• WWII veteran celebrates 103rd birthday at the Buffalo VA

    BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB)- Decorated WWII veteran Sydney Cole rang in 103 among friends and family at the Buffalo VA Friday.
    The Buffalo native is a recipient of the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star for his military service.
    An accomplished high school swimmer, Cole had to leave Masten High during the Great Depression. He received an honorary diploma in March.
    Cole didn’t blow out 103 candles, but did have a birthday wish: health for everyone in the world.
    Cole is the oldest veteran living
  • Great Horned Owl rescued from railroad tracks in West Seneca

    WEST SENECA, N.Y. (WIVB) – A Great Horned Owl is being cared for at the SPCA in West Seneca after being rescued from railroad tracks.
    The SPCA received a call from the conductor of a Norfolk Southern train Thursday evening, notifying them that a Great Horned Owl had been found on the tracks.
    The train stopped to allow the conductor to deliver the bird to responders from the SPCA.According to the SPCA, the owl is very ill, and lucky to make it to the animal hospital.
     
  • “Best fans in the NFL!” Camper lot at New Era Field is sold out for first four home games.

    ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (WIVB) – The Buffalo Bills’ camper/RV lot at New Era Field has been sold out for the first four games of the home season, the Bills’ PR account announced Friday.
    “Best fans in the NFL!” the account declared in a tweet.The camper/RV lot is sold out for the first four home games of the season. Best fans in the NFL!Camper lot info: https://t.co/SBRvXbLO7S pic.twitter.com/kRyt5EgWjN
    — New Era Field (@newerafield) September 1, 2017
    The first home
  • City of Buffalo teaming with True Bethel Church, Salvation Army for Harvey relief

    BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) – The City of Buffalo is teaming up with the Salvation Army and True Bethel Baptist Church to collect items for those impacted by Harvey.
    In a 3 p.m. press conference Friday on the steps of City Hall, Mayor Byron Brown called on residents to participate in the city-wide donation initiative.
    The donation drive will be accepting back-to-school and basic personal care items for people affected by the storm in Texas.
    The list of required items includes new toothbrushes, to
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  • Niagara Falls Water Board explains July discharge

    NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. (WIVB) — On Friday afternoon, the Niagara Falls Water Board released an incident report on the July discharge into the Niagara River.
    “AECOM and our extended professional team has worked diligently over the last few weeks to assemble and review as much incident detail as possible, in order to ensure that we looked at every aspect of the July 29th discharge,” Jim Perry, NFWB Director of Administrative Services, said.
    The water board says that the July 29 disc
  • Niagara Falls natives helping with search and rescue efforts in Texas

    NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. (WIVB) — Niagara Falls natives are getting a firsthand look at the devastation left behind by hurricane Harvey.
    “I mean these guys just lost everything their whole house is demolished, 6 feet of water. In other areas they’re standing on top of their rooftops,” said Jim Harchar, Cajun Navy Search and Rescue volunteer.
    Jim Harchar and his brother-in-law arrived in Texas Monday night. They’re using a tow truck and jet skis for search and rescues wit
  • Man admits to stealing $70,000 in brass from former employer

    BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Niagara Falls resident Nicholas Mallory, 31, has admitted to stealing from his former employer.
    Between July and December of last year, Mallory stole roughly $70,000 worth of brass parts from Sherex Fastening Solutions on Riverwalk Pkwy. in the Town of Tonawanda.
    He was charged with Grand Larceny.
    When sentenced on Nov. 29, he could spend up to 15 years in jail.
  • Joey Chestnut to compete in wing-eating contests in Buffalo this weekend

    BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — A champion chicken wing eater is coming to the National Buffalo Wing Festival.
    Joey Chestnut is known across the world for his impressive eating, and on Saturday and Sunday, he will compete.
    On Saturday, Chestnut will take part in the Buffet Bowl, competing against Carmen Cincotti, Geoffrey Esper, Gideon Oji, Michelle Lesco, Sonya Thomas, and Eric “Badlands” Booker. The event will begin at 5:30 p.m.
    The next day, Chestnut will compete against Oji and
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  • Fleet Feet Sports is collecting sneakers to help flood victims in Texas

    BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Hurricane Harvey has wreaked havoc on areas up and down the Gulf Coast. It’s easy to feel helpless when a crisis breaks out in another part of the country, but one local company has found a way to help.
    Fleet Feet Sports has made a name for itself here in the Queen City selling running shoes and equipment to all that want it. In addition to helping with apparel needs, they always try to get involved in the community. This week is no different. The store is
  • September 11 Memorial Ceremonies

    BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Many memorials and events will be held on the 16th anniversary of the September 11 terror attacks.
    Here is a list of events. If you want to add to the list, send your event to [email protected].
    BUFFALO
    5th Annual 9/11 Dawn to Dusk Moving Tribute — Team RWB will keep one American flag and the Flag of Honor moving around the ring road at the Delaware Agassiz Circle Entrance from sunrise until sunset.
    CHEEKTOWAGA
    Ceremony at Veterans Monument — Council
  • New REACH Academy Charter School offers unique learning spaces

    BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) – Kindergartners and first graders on Buffalo’s East Side have a new opportunity this school year to do some seriously learning in a very fun way.
    The REACH Academy Charter School opened its doors for the first time this week, offering students eight unique classrooms, set up as a fire station, farm yard, construction zone, grocery store and more.
    MORE | Click here to learn more about some of the key design elements
    Each class spends five weeks in each room befor
  • BPD officer accused of Assault pleads ‘not guilty’

    BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — The Buffalo police officer accused of assaulting a person in custody pleaded ‘not guilty.’
    Officer Joseph Hassett was supposed to appear in court on September 5, but requested an earlier appearance.
    He was charged with Assault, Official Misconduct and Offering a False Instrument after officials say he injured Timothy Staton at the city jail this past March.
    Officials say that Hassett lied about the incident in a written statement.
    MORE | Learn more a
  • Bills’ Jefferson raises fist in apparent protest before Thursday’s game

    ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (WIVB) — As the national anthem played before Thursday’s Bills-Lions game, one local player was seen apparently protesting.
    OL Cameron Jefferson stood, but with a raised fist in the air as the song played.
    Last season, former San Francisco 49ers QB Colin Kaepernick knelt during the national anthem before many games. He says he was protesting police brutality and the treatment of black Americans.
    The Bills won Thursday’s preseason game 27-17.
  • Albion man accused of driving 111 MPH, child endangerment

    ALABAMA, N.Y. (WIVB) — An Albion man is facing multiple charges after a police chase in Genesee County.
    The Sheriff’s office says that Clarence Carithers, 32, sped by a patrol vehicle early Friday morning on Lewiston Rd. in Alabama.
    They say Carithers kept speeding, eventually turning onto Alleghany Rd. with no turn signal.
    According to them, he then turned onto Bloomingdale Rd. before coming to a stop at a gas mart outside of the Tonawanda Indian Reservation.
    The Sheriff’
  • Hurricane Irma forms far out over Atlantic

    MEXICO CITY (AP) — Tropical Storm Lidia bore down on the Los Cabos resorts at tip of Baja California Peninsula Thursday, while spreading rains over a broad swath of Mexico.
    Meanwhile, Hurricane Irma has formed far out over the Atlantic along a course that could bring it near the eastern Caribbean Sea by early next week. Irma has maximum sustained winds near 100 mph (155 kph), but it posed no immediate threat to land.
    Irma was moving west-northwest near 10 mph (17 k
  • Deadline to apply for run at school board seat vacated by Paladino is Friday

    BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — You’re almost out of time if you want to fill a vacant spot on the Buffalo school board.
    The seat opened after the State Education Commissioner ordered that Carl Paladino be removed.
    MORE | Find more on that here.
    Paladino is appealing the decision by MaryEllen Elia.
    One person who has already expressed his interest is Austin Harig, who lost to Paladino in an election last year.
    Applications must be received by email, or regular mail, by 4 p.m. Friday.
  • Georgia police officer says “We only kill black people” during traffic stop

