Forty-nine people were killed last night when a Contiental
Airlines commuter plane crashed into a house at 6050 Long
Street in Clarence Center. The plane was a Contiental
Connection flight operated by Colgan Air. It carried
44 passengers and a crew of four. The fatalities
included one person in the house. Most of the victims are
expected to be from Western New York. Flight 3407
departed from Newark Liberty Airport and the crash happened
around 10:20 pm as it was preparing to land at Buffalo.
Officials said the plane appeared to have taken a nose dive into
the home in the residential area. Homes on either side
suffered some damage as well. Nine volunteer fire
companies, including Rapids, responded to the scene.
The familes of the victims...many were waiting at the airport
for the planes arrival...were taken to the Cheektowaga Senior
Center where counselors and clergy were available. Colgan
Air has set up a toll free number for information for families,
it is 800-621-3263. The airline asking others not to call it.
Friday, February 13, 2009
DRUG BUST IN THE FALLS
Three men from the Falls ...said to be major drug traffickers...
were arrested Thursday by federal agents and police. They
are 29 year old Curtis Nalls and his brother, 40 year old Joseph
Maudlin..both of Ashland Avenue, and 48 year old Glen Barnett
of Fifth Street. It's belieed they have smuggled 2,000 pounds of
hydroponic marijuana from Canada into the U.S. since 2004.
The three are accused of hiring numerous people from Western
New York to hide the marijuana in their cars and bring it across
the border. Federal agents and police executed ten search
warrants Thursday and recovered $100,000 in cash and a firearm.
Prosecutors say all three men are charged with felony conspiracy
and drug smuggling and that Nalls and Mauldin also face a
charge of obstruction of justice for allegedly trying to pay off
a witness. The street value of the drugs was estimated to be
at least $4.8-million.
were arrested Thursday by federal agents and police. They
are 29 year old Curtis Nalls and his brother, 40 year old Joseph
Maudlin..both of Ashland Avenue, and 48 year old Glen Barnett
of Fifth Street. It's belieed they have smuggled 2,000 pounds of
hydroponic marijuana from Canada into the U.S. since 2004.
The three are accused of hiring numerous people from Western
New York to hide the marijuana in their cars and bring it across
the border. Federal agents and police executed ten search
warrants Thursday and recovered $100,000 in cash and a firearm.
Prosecutors say all three men are charged with felony conspiracy
and drug smuggling and that Nalls and Mauldin also face a
charge of obstruction of justice for allegedly trying to pay off
a witness. The street value of the drugs was estimated to be
at least $4.8-million.
JEX HONORED
Congressman Chris Lee paid tribute yesterday to
fallen Lockport soldier Albert Jex. In remarks on
the House floor, Lee said the Army PFC made the
ultimate sacrifice Monday in Mosul, Iraq. He noted
Jex was named after a great uncle who died fighting
the Nazi's in World War Two. He said Private Jex
devoted his life to public service...noting he was a junior
volunteer firefighter with the South Lockport Fire
Company. Lee said Jex heard the call of duty after
the events of September 11, 2001. He said the close knit
neighborhood where Jex grew up has been lined
with yellow ribbons since he first became a soldier and
was sent to Iraq...and that they now serve as a quiet
tribute to the bravest of patriots. Lee also
recognized the courage of Private Jex's family and said
the prayers of all Western New Yorkers are with them.
Lockport's "Partnership In Patriotism" coalition
is planning to honor the fallen soldier. His body
is expected to arrive back in Lockport in the
next few days.
fallen Lockport soldier Albert Jex. In remarks on
the House floor, Lee said the Army PFC made the
ultimate sacrifice Monday in Mosul, Iraq. He noted
Jex was named after a great uncle who died fighting
the Nazi's in World War Two. He said Private Jex
devoted his life to public service...noting he was a junior
volunteer firefighter with the South Lockport Fire
Company. Lee said Jex heard the call of duty after
the events of September 11, 2001. He said the close knit
neighborhood where Jex grew up has been lined
with yellow ribbons since he first became a soldier and
was sent to Iraq...and that they now serve as a quiet
tribute to the bravest of patriots. Lee also
recognized the courage of Private Jex's family and said
the prayers of all Western New Yorkers are with them.
