CONFRONTATION

State Parks Police quelled a confrontation Friday when the two sides
in the Magdalena Lubowska tragedy showed up at Whirlpool State Park
at the same time. It happened around 12:30. The attorney representing
the owners of the home where the 12 year old Bronx girl was staying, Earl
Key, said Eva and Timothy Hedges took him there to see the scene of the tragedy.
unfortunately, members of the Lubowksa family were also making their
first visit to the park at the same time. Their attorney, Gus Farinella,
said her parents wanted to have a private moment with their daughter
in spirit and that running into the Hedges ruined their first opportunity to visit the spot.
Key said he was willing to contact Farinella before any future visits so the
two families are not in the park at the same time. He said all he wanted them
to do was to stay away from the Hedge's home. State Parks Police said no
charges were expected to be filed in the incident. They also said they had
nothing new to report in their search for the body of the girl.

TWINS

Two 17 year old twin brothers were killed just after 11:30
yesterday morning in a single car crash on Main Street in
West Seneca. Thomas and Mark Sokolowksi were well-known
for their exploits on area soccer fields. They were on their way
back from a game when their '93 Honda Civic hit a horse chestnut
tree. The crash happened as they were trying to pass another
car and lost control. It split the front seat down the middle pinning
the driver inside. The passenger was ejected.

LOCKPORT PARKING RAMP

Seven companies submitted proposals for applications to rebuild Lockport's
closed downtown parking ramp by yesterday's deadline. Mayor
Mike Tucker says three or four will be chosen for interviews by
a committee he will appoint. 0ne firm will be chosen by 0ctober first
to design the replacement for the facility. The companies include
Foit Albert Associates and Liro
Engineers of Buffalo, the E-I team from Amherst, LaBella Associates
of Rochester, F-R-A of Henreitta, Kimball of Pittsburgh, and Clark
Patterson Lee with offices in Buffalo and Rochester. It's expected it'll
cost $5-million to tear down the old ramp and install the new one.
Tucker said he hoped to get the design phase done this year but
unless there's a mild winter no construction is expected to start till
next Spring.

PITLER

A 20 year old Lockport man who was wanted on five warrants
for failing to appear in city court was arrested Friday morning after
a short chase. Shawn Pitler of 133 Chestnut is charged with three
counts of bail jumping and onstructing governmental administration.
Police began looking for him around 11am after getting a tip he was
near the railroad tracks on Chestnut Street. He was seen riding a bike
up Vine onto Fayette Street where a foot chase began. He was caught in
the parking lot at Saint Joseph's Church. Pittler's also wanted by the
State Police on a bench warrant from Royalton Town Court where he's
facing firearms charges and another for possessing stolen property.
Pittler was also allegedly driving a car that a black woman got into after
leaving the Transit Road Wal-Mart without paying for $37 worth of merchandise
just after midnight Thursday morning. That car was reportedly stolen
out of Buffalo. Further charges against Pitler are possible.

CORNERSTONE

Cornerstone Community Federal Credit Union says their branch
office in Middleport will reopen at noon Monday. They'll resume their
regular schedule Tuesday. The branch will be fully staffed. A
spokesman said no new talks are scheduled in the strike which started
a week ago Friday. It affects 73 members of the Local 212 chapter of the
Office and Professional Employees International Union.

CHILD PROTECTIVE UNIT

A child protective services unit could be opening in Lockport.
The County Legilsature's Community Services Committee o-k'd
a request this week from Social Services Commissioner Anthony
Restaino for such a unit. It would be staffed with 9 new workers
who he says are needed to reduce caseloads in response to
forthcoming state mandates. The request must still be approved by the
Legislature at their meeting in September. There are already two
such units in the Falls and another in North Tonawanda.

MAGDALENA LUBOWSKA

County D-A Micheal Violante says his investigators are looking
into the operations at the home in the Falls where 12 year old
Magdalena Lubowksa was staying. She's the girl from the Bronx
who fell into the Niagara Rapids last week while on a tour with
Timothy Hedges of the Renaissance House. Her body has not
yet been found. The girl's aunt pounded on the door at
722 4th Street in the Falls Thursday demanding to talk to Eva
Hedges, who ran the operation. She never came to the door
but their spokesman is claiming the girl was suicidal and that her
parents said she was a special needs child. Violante said he
wasn't ruling out presenting the evidence to a grand jury..but
said they were still gathering information.

