LAWSUITS

State Supreme Court Judge Richard Klock ruled Thursday
that a quadriplegic can go ahead with a $154-million lawsuit
against the City of Lockport. Thirty-seven year old Christopher
Bower maintains he was left patalyzed after a police officer
caused him to lose his balance and fall down a flight of 12 steps
in a Highland Drive home on January 14, 2007. The judge allowed
his suit to go forward even though Bower missed a legal deadline
to file claim. The suit charges that officer Dennis Sobrieski
pushed Bower through a bedroom doorway into the hall at the
top of the stairs causing him to lose his balance and tumble
down after bouncing off a wall. It also charges that officer
Greg Chambers could have tried to catch him before he fell.
Bowers attorney admits his client was drunk at the time but
says police officers who deal with intoxicated people have a
heightened duty to control the situation. Bower had gone to the
home to sleep it off but he triggered a burglar alarm on the
way in. City Corporation Counsel John Ottaviano says they
have nothing to hide and did nothing wrong. He said there have
been no settlement talks. Meantime, a Falls woman whose suing
that city over alleged police brutality accepted a plea deal
Thursday in City Court. Jaquinda Coleman plead guilty to
two counts of disorderly conduct. The attorney representing
the 32 year resident of Hyde Park Boulevard said it preserved her
right to continue her civil suit. Joel Daniels said her suit charging
excessive forces remains "alive and well". Coleman spent ten
days in the hospital with a fractured skull after allegedly being struck
with a flashlight by a police officer February 25. It happened while
police were investigating a domestic violence call that did not
involve her. Police say she got involved and became loud and disorderly
before charging at the officer.

FOOD STAMPS

State Attorney General Andrew Cuomo filed felony charges
yesterday against three deli owners and two clerks in the
Falls for allegedly trading cash for food stamps. Cuomo said
the Sheriff's Department and the U-S-D-A helped in the year
long investigation. Eman Dyoke...who owns the Hyde Park
Deli...is accused of exchanging about $4,000 in cash for
over $8,300 worth of the stamps. Audrey Renford at the
Highland Avenue Deli allegedly paid $583 for over
$1,200 worth, while her clerk Akesiha Renford is
accused of exchanging $911 more for another $1,897
worth. The owner of the Rainbow Deli at 628 Niagara was
also charged. Awad Dubashi allegedll exchange $4,117
for $8,499 worth of stamps. The clerk at Bishara Brothers
at 1302 Pierce is accused of paying $1,152 for $2,355 in
stamps. All five were released yesterday after being
arraigned in City Court. Their next appearance will be on
November 21.

WHEATFIELD

A 34 year old Buffalo man surrendered to Sheriff's deputies
yesterday in connection with Monday's shooting of a teenager
on River Road in Wheatfield. Gordon Dean of Goodyear Street
is being held on $10,000 cash bail or $20,000 property bond.
He's accused of firing a 40 calibre handgun into a car owned
by a 47 year old Buffalo man during a dispute. One of the
shots struck 17 year old Joseph Vega of Kenmore in the
buttocks. He was treated at DeGraff and released Monday
night. Dean is charged with felong first degree assault and
criminal possession of a weapon.

GAS PRICES

The Federal Trade Commission is investigating why gas
prices are higher here than anywhere else in the nation.
The probe started last month after Congressman Brian
Higgins wrote a letter to the Commission. The average
price in the Buffalo area was $2.70 yesterday compared
with $2.20 nationwide. Higgins says prices are lower
in Rochester, Syracuse, and Albany and they use the
same blend of gas that we have here.

SPURBACK TO STEP DOWN

The President of the Niagara Falls Block Club Council
plans to quit Monday. Roger Spurback says his decision
to step down was spurred by a critical comment made by
City Councilmember Bob Anderson. He recently asked
Spurback why he continued to run the group when he no
longer lives in the City. Spurback moved to the Town of
Niagara earlier in the year after the city failed to respond to
a complaint about damage to his property.

