FIVE MINUTES

A Town of Lockport man told Sheriff's deputies
last night someone stole his car radio and
speakers while he went into his apartment for
five minutes. The 28 year old resident of
Glendale Drive said he parked his '98 Dodge
Intrepid, went inside and the Pioneer Face plate
and speakers were gone when he came back out.
They're worth $450.

POSSIBLE IDENTITY THEFT

A 22 year old former employee of Applebee's
charged Wednesday with the unlawful
possession of personal identifcation information
by Lockport Police. Ryan Habalou used to live
with his sister. She told officers she found
pieces of paper with credit card numbers and
names on them while she was cleaning out his
room. Police say they don't know if he used
them to steal anyone's identity. He was held for
court.

NIAGARA WHEATFIELD SCHOOL DISTRICT

Officials at Niagara Wheatfield defended the
school district last night following the release
of that state audit that said they had been
hoarding too much money that could have
been used to lower your property taxes. School
Chief Carl Militello said the criticized fund balances
made it possible for them to keep the lid on
property taxes and maintain instuctional
excellence. School Business Executive
Kerin Dumphrey said the State had
issued similiar conclusions after audits
were done in Lockport, Newfane, Wilson
and Barker. He said the State could not find
any improper spending and they used their
funds properly.

NEW CHAIRMAN OF GAMING ASSOCIATION

The new chairman of the Seneca Gaming Corporation
saying Wednesday he will bring a higher level
of transparency and accountability to the organization.
Norman Cochese Redeye said he plans to lead a reform
effort in upper management that will allow them to
get past a series of recent scandals and give Nation
members a better rate of return. He promised to
institute a tighter system of checks and balances
and said they would immediately begin a review of
all internal financial controls. Redeye is a retired
Erie County sheriff's deputy. He replaced Seneca
Nation President Barry Synder Senior last week
during a surprise meeting of the Board of Directors.
The 51 year old has been on the board since 2005.
He's also a former tribal counselor and an Air Force
veteran.

WINTERGARDEN

The USA Niagara Development Corporation has
reached an agreement to buy the Wintergarden
from developer Joe Anderson. The Director of
Upstate Communications for the Empire State
Development Corporation says a tentative
closing date is expected late this month or in
early April. The Corporation's board initially
o-k'd the purchase back in July but decided to
renegotiate after low levels of asbestos were
found and they learned it would take more work
than thought to demolish the building.

DRUG CHARGES AGAINST A LOCKPORT WOMAN

A 55 year old Lockport woman was charged
with possession of cocaine as police were
investigating a report of a suspicious vehicle
on Lock Street. Sharon Park of 119 Genesee
was found hiding behind a tree down an
embankment and allegedly admitted to having
drugs in her car. Police say they found a clear
baggie containing a red ashtray, the coke, and
a razor blade plus two glass pipes. Park is charged
with 7th degree possession of a controlled
substance. She's due in court next Monday.

LOCKPORT CITY COUNCIL

Lockport lawmakers last night created a
temporary spot in the Police Department for
a new officer. The City's Police Board
decided Monday to hire Steve Tarnowski
to replace Officer Greg Chambers. Chambers
was expected to retire this month, but
alderwoman Flora McKenzie....who is the
Council's rep on the Police Board....said
last night Chambers may stick around till next
month or later. That led the Council to create
the temporary position so Tarnowski can
attend classes at the end of the month at
the County's Law Enforcement Academy.
Tarnowski has worked as a security guard
at the Seneca Niagara Casino and the Falls
Medical Center. In other police matters, the
Council o-k'd the construction of a seperate
police locker room for female officers. It'll be
installed in the basement of headquarters by
the D.R, Chamberlain Ciompany of Lockport
at a cost of about $26,000. Lawmakers also
o-k'd a contract to clean the air ducts in
City Hall. The job will be done by the John
W. Danforth Company for $62,500. Mayor Mike
Tucker said the ducts have never been cleaned.
The Council scheduled a public hearing for April
1 on alderman Pat Schraders plan to institute
a new "neighborhood commercial general residence
district" zone on South Transit.

UNDERAGE

Two convenience store clerks were charged with
selling alcohol to an underage undercover operative
last night during a sting by the Sheriff's department,
the State Police, and the State Liquor Authority.
Twenty-six year old Aaron Fose of Cambria and
52 year old Janice Wolfgang of Lewiston were
charged with unlawfully dealing with a child and
prohibited sales. Fourteen convenience stores were
checked during the four hour blitz which started
at 6. Twelve denied the purchase.

VILLAGE ELECTIONS

Patrick Kelahan was the winner in yesterday's
mayoral election in the Village of Wilson.
The Democrat defeated Republican incumbent
Thomas Bateman 246-181. Kelahan is 52 and
also the President of the Board of the Wilson
Free Library. In Barker, incumbent Joanne
Greenwald won another two year term. She
tallied 68 votes, Herbert Meyer received 58,
and John Hayden 25. Greenwald is 69 and the
Director of the Barker Senior Citizens. She
ran on the Working Peoples ticket. The two
seats on the Village board went to Margaret
Cole and incumbent William Bodine. Cole
received 94 votes, Bodine 89, and incumbent
James Harris was ousted with 86. The elections
in Middleport were uncontested.

SCOTTISH INN

The owner of Wheatfield's Scottish Inn...and his
family...were robbed at gunpoint yesterday morning
and then duct taped by three men. Forty-nine year
old Piavin Patel told deputies he went to the door
of the Motel office around 4:40 and let two men inside
because he thought they were customers. The men were
wearing white hoods and immediately pulled down
bandannas over their faces and forced their
way into the family living quarters. A third man
quickly entered and forced the rest of the family into
the living room. Two of the men put duct tape over the
eyes and mouths of all there victims while the third
took $200 from the register. The trio then went around
the lving quarters and took a bag of cash containing
about $3,000, a cell phone, a computer and about
$5,000 worth of jewelery. Sheriff Jim Voutour said
it was two white males and one black male and
they're looking at some of the things they said and
did..saying they appeared to be very organized and
that was unusual. .