Buffalo news

• Former inmate praises decision to give inmates tablets

  02-02-2018 23:59 via wivb.com
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) – An ex-convict is applauding the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision’s decision to give tablets to each inmate.
  The tablets are not being paid for by taxpayers. Instead, they will be provided by the contractor, a company called JPay.
  Patrick Vail, the former inmate, now owns his own business. He says having a tablet when he was behind bars could have taught him even more.
  “It was just counting the days,” Vail said,
  
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• NYS to end “I Love New York” campaign after being warned of possible loss of federal funding

  02-02-2018 23:33 via wivb.com
  ALBANY, N.Y. (WIVB) – New York State will end its successful “I Love NY” campaign, the state DOT announced Friday.
  The announcement comes after the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration sent a letter Thursday to New York transportation officials saying the state stands to lose $14 million in federal funding for failing to remove the 500-plus “I Love NY” signs.
  The state spent more than $8 million to create and install the &ldq
  
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• Buffalo River ranked one of the sickest in the state, DEC report shows

  02-02-2018 23:29 via wivb.com
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB)- Grades are in, and the Buffalo River is no where near the top of the class. In fact, it’s closer to failing.
  Numbers from the DEC show the Buffalo River ranks as the fifth unhealthiest waterway in the state.
  “This river was functionally declared dead in 1967. So any improvement from a dead river is a good thing,” explained Jill Jedlicka, Executive Director of the Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper.
  The data used in the report is between four and six years ol
  
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• Following increase of wrap around services for juveniles, county reports decrease in arrests

  02-02-2018 23:21 via wivb.com
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — It can be tough for officers to place handcuffs on a juvenile and take them into police custody, according to Captain Jeff Rinaldo. He says it makes officers think about their own family members. And now, all around Erie County, fewer juveniles are finding themselves wrapped up in the system. 
  “There’s a lot more emphasis being put on juvenile programs to help divert them out of the criminal justice system,” said Captain Jeff Rinaldo
  
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• UB sees drop in international student enrollment

  02-02-2018 23:12 via wivb.com
  AMHERST, N.Y. (WIVB) — The University at Buffalo is seeing a decrease in the number of international students enrolled at the school.
  “It’s really sad to me,” said Sarah Pastore, a University at Buffalo sophomore.  “We always do this thing the first week where we say where we’re from and I am noticing more people from Buffalo and around the state but not India or even China.”
  She began making that observation in the fall.
  According to UB, there are
  
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• Dow plunges 600 points — worst week in 2 years

  02-02-2018 21:24 via wivb.com
  (CNN)  – Wall Street is having its worst day of the Trump presidency.
  The Dow dropped 600 points, or 2.3%, on Friday despite a strong jobs report that showed wage growth is finally starting to pick up. That’s great news for workers, but it reinforced investors’ concern about inflation and the bond market.
  The sell-off put the Dow well below 26,000. Both the Dow and S&P 500 are on track for their biggest weekly drops since early 2016 — nearly 4% each.
  &l
  
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• Buffalo police investigating apparent hit-and-run

  02-02-2018 20:25 via wivb.com
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Police in Buffalo are investigating an apparent hit-and-run incident from Thursday night.
  Around 11:20 p.m., authorities say a female was struck while standing in a driveway on the 100 block of Dunlop Ave. She was pinned under a parked car, investigators say.
  After the victim was struck, police say the driver then hit a house before fleeing the scene in the vehicle.
  The victim was taken to ECMC for treatment before being released. It is not clear if she and the
  
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• Salamanca school district administrator placed on leave

  02-02-2018 20:02 via wivb.com
  SALAMANCA, N.Y. (WIVB) — The Salamanca City Central School District says one of its district administrators has been placed on leave following allegations relating to conduct.
  Superintendent Robert Breidenstein says the school is “working with counsel and law enforcement, who are investigating these allegations.”
  The school district did not specify what the allegations were, or who was placed on leave.
  
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• Nurse’s flu rant goes viral

  02-02-2018 19:02 via wivb.com
  (WKRG) — Katherine Lockler, or Kat as she’s known to her patients, is an energetic nurse and mother of four who found herself in her car recording a Facebook video after a 12-hour night shift.“Wash your stinkin hands so you don’t get all your babies sick,” she said in the video.
  Lockler spoke to Nexstar contributors WKRG Thursday, nearly a week after she made the post. In the video posted to her page, she also tells of an entire sports team who showed up to the
  
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• Iroquois beer coming back

  02-02-2018 18:51 via wivb.com
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — A classic beer is making a comeback.
  The history of Iroquois beer goes back to 1842 in western new York.
  It has not been brewed for more than 30 years, but now, a group is working with Community Beer Works to bring it back.
  Iroquois beer will begin full production this spring.
  