CANAL SEASON ENDS

The State's canal system shuts down for the Winter tomorrow
following a season that saw a sharp decline in traffic. Officials
say there was a 21.7 % drop in the use of the waterway this
year...mostly caused by a decline in the number of recreational
boaters. The number of commercial shipments actually rose
from 17 to 58.

UNITED WAY

The Eastern Niagara United Way reaching 89% of this
year's goal. The announcement was made at yesterday's
"Community Cares" breakfast at the Holiday Inn. The
target is just over a million dollars. Chairman Bob Hagen
admitted that some of the announced total is based on
projections. On the other side of the County, the United
Way of Niagara is getting ready for today's victory luncheon
at the Conference Center. Vice President Phil Buffone
says they are at about 85 % of their $935,000 goal. He
said they would continue to try to collect the rest in the
coming weeks.

STATE BUDGET PROBLEMS

The leader of the State Senate says they won't act on
the Governor's plan to cut state spending next week until
he tells them what he's proposing for next year. Republican
Dean Skelos said such important decisions can't be made
in a vaccuum. Paterson unveiled proposals yesterday to
save the State $5.2-billion in two years. He reccomended
they reduce the growth of education spending from 9% to
5% and Medicaid from 2% to 1%. He also proposed
increasing tuition at State colleges and universities by
$300 a semester starting in the Spring. He asked State
workers to forego a scheduled pay raise for next year.
That proposal was meant by stiff opposition from the
CSEA. Lawmakers are due back in Albany Tuesday
but it doesn't look like Republicans in the Senate
will act on his requests.

NIAGARA FALLS COUNCIL

Falls Mayor Paul Dyster yesterday pulled a request to use
up to $3-million to clean up the contaminants found
underneath the proposed Hope Six site. The County
Health Department told him prior to the meeting that
more testing needs to be done before the project moves
forward. Well known community leader Ken Hamilton
said he's been telling people for five years part of the
project is on the site of a former city dump. He said
he did some research in the City'zs Engineering
Department and found that the site was remediated
in the 1970's but not at a depth suitable enought to
be considered clean. He said they only dug down
four feet at the time and then covered it with clean
dirt. He warned they might find a lot more if they
dug deeper and the costs of cleaning up could
escalate. He demanded that a public hearing be
hedl to see what residents think about the handling
of the project, but Council President Sam Fruscione
said no. The Council also passed a resolution asking
the Niagara Falls Bridge Commission to release
details about the severance package given to former
executive Thomas Garlock. They also gave the Medical
Center $137,000 of the casino money to make repairs
at their parking ramp. A $250,000 grant was also
approved to help renovate the former Rapids
Theatre on Main Street and $15,000 was given to
Gadawski's Restaurant. The Council voted 3-2 to
table the Mayor's request to appoint Craig Johnson
of the Town of Tonawanada as the new corporation
counsel.

LOCKPORT SCHOOLS

Two public meetings will be held on the $29.5-million
capitol project being proposed by the Lockport School
Board. The first will be next Wednesday, November 19,
and the other December 10. Both will start at 7 in the
High School Auditorium. The board was also told last
night repairs to the roof of the High School pool have
been delayed. A spokesman said workers found the
deck underneath the roof was in worse condition than
thought. What's more, the company that supplys the
new decking needed for the roof lost power for two
weeks because of Hurricane Ike. The project is
three to four weeks behind schedule.

LOCKPORT COUNCIL MEETING

Lockport lawmakers decided last night to back another
application for a state grant to fix Union Station after the
Mayor told them the first application they had backed
was rejected. The first was for a $600,000 Environmental
Protection Fund grant. The new one is for a $500,000
grant from the State Division of Housing & Community
Renewal. The building is owned by Mark and Michelle
Davidson of Los Angeles. They bought the ruins in
2006 and plan to bring it back to life as a restaurant,
gift shop, and train station. They estimate it'll cost
$3-million. The Council also deciding last night to
hold off on hiring a consultant to study the possibility
of converting the fire department into a full or
partial volunteer service. Mayor Mike Tucker also
said they would meet with Foit Albert & Associates
Monday about plans for the new parking ramp.

