THE SMOKE HITS THE FAN IN THE EYES OF THE NATIVES::Thursday, April 3::

With health groups pushing the state to end tax free cigarette sales - now that the cigarette tax has been increased by $1.25 a pack - the Seneca Nation used that news from Albany to rally yesterday in Niagara Square to insist that the nation will never collect taxes for the state. "At the Boston Tea Party, Americans fought taxes" and other similar phrases were printed on signs at the rally, which attracted more than 100 of the Seneca Nation of Indians. Under previous administrations, attempts were made to collect taxes on cigarettes and other sales made by vendors on Indian reservations. Seneca Nation officials want to know where Governor Paterson stands on the issue.

MAN INVOLVED WITH JANUARY STANDOFF MAKES PLEA ::Thursday, April 3::

The man who held Lockport police at bay during a two hour standoff January 14th pleaded guilty to a felony yesterday in Niagara County Court. 42 year old Michael Huntington of Olcott St. faces up to four years in prison when he's sentenced by Judge Matt Murphy on June 3rd. However, assistant public defender Matthew Pinn says Huntington is to be admitted to the city of Lockport mental health court to enforce mental treatment, and he speculated that if treatment instructions are obeyed, Huntington might avoid prison. In the meantime he's in county jail in lieu of $50-thousand bail set by Murphy, but Pinn said he thought Huntington would be assigned to a mental facility by the city court. The maximum sentence is four years for third degree criminal mischief - the charge to which Huntington admitted.

LIBRARY BUDGET PASSES AS USUAL (TOO BAD IT DOESN'T WORK LIKE THAT IN ALBANY)::Thursday, April 3::

The Lockport Public Library passing their 3% or $41-thousand increase in 2008-2009 Wednesday where director Marie Bendemen says there wasn't much opposition. She says an average of 300 voters turn out each year, and thanks those 'yes-voters' who allowed the library to maintain its operations.

LEGISLATURE NOT IN SUPPORT OF RETURNING TOM CHRISTY TO TELEVISION AUDIENCE ::Wednesday April 2::

The County Legislature saying no last night to a second resolution asking LCTV to put "Legislative Journal" back on TV. The resolution - which dominated the night's meeting - failed by a 14-5 tally. Eight public speakers voiced their support, including some who can't even receive the show, like Royalton Deputy Supervisor Jennifer Beeber. She says the Town will vote on a supportive resolution, and urges other towns and villages to do the same. Legislative Chairman Bill Ross - who said during the last meeting he loved being on the show -was among the 14 republicans who voted against the resolution. Prior to the meeting about 40 came out to a rally held at The Daily Grind coffee shop where Christy spoke about the situation.

In other news the legislature also agreed to pay $180-thousand for land on Lockport-Junction road for the new public works facility. A resolution supporting the capping of the local share of taxes on a gallon of gas at the $3 price point was sent to the administration committee.

SABRES PROLONG PLAYOFF CHANCES ONCE MORE, LOOK TO BEAT CANADIENS DURING THURSDAY'S MUST WIN ::Wednesday, April 2::

The Sabres staving off elimination from the playoffs Tuesday in Toronto, where Buffalo came back to the 'max' and scored a game winning goal from Maxim Afinigenov in the 6th round of the shootout, beating the Leafs 4-3. The Sabres were down 2-0 at one point in the game, eventually upping the score to 3-2 when Dereck Roy sent the equalizer in the net moments before the end of regulation. The Men in Blue get back in action Thursday night in Montreal shooting for another must win, sporting 88 points and in 10th place in the conference - three points behind the Bruins and Flyers.

GRAND ISLAND TOLL REMOVAL UPDATE ::Tuesday April 1, 2008::

State Senator George Maziarz says we're a step closer to getting rid of the tolls on the Grand Island Bridges. The bill he's sponsoring to transfer the jurisdiction of the I-190 from the Thruway Authority to the State Department of Transportation passed the Senate Transportation Committee today, and he says the next step is the floor vote in the Senate. A similar bill sponsored by representative Sam Hoyt is being reviewed in the Assembly. The proposal would make the State DOT responsible for maintaining, repairing, and reconstructing the 190 at state expense. Future improvements would be eligible for federal aid. Maziarz says it's no small task, but the overtaxed and over tolled people of Western New York deserve their best efforts to bring the tolls down.

