Press Pass

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Press Pass
5:00 am
Mon May 6, 2013

Press Pass: Buffalo's ultra-secret Pack Club

Credit Google Maps
This white house at 164 Elmwood Avenue behind the trees is believed to be the home of the Pack Club.

Most of us are familiar with such local institutions as the Buffalo Club and Saturn Club. But in this month's Buffalo Spree, freelance writer Kevin Purdy explored an ultra-secret social club that has been around for more than 75 years -- a club that the vast majority of Buffalonians know nothing about.

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Business
5:00 am
Mon April 29, 2013

Press Pass: Proposed waterfront football stadium

Brian Meyer, Buffalo News in WBFO studio

A major effort is underway to entice the Buffalo Bills to build a brand new stadium on the city's waterfront. In this week's Press Pass conversation, WBFO'S Eileen Buckley and Buffalo News reporter Brian Meyer discuss the proposal that calls for a year-round facility featuring a retractable roof. But land ownership needs to be cleared as a first hurdle for such a project.

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Politics
9:04 am
Mon April 22, 2013

Press Pass: Buffalo Board of Education races

Credit WBFO News file photo
WBFo'S Chris Jamele & Artvoice editor Geoff Kelly

Election Day for seats on the Buffalo Board of Education is quickly approaching.  Voters will be making their choices on Tuesday May 7.

WBFO'S Chris Jamele & Artvoice editor Geoff Kelly on this week's Press Pass.

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Press Pass
5:00 am
Mon March 25, 2013

Press Pass: Buffalo Spree's Elizabeth Licata on the potential of the city's grain silos

Credit Photo courtesy of Urban Design Project and Landmark Society of the Niagara Frontier

Buffalo's waterfront is filled with grain silos.  Some see them as eyesores.  But one visionary silo owner sees potential.  Buffalo Spree Editor Elizabeth Licata talks about Silo City and other preservation issues in this week's Press Pass with WBFO's Mark Scott.

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Business
5:00 am
Mon March 18, 2013

Press Pass: Elmwood Village success

Credit Photo from Elmwood Village Association Website
Elmwood Village

The Elmwood Village remains a thriving and bustling commercial district in City of Buffalo. WBFO's Eileen Buckley and Buffalo News reporter Brian Meyer explore the successful of the Elmwood strip and what changes could be in store in this week's edition of Press Pass.

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Politics
10:31 am
Mon March 11, 2013

Press Pass: City Hall spat over capital budget

Credit WBFO News file photo
WBFo'S Chris Jamele & Artvoice editor Geoff Kelly

This year's race for City Hall could be heating up in coming days. There is also a new battle brewing inside City Hall. Those are the topics on WBFO'S Press Pass conversation with Chris Jamele and Artvoice editor Geoff Kelly. 

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Press Pass
9:22 am
Mon March 4, 2013

Press Pass: Buffalo News' Bruce Andriatch on NY gun laws, Amherst hotel

Led by suburban Republican lawmakers last month, the Erie County Legislature passed a memorializing resolution that seeks repeal of New York's tough new gun law. 

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Press Pass
4:00 am
Mon February 11, 2013

Press Pass: Buffalo Spree's Elizabeth Licata on cocktails

Credit Pho
Vera Bar Manager Jon Karel prepares a Manhattan

In this week's Press Pass, WBFO's Mark Scott and Buffalo Spree Editor Elizabeth Licata are talking cocktails!  They're taking a break from the weighty issue of preservation to have some fun with this month's Buffalo Spree cover story.

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Local
9:00 am
Mon February 4, 2013

Press Pass: ECMC growth & Buffalo's blue economy

Credit WBFO News file photo
Brian Meyer, Buffalo News in WBFO studio

This week in our Press Pass conversation, WBFO's Eileen Buckley and Buffalo News reporter Brian Meyer discuss advances made at the Erie County Medical Center. They also tell us what the Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper says is the"blue economy."  Eileen and Brian begin their conversation with ECMC's plans to open a brand new nursing home this month on the Grider campus replacing the former home in Alden.


 

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Local
9:21 am
Mon January 28, 2013

Press Pass: Paladino's next campaign

Credit WBFO News file photo
Chris Jamele & Artvoice editor Geoff Kelly

The issues of hydrofracking and preservation continue to make news in the Western New York area, but the loudest story of late is Carl Paladino's announcement that he will be running for a post on the Buffalo School Board. 

WBFO'S Chris Jamele & Artvoice editor Geoff Kelly on Press Pass.

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Press Pass with Bruce Andriatch
5:00 am
Mon January 21, 2013

Press Pass: Buffalo News Suburban Editor Bruce Andriatch on sidewalk snow removal

Credit WBFO News
Bruce Andriatch with Mark Scott

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. 

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Preservation Ready
5:00 am
Mon January 7, 2013

Press Pass: Buffalo Spree's Elizabeth Licata explores effort to save 204 High Street

Credit Photo from Google Street view
204 High Street, Buffalo, NY

An historic property at 204 High Street is facing an uncertain future.  It's been vacant for decades, but a local contractor and artisan is interested in restoring it.  Yet, the city has thrown roadblocks in his way and there are fears the structure could be demolished to make way for future development.

