Friday, May 1, 2009
Good Morning Buffalo: Calleri at the Movies
Tom and Loraine's weekly visit with movie critic Michael Calleri.
Hometown News: Swine Flu News Summary
New York State Health officials say five new probable cases of swine flu have been reported outside New York City, including one in Chautauqua County. Officials in Niagara County say two cases there are suspected to be swine flu, but further testing is needed. Erie County officials say no suspected cases have been reported. The State Health Commissioner Doctor Richard Daines says New York now has nearly three million treatments of flu medication stockpiled and ready to go if needed. Governor Paterson urges residents to be more alert than alarmed and stressed all of the cases have been mild.
New York State health officials say Monroe County now has one probable case of swine flu. The case involves a girl who had recently been to Mexico. Further testing by the CDC is needed to get a confirmation of swine flu.
Parents at a Queens elementary school may keep their children home this morning after several students experienced flu-like symptoms. The city Health Department is testing students at PS 21 in Flushing for the swine flu. But unlike other schools this week in New York City, city officials are not canceling classes this morning.
Three Brooklyn Catholic schools, along with PS 177 and Saint Francis Prep in Fresh Meadows, shut down this week with possible swine flu cases.
New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg is offering a symbolic response to Vice President Joe Biden's recent remarks about the swine flu outbreak. The big city mayor boarded a Number 4, 5, 6 train from his Upper East Side penthouse to City Hall yesterday to attend a news conference in lower Manhattan. The Vice President, during a Thursday appearance on NBC's "Today Show," said he would not go anywhere in confined places, including airplanes or subways, due to the potentially deadly strain of the flu.
New York State health officials say Monroe County now has one probable case of swine flu. The case involves a girl who had recently been to Mexico. Further testing by the CDC is needed to get a confirmation of swine flu.
Parents at a Queens elementary school may keep their children home this morning after several students experienced flu-like symptoms. The city Health Department is testing students at PS 21 in Flushing for the swine flu. But unlike other schools this week in New York City, city officials are not canceling classes this morning.
Three Brooklyn Catholic schools, along with PS 177 and Saint Francis Prep in Fresh Meadows, shut down this week with possible swine flu cases.
New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg is offering a symbolic response to Vice President Joe Biden's recent remarks about the swine flu outbreak. The big city mayor boarded a Number 4, 5, 6 train from his Upper East Side penthouse to City Hall yesterday to attend a news conference in lower Manhattan. The Vice President, during a Thursday appearance on NBC's "Today Show," said he would not go anywhere in confined places, including airplanes or subways, due to the potentially deadly strain of the flu.
HTN: Seneca Gaming Profits Fall
The Seneca Gaming Corporation is leaving a bundle of money on the table during the economic recession. Profits have tumbled 16-percent in the first quarter of the year as gamblers sit on the sidelines. The Indian Nation has cut more than 200 jobs, reduced advertising and halted construction of a new casino in Buffalo. Don't feel too bad for the gambling enterprise. They still profited more than 17-million dollars. The hardest hit sector was on hotel rooms where revenue fell by 19-percent.
HTN: Body Found in Riverside
A body was found Wednesday night in the Buffalo neighborhood of Riverside. Police say the death could be the result of a domestic dispute. Police say they have preliminary identification of the body, but will only describe it as "male" until an identity has been confirmed. The body, which had been shot and stabbed, was found in a field on Isabelle Street near the Schafer Village Apartments. Anyone with information should call the Buffalo Police Confidential Tip Line at 847-2255.
DMV: Buffalo Aiming to Become Cleanest City
Buffalo is taking a month to try to become one of the country's cleanest cities. Thousands of volunteers will be out in-force Saturday to pick up littler, remove graffiti, plant gardens and carry out other neighborhood beautification projects. This is Buffalo's 18th year participating in the Great American Cleanup. The normally single-day "blitz" event will be expanded throughout the month of May. City residents wanting to participate in the cleanup should contact the city's Call and Resolution Center at 311. Residents outside Buffalo can call 829-2133 and dial extension 341.
