GOVERNOR PATERSON EXPECTS TO PASS A MIDNIGHT HOUR BUDGET ON THE 1ST; IS HE JUST FOOLIN'?

Governor Paterson and legislative leaders saying Sunday that they have cut a final state budget that includes a record increase in aid to public schools, despite a worsening economy. It also restores a number of cuts to health care programs. At the same time, it also raises about $1-billion from an assortment of hiked taxes and fees, including a $1.25 per pack increase on cigarettes. The budget is required to be finished by midnight tonight. The package also includes some restoration of some earlier proposed cuts to the Star property tax program, the rejection of a gas tax, more money for the popular tuition assistance program, and $245-million in restored aid for hospitals and nursing homes. Counties thought, said the State, was shifting costs to them; which will have to be made up through higher property taxes. Senate majority leader Joe Bruno says quote, "we've done the best we can for the families in New York State" after emerging from a closed door meeting with Paterson and legislative leaders. The sides say budget bills will begin being passed today, with the hopes of meeting tonight's midnight dealine before the 2008 fiscal year starts Tuesday.

DEMOCRATS EXPECT TO TAKE 2ND STAB AT SUPPORTING CHRISTY DURING TOMORROWS LEGISLATURE MEETING

Democrats in the County Legislature are standing by a resolution that asks representatives from LCTV's Board of Directors to reinstate the weekly call-in program 'Legislative Journal,' and it's long-time volunteer host Tom Christy. However, their republican counterparts may opt to drop the issue altogether. Minority leader Dennis Virtuoso says his resolution concerning the future of the cancelled program and its host will once again be offered up for consideration during the next legislative session Tuesday. The measure asks county lawmakers to go on record in support of the program, and asks Lockport Mayor Michael Tucker and Town Supervisor Marc Smith to join the county in urging representative from LCTV's board to reinstate the program with Christy - who has served as volunteer for ten years.

Meantime; a group of residents backed by a free speech organization called 'Infringement' are preparng to make it known just how much they want 'Legistlative Journal' back on the air. Members of the group known as Niagara Lockport Infringement have scheduled a rally in support of the show and Christy. The event will begin at 5:30 tomorrow at the Daily Grind coffee shop at 21 Main Street in Lockport. A notice advertising the rally states that the group will then move on to the bastion of political discourse known as the County Legislature in time for their meeting at 7pm.

MISSING LEWISTON PASTOR FOUND AT STRIP CLUB IN OHIO!!

The case of the missing Lewiston pastor has been solved, but is far from being explained. The Rev. Craig Rhodenizer and family were supposed to leave for vacation at Disney World yesterday, but he hadn't been seen or heard from since talking to his wife on his cellphone on Wednesday. Lewiston Police then conducted an extensive search, to no avail. But last night, Rev. Rhodenizer was found at a strip club in Dayton, Ohio, where the bartender said he was acting very strange, and not like your average priest. He also said he had had a couple drinks. When approached by police, Rhodenizer soon broke into tears and said he couldn't remember how he got there. He also asked about his family. The Reverend was taken to an area hospital in Dayton for a mental evaluation. He's the pastor at St. John's Lutheran Church in Lyndonville.

DRUG RAIDS TARGET LOCKPORT, NIAGARA AND ERIE COUNTIES!!

A task force of more than 200 federal, state and local law enforcement agents has taken down a large scale cocaine distribution ring that reached from Amherst to Lockport and throughout Niagara County. The operation began in the pre-dawn hours Thursday, and resulted in the arrest of 36 individuals. In addition to the arrests, authorities also seized a large amount of coke and cash. They also broke up a marijuana growing operation at one Amherst home. Dubbed "Operation Good Life", the 18 month investigation targeted a former Lockport resident, now living in Amherst, who investigators estimated may have been moving as much as a half pound of powdered cocaine a week in Lockport. 29 year old Melinda "Mindy" donovan of North French Road was identified as the ringleader of the drug ring. 44 year old James williams of Greiner road in Clarence and 26 year old Tyrone Nance of Amherst were identified as Donovan's suppliers. Lockport Police Chief Larry Eggert says these were some pretty significant dealers, who were supplying a lot of people.

GOV. PATERSON VOWS TO UPHOLD $1 BILLION PROMISE!!

