UNEMPLOYMENT

The State Labor Department reports the County's
unemployment rate improved slightly last month.
It had been 9.9 per cent in April, it fell to 9.3 per cent
in May. The number had stood at 6.6 per cent a year
ago. There was also an improvement in Orleans
County. It fell to 8.8 per cent last month after being
at 9.6 per cent the previous month. There was no
change in Erie County where it remained flat at
8.1 per cent. The Statewide numbers continued to
climb. The Labor Department said the rate increased
from 7.7 per cent in April to 8.2 per cent last month,
a 16 year high. The Governor released a statement
saying it's further proof the Senate needs to get back
to work. He said it's a time for action and for placing
the people's interests above personal politics.

O-K TO SUE

State Supreme Court Judge Richard Klock
ruled Thursday a 21 year okld Falls man can
sue the City for using a taser to obtain a DNA
sample. Ryan Smith was tasered by the Police
Department last September when he refused to
open his mouth to allow them to swab the inside
of his cheek. The judge said he was skeptical
about Smith's chances of winning damages but
he gave his lawyer the o-k to file a late notice of
claim against the City. He said people have a
right to litigate their claims.

TEXTING WHILE DRIVING

It'll soon be illegal to text message while driving
in Niagara County. The Legislature Tuesday
night o-k'd a measure that'll go into effect after
lawmakers hold a public hearing July 28th and
then take second vote on the law. The fine
would be $150. The State DOT says about
30% of all accidents are caused by distracted
drivers.

BURGLARY, MENACING & ASSAULT

A 23 year old Lockport man was caught by police
early Thursday after he allegedly entered a home
at 119 Erie and assaulted a woman. Lemuel Hardy
Junior of 25 Adam is charged with burglary,
menacing and assault. The victim said she was
chatting with an out of state friend on her computer
around 4am when she felt someone place their
arm around her neck in a chokehold. She initially
thought someone else in the house was having
fun with her, but then realized it was an intruder.
She began to struggle and fight and told police
Hardy choked her and punched her several times
about the head and face. A TV was knocked over
in the struggle and the woman grabbed a folding
chair to defend herself. That's when Hardy ran
out a side door leading to Evans Street. Police
caught him a short time later on Walnut and the
victim identified him as the man responsible.
She was taken to ENH-Lockport for treatment.
Police said Hardy entered the house through an
unlocked side door off Evans.

SUPERMARKET BREAK-IN'S

Candy, cash, and cigarettes were taken early
Thursday in two supermarket break-in's in the
Falls. Police say the rear door of Bishara
Brothers Grocery was smashed and ten
cartons of cigarettes and $200 in candy were
removed, the total coming to over $1500. A
window at the Safeway Food Mart at 623 Pine
said a front window was removed at about 4am
and a quantity of cigarettes were taken and
$800 was stolen from the register. Police are
trying to identify the bandit through a store
video.

WINE EMPORIUM

The owner of the Lockport Wine Emporium says
he has been unable to reach a deal with the City
to operate out of 79 Canal Street. Jack Martin plans
to run the store out of a building he already owns
at 16 Main. He expects to open in mid-July.

SUMMIT MALL

Wheatfield Supervisor Tim Demler said
yesterday a bankruptcy court in North
Carolina has cleared the way for the Summit
Mall to stay open at least through the end
of July. Demler said the owners are
negoiating with a potential buyer and the
Town is continuing to offer it's help to keep
the process moving along. He said a sale
is very close and hopefully it'll happen within
the time frame to allow the Mall to stay open.

BUDWEY'S OPENING IN NEWFANE

Final preparations are being made in Newfane
where Budwey's will open it's new supermarket
Sunday. The 1900 square foot store has seen
an almost complete makeover. Frank Budwey
says about 97% of it is new, that they even
replaced the floor. State Senator George
Maziarz is expected to be on hand for the
grand opening at 9am Sunday.

SWINE FLU

The County Health Department says three
children in the Falls have swine flu and three
others in Barker have recovered from the
illness. Two of the children in the Falls
attend Gaskill Middle School while the
other is a three year old. A spokeswoman
said they check with hospitals and schools
each day to check on possible cases. She
said despite the sudden increase in cases,
schools have not reported any significant
spikes in absenteeism.

HOSPITAL CUTS

Eastern Niagara Hospital will close it's
Founders Health Clinic in Wrights
Corners at the end of the month. Hospital
spokeswoman Carolyn Moore blamed a
$1.3-million cut in State funding. She said
eight of the clinic's 15 workers would lose
their jobs but seven otrhers would be
offered positions elsewhere. The closure
is just one of several actions to save cash.
Eight positions, some vacant, were cut
at their two hospitals and four jobs were
eliminated at the Newfane Rehabilitation
and Health Care Center. Hospital CEO
Clare Harr said the State budget contained
a $500,000 loss in aid to the hospitals and
the nursing home was hit with an $800,000
cut in funding. She said it was a difficult
decision but they had an obligation to do
what was prudent.