Wilmers Hires Top ESD Lieutenants

New York City-based banker Marisa Lago has been tapped as the day-to-day operations chief of the Empire State Development Corp. Rochester development official Dennis Mullen will lead upstate New York economic development for the state. Gov. David A. Paterson and ESD Chairman Robert Wilmers made the announcements in New York City this morning.

Aud Salvage Plan to be Revealed

Mayor Byron Brown is appearing in front of the Aud at this afternoon to announce salvage plans after the building is demolished next year. Earlier reports indicated that some seats and other items might be put up for auction, and perhaps the front of the building might be preserved, similar to the old War Memorial Stadium.

HSBC Crash Still Causing Trouble

HSBC Bank's computer system crash is still causing problems. The system went down last Sunday night, and yesterday some of the eight-thousand employees of Catholic Health Systems went without direct deposit of their paychecks. The bank kept eight branches open late to deal with customer concerns.

Vigil Held for Magdalena

A candlelight vigil was held last night in Niagara Falls for missing 12-year-old Magdalena Lubowska of the Bronx, who was swept away last week into the rapids of the Niagara River while on a hike. Meanwhile there could be a criminal investigation into an unlicensed bed and breakfast that was run out of a private home in the Falls.

Hoyt Responds to Allegations

After a local blogger posted e-mails purportedly from Assemblyman Sam Hoyt to an woman he allegedly had a relationship with, the Assembly Ethics Committee went behind closed doors Wednesday to look into the matter. Hoyt did not respond directly but released a statement saying he and his wife have had marital difficulties in the past, but that he did not violate any assembly rules. The Buffalo News reported this morning that the two women were adults and not interns when they were allegedly involved with Hoyt.

Cheektowaga Town Official Resigns

A Cheektowaga recreation supervisor has quit after a the alleged embezzling of up to $50,000 from the town's Youth & Recreational Services department. 39-year-old Paul Marchewka had worked for the department for 14 years. Now, Cheektowaga police say he is the target of a probe into accounting irregularities over the past four years.

28 Arrests at Darien Concert

Genesee County sheriff's deputies arrested 18 people at Darien Lake during the Rockstar Mayhem Festival on Tuesday. Most of the busts were for alcohol and marijuana, disorderly conduct, trespass or harassment. 32-year-old Jeremy Telvock of Auburn was charged with attempted assault on a police officer, after allegedly hitting a deputy trying to escort him out of the amphitheatre.

Edwards Hurt in Last Full Day of Camp

The Bills have broken camp at St. John Fisher and are headed home for good. They practiced this morning, and are now moving practices back to Ralph Wilson Stadium for the remainder of the preseason. Quarterback Trent Edwards didn't work out with the team today. He left practice last night after suffering a deep quad contusion in a collision with running back Marshawn Lynch. Edwards' status for the Bills' preseason game against the Colts on Sunday is uncertain.

Jamestown Father and Son Charged

A 68-year-old disabled woman was dropped off Tuesday in front of the Jamestown Police Department, and now her husband and son are facing charges. The son, 45-year-old Edward Timblin, had thrown her out of the house and her husband, 70-year-old Howard Timblin, drove her to the Station. They are both charged with endangering the welfare of a physically disabled person, and were both were held in jail while the woman was evaluated, then taken home. Authorities are trying to find a safe place for her to stay.

Legislature Working Through Special Session

State lawmakers are gathered in Albany for a special economic session. The Assembly worked until early this morning to approved $425 million in cuts. The reductions include 6% of state aid to municipalities, cuts to Medicaid, and numerous member items. Sessions resumed this morning, with total cuts of up to $600 million pending. The Democratic-led Assembly also voted to pass the so-called "circuit breaker" tax cap, designed to provide provide tax relief while still raising almost three-billion in new taxes on millionaires. Republicans spoke out against the measure, saying it was not a legitimate property tax cap. And another bill headed to the governor would fine gasoline retailers up to 10-thousand dollars for establishing price zones based on demographics. Legislation passed by the Assembly in June was approved in the Senate yesterday. The bill addresses the practice of charging higher gas prices in more affluent areas, where drivers are assumed to be able to pay more.

Trouble on Thursdays at the Square?

The Thursday at the Square concert series, which draws thousands to downtown Buffalo during the summer, may be experiencing some security problems as the event matures but the crowds get younger. Complaints of drunkenness and fighting have marked the 22nd season at Lafayette Square, and a Metro Rail fight captured on YouTube has raised the profile of potential problems. The NFTA's Doug Hartmeyer, whose organization transports hundreds of concertgoers to and from the events, says the Transportation Authority has its role under control.