A TIE

The National Weather Service in Buffalo says we tied the
record high for today. The temperature reached 87 degrees
at 1:02 pm. The last time the area saw temperatures this
warm on August 22 was in 1877.

WEST NILE

The County Health Department says a dead crow found last week
on Trechler Street in North Tonawanda tested positive for the West
Nile Virus. It marks the first positive test in the County this year.
West Nile produces mild flu like symptoms in most healthy people but
can result in encephalitis. Those over age 50 are most at risk. The
Health Department says residents should protect themselves from
misquito bites by wearing long sleeves , long pants, and using repellent.
They also reccomended removing breeding sites such as discarded
tires, tin cans, plastic containers, and other water holding containers.

JACK DAVIS

Congressional wanna-be Jack Davis assured his spot on the
November ballot Thursday by announcing the creation of his
own "SAVE JOBS & FARMS PARTY.' Davis said he still expected
to win his Democratic primary battle against Jon Powers and Alice
Krysan...but in the unlikely event he didn't, he intends to stay in the
race till the end. Powers campaign manager John Gerken said
Davis is showing his true colors as a spoiler in the race and is
concerned only with his own self interests. Gerken managed the
Davis campaign in 2006.

EMPIRE STATE DEVELOPMENT

Governor David Paterson today nominated the Global Head of
Compliance at Citi Markets & Banking to be the new President
and C-E-O of the state's economic development agency. Marisa
Lago would make $215,000 a year at the Empire State Development
Corporation. Paterson also nominated Dennis Mullen to be the
Upstate President. He's currently President & CEO of the Greater
Rochester Enterprise. Both nominations are subject to confirmation
by the State Senate but Paterson's office expects Lago to start
work September 15.

LOCKPORT COUNCIL

Lockport Mayor Mike Tucker told the Common Council Wednesday
he's planning on appointing Robert Turner as the city's new
community services aid. The job was formerly held by Steve Niziol
who passed away earlier this year. Tucker said he expects Turner
will start around the first week of September. He'll be responsible
for enforcing the city's trash ordiance and to make sure lawns are
mowed in the Summer and sidewalks cleared in the Winter. Tucker
also presented his "community Service Award" to Floyd "Red" Clark.
He provides the large crane and the personnel to run it for the yearly
New Years Eve balldrop. Lawmakers o-k 2 special use permits for
a quick lube shop at 55 Lock Street and a season arts and crafts and
farmers market at 767 and 801 Market. Four more public hearings
were set for their meeting September 3. They'll be on the sign ordinance,
the Historic Preservation ordinance, the NOAH hiring policy, and on a
transfer of money from the sewer fund to the water fund. That change
won't affect anyone's total bill.

CIGARETTE SALES

The Governor saying Wednesday he wants to negotiate with
Native Americans about collecting State taxes on
smokes sold to non Indians at reservation stores. Paterson
insisted the State has a right to do so and said he woud like to
begin talking with the tribes. He suggested a fear of violence is driving
part of his decision to take a slower course than what's being pushed
by the Legilsature, Seneca President Maurice Johns said he wanted
to thank the governor for his recognition and positive approach. He
said they welcome the opportunity to meet with him on a nation to
state basis in the near future.

HOYT

The 2 women believed to have been romantically involved
with Assemblyman Sam Hoyt were adults and not interns.
That's according to records obtained from the State Assembly and the
Comptrollers office. The information could exonerate Hoyt of any
legal and rule violations. It came as the Assembly's Ethics Committee
began a probe into the allegations yesterday. The 46 year old admitted
Tuesday he had broken his marriage vows 3 1/2 years ago. He also
maintained he had done anything illegal or against Assembly rules.
The affairs surfaced on a local political website operated by Joseph
Illuzzi. He sent a series of lurid e-mails that Hoyt had allegedly sent
to the Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver and the turned them over to
the Ethics Commitee.

CANDLELIGHT VIGIL

About 120 people gathered at Whirlpool State Park Wednesday
night for a candlelight vigil in memory of 12 year old Magnelena
Lubowska. The Bronx girl was swept away in the rapids last
Wednesday while on a tour with other children being led by
Timothy Hedges. The family's attorney repeated his call for assistance
from anyone who might have seen something the day of the accident.
He asked them to call 1-800-961-9615. The family is planning on filing
suit against Eva and Timothy Hedges. They say
Timothy was not qualified to be a tour guide and that his mother was
illegally running a camp for Polish Catholic young people in their home.