HTN: DMV Moving
A local Department of Motor Vehicles office will be moving. The new location, the Rath Building, will allow the office to use less tax dollars, because it is a government-owned building. The relocation also includes nicer surroundings once inside. Erie County Clerk Kathy Hochul said there will be comfortable benches, televisions, a children's play area and other amenities.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Hometown News: Swine Flu Update
Test results are still pending in two possible Chautauqua County swine flu cases. Health officials say the cases could wind up to be normal seasonal flu. The illness is spreading from New York City to parts Upstate, according to State Health Commissioner Dr. Richard Daines. Daines says with 75 suspect cases in all health regions of New York, it's a good bet swine flu will spread to all 57 Upstate counties.
HTN: Gov Speaks at Trade Summit
Governor Paterson was in Buffalo yesterday, speaking about foreign trade opportunities. Paterson's speech last night was part of an initiative by the Empire State Development Corp. The gathering of 63 foreign trade representatives from 36 ends today. Over 170 Buffalo Niagara-area economic development officials and businesses took part as well.
HTN: Governor Gives Green Light to Traffic-Cams
The Governor has approved 50 red light cameras at intersections in Buffalo. City officials project that the move will generate three-million dollars in revenue. Violaters will be mailed a 50-dollar ticket, but the violation does not include points on the driver’s license. The cameras themselves are still a few months away as the city studies where best to locate the cameras.
HTN: Mayor Unveils Anti-Poverty Plan
Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown has unveiled his plan to fight poverty in America's third-poorest city. The mayor's game plan includes boosting literacy rates, reducing blight in neighborhoods, expanding job training and promoting affordable housing.
HTN: Hamburg Rejects Ice Rink Proposal
Voters in Hamburg have rejected a plan for the town to renovate and expand its ice rink. In the special election on Tuesday voters shot down a plan to lease the site to a group that would convert the arena into a two rink facility. Leaping Sports Facility Management, including former Buffalo Sabre Dave Andreychuk, says it will pursue other business ventures, but not in Hamburg. The town says it will continue to run the rink and will invest in whatever repairs are needed.
HTN: Two Widows Visit Crash Site
Wives of two victims of Flight 3407 visited the crash site for the first time yesterday. The two women took some stones from the ground nearby as mementoes of their husbands' last moments. The National Transportation Safety Board will be holding hearings next month about the accident.
HTN: Jazz Concert to Benefit MHA
The Mental Health Association of Erie County is set to unveil a new fundraiser. The event is the Millionaire's Row Jazz Concert, on May 14th to benefit the agency's school-based mental health programs. It will be held at the Knox Mansion, featuring Barbara Levy Daniels and her trio.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Good Morning Buffalo: 100 Days
Loraine and Tom talk with Dr. Bruce Bryski from Buff State about Obama's first 100 days.
Hometown News: Swine Flu News Summary
State health officials are investigating two possible swine flu cases in Chautauqua County. This comes as tests are being done on 10-to-15 possible cases outside of New York City. Monroe County is reporting at least five possible cases. Officials say all the cases there are people in their 20's who had recently been to Mexico. All of the symptoms have been mild.
A state lab will examine the tests before sending them to the CDC in Atlanta for confirmation. State health commissioner Doctor Richard Daines says the state has adequate flu treatments, with nearly two-and-a-half million doses on hand. State officials caution residents who feel sick to stay at home.
Students at two more New York City schools are being tested for swine flu after experiencing symptoms. P.S. 177 in Queens has closed for the day as a cluster of cases are being tested there. Meantime the Ascension School on the Upper West Side is staying open, with no cases having been confirmed. Parents dropping off their kids at the Morningside Heights school this morning say they are confident in the school's judgement.
There have been 45 confirmed swine flu cases at St. Francis Prep School in Queens, which is some two miles away from P.S. 177. St. Francis Prep will be closed for the remainder of the week.
A state lab will examine the tests before sending them to the CDC in Atlanta for confirmation. State health commissioner Doctor Richard Daines says the state has adequate flu treatments, with nearly two-and-a-half million doses on hand. State officials caution residents who feel sick to stay at home.
Students at two more New York City schools are being tested for swine flu after experiencing symptoms. P.S. 177 in Queens has closed for the day as a cluster of cases are being tested there. Meantime the Ascension School on the Upper West Side is staying open, with no cases having been confirmed. Parents dropping off their kids at the Morningside Heights school this morning say they are confident in the school's judgement.