    GEORGIA (WIVB) — There’s a push to fire a Georgia police officer after he made controversial comments during a traffic stop.
    “Remember, we only kill black people. Yeah, we only kill black people right?” the officer said.
    Cobb County Police Lieutenant Greg Abbott was caught on a dash cam making that statement to a driver. It happened in 2016.
    In the video, you can hear the woman saying she’s scared to move her hands to get her cell phone, and that’s when A
  • Force Friday draws Star Wars fans to toy stores

    CLARENCE, N.Y. (WIVB) — Fans of Star Wars were among the first to get their hands on some new action figures.
    Several Toys “R” Us stores opened at Midnight Friday morning, with new items from the upcoming film Star Wars: The Last Jedi.
    Dozens of people waited outside the store on Transit Rd. in Clarence, making sure they didn’t miss these new toys.
    Some were there for over three hours.
    “It’s just Star Wars,” Owen Dineen said. “It’s
  • As floodwaters recede, Houston officials look to recovery

    HOUSTON (AP) — As floodwaters receded and rescuers searched waterlogged neighborhoods for more potential victims, Houston officials began turning their attention to finding temporary housing for those in shelters and getting enough gasoline for people to fill up cars — but also to the city’s long-term recovery, which will take years and billions of dollars.
    Authorities raised the death toll from the storm to 39 late Thursday. And the latest statewide damage surveys revealed the
  • Oklahoma mother pushing to change DNA retrieval laws following daughter’s murder

    BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — “It’s just a pain that never goes away and it has this hole inside of you that’s never going to be filled,” said Maggie Zingman, Brittany’s mother.
    Maggie Zingman travels across the country in a car she calls “a caravan to catch a killer.” It’s covered by pictures of her daughter Brittany Phillips who was raped, suffocated, and killed in her Tulsa, Oklahoma apartment in 2004.
    “I received a knock on the door and a
  • UB hangs with Minnesota, falls 17-7

    MINNEAPOLIS, M.N. (WIVB) – The University at Buffalo Bulls hung around with the Big Ten’s Minnesota for three quarters before falling 17-7.
    The Golden Gophers opened the scoring when Conor Rhoda hit Tyler Johnson 61-yards for a touchdown.
    But, the Bulls would respond. Tyree Jackson connected with Anthony Johnson for a beautiful 50 yard strike. The two connected seconds later for a touchdown, tying the game at 7.
    Before the first quarter ended Minnesota scored a second time, taki
  • Remembering those lost to the opioid crisis

    BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — More than a hundred people gathered at LaSalle Park Thursday to remember lives lost to opioid addiction.
    It’s the second year the Erie County Opiate Epidemic Task force held the memorial for families.
    Pictures of dozens and dozens of people were on display as family and friends honored their lives.
    “It’s heartbreaking, it’s heartbreaking, especially as a mother, these are somebody’s babies,” said Linda Hengel, Kenmore resident.
    &ld
  • Early stages of production underway at SolarCity in South Buffalo

    BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — A major first step in making Buffalo a hub for solar energy is now underway at Riverbend.
    After months of anticipation, SolarCity has finally starting production at its massive facility in South Buffalo Thursday.
    It’s still in the very early stages, but for now Panasonic will make solar cells which will be for Telsa’s new solar roofs. Panasonic and Tesla have a partnership, as Panasonic is using part of the factory.
    A Tesla rep confirmed the start of prod
  • Harvey aftermath: Death toll rises; so do the floodwaters

    (CNN) – With countless Houstonians still awaiting rescue, Tropical Depression Harvey devoured another Texas city.The unrelenting storm unleashed its wrath on a wide swath east of Houston, leaving thousands stranded in flooded homes and forcing the evacuation of a nursing facility and even an emergency shelter where residents had sought refuge.“Our whole city is underwater right now but we are coming!” Port Arthur Mayor Derrick Freeman posted Wednesday on Facebook
  • Niagara Falls firefighters investigating Niagara Street fire as arson, one male confirmed dead

    NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. (WIVB) – Niagara Falls firefighters are investigating a Thursday evening fire on Niagara Street as an arson.
    The fire began shortly before 8 p.m. at 522 Niagara Street.
    One male is confirmed deceased at this time.
    The victim’s name is being withheld pending notification of family.
     