PALACE THEATRE

The County Legislature's Economic Development
Committee last night o-k'd a plan to give the Palace
Theatre $10,000 of the county's casino money. Lawmaker
Tony Nemi said it would help them meet their Kenan
Grant Challenge. He said they only had four weeks to
go and they were between $9,000 and $12,000 short.
The Kenan Foundation will give the Theatre $75,000 if they
raise $60,000 by the end of the year. The money will be used
to repair a wall, for new carpeting, and for handicapped
acessible restrooms. The measure now goes to the
full legislature for consideration next Tuesday.

DRUG BUST

Lockport police hitting the jackpot last night when they
pulled over a car on North Transit for a traffic violation.
They allegedly found drugs inside and quite a bit of
cash was confiscated. Three people were arrested.
Police say the drugs were hidden in the dome light
of the vehicle. They allegedly found a clear plastic
baggie containing clear and blue colored smaller bags
commonly used to package heroin....and they contained
a brown powdery substance. They also found a black
bag containing seven hypodermic needles and a blue
tourniquet. The driver also gave them permission to
search the car and eight more hypodermic needles
were found in the center console along with a silver
pipe and brillo pads, The driver, 31 year old Kenneth
Heath of Moyer Road in North Tonawanda was charged
with possession of a controlled substance and
possession of a hypodermic needle. Police also
confiscated over $3,300 in cash, two cell phones, and
a note pad. Passenger Kristina Murnyack of 5885
Pearl Street in Sanborn, was charged with possessing
a hypodermic needle and two counts of possession of
a controlled substance. Police allegedly found pills
in the purse of the 27 year old and there were more
hidden in a baggie in her bra. Another passenger,
22 year old Ryan Sullivan of North Tonawanda, was
charged with possession of a controlled substance and
possession of a hypodermic needle.

THE ECONOMY

Researchers at U-B say the state entered a recession in the
second quarter of this year. Their study is only designed to
determine the onset of the downturn and not it's length or
magnitude. However they do say historical evidence indicates
New York's recessions tend to last longer than those in the
national economy. They say the 2001 recession lasted three
quarters at the national level...but ten quarters in New York State.
The study was released around the same time that Senator
Hillary Clinton talked to reporters in a state wide conference call.
She agreed with UB and said the state was in a recession and
called on the Bush Administration to create a new comprehensive
stimulus package. She hoped they could act on it next week when
Congress reconvenes. She said it should include investments
in infrastructure including $410-million for roads, bridges, and
transit systems. She said the government should be investing
money in training for new jobs in a clean energy economy. She
wants more done on home foreclosures and wants an extension
of unemployment benefits and more food stamp money. All of
this happening as the Governor prepares to talk about next week's
special legislature session at a press conference at 11am today.

NIAGARA FALLS CITY COUNCIL

Lawmakers in the Falls are having their usual Monday meeting
tonight. They're slated to vote on using about $2-million of the
casino money to help pay for the removal of ash from a former
city park in the North End so the Hope Six project can move
forward. The agenda also includes a proposal to transfer
$250,000 of the casino money to the city's Urban Renewal
Agency so a grant can be created to help re-open a closed
theatre at 1711 Main Street. The Medical Center also wants
$40,000 to pay for emergency repairs at their parking ramp.
The regular meeting was moved to today because
some of the Council members were out of town Monday.