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• Robot makes coffee at new cafe in Japan’s capital

  02-02-2018 18:33 via wivb.com
  TOKYO (AP) — Japan has a new robot cafe where customers can enjoy coffee brewed and served by a robot barista.
  The robot named Sawyer debuted this week at Henna Cafe in Tokyo’s downtown business and shopping district of Shibuya. The shop’s name in Japanese means “strange cafe.”
  The single-armed robot scans a ticket purchased from a vending machine and greets the customer.
  “Would you care for a delicious co
  
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• Buffalo’s Best Burger: K&L Lanes

  02-02-2018 18:26 via wivb.com
  GOWANDA, N.Y. (WIVB) — About 3,500 people voted and the big winner of Buffalo’s best burger is K&L Lanes in Gowanda. It’s not only a great place to grab a burger, you can also go bowling there too.
  K&L Lanes in the basement of Shop and Save on Buffalo Street in Gowanda has been a staple in the village for more than 50 years. What are they best known for? Burgers and bowling!
  “Back in 1959 my dad and my mom bought it and they owned it until 2004 and that’s wh
  
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• Buffalo school district plans to cut teaching jobs at City Honors

  02-02-2018 18:26 via wivb.com
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Buffalo Public Schools plans to cut 5.5 teaching positions at City Honors to save money.
  The teachers’ union says this is payback because the teachers refused to take on extra work.
  The Buffalo Teachers Federation made an agreement with the school district in 1999. The deal meant teachers would not have to perform non-teaching duties.
  The school district would replace the teachers with 16 aides.
  Parents and teachers’ advocates fear this fight could h
  
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• Buffalo man admits to raping child

  02-02-2018 18:10 via wivb.com
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — A 29-year-old Buffalo man has pleaded guilty to raping a child.
  This past October, prosecutors say that Robert Proctor had sex with a girl who was younger than 13 while at a residence in the city.
  The child immediately reported the incident after it happened. Proctor’s DNA was found on her body, prosecutors say.
  He pleaded guilty to a charge of first-degree rape. When sentenced, Proctor could spend up to 25 years in prison.
  
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• Dunkirk Dave predicts an early spring

  02-02-2018 17:57 via wivb.com
  DUNKIRK, N.Y. (WIVB) – Western New York’s own prognosticating groundhog has made his prediction for the 50th year in a row.
  Dunkirk Dave did not see his shadow this Groundhog Day, portending an earlier arrival of spring weather this year.
  “We are going to have an early spring! It’s official here in Dunkirk, New York!” announced Lt. Governor Kathy Hochul, who was on hand for the local event Friday.
  That was the news many of the people who attended the Groundhog Day f
  
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• Thruway Authority encouraging drivers to get EZ-Pass ahead of cashless tolling in Grand Island

  02-02-2018 17:04 via wivb.com
  GRAND ISLAND, N.Y. (WIVB) — The New York State Thruway Authority is encouraging drivers to pick up an EZ-Pass ahead of the arrival of cashless tolls in Grand Island.
  Drivers can get a $10 account credit if they get an EZ-Pass On-The-Go through February 26.
  ATTENTION GRAND ISLAND & WNY DRIVERS: Cashless Tolling is coming in March 2018 to the Grand Island Bridge Toll Barriers. Pick up an E-ZPass On-The-Go today through February 26 and get a $10 account credit*.
  READ MORE HERE: https://t.
  
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• Twin acquitted of murder in Hawaii crash that killed sister

  02-02-2018 15:57 via wivb.com
  HONOLULU (AP) — A woman accused of deliberately driving off a Hawaii cliff and killing her identical twin sister was acquitted of murder Thursday.
  Second Circuit Judge Peter Cahill found Alexandria Duval not guilty after a trial that started Monday. Duval opted to have a judge instead of a jury decide the case.
  Authorities described the 2016 crash as a hair-pulling fight over the steering wheel. The sisters were seen arguing on the narrow, winding Hana Highway on the island of Ma
  
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• Victims’ father tries to attack Larry Nassar in courtroom

  02-02-2018 15:42 via wivb.com
  (CBS video)
  CHARLOTTE, Mich. (AP) — A father of three victims of Larry Nassar tried to attack the disgraced former sports doctor Friday during a court hearing in Michigan.
  After two of his daughters spoke, the father, Randall Margraves, asked the judge for “five minutes” in a locked room with Nassar. The judge said she couldn’t do that. He then asked for one minute, and later said he was a “distraught father.”
  The judge cautioned Margraves after
  
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• VIDEO: Nina Taylor speaks about the fight against heart disease

  02-02-2018 15:16 via wivb.com
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Many people are wearing red on Friday to raise awareness of the fight against heart disease in women.
  It kills more women than any form of cancer.
  Nina Taylor, the development director for the Buffalo-Niagara American Heart Association, came to News 4 on Friday to talk about the fight against heart disease.
  Watch her interview with News 4’s Melanie Orlins in the video above.
  
