CONTINENTAL PLANE CRASH

Forty-nine people were killed last night when a Contiental
Airlines commuter plane crashed into a house at 6050 Long
Street in Clarence Center. The plane was a Contiental
Connection flight operated by Colgan Air. It carried
44 passengers and a crew of four. The fatalities
included one person in the house. Most of the victims are
expected to be from Western New York. Flight 3407
departed from Newark Liberty Airport and the crash happened
around 10:20 pm as it was preparing to land at Buffalo.
Officials said the plane appeared to have taken a nose dive into
the home in the residential area. Homes on either side
suffered some damage as well. Nine volunteer fire
companies, including Rapids, responded to the scene.
The familes of the victims...many were waiting at the airport
for the planes arrival...were taken to the Cheektowaga Senior
Center where counselors and clergy were available. Colgan
Air has set up a toll free number for information for families,
it is 800-621-3263. The airline asking others not to call it.

DRUG BUST IN THE FALLS

Three men from the Falls ...said to be major drug traffickers...
were arrested Thursday by federal agents and police. They
are 29 year old Curtis Nalls and his brother, 40 year old Joseph
Maudlin..both of Ashland Avenue, and 48 year old Glen Barnett
of Fifth Street. It's belieed they have smuggled 2,000 pounds of
hydroponic marijuana from Canada into the U.S. since 2004.
The three are accused of hiring numerous people from Western
New York to hide the marijuana in their cars and bring it across
the border. Federal agents and police executed ten search
warrants Thursday and recovered $100,000 in cash and a firearm.
Prosecutors say all three men are charged with felony conspiracy
and drug smuggling and that Nalls and Mauldin also face a
charge of obstruction of justice for allegedly trying to pay off
a witness. The street value of the drugs was estimated to be
at least $4.8-million.

JEX HONORED

Congressman Chris Lee paid tribute yesterday to
fallen Lockport soldier Albert Jex. In remarks on
the House floor, Lee said the Army PFC made the
ultimate sacrifice Monday in Mosul, Iraq. He noted
Jex was named after a great uncle who died fighting
the Nazi's in World War Two. He said Private Jex
devoted his life to public service...noting he was a junior
volunteer firefighter with the South Lockport Fire
Company. Lee said Jex heard the call of duty after
the events of September 11, 2001. He said the close knit
neighborhood where Jex grew up has been lined
with yellow ribbons since he first became a soldier and
was sent to Iraq...and that they now serve as a quiet
tribute to the bravest of patriots. Lee also
recognized the courage of Private Jex's family and said
the prayers of all Western New Yorkers are with them.
Lockport's "Partnership In Patriotism" coalition
is planning to honor the fallen soldier. His body
is expected to arrive back in Lockport in the
next few days.

POWER OUTAGE

NYSEG says 2900 customers in the Locust Street area lost
power around 1:30 Thursday afternoon. the outage lasted
about 90-minutes. A spokesman said a breaker failed which
tripped the distribution system. A spokesman also said
there a few other minor incidents caused by the high winds.
Most of the company's problems were in the Lancaster
area and additional crews are being brought in from elsewhere
in the state to restore power. National Grid said this morning
they had five customers without power in Orleans County,
but none in Niagara.

FALLEN SOLDIER

Twenty three year old Army PFC Albert Jex died Monday
in a suicide bombing in Iraq and Mayor Mike Tucker says
the City will do whatever it can for the family. He said
he had talked to Jex's parents and they told him he had
always wanted a Lockport flag so he could fly it over
Iraq, that he was proud of being from Lockport. Tucker
said the City would provide the flag for use in the funeral.
It's not known yet when the funeral will be since the military
hasn't said when his body would be returned to the U.S.
Tucker said the city would provide a police escort for
the services. The flags at the Municipal Building were
lowered to half staff yesterday. Jex was the first soldier
from Lockport to die Iraq and the first member of the
military to be killed in combat since the Vietnam War.
Administrators at the Lockport Opportunity Project
plan to plant a tree in his memory. Jex was a student
there in 2000 and 2001. Congressman Chris Lee says
he'll give a speech today in the House in Jex's memory.

