Buffalo news

• Buffalo police making progress on attorney general’s recommendations

  27-03-2018 23:54 via wivb.com
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) – At a meeting of the Buffalo Common Council’s Police Oversight Committee, Buffalo Police Department officials updated community members on some changes in the department.
  The initiatives come after recommendations were made by New York State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman following the deaths of Wardel Davis and Jose Hernandez-Rossy.
  Davis died in February 2017. Investigators said it happened after a struggle with police. Hernandez-Rossy died after bein
  
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• ‘It’s just a matter of time before the whole thing slides away,’ local road fix does not look easy

  27-03-2018 23:53 via wivb.com
  A road in the Town of Boston has neighbors extremely worried, because it appears the street is falling into a creek below.
  “It’s just a matter of time before the whole thing slides away,” said Michael Baetzold, a neighbor.
  Baetzold tells News 4, back in December, a plow got stuck on Back Creek Road in Boston, so the county repaired that area. But just a few months later, it looks like the street is deteriorating again.
  “They fixed this the day after the plow went in there
  
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• Bishop Malone reacts to St. Mary’s priest facing abuse allegations; victim gets lawyer

  27-03-2018 23:52 via wivb.com
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) – A Pastor from a Parish in Dunkirk has been put on administrative leave by Bishop Richard Malone following an abuse complaint.
  Tuesday, the Bishop says their investigation into the allegations against Father Dennis Riter is still in the early stages.
  Dennis Riter was an active priest as of Palm Sunday, but now he will be released of his duties as long as this investigation continues.
  We spoke with Mike Reck, who represents victims of child sexual abuse. He s
  
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• Scholar Athlete: Abby Borkowski

  27-03-2018 23:50 via wivb.com
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) – Paying attention to the small details helps put together the bigger picture, like when building a puzzle, or learning about the human body.
  “My favorite subject is Biology.  That’s what I’m interested in, is health and the body,” Kenmore West senior Abby Borkowski said.  “That’s what I’m majoring in at St. Bonaventure.”
  For Borkowski, she’s not just attending Bona to further her academics, but to also co
  
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• Jim Kelly to go into surgery Wednesday morning in NYC

  27-03-2018 23:20 via wivb.com
  (WIVB) – Jim Kelly has arrived in New York City for surgery.
  The Bills great’s daughter Jill posted a video on Instagram Tuesday afternoon, informing his followers that he will be going into surgery Wednesday morning. Jim thanked fans for their prayers and well wishes in the video.“Although this is overwhelming, we are comforted and strengthen by your love, support, and prayers,” Kelly wrote. “God is good…whether we walk through the valley or celebrate on the
  
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• Finger Lakes-area casino seeking assistance from state

  27-03-2018 22:20 via wivb.com
  TYRE, NY (WROC) – Del Lago Resort and Casino is seeking “help” from the state as revenues for its first year missed projections.
  Representatives from the casino didn’t go into detail about the exact help they are seeking. However, we’re told the casino may be looking to close a gap between the taxes it pays on its slots and the lower rate paid by other casinos like Turning Stone Casino.
  Last month, News 8 reported that, in its first year in operation, the casino fe
  
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• Buffalo tax preparer charged with filing fraudulent tax returns

  27-03-2018 22:13 via wivb.com
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) – A Buffalo tax preparer has been arrested on felony charges of preparing and filing fraudulent income tax returns.
  Dorothea Fleming, 54, of Sanford Street, was employed as a tax preparer at Pro-File Tax and Insurance Coalition, formerly known as Capital Tax Service, on Hertel Avenue.
  Fleming was arraigned in Buffalo City Court and charged with third-degree criminal tax fraud and first-degree offering a false instrument for filing, both felonies.
  Fleming is alleged to
  
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• Cheektowaga Police looking for help to identify possible grand larceny suspect

  27-03-2018 21:58 via wivb.com
  CHEEKTOWAGA, N.Y. (WIVB) – Cheektowaga Police are looking for the public’s help to identify a woman who may be involved in a grand larceny at a local retail store.
  Police say she drove away in in a white Hyundai Sonata, plate unknown.
  Anyone who can help is asked to contact Det. Griffin at 686-3979 or text anonymously to TIP411(847411). Start your message with CPDNY and then type the rest of your message. CD# 18-812524
  
