Buffalo news

• All indictments against Sen. Robert Ortt dropped

  27-06-2017 23:57 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) – The indictments against NYS Sen. Robert Ortt have been dropped due to insufficient evidence.
  Judge Peter Lynch dropped all of the indictments made by New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman against Ortt (R-North Tonawanda) Tuesday.
  The indictments alleged that Ortt had used campaign funds to pay for a job for his wife, which she never worked. Ortt was charged with three counts of offering a false instrument for filing. A grand jury decided to indict Ortt.
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• New charge for Quebec man arrested in connection to Lancaster hit and run

  27-06-2017 23:47 via wivb.com
  
  LANCASTER, N.Y. (WIVB)- 32-year-old Sebastien Lavertu is facing a new charge after being arrested in connection to a fatal hit and run in Lancaster.
  Lavertu is charged with Tampering with Evidence in addition to Leaving the Scene of an Accident that resulted in death.
  “There was hair on the grill. And he removed that hair in the States,” said Erie County District Attorney John Flynn.
  Flynn said there’s evidence Lavertu burned that hair while in Toronto, but he is only bein
  
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• Third defendant in Buffalo cocaine operation case pleads guilty

  27-06-2017 23:30 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) – A Puerto Rican man pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine from a Dearborn Street apartment.
  Alberto Rosado-Leon, 36, of Puerto Rico, faces a minimum of five years and a maximum of 40 years in prison and a $5 million fine when he is sentenced Oct. 18.
  According to the assistant U.S. attorney handling the case, Rosado-Leon along with two co-defendants conspired to distribute cocaine from an apartment on Dearborn Street in Buffalo. On Ma
  
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• Jamestown woman charged with using electronic device while driving following accident

  27-06-2017 22:40 via wivb.com
  
  CAROLL, N.Y. (WIVB) – A 23-year-old Jamestown woman was charged with using an electronic device while driving following a Tuesday afternoon accident on Falconer Frewsburg Road.
  Chautauqua County Sheriff’s deputies responded to the accident. Upon investigation, they determined that the driver, Brittany A. Smith, had been using an electronic device which distracted her and caused her to leave the eastside of the roadway, resulting in the car overturning onto its roof.
  Smith’s thr
  
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• Facing defections, Senate GOP leaders delay health care vote

  27-06-2017 20:37 via wivb.com
  
  WASHINGTON (AP) — In a bruising setback, Senate Republican leaders are delaying a vote on their prized health care bill until after the July 4 recess, forced to retreat by a GOP rebellion that left them lacking enough votes to even begin debating the legislation, two sources said Tuesday.
  Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., delivered the message to GOP senators at a private lunch also attended by Vice President Mike Pence and White House chief of staff Reince Priebus. The decisi
  
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• Possibly endangered woman missing from Lockport area

  27-06-2017 20:16 via wivb.com
  
  LOCKPORT, N.Y. (WIVB) — The Niagara County Sheriff’s office is looking for help finding a missing, possibly endangered woman.
  Anna Niles, 23, was last seen in Niagara Falls this past Wednesday. She is known to live in the Lockport area.
  Anna is 5’2″ and 120 lbs. She has brown hair and blue eyes.
  Anyone who has seen her is asked to call the Niagara County Sheriff’s office at (716) 438-3393 or Inv. Amanda Irons at (716) 438-3338 during normal business hours.
  
