Buffalo news

• Tonawanda warehouse undergoes EPA clean-up

  07-12-2016 23:44 via wivb.com
  
  TONAWANDA, N.Y. (WIVB)- Shortly before Thanksgiving, the state shut down a warehouse in the Town of Tonawanda for dangerously storing chemicals.
  Officials with the EPA told News 4 approximately 8,000 containers at Morgan Materials on Vulcan Street need to be tested and removed.
  The multi-warehouse facility is close to a neighborhood and a charter school. Public Affairs Officer for EPA Region 2, Michael Basile, said surrounding homes and businesses are not in any danger.
  The site is stable,
  
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• Amherst teen to sing National Anthem at Bills Christmas Eve game for first time

  07-12-2016 23:04 via wivb.com
  
  WILLIAMSVILLE, N.Y. (WIVB) — Of 300 people who applied, 16-year-old Camryn Clune made top 20, auditioned, and was selected to sing the National Anthem at the Bills game on Christmas Eve.
  “Singing for the Bills is a dream come true because I’ve been singing it for a while and just to be acknowledged for that is very amazing,” said Camryn Clune of Amherst.
  The Amherst teenager started Backyard Broadway, an organization that uses musical theater to raise money for local kids
  
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• Authorities offering up to $1,000 for information leading to man’s arrest

  07-12-2016 23:01 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Up to $1,000 is being offered for information leading to the arrest of Malik Brown.
  Brown’s last known address was on Clarence St. in Buffalo. He is wanted for criminal possession of a weapon, according to authorities.
  Brown is a black male standing at 5’11” and weighing 230 lbs. He has a tattoo that says “BMW” on his neck.
  He should be considered armed and dangerous.
  Anyone with information on Brown’s whereabouts is aske
  
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• Man accused of assaulting, sexually abusing victim

  07-12-2016 22:51 via wivb.com
  
  FRANKLINVILLE, N.Y. (WIVB) — A Franklinville man was accused of assaulting and sexually abusing another person.
  On Monday, New York State police responded to a domestic call on Route 16 in the town and arrested 27-year-old George Merrell.
  Troopers say he struck, choked and performed criminal sexual acts on a victim. In addition to that, authorities say he destroyed property and prevented the victim from calling 911.
  Merrell was charged with criminal sexual act, sexual abuse, thir
  
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• Buffalo Place brightening up downtown Buffalo

  07-12-2016 22:44 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB)- The Buffalo Place organization, with the help of developer Rocco Termini, wants to bring downtown Buffalo back to it’s holiday heyday.
  A few decades back, window displays and decorations alone were enough to drive people to the Theater District in downtown Buffalo.
  Buffalo Place has invested $33,000 to spruce up the streets with new light displays and bring that popularity back.
  Executive Director Michael Schmand said finding out which designs would work took tim
  
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• Albion woman charged with farm vehicle battery thefts

  07-12-2016 22:30 via wivb.com
  
  STAFFORD, N.Y. (WIVB) — An Albion woman has been accused of working with another person to steal batteries from farm vehicles in Genesee County.
  Amber Heveron, 28, was charged with grand larceny for allegedly stealing the commercial-style batteries. The Genesee County Sheriff’s Office says the farm vehicles were parked in a field.
  Incidents like this happened between July and September, according to authorities, but Heveron’s arrest was related to alleged th
  
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• Erie County Sheriff’s Office launches app for smartphones

  07-12-2016 22:13 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — The Erie County Sheriff’s Office has created a new resource for locals — an app for smartphones.
  A free download, aptly named after the Sheriff’s Office, is now available for Android and iPhone devices.
  “Our new mobile app will help us empower the public to be our partners in public safety with critical news and alerts,” Sheriff Timothy Howard said. “The public will be able to submit confidential crime tips to us right through the
  
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• Trump picks Oklahoma AG Pruitt for EPA

  07-12-2016 21:35 via wivb.com
  
  (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump is expected to nominate Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt to lead the Environmental Protection Agency, a source close to Pruitt has told The Associated Press.
  Pruitt has been a booster of the fossil fuel industry and an outspoken critic of what he derides as the EPA’s “activist agenda.” The 48-year-old Republican also denies the overwhelming scientific evidence that the Earth is warming and that man-made carbon emissions are to bla
  
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• 2 juveniles charged with starting Tennessee wildfires