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Local
5:00 am
Mon December 31, 2012

Press Pass: First Night & staying downtown

Credit Photo from Indepndent Health Foundation Website
Independent Health Foundation's First Night in Buffalo

First Night festivities begin at 5 p.m. Monday at the Buffalo Niagara Convention.  The event is designed for families to celebrate the New Year.

WBFO'S Eileen Buckley and Buffalo News reporter Brian Meyer on Press Pass

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Press Pass with Bruce Andriatch
5:00 am
Mon December 17, 2012

Press Pass: Buffalo News Suburban Editor Bruce Andriatch on Erie County budget

Credit WBFO News

Legislative action on the 2013 Erie County budget is complete.  A coalition of five Republicans and one Democrat pushed through spending cuts that eliminated the tax increase that County Executive Mark Poloncarz had recommended in his proposed budget.  WBFO's Mark Scott has more with Buffalo News Suburban Editor Bruce Andriatch in this week's Press Pass.

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Local
5:00 am
Mon December 3, 2012

Press Pass: Buffalo Spree "Game Changer" on historic preservation

Credit Photo courtesy Buffalo Spree
Dana Saylor-Furman, Buffalo Spree

This month's issue of Buffalo Spree profiles Western New York "game changers" -- 24 local movers and shakers who are shaping the "new" Buffalo.  One of them is Dana Saylor-Furman, an historical researcher who is involved in building preservation. 

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Business
10:31 am
Mon November 26, 2012

Press Pass: step-by-step city development

Credit WBFO News photo by Mike Desmond
Inside the redeveloped Statler

Buffalo businessman Mark Croce continues the huge task of working to renovate the Statler Towers on Delaware Avenue.  It's one of many revitalization projects underway in the city.   WBFO's Eileen Buckley and Buffalo News reporter Brian Meyer discusses Croce's progress in this week's Press Pass conversation.

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Local
9:38 am
Mon October 22, 2012

Press Pass: City school leader sets goals

Credit WBFO News file photo
Buffalo News reporter Brian Meyer

Buffalo Schools Superintendent Dr. Pamela Brown is confident she can lead the district through challenging times. 

That is just one of the topics in this week's Press Pass conversation. 

WBFO'S Eileen Buckley talks with Buffalo News reporter Brian Meyer about his online "In Focus" video interviews with newsmakers.

Politics
9:45 am
Mon October 15, 2012

Press Pass: State Senate race & Congressional battle

Credit WBFO News file photo
Chris Jameme & Geoff Kelly

A recent poll for the 60th State Senate District race has incumbent Republican Mark Grisanti with a sizable lead over his two opponents.  

Grisanti faces opponents Michael Amodeo, a Democrat,  and Chuck Swanick, a Conservative.

WBFO's Chris Jamele and Artvoice editor Geoff Kelly take a close look at this race as well as the Congressional campaign between Kathy Hochul and Chris Collins in this week's Press Pass discussion. 

Local
8:20 am
Mon October 8, 2012

Press Pass: Buffalo News Suburban Editor Bruce Andriatch on 2013 town budgets

Credit Phot by Eileen Buckley / WBFO News
Bruce Andriatch (left) with Mark Scott
  • WBFO's Mark Scott talks with Buffalo News Suburban Editor Bruce Andriatch.

Suburban governments in the region have been releasing their respective 2013 town budgets in the past week.  Buffalo News Suburban Editor Bruce Andriatch has more in this week's Press Pass with WBFO's Mark Scott.

Lancaster Town Supervisor Dino Fudoli released a budget that cut taxes.  Amherst Town Supervisor Barry Weinstein's plan increases spending but holds the line on property taxes.  And residents of several other towns, including the Town of Tonawanda and Orchard Park, will see slight tax increases. 

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Business
9:44 am
Mon October 1, 2012

Press Pass: Getting ready for Webster Block development

Credit WBFO News file photo
Jay Moran & Jim Fink in studio

The Sabres organization and the City of Buffalo will begin preparing for Webster Block development.

That is one of the topics of conversation in this week's Press Pass conversation with WBFO & AM-970's Jay Moran and Business First reporter Jim Fink.

Jay and Jim also discuss new concerns that surrounded the Buffalo Creek Casino.

Local
5:00 am
Mon September 24, 2012

Press Pass: Saving an historic building at Main and Allen

Credit Photo courtesy of Buffalo Spree
918-920 Main Street in Buffalo

An historic building at Main and Allen Streets in Buffalo was months, if not weeks,  away from collapsing.  But as we hear in this week's Press Pass, it's now on a path to being saved.

The building at 918 and 920 Main Street was constructed in 1891 to house a company known as the Bosche Carriage Repository.  Buffalo Spree Editor Elizabeth Licata wrote about the landmark in her monthly Preservation Ready column in the September issue.  She says it was designed by architect Cyrus Porter who is known for several famous buildings locally, including the Cyclorama.

