Buffalo news

• High school senior among candidates for West Seneca School Board

  15-05-2017 23:48 via wivb.com
  
  WEST SENECA, N.Y. (WIVB)- Matthew Poole joins seven other candidates on the school board ballot in West Seneca Tuesday.
  They’re vying for three available positions on the seven-member board in the West Seneca Central School District. Poole is the youngest amongst them, at just 18.
  The West Seneca East senior said it was his sophomore year when he started considering a school board run; it was that year he noticed fewer electives offered.
  “Over 21 electives have gotten
  
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• Lancaster man sentenced in sextortion case

  15-05-2017 23:30 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) – A Lancaster man already facing federal prison time was back in court Monday involving a sextortion case.Joseph Lombardo, 26, was sentenced by Erie County Judge Kenneth Case to four years in prison on a state charge of third degree rape.
  The sentence will run concurrently with Lombardo’s 15 year sentence on federal child pornography charges.
  A prosecutor with the Erie County District Attorney’s Office told the court that Lombardo used manipulation, assumed
  
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• Proposed bill would require cosmetic professionals to take domestic violence course

  15-05-2017 23:09 via wivb.com
  
  TONAWANDA, N.Y. (WIVB) — At the Salon Professional Academy in Tonawanda, students learn how to cut hair and they also learn skills that could potentially save lives.
  “Well you’re developing a relationship if you’re letting someone get that close to you and changing your appearance, cutting your hair, coloring your hair, you’re developing a trust with that person,” said Cathy Ulrich, The Salon Professional Academy Director.
  All students at the Academy are requi
  
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• DEC to join Mobile Command Centers to help with Lake Ontario flooding

  15-05-2017 23:09 via wivb.com
  
  LAKE ONTARIO, N.Y., (WIVB) – Representatives from the New York State Department of Conservation and Division of Homeland Security will join Emergency Response Mobile Command Centers over the next five days along areas of Lake Ontario affected by flooding.
  The representatives will join representatives from the state’s Department of Financial Services, who have already been deployed via mobile command centers to help residents affected by flooding with their insurance claims.
  DEC offic
  
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• 11 Day Power Play: Buffalo men play hockey to fight cancer, set world record

  15-05-2017 22:36 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) – A group of Buffalo men are attempting to tackle the unthinkable.A nonstop charity hockey game raising $1 million dollars for cancer research in Western New York.
  40 men, 250 hours, 11 days and $1 million dollars will make up the event. It’s the perfect match-up between fundraising and Buffalo’s love of hockey.
  It is the brain child of Co-Founder Mike Lesakowski. He said, “We’re going to play one continuous game. It&rsq
  
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• Eight people die from suspected overdoses over the weekend in Erie County

  15-05-2017 22:06 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB)- Erie county health officials urge people struggling with addiction to get help. At least 11 people have died from a suspected overdose in Western New York since Saturday afternoon.
  The Southern Tier Regional Drug Task Force told News 4 they are investigating a number of heroin overdoses in Northern Chautauqua County, including in Dunkirk and Fredonia. In two cases, the drug user died from the overdose.
  Erie County Commissioner of Health Dr. Gale Burstein said eight peo
  
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• Eight people dead over the weekend in Erie County in suspected overdoses

  15-05-2017 22:06 via wivb.com
  
  ERIE COUNTY, NY— Eight suspected fatal drug overdoses have been reported in Erie County since Saturday afternoon, the Erie County Department of Health’s Medical Examiner’s Office reported Monday.
  An additional three suspected fatal overdoses were reported outside of Erie County.
  This brings the 2017 overdose count to 40 confirmed fatalities and 122 suspected cases which are awaiting toxicology results.
  According to the ECDOH, it’s speculated that this latest rash of
  
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• Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott to throw first pitch at Friday’s Bisons game

  15-05-2017 21:32 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) – Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott will throw the ceremonial first pitch before the Buffalo Bison’s “fridaynightbash” game against the Pawtucket Red Sox May 19.
  McDermott was hired as the Buffalo Bills’ head coach earlier this year. He previously served as the defensive coordinator of the Carolina Panthers from 2011-2016. The 2017 season is his 19th in the NFL.
  The Bisons’ “fridaynightbash” against Pawtucket begins at 7:
  
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• Peace Bridge to reopen third lane by Thursday

  15-05-2017 20:41 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — By Thursday, all three lanes of the Peace Bridge will be open for the Summer season.
  The Buffalo and Fort Erie Public Bridge Authority started the process of reopening the third lane on Monday.
  “The improvements we are making as part of the Peace Bridge rehabilitation project are necessary for a 90 year old bridge and will ensure the long-term viability of the Peace Bridge as a premier regional and international corridor for travel, tourism and trade,
  
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• Residents impacted by flooding seeking help from Mobile Command Center

