Friday, January 16, 2009
HTN: Power Outage in T-O
Adding to the bitter cold in Toronto, a power outage near downtown T-O that left about 100,000 people without electricity. The outage began late yesterday when a broken water main flooded a power station. The city has opened heated shelters and some schools closed.
HTN: Home Sales Down but Prices Up
Home prices in Erie and Niagara Counties slipped by three-percent in December when compared to the same month in 2007. The number of homes sold declined by 15-percent when comparing December of 2007 and 2008. For the year as a whole, 2008 saw the number of homes sold drop by eight-percent, but average home prices were still up by four-percent. The states come from the Buffalo Niagara Association of Realtors.
Hometown News: Buffalo Dive Team Rehearses Hudson River Scenario
At the time of yesterday's Hudson River plane crash, the Buffalo Police Underwater Recovery Team was in the lake for their twice-monthly training exercise. Lieutenant Jim Dee said, quote, "It was somewhat strange that we're working out there as the New York team gets called in for a real life aircraft hitting the deck."
Hometown News: Lifeguard Exams!
2009 lifeguard exams for the Niagara Region of state parks are coming up at Niagara University on March 14th, April 4th, May 30th and June 13th. Registration for the test is available by calling the Niagara Region Administrative Headquarters at 531-0497, or visiting http://www.nysparks.com.
Hometown News: Airport Sets Record
More passengers than ever traveled through Buffalo Niagara Airport in 2008. Last year set a record for the number of travelers, with more than five-and-a-half million people passing through the gates. That's an increase of three-and-a-half-percent from 2007. The facility has set record highs in each of the last four years.
Hometown News: City's New Snow Plan Previewed
Mayor Brown unveiled a new snowplowing plan for the city this morning:
(Reasons for Changes)
Elements of the plan include a GPS pilot program on a few city vehicles, changes in alternate parking schedules on some streets, and hiring of private contractors when needed.
(Reasons for Changes)
Elements of the plan include a GPS pilot program on a few city vehicles, changes in alternate parking schedules on some streets, and hiring of private contractors when needed.
Hometown News: Warming Centers Open in City
Buffalo residents can escape the grips of Old Man Winter by stopping into one of the warming centers the city has opened. Mayor Byron Brown says that two facilities will be available through Saturday for homeless residents or those who have lost heat. Folks can go to the True Bethel Baptist Church on East Ferry Street or the Belle Center on Maryland Street. Both sites will be open until Saturday at 4 p.m.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Good Morning Buffalo: Channel 2's Andy Parker
The Storm Team 2 meteorologist talks about the bitter cold with Loraine and Tom.
Reason with Scott Leffler
Scott has strong feelings about school policies like half-days for ELA testing.
Hometown News: Bitter Cold in Buffalo
Ski country could see up to two feet of snow tonight through Friday. The record low for this date was set back in 1957 when it was minus-12 degrees. The National Weather Service says it hasn't been this cold in a couple of years and there's a slight chance at hitting that record. The temps are not expected to even reach double digits until the weekend.
Many school districts have no guidelines for cancelling school when temperatures are too cold. Hypothermia and frost bite are the biggest concerns, and Dr. Kathy Lillis at Women and Children's Hospital says only 15 minutes of exposure is enough. Dr. Lillis says injuries in children occur when preschoolers and toddlers wander outside and schoolchildren play too outside too long, when they should be inside. Dr. Lillis recommends children should use their own body to generate warmth, saying exposure to really hot items can cause further damage. Dr. Lillis says bright red skin is the onset, and white or numb skin may be a sign leading to permanent tissue damage.
Many school districts have no guidelines for cancelling school when temperatures are too cold. Hypothermia and frost bite are the biggest concerns, and Dr. Kathy Lillis at Women and Children's Hospital says only 15 minutes of exposure is enough. Dr. Lillis says injuries in children occur when preschoolers and toddlers wander outside and schoolchildren play too outside too long, when they should be inside. Dr. Lillis recommends children should use their own body to generate warmth, saying exposure to really hot items can cause further damage. Dr. Lillis says bright red skin is the onset, and white or numb skin may be a sign leading to permanent tissue damage.
