FIRES

An overnight blaze Friday at Wilhelm and Ashe at the
corner of East Avenue and Charles Street did an
estimated $175,000 in damage. The fire in the two
story flower shop was reported by a passerby
around 2:45 am when he saw smoke. Assistant
Fire Chief Pat Costello told WLVL he saw smoke and
heavy flames coming from the second floor on the
Charles Street side when he arrived. Costello said
the fire started in a second story storage room and
the owners told him they had $70,000 worth of
material stored there. He estimated the damage to
the building and it's contents at $175,000. He
said they were able to contain most of the fire to
the second floor but there was water and smoke
damage throughout the building. One firefighter
suffered a wrist injury, another a back injury, but they
remained on the scsne. Elsewhere, a fire just
before noon Thursday in a two and half story
wood frame home at 1637 Cleveland Avenue in the
Falls is being blamed on careless cooking, Fire
Chief Bill MacKay said it appeared it started in the
kitchen. He said there were no smoke detectors
and they found a cache of illegal fireworks in the
attic. Damge was put at $45,000. The Red Cross
is helping four people, one of them, 41 year old
Tyrone Clark, was charged with disorderly conduct
and resisting arrest after a fight erupted about the
fire. The other man, 20 year old Martz Berry of 19th
Street, was charged with disorderly conduct. And
Lockport Police are investigating an alleged arson
fire that happened at 9:15 Wednesday night in a vacant
house at 180 West Avenue. A gas soaked bandanna in
a beer can was thrown at a window. It got lodged
in the insulation and started a small blaze. Detective
Lieutenant John Yotter said they would lift fingerprints
from the can and the suspects, if they are caught, could
face felony arson charges. A witness heard a loud
explosin and saw two men get in a silver or white
vehicle and head south toward Stevens Street. The
fire did several hundred dollars damage.

HOMICIDE IN THE FALLS

Falls Police are investigating a fatal shooting that
took place just after 2am Thursday outside an
apartment at the Monteagle Ridge Housing
development at 4600 Hyde Park Boulevard.
Twenty-two year old Lelton Kemp of Lafayette
Avenue was shot once in the chest with a
large caliber handgun. He was stabilzied at
the Medical Center but passed away as he was
being transferred to ECMC. Police are looking
for two people, the shooter and another
person involved in the incident. Police said
Kelton was shot when he intervened in a fight
between a man and a woman.

A GREAT WAY TO START A RELATIONSHIP

A Lockport man filed harassment charges against
his soon to be mother-in-law yesterday after the
56 year old allegedly attacked him in the parking lot
at ENH-Lockport. Nidia Lugo of 87 Gabriel Drive
became upset when the victim said, while
visiting the hospital with his fiance, that the illness
of a family member could have been prevented if the
family had been more aware of her sickness. The
victim said Lugo didn't like that and she was yelling
at him as he was crossing the parking lot. He said
she came up to him when he got to his car and started
smacking him in the face. His glasses fell off and
broke. He told Police he would not file charges if
she paid to fix or replace them. She refused and
told Police to come and arrest her. She's due in
City Court Monday.

CUOMO RECUSES HIMSELF FROM PATERSON PROBE

Attorney General Andrew Cuomo yesterday recused
himself from the investigation into the Governor's scandals.
He gave the job to former Judge Judith Kaye. She will look
into charges Paterson intervened in a domestic violence
case involving an aide, and whether he accepted tickets
to the World Series and then lied to investigators about
his intention to pay for them. Polls have shown New
Yorkers thought it was a conflict of interest for Cuomo to
conduct the investigation as he considering running against
Paterson for governor.

INTERNET MYSTERY

An Amherst man called Lockport Police yesterday
after he saw a posting on Craig's List. It was
supposedly from Lockport and offered $200 and
a PS-3 to anyone who would kill the person making
the post. The ad was dated last Sunday. It read,
"Anyone wanna make $200 plus a PS-3 and anything
else I can give, kill me, seriously kill me, and I'll give
everything I own. It also contained an internet
address to contact the person.

