LARGE TRASH PICK-UP IN THE FALLS

The Niagara Falls Public Works Department says
a large trash pick-up will begin Monday and continue
for five weeks. The pick-ups of trash, rubbish, and
debris is done every Spring and will coincide with
regular weekly garbage pick-ups. It's being carried
out through a co-ordinated effort between the City
and the Modern Corporation.

ACCIDENT

An 85 year old Lockport woman was killed
Tuesday morning when she was struck by an
SUV while crossing at the corner of Walnut and
Cottage. Virginia Barnwell of 108 Spalding was
walking North in the crosswalk on Cottage around
10am when she was struck by an SUV operated by
70 year old Robert Payne Sr of 3902 Lockport Olcott
Road in Wrights Corners. Barnwell was pronounced
dead at ENH-Lockport. Payne was not hurt and
released after the accident. Police said the
pedestrian has the right of wayand charges could
be filed after an investigation is completed. Neighbors
told the Union Sun & Journal Barnwell liked to walk.
She was a regular at Saint John the Baptist Church
on weekends.

LOCKPORT RECYCLING

The City of Lockport's garbage committee is looking
at other options after they learned last week the
State turned down their application for a $500,000
grant to buy garbage bins. Council President, and
committee member, Richelle Pisceri said they are
looking at a pay as you throw system. One method
being considered would require residents to buy
special bags from the City to dispose of their trash.
She said another option would be to sell tags. In
either case, garbage crews would be told they
should only pick up trash that's in the special bag
or with the tag. Residents would be given bins for
recycling and the more that you put in it the less
you would have to pay for crews to collect. She said
it would increase recycling. She said if the plan is
put into effect, the current line for garbage collection
would be taken out of the City budget. She said it
would be more fair because you residents would
only pay for what they throw away. The revenues from
the sale of the bags or tags would pay for the service
and non-profits would pay their fair share. The
committee will meet again April 13.

GODFREY CHOSEN

A committee of three County lawmakers last night
voted 2-1 to reccommend that David Godfrey be
appointed to the 14th district legilsature seat vacated
by Kyle Andrews. Godfrey is 63. He's a semi-retired
computer security consultant. The full legislature
will vote on his appointment next Tuesday. The
committee also interviewed Christopher Srock,
Kathy O'Keefe, and Dave Moyer. The committee
consisted of Legislature Chairman Bill Ross, Minority
Leader Dennis Virtuoso, and lawmaker Gerry Farnham.
Farnham said he backed Godfrey, whose a Republican,
because they needed someone who wouldn't have to
learn the process and would be able to get right to
work. The committee talked to each candidate for
a half an hour at the County's Center For Economic
Development in Sanborn. All four live in Wilson.

LARCENY

The owner of a Wheatfield machine shop says he
surprised a would be thief just after 11pm Monday
as the man was attempting to remove a catalytic
converter from his 2001 Hyundai. John Stoelting of
Niagara Falls said he was working in his shop on the
Boulevard when he heard noises. He looked outside
to see a man under his car. Stoelting ran outside and
briefly chased him through some yards. He told the
sheriff's department he found a cordless saw, a
portable jack, and his catalytic converter lying
under his car. Stoelting said the man was white,
about 6 foot 2 and he was wearing black Carhart
bibs with a black hooded sweatshirt.

LAYOFFS POSSIBLE

The Paterson Administration warned yesterday
State workers could face massive layoffs later this
year if their unions don't agree to concessions. The
workers are slated to get a four per cent raise
tomorrow under the terms of a contract negotiated
by former Governor Eliot Spitzer. They would add
$400-million to the budget. An official said the two
unions, the CSEA and the Public Employees Federation,
seemed to be disconnected from the real world. The unions
say they have offered ways to cut spending and called
the threat another measure of this administration's
incompetence and learning disability. PEF spokesman
Darcy Wells said you don't threaten your employees who
are working hard every day to make the administration
look good.

IT'S UP TO SEDITA

Amherst police say it'll be up to Erie County DA
Frank Sedita whether charges will be filed against
a homeowner who shot a 31 year old teacher to death
early Sunday. Sedia says he has three options, advise
police to file charges, advise them not to, or to present
the case to a Grand Jury and let them decide. He said he
would have to gather all the facts and look at them in the
context of the law before deciding. David Park was in
Amherst attending a baby shower when he left for
awhile and apparently returned to the wrong home.
The homeowner, David D'Amico, warned Park he had
a weapon and would use it if Park did not leave. He
didn't and D'Amico shot him to death. D'Amico is an
executive with a construction company. He's never
been in trouble with the law. He had a gun in his
home because he's an occasional hunter.

FALLS MAN GETS 12 YEARS FOR KILLING EX WIFE

A 67 year old Falls man was sentenced to a dozen
years in State Prison Tuesday for killing his ex-wife
last year. John Polley told police at the time he
accidentally shot 52 year old Julia Polley while they
were engaging in gunplay during sex. He changed
his story last December and admitted he intentionally
killed her after he agreed to plead guilty to first degree
manslaughter. Judge Sara Sheldon Sperrezza also
sentenced Polley to five years post release supervision.
Polley did not speak in court, his lawyer said his
client had expressed deep regret for his actions during
the year that he had worked with him. He said Polley
called Julia Polley a wonderful, admirable woman.

MAN GIVES DEPUTIES FALSE NAME

A 34 year old Lockport man was taken to the
County Jail on $500 bail just after 5pm yesterday
following a traffic stop on Tonawanda Creek Road
in Pendleton. Scott Stoddard of Colony Court is
accused of giving deputies his brother's name
and information, aggravated unlicensed operation,
and operating a vehicle with a suspended license
and registration. He told deputies he gave them
his brothers name because he did not want to go
back to jail. His license had been suspended for
failing to pay child support.

SMOKING MARIJUANA

An 18 year old Lockport man was issued an
appearance ticket for Town of Lockport court
after Sheriff's deputies allegedly caught him and
two buddies smoking marijuana just after 12:30
this morning in a car in the parking lot next to
the Cold Springs Bridge. Ryan Hayes of 6646
Heather Drive handed over a bag of the drug
after questioning. Deputies said they found some
more and a glass pipe in a pocket behind the
drivers seat. All three were taken to their
respective homes and Haye's mother took
possession of the car.