NFTA Says Dump the Pump

Today is the day to "Dump the Pump" and ride a bus or train. About 125 public transportation systems around the country are holding special promotions today to increase ridership, including the NFTA. Public Affairs Director Doug Hartmeyer spoke with Donahue and Moore this morning on WECK.

So Bflo Charter Teacher Canned

Cara Dickey, the South Buffalo Charter School teacher who went missing earlier this week, has now reportedly been been fired from South Buffalo Charter School. The teacher was terminated yesterday, one day after she was found sleeping in her car in Springville. Her relationship with an eight-grade student, who was also missing for a time this week, led to a police investigation.

ECMC-Kaleida Deal Coming?

A deal may be getting closer between Kaleida and ECMC. County Executive Chris Collins says he's "cautiously optimistic." A Kaleida spokesman confirms an agreement may be close. Collins expects the deal could go to Albany for approval by Friday.

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.