Buffalo news

• Former bookkeeper gets prison time for stealing $500K from employer

  18-12-2017 23:38 via wivb.com
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) – A former bookkeeper was sentenced to 2-6 years in prison for embezzling from her employer, a local plastic surgeon.Justine Smith, 52, of Buffalo, appeared before State Supreme Court Justice Christopher Burns on Monday.In February, Smith pleaded guilty to Grand Larceny, Falsifying Business Records and Offering a False Instrument for Filing in connection with the theft.“You can’t have one person be your entire bookkeeping operation,” said Erie County
  
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• Buffalo travelers return home after being stranded at Atlanta airport

  18-12-2017 23:37 via wivb.com
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) – The nation’s busiest airport is still trying to recover from a power outage that shut down operations. An underground fire left travelers in the dark and canceled thousands of flights.
  It’s what travelers are calling a nightmare of a situation, and a perfect storm of chaos.
  Mondays and the holiday breaks are the busiest times for Hartsfield-Jackson International, and this just made it worse.
  We caught up with Buffalo natives as they finally made
  
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• McDermott Monday

  18-12-2017 21:03 via wivb.com
   
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB)-  During Monday’s press conference Bills head coach Sean McDermott praised a pair of defensive ends, talked playoff scenarios and what it would mean to get Kyle Williams a playoff appearance. Here are 4 notable quotables:
  Q: After the game, Jordan Poyer was pretty emotional when asked about maybe giving Kyle Williams a chance to get into the postseason. He’s been through it all here, he’s kind of become the poster-child of this drought. Would th
  
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• Nate Peterman out of concussion protocol, EJ Gaines still under evaluation

  18-12-2017 20:00 via wivb.com
  ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (WIVB) — As Buffalo Bills fans’ playoff hopes grew stronger following Sunday’s 24-16 win against the Dolphins, Head Coach Sean McDermott said on Monday that he spends little time looking at playoff scenarios.
  McDermott praised the way the team played against Miami, saying he was happy with the way the Bills played up front on defense.
  #Bills Sean McDermott: Happy with the way the team played up front on defense. 8 tackles for loss and 2 sacks.
  — Josh Re
  
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• SPCA Monday: Niya

  18-12-2017 19:23 via wivb.com
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — The SPCA Serving Erie County brought a Chihuahua from Puerto Rico to News 4 on Monday.
  Niya, a one-and-a-half-year-old dog, was brought to western New York from a shelter in Puerto Rico that was damaged by Hurricane Maria.
  After she was adopted and returned, the SPCA says Niya would prefer to be an only pet in an adult-only household.
  Before coming to Buffalo, Niya only knew commands in Spanish, but is learning English ones.
  “She is a nice dog and would do well
  
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• Bookkeeper admits to stealing more than $500K from employer

  18-12-2017 19:17 via wivb.com
  AMHERST, N.Y. (WIVB) — A bookkeeper at an Amherst doctor’s office could spend up to six years behind bars.
  Justine Smith, 56, admitted to stealing more than $500,000 from her boss.
  Smith, a Buffalo resident, says she stole to satisfy her shopping addiction, and said that she has a compulsive buying disorder.
  Authorities say that for more than five years, the 15-year employee of the practice embezzled the money while working for Dr. Samuel Shatkin.
  Smith was convicted of grand larceny
  
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• A list of recent Amtrak derailments

  18-12-2017 18:28 via wivb.com
  (AP) — An Amtrak train derailed south of Seattle on Monday, spilling cars onto a busy interstate. Some other recent Amtrak derailments:
  — April 3, 2016: Two maintenance workers were struck and killed by an Amtrak train going more than 100 mph in Chester, Pennsylvania. The lead engine of the train derailed.
  — March 14, 2016: An Amtrak train traveling from Los Angeles to Chicago derailed in southwest Kansas, sending five cars off the tracks
  
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• Teen accused of killing grandmother pleads not guilty

  18-12-2017 18:06 via wivb.com
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — After returning to Florida, 15-year-old Logan Mott pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder, according to CBS contributors in Florida, WJAX.
  Mott, who was taken into custody on Nov. 24 after making a wrong turn at the Peace Bridge, was accused of killing his grandmother.
  Kristina French, 53, was found dead in a shallow grave at a Florida home earlier that day. Officials say she suffered gunshot and stab wounds.
  When Mott was stopped, three guns and a knife with blo
  
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• Jamestown man who killed estranged wife sentenced to 25 years in jail

  18-12-2017 17:42 via wivb.com
  JAMESTOWN, N.Y. (WIVB) — A man who killed his estranged wife in Jamestown last year was sentenced to 25 years in prison.
  Shari Robbins was fatally shot in the parking lot of a Prospect St. church in November of 2016. After days of searching for her suspected killer, her husband Keith Robbins, 36, was taken into custody and charged five days later.
  He was arrested following a six-hour standoff at a Todd Ave. home. During the standoff, Jamestown Police K-9 “Mitchell” wa
  
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• Train derails onto interstate in Washington state, injuries reported

