County Comptroller Sued by Construction Company

A local construction firm is suing the Erie County Comptroller's office. DiPizio Construction says it is owed over a million dollars. Owner Roseanne Lettieri says they haven't been paid since September 1st. The company is working on a project on Wehrle Drive. The State Supreme Court will hear the case.

Buffalo has Highest Gas Prices

A top ranking we'd rather not have: Buffalo now has the highest gas prices in the continental United States, according to the Triple-A. The average price of a gallon of regular is $2.85, well above the national average of $2.31. Regular gas in Rochester today averages $2.75. In Albany it's $2.55; in Syracuse, $2.50. Even New York City has a lower average price at $2.77.

Smokin' Joe Will Plead Guilty

Prominent Niagara County businessman "Smokin' Joe" Anderson is expected to plead guilty in a federal probe today. The Native-American entrepreneur is scheduled to appear in front of District Judge William Skretny in a case regarding business dealings with former Niagara Falls Mayor Vince Anello. No specifics of the agreement have been released.

Spitzer Off the Hook

Former Governor Eliot Spitzer will not face criminal charges in connection with the scandal that cost him his office. U.S. Attorney Michael Garcia of Manhattan announced that his office will not charge Spitzer in the break-up of a prostitution service he admitted to patronizing. Spitzer was investigated after authorities learned he had made questionable payments to a bank account that was being used to launder over one-million-dollars for the Emperors Club. Garcia's office uncovered no evidence of misuse of public or campaign funds, and says there is insufficient evidence to bring charges against Spitzer. Spitzer resigned shortly after his association with prostitutes was made public.

Fatal Shooting on West Side

A West Side man collapsed and died right outside his door after being shot yesterday on Busti Avenue. 27-year old Raquan Loyd was shot once in the heart and once in the leg just before 6 p-m. He went into cardiac arrest and was unable to be revived by emergency crews, authorities said. The West Side neighborhood has been the scene of several shootings in recent weeks, and city authorities had stepped up efforts to curb the violence.

Donovan Building Dismantling Approved

The City of Buffalo Planning Board approved a demolition plan for the Donovan State Office Building. Dismantling will begin early next year, for Erie Canal Harbor commercial redevelopment.

WNY Congressional Contests

Republicans are keeping the Congressional seat vacated by the retiring Thomas Reynolds. Chris Lee beat his rival Alice Kryzan with 55-percent of the vote. Incumbent Democrats Brian Higgins kept his seat, and Democrat Eric Massa knocked out Republican incumbent Randy Kuhl. Louise Slaughter took 78-percent of the vote to secure her seat in the 28th Congressional District. Her opponent, Republican David Crimmen walked away with 22-percent.