Buffalo news

• Senate confirms Kirstjen Nielsen to head Homeland Security

  05-12-2017 23:12 via wivb.com
  WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate on Tuesday confirmed Deputy White House chief of staff Kirstjen Nielsen as President Donald Trump’s choice to lead the Department of Homeland Security.
  Senators approved Nielsen’s nomination, 62-37, on Tuesday. Nielsen, 45, is a former DHS official who is considered a protege of White House Chief of Staff John Kelly, a former DHS secretary.
  Senate Majority Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., called Nielsen a qualified candidate with the talent and experience to
  
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• REMINDER: Winter parking rules go into effect 1:30 a.m. Wednesday

  05-12-2017 23:09 via wivb.com
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) – Winter parking regulations on bus routes go into effect at 1:30 a.m. Wednesday in the City of Buffalo.
  To check to see whether a street is a bus route, click here. 
  
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• AP: Top gossip editor accused of sexual misconduct

  05-12-2017 22:53 via wivb.com
  NEW YORK (AP) — The top editor for the National Enquirer, Us Weekly and other major gossip publications openly described his sexual partners in the newsroom, discussed female employees’ sex lives and forced women to watch or listen to pornographic material, former employees told The Associated Press.
  The behavior by Dylan Howard, currently the chief content officer of American Media Inc., occurred while he was running the company’s Los Angeles office, according to men and women
  
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• Buffalo man gets six years for cocaine possession

  05-12-2017 21:27 via wivb.com
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) – A 32-year-old Buffalo man has been sentenced to six years in prison for possession of cocaine with intent to sell.
  Michael Queener, 32, of Blaine Avenue pleaded guilty to third degree criminal possession of a controlled substance in August.
  Queener was stopped by Erie County Sheriff’s deputies while driving on the Kensington Expressway in Cheektowaga in Dec. 2016. He was transporting more than four ounces of cocaine in his vehicle, with an estimated street valu
  
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• Skydiving Santa crashes on Florida beach with Elf on a Shelf

  05-12-2017 21:20 via wivb.com
  GULFPORT, Fla. (AP) — A skydiving Santa looking to make a grand entrance while taking an Elf on the Shelf to a 9-year-old girl crashed into a tree and light pole before hitting a Florida beach and breaking his leg.
  News outlets say George Krokus was dressed as Santa Claus during a Saturday skydive to deliver toys to the Tampa Bay Beach Bums Operation Santa Charity Volleyball Tournament.
  Madison Spiers saw the crash and later found a note from the “elf” named Kristoff who visits
  
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• Logan Mott expected to return to Florida Tuesday

  05-12-2017 20:44 via wivb.com
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) –  Logan Mott, the 15-year-old, Jacksonville teen accused of killing his grandmother is expected to return to Florida Tuesday.
  His Attorney, Dominic Saraceno tells News 4 he was picked up at the Juvenile Detention Facility in Buffalo early Tuesday morning.
  His 3pm appearance in Family Court was withdrawn.
  He expects Mott to arrive back in Florida sometime Tuesday.
  Kristina French, 53, was found dead in a shallow grave at a Florida home earlier that day. Officials
  
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• Logan Mott arrives in Florida

  05-12-2017 20:44 via wivb.com
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) –  Logan Mott, the 15-year-old, Jacksonville teen accused of killing his grandmother, has returned to Florida.
  His Attorney, Dominic Saraceno tells News 4 he was picked up at the Juvenile Detention Facility in Buffalo early Tuesday morning.
  His 3pm appearance in Family Court was withdrawn.
  The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office confirmed Tuesday afternoon that Mott arrived at the Jacksonville Airport with Jackson County Sheriff’s deputies at 5:04 p.m. He wa
  
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• Russian athletes allowed to compete as neutrals at 2018 Winter Olympics

