Friday, March 27, 2009
Hometown News: Flight 3407 Update
Casual cockpit conversation is one of the factors the National Transportation Safety Board is looking into as a possible factor in the crash of Flight 3407. . Federal Aviation Administration requirements bar pilots from discussing anything other than the flight during critical points. A hearing is scheduled for May 12th through 14th in Washington, DC, where one of the discussion topics will be the so-called "sterile cockpit rules."
HTN: Controversial William Street Business
Buffalo zoning officials have put the stamp of approval on the opening of a slaughterhouse on William Street. The Common Council will also likely approve the business' license. Unanimous approval did come with conditions. No outdoor animal pens are allowed, roof and walls must be insulated to prevent odors from seeping outside, and a vent must be installed. All the proper permits must be obtained from the city, county and state. The slaughterhouse will include a butcher shop and farmers' market.
HTN: Unemployment Climbing
The unemployment rate in the Buffalo-Niagara region is inching closer to the double digit mark. The jobless rate for February was at nine-point-six percent. That's the highest since the mid-80s. Labor Department officials say nearly eleven-thousand jobs have disappeared over the past year. The losses did not spare any sector of the economy. Banking, retail and hospitality jobs lost 84-hundred jobs in the last year. The nine-point-six-percent unemployment is higher than the state average of eight-point-four-percent.
HTN: Snowplow Case Headed to Grand Jury
The case of a Buffalo city snowplow driver accused of driving his vehicle drunk and killing a man will his case head to a grand jury. Prosecutors say 44-year-old Rowan Gaines was behind the wheel for the fatal incident on January 23rd, when 42-year-old Allen Andrew was hit while walking on Kensington Avenue. Gaines has been suspended from his job while the investigation continues.
HTN: Golisano Blasts Budget
Billionaire Western New Yorker Tom Golisano is putting his mouth where his money is. Golisano says he is against raising taxes during a recession. The Sabres owner and founder of Paychex, took his message to the State Capitol yesterday, warning the Democrats he funded last fall that they may not have his financial support in the future.
HTN: GM Tonawanda Workers Take Buyouts
General Motors workers are taking buyouts at the company's Tonawanda engine plant. About 64 employees have accepted the latest buyout offer, while about another hundred have submitted their approval paperwork. GM says about 75-hundred union members have applied for the buyouts.
HTN: West Seneca Attorneys Resign
The West Seneca town attorney and a deputy town attorney have resigned. Edwin Hunter and Paul Notaro turned in their resignation letters on consecutive days. Both say they need to pay more attention to their respective private practices and were not forced out. The resignations will go into effect on April 8th and 10th
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Hometown News: Flight 3407 Update
Federal investigators are beginning to discredit the theory that an ice buildup on the wings brought down Flight 3407. The National Transportation Safety Board issued an update on its probe into the deadly crash. The NTSB reports the flight may have been brought down after experiencing a stall, in which snow and light to moderate icing would not have been a factor. The NTSB is now checking into the training background of the flight crew, raising the possibility of pilot error.
Colgan Air says it welcomes Wednesday's update on the investigation. Colgan officials point to the fact that the report provides no definite conclusion, and says that the company is cooperating thoroughly. Colgan says it stands by what it calls its "FAA-certified crew training programs" which it says "meet or exceed the regulatory requirements for all major airlines and include training on emergency situations."
The NTSB will hold a public hearing as part of its continuing investigation .
Colgan Air says it welcomes Wednesday's update on the investigation. Colgan officials point to the fact that the report provides no definite conclusion, and says that the company is cooperating thoroughly. Colgan says it stands by what it calls its "FAA-certified crew training programs" which it says "meet or exceed the regulatory requirements for all major airlines and include training on emergency situations."
The NTSB will hold a public hearing as part of its continuing investigation .
HTN: Novel Way to Hide Drugs
A Cheektowaga man caught speeding Tuesday on the inbound Kensington Expressway was found to be transporting drugs in his medical equipment. Jermaine D. Williams wears a wrap-around upper body brace for support because of injuries from gunshot wounds. He's being charged with criminal possession of heroin, which he attempted to hide inside the brace. A bag of heroin was allegedly found on him during a traffic stop by Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority officers. Ten additional bags of heroin in the brace were apparently found by a narcotics dog at the Erie County Holding Center. He was also charged with speeding.