HTN: NT Sex Offender will Serve More Time
An admitted sex offender has now pleaded guilty to federal child porn charges. Prosecutors say 41-year-old Mitchell Brokob of North Tonawanda, admitted to receiving 45 images on his computer. He also faces 25 years to life on state charges that he abducted a 12-year-old girl, dragged her to a vacant home and sexually assaulted her for three hours back in March. Prosecutors say Brokob asked for the maximum 20 years on the federal child porn charges even though he only faced eight years, because he wants to spend a majority of his term in the federal system, where conditions are said to be better than the state system. He will spend the first 20 years in federal jail, then transfer to state prison to finish off his sentence on the sexual assault charges.
HTN: Falls Teacher Takes Plea
The Niagara Falls High School teacher accused of having an inappropriate relationship with a female student has agreed to resign and turn in his teaching certificate. That was part of a plea deal for 39-year-old Paul Chiarella, who had charges reduced from sexual abuse to disorderly conduct. His lawyer says this does not amount to a criminal conviction and he will not have to register as a sex offender. Chiarella was accused of trying to kiss and fondle a 16-year-old female student from October 2007 to January 2008. Chiarella now has seven days to officially quit his job, and promises never to seek a teaching post again. He also will spend 30 days in the County's work program.
HTN: Kalinowski Convicted of Murdering Husband
Robin Wagner Kalinowski has been convicted of second-degree murder for the fatal shooting of her husband Kevin. The jury convicted after about three hours of deliberations in her second trial. In November 2005, Kevin Kalinowski was shot in the back of the head with a hunting rifle while he slept. Sentencing for Robin is now scheduled for February 25th, where she faces a mandatory life sentence for the conviction. She will go on trial again later this year on murder conspiracy charges. In that case, she is accused of trying to contract with an undercover state trooper for the murder of the man with whom she was having an affair. Kalinowski's first trial ended in a hung jury. Kalinowski had maintained the shooting had been an accident.
HTN: City Infrastructure Deal Falls Apart
Buffalo could be left without millions of dollars for road repairs. A tentative deal between the Mayor and council on the city's capital budget fell apart yesterday. The Council had wanted road repair money to be divided evenly among the nine council districts. Mayor Byron Brown vetoed the arrangement and slashed three-million dollars in funding. A compromise struck earlier this week would have restored that funding for citywide improvements. But, when that deal fell apart yesterday, the Council did not have enough votes to override the mayor's budget veto, leaving the three-million on the cutting room floor.
HTN: Report Says Downtown Parking is a Mess
A new study commissioned by the city of Buffalo says that downtown parking is a "mess." The report recommends a "parking czar," who would overhaul the downtown parking system. The position would pay up to 140-thousand dollars a year. The study also found that because of many ongoing projects, the area surrounding City Hall and the courts will face a shortage of over 16-hundred parking spaces.
HTN: Decision Nears on Senate Seat
New York Governor David Paterson may name Hillary Clinton's Senate replacement before the Inauguration of Barack Obama on Tuesday. Paterson did not rule out that scenario to reporters Wednesday in Albany. However, the Governor says he does not want to distract from the historic Inauguration and believes the nomination will come sometime after Obama's swearing-in. More New York State voters prefer State Attorney General Andrew Cuomo to replace Senator Hillary Clinton, with some saying they don't think Caroline Kennedy is qualified for the job. Cuomo leads 31 to 24-percent in a Quinnipiac University poll. However, 38 perecent beieve that Governor Paterson will appoint Ms. Kennedy to the U.S. Senate.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Good Morning Buffalo: Fox News Radio's Rich Johnson
Washington correspondent Rich Johnson talks about Obama's Inauguration with Loraine and Tom.
Hometown News: Dealing With Drastic Cold
Bone chilling cold for the rest of the week. Things will warm up slightly by the end of the weekend with temps in the 20's. The American Red Cross is poised to provide emergency aid during this cold snap, but reminds people to prepare for the unexpected. Severe weather conditions can trap residents in their homes for several hours, or even days, without utilities and other basic services. Planning tips for cold winter weather include having extra blankets, making sure everyone in the house has warm clothing that fits, and to check and replace batteries in smoke alarms and other devices. Disaster supply kits should also be in both the house and car, with blankets or sleeping bags, first aid kits and extra medication, rain gear and dry clothing, a battery-powered weather radio, canned food and water.