EASTERN NIAGARA UNITED WAY

The Eastern Niagara United Way is having problems meeting
this year's goal but they're going ahead with a "Celebration
Breakfast" tomorrow morning at 8 at the Holiday Inn. Campaign
chair Bob Hagen said the goal was set in August before the
nation's economic problems developed. They're hoping to equal
or exceed the amount collected last year ...which was a little over
a million dollars. He said they're about half way there now. Tickets
for the breakfast are $10 and available by calling 434-1190. That's
also the number to make a donation. Hagen said the campaign
would not go on for a long long time but they intend to follow up
leads from people who have pledged in the past.

CAMBRIA DOG BITE

A Cambria man was taken to Mount Saint Mary's yesterday
morning after he was bitten on his right wrist by his girlfriend's
dog. Fifty-one year old Randy Skellern of 4037 Daniels Road
told Sheriff's deputies he was was trying to break up a fight between
her Alaskan Malamute and his neighbor's dog around 8:30. The
tendons in Skellern's wrist were visibile and deputies said they
saw a deep one inch long cut. The Cambria Volunteer Fire
Department treated Skellern and then took him to the hospital
for further care. Skellern's girlfriend said the dog had his rabies
shot October 18.

GASPORT DOLLAR GENERAL

The Sheriff's Department says about $1,200 in damage was done
to the front of the Gasport Dollar General store when somebody
rammed the building with a large vehicle. The manager says it
happened between 9pm Monday and 7am yesterday. About 20
feet of the brick wall was damaged at the store at 8405 Rochester Road.

GOURMET WORLD

Lockport Business Association president Diane Cross
offered remarks yesterday as ribbon cutting ceremonies
were held for a Mississaugua based business that
opened up shop in Harrison Square. "Gourmet World
and Gifts Wish .com" sells gourmet gift baskets and
supplies on it's website. Company President Bhaskar
Bhowmick said space in the building was competitively priced,
it was very secure and had many loading docks, and it was
close to Canada. The company employs from 3 to 8 people
now but Bhaskar expects it could expand to as many as 35 as
the company grows. Niagara USA Chamber spokesman Dave
DeMarcis said the company plans on using products made
in our county in the future.

REGISTRAR CONSOLIDATION

The County Legislature's Community Services Committee
voting last night to oppose a plan by the State to
consoldiate vital statistics at the County level. Minority
leader Dennis Virtuoso said the State wants to increase
fees from $10 to $30 as part of the plan. He said it would also
be inconvenient for County residents who would have to
travel to Lockport to obtain records. He also worried the
County would have to add staff to handle the increase in
business. County Clerk Wayne Jagow said he's actually
been trying to shrink the County's Vital Statistics section
because the city's and town's have been doing such a good
job. He said it looks like a good idea at first glance be it
would have an adverse affect on the constituents.

TUCKER

Lockport Mayor Mike Tucker has been appointed as
co-chair of the "Environment & Energy Policy" committee
of the New York Conference of Mayors. He attended the first
meeting Monday in Albany. He'll be involved in shaping the
legislative priorities that Mayors of cities and villages hope to
convince state lawmakers to pass next year.

NORTH TONAWANADA WOMAN STABBED

The ex-boyfriend of a North Tonawanda woman has been
charged with stabbing her to death Sunday in the Rochester
suburb of Greece. Police say 44 year old Andrew Pajek
fatally stabbed 37 year old Kimberly Feketi during a domestic
dispute that happened while she was visiting friends on
Florence Avenue. Pajek was found behind a garage shortly
after the incident with a self inflicted stab wound to the
chest. A 64 year old resident of the home tried to stop the
fight and was also stabbed in the chest. Both he andPajek
are in satisfactory condition at Strong Memorial Hospital
in Rochester. Pajek is charged with second degree murder
and first degree assault. He'll be held without bail as soon
as he's released from the hospital.