EASTERN NIAGARA UNITED WAY

The Barker School District was presented with
the Community Challenge Cup Thursday during
the final awards luncheon and annual meeting
for the Eastern Niagara United Way. The award is
given to recognize an organization that has
demonsrated a long term financial committment to
the agency. The President's Challenge Cup went
to Hyerptherm for the greatest increase in total dollars
or participation. The Lockport GM Plant and Delphi
Thermal workers were presented with the Campaign
Challenge Cup. A total of ten awards were handed
out during the event at the Holiday Inn. The gathering
was the final one for the Eastern Niagara United Way.
They will consolidate operations soon with the United
Way of Niagara. Chairman Bob Hagen said there
would be one Day of Caring this year, one "Make A
Difference Day," and a single fundraising campaign
which will start this Summer.

83 YEAR OLD INJURED AFTER CAR GOES INTO A DITCH

An 83 year old woman was taken to ENH-Lockport
around 6:15 last night after her car veered off
Mapleton Road in Pendleton and came to rest
in a drainage ditch filled with about three feet of
water. Dorothy Spencer was unconscious when
she was pulled from the vehicle by State Trooper
William Higgins, Sheriff's Deputy Kevin Rhode, and
a Wendelville fireman. They said frigid waters were
swirling around the front of the car during the
rescue.

APARTMENT BREAK IN

A 47 inch LG flat screen TV was taken from an
apartment on Park Avenue in Lockport sometime
yesterday. A 49 year old man told police he left
for work around 7am and discovered the break-in
around 3:45 when he got home from work. He said
he noticed the frame on the front door was damaged
when he opened it and there were pieces of wood
on the floor. The TV was worth $1,500. The damage
to the door was put at $50.

RALLY

Assemblywoman Francine del Monte will be at a
rally at 2pm Saturday at Wilson Tuscorora State
Park to protest it's possible closure. Members of
the Wilson Town and Village Boards also plan to
be there. The Governor announced last month
it would be one of the 40 state parks to be closed
this year to save $6.5-million. He also wants to
shut down Joseph Davis State Park, also in
Niagara County. State Senator George Maziarz
and Wilson Town Supervisor Joe Jastrzemski
have proposed the Town should takeover
operations at Wilson-Tuscorora.

ATTEMPTED ROBBERY IN WHEATFIELD

A 56 year old Wheatfield woman got quite a scare
when she answered her door around 7pm Wednesday.
The victim said the man forced his way into her home
in the 2000 block of River Road and held a serrated
knife to her throat. He told her to go into the bedroom
and get some money or he would kill her. She told him
she did not have anything more than the $23 that was
sitting on a coffee table and he would have to kill her.
She said the man had an earpiece on and said, "it's
a no go, it's a no go, lets get out of here," and he left
without taking anything. She said he was a white
male, about 5 foot 9, and was wearing blue jeans
and tan boots. He had a dark jacket on and a black
bandana with a small white pattern on the front.

DEWITT CLINTON AND JOHN POUND

Lockport School Superintendent Terry Ann
Carbone last night reccommended the district should
close DeWitt Clinton and John Pound Elementary
Schools. She also said residents would see an
11.6 percent tax increase. The plan calls for
DeWitt Clinton to be closed while John Pound
would be used for storage and universal
pre-kindergarten. The School Board is expected
to eliminate Summer school for all grades,
academic and intervention and Summer reading
for kindergarten through grade 8, and about 40
positions. The changes are being reccomended
because the District is dealing with a $7.9-million
deficit caused by a $3.9-million cut in State aid
and a $4-million increase in operating costs.
Carbone said the jobs of five elementary school
librarians would be saved. Their salaries will be
offset by a $250,000 cut to equipment and supplies.
Residents expressed outrage during a lengthy
public comment period. School Board President
Marietta Schrader said they will discuss the
reccomendations and a final budget will be passed
April 14.

BEILEN SCHOLARSHIP

A new thousand dollar scholarship is being
offered to three high school seniors in the County
who are seeking a career in law enforcement.
Sheriff Jim Voutour says the idea for the Tom
Beilen Scholarship came from his Chief Deputy
who received a similar scholarship twenty years
ago from then Sheriff Giles. The scholarships will
be available for the Fall semester. You'll find
complete details at the Sheriff's Department
website or by calling 438-3393. Applications are
due by May 14.