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• Jamestown man charged with assaulting three-year-old child in his care

  27-03-2018 21:31 via wivb.com
  JAMESTOWN, N.Y. (WIVB) – A Jamestown man has been charged with assaulting a three-year-old child who had been in his care.
  Joshua T. Berg, 28, was charged with second degree assault and endangering the welfare of a child Tuesday morning after police received a report of an unresponsive child.
  Emergency Medical Services arrived and transported the child to UPMC WCA, and then to Oishei Children’s Hospital of Buffalo for emergency surgery for a reported head injury.
  A preliminary invest
  
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• FBI arrest co-founder of secretive New York group

  27-03-2018 21:20 via wivb.com
  NEW YORK (AP) – The leader of a secretive group based in New York accused of branding female followers as part of an initiation ceremony has been charged with sex-trafficking.
  Authorities say Keith Raniere was arrested in Mexico and brought to Texas Monday to face federal charges filed in Brooklyn. The leader of NXIVM was to appear in court Tuesday, officials said.
  Raniere left the United States last year after The New York Times reported some women who joined a secret sorority within his
  
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• Mayor Brown announces negotiations to re-open Gigi’s as part of $100 million Northland Corridor Project

  27-03-2018 21:15 via wivb.com
  BUFFALO. N.Y. (WIVB) – Buffalo mayor Byron Brown announced negotiations to make Gigi’s Restaurant part of the Northern Corridor Project on Tuesday.
  Gigi’s, a soul food staple on Buffalo’s East Side since the 1960s, was put out of business at its East Ferry Street location in Nov. 2015 due to a grease fire.
  The Buffalo Urban Development Corporation  voted Tuesday to enter into contract talks with Darryl Harvin, the son of Blondine “Gigi” Harvin.
  Harvin was
  
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• It’s a catch: NFL owners approve simplified catch language

  27-03-2018 20:00 via wivb.com
  ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Maybe it’s too late for Jesse James and the Steelers or Zach Miller and the Bears.
  No matter, the NFL has a simplified catch rule designed to eliminate confusion — and, the league hopes, controversy — about receptions.
  Team owners unanimously approved the new language Tuesday, with basically three elements defining a catch:
  —having control of the ball;
  —getting two feet down or another body part;
  —making a football move, such as taki
  
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• Mark Zuckerberg has decided to testify before Congress

  27-03-2018 19:41 via wivb.com
  (CNN) — After repeated calls for him to do so, Mark Zuckerberg has decided he will testify before Congress.
  Facebook sources tell CNNMoney the 33-year-old CEO has come to terms with the fact that he will have to testify before Congress within a matter of weeks, and Facebook is currently planning the strategy for his testimony.
  The pressure from lawmakers, the media and the public has become too intense to justify anything less.
  The Facebook sources believe Zuckerberg’s willingness to
  
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• Cheektowaga police determine student’s threat to be not credible

  27-03-2018 19:33 via wivb.com
  CHEEKTOWAGA, N.Y. (WIVB) — Cheektowaga Central School District says a high school student made a threat on social media Monday night.
  The school district was made aware of the threat by Cheektowaga police, who immediately looked into the threat and deemed it to be not credible.
  Families of middle and high school students received a robocall early Tuesday morning, making them aware that there would be an extra police presence to ensure safety.
  
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• WATCH: Cybersecurity expert weighs in on FTC investigation of Facebook

  27-03-2018 19:17 via wivb.com
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — The Federal Trade Commission confirmed Monday it has launched an investigation into Facebook’s privacy practices after a report revealed the data of some 50 million users may have been compromised or distributed illegally.
  Facebook released a statement Monday that said in part they were “strongly committed” to protecting people’s information, and they’re cooperating with the FTC.
  University at Buffalo professor and cybersecurity expert A
  
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• Woman accused in Brockport homicide deemed fit to stand trial

  27-03-2018 19:09 via wivb.com
  ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) – The woman charged with a murder in Brockport has been deemed fit to stand trial.
  In court Tuesday morning, a judge said he has received a certificate of fitness for Holly Colino.
  Colino is accused of shooting and killing Megan Dix on South Avenue in Brockport in August. Police said Dix was on break from her job when Colino walked up with a gun and fired.
  Megan Dix
  Following her arrest, Colino was deemed unfit to stand trial in October. Videos posted online showed C
  