HTN: Senecas Strike Back at State
The Seneca Indian Nation is responding strongly to New York State's plans to tax its cigarette sales. President Barry Snyder says the Nation is planning to collect its own tolls from State Thruway drivers as they cross into Seneca land. The tribe will spend one-million dollars to hire "emergency response personnel" who will protect the Senecas from alleged harassment from the state government. The tribe also says it may ask President-elect Barack Obama for federal troops to protect tribe members. It is the latest reaction to Governor David A. Paterson's plan to start enforcing tax collections on cigarette wholesalers who sell tobacco products to Seneca businesses. The law goes into effect in February.
HTN: Compromise on City Capital Budget
The Buffalo Common Council and Mayor Byron Brown's Administration will finalize a deal today to settle a capital funding dispute.The Mayor vetoed three-million dollars of money set aside for road improvement projects, because the council wanted to divide the money equally among its nine districts. Under the compromise, the three-million will be restored to the capital budget, but set aside for general citywide improvements, while each district will get 150-thousand dollars for its own projects. The Council had tried to override the Mayor's vetoes but couldn't get the needed votes.
HTN: DHL Closing Local Hub
DHL Express' facility in Cheektowaga will close at the end of the month, part of a worldwide restructuring. The closure means 34 unionized workers in Cheektowaga will lose their jobs. Some will be able to transfer to the Rochester facility, which is remaining open. The company is closing all of its U.S. ground hubs and reducing the number of stations from 412 to 103.
HTN: DHL Closing Local Hub
DHL Express' facility in Cheektowaga will close at the end of the month, part of a worldwide restructuring. The closure means 34 unionized workers in Cheektowaga will lose their jobs. Some will be able to transfer to the Rochester facility, which is remaining open. The company is closing all of its U.S. ground hubs and reducing the number of stations from 412 to 103.
HTN: Closing Arguments Coming in Kalinowski Case
The defense for Robin Kalinowski, accused of killing her husband, rested Tuesday without calling any witnesses. Kalinowski is accused of shooting her husband Kevin in their bedroom in November of 2005. Prosecutors called a forensic firearms expert to the stand yesterday, who testified his examination of the rifle used to kill Kevin had no defects that would have caused it to fire unexpectedly. Kalinowski maintains she had been moving the rifle off the bed in their dark bedroom when it went off, so the shooting was an accident. She took the stand in her own defense during her first trial, which ended in a mistrial. Attorneys will make their closing statements this morning, then, the case will go to the jury.
HTN: Hillary on the Hill
Calling for a mix of diplomacy and defense, Secretary of State nominee Hillary Clinton says she would use "smart power" in the nation's international relations strategy. Clinton made the remarks at a Senate confirmation hearing. Republicans on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee are expressing concerns about possible conflicts of interest with former President Bill Clinton's non-profit global foundation.
HTN: Paterson, Obama Agree on Delaying DTV
Governor Paterson wants to put a hold on the transition of analog to digital TV. Paterson announced his support for President-elect Obama's push back of the scheduled transition date. The Digital Television converter program has run out of money and people can no longer get the 40-dollar coupon for converter boxes. The boxes will be a necessity when the switch to digital happens for those who don't have digital TV sets. Paterson wants a delay "for as long as it takes consumers to get the information, assistance and coupons they need."
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Hometown News: Judge Splits Difference in Budget Case
A state judge slashed the County Executive's proposed tax hikes by two-thirds yesterday. Judge John Michalek ruled that the tax levy must be a collaborative effort. The County Legislature's hired attorney, Paul Cambria, said that the tax burden on homeowners has been reduced by six-point-eight million dollars. Tax bills now will have to be recalculated and mailed out to residents as soon as the judge's decision is received in writing. County Executive Chris Collins had accused county lawmakers of violating the charter in their accounting practices, saying he needed to boost taxes to make up for the errors. Now the County Executive's office says it will not appeal the judge's decision.