NEW GUIDELINES IN WILSON

Wilson Central School District Athletic Director Charlie Jufer
issued new guidelines Wednesday for coaches and students to follow while
on the bus .. If there's just one coach, they'll sit in the
back of the bus where they'll be able to see everything that's going
on. If there are two coaches, one will sit in the back and the other
in the middle. Varsity and junior varsity players are to be seperated
with the older players in the rear with their coach in the back seat.
The j-v players will sit in the front with their coach seated in the
middle. The memo also dealt with the use of cell phones. Jufer
says any suspected incidents are to immediately reported.

LEGILSATURE O-K'S DEPUTIES CONTRACT

County lawmakers o-k'd a contract with the 102 members
of the Sheriff's Department road patrol. It includes
3 per cent annual increases for 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011
plus retroactive 2.5 per cent increases for 2006 and 2007
when they worked without a deal. It also brings the deputies
into the counties self funded single provider health insurance
plan. The contract was raitified during a special session
wednesday night .

STATE FAIR

Governor David Paterson opened the 162nd annaul "Great New York
State Fair" today in Syracuse. The 12 day event features more than
200 acres of exhibits, rides, food and entertainment. Paterson's tour
focused on the State's agricultural economy. Some of the highlights
this year include a new country store just inside the Main Gate. The
"Pride of New York Marketplace" has more than 230 food products
made in the state for sale. The first state fair was held in 1841. The
current edition runs through Labor Day.

UNITED WAY

Today's annual "Day of Caring" kicked off the United Way Campaigns
in Lockport and Niagara Falls. Volunteers helped at a variety of United
Way organizations this morning...and in the Falls, an Olympics style
competition was also held for about 200 youngsters at Hyde Park. The
goal for the Eastern Niagara United Way is to exceed the $1-million, 2500
dollars collected last year. The target in the Falls is $935-thousand.

N-T CONCERTS CANCELLED

The promoter of the free outdoor concerts at North Tonawanda's
Gateway Park has pulled the plug on the last 2 shows of the season
after failing to find a new major sponsor. Labatts dropped out after
they lost their liquor license when police undercover agents found 2
bartenders selling to minors July 26th. Saturdays Loverboy
show and an August 30th visit from Rick Emmett of Triump have been
cancelled.

NO TAX CAP

Assembly Republican leader Jim Tedisco said today that Democrat Sheldon
Silver is defying the will of a majority of New Yorkers by blocking a vote
on a real property tax cap and trying to raise another $2.6-billion by raising
taxes. He said it was the height of irresponsibility for Silver...the Speaker...
and said it wasn't just rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic, it was
dropping anchor. He said the Speaker and his entire Conference will have to
answer for the tax slap they gave homeowners.

NEWFANE SCHOOL BOARD

The Newfane School Board talked about it last night but a controversial
book will stay on the summer reading list for 11th graders. School
Superintendent Gary Pogorzelski said they were offering students the
option of reading another book. Those wanting to do so should contact
the principal. The board also o-k'd a three year contract with about 20
caferteria workers. They'll get a 2.5 per cent increase this year and a 2 per
cent hike in the next two.

STATE LEGISLATURE

The Governor today announced an agreement with the Legislature to
enact an over $1-billion, two year savings plan. It does not include any
tax or fee increases and cuts spending in the current year so that growth
is held to the rate of inflation. Paterson said it would achieve savings of
$400-million in the 2008-2009 fiscal year and over $600-million in 2009-2010.
It also guards against further declines in revenue during the current fiscal
year and reduces next year's state budget deficit from $6.4-billion to $5.4-billion.
The plan provides for a six per cent reduction against all unspent local
assistance funding...but there's a long list of exceptions....including aid to schools and
community colleges , Medicaid, child welfare, youth detention, the AIM program,
appropriations under $500-thousand, and special education. $40-million
was cut from the Statewide Wireless Project because the money hasn't been
spent as quickly as expected. The future of the project will be decided at a
later date. The plan also cut funding for the City University of New York,
provides for general fund transfers, and contains $50-million in
reductions for executive and legislative member item funding in 2008-2009.
There are also over $500-million in Medcaid and health care savings over a two year
period.

SAM HOYT

Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver is promising appropriate action
will be taken after a local blogger sent him allegations that Assemblyman
Sam Hoyt had affairs with two interns. Hoyt said late Tuesday that he and
his wife had had a difficult time in their marriage in the past but he would
not get into specifics. He would not confirm or deny any involvement with
the interns but did acknowledge he had broken his marriage vows 3 1/2
years ago. He insisted that no official rules or laws were broken as
alleged by blogger Joseph Illuzzi. The allegations eventually ended up
with the chairman of the Assembly's Ethics and Guidance Committee.
Spokesman Dan Weller says the Assembly has strict policies regarding
fraternization and violations won't be tolerated.