PAYMENT IN LIEU OF TAXES DEALS REQUESTED

The Greater Lockport Development Corporation
asked the County IDA yesterday for a payment
in lieu of taxes deal for Harrison Place. The GLDC
wants a 15 year exemption from sales taxes on
materials to improve the building and an
exemption from county, school, and property
taxes for the same period of time. Mayor Mike
Tucker is also the Vice Chairman of the IDA and
he abstained from voting when the Board decided
to hold a public hearing on the request on April 13.
Tucker told WLVL they want to improve the
building so someone will buy it and put it back
on the tax rolls. The Board also decided to hold
another hearing on the same day at the Pendleton
Town Hall on application from Mac's Antique Auto
Parts. They want a 15 year pilot for a 28,000
square foot, $2-million expansion of their operation
in Pendleton. They already have a previous deal
in place for their move to the Town. The pastor
of the Christ Redemption Tabernacle in the Falls
also resigned from the IDA board. The Reverand
Kevin Hobbs said he's been appointed to a new
Statewide church post that'll take up most of his
time. Hobbs will be overseeing other churches as
part of his duties as the district delegate for the New
York State Council of Pentecostal Assemblies of
the World. He has been on the IDA Board since
January 2008. The County Legislature will decide
on his replacement.

GUBERNATORIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

Former Governor George Pataki Wednesday endorsed
Rick Lazio for Governor. Pataki said the former
Congressman has a "good vision" for the State's
future. The announcement coming as Buffalo
developer Carl Paladino all but declared his
candidacy for the GOP nomination. He told the
Buffalo News he would spend $10-million of his own
money. He has already registered a "Paladino for
the People" campaign fund with the State Board of
Elections and is putting together a campaign staff.

THE RAVITCH PLAN

Lieutenant Governor Richard Ravitch
Wednesday proposed moving the start of
the State's fiscal year to July first as part of a
five year plan to control overspending. He
would also establish a financial review board
and borrow up to $2-billion a year for the next
three years to cover operating expenses. Ravitch
does not believe the Legislature can effectively
address the State's looming $9-billion deficiti
for the upcoming fiscal year and the borrowing
would mean they would not have to cut programs and
services or raise taxes. The plan would give the
Governor the power to close gaps in the budget if
the review panel cannot aggree. The five member
panel would be appointed by the Governor and
Legilsative leaders.

TAX BREAK EXTENDED

The Town of Lockport IDA has extended the existing
property tax break for the Lockport Energy Associates
co-generation power plant thru 2015. The deal
specifies they would have to begin paying taxes if
their annual profit is more than $5-million. The plant
produces very little energy but does provide steam
for the nearby Delphi plant. The IDA also agreed
Wednesday to sell an acre and a half of land in the
Industrial Park to Bison Bag so they can expand.
The price was $27,500.

HOLY TRINITY ADDED

The New York State Board for Historic Preservation
has added the Holy Trinity Church in the Falls to the
State's registry of historic places. The former Catholic
Church was one of those recently closed by the
diocese. City Historian Tom Yots said the move
will allow state preservation officials to make a formal
request to the National Parks Service to place the
church campus on the national list as well. He
expects it to happen this Summer. Both designations
will make it possible for the new owners to get grant
funding and tax credits. A non-profit group called
the Niagara Heritage of Hope & Service bought the
campus from the diocese. The Church opened in 1902
and includes a school, rectory, garage, and convent.

DRUGS FOUND AT 243 CHAPEL

Lockport police say they found a large
quantity of marijuana and a loaded shotgun
early Wednesday after they received
information they could be found in a home
at 243 Chapel. Twenty-three year old Owen
Brown of 108 Sycamore Street in Buffalo and
Brianna Brown of 243 Chapel were charged with
possession and endangering the welfare of a
child. Police allegedly found marijuana in
several locations in the home, two scales
used to weigh the drug, and a plastic bag
of suspected cocaine and another of xanex
pills. A loaded Omega 220 gauage shotgun
was found under a couch where two juveniles
were playing. Police also confiscated
$2,179 in cash. Owen Brown said the
drugs and the gun belonged to him but
both were charged. The children were turned
over to a neighbor.

GRAND LARCENY, PETIT LARCENY, POSSESSION OF STOLEN PROPERTY

A 38 year old Lockport man was charged yesterday
with stealing an unemployment debit card and a
xanez prescription from a resident of 77 Main Street.
William Cruz of 6558 Lincoln was arrested at his
apartment just after 2:30. He's charged with grand
larceny, petit larceny, and possession of stolen
property. He's accused of taking the card and pills
Tuesday while spending the night in the apartment
of the female victim. He allegedly withdrew $100
from her account at the HSBC location on Main
Street around 5am and of making two purchases
at Tops later in the morning. The victim said her
PIN number was on the cardholder the debit
card was in.

