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Nursing home visits can resume Friday under new state rules

Residents of nursing homes in New York state will be able to have visitors again, starting this Friday, Feb. 26, under new rules laid out by Gov. Andrew Cuomo and state health officials.

Martin Gugino files lawsuit against City of Buffalo for pushing incident

Kenan Center back open with exhibition featuring artists with disabilities

Green House homes called ‘promising model’ for nursing home reinvention. But are they replicable?

The Green House Project, a national network of small nursing homes, has received plenty of attention for its low rates of COVID-19 during the pandemic. A University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill study recently called it a “promising model” for the reinvention of nursing homes in a post-pandemic world. But just how replicable is it? Providers and advocates say there are still plenty of financial hurdles to cross before more nursing homes look like Green House homes.

Roof Collapse Destroys Home

By Mark Scott

Buffalo, NY – Heavy snow on roofs continues to take a toll in the Buffalo area. One of the worst incidents in recent days occurred Thursday morning when accumulated snow caused a roof to slide off the top of a home on Ashley Street on Buffalo's East Side. It caused structural damage beyond repair. The home was later demolished. Its occupants were safely evacuated by firefighters.

Buffalo News Music Critic Retires

Bill Raffel talks with Buffalo News Classical Music Critic Herman Trotter, who is retiring.

By Bill Raffel, WBFO

Buffalo, NY – After 35 years, the classical music critic for the Buffalo News is officially retiring today.

Herman Trotter started reviewing concerts as a free-lancer before replacing John Dwyer as the full-time classical reviewer in 1977. He had also written program notes for the former Buffalo Symphonette and the Philharmonic. while working other full-time jobs.

WBFO's Music Notes

By Bill Raffel

Buffalo, NY – After 35 years, the classical music critic for the Buffalo News is officially retiring today.

Bills Not Paid at City's Wiley Complex

By Eileen Buckley

Buffalo, NY – Buffalo Common Council President James Pitts has been searching for some answers as to why utility bills were not paid at the Wiley Sports Pavilion at Jefferson and Best.

Naples Wants Better Analysis of Regional Proposals

By Mark Scott

Buffalo, NY – Erie County Comptroller Nancy Naples is calling for a more formalized process for evaluating regional initiatives.

Naples says there needs to be more in-depth financial analyses of regional proposals coming before the County Legislature. She said such analyses were missing from two proposals approved by the Legislature in recent months -- the county's takeover of the city's garbage transfer station and this week's contribution of $5 million dollars for Dunn Tire Park improvements.

Doctors Waiting to Find Out if Woman Has Anthrax

By Howard Riedel

Niagara Falls, NY – Doctors at the Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center are trying to determine if a Niagara Falls woman has cutaneous anthrax.

The 38-year-old woman went to the emergency room Saturday night with a lesion on her hand that bears some resemblance to the less severe, skin-based form of anthrax. She handles mail order returns for a clothing store at Summit Park Mall, Newport News outlet.

New leadership at Jamestown Prendergast library system

By Ray Marks • Dec 31, 1969

The Jamestown Prendergast Library system -- which serves Chautauqua and Cattaraugus Counties -- has a brand new director.

WBFO News contributor Ray Marks traveled to the Southern Tier and sat down with Linda Mielke, who comes to Western New York from California, where she held a similar position.

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Biden Welcomes Canada's Trudeau (Virtually) To White House For 1st Meeting

By Ayesha Rascoe • 5 hours ago

President Biden plans to welcome Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and a delegation of Canadian officials to the White House on Tuesday – a virtual session due to COVID-19 constraints that will try to recreate some of the ceremonial flourishes of an in-person visit to Washington.

Biden and Trudeau plan to discuss the public health and economic crises caused by the pandemic, as well as shared goals on addressing climate change, addressing racism and discrimination, and other issues, a senior U.S. administration official told reporters ahead of the meeting.

United Grounds Boeing 777 Following Engine Explosion Over Denver

By editor • 5 hours ago

United Airlines is grounding all Boeing 777 aircraft pending an investigation into the engine that exploded over Denver on Saturday. The plane landed safely and no one was hurt after the right engine blew apart just after takeoff from Denver International Airport.

Here's What's In House Democrats' $1.9 Trillion COVID-19 Relief Plan

By Barbara Sprunt & Kelsey Snell • 5 hours ago

The House Budget Committee has approved legislation advancing President Biden's $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package, setting a path for intense debate in the Senate.

The legislation is set for a vote on the House floor at the end of the week. The Senate is then expected to take up the legislation and attempt to modify it to ensure it can pass procedural hurdles while still satisfying all 50 Senate Democrats.

Perseverance's Video Cameras Capture Its Arrival On Mars (There's Audio, Too)

By Mark Katkov • 5 hours ago

NASA / YouTube

NASA has released video of the Perseverance Mars Rover as it descended through the Martian atmosphere and landed as planned in Jezero Crater last Thursday.

Illinois Becomes 1st State To Eliminate Cash Bail

By Cheryl Corley • 5 hours ago

Updated at 9:35 p.m. ET

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed a bill Monday that makes Illinois the first state in the country to abolish cash bail payments for jail release for people who have been arrested and are waiting for their case to be heard.

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Heritage Moments

Heritage Moments: From a cubicle on Swan Street to the presidency of Somalia

Three world leaders have called Western New York their home. The first two, the American presidents Millard Fillmore and Grover Cleveland, are well known to people living in the region. The third is less celebrated here. But the story of Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed — the Buffalonian better known as Farmaajo, elected president of Somalia in February 2017 — is every bit as incredible, and momentous, as that of practically any leader anywhere.

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