• Paramedic sheds light on heroin abuse, overdose death

    Paramedic sheds light on heroin abuse, overdose death
    BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB)- Eric Barkey has been a paramedic for four years. Like most first responders, overdose calls keep him busy.
    “I’ve helped patients with the needle still in their arm,” Barkey told News 4.
    Following a lethal batch of heroin, Erie County officials are urging users to purchase Narcan, which can reverse the effects of an overdose.
    Between March 29 and March 30, seven people died from overdoses due to the batch.
    Barkey works for Mercy EMS; since last year, t
  • Missing cat travels 2600+ miles, reunites with owner 4 years later

    Missing cat travels 2600+ miles, reunites with owner 4 years later
    CHEEKTOWAGA, N.Y. (WIVB) — It’s a reunion no one saw coming.
    A cat named Boo Boo went missing 4 years ago in Watsonville, California. A couple weeks ago she turned up just south of Guelph, Ontario, more than 2,600 miles away.
    “I’m so relieved I’m so happy and amazed and shocked,” said Olga Chmelicek of Watsonville, California.
    That’s the same reaction folks had over at the Guelph Humane Society in Ontario, where Boo Boo was brought in as a stray.
  • In his shoes: UB’s Smart looks to give back to native Nigeria

    In his shoes: UB’s Smart looks to give back to native Nigeria
    BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) – It may look easy when to watch Ikenna Smart on the court for the UB men’s basketball team. But, playing hoops was a big adjustment, even for the 6-foot-10 sophomore. Smart grew up in Nigeria where the sport was just an afterthought.
    “I always played soccer, Smart said. “That was my #1 sport. I still love soccer don’t get me wrong!”
    While in his early teens things all changed. A local Nigerian baseball coach stopped him following a s
  • Passenger charged with possessing heroin during traffic stop

    Passenger charged with possessing heroin during traffic stop
    BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — A Buffalo man was accused of possessing heroin during a traffic stop in Cheektowaga.
    Deputies with the Erie County Sheriff’s office stopped a vehicle Monday on the I-90.
    While the occupants of the vehicle were being questioned, deputies say they gave conflicting answers.
    During this time, a trained narcotic detection dog began to search the vehicle.
    Authorities say that once the dog indicated the odor of a narcotic, the passenger, identified as A
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  • Allen Medical Campus Metro Rail to temporarily close during nights, early mornings

    Allen Medical Campus Metro Rail to temporarily close during nights, early mornings
    BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Starting Sunday night, the Allen Medical Campus Metro Rail will close from 9 p.m. until 5 a.m.
    This will last through Thursday, April 13 so that glass partitions can be installed between the steps and handrails in the station.
    The installations are part of a $4.4 million station restoration project.
    During this time, customers are encouraged to take an 8 Main Metro bus or use the Summer-Best station for transportation.
  • Annual Bicycle Swap and Sale taking place Sunday in Buffalo

    Annual Bicycle Swap and Sale taking place Sunday in Buffalo
    BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — The Western New York Mountain Bike Association’s Bicycle Swap and Sale will take place on Sunday, April 2.
    “For the past 17 years, we’ve hosted this event to raise money to create and sustain shared green space trails in western New York and connect new cyclists to the joy of mountain biking,” Joe Crumlish, Executive Treasurer at WNYMBA, said. “Whether you’re a seasoned mountain biker, haven’t ridden a bike in decades, o
  • Deep South Taco to give out free tacos on Wednesday

    Deep South Taco to give out free tacos on Wednesday
    BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — On Wednesday, Deep South Taco will be giving away free tacos as they kick off their month-long countdown to the second annual Cinco de Mayo Street Fiesta.
    During last year’s giveaway, the restaurant gave out 2,500 free tacos. This year, the tacos will be available in the takeout line
    The event will go from 3-6 p.m. on April 5 at 291 Ellicott St.
    For more information on the event, click/tap here.
  • Trout and salmon fishing season opens Saturday in NY