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• Punxsutawney Phil’s handlers prepare for new prognostication

  02-02-2018 13:02 via wivb.com
  PUNXSUTAWNEY, Pa. (AP) — Pennsylvania’s most famous groundhog will soon be back in the spotlight — or will it be the shadows?
  APP USERS | Tap here to watch live coverage.
  Punxsutawney Phil’s handlers are set to announce at sunrise Friday what kind of weather they say the rodent is predicting for the rest of winter.
  Legend has it if a furry rodent casts a shadow on Groundhog Day, Feb. 2, expect six more weeks of winter-like weather. If not, expect sprin
  
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• Handlers: Punxsutawney Phil sees 6 more weeks of winter, Dunkirk Dave predicts early Spring

  02-02-2018 13:02 via wivb.com
  PUNXSUTAWNEY, Pa. (AP) — Pennsylvania’s most famous groundhog foresees no early end to winter.
  Punxsutawney Phil’s handlers announced Friday the weather prognosticator saw his shadow.
  Legend has it if the furry rodent casts a shadow on Feb. 2, Groundhog Day, expect six more weeks of winter-like weather.
  Phil’s prediction is decided ahead of time by the group on Gobbler’s Knob, a tiny hill just outside of Punxsutawney. That’s about 65 miles
  
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• Missing child alert issued for 17-month-old boy

  02-02-2018 12:46 via wivb.com
  STANLEY, N.Y. (WIVB) — A missing child alert has been issued for 17-month-old Glenn Newswanger.
  His father, Leroy, is suspected of taking him and authorities believe he could be in danger.
  He was last seen in Stanley. That’s in Ontario County, and he could now be in our area.
  The boy is described as two feet tall, white, and having brown hair and brown eyes.
  Officials say they are looking for a 2005 blue Chevy Silverado with a New York license plate number of 88359MJ.
  If you hav
  
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• Missing 17-month-old boy and father located

  02-02-2018 12:46 via wivb.com
  STANLEY, N.Y. (WIVB) — 17-month-old Glenn Newswanger and his father have been located.
  Glenn’s father, Leroy, was suspected of taking him and authorities believed he could have been in danger.
  Leroy had last been seen at Lyons National Bank in Penn Yan, which is in Yates County. Glenn had last been seen in Stanley, a hamlet in Ontario County. 
  
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• Who makes Buffalo’s best chicken finger sub?

  02-02-2018 12:11 via wivb.com
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Where’s the best place to get a chicken finger sub in western New York?
  Nominate your favorite place below:
  APP USERS | Tap here to access the poll.Take Our Poll
  
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• Developers to turn the former Women and Children’s hospital into mixed use site

  02-02-2018 09:43 via wivb.com
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — The Bryant Street building formerly the home of Women and Children’s hospital has been empty since patients were moved to Oishei Children’s Hospital back in November. Before long plans will be underway to revamp the site for a totally new purpose.
  “This project will primarily be residential driven, there will be a variety of housing options from rental housing options to for purchase housing options, there will be town homes, condominiums and apartm
  
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• Oregon company Dialsmith helps rate Super Bowl ads

  02-02-2018 05:38 via wivb.com
  PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — This year companies will be dropping $5 million for 30 seconds of ad time during the Super Bowl, and some of those ads will be great. Others will not.
  David Paull is the founder and CEO of Dialsmith, whose technology allows companies to pinpoint what people are and aren’t responding to when they’re watching.David Paull is the founder and CEO of Beaverton-based Dialsmith“Our work is really all about capturing what people think and feel in that
  
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• Oregon company Dialsmith helps rate big game ads

  02-02-2018 05:38 via wivb.com
  PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — This year companies will be dropping $5 million for 30 seconds of ad time during the big game, and some of those ads will be great. Others will not.
  David Paull is the founder and CEO of Dialsmith, whose technology allows companies to pinpoint what people are and aren’t responding to when they’re watching.David Paull is the founder and CEO of Beaverton-based Dialsmith“Our work is really all about capturing what people think and feel in that mo
  
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• Family of Jose Hernandez-Rossy pursuing wrongful death lawsuit