  15-05-2017 20:31 via wivb.com
  
   
  OLCOTT, N.Y. (WIVB) — Several Olcott residents have already stopped by the mobile command center hoping to get some help as they’re experiencing flooding. The residents are saying they’re being offered sandbags but they worry that’s not enough to protect everything they own from the water in Lake Ontario.
  “Underneath our house is filled with water,” said Joel Grundy who lives right by the lake.
  He has been spending time the last few weeks waking up
  
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• Dunkirk Police: Man assaults officer during Sunday incident

  15-05-2017 20:28 via wivb.com
  
  DUNKIRK, N.Y. (WIVB) — Dunkirk police say an officer was assaulted during an arrest on Sunday afternoon.
  Shortly before 1 p.m. that day, police responded to a domestic incident on Canary St.
  While there, they say Carlos Alvarado, 42, grabbed a woman by the back of the neck before shoving her forward.
  Police say they tried to take Alvarado into custody at that point, but he “struggled violently” with them.
  During this time, police say an officer was injured and taken t
  
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• SPCA Monday: Frank

  15-05-2017 18:40 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — The SPCA serving Erie County brought Frank to News 4 on Monday.
  Frank is a two-year-old hound mix the SPCA describes as “wonderful” and “a very nice dog.”
  If you’re interested in adopting him, call the SPCA at (716) 875-7360.
  
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• Police: Wilson woman found passed out with drugs in vehicle

  15-05-2017 17:57 via wivb.com
  
  TONAWANDA, N.Y. (WIVB) — A Wilson woman was found passed out, with drugs in her vehicle, City of Tonawanda police say.
  According to authorities, Alyssa Pashong, 25, was seen in her vehicle in a Tops parking lot around 2:30 a.m. on Sunday.
  Pashong told officers that she “just smoked crack and shot up with heroin” before they arrived, police say.
  Crack cocaine, heroin and hypodermic needles were found in the vehicle, according to authorities.
  Pashong was charged with crimina
  
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• Police: Wrong-way motorist charged with driving more than 3 times over limit

  15-05-2017 17:39 via wivb.com
  
  TONAWANDA, N.Y. (WIVB) — Police in the City of Tonawanda say a wrong-way driver was charged with drunk driving.
  Early Sunday morning, Angola resident Dawn Cristiano, 45, was pulled over after officers say she was driving the wrong way on Highland St.
  When asked if she had been drinking, police say Cristiano replied “Too much to drive.”
  Her blood-alcohol content (BAC) was more than three times the legal limit, police say.
  Cristiano was charged with aggravated DWI and was ta
  
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• Kindness Club takes on Caring Cards Challenge

  15-05-2017 17:30 via wivb.com
  
  DEPEW, N.Y. (WIVB) – As World Elder Abuse Awareness Month approaches, Western New Yorkers are encouraged to take a few moments to help give a little extra support to older members of our community who may need it. The Kindness Club at Cayuga Heights Elementary School has some young community members leading by example.
  They’ve created about a hundred hand-crafted cards for Caring Cards Challenge. The Center for Elder Law and Justice is collecting letters and cards to distribute to Me
  
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• Olean man charged with killing wife

  15-05-2017 16:46 via wivb.com
  
  OLEAN, N.Y. (WIVB) — An Olean man, accused of killing his wife, is locked up without bail in the Cattaraugus County Jail.
  Edward Smith Jr., 50, was charged with murder, assault and criminal possession of a weapon after his wife, Kathy, was found dead on Saturday morning.
  Smith will be back in court on Tuesday afternoon for a preliminary hearing.
  News 4 will provide details as soon as we know more.
  
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• Mary J. Blige to perform at Shea’s in August

  15-05-2017 16:26 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — R&B singer Mary J. Blige will be coming to Shea’s Performing Arts Center for a performance on Aug. 4.
  Lalah Hathaway will open for the nine-time Grammy winner as part of the Strength of a Woman Tour.
  Tickets for the 8 p.m. show go on sale Friday, May 19 at 10 a.m. Prices range from $49.50 to $149.50.
  They can be bought online at LiveNation.com or Ticketmaster.com, or by calling 1-(800) 745-3000.
  Blige’s most recent album, Strength of a Woman
  
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• WATCH: Time-lapse video shows construction of Siano Building on west side

  15-05-2017 15:55 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — The ribbon cutting for the Siano Building on Buffalo’s west side took place on Monday.
  The $2.3 million Better Buffalo Fund (BBF) project on Grant St. replaced a vacant lot, turning it into a 12,600 square foot building available for retail space and 11 apartments.
  “The Better Buffalo Fund of the Buffalo Billion focuses on neighborhood revitalization as a key element of the city’s economic and civic renaissance,” Lieutenant Governor
  
