feud between apartment complex and local veteran

  30-11-2016 19:10 via wivb.com
  
  AMHERST, N.Y. (WIVB) – Air Force veteran Patrick Herbst says he and the management of the apartment complex where he lives agree on one thing: He needs to move out.
  But, he says, Stonegate Apartments is pursuing action to evict him, rather than letting him out of his lease.
  “They served me a notice of eviction, more or less, and with that comes the legal ramification of having to pay back the remainder of my lease, which is through May, as well as court fees and everything else,&rdqu
  
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• Death toll in storms sweeping South increases to 5

  30-11-2016 18:15 via wivb.com
  
  (AP) — Possible tornadoes swept through parts of Alabama and Tennessee overnight, killing five people and injuring more than a dozen as heavy rains from storms moving across the South produced flooding in areas previously suffering from months of drought.
  Possible tornadoes were reported across several counties in northern Alabama and southern Tennessee, National Weather Service meteorologist Lauren Nash said.
  Three people were killed and one person was critically injured in a mobile home
  
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• Tennessee mayor raises wildfire death toll to 4

  30-11-2016 18:10 via wivb.com
  
  GATLINBURG, Tenn. (AP) — Thunderstorms dumped much-needed rain on eastern Tennessee overnight as thousands of people waited anxiously for news about their homes after wildfires tore through this resort community, killing at least four people.
  Officials confirmed a new fatality Wednesday, saying the victim was found at a motel. A mandatory evacuation order remained in place for Gatlinburg as firefighters monitored a few remaining hot spots in the area near the Great Smoky Mountains.
  There w
  
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• Prosecutor: Officer acted lawfully in black man’s killing

  30-11-2016 18:00 via wivb.com
  
  CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — A Charlotte police officer who shot and killed a black man at an apartment complex, touching off several nights of unrest in the city, will not face charges, a North Carolina prosecutor announced Wednesday.
  Charlotte-Mecklenburg District Attorney Andrew Murray said Officer Brentley Vinson’s actions in killing Keith Lamont Scott were justified.
  Scott’s family has said he was not armed.
  However, at a lengthy news conference Murray displayed a nearby store&r
  
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• House Democrats re-elect Pelosi as leader

  30-11-2016 17:55 via wivb.com
  
  WASHINGTON (AP) — House Democrats have re-elected Nancy Pelosi as their leader.
  The California lawmaker, who has led the party since 2002, turned back a challenge from Ohio Rep. Tim Ryan on Wednesday.
  Her win came despite disenchantment among some in the Democratic caucus over the party’s disappointing performance in the elections earlier this month. Democrats will remain in the minority in the House and Senate next year and won’t have the presidency as a bulwark against Republ
  
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• Holiday Valley to close for skiing and riding this weekend

  30-11-2016 17:36 via wivb.com
  
  ELLICOTTVILLE, N.Y. (WIVB) — Snowboarders and skiiers will not have a chance to hit the slopes at Holiday Valley this weekend, as the weather will be too warm and rainy this week.
  The closure lasts from Dec. 3-4. The resort plans to make snow on Friday and Saturday nights, and possibly Sunday too.
  Because of cold weather expected next Wednesday, Holiday Valley plans to reopen the following Friday, Dec. 9.
  WEATHER | See our latest 4 Warn Forecast here.
  
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• Woman hospitalized after being mauled by dog in Rochester

  30-11-2016 17:22 via wivb.com
  
  ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WIVB) — A woman, 33, is in critical condition after getting mauled by a dog in Rochester, CBS contributors there say.
  Police went to Rockview Terrace around 1 a.m. Wednesday after receiving reports of a woman who was bitten by a pitbull.
  The dog was killed at the scene, according to WROC.
  During this time, a male bystander, 34, was struck by a projectile, but police cannot confirm whether or not it was a bullet.
  Both the woman and the bystander were hospitalized. The
  
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• Netflix customers can now download shows for offline viewing

  30-11-2016 16:40 via wivb.com
  
  LOS GATOS, Calif. (WIVB) — Those who wish to watch their favorite shows on Netflix, but can’t access Internet service, have a new option.
  Netflix announced on Wednesday morning that shows can now be downloaded for offline watching.
  The announcement was made in a post on their Twitter account. Watch it below:Airplane mode. Road trip mode. Stuck-in-the-subway-for-20-minutes mode. Your favorite stories are now available for download any time. pic.twitter.com/g7QZA3TyE8
  — Netf
  
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• District helps student who was diagnosed with leukemia

  30-11-2016 16:22 via wivb.com
  
  ANGOLA, N.Y. (WIVB) — Students at Lake Shore High School came together to help a fellow student fighting cancer.
  Caitlin Burbige of Irving was diagnosed with leukemia in February. She says she knew leading up to mid-terms that something wasn’t right.
  “I was having really bad stomach pains.”
  When the 15-year-old heard the doctor tell her she had cancer, she didn’t know what to think. “I thought they were lying,” she said.
  Unfortunately, they wer
  
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• Tractor-trailer crash causes I-290 EB entrance closure

  30-11-2016 15:29 via wivb.com
  
  AMHERST, N.Y. (WIVB) — Crews were seen trying to remove a tractor-trailer that crashed into a ditch along the I-290 EB Wednesday morning.
  Police believe the driver fell asleep behind the wheel.
  The truck was carrying 20 tons of steel. Getting the truck out of the last five feet of the ditch has proven to be difficult.
  Crews closed an entrance to the I-290 EB.
  
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• Resettlement agency says refugees are highly scrutinized before they arrive in U.S.

