Buffalo news

• Mormon Tabernacle Choir to perform at Trump inauguration

  22-12-2016 23:57 via wivb.com
  
  NEW YORK (AP) — The Mormon Tabernacle Choir has agreed to perform at President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration ceremony.
  The church announced on its website Thursday that the 360-member volunteer choir will sing at Trump’s swearing-in ceremony on Jan. 20.
  The group has performed at a handful of other presidential inaugurals, including those of presidents George H. W. Bush, George W. Bush and Ronald Reagan.
  The choir’s president Ron Jarrett says the group is “honor
  
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• Officials say fingerprints tie Tunisian to Berlin attack

  22-12-2016 23:46 via wivb.com
  
  BERLIN (AP) — German officials presented mounting evidence Thursday that Anis Amri was behind the wheel of a truck that smashed into a Christmas market in Berlin, killing 12, as authorities across Europe pressed ahead with their feverish manhunt for the 24-year-old Tunisian, who has evaded capture since the attack.
  Police raided properties in Berlin and the western state of North Rhine-Westphalia where Amri is believed to have spent time. They also swooped on a bus in the southwestern city
  
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• Former Buffalo police officer admits he faked an injury

  22-12-2016 23:28 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — A former Buffalo police officer has admitted to faking an injury.
  In court, Tonawanda resident Sean Potter, 52, pleaded guilty to offering a false instrument for filing.
  Potter says he filed paperwork with the Buffalo Police Department claiming he was injured while on duty in September.
  “Police work is inherently dangerous and every day the brave members of the Buffalo Police Department put their health at risk for the citizens of Buffalo,” acting Erie Co
  
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• Community gives back to Lockport family that suffered heartbreaking loss before holidays

  22-12-2016 23:22 via wivb.com
  
  LOCKPORT, N.Y. (WIVB) — This Christmas the O’Neil family will have many presents under their Christmas tree.
  “There has been a weight lifted off my shoulders a little bit you know,” said Trina O’Neil, of Lockport.
  Last month, Trina O’Neil lost her husband Nick to colon cancer. Her three kids ages 6, 3, and 5 months are now without a father before the holiday.
  “It’s getting tougher, I thought it would get easier but it’s definitely a lot tough
  
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• Buffalo man found guilty of 2015 murder

  22-12-2016 23:09 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — A Buffalo man was found guilty of murdering Joseph Daniels.
  Marquille Spencer, 20, was convicted of fatally shooting the 18-year-old. In October of 2015, Daniels was shot while standing on the corner of Broadway and Woltz Ave. in Buffalo.
  In addition to being convicted or murder, Spencer was also found guilty of criminal possession of a weapon.
  When sentenced on Feb. 15, Spencer faces a maximum sentence of 25 years-to-life in prison.
  
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• Local non-profit WNY Heroes gives back to struggling military families for the holidays

  22-12-2016 23:07 via wivb.com
  
  WILLIAMSVILLE, N.Y. (WIVB) —  WNY Heroes is giving back to veterans this holiday season through its adopt-a-family program.the non profit has partnered with the american medical response to give gifts, clothing, and household items to military families in need,
  today those gifts were delivered from the western new york heroes headquarters in williamsville.veterans have been calling the non-profit asking for help with food and gifts for their children.last year the organization helped
  
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• Holiday History: Why do we put stars, angels on top of Christmas trees?

  22-12-2016 22:36 via wivb.com
  
  (MEDIA GENERAL) — Decorating a Christmas tree ahead of the holidays is a family tradition in many households.
  Memories come to life while unpacking ornaments, streaming lights and hanging tinsel on the tree.
  Young children vie for the honor to be thrust into the air to nestle an ornament into the tree’s crown. A star or an angel is the most common Christmas tree-topper—but why?
  Originally, the infant Jesus adorned the top of Christmas trees. However, this trend later evolv
  
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• St. Nicholas to Santa Claus: The birth of an icon

  22-12-2016 22:35 via wivb.com
  
  (MEDIA GENERAL) — The character of Santa Claus has come a long way over the years. We know him today as a jolly, magical elf who brings goodies and toys for good girls and boys across the world. But that’s only the 21st-century version of Santa here in the U.S.
  Here’s how the legend of St. Nicholas came to become the icon we know today.
  The lore of St. Nicholas
  A Russian Orthodox statue of St. Nicholas, near a church in Demre, Turkey. (Simm/Wikimedia Commons/Public Domain)Like
  