    Trout and salmon fishing season opens Saturday in NY
    ALBANY, N.Y. (WIVB) — Trout and salmon fishing season starts this Saturday, April 1.
    “New York is home to world-class fishing in virtually every corner of the state,” Gov. Andrew Cuomo said. “From the Catskills to the Adirondacks, from the Finger Lakes to Lake Ontario, or a small stream or neighborhood pond, I encourage New Yorkers and visitors alike to get out and enjoy all the great fishing that New York’s waters have to offer.”
    The DEC plans to st
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  • Three-story jump helped convict man who raped two women

    Three-story jump helped convict man who raped two women
    BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — The cowardly and suicidal move of a convicted rapist is a big reason he will now spend three and a half decades in prison.Timothy DiCenzo learned his fate today in state supreme court, where the brutality of his crimes were described in detail before he was finally taken away.
    In January, DiCenzo, 34, pleaded guilty to the 2013 and 2015 rapes of women near two south side elementary schools, as part of a plea deal that allowed him to avoid the maximum sentence of life
  • Seven people lost homes, everything they owned during overnight East Side fire

    Seven people lost homes, everything they owned during overnight East Side fire
    BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Fire investigators are trying to figure out what caused an overnight fire on Jewett Avenue on the city’s East Side. The fire started at 230 Jewett, quickly spreading to three other houses – two of which were occupied. Seven people safely escaped from the fires.
    The deputy fire commissioner telling us three of the four homes are total losses; the one which isn’t was vacant.
    The house where the fire broke out collapsed as crews were on scene.
    &ld
  • Dierks Bentley coming to Darien Lake this August

    Dierks Bentley coming to Darien Lake this August
    DARIEN, N.Y. (WIVB) — Dierks Bentley will make a stop in western New York this summer.
    The country singer will perform at Darien Lake on August 4 as part of his What The Hell World Tour.
    Also to be featured at the show are Cole Swindell and Jon Pardi.
    Tickets for the concert go on sale Friday, April 7 at 10 a.m.
    Prices range from $32.50 to $72.25. Lawn four-packs will be available for $99, plus fees, while they last.
    Those interested in buying tickets can do so online at Liv
  • 4 vehicles involved in Chautauqua County crash

    4 vehicles involved in Chautauqua County crash
    CASSADAGA, N.Y. (WIVB) — Four vehicles were involved in an accident in Chautauqua County Friday morning.
    Chautauqua County Sheriff’s deputies responded to the Shur Fine on Route 60 in Cassadaga around 9 a.m.
    There, they say a driver tried to turn in to the store, but was rear-ended by a vehicle driven by 35-year-old Laura Greenman.
    The rear-ended vehicle was pushed into two other vehicles in the parking lot.
    Both drivers had minor injuries. Greenman, a Cassadaga resident, w
  • $16K raised for 2 accused of leaving 3 kids alone in mall

    $16K raised for 2 accused of leaving 3 kids alone in mall
    VICTOR, N.Y. (AP) — An online fundraising campaign has raised more than $16,000 for a western New York couple charged with leaving their three young children alone in a mall while the parents worked in the shopping center.
    Amy Gagliano, a mother of three, told a media outlet she started a GoFundMe page for the parents after reading media reports of the Rochester couple’s arrest last weekend.
    Police say the 39-year-old father and 36-year-old mother left their kids — ages 1
  • 30 in 30: Cam Robinson

    30 in 30: Cam Robinson
    BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) – Massive— that’s the best way to describe 6’6″, 332 pound, Alabama tackle Cam Robinson. His talent is equally sizable, he started all 44 games during his three college seasons in Tuscaloosa.
    The only thing small about Cam was his answer at the NFL combine when asked if he’s the best tackle in the draft.
    “Definitely,” Robinson said. “Next question.”
    It should be noted that no reporters in attendance in Indianapolis
  • Dave Matthews Band violinist comes to Wake Up! with Crystal Garden bandmate

    Dave Matthews Band violinist comes to Wake Up! with Crystal Garden bandmate
    BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Dave Matthews Band violinist Boyd Tinsley came to Wake Up! Friday morning along with Crystal Garden bandmate Mycle Wastman.
    Crystal Garden is a new band Tinsley is producing and playing with. Wastman sings and plays guitar in the band.
    Friday, March 31, the band will perform at Buffalo Iron Works at 49 Illinois St. at 9 p.m. Tickets are $15 at the door.
    Watch their interview with News 4’s Brittni Smallwood in the video above and get ticket information here
  • Time running out for on-time New York state budget

