Wilmers is Statewide Economic Czar

Governor David Paterson has appointed M&T Bank Chairman Robert Wilmers as the czar of the Empire State Development Corporation. Dan Gunderson, who had been the upstate regional development head under former Governor Spitzer, handed in his resignation. Wilmer will stay in his position at M&T Bank.

Another Buffalo Warehouse Fire

Buffalo firefighters battled another warehouse fire yesterday, this time a two-alarm blaze at 204 Larkin Street. The fire in the metal-sided building apparently started under a van that was parked inside. The fire chief had the bus company bring an air conditioned bus to the scene so firefighters could cool off inside. No injuries were reported among the more than 70 firefighters at the scene.

Ozone Advisory, Near-Record Heat

With our near-record heat today comes a health advisory from the state Department of Environmental Conservation. There's an ozone advisory for us from 1pm-1am. The air quality is especially risky during outdoor activity, for those who have respiratory diseases, or for young children.

Missing Woman Found Dead

A missing woman has been found dead on the East Side, apparently the victim of homicide. The decomposed body was discovered in bushes this morning at May Street and Walden Avenue. Police say the woman has been identified, but her name is not being released.

Accident Above 33 Snarls Traffic

An accident over the 33 caused trouble for commuters heading into the city this morning. A car ran into the guardrail at the end of Glenwood at Humboldt Parkway at about 7:30 a-m, and parts of the burning car ended up raining down on the road below. Delays on the Kensington and other inbound routes lasted for about an hour and a half. The 40-year-old driver was pulled out, unconscious with a leg injury. He was rushed to ECMC for treatment.

Finding a Cause for Fire

Agents from the U.S. Department of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms have joined the search for the cause of Monday's pool-supply warehouse fire on Niagara Street. Neighbors are still concerned about air contamination during the fire. The warehouse contained plastics and some chemicals. Officials say some 20 Buffalo firefighters were treated for inhalation. The sprinklers had been turned off in the three-story building.

Kincannon Can Go to Graduation

Suspended McKinley High senior Jayvonna Kincannon will be able to go to her graduation after all. Kincannon has been suspended twice this school year, and was also involved in a wide-ranging investigation at her school. Kincannon says she was offered a deal at one point that would have ended the second suspension if she agreed to drop a planned lawsuit against the district. Kincannon's attorney did not explain why the district changed its mind and will now allow her to attend graduation ceremonies. She has already missed her senior prom.

Buffalo Named 3rd Cleanest City

Good News for the Queen City - Buffalo is now ranked among America's Top Five Cleanest. Reader's Digest ranks us at number theree - saying despite our Rust Belt Reputation, we've made great strides in cleaning up brownfields and waterways. The report specifically mentions dramatic efforts to curb rodents by distributing trash totes in the city.

Albany Bill to Cap Property Taxes

Governor David Paterson backs a proposal from the New York State Commission on Property Taxes that would cap property taxes and school taxes. The governor's bill would cap property tax increases at four-percent per year, but allow districts outside of New York City, Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse and Yonkers to raise their proposed caps beyond that on a yearly basis if approved by local voters. Ken Adams, CEO of the Business Council of New York State, spoke with Donahue and Moore this morning on WECK.

Looking for Clues in West Side Fire

Firefighters were on the scene for more than 24 hours after Monday's blaze in the Leisure Living pool supply warehouse on Niagara Street. Now investigators are trying to figure out just what started the three-alarm blaze. Firefighters had to decontaminate much of their equipment after the fire because the building was full of plastics and pool chemicals.

Smoke Tax Increase In Effect

Smokers are getting sticker shock today. The New York State sales tax on cigarettes has gone up another dollar and a half. The total tax is now 2-dollars and 75-cents a pack, the highest in the nation. State officials are saying the increase will bring in 265-million-dollars a year and perhaps cause some smokers to quit.

Amherst Town Center Approved

The Amherst Town Board has narrowly approved controversial plans to redevelop the Buffalo Gun Club property on Maple Road. Hundreds of residents turned out last night at Sweet Home High School Auditorium. Benderson Development wants to turn the site into shops, restaurants, housing, and office space. The board was split 3-3, and Supervisor Satish Mohan cast the deciding vote in favor.

Update on Lynch SUV Case

We're expecting an update at one o'clock this afternoon on the a hit-and-run accident involving an SUV registered to Bills running back Marshawn Lynch. Buffalo Police expect to provide further details at the 1 P.M. briefing. That Porsche SUV is now in the custody of Buffalo Police. It's still unclear if Lynch was driving or whether he was even in the vehicle at the time. The female victim was treated and released from the hospital. Lynch and the Bills have not commented, but Lynch's attorney has spoken with police.

Still on the Scene at West Side Fire

Buffalo firefighters are still on the scene after spending most of yesterday battling a three-alarm blaze at a three-story pool supply warehouse on the West Side. The building is owned by Leisure Living, and was formerly the Curtis Screw factory. The fire was controlled after a few hours but then flared up again in the afternoon after the roof of the building collapsed. At least 12 firefighters were treated at the hospital for chemical inhalation. Police rerouted traffic around the area, and residents were warned to stay inside.

Two Teens Arrested in Shooting

A Buffalo man is in critical condition, and two teenagers arrested, following a shooting in University Heights last night. Authorities say the two youths shot a 61-year-old man after robbing him on West Winspear Avenue.

Carekless Smoking Cited in Fatal Fire

Careless smoking may be the cause of a fire that killed a Genesee County teenager in his home on Friday. Seventeen-year-old Erik Mooney died, his mother and younger brother escaped. An EMS spokesman Mooney's mother was smoking about 30 minutes before the fire began.

Benderson Development Vote Tonight

Amherst town board members are scheduled to vote tonight on Benderson Development's plan to take the former Buffalo Gun Club on Maple Road and turn it into a town center. The meeting happens tonight at the Sweet Home High School auditorium. Benderson's proposed plan calls for a hotel, theatre, restaurants, offices, shops and a housing complex. Opponents say the project would cause traffic problems and damage the area's character.

Big Fire at West Side Pool Warehouse

A two-alarm fire sent black, acrid smoke rolling across the West Side this morning. Buffalo Fire crews responded to the Leisure Living pool supply warehouse on Niagara Street near Ferry before 11 this morning. Hazardous materials crews were sent to the scene because of possible burning chemicals. No injuries have reported, but the building is heavily damaged.