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• Mother posts plea in search for Fort Bragg paratrooper from Rochester area

  27-03-2018 18:58 via wivb.com
  CHURCHVILLE, N.Y. (WROC) — A mother is asking for help from the public as the search continues for a missing Fort Bragg paratrooper from Churchville.
  Carl Seeman was reported missing Sunday by a fellow soldier who had last seen him on Saturday. Police tell WNCN in North Carolina that his vehicle was later found at a Walmart in Fayetteville with his cell phone inside.
  Seeman is a paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne Division, military officials said. In Facebook posts, his mother is aski
  
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• Facebook data privacy called into question

  27-03-2018 18:33 via wivb.com
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — With just the click of a mouse you may be sharing way more information with Facebook than you think.
  “They just collect everything they can, it’s a collect now and worry about it later kind if approach,” said Mark Bartholomew, University at Buffalo Professor of Law.
  Facebook’s data privacy practices are being called into question after a company called Cambridge Analytica accessed the data of 50 million Facebook users which it reportedly used
  
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• Poloncarz announces appointment for social services commissioner

  27-03-2018 17:18 via wivb.com
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — A new commissioner of the Erie County Department of Social Services has been appointed by County Executive Mark Poloncarz.
  Marie Cannon replaces Al Dirschberger, who resigned late last year amid rape charges.
  Cannon has served as Acting Commissioner since December, and has been First Deputy Commissioner since 2014.
  While serving in that role, Cannon oversaw hundreds of staff in programs like Medicaid, HEAP and Homeless Services.
  “Mrs. Cannon has provided contin
  
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• Shelter in place lifted in Lewiston, suspect in custody

  27-03-2018 15:56 via wivb.com
  LEWISTON, N.Y. (WIVB) — The shelter in place issued for the Village of Lewiston has been lifted.
  People in the areas of Plain, Center, Cayuga, Niagara or S. 4th streets were told to stay indoors before a suspect was taken into custody.
  The suspect, who has not been identified, was taken to a hospital for observation. Officials say he is a military veteran who chased his parents out of a house.
  No charges have been pressed as of Tuesday afternoon.
  
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• Police incident prompts shelter in place for parts of Lewiston

  27-03-2018 15:56 via wivb.com
  LEWISTON, N.Y. (WIVB) — The Niagara County Sheriff’s Office has issued a shelter in place for part of the Village of Lewiston.
  Anyone in the areas of Plain, Center, Cayuga, Niagara or S. 4th streets should stay indoors.
  Authorities will give more updates when they are available. Check back here for more information.
  
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• Coudersport Borough Council voices opposition to Allegheny River dumping plan

  27-03-2018 15:51 via wivb.com
  COUDERSPORT, Pa. (WIVB) — In Pennsylvania, the Coudersport Borough Council has come out against a plan to dump hydrofracking waste into the Allegheny River.
  The plan has the attention of many New Yorkers and the Seneca Nation. The river flows into New York state, the Allegheny River and Salamanca.
  Seneca Nation officials say they’re concerned about the potentially negative health impact of dumping.
  News 4 spoke to members of the Coudersport Area Municipal Authority, who sai
  
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• Bomb squad responds to Florida airport after suspicious item found

  27-03-2018 15:19 via wivb.com
  PENSACOLA, Fla. (WKRG) — According to a spokesman with the Pensacola Police Department in Florida, a suspicious cylindrical item was found via x-ray inside a piece of checked in luggage at the Pensacola International Airport.
  Police say the terminal has not been evacuated because the item is well away from people; however, the bomb squad is en route, and if they feel the item is something of concern, an evacuation will take place.
  Flights are stopped because the airport is u
  
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• FBI searching CCS Oncology locations

  27-03-2018 14:43 via wivb.com
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — The FBI is conducting court-authorized activity at CCS Oncology locations Tuesday morning.
  CCS Oncology has locations in Williamsville and Orchard Park, but the exact locations where search warrants are being executed is not clear.
  The medical group is in deep debt, but is trying to get creditors and new investors.
  A federal judge had given Bank of America approval to seize important assets to keep CCS Oncology in operation.
  Attorneys for the medical group will have
  
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• VIDEO: Dancing mom cheers on San Francisco Giants

  27-03-2018 14:22 via wivb.com
  SAN FRANCISCO (WIVB) — A super-fan danced the night away while showing her support for the San Francisco Giants.
  In the video above, you can see her family on their feet, cheering her on while nearby fans smiled and laughed about her energetic performance.
  Unfortunately for the dancing mom, the Giants lost 9-2 at home against the Oakland A’s.
  