LIGHTNING STRIKE

NYSEG'S Don Rickleffs says the transformers at Davidson and East
High were not struck by lightning Monday night. He said a nearby tree
was hit around 10:20 pm and it was near a primary line and that it burned up the wire. it
went phase to phase and caused the flash seen by residents and authorities.
The transformers were not damaged and the company had to replace
some wiring. About 1860 customers lost power for about 90 minutes. Lightning
also struck a pole on Robinson Road and about 2100 cutsomers lost service
for 40 minutes. The strike at Davidson and East High caused the grass to
turn to glass and the nearby sidewalk to melt.

WINTERGARDEN

Six people spoke during a public hearing Monday in the Falls on the
future of the Wintergarden. The U-S-A Niagara Development Corporation
has proposed buying the glass structure adjacent to Old Falls Street for
$1.6-million. They plan to eventually tear it down and extend a tree lined
cobblestone street from the Casino to the entrance to the State Park. All
of the speakers during the hour long hearing urged the agency to
consider other uses for the strcuture. Jacquie Lodico programmed events
at the facility for 2 decades as the former executive director of the Niagara
Council of the Arts asked if the hearing was just a mere formality and wanted
to know if plans to demolish the building was a done deal. USA Niagara
voted last month to buy the building but has not yet closed on the deal with
current owner Joe Anderson. Thats expected to happen next month after
the proposal is reviewed by the Public Authorities Control Board.

FLIGHT OF FIVE

A former state official who was project manager for the Erie Canal Harbor
Project in Buffalo may be joining Lockport's "Flight of Five" project as a
financial consultant.. Thomas Blanchard Junior's key role will be to help
the city attain more funding for the project and to establish an annual
opertaing budget once it's done. Blanchard was at Monday's meeting of
the "Flight of 5 Committee." when the pricetag for the planned attraction
was revised downward from $10.5-million to $8.5-million. The city currently
has about $4-million in funding and Project Director Peter Welsby said they
felt they needed to bring someone to the table to help get the rest.

CONCERT DEATH

A High Street man died early Saturday after he apparently fell
60 feet into the Erie Canal Gorge behind 77 Main Street. The body of 21 year
old Jonathon Verity was found by a family member shortly before 1pm Sunday
in a thicket on the South Side of the Canal. Verity had gone to the REO
Speedwagon concert Friday night and later visited a bar on Main Street with
friends. They went home but Verity decided to stay out longer and was last
seen around 12:30 outside the Taboo Bar. Family members reported him
missing at 7pm Saturday. Lockport Police traced his cell phone and were
able to narrow his location down to an area 3/10 of a mile from a Verizon tower
on Walnut Street. The area in which his body was found is dense with brush,
trees, and poison ivy and is reportedly a popular restroom area used during and
after the weekly summer concerts. Police do not suspect foul play. An
autopsy was to be done Monday.

GORGE RESCUE

Three male teens from Buffalo and a Rural Metro ambulance worker were
taken to the hospital for treatment after another rescue from the Niagara Gorge Monday afternoon. Niagara Falls Fire Chief Bill McKay say the call came in about 3pm and they were out by 4:15. The three hikers were near the base of the Vanderbilt Steps and the Whirpool Bridge. McKay says the initial call was that one of them was having a medical emergency but he says the other two were suffering from heat exhaustion by the time
they walked up the stairs to the top. The fire department brought them water and
medical provisions and it was decided that they could walk out.

NIAGARA SECURITY

Students at Niagara University will see enhanced security when they
return to classes next Monday. University President Father Joseph Levesque
announced the improvements during Monday's annual media day luncheon.
They include a new card access systems to buildings, closed circuit TV
monitoring in major buildings, digital message boards throughout the campus,
and a comprehensive emergency communications system including e-mail
and voicemail systems and automated voice and text messaging. Levesque
also said they had collected half of their $80-million goal in "the promise of Niagara"
campaign. The Fall undergraduate enrollment is expected to be just over
29-hundred students. That's a 1 per cent increase over last Fall. They chose
735 new freshmen out of nearly 33-hundred applications. The graduate level
enrollment remains stable at about 850

NIAGARA SECURITY