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• Young mother from MTV’s ’16 and Pregnant’ found dead

  22-12-2016 22:31 via wivb.com
  
  COATESVILLE, Pa. (AP) — A young mother who starred in the MTV show “16 and Pregnant” has died in suburban Philadelphia, a coroner confirmed.
  Valerie Fairman, 23, died Wednesday, the Chester County Coroner’s Office said. The cause of death remains under investigation. Police in Coatesville plan to release information on her death later Thursday.
  Fairman had been arrested on theft and other charges in recent years and was ordered to inpatient drug or alcohol treatment earli
  
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• Judge denies motion to dismiss counts against teen charged in Lockport tire plant fire

  22-12-2016 20:48 via wivb.com
  
  LOCKPORT, N.Y. (WIVB) — A judge denied a motion to dismiss counts against a teen allegedly involved in starting the fatal fire at a Lockport tire plant.
  In November, the attorney for the teen claimed the boy who died in it, Joseph Phillips, 14, started the August blaze.Because of the teen’s age at the time of the fire, 13, his name has not been released. He denied his involvement in the fire and is facing 10 charges related to it.
  MORE | More on charges the teen faces,
  
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• Aleppo city returns to full government control after 4 years

  22-12-2016 20:20 via wivb.com
  
  BEIRUT (AP) — The Syrian city of Aleppo returned to government control Thursday after the last remaining opposition fighters and civilians evacuated, ending a four-year rebel hold over parts of the country.
  The announcement was made through an army statement broadcast on Syrian state TV shortly after the last four buses carrying fighters left through the Ramousseh crossing. Western Aleppo erupted in celebratory gunfire seen on Syrian TV, which showed uniformed soldiers and civilians shouti
  
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• LDA employee plays “Santa,” gives 100 gifts to local families

  22-12-2016 19:38 via wivb.com
  
  KENMORE, N.Y. (WIVB) –  The Learning Disabilities Association of Western New York provides services for families with learning and developmental disabilities.  They do a “Giving Tree” Christmas collection fundraiser every year.But this year, one of their own is taking on the role of Santa Claus and keeping it all here at home.
  Katharine Cassens is the Director of Community Relations said, “We kind of think he might be Santa Clause in disguise with the
  
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• Arrests made in University Station shooting

  22-12-2016 19:32 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — NFTA Transit Police say arrests have been made in relation to the Dec. 16 shooting at the Buffalo Metro Rail University Station.
  On that night around 11:30 p.m., the victim was shot in the arm while waiting for a train. Authorities say the victim’s right arm, elbow and mid-torso were seriously injured. They are at ECMC in stable condition.
  On Thursday, police announced the arrests of Arkeil Gaskin, 18, and Allen Jackson, 17. Gaskin was accused of comm
  
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• Car flips over in Tonawanda resulting in minor injuries

  22-12-2016 19:11 via wivb.com
  
  TONAWANDA, N.Y. (WIVB) — A vehicle flipped over in the City of Tonawanda, resulting in minor injuries.
  City of Tonawanda police say North Tonawanda resident Katherine Alexander, 46, clipped another vehicle driven by Gina Giomundo — a Tonawanda resident. Giomundo was pulling out of a Tops store on Young St. at the time.
  After this, Alexander’s vehicle hit a boulder and flipped onto its roof. Two of her passengers complained of neck pain, but refused treatment.
  Giomundo was
  
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• Google releases top searches of 2016

  22-12-2016 18:35 via wivb.com
  
  (MEDIA GENERAL) — Google has released its top searches of 2016 and this summer’s “Pokemon Go” craze tops the list when looking at searches across the globe. In the United States, no other subject was searched more than Powerball.
  The top five global searches were as follows:
  1. ‘Pokemon Go’
  In this Friday, July 8, 2016, file photo, “Pokemon Go” is displayed on a cell phone in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Richard Vogel, File)“Pokemon Go,”
  
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• Local teacher collects blankets, winter clothes for student and family

