Hamburg Gets Free Jet Skis

The Town of Hamburg is using some new transportation tools on the water during the Fourth of July weekend. Yamaha has loaned two jet skis to the town police department. Hamburg Police Chief Carmen Kesner says the department did have to pay about $1,000 for a trailer and jet-ski covers, and the town will also be responsible for fuel costs.

Buffalo Officer Arraigned for Sexual Assault

Last December a 19-year-old college student charged that Buffalo Police Officer Monte Montalvo sexually assaulted her while he was working off duty as a security guard. Montalvo has been suspended and now has pleaded not guilty in State Supreme Court. He's due back in court later this month.

State to Pick Up McKinley Probe

Yesterday it looked like the investigation into problems at Buffalo's McKinley High School was apparently over after the Board of Education voted to drop the issue. Now word that the State Education Department may pick up the ball and look further into the firing of a volunteer women's basketball coach and the suspension of a student along with other irregularities.

Apartment Fire in Buffalo

Multiple Buffalo fire companies responded to an apartment-building blaze on West Ferry last night. The fire was reported at about 10:30 p.m. at 935 West Ferry, a three-story apartment building between Linwood and Oxford. The fire caused about $10,000 in damage. Firefighters remained at the scene cleaning up until after one this morning.

Erie Harbor Officilly Open

Dignitaries including Congressman Brian Higgins, County and City leaders, new State Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos, and Senators Chuck Schumer and Hillary Clinton, on hand to officially open the Erie Harbor yesterday. The new Central Wharf at the harbor will be home to a fireworks display tomorrow on the Fourth.

Golisano Set to Influence Races

Billionaire Sabres owner Tom Golisano isn't talking yet about reports that he's ready to bankroll Democratic State Senate campaigns. A notice on Golisano's webite says an announcement is coming soon. It's believed that Giolisano will for a Political Action Committee to funnel millions into key races. Erie County Legislator Kathy Konst met with Golisano in Rochester last week to discuss the idea. She says she can maintain her integrity if she decides to run against Dale Volker.

Damaged Livery Sold for a Buck

The city has found a new developer for the damaged livery stable on Jersey Street. Sam Savarino of Savarino Construction has purchased the building for one dollar, but will have to spend a great deal more to save the 138-year-old structure. Savarino may turn the old stable into condominiums or apartments. The city plans to sue the former owners for the cost of stabilizing the structure.

McKinley Probe Closed

The Buffalo Board of Education met Tuesday afternoon and voted to end further disciplinary investigations involving McKinley High School. The school was in turmoil for much of the school year after a volunteer women's basketball coach was fired and student Jayvonna Kincannon was suspended for five weeks. Board Member Catherine Nugent Panepinto's motion to extend the investigations was narrowly defeated.

Sabres Focused on Their Own Players

NHL Free Agency is underway, and the Sabres have not made any moves today...yet. But they did sign a contract expension last night with center Paul Gaustad to keep him off the market, and are said to be entering negotiaitions with goalie Ryan Miller, who has one year left on his current contract.

Crumbling Stable Sold for a Buck

A major property developer has agreed to buy the partially-collapsed Jersey Street livery, and plans to turn it into residential property. The Savarino Companies will purchase the White Brothers Livery & Boarding Stable from owner Robert Freudenheim for one dollar. The transfer is expected to be completed within two days.

Hilary Clinton Coming to Buffalo

Senator Hillary Clinton is scheduled to be back in Western New York on Wednesday. She will be in Buffalo tomorrow for the ceremonial opening of the Erie Canal Harbor, and to tour the Artspace lofts on Main Street. It's her first appearance here since her Presidential campaign was suspended. Her only public appearance upstate this year was at Gov. David Paterson's Albany inauguration in March.

Seneca High's Last Class

After 99 years, Seneca Vocational High School has graduated its last class. Sixty-two seniors got their diplomas yesterday. Back in 1909 the first graduation class consisted of just two cabinet makers. The school building will reopen in the fall as a new high school featuring math and science.

Darien Beach Closed

Darien Lake State Park Beach is closed today after poor water-quality results. Weekend testing showed high bacteria levels with the potential to sicken swimmers. Samples will be tested again today at ECMC before reopening will be considered.

Hikers Rescued After Overnight in Gorge

A group of hikers from Erie County had to spend the night on a rock ledge in the Zoar Valley gorge, after being stranded by rising waters in Cattaraugus Creek. A Sheriff's copter piloted by Capt. Kevin Caffery picked them up two at a time after six this morning. The six males and three females in their late teens and early 20s were taken to Tri-County Hospital in Gowanda, where they were reported in good condition.

Boy Rescued from Shoshone Pool

A 12-year old boy was pulled from the bottom of a closed city pool Sunday afternoon, after he and two friends apparently hopped the fence to get in. Firefighters Tim Cardwell and Steve Hartman arrived at Shoshone Pool about three minutes after an emergency call, and discovered the boy unconscious at the bottom of the ten-foot end. The two firefighters hopped the fence and dove in. A passerby also hopped the fence and helped pull the boy out. The firefighters work to revive the boy until Rural Metro arrived. Officials say the boy was breathing on his own by the time he was taken to Women & Children's Hospital.

City to Pay for Jersey Livery Stabilization

City officials changed their minds over the weekend, and decided to try and save an historic livery stable on Jersey Street, instead of tearing it down. The future of the building in doubt since a wall partially collapsed two weeks ago. The city has now authorized a 397-thousand-dollar contract to stabilize the structure, while searching for a new developer to repurpose the property, perhaps as condos or apartments. The city hopes to force the current owner of the building to pay for the work.