SHOPPING TRIP @ WEGMANS

A 56 year old Grand Island woman was taken to the County
Jail on $500 bail yesterday after allegedly rolling her shopping
cart out of the Niagara Falls Wegmans around 4pm without
paying for over $500 in merchandise. Rosemarie Longo of
76 Ward Parkway was brought back to the store by security
but she ran out a side exit. Workers chased her down the South
side of Military Road and she was eventually caught by Sheriff's
deputies at Viola's Sub Shop. She was taken back to the
supermarket where she allegedly gave a false name and also
said she had been given a ride to the store by her neice who
she said was across the street at the Factory Outlet Mall.
That turned out not to be true when deputies found a key on
her that started a vehicle in the Wegman's lot. It contained
other merchandise and deputies impounded the vehicle
so they could determine if the stuff inside was also stolen.
Deputies finally found out her real name when her husband
called to file a missing person's report. Longo is due in Town
of Niagara court at 6pm Thursday.

SHOT IN THE BUTTOCKS

An unidentified Buffalo man was shot in the buttocks around
2pm Monday at Sawell Saws & Tools at 2525 River Road in Wheatfield.
The Sheriff's Department is looking for another Queen City man in the
case. Deputies recovered five bullet cases at the scene and have a
description of the vehicle the suspect may be driving. As for the
victim, he was taken to DeGraff Hospital in another car that he was
sitting in when he was hit. It had several bullet holes in it. Police
said the man's injuries were not considered to be life threatening
and he may have been released from the hospital last night.

FIRE VICTIM'S FUNERAL

A "standing room only" crowd at Lockport's
Prudden & Kandt Funeral Home yesterday for
services for the three youngsters killed in last
week's house fire in Hartland. A relative, the
Reverend Samuel Bell Senior , spoke about the
importance of family. He said the boys were
happy, fun loving kids who loved to make each
other laugh. The pastor of the Hess Road Wesleyan
Church in Appleton...where they attended services...
said the boys loved to play with the microphones
during rehearsals for the Christmas program.

ROYALTON BUDGET PASSES

Lawmakers in Royalton voting 4-1 last night to approve a
$5.6-million 2009 budget. It contains a less than one per
cent hike in taxes and a two per cent across the board pay
raise for all town workers. The spending plan uses $580,000
of the fund balance. The "no" vote was cast by Board member
Jim Budde.

ANELLO PLEADS NOT GUILTY

Former Niagara Falls Mayor Vince Anello pleading not
guilty Monday during a brief arraignment in district court
in Buffalo. He was indicted on four felonies last Friday
revolving around a $40,000 loan given to him in 2003 by
businessman Smokin Joe Anderson. It's alleged Anello
promoted a deal to the Council to lease the East Pedestrian
Mall to Anderson as a result. Anderson accepted a deal
last week with prosecutors and promised to cooperate
fully in the case. He plead guilty to one felony count of
scheming to deprive the citizens of honest service by a
public official. Anello's attorney, Joel Daniels, said that
doesn't mean the former Mayor is guilty. He said they
look forward to a decision by a jury. Anello continued
to maintain his innocence and said he believed his name
would be cleared at the trial and beliece she did a good job
for the citizens of Niagara Falls. Its expected it'll take
several months before a trial date is set due to all the
pre-trial motions. Anderson could get 30 months in jail
but his attorney told the Buffalo News he put together a
deal in which Anderson may get probation for acting as a
government witness.

'WHITES ONLY' CASE

The City worker in Niagara Falls who put a "whites only"
sign on a drinking fountain at the DPW garage in August
pleading guilty Monday to a reduced charge of
aggravated harassment in Falls City Court. James Curtis
was originally charged with a hate crime. The 52 year old
agreeing with Judge Mark Violante when the judge said it
was a stupid thing to do. Curtis will be sentenced January
7. The City is still looking into firing him and he is currently
suspended without pay.

POT IN SNEAKER

The Lockport mom who sent her son to pre-school with pot
in his sneaker June 18 was sentenced to a year in jail
yesterday in City Court. Sherry Sanney was given one year
for child endangerment and 90 days for violating her probation,
but the sentences will run concurrently. Her boyfriend previously
admitted to growing pot and disorderly conduct. He'll be
sentenced November 26.