CHILD ENDANGERMENT

Two 21 year old Lockport men were charged with
endangering the welfare of a child around 9:45
Wednesday night after police and sheriff's deputies
responded to a fight in an apartment at 288 Washburn.
A resident, Shane Storms, and Shane Philipovich of
5227 Sweetwood Drive were wrestling in the living
room when police arrived. Both were drunk and
they struck a juvenile while they were fighting and
it caused her to be thrown backwards into a wall.
Police reports said Storms was highly combative
to patrol and deputies as he was being interviewed.

LOCKPORT SCHOOL BOARD

A large crowd is expected for tonight's Lockport
School Board meeting. Superintendent
Terry Ann Carbone is slated to announce the
names of the two elementary schools that she
will reccommend by closed to save money.
Carbone says she will advise them to
"repurpose" one of the buildings and that
the other be closed. The meeting has been moved
to the auditorium of the High School. She
anticipates a lot of people will want to be at the
session and acknowledges that some difficult
decisions are being made. She told WLVL that,
based on declining enrollment and the current
fiscal situation, it would be not be responsible
of her to advise they remain open. Meantime, the
Lew-Port School Board is looking at possibly
laying off 28 teachers and 11 aides as one way of
helping to close a $1.8-million shortfall in next
year's budget. They are also considering making
cuts in non-mandated State programs including
pre-K and kindergarten, High School advanced
placement and business electives, and districtwide
intervention and arts programs. The Wilson School
Board also accepted the retirements of seven
employees Tuesday night as they deal with a
million dollar cut in State aid and big increases in
retirement and health insurance costs. Athletic
Director Charles Jufer said he would step down
at the end of June. The others included four
teachers, a counselor, and a nurse.

MASSA

Former New York congressman Eric Massa took
his case to cable TV last night with appearances
on the Glen Beck and Larry King programs. He told
King he was leaving because he has to fight
simultaneously a potential reoccurence of cancer,
the Democratic leadership, a health care bill that
will destroy this country and his opposition to it,
and his belief that the Democratic party has become
what it campaigned against. Maasa said the party's
plan to pass health care reform by a simple majority
vote is the same process they complained about
when it was done by Republicans. He said it would
create a schism in the country that it would take
a generation to overcome. He said he could not
stay and fight it all. Massa said he was a proud
Democrat and pointed out he was the first member
of his party to be elected from his rural district.

SODA TAX

Budweys Supermarket owner Frank Budwey is
featured on a new statewide TV ad against the
proposed soda tax. He says he's really fed
up with Albany and taxes have never made anyone
healthy. The Governor reiterated his support for the
new tax at a meeting Monday in Albany. Paterson
said they were just trying to take dangerous substances
out of the hands of children. State Senator George
Maziarz said to talk about soda and pop as a
dangerous substance is just ridiculous. He said
he would vigorously oppose any new tax or fee
proposal coming out of Albany.

APPOINTMENT WITHDRAWN

A finding by City of Lockport attorney John
Ottaviano has caused the Mayor to rescind
an appointment Tuesday he made to the City's
five-member Police Board. Mike Tucker had
appointed a Town of Lockport resident to the
panel but Ottaviano said his research showed
appointees had to be city residents at the time
they were selected. Tucker had appointed
Marianne Currie-Hall to the position. He told the
Union Sun & Journal she had expressed an
interest in the position. He said she was born
in the City, raised her family here, and she works
here, Currie-Hall is the prinicpal at Roy B Kelly
Elementary. Tucker says he doesn't have anyone
in mind for the slot now, anyone interested should
call his office.

HOTEL NIAGARA CONDEMNED

Acting Falls Building Inspector Dennis Virtuoso
condemned the historic Hotel Niagara Tuesday
because of it's lack of electricity and running
water. It came after Fire Chief Bill MacKay told the
City Council Monday a March 4 inspection found
the water and electricity had been cut off and there
was no interior fire protection system. The 12-story
hotel has been closed for several years for
remodeling. The Chief Engineer told the Buffalo
News about 80% of the plumbing, heating, and air
conditioning work is done and the building will be
protected from intruders. He expected work would
resume in two weeks after they get a new building
permit. The hotel was bought at auction in 2007
for $4.6-million by James and Judith Cook. They had
hoped to re-open it last Fall.

