GASPORT FIRE

A fire around 7:30 last night destroyed two large
vacant warehouses near Route 31 in Gasport. Five
fire companies fought the blaze at 8101 and 8105
State Street. They included Gasport, Terry's
Corners, Hartland, Wolcottsville and South Lockport.
They used their 101 foot aerial ladder to attack
the flames and smoke, which could be seen for miles.
The stone and brick structures were used in the
late 1800's and early 1900's to store pears, apples, and
other fruit grown by local farmers. The cause is
under investigation. The sheriff's department
interviewed four males that were playing basketball
across the street, they said they did not see anyone in
the area prior to the fire. A property at 8103 State
Street owned by Ryan Harris was damaged by a
truck from the Hartland Fire Company when it
got stuck as it was on it's way to the canal to
retrieve water.

MONGEILLO

In a ruling issued yesterday, Town of Lockport
Justice Raymond Schilling refused to dismiss the
charges against auto shop repair owner Dave Mongeillo.
He's accused of violating zoning laws by operating a
sign that changes it's message every few seconds
on Robinson Road. The case will now go to trial
and Mongeillo told WLVL he can't afford any more
legal fees and will probably represent himself. He
said a request for a change of venue was denied. The
date for the trial has not yet been determined. Mongeillo
had asked that the charges against him be dropped in
a court appearance on June 9. Schilling said he would
issue a written decision, which he did yesterday.

ANOTHER SCORCHER

An air quality alert for high ozone levels has been issued
today for the entire state as the heat wave continues. The
National Weather Service says it was close yesterday, but
they never reached 90 degrees at the Buffalo-Niagara Airport.
A high of 89 was set at 3:22pm. They're forecasting a high of
91 today, but it will be warmer away from the lakes. The heat
index topped out in the mid 90's at the airport, but again
it was much more in sections of Niagara and Orleans counties.
The heat wave is expected to end Friday when a cold front
will bring rain and more manageable temperatures.

RECORD HIGH ENERGY USAGE

National Grid says it's upstate customers broke a four
year old record yesterday for electricity demand. Between
2 & 3pm, the demand soared to 6,804 megawatts, which is
just shy of 7-billion watts of energy that was delivered. The
all time high of 6,692 had been set on August 2, 2006.
Company spokesman Steve Brady advised homeowners
to set the thermostat on their air conditioners a few
degrees higher than they might like to save money. He said
to clean your filter, and if it's possible on your unit, to set
it so it recirculates the air that's already in your home rather
than bringing in more hot air from outside. The company also
reccomends drawing blinds or shades to block the sun during
the hottest part of the day. They say to turn off lights when
they're not needed and to avoid cooking, bathing, or washing
clothes during the hottest hours.

GASPORT TEEN SENTENCED TO 60 DAYS IN JAIL

A Gasport teen was sentenced to 60 days in the
County Jail Tuesday for beating another teen with a
wrench last December. Judge Matt Murphy denied
youthful offender status for 16 year old Brandon Buryta
of Royalton Center Road. He also sentenced him to
five years probation and ordered him to pay more
than $6,700 in medical expenses that were not covered
by insurance. Murphy said the victim, 18 year old William
Brown, suffered a permanently scarred retina. He's had
several reconstructive surgeries at ECMC as they attempt
to repair the damage to his face and eye. The incident
happened when Brown stood up for a female victim who
was verbally and physically assaulted by Buryta at her
home in Hartland. Murphy could have sentenced Buryta
to four years in state prison. Buryta said he was sorry
it happened and it was an honest mistake.

REINEKE GETS ANOTHER TERM

A 4-3 vote last night gave James Reineke another term
as president of the Newfane School Board. He was
supported by Cynthia Ames, Joe Flagler, and Kelly
Artieri, who was chosen as Vice President by a similiar
vote. The three new board members, Frank Westgate,
Michele Malone, and Flagler also took their oathes of
offices during the re-organizational meeting. The Board
decided to hold their future sessions on the first and
third Tuesdays of each month at the Early Childhood
Center. In the regular meeting that followed, they
talked about filling a districtwide technology position.
It's already in the budget and the slot will be filled by
a current employee. The Board accepted a $2,300
donation from the district's Parents & Students
Association. It'll be used to buy reading materials for
students in kindergarten through the second grade.

A CONTINUING CRIMINAL ENTERPRISE

A 31 year old rap singer and gang leader from the Falls
took a guilty plea Tuesday in federal court. Sean McIver
admitted to a felony charge of running a continuing
criminal enterprise...a drug gang that sold cocaine in the
city between 2005 & 2009. Judge William Skretney said
McIver could be sentenced to 12 1/2 years to life in
prison depending on whether he cooperates with an
ongoing federal drug investigation. McIver records
under the name Raw. Police called him one of the leaders
of the Niagara Falls Bloods when he was arrested in
March of last year, but he only admitted to being a
leader of an unnamed gang that had at least five members.
His arrest followed a lengthy investigation into drug
violence conducted by the police, the DEA, and the
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
He'll be sentenced October 22.

A SIX PER CENT DROP

The State DMV announced Tuesday there was a six
percent drop in overall traffic fatalities in the state
last year. Commissioner David Swarts said there
was a 17 percent decrease in motorcycle fatalities
and a more than 29 per cent drop in bicycle deaths.
Swarts also said alcohol was a contributing factor
in 30 percent of all fatal crashes. He said the use
of seatbelts also increased to 90 percent. The
national use rate is 84 percent.

81 YEAR OLD BREAKS LOCKPORT TRASH LAW

An 81 year old Lockport woman turned herself into
police Tuesday for putting her trash out too early.
Eneida Rodriguez of 77 Rogers Avenue allegedly
committed the offense on June 2 of this year. Community
Police aide Robert Turner said she put her trash
out more than 24 hours before it's scheduled pickup.

A SAD CHOICE

An Eagle scout from Newfane was sentenced Tuesday
to four months in jail and ten years probation for having
sex with a 12 year old girl last year. Twenty year old Matt
McIntyre of Dale Road had plead guilty to second degree
rape. Judge Matt Murphy told McIntyre..."we have
laws in place to protect 12 year old girls," but he added,
"otherwise you're the kind of person anyone would want
as their son or grandson." McIntyre admitted he had made
a "sad choice."