  18-12-2017 17:23 via wivb.com
  TACOMA, Wash. (AP) — An Amtrak train derailed south of Seattle on Monday, and authorities reported “injuries and casualties.”
  The train derailed about 40 miles (64 kilometers) south of Seattle before 8 a.m., spilling at least one train car on to busy Interstate 5.
  The Pierce County Sheriff’s office said in a tweet that the train was heading south and that there were “injuries and casualties,” but no numbers were immediately available.
  All southbound
  
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• Amtrak train hurtles off overpass; multiple people killed

  18-12-2017 17:23 via wivb.com
  DUPONT, Wash. (AP) — An Amtrak train making the first-ever run along a faster new route hurtled off an overpass Monday near Tacoma and spilled some of its cars onto the highway below, killing at least six people, authorities said. The death toll was expected to rise.
  Seventy-eight passengers and five crew members were aboard when the train moving at more than 80 mph derailed about 40 miles (64 kilometers) south of Seattle on a route that had raised safety concerns.
  An official br
  
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• Amtrak train hurtles off overpass; at least three people killed

  18-12-2017 17:23 via wivb.com
  DUPONT, Wash. (AP) —An Amtrak train making the first-ever run along a faster new route hurtled off an overpass south of Seattle on Monday and spilled some of its cars onto the highway below, killing at least three people, injuring more than 100 and crushing two vehicles, authorities said.
  Seventy-eight passengers and five crew members were aboard when the train moving at more than 80 mph derailed about 40 miles (64 kilometers) south of Seattle on a route that had raised safety concerns.
  Se
  
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• Sen. Schumer: Bomb-detection units needed at transit hubs

  18-12-2017 17:04 via wivb.com
  ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — Screening devices that detect suicide vests like the one that exploded in a New York City subway tunnel are being tested in a Los Angeles transit station, but U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer said Sunday the Transportation Security Administration should speed up plans to deploy the technology nationally.
  “The fact that we have this new, potentially life-saving technology at our fingertips — an ability to detect concealed explosives worn by cowards looking t
  
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• Shots fired at air base used by US, man detained

  18-12-2017 16:22 via wivb.com
  LONDON (AP) — British police say they have detained a man after a “disturbance” at an English air base used by the U.S. Air Force.
  Suffolk Police said American service personnel fired shots during Monday’s incident at the RAF Mildenhall base before the man was arrested. They say the man suffered cuts and bruises and was taken into custody.
  They say no one else was injured in the incident.
  It was not immediately clear what the nature of the incident was
  
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• CNN names 2017 Hero of the Year

  18-12-2017 16:18 via wivb.com
  (WIVB) — CNN named its 2017 Hero of the Year.
  Amy Wright is an advocate for disabled workers. Two of her children were born with down syndrome, and soon after their births, she decided to become an advocate.
  Wright runs a coffee shop that employs 40 people who have physical and intellectual challenges.
  As the newest CNN Hero, Wright will receive $100,000 to grow her cause.
  
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• Police: Person seen riding on top of RV in Orchard Park

  18-12-2017 14:40 via wivb.com
  ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (WIVB) — Police in Orchard Park say a person was caught riding on top of a moving RV on Abbott Rd.
  According to officers, the Erie County Sheriff’s office’s Air 1 helicopter spotted the RV stuck in stadium traffic on Sunday afternoon.
  News 4 was told deputies dealt with the people involved.
  
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• Man charged with punching police cruiser

  18-12-2017 14:28 via wivb.com
  ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (WIVB) — Orchard Park police were busy before, during and after Sunday’s Buffalo Bills game, responding to several different calls.
  Authorities say a man punched the hood of an officer’s cruiser, causing $650 in damage. The incident occurred in a parking lot on Southwestern Blvd., according to officers.
  Police say Holley resident John Pentycofe, 34, told officers he was upset with his girlfriend, and took it out on the police car.
  He was taken into custo
  
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• Princess Charlotte to attend nursery school in January

  18-12-2017 14:02 via wivb.com
  LONDON (AP) — It’s off to nursery school for Princess Charlotte.
  Kensington Palace said Monday that Charlotte will attend the Willcocks Nursery School in London in January.
  The daughter of Prince William and his wife Kate turns 3 in May. She is fourth in line to the British throne, after grandfather Prince Charles, father William and older brother Prince George.
  School officials say they are “delighted” with the decision and look forward to welcoming Charlotte to the nurs
  
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• Report: Pentagon program investigated reports of UFOs

  18-12-2017 13:39 via wivb.com
  (CBS) — The Department of Defense’s Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program had investigated reports of unidentified flying objects for years, The New York Times reports, citing Defense Department officials and interviews with participants in the program, as well as records the newspaper obtained.
  The program reportedly began in 2007, operated at the cost of $22 million, and was backed by former U.S. Senator Harry Reid of Nevada.
  In May, Bigelow Aerospace founder
  
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• ‘The Last Jedi’ opens with $220M, 2nd best weekend all-time