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• Multiple candy companies plan to reduce calories in products

  15-05-2017 15:38 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Some of the biggest candy makers have decided to put their snacks on a diet.
  It sounds a bit like an oxymoron, but they say it is part of a larger plan for a healthier America.
  Mars announced a partnership with several other candy manufacturers to reduce calories in their products. The group includes Nestle, Nutella and Russell Stover.
  They plan to package their candies in smaller portions and label them more clearly.
  Mars said it will spend $200 million to make
  
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• President Trump gives shout-out to Jim Kelly during graduation ceremony

  15-05-2017 15:13 via wivb.com
  
  LYNCHBURG, Va. (WIVB) — President Donald Trump gave Buffalo Bills legend Jim Kelly a shout-out at Liberty University’s graduation ceremony on Saturday.
  “I want to recognize a friend who is here with us today, who can serve as an inspiration to us all,” Trump said. Someone who doesn’t know the meaning of the word ‘quit,’ real champion, a true, true champion both on the field, off the field. He’s a Hall of Fame quarterback for the Buffalo Bills,
  
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• Boil water advisory issued for Brocton, most of Portland

  15-05-2017 14:44 via wivb.com
  
  BROCTON, N.Y. (WIVB) — A boil water advisory has been issued for the Village of Brocton.
  Water service was shut off to the Chautauqua County village and the Town of Portland, excluding Van Buren Point, so that crews could repair a major leak.
  Those who get their water from the village are advised to bring their water to a rolling boil for one minute, and then let it cool, until further notice.
  This is advised to prevent the possibility of sickness caused by untreated water and harmful
  
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• Slow Roll to travel through west side

  15-05-2017 14:13 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — The Slow Roll will be traveling through Buffalo’s west side on Monday night.
  Bikers looking to go on the Bazaar Ride can meet at Massachusetts Ave. Park (370 Massachusetts Ave.) at 5:30 p.m. The ride begins at 6:30 and ends at 8.
  The 10-mile round-trip ride will include parts of Grant St., West Ave., Niagara St., W. Ferry St., Richmond Ave., Franklin St., Porter Ave. and North St.
  An after-party will begin at the park following the race. It will include food fr
  
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• Olean man accused of kidnapping, rape to reappear in court

  15-05-2017 13:52 via wivb.com
  
  OLEAN, N.Y. (WIVB) — An Olean man accused of kidnapping and raping a woman will be back in court Monday morning.
  Francis O’Donnell, 62, pleaded ‘not guilty’ to kidnapping, coercion, rape and criminal sex charges. He is accused of kidnapping a woman in January and holding her hostage at his home in Olean for a month.
  Police said she willingly entered his car before being kidnapped.
  According to authorities, the kidnapping ended in mid-February when O’Donnel
  
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• New York eyes ‘textalyzer’ to combat distracted driving

  15-05-2017 13:29 via wivb.com
  
  ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — New York lawmakers are considering a Breathalyzer of sorts to combat distracted driving from texting.
  Legislation would allow police to use a so-called “textalyzer” to determine if a driver had been clicking, tapping or swiping a mobile device in the moments before an injury-involved accident.
  Similar legislation is being considered in New Jersey, Tennessee and Chicago.
  The idea already faces obstacles from constitutional and privacy advocates who are quick
  
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• Senate passes legislation to crack down on gang violence in NYS

  15-05-2017 04:32 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — New York State is taking steps to end gang violence.
  This week, the State Senate passed new legislation to crack down on the rise of gang violence across the state.
  The new bill would create the “Criminal Street Gang Enforcement Act” to better prosecute gang violence and stop gang recruitment.
  For the first time ever, this legislation legally defines criminal street gangs in New York’s penal statutes. It gives prosecutors more options when charging
  
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• School receives $10k grant from KIND Foundation for East Side playground

  15-05-2017 03:02 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB)- A state of the art playground planned for Buffalo’s East Side is moving forward. The Universal School hopes to hold a ribbon cutting ceremony this summer.
  The Universal School, located at Jami Mosque on Genesee St., wants to build an innovative playground with a large rubber mat on the bottom, a jungle gym, swings and riding animals. It would be open to the public after school hours.
  “This project is really about enhancing the lives of people who really nee
  
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• New reindeer at Buffalo Zoo makes first public appearance

  15-05-2017 01:40 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — He’s not in The Avengers, but the newest member of the Buffalo Zoo family made his first public appearance, along with his parents on Mother’s Day.
  The zoo gave people their first look at Thor, a Scandinavian reindeer. Thor was born on April 18th, to mother Solara and father Apollo.
  Thor was about 12 pounds at birth, but has already doubled his weight since.
  “He’s going to continue to grow,” said Todd Geise, the Buffalo Zoo’s Direc
  
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