Buffalo news

• Prosecutor says the New Jersey man who stabbed author Salman Rushdie was trying to carry out a fatwa

  24-07-2024 21:49 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — A man who severely injured author Salman Rushdie in a frenzied knife attack in western New York was motivated by a Hezbollah leader's endorsement of a fatwa calling for Rushdie's death, prosecutors said Wednesday in announcing new terrorism charges.The three-count indictment unsealed in U.S. District Court in Buffalo offered for the first time a potential motive for the 2022 attack on “The Satanic Verses” author.
  Hadi Matar, a U.S. citizen from New Jersey,
  
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• Niagara County house a total loss after Saturday morning fire

  07-09-2024 14:53 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) -- A house in Niagara County was deemed a total loss following an early Saturday morning fire, the Niagara County Sheriff's Office announced.Reports of a fire at 8713 Main St. in the Village of Barker came in around 3:25 a.m., deputies said. Crews confirmed an active blaze inside the residence upon their arrival, and the home's two occupants were able to evacuate.One of the occupants, an 18-year-old woman, was transported to Medina Memorial Hospital for treatment of minor in
  
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• Jasper is an energetic pup in need of a forever home

  07-09-2024 14:34 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) -- On this Saturday's Wake Up Wags, we met Jasper, a roughly 1-year-old, energetic dog in need of his forever home.Jasper is believed to be some sort of Husky mix and loves to be active. A house with another dog may be best, but simply taking him for walks could help burn off that energy.To learn more about Jasper and how to adopt him, watch the video above or click here.Adam Gorski is a Buffalo native who joined the WIVB News 4 team in 2022. You can find more of h
  
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• Joe Andreessen attends Lancaster Legends game ahead of Bills season

  07-09-2024 04:50 via wivb.com
  
  LANCASTER, N.Y. (WIVB) -- Joe Andreessen used to spend his Friday nights playing under the lights right at Lancaster High School. Now, he's heading to the big leagues to play for the team he grew up watching his entire life, but he'll never forget where he came from. Andreessen made an appearance at Friday night’s game as the Lancaster Legends took the field for their first game of the season at Lancaster High School. “Yeah I used to love coming out here Friday. That would
  
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• Buffalo man charged with criminal possession of a weapon on school grounds

  07-09-2024 00:38 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) -- A Buffalo man was charged with criminal possession of a weapon on school grounds after he knowingly brought a firearm onto the grounds of an elementary school in the Town of Tonawanda, police announced Friday.Officials said around 1:30 p.m. Thursday, police responded to Alexander Hamilton Elementary School for a "past-tense" report of an armed person on school grounds.
  A witness allegedly saw a male, later identified as Anibal Sepulveda Jr., 40, leaving the school with a
  
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• Ready 4 The Game: Bills Mafia ready for return to Highmark Stadium

  06-09-2024 23:44 via wivb.com
  
  ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (WIVB) -- The cheers, the sea of red and blue and all the excitement around the Buffalo Bills will return to Orchard Park as the team kicks off the regular season on Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals."It's long-awaited, I think everybody's expecting a big season, we're hoping for it," said Mark Ebeling, owner and manager of nearby restaurant Danny's. "The Bills have been great neighbors for us and everybody around here, there's a big push, the Bills win, we all win."For Ebe
  
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• Target on Niagara Falls Blvd. closed 'indefinitely' after sprinkler system causes $25K in damage

  06-09-2024 23:15 via wivb.com
  
  AMHERST, N.Y. (WIVB) -- The Target on Niagara Falls Boulevard will be closed "indefinitely" after its sprinkler system was activated throughout the store on Friday, causing a total of $25,000 in damage, Amherst police announced.According to police, Target's management reported to Amherst Fire Control that both the fire alarm system and sprinkler system were activated throughout the store.Crews responded and reported that there was no active fire and there had been no fires before the activation,
  
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• Frustrated Catholics 'church shopping' or taking a pause