  18-12-2017 13:12 via wivb.com
  NEW YORK (AP) — “Star Wars: The Last Jedi” will happily settle for second.
  Rian Johnson’s second installment in the third “Star Wars” trilogy rocketed to a debut of $220 million at the North American box office, according to studio estimates Sunday. That gives “The Last Jedi” the second-best opening ever, slotting in behind only its predecessor, “The Force Awakens.”
  The Disney blockbuster became just the fourth film to open ab
  
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• Another “carcicle” seen at Hoak’s

  18-12-2017 13:02 via wivb.com
  HAMBURG, N.Y. (WIVB) — You probably remember the infamous frozen car at Hoak’s restaurant in Hamburg. The “carcicle” gained international attention after it was frozen solid during a lake-effect storm last Winter.
  This year, it’s happening again.
  Another car at Hoak’s is now frozen. Icicles can be seen hanging from the bottom of the car, and a coat of ice is visible around the entire thing.
  It’s not nearly as bad as the car from nearly two years ago
  
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• 4 people, including 3 kids, die in NYC fire

  18-12-2017 12:36 via wivb.com
  NEW YORK (WIVB) — Four people, including three children, died overnight when flames tore through a Brooklyn home.
  The fire broke out Monday around 2:30 a.m.
  Police confirmed a 40-year-old woman and three children, ages three, seven and 11, died.
  Five others were rushed to the hospital. Three of them are in critical condition.
  Five firefighters were hurt, but are expected to be okay.
  Crews do not know what caused the fire.
  
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• Chanukah Fun Land

  18-12-2017 05:23 via wivb.com
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) – Kids got to enjoy a Chanukah wonderland put on by the Chabad House Sunday afternoon.
  There were games, crafts, and foods like doughnuts and cotton candy.
  Organizers say the real reason for the day is to give kids a fun way to learn about the holiday.
  “This event is to teach kids about Chanukah that they can experience Chanukah holiday and they can experience the food that we eat on Chanukah,” said Ben Okonov, a volunteer. Okonov went on to say “We e
  
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• WNY Jeep Club camps out to collect goods for military families

  18-12-2017 05:13 via wivb.com
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) – Western New Yorkers in the Jeep Wrangler Club finished their two day camp out in the elements Sunday.
  This was the first time for the event.
  The club asked people to donate non-perishable food and toys for military families who live in the area.
  “I an a veteran myself,” said Tim Mundis, Member of the Wrangler Club of Western New York. “If we’re out here for a week. i’ll be out here for a week.”
  The group teamed up with Western New
  
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• Woman hopes to rebuild after losing everything in mobile home fire

  18-12-2017 03:40 via wivb.com
  CHEEKTOWAGA, N.Y. (WIVB) — a Cheektowaga woman is praising her neighbor for saving her life.
  He carried her out of her burning mobile home after it caught fire Wednesday. Now her neighbors are stepping in to help her rebuild.
  Charred Christmas decorations, a melted door — there isn’t much left of Teri Scheifla’s mobile home on Annamarie Terrace.
  “It’s devastating right now I don’t really want to be here. I really don’t want to be here,” said
  
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• Six people displaced by early morning fire

  18-12-2017 01:10 via wivb.com
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) –– Six people are homeless after an early morning fire on Buffalo’s west side.
  The fire started around 3:45 a.m. Sunday at a home on Dewitt Street between Potomac and Bird.
  Dispatch officers tell News 4 the fire started on the first floor and spread to the roof.
  Damages to the home and property total $150,000.
  The cause of the fire is under investigation.
  
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• Truck driver arrested after dragging large boulders

  18-12-2017 01:07 via wivb.com
  CITY OF TONAWANDA, N.Y. (WIVB) — A Bufalo man is facing traffic charges after the truck he was driving dragged two large boulders for about a mile.
  City of Tonawanda Police say this happened at Niagara Street and Two Mile Creek Road in Tonawanda on Saturday morning.
  Video shows a tow truck lifting the trailer to remove the two boulders that were wedged underneath the trailer. Each boulder weighs close to 1,000 pounds66-year-old Sameal Daniels told officers he didn’t realize the
  
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• Niagara Falls water main break causes high school to close Monday through Wednesday

  18-12-2017 00:55 via wivb.com
  NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. (WIVB) — Crews from the Niagara Falls Water Board are still trying to fix a massive water main break. Now, the problem is forcing the high school to close Monday through at least Wednesday.
  The break at 47th Street between Packard Road and Niagara Falls Boulevard erupted Friday night.
  The NFWB says the break is the result of outdated valve integrity, which the board says it has been actively addressing this year.
  It is causing low system pressure for some peop
  
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• Niagara Falls water main break causes high school to close Monday

  18-12-2017 00:55 via wivb.com
  NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. (WIVB) — Crews from the Niagara Falls Water Board are still trying to fix a massive water main break. Now the problem is forcing the high school to close Monday.
  The break at 47th Street between Packard Road and Niagara Falls Boulevard erupted Friday night.
  The NFWB says the break is the result of outdated valve integrity, which the board says it has been actively addressing this year.
  It is causing low system pressure for some people in the area.
  Work on the
  
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