Buffalo news

• Town of Tonawanda Police seeking help to identify suspect

  14-06-2017 23:47 via wivb.com
  
  TONAWANDA, N.Y. (WIVB) – Town of Tonawanda Police are looking for public assistance to identify a suspect in a larceny from a vehicle.
  The suspect, pictured here, is described as a black male, about 6’3″ to 6’5″ and between 170 and 190 lbs.
  He is a suspect in a larceny from a vehicle that happened June 3.
  Anyone with information is asked to call Det. Reinhart at  879-6637 or the confidential tip line at 879-6606.
  
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• State DEC investigating case of teens abusing snapping turtle

  14-06-2017 23:05 via wivb.com
  
  ELMA, N.Y. (WIVB) – State Department of Environmental Conservation Officials are  investigating a disturbing case of animal abuse that was posted on social media..
  It involves some young adults and a snapping turtle that they reportedly saw on the side of a road. You may have heard about a disturbing Facebook video circulating on social media.
  It shows multiple teens attacking and beating a snapping turtle.
  According to Facebook viewers the incident happened Monday and
  
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• ‘Shadow Selfies’ bring life to vacant Niagara Falls storefronts

  14-06-2017 22:58 via wivb.com
  
  NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. (WIVB) — Niagara University students spent Wednesday morning decorating windows of vacant buildings in Niagara Falls.
  “So we’ve been working with about 4 or 5 people all morning just taping them up, trying to better the community make it more attractive,” said Jake Martineau, Niagara University student.
  Several life-size silhouettes or ‘shadow selfies’ can now be seen on vacant storefronts at the corner of Main and Third street.
  “I kn
  
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• State Police seeking driver in Grand Island hit-and-run

  14-06-2017 22:57 via wivb.com
  
  GRAND ISLAND, N.Y. (WIVB) – New York State Police are on a mission tonight to find the driver who struck a Grand Island woman with a pick up truck, and drove off. The woman is in critical condition as of Wednesday night.
  Dana Papaj, 53, was walking her dog on the west shoulder of the road between Whitehaven Road and Riverwoods Drive when the truck hit her from behind.
  State Police say she’s at ECMC with extensive head injuries.
  Now they need your help. State police released vide
  
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• State Police locate vehicle in Grand Island hit-and-run

  14-06-2017 22:57 via wivb.com
  
  GRAND ISLAND, N.Y. (WIVB) – New York State Police have located the vehicle that struck a Grand Island woman and drove off. The woman is in critical condition as of Wednesday night.
  Dana Papaj, 53, was walking her dog on the west shoulder of the road between Whitehaven Road and Riverwoods Drive when the truck hit her from behind.
  State Police say she’s at ECMC with extensive head injuries.
  CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
  Papaj is seen here with newborn grandson Mikey, who was born just five da
  
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• Local leaders talk security following Alexandria shooting

  14-06-2017 22:50 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB)- House Majority Whip Steve Scalise was listed in critical condition at MedStar Washington Hospital as of Wednesday afternoon.
  The Republican congressman was among several injured Wednesday morning in Alexandria, Va. during a GOP baseball practice for an upcoming charity game.
  According to investigators, 66-year-old James Hodgkinson of Belleville, Illinois opened fire on the crowd as they practiced; Hodgkinson was shot and killed by Capitol Police officers.
  Aut
  
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• Teacher charged with endangering the welfare of a minor, placed on administrative leave

  14-06-2017 22:31 via wivb.com
  
  WILLIAMSVILLE, N.Y. (WIVB) – A teacher at St. Gregory the Great school in Williamsville has been placed on administrative leave following his arrest.
  Amherst Police notified the school late Tuesday afternoon of the arrest of Scott Schaefer, 43, of Amherst, a teacher at the school.
  Schaefer was charged Tuesday with endangering the welfare of a minor and disseminating indecent materials to a minor. The charges stem from an investigation into Schaefer’s inappropriate text messages to a
  
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• Cheektowaga woman charged with Leandra’s Law DWI

