Two people were taken to E-C-M-C with minor injuries after their small plane
crashed around 10am today in the town of Lockport. Sheriff's deputies say the
crash happened after the single engine Beechcraft took of from the North Buffalo
Air Park on Dunnigan Road off Transit. The injured were identified as the pilot,
61 year old Walter Birchfield of Yometa, Texas, and his wife, Joanna, also 61.
The FAA is investigating.
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
AMY JO FRICANO RECEIVES SEVERANCE PACKAGE ::Tuesday, August 5th::
A severance package for resigning State Supreme Court Justice Amy Jo Fricano has been approved by the Appellate Division in Rochester, according to her attorney. Joel Daniels says the appeals panel approved the special disability allowance, allowing the 53 year old Fricano to retire from the bench because of ill health, with the state paying her two-thirds of her $136,000 salary until 2013, which is when her term would have expired. After those payments of more than $91,000 a year end, she will receive a state pension of more than $54,000 a year. Meantime, Daniels also says her spot will be on the ballot in November, with her seat on the bench up for grabs.
LOCK-CITY NETS ALMOST $200,000 IN RECENT FORECLOSURE AUCTION ::Tuesday, August 5th::
In Lockport, the city netted $187,850 from the sale of 29 parcels during last week's tax foreclosure auction. The highest price paid for any of the parcels in the catalog was $26,000 - for 95 Niagara St. - a 2 and a half story abandoned house originally built as a single-family home, but last used as a five apartment dwelling. A house at 139 Cottage Street drew a bid of $21,000. A home at 318 Ontario was sold for $20,000.
POWERS CLAIMS OPPONENT DAVIS OBTAINED FRADULENT PETITIONS ::Tuesday, August 5th::
The knock-down drag-out democratic primary battle in the 26th congressional district became even hotter yesterday as the Jonathon Powers campaign accused a worker for rival Jack Davis of submitting fraudulent nominating petitions. The Davis camp denied the charge, with a spokesman noting that if anything were really wrong, Powers could have tried to disqualify Davis from the ballot by filing a legal challenge at the State Board of Elections. He did not do so, and the deadline for that has now passed. Meantime, Niagara County democratic Party chair Dan Rivera - whose committee has endorsed Powers - joined in the fray by sending a letter to district D.A. Michael Violante - calling for a criminal investigation of the petitions submitted by Kelly Taylor - a woman who formerly was a Niagara County Board of Elections clerk. Taylor is now a paid member of Davis' campaign staff. The Powers camp released affidavits signed by eight North Tonawanda voters, attesting that the petitions they signed were brought to their doors by a man; not Taylor. The witness statement is supposed to be signed by the person who collected the signatures.
Monday, August 4, 2008
LOCKPORT SIGN ORDINANCE
Lockport's new sign ordinance probably won't be ready for another month.
That was the word Monday night from Chair Charlene Seekins Smith. She
said they were just guessing at this point and they might finish earlier. Another
meeting is scheduled for Thursday and they will meet again next week. She
said they were working on the map that would include four distinct districts.
Mayor Mike Tucker had thought it might be ready for passage Wednesday but Smith said they were having further discussions on an issue they thought they
had already decided. In the night's business, the Board decided to reccommend
that the city council approve a special use permit for Widewaters Restaurant
on Market Street. They want to hold a seasonal Farmers Market on Monday,
Wednesday and Friday and an arts and crafts show on Saturday and Sunday.
The Board also voted 5-1 to reccommend the council grant another special
use permit for a Quick Lube business at 55 Lock Street. Owner Richard Bowers
must come back next month with details on landscaping, lighting, and the
parking lot layout. He'll also have to get an O-K for his sign, assuming the
ordinance is finished by then.
That was the word Monday night from Chair Charlene Seekins Smith. She
said they were just guessing at this point and they might finish earlier. Another
meeting is scheduled for Thursday and they will meet again next week. She
said they were working on the map that would include four distinct districts.
