Hometown News: Collins Company Drops Out

Volland Electric, a company partially owned by Erie County Executive Chris Collins, has pulled out of a county contract for repair work. The Erie County Legislature questioned the timing, bidding process and ethics surrounding the deal. Collins asked Volland to forego any money they have received from the county for work already completed. Collins has also asked any company he holds a stake in to refrain from bidding on county projects, saying he wants to avoid future political attacks. An investigation by Erie County Comptroller Mark Poloncarz is ongoing, with preliminary findings due out sometime today.

HTN: Pawn Shop Owner Pleads

A former pawn shop owner in Buffalo has pleaded guilty to gun charges. 55-year-old Stefan Kary admitted to a misdemeanor charge related to paperwork on gun sales. Prosecutors say Kary's Jewelry and Loan on Bailey Avenue was the source of illegal firearms sales. Investigators say in 2004 a gun was sold to a convicted felon who was working undercover. The business closed its doors early last year.

HTN: Some City Schools Improving

Academic improvements in the Buffalo School District are paying off. Six city schools have now been taken off of New York State's list of badly-underperforming schools. Now, the number of Buffalo schools under review is just ten. No other Buffalo Niagara region schools are on the list. Those Buffalo schools improved in areas like English and math test scores. Officials say the improved performance is due in part to a reform of the district's program which features longer school days and a longer school year, smaller class sizes and the increased use of math, reading and technology coaches.

HTN: FBI Agent Improving

An FBI agent who was apparently wounded by friendly fire last week is home from the hospital. Agent Peter Orchard was accidentally shot in the should by a fellow agent while they served a search warrant during several drug raids on Coit Street in Buffalo. The raids led to nearly three dozen arrests.

HTN: Akron Men Arrested for Wasting Water

Authorities arrested two Akron men Monday and accused them of opening fire hydrants in Newstead last November. The Erie County Water Authority estimated a loss of 2.5 million gallons of water, worth over $6,000. The Authority also spent $850 in labor costs to correct the problem. Many homeowners in the area awoke that morning to find low water pressure, and residents also were affected in the towns of Alden and Alabama.

HTN: Akron Men Arrested for Wasting Water

Authorities arrested two Akron men Monday and accused them of opening fire hydrants in Newstead last November. The Erie County Water Authority estimated a loss of 2.5 million gallons of water, worth over $6,000. The Authority also spent $850 in labor costs to correct the problem. Many homeowners in the area awoke that morning to find low water pressure, and residents also were affected in the towns of Alden and Alabama.

Flight 3407: New Fund for Families

There's a new fund for families affected by Flight 3407 crash. United Way of Buffalo & Erie County and the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo have created the fund with a number of area banks. Donations can be made through March 17th at any participating bank. Checks can be made payable to the United Way of Buffalo & Erie County with "Flight 3407 Fund" on the "memo" line.