  07-12-2016 21:24 via wivb.com
  
  (WATE) — Tennessee Bureau of Investigation Director Mark Gwyn announced Wednesday two juveniles have been charged with starting the deadly wildfires in Sevier County. The two were arrested Wednesday morning and charged with aggravated arson. They are being held in the Sevier County Juvenile Detention Center. A detention hearing is scheduled within 72 hours and additional charges could be filed.
  Officials say the two had a role in starting the fire on November 23 in the Chimney Tops, which
  
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• Body with multiple stab wounds found in Niagara Falls field

  07-12-2016 20:30 via wivb.com
  
  NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. (WIVB) — The body of a person who died of multiple stab wounds was found in a Niagara Falls field.
  Niagara Falls Police say the body had been behind Cataract Steel on Mackenna Ave. “for some time,” but was discovered at 3 p.m. Tuesday.
  The body was found in overgrown brush. Due to the amount of decay, the person, who appears to be an adult white male, could not be immediately identified.
  Officials will have to use dental records and DNA to identify the
  
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• High lead levels found in water at Jamestown schools

  07-12-2016 19:53 via wivb.com
  
  JAMESTOWN, N.Y. (WIVB) — Following testing of 550 drinking water fixtures at Jamestown Public Schools, 35 were found to have high lead levels.
  The school released test results on their website. The schools that had at least one fixture with high levels were Love Elementary, Bush Elementary, Fletcher Elementary, Ring Elementary, Jefferson Middle, Washington Middle and Jamestown High.
  MORE | See the list, with details for each school here.
  
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• Authorities: 2 south Georgia officers shot; shooter at large

  07-12-2016 19:46 via wivb.com
  
  AMERICUS, Ga. (AP) — Authorities say two law enforcement officers have been shot in south Georgia.
  Georgia Bureau of Investigation spokeswoman Nelly Miles says two officers were shot Wednesday in Americus, about 130 miles south of Atlanta. She says the shooter remains at large.
  Dianne Brown is an administrative assistant with the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office. She said an Americus police officer and a public safety officer from Georgia Southwestern State University were both shot at
  
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• Summer St. fire brought under control by crews

  07-12-2016 19:35 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Part of Summer St. was a smoky scene on Wednesday afternoon as crews responded to a two-alarm fire.
  The fire began on the 9th floor of a high-rise on the street between Richmond and Norwood avenues.
  Although it caused traffic issues, the fire was quickly brought under control by crews. They were ventilating the building as of 1:30 p.m.
  There are no apparent injuries.
  
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• Former Buffalo cop sentenced for wrongful arrest

  07-12-2016 19:13 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — A former Buffalo police officer was sentenced to three months in prison for a misdemeanor civil rights violation.
  Robert Eloff, 41, faced up to one year in jail after pleading guilty to deprivation of rights under color of law in June. As part of his plea deal, Eloff resigned from the police department.
  While off-duty, Eloff was working security at Molly’s Pub back in May of 2014. During one night, a bar manager, Jeffrey Basil, pushed Willia
  
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• Town of Tonawanda police looking for help finding missing girl

  07-12-2016 19:10 via wivb.com
  
  TOWN OF TONAWANDA, N.Y. (WIVB) — Town of Tonawanda police are looking for help finding a missing 17-year-old girl.
  Samantha LeChot is 5’5″ and weighs approximately 120 lbs. She has a medium build, brown eyes and long brown hair.
  Samantha was released from Kenmore East High School at 10:30 a.m. Monday after a male who called himself her father called and asked for her to be excused.
  The girl is in possession of a car registered to a family member. It is a gray, four-door 20
  
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• Town of Tonawanda police looking for girl accused of scheming way out of school

  07-12-2016 19:10 via wivb.com
  
  TOWN OF TONAWANDA, N.Y. (WIVB) — The search is on for a missing 17-year-old girl.
  Town of Tonawanda police say Samantha LeChot was picked up from school on Monday by someone who pretended to be her father. Police say she took off with the man in a car belonging to one of her family members. Now, two days later, her family is desperate to know where she is.
  Thanks to surveillance video and an online check of her credit cards, police and her family have some idea where LeChot has been. 
  