  • Niagara Falls fire appears to have been set intentionally, man discovered dead in home

    NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. (WIVB) – A Thursday evening fire being investigated as an arson in Niagara Falls appears to have been set intentionally with three points of origin throughout the home.
    A 70-year-old male was found deceased inside of the home.
    Niagara Falls Fire Department responded to the fire at 522 Niagara St. just before 8 p.m. Thursday. Upon their arrival, they found the interior of the home severely damaged by heat and smoke with the fire having burned itself to the point where it
  • Bills roll to 27-17 win over Lions in preseason finale

    ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — Buffalo Bills rookie quarterback Nathan Peterman continued making his offseason-long case to secure the backup job in a preseason-ending 27-17 win over the Detroit Lions on Thursday night.
    The fifth-round draft pick out of Pittsburgh finished 9 of 11 for 81 yards. Peterman played two series, which ended with Jonathan Williams scoring on a 21-yard run and Stephen Hauschka hitting a 30-yard field goal.
    There was additional emphasis on Peterman’s performance af
  • Peterman leads two scoring drives Vs. Lions

    BUFFALO, NY. (WIVB) – Two drives. Two scores.
    Rookie quarterback Nathan Peterman led the Bills on scoring drives of 63 and 69 yards in the preseason finale against the Lions before exiting at the start of the second quarter for newly signed Keith Wenning.
    On the Bills opening drive Peterman connected with four different receivers — with his only pass being broken up inside the 10 as he tried to connect with tight end Nick O’Leary on 3rd-and-2.Peterman with a dart to Brandon Rei
  • Workers trapped inside Houston bakery bake bread for Harvey victims

    (CBS NEWS) – Lines were stretched outside Houston’s El Bolillo Bakery‘s doors last week as news of Hurricane Harvey‘s impending arrival spread.
    The bakery staff worked around the clock — 24 hours a day — to fill orders. By Friday night, hours before Harvey made landfall, every shelf was empty.
    “We shut down the stores, sold out of bread at all of our stores and made sure employees could get home safely at a good time,” Kirk Michaelis, own
  • Thanks WNY! Thousands of dollars have been raised for Harvey relief through News 4’s telethon

    BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) – Thursday’s News 4 Harvey Relief Telethon raised a total of $195,500 for the American Red Cross’s relief efforts in areas effected by Tropical Depression Harvey.
    Among the local donors contributing to Thursday’s telethon was M&T Bank. Representatives of M&T Bank presented the telethon with a check for $150,000.Phone contributions brought in $45,500.
    The telethon was held from noon to 6:30 p.m. Thursday at the American Red Cross’s locati
  • Thanks WNY! Thousands of dollars have been raised for Harvey relief through News 4 and Red Cross telethon

    BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) – Thursday’s News 4 Harvey Relief Telethon raised a total of $195,500 for the American Red Cross’s relief efforts in areas effected by Tropical Depression Harvey.
    Among the local donors contributing to Thursday’s telethon was M&T Bank. Representatives of M&T Bank presented the telethon with a check for $150,000.Phone contributions brought in $45,500.
    The telethon was held from noon to 6:30 p.m. Thursday at the American Red Cross’s locati
  • Sediment reuse saving ecosystem on Unity Island

    BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is turning sediment from the Buffalo River into a natural habitat on Unity Island.
    The sediment from dredging would normally be considered waste, but is instead working to reverse a degrading ecosystem.
    Representatives from the Corps and the city of Buffalo, along with Rep. Brian Higgins (D-Buffalo) cut the symbolic ribbon Thursday morning on the overall project’s second phase.
    The agreement will allow the Corps to use about 50,
  • SPCA of Erie County part of network assisting animals displaced by Hurricane Harvey

    WEST SENECA, N.Y. (WIVB) — More than a dozen dogs, some of which are from near the flood-ravaged southern Texas area, will soon be up for adoption at the Erie County SPCA.
    The local agency received the transport Thursday afternoon as part of the national SPCA’s efforts to free up shelter space in the south.
    All of these dogs came from the New Jersey area, specifically from a shelter called St. Hubert’s. Two of the them are from San Antonio, which is trying to free up as much sp

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