NYSEG RATE INCREASE REQUEST

Senator Chuck Schumer and the Governor both coming
out yesterday in opposition to NYSEG's request to hike
your electric and gas bills. The company is asking for
a 9.9 per cent increase per month for electricity and 8.8
per cent more for natural gas. That would translate into
an $8.80 increase for electricity and $12.20 more for
gas. The company had previously said they would not
ask for an increase until October at the earliest and
the Governor urged the Public Service Commission
to do a thorough review to determine if an early increase
is needed. NYSEG is owned by Energy East. They
agreed last September not to ask for an increase for
13 months if they were permitted to merge with Spanish
power producer, Iberdrola U-S-A. The only way that
can get one is to prove their financial condition has
gotten so weak that it's putting safety and reliability
at risk. Schumer said the request reeks of profit
mongering.

PAIGE MURDER TRIAL

A County jury last night found two men from Buffalo
guilty of killing Donald Paige Junior in the driveway
of his home in the Falls on August 23, 2007. Twenty-three
year old Brandon Davis and 22 year old Paul Osborne
were both found guilty of three counts each of second
degree murder and first degree robbery plus additional
counts of assault, attempted robbery, criminal use of a
firearm, and criminal possession of a weapon. The jury
deliberated 8 hours. The two could be sentenced to life
in prison April 24 when they appear before Judge Sara
Sheldon Sperrezza. They're being held without bail
in the County Jail.

TENTH STREET

Officials in the Falls are asking motorists to avoid
Tenth Street between Ferry and Walnut. Mayor Paul
Dyster says that stretch of road is so far gone that it
requires a complete resurfacing or reconstruction.
He said they can't close the street because it's a high
traffic area...but they are asking people to avoid any
unnecessary travel there.

SNOW PARK

The Niagara Falls Planning Board last night gave it's
o-k for the $5.2-million Snow Park planned by
developer Joseph Anderson. Representatives said
the attraction at First & Main will open in June. It'll
be a year round facility with four tubing runs and a
regulation hockey sized skating rink open during the
Summer. Six tubing chutes would be added in the
Winter. Anderson still needs to get a special use
permit from the Zoning Board next Tuesday. He's
also asking the County IDA for a ten year break
on property taxes. A public hearing on the request
is set for March 19 at 4:30pm at Niagara Falls City
Hall. The application promises there'll be 47 full
time, part time and seasonal jobs created in the
first year. That number is projected to rise to 66
by year two.

NIAGARA BILLS

The County Legislature's Economic Development Committee
last night tabled a resolution calling on lawmakers to support
a plan to move the Bills to Niagara County. The measure's
chief sponsor, Jason Cafarella, agreed to put off a formal vote
until he's had a chance to discuss the issue with officials
in Erie County. Cafarella said he's not trying to steal the Bills,
he's just trying to provide them with a potential location if they
decide to leave the Ralph when their lease runs out at the end
of 2012.

VICTIM'S APARTMENT BURGLARIZED

Falls Police say someone broke into the apartment
of Stephanie Turk as she's in the hospital being
treated for the injuries she suffered in last Saturday's
domestic violence attack on South Avenue. A
maintenance man told police yesterday he found a
basement window kicked in and her apartment
burglarized. He said he wasn't sure if anything had
been taken. Turk was allegedly stabbed in the stomach
and shot by Adam Hamilton. She and officer
Walter Nichols are still in serious condition in the
intensive care unit at ECMC. Hamiton is in fair condition
at the same hospital under a 24 hour police guard.

NEWFANE TEACHER REASSIGNED

The music teacher at Newfane accused of hitting a
student with a xylophone mallet last Fall has been
reassigned to a curriculum position. Forty-nine
year old Marie VanDette taight at both the elementary and
intermediate schools. The parents of the boy have filed
a formal notice of claim preparing for a lawsuit. School
Superintendent Gary Pogorzelski says no one should
conclude the reassignment was made because of a
belief the tecaher is guilty of any misconduct. He
said her reassignment will aid the district in bringing
the matter to a conclusion and relieve both the teacher
and the elementary school from the distractions that
have accompanied the controversy. He said once the
curriculum work and the additional investigation are
complete a final decision concerning Van Dette's status
would be made.

NEW SCHOOL CHIEF AT ROY HART

The Roy Hart School Board last night chose 38 year
old Kevin MacDonald as it's new School Superintendent.
He said he's excited, that it became his career goal after
served as a high school principal. He said he attended a
School Superintendents development program in 2001
and realized he needed to learn some more before he
could make the move and now 7 years later he's ready
to take the challenge. McDonald has served as an Assistant
Superintendent at Orleans Niagara BOCES for the
past 8 years. He was one of three semi finalists for
the position. He'll start July first with a salary of
$143,000 a year. MacDonald grew up in Lockport
and attended Roy B Kelly, Washington Hunt, Emmet
Belknap and graduated from the High School. He
got his degrees at Fredonia State and Buffalo State.
He also worked as an Assistant Principal at Lew Port
and Roy Hart and says he has a good relationship
with outgoing School Chief Paul Bona. He hired
MacDonald in 1998 and he eventually became the
Principal at the Junior-Senior High School. He
expects a smooth transisition.