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• Town of Tonawanda police locate girl accused of scheming way out of school

  07-12-2016 19:10 via wivb.com
  
  TOWN OF TONAWANDA, N.Y. (WIVB) — A missing 17-year-old girl has been located.
  Town of Tonawanda police say Samantha LeChot was picked up from school on Monday by someone who pretended to be her father. Police say she took off with the man in a car belonging to one of her family members. Now, two days later, her family is desperate to know where she is.
  Thanks to surveillance video and an online check of her credit cards, police and her family got an idea where LeChot was. He
  
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• WNYers mark 75th anniversary of Pearl Harbor attack

  07-12-2016 19:04 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) – December 7, 1941, was a “date which will live in infamy”, and on December 7, 2016, dozens of Western New Yorkers gathered at the Buffalo and Erie County Naval and Military Park to mark the 75th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor.
  Among those who spoke at this year’s ceremony were two World War II veterans, who recalled the moment they heard the news about the unexpected attack on Pearl Harbor. “I was only 18 at that time. I looked at my
  
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• Warehouse fire recovery effort complete; death toll at 36

  07-12-2016 18:09 via wivb.com
  
  OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Recovery efforts at an Oakland warehouse fire have ended and the death toll stands at 36, officials said Wednesday.
  The news comes a day after Oakland officials declared a local state of emergency due. The Oakland City Council is slated to ratify the state of emergency on Thursday. This will begin the process for state and federal aid.
  A refrigerator was a potential source of the fire, but it was too soon to say for sure, said Jill Snyder, special agent in charge of
  
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• Bills’ Eric Wood among Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year nominees

  07-12-2016 18:01 via wivb.com
  
  ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP/WIVB) — Buffalo Bills C Eric Wood is the team’s 2016 Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee.
  This is the second year in a row Wood was nominated. The team says “Wood is a highly respected veteran at One Bills Drive, and has earned this prestigious title for his dedication to his team on-field, and to his community off the field.”
  A full list of nominees can be found below, courtesy of The Associated Press.
  Arizona — Larry Fitzgerald
  Atlant
  
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• Boy says he was fat-shamed by Santa

  07-12-2016 17:48 via wivb.com
  
  FOREST CITY, NC (WCMH) — The boy said he cried after old St. Nick told him to stop eating the fast food.
  “And when I got done, he said lay off the hamburgers and French fries and that really just disrespected me and I felt awful,” Anthony Mayse, 9, told WLOS.
  Anthony said after the experience he tore up his picture with Santa. His mom said that Santa didn’t even seem to want to be at the event. “I’m hoping he’s fired because I don’t want
  
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• Local post offices to have extended hours during holiday season

  07-12-2016 17:42 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Four post offices in the Buffalo area will have extended hours on two Saturdays this month in wake of the holiday season.
  Dec. 19 is expected to be the busiest mailing day of the season. Dec. 12 will be a close second, according to the United States Postal Service.
  “We’ve been in the holiday shipping business for centuries,” Buffalo Postmaster Thomas Szklarz said. “We know our customers will use the weekend to bake, shop, and pack their t
  
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• GALLERY: 75th anniversary of Pearl Harbor attack

  07-12-2016 16:50 via wivb.com
  
  75th anniversary of Pearl Harbor attack The destroyer USS Shaw explodes after being hit by bombs during the Japanese surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on December 7, 1941. (AP Photo)An undamaged light cruiser steams out past the burning USS Arizona and takes to sea with the rest of the fleet during the Japanese aerial attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on Dec. 7, 1941 during World War II.(AP Photo/U.S. Navy)The battleship USS West Virginia is seen afire after the Japanese surprise attack on
  
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• Prosecutor drops charges in death of Detroit college officer

  07-12-2016 16:45 via wivb.com
  
  DETROIT (AP) — Prosecutors dropped murder charges Wednesday against a man in the killing of a Detroit college police officer who was shot in the head while on duty.
  Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy said charges against DeAngelo Davis, 31, of Detroit, were dropped. Davis was accused of shooting Wayne State University Officer Collin Rose on Nov. 22. Davis had been jailed without bond since his arrest that night. He faced charges of first-degree murder and murder of a police officer.
  Davis
  
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• Charleston church shooting suspect’s trial set to begin

  07-12-2016 16:35 via wivb.com
  
  CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) — The white man who authorities said wanted to start a race war by killing nine black people in a South Carolina church is getting ready to stand trial in a city already bruised by a former police officer’s racially charged murder trial that ended in a hung jury.
  Jury selection and opening statements are set for Wednesday in Dylann Roof’s federal death penalty trial.
  Roof sat with 12 people in Bible study and prayer for an hour at Emanuel African Methodist
  
