New BPD Recruits Take Oath

Twenty-one brand-new recruits were sworn in to the Buffalo Police this morning, bringing the total number of officers just above 800. Police Commissioner H. McCarthy Gipson delivered the oath. After five months of training, they'll hit the streets early next year.

Wegman's Recalls Sorbet

Wegmans Supermarkets has issued a massive recall on select flavors of sorbet. More than 37-thousand cartons mistakenly do not list milk as an ingredient, which could cause problems for those with milk allergies. So far there has been one report of a reaction. The recall includes raspberry, lemon, pink grapefruit and green apple sorbet in 16 ounce containers. The sorbet can be returned to Wegmans for a refund.

30th Anniversary of Love Canal Declaration

Activist Lois Gibbs returned to Love Canal this morning, to mark the 30th anniversary of New York's declaration of a state of emergency in one of the worst chemical disasters in U.S. history. In August of 1978, Love Canal residents were told to evacuate because toxic waste was seeping into their homes. Today, Gibbs joined other former residents to tour the site where they used to live. Gibbs said that the area is still not livable and tore into a recent study conducted by the state Department of Health. Gibbs still believes that birth defects, cancer and other health concerns of former residents and their families were directly related to the chemical mess at Love Canal.

Bassmasters in Buffalo

Going after the big fish in Buffalo....starting today, anglers are competing in the Empire Chase, part of the ESPN Bassmaster Elite Series. The Small Boat Harbor hosts the official weigh-ins at 5 o'clock today and tomorrow. On Sunday, TV crews will be on hand as the $100,000 champion is crowned. The event will air on ESPN2 on August 9th.

Verizon Workers Picket

Instead of working on phone lines, some of Verizon's unionized workers will be on a picket line Thursday. They're not on strike, yet, but pickets are being held in several cities across New York State today, including Buffalo. Verizon's contracts with the CWA and IBEW expire on August 2nd. Union and management are far apart on several issues, including workers contribution to health care premiums, and subcontracting, which unions say Verizon uses to reduce their membership. Other rallies are being held today in Albany, Cooperstown, Oneonta, Poughkeepsie, and Utica.

Animals Seized in Newstead

The SPCA raided a home on Stage Road in Newstead after learning there were a number of neglected animals inside. They seized 46 rabbits along with cockatiels, parakeets and three cats. The owner is out of town but was contacted and ordered back to face misdemeanor animal cruelty charges.

Army Deserter Caught at Peace Bridge

A Florida man wanted nationwide for deserting the Army was captured at the Peace Bridge on Monday. 23-year-old Tyrone Pachauer was pulled off a bus at U.S. Customs. Military officials say he left Fort Knox, Kentucky for Christmas leave and never came back He's said to have been living with relatives in Brampton, Ontario. Pachauer was turned over to Buffalo Police, and will be extradited to Kentucky.

NT Home Invasions

North Tonawanda police swept Sweeney and Tremont Streets, after multiple calls about a man was entering homes in the area. The man reportedly went into occupied bedrooms and touched female occupants before fleeing. At least five homes were hit. The man is identified as a white male in his mid 20's with light-colored hair.

Drug Raids Result in Suspect Death, 20 Arrests

The man shot to death by a task force officer from the Niagara County Sheriff's Department has been identified. 43-year-old Marvin Sullivan was shot inside a bedroom at 202 Kay St., while he was with a 50-year-old woman who was one of the targets of yesterday's drug raids. The shooting is under investigation, but Niagara County Undersheriff Sam Muscarela thinks it was justified. Operation Third Strike, a joint effort by police and federal agents, spread out over the eastside of Buffalo Tuesday morning, with some 400 law enforcement officers rounding up suspects from a violent drug ring. Overall, about 20 suspects were picked up.

Paterson's Plan for the Economy

Governor David Paterson is calling the state legislature back into session at the end of August to deal with the state's economic problems. In yesterday's broadcast address, the Governor said revenues have fallen and costs have risen in the state, and the deficit has climbed from 5-billion to 6-point-4-billion dollars.. Paterson says government has to tighten its belt and confront harsh times, but said today he doesn't plan to ask for higher taxes.

BC/BS Accepts Same-Sex Marriages

In the wake of a court case regarding same-sex couples, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Western New York has changed its policies. After a ruling out of Monroe County earlier this year, Jeanne Kornowicz, a school psychologist at Cheektowaga Central School, asked for coverage for her partner, whom she married in Canada. Yesterday, Blue Cross Blue Shield announced it will now insure legally-married same-sex couples.

Man Killed in Drug Raid

Police shot and killed a man during a drug raid this morning. The shooting occurred inside a bedroom at 202 Kay St. in the Kensington-Eggert area. Police said a weapon was pointed at an Niagara County Sheriff's Deputy as he entered the home. The officer shot and wounded the suspect, who died at ECMC. The man's name was not released. Buffalo Police H. McCarthy Gipson says it's still being determined whether the man was carrying any drugs. Hundreds of law enforcement officers from a variety of agenciess spread out through Buffalo this morning to round up members of a violent gang.

West Seneca Plan Amended

The plan to downsize West Seneca government went public at yesterday's Town Board Meeting. Supervisor Wallace Piotrowski proposed letting residents vote in November whether to reduce the board from five to three members. During a heated session, Councilwoman Christina Bove, who had spoken out against the idea, proposed an amendment. Bove's measure passed, keeping the downsizing proposal off the ballot, at least for now.

West Seneca Downsizing Proposal

West Seneca town government is about to debate a plan to shrink its own size. Town Supervisor Wallace Piotrowski will propose a resolution tonight that would reduce the number of Town Board members from five to three. The Board would have to pass it, in effect agreeing to wipe out two of its own members, in order for voters to then have a say in November. Piotrowski, who says he got the idea from regionalism proponent Kevin Gaughan, doesn't think that will happen.

Teacher Case Headed to Grand Jury

30-year-old teacher Cara Dickey made a brief court appearance today, before her case was transferred to a grand jury. More details have emerged about her alleged inappropriate contacts with a student. The prosecution's case claims that Dickey and a 14-year-old boy made a suicide pact. She allegedly picked him up on Marilla Street across from South Buffalo Charter School, with Tylenol, Nyquil, and rum in her possession. Court documents say the two agreed to take the pills and alcohol to commit suicide. They allegedly spent the next 24 hours together, before they were found separately.

Near-Drowning at Sherkston

Rough waters on Lake Erie near Sherkston Shores nearly cost a life yesterday. A 59-year-old man was pulled from the water Sunday afternoon, after he and two companions moored their boat offshore and tried to swim in through five-foot waves. The New York resident was taken to Port Colborne General Hospital, where he was listed in critical but stable condition. The other two men made it safely. Niagara Regional Police and the U.S. Border Patrol are investigating. Officials have not released any names.

Another Tragedy in Town of Wilson

The small town of Wilson has had some large heartaches to deal with over the past few months. The latest happened this weekend in a murder-suicide involving two teens. Eighteen-year-old Kari Gorman and 19-year-old Shawn Wolf graduated from Wilson High in June, and had been dating for about eight months. On Saturday Wolf shot and killed Gorman before taking his own life. The Wilson School District had counselors available over the weekend, and will hold a town meeting next Monday to further discuss the tragedy. It comes in the wake of the death of honor student Tim Kelahan in a February car crash, and an alleged hazing incident on a Wilson High boy's baseball bus this spring.