DEMLER

The County's Republican Committee
yesterday withheld it's endorsement of
Wheatfield Supervisor Tim Demler for
another term because of allegations he had
an affair with a Town worker whose also
the wife of Committee member Mike
Gurnett. Gurnett told the Buffalo News
the two had been followed and they had
secret meetings in two hotels in Amherst
and Jamestown within the last month and
a half. Demler and Tracy Gurnett deny
the allegations. Demler said she's just a
friend and Gurnett said she was not
having an affair with Demler or anyone
else. The Chairman of the Town's
Republican Committee said there would
be a special meeting next Wednesday where
he would bring up other issues and Demler
could prove them or disprove them. He said if
there was nothing to the allegations they would
go on as before. Demler has won 7
consecutive elections. The loss of the
endorsement would not prevent him from
running again but it would mean he would
have to organize his own group to collect
signatures for nominating petitions.

FALLS HOMECOMING

Officials in the Falls announced plans
Thursday for the city's participation in the
annual Buffalo Homecoming next month.
Mayor Paul Dyster said the Niagara Homecoming
would be held at the same time. The four day
event starts June 25. "Niagara Rises" is
heavily involved and one if it's founders,
Frank Thomas Croisdale, was at a press
event announcing the schedule. He said he's
constantly hearing from people who tell him
they're coming back for it. An estimated
50,000 people have left the City in the
past 50 years.

WILSON HAZING CASE

Wilson Town Justice George Berger ruling
Thursday alleged previous incidents about
hazing on the Wilson baseball team cannot
be used during the trial of the two former
coaches accused of failing to step in during
last April's now-famous incident. A six person
jury is slated to be chosen July 6 for the trial
of Bill Atlas and Thomas Baia. They are
charged with endangering the welfare of
a child.

ROY HART

The Roy Hart High School Board
last night accepted the resignation
of High School Principal Kevin Shanley.
He'll be leaving June 30 to become the
new School Superintendent in the
Cuba-Rushford School district in
Alleghany County. Outgoing School
Chief Paul Bona said he reccomended
Shanley for the job. He said he would help
the School Board in it's quest to find
a replacement. A deadline for applications
was set for the second week of June.

ACCIDENT AFTERMATH

A German tourist has been charged with
running a stop sign that allegedly caused
Wednesday's accident that killed his wife
and a Youngstown man. Fifty year old
Siegmund Deja of Freiburg, Germany
allegedly failed to stop at the intersection
of Ransomville and Youngstown-Wilson
Roads in Porter. The accident claimed
the life of his 49 year old wife Leokadia
and 63 year old Edward Sloninger of
Youngstown. Sloninger's 62 year old
wife Sharson is still in critical condition
at ECMC. The German couple's 7 year
old son is expected to be released soon
from Women and Children's Hospital.
He suffered some broken teeth and some
broken bones in a foot. A sheriff's deputy
said the youngster was scared and
heartbroken.

MEDICAL CENTER

Independent Health will give $500,000 to the
Falls Memorial Medical Center over the next
two years to help them come up with a new
business plan. Officials announced the
collaboration Thursday and said the goal
is to transform the hospital into a
community oriented patient health care
system. Hospital CEO Joe Ruffalo said they
plan to open a chest pain observation unit
to relieve congestion in the ER and expand
kidney dialysis services. They're also
exploring the possibility of opening a
community health center in partnership with
another organization. It's hoped it would cut
down on the use of ER while expanding
primary and preventive measures in the city.
The plan also calls for the creation of a
Community Advisory Board to consider
reccomendations and benchmarks. Ruffalo
said the new business plan would improve
quality and increase efficiency.

SCHUMER SAYS TO TAKE IT

Senator Chuck Schumer calling on
Delphi to accept a final offer from
General Motors and the UAW for
their reacquisition of five Delphi plants.
Schumer said Thursday he believed the
offer to Delphi was about as generous
as it's going to be. He said Delphi is
considering it but there are some
investors that still have to come on
board. Schumer said GM would have a
very rough time making cars without the
Lockport plant and it would be a shame
if a deal can't be reached. GM faces a
Monday deadline to restructure or
declare bankruptcy. Delphi will be
in court Tuesday to submit a plan to
emerge from it.

100 AMERICAN CRAFTSMEN

A lot of visitors expected in Lockport
over the weekend for the 39th Annual
"100 American Craftsmen" show at the
Kenan Center. A spokesman told
us 113 would actually be displaying
their work. Some are locals but others
are coming from as far away as Texas
and North Carolina. Many have donated
door prizes and winners will be drawn
every half hour. The show runs from
6-9pm Friday, from 10 till 6 Saturday,
and from 11 till 5 Sunday. There is an
admission charge and weekend passes
are available for $10. The parking is
free.

