New Lights for Peace Bridge

The Peace Bridge is in for a total relighting, with about 300 new fixtures planned to be in place by Christmas. The new lights are designed to save money, provide better security, and a fresh, color-coordinated look for the 60-year-old bridge.

Fatal Accident on the 33

A fatal accident on the Kensington overnight: a driver lost control of his vehicle and hit several guardrails before slamming into a wall near the Bailey-Clinton exit of the Kensington. The car burst into flames; the male driver was rushed to ECMC, where he later died.

Konst Contests Charges

Democratic State Senate candidate Kathy Konst is accused of voting twice in the 1998 election, once in in Erie County and once in Palm Beach County, Florida where she and her husband used to live. Konst claims the Florida election documents are fakes, since she didn't live in Florida at the time. She blames the campaign of her Republican opponent Dale Volker.

Accident Cause Power Outage in S Bflo

Several hundred homes and businesses in South Buffalo lost power this morning, after a crane cab carrying a worker got became entangled in cables and snapped two utility poles on Southside Parkway. Crews got the worker out safely. Some homes and businesses might be without power until about 9 tonight.

Channels Off Cable

Channels 4 and 23 have gone dark on Time Warner Cable. The midnight Thursday deadline passed without a deal between LIN-TV and TWC to keep the stations on-air. LIN TV wants to be compensated allowing the stations to be carried on cable. Time Warner believes it shouldn't have to pay for channels available over-the-air for free. TWC Spokeswoman Robin Wolfgang says the situation is a lose-lose.

Free Dental Screenings Available

It's Healthy Smile Week next week, and the U-B Dental School is teaming with Women's & Children's Hospital and 35 local dental offices to offer free and low-cost dental screenings for children. The program is in response to state legislation requiring schools to ask parents of children entering kindergarten, second, fourth, seventh, and tenth grades to provide a certificate verifying dental screening. For a list of participating dentists go to www.sdm.buffalo.edu/outreach.

City Mission Seeks Supplies

Wanted, three-thousand turkeys and 350 pies for needy families over Thanksgiving. The Buffalo City Mission is looking for donations so it can start preparing thousands of dinners for homebound families and seniors. The Mission's Turkey Express program is in addition to hundreds of dinners that will be served at the shelter. Items can be dropped off between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. at the Mission's Men Community Center, 100 East Tupper Street.

State Looking at Outsourcing some Operations

Governor Paterson has assembled a commission to study public/private partnerships during the State's fiscal crisis. Over the next 180 days, the commission will study a range of long-term partnerships to maximize assets throughout the state. Commission Chairwoman Charlotte Hitchcock says the process is not about outsourcing or selling off the state's assets.
Currently, the state benefits from a partnership with the Maid of the Mist Corp. In the 40-year contract, the state leases the observation tower in Niagara Falls to Maid of the Mist, which takes care of hiring employees and maintainence.

County Behind in Road Project Payments

Erie County is reportedly behind on payments to companies involved in road-repair projects including the Freeman Road Bridge in Orchard Park, Wehrle Drive in Williamsville, and Tonawanda Creek Road. Comptroller Mark Poloncarz says two million dollars in payments have been held up, because there's no money for capital projects despite this week's 75-million dollar loan. Poloncarz says the loan money must be used for day-to-day operations. County Executive Collins is at odds with Poloncarz, saying that the companies should be paid so the road projects can stay on track. The County Control Board might have to break the tie. Board Executive Director Ken Vetter says the loan money can be used in a number of ways.

Lost Luggage Shuts Down Lackawanna P.O.

A lost suitcase shut down the Lackawanna post office on Ridge Road yesterday. Police and federal agents responded after a customer spotted the abandoned luggage in the lobby. Another customer turned up to claim the bag a few minutes later.

jamestown Death Now Ruled a Murder

Jamestown police say the suspicious death of a woman is now being investigated as a murder. Authorities identified the body as 24-year-old Dana Cowart. She was found in a burned-out building on East Fifth Street.

City Selling, Demolishing Homes

A big real estate sale at the Buffalo Niagara Convention Center in October: The city of Buffalo will have several thousand parcels, including vacant lots to houses and some commercial properties, being sold because of back taxes. The auction October 20th through 22nd. Court orders extending payment plans to prevent houses from going into foreclosure are available through Buffalo's Department of Law and the city's Department of Assessment and Taxation. Vacant and dilapidated housing continues to come down, today on Koons Avenue. HUD Field Office Head Steve Banko says the city needs to streamline the process.

