• “Crazy, crazy stuff”: Arctic has its warmest winter on record

    WASHINGTON — Winter at the top of the world wimped out this year. The Arctic just finished its warmest winter on record. And sea ice hit record lows for this time of year, with plenty of open water where ocean water normally freezes into thick sheets of ice, new U.S. weather data show.
    Scientists say what’s happening is unprecedented, part of a global warming-driven vicious cycle that likely plays a role in strong, icy storms in Europe and the U.S. Northeast.
  • NYPD: We have considerable evidence in Weinstein rape case

    NEW YORK (AP) — New York City’s top detective said Wednesday police have gathered considerable evidence in the rape investigation of Harvey Weinstein but it’s up to the district attorney to decide whether the disgraced media mogul gets indicted.
    “It’s his case right now,” Chief Robert Boyce said of Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus R. Vance, Jr. “I would ask you to ask him … his schedule … where it goes forward.”
    The district attorney
  • State Police warn of “bank” text message scam

    (WIVB) – New York State Police are warning about a possible scam involving texts that appear to be from victims’ personal banks.
    The message alert will appear to be sent from the bank, and will have a way to “contently” contact them back, NYSP said in a press release Wednesday.
    Police warn people to not give out personal banking account information by email or over the phone, and to not give credit/debit card info by email or over the phone.
    “If you have questions o
  • Cattaraugus County Sheriff’s Office investigating suicide at Cattaraugus County Jail

    LITTLE VALLEY, N.Y. (WIVB) – The Cattaraugus County Sheriff’s Office has confirmed they are investigating an apparent suicide at the Cattaraugus County Jail.
    Jessica Schoup, 27, was found dead at the jail on Monday morning.
    The Department of Corrections is also involved in the investigation.
    Schoup had been indicted for third-degree unlawful manufacture of methamphetamine, fourth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance,  criminal possession of methamphetamine m
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  • Buffalo man sentenced to 18 years for raping child

    BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) – A Buffalo man has been sentenced to 18 years in prison for raping a child under the age of 13.Robert Proctor, 29, of Buffalo, will also face ten years of post-release supervision.In Oct. 2017 while at a residence in Buffalo, Proctor engaged in intercourse with the child..The child immediately reported it. Proctor’s desk was found on her body.Proctor pleaded guilty to first-degree rape in February.He will be required to register as a sex offender upon his releas
  • Arrest made in Maryland killing of Nardin graduate

    BURTONSVILLE, MD. (WIVB) – Police have made an arrest in the Maryland murder of a Nardin Academy graduate.
    On February 15th, Ashley Dickinson, 34, and Joshua Frazier, 29, were shot and killed in a vehicle that was found in a parking lot in Burtonsville, MD.
    Dickinson graduated from Nardin in 2001. Her father said she moved away from Western New York shortly afterward. According to police, she had been living in Alexandria, VA.
    On Monday, the Montgomery County Police Department arreste
  • Buffalo ranked as #4 U.S. city to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day

    BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) – Buffalo has been named the fourth best city to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in by WalletHub.com. 
    The Queen City ranks at #4 out of 200 cities in the 2018 list. The only cities ahead of Buffalo? Chicago (#1), Boston (#2) and Philadelphia (#3).
    The list factored in 17 metrics, including Irish pubs and restaurants per capital, lowest price for a three-star hotel on St. Patrick’s Day, and weather forecast.
  • Truck ban issued for New York State Thruway from Syracuse to NYC due to weather

    (WIVB) – A travel advisory has been issued and trucks have been banned on the New York State Thruway from Syracuse to the New York City line, starting at 8 a.m. Wednesday.
    The truck ban includes all tractor trailers, tandem trailers, buses, box trucks, and other high profile vehicles. They will be banned on the Thruway from Exit 36 (Syracuse) to NYC, including  the Berkshire Spur to the Massachusetts State Line, I-95, Garden State Parkway Connector and I-287,
    Motorists are also u
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  • 15-year-old charged with making “terroristic threats” at Bennett High School

    BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) –  Buffalo Police have arrested a 15-year-old in connection with making threats at Bennett High School.
    Police say the teen made the threats on social media.Police were able to locate and apprehend the suspect Tuesday at a Buffalo address, acting on tips from the public, police, and school resource officers.
    The 15-year-old was charged as a minor with making terroristic threats.
      