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• Florida woman ‘marries’ 100-year-old tree, hoping to save it

  27-03-2018 13:53 via wivb.com
  FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) — Karen Cooper was ready to go out on a limb to save her beloved, so she got married — to a tree.
  Specifically, a giant ficus that’s shaded Snell Family Park in Fort Myers for more than a century.
  The tree became the center of a neighborhood controversy when city staff began discussing cutting it down last year. Cooper, who lives nearby, began mobilizing to save it.
  The News-Press reports effort that culminated with the waterfront nuptials Saturday, comple
  
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• Renovations necessary before Huntley plant can be sold

  27-03-2018 13:34 via wivb.com
  TONAWANDA, N.Y. (WIVB) — The Huntley Power Plant has been closed for two years, and now, energy company NRG is looking to put it up for sale.
  They need to make some major renovations before they sell.
  The Clean Air Coalition says this site is probably extremely contaminated with toxic by-products of coal waste.
  The land land next to Huntley already poses a significant threat to public health.
  The first step to determining the site’s risk is checking what’s in the soil.
  Cle
  
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• World Video Game Hall of Fame to announce 2018 finalists

  27-03-2018 12:56 via wivb.com
  ROCHESTER, N.Y. (AP) — The World Video Game Hall of Fame is set to announce the finalists for the class of 2018.
  The list will be revealed on Tuesday at The Strong museum in Rochester, New York, where the hall of fame is housed. The winners will be inducted on May 3.
  Electronic games of all types — arcade, console, computer, handheld and mobile — are eligible for entry into the World Video Game Hall of Fame. Anyone can nominate a game and a 27-member international committee cas
  
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• Positively Buffalo: Paws and Patriots

  27-03-2018 12:10 via wivb.com
  It’s widely known the impact animals have on our well-being can be life changing.
  A special SPCA program is giving American heroes a chance to interact with our furry friends.
  Not only is it giving people a new leash on life, it’s giving them purpose.
  Take a peek inside the Erie County SPCA and it’s hard not to crack a smile… people visiting in hopes of expanding their families, kids learning about animals and volunteers caring for those looking for a forever home.
  &ldqu
  
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• Michigan State official arrested amid Larry Nassar probe, sheriff says

  27-03-2018 10:06 via wivb.com
  LANSING, M.I. (CBS News) — A Michigan State University official who oversaw Larry Nassar was arrested Monday amid an investigation into the handling of complaints against the former sport doctor, who is in prison for sexually assaulting patients under the guise of treatment. William Strampel was in jail pending an arraignment Tuesday, Ingham County Sheriff Scott Wriggelsworth told The Associated Press. He declined to say what charges Strampel was facing because the probe is
  
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• Eichel scores twice, Sabres end skid 3-2

  27-03-2018 05:45 via wivb.com
   
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB)- The Sabres haven’t had a lot of “good” days this season but Monday was a different story. Early in the day, the Sabres signed top prospect Casey Mittelstadt and they followed that up with a 3-2 win over Toronto.
  Jack Eichel gave the Sabres a 1-0 in the first period with his 23rd goal of the season. The Maple Leafs would rally with a pair of goals in the 2nd period. Tallies by Nazem Kadri and Patrick Marleau gave Toronto a 2-1 lead heading into the 3
  
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• Two-year-old adorably stands in for Marine brother in viral prom photos

  27-03-2018 05:09 via wivb.com
  (WFLA) – When it came time to get all dressed up for prom, 18-year-old Skylar Fontaine knew she would be missing her Marine boyfriend, but was thrilled to be able to pose with his mini-me.Two-year-old Clay Moak was the perfect stand-in for his older brother, Gage, who is 1,000 miles away serving in the military.
  Skylar told News Channel 8, knowing Gage wouldn’t be home for prom was tough, but she put on a brave face and her dancing shoes anyway because “he’
  
