Tim Russert Dies Suddenly at 58

The "New York Times" reports that South Buffalo native and NBC Political Correspondent Tim Russert has died of a heart attack. The host of "Meet the Press" was 58. NBC-TV's Tom Brokaw interrupted coverarge of the U.S. golf open to announce that Russert died after collapsing at NBC's Washington, DC bureau.

Stinky Problem in Akron

Ice Cream tastes great, but in Akron the process to make it doesn't smell so good. Residents near the Perry's plant say an old problem with stinky dairy waste is back. Company co-owner Brian Perry says a part in their wastewater treatment system malfunctioned earlier this spring and dairy wastes backed up in basins while the system was repaired. He says they are installing new equipment and actually hauling some of the waste out by truck so a farmer can use it as manure.

Massage Parlor Owner Will be Deported

The former owner of a Niagara Falls massage parlor was sentenced to "time served." Yong Me Shi has already spent 15 months in jail since her arrest in March 2007. Shi ran Asian Accupressure Therapy on Porter Road, and pled guilty to persuading an individual to cross state lines for prostitution. Shi's attorney, Patrick Brown, said Shi will be deported.

Church Worker Convicted

Church business manager Randall Kozlowski, who pled guilty to stealing 400-thousand-dollars from Our Lady Help of Christians, was sentenced in State Supreme Court to a year in jail, and must also make restitution. The 49-year-old Kozlowski says he used the money to pay gambling debts.

BMHA Offical Busted

The F-B-I has arrested 48-year-old John Fisher, an official with the Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority. He's charged with forcing a BMHA contractor to do free roofing work for one of his friends. The contractor is cooperating with federal authorities. The Authority is taking steps to prevent future corruption, according to Executive Director Dawn Sanders:

Local Drugstores Cited for Expired Stock

A number of local CVS and Rite Aid locations are on a list of stores that State Attorney General Andrew Cuomo accuses of selling out of date products. Investigators found expired milk, eggs, medicine and baby formula. The AG's office plans legal action.

Historic Building Falling Down

A Buffalo building partially collapsed last night. Police blocked off Jersey St. at Richmond Ave., and evacuated five nearby homes, as an historic former livery stable dating from the 19th century began to fall down.

Silver Creek Man Sentenced in Hit and Run Death

A Silver Creek man will spend up to four years in prison for a drunk-driving accident that killed a woman on her bike. Lyle Logan struck Crystal Stonemetz along Route 5 in Brant. Logan left the scene of the accident. Logan apologized in court to Stonemetz's family. Her sister MaryEllen spoke for the victim.

Casino Cash Held Up

The first payout of slot machine money from the temporary Seneca Buffalo Creek Casino is due at the end of the month, but it's not exactly coming up cherries. Neither Buffalo nor Erie County should expect to see a penny at any time soon. The money will be staying in Albany because the city and county can't agree on how to split it up. The casino jackpot is expected to reach $7 million a year when the permanent casino facility opens in 2010.

Florida Tomatoes in WNY OK

As the FDA advises consumers about a widespread salmonella outbreak in tomatoes, some area restaurants and markets are removing the fruits from their menus and shelves. Food broker Phil Tarrantino gave us an update this morning.

Jacobses Make Record UB Donation

U-B has accepted the biggest gift in school history. Jeremy Jacobs, chaiman of Delaware North, and his wife Margaret, are donating ten million dollars to recruit and retain researchers at a heart-vascular institute on the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus. The gift also establishes a partnership with Kaleida Health, represented at today's announcement by CEO James Kaskie.

Mercy Hospital Workers Consider Strike

Mercy Hospital workers are voting on a possible strike authorization today. Their contract ran out about a week ago, and the renewal is hung up over personnel levels and health benefits. Nurses, along with service, clerical, and technical staffers are affected.

Driver Charged in Fatal Street Race

21-year-old Christopher Mejak has been charged with manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide in May's fatal street race down Transit Road. Two cars traveled at speeds up to 120-miles-per-hour before one of them crashed, killing 24-year-old Mark Harhigh and 21-year-old Melanie Page. Mejak claims he didn't even realize the other car had crashed. D-A Frank Clarks said that Mejak had a previous charge for involvement in an earlier street race.

North Tonawanda Kidnap Suspect back in Court

The man accused of kidnapping and sexually assaulting a 12-year-old North Tonawanda girl as she walked to school last March will be back in court today. Forty-one-year-old Mitchell Brokob lived just three doors away from where the attack occurred on Gilmore Avenue . The young girl was held for approximately three hours before she managed to escape out a second story window. Brokob and his wife reportedly have a young daughter of their own.

Two Temples Set to Merge

Consolidation in the local Catholic diocese has been well documented, but it is also happening in other faiths. Tonight the final services will be held at Temple Beth El, on Eggert Road in Tonawanda, one of the oldest Jewish temples in Western New York. Temple Beth El was founded in downtown Buffalo 161 years ago, and for years had a building on Richmond Avenue before moving to the suburbs. Temple Beth El will be merging with another suburban synagogue, Temple Shaarey Zedek, in Amherst. The number of member families has been declining over the years.

Community Service for Man Who Shot Dog

The Amherst man who fatally shot a neighbor's dog is avoiding a jail term. Christopher Mercio was sentenced by Judge Penny Wolfgang to spend 100 hours working with the SPCA in community service. Mercio was convicted of shooting a German Shepherd that came after his German Pointer hunting dog last fall. The slain dog's owners are unhappy with the sentence, and considering a civil suit.

Fatal Fire in South Buffalo

Tragedy in South Buffalo, as investigators are looking for the cause of a fire that killed 83-year-old Betty Glassing of 96 Kamper Street. Glassing 's body was found in her bedroom, the only room of the house not burned. Her daughters say their mother lived alone since her husband died two years ago. She had refused to move out of the family home.

Lynch Lawyer Meeting With Prosecutors

It's been over a week now since a car registered to Buffalo Bills running back Marshawn Lynch hit a woman crossing the street in the Entertainment District and then took off. Police have been unable to talk with Lynch, but Erie County District Attorney Frank Clark tells us that Lynch's attorney, Michael Caffery, has agreed to meet with investigators.
Lynch missed practice with the team last Friday, the same day his attorney met briefly with prosecutors.