LOCKPORT SOLDIER KILLED IN IRAQ

A soldier who grew up in Lockport was killed Monday in
a suicide bombing in Iraq. Army PFC Albert Jex was among
four American soldiers and an interpreter killed in the
northern city of Mosul. The attack taking place as U-S
military vehicles were passing an Iraqi police checkpoint.
His mother, Cathleen McFarlane, says Albert wanted to
join the military since was 16 but didn't do so until two
years ago. Jex was with the First Cavalry Division. His
unit left Fort Hood Texas for Iraq last December 12 for what
was to have been an 18 month deployment. He served as
a bodyguard for a Lieutenant Colonel. His father lives in
Phoenix where Jex moved after graduating from Lockport
High School with a GED diploma in 2003.

NO CONGRESSIONAL PAY RAISE

Congressman Chris Lee smiling after House Speaker
Nancy Pilosi announced yesterday members of the House
will not receive an automatic pay raise next year. Lee had
written Pilosi last week requesting a vote on a bi partisan
bill to block the raise. Pilosi said the Appropriations
Committee would not include a cost of living adjustement
for fiscal year 2010.

CAMBRIA BURGLARY

A large amount of jewelery and a Gateway laptop computer
were taken from a home on Subbera Road Tuesday during
a daylight burglary. The victim said a gold garnet ring and
a gold necklace were taken from his daughters bedroom and
four watches worth $800 were removed from the master
bedroom. Three sets of diamond earrings, five sets of white
gold earrings, a pearl necklace, and three good necklaces were
also taken. Deputies said a north side garage door was kicked
in. The break-in happened between 7:30 am and 3:30 pm

COUNTY DRUG TASK FORCE

Two people are facing charges after members of the Niagara
County Drug Task force executed a search warrant last night
in an apartment at 190 Erie Street. Thirty-six year old Richard
Ortiz of 6035 South Transit, and 26 year old Danielle LaSpada
of 190 Erie were both charged with two counts of possession of
a controlled substance. Police say a substantial quantity of
supsected cocaine was found and Ortiz had $2,825 in his
possession.

APOLITO

Forty-six year old John Apolito of Lockport was sentenced
to 37 months in prison Tuesday by Judge Richard Arcara.
Apolito was one of four men who stole 22 firearms from a
home in the Town of Wilson in April 2006. Three of the guns
were never recovered and Arcara said Apolito must provide
restitution to the victim while he's serving his sentence. He
will also be subject to a three year period of supervised
release after serving his prison sentence.

NEW BASEBALL COACHES AT WILSON

The Wilson School Board hired two new baseball coaches last
night. Mark Kurtz will be varsity coach while Jeffrey Robertson
will handle J-V duties. Kurtz comes from the Newfane School
District where he was an assistant varsity coach for 8 years
and a varsity coach for one. Wilson Athletic Director Charlie
Jufer said Kurtz lost his job in Newfane because of stipulations
in a teacher's contract. As for Robertson, he played division one
baseball as a pitcher at UB but Jufer said he blew his arm out in
his Senior year. He's been giving private lessons in baseball
and softball for six years. Kurtz will make about $3700,
Robertson will be paid a bit more than $2,650.

WHEATFIELD FLOOD PLAIN MAPS

Lawmakers in Wheatfield agreed last night to spend
another $12,000 to fight the placement of private
properties in flood zones. The money will pay for
additional engineering work to be done by Wendell
Duchscheer. Spokesman Timothy Walck said they
would review the new maps to make sure they're
accurate and include all the information presented
by residents. About 900 homes were on the maps
when they were first unveiled last September but that
number has been cut by 60%. Supervisor Tim Demler
said the Town has to be very aggressive. Once the
final maps are approved later this year, homeowners
in high risk zones with mortgages will have to buy
additional flood insurance that could cost between
$800 and $1100 a year. The new allocation means the
Town has spent $24,000 so far on the issue.