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• Man charged with Tonawanda arson

  27-06-2017 19:38 via wivb.com
  
  TONAWANDA, N.Y. (WIVB) — City of Tonawanda Police have made an arrest in connection to a garage fire that occurred on June 16.
  John E. Smith, 46, was arrested after an investigation conducted by City of Tonawanda Detectives and Tonawanda City Fire investigators into a fire in a garage behind the apartment that Smith resides in on Broad Street, according to police.
  The fire reportedly caused $35,000 in damage to the garage and its contents.
  Smith will face multiple charges including:
  Arson
  
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• PHOTOS: Waterspout seen Tuesday on Lake Erie

  27-06-2017 19:26 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — A rare sight was spotted by a number of people near Lake Erie Tuesday — a waterspout. Check out these viewer photos of the weather phenomenon: Waterspout on Lake Erie (Photo courtesy of Tom at Sturgeon Point)(Photo courtesy of Kayla in Sunset Bay)(Photo courtesy of Herman in Silver Creek)(Photo courtesy of Cathy at Point Breeze)(Photo courtesy of Cathy at Point Breeze)
  
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• GALLERY: Morning hail in WNY

  27-06-2017 18:29 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Hail came down hard on Tuesday morning. Take a look at these viewer photos from across western New York: Morning hail in WNY (Photo courtesy of Christine)(Photo courtesy of Daryl in Hamburg)(Photo courtesy of Dawn on the Thruway near the Eden/Angola exit)(Photo courtesy of Ellie in Snyder)(Photo courtesy of Flecha at Hertel Ave. and Military Rd.)(Photo courtesy of Joe)(Photo courtesy of Kim in the Black Rock neighborhood of Buffalo)(Photo courtesy of Martha in C
  
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• Possible active shooter prompts lockdown at U.S. Army post in Alabama

  27-06-2017 18:09 via wivb.com
  
  MOBILE, Ala. (WIAT) – A possible active shooter forced Redstone Arsenal, a U.S. Army Post in Alabama, to go into lockdown Tuesday morning.
  According to a tweet from the base, there is a possible active shooter on the arsenal. No other information about the incident was made available.
  Redstone Arsenal is located in Madison County, Ala., which is south of Huntsville near the Huntsville International Airport.Possible active shooter on the Arsenal. Installation is locked down. Run hide fight.
  
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• Lockdown at U.S. Army post in Alabama lifted

  27-06-2017 18:09 via wivb.com
  
  HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (AP) — A lockdown has been lifted at an Alabama military installation, though officials say they are still investigating a possible active shooter incident there.
  Christopher Colster, a spokesman for Redstone Arsenal in Hunstville, said Tuesday that officials do not believe there is an ongoing threat. No injuries or arrests have been reported.
  Colster says a training exercise was ongoing that was supposed to end Wednesday. Officials had said on Facebook that an active shoo
  
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• Labatt USA partnering with Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper to restore local waterways

  27-06-2017 18:07 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) – Labatt USA and the non-profit Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper organization have announced a new partnership to help make the Buffalo River and surrounding waterways cleaner and better for everyone.
  Labatt plans to host community events throughout the summer and into the fall to help Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper maintain and restore the river. Additionally, Labatt employees will be hitting the waterways to help with the restoration efforts.
  MORE | Click here to register fo
  
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• Judge agrees to unseal court documents related to Cellino & Barnes dissolution

  27-06-2017 18:03 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — A representative of the Cellino & Barnes law firm has confirmed that State Supreme Court Judge Deborah A. Chimes has agreed to unseal court documents related to their pending dissolution.
  The representative also stated that neither Ross M. Cellino Jr. nor Stephen E. Barnes opposed to the documents being released.
  The firm filed to dissolve last month.
  Although the duo are battling it out in court, the law firm states that the day-to-day operations continue to go
  
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• UPDATES: Board member Larry Quinn testifies in Paladino hearing

  27-06-2017 16:35 via wivb.com
  
  ALBANY, N.Y. (WIVB) — The fourth day of a hearing calling for the removal of Carl Paladino from the Buffalo Public Schools Board of Education began Tuesday.
  See our previous coverage of the hearing:
  Accusations fly in third day of hearing to remove Paladino
  Three school board members testify during day two of Paladino’s state hearing
  Buffalo school board president takes stand in first day of Paladino hearing
  Paladino and fellow board member Larry Quinn were expected to take
  
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• Recalled chicken products for toddlers could contain bone

