Buffalo news

• Buffalo man sentenced to three years’ probation for stealing deceased woman’s Worker’s Compensation checks

  27-02-2018 22:11 via wivb.com
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) – A Buffalo man has been sentenced to three years of probation for stealing more than $3,500 in Worker’s Compensation benefits meant for the woman he had previously lived with and care for, who passed away two years earlier.Michael Barton, 58, of Ada Place, previously pleaded guilty to petit larceny.At his Tuesday court appearance, Barton also agreed to repay $3,529.11 in restitution.A state inspection revealed that Barton regularly cashed Worker’s Compensa
  
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• Two WNY animal shelters to receive state funding for renovations

  27-02-2018 21:45 via wivb.com
  OLEAN, N.Y. (WIVB) – The SPCA in Cattaraugus County will receive $164,000 from New York State for shelter renovations, part of the state’s $5 million in funding for animal shelters statewide.
  The project will include installation of a new heating and cooling system for improved ventilation and weatherization.
  The shelter will also create a more “welcoming adoption environment”.
  The Town of West Seneca Municipal Shelter will also receive $119,000 for the renovation of the
  
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• Police find threat by Buffalo Schools student “unfounded”

  27-02-2018 20:45 via wivb.com
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — A representative of Buffalo Public Schools told News 4 that a student reported that another student made a threat.
  According to the school district, the reported threat was spoken.
  The student accused of making a threat was questioned.
  Police have declared the threat unfounded.
  The student will face discipline per the district’s code of conduct.
  “We take all such incidents seriously,” Elena Cala, with Buffalo Public Schools, said.
  
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• Baynes highlights ‘ambitious’ plans for development in Amherst

  27-02-2018 18:51 via wivb.com
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Voters in Amherst called for change when they cast their ballots for the 2017 General Election — handing over control of the town board to Democratic leadership, who have promised to focus their priorities on development.
  Change has also happened at the top of the Amherst Chamber of Commerce, with A.J. Baynes taking over in January for longtime president and CEO Colleen DiPirro.
  Baynes appeared Monday as a guest on News 4 at 6:30 p.m. to discuss the town’
  
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• LIVE STREAM: Niagara Falls Mayor delivers State of the City Address

  27-02-2018 18:44 via wivb.com
  NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. (WIVB) — Niagara Falls Mayor Paul Dyster delivers his 2018 State of the City Address.
  APP USERS | Tap here to watch.
  
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• School district: Niagara Falls students seen with BB gun while en route to school

  27-02-2018 17:50 via wivb.com
  NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. (WIVB) — Two Niagara Falls students were seen with a weapon Tuesday morning, the school district says.
  According to the Niagara Falls City School District, a parent saw two students carrying a BB gun while on their way to school.
  The parent notified the school, but when the students arrived at Abate Elementary, they no longer had the weapon, the school says.
  According to the school, the BB gun was left at an abandoned property on Willow Ave.
  The students admitted t
  
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• New guidelines published to help recognize, treat teen depression

  27-02-2018 17:47 via wivb.com
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) – New guidelines released by the American Academy of Pediatrics could help save lives in Western New York. The AAP just published updated advice for pediatricians and family doctors to help recognize and treat depression among teenagers.
  Dr. Michael Cummings, associate medical director for ECMC and vice chair of psychiatry at the University at Buffalo, told News 4 he welcomed the new recommendations.
  “Suicide is the second leading cause of death in this age group
  
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• Opioid overdose deaths decrease in Erie County

  27-02-2018 17:17 via wivb.com
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — When compared to the previous year, there weren’t as many opioid overdose deaths in Erie County in 2017.
  On Tuesday morning, Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz and Department of Health Commissioner Dr. Gale Burstein gave an update on the opioid epidemic in the county.
  Last year, there were 233 confirmed opioid overdose deaths in Erie County, with 35 cases still pending.
  This marks the first drop in opioid overdose deaths since 2013.
  2017’s number i
  
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• Genesee County authorities warn of medical information scam

  27-02-2018 15:35 via wivb.com
  BATAVIA, N.Y. (WIVB) — The Genesee County Sheriff’s Office is warning residents about a phone scam.
  Authorities say the people calling residents are trying to get medical records and other information.
  “The information received is then used to fill out prescriptions, which are sent to medical offices for refill,” the Sheriff’s Office said. “Once signed, these prescriptions are being used to bill insurance companies.”
  Officials think this could be a scam
  
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• NY state budget hearing on environmental conservation set

  27-02-2018 15:20 via wivb.com
  ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — Environmental conservation will be the topic for the 13th and final joint public hearing on New York state’s budget proposal.
  State Senate and Assembly members will hear testimony Tuesday in Albany on Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s $168 billion spending plan.
  Cuomo administration officials and environmental conservation advocates are expected to testify on such subjects as water quality, a new sewage plant in Niagara Falls, prog
  
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• Cement truck crash closes part of Route 198 on Monday

  27-02-2018 14:41 via wivb.com
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Part of the Scajaquada Expressway was shut down in Buffalo on Monday.
  A portion of the road was closed after a cement truck crashed into the Grant St. bridge.
  Public works crews had to come in to fix the damage caused by the truck.
  “There’s some support plates that have pins on those, and he sheared those off as he traveled through,” Buffalo DPW Commissioner Steve Stepniak said. “He had one of his mechanisms; it’s a concrete pump tr
  
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• Closing arguments set in trial of ex-aide to Gov. Cuomo

  27-02-2018 14:11 via wivb.com
  NEW YORK (AP) — Closing arguments are scheduled to begin Tuesday in the bribery trial of a former top aide to Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
  Defense lawyers presented witnesses over three days to refute a month of evidence from prosecutors aimed at convincing jurors in Manhattan federal court that Joseph Percoco accepted more than $300,000 in bribes from three businessmen to treat them favorably.
  Lawyers for the 48-year-old Percoco and the businessmen have maintained tha
  
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• 1 person escapes bedroom fire in Buffalo

  27-02-2018 13:42 via wivb.com
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Buffalo fire officials say one person escaped a bedroom fire on Howard St.
  The fire started on Monday morning, but it is not clear what caused it.
  Another fire occurred in Buffalo during the morning, but that one was on Macamley St.
  MORE | Find more information on the Macamley St. fire here.
  