NEW YORK STATE FAILING TO MAKE AN APRIL FOOL'S DAY BUDGET DEADLINE ::Tuesday April 1, 2008::

Governor Paterson and the State Legislature failed to meet the deadline for adopting a new state budget last night, giving special interest groups valuable time to use the delay to lobby for or against new spending and tax policies. Despite the new governor's 'rosy' predictions just 24 hours earlier for a timely budget by midnight last night, the evidence of lateness surfaced Monday morning with the introduction of emergency appropriation bills to keep the government running while talks continued. The budget has now been late 22 out of the last 24 years. It could be the end of the week before a $124-billion spending plan is passed.

Meantime, the inaction turned the Capitol into a feeding frenzy for lobbyists. Bank lobbyists pushed to turn back a big new tax on credit card operations. School advocates - despite a record $1.8-billion increase in education aid - pushed to lock in hikes for future years. Lobbyists for counties worked successfully by midafternoon to unearth $20-million to keep the state splitting the costs of the welfare program. The biggest push came from tobacco lobbyists, who pounded the marble halls offering lawmakers other ways to raise more than $200-million instead of a planned increase in cigarette taxes. Sunday night, the plan was to raise the tax by a $1.25 a pack, but by Monday afternoon word spread that officials were considering $1.50 a pack.

LOCK-CITY POLICE ADD NEW TOOL TO THEIR TICKET PRODUCING ARSENAL ::Tuesday April 1, 2008::

'Big Brother' has come to the Lockport Police Department - a new license plate reader - that officials are hailing as a valuable new tool for law enforcement. The 'Mobile Plate Hunter 900' is the newest technological addition to Chief Larry Eggert's crew. It can read more than 1,000 license plates an hour as vehicles pass patrol cars at up to 70 mph. The plate reader then takes a photograph and zeros in on the number, converting it to text and making a record of it. The number is run through several databases to check for violations; including suspended registrations or licenses, insurance lapses, and arrest warrants. The reader will soon be mounted on the LPD's new traffic car - a Ford Crown Victoria - that will be purchased through a grant secured by State Senator George Maziarz and Assemblyman Mike Cole. The $23-thousand for the plate reader was also covered by a state grant. Chief Eggert says the equipment costs more than the car, adding that it will look like a fighter jet on the inside

FORMER FOUNDRY FACES FORCLOSURE ::Tuesday April 1, 2008::

After two decades of avoiding the situation for fear of being stuck with the cost of a toxic clean-up, the City of Lockport is planning to foreclose on the former Dussault Foundry at the end of Washburn Street. Corporation Counsel John Ottaviano said Monday that the city has gone to court to take advantage of a recently added provision in state law called 'incidence of ownership.' In effect, it's a temporary takeover to allow the property access for an environmental investigation. However, Mayor Michael Tucker says it's likely the city will end up with the property permanently, and that doesn't bother him one bit! Tucker says he wouldn't be opposed to taking that property back if it's clean. Ottaviano says the parcel is considered an orphan site because the former owners are deceased and their estate didn't transfer the ownership to anyone. Court records show the unpaid taxes and fees on the property - dating back to 1989 - add up to over $389-thousand.

SABRES GIVE FANS A SPECTACULAR REGULAR SEASON HOME FINISH, BUT DO THEY HAVE ENOUGH JUICE TO CRAWL INTO PLAYOFF CONTENTION?

Although the Sabres outlasted the Boston Bruins with a winning goal in overtime Sunday during the final home game of the regular season, don't expect them to make the playoffs. They remain five points out of 8th place with just three games left to play! Unless they win all of their remaining games - and all the teams in contention lose their games - sadly, it's all over. However, a "win is a win" says Jason Pomminville, saying "that's all they can do at this point." Rookie Andre Sekara scored the game winner just 39 seconds into overtime giving the Sabres not one but two points season points. Tuesday in Toronto the Sabes play their first of their final three games; all on the road, and needing a miracle to advance to the post season.