UB Wins, Now Bowl-Eligible

The University of Buffalo Bulls came out on top of Akron, 43-40 after four overtimes Thursday night to claim their fourth consecutive victory. UB improves to 6-and-4, with a 4-and-2 record in the MAC, where they are now in first place in the East Division all by themselves. UB ended the game in the fourth overtime after a mishandled handoff by Akron gave A.J. Principe the opportunity for a 40-yard field goal.

http://www.weck1230.com/News/UBAkron.mp3

The Bulls ended the game with 476 total yards. UB is at Bowling Green next, the Friday after Thanksgiving.

Two Suspicious Fires in Lovejoy

Two fires in Buffalo's Lovejoy neighborhood last night, just blocks away from one another. A fire at Broadway and Ogden was already in progress when reports of another blaze on Reiman Street came in. That house was fully engulfed by the time firefighters arrived, with live power lines sparking nearby. No one was home and no one was injured in the Reiman Street blaze. The Reiman Street fire caused an estimated 70-thousand dollars in damages and the Broadway and Ogden fire caused a reported 35-thousand in damage. The Buffalo Fire Marshal's Office has ruled both blazes suspicious.

Buffalo School Board Considers Closings

The Buffalo Board of Education heard "emphatic and often eloquent requests" by a student and a board member, as well as numerous parents, to keep open two of five schools proposed to be closed. Poplar Academy, Community School 53, the Dr. Charles R. Drew Science Magnet-Zoo Site, Days Park Bilingual Early Childhood Center and Montessori School 78 are still slated to have their door closed for good. Community meetings will be held, and the board will make its final decision soon.

Aud Demolition May Need to be Renegotiated

On the weekend of the Aud auction at the Convention Center, The demolition of the building may have hit a snag: Ontario Specialty Contractors, the company that was selected to tear down the Aud to make was for a new Bass Pro store, is bringing up concerns about the price it can get for scrap metal that it removes from the building. President Jon Williams says the price of scrap has decreased dramatically, by about ten percent. Williams is also worried about whether dealers who would buy it could line up the credit needed to do so. There's no contract yet with the state agency in charge of the Inner Harbor project, Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation. Williams says he now wants to renegotiate. Mid-December would now be the earliest start date, compared to a late November date projected earlier, with demolition then completed by spring 2009. Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown hopes the demolition will stay on track.

Accomplice Pleads Guilty in Ex-Bill's Case

A man accused of assisting a former Bills player in a tax scheme pleaded guilty yesterday. 42-year-old Darryle Buckner accepted four counts including conspiracy. Buckner says that he and Holmes, now residents of Pasadena, California, helped four associates to file false tax returns. Charges against Holmes, who played fullback for the Bills from 1995-98, are still pending.

Parents Offer Reward for Son's Killer

The parents of a young murder victim are offering a reward for help in finding his killer. Sandra and Wilbert Green are looking for information that helps solve the killing of their 21-year-old son, Corey, shot to death last November while riding his bike on Walden Avenue near Academy Road.

Culturals Face Cuts in County Budget

Taxpayers confronted county lawmakers Wednesday night in an effort to get answers in Erie County's fiscal crisis. Among the casualties may be the Cornell Cooperative Extension, and the county 4H program, along with the Penn Dixie Center. County aid to Buffalo tourism is also set to see the ax. Arts and cultural venues also stand to lose all county funding, including Shakespeare in the Park, whose Lisa Ludwig appeared on Good Morning Buffalo today: http://www.weck1230.com/News/Ludwig.mp3

County Budget Hearing Tonight

The Erie County Legislature holds a public hearing tonight on the proposed 2009 budget. The session starts at 5 p.m. at Old County Hall. Potential cutbacks to the cultural organizations will be on the agenda.

Paterson Unveils Budget Plan

Governor David Paterson held a press conference this morning, joined by State Budget Director Laura Anglin to present their proposal for next week's special legislative session. The state's 700 public school districts would lose $840 million in state aid and SUNY students would see a $300 tuition increase in January.

Higgins and Collins Support Casino

Two elected officials proclaimed their support of the downtown casino project yesterday. Congressman Brian Higgins and Erie County Executive Chris Collins told the tribe that it is time for the project to move forward. Higgins spoke with WECK's Scott Leffler this morning:
http://www.weck1230.com/News/Higgins.mp3

GOP May Boycott State Session

Governor Paterson has called a special legislature session for next week. But now there might be a wrench in the works. The man presumed to be the next State Senate Majority Leader, Democrat Malcolm Smith, was in Buffalo today at a Veterans' Day event, and addressed the potential problem, saying that Republicans may be threateninbg to boycott.

Higgins Promises to Look Into Gas Prices

Last week, the Triple-A announced that Western New York had the highest gas prices in the Continental U-S. Congressman Brian Higgins has promised to look into the situation. Gas prices were again higher in Western New York than anywhere else in the state Monday, according to Triple-A. The average for self-serve regular unleaded was two-77, while the statewide average was just two-62. The national average is now two-22.

Veterans' Day Ceremonies

Today is Veterans Day, and most banks and schools, along with local, state, and federal offices are closed. Among the commemorations today: the Veterans' Association and Ken-Ton School District's Lieutenant Harry Crosby memorial will be unveiled this afternoon at 2 at Crosby Field in Kenmore, and the rededication of the World War Two Monument in Tonawanda takes place this afternoon at 2 at Fisherman's Park on River Road.

Cheektowaga Board to Vote on Pay Cut

You've heard about Kevin Gaughan's efforts to downsize local governments. The Cheektowaga Town Board meets Wednesday wth another idea to save money. Council Members James Rogowski, Richard Zydel and Stanley Kaznowski have proposed rolling back their own pay by about 9%.

HSBC Gains Worldwide, Loses in US

HSBC says its worldwide profits were "ahead" of last year's results, but its U.S. business was hammered by bad debts. Buffalo-based HSBC Bank USA took higher losses on home equity loan delinquencies in the third quarter of 2008.

Two Killed in Town of Portland

A fatal accident this morning in the Town of Portland. A mother and her 10-year-old son were killed in a two-vehicle crash on Route 20 between Harmon Hill Road and Mill Street around 7 a.m. It was snowing in the area at the time, but it is not known yet if weather was a factor.

Former Falls Mayor in Court

Former Niagara Falls Mayor Vince Anello will appear in court this afternoon to answer felony charges stemming from a no-interest loan from Native American businessman "Smokin' Joe" Anderson. Anello could face up to 30 months or more in prison. Anderson took a plea deal and could get probation.