Bills Open Toronto Series Tonight

The Buffalo Bills take on the Pittsburgh Steelers tonight in Toronto in a preseason game. The Bills arrived in Toronto yesterday afternoon and took part in a rally last night in downtown Toronto. There are still some tickets available. WECK Sports Director Brad Riter talked about the event this morning with Donahue & Moore. He said he's not surprised the preseason game isn't a sell-out.

Amherst Water Super Stays Home

Paul Drof’s appointment as the new superintendent of Amherst's wastewater treatment facility was about at short-lived as can be - he never showed up for work! Drof, who works as the water superintendent of North Tonawanda, apparently changed his mind about the new job. He was expected to start work last Friday, but administrators got a letter from him this Monday saying he was staying in his current job.

Village Mayors Meet to Fight Downsizing

Village mayors around Western New York are beginning to make their voices heard about regional consolidation. The Mayors of 12 villages met yesterday at Blasdell Village Hall, where they heard from Peter Baynes, Executive Director of the New York State Conference of Mayors. The mayors claimed that villages add minimal cost to taxpayers and offer more than their share of services. Local lawyer and activist Kevin Gaughan has suggested eliminating villages as he continues to advocate the cutback of local governments.

Search Continue for Girl Lost in Rapids

Rescue crews continued their search today for a 12-year-old girl who was apparently swept away by the Niagara River. Police said a man who identified himself as a tour guide with the group allowed the children to go off the trail. Police plan to question the guide as part of their investigation. The young girl was with a group of about 20 people from a Polish Catholic heritage group. A friend said yesterday that the unidentified girl did not know how to swim. Her family has reportedly arrived Niagara Falls area.

Feds Investigating County Jails

Erie County is at odds with the Federal Government over some of its jail facilities. The U.S. Justice Department is investigating the Holding Center and Alden Correctional, but the County is not allowing the Feds to actually inspect the facilities. The investigation is a result of repots of inmate suicides and alleged excessive use of force by staff. County Attorney Cheryl Green says she expects Justice to file a lawsuit.

Alleged Animal Cruelty on the Island

A Grand Island stable owner was charged Tuesday with 17 counts of animal cruelty, when authorities seized 12 horses and five sheep from his business. Peter Sparks, owner of Sparks Trading Post on Bedell Road, contested the seizures, but declined to comment further.

Chef's Plans Expansion, Drive-Through

Chef’s is going to add a drive-through to its popular location at Seneca and Chicago Street. The classic Italian restaurant also plans a significant addition to the front of its 75-year-old building, including a new handicapped-accessible entrance. Chef's kitchen will be relocated, and there will be more seating space. The plan awaits the approval of the Buffalo Planning Board.

Son of Prominent Family Assaulted

An attempted robbery and stabbing Monday night in Delaware Park victimized a member of a prominent Buffalo family. Seventeen-year-old William O'Neil-White of Amherst was with friends near Rumsey Road when a man tried to rob him. He was cut on the arm. William is the son of Alphonso O'Neil-White, President and CEO of Health Now New York, and Marcia O'Neil-White, Executive Director of Buffalo Prep School. Police are looking for a suspect.

Local Governments Prepare for State Cuts

David Paterson has laid out options for the Legislature to cut spending. Now it's local government's turn to respond, as counties, cities, and town around Western New York get ready to do more with less. Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown expressed his concern. State cuts could cost Buffalo up to ten-million dollars in funding. The Erie County Control Board, other regional governments, and not-for-profit organizations have all expressed the need to plan now for the state cuts that appear to be coming. County Budget Director Greg gach says that county taxes may have to make up the difference in funding for state-mandated programs.

KFC Robbed in West Seneca, 2 Arrested

Two youths were arrested after the Kentucky Fried Chicken on Union Road in West Seneca was robbed late Sunday night, in what turned out to be an inside job. 17-year-old Jesus Morales of Alden, who worked at the restaurant, and the alleged gunman, Randall Couto, also 17, of Lancaster, were turned over to West Seneca police for charges. Morales fled the KFC during the robbery, but was picked up by in Alden by a State Trooper who had gotten a description of his vehicle. The weapon and cash were also recovered.

Lake View Stabd Off Ends Peacefully

A standoff on Diana Lane in Lake View ended peacefully, after a men allegedly threatened his family and then said he was going to kill himself. The family escaped, and the Hamburg SWAT team was called in just before noon yesterday. Police evacuated a number of nearby homes, and after about four hours the man surrendered. He was taken for evaluation.

Weekend Shootings in Buffalo

Buffalo detectives are investigating the 24th homicide of the year in the city. It happened about 1:30 a.m. on Birch Place. The 22-year-old victim was sitting in his vehicle when someone shot him in the back. Police think robbery may have been the motive. The victim was taken to ECMC but was dead on arrival. His name was being withheld. Another shooting over the weekend sent 40-year-old Howard Johnson of Buffalo to the hospital, where he is in critical condition. Police say Johnson was standing on Rodney Street when he was shot in the chest. Police are asking that anyone with information call the Confidential Tipline at 847-2255.

Heavy Rains Wash Out Weekend

No break from the heavy rain this morning, after a soggy Western New York weekend. Here in Cheektowaga, more downpours with thurder and hail right around 9 a-m. Heavy rain yesterday afternoon and evening caused flooding problems for creeks and roads. An underpass on Transit Road just south of Walden in Cheektowaga was closed because of high water, and waterspouts were spotted on Lake Erie off Westfield and Hamlin Beach.