ROYALTON

A 63 year old Royalton man is facing charges after
he allegedly fired off 15 rounds with a rifle yesterday
morning as he confronted two Lockport residents
who were allegedly trying to break into his home at
7643 Akron Road. Dennis Cherry was charged with
felony counts of reckless endangerment and
criminal mischief and a misdemeanor count of menacing.
State Police say 18 year old Jenna Zsebhazy of Washburn
Street and 24 year old Anibal Cordero of Dysinger Road
drove to the home together and that Zsebhazy attempted
to get inside through an open garage door. That's when
they were confronted by Cherry. He detained the girl
while Cordero attempted to flee in the vehicle. Cherry
is accused of firing 15 rounds at the vehicle and Cordero
jumped out and fled on foot. He was captured a short
time later in the woods. Zsebhazy and Cordero are
charged with felony counts of attempted burglary.
They're being held on $5,000 bail. Cherry was released
on his own recognizance by Royalton Town Judge
Greg Bass. He will be back in court January 28 at 5pm.
Zsebhazy and Cordero are slated to reappear in court
on February 1.

WATER RATES TO GO UP IN THE FALLS

The Niagara Falls Water Board last night o-k'd
a $25.4-million budget that'll hike water and
sewer rates by 2 per cent. The vote was 3-2.
The increase takes effect next month, the
yearly impact will be about $12 for the average
customer. The Board also voted to hire
Executive Director Gerry Grose to serve as an
independant contractor for a month after he
retires January 31 while they continue to search
for his replacement. He'll be paid $9,000.
In a 2-3 vote last night, the Board said no to
a plan to hire former councilmember Glen
Choolokian as the Executive Director. The
search has divided the Board since December.
They are currently talking to North Tonawanda
about a plan to share their Executive Director
Paul Drof. He would oversee water and sewer
treatment plants in both cities if they can reach a
deal.

CHAPEL AT CROSS POINT

The Chapel At Cross Point will begin holding
branch services at Lockport's Palace Theatre
on Easter Sunday. The Amherst mega-church
will also lease about six-thousand square feet
of space in the old post office. It'll be used for
administrative offices and for special programs
aimed at men, women, and children. Fourth Ward
alderman Andy Chapman is a member of the
church. He said they would also donate a
high definition projection TV system to the
Palace and make a contribution to it;s
renovation fund. The Rev Matt Eisenhower
will be assigned to Lockport. He says the
projection system will be used to bring the
sermons of the chapel's main pastor to the
Lockport congregation.

EXTREME MAKE-OVER

The edition of ABC's Extreme Makeover Home
Edition that was shot in Buffalo will be shown as
a two hour special at 8pm Sunday on channel 7.
A free viewing party will be held at Shea's Performing
Arts Center from 7 till 10. You must have a ticket to
get in however. They are available at all Rosa's Home
Stores and at the box office from 10 till 5 today and
from 10 till 2 Saturday.

UNEMPLOYMENT RATE UP

The State's unemployment rate rose to a 26 year
high of 9 per cent in December. It had been
8.6 per cent in N ovember. The Labor Department
said the number of out of work New Yorkers
rose from 832,000 to nearly 869,000. In Lockport,
the rate was 9.4 per cent, up a tenth of a point
from the previous month. In the County, the
number for December was 9.3 per cent, up from
a revised 8.7 in November. In Orleans County,
the department said it rose from 8.3 per cent in
November to 9.4 per cent last month.

ANDREWS RELEASES REFORM PLAN

County Treasurer hopeful Kyle Andrews released
a four point reform plan Thursday that he said
will restore faith in the office. The Democrat is the
only announced candidate so far. He said if he's
elected, he will ban all relatives from working as
outside vendors for the office. He would also bar
the office from outsourcing work to any companies
in which relatives of the Treasurer, or Treasurers
Office employees, have a substantial financial stake.
It would also affect lawyers working directly for the
office. Andrews promised to maintain a list of all
outside vendors, ensure transparency in the
management of funds from estates, and provide
records related to the administration of estates
to the courts for review at any time, except those
that are protected by privacy laws.

LOCKPORT REPUBLICAN COMMITTEE

Glen Aranow was elected Chairman Monday of the
City of Lockport Republican Committee. Dave
Licata was chosen as Vice Chair, Tom Grezbinski
as Treasurer, and Erin Norris is the new Secretary.
Former Chair Ken Genewick resigned after being
sworn in as alderman. The terms run through
September. Aranow says his priority is to
recruit new members who want to work to win elections.
Call him at 434-7474.

FALLS SCHOOL BOARD WORRIED

The Niagara Falls School Board was told last
night they will face a budget deficit of between
$1.6-million...and $4.9-million....depending on
whether the State Legislature approves the
Governor's plan to cut school aid. Paterson said
Tuesday he would propose $1.1-billion in cuts,
and if it's approved, the Falls would lose $6.3-million.
The Budget Manager said it would be devastating.

ACCIDENT ON ROBERT MOSES PARKWAY

A Youngstown man was taken to ECMC with
serious injuries Thursday after his SUV rear-
ended a State DOT truck doing patching work
on the Robert Moses Parkway near Pletcher
Road. Michael Gifford of Fieldcrest Drive was
treated for possible fractures to both his legs
and sternum. Lewiston Police said Gifford
might have been distracted by an electronic
device, such as a cell phone, or he might
have been texting, when he hit the truck.
Police are checking phone records. The
State truck had a caution arrow on the back
and it was travelling at a slow rate of speed.
The driver, 49 year old Luis Santiago of
Mount Hope Road and a passenger, 45
year old Robert Pino of the Town of
Tonawanda, were treated at Mount Saint
Marys for minor injuries.

SEXUAL LETTERS

A Falls woman told Sheriff's deputies yesterday a woman
who is incarcerated at the County Jail has been writing
sexual letters toher 16 year old grandson. Tajhsa Maye
is in jail for a previous charge of endangering the welfare
of a child along with a sex offense, both involving the
16 year old. The grandmother gave deputies four letters.
Deputies said they include sexual references, language,
and drawings. The grandmother wants to pursue
criminal charges against Maye and to have an order of
protection telling her to stay away from the boy.