ACCUSATIONS AGAINST COUNTY SHERIFF TOM BELEIN ::Friday, June 27th::

Niagara County Sheriff Tom Belein - who is awaiting confirmation to head the state agency that enforces standards in county jails - has been accused of allowing violations of state regulations to continue in his jail, even after inspectors had been assured the problems would be fixed. Four current and former jail employees say that inmates in the county jail sometimes are held in nonsecure areas when parts of the jail are overcrowded; a problem that state inspectors cited in 2005. Those making the accusations asked to remain anonymous because of a fear of retaliation, and because department policies restricting comments by rank and file employees to the media. Belein denied the allegation and said the accusers were trying to torpedo his nomination to head the State Commission of Corrections, which is pending before the Senate. Belein says the timing is very suspicious, and that quote, "I can't keep 150 employees happy. The buck stops with me." Meantime, one of the sources - a current jail employee - says he doesn't think Belein should get the state job. "How's the guy going to run the whole state when he can't run his own facility?" State inspectors cited the county jail in November 2005 for allowing prisoners to sleep in the inmate reception area instead of regular cells; a violation of state prison standards.

D-DAY FOR LYNCH! ::Friday, June 27th::

The star Bills running back is expected to plead guilty to a traffic violation Friday, settling a month long investigation into the hit and run accident involving his SUV. Lynch's attorney Michael Caffrey said Thursday, that he will be with his client when he appears at the State DMV Traffic Violations Bureau in Buffalo. Caffrey wouldn't disclose what the violation was, exceot to say quote, "We're hoping we'll have everything resolved tomorrow." Meantime, Buffalo Police spokesman Mick DeGeorge confirmed Lynch's appearance, while Erie County DA Frank Clark declined to comment. By pleading guilty to a traffic violation, Lynch will avoid a criminal charge.

LOCAL BUSINESSMAN WINS SUPREME COURT CASE ::Friday, June 27th::

In a 5-4 decision, the Supreme Court Thursday backed congressional candidate Jack Davis' suit to declare unconstitutional the so-called 'Millionaire's Ammendment" in the bipartisan campaign finance law. Davis - a democrat industrialist from Clarence - spent $3.5-million of his own money in unsuccessful attempts to defeat incumbent representative Tom Reynolds in 2004 and 2006. The voided law permitted challengers to candidates who spend $350,000 of their own money to triple the amount of money they could ordinarily raise. The narrow court majority based its decision on a precedent in the 1976 Buckley v. Vaclo ruling that said money spent in campaigning is the same as free speech, that it's protected by the First Ammendment. Meantime, Senator Chuck Schumer says the court has issued a confounding decision that takes the First Amendment to an illogical distorted extreme. Schumer suppoerted Davis two years ago. Davis is running again this year, and has vowed to spend $3-million of his own money to get to Congress.

GLDC APPROVES CANAL STREET BUYOUT ::Friday, June 27th::

In Lockport, the city's economic development agency yesterday again approved a buyout of Rochester developer Ben Kendig's interest in buildings on Canal Street. The Greater Lockport Development Corporation had approved the deal last month, but Kendig's attorney wanted to make some changes. Corporation counsel John Ottaviano says the agency turned down those suggestions, including a request from Kendig that the corporation pay half the cost of an appraisal of the four buildings. An appraisal is needed because, for income tax purposes, Kendig wants to claim a charitable donation to the agency. Ottaviano explains quote, "we are forgiving a $600,000 loan and paying him $300,000. The difference between that is $900,000 and an appraisal is the value of the donation. I have no idea what the appraisal is going to be."

DELPHI LABOR AGREEMENT APPROVED BY WORKERS ::Thursday, June 26th::

Published reports say 74% of voting UAW members passing a labor agreement that is vital to Delphi's Lockport Facility future. Although the total vote count was not yet released, union heads were very pleased with the decision. UAW Local 686 President Gordie Fletcher saying the vote "shows the commitment of the union leadership and its membership to the Lockport Delphi site." Last June, Unit No. 1 was the only UAW local within Delphi to reject the tentative national contract that, despite the Lockport opposition, was ratified. "This shows that in spite of having their wages cut 40 percent (in the national contract), these folks are still willing to give their commitment to their work and to the company at Lockport," Fletcher said. None of the details of local agreement have been released either. Stay tuned to your Hometown News Source for much more information this afternoon and tomorrow morning, as we'll be sure to bring you exclusive audio from UAW Local 686 President Gordie Fletcher.

WILSON SEXUAL ASSAULTERS HIRE PROMINENT ATTORNEY ::Thursday, June 26th::

The families of two victims in the Wilson High School sexual abuse case have hired a prominent Buffalo attorney, while the criminal cases against two coaches and three players from the baseball team move forward Thursday night in Town Court. Terry Connors has been retained to represent victims State Police say were involved in an incident on the team bus following games in the falls on April 17th. Connors says quote, "I have been engaged by the families of two victims to protect their legal rights." The State Police - who have been handling the investigation - have turned the case over to the Niagara County D.A.'s office. Three varsity players and two suspended coaches are scheduled to appear in court. The players - one 18 year old and two 16 year olds - have been charged with abusing at least two junior varsity players. Each was charged with a misdemeanor count of endangering the welfare of a child under 17, and felony 3rd degree aggravated sexual abuse. The latter charge accuses them of forcing a foreign object into a private body opening. The jv and varsity coaches - 35 year old William Atlas and 40 year old Thomas Baya - both live Wilson and have been suspended by the district from their teaching posts following their April 30th arrests. They had been suspended from their coaching duties a day earlier.

