Friday, July 3, 2009
Good Morning Buffalo: Movie Talk
Movie Critic Michael Calleri joins Loraine and Tom live in studio to set up the holiday weekend at the cinemas.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Hometown News: Senate Standoff
Governor David Paterson is trying to resolve the gridlock issues in Albany by keeping Senators there for the holiday weekend. Any public meeting between state Senate Republicans and Democrats to resolve the bitter leadership dispute will have to wait until Thursday. Republican leader Dean Skelos had offered to hold the get together Wednesday, but leaders with the Democratic conference say they need time "to work on arrangements and an agenda to ensure a productive negotiation."
HTN: FBI Raids two Hamburg Homes
The FBI executed search warrants yesterday at the two most-expensive homes ever purchased in Erie County. Agents searched for evidence at two homes on Boston State Road, in connection with a still-undisclosed financial fraud case. The homes were purchased last year by a young hedge fund trader, for a total of six-point-three-million dollars. Court documents show the ownership listed as a company called Phantom Holdings One and a man named Michael Wilson.
HTN: Mayor Shouldn't Use City Seal for Charities
Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown has been told not to use the official city seal at charity functions. The Board of Ethics has told the Mayor the practice could make it appear that the charity events aree city sponsored. In January Brown used the city seal on invitations to a 35-dollar-a-plate luncheon to raise money for his Fund to Advance Buffalo charity. The move raised the ire of a Buffalo attorney who filed a complaint. The board concluded it would be best for the Mayor not to use the seal for an outside organization.
Hometown Sports: Sabres Free Agent Moves
The Sabres gained one and lost one in free agency yesterday. Defensemen, that is. Buffalo agreed to terms with free agent Steve Montador on a two-year contract. The 29-year-old defensive specialist spent last season with the Anaheim Ducks and Boston Bruins, recording four goals and 17 assists in 78 games. On the other side, the Montreal Canadiens signed defenseman Jaroslav Spacek to a three-year contract.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Hometown News: Capital Chaos turns on Can of Coke
Governor Paterson is calling for another special session for today after a Republican state Senator created a stir in wandering into the Senate chamber to avoid a crowd. Queens state Senator Frank Padavan used the chamber as a short-cut to get a soda. Senate Democrats assert Padavan's presence gave them enough members to form a quorum of 32-votes and pass legislation. Governor Paterson is calling for an end to the game in Albany
But Governor Paterson will not recognize any of the measures Senate Democrats claimed to pass. No official business was accomplished.
Governor Paterson's standing among voters remains abysmal. That's according to the latest Marist poll, in which voters give the Democrat a 21-percent approval rating. Two-thirds of New Yorkers in the survey say Paterson is a weak leader.
But Governor Paterson will not recognize any of the measures Senate Democrats claimed to pass. No official business was accomplished.
Governor Paterson's standing among voters remains abysmal. That's according to the latest Marist poll, in which voters give the Democrat a 21-percent approval rating. Two-thirds of New Yorkers in the survey say Paterson is a weak leader.
HTN: Chickens Legal in Buffalo
A new law has come home to roost, and chicken coops could now become a normal sight in Buffalo. The Common Council agreed six to three to pass legislation which would allow people have chickens in their backyards. A Tuesday meeting only had two out of the 40 people attending not in favor of the new law. The legislation would require residents to pay a one time license fee of 25-dollars and only allow five hens to be kept on properties. Roosters would not be allowed to be kept, and residents would have to keep the hens in an enclosed area with a chicken coop. Supporters of the law feel it would help people understand where their food comes from.
HTN: Buffalo Product Recalled
A Buffalo company has issued a product recall. Buffalo Sav Inc. is asking anyone who has purchased their "Grandma's Pierogies" products to return them. The products contain an ingredient called Amarath Red #2 which is not legal to be used in foods sold in the United States. Officials report no adverse reaction to the chemical has yet to be reported, but advises anyone with concerns who has consumed the products to contact the doctor.
HTN: 1975 Cold Case Cracked
The man accused of killing a young Buffalo girl back in 1975 has been indicted. Prosecutors say 55-year-old Bernard Thomas faces charges of intentional murder and two counts of murder while committing sex crimes. Authorities say Thomas sexually assaulted 19-year-old Michelle Dixon before shooting her to death 34 years ago. Thomas entered a not guilty plea Tuesday and his lawyer says he will try to work out a plea deal. Cops say they cracked the case when the victim's family called to inquire if the case was reopened. That's when the Cold Case Squad ran a DNA sample and Thomas came up a match. Police say he had always been the prime suspect. Thomas' rap sheet includes 56 arrests. He was ordered held without bail.
HTN: Mining Company Wins Court Case
Mining operations will be allowed to expand at a quarry in Cheektowaga. New York State's highest court has sided with Buffalo Crushed Stone, allowing the quarry to excavate land across Indian Road. The court stated that it was unrealistic and unreasonable to require the quarry to have mined all of its 280-acre land before town zoning codes restricted operations in 1969. The high court's ruling also allows for mining on two parcels near Como Park Boulevard.
HTN: GM Tonawanda to Closefor Extra Week
The GM engine plant in Tonawanda will stop production for an additional week next month. That means the factory will grind to a halt for a total of five weeks. Production was halted at the beginning of this week as part of a two week seasonal closure planned each year. The lines will fire up for one on July 13th before stopping the 20th as per the latest announcement. The additional closure is because of the company's adjusted schedule for a plant in Ohio.