HTN: Future Price-Rite Site Damaged by Fire
The future home of a PriceRite store was heavily damaged by fire late yesterday afternoon. Buffalo firefighters were called to the scene on Kenmore Avenue shortly after 5 p.m. to find flames shooting out the front door and along the facade and front of the building. The building, which had been a Tops and Vix Deep Discount Pharmacy, sustained about 200-thousand dollars in damages. The first local Price-Rite opened in Allentown on Elmwood Avenue this week.
HTN: Fire at Southtowns Landmark
Firefighters in Hamburg spent the early morning fighting a blaze at at Wanakah Country Club in Hamburg. The fire was discovered started in the men's locker room around 6:00 this morning. A grass or mulch fire may have spread to the building. Officials say there were no injuries and the building sustained minimal damage.
HTN: Longer Buffalo School Days for Some?
The school day at 34 schools in Buffalo could be extended by one hour. That's just one measure school officials are debating. The district is looking for ways to best spend 24-million dollars in federal stimulus money. The longer school day is already in place at 17 learning facilities in the city. Other possibilities include making half-day summer classes full day, providing extra instruction to 13-hundred high school kids at risk of dropping out and helping parents get more involved with their children's education.
HTN: Free Parking for Downtown Events?
You may not have to pay for parking at upcoming events in downtown Buffalo. The City Parking Board is considering a proposal to allow free parking at city ramps for special events. That means you may not have to fork over cash to park at events like the Buffalo Auto show, the Home and Garden Show, or Thursday at the Square. Officials estimate the city stands to lose 166-thousand dollars if the measure is approved. However, members of the Parking Board feel the greater economic impact of getting more people downtown may be worth the cost. Opponents say the free city ramps parking would hurt other privately run parking lots.
Hometown Sports: Sabres Win, Miller Headed Back
Jason Pominville had a goal and two assists as the Sabres used a four-goal third period to rally past the Panthers, 5-3, at HSBC Arena. Craig Rivet, Clarke MacArthur, Maxim Afinogenov and Tim Connolly also found the net for Buffalo, which put the brakes on a four-game skid. The win moved the Sabres within five points of Montreal in the race for the eighth and final playoff spot in the East. Pominville said it was a huge comeback triumph
Looks like goalie Ryan Miller will be back in action Friday night. Coach Lindy Ruff thinks Miller will return to the nets for the game against Toronto at HSBC Arena. The goalie suffered a high-ankle sprain injured leg February 21st during a game against the Rangers.
Looks like goalie Ryan Miller will be back in action Friday night. Coach Lindy Ruff thinks Miller will return to the nets for the game against Toronto at HSBC Arena. The goalie suffered a high-ankle sprain injured leg February 21st during a game against the Rangers.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Hometown News: State Layoffs Coming?
Governor David Paterson may be dropping the hammer on state workers. The governor is considering the layoff of nearly nine-thousand government employees, and blaming the state's public labor unions for refusing to accept concessions at the bargaining table. However, state Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver is confident the state won't go through with the first government layoffs since the 1990s. The governor is seeking a pay freeze and a one-week furlough, but unions are fighting to keep a three-percent salary increase this year. The state currently employs 200-thousand workers.
HTN: NYPA Freezes Rates, Cuts Bonuses
The New York Power Authority has decided to freeze rates for all customers through April of next year after a public outcry. The Authority had planned to boost rates by as much as eight-percent, but Governor Paterson and lawmakers urged that the increases be halted. The Authority also will not give out employee bonuses this year
HTN: Shooting Suspect Turns Herself In
A Buffalo woman charged with the execution style shootings of two people inside a moving vehicle will be arraigned today. Authorities say she was the backseat passenger in the car on March 16th, when she allegedly shot 22-year-old Kiele Coleman and 26-year-old Frank Militello in the head. The car crashed into a tree on St. Lawrence Avenue and March fled on foot. The victims remain in intensive care. Police say the shootings were drug related.
HTN: Red Light Cameras Considered
Buffalo residents may want to think twice before speeding through a yellow light. The city of Buffalo is looking into installing traffic cameras to ticket red light-runners. Some citizens say the cameras are a "money grab" and, in the end, unsafe. Supporters say the cameras could be a deterrent to poor driving in certain high-risk neighborhoods. The Buffalo Common Council may vote on the measure next week.
HTN: Don't Flush Prescriptions
The state DEC is urging you not to flush your vitamins, supplements, and over-the-counter drugs. The agency says recent reports have shown that traces of pharmaceuiticals are showing up in streams, rivers, and drinking water supplies in many areas. Pharmacies and other retailers around the state will participate in the DEC's "Don't Flush Your Drugs" campaign, by displaying posters. Officials say used medications can be disposed of properly with coffee grounds or cat litter. Or, you can tape up the containers the drugs are stored in.