Lockport's "Partnership In Patriotism" coalition
is planning to honor the fallen soldier. His body
is expected to arrive back in Lockport in the
next few days.
POWER OUTAGE
NYSEG says 2900 customers in the Locust Street area lost
power around 1:30 Thursday afternoon. the outage lasted
about 90-minutes. A spokesman said a breaker failed which
tripped the distribution system. A spokesman also said
there a few other minor incidents caused by the high winds.
Most of the company's problems were in the Lancaster
area and additional crews are being brought in from elsewhere
in the state to restore power. National Grid said this morning
they had five customers without power in Orleans County,
but none in Niagara.
power around 1:30 Thursday afternoon. the outage lasted
about 90-minutes. A spokesman said a breaker failed which
tripped the distribution system. A spokesman also said
there a few other minor incidents caused by the high winds.
Most of the company's problems were in the Lancaster
area and additional crews are being brought in from elsewhere
in the state to restore power. National Grid said this morning
they had five customers without power in Orleans County,
but none in Niagara.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
FALLEN SOLDIER
Twenty three year old Army PFC Albert Jex died Monday
in a suicide bombing in Iraq and Mayor Mike Tucker says
the City will do whatever it can for the family. He said
he had talked to Jex's parents and they told him he had
always wanted a Lockport flag so he could fly it over
Iraq, that he was proud of being from Lockport. Tucker
said the City would provide the flag for use in the funeral.
It's not known yet when the funeral will be since the military
hasn't said when his body would be returned to the U.S.
Tucker said the city would provide a police escort for
the services. The flags at the Municipal Building were
lowered to half staff yesterday. Jex was the first soldier
from Lockport to die Iraq and the first member of the
military to be killed in combat since the Vietnam War.
Administrators at the Lockport Opportunity Project
plan to plant a tree in his memory. Jex was a student
there in 2000 and 2001. Congressman Chris Lee says
he'll give a speech today in the House in Jex's memory.
in a suicide bombing in Iraq and Mayor Mike Tucker says
the City will do whatever it can for the family. He said
he had talked to Jex's parents and they told him he had
always wanted a Lockport flag so he could fly it over
Iraq, that he was proud of being from Lockport. Tucker
said the City would provide the flag for use in the funeral.
It's not known yet when the funeral will be since the military
hasn't said when his body would be returned to the U.S.
Tucker said the city would provide a police escort for
the services. The flags at the Municipal Building were
lowered to half staff yesterday. Jex was the first soldier
from Lockport to die Iraq and the first member of the
military to be killed in combat since the Vietnam War.
Administrators at the Lockport Opportunity Project
plan to plant a tree in his memory. Jex was a student
there in 2000 and 2001. Congressman Chris Lee says
he'll give a speech today in the House in Jex's memory.
NYSEG RATE INCREASE REQUEST
Senator Chuck Schumer and the Governor both coming
out yesterday in opposition to NYSEG's request to hike
your electric and gas bills. The company is asking for
a 9.9 per cent increase per month for electricity and 8.8
per cent more for natural gas. That would translate into
an $8.80 increase for electricity and $12.20 more for
gas. The company had previously said they would not
ask for an increase until October at the earliest and
the Governor urged the Public Service Commission
to do a thorough review to determine if an early increase
is needed. NYSEG is owned by Energy East. They
agreed last September not to ask for an increase for
13 months if they were permitted to merge with Spanish
power producer, Iberdrola U-S-A. The only way that
can get one is to prove their financial condition has
gotten so weak that it's putting safety and reliability
at risk. Schumer said the request reeks of profit
mongering.
out yesterday in opposition to NYSEG's request to hike
your electric and gas bills. The company is asking for
a 9.9 per cent increase per month for electricity and 8.8
per cent more for natural gas. That would translate into
an $8.80 increase for electricity and $12.20 more for
gas. The company had previously said they would not
ask for an increase until October at the earliest and
the Governor urged the Public Service Commission
to do a thorough review to determine if an early increase
is needed. NYSEG is owned by Energy East. They
agreed last September not to ask for an increase for
13 months if they were permitted to merge with Spanish
power producer, Iberdrola U-S-A. The only way that
can get one is to prove their financial condition has
gotten so weak that it's putting safety and reliability
at risk. Schumer said the request reeks of profit
mongering.