While saying a difficult budget situation will likely force the state to make is share of sacrifices this year, Gov. David Paterson said Thursday, he's confident a $1 billion plan to revitalize upstate new york will not be one of them. Visiting Buffalo for the first time since being named govenor earlier this month, Paterson expressed serious concerns about the state of the state's proposed $124 billion budget. But said he believes the upstate revitalization plan announced by Eliot Spitzer in January, can and will survive scrutiny from lawmakers in the assembly and senate. With Dan Gunderson chiming in with the govenor, the Upstate Economic Developement Director, and commending officials in Niagara County for getting with the program early, by putting together a list of key projects they'd like the state to support. County lawmakers have adopted a $64 million list of preferred project that has already been delivered to Paterson, Gunderson and other state officials. Gunderson says having the plan in place puts the county in a great position to get support, once economic developement funds begins to flow.

MAZIARZ TO ANNOUNCE ON TUESDAY....WHETHER HE WILL RUN OR NOT FOR REYNOLDS SEAT IN CONGRESS!!

State Senator George Maziarz will announce on Tuesday if he will run for Tom Reynolds' seat in Congress. The long-time Niagara County state lawmaker is expected to take the plunge, and is considered to be the republican front-runner for the post. Reynolds shocked the political world last week when he announced that after 5 terms and 10 years in office, that he would not seek re-election. Maziarz is the unquestioned leader of the GOP in Niagara County, and could face primary challenges from Assemblyman Jim Hayes of Amherst, and attorney Mike Powers from Buffalo, who gained fame from leading the effort to shut down 2 toll boothes in Buffalo last year. Former Buffalo Bills quarterback Jim Kelly has also been rumored to have interest in running for the seat, following in the footsteps of Jack Kemp some 30 years ago. Stay tuned to Hometown 1340 WLVL for the latest on Maziarz's expected announcement tomorrow.

LOCKPORT DRUG BUST NETS 3 SUSPECTS,..AND HALF A POUND OF COCAINE!!

3 Lockport men are facing drug charges after a raid by the Niagara County Drug Task Force. Police raided a home at 141 North Adam Street last Friday afternoon, and seized about 8 ounces of cocaine, along with quantities of heroin and marijuana. A scale, packaging materials, 2 rifles and 2 handguns, ammunition and a bulletproof vest were also seized. Arrested in the raid were 31 year old Jon Paul Oliver of Church Street, 34 year old Brian Volker of North Adam Street and 31 year old Joshua Anderson of Pine Street. They each face one count of 1st degree and 3rd degree criminal possession of a controlled substance. Oliver, who was also on parole, was also charged with resisting arrest. Volker was also charged with 4th degree criminal possession of a weapon. Meantime, investigators also executed a 2nd search warrent at the home of Oliver's mother in the town of Hartland, where they found 2 vintage handguns, live ammunition and a grenade laucher. All 3 men will be arrainged Monday, in Lockport City Court.

UNKNOWN GUNMAN RIDDLES APARTMENT IN TOWN OF LOCKPORT WITH GUNFIRE!!

Police are looking for someone who shot out 2 windows in an apartment building in the town of Lockport early Sunday morning. Niagara County Sheriff deputies reported receiving several calls about gunfire around 2:37am. Responding deputies discovered that windows in a pair of Robinson Road apartments had been damaged by gunfire.

PATERSON AND HIS WIFE ADMIT TO AFFAIRS DURING THEIR MARRIAGE!!

Govenor David Paterson has acknowledged that he and his wife Michelle had affairs during a rough patch in their marriage several years ago. Paterson told the New York Daily News that he maintained a relationship with another woman from 1999 until 2001. He and his wife eventually sought counseling and repaired their marriage. The couple agreed to speak publicly about their marriage in response to rumors about Paterson's personal life that have been swirling in Albany since Eliot Spitzer resigned last Wedneseday. After the govenor's inauguration Monday, the Patersons acknowledged the relationships, but did not go into details. With Paterson telling the Daily News that "this was a marriage that appeared to be going sour at one point. But I went to counseling, and we decided we wanted to make it work. Michelle was well aware of what went on." Michelle Paterson said "like most marriages, you go through certain difficult periods. What's important is for your kids to see you worked them out." The Patersons have 2 children, a 19 year old student at Ithaca College who is from Michelle's previous marriage, and a 14 year old who attends public school in New York City.

VIRTUOSO TO PRESENT RESOLUTION TO BRING BACK LEGISLATIVE JOURNAL TO LCTV, ALONG WITH TOM CHRISTY!!

The cancelation of a popular local cable show will be one of the items brought up in Tuesday night's meeting of the county legislature. After former host tom Christy's appearence on dialogue last week, informing listeners of the cancellation of Legislative Journal, county legislator Dennis Virtuoso called into the show and expressed his disgust with that decision. And now, Virtuoso has drafted a resolution in support of the show. Hometown 1340 WLVL has obtained a copy of the resolution, and it names