CITY WORKER CHARGED WITH DWI

A worker at Lockport's waste water treatment plant was
arrested for DWI around 4am Sunday. Fifty-three year old
Brad Williams was pulled over after allegedly failing to
signal a left turn onto Transit from Niagara. Police say he
had bloodshot eyes, slurred speech, and there was the
smell of alcohol coming from the vehicle.

WANTED ON WARRANT

Lockport Police caught a 22 year old man wanted on
warrant for assault just before 11 last night. Travis
Kutis of 77 Main Street was arrested on North Transit
after running out of the bar at the Niagara Hotel. Police
had gone there after getting information he was inside
the establishment. Kutis was charged with resisting
arrest.

OAKFIELD

A 34 year old Oakfield man is facing several sex related charges
after being arrested Saturday by State Police. Michael Stoddard
allegedly had intercourse with a female under the age of 15. He's
also charged with other inappropriate sex acts and with
providing alcohol to the victim. He's being held in the Genesee
County Jail on $5,000 bond.

NORTH TONAWANDA

A North Tonawanda woman was stabbed to death yesterday
afternoon during a domestic incident in the Rochester
suburb of Greece. Thirty-seven year old Kimberly
Feketo was one of three people stabbed around 4:15 pm
at 173 Florence Avenue. She was pronounced dead at
Rochester General Hospital. Two men were taken to
Strong Memorial. There's no word as to what her
relationship was with the two or why she was in Greece.

WILSON

A 28 year old Wilson man is being held on $2,500 bail after
he allegedly ran his car into a trailer holding his dad's
custom Harley Davidson just before 2am today at 112
Harbor Street. William Taylor IV ..of the same address...
was arrested at Ed's Country Bar. He allegedly told
Sheriff's deputies he ran into the trailer on purpose
after an argument. The trailer was parked in the driveway
and the father....William Taylor III ..estimated damage to
his custom bike at between $4,000 & $5,000. Another
thousand dollars damage was done to the trailer.
Deputies discovered the son's license
had been suspended out of Colorado and charged him with
aggravated unlicensed operation for driving to Ed's Bar.
He was also charged with criminal mischief, aggravated
harrassment, leaving the scene of a propetry damage
accident and unlicensed operation. Taylor was arraigned
in Town court early this morning, he's due back November
18 at 7pm. The agument was over money.

VETERANS DAY

The county's three cities will hold Veterans Day observances
tomorrow. Lockport's is sponsored by the B Leo Dolan
Post and will take place at 11am at Outwater Park. The
observance in the Falls will also be at 11 at the site of the
new City memorial on the Pine Avenue side of Hyde Park.
That's between Hyde Park Boulevard and Robbins Drive.
In North Tonawanda, a life sized bronze statue of a World
War II seabee will be unveiled at 2pm at the Navy Memorial
in Fisherman's Park. Niagara County Community College
will hold it's observance at 11am today in the park near the
Route 31 entrance. It'll be led by Navy veteran and student
Robert Fredericks. Army National Guard veteran Doctor
Thomas McCully will speak along with US Air Force veteran
Mike Witter. a moment of silence will be observed across
campus at 11:30.

ANELLO

Former Falls Mayor Vince Anello is slated to arraigned at 2:30
today before Judge Jeremiah McCarthy. A federal grand jury
Friday indicted him on four counts involving his conduct while he
was a member of the City Council and as Mayor. He's charged with
two counts of conspiracy involving an alleged scheme to accept
and receive a total of $40,000 from businessman Joe Anderson.
He could get as much as 20 years in prison and be fined $250,000
for each count, The indictment also charges that early in his term
as Mayor he presented a lease to the Council for the East Pedestrian
Mall without telling them about the loan. The government says this
deprived the city of it's right to the honest services of a public
official. The indictment also charges Anello had not repaid the loan
as of last Decemeber and that Anderson had not asked for it.