METAL THEFT SUSPECT NABBED ::Thursday, June 26th::

A second suspect has been arrested in connection with a suspected scrap metal theft last month. Chad Bower of Transit Street has been charged with burglary, possession of stolen property, petty larceny, and various vehicle and traffic offenses. His co-defendant, 38 year old Christopher Fitzgerald, was charged back on May 28th for the same offenses. Officers responded to William and Jackson Streets on May 27th at 2pm for a report of someone in a red pickup stealing scrap metal from a factory. The pickup was spotted on Clinton Street, and a chase ensued. Eventually, Fitzgerald - the passenger in the truck - was caught. Bower was able to escape, and wasn't caught until Wednesday morning. In the bed of the pickup, officers found steel pipe, a metal door, and a door jam, that were taken from the factory at the end of Williams Street.

ROBBER OF LOCK-CITY COFFEE HOUSE CHARGED WITH ERIE COUNTY BURGLARY ::Thursday, June 26th::

The man accused of robbing the Daily Grind coffee shop last week is now facing charges in connection with a burglary in the City of Tonawanda. 26 year old Michael Cochrane of Orchard Street was charged Wednesday with possession of stolen property. Cochrane allegedly had a black Samsung flat screen TV, which he then sold to an employee of the Convenient One Stop store at Hawley and Green Streets. The television had reportedly been stolen from a home on Niagara Street in the City of Tonawanda. A homeowner told police his home was burglarized on June 15th, and the TV was one of the several things taken. The Samsung is worth about $3,000. Cochrane is being held without bail. He was charged last Friday in connection with an alleged robbery the night before at the Daily Grind in the Lockview Plaza. About $550 was taken from the business, along with two cell phones and a set of key.

NEW NIAGARA PRODUCE LOCATION LOOKING FOR WORKERS ::Thursday, June 26th::

In Lockport, managers of the new Niagara County Produce store - which is targeted for a July 14th opening - were stunned Wednesday by the turnout for open job interviews. Jody Chesko - the daughter of owner Richard Dorr - said 200 to 250 people were interviewed in a two and a half hour period. The final chance for job interviews is from 5 til 7 today at the store at Washburn and Chesnut Streets. Chesko says 20 to 30 full and part-time jobs will be filled.

CAMBRIA BOY NEARLY LOSES LIFE ::Wednesday, June 25th::

In Cambria, a mother performed CPR on her two year old son Monday after his teenage brother reportedly found him face down in the family pool. Karen Hoyt of Plank Road told deputies that her 13 year old son Jarrett found his brother Justin floating unconscious in their above ground poll about 12:14pm. The teen yelled for his mother and dove into the pool to get his brother out. Justin wasn't breathing and was beginning to turn blue when he came out of the water. His mother then performed CPR until the boy vomited water and began breathing on his own. Sheriff's deputies arrived on the scene shortly thereafter, along with members of the Cambria Volunteer Fire Department and Rural Metro Medical Services. The two year old was transported to Women and Children's Hospital for treatment. His condition was unavailable, but a hospital spokesman said he had been admitted to the recovery floor. Evidently the toddler used a wagon to get himself into the pool; a four year old telling deputies that's what he saw.

MARSHAWN LYNCH UPDATE ::Wednesday, June 25th::

Buffalo Bills running back Marshawn Lynch is expected to plead guilty on Friday to a traffic violation - which is not a criminal charge - for the hit and run accident involving his SUV. Authorities investigating the May 31st accident have discussed two possible traffic violations: failure to exercise due care to avoid striking a pedestrian, and leaving the scene of a property-damaging accident. Each of those violations carries a maximum penalty of $250 and 15 days in jail, but first time offenders are all but assured of avoiding jail on such charges. Erie County DA Frank Clark says quote, "We'll look at something that we feel fits the facts and fairly resolves the issues." Those two sections are commenly used to resolve cases of people charged with leaving the scene of a personal injury accident. Clark and others have said that, at most, Lynch would have been charged with leaving the scene of a personal injury accident - a class 'A' misdemeanor. But last Friday, Clark announced that an agreement in principle had been reached to settle the case. That occured after Clark, attorneys for the Bills, and defense attorney Michael Caffrey discussed a possible plea deal allowing Lynch to plead to a reduced charge. Caffrey says it appears there's a resolutution on the matter, but declined comment until Friday. Clark also refused to discuss which charge Lynch would plead guilty to.

SENECA'S REPORT ECONOMIC IMPACT OF ALMOST $1-BILLION ::Wednesday, June 25th::

Claiming the Seneca Nation has become an economic engine for Western New York, Seneca officials Tuesday releasing a study indicating they've helped create 1,100 new jobs, and are pumping more money into the local economy than the Bills and Sabres combined. The 43 page economic impact study prepared by the Taylor Policy Group of Florida offers a long list of the Seneca Nation's contributions to the local economy. The study found that the nation provides a gross domestic product statewide of $820-million, including $779-million in Western New York. It points out that the Sabres impact is $90-million, and the Bill $145-million. It also says the nation employs over 6,300 people. Most of the jobs are at three casinos where the average salary is $34-thousand a year. Joining Seneca Nation officials Tuesday were Falls Mayor Paul Dyster, and Buffalo's Byron Brown. Dyster says the Seneca Niagara Casino has generated $40-million in revenue since 2003, adding that the nation has proven itself to be a very important part of our local econmy.