Local

One year later, Niagara County SPCA turnaround

Eileen Buckley — Wed, 22 May 2013 18:19:56 +0000

The Niagara County SPCA in Wheatfield has made a 180-degree turnaround following last year's disturbing findings according to Barbara Carr, director of the SPCA of Erie County.

Drunk driver sentenced to 15 years in crash that killed infant

WBFO Newsroom — Wed, 22 May 2013 15:34:45 +0000

A Brant woman who was impaired by drugs and alcohol when she crashed her SUV into an oncoming car, killing an infant, has been sentenced to 15 years in jail.

State chipping in $5 million for Statler repairs

Mike Desmond — Wed, 22 May 2013 14:30:54 +0000

Albany is kicking in more than $5 million for the rehab effort of the historic Statler building in downtown Buffalo.

Council approves Brown's budget after minor tweaks

Mike Desmond — Wed, 22 May 2013 14:04:31 +0000

Buffalo has a budget for the fiscal year starting July 1 with council members making only small changes to Mayor Byron Brown's proposed spending plan.

Cuomo nominates Masiello for seat on Peace Bridge Authority

Mike Desmond — Wed, 22 May 2013 13:51:51 +0000

Governor Cuomo has nominated former Buffalo Mayor Anthony Masiello to a seat on the Peace Bridge Authority.

FBI seeks additional victims of alleged child abuser

Ashley Hassett — Tue, 21 May 2013 21:15:38 +0000

A Western New York trucker is accused of taking children on trips across the state with the intent to engage in sexual activity with them.

Republican county lawmakers want hearing on unsecured records, deputy county executive responds

Eileen Buckley — Tue, 21 May 2013 21:00:00 +0000

Members of the Erie County Legislature's Minority Caucus are calling for a full investigation into the improper disposal of confidential Social Services documents.

Coast Guard performs two rescues on area waterways

Mark Wozniak — Tue, 21 May 2013 19:58:38 +0000

The U.S. Coast Guard was called on to perform two rescues on local waterways over a 12-hour period Monday night and Tuesday morning.

Corning hosts GlassFest this weekend

Jay Moran — Tue, 21 May 2013 13:03:34 +0000

The small Southern Tier city of Corning has quietly become a top tourist destination. "We see nearly a half-million of visitors a year for tourism," said Mike Melaro, director of marketing and communications for Corning's Gaffer District. Thousands of those visitors are expected this weekend for the fourth annual GlassFest.

Comptroller says county carelessly disposed sensitive documents

Eileen Buckley — Tue, 21 May 2013 12:59:00 +0000

The privacy of hundreds of Erie County residents has been breached, according to the county's top fiscal watchdog.

Shaw Festival turning a profit after years of red ink

Mike Desmond — Mon, 20 May 2013 14:05:10 +0000

The crowds are pulling into Niagara-on-the-Lake as the Shaw Festival begins its summer season. Behind the scenes, the theater festival is watching every dime, both coming in and going out.

Press Pass: Jim Fink examines a key IDA vote

Jay Moran — Mon, 20 May 2013 12:22:37 +0000

The Erie County IDA will be voting on a development project that could decide the future of a decaying downtown industrial facility. Jim Fink of Business First believes the project is important because of its visibility.

Embattled Assemblyman to resign Monday

Mark Phillips — Sun, 19 May 2013 14:51:34 +0000

A New York Assemblyman accused of sexually harassing women staffers for years says he will resign before he's expelled from the legislature.

Holy Angels honors final graduating class

Chris Jamele — Sun, 19 May 2013 14:28:03 +0000

It will be a very emotional day for current students and alumni of Holy Angels Academy today.

Summer travel brings seat belt enforcement effort

Chris Jamele — Sun, 19 May 2013 14:16:47 +0000

An effort to ensure that local drivers are using their seat belts will soon get underway.

Canalside dock extension to allow for more boats, large and small

Omar Fetouh — Fri, 17 May 2013 21:52:50 +0000

Officials cut the ribbon Friday on a dock extension along the Buffalo waterfront.

Canadian earthquake felt in Western New York

Chris Caya — Fri, 17 May 2013 15:57:41 +0000

An earthquake in Southeastern Canada this morning rattled buildings and nerves across Ontario, Quebec, and Western New York.

Chief Justice Roberts: "It is great to be back home"

WBFO Newsroom — Fri, 17 May 2013 15:25:44 +0000

Chief Justice of the United States John Roberts made an appearance in Western New York Friday. The Buffalo native spoke at the Robert H. Jackson Center in Jamestown.

DiNapoli calls for campaign finance reform

Mike Desmond — Fri, 17 May 2013 12:59:12 +0000

State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli says the state's campaign finance system needs to be completely replaced, including ending pensions for state officials who are convicted for corruption.

Despite efforts, Holy Angels to close as planned

Eileen Buckley — Fri, 17 May 2013 12:58:00 +0000

Holy Angels Academy in North Buffalo will shut down at the end of this school year as first announced last month.

Chief Justice John Roberts to Speak in Jamestown

Jim Ranney — Fri, 17 May 2013 11:59:00 +0000

Chief Justice John Roberts was born in Buffalo in 1955. He returns to his Western New York roots Friday with a visit to the Robert H. Jackson Center in Jamestown.

MLK Park splash pad to open this summer after year's delay

Eileen Buckley — Fri, 17 May 2013 10:00:00 +0000

After more than a year of delays, a new high-tech splash pad will be ready to open for the summer season at Martin Luther King Park on Buffalo's East Side.

Buffalo native Perez faces partisan battle for Labor confirmation

WBFO Newsroom — Thu, 16 May 2013 17:22:13 +0000

Despite a partisan divide, Buffalo native Thomas Perez was endorsed by a Senate committee today to head the Labor Department.

Panel examines the 'Future of the Skyway'

Chris Caya — Thu, 16 May 2013 13:23:29 +0000

The head of the State Senate's Transportation Committee was in Buffalo Wednesday to hear what some community leaders envision for the "Future of the Skyway."

Advocates campaign for legalized mixed martial arts

Mike Desmond — Thu, 16 May 2013 13:21:53 +0000

With the state legislative session nearing its end, there is a renewed push to legalize professional mixed martial arts in New York.

Alaskan polar bear cub arrives in Buffalo

Eileen Buckley — Thu, 16 May 2013 09:00:00 +0000

A polar bear cub that was orphaned and rescued by a hunter in Alaska has arrived in Buffalo, where he will have a playmate at The Buffalo Zoo.

Generous grant given to prevent substance abuse

Eileen Buckley — Wed, 15 May 2013 19:39:46 +0000

A major collaborative created to fight substance abuse has received a big boost. The Peter and Elizabeth C. Tower Foundation awarded a $277,406.00 grant to Px20.

City lawmakers hold line on garbage tax

Mike Desmond — Wed, 15 May 2013 13:14:08 +0000

Buffalo Common Council members voted Tuesday for a measure which is supposed to block an increase in the city's garbage user fee.

NTSB recommends lower drunk driving threshold

Chris Caya — Wed, 15 May 2013 13:00:00 +0000

Federal accident investigators are recommending states cut their threshold for drunken driving by nearly half. New York State already has the lowest standard in the nation.

Former TV personality passes away

Eileen Buckley — Wed, 15 May 2013 01:00:00 +0000

A well-known member of Buffalo's broadcasting community has died. Brian Kahle, a former television personality on WKBW Channel 7, was president of his own company -- Magic Marketing in Lockport.