FALLS COUNCILMEMBERS TO TESTIFY

Current and former members of the Niagara Falls
City Council got a notice in the mail last week. They
will be called to testify in the upcoming trial of former
Mayor Vince Anello. Jury selection is set to begin
June 8. Anello is charged with conspiracy, obstruction,
and failing to provide honest service to the public.

GANG FUED?

Falls Police say no one was hit around 3:15pm
Tuesday when shots rang out at the corner of
Niagara and 16th Streets. Witnesses said three
men in a tan Malibu jumped out of the car while
it was still running and exchanged gunfire with
another man standing in front of 1604 Niagara.
A number of bullets struck the house and car.
Police believe it stemmed from an ongoing street
gang fued in the area.

DIABETIC SEIZURE CAUSES ACCIDENT

A 61 year old Buffalo woman was taken to ECMC by
Mercy Flight Tuesday after the car she was driving
struck two mailboxes and three trees around 4pm
in front of 7439 Bear Ridge Road. Anna Sussum had
a diabetic seizure and was not charged. She was freed
from her vehicle by the Wendelville Volunteer Fire
Company.

WHEATFIELD APARTMENT BURGLARIZED

A $1,700 Apple lap top computer was taken during
a burglary yesterday at an apartment at 7288
Shawnee Road in Wheatfield. The victim said he
found a couch overturned when he got home from
work and the computer was missing from his
bedroom. It's thought the break-in was done by a
Town of Tonawanda man because the victim's
dating his ex-girlfriend. A neighbor was shown
photos and he said he saw the man walk out of the
complex with a computer and get into a late model
black Corvette.

HOTEL NIAGARA TO BE CONDEMNED?

Lawmakers in the Falls were told last night the
Hotel Niagara could be condemned. Fire Chief
Bill MacKay said a March 4 inspection showed
the owners turned off the heat during the Winter
but they forgot to shut off the water. It caused
a number of pipes to break and some still had
frozen water inside. The pipes composed the
buildings fire protection system and it's now
inoperable. MacKay also said the electricity to
the 12 story hotel was turned off and the
elevators don't run. He said the owners had
made verticial holes in the floors to install
wiring and this was hazard because any fire
could quickly spread from floor to floor. The
Building Inspection departnment is expected
to visit the struture today. Economic Development
Director Peter Kay said the owners also owe
$119,000 in taxes to the County, the City, and the
School District. He also said the Border Patrol
could be moving out of the Falls because they
want more space than what's available. He
said they want a minimum of 7 to 10 acres,
the ability to put a 32,000 square foot building
on it, and a helipad, an above ground fueling
station, dog kennels, and strcutured parking.
He said he thought they were looking at a spot
in Lewiston or at the Airport. Mayor Paul Dyster
also signed the landlord registration law which
takes effect May 1. Several spoke for or against
it at the 7pm public meeting.

WHEATFIELD FLOOD PLAIN MAPS

An Engineer for Wendell Duchscherer told the
Wheatfield Town Board last night FEMA has
agreed to use the Town's flood elevation figures
in the Bergholz area rather than it's own proposed
maps. Tim Walck said it could significantly reduce
the number of homeowners required to buy
insurance. The FEMA maps would have placed
hundreds of homes on flood plains requiring
them to buy extra flood insurance costing about
a thousand dollars a year.

THREE ARRESTED FOR D-W-I AFTER POLAR BEAR EVENT

State Police charged three people with DWI following
Sunday's Polar Bear Swim in Olcott.. Forty-
one year old Kerry Stark of Bright Street in Lockport
was pulled over around 4pm on Lockport Olcott
Road in Newfane. Twenty-nine year old Anthony
Vitale of Cheektowaga was arrested at 4:15pm on
Main Street in Newfane. Fifty-seven year old Dennis
Kirkland of LaSalle Avenue in the Falls was arrested
around 3:45 pm , also in Newfane. He was charged
with aggravated DWI for having a 14 year old in the
car. Kirklands BAC was .14. The State Police also
arrested five others on DWI charges over the weekend.
Forty-seven year old Kelly Coulson of Park Lane
Circle in Lockport was charged with aggravated
DWI for having a BAC of .20 at 2:54 pm Sunday.
Twenty-eight year old Chad Gross of Lockport was
stopped on the Route 93 bypass early Saturday
morning.

