HURRICANE FORCE WINDS VISIT NIAGARA COUNTY

Hurricane force winds sweeping the Niagara Region Sunday causing numerous power outages and downed trees. Thousands of County residents lost power... and some customers are still in the dark. The National Weather Service says the Buffalo Niagara International Airport seen winds of up to 60mph.

DOG BITE

A Lockport woman was apparently bitten by a dog when arriving at a clients home Sunday in the falls. The victim works for a home nursing agency, and was confronted by an American Stafford Shire Terrier named Duke. The County's Sheriff's Office says Duke lunged at her as she came inside... biting her in the face before letting go. The victim was taken by the dog's owner to Mount Saint Mary's Hospital where she received over 20 stitches for the laceration. The owner assured deputies... Duke was vaccinated for all his current shots, and his rabies vaccination is good until 2010.

WARME

Federal prosecutors filing a memorandum in U.S. District Court last week in advance of Tuesday's hearing for accused Falls Police officer Ryan Warme. They said he threatened to beat a former girlfriend to death, and threatened to make another unnamed person's life a living hell. Prosecutors also allege Warme gave detailed information about the workings of the department's undercover unit to known drug dealers. Defense Attorney Joel Daniels previously asked Judge Hugh Scott to release the names of the witnesses, but assistant U.S. attorney Anthony Bruce believes Warme wants the names simply to find out who's talking about him.

SHERIFF K-9 DIES

The Niagara County Sheriff's Department announcing the sudden passing of a popular K-9 Sunday. Gene-O was purchased with funds generously donated in memory of Gene O'Shea in September 2006. He came from Slovakia where he was born in 2006, and was state certified in patrol, tracking, narcotics, and was handled by Deputy James Hildreth. Gene-O reportedly located many narcotics during his short career, apprehended criminals, and assisted in the location of missing persons... not to mention the demonstrations he put on for various groups. Gene-O is said to have died of natural causes.

TIM HORTON'S

The plan by Tops Friendly Markets to bring Tim Horton's outlets to all locations is complete. The popular restaurant chain founded by a late Sabres defenseman signing a deal with Tops earlier this year bringing 20 full service and 62 self serve locations to the stores. Tops president and C-E-O Frank Curci said some of the self serve sites will one day convert to full service outlets.

NOAH

The Niagara Organizing Alliance for Hope - better known as NOAH - is once again pushing the county legislature to create a local hiring quota for publicly funded projects. Reverend Rex Stewart says they have another chance to pursue their case in 2009. He said attorney Claude Jeorge promised the group a face to face meeting to talk about the plan's legality, however, he was cautioned that the proposed guidelines might interfere with the competitive bidding process which may drive up costs. Stewart says they'd like to have at least 30% of the people working on such projects should actually live in the county.

WITH A NEW SHERIFF COMES A NEW CHIEF DEPUTY

The Niagara County Sheriff's Office announcing the promotion of Captain Steven Preisch to the rank of Chief Deputy. The 18 year veteran of the department is a certified police instructor, a former sniper for the emergency response team, a field training officer, and a use of force expert. He's also said to have been responsible for bringing tasers to the office back in 2007. The previous Cheif Deputy - James Voutour - was elected Sheriff in November, and both he and Preisch will begin their new posts January 1st.

CAR THEFT

A 1992 Chevy Silverado was stolen from the driveway of a Lemke Drive Wheatfield resident. The $5,000 truck was believed to have been taken sometime between midnight and 7:30 Christmas morning. The owner said the pickup was locked and the keys were in his house. An additional $200 damage was done to a fence; it was apparently struck as the truck drove away.

FALLS MAN GETS HIS WISH

A man who was yelling at the top of his lungs on 22nd Street early Friday was charged with disorderly conduct. Falls police say Melvin Bradford kept yelling, "take me to jail!... Go ahead!" The officer reportedly believed the 48 year old was under the influence of drugs, and in fact took him to jail shortly before 6. Earlier that morning, a large steak knife had to be taken from the man.

JUDGE TEMPORARILY BLOCKS PATERSON'S TAX ON SMOKES

A State Supreme Court judge has barred Governor Paterson's plan to tax cigarette sales on Indian reservations. Justice Rose Sconyers issuing a temporary restraining order Wednesday until the effected state officials appear in court January 27th. Margret Murphy is a former Buffalo city judge currently representing a Seneca, and she told the Buffalo News that state officials have yet to develop a system of rules and regulations for the new collections. She wants to see a system for providing rebates to natives who are taxes for their purchases in reservation stores. Earlier this month, Paterson signed legislation requiring cigarette wholesalers to prove to manufacturers they are complying with the new tax law.