OFFICER UPDATE

Falls Police Superintendant John Chella updated
lawmakers last night on the condition of two police
officers shot during last Saturday morning's domestic
violence incident on South Avenue. Officer Walter
Nichols is still in serious condition in the intensive
care unit at ECMC. He underwent several hours of
surgery Saturday to remove shotgun pellets lodged
near his heart, stomach, and left hand. Officer Micheal
Bird has a pellet on the right side of his jaw that's
still there and is consulting with physcians on what
action to take. Chella said he appreciated the
community's outpouring of support. He said
the department was very concerned about the victim,
27 year old Stephanie Turk. He said there was a
moment when they thought she would die but she's
now miraculously able to communicate and is
responsive. The suspect, 34 year old Adam Hamilton
was arraigned in City Court yesterday on multiple
A-1 felonies. He said their investigation should conclude
shortly. Chella said the number of domestic violence
cases rose 22.7 % in 2008. He said that's good, explaining
it's bad that it's up but it also means more victims are
coming forward rather than living in an enviroment
where they're being abused consistently and
constantly.
it's up

POTHOLE KILLER BACK

The so called "pothole killer" is back in operation today
in the Falls as city lawmakers discussed the sorry state
of the City's streets at last night's council meeting. Council
member Bob Anderson wanted to know why the potholes
filled by the machine last year on Buffalo Avenue are
back. DPW Director Dave Kinney explained that the
material used to fill the pothole is still there but the
area surrounding it has fallen apart. Anderson said it's a
fatality waiting to happen. The City plans to buy an
asphalt zipper machine this Spring. It'll mill and
resurface small areas where the pavement has
deterioated beyond a point where patching is effective.
Council member Charley Walker said he knows what it's
like to hit one. He talked about his experiences when he
drove from Rt 62 down Pine Avenue near the Cemetery.
He said the City needs to stay focused on the problem.
Every Councilmember said they get many calls about
it. Mayor Paul Dyster said they're hoping to get some
federal stimulus dollars to make repairs. The Council
also voted to pay the electric bills at Sal Maglie Stadium
in June, July & August at a cost of about $10,000.

STARPOINT

The Starpoint School Board is getting ready to sign
a contract to fix the high school roof this Summer. The
Board is having it's lawyers look at a proposal from
Joseph Sanders & Sons of Buffalo. The roof was
damaged last January when winds gusted to 81 mph.
The repairs will be covered by insurance and School
Superintendent Doug Whalen said the roof was secure
and has no leaks, About 300 paving stones have been
placed on the section to keep it down until it's fixed.
The district also rededicated the board room in honor
of Joe Crotty who served as their attorney for 23 years.

PRIZE POOCH

For the second year in a row, a colored bull terrier
from Wheatfield won the "Best in Breed" yesterday
at the Westminister Kennel Club Dog Show in
New York City. Clio is a 4 year old known in
competition as "Paradox Muse-ic To My Ears."
Now she'll be trying to win the "Best In Group"
cpmpetition which she lost last year. Clio is
owned by Lockport vet Jeanne Fournier-Fike
and her husband Scott.

DELPHI BACK TO GM?

Reports say General Motors is engaged in talks to
reacquire as many as five Delphi plants. Local
observors of the auto industry say the Lockport
plant would probably be included. Art Wheaton at
Cornell's School Of Industrial and Labor Relations
in Buffalo says GM already has the engine plant in
Tonawanda and workers could flow between both
facilities as needed. GM is trying to meet a February
17 deadline to submit a viablity plan to the federal
government and Wheaton says the automaker wants
to make sure a supplier like Delphi is able to continue
to furnish them with parts. Delphi has been in Chapter
11 bankruptcy since October 2005 and Wheaton says
financing has completely dried up. GM and Delphi
representatives are not commenting on the reports.

LOCKPORT ASSESSOR QUITS

The City of Lockport is without an assessor once again.
Mayor Mike Tucker says Peter Galarneau handed in his
resignation last Thursday and has already cleared out
his office. His resignation takes effect a week from Friday,
on the 20th, but he's currently using up accumulated
time off. Tucker admits he had been pressing Galarneau
to get the citywide reevluation done. He says the City
has several options. They can try to find a replacement,
they can attempt to share an assessor with another
municipality, or they ask the County to take over the
department's functions. Tucker ackowledged that
Galarneau had some run-in's with other workers in the
department but said there are personality conflicts
in every workplace.

LOCKPORT SCHOOLS

Lockport School Chief Terry Ann Carbone says the
district will make up one of the three days lost this
Winter due to inclement weather by holding classes
on Friday, March 6. That day was supposed to be
a staff development day for teachers. A letter was sent
home with students Monday explaining the change. It
says students will be expected to be in class March 6.