POSSIBLE ILLEGAL

Lockport police had to call in a Border
Patrol agent to translate around 11
last night after they stopped a possible
drunk driver near the intersection of
Lincoln and Beattie. Gerardo Perez-
Quintana of 1810 Hess Road in Appleton
was allegedly driving his pick-up on the
sidewalk at one point and was swerving
around and drove onto a lawn near a
church. Police said there was a strong
odor of alcohol on him but they could
not communicate with the man. A Border
Patrol agent responded but would not
take the 22 year old into custody because
he was highly intoxicated and he not say
whether he was an illegal alien or not.
Perez-Quintana was taken to LPD where the
agent helped in booking, he was charged
with reckless driving and being an
unlicensed driver.

FIGHT

A woman was taken to ENH Lockport for
treatment this morning after police were
called to break up a fight between two
women at 271 Locust. Fifty one year old
Cindy Hueber was charged with third
degree assault. The victim was treated by
the Fire Department around 1:30 and sent to
the hospital.

DOUBLE FATAL

Two people were killed and three others
were injured in a two vehicle crash around
10:30 Wednesday morning involving
a rented recreational vehicle and an SUV
at the intersection of Ransomville and
Youngstown-Wilson Roads in the Town of
Porter. Deputies said the occupants of the
camper were tourists from Freiberg, Germany.
The 50 year old driver. Siegmund Deja, was
given a ticket for failing to stop at a sign
on Youngstown Wilson Road. The
passenger side of his vehicle struck the drivers
side of the SUV. The impact sent both
vehicles careening off the road, they rolled
over several times and came to rest in a
field. The operator of the SUV... 63 year old
Edward Sloniger ofYoungstown...was killed
when he was thrown from the vehicle. Deputies
said he was not wearing a seat belt. His wife
Sharon was. She's in critical condition at ECMC
where she had been taken by Mercy Flight. It
took officials about a half an hour to free her
from the vehicle. The crash also claimed the life
of Deja's 49 year old wife. Leokadia Deja died
of extensive injuries. The father was treated and
released from ECMC and the couple's 7 year
old son, Sebastian, is at Women and Childrens
Hospital. The Ransomville Fire Company will
hold a debriefing tonight at 7 for first responders
and citizens who helped out at the scene.

LOCKPORT BICYCLE AUCTION

The City of Lockport is getting ready for
Saturday's annual bicycle auction. Traffic
Captain Mike Niethe will be in charge of
the event that'll start at 10am in the police
garage in the basement of City Hall off
Niagara Street. He says about 120 bikes
will be up for bid along with some desks.
He's advising you to show up at 9:30
so you'll have time to inspect what's
available. Some excellent deals can be
had. Payment must be made at the time
of purchase with a cash or check. The
proceeds go into the City's general fund.

CREDIT CARD

A 26 year old Lockport man facing charges after
he allegedly used a credit card he found in the
parking lot of a local business. Yuessett Ramirez
of Park Avenue was arraigned before Town of
Lockport judge Raymond Schilling and released
on his own recognizance. He's charged with
fourth degree felony grand larceny and two
misdemeanor counts of petit larceny. His image
was captured by security cameras as he used the
card and he was identified by a city police officer.

RAINBOW MALL

A settlement was announced yesterday to end
the lawsuit against the City of Niagara Falls
by the operators of the long closed Rainbow
Centre Mall. The deal calls for the City to
acknowledge it's not feasible to operate a
shopping mall there in the current business
climate. It also says both sides will cooperate
in plans to develop the downtown area and come
up with alternative uses for the Mall. Lawmakers
will vote on the proposal at Monday's council
session. The settlement would end the lawsuit
filed last year by a subsidiary of the Cordish
Corporation. It also says future disputes will
be settled through arbitration and both sides
would also agree they will not say anything
nasty about the other in the future...that any
statements will be limited to only the facts.

SEX OFFENDER TO LIVE IN FALLS

A 51 year old repeat sex offender from North
Tonawanda was released yesterday and sent
to live with his mother in Niagara Falls. James
McKinney is completing a 7 year prison sentence
for having sex with four girls under the age of
14. State Supreme Court Judge Richard Klock
ordered that McKinney would live in the Midtown
Inn under "strict and intensive" supervision and
he would receive treatment. The apartment house
is over the former Hotel California bar at 22nd
& Niagara. The County will pay 25 per cent of
his rent and the State the rest. Three of the
sexual encounters McKinney had occurred in
North Tonawanda in 2000 and 2001, the other
was in the Falls in 1998.