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• Goodwill to hold bridal sale

  27-02-2018 13:23 via wivb.com
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Goodwill is having a bridal sale on Sunday, March 4.
  The sale will take place at the Goodwill Retail Store at 1119 William St. in Buffalo from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m.
  New gowns with tags are $50 and gently used ones are $25.
  Take a look at some of the dresses people can find in the video above.
  MORE | Find more information on the sale here.
  
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• Goodwill of WNY to hold bridal sale

  27-02-2018 13:23 via wivb.com
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Goodwill is having a bridal sale on Sunday, March 4.
  The sale will take place at the Goodwill Retail Store at 1119 William St. in Buffalo from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m.
  New gowns with tags are $50 and gently used ones are $25.
  Take a look at some of the dresses people can find in the video above.
  MORE | Find more information on the sale here.
  “It came about because we have so many great donors that donate wonderful things all the time and lately we’
  
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• Fire starts in house on Macamley St.

  27-02-2018 12:57 via wivb.com
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Buffalo fire officials responded to a house fire on Macamley St. Tuesday morning.
  The fire started in the back of the house, which is being renovated.
  News 4 will provide more information as soon as it is available.
  
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• NY state lawmakers pitch new plastic bag ban

  27-02-2018 12:43 via wivb.com
  ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) – Two Democratic state lawmakers from Manhattan are proposing a statewide ban on the ubiquitous plastic shopping bag and a fee on paper bags.
  Sens. Liz Krueger and Brad Hoylman said Monday that their legislation is meant to encourage the use of reusable bags.
  New Yorkers use an estimated 23 billion plastic bags each year, with many ending up in landfills or state waterways.
  More than a dozen local communities in New York state have adopted bans or fees, but a 5-cent fee a
  
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• Instant Pot announces recall after reports of melted multi-cookers

  27-02-2018 12:23 via wivb.com
  (WSAV) — Instant Pot is in hot water over reports of melted multi-cookers.
  The company announced it has received “a small number” of overheating reports of its Gem 65 8-in-1 Multicooker, which causes the unit’s base to melt. Consumers are asked to check the bottom of the unit to find the batch code to see if their cooker is affected.
  Codes include: 1728, 1730, 1731, 1734 and 1746.
  People should immediately stop using the product if one of those codes matches the unit.
  &ld
  
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• Positively Buffalo: The King of Colden

  27-02-2018 12:10 via wivb.com
  Don’t let age fool you.
  At 86-years-old, Bill Fleckenstein is still the talk of the town.
  “Sunny. He has a sunny disposition, a sunny personality. Just a kind person,” said Rebecca Vincent, a cashier at the local market.
  “He’s a great guy. He’ll do anything for anybody,” said Gary Roblee, Bill’s friend.
  “He’s one of them people… nothing could probably bring him down. He could’ve found out something that morning but he&rsquo
  
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• Super Monday: High School hockey sectional championships

  27-02-2018 05:49 via wivb.com
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) – The sectional finals were determined in boys hockey on Monday at KeyBank Center.
  Division I- Niagara Wheatfield 2 Willamsville North 0
  Division II – West Seneca West 2 Sweet Home 1
  Private School Playoffs – St. Mary’s 3 St. Joe’s 2
  
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• Bills sign veteran Vontae Davis

  27-02-2018 05:38 via wivb.com
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) – Ahead of the NFL combine, the Bills added a veteran to their roster before taking a look at rookies.
  They signed cornerback Vontae Davis on Monday night, who most recently played for the Colts before becoming a free agent.
  In his nine year career, Davis has 395 tackles, 4 forced fumbles and 22 interceptions.
  It is a one-year deal with the Bills and will put the future of E.J. Gaines into question.
   
  
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• Homeowner loses home and belongings to toxic mold

  27-02-2018 02:07 via wivb.com
  LOCKPORT, N.Y. (WIVB) – Lisa Browne bought her mobile home without a home inspection, which in most cases can save a homebuyer from untold heartache if the house has serious defects, but Lisa’s case is extraordinary, and there are serious questions about whether a home inspection might have uncovered the threat to her health.
  Shortly after moving into her home, at The Woodlands residential development in the Town of Lockport, last October, Lisa and her cat got seriously ill, and her
  
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• Cattaraugus County Sheriff calls for beefed up school security

  27-02-2018 00:14 via wivb.com
  LITTLE VALLEY, N.Y. (WIVB) – Cattaraugus County Sheriff Timothy Whitcomb is calling for immediate security measures to protect area schools.“I’m a parent of four children and no parent should be dropping their kids off at school and be worried about their safety,” said Whitcomb.He points to the court security model which involves people and property checked by armed officers at the entrance.
  Whitcomb believes this type of security will work in schools.“There needs
  
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