Eileen Buckley

The Erie County Legislature approved funding Thursday for the Buffalo Zoo's new Polar Bear exhibit. Lawmakers unanimously approved the borrowing yesterday. The funding became a controversial topic when democratic lawmakers questioned why the County Executive Chris Collins suddenly called on them to pull together $6 million to help the Zoo.

But lawmakers decided to approve $3-million in funding based on a budget compromise with incoming County executive elect Mark Poloncarz.

Democratic lawmaker Lynn Marinelli weighed in before the vote was taken.

Winter Weather is finally on the way, but the approaching storm will not greatly effect the traditional snow belt areas. The lake effect snow watch which takes effect tonight applies to Erie, Niagara, Wyoming and Genesee Counties.

Dave Thomas is a meteorologist at the National Weather Service Office in Cheektowaga said the metro-region will be particularly hard-hit, with the most intense snow arriving with the morning commute.

At 85-years-old, pianist Boyd Lee Dunlop has been playing music locally nearly all of his life, but only now is he releasing his first album -- and the debut project is getting national attention. The idea for a cd came after a meeting between Dunlop and photographer Brendan Bannon, who was on assignment at the nursing facility where Dunlop lives. WBFO's Chris Jamele went to see Dunlop as well, to learn about the recording and the pianist's decades-long career. Though Dunlop's voice has weakened through the years, his music has grown only stronger. 

It looks like the Buffalo Niagara region will finally get an overdue blast of winter weather.

The National Weather Service has issued a Lake Effect Snow Watch from late Thursday night through Friday afternoon for Erie, Niagara, Genesee and Wyoming counties.

It will be party sunny on Thursday with highs in the upper 30's and by the evening snow showers are expected to arrive.

 The snow could be heavy at times in the overnight hours with two to four inches of accumulation. Temperatures will be only in the upper 20's.

State Police and emergency crews responded to an earlier crash along the Thruway eastbound 90- between the Walden Avenue exit 52 and the Buffalo Exit 51. 

WBFO News reporter Marian Hetherly reports that it appeared a car crashed into the back of a construction vehicle in the left hand lane.  Hetherly said at least one woman was injured.  

The crash blocked the left lane of Thruway traffic and caused delays for eastbound traffic.

A tentative agreement has been reached among the governor, and leaders of the state Senate and Assembly, on a new tax structure for New Yorkers.

The proposal would effectively continue the tax surcharge for those making over $1 million per year that was scheduled to expire at the end of the month.

The plan would cut the tax burden slightly for those in the $40,000 t0 $150,000 range. It includes a $1  billion public works component for bridge and road repairs, and other public infrastructure.

It's a milestone for a local a cappella ensemble.  The Vocalis Chamber Choir is celebrating its tenth anniversary season.   And this Friday and Saturday two separate Christmas performances will be held.  

Director Jamie Burritt was in studio at WBFO's talking with Eileen Buckley about the choral group under his leadership.

The National Hockey League has suspended Nashville Predators forward Jordin Tootoo for his hit to Buffalo Sabres goalie Ryan Miller during Saturday's game. 

A telephone hearing was held Monday with Tootoo and the NHL senior vice-president of player safety and hockey operations.  Miller was knocked out of the net and onto the ice by Tootoo.

 The collision prompted a pileup of players.   Tootoo was given a major penalty for charging and a game misconduct.

A University at Buffalo architect has played a role in helping to design homes specifically created for wounded war veterans and their families. 

It is part of the Wounded Warrior Home Project at Fort Belvoir in Virginia.

"They asked me if I would be a part of it and I thought it would be an unbelievable experience and also an honor to be part of such a wonderful project," said Danise Levine, architect and assistant director at UB's IDEA Center.

Governor Andrew Cuomo has issued an op-ed piece on tax reform.  It has been issued to newspapers across New York State. 

The following is what the Governor wrote:

New York needs to enact a bold, innovative economic plan and tax code reform to create jobs at this difficult time. To achieve that we will need bipartisan political cooperation and a plan the people of the State support.

I believe economic development, popular support, and political consensus must all be built on the same foundation: fundamental fairness.

The Williamsville Central School District has suspended several students in connection with its investigation into the Jamey Rodemeyer case. 

The disciplinary action is reported in Monday's  Buffalo News.  The students attend Williamsville North High School where 14-year-old Rodemeyer was a freshman.

Schools Superintendent Scott Martzloff declined to say how many students were sanctioned, but did say that those disciplined face a "minimum of suspensions." 

Western New York Congressman Brian Higgins is seeking answers from the U.S. Postmaster General about the future of Buffalo's William Street facility. 

Higgins is questioning the public process for the review of possible post office closings.

"It's my believe that they are looking to discourage public participation so they can proceed with the decision they already made," said Higgins.

Congressman Higgins wrote to the Postmaster General expressing his disappointment and concern with the public process in determining the closings and consolidations of Postal centers.

Buffalo Police have identified a 10-year old boy who died Thursday on Buffalo's West Side after being hit by a daycare center bus.  

Darpan Niroula was killed after he crossed Prospect Avenue at Rhode Island Street around 5:30 p.m.  The boy was declared dead at the scene.