  14-06-2017 22:09 via wivb.com
  
  YORKSHIRE, N.Y. (WIVB) – A Cheektowaga woman was charged with Leandra’s Law DWI and three counts of endangering the welfare of a child following a Saturday night traffic stop.
  Joanne L. Batch, 45, of Cheektowaga, was stopped on West Yorkshire Road after one of the three children in her vehicle called 911 due to her erratic driving. The three children were all under the age of 16.
  According to New York State Police reports, troopers observed Batch’s car moving from a lane unsafe
  
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• Teen who struck woman, killed two dogs while driving vehicle will appear in Family Court

  14-06-2017 21:49 via wivb.com
  
  BATAVIA, N.Y. (WIVB) – A Family Court petition has been filed against a 15-year-old who struck a woman and her two dogs while driving a car on Allen Street May 27, killing both dogs.
  The juvenile will appear in Family Court sometime in July.
  The vehicle, a gold Ford Taurus, had been headed east on Allen Street when it went off the roadway, over a curb and onto a sidewalk. The vehicle struck a 32-year-old woman and her two dogs. The woman was able to push her son out of the way before she w
  
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• “I’m not fearful” says Erendira Wallenda as she prepares for historic stunt

  14-06-2017 19:53 via wivb.com
  
  NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. (WIVB) — Erendira Wallenda says she is fearless and ready to be take on this challenge and make history. The acrobatic artist says she’s been preparing for this moment for a while now.
  “You can’t do what we do and be freaked out,” says Erendira Wallenda, the lifelong performer. “If you’re scared of it, then it becomes dangerous.”
  The stunt performer will be spending several minutes suspended under a helicopter, hanging by h
  
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• Shooting at San Francisco UPS center, police say

  14-06-2017 19:13 via wivb.com
  
  SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — San Francisco police confirmed that a shooting took place at a sprawling UPS warehouse and customer service center. Four people were injured and the shooter was an employee, according to a UPS spokesman.
  The shooting Wednesday led to a massive police response and a shelter-in-place warning for the surrounding area.
  The building is located in the Portero Hill, which is about 2.5 miles from downtown San Francisco.
  Police are advising people to avoid the ar
  
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• Police: 4 dead in shooting at San Francisco UPS center

  14-06-2017 19:13 via wivb.com
  
  SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — San Francisco police confirmed that a shooting took place at a sprawling UPS warehouse and customer service center. Four people, including the shooter, were killed, according to police.
  The shooter was an employee, according to a UPS spokesman.
  The shooting Wednesday led to a massive police response and a shelter-in-place warning for the surrounding area.
  The building is located in the Portero Hill, which is about 2.5 miles from downtown San Francisco.
  
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• Rainbow Air offers birds-eye perspective of upcoming Wallenda Stunt setting

  14-06-2017 19:12 via wivb.com
  
  NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. (WIVB) – The countdown continues for Erendira Wallenda’s world-record attempt over Niagara Falls on Thursday. She’ll be suspended from a helicopter 300 feet above the Horseshoe Falls, by her teeth for part of the time.
  The helicopter involved in the stunt arrives in Niagara Falls Wednesday afternoon. It will be taking off from the roof of the Seneca Casino parking garage at 8:30 a.m. Thursday.
  A Rainbow Air, Inc. helicopter will also be taking off from that
  
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• Amherst police looking to identify persons of interest

  14-06-2017 18:47 via wivb.com
  
  AMHERST, N.Y. (WIVB) — Police in Amherst are looking for two people regarding possibly stolen property.
  Authorities say property was possibly stolen from the Niagara Falls Blvd. store earlier this month.
  The two persons of interest are only identified as a white male and a white female.
  Anyone who knows who they are can call the police department’s Detective Bureau at (716) 689-1329, email [email protected] or text 562-TIPS, referencing AMH-17-732305-DQ
  
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• Teacher charged with forcibly touching teen

