Jamestown Boy Injured in Wild Ride

A five year old boy in Jamestown survived a wild parking lot ride in his grandma's pickup. Police say the boy somehow managed to rotate the ignition, start the car without a key, and hit the gas. He sideswiped a parked car twice, crossed a street, hit a fence, and ended up down a 12-foot embankment. The boy suffered an arm injury, but no one else was hurt.

Wounded Vet Won't Have to Report

While serving in Afghanistan, 26-year-old James Raymond lost most of his hearing in his left ear and suffered serious knee injuries. Despite that, in April he got orders to report for duty in Iraq. Now, action by the local Congressional delegation has led the Army to give Raymond a one year standby reserve classification, a non-deployable status. His eight year commitment to the Army will end at the same time his new classification runs out.

Temples to Merge

It did not come as a surprise to Buffalo's Jewish community when two of the area's largest synagogues announced that they were going to officially merge. Temple Beth El in the Town of Tonawanda and Temple Shaarey Zedek in Amherst will combine under a new name. A "for sale" sign has been on the lawn at Temple Beth El for some time. Temple Shaarey Zedek itself was the result of the merger of two former city synagogues, Temple Emanuel and Temple Beth David Ner Israel.

Chase Suspects Charged With Attempted Murder

Four suspects associated with Wednesday's high-speed police chase were in Buffalo City Court yesterday. They were arrested Wednesday night after a pursuit that hit speeds of 100 miles per hour through the city. Shots were fired at a police car, leading to charges of first-degree attempted murder. Demetrius McGee, Jaymes Mayes, Mychal Carr and Andre Goldsmith remain in jail, and will be back in court next Tuesday.

Flasher Sought at Caz Park

Buffalo police are warning parents that there is a man who has been exposing himself in Cazenovia Park. The first time it happened was last Sunday At around 6 p.m. when he exposed himself to a female. It happened again on Monday night. The man is described as white, 35 to 40-years-old, wearing a black jacket and a red cap.

McKinley Coach Named in State Probe

McKinley High School basketball coach James Daye has been on paid leave since March, and it's now been revealed that he is part of a state ethics probe. Daye has been involved in the investigation of a McKinley student's suspension, and the dismissal of a volunteer women's basketball coach. Superintendent James Williams reportedly knew about the state action, but never told the school board. Daye's attorney, Brian Melber says no written explanation was given for disciplinary action.

On-line Crime Reports Considered

Buffalo's top cop is now considering an Internet initiative that would give residents access to neighborhood crime data. H. McCarthy Gipson told the Common Council yesterday that he's now looking into CrimeReports.com; earlier he had implied that participation would be too time-consuming for a department he says is understaffed.

School Report Stays Sealed

A sealed report on the McKinley High student suspension case was presented to the Buffalo School Board last night. Board members decided not to unseal the report until Friday, so that it can be determined what portions can be made public. Basketball coach James Daye has been placed on leave.

High-Speed Chase Nets Four Arrests

A wild high-speed chase last night led to four men taken into custody after shots were reportedly fired from an SUV. Officers were led on a high-speed pursuit at speeds of up to 100 miles-per-hour. Investigators say someone in the vehicle began firing at the cruisers. No officers were hurt, and police did not return fire. Two men bailed out and were arrested on foot at Delaware and Chippewa.

Truant Teens Arrested

Five Buffalo high school girls were busted this morning for skipping school and underage drinking this morning. Three students from South Park and two from Bennett were picked up near the monument at Lafayette Square around 9 a.m. And, in a troubling twist, a man found sitting near the girls was discovered to be a registered sex offender.

Town of Boston Fire Injuries

A 33-year-old woman is in critical condition at ECMC after she jumped from a burning apartment in the Town of Boston Tuesday night. The second-floor apartment at 6191 Ward Road caught fire, and Colleen Wood had to leap out her window to escape the flames. She suffered second-degree burns and a broken leg. Burning candles appear to have caused the fire.