  27-06-2017 15:54 via wivb.com
  
  WASHINGTON (WFLA) — About 54,630 pounds of chicken bite products for toddlers are being recalled because they could contain bone.
  California-based company Overhill Farms, Inc. issued the recall after getting complaints from customers about bone found in the products.
  These are the products affected by the recall:
  3-oz. boxes containing “yummy spoonfuls chicken carrot bites,” with “Best Before” dates of 02/01/18, 02/09/18 and 4/26/2018
  3-oz. boxes containing “y
  
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• Wake Up! Birthdays: June 27

  27-06-2017 15:22 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Here are the people who are celebrating a birthday on Tuesday, June 27.
  Amiah – 9
  Bob – 50
  Connor – 10
  Desi’a – 1
  Dollie – 61
  Ivan – 3
  Katia – 41
  Raymond – 33
  MORE | Send in your birthday photos, at least two weeks in advance, here.
  
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• California cop saves kitten in road

  27-06-2017 14:55 via wivb.com
  
  CALIFORNIA (WIVB) — A California Freeway Patrol officer has earned plenty of praise for taking time out of his busy day to save a kitten.
  Darryl Poe noticed the tiny black kitten wandered beneath a stopped semi-truck in Oakland.
  He jumped into action and quickly scooped it up before handing it over to another officer.
  That officer took it to a shelter.
  Officer Poe says this was not the first time he saved a life.
  Last Fall, Poe helped save a woman from a burning car, earning him a &ld
  
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• Scientists trying to teach dogs to call 911

  27-06-2017 14:08 via wivb.com
  
  ATLANTA, Ga. (WIVB) — Research scientists at Georgia Institute of Technology are trying to teach man’s best friend how to call 911 if there’s an emergency.
  They have been working on this for a while and are closer to bringing it to market.
  Scientists have been training service dogs to use a touchscreen to call or text for help.
  Right now, they’re using a television-sized touchscreen surface, and the dogs are instructed to use their noses to push three buttons when they he
  
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• Heavy police presence seen in front of Cheektowaga pizza shop

  27-06-2017 12:56 via wivb.com
  
  CHEEKTOWAGA, N.Y. (WIVB) — A heavy police presence was seen at Genesee St. and Pine Ridge Rd. in Cheektowaga overnight.
  Police were seen in front of Pine Ridge Pizza and Subs.
  News 4 has contacted Cheektowaga police and hope to have more information later Tuesday.
  
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• New Town of Niagara splash pad to have grand opening this weekend

  27-06-2017 12:46 via wivb.com
  
  TOWN OF NIAGARA, N.Y. (WIVB) — The Town of Niagara cut the ribbon on what should be a new hot spot for kids and families this Summer.
  It is a new splash pad at Veteran’s Memorial Community Park.
  The splash pad’s official grand opening will be on Saturday.
  It will be open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Mondays and from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday.
  
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• Teen fatally shot overnight

  27-06-2017 12:35 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Buffalo police say an 18-year-old man was fatally shot late Monday night near Daisy Pl. and Florida St.
  Police went to the scene around 10:50 p.m.
  The victim was taken to ECMC, but was pronounced dead.
  Anyone with information on the shooting can call or text the police department’s confidential tip line at (716) 847-2255.
  
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• Multiple patrol cars seen at playground near Route 33

  27-06-2017 12:35 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — A number of patrol cars were seen at Florida St. and Pansy Pl. around midnight.
  It is not clear what happened at the scene, which was a playground near Route 33.
  Crime scene tape was seen there.
  News 4 will provide more information as soon as it becomes available.
  