  14-06-2017 18:26 via wivb.com
  
  CUBA, N.Y. (WIVB) — A teacher has been accused of forcibly touching a 16-year-old.
  On Saturday, New York State Police were informed of a possible case of sexual abuse involving 26-year-old Cuba resident Thomas Wight.
  According to a State Police investigation, the Allegany County man taught at Dansville Central Schools and communicated with a 16-year-old through Snapchat.
  While he was teaching at Arkport Central School, Troopers say he forcibly touched the teen while off of school prop
  
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• Men’s shop, jewelry store combine

  14-06-2017 17:55 via wivb.com
  
  DEPEW, N.Y. (WIVB) — Two stores that have been fixtures for decades will now be under the same roof.
  S&E Jewelers and the Riverside Men’s Shop cut the ribbon at their new shared space on Transit Rd. Tuesday night.
  James and Natalie Neumann bought the stores about ten years ago, and decided to bring them together now.
  “With the jewelry concept, along with the clothing, so many people are coming to pick out one or the other already,” James said. “It’s s
  
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• Batavia man admits to leaving 1-year-old home alone

  14-06-2017 17:09 via wivb.com
  
  BATAVIA, N.Y. (WIVB) — A Batavia man admitted to leaving his one-year-old child alone at home.
  Charles Rodriguez Sr., 40, pleaded guilty to child endangerment.
  Police were looking for Rodriguez because of a theft at a dollar store from earlier this month. He was not there when officers got to his home, but they found his child awake in a crib, in an 85-degree room.
  They found Rodriguez early Tuesday. He could spend six months in jail.
  
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• North Tonawanda’s police union sponsors 4th annual Bike Rodeo

  14-06-2017 16:43 via wivb.com
  
  NORTH TONAWANDA, N.Y. (WIVB) — Some kids put their bike riding skills to the test in North Tonawanda.
  The city’s police union sponsored the fourth annual Bicycle Rodeo at North Tonawanda High School Tuesday night.
  Kids from the four elementary schools in the city learned some important safety lessons.
  “Today’s all about teaching kids about bicycle safety,” Range Officer Steve Endres said “What we’re actually doing is inspecting their helmets, their
  
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• Woman who stole more than $4 million from employer sentenced

  14-06-2017 16:16 via wivb.com
  
  ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (WIVB) — Billie Becker, 55, will spend between four and 12 years in jail for stealing $4.1 million from her employer.
  The East Aurora woman’s arrest was announced earlier this year. She had been serving as Towne Automotive’s Comptroller for the last eight years, but was with the company since 2001.
  Orchard Park police suspected Becker had been stealing company funds since at least 2012. In court, it was revealed she had actually been stealing from t
  
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• Flood areas getting portable dams, $1 million in state aid

  14-06-2017 15:37 via wivb.com
  
  GREECE, N.Y. (AP) — Water-filled portable dams are being deployed and $1 million in state funding will go toward emergency repairs to wastewater treatment systems in two flood-damaged Lake Ontario communities, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Tuesday.
  A temporary emergency barrier system using water-filled dams instead of sandbags is being deployed in Greece in Monroe County and Sodus Point in Wayne County, the Democrat said. The two communities also will get $500,000 each to repair and upgrade
  
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• Sessions vows to defend himself against ‘false allegations’

  14-06-2017 15:34 via wivb.com
  
  WASHINGTON (AP) — Attorney General Jeff Sessions, a close adviser to President Donald Trump during his battle for the presidency, heatedly defended himself before his former Senate colleagues as he denied having an undisclosed meeting with Russia’s ambassador to the United States and rejected any misconduct in the ouster of FBI Director James Comey.
  In a dramatic and packed Senate hearing, Sessions vowed to defend his honor “against scurrilous and false allegations”
  
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• LIVE STREAM: U.S. Congressman, aides shot in Virginia

  14-06-2017 13:53 via wivb.com
  
  (WIVB) — A special report on a shooting involving members of Congress in Alexandria, Va. will begin at 8 a.m.
  APP USERS | Tap here to watch the special report live.
  Alexandria police say a suspect is in custody after four people were shot during a Congressional baseball practice.
  Among those who were shot was Louisiana Congressman Steve Scalise (R), who was struck in the hip. The others shot were Congressional aides and the gunman.
  Scalise, 51, is in stable condition at George Wa
  