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• Trump to family of Parkland victim Meadow Pollack: ‘We will not forget her life’

  27-03-2018 05:04 via wivb.com
  (CNN) – President Donald Trump penned a letter to the Pollack family in Parkland, Florida, following the loss of their daughter and sister, Meadow, and a moving moment during a White House listening session last month.Hunter Pollack, Meadow’s brother, tweeted about the letter Monday, thanking the President.“Our entire Nation mourns the tragic loss of Meadow. Our hearts are heavy for you and your entire family,” Trump wrote in the letter, dated March 12.He
  
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• Chinese space lab to fall to Earth within days in ‘fiery demise’

  27-03-2018 04:51 via wivb.com
  (CNN) – An out-of-control Chinese space lab is expected to fall to Earth within days, according to the latest estimate from the European Space Agency (ESA), which is monitoring its descent.The ESA’s Space Debris Office said that the re-entry window for the Tiangong-1 space station was between March 30 and April 2 although it warned the estimate was “highly variable.”
  The China Manned Space Engineering Office said it expects the lab to reenter the
  
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• Smart TVs provide viewing options, can put personal information at risk

  27-03-2018 04:34 via wivb.com
  ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) – Smart TVs are changing the way many of us watch television, but could there be unseen risks putting your personal information at risk?
  Imagine it, sitting at home, with your family, watching a movie on Netflix.
  While you guys are enjoying the time together, a hacker is secretly breaking in to your online accounts and stealing your information.
  It’s all around us, every day.
  Technology can be many things, including helpful or overwhelming.
  For some it’s d
  
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• Recall issued for two types of dog treats

  27-03-2018 02:08 via wivb.com
  (WIVB) – A recall has been issued for two types of Milo’s Kitchen dog treats, after it was discovered that the products could potentially contain elevated levels of beef thyroid hormone.
  The affected treats, which were distributed nationally, include “Milo’s Kitchen Grilled Burger Bites with Sweet Potato and Bacon”  and “Milo’s Kitchen Steak Grillers Recipe with Angus Steak”.
  According to a press release from the J.M. Smucker Company, the make
  
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• Kearns offers ‘e-z-r’ way to navigate the Thruway

  27-03-2018 01:17 via wivb.com
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) – It is the day many commuters have waited decades for:the end of the toll barriers on Grand Island, when the I-190 goes cashless, and Erie County Clerk Michael Kearns wants to make the ride over the island bridges even more convenient.
  The New York State Thruway Authority is still charging a toll, but on Thursday, it will all be automated. As of March 29, drivers won’t have to go digging for a dollar at the north and south bridges—they will get a bill in
  
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• City spent millions rehabbing nearly a dozen homes, audit finds

  27-03-2018 00:33 via wivb.com
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) – Buffalo City Comptroller Mark Schroeder is sounding the alarm over the way taxpayer money is spent — specifically, federal funding that the city uses to fix up and sell houses.According to Schroeder, city auditors found that the city spent about $5 million over two years on a HOME renovation program —fixing up only 11 houses.
  “To do eleven over a two-year period for $5 million is exorbitant and it has to stop,” Schroeder tells News 4.The HOME
  
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• Linda Brown, student at the center of landmark Brown v. Board of Education, dead at 76

  27-03-2018 00:16 via wivb.com
  (CBS NEWS) – Linda Brown Thompson, who as a young girl was the student at the center of the landmark Supreme Court case Brown v. Board of Education that declared school segregation unconstitutional, has died in Topeka, Kansas. She was 76.
  The Peaceful Rest Funeral Chapel in Topeka confirmed it is handling funeral arrangements for Brown.
  Born in 1943, Brown was in third grade in 1950 when she was denied admission to an all-white elementary school in her hometown of Topeka. She liv
  
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• Multiple suspicious packages sent to DC area military installations

  27-03-2018 00:07 via wivb.com
  Washington (CNN) – The FBI has taken custody of multiple suspicious packages sent to military locations in the Washington, DC area, a law enforcement official said Monday. The official said two of the packages were sent to Fort Belvoir and Fort McNair.At least one package, sent to the National Defense University at Fort McNair in Washington, DC, contained explosive material and was ultimately rendered safe. That package arrived at 8:30 a.m. ET and the building was evacuated immediate
  
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