Springsteen Sings for Russert

Bruce Springsteen remembered Tim Russert yesterday at Washington, DC's Kennedy Center, appearing from Europe where the E Street Band is touring. Springsteen attributed Russert's enthusiasm to his faith in the American idea, adding that we can learn from Russert's values.
Springsteen just one of many who offered tributes and memories of Russert. Brian Williams and Tom Brokaw, Mario Cuomo, Maria Shriver, and Russert's son Luke shared stories during the service that ranged from the touching to the comical. Russert's widow Maureen Orth says she had a premonition of sorts about his death. She told "People" magazine that when Russert left their Italy vacation last week ahead of her and their son, she said to him, "I want to give you a hug; maybe I'll never see you again."

914ers Back from Iraq

Seventy-four members of the 914th Airlift Wing are set to return to Niagara Falls this afternoon after serving in Iraq and Southwest Asia. Families and colleagues will greet the returnees at 2 this afternoon at the Falls Air Reserve Station.

Cheektowaga Rules On Drive-Throughs

The Town of Cheektowaga is trying to put an end to drive-through line backups that spill out into the street. The Town Board approved restrictions on drive-through windows, including a mandatory set-back of 75 feet from the property line, 660 feet from an intersection, and room for sixteen vehicles to line up for doughnuts or coffee.

Teacher and Student Found Separately

A missing 14-year-old South Buffalo Charter School student and a 28-year-old teacher were found separately Tuesday after going missing on Monday. Officials say that the teacher, Cara Dickey, had been suspended with pay and escorted out of the building Monday because of what one official termed "inappropriate behavior." The student, Nicholas DeJesus, left on his own a few hours later, and was found Tuesday at a Hamburg mall. The teacher was found sleeping in her car in Springville. As of last night she was in police custody. The boy's cell phone reportedly had questionable e-mails from the teacher. Dickey is married and has three children living in Clarence Center.

Russert Remembered

Politicians and common people from Western New York were among those paying their respects yesterday to Tim Russert. Among those attending his wake at St. Alban's School in Washington were Congresswoman Louise Slaughter, Erie County Clerk Kathy Hochul, who once worked for Russert, and Congressman Brian Higgins. This morning, Holy Trinity Church in Washington hosted a private funeral service for Tim Russert. Ave Maria was sung inside the sanctuary as Russert's coffin arrived. An invitation-only memorial is being held at four this afternoon at the Kennedy Center in DC. We'll have a live special report later today.

Missing Teacher and Student Found Separately

The 14-year-old boy and suspended 29-year-old teacher who went missing from the South Buffalo Charter School on Monday afternoon have both been found. Nicholas DeJesus was located at a mall in Hamburg, while teacher Cara Dickey was found sleeping in her car. School directors spoke to the media this morning.

Monday Hailstorms Cause Minor Damage

Monday's weather looked bad, but doesn't appear to have caused any major problems. Heavy hail fell in Niagara Falls, Lancaster, Tonawanda, Cheektowaga and other areas. Some area saw hailstones the size of golf balls, who spotted golf ball sized hail. No serious injuries were reported, but there was some damage to vehicles and trees.