There have been 45 confirmed swine flu cases at St. Francis Prep School in Queens, which is some two miles away from P.S. 177. St. Francis Prep will be closed for the remainder of the week.
HTN: Small Plane Crashes En Route to Buffalo
Two people are dead after a single-engine aircraft bound for Buffalo crashed near a Cleveland airport. The FAA says the crash happened just after 4 p.m. yesterday about three miles from the Cuyahoga County Airport. Both victims were on board the plane; no one on the ground is thought to have been injured.
HTN: Woman Accused of Hiding Dead Newborn
A Lackawanna woman has been arrested on charges of manslaughter, after the death of her newborn daughter. Police say 26-year-old Danielle at first tried to deny her pregnancy, but eventually told Lackawanna police they could find the baby's remains in the trunk of a vehicle parked in a driveway next door to her home. Payne is now in jail on 100-thousand-dollars bail.
HTN: Off-Duty Cop Rescues Woman
An off-duty Buffalo police officer, sidelined from the force with an injury, saved a woman from a burning building. Detective Lilton Kelley is being credited with pulling the woman from a duplex on Janet Street Tuesday afternoon. Kelley was on his way to physical therapy at the UB when he saw the flames in the house. He used his cane to start banging on doors before helping the woman out to a police car. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
HTN: Teen Busted for Toy Gun
A 14-year-old Elma teenager has found out the hard way not to point a toy gun at a school bus. A state police officer witnessed the incident on Maple Road. Authorities say the officer thought it was a real gun until a closer inspection. The gun turned out to be an orange toy which was painted black. The teen now has a date in Family Court next month on menacing charges.
HTN: Re-enactment Coming to Fort Niagara
Old Fort Niagara will be presenting a reenactment of the 18th century French & Indian War on July 3rd through 5th, and expects to see over two-thousand reenactors come out to portray French, British, Colonial and Native American warriors who took part in the capture of the fort by the British in 1759
HTN: Really Big Lottery Jackpot
The Mega Millions jackpot is growing after nobody matched all five numbers and the mega millions ball in last night's drawing. The grand prize now stands at 220-million-dollars. Players have a chance to try their luck for the big pot in the next drawing on Friday night.
HTN: Whitner Pleads Not Guilty
Buffalo Bills defensive back Donte Whitner has pleaded not guilty to charges stemming from his arrest in Cleveland. Authorities say officers were trying to control a crowd after a fight broke out, and Whitner allegedly tried to push his way past them. He faces charges of aggravated disorderly conduct and resisting arrest.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Good Morning Buffalo: Swine Flu
Tom and Loraine talk with Erie County Health Commissioner Dr. Anthony Billitier.
Hometown News: Swine Flu News Summary
Erie County health officials say they are prepared to deal with swine flu if it spreads to Western New York. So far there are no suspected cases of the disease in the region. However, Health Commissioner Anthony Billittier says they are ramping up their capabilities in case the flu spreads further. Dr. Billitier spoke with Loraine and Tom on WECK's Good Morning Buffalo.
A Cortland County man could be the first Swine Flu case in upstate. He is suspected to have contracted the illness in Mexico, and coworkers are under strict surveillance by the Madison County Health Department. Authorities are still waiting on test results.
More cases of swine flu are popping up around the New York City area. The swine flu outbreak in the Big Apple has centered around St. Francis Prep in Queens, where Mayor Michael Bloomberg says the number of cases has risen to 28. The school is closed at least until today after dozens of students became ill last week.
NYC Officials are also taking a look at possible cases at another nearby Queens school, P.S. 177, following a class trip to Mexico. In the meantime, five suspected swine flu cases are being investigated in New Jersey.
A Cortland County man could be the first Swine Flu case in upstate. He is suspected to have contracted the illness in Mexico, and coworkers are under strict surveillance by the Madison County Health Department. Authorities are still waiting on test results.
More cases of swine flu are popping up around the New York City area. The swine flu outbreak in the Big Apple has centered around St. Francis Prep in Queens, where Mayor Michael Bloomberg says the number of cases has risen to 28. The school is closed at least until today after dozens of students became ill last week.
NYC Officials are also taking a look at possible cases at another nearby Queens school, P.S. 177, following a class trip to Mexico. In the meantime, five suspected swine flu cases are being investigated in New Jersey.