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• LIVE STREAM: Top House GOP leader shot at congressional baseball practice

  14-06-2017 13:53 via wivb.com
  
  WASHINGTON (AP) — A top House Republican, Steve Scalise of Louisiana, was shot by a rifle-wielding gunman Wednesday at a congressional baseball practice just outside of Washington. Several other people were also believed to have been hit, according to a lawmaker who witnessed the shooting.
  APP USERS | Tap here to watch the special report live.
  Capitol Police said officers who were part of Scalise’s security detail returned fire and wounded the shooter, who was taken into custody.
  Sca
  
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• Gunman wounds GOP congressman, then killed by police

  14-06-2017 13:53 via wivb.com
  
  ALEXANDRIA, Va. (AP) — A rifle-wielding attacker opened fire on Republican lawmakers at a congressional baseball practice Wednesday, wounding House GOP Whip Steve Scalise of Louisiana and several others as congressmen and aides dove for cover. The assailant, prepared with “a lot of ammo,” fought a gun battle with police before he, too, was shot and later died.
  Scalise dragged himself off the infield leaving a trail of blood as colleagues rushed to his assistance.
  Capitol Police
  
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• London tower fire: What do we know?

  14-06-2017 12:33 via wivb.com
  
  LONDON (AP) — Firefighters are battling a huge blaze at a west London high-rise block that houses more than 100 apartments. Here is what we know about the fire so far:
  WHAT HAPPENED?
  Reports of a fire at Grenfell Tower in North Kensington, west London, came in just before 1 a.m. on Wednesday.
  The first fire crews arrived at the scene within minutes, and the London Fire Brigade soon declared it a major incident. The brigade sent 45 fire engines and over 200 firefighters to the scene.
  Reside
  
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• At least 6 killed in massive London high-rise blaze

  14-06-2017 12:33 via wivb.com
  
  LONDON (AP) — Fire swept through a high-rise apartment building in west London early Wednesday, killing at least six people and sending more than 50 people to area hospitals.
  APP USERS | Tap here to watch live coverage of the fire.
  Flames shot from windows all the way up the 24-story Grenfell Tower in North Kensington as more than 200 firefighters battled the blaze. A plume of smoke stretched for miles (kilometers) over the capital. The scent of acrid smoke hung in the air.
  “This is
  
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• Williamsville Board of Ed votes to remove Asst. Superintendent

  14-06-2017 06:11 via wivb.com
  
  WILLIAMSVILLE, N.Y. (WIVB)- An assistant school superintendent in Williamsville has been fired. The Board of Education voted unanimously to accept the recommendation of a state hearing officer.
  Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources Dr. Kim Kirsch was suspended and put on leave three years ago.
  The Board of Education is legally obligated to follow the hearing officer’s recommendation.
  Board Member Suzanna Van Sice spoke up before the vote and said she would’ve preferred to
  
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• AP: For a second night, no verdict in Bill Cosby trial

  14-06-2017 05:09 via wivb.com
  
  NORRISTOWN, Pa. (AP) — Jurors in the Bill Cosby sexual assault case, weighing charges that could send him to prison for the rest of his life, drilled down Tuesday on what the TV star said happened inside his suburban Philadelphia home and how he characterized his relationship with the accuser.
  But they didn’t come up with a verdict, leaving them tired and spent after a long day in the jury room.
  The jury ended a second day of deliberations without reaching a decision on whether Cosby
  
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• New room at West Hertel Academy gives students a place to practice “mindfulness meditation”

  14-06-2017 05:02 via wivb.com
  
  NORTH BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) – A North Buffalo school is taking a unique approach to help students relax and perform better at school.
  Students at West Hertel Academy can now visit a meditation room. Students who are upset or having behavioral issues can work directly with a meditation consultant.
  The room, which opened Tuesday, features an overhead projector which shows nature scenes and soothing music to help with meditation.
  School leaders say that the meditation room adds a needed additi
  