  30-11-2016 05:45 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB)- The suspect in the attack on Ohio State University’s campus Monday was a refugee from Somalia. He moved to the United States with his family from Pakistan two years ago. The family spent time in Dallas before settling in Ohio.
  A U.S. official said Abdul Razak Ali Artan’s family underwent more than two years of intense vetting before being allowed into the United States.
  “Refugees are more highly scrutinized than any other traveler that comes to t
  
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• Driver escapes vehicle struck by train in North Tonawanda

  30-11-2016 05:13 via wivb.com
  
  NORTH TONAWANDA, N.Y. (WIVB) — A woman and her dogs safely escaped a vehicle that was struck by a train in North Tonawanda Tuesday night.
  The vehicle was stuck on the tracks at Ward and River Roads before the driver jumped out. It is unclear how the car became stuck.
  North Tonawanda Police are at the scene investigating.
   
   
  
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• Driver, dogs escape vehicle struck by train in North Tonawanda

  30-11-2016 05:13 via wivb.com
  
  NORTH TONAWANDA, N.Y. (WIVB) — A woman and her dogs safely escaped a vehicle that was struck by a train in North Tonawanda Tuesday night.
  The vehicle was stuck on the tracks at Ward and River Roads before the driver jumped out. It is unclear how the car became stuck.
  North Tonawanda Police are at the scene investigating.
  
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• Driver charged with DWI after escaping vehicle struck by train in North Tonawanda

  30-11-2016 05:13 via wivb.com
  
  NORTH TONAWANDA, N.Y. (WIVB) — A woman and her dogs safely escaped a vehicle that was struck by a train in North Tonawanda Tuesday night.
  The vehicle was stuck on the tracks at Ward and River Roads before the driver jumped out. Authorities say the driver, Saratoga County resident Devon Dipasquale, 36, lost her way and turned on the tracks, where she got stuck.
  When she saw a train coming, she called police and fled.
  Dipasquale failed a field sobriety test, according to polic
  
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• Man shot on Riverside Avenue

  30-11-2016 04:03 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Buffalo Police are at the scene of an apparent shooting on Riverside Avenue.
  Police say one man was shot in the 200 block of Riverside just before 9:40 p.m. His condition is unknown.
  News 4 has a crew on the way and will update when more information is available.
  
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• Man in critical condition after Riverside Avenue shooting

  30-11-2016 04:03 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Buffalo Police were at the scene of a shooting on Riverside Avenue Tuesday night.
  Police say one man was shot multiple times in the 200 block of Riverside just before 9:40 p.m.
  The victim, a 27-year-old Buffalo man, is at ECMC in critical condition.
  Anyone with information on the shooting is asked to call the confidential tip line at 847-2255.
  
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• Police looking for missing Lockport teen

  30-11-2016 03:49 via wivb.com
  
  NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. (WIVB) — The Niagara County Sheriff’s Office is searcing for a missing Lockport teenager.
  17-year-old Austin Pilon was last seen walking toward Lockport from 6395 Old Niagara Road on Friday, November 25th. He is described as a 5’8 130 pound white male with brown hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing a black sweatshirt, black pants and a backpack.
  Investigators say Pilon is known to have friends and family members in Niagara Falls, N.Y.
  Anyone wi
  
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• Lawmakers push funding increases for direct care providers

  30-11-2016 02:48 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) – Hundreds of Western New York direct care workers were feeling the love Tuesday afternoon in their fight for higher wages. Where was the love coming from? Their state lawmakers.
  Western New York’s Albany delegation led a rally in support of higher funding for non-profit agencies that care for people with developmental disabilities, and higher wages for their workers. State Senator Tim Kennedy led the charge, “This isn’t a partisan issue, this isn&rs
  
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• First robotic spine surgery performed in Western New York

  30-11-2016 01:15 via wivb.com
  
  CHEEKTOWAGA, N.Y. (WIVB) – Western New York is now on the map for cutting edge surgeries. The first robotic spine surgery in the region was successful at the St. Joseph campus of Sisters Hospital.
  Just by looking at her, you wouldn’t think Susan Floyd from Kenmore had serious spine surgery just a little over two weeks ago. She said, “I’ve never felt this good, I feel like i’m 21 again.”
  It’s been over a decade since she blew out
  
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• St. Francis High School remembers graduate who lost battle with leukemia

  30-11-2016 00:52 via wivb.com
  
  ATHOL SPRINGS, N.Y. (WIVB) – Jason Jablonski, 21, had everything going for him when he was diagnosed with a rare form of leukemia in August. To the St. Francis community, he’s known as “JJ.” His mom tells us he was a born leader.And even though he lost his battle with cancer, even in the end, his family tells us he stayed optimistic and always had a smile on his face. Jason Cretacci coached Jablonski for years at St. Francis High Sc
  
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• Dictionary.com: Brexit, U.S. election caused 938-percent spike in look up of 2016’s Word of the Year

  30-11-2016 00:07 via wivb.com
  
  NEW YORK (AP/MEDIA GENERAL) — You might have thought about it, heard it. A lot. You might have even felt it: Dictionary.com’s word of the year is “xenophobia.”
  While it’s difficult to get at exactly why people look up words in dictionaries, online or on paper, it’s clear that in contentious 2016, fear of “otherness” bruised the collective consciousness around the globe.Credit: Dictionary.comThe Brexit vote, police violence against people of co
  
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• Lawmakers drop plan requiring women to register for draft

  30-11-2016 00:01 via wivb.com
  
  WASHINGTON (AP) — House and Senate negotiators have reached agreement on a sweeping defense policy bill that rejects a plan to force women to register for a military draft.
  Removing the provision is a victory for social conservatives who decried it as another step toward the blurring of gender lines.
  The bill, which authorizes spending for military programs, also hands Democrats a win: Lawmakers also struck a measure that they said would undercut protections against workplace discriminatio
  
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