MASSA

Corning area Congressman Eric Massa says he
was forced to resign yesterday because his vote
would be the one that decides whether the
President's health care bill passes....and he would
vote no. The Democrat told WKPQ-FM in Hornell
Sunday the party has freshman members in a vise
grip and there is not a single one that would vote
against the bill now that they got him. It was Massa's
third explanation in five days. He initially said he
would not seek another term because of a cancer
scare. Two days later Massa said it was because of
an ethics investigation. He admitted in the interview
he made an inappropriate remark to a male staffer
while attending a wedding on New Years Eve. He
also called White House Chief of Staff Rohm
Emmanuel "the son of the devil's spawn" and said
Emannuel would do anything to get a vote.

KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION TODAY

The Lockport Board of Education is signing up
kids today for kindergarten classes this Fall.
It will run from noon till 7 at their offices on
Beattie Avenue. Parents should bring their
identification and proof of residency, their
child's birth certificate, social security card,
and their shot record. The children need not
attend. Current pre-k students that'll enter
kindergarten should also be registered today.
Children must be 5 years old by December
1 to attend kindergarten.

BACKPACK STOLEN AT NCCC

A pink backpack containing a $400 laptop computer
was reported stolen last night from a table in a
snackbar at NCCC. A 19 year old Lockport woman
said she asked friends to watch it while she went for
a walk with another friend...and that it was gone when
she returned. The backpack also contained a $165
Apple i-pod and a $60 digitial camera. College officials
say a security camera captured the theft. They're
looking for a white female with long black hair. She's
between 5 foot 5 and 5 foot 8 and weighs about 115
pounds.

MAID OF THE MIST

An Albany County Judge Monday dismissed a
lawsuit seeking to void the 40 year license that
allows the Maid of the Mist to operate their boats
out of the Niagara Falls State Park. State
Supreme Court Judge Joe Teresi ruled that a
lawsuit brought by an Atlanta businessman was
untimely because it was barred by a four month
statue of limitations to challenge the execution of
the lease. The State signed the 40 year deal with
the Maid of the Mist in 2002. The State did not
solicit bids because they considered them to be
the sole source provider. Businessman Bill
Windsor plans an appeal.

COUNTY MANAGER SEARCH

The County Legislature's Majority Caucus has
chosen Niagara USA Chamber President Deanna
Alterio Brennen as it's advisory member of the
committee searching for a new County Manager.
She will be one of two members of the general
public appointed to sit in a non-voting advisory
role. The Majority & Minority caucuses each
nominate three legislators and one non-voting
citizen to the committee. The Democrats chose
Niagara University proffesor David Reilly last
week. The two are expected to be confirmed
next Tuesday. The six lawmakers on the committee
are Clyde Burmaster, Keith McNall, Gerry Farnham,
Dennis Virtuoso, Renea Kimble, and Jason Cafarella.

SPERRAZZA

County Judge Sara Sheldon Sperrezza announced
Monday she is running for another ten year term this
year. The 59 year old Republican said she will seek
all party lines. Sperrezza was elected in November
2000 after being appointed to fill a vacant slot in
June of that year. She started her judicial career
as a Wheatfield Town Justice in 1998. She had
previously been an assistant Niagara County
district clerk and a family law clerk.

HAZMAT

The Wendelville Fire Department cleaned up a haz-mat
spill around 7pm last night at the HiQuality gas station
at 6472 South Transit. Officials say a gas tank fell off
a car as it was loaded onto a tow truck. The tank
contained 16 gallons that were beginning to leak onto
the parking lot.

POLAR BEAR SWIM

It was a wild time at Krull Park Sunday as nearly
a thousand swimmers took the plunge into Lake
Ontario for the 41st annual Polar Bear Swim for
Sight. The air temperature was 39 degrees
and the water temperature was 37. There were
lots of bikinis but some went in fully clothed.
Organizer Bill Clark said they had 991 particpants,
about 200 more than the previous year. He's
been chairing the swim for 15 years. The money
goes to Lions Sight & Vision programs and
several other charities. They raised $15,000 last
year and expect to top that figure when the final
totals are announced. Jacqueline Wilk of Buffalo
won the Polar Bear Queen contest. She went into
the water in a two piece bathing suit.