Paul Clark Campaign Probe Continues

The investigation that began last fall, regarding alleged misdeeds in Paul Clark's campaign for County Executive, is continuing. Authorities are looking into whether donors tried to hide their contributions. District Attorney Frank Clark says his office has talked to a number of people involved in last year's bid by the West Seneca businessman and former town supervisor, but there's some frustration.

Jenn Wins Silver

Western New York pole vaulter Jenn Stuczynski won a silver medal at the Olympics with a jump of 15-feet-nine- inches. She lost to Russian Elena Isinbayeva who broke the world record with a vault of just over 16-and-a-half feet. Stuczynski grew up in Fredonia and now lives in Riga in Monroe County and practices at Roberts Wesleyan College outside Rochester. Family and friends in Fredonia raised money so some of her family could be in China to watch her compete. Other family members, including younger brother Matt, tried to watch live on the Web.

Jenn Wins Silver

Western New York pole vaulter Jenn Stuczynski won a silver medal at the Olympics with a jump of 15-feet-nine- inches. She lost to Russian Elena Isinbayeva who broke the world record with a vault of just over 16-and-a-half feet. Stuczynski grew up in Fredonia and now lives in Riga in Monroe County and practices at Roberts Wesleyan College outside Rochester. Family and friends in Fredonia raised money so some of her family could be in China to watch her compete. Other family members, including younger brother Matt, tried to watch live on the Web.

Back in Session in Albany

State legislators are back in Albany for a special session starting today, to deal with a projected six-billion-dollar budget deficit. Governor Paterson wants lawmakers to immediately cut 600-million dollars in spending. According to published reports, both sides have already agreed to between 175 and 250-thousand dollars in cuts, with a cap on property tax increases the hot topic of discussion.

Jenn Wins Silver in Beijing

Olympics Fans are celebrating from Fredonia to Rochester and beyond today as Jenn Stuczynski has won a Silver Medal in Beijing. Stuczynski completed four jumps in Women's Pole Vault with a top height on 15-9. Russian Yelena Isinbayeva broke her own world record at 16' 6 3/4 to repeat as Gold Medalist.

Body Found in Lockport

On Sunday, while Lockport Police Detectives were interviewing friends and family members of missing concertgoer Jonathon Verity, his body was discovered by a family member. The 21-year-old's body was found on the south side of the New York State Canal Gorge behind 77 Main Street in Lockport. Verity had been out on Friday night at the REO Speedwagon concert in the City Center. and was last seen at 12:30 Saturday morning outside of the Taboo Bar. Crime scene investigators say Verity fell from an unprotected earth ledge that is not open to the public. Investigation shows he fell about 60 feet straight down.

Body Found in Lockport

On Sunday, while Lockport Police Detectives were interviewing friends and family members of missing concertgoer Jonathon Verity, his body was discovered by a family member. The 21-year-old's body was found on the south side of the New York State Canal Gorge behind 77 Main Street in Lockport. Verity had been out on Friday night at the REO Speedwagon concert in the City Center. and was last seen at 12:30 Saturday morning outside of the Taboo Bar. Crime scene investigators say Verity fell from an unprotected earth ledge that is not open to the public. Investigation shows he fell about 60 feet straight down.

Amherst Fire Causes Significant Damage

The Main-Transit Fire Department had to call for extra help to battle a blaze at The Lion's Mane hair salon yesterday. The early morning fire caused about a half-million dollars in damage to the salon and four apartments above it on Melrose Road. A woman living in one of the apartments called the fire department after being awakened by the smell of smoke. The cause is under investigation.

Collins Stays Out of Downsizing Debates

Erie County Executive Chris Collins says he is not going to take a stand on recent initiatives to downsize local governments. Activist Kevin Gaughan has been pushing for villages to be absorbed into their surrounding towns and, for town boards to cut back on their number of members. Collins says he is going to concentrate on reorganizing and better focusing county government instead.

McKinley Principal Wants Board Member Ousted

After last year's controversies at McKinley High School over the firing of a volunteer women's basketball coach and the seven-week suspension of a student, now principal Crystal Barton wants a member of the Board of Education fired. Barton has asked the State Education Commissioner to remove Ralph Hernandez from the school board. She says the board's actions against her last year led to harassing phone calls and death threats. Hernandez responded with Donahue and Moore this morning on WECK.