    Time running out for on-time New York state budget
    ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — It’s deadline time for New York state leaders trying to wrap up negotiations on a new state budget.
    Saturday is the first day of a new state fiscal year but as of Friday morning lawmakers and Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo were still working on the details, making it unlikely any votes on budget bills could start before the key deadline comes and goes.
    Cuomo had a string of on-time budgets early in his tenure as governor and often said the late budgets of the past w
  • FBI searching for suspected bank robber Michael James Keitz

    FBI searching for suspected bank robber Michael James Keitz
    BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) – The Buffalo FBI office is looking for Michael James Keitz, a convicted felon who agents say is wanted for committing two bank robberies in October 2015.Investigators say Keitz, who has ties to Western New York, could be anywhere in the United States because of his “transient” lifestyle.“He seems to get places by either bicycle, perhaps bus, and a significant amount of walking,” said Adam Cohen, FBI Special Agent in Charge.Cohen says Keitz onc
  • Police: Lockport man falsely reports bomb, causes evacuation

    Police: Lockport man falsely reports bomb, causes evacuation
    LOCKPORT, N.Y. (WIVB) — Police in Lockport responded to a report of a bomb in an apartment on Main St. Thursday morning.
    Around 11 a.m., police went to 77 Main St. after receiving a call from a person who they did not know at the time.
    Several residences were evacuated from the apartment building and the area was closed off.
    After searching the building, no bombs or explosives were found and people returned to their residences soon afterwards.
    Police tried to apprehended a suspect, bu
  • So long, dandelion: Crayola retiring crayon color

    So long, dandelion: Crayola retiring crayon color
    EASTON, Pa. (AP) — Dandelion has gone to seed.
    Crayola is removing the color from all of its crayon boxes to make way for a new color that it plans to announce on Friday — National Crayon Day. The company announced dandelion’s departure via Twitter on Thursday.
    It’s only the third time in Crayola’s long history that it has retired one or more colors, and the first time it’s removing one from the box of 24.
    Other colors that now lie fallow include maize, raw um
  • Young boy approached by 2 women in van near Grand Island school

    Young boy approached by 2 women in van near Grand Island school
    GRAND ISLAND, N.Y. (WIVB) — The Erie County Sheriff’s office says two adult women approached a young boy in front of a Grand Island school Thursday afternoon.
    According to the Sheriff’s office, the women drove a red, dented mini-van up to the 11-year-old in front of Huth Road Elementary School around 3:50 p.m. Authorities say they asked the boy to get in the van, and said they would take him to dinner.
    While this was happening, the Sheriff’s office says another
  • Driver crashes into gates at FBI office

    Driver crashes into gates at FBI office
    BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Buffalo Police are working to find out what caused the driver of an SUV to crash into the gates of the FBI’s office in downtown Buffalo.
    The accident happened around 11:00 Thursday night at South Elmwood and West Mohawk.
    Police had cleared the scene by the time our crew arrived. News 4 viewer Tim Walton sent Report It video showing an SUV in the same area. It appeared to be pretty rough shape. Police haven’t said what happened.
  • Maid of the Mist prepares for earliest season opener ever

    Maid of the Mist prepares for earliest season opener ever
    NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. (WIVB) – It’s a big weekend for visitors to the American side of the Falls. On Saturday, April, Maid of the Mist tours will start, marking the earliest season opener in the company’s history.
    The previous record for earliest launch was set last year, when the tours began on April 2.
    Last year also saw a record for number of guests in a single season: 1.6 million people
    This year, Maid of the Mist officials are looking forward to another banner season.
    They&r
  • BREAKING: Fire crews on scene at three-alarm fire in Buffalo