  05-12-2017 20:08 via wivb.com
  RUSSIA (AP) — The International Olympic Committee says Russian athletes will be able to compete at the upcoming Pyeongchang Olympics as neutrals.
  The IOC, which also suspended the Russian Olympic committee and IOC member Alexander Zhukov, says some competitors will be invited to participate as an “Olympic Athlete from Russia (OAR)” without their national flag or anthem.
  Russia could refuse the offer and boycott the games.
  Russia
  
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• Bobby Meacham to return as Bisons manager

  05-12-2017 19:24 via wivb.com
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Bobby Meacham will return as manager of the Buffalo Bisons for their next season.
  The Toronto Blue Jays made the announcement on Tuesday.
  Meacham led the Bisons to a 65-76 record in 2017.
  
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• Suspended Buffalo police officer arraigned on assault, official misconduct charges

  05-12-2017 18:29 via wivb.com
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — A suspended Buffalo police officer was arraigned on assault and official misconduct charges in Erie County Court Tuesday morning.
  The Erie County District Attorney says Joseph Hassett, 32, caused physical injury to a person in his custody at the Buffalo Police Department back in March.
  Hassett was also accused of filing a false document related to the incident.
  MORE | Learn more about his indictment here.
  
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• Lineup for 2018 Thunder of Niagara Air Show announced

  05-12-2017 18:13 via wivb.com
  NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. (WIVB) — The 2018 lineup for the Thunder of Niagara Air Show has been announced.
  The June 9 and 10 show will feature the F-22 Raptor Demonstration Team, U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, and the Royal Canadian Air Force Snowbird Demonstration Team.
  “The 2018 Thunder of Niagara Air Show is excited for the community and aviation enthusiasts to present a never before seen lineup of this magnitude,” Maj. Ben Canetti, the Thunder of Niagara Air Show director, sai
  
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• Local company offers STEM gifts for everyone on your holiday shopping list

  05-12-2017 17:56 via wivb.com
   
  TONAWANDA, N.Y. (WIVB) – The holidays are just around the corner and Tonawanda-based Scientifics Direct is offering unique STEM gifts for everyone on your shopping list this year.
  STEM is all about Science, Technology, Engineering and Math, and the local e-commerce company is all about making STEM fun. “It’s all about having fun but learning at the same time, and that’s everything that we offer here,” explained Jamie Rexinger, Digital Marketing Coordinator fo
  
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• Netflix fires Danny Masterson amid rape allegations

  05-12-2017 17:54 via wivb.com
  (CBS) — Netflix has fired “The Ranch” star Danny Masterson as multiple rape allegations mount against the actor.
  A Netflix spokesperson told CBS News in a statement, “As a result of ongoing discussions, Netflix and the producers have written Danny Masterson out of ‘The Ranch.’ Yesterday was his last day on the show, and production will resume in early 2018 without him.”
  Masterson will still appear in the second half of season 2, which hits the streaming
  
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• US Rep. John Conyers announces he’s retiring today

  05-12-2017 17:07 via wivb.com
  DETROIT (AP) — U.S. Rep. John Conyers — beset with allegations of sexual harassment by former staff members — announced Tuesday that he is retiring.
  The 88-year-old Conyers made the announcement while speaking with Detroit radio talk show host Mildred Gaddis. He was not clear on when the retirement becomes effective. Conyers also endorsed his son, John Conyers III, to replace him in office.
  “I’m in the process of putting my re
  
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• US Rep. John Conyers announces he’s retiring

  05-12-2017 17:07 via wivb.com
  DETROIT (AP) — U.S. Rep. John Conyers — beset with allegations of sexual harassment by former staff members — announced Tuesday that he is retiring.
  The 88-year-old Conyers made the announcement while speaking with Detroit radio talk show host Mildred Gaddis. He was not clear on when the retirement becomes effective. Conyers also endorsed his son, John Conyers III, to replace him in office.
  “I’m in the process of putting my re
  
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• ‘House of Cards’ to resume taping minus star Kevin Spacey