Y-10 OPEN ROAD RACE

Registration is going on this week for the Lockport
YMCA's 38th annual "Y-10 Open Road Race." Race
Director Jeff Tracy says it starts and finishes in front
of their building on East Aevnue. The weather forecast
for Saturday isn't looking too bad with high's in the
mid 30's but Tracy says the elements have been a
challenge in the past. Between 180 and 230 runners
usually show up for the race, which he calls the
toughest in Western New York. They've also added
a shorter version this year. The event is a fundraiser for
YMCA Camp Kenan. Call the Y at 434-8887 for complete
details or go to Score-This .com" The overall male and
female winners will get a watch from Mills Jewelers.
The first race was held on February 5, 1972 and
14 people participated.

STIMULUS PACKAGE

Despite polls showing support for the stimulus
package is waning, Senator Chuck Schumer continued
to push for it's passage last night on CNN. He said a
compromise version worked out over the weekend is
close to the original House bill. He said the two
versions overlap 90% and the overall number is
$819-billion in the House verison and about $820-billion
in the Senate. Schumer said thinks the bill will end
up at $820-billion and that he favored the House
version. Schumer appeared on the
network's "State of the Union" show and host John
King asked him to respond to an interview with an auto
worker worried about losing his job. The Senator noted
conditions are similiar in Buffalo and Syracuse. He said
there's a provision in the stimulus bill to encourage
sales by giving buyers a tax cut if they buy a new vehicle.

STOELTINGS MACHINE SHOP

Two engines, a generator, and gas trimmers were taken
during an overnight burglary discovered Saturday
morning at Stoeltings Machine Shop at 2285 Niagara Falls
Boulevard in Wheatfield. The owner said it appeared entry
was made by driving or back a vehicle into the front glass
doors. The West side door was completely shattered and
the East side door was bent. The owner said it would
probably cost $1500 to replace the doors and a steel bar
he had installed across them. It had been padlocked to a
steel post but it didn't stop the break-in. Money left in the
register was not taken, but the loss in equipment was
estimated at over $1100. The business had also been
burglarized in January.

F-350 MISSING IN RANSOMVILLE

A 29 year old Ransomville man is looking for his 2004
Ford F-350 pick-up. He told Sheriff's deputies it
disappeared from his driveway on Ransomville Road
between 12:30 & 6:30 pm Sunday. A neighbor told
deputies she saw a gray pick-up at the home around
4pm.

WHEATFIELD CAR BURGLARY

A Wheatfield man says a $200 satellite radio and $15 in cash
were taken from his vehicle overnight Saturday. The 32 year
old lives in the 22 hundred block of Jagow Road. He said he
thought his car was locked but deputies could find no sign of
forced entry.

DWI/OBSTRUCTING

Two men were arrested around 2:30 Sunday morning while
Lockport Police were investigating a report of a large fight
on South Street near Franklin. Twenty-three year old Cory
Prentice of 2754 Main Street in Newfane was charged with
DWI and having no inspection sticker. Twenty-seven year
old Carl Stiles of 223 Niagara in Lockport was arrested for
obstructing governmental administration. Police say he
was in the van with Prentice and advised several times
to leave the area. He allegedly came up to an officer from
behind and tried to stop him from placing Prentice in a
police car.

FALLS OFFICER STILL IN SERIOUS CONDITION

One of the two Falls police officers shot in an early morning
incident Saturday on South Avenue is still in serious condition
at ECMC. Officer Walter Nichols Jr is an 18 year veteran of the
department and just returned to duty after serving in Afghanistan.
He and Officer Michael Bird were shot by 34 year old Adam Hamilton
as they responsed to a domestic violence call about 1:15 Saturday
morning. Bird was hit with shotgun pellets to his face and was
treated and released from the Medical Center. The woman involved,
27 year old Stephanie Turk is in critical condition at ECMC. Police
say she suffered stab wounds and was shot. Hamilton was shot in
the lower extremities by officers. He's in fair condition under a
24 hour guard and is charged with two counts of first degree
attempted murder and another count of second degree attempted
murder. The incident started at 1023 South Avenue where police
say Hamilton waited for Turk with two guns, a knife, and handcuffs.
Police Superintendent John Chella said it was the third domestic
violence shooting in the City in four months. He's planning a meeting
this week with officials from State and County domestic violence
units to see what they can do to curb the violence.