Friday, December 12, 2008
Good Morning Buffalo: Calleri at the Movies
Michael Calleri's weekly movie reviews: Milk and more....
GMB: Queen City Roller Derby!
Jessica from the Queen City Roller Girls talks about the series at Rainbow Rink in N-T. Girl Power!
Hometown News: Icy Morning Drive
The morning commute was a slippery trip today, as a thin ice layer sent cars spinning on numerous area roads. State Police reported that at least two accidents snarled traffic on the 190, at least six vehicles went off the road on the Scajaquada, an accident slowed traffic on the inbound Kensington, and a car was sideswiped right outside our studios on Genesee Street in Cheektowaga.
HTN: Clock Ticking on Indian Taxes
Governor David Paterson now has just ten days to decide what to do about collecting cigarette taxes from Indian reservations. The State Assembly has sent the Governor a bill which requires the state to start collecting the money. The measure was passed back in August, but lawmakers held on to it so the Governor could have more time to try and negotiate a deal with the tribes. Now the clock is ticking on the bill that would effectively cut off the supply of cigarettes to Indian smoke shops if they refuse to pay taxes on sales to non-Native-Americans. The state is attempting to find ways to increase revenue to fill huge budget gaps, but the tribes say treaties dating back hundreds of years exempt them from paying.
HTN: Schools to Open Early Next September
Labor Day is typically the unofficial end of summer, but next year kids in New York State may already be back at school. That's because the holiday is as late as it can get, falling on September 7th, of 2009. Some hometown districts don't want to wait that long to get children back to class. So next year, school is set to begin the week before, and kids will get a three day weekend just a few days into the school year. Officials say waiting until the following week might put vacation days at risk or run the chance of not getting the required 180 school days in before the end of June.
HTN: API Adding Jobs in Cheektowaga, Arcade
Here's something you haven't heard a lot of lately. A company in Western New York adding jobs. But here it is. API Heat Transfer of Cheektowaga plans to add about 115 new jobs over the next four years as part of an 11-million dollar expansion at facilities in Cheektowaga and Arcade in Wyoming County. The company is adding more than 50-thousand square feet of production space and six-thousand square feet of administrative space at the two locations, with state help.
HTN: Elmwood Businesses Targeted by Anti-Gay Letters
The holidays are becoming less festive on Elmwood Avenue, as some businesses there are receiving unwanted "gifts." Owners have received anonymous letters threatening to boycott stores that support gay agendas. Businesses such as El Buen Amiga and Elmwood Farming got the letters, and their owners think an Artvoice listing of stores supporting the Gay Pride Center's discount shopping program incited the letters. The Elmwood Village Association has informed local politicians and continues to support the targeted businesses. The city Commission on Citizens Rights and Community Relations promises that should the letter-writer be identified, action will be taken.
Brad Riter: Interviews from Thursday Night
Tim Graham of ESPN.com made his weekly appearance and explains how the Bills can make the playoffs. Then we talk about things that can happen in reality. Former Sabres PR director and communications director Paul Wieland has a new book about the team available in time for Christmas. It's called "Then Perreault Said To Rico... The Best Buffalo Sabres Stories Ever Told" and is available in WNY bookstores and also online at Amazon.com. He joined my show for a lengthy interview and you can hear that here. (The beginning of the interview is missing.)
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Reason with Scott Leffler
On the Thursday Edition, Scott talks about getting to DC for the Inauguration.
Hometown News: Schumer Slams "Cow Tax"
Senator Chuck Schumer says the EPA is looking to tax farmers for every dairy cow they own. The proposal has been dubbed the "cow tax" and would charge farmers 175 dollars annually for every dairy cow, and 87-dollars-50-cents for every beef cow. The ultimate goal is cleaner air. Cows produce methane, which, when combined with oxygen, creates carbon dioxide. The EPA says it is not proposing a cow tax, that it's just one of many ideas to be considered in the reduction of greenhouse gases in compliance with the Clean Air Act. Schumer wants even the idea of the cow tax taken off the table.
HTN: Alleged Cockfight Ring in Chautauqua County
Chautauqua County Sheriff's investigators have broken up a cockfight training ring after a month-long investigation. Deputies raided a house in Dunkirk Wednesday morning, wher more than 100 roosters were found in a basement and a backyard barn. Deputies arrested 74-year-old Concepcion Virella, who faces felony charges. Deputies think more people may be involved in the ring, saying some owners could live in Buffalo. Some of the roosters are reportedly worth between two and three-thousand dollars. The animals were humanely euthanized and an investigation continues.