  02-02-2018 05:15 via wivb.com
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — There will be no criminal charges for the two Buffalo police officers involved in the shooting death of Jose Hernandez-Rossy. Hernandez-Rossy’s family lawyer says the family is pursuing a wrongful death civil lawsuit.
  “It is very hard, difficult and disappointing for Mrs. Rossy and all of Jose’s sisters,” said Nelson Torre, family attorney for Hernandez-Rossy family.
  The family of Jose Hernandez-Rossy met with the New York State Attorney Gener
  
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• Sabres continue to struggle at home, fall 4-2 to Panthers

  02-02-2018 05:08 via wivb.com
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) – February did not start out the way the Sabres would have hoped with another loss on home ice. They have won just one time at KeyBank Center since the year began and six times all season.
  The start of the game looked promising when Ryan O’Reilly scored on the power play to put Buffalo up 1-0. But, they took four trips to the penalty boxand Florida built a 3-1 lead after the opening frame.
  Buffalo played much better later on, getting to within a goal on a sh
  
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• Buffalo police investigating stranger-danger complaint

  02-02-2018 02:32 via wivb.com
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — In a letter sent to parents, Buffalo Public Schools warned parents of a stranger-danger incident.
  They said Buffalo police are investigating a complaint that said a female middle school student was approached by a man at Broadway and Schutrum St.
  According to the complaint, the man, who said he had a knife, demanded her phone when he approached her Thursday morning.
  The complaint said she refused to give up her phone. The man fled when she sounded her emergency whist
  
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• Common sewage overflows turn WNY waterways toxic

  02-02-2018 01:53 via wivb.com
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Many Western New York waterways turn toxic hundreds of times every year, after heavy or even moderate rains force billions of gallons of partially or untreated sewage into creeks, streams and rivers.
  Correcting the problem of sewage overflows isn’t an option. And the men and women charged with cleaning the water Western New Yorkers eventually drink say there’s something even more troubling: There’s barely enough money available to keep up with such
  
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• Buffalo man arrested near Albany facing drug charges

  02-02-2018 01:50 via wivb.com
  SCHODACK, N.Y. (WIVB) — Two men, one from Buffalo, and another from Syracuse, were arrested near Albany,
  Syracuse resident Juan Rodriguez and Buffalo resident Allens Batista Rivera, both 37, were stopped on the I-90 in Rensselaer County Wednesday night.
  State Police say they found more than four pounds of cocaine and two loaded, illegally possessed handguns during a search.
  Both men were taken into custody. They face charges of criminal possession of stolen property, first, third
  
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• Volcano erupts in Mexico

  02-02-2018 01:27 via wivb.com
  ALTZOMINO, Mexico (WIVB) — For two days straight, a Mexican volcano has been spewing ash, gas and steam.
  The volcanic eruption, which isn’t far from Mexico City, startled residents who are still recovering from last year’s earthquake.
  The Mexican government sent out a warning, telling residents to continue to expect ash and gas to come from the volcano.
  
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• NY sees record healthcare marketplace enrollment

  02-02-2018 01:15 via wivb.com
  ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) – Many people have been fearful that due to Obamacare rollbacks, fewer people would sign up for health insurance. However, the opposite is being seen at least in New York.
  Open Enrollment for the state’s health insurance closed on Wednesday.
  “We have 4.3 million New Yorkers enrolled in a health plan through the Marketplace,” Marci Natale, Director of Communications for New York State of Health, said.
  That’s an increase of 700,000 people from l
  
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• Buffalo parent group criticizes teachers union survey and cuts at City Honors

  02-02-2018 00:33 via wivb.com
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — A Buffalo parent group is criticizing a recent survey by the Buffalo Teachers Federation about disruptive student behavior.
  Out of more than 3,700 teachers, more than 1,200 teachers filled out the survey. The 21 page report shows more than 30 percent of teachers say student behavior is out of control.
  The District Parent Coordinating Council (DPCC) of the Buffalo Public Schools says the questions were skewed to focus on the negative and the results put all the blame
  
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• PHOTOS: Fire at Town of Hinsdale Highway Department

  02-02-2018 00:10 via wivb.com
  (Video of the scene, courtesy of WNY News Now)
  HINSDALE, N.Y. (WIVB) — On Thursday, a fire broke out at a Town of Hinsdale Highway Department building.
  The building and a dump truck were destroyed in the fire, according to officials at the scene.
  “If you look at the building, you can see it’s very well compromised,” Hinsdale Fire Chief Kelly Karst said.
  Officials say another truck, multiple tractors and other pieces of equipment were also damaged in the fire.
  WNY News Now
  
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