Old House to be New Home of Community Group

A 154-year-old former farmhouse, the oldest residence in Buffalo's Hamlin Park neighborhood, is one step closer to rebirth, as the city will put the final phase of its restoration up for bids. Sometime next year, the home at 60 Hedley Place will became the headquarters of the Hamlin Park Taxpayers & Community Association. The group will establish a museum and community meeting room inside the building.

Buffalo Teachers' Aide Resigns

The Futures Academy teacher's aide who threw a seventh grader into a wall will not serve jail time. Forty-four-year-old James Wilson pleaded guilty to reduced child endangerment charges, and resigned from his job. Wilson will also have to pay court fees and perform 50 hours of community service. The judge in the case issued an order of protection to the child that Wilson assaulted. If that order os violated Wilson would face a year in jail.

2007 Murder Suspect Arrested

A Tonawanda man accused of a 2007 murder in Buffalo is under arrest. Twenty-four-year-old Salvatore Vacanti was taken into custody today and charged with second-degree murder. Authorities say that Vacanti gunned down Monty Massimi as he was getting into a car on Kenmore Avenue.

Soldier's Body Brought Back to WNY

A local soldier who died in Iraq has been brought home for final rest. Private First Class Patrick May was killed earlier this month in a non-combat injury near Baghdad. May's body was returned to an East Aurora funeral home yesterday. Funeral services are planned for the Jamestown native this coming Saturday.

Fugitive Found in Chautauqua County

Chautauqua County Sheriff Jospeh Gerace personally apprehended 19-year-old Daniel Hyers of the Town of Villenova. Authorities believe he shot and killed his stepfather. A man was spotted fitting the description Hyers' description walking along Butcher Road early Wednesday. Gerace arrested him without incident just after 10am. Hyers is expected to be arraigned today on murder charges.

Primary Results

At least one significant surprise on Primary Day as Alice Kryzan beat Jack Davis and Jon Powers to win the Democratic nod to replace Tom Reynolds. She'll now face Republican Chris Lee in November. State Senator Dale Volker defeated Challenger David DiPietro in his Republican primary race for re-election. On the Democratic side, Kathy Konst defeated Timothy Pawarski. In another State Senate primary, Democrat Joe Mesi defeated Michele Iannello and Daniel Ward, for a spot on the November ticket against Republican Michael Ranzenhofer. In the Assembly, Sam Hoyt is the winner over Barbra Kavanaugh in a nasty Democratic campaign that included Hoyt's admission of maarital infidelity. However, Michael Cole was censured for improper conduct with an intern, and lost to Jane Corwin. And in the Erie County D-A race, Frank Sedita beat Kenneth Case and Diane LaVallee. LaVallee is also running unopposed as a Republican.

West Seneca Downsizing Challenged

The West Seneca downsizing saga continues: a town resident has filed a legal objection to a pending petition that would reduce the West Seneca Board from five to three members. Dan Warren alleges that the petition says downsizing would start in 2012, but that it would actually begin in 2010. If this inconsistency is confirmed, a judge could say the signatures aren't valid and all new ones would have to be collected.

Chef's Drive-Through Approved

Chef's Restaurant on Seneca and Chicago Streets got approval this morning for a half-million dollar expansion and a new drive through-window. The Italian eatery will see construction start in October, and be finished by the end of February.

Pot Ashes Cause Fire at Medaille

A 19-year-old student at Medaille College student is accused of starting a dorm fire by emptying hot marijuana ashes into a garbage can. Sean Burns of Prattsburgh, New York faces arson charges, after the fire Monday triggered the building's sprinkler system and caused $200,000 in damage.

Hamburg Man Fined in Harassment Case

A judge has ordered landlord Gerald Meyerhoeffer of Hamburg to pay 110-thousand-dollars in damages to a working mother with a teenage son. They had rented a mobile home partially owned by Meyerhoefer. He was charged with making unwelcome sexual advances towards the woman. She filed a complaint that was investigated by the New York State Division of Human Rights.

Primary Day!

It's Primary Day in Western New York...Polls are open through 9 tonight. One of the most contested races is East Aurora businessman David DiPietro's bid to unseat veteran legislator Dale Volker in the State Senate. DiPietro says the time has come for a change, while Volker says his efforts deserve another term.

Business First Lists Top Elementary Schools

Business First Newspaper has released its listing of the best elementary schools. The top school again this year is the Smallwood Drive School in Amherst. The first Buffalo city school on the list is Frederick Law Olmstead School Number 64 which ranked 24th. The entire list of schools can be found at buffalo.bizjournal.com.

Bills Fans Celebrate Big Win with Few Problems

The Bills instituted new fan behavior guidelines last week, and security was not a concern at Sunday's game at Ralph Wilson Stadium The Bills beating the Seahawks 34-10, and the Erie County Sheriff's Department reported no unusual problems with fans. Sheriff Tim Howard says there are no major policy changes this season. There were 24 arrests and 64 ejections, which are about average for a game. The Bills used a game-day hotline number, 312-8933, that fans could call during the game to report any problems.

UB Student Jumped and Beaten

A University at Buffalo student, John Ojeda, is in fair condition at ECMC after being asssaulted over the weekend just a few blocks from the south campus. Neighbors heard screaming coming from Custer Street just off Main. When police arrived they found Ojeda unconscious on the sidewalk. The beating follows two separate rapes that were reported on the campus in the last week.

Lackawanna Woman Missing

Lackawanna Police have joined the search for 21-year-old Etidal Abdullah, who disappeared from the parking lot at Sav-A-Lot store on Abbott Road Friday afternoon. Abdullah is a sophomore at Trocaire College. Her family is worried that she may have been kidnapped, and are offering a 15-thousand-dollar reward for information leading to her safe return.