Local

When a snowstorm buried the Buffalo area under more than a foot of snow the day after Christmas, pedestrians in some spots were forced to walk in the street -- dodging cars, buses and trucks because sidewalks were clogged with snow.  In a column that followed the storm, Buffalo News Suburban Editor Bruce Andriatch called on municipalities to begin ticketing property owners who fail to clear their sidewalks. 

Hundreds rallied in Niagara Square in downtown Buffalo Saturday in support of guns at a nationally-organized 'Gun Appreciation Day.'

The first homicide of the year has been reported in the City of Buffalo.

New York State's new gun control measures were rushed through Albany and changes to that legislation are soon to come.

On the eve of the Buffalo Sabres' debut in the upcoming 48-game lockout shortened season, owner Terry Pegula met the media. One of his announcements was a contract extension for longtime General Manager Darcy Regier.

Buffalo Bills head coach Doug Marrone has added another name to his list of coaches.

Pat Morris has been named as the team's offensive line coach. Morris has worked in the NFL for 15 years and has been a part of teams in Minnesota, Detroit and San Francisco. His most recent work as an offensive line coach came in 2011 with Tampa Bay. Many teams have led the NFL in rushing under his tutelage.

Morris

brings the most NFL experience to Marrone's staff.

The word coming from officials at the Buffalo VA Medical Center is that the facility might not have received warnings about the reuse of insulin pens.

The VA has faced heavy criticism for exposing more than 700 patients to dangerous viruses by reusing insulin pens indiscriminately over a two year period. The FDA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued separate warnings against such practices.

An investigation into the matter continues.
 

Questions have been swirling since New York State passed the toughest gun control measures in the nation.

In an effort to respond to those queries, the Cuomo administration has announced the establishment of a website and a toll free phone line where enthusiasts can get answers. The website can be reached at NY-Safe-Act-Dot-Com. The phone number is (855)

529-4867.

Critics claim that confusion over the law has arisen because the legislation was rushed to approval.
 

A new class of officers will soon be joining the Buffalo Police Department.

Twenty-one cadets were sworn in on Friday before they head off to six months of intensive training at the Erie County Central Police Services Law Enforcement Training Academy.

Police Commissioner Daniel Derenda and Mayor Byron Brown presided over the ceremonies.

Western New Yorkers woke up to snow-covered roads Friday morning. But the lake snows eased up overnight and the National Weather Service canceled its Lake Effect Snow Advisory for Niagara, Orleans and Monroe Counties.

This week on Theatre Talk, Jim Santella and Anthony Chase discuss the local production of "Angels in America."

Rep. Brian Higgins is calling for the removal of yet another section of Western New York highway in a call to restore waterfront access.