HTN: WNY Concerts Coming
The concert calendar is filling up. Metallica will visit HSBC Arena on November 10th. Tickets go on sale April 4th and range from 52 to 72-dollars. And fellow Rock and Roll Hall of Famers Billy Joel and Elton John are headed back to HSBC Arena as they bring their Face 2 Face tour to Buffalo on July 24. Top tickets are 180 dollars.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Hometown News: Water Emergency in Falls
An emergency water advisory is in effect in Niagara Falls after a World War Two-era water main broke last night, forcing the overnight evacuation of from homes along 56th Street. Residents were taken to John Duke Center on Hyde Park Boulevard, and gas was shut off to the area as a safety measure. The break occurred around 9:30 last night, and was still being repaired this morning. Niagara Falls Mayor Paul Dyster is asking residents not to use water.
HTN: Boy Left on School Bus
A five-year-old Cheektowaga boy woke up alone on an empty school bus yesterday afternoon. The boy had been picked up at his home in Cheektowaga just after noon yesterday, and should have arrived at the Bethel Head Start Program in Cheektowaga, but fell asleep. When he awoke, he was alone on the bus in Buffalo. The boy got himself off the bus and went wandering around downtown Buffalo, screaming at passersby until someone helped him. He made it home about two hours later.
HTN: SUNY, UB Applications Up
The faltering economy has driven a record number of students to fill out applications for SUNY schools. The influx of students has prompted the state university system to crank up admissions standards. Applications are up seven-percent at U-B. Transfer student applications have increased by eleven-percent. At current prices, the yearly cost of a SUNY school costs about 6,160-dollars. At a private college, annuaal tuition and fees are about 25,000-dollars.
HNT: NYPA Kills Rate Hikes, Bonuses
The New York Power Authority is changing its mind about a proposed rate hike for upstate customers, and agency employees have been told not to expect bonuses, after residents and lawmakers expressed outrage about such plans. The Buffalo News reports that a formal announcement is expected this afternoon.
HTN: Sentence in Drug Death
A Tonawanda man has been sentenced to 17 years for killing a rival drug dealer. Prosecutors say 25-year-old Salvatore Vacanti was handed that sentence Monday. Vacanti pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of manslaughter in February. Authorities say Vacanti gunned down 44-year-old Monty Massimi April 3rd of 2007 outside a Kenmore restaurant. An investigation continues into Vacanti's drug ring.
HTN: NFTA Bags Rate Hikes
The Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority has officially put the brakes on a plan to hike fares in July. The NFTA increased fares by 25-cents at the beginning of the year and warned a second hike could be needed in the summer. However, the agency says cost-cutting measures have been successful in filling a seven-million-dollar budget gap.
Monday, March 23, 2009
Ask the Pro: Creekside Funding
The latest on getting mortgage financing in this tough economy. From Monday 3/23.09.
BuffaloStyle 3/21/09
Christina Abt presents a Western New York spin on community service, plus the music of Maria Sebastian.
Debut Bill O'Loughlin Show
The debut Bill O'Loughlin Show, from Saturday 3/21/09 (full three hours).
HTN: New York State Losing Population
The exodus of New Yorkers to other states continues. That's according to the latest U.S. Census figures, which indicate residents moved out of New York at the third fastest rate in the country. Since the beginning of the decade, one-point-six-million New Yorkers have left the state. Only Michigan and Rhode Island have higher "out migration" rates. Perhaps the only variable that keeps New York from having the highest out migration rate is the influx of immigrants, who mostly move to New York city. New York's population growth, such as it is, was two-point-seven-percent: 41st in the nation.
HTN: Gun Found at Bowling Alley
Police in Pendleton are trying to figure out who put a loaded handgun in a bowling alley bathroom. Authorities say the weapon was discovered early Saturday morning in a men's room trash can inside the South Transit Lanes. Police say the gun was located just an hour after two Buffalo men were arrested outside the bowling alley for fighting. Investigators are looking to see if the events are connected.
Hometown News: More Bills Games in T-O?
Could there be more Bills games played in Toronto starting next year? Organizers are gauging fan interest in the possibility of moving three additional regular season home games to Toronto starting in 2010. Rogers Communications, the company responsible for marketing the Bills-Toronto series, surveyed fans for their reaction about the possibility of three additional Bills regualar season games in Toronto - one in each of the 2010, 2011, and 2012 seasons.
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