UB Wins Big in Debut

The debut of U-B College Football on WECK Radio last night was a success in every aspect, as the Bulls routed the U-TEP Miners 42-17! Drew Willy threw for 221 yards and four touchdowns, including two hookups with Namaan Roosevelt. Willy extended his streak to 251 consecutive pass attempts without an interception, the longest run in the nation. James Starks ran for 179 yards in the win for Buffalo. Texas-El Paso QB Trevor Vittatoe was intercepted three times.

Buffalo Barbershop Shooting

A barbershop shooting last night at Main and Fillmore is being investigated. Police say an employee of Elite Hair Creations was shot in the eye while standing in the doorway. He was taken to ECMC. It is not believed he was the intended target.

Attempted Rape on West Side

Police are searching for a man suspected of an attempted rape on the West Side. The man was reportedly sent by a landlord Thursday afternoon to do repair work in an apartment on West Ferry. The repairman allegedly came up behind the 47-year-old tenant and molested her. The victim fought off her assailant, who fled. The attacker is described as a Hispanic man, early 50s, 5 feet 6 with a thin build and greying hair, driving a green minivan.

Cafeteria Worker Hours Reduced in Falls Schools

School districts across Western New York are tightening their belts as the new school year begins: another example in the Falls, where school lunch prices aren't increasing, but the hours of some school lunch workers are decreasing. The Niagara Falls School District is reducing shift lengths for about a dozen cafeteria employees, from five 1/2 to three hours, which also makes them ineligible for costly health insurance. The changes were negotiated with the local union.

Wilson Charges may be Reduced

Attorneys for two of the Wilson High School students facing charges in for alleged hazing incident aboard their baseball team bus, expect those charges to be reduced. Lawyers for the two 16-year-old boys believe there may not be enough evidence to sustain the most serious charges against their clients.

Ground Collapsing near 219 Project

Madaline Koliwaske's home on Scoby Hill Road near the 219 is no longer habitable after the state DOT's construction project caused the ground around her property to fall apart. New York is helping her move into a temporary location, and will help her find a new residence to replace her home of 51 years. Erie County Legislator Kathy Konst, who is running for State Senate, is calling for a halt to the project.

Teen Pleads Guilty to Murder Conspiracy

A Buffalo teen was sentenced to five years in prison for conspiring to kill the girl that was pregnant with twins he fathered. 17-year-old William Stewart, of Nevada Avenue, a former Buffalo high school football star, pleaded guilty in July to an attempted murder charge . The gunman, Terrence Martinelli of Minnesota Avenue, was sentenced August 11 to 8 years in prison after a guilty plea to first-degree attempted assault.

Two Wounded in Walden-Baily Shooting

Two men were shot Wednesday night in the Walden-Bailey area. Charles Fredrick, 33, of Mayville, was hit in the calf, and listed in stable condition at ECMC. Sigfredo Martinez, 36, of Cattaraugus, was listed in fair condition with a wound to his police reported. Police said Martinez was robbed of his wallet.

Security Stepped up at Buff State

Security at Buffalo State College has been stepped up after a female student said a man grabbed her from behind and groped her before being scared off by a passing car. The attack came Tuesday night on Iroquois Drive behind the Moore Housing Complex, near the Scajaquada. The freshman student was checked out at a local hospital. Campus police are reminding students to walk in pairs at night and to take advantage of the campus escort service and shuttle vans.

Casino Construction Halted

Construction on the permanent downtown casino has been suspended. The Senecas have also stopped work on a 130-million dollar expansion of their casino in Salamanca. The stop-work order went out a day after a federal judge reaffirmed his decision that gambling on the Buffalo site was illegal. Attorneys for the Senecas say that is not what has halted the work. They say a downturn in the gambling industry based on the struggling economy is to blame. Opponents of casino gambling see the halt in construction as a positive move.

NT Concert May be Back On

The organizer of North Tonawanda's Saturday concert series has gotten its beer sales permit back, and is now trying to produce an all-day concert in Gateway Harbor Park this weekend. Promoter Vince Lesh is working to assemble acts on short notice. Lesh has said he's not sure if the Saturday show will happen, but we should know by tomorrow. Stay tuned...

City Now 3rd Poorest

The latest U.S. Census figures now say that Buffalo is 3rd poorest large city in the nation, behind Detroit and Cleveland. 28.7 percent of the city's population is living in poverty. That's down from 2006, when the poverty rate was 29.9 percent. Buffalo Deputy Mayor Donna Brown says the city is showing improvement.