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• Couple accused of making meth in home where 4 kids, including baby, live

  07-12-2016 15:56 via wivb.com
  
  FREDONIA, N.Y. (WIVB) — Two Fredonia residents were arrested after police say a meth lab was found in their home.
  A Chautauqua County Child Protection worker was at a Berry St. home Tuesday afternoon when they thought they saw drug-making equipment.
  After the worker noticed this, Fredonia police came to the home.
  When police officers arrived, Krystal Hafner, 32, was allegedly seen disposing of chemical solutions and equipment. While doing this, police say noxious fumes began
  
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• President elect Trump picked as Time Person of the Year

  07-12-2016 13:45 via wivb.com
  
  WASHINGTON (AP) — Donald Trump is Time magazine’s Person of the Year.
  The president-elect’s selection was announced Wednesday morning on NBC’s “Today” show.
  The Manhattan real estate magnate went from fiery underdog to win the White House over Democrat Hillary Clinton.
  Trump won the Electoral College vote, while Clinton won the popular vote.
  Time’s managing editor Nancy Gibbs said Clinton was the No. 2 finalist.
  
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• Remembering Pearl Harbor, 75 years later

  07-12-2016 13:23 via wivb.com
  
  The Japanese attack on December 7th,1941, sparked the defiant battle cry: “REMEMBER PEARL HARBOR.” And even 75 years later, the dwindling ranks of those who watched the attack happen remember it still. Our Cover Story is reported by Lee Cowan:
  Hawaii’s Pearl Harbor: It was just a place before it became a memorial … a tropically tranquil place that was Dorinda Nicholson’s childhood home.
  Dorinda was just six years old that Sunday in 1941. Born in Hawaii — her
  
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• Ristolainen’s OT winner caps late Sabres rally vs. Oilers

  07-12-2016 05:33 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Rasmus Ristolainen hadn’t scored a goal all season and his Buffalo Sabres had been stymied by posts all year.
  So Rasmus rang one off the bar to give the Sabres a 4-3 comeback win over Edmonton in overtime.
  Naturally.
  “It was about time,” Ristolainen said of his first goal, after racking up fourteen assists without scoring on his own. “When I get a chance I try to shoot it through the boards, so I put all my power behind the shot.”
  &
  
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• Niagara Falls Police looking for driver involved in hit-and-run

  07-12-2016 03:22 via wivb.com
  
  NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. (WIVB) — Police are on the lookout for a driver who struck pedestrian Tuesday night.
  Police say the crash happened at 25th and Niagara Streets where the driver of a white vehicle struck a juvenile and fled the scene.
  The victim’s condition is unknown.
  Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 716-286-4711.
  
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• Niagara Falls Police arrest driver involved in hit-and-run

  07-12-2016 03:22 via wivb.com
  
  NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. (WIVB) — Police have located a driver who struck a pedestrian Tuesday night.
  Police say the crash happened at 25th and Niagara Streets where a vehicle struck a 12-year-old boy. According to investigators, the boy tripped and fell into the road before being struck.
  The driver fled the scene traveling west on Niagara Street.
  The victim was taken to Women and Children’s Hospital where he is listed in serious condition. He suffered multiple fractur
  
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• Amherst woman heartbroken over death of granddaughter killed in Oakland fire

  07-12-2016 00:28 via wivb.com
  
  AMHERST, N.Y. (WIVB) – An Amherst woman tells News 4 her granddaughter is among the victims of the fire that broke out at a warehouse space in Oakland, California. A phone call from one of her family members in California confirmed her biggest nightmare.
  Chelsea Faith Dolan was just 33, and at the start of what her family calls a budding career in electronic music when she died on the second floor of the “Ghost Ship” warehouse space.  For her 90-year-old grandmother,
  
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• Former BPD officer submits letter to judge ahead of sentencing

  07-12-2016 00:14 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) – A former Buffalo police officer who’s scheduled to be sentenced for a misdemeanor civil rights violation has apologized for his actions in a letter to a U.S. District Court Judge handling the case.Robert Eloff, who resigned from the Buffalo police department as a condition of the plea agreement, could face up to one year in prison in connection with a false arrest in May 2014.Eloff pleaded guilty to deprivation of rights under color of law in June.But his lawy
  
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