RED COACH INN

The USA Niagara Development Corporation
Wednesday o-k'd a $100,000 grant towards the
expansion and renovation of the Red Coach Inn.
The historic restaurant and hotel currently has
19 luxury suites and guest rooms. The plan is to
convert 12 former offices into new guest rooms,
and to add a reception area, new laundry
facilities, and enhancements to the buildings
facade.

GASPORT MAN CHARGED WITH HURTING BABY

A 25 year old Gasport man was charged yesterday
with causing multiple injuries to a four month old
child last month. David Stroup was arraigned in
Town of Lockport court and is being held on
$50,000 bail. Sheriff Jim Voutour says the injuries
occurred while the child was left in Stroup's care.
The arrest followed an investigation into a report
of child abuse November 23 at Strong Memorial
Hospital in Rochester where the chlld had been
taken for treatment. Stroup could get seven years
in prison if he's found guilty.

ROCHESTER

Seven Rochester area professionals are
facing felony charges for failing to file tax
returns. The State Tax Department says a
doctor, a lawyer, a dentist, a nurse, and
three local businessmen were arrested
Wednesday. They're accused of failing to
report nearly $5-million in earnings over
multiple years, avoiding the payment of
about $270,000 in state taxes. The Tax
Department said they mark the first stage
of a statewide crackdown on tax cheats.

VENDOR FAIR

A Holday Vendor Fair to benefit the DeSales
Home School Association and the annual
bid for Quality Education Auction is set for
6pm tonight at the Lockport Town & Country
Club. Many local merchants, restaurants, and
artisians will be offering gift items in every
price range. There'll also be gift cards, and
cash and carry items and special orders can
be made. A cash bar will be open. The event
runs from 6 till 9 and admission is $10. It
includes desserts and coffee.

THE NEW YORK STATE GREAT APPLIANCE SWAP OUT

You might want to wait till February to buy a new
refrigerator, freezer, washing machine or dishwasher.
The US Department of Energy has o-k'd a plan by
the state to use stimulus dollars to give rebates
in February for those buying new energy efficient ones.
The program will be held between February 12 and
the 21st. The State has $16.8-million and plans to
issue as many as 170,000 rebates. You can get
$75 for buying a new refrigerator or washing
machine and $50 toward a freezer. Rebates for
diswashers will only be available if you buy one
and two of the others as part of a bundle. You'd
get $500 back in such a case. You'll be able to
get a little more cash if you can prove the older ones
were recycled. Rebate forms and instructions will
eventually be posted on the NYSERDA website,
but they are not there yet.

NASTY WEATHER

Niagara County will miss the worst of the nasty
weather that's forecast for tonight and Thursday.
Forecasters say we won't see much more than
a few inches of snow tonight and there'll be
scattered snowshowers tomorrow. The County
is included however, in a high wind warning that
kicks in at 2pm today and continues till 7pm
Thursday. Winds could gust to 45 mph this
afternoon and up to 60 mph tonight and
Thursday. Areas to the South of Buffalo are
expected to get as much as two to three feet of
snow by Saturday morning.

LOCKPORT MAN ROBBED & BEATEN AFTER USING A-T-M

Three Lockport men are facing robbery charges
after they allegedly attacked another man around
11pm Tuesday after he used the ATM at the M&T
branch on Pine Street. Twenty-four year old
Shannon Hill of 294 Washburn and 22 year old
Christopher Howard of 107 Genesee are charged
with robbery and possession of marijuana.
Eighteen year old Zachary Smith of 42 Ashley
Place with robbery. The victim told police he left
his High Street apartment on a bicycle to get some
money and go to Wilson Farms. He said he saw
a man wearing a skeleton sweatshirt outside the
ATM and several others standing nearby. He
withdrew $40 and was leaving on the bike when he
felt someone grab him. He told police the man
wearing the skeleton sweatshirt started punching
him in the face with both fists. The victim got off his
bike and tried to defend himself but at least two
others started beating him and he was kicked in the
head and face while on the ground. He eventually got
away and ran to Molinaro's Restaurant where he
entered the store covered in blood. They called police
and he was treated for several deep cuts and scrapes
to his head and face. The three men were found by
police at Genesee and Locust. The victim identified
them as the one's responsible.

MONGIELO COURT DATE SET

The question as to whether Town of Lockport
auto repair shop owner Dave Mongielo
violated zoning ordinances when he put up
a video signboard in front of his Robinson Road
business will be decided January 20. Town
Justice Raymond Schilling set the date last
night. The non jury trial will deal with a bunch
of summonses Mongielo received. Town
Prosecutor Brad Marble says Mongielo is
due in court December 23 when he'll bring in
his attorney for the upcoming trial. Mongielo
says he will not use the attorney whose
representing him in his civil suit against the
Town. He says he's run up $20,000 in legal
bills with Jeff Palumbo.

COMMITTTEE POSTS

Lockport Alderman at Large Joe Kibler will
be the Common Counci's representative on
the Fire Board next year. Mayor Mike Tucker
announced the appointment yesterday along
with his committe appointments for 2010. Kibler
will also head the Finance and Highways & Parks
committees. Council President designate Richelle
Pisceri will head the Personnel Commitee and
Alderwoman Flora McKenzie will be in charge
of the Public Health & Safety Commitee and the
Youth Commitee and continue as the Council's
represenative on the Police Board. Kibler's
appointment to the Fire Board should be
interesting. He's a long time critic of the
Firefighters Union.

HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS

The City and Town of Lockport will present
a free holiday movie Saturday morning at the
Palace Theatre. The Jim Carey flick, "How The
Grinch Stole Christmas" will be shown at 11am.
Santa will be there and there'll also be free
pop and popcorn.