PAIGE MURDER TRIAL
A County jury last night found two men from Buffalo
guilty of killing Donald Paige Junior in the driveway
of his home in the Falls on August 23, 2007. Twenty-three
year old Brandon Davis and 22 year old Paul Osborne
were both found guilty of three counts each of second
degree murder and first degree robbery plus additional
counts of assault, attempted robbery, criminal use of a
firearm, and criminal possession of a weapon. The jury
deliberated 8 hours. The two could be sentenced to life
in prison April 24 when they appear before Judge Sara
Sheldon Sperrezza. They're being held without bail
in the County Jail.
guilty of killing Donald Paige Junior in the driveway
of his home in the Falls on August 23, 2007. Twenty-three
year old Brandon Davis and 22 year old Paul Osborne
were both found guilty of three counts each of second
degree murder and first degree robbery plus additional
counts of assault, attempted robbery, criminal use of a
firearm, and criminal possession of a weapon. The jury
deliberated 8 hours. The two could be sentenced to life
in prison April 24 when they appear before Judge Sara
Sheldon Sperrezza. They're being held without bail
in the County Jail.
TENTH STREET
Officials in the Falls are asking motorists to avoid
Tenth Street between Ferry and Walnut. Mayor Paul
Dyster says that stretch of road is so far gone that it
requires a complete resurfacing or reconstruction.
He said they can't close the street because it's a high
traffic area...but they are asking people to avoid any
unnecessary travel there.
Tenth Street between Ferry and Walnut. Mayor Paul
Dyster says that stretch of road is so far gone that it
requires a complete resurfacing or reconstruction.
He said they can't close the street because it's a high
traffic area...but they are asking people to avoid any
unnecessary travel there.
SNOW PARK
The Niagara Falls Planning Board last night gave it's
o-k for the $5.2-million Snow Park planned by
developer Joseph Anderson. Representatives said
the attraction at First & Main will open in June. It'll
be a year round facility with four tubing runs and a
regulation hockey sized skating rink open during the
Summer. Six tubing chutes would be added in the
Winter. Anderson still needs to get a special use
permit from the Zoning Board next Tuesday. He's
also asking the County IDA for a ten year break
on property taxes. A public hearing on the request
is set for March 19 at 4:30pm at Niagara Falls City
Hall. The application promises there'll be 47 full
time, part time and seasonal jobs created in the
first year. That number is projected to rise to 66
by year two.
o-k for the $5.2-million Snow Park planned by
developer Joseph Anderson. Representatives said
the attraction at First & Main will open in June. It'll
be a year round facility with four tubing runs and a
regulation hockey sized skating rink open during the
Summer. Six tubing chutes would be added in the
Winter. Anderson still needs to get a special use
permit from the Zoning Board next Tuesday. He's
also asking the County IDA for a ten year break
on property taxes. A public hearing on the request
is set for March 19 at 4:30pm at Niagara Falls City
Hall. The application promises there'll be 47 full
time, part time and seasonal jobs created in the
first year. That number is projected to rise to 66
by year two.
NIAGARA BILLS
The County Legislature's Economic Development Committee
last night tabled a resolution calling on lawmakers to support
a plan to move the Bills to Niagara County. The measure's
chief sponsor, Jason Cafarella, agreed to put off a formal vote
until he's had a chance to discuss the issue with officials
in Erie County. Cafarella said he's not trying to steal the Bills,
he's just trying to provide them with a potential location if they
decide to leave the Ralph when their lease runs out at the end
of 2012.
last night tabled a resolution calling on lawmakers to support
a plan to move the Bills to Niagara County. The measure's
chief sponsor, Jason Cafarella, agreed to put off a formal vote
until he's had a chance to discuss the issue with officials
in Erie County. Cafarella said he's not trying to steal the Bills,
he's just trying to provide them with a potential location if they
decide to leave the Ralph when their lease runs out at the end
of 2012.
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