HTN: Hit and Run Case in Court
Christopher Tulumello was in Buffalo City Court Wednesday afternoon. His attorneys asked Buffalo City Court Judge David Manz to postpone Tulumello's felony evidence hearing until January 8th, after a fatal accident on December 3rd that killed Amanda Knowlton and injured her son. Tulumello remains in jail in lieu of 500-thousand dollars bail. The 23-year-old Knowlton and her four-year-old son Isiah were struck after Tulumello stopped for a traffic light, then sped off, after first having weaved through many cars. Attorney Steve Boyd is representing the boy. Tulumello's been charged with vehicular assault, vehicular manslaughter, driving without insurance and without a license, and DUI.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Ask the Pro: Financial Hour
Mike Gimlin and Todd Miller address today's challenging economy: mutual funds vs. individual stocks.
Hometown News: UB Football Stays in Spotlight
The University at Buffalo Bulls are looking forward to the International Bowl in Toronto January 3rd against U-Conn. UB's John Fuller says tickets are a hot item on campus. The Bulls got ribbed a bit by David Letterman last night. The talk show host is an alumnus of Ball State, the school the Bulls beat in the MAC Championship game, so he took some good-natured shots on The Late Show.
HTN: Guilty Plea in Prostitution Case
A former State Supreme Court law clerk has avoided jail time by pleading guilty to charges of driving a prostitute across state lines. Prosecutors say that 61-year-old Michael Stebick drove the undocumented alien from Hamburg to Kentucky in a motor home as part of a 2005 excursion for a group known as the Royal Order of Jesters. A federal judge says the woman was put up in a hotel room with a sign reading 70-dollars-per hour. Defense Attorney Joel daniels says his client had been respected in the community.
Stebick was sentenced to four months of house arrest, two years probation, fines and community service.
Stebick was sentenced to four months of house arrest, two years probation, fines and community service.
HTN: Orange Seats for Sale?
If you missed out on the auction to buy blue seats from the Aud, you may have a chance at oranges. The City of Buffalo says sales of the lower tier seats went so well, that they are considering a plan to auction off some of the arena's balcony seats. The first auction raked in more than 300-thousand dollars. A decision on selling the orange seats will be made by the end of the month.
Aud Demolition Set
HTN: A new contract for the demolition of the Aud has been approved by the Erie Canal Harbor Development Corp. DEMCO Inc. was the third-lowest bidder, but got the job after the two-lowest pulled out because of to the shrinking of scrap steel. A approval clears the way to bulldoze the downtown Buffalo landmark. DEMCO gets one-point-64-million dollars, plus another 97-thousand to preserve Aud facade elements to be used as a memorial to the 68-year-old building. DEMCO could get up to one-point-97-million, still two-million under the previously projected demolition cost. DEMCO has handled several difficult and high-profile demolition jobs in the past, including Miami's Orange Bowl. The Aud's demise makes way for the 150-thousand-square-foot Bass Pro store which will anchor the harbour center.
HTN: Fatal Accident in Cheektowaga
A section of Genesee Street near our Cheektowaga studios was closed down this morning after an accident that killed a town resident. Police say a car driven by 23-year-old David Cramer of Buffalo struck 53-year-old Paul Albano as he was trying to cross Genesee near Vegola shortly after 6 A.M. Dark and rainy conditions may have contributed to the crash. Albano, who was on his way to work at the time, was pronounced dead at the scene. Cramer was charged with driving with a suspended license.
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Good Morning Buffalo: DWI Legalities
WECK's Legal Expert Jeff Santoro talked with Loraine O'Donnell and Tom Donahue this morning.
Hometown News: Fatal Olean Fire
An investigation into the cause of a late Sunday fire that has apparently killed two children and charred two homes continues. Olean Fire and Police officials say the remains of one child have been recovered, while a second is still missing and presumed dead. The children were one-and-a-half and three-years-old, but it was unclear which one was found. A badly-burned adult male was taken to Olean General Hospital and then flown to the Erie County Medical Center. A man and three children occupied a first-floor apartment at the Second Street home. One of those children, a four-year-old, was able to escape uninjured. Those living in a second-floor apartment all escaped unharmed. Residents of the home next door were evacuated when the fire spread from the first home. One woman had to be taken to Olean General Hospital to be treated for smoke inhalation. Two firefighters and a police officer suffered minor injuries.