  • UB to hold active shooter training sessions

    Amherst, N.Y. (WIVB) — Police at the University at Buffalo are holding information sessions on what to do in an active shooter situation on campus.
    Police will teach students what they can expect from police and the UB alert system. They will focus on the “Run, Hide, Fight” method devised by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
    The first session is Wednesday at Noon. in the Student Union, room 330.
    The second session is on Friday at 3:30 p.m. in the same room.
     
     
  • 23andMe gets FDA approval for at-home breast cancer risk test

    (CNNMoney) — Genetic testing company 23andMe has been given federal approval to sell at-home kits that test for three breast cancer gene mutations.This will be the first direct-to-consumer DNA test for these particular breast cancer gene mutations, the Food and Drug Administration said on Tuesday.
    A spokeswoman for 23andMe said the test for the three BRCA1/BRCA2 breast cancer gene mutations will be added “in the coming weeks” to the broader Health + Ancestry services, with no i
  • Another nor’easter threatening communities along East Coast

    PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Another snowy, blowy nor’easter threatened a new round of power outages as it swirled ashore early Wednesday, causing officials to close schools and city offices and raising concerns for utility customers still trying to bounce back from an earlier storm.
    The National Weather Service issued a winter storm warning that stretched from eastern Pennsylvania to most of New England, from late Tuesday night into Thursday morning.
    Heavy, wet snow and gusting winds could t
  • Black Balloon Day remembers loved ones lost to the opioid epidemic

    BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB)- Family and friends remembered their loved ones lost to the opioid epidemic Tuesday evening at a Black Balloon Day tribute.
    The annual event spreads awareness about how many are dying from opioid addiction. There were 301 balloons tied outside of old county hall, one for each person who died in Erie County in 2016.
    Organizers told News 4 it’s a healing event for families. They also want to reach out a hand to those currently struggling with addiction.
    “I thi
  • Officials and homeowners worried about rising water levels on Lake Ontario

    OLCOTT, N.Y. (WIVB) — Some people who live near the Lake Ontario shoreline are afraid the severe flooding and erosion they saw last year are just a preview of what’s to come.
    Water levels on the lake are on the rise. Niagara County officials say the water levels are two inches higher this year than the levels were at this time last year.
    “My concern is you know, the flooding again. It could potentially become devastating now,” said Director of Emergency Services, Jonathan
  • Resurgence expanding to Old First Ward

    BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Resurgence Brewing Co., the Niagara Street-based brewery and taproom, is expected to begin major construction at a property off Chicago Street as soon as this month, according to local president and founder Jeff Ware.
    Ware appeared as a guest on News4 at 6:30 Tuesday to discuss plans for the more than $7 million project that will turn the old Cooperage building at 55 Chicago St., into an expanded brewery, taproom, beer garden and banquet room.
    Ware said the original
  • Donations to YMCA helping thousands of local residents obtain memberships

    AMHERST, N.Y. (WIVB) — Each year, the YMCA of Western New York helps out thousands of people, assisting them in obtaining memberships to the center, for free.
    It’s all part of the Y’s campaign, where they are raising millions of dollars to provide assistance to local people who can’t afford to join the center and pay some of the fees.
    “We want to be able to provide everyone with the opportunity to participate in Y programs,” said Anne Reif, the vice presi
  • Common council moves forward in cutting ties with city psychologist

    BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB)- The Buffalo Common Council agreed Tuesday to put Dr. Jay Supnick on a 30-day notice, moving one step closer to cutting ties with him.
    Dr. Supnick is a city paid psychologist who evaluates applicants for the Buffalo Police Department and the Buffalo Fire Department.
    Supnick was accused recently of racial bias and inappropriate questions during the psychological portion of the examination.
    “I’ve had several dozen candidates approach me about the inappropriate line

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