Konst Loses Second Ballot Line

Kathy Konst has lost her bid to claim a second line on the November ballot. A State Supreme Court judge decided that Konst did not have enough valid voter signatures on her nominating petition for the Integrity Party line. Konst remains on the Democratic Party line to face off against Dale Volker. Konst says the challenge to her petitions shows the GOP's "desperation" in trying to maintain their one-seat control of the State Senate. She says she wanted to give registered Republicans the option of voting the Democratic line or an alternative.

Bucky Phillips Plans Appeal

Attorneys for "Bucky" Phillips are moving forward with an appeal of his conviction for killing a state trooper during the largest manhunt in New York history. Phillips now claims he pleaded guilty because he received bad advice from a court-appointed lawyer. His current attorneys will ask that the convictions be overturned in a hearing on October 20th, so Phillips can stand trial. Phillips was sentenced in late 2006 to life in prison.

Deadlock in Murder Trial

On the second day of deliberations, the jury came back deadlocked, a mistrial has been declared in the Robin Kalinowski case. The woman was being tried for the death of her sleeping husband in November of 2005. She claims the shooting was an accident as she was moving one of his hunting rifles off the bed in an unlit bedroom. The judge spoke with prosecution and defense to see when a new trial could be scheduled.

Raiders Can Kiffin

Facing the Bills is turning out to be bad for NFL coaches, as the last two teams the Bills beat have now axed their head men. ESPN reports the Oakland Raiders have canned Lane Kiffin. Yesterday the Rams replaced Scott Linehan with former Bill Jim Haslett.

Broadway Market Management Disbands

The Broadway Market may be headed into a new era after it's management board decided to disband yesterday. Mayor Byron Brown appeared on WECK's Good Morning Buffalo, and said the city is ready to go in a different direction. Common Council President David Franczyk says he'll file a resolution to create a transitional advisory board for the Market, and that a new non-profit management group will take over November 1st.

Alleged Serial Robber Arrested

Police believe they have the man responsible for a series of robberies across the area. After a chase this morning, Cheektowaga cops nabbed 36-year-old Brian Stauffer just before 9:30 on the I-90 near William Street. The chase and arrest tied up traffic on the Thruway during the late morning commute.

Bucky Phillps Appeal Pending

"Bucky" Phillips' attorney will appeal his conviction for killing a state trooper during the largest manhunt in state history. Phillips claims he pleaded guilty because he got bad advice from a court-appointed lawyer. His current attorneys will ask for the convictions to be overturned so he can stand trial.

State STAR Rebates Start

Check your mailbox for a few extra bucks from the state. Rebate checks are being mailed out starting this week to homeowners who qualify for the 2008 Middle Class STAR Rebate program. More than one-point-one billion dollars is expected to be turned back to taxpayers by the end of October.

Gowanda Officer Shot, Suspect Sought

A Gowanda police officer was shot Friday night. 34-year-old Jason Miller was wounded in the rib cage, but was protected by his bulletproof vest. Miller had pulled over to talk to a man walking along East Hill Street in Gowanda, when the man fled into the woods. Officer Miller gave chase, then the man turned around and fired.

290 Crash Kills Two Drivers

A two-car crash early Sunday killed two people on the 290 in the Town of Tonawanda. The victims were identified as 30-year old Justin Martin of Cheektowaga and 38-year old Debra Richards of Youngstown. Police say Martin was driving the wrong way, but don't know yet if alcohol was involved.

Amherst, Tonawanda Schools on Alert after Stranger Danger Cases

Amherst and Tonawanda schools have followed up on two reports of motorists offering rides to middle school students. The districts are now on alert after incidents last Tuesday within a couple of hours of each other. Descriptions of the driver and the vehicle were similar in each case.

Broadway Market Board Disbands

The Broadway Market Management Board decided today to disband and turn the 120-year old landmark over to the city. Mayor Brown and Common Council President David Franczyk had repeatedly called for new management; now it looks like they will get their wish. Executive Director Richard Fronczak (no relation) said the board's vote reflected frustration with political interference from City Hall.