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Local
9:28 am
Mon September 17, 2012

Press Pass: Visitor-friendly Buffalo

Credit WBFO News photo by Eileen Buckley
Buffalo News reporter Brian Meyer in WBFO & AM-970 studio for Press Pass

Efforts are underway to boost tourism through projects to make Buffalo more visitor-friendly. 

In this week's Press Pass conversation WBFO & AM-970's Eileen Buckley talks with Buffalo News reporter Brian Meyer, who has been focusing on the issue.

Politics
9:57 am
Mon September 10, 2012

Press Pass: Primary 2012 rundown

Credit WBFO News file photo
Chris Jamele & Artvoice editor Geoff Kelly in studio for Press Pass

The primary election season is heating up locally.   This week's Press Pass conversation looks at the races voters will decide on Thursday, September 13, 2012.

WBFO & AM-970's Chris Jamele sits down with Artvoice editor Geoff Kelly about the candidates.

Local
5:00 am
Mon September 3, 2012

Press Pass: Buffalo News Suburban Editor Bruce Andriatch on Lancaster's controversial supervisor

Credit WBFO File Photo
Bruce Andriatch (left) and Mark Scott

Lancaster Town Supervisor Dino Fudoli has proven to be quite a controversial leader since assuming office on January 1st.  He's a proponent of limiting the financial incentives granted by the region's various industrial development agencies.  Fudoli then targeted town employee unions for criticism by describing public employees as being the "unproductive" segment of the economy.  Finally, he admitted late last month that he has not paid property taxes on various properties he owns. 

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Business
8:30 am
Mon August 27, 2012

Delaware North searching downtown for headquarters

Credit WBFO News photo
Jay Moran & Business First reporter Jim Fink in WBFO & AM-970 studio

Though they may eventually stay in their current location, Delaware North officials are examining some key downtown spots for their headquarters.

Jim Fink of Business First says Delaware North will be keeping its 350 employees downtown, however the company is exploring its options prior to their lease expiring in 2015.

That's one of many items Jim Fink touched upon during his Press Pass conversation on WBFO and AM 970.

Mayor Brown, Fink expects, will make a decision this week on who will develop the Webster Block near First Niagara Center.

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Business
10:16 am
Mon August 6, 2012

Press Pass: Webster Block redevelopment

Credit WBFO News photo by Eileen Buckley
Webster Block in downtown Buffalo

The city is getting closer to developing a prime piece of land in downtown Buffalo that borders the new Canalside at the hockey arena. 

Buffalo developer Carl Paladino and the Buffalo Sabres presented their separate plans for the Webster Block.  That's the topic of this week's Press Pass conversation.

WBFO & AM-970's Eileen Buckley sits down with Buffalo News reporter Brian Meyer who spoke to the developers about details of their proposals in this week's Press Pass conversation.

Local
9:54 am
Mon July 30, 2012

Press Pass: Stopping the wrecking ball

Credit Photo from fixBuffalo Website
557 East Utica saved from demolition

Some vacant houses targeted for demolition in the City of Buffalo could get reprieves from the wrecking ball. 

This week on Press Pass, Buffalo Spree editor Elizabeth Licata tells WBFO & AM 970's Eileen Buckley how one East Side woman saved a vacant Victorian home from being torn down.   
 

Local
9:46 pm
Sun July 22, 2012

Press Pass: Buffalo News' Bruce Andriatch on drought and Lancaster police hiring

Credit Photo by Eileen Buckley / WBFO News
Bruce Andriatch (left) with Mark Scott

Western New York is in the midst of a drought.  Rain late last week brought some relief.  But it wasn't nearly enough to help the region's farmers whose crop yields are expected to be much lower this year. 

Buffalo News Suburban Editor Bruce Andriatch joins Mark Scott on this week's Press Pass on WBFO and AM 970 for a discussion of the drought's local impact.

Local
9:27 am
Mon July 2, 2012

Press Pass: Affordable Care Act

Credit WBFO News photo by Eileen Buckley
Buffalo News reporter Brian Meyer in WBFO & AM-970 studio

Now that the Affordable Care Act has been deemed constitutional, it is expected to set off plenty of debate in the political arena. 

In this week's Press Pass conversation WBFO & AM-970'S Eileen Buckley and Buffalo News reporter Brian Meyer talk about the reaction that is underway over the new healthcare law.

Health
5:00 am
Mon June 25, 2012

Press Pass: Rx drug crisis & new state law

Credit WBFO News photo by Eileen Buckley
Buffalo News reporters Susan Schulman & Dan Herbeck

Prescription drug abuse in Western New York has been described as an epidemic.  But a new prescription drug bill approved by state lawmakers would begin to prevent the problem. 

This week  in our Press Pass conversation WBFO & AM-970's Eileen Buckley talked with Buffalo News reporters Susan Schulman and Dan Herbeck.  They were part of an award-winning News series last year called "Prescription for Danger" and reacted to the new bill that Governor Cuomo promises to sign into law.    

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