Caught on Video at Cinema

Lancaster police say a surveillance camera caught what appears to be a family stealing money and electronics from a movie theatre. The video shows a man breaking into a token machine in the game room at the Regal Cinemas on Transit Road, as a woman and four young boys stood lookout. About $50 in cash was taken, along with patron iPods and cell phones. About $1000 damage was caused in the game room. The suspects are still being sought.

County Exec Expects More games in T-O

County Executive Collins now says he expects the Bills to play more games in Toronto when the time comes for them to change ownership. Collins told Channel 2 News that half a home season would be better than none.

Mayor Denies Rumors

Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown has issued a statement denying rumors that he is about to resign. Rumors have reportedly been circulating around city hall that the mayor was under federal investigation or was going to leave for a high-level government job. Mayor Brown says the rumors are not true and that they were "politically motivated."

Grand Jury Postponed as Lynch Deal Looms

Sources say grand jury testimony scheduled for today in the Marshaw Lynch affair has been postponed, as lawyers are trying to negotiate a deal that likely would see Marshawn Lynch charged with leaving the scene of a personal-injury accident. Clark's office had earlier agreed to postpone the grand jury appearances of three of Lynch's teammates until at least next month, when the Bills return to Western New York for training camp.

NFTA Says Dump the Pump

Today is the day to "Dump the Pump" and ride a bus or train. About 125 public transportation systems around the country are holding special promotions today to increase ridership, including the NFTA. Public Affairs Director Doug Hartmeyer spoke with Donahue and Moore this morning on WECK.

So Bflo Charter Teacher Canned

Cara Dickey, the South Buffalo Charter School teacher who went missing earlier this week, has now reportedly been been fired from South Buffalo Charter School. The teacher was terminated yesterday, one day after she was found sleeping in her car in Springville. Her relationship with an eight-grade student, who was also missing for a time this week, led to a police investigation.

ECMC-Kaleida Deal Coming?

A deal may be getting closer between Kaleida and ECMC. County Executive Chris Collins says he's "cautiously optimistic." A Kaleida spokesman confirms an agreement may be close. Collins expects the deal could go to Albany for approval by Friday.

Springsteen Sings for Russert

Bruce Springsteen remembered Tim Russert yesterday at Washington, DC's Kennedy Center, appearing from Europe where the E Street Band is touring. Springsteen attributed Russert's enthusiasm to his faith in the American idea, adding that we can learn from Russert's values.
Springsteen just one of many who offered tributes and memories of Russert. Brian Williams and Tom Brokaw, Mario Cuomo, Maria Shriver, and Russert's son Luke shared stories during the service that ranged from the touching to the comical. Russert's widow Maureen Orth says she had a premonition of sorts about his death. She told "People" magazine that when Russert left their Italy vacation last week ahead of her and their son, she said to him, "I want to give you a hug; maybe I'll never see you again."

914ers Back from Iraq

Seventy-four members of the 914th Airlift Wing are set to return to Niagara Falls this afternoon after serving in Iraq and Southwest Asia. Families and colleagues will greet the returnees at 2 this afternoon at the Falls Air Reserve Station.

Cheektowaga Rules On Drive-Throughs

The Town of Cheektowaga is trying to put an end to drive-through line backups that spill out into the street. The Town Board approved restrictions on drive-through windows, including a mandatory set-back of 75 feet from the property line, 660 feet from an intersection, and room for sixteen vehicles to line up for doughnuts or coffee.

Teacher and Student Found Separately

A missing 14-year-old South Buffalo Charter School student and a 28-year-old teacher were found separately Tuesday after going missing on Monday. Officials say that the teacher, Cara Dickey, had been suspended with pay and escorted out of the building Monday because of what one official termed "inappropriate behavior." The student, Nicholas DeJesus, left on his own a few hours later, and was found Tuesday at a Hamburg mall. The teacher was found sleeping in her car in Springville. As of last night she was in police custody. The boy's cell phone reportedly had questionable e-mails from the teacher. Dickey is married and has three children living in Clarence Center.

Russert Remembered

Politicians and common people from Western New York were among those paying their respects yesterday to Tim Russert. Among those attending his wake at St. Alban's School in Washington were Congresswoman Louise Slaughter, Erie County Clerk Kathy Hochul, who once worked for Russert, and Congressman Brian Higgins. This morning, Holy Trinity Church in Washington hosted a private funeral service for Tim Russert. Ave Maria was sung inside the sanctuary as Russert's coffin arrived. An invitation-only memorial is being held at four this afternoon at the Kennedy Center in DC. We'll have a live special report later today.

Missing Teacher and Student Found Separately

The 14-year-old boy and suspended 29-year-old teacher who went missing from the South Buffalo Charter School on Monday afternoon have both been found. Nicholas DeJesus was located at a mall in Hamburg, while teacher Cara Dickey was found sleeping in her car. School directors spoke to the media this morning.

Monday Hailstorms Cause Minor Damage

Monday's weather looked bad, but doesn't appear to have caused any major problems. Heavy hail fell in Niagara Falls, Lancaster, Tonawanda, Cheektowaga and other areas. Some area saw hailstones the size of golf balls, who spotted golf ball sized hail. No serious injuries were reported, but there was some damage to vehicles and trees.

Cote's Stepmother Steps Forward

Earlier this year when officials in Iraq were searching for missing private security contractor Jonathon Cote, his family went to great lengths to hide the fact that Cote's stepmother worked for the Drug Enforcement Agency in Buffalo. Her career was made public after Jonathan's body was recovered. Now, Nancy Cote says she is going to retire after 28 years with the DEA. She told Channel 2 that she believes the war on drugs has been effective and she is proud of her work.

Southtown Burglary Suspects Nabbed

Three men were arrested today in connection with a series of Southtowns burglaries. State Police, Erie County Sheriffs, along with Orchard Park, Hamburg, and East Aurora police were involved in the investigation. As recently as yesterday, police responded to burglaries in Marilla and Boston. A news conference is expected later today.

Buffalo Home Invasion

A Sunday night home invasion victimized a 44-year-old Buffalo woman. Police said that three men held a handgun to her throat and stole a cell phone and digital camera, in the city's South Police District. The men were reportedly looking for the victim's son, who they said owed them money.

Nosiy Storms, But Little Damage

A series of storms last night and early this morning left scattered power outages but did no significant damage. Less than half an inch of rain, according to the National Weather Service. Storms struck about every 30 minutes from 10 p.m. to about 2:30 a.m.

Cycle Driver Charged with 2nd DWI

A North Tonawanda was charged with felony DWI after Erie County Sheriffs said he fell over while driving his motorcycle in Clarence this morning. Ian McStravick of Tonawanda Creek Road was arrested. The Sheriffs said that McStravick had a prior drunken-driving conviction in February 2003.

Buffalo Crash Kills Passenger

A one-car crash just after midnight killed the car's passenger, a 21-year-old man, when the vehicle barreled into the side of the house at 107 Goodyear in the Fillmore-Bailey area. Rescuers had to pull the passenger out of the car. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver was takento ECMC. He is being charged with vehicular manslaughter, driving while intoxicated and reckless driving. Authorities have not released any names.