HTN: Buffalo Housing Market Makes Marks
The Buffalo housing market is doing alright despite the recession. In a recent study by Forbes magazine, Buffalo ranks fourth among the top 25 housing markets. Officials with Moody's Economy-dot-com, which collected the data, say Buffalo may be near the top because it did not take part in the housing boom, thus it also missed out on the steep declines that boom towns are experiencing. Buffalo ranks behind MacAllen/Texas, Syracuse and Pittsburgh.
HTH: Hillary on the Hill
Senator Hillary Clinton took questions this morning on Capitol Hill as her confirmation hearing to become Secretary of State opened. Clinton is appearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and is expected to receive approval, despite questions about her husband, former President Bill Clinton's overseas business dealings. The Senate committee is scheduling one day for Clinton's hearing. The Senate is poised to confirm Clinton next Tuesday, when Barack Obama is sworn in as president.
HTN: Power Outages
About 46-hundred people were without power for about two hours yesterday. Homes were dark as well as street and traffic lights. NYSEG crews had been out working on a switch that malfunctioned. Police were patrolling the busier intersections. They also remind motorists that whenever a traffic light is out, it should be treated as an all-way stop. Several residents were prepared for the black. They had kerosene and-or propane heaters, while some even had generators. One family stuck in the cold and dark said, "If all that has failed, snuggle."
HTN: Local Colleges Among Best Buys
The "Kiplinger's Personal Finance" magazine has just published its 100 Best College Buys. The report reviews schools based on "academic quality and affordability." SUNY Geneseo and SUNY Binghamton came in at number six and seven, respectively. The University of Buffalo ranked number 59. Number one this year was the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Monday, January 12, 2009
Good Morning Buffalo: Mary Kate O'Connell
The theatre diva introduces her new show, "Souvenirs," with Loraine and Tom.
Ask the Pro: Budwey Markets
Frank Budwey's first visit of the New Year, with an update on the goings-on at his two local stores.
Brad Riter Show: Audio from Last Week
1/5/08:
Ruben Brown 1 2 3
Reggie Witherspoon 1 2 3
1/7/08:
Bob Gaughan
Long chunk of the show with Scott Wilson
1/8/08: Tim Graham
Ruben Brown 1 2 3
Reggie Witherspoon 1 2 3
1/7/08:
Bob Gaughan
Long chunk of the show with Scott Wilson
1/8/08: Tim Graham
Weather Alert: Arctic Cold Coming to Area
Get ready to bundle up. Forecasters say Western New York is in for a deep freeze by midweek. Areas south of Buffalo likely will see an additional two inches of snow today, and then arctic air will settle in by tomorrow night. Lows will be around zero degrees Tuesday night. Wednesday's high will only be about ten degrees and the low's Wednesday night could hit minus-five. Thursday highs will only be five to ten degrees.
Hometown News: Caroline Meets with Governor
Caroline Kennedy got some face time with Governor Paterson, whose opinion is the only one that matters in deciding a replacement for Senator Hillary Clinton. Kennedy met with Paterson in his New York City office over the weekend to discuss her credentials. The governor has been meeting with several candidates as he tries to make a decision. Congressman Brian Higgins and Mayor Byron Brown are also reportedly on the short list of possible appointees. Visit our Weekly Web Poll at http://www.weck1230.com/poll.php and voice your choice!
HTN: Vigil for Dead Woman
A candlelight vigil was held in the parking lot of the church where the body of 20-year-old Amanda Wienckowski was found in a garbage tote outside the building. Mourners said prayers and cried for the woman who had been missing since early last month. Wienckowski disappeared December 7th after being dropped off at 154 Spring Street, across the street from the church. Her body was found Friday. Police have a "person of interest" in custody. Police say she had been involved in drugs. Autopsy results are pending. Anyone with information in the case should call the Buffalo Police Department's confidential tipline, 847-2255.
Hometown Sports
Road Warriors: The Sabres have a couple of days off before a stretch of three road games in four nights. Back-to-back road tests against tough Western Conference teams are coming up, at Chicago Wednesday and Dallas Thursday, before a quick stop home Saturday to host Carolina. After that, it's the longest trip of the season, as the Sabres are away for two and a half weeks, first down south and then out west.
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