  22-12-2016 17:53 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB)- Joe’L Fisher spent Thursday decorating gingerbread houses with her pre-k class at West Hertel Academy.
  Over the weekend, she was doing something else for one of them.
  “Last week we were made aware that one of my students had no heat and needed blankets,” the teacher told us.
  The child is from another country, and just recently arrived in western New York. Their family doesn’t speak any English.
  Fisher got some help from one of  West Hertel&
  
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• Bob’s Tree Lot makes spirits bright this holiday season

  22-12-2016 17:51 via wivb.com
  
  LACKAWANNA, N.Y. (WIVB) — Bob’s Tree Lot is making spirits bright once again.
  The owners donated Christmas trees to families in need Wednesday, and included a special stop at the Lackawanna Food Pantry.
  News 4 Photojournalist Dan Summerville shows that the tradition is still going strong in the video above.
  
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• Case of man accused of setting volunteer firefighter’s home on fire scheduled for trial

  22-12-2016 16:54 via wivb.com
  
  NORTH TONAWANDA, N.Y. (WIVB) — The case of a man accused of setting a volunteer firefighter’s home on fire is scheduled to go to trial.
  Matthew Jurado, 39, was arraigned on a 2nd degree arson charge in Niagara County court Thursday, after a grand jury voted to formally indict him.
  Jurado was arrested after an August fire at the North Tonawanda home of his neighbor, Ken Walker. Before the fire, Walker, an African American, received a threatening, racist letter that
  
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• LIVE STREAM: Officials provide details on recent drug seizure

  22-12-2016 16:28 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Officials are providing details on a recent drug seizure.
  APP USERS | Watch the announcement live here.
  
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• Canadian man accused of transporting cocaine to western New York

  22-12-2016 16:28 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — On Thursday morning, local law enforcement agencies announced the arrest of a Canadian man accused of transporting cocaine to western New York.
  Members of the Niagara Falls police department came together with the Erie County Sheriff’s Office and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to announce the arrest of 40-year-old Vancouver, British Columbia resident Carlos Perez.
  More than 10 kilograms of cocaine, which is worth about $500,000, was se
  
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• Town of Evans to look at proposal that would merge police department with sheriff’s office

  22-12-2016 05:10 via wivb.com
  
  TOWN OF EVANS, N.Y. (WIVB) — The Town of Evans is faced with some difficult decisions, local leaders are trying to sort out deep money troubles.
  The future of the Evans Police Department is on the line as the town looks for ways to tighten spending.
  People in the town are demanding change.
  Earlier this year the town discovered a $3 million hole in the 2016 budget.
  “You have no idea what we wasted over the last 10 years as a community because we mismanaged,” said Mary Hosler, to
  
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• Rich Products recalls several types of ice cream cake

  22-12-2016 05:08 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Rich Products is recalling several ice cream cake products because they may contain undeclared walnuts. Anyone with a walnut allergy could risk an allergic reaction by consuming the affected products.
  The following types of ice cream cakes are part of the recall:
   
  4 LB 8 OZ Jon Donaire Ice Cream Layer Cake (Deliciously moist white cake with rich, creamy strawberries & cream ice cream)
  UPC Code: 049800 047761
  Best By: JUN-27-17, JUL-15-17, JUL
  
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• VFW post tries ‘bundling up’ but gets left out in the cold

  22-12-2016 01:48 via wivb.com
  
  LANCASTER, N.Y. (WIVB) – Volunteers from the Lt. Col. Matt Urban VFW Post in Lancaster are not picking up as many veterans for doctors appointments, getting their prescriptions, or helping with veterans benefits, because the veterans who need help can’t call–the phone doesn’t work.
  VFW Post Commander Jim Wier is baffled, “It has been now three weeks, almost 4 weeks, and we cannot help anybody because nobody can get in touch with us.”
  Like most non-profit grou
  
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• A shooting survivor’s Christmas wish has come true

  22-12-2016 00:00 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) – A boy who was shot in the head over the summer, doesn’t want a bunch of toys or gadgets for Christmas, instead, he just wants a place to call home.
  “Because I want my family to live in it,” Juan Rodriguez said.
  His mother moved from their Buffalo home on Humason Avenue after the 12-year-old was shot in the head. In June, he was caught in the crossfire of a gang-related shooting while he was trying to protect other kids.
  “Over there, where we w
  
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