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• Study on future of Central Terminal happening this week

  27-06-2017 05:27 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB)- By the end of this week there may be a plan for the future of the Central Terminal.
  A panel of national experts are putting together suggestions for redevelopment and reuse. They will present a report to city and state leaders on Friday.
  “It’s a great building, obviously, with a great history and great community support,” said Michael Stern, who is leading a group from the Urban Land Institute.
  The team includes 12 planning and architectural experts f
  
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• Fire breaks out in Lockport trailer home

  27-06-2017 05:19 via wivb.com
  
  LOCKPORT, N.Y. (WIVB) – A fire that broke out in The Woodlands Monday has left a family of six displaced.
  The fire broke out in a Birchwood Drive residence in the late morning hours Monday.
  A family member said that the family has lost everything and is being assisted by the Red Cross.
  CONTRIBUTED PHOTO 
  A GoFundMe page has been set up to help them, which can be accessed here.
   
   
  
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• Accusations fly in third day of hearing to remove Paladino

  27-06-2017 04:52 via wivb.com
  
  ALBANY, N.Y. (WIVB) — Carl Paladino is expected to take the stand Tuesday in the state petition hearing to remove him from the Buffalo Board of Education. But he will in all likelihood be cross examined by Frank Miller, the attorney for the petitioners, and that is expected to be a major sticking point, as it was Monday.
  Monday’s hearing, which started at 1 p.m., opened with testimony from Buffalo Superintendent Dr. Kriner Cash.
  Cash testified that when he arrived in the Queen City i
  
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• Man with caught attempting to conceal crack pipe before entering Rath Building

  27-06-2017 02:31 via wivb.com
  
   
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) – A Buffalo man is facing charges after members of the Erie County Sheriff’s Office observed him attempting to conceal items before entering the Rath Building on Franklin Street Friday.
  Deputies observed Vincent Sorrentino, 31, attempt to conceal items before walking through the building’s security point around 1 p.m. Friday. The deputies requested Sorrentino to remove his footwear, and a crack pipe with white residue fell out of the shoe and broke o
  
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• Two charged following search warrant executions in Jamestown

  27-06-2017 02:22 via wivb.com
  
  JAMESTOWN, N.Y. (WIVB) – Members of the Jamestown Metro Drug Task Force, the Jamestown Police Department SWAT Team, and members of the New York State Police Community Narcotics Enforcement Team served a search warrant at two addresses Friday, resulting in two arrests.
  Search warrants were executed at 21 Hazzard St. and 57 Colfax St., apt. upper.
  The addresses had been identified as nuisances in the neighborhood through citizen complaints, police patrol activities and Jamestown Metro Drug T
  
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• Clean water on the way to people in Lawtons, thanks to Seneca Nation

  27-06-2017 00:57 via wivb.com
  
  LAWTONS, N.Y. (WIVB) – People who live in the small Hamlet of Lawtons will soon have clean drinking water for the first time in several years. The Seneca Nation signed an agreement Monday with the Town of North Collins to supply the water.
  A “do not drink order” has been in place in Lawtons for several years. Now that’s about to change, thanks to the partnership. A natural resources defense council report recently cited Lawtons as one of three areas in Erie County with he
  
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• Pharmacy boss blamed for meningitis outbreak gets 9 years

  27-06-2017 00:09 via wivb.com
  
  BOSTON (AP) — The co-owner of a pharmacy deemed responsible for the deaths of 76 people in a national meningitis outbreak tearfully apologized to the victims on Monday and was sentenced to nine years in prison, far less than the victims had wanted.
  “I’m sorry for your extraordinary losses,” Barry Cadden said, wiping his eyes.
  A dozen victims who were sickened or lost loved ones asked the judge to give Cadden the harshest penalty allowed under the law for the deadly 2012 n
  
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• Former Sabre Andreychuk, Buffalonian Jacobs selected for Hockey Hall of Fame

  27-06-2017 00:00 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) – The wait is finally over for Dave Andreychuk. It was announced Monday afternoon that he will be inducted in the Hockey Hall of Fame for the class of 2017.
  The former Sabres winger played over 1600 games in the NHL during a career that spanned more than 20 seasons. He was drafted 16th overall by Buffalo in 1982, the same season as current head coach Phil Housley, and played 11 seasons before he was traded to Toronto.
  His 640 career goals rank 14th in NHL history.
  
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