Buffalo Police Accident Investigators continue to investigate the incident. The driver is cooperating with the authorities.  Police do not believe alcohol played a role, but the driver, nevertheless voluntarily submitted to blood testing.  

Buffalo Bishop Edward Kmiec discussed the road to sainthood for the Venerable Nelson Baker during his trip to the Vatican.

Bishop Kmiec returned Thursday night following a 10-day trip to Rome.  He spoke with reporters at the Buffalo Niagara International Airport.

The Bishop's visit, called “ad limina”, included a meeting with Pope Benedict XVI and visited a number of Vatican congregations, including the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, which is studying the sainthood cause of Venerable Father Baker.  

Families of the victims of Continental Flight 3407 are also outraged at the continued delay in the process.  This February will soon mark the third anniversary of the crash.  WBFO'S Eileen Buckley talked to one family member about this latest setback.

"I can't say that I'm surprised because I had a feeling it would be come and gone just like the last deadline," said Jennifer West of Clarence.

The Federal Aviation Administration has again missed another deadline to begin a new pilot fatigue rule.

The Western New York Congressional delegation received noticed that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will not meet the November 30th extended deadline for completion of a new pilot fatigue rule.WBFO's Eileen Buckley talked to Congressman Brian Higgins after he appeared on the House floor in  Washington Thursday.  Higgins said the FAA has had plenty of time to implement the rule and prevent pilot fatigue.

Criminal charges have been filed against 10-guns sellers across the state and right here in Western New York.

New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman said his office filed the charges against those who violated the state's background check requirement for the sale of firearms at gun shows.

"We have been engaged since May in an undercover investigation which we call "Operation Background Bust", said Schneiderman.

Attorney General Schneiderman said undercover investigators from his office attended the gun shows testing the state law that regulates gun sales.

A 23-year-old Sprinvgville man has been charged in the assault of his 11-month old daughter.

Erie County Sheriff Tim Howard says Antuan Jordan was arrested and charged on three felony and two  misdemeanor charges. 

The first incident happened earlier this month when the baby was  brought to Women and Children’s  Hospital in Buffalo suffering from an apparent head injury that caused hemorrhaging.  

A former top aide to Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown has been accused of misusing federal Housing and Urban Development funds for personal use. 

Timothy Wanamaker was the former executive director of the Office of Strategic Planning.  Wanamaker was also the former head of the Buffalo Economic Renaissance Corporation -- known as BERC.  

Wanamaker appeared in federal court Tuesday to accept a plea deal. 

U.S.Attorney William Hochul tells WBFO News Wanamaker  is charged with using a city credit card totaling $30,000 in  personal expenses.

U.S. Senator Charles Schumer was disappointed in last week's failure by a Congressional supercommittee to reach agreement on cutting the nation's deficit. 

While appearing in Buffalo Monday promoting an increase in NEXUS centers, reporters asked Schumer what he predicts is next in Washington.

"And there  are some on the far left who don't want any agreement there are some on the far right who don't want any agreement but the majority do," said Senator Schumer

U.S. Senator Charles Schumer wants to ease the heavy congestion at the region's international border crossings.   Schumer appeared at the Peace Bridge in Buffalo Monday.  He is urging Americans and Canadians to get Nexus passes.

Easing those border delays could encourage more Canadians to visit the Western New York region -- that could generate a better local economy. Schumer notes that it's not only Americans who avoid crossing the borders because of wait times.

Empire State Development has announced the final schedule for strategic plans to be presented. They will be released starting Monday, November 28th, 2011.

Regional councils from across the state are competing for millions of economic development dollars.

Two Buffalo men have been arrested for a fire bombing earlier this month at a home on Shreck Avenue.

U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul, Jr. announced the arrest of Avery Ray, age 41, of Buffalo, and William Lovell Smith, age 44, of Buffalo.

The fire bombing occurred on November 1st. Both men have made an initial appearances before federal Magistrate Judge Jeremiah J. McCarthy on a Criminal Complaint charging them with possessing, and conspiring to possess, destructive devices without proper federal registration.

While the day after Thanksgiving symbolizes a day known as Black Friday, with door busting shopping deals for consumers, marking the start of the holiday shopping season, it also is a day of protesting nation-wide.

Friday is also a day that animal rights advocates from around the globe joint in “Fur Free Friday” protests, demonstrating against the use of animal furs and leather for coats and other consumer goods.

No charges will be filed in the death of 14-year-old Jamey Rodemeyer.  That's what Amherst Police told reporters Tuesday afternoon at a news briefing.

Investigators have ruled the death was not a crime.    The Williamsville North freshman committed suicide  September 18th.  He said he was repeatedly bullied for being gay.  

Last month, Amherst sent Rodemeyer's computer and cellphone to a forensics lab.  They worked  to determine whether the bullying rose to a criminal level.

A classic Christmas opera will be live on stage this Thanksgiving Day weekend at the Rivera Theatre in North Tonawanda.   

Nickel City Opera will present Amahl and the Night Visitors.  It is an opera about a disabled boy who is cured by a miracle.

WBFO'S Eileen Buckley talked in-studio with world-renowned bassist and artistic director of Nickel City Opera,- Valerian Ruminski,  who is directing this weekend's performance.  Ruminski tells us about the meaning of Amahl.