Hometown Sports: Sabres Don't Expect Big Splash
NHL Free Agency began today at noon. Sabre GM Darcy Regier said he did not expect the team to be active in signing new players, but that he might try to improve the roster through trades. Buffalo has six unrestricted free agents, including Jaro Spacek and Max Afinogenov. They can match any offer made to restricted free agents Drew Stafford, Andrej Sekera or Patrick Kaleta. The Rangers traded forward Scott Gomez to the Canadiens.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
HTN: Capital Chaos Continues
Capital chaos contiues today, and it may be getting more random. A state Supreme Court judge ordered the warring sides back to the state Senate for a working session this morning. Judge Joseph Teresi sided with Governor David Paterson in the now three-week long power struggle. Teresi ordered the Senate to convene for a special session at 10 a.m.
But Senate Republicans filed an appeal to stay the order, attempting to put this morning's session on hold. Democrats then took over the Senate chamber again, placing senators in two key leadership chairs to bolster their claim that they control the Senate. Dems say several pieces of legislation must be acted on by today or they will expire, and that billions in education, stimulus, housing and other federal money will be lost. Democratic conference leader John Sampson says the coup will end up costing New York taxpayers seven-point-two-billion dollars.
But Senate Republicans filed an appeal to stay the order, attempting to put this morning's session on hold. Democrats then took over the Senate chamber again, placing senators in two key leadership chairs to bolster their claim that they control the Senate. Dems say several pieces of legislation must be acted on by today or they will expire, and that billions in education, stimulus, housing and other federal money will be lost. Democratic conference leader John Sampson says the coup will end up costing New York taxpayers seven-point-two-billion dollars.
HTN: Beefing up the Borders
Border patrol agents are beefing up security, just in time for the Fourth of July weekend. New cameras will give agents a continuous view of the Niagara River all the way up through Youngstown. The lower Niagara has been under surveillance since 2003, and with the installation of the cameras on the upper section, the entire length of the river will be covered by the end of the summer.
HTN: Use that Gift Card Before the Gov't Gets It
If you leave a gift card laying around unused, you may find the state will grab its cash value. "The Wall Street Journal" is reporting several states are labeling gift cards that go unused for as little as two years "abandoned property" and are taking the money. Every year, about six-point-eight-billion dollars in gift card value is never redeemed.
HTN: First Niagara Pays Back Bailout
First Niagara bank has paid Uncle Sam back the bailout money it received. The company says it has completed a final transaction worth more than two-and-a-half million dollars, to buy back the warrant which could have allowed the Treasury Department to buy nearly a million shares of common stock. The bank is now free from the tight restrictions placed on institutions taking taxpayer money.
HTN: Studio Arena to Permanently Close
Studio Arena Theatre has changed its bankruptcy plans, and will go dark forever. The theater's assets will now be liquidated to satisfy debts and it will cease to exist, after failing to convince potrential donors that it could restructure and survive.
Monday, June 29, 2009
Hometown News: Second Student dies from H1N1
A second Buffalo student has died from swine flu. Nine-year-old Maya Harden passed away Saturday morning at Women and Children's Hospital. She was a fourth-grader at the Charles Drew Science Magnet School 59 who had been ill for some time. The second death comes a week after 15-year-old Matthew Davis died from complications related to H1N1. School Superintendent Doctor James Williams reminds parents to have their kids wash their hands frequently to help prevent the spread of the flu.
HTN: Teen Hit by Train Dies
The autistic teen hit by a train in the City of Tonawanda last week has died. The family of 15-year-old Anthony Fracassi of Buffalo removed him from life support on Friday. The teen was participating in a baseball game for challenged youth last Tuesday near Main Street and Fuller Avenue. At some point Fracassi wandered away from the game and up onto the train tracks. He suffered multiple injuries after being hit by the CSX freight train. The investigation is closed and no charges will be filed.
HTN: Senate Standoff Continues
The senate circus appears far from over. On Sunday, state lawmakers met for another emergency session and for the sixth straight day, they accomplished absolutely nothing. Governor David Paterson met with Democrats behind closed doors last night, but says the meeting didn't result in a solution to the power sharing struggle. Meantime, turncoat Senator Pedro Espada says he's being approached by Democrats who want him to return to the caucus. That would give Democrats the majority. Governor Paterson has called another special session for today and says he'll even order one on July 4th if the power struggle hasn't been resolved by then. Both sides of the aisle held separate sessions on Sunday, but no legislation was passed. Paterson has called the senators "derelict in their duty" and has promised to cut millions of dollars of pork-barrel projects until the Senate gets back to normal. The governor has also ordered state officials to find a way to cut off senators' expenses reimbursement and paychecks.
HTN: New York is Cheap with Unemployment Benefits
New York has the lowest average unemployment benefit. There are over 500-thousand New Yorkers receiving unemployment benefits from the state. The largest sum anyone can draw is 405 dollars a week, and with an additional short-term 25-dollar stimulus boost. The average check is 314 dollars. Regionally, Connecticut, New Jersey and Pennsylvania clock in at 600-dollars-a-week, while an unemployed Massachusetts worker can get up to 900 a week.
HTN: Missing Hamburg Man
Police are searching for a missing Hamburg man. Twenty-six-year-old Aaron Dorolek was last seen early Friday evening. He is described as a six-foot-three-inch tall white male with brown hair and green eyes. Anyone with information should call Hamburg police.
HTN: Flynn Gets Key to City
Hometown high school star and Syracuse standout Jonny Flynn gets the key to the city of Niagara Falls tonight at City Hall. After wrapping up two exciting years with the Orange, Flynn was drafted sixth overall by the NBA Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday.
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