SIENA COLLEGE POLL

Seventy-one per cent of the respondents in a
Siena College poll taken yesterday say they
want the Governor to serve out the rest of his
term. Only 21 per cent want the State Legislature
to\impeach him if he does not step down. Attorney
General Andy Cuomo remains strongly popular
and a majority think he will conducy a fair and
impartial investigation....but two thirds would like
to see the job done by a special prosecutor.
Paterson's favorability rating has fallen from
35 per cent two weeks ago to 21 percent, but
poll director Steve Greenburh said there seems to
be a sense that more disruption in Albany is not
the answer at this point in time. Fifty-four
percent of the respondents agreed with the
statement that what's going on in Albany makes
me embarrased to call myself a New Yorker.

FLU CLINIC THURSDAY

The County Health Department will offer free
H1N1 and seasona flu shots Thursday at the
LewPort Community Resource Center. It'll run
from 10am-7pm. The shots will be given to anyone
over six months of age. No appointments are
needed. The department's next free clinic will
on Thursday, March 18, at Wilson High School.

CARS ENTERED IN WHEATFIELD

Two unlocked vehicles were entered Saturday
night on Errick Road in Wheatfield. Twenty CD's,
a pair of prescription sunglassesm and some
loose change were removed from a vehicle
parked at 6795 Errick Road, and about $10 in
change was taken from another car next door
at 6796 Errick Road.

CAMBRIA MAN STABLE AFTER DWI ACCIDENT

A 27 year old Cambria man is in stable condition at
ECMC following a one vehicle alcohol related accident
around 5:30 pm Sunday on Human Road. Marcus
Hittenmaier was found unconscious with a head
injury. Sheriff's deputies say his '96 Jeep Cherokee
left the road and hit a fence and a tree. He was charged
with felony DWI, unlicensed operation, and other
traffic violations.

KUGLER PLACES SECOND

A seventh grader at Roy Hart came in second Sunday
in the Buffalo News Spelling Bee. Tyler Kugler would
have won a trip to the finals in Washington if he had
emerged as the victor in the two hour competition. That
honor went to Nabeel Rehman of East Amherst. The
finals were held at the Buffalo and Erie County Historical
Society.

HOUSE FIRE

A fire just after 11am Sunday totally destroyed a
mobile home and damaged two others on Fernwood
Drive in the Town of Lockport. It orginated in the home
of 66 year old Barbara Blair at 1048 Fernwood and
spread to a neighbor's property at 1049 Fernwood and
also damaged the siding at 1047 Fernwood. The
Sheriff's Department says oxygen tanks inside Blair's
home fueled the fire and there were several explosions.
Nearby homes were evacuated as a precaution and
Blair was treated at the scene for smoke inhalation.
A shed and siding were damaged at the home of John
Skutt at 1049 Fernwood and the owner at 1047, Girard
Nole, said his siding was damaged as well. The Red
Cross is helping Blair and the Skutt's. The blaze was
fought by four volunteer fire companies, Rapids,
South Lockport, Wendelville, and Clarence Center.

ECONOMIC SUMMIT

The County Economic Development Department will
hold an economic summit a week from tomorrow at
the Niagara Falls Airport. The 3 1/2 hour session will
focus on prospects for the airport, economic
development groups and resources, low cost
hydropower programs, and brownfields redevelopment.
Officials say they have additional resources this year
because of federal stimulus initiatives and they'll
tap into any and all incentives and programs for
business owners wanting to build something. The
program will run from 8-11:30 on March 16. Call
278-8750 to register.

DWI ARRESTS IN LOCKPORT

A 23 year old Lockport man was charged with driving
while intoxicated last night after he led a police officer
on a chase through the city's North end. Alexander Hannon
of 28 Gabriel Drive was arrested after he pulled into a
driveway at 157 Lock Street. The officer said he was
sitting stationary at the Skate Park on Corinthia Street
when Hannon passed by at a high rate of speed. He
allegedly ignored several stop signs and traffic
signals. Along with DWI, he was also charged with
reckless driving and three counts each of failing to
stop at signs and signals. Police also charged a
25 year old woman from Freeville, New York with
aggravated DWI around 7:15 last night on Walnut
Street. Christine McCutcheon blew a .23 when tested.
She said she had consumed two glasses of wine
at a friends house. She was also charged with
several traffic infractions and held on $250 bail.