Three-Million Dollar Home Sale Sets Record

Who says the real estate market's hurting? A new local high-water mark was set with the three-million dollar sale of a 15,000 square-foot home on Boston State Road. The sale price shatters the old record of one-point-four million set for a sale on Old Lake Shore Road in Evans.

Market, Mayor at Odds over Auction

The dispute between Broadway Market management and the city continues. The Market board says it will auction off everything possible before handing the landmark over to the city at the end of the month. Mayor Brown will have an announcement about the situation this afternoon.

Election Fraud Alleged

The Erie County Board of Elections is investigating a possible case of election fraud. Democratic operative Steve Pigeon's "Citizens for Fiscal Integrity" group is accused of laundering thousands of dollars from Sabres owner Tom Golisano's political action committee and others. Board Commissioner Ralph Mohr wants a criminal investigation.

Falls Loan Case Headed to Grand Jury

A case involving former Niagara Falls mayor Vincent Anello and developer "Smokin' Joe" Anderson is headed to a grand jury. At issue is an interest-free, 40-thousand dollar loan Anello received from Anderson, which Anello says was used to meet payroll for his private business. There are allegations that Smokin' Joe received preferential treatment regarding downtown properties he operated.

NFTA Fare Hikes Coming?

The NFTA board votes today on fare hikes for Metro Bus and rail riders. If approved, the cost of a one-way trip would rise from 1-50 to 1-75, starting January 1st. Officials say ridership is up, largely because of the cost of gas, but the increases are stil needed to close a three-million dollar budget gap.

County Fees Rise in Proposed Budget

Also going up: fees for a variety of county services, from park shelter rentals, to rounds of golf and health clinic visits. It's all part of County Executive Chris Collins' proposed 2009 budget. For example, the cost of an annual county golf pass would go up from 350 to 380 dollars next year. The budget also includes a proposed three-point-six percent property tax hike.
County Legislators began sifting through the budget yesterday. Michelle Ianello says the final word on budget cuts will come from Collins himself.

East Side Halfway House Rejected

Plans for a halfway house in a former East Side rectory have been squashed by the Buffalo Zoning Board. In a unanimous vote yesterday, the board turned down Cephas' bid to convert the Saints Peter and Paul Church rectory at Clinton and Smith Streets into housing for up to eight ex-cons at a time. Neighbors had objected strongly to the proposal.

Ford Buyouts for Woodlawn Workers

Ford is is offering buyouts to workers at its stamping plant in Woodlawn. UAW officials have confirmed that 900 union members will soon be approached with offers. The union is confident about the future of the plant itself, saying business is strong. The plant on Route 5 makes parts for the Ford Edge and Flex and two Lincoln models.

Senecas Vow to Keep Casino

The Seneca Nation said yesterday it has requested a new gaming ordinance from the National Indian Gaming Commission, for permission to run a downtown Buffalo casino. Citizens for a Better Buffalo went back to court to demand enforcement of a judge's August ruling that gambling there was illegal. The anti-casino group filed papers to force the NIGC to shutdown the Buffalo Creek facility. The Seneca Nation has said it will appeal the judge's ruling. The deadline for that is October 27th.

Park Lane Demolition Set

The building that housed the famous Park Lane Restaurant on Gates Circle will come down a bit sooner than planned. A 23-story condo tower will replace it. Uniland Development had originally put off demolition until new construction was set to begin, but now will get a jump on the project by clearing the property before year's end.

Low-Speed Car-Train Accident

A car-train accident in the Town of Tonawanda left the female driver unhurt, but charged with DWI. The collision came on Kenmore Avenue near the CSX rail yard. Police said the train was moving at only five miles-per-hour.

Three City Shootings Within an Hour

Buffalo Police are investigating a series of three shootings, one fatal, within an hour of each other last night. The first happened about 8:25 p.m. on Wohlers Avenue, where a 22-year-old male was shot in the chest. The victim was transported to ECMC where he later died. The other shootings occurred on Dignity Lane and Dewey Avenue. Those victims are expected to recover.

Arrest in Hamburg Hit & Run

Hamburg Police have arrested an attorney from Orchard Park in connection with the hit-and-run accident that killed a 19-year-old Hilbert College student. 41-year-old John Duffy was charged with leaving the scene of a fatal accident. Scott Kashino from Hamburg Police says that a camera at a nearby restaurant caught Duffy's SUV on tape:

M&T Bank Profits Fall

M&T Bank announced third-quarter earnings today, and it wasn't pretty. The Buffalo-based bank said that profits fell 54.3 percent, after losses in its holdings of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac stock offset otherwise stable revenues. M&T lost 94 percent in its investments in the mortgage giants recently seized by the federal government.

Farewell Old Friend

One last look around Memorial Auditorium, before they tear it down....Hometown media and dignitaries were allowed in today before the final demolition project. An auction of Aud seats and boards is set for November, and the building should be down by May.

Lancaster Teen Found Dead in Car

Lancaster Police are investigating the death of a 17-year-old found in his parked car on the street with the engine running. The Erie County Medical Examiner found possible signs of carbon monoxide in Kyle Stablewski's systems, but no definitive cause of death has been given. Stablewski attended a house party on Gale Drive early Sunday morning, and investigators say they'll interview everyone who attended the party. They will also check Stablewski's car for possible C-O leaks.

West Seneca Downsizing Vote Coming

Just two weeks after the November 4th general election, West Seneca residents will be asked to visit the polls again. Town Board member Vincent Graber announced that a special election on downsizing the town government will take place November 17th. However, the Board is appealing the timing of the extra vote, asking that it be moved to May. A judge had ruled in favor of regionalism advocate Kevin Gaughan's petition that a referendum be held to decide this volatile issue.

West Seneca Board Downsizing

The West Seneca Town Board meets tonight, after losing a second round in court trying to prevent a referendum on reducing its size from five to three. The board might choose a date for the vote, or decide to challenge the proposition a third time.

NT Blaze Destroys Building

Firefighters spent hours battling a massive blaze at the International Fiber plant on Tonawanda Island Sunday. A thick plume of black smoke could be seen from the 190 all the way back to downtown Buffalo. The plant is likely to be declared a total loss. Company officials and North Tonawanda officials plan to work together to keep the business open.

Foreclosure Auctions Begin in City

Buffalo's annual foreclosure auction is going on at the Convention Center. More than 3,000 properties will go on the block between now and Wednesday. You can get details at http://www.ci.buffalo.ny.us/. Winning bids require a 20 percent down payment, or or $500, whichever is greater, with the balance due by December 12th.

DWI Arrests After Game

A six-time DWI offender was arrested again yesterday after the Bills game. Forty-one-year-old Mark Bishop of Lancaster was one of the first to be arrested during a countywide DWI sweep. He could face more charges, as a child was in the car with him as well. The Erie County Sheriff's office generally patrols the stadium before, during and after home games, but state police began increasing activity since two games prior to yesterday's.

Bills Provide Own Power vs. Chargers

Fans on hand at the Ralph were generally thrilled with the Bills big win yesterday, but you can't blame fans at home for being a bit frustrated. Power went out several times at Ralph Wilson Stadium, reportedly caused by a cluster of metallic helium balloons that flew into a power line nearby. The balloons apparently acted as conductors and fused multiple lines together. There were several delays inside the stadium, and fans did without the scoreboard, replays and other amenities for a good chunk of the game. But it was worse for viewers, even those with rabbit ears, as the CBS-TV feed disappeared for most of the first half and part of the second.