Teen Victims in East Side Shooting

A 14-year-old girl was killed and a 13- year-old boy was wounded after a shooting during an argument on Hagen Street. The shooting occurred at about 8:30 p. m. in the 200 block of Hagen — off East Delavan Avenue and just around the corner from where two teenagers were gunned down last year. 16-year-old Devonce Johnson, the brother of the wounded boy, and rushed to the aid of the girl.

Reaction to Judge's Ruling

Fallout continues today from yesterday's re-affirmation by Federal Judge William Skretny that the Seneca Casino in downtown Buffalo is illegal. The judge directed the National Indian Gaming Commission to take action, but so far the the temporary casino stays open. The Senecas expect that the judge's ruling will be appealed by the U.S. Justice Department.

Kidman Story Probably a Hoax

This weekend's story, quoting Nicole Kidman in support of Studio Arena Theatre, now appears to be a tall tale. The original on-line report contained an quote, attributed to Kidman, that appears to have been copied word-for-word from a statement made last month by Studio Arena managing director Iain Campbell. Kidman's publicist called the web story "highly suspect."

Suicide of Ex-Marilla Official Reported

Marilla's former highway superintendent is now dead in an apparent suicide, just hours after he was sentenced in a corruption case. David Pierce was found in the bed of his pickup, parked near his family's farm. Pierce had been sentenced earlier yesterday for thefts committed while he with the town. Erie County Sheriffs said he died from a gunshot wound to the head.

Body ID'd as Magdalena's

The Erie County Medical Examiner has positively identified the female body recovered Saturday from the Niagara River, as that of 12-year-old Magdalena Lubowska. Lubowska was on a hiking trip with a Polish heritage group on August 13th when she slipped into the river.

Judge Directs Feds to Act in Casino Case

The latest ruling in the downtown casino case came down today. Judge William Skretny has directed the federal governnment to take action on his July decision that gambling is illegal at the Seneca site. Attorney Neil Murray says that casino opposition group Citizens for a Better Buffalo is already planning its next move. Skretny did not directly order the Senecas to shut down their temporary facility. Mayor Byron Brown stated that the City of Buffalo remains committed to the project.

Kidman's Statements in Support of Studio Arena Questioned

Reports over the weekend said that actress Nicole Kidman told reporters in London that she has asked New York City's acting community to step up and help save the Studio Arena Theater. However, The Buffalo News is investigating the possibility that the statement attributed to Kidman may not have actually come from her. Kidman's publicity office has not yet been reached for comment; we'll keep an eye on this story. The Studio Arena is facing real financial problems, and had to end last season early while going through bankruptcy proceedings.

Project Starts on 700 Block of Main Street

Mayor Brown, Congressman Higgins, and Public Works Commisiioner Steve Stepniak were downtown this morning to kick off the reconstruction of Main Street's 700 block. The project will return two-way traffic to Main Street between Goodell and Tupper.

Funeral Set for Twin Brothers Killed in Crash

Family and friends are mourning twin brothers who were killed in one-car crash in West Seneca on Friday. Funeral arrangements are set for 17-year-old Mark and Thomas Sokolowski, about to start their senior years at West Seneca East High. Visitation will be today from 4-8pm at Melvin Sliwinski Funeral Home, 5090 Transit Road in Depew. The Funeral Mass will be tomorrow at 10am at Our Lady of Czestochowa Church, 2158 Clinton Street in Cheektowaga. The brothers will be buried at St. Stanislaus Cemetery in Cheektowaga.

Double Killing in North Buffalo

Buffalo Police are investigating a double homicide in the 300 block of Sanders Road in North Buffalo. A 26-year-old man and a 25-year-old woman were found shot to death. The couple's four-year-old son was somehow able to contacted relatives after the shootings. Relatives then called police. Police say it appears that the couple may have known their attacker, and that this may have been a targeted killing.

Wilson High Meeting on Hazing Tonight

Wilson High School is getting ready for the new school year, and will hold its annual meeting tonight. The main topic is expected to be that hazing incident last spring that left three baseball players in court and two coaches suspended. The incident was the subject of a documentary on ESPN over the weekend, and the accused players are scheduled to appear in court this Thursday.

Possible ID Coming in Niagara River Death

The Erie County Medical Examiner is expected to release information today on the identification of the female body found in the Niagara River Saturday morning. There is of course speculation that it is the body of 12-year-old Magdalena Lubowska of the Bronx, who slipped off a rock into the river two weeks ago. The girl had been attending a summer Polish Camp at a bed and breakfast in Niagara Falls when the accident occurred. The bed and breakfast is currently under investigation over its role in the incident.