    BREAKING: Fire crews on scene at three-alarm fire in Buffalo
    BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Fire crews are working to put out a three-alarm fire on Jewett Avenue between Filmore Avenue and Holden Street.
    Crews were called to the scene around 4 a.m. Friday morning.
    The fire has spread to multiple homes, it’s unclear if anyone was inside at the time of the fire.
    Our News 4 crew is on the scene gathering more details, we will continue to update you with the latest information as soon as it enters our newsroom.
  • 3-Alarm fire in Buffalo spreads to 4 houses

    3-Alarm fire in Buffalo spreads to 4 houses
    BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — A 3-alarm fire that started just before 4:30 Friday morning at 230 Jewett Avenue quickly spread to three other houses on the block.
    Fire investigators are trying to figure out how it started and where in the house it started. It took crews more than an hour and a half to get it under control.
    The house where the fire started has collapsed. Seven people were able to make it out safely. The Red Cross has stepped in to assist them. No one was injured.Here's a close
  • Sources: man and woman shot in Allentown neighborhood

    Sources: man and woman shot in Allentown neighborhood
    BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Buffalo Police are at the scene of a double shooting in the Allentown neighborhood.
    Sources tell News 4 a man and a woman were shot at 152 Park Street between North Street and Allen Street.
    The extent of their injuries is unknown. News 4 has a crew at the scene and will provide updates.
  • Man and woman shot in Allentown neighborhood

    Man and woman shot in Allentown neighborhood
    BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Buffalo Police are at the scene of a double shooting in the Allentown neighborhood.
    Sources tell News 4 a man and a woman were shot at 152 Park Street between North Street and Allen Street. One of them is said to be in “critical, but stable condition.”
    Police say this is a domestic incident and not a random shooting.
    Authorities say there is no threat to the public.
    News 4 will update when additional information is available from police.
     
  • Crews battle Town of Tonawanda apartment fire

    Crews battle Town of Tonawanda apartment fire
    TOWN OF TONAWANDA, N.Y. (WIVB)  — Crews are at the scene of an apartment complex fire in the Town of Tonawanda.
    The fire broke out at St Johns and Kenmore Ave around 8 p.m. Thursday. Multiple fire companies responded.
    Kenmore Avenue is closed Westbound.
    News 4 has a crew at the scene and will continue to provide updates.
     
  • Police investigate Town of Tonawanda crash

    Police investigate Town of Tonawanda crash
    TOWN OF TONANWANDA, N.Y. (WIVB) — A stretch of Sheridan Drive was closed for nearly three hours Thursday night because of a crash.
    The crash happened just after 6 p.m. Sheridan Drive was closed Westbound at Vicksburg Avenue and Eastbound at Colvin Boulevard.
    Police say one person suffered serious injuries. It is unclear what caused the crash.
    News 4 will update when additional information is available.
  • Sex trafficking arrest highlights broader problem in WNY

    Sex trafficking arrest highlights broader problem in WNY
    AMHERST, N.Y. (WIVB) — The arrest of a Buffalo man on sex trafficking charges involving a teenage girl highlight what local and federal authorities said is a growing problem in western New York suburbs, worsened by the use of technology and some social media apps.
    Derek Harris, 22, of Buffalo, was arrested in January for allegedly forcing a 14-year-old girl into prostitution, and using a website to sell her body against her will to random men.
    But police said further investigation revealed
  • WNY team helps craft federal marijuana legislation

    WNY team helps craft federal marijuana legislation
    AMHERST, N.Y. (WIVB)- The Dent Cannabis Clinic in Amherst was tapped by lawmakers in Washington to help craft a bill that aims to make marijuana more accessible and garnish support from both sides of aisle.
    “The Path to Marijuana Reform Act” is sponsored by U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, a democrat from Oregon. The bill pertains to both medical and recreational marijuana.
    The measure is a series of three acts; one would give cannabis companies a shot at tax breaks, which currently they
  • Lucky to love Lyla

    Lucky to love Lyla
    JAMESTOWN, N.Y. (WIVB) – It’s the story of the power of a photo and the Jamestown family willing to travel to the other side of the world to save one little girl from a horrible future.
    One picture on the internet of the little girl with down syndrome was all it took for the couple with five kids at home to do anything they could to bring her home.
    The Spitz family house hold in Jamestown is full. They have eight kids. Five of them are adopted, and three of them have d

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