  05-12-2017 15:49 via wivb.com
  LOS ANGELES (AP) — Production is resuming next year on the sixth and final season of “House of Cards.”
  Taping of the political drama was halted in October amid sexual misconduct allegations against star Kevin Spacey.
  Netflix Chief Content Office Ted Sarandos told a conference Monday of the decision, Variety reported.
  In November, Netflix said it wouldn’t be involved with the series if Spacey remained. Producer Media Rights Capital suspended him.
  The eight-episod
  
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• Cleveland man tells Orchard Park police he was kidnapped by family member

  05-12-2017 15:00 via wivb.com
  ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (WIVB) — A Cleveland man was hospitalized after he told Orchard Park police he was kidnapped and assaulted.
  On Sunday morning, around 7:30 a.m., police responded to an Amelia Dr. department store. They had received a report saying a man was banging on a door and yelling for police.
  When officers arrived, they say they found the man with numerous injuries to his face and body. He was also highly intoxicated at the time, officers say.
  The 42-year-old Ohio resident told pol
  
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• National Fuel warns of furnace, meter and vent issues

  05-12-2017 14:10 via wivb.com
  WILLIAMSVILLE, N.Y. (WIVB) — National Fuel is urging locals to pay attention to their gas meters, furnaces and vents as Winter approaches.
  Snowy weather can pose problems for heating systems. Here are some tips from National Fuel on gas meter safety:
  Keep the gas meter, and area around the meter, free of snow
  Clear paths to the meter
  Inform those working, shoveling, plowing, or snow blowing around a meter of its location
  Call National Fuel, 1-800-365-3234, if a meter becomes encased in ice
  
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• Discover Niagara Shuttle being praised as major driver of economic activity

  05-12-2017 13:39 via wivb.com
  NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. (WIVB) — A pilot program in Niagara County is being praised as a major driver of economic activity.
  The Discover Niagara Shuttle takes people from Niagara Falls to Old Fort Niagara between May and October.
  Shuttle services began last year after an $800,000 investment. That investment is now being credited for $35 million in economic activity, and created more than 450 jobs.
  Local leaders expect that economic impact to double to more than $70 million by 2020.
  
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• Anheuser-Busch to send barley seeds into space

  05-12-2017 13:18 via wivb.com
  (WIVB) — Humans might not yet be on Mars, but soon, beer will.
  Budweiser wants to be the first beer on the red planet.
  Anheuser-Busch plans to launch 20 Budweiser barley seeds into space Friday. The seeds will go to the International Space Station, orbit for a month, and then come back to Earth.
  Experiments will focus on how the seeds reacted to outer space.
  
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• Man shot in possible drive-by incident in Walden-Bailey neighborhood

  05-12-2017 12:38 via wivb.com
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Buffalo police responded to a shooting on the 100 block of Sumner Pl. Monday night.
  They say an unnamed 20-year-old man was shot in a possible drive-by incident around 7:15 p.m.
  The victim was taken to ECMC with injuries that are possibly serious in nature, police say.
  
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• Expect more security at Canalside while USS Little Rock is docked there

  05-12-2017 05:53 via wivb.com
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB)- Buffalo Police keep watch over the USS Little Rock LCS 9 during its first night at Canalside.
  “It’s an active duty war ship so Canalside will be a secure area,” said Dan Mecca, vice chairman of the Commissioning Committee.
  It’s docked feet away from the original USS Little Rock, stationed at the Buffalo and Erie County Naval and Military Park.
  Mecca told News 4 people are encouraged to visit the waterfront to take pictures but no one will be able to
  
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• Soccer coach investigated months before arrest with teen, authorities say

  05-12-2017 04:51 via wivb.com
  (CNN) – A Florida high school soccer coach arrested over the weekend with a missing 17-year-old girl had previously been investigated for possibly having an inappropriate relationship with her, authorities said Monday.Back in August, investigators in Columbia County, Florida, looked into an allegation that Rian Rodriguez, a 27-year-old coach at Fort White High School, and student Caitlyn Frisina were having a relationship, Murray Smith, the sheriff’s public information officer,
  