HTN: Gurtler Pleads Guilty
Prosecutors say John Gurtler and his son have pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct charges in connection with an underage drinking party at Gurtler's Orchard Park home. The pair have been issued conditional discharges. Police say a prom night party in June at the home of the former sports announcer hosted widespread underage drinking.
HTN: County Budget Battle
Erie County Executive Chris Collins says property taxes are going up, even if the legislature allows his vetoes of additional spending to stand. Collins cut about 30 items he considered, "politics and pork barrel spending." But Legislator Lynn Marinelli says she and her colleagues are standing up for their constituents. If Collins' vetoes stand, property taxes will go up three-point-six-percent, or 18 dollars on 100-thousand of assessed home value. If the vetoes are overriden, Collins says that amount increase to 24 dollars. Lawmakers vote this afternoon.
HTN: Sabres for Sale?
The Buffalo Sabres are denying reports that the team is up for sale. Western New York Hockey will publish a story Thursday that says ownership is speaking with prospective buyers. Magazine publisher Steve Manson stands behind the story, broken by veteran hockey writer Jim Kelley.
Yesterday, Sabres Managing Partner Larry Quinn said the team was not negotiating a sale, and that no consideration would be given to any buyer who would move the team away from Buffalo. Sabres Chief Operating Officer Daniel DiPofi also said that under no circumstances will the team team move out of Buffalo.
Yesterday, Sabres Managing Partner Larry Quinn said the team was not negotiating a sale, and that no consideration would be given to any buyer who would move the team away from Buffalo. Sabres Chief Operating Officer Daniel DiPofi also said that under no circumstances will the team team move out of Buffalo.
Brad Riter Show: Jim Kelley on the Sabres for Sale
Brad spoke with veteran hockey writer Jim Kelley about Kelley's story that the Sabres were being actively shopped.
Monday, December 8, 2008
Buffalo Style - 12/6/08
Christina Abt presents some unique Buffalo-centric ideas for holiday shopping. (1 hr)
HTN: Niagara U Official Arrested for DWI
The director of admissions for Niagara University has been arrested for allegedly driving at nearly two-and-a-half times the legal limit for DWI. Niagara County Sheriff's Office says 39-year-old Harry Gong was pulled over Thursday night in Lewiston, failed three field sobriety tests, nearly fell over and didn't know where he was.
HTN: Seneca Home Invasion
Erie County authorities are searching for two masked gunmen allegedly responsible for a home invasion on the Seneca Nation Reservation in the Town of Brant. Sheriffs say the suspects tied up three adults at the Richardson Road home early Sunday. The men were reportedly armed with automatic rifles and demanded money and drugs. Authorities say the gunmen forced four children into a bedroom before using duct tape to subdue the three adults, then took cash and jewelry and fled in a maroon Chevy Suburban.
HTN: Caroline for Senate?
Several media reports state that Caroline Kennedy has spoken with Governor David Paterson about taking over Hillary Clinton's seat in the U.S. Senate. In recent years, JFK's daughter has been active in New York City educational causes. She also played an advisory role in Barack Obama's campaign, working on the team that advised Obama on his vice-presidential choice. The President-elect has not commented on the idea of Ms. Kennedy filling Ms. Clinton's seat. Obama told NBC's "Meet the Press," quote, "The last thing I want to do is get involved in New York politics." He did call Kennedy one of his dearest friends.
Hometown News: County Budget Battle
Legislators passed a budget for Erie County last week, but County Executive Chris Collins is not pleased and plans to issue vetoes today, with legislators attempting an override them tomorrow. Lawmakers restored funding to several quality-of-life, cultural, and youth programs, while cutting over five-point-two-million dollars from the county's vehicle use funds. Collins put that revenue in the overall general budget, but the legislators have reallocated it to the Erie County Clerk's office. The final property tax rate for 2009 is scheduled to be set this Thursday.
HTN: Report Says Sabres are for Sale
One day after the Bills-Dolphins game in Toronto, amid continuing questions about the NFL's future in Buffalo, now there are reports regarding our other major sports franchise. Several media outlets are reporting that the Sabres could be for sale. Managing Partner Larry Quinn says there are no negotiations occurring, and that the organization will never entertain discussions to move the team out of Buffalo.
Reason with Scott Leffler
The Bills in Toronto, and Caroline Kennedy for U.S. Senate. Monday Monday.
Good Morning Buffalo: Bills Recap
WECK's Joe Major talks with Loraine O'Donnell and Tom Donahue about another depressing Sunday....
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