Amherst Cops Investigate Possible Abductions

A report Monday morning that a man tried to grab a mother who had just put her kids on a school bus on Twilight Lane now is being described by police as a misunderstanding. Police in Amherst are still concerned about other reports of possible attempted abductions. Monday night a teenager was approached by a man on North Brier, and a similar incident happened Tuesday afternoon on Vine Lane.

HSBC Says Cuts Won't Affect Buffalo

HSBC Holdings, the parent of HSBC USA, has announced that it will cut eleven-hundred jobs worldwide. The company says the cuts will not impact any of HSBC's Buffalo-area employees.

Suspect Shot in Police Chase ID'd

Buffalo Police have identified the suspect shot by an officer during a chase Wednesday night as 20-year-old Lamont Williams. Williams was hit in the lower back, and is in serious condition at ECMC. Some neighbors questioned the shooting, but Commissioner Mac Gipson does not.

Lackawanna Councilwoman Stiffs Court

A judge has issued a warrant against a Lackawanna councilwoman convicted of building code violations. Andrea Haxton had been found guilty of a number of violations at her property on Ridge Road. Neither her nor her attorney showed up for sentencing.

Parrish Out after Thumb Surgery

Bills punt returner and receiver Roscoe Parrish is out for the next four to six weeks. Parrish underwent surgery on his thumb Tuesday night after it was injured in the game Sunday against Oakland. Team doctors said he needed the surgery right away or he could have missed the entire season. They hope to have him back by the New England game on November 9th.

Collins Leads Charge Against Mandates

Erie County is joining other upstate counties in a commission to handle state mandates that make up about half of their budgets. County executives including Chris Collins say they want solutions in place before Albany makes any more cuts or shifts more problems onto the counties.

More Details on Abandoned Baby Case

The attorney for 19-year-old Alecia Zebrun spoke with reporters yesterday. Bob Convissar confirmed that the newborn baby put into a shoebox and dumped in a garbage tote had been dressed in doll's clothing. He claims his client did not realize that she was pregnant until she gave birth and then panicked. The case will now go to a grand jury. City officials are stepping up the Safe Haven program. Under New York State law a baby can be dropped off at a number of locations including police and fire stations with no questions asked.

West Seneca Petition Overturned

The Erie County Board of Elections has ruled against Kevin Gaughan and regionalism supporters in their effort to downsize West Seneca's Town Board. A petition challenge by West Seneca resident Daniel Warren was upheld, and over 4,300 signatures have beeen invalidated. Why? An apparent inconsistency in the language of the petition, which stated that the reductions would begin in 2012. However, if the measure were to pass, two board seat elections could not be held next year, since those terms would carry past 2012. In effect this would cause the downsizing to start in 2010. Gaughan says he will appeal.

Broadway Market Tenants Meet

The fate of the Broadway Market hangs in the balance this week as management and tenants try to work out a new strategy to stay afloat. Market retailers met last night to discuss ways to increase patronage at other times of year besides Easter when the Market bustles. Mayor Brown recently proposed a change in Market management, and the city signed a lease with a new anchor tenant, a check-cashing company.

East Side Homicide Tuesday Night

Buffalo's latest homicide happened last night on Eller Avenue in the Schiller Park neighborhood. The 18-year-old male victim was shot once, rushed to ECMC, and pronounced dead on arrival. Police say two black males fled from the scene. If you have information, call the confidential tip line at 847-2255.

UB President Blasts Albany

UB President John Simpson blasting Albany today over cuts in higher education. He called for state reforms to help grow UB into a bigger economic engine for the Buffalo region. The UB 2020 initiative proposed by Simpson includes a plan to grow University enrollment by up to 40 percent over 15 years.

Mayor Announces Aud Auction, West Side Rebuild

This morning, Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown announced plans for the long-awaited Aud auction. Mayor Brown joined representatives from Showcase Sports Marketing at City Hall to talk about the planned event to auction Aud seats and boards in November. The mayor also announced that the city will work to renovate six homes on the West Side. The million-dollar project will be a partnership with HomeFront Inc. to rebuild houses on 19th Street.

Sabres Drop Preseason Opener

Hockey's Here! The Toronto Maple Leafs beat the Sabres 7-4 in the preseason opener at the Air Canada Centre. Marek Zagrapan, Philip Gogulla, Mark Mancari and Jochen Hecht had the goals for Buffalo.

Seneca Official Resigns in Golf Course Case

Two weeks ago the FBI raided an attorney's office to investigate missing money from a Seneca land purchase to build a new golf course in Lewiston. Seneca Gaming Commission vice chairman Bergal Mitchell the Third has now submitted his resignation, and it was accepted. Authorities are looking for between 500 and 900-thousand dollars that they believe may have been skimmed.

Fatal Crash after Bills Game

Police say a day of drinking at the Bills game Sunday contributed to a fatal accident on Sunday night in Lewiston. 25-year-old Mathew Marin of Sanborn was killed after being ejected from the vehicle he was riding in on Dickersonville Road. The car, driven by 22-year-old Ryan Gath of North Tonawanda, hit a tree and flipped over. Gath has been charged with D-W-I and speeding. He and two females in the car suffered minor injuries.

Bail Revoked for Morder Suspect

A million dollars bail set for Salvatore Vacanti has been revoked after prosecutors labeled the murder defendant as a major drug dealer and flight risk. Vacanti had pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder in the fatal shooting of ex-convict Monty Massimi last year.

Teen Arrested in Newborn's Death

Buffalo Police have tracked down and arrested a Lackawanna woman, saying she dumped her newborn into a trash tote near the Botanical Gardens. 19-year-old Alicia Zebrun has been charged with second-degree murder after an exhaustive police search. Zebrun was taken to ECMC for evaluation. She was found after authorities contacted the company named on the shoe box the baby was found in. The shoes were a special industrial make not commonly available.

Bisons Officially Allied with Mets

The Bisons made it official this morning, signing an agreement that makes the New York Mets the Herd's new parent team. Mets management was in town today to announce the deal, and Bisons owner Bob Rich is happy with the change from Cleveland.

Bills Win Ugly in Last Second

It was ugly, but it was a win. The Buffalo Bills fought back and with just three seconds left on the clock, Rian Lindell hit a 38-year field goal for a 24-23 win over the Oakland Raiders. QB Trent Edwards said it was a tough test, especially early. It is the first time since 1992 that the Bills have started the season off with three wins in a row. At halftime of the game, former defensive end Bruce Smith had his name added to the Bills' Wall of Fame.

Two Children Die in Fredonia Fire

A three-alarm fire around 4 in the morning on Sunday took the lives of two children in Fredonia. Two parents and one child managed to escape from the flames at 160 Water Street, but two children could not get out. Their names have not been released yet. Firefighters from Fredonia, Dunkirk and Brocton were called to the scene.

State Leaders Ponder Economic Crisis

Another down day for the Dow, as reaction continues to come in on the country's financial crisis/ Governor David Paterson was in Buffalo today, and said that state government is considering all options, include another special session in Albany. U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer says the President's proposed bailout to buy up bad mortgage investments will need transparency and oversight to make sure the money is spent in a fair way. Appearing on Fox News Sunday, Schumer also says the money in the 700-billion dollar plan must be spent without favoritism.