HTN: Middle School in Mourning
The Benjamin Franklin Middle School in Tonawanda is in mourning after a sixth grader was killed while riding his bike to class yesterday. Police say 11-year-old James Moore was hit by a pickup truck just after 7:30 a.m. at the intersection of Wendel Avenue and Cambridge Street. Grief counselors are being made available at the school.
HTN: High-Speed Rail May Stop Short
High-Speed rail may not reach Niagara Falls after all. Upstate New York is a contender for federal funding to be part of a nationwide high-speed passenger rail system, but the service is almost certain to stop 20 miles short of the Falls. Struggling local rail operator CSX, which was reported to be laying off 250 workers yesterday, will not allow its Western New York corridor to be used unless New York State pays all liability insurance costs.
HTN: Main Street Vehicle Project Ready
Plans are finally in the works to combine pedestrian and vehicle traffic on Main Street. For 25 years, the downtown section of Main has been closed to vehicle traffic. Now, the area could see a multi-modal revitalization project that would have cars rolling through once more. Bringing two-way traffic to the block is the first phase of a 40-million-dollar plan. Construction in the theater district should begin some time next year.
Monday, April 27, 2009
BuffaloStyle 4/25/09
Hosted by Christina Abt. Dr. Shirley Anain answers your questions about cosmetic surgery and related techniques that can turn back the clock on our appearance.
Hometown News: Swine Flu Alert
Governor David Paterson has declared a public health emergency in New York State after eight cases of swine flu were confirmed. Paterson has activated the state's health emergency preparedness plan and has put the state on high alert to quickly identify and respond to any suspected cases of swine flu. At a Sunday news conference, Governor Paterson said a swine flu hotline received hundreds of calls in the first four hours of operation. The hotline number is 1-800-808-1987. A private school in Queens was closed for today and tomorrow after eight students test positive for swine flu.
HTN: Buffalo Unemployment Rises
Buffalo posted another decline in jobs in March. The statewide unemployment rate stood at seven-point-eight-percent. Unemployment was just four-point-eight-percent at the same time last year. Buffalo's unemployment rate is nine-point-two-percent. The rate increased by two-point-five-percent year-over-year.
HTN: Teenage Susters Killed in Crash
Two teenage sisters are dead following a car crash in Genesee County over the weekend. Police say 17-year-old Sarah Protulipac was driving the car with her 16-year-old sister Gretchen on Saturday afternoon in Darien. Authorities say Protulipac failed to stop at a stop sign at the intersection of Summer Road and Route 77. Investigators say the two were killed instantly when their car was hit by a pickup truck. The driver and a passenger in the truck were not hurt.
HTN: Arrested After Breaking Into Wrong House
Police in West Seneca say a town resident thought he locked himself out of his home Saturday night. Authorities say 31-year-old Shawn Castanik was so intoxicated that he pulled on the front door, ripped out some shrubs, used a garden hoe to pry open a window and finally jumped inside. Trouble is, it wasn't his house. Police say Castanik actually lives a few doors down on Collins Avenue but was too drunk to realize it. Neighbors noticed and called the cops. Police say Castanik kicked out the window of a police car after he was arrested. He faces two counts of felony criminal mischief.
HTN: Brad Pitt Visits the Falls
Actor Brad Pitt played the role of father and tourist, as he, his sons Maddox and Pax, and his parents took in the sights at the Falls. The family donned the blue plastic ponchos for the Maid of the Mist ride and snapped photos under the Falls. Pitt sported a goatee, big sunglasses and hooded sweatshirt to conceal his identity. Not many of his fellow shipmates even noticed the A-lister was on the same boat. Angelina Jolie was not along, as she is filming a movie in Albany.
Hometown Sports: Bills Load Up on Defense
The Bills looked to address needs on the defensive and offensive lines with their top picks in the weekend's NFL draft. The Bills drafted pass-rusher AARON MAYBIN FROM PENN STATE with the 11th pick in Round One, then got ERIC WOOD FROM LOUISVILLE with the 28th pick. Wood played center in college, but could move to guard with the Bills. Overall, the Bills drafted three offensive players and five defensive players, including three defensive backs.
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