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• Astronauts make, fling, float, eat pizzas on space station

  05-12-2017 04:49 via wivb.com
  CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — The first-ever pizza party in space is getting sky-high reviews.
  Astronauts at the International Space Station posted pictures and a video over the weekend of their small, made-from-scratch pizza pies. The fixings flew up last month on a commercial supply ship, and the crew wasted little time pulling out the flatbread, tomato sauce, cheese, pepperoni, olives, olive oil, anchovy paste and pesto.
  After making their own individual-size pizzas, the six ast
  
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• Boulevard Mall sold for nearly $97 million

  05-12-2017 04:20 via wivb.com
  AMHERST, N.Y. (WIVB) – A little more than nine months after defaulting on a $92 million loan, the Boulevard Mall in Amherst has a new owner.
  Records obtained by News 4 show the nearly $97 million deal was inked Friday between Forest City and LNR Partners, based out of New York City.
  Community leaders told News 4 earlier this year that they hoped the mall would be turned into a mixed-use development.
   
  
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• SUNY Oswego has decided to revoke Charlie Rose’s honorary degree

  05-12-2017 03:01 via wivb.com
  OSWEGO, N.Y. (WSYR-TV) – SUNY Oswego has decided to go forward with revoking Charlie Rose’s honorary degree, a university communications officer tells NewsChannel 9.
  Rose was recently fired by CBS News amid sexual misconduct allegations.
  PHOTO/APSUNY Oswego has to first appeal for the honorary degree to be revoked, and then the SUNY board can make the final decision.
  Just last month, that same board revoked an honorary degree given to Harvey Weinstein by SUNY Buffalo.
  
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• Don’t fall for these viral holiday gift exchange scams on Facebook

  05-12-2017 02:21 via wivb.com
  (CBS NEWS) – ‘Tis the season… to get scammed on Facebook.
  Two scams called the “Secret Sister Gift Exchange” and the “Secret Wine Bottle Exchange” are once again spreading across Facebook like wildfire, and unfortunately, users are (still) falling for it.
  It sounds like a fun Secret Santa-like gift exchange, but it’s actually a pyramid scheme in disguise.
  And worse, it’s illegal, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) says.
  “While gift
  
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• Now that conviction has been overturned, who did kill Tameka Means?

  05-12-2017 01:57 via wivb.com
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) – An Erie County Judge overturned the murder conviction of Cory Epps, setting the 46-year-old Buffalo man free for the first time in more than 20 years.Epps was convicted of murdering a Buffalo woman more than 20 years ago, and has spent most of his life behind bars since then.
  But attorneys from the Exoneration Initiative presented new evidence on Epps’ behalf, and Erie County Judge James Bargnesi vacated Epps’ conviction on Friday and dismissed the origin
  
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• Young refugees in Journey’s End program receive donated bikes

  05-12-2017 00:38 via wivb.com
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — “Every refugee when they come here they receive a certain amount of financial assistance but it’s very very low. And so getting those things that are wants and not needs is, it rarely happens,” said Karen Andolina Scott, Journey’s End Refugee Services Executive Director.
  Six refugee children from six different countries like Afghanistan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Iraq now have a new set of wheels.
  “When I see my brother ridin
  
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• Catt Co. DA Rieman’s inaction is ‘beyond reproach,’ victim’s uncle says

  05-12-2017 00:38 via wivb.com
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Attorneys for the family of Richard Metcalf, Jr. were hopeful and positive in February, when an Erie County Supreme Court Judge decided the investigation of the 35-year-old’s death should be reopened.
  But they and family of the Depew man also expected a decision to be handed down sometime within the past 10 months. Instead, the matter rests in the hands of Cattaraugus County District Attorney Lori Rieman — without any sign of a decision being near.
  Metcal
  
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