LOCKPORT COUNCIL

Lockport lawmakers last night contiuned to
talk about security at City Hall during their
work session. City Building Inspector David
Miller killed Alderwoman Flora McKenzie's
plan to install a folding wall that would
seperate the court area from the rest of the
building. He said there must be two
means of entrance or exit when a building
contains more than 30 people and the
proposed wall would prevent that when
it's in place.

DELPHI

Congressman Chris Lee saying this morning
negotiations are continuing for General
Motors to acquire five Delphi plants despite
GM's announcement
they will file for bankruptcy Monday. He
admitted it's a rapidly changing environment
but said as far he knew talks were going
forward. He spoke outside the Lockport
plant following a 90-minute tour and visit
with management and workers.The visit was
announced yesterday after a plan surfaced
through the Associated Press saying General
Motors would buy back the Lockport plant and
four others as part of it's restructuring. Lee said
he was hopeful any such restructuring would
protect the workers and the pension of retirees.
Lockport Mayor Mike Tucker also spoke and
said he would not know if GM's acquisition
of Delphi would be a good deal until he saw the
final agreement.

MUSIC

Officials in North Tonawanda are expected to
announce the line-up for the Summer concert
series at Gateway Park later this week. Former
Melody Fair owner Ed smith is involved. The
Matyor's office saysSmith is booking acts
and that six have made a committment to
perform. Meantime a plan is in the works to
hold a 25 hour free concert in Niagara Square
in Buffalo next month to support the Food Bank
of Western New York. The marathon is being
organized by Bob James. He's a veteran of
numerous local groups including "The Restless,"
"The Rain," and "Third Floor Strangers." The
Buffalo Music Hall of Fame, the Goo Goo Dolls
"Music Is Art" program and Student Voices
are also involved.

ACCIDENT

Lockport police arrested the alleged driver
of a stolen car this morning that was involved
in an accident around 2am Tuesday. Twenty-one
year old Richard Tomaino was picked up in an
apartment at 6144 Ruhlman Road. Police say
he and two others stole the car from Pete's
Collission and the brakes failed as they were
driving North on Market Street. Tomaino lost control
and struck a curb at Scalzo Park and left the road.
He then backed out and struck a signpost.
Tomaino fled the area but two passengers were
arrested. They are 23 year old Travis Lee Kutis of
272 Green and 25 year old Matthew Neal of North
Tonawanda. Both are charged with the unauthorized
use of a motor vehicle, Neal also with obstructing
governmental administration. They were treated
at ENH-Lockport for minor injuries. Tomaino is
charged with grand larceny, criminal mischief,
leaving the scene of a property damage accident,
failure to keep right, and having no license.

TOWN OF LOCKPORT

Lawmakers in the Town of Lockport yesterday
approved a 20 year payment in lieu of taxes
deal for an apartment project for the disabled.
The Olmstead Center for the Visually Impaired
plans to break ground next month for $4.4-million
project in the Ulrich Business Park off the South
end of Davison Road. The pilot calls for the
owners to pay $3,000 a year plus 10 percent
of any profit if the 24 unit complex exceeds the
break even point. The Board also o-k'd an
extension of the Town's sewer contract with the
City of Lockport. It'll run out at the end of next
year. The Town Engineer said work on
replacing the Bartz Road bridge will not start
till after the 4th of July. The span is expected
to be closed for two to three weeks once work
starts. Deputy Supervisor Mark Crocker
said they expect to resurface O'Connor Drive,
the Locust Street Extension, and Kinne Road
over the Summer.

FREE ADMISSION NIGHT AT THE COUNTY FAIR

Members of the County Legislature's
Administration Committee o-k'd a proposal
last night to use $6,000 of the County's
casino money to pay for a free admission
night at the County Fair. The idea originated
with Cornell Cooperative Extension. The Fair will
run from August 5-9. The Committee also
approved another request from the Cooperative
Extension and The Farm Bureau for $9,500
in additional casino cash to support the "Pick
Niagara" program, it's hoped it will help develop
local markets.

NFTA

The chairman of the NFTA announced yesterday
he will step down when his term ends at the end
of June. Greg Stamm was appointed to the Board
by former Governor George Pataki in 2002. In 2006
he was named to fill the remainder of the term
of Board Chairman Luiz Kahl following his death.
Stamm said he was offering his resignation five
weeks before his term ends because he wanted
a replacement in place before the State Legislature
recesses for the Summer. Vice Chairman Henry
Sloma of Niagara County would serve as interim
chairman.