Eden Driver Killed

An 18-year-old driver died overnight after a crash off Eckerdt Road in Eden. Police say that James Bierl struck a tree about eight houses down from his own home. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Speed and alcohol are believed to be factors.

Church Worker Convicted

A former business officer at St. Andrew's Catholic Church on Sheridan Drive has pleaded guilty to stealing some 280-thousand dollars over the last six years from the church. Sixty-one-year-old Bonnie Radigan gave the court a check for 21-thousand dollars and was told that her sentencing depended on how much more restitution she could come up with. Radigan says she stole the money to pay medical bills and for tuition for her children. She is the fifth church worker to admit to stealing in the past five years.

Gilchriese Stays in Hospital

James Gilchriese is still in the hospital, not in court as scheduled, after he complained of chest pains this morning. Medical tests were ordered, and his discharge delayed. Gilchriese was undergoing mental evaluation at ECMC, and faces several charges after Monday night's standoff on the 190.

#2 Man in DA Office Ready to Run

The prosecutor in the Giambra Case, Frank Sedita, now says he will run for Erie County District Attorney. Sedita is the current number-two man to Frank Clark, who will not seek re-election in November. Sedita says he now has Clark's support in the upcoming race. The 65-year-old Clark announced his battle with lupus at an emotional press conference yesterday. Clark will serve out the remainder of his term which runs till the end of the year. A Democrat, he was first elected in 1996. In recent months he's been criticized for his handling of the Chrystallyn Girard case, but Clark insists that his only reason for not running for re-election is his health.

Bills Draftee Involved in Gun Incident

Police in Fort Wayne Indiana says Bills draftee James Hardy pulled a gun during an argument with his father Sunday. Hardy reportedly left the scene before cops arrived. Police say Hardy has a permit, and that his father will not press charges.

Donahue Found Guilty

Last night, a Buffalo jury found Dennis Donohue guilty of the 1993 murder of Joan Giambra. Donohue is a possible suspect in another cold case strangulation from 1975, and was at one time a prime suspect in the death of 13-year-old Crystallynn Girard.

Standoff Ends Safely

Police have identified the man with a gun who shutdown the 190 for almost three hours last night. He's 66-year-old James Gilchriese of Hernando, Florida. Buffalo Police Spokesman Mike DeGeorge spoke with Scott Leffler this morning on WECK.

State Senate Proposes Alternative Tax Plan

A plan from State Senate Democrats that would give each New York household one hundred dollars. According to Senator Antoine Thompson, the Senate is considering a rebate check program that would cost $300 million vs. a $600 million cost for the gas tax holiday. The measure will be introduced this week in Albany.

UAW Fights Plant Closings

Striking American Axle workers in Western New York are again hearing that all local American Axle operations are in danger of shutting down. Company officials proposed the shuttering of the Cheektowaga plant as well as the facility in Tonawanda. But the UAW says that the threat of additional plant closings is a step backwards in the negotiations. American Axle already closed a plant on Delevan Avenue, before the strike.

Obama Nearing Nomination as WVA Primary Approaches

Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton are campaigning in West Virginia today, site of tomorrow's latest presidential primary. New York Senator Clinton is expected to win West Virginia handily but it may be too little, too late as Obama moves closer to securing the Democratic nomination. Buff State's Dr. Bruce Bryski laid out the scenario for Donahue & Moore this morning on WECK.

Crash Blocks Thruway

A tractor-trailer accident on the New York State Thruway forced the closing of two Eastbound lanes for nearly two hours. The driver of the tractor-trailer, Laimis Juodzevicious was ticketed for unsafe speed. A Thruway worker was treated at ECMC and released.

Erie DA to Step Down

Erie County District Attorney Frank Clark reportedly will not run for re-election because of health problems. Clark held a meeting today with his senior staff. An official announcement from Clark is expected this afternoon.