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• Bills open mandatory mini-camp

  14-06-2017 04:42 via wivb.com
  
  ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (WIVB) – There were a couple of big missing pieces at day one of Bills minicamp. Kyle Williams was sidelined with neck stiffness and LeSean McCoy was absent with a stomach virus.
  With McCoy missing, Jonathan Williams gobbled up some extra reps. With Mike Gillislee leaving for the Patriots, Williams is trying to secure a spot as the number two running back.
  “He has taken advantage of the opportunity that he has been given and that is the important part of this,
  
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• Pedestrian in critical condition after being struck in Grand Island hit and run

  14-06-2017 04:20 via wivb.com
  
  GRAND ISLAND, N.Y. (WIVB) – New York State Police are seeking public assistance in the investigation of a hit and run incident that happened Tuesday evening on East River Road.
  State Police responded to the area at 8 p.m. Tuesday for a report of a pedestrian hit by a vehicle.
  An investigation revealed that a newer four-door Dodge pick-up truck with passenger side mirror damage struck an adult female on the west shoulder of the roadway and left the scene.
  The pedestrian has been transported
  
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• News 4 Premier Prospect: Miro Heiskanen

  14-06-2017 04:09 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — As we count down to the NHL Draft on June 23rd in Chicago, our fifth News 4 Premier Prospect is Miro Heiskanen, a Finnish defenseman whose steady, balanced game may lead to him being the first blue-liner selected.
  Here’s the lowdown on Heiskanen:
  Position:
  Defense (left shot)
  Height/Weight:
  6’0, 174 lbs
  Team:
  HIFK (Liiga)
  In one sentence:
  Using more finesse than force, Miro Heiskanen is a prime example of the new breed of defenseman: Reliable as a pu
  
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• “Spirit Ride” to raise awareness about “Move Over” law

  14-06-2017 04:03 via wivb.com
  
  TONAWANDA, N.Y. (WIVB) – Failure to slow down and move over for tow trucks and emergency vehicles pulled over on roads can be deadly for first responders, tow truck operators, and law enforcement.
  A “Spirit Ride” on Thursday will aim to raise awareness about New York State’s “Move Over” law with a procession of tow trucks led by a ceremonial casket. The procession will pay tribute to tow operators and other first responders killed by passing vehicles while wor
  
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• Getzville taxi service operator gets two years’ probation for false tax return

  14-06-2017 03:26 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) – A Getzville man who owned a medical transportation company and taxi service has been sentenced for making and subscribing a false tax return.
  Igor Finkelshtein, 45, has been sentenced to two years’ probation and a $20,000 fine.
  Finkelshtein operated Buffalo Transportation Inc., which was both a medical transport company and a taxi service. According to prosecutors, a substantial amount of cash derived from the taxi service was not deposited into the BTI corpora
  
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• Homeowner discovers a new health hazard—old drywall compound

  14-06-2017 02:34 via wivb.com
  
  AMHERST, N.Y. (WIVB) – An Amherst mother of three learned a hard lesson during a home repair project, when asbestos was discovered in some of the building material used in her pre-1980 house. Asbestos is a well-known health hazard that can cause serious illness.
  Until about 50 years ago, asbestos was considered a miracle fiber–as a fire retardant, superior heat insulation, and it resists chemical stains, so it was used just about everywhere for safety purposes.
  Then in the 1970&rsqu
  
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• BPD officer accused of turning blind eye to ‘real’ heroin use for drug awareness film

  14-06-2017 01:15 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Buffalo police launched internal investigation into whether one of its officers was aware of, or present for, heroin use that was part of a short film about the region’s opioid epidemic.
  Police officials on Tuesday said they knew nothing about any illegal activity on the set of “Blink of an Eye,” which was partially shot at a restaurant at Main Place Mall. And they’re now concerned the intention of this film is being overshadowed by controvers
  
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