SUPPORT FALLING FOR SAME SEX MARRIAGE

A new Seina Research poll shows support for
same sex marriage is falling in our state. It
was supported 53-39 per cent when the
question was posed last month, but a survey
released today shows 46 percent are for it
and 46 percent are against. The Governor
addressed the issue during a press event this
morning. He said the 50-50 split in the polls
would indicate the votes would be there to
pass it in the legilsature. When a reporter
asked if this would be the will of the people,
Paterson said the issue was legal rights, and
asked what would have been the will of the
people about abolishing slavery? Paterson
also responded to another question in the
poll that showed more people than ever are
thinking about leaving the state because of
it's high taxes. He said other states would
soon be forced to enact income taxes and
other fees. Paterson called the press conference
to announce legislation that would create an
independent government ethics commission.
He said it's passage was one of his priorities
in the waning days of the current session. The
same poll found his approval rating had not
changed much since the last survey.

UNITED WAY AT THE RACES

Race fans will want to get their tickets
early for a special benefit for the United
Way. Area labor groups are banding
together to sponsor "Labor Night at The
Races" on Friday June 12 at Ransomville
Speedway. Admisison is $15 for adults
and $7 for children 12 and under. The cost
includes a tent party with food and drinks,
pictures and autographs with the drivers
and race car displays. The tent party begins
at 6 and the races at 7:15. Tickets for "Labor
Supports The United Way" are pre-sale
only can be purchased at the United Way
offices at 3300 Military Road in the Falls,
at 41 Main Street in Lockport, and at 34
Seymour Street in Tonawanda. Call
285-8461 or 434-1190 for tickets or
information.

BOAT FIRE

A fire around 2:30 yesterday at the Sunset Bay
Marina in Wilson could have been much worse.
A 21 foot Criss Craft caught fire inside the facility
while two men were working on the engine
compartment...but one of the men, Derrick
Kent, despite being burned himself...used a
forklift to move the burning boat out of the
building and placed it on the parking lot. Officials
said it saved the structure and dozens of other
boats inside. Kent, and the other man, John
Fallesen, were treated by fire personnel and then
taken to ECMC by Mercy Flight. They suffered
second and third degree burns to about 25%
of their bodies...primarily on the arms and legs.
There was no estimate of damage provided but
the boat was a total loss.

FALL VICTIM IDENTIFIED

The Falls man who died Sunday night when
he fell 50 to 60 feet into the Gorge at Devils
Hole has been identified as 33 year old
Michael Cooper. He was a religious man
who usually brought his bible so he could
read it in solitude while hiking. Yesterday
would have been his 34th birthday. Cooper
had attended Niagara Falls High School
and worked for the district as a bus driver.
He was also the Youth Director of Niagara
Frontier Bible Church and a Summer
counselor at the Living Waters Circle C
Ranch in Delevan.

COUNTY RESIDENTS INJURED IN ERIE COUNTY ACCIDENT

Three County residents suffered minor injuires
around 10:30 Monday morning when their car
hit a guardrail on the Northbound 219 Expressway
in the Town of Concord. Nineteen year old Amanda
Johnson of North Tonawanda was behind the wheel.
Her passengers included 25 year old Matthew Keuning
of Lockport and 1 year old Kayle Marmo. They were all
taken to ECMC. Johnson suffered a lacerated arm,
Keuning complained of neck and back pain and also
had rib injuires. The child had a bruised arm. Erie
County Sheriff's deputies said the car flipped over
and went down an embankment.

PEPPER SPRAYED

A 25 year old Lockport man was pepper
sprayed by police while they were
responding to a domestic call just before
3am Monday at 291 South Street. Tyrone
Bruce of 243 Green was apparently drunk.
He allegedly became agitated during
questioning and started yelling profanities
causing a crowd to gather. Police placed
him in a patrol car where they say he started
kicking the doors and he was pepper sprayed.
Two witnesses told officers Bruce grabbed a
woman by the neck and threw her to the
ground during an argument. He's charged
with third degree assault and disorderly
conduct.

GASPORT WOMAN

A 46 year old Gasport woman is facing drug
charges after she was pulled over at Genesee
& Cottage around 3:20 am Monday. Kathy
Dunker of 8860 Hasely Road is charged with
possession of marijuana and crack cocaine
and an equipment violation. Police said they
found several burned marijuana cigarettes
and three metal pipes containing crack residue.
They said she gave them permission to search
her car. She's due in court Wednesday.

MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND

Nearly 200 people gathered at Lockport's
Cold Springs Cemetery Sunday for Memorial
Day observances. Lockport Mayor Mike Tucker
was among them...along with Town of Lockport
Supervisor Marc Smith, representatives of the
city and town councils, and county lawmakers
Keith McNall and Tony Nemi. The observance
took place in the area where veterans are buried
and Nemi said the grave of his grandfather was
nearby. The honor guard was from the B Leo Dolan
American Legion post. The Lockport High School
Band was among five bands featured in the parade.
The Lockport Community Band, the City of Thorold
pipe band, The Stoll Brothers, and The Brotherhood
were the others. The theme of the parade was
"Always Remember." County Sheriff Jim Voutour
was slated to speak at the Wilson Memorial Day
observance at 10am Monday at Greenwood Veterans
Memorial Park. Three other holiday observances
were set for 11am. County Legislature Chairman
Bill Ross was expected to offer remarks at the
Wheatfield War Memorial at the Town DPW garage
at 6525 Ward Road. Lawmaker Danny Sklarski
was to offer remarks at the Town of Niagara observance
at Witmer Cemetery on Witmer Road, and Lewiston
representative John Ceretto was to speak at the
Village observance at Center Street and Academy
Park. Lawmaker John Syracuse was slated to appear
at two observances, one at 10 am at Somerset Town
Hall...and at 11am at Corwin Cemetery in Newfane.

MAN DIES AFTER FALLING INTO DEVILS HOLE

A 33 year old Falls man died last night after
falling into the section of the Niagara Gorge
known as Devils Hole. The unidentified man
landed on some rocks and was taken to Mount
Saint Mary's Hospital where he later passed
away. The accident happened around 6pm and
offcials had extricated him from the gorge 36
minutes later. A fisherman who witnessed the
fall said the dropped about 30 feet while trying
to scale a wall to get a better look at a grotto
on the riverbank.

WHEATFIELD WOMAN CHARGED

A 50 year old Wheatfield woman is accused of
cutting the throat of a 12 year old girl around
10 pm Saturday at a campground in Newstead.
Cindy Becker of Shawnee Road is charged with
second degree assault...a felony...and five
misdemeanor counts following the incident at
Sleepy Hollow Lake Campgrounds. Erie County
Sheriff's deputies say Becker was highly
intoxicated and accused two girls of harassing
her. She allegedly pulled out a pocket knife and
put it to the throat of one of the two causing a
cut. The two girls ran and told their parents.
Becker is also accused of slamming a car door
on one of the parents legs. She's being held at the
Erie County Holding Center till she's arraigned
on Newstead Town Court.

MONDAY MORNING DISTURBANCE

A 19 year old Lockport woman was charged with
endangering the welfare of a child, possession
of marijuana, and criminal nuisance around 1am
today at 46 Grant Street. Police said they were
called to Apartment C after getting a report shots
may have been fired. They said a home made
bong was found in the apartment containing
marijuana residue. Lacey Moll was arrested and
three visitors left.

OFFICER PUNCHED TWICE

A 31 year old Lockport man allegedly
punched Lockport police lieutenant
twice during an incident Sunday
morning. David Matyjasik of 6611 Ridge
Road is also accused of giving officers
a false name, resisting arrest, criminal
mischief, and assault. Police said they
were called to a home at 260 North Transit
around 7:30 for a report of a disturbance
and a person with a cut. They said they
saw Matyjasik riding up to the home on a
bike as they arrived. He was later found
hiding in a closet. Police said he punched
Lieutenant Licata once as he fought with
them...and despite being tasered....he ran
out the door and down Prentice Street.
Matyjasik was apprehended in front of
22 Prentice where he allegedly punched
Licata for a second time. Other officers
arrived and he was cuffed and taken to
ENH-Lockport for treatment of injuries to
his left eye and knee.

BABY DIES IN NIAGARA FALLS

Police in the Falls say an autopsy will be
conducted today to determine what caused the
death of a baby boy Sunday morning. Officers
were called to a home on Fifth Street around
9am and the baby was taken to the Medical
Center where he was pronounced dead at
9:12. The boy was less than a month old.

BOAT SINKS IN LAKE ONTARIO

Two women and five men were rescued Saturday
morning after a $50,000 fishing boat sank in Lake
Ontario about a mile North of Olcott Harbor. The boat
was owned by Anthony LaRock of Newfane. He was
fishing with friends when he noticed the 31 foot vessel
was taking on water. They were rescued by a charter
boat from Webster that happened to be in the area.
LaRock's boat eventually went down in 80 feet of
water. He was trapped for a time in the cabin but
managed to open a window and swim out. They
were all taken to the Olcott Marina where officials
from three local fire departments were waiting for
them.