NEGATIVE

The two samples taken from county residents....
and sent to Albany for testing to see if they had
the Swine Flu....have come back negative. The
County's Emergency Services Coordinator
Elaine Roman also said they not received any
calls from physicians wishing to send others.
She also said they had not heard of any problems
today when they called schools and nursing
homes.

DAILY GRIND ROBBER SENTENCED

The Newfane man who robbed Lockport's
Daily Grind Coffee Shop last June was
sentenced to 15 years in prison Thursday
for that offense and two other break-in's.
Twenty-seven year old Michael Cochrane
of Orchard Street plead guilty to felony
first degree attempted armed robbery of the
coffee shop...and to attempted third degree
burglary and third degree burglary for break
in's at the Lockport Salvage Yard and
at the home of Lockport City Court Judge
Bill Watson. County Judge Sara Sheldon
Sperezza said he was maniac who threatened
to kill a clerk.

WINTERGARDEN

The USA Niagara Development Corporation yesterday
finalized it's purchase of the Wintergarden. Joe
Anderson was paid $1.2-million. The deal also ended
his vendors lease for the East Pedestrian Mall. The
action clears the way for the buildings demolotion.

SWINE FLU/H-1 N-1

Public Health Officials say a Chautauqua
County child has the first and only confirmed case
of Swine Flu in Western New York. The person
is a student in the Bemus Point School District
and someone in the household had recently
travelled to Mexico. A parent of the child is
also suspected of having the illness but the State
Lab has not completed their test. There are also
possible cases in Niagara County where two
samples were sent in for testing Wednesday....
and in Genesee and Wyoming Counties.

MEDICAL CENTER

The Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation took over
the pension plan at the Niagara Falls Memorial Medical
Center yesterday. The agency said the hospital had
missed about $7-million in legally required contributions..
that they had not paid into the plan since September
2006 and did not have the assets to make past due or
future payments, The plan covers more than 1200
workers and retirees, about 325 are current workers.
Those with questions can call 1-800-400-7242.

PABA CEO RESIGNS

The Executive Director of the Pine Avenue
Business Association resigned yesterday.
Mary Jo Zacker had held the post for about
four years. She sent an E-Mail to board
members saying the treatment she received
from some of them was affecting her mental
and physical health. She implied they were
trying to put the majority of the blame for
the cancellation of the health insurance on
her and her administrative assistant. She
said they were not taking responsibilty
for their own actions.

DELEGATION

County Legislature Chairman Bill Ross
delivered the closing address yesterday to
a delegation of about a hundred representatives
from foreigh countries that visited Western New
York on a two day trade mission sponsored by
the Governor's office. The address was
delivered at a reception at the Top Of The Falls
Restaurant on Goat Island. Ross said the
backdrop was the Falls and it probably
impressed those who had never seen the
natural wonder before. He stressed the
County's numerous assests...a hard working
population, the Niagara Power Project,
and that there are at least 7 to 8 million
people within a hundred miles of Niagara and
Erie Counties. The County contributed
$2,000 of casino money to the effort.. The
representatives were from Europe, the
Pacific Rim, Latin America, and the Caribbean.

IMPROPER CARE?

Lawyers for the 34 year old accused of shooting two
Falls police officers in February told County Judge
Sara Sheldon Sperezza yesterday he is not receiving
proper medical care at the County Jail. Adam
Hamilton has a shattered leg. They said his pain
medication was being withheld and he's in danger
of losing his leg to gangrene. The Judge said
Hamilton should continue to be held without bail
but said the allegations should be looked at. She
said she would allow Hamilton's medical records
to be subpoenaed to investigate the matter.

CLARENCE BOY ACCIDENTALLY KILLED BY MOM

A 2 1/2 year old Clarence boy was killed yesterday
afternoon when his mother accidentally struck him
in the driveway of their home. The accident
happened around 1:30 on Brentwood Drive.
Police say the mother was returning home and
the boy was being watched by his grandmother.
It's not clear how it happened but the boy was
underneath the SUV at one point. A neighbor
helped perform CPR but the youngster was
prnounced dead at Millard Fillmore Suburban
Hospital. The boys name was not released but
records show the house is owned by Adam and
Jennifer Brunner.

FIRST FEMALE

Sheriff's Investigator Kristen Neubauer
became the first woman to oversee the
department's Criminal Investigation Bureau
yesterday when Sheriff Jim Voutour promoted
her to Captain. Neubauer began her career
as a deputy in 1994 and was promoted
to Investigator in March 2000. She
graduated from North Tonawanda High
School in 1986 and received a Bachelors
Degree from Medaille College. She'll
be receiving her Masters Degree this
August. She also graduated from the
FBI Academy in 2003. She's a 12 year
veteran of the Army Reserves and
particpated in Operation Desert Storm
earning numerous commendations
during her tour of duty. Captain
Neubauer lives in Wheatfield. Her
promotion follows the retirement of
Captain Bruce Roth who served in the
Sheriff's Office for more than 36 years.