Mayor Mike Tucker had thought it might be ready for passage Wednesday but Smith said they were having further discussions on an issue they thought they
had already decided. In the night's business, the Board decided to reccommend
that the city council approve a special use permit for Widewaters Restaurant
on Market Street. They want to hold a seasonal Farmers Market on Monday,
Wednesday and Friday and an arts and crafts show on Saturday and Sunday.
The Board also voted 5-1 to reccommend the council grant another special
use permit for a Quick Lube business at 55 Lock Street. Owner Richard Bowers
must come back next month with details on landscaping, lighting, and the
parking lot layout. He'll also have to get an O-K for his sign, assuming the
ordinance is finished by then.
VERIZON STRIKE ONHOLD
Talks continue between about 50,000 union workers and Verizon after a strike
deadline passed just before midnight Saturday. Union leaders says they're leading
to progress and, as a result, they chose not to walk off the job. They're continuing to
honor the terms of the past deal. The union is concerned the company wants to
increase health care costs, leave jobs unfilled, and move work out of the state or
even the country. Verizon says it has a contingency plan in case of a walk-out.
deadline passed just before midnight Saturday. Union leaders says they're leading
to progress and, as a result, they chose not to walk off the job. They're continuing to
honor the terms of the past deal. The union is concerned the company wants to
increase health care costs, leave jobs unfilled, and move work out of the state or
even the country. Verizon says it has a contingency plan in case of a walk-out.
JEWELRY FOUND
A cache of jewelry that was possibly stolen and worth an estimated $1,000...was recovered
from a site outside Newfane Elementarry Sunday morning. The Sheriff's Department says
an area resident using a metal detector found the jewelry under a pile of rocks near the
playground. He told deputies he didn't think it had been there long. Nine gold bracelets,
66 earrings, and a 1987 Newfane High class ring were among the items found. The ring had
the name "Darci" inscribed on it. The Sheriff's department took possession pending the
completion of an investigation.
from a site outside Newfane Elementarry Sunday morning. The Sheriff's Department says
an area resident using a metal detector found the jewelry under a pile of rocks near the
playground. He told deputies he didn't think it had been there long. Nine gold bracelets,
66 earrings, and a 1987 Newfane High class ring were among the items found. The ring had
the name "Darci" inscribed on it. The Sheriff's department took possession pending the
completion of an investigation.
STOP THE GRAVY TRAIN
Lockport businessman Lee Bordeleau and "Free Buffalo" founder Jim Ostrowski filed
are leading the effort to force the state to stop giving tax dollars to private business.
They and about 50 others filed suit today in State Supreme Court. They maintain the
State constitution prohibits the practice. The suit also names the companies receiving
the money. They include Delphi, American Axle, Bass Pro, and others. Bordealeau hopes
to know in 30 days whether the court will hear the case or dismiss it.
are leading the effort to force the state to stop giving tax dollars to private business.
They and about 50 others filed suit today in State Supreme Court. They maintain the
State constitution prohibits the practice. The suit also names the companies receiving
the money. They include Delphi, American Axle, Bass Pro, and others. Bordealeau hopes
to know in 30 days whether the court will hear the case or dismiss it.
Saturday, August 2, 2008
RED CROSS
The former executive director of the Eastern Niagara chapter of the Red Cross
will lead the new county wide agency that became a reality Friday when the
three local chapters operating in the county merged into one. Maureen Siekierski
said the decision to consolidate came when the executive director resigned in the
Falls ater leading operations there for 20 years. The Lockport and Falls locations
will stay open and the new board is expected to meet Tuesday night at a local
winery in Cambria.
will lead the new county wide agency that became a reality Friday when the
three local chapters operating in the county merged into one. Maureen Siekierski
said the decision to consolidate came when the executive director resigned in the
Falls ater leading operations there for 20 years. The Lockport and Falls locations
will stay open and the new board is expected to meet Tuesday night at a local
winery in Cambria.
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