HAZMAT

The Wendelville Fire Department cleaned up a haz-mat
spill around 7pm last night at the HiQuality gas station
at 6472 South Transit. Officials say a gas tank fell off
a car as it was loaded onto a tow truck. The tank
contained 16 gallons that were beginning to leak onto
the parking lot.

POLAR BEAR SWIM

It was a wild time at Krull Park Sunday as nearly
a thousand swimmers took the plunge into Lake
Ontario for the 41st annual Polar Bear Swim for
Sight. The air temperature was 39 degrees
and the water temperature was 37. There were
lots of bikinis but some went in fully clothed.
Organizer Bill Clark said they had 991 particpants,
about 200 more than the previous year. He's
been chairing the swim for 15 years. The money
goes to Lions Sight & Vision programs and
several other charities. They raised $15,000 last
year and expect to top that figure when the final
totals are announced. Jacqueline Wilk of Buffalo
won the Polar Bear Queen contest. She went into
the water in a two piece bathing suit.

SIENA COLLEGE POLL

Seventy-one per cent of the respondents in a
Siena College poll taken yesterday say they
want the Governor to serve out the rest of his
term. Only 21 per cent want the State Legislature
to\impeach him if he does not step down. Attorney
General Andy Cuomo remains strongly popular
and a majority think he will conducy a fair and
impartial investigation....but two thirds would like
to see the job done by a special prosecutor.
Paterson's favorability rating has fallen from
35 per cent two weeks ago to 21 percent, but
poll director Steve Greenburh said there seems to
be a sense that more disruption in Albany is not
the answer at this point in time. Fifty-four
percent of the respondents agreed with the
statement that what's going on in Albany makes
me embarrased to call myself a New Yorker.

FLU CLINIC THURSDAY

The County Health Department will offer free
H1N1 and seasona flu shots Thursday at the
LewPort Community Resource Center. It'll run
from 10am-7pm. The shots will be given to anyone
over six months of age. No appointments are
needed. The department's next free clinic will
on Thursday, March 18, at Wilson High School.

CARS ENTERED IN WHEATFIELD

Two unlocked vehicles were entered Saturday
night on Errick Road in Wheatfield. Twenty CD's,
a pair of prescription sunglassesm and some
loose change were removed from a vehicle
parked at 6795 Errick Road, and about $10 in
change was taken from another car next door
at 6796 Errick Road.

CAMBRIA MAN STABLE AFTER DWI ACCIDENT

A 27 year old Cambria man is in stable condition at
ECMC following a one vehicle alcohol related accident
around 5:30 pm Sunday on Human Road. Marcus
Hittenmaier was found unconscious with a head
injury. Sheriff's deputies say his '96 Jeep Cherokee
left the road and hit a fence and a tree. He was charged
with felony DWI, unlicensed operation, and other
traffic violations.

KUGLER PLACES SECOND

A seventh grader at Roy Hart came in second Sunday
in the Buffalo News Spelling Bee. Tyler Kugler would
have won a trip to the finals in Washington if he had
emerged as the victor in the two hour competition. That
honor went to Nabeel Rehman of East Amherst. The
finals were held at the Buffalo and Erie County Historical
Society.

HOUSE FIRE

A fire just after 11am Sunday totally destroyed a
mobile home and damaged two others on Fernwood
Drive in the Town of Lockport. It orginated in the home
of 66 year old Barbara Blair at 1048 Fernwood and
spread to a neighbor's property at 1049 Fernwood and
also damaged the siding at 1047 Fernwood. The
Sheriff's Department says oxygen tanks inside Blair's
home fueled the fire and there were several explosions.
Nearby homes were evacuated as a precaution and
Blair was treated at the scene for smoke inhalation.
A shed and siding were damaged at the home of John
Skutt at 1049 Fernwood and the owner at 1047, Girard
Nole, said his siding was damaged as well. The Red
Cross is helping Blair and the Skutt's. The blaze was
fought by four volunteer fire companies, Rapids,
South Lockport, Wendelville, and Clarence Center.

ECONOMIC SUMMIT

The County Economic Development Department will
hold an economic summit a week from tomorrow at
the Niagara Falls Airport. The 3 1/2 hour session will
focus on prospects for the airport, economic
development groups and resources, low cost
hydropower programs, and brownfields redevelopment.
Officials say they have additional resources this year
because of federal stimulus initiatives and they'll
tap into any and all incentives and programs for
business owners wanting to build something. The
program will run from 8-11:30 on March 16. Call
278-8750 to register.

DWI ARRESTS IN LOCKPORT

A 23 year old Lockport man was charged with driving
while intoxicated last night after he led a police officer
on a chase through the city's North end. Alexander Hannon
of 28 Gabriel Drive was arrested after he pulled into a
driveway at 157 Lock Street. The officer said he was
sitting stationary at the Skate Park on Corinthia Street
when Hannon passed by at a high rate of speed. He
allegedly ignored several stop signs and traffic
signals. Along with DWI, he was also charged with
reckless driving and three counts each of failing to
stop at signs and signals. Police also charged a
25 year old woman from Freeville, New York with
aggravated DWI around 7:15 last night on Walnut
Street. Christine McCutcheon blew a .23 when tested.
She said she had consumed two glasses of wine
at a friends house. She was also charged with
several traffic infractions and held on $250 bail.