  06-09-2024 22:48 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) – In Western New York, there are about 550,000 Catholics, but some are considering taking a pause, or taking their faith elsewhere -- at least for now.The Diocese is in financial crisis, as it navigates bankruptcy to resolve roughly 900 sexual abuse claims.To achieve its goal, the Diocese is selling property and merging or closing parishes and schools, among other things.The Diocese faces other challenges: fewer priests, contributions, and parishioners.These problems a
  
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• Buffalo man indicted on murder, gun charges for fatal Bird Avenue shooting

  06-09-2024 22:06 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) -- A Buffalo man was indicted Friday morning on murder and gun charges after a fatal shooting took place on Buffalo's West Side in August, the Erie County District Attorney's Office announced.Edward Harwell, 38, was indicted on one count of second-degree murder and two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon.Officials said at 1:30 p.m. on Aug. 3, police responded to a reported shooting on the 200 block of Bird Avenue where they found the victim, 21-year-old K
  
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• Bills extend RT Spencer Brown's contract

  06-09-2024 20:52 via wivb.com
  
  ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (WIVB) -- Right tackle Spencer Brown has signed a four-year contract extension with the Bills, the team announced Friday afternoon. Salary details were not immediately disclosed.Buffalo's third-round draft pick in 2021 has started 41 regular season games and all six playoff contests in his first three seasons. After dealing with knee, back and ankle injuries earlier in his career, Brown started all 17 games last season on an offensive line that led the league in allowing just
  
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• Man charged in Old Pink fire threatened to 'burn that b**** down,' prosecutors say

  06-09-2024 19:24 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) – The 40-year-old Buffalo man arrested and charged with setting fire to the Old Pink in June had threatened to burn the building down during a confrontation at the bar earlier that night, the U.S. Attorney's Office said Friday.The fire engulfed the popular bar in the early morning hours of June 17 and caused the Allentown landmark to be demolished.The U.S. Attorney's Office said John W. Burns had a confrontation at the bar that evening with another individual formerly
  
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• Cheektowaga man accused of causing fatal vehicle collision in West Seneca

  06-09-2024 18:35 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) -- A Cheektowaga man was arraigned Thursday and accused of causing a vehicle collision last month in West Seneca that killed a woman, the Erie County District Attorney's Office announced.
  Alan P. Bulera, 48, was allegedly driving a Toyota RAV4 at a high rate of speed on the evening of Aug. 11 on Clinton Street when he crashed into the rear-end of a minivan at the Borden Road intersection, officials said.Photo: Erie County District Attorney's OfficeBoth Bulera and the driver
  
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• 1 dead, 1 hospitalized after residential fire in Town of Tonawanda

  06-09-2024 17:58 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) -- One person is dead and another was hospitalized following a house fire early Friday morning in the Town of Tonawanda, police announced.The fire began around 4:30 a.m. at 557 Englewood Ave. and is believed to have been caused by cigarette smoking, police said.
  One of the residents of the home, 71-year-old Mary D. Rogers, was unable to escape from the home and died at the scene, according to police.The other resident of the home, aged 75, was rescued from the fire by passer
  
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• 4 games to watch: High school football season kicks off around WNY

  06-09-2024 14:23 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) -- The 2024 high school football season in Western New York is in full swing, with plenty of games in store for Friday and Saturday.Here are four games to watch during the season's opening week: Western New York high school football season previewMcQuaid at Lancaster7 p.m. FridayA battle between perennial powerhouses from two different sections provides quite an entertaining start to the season. Lancaster is seeking its ninth consecutive sectional title game appearance in Cl
  
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• Bills Make We Wanna Give: Damar Hamlin discusses his community involvement, CPR training initiatives

  06-09-2024 13:49 via wivb.com
  
  ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (WIVB) -- While the Bills and thousands of fans will return to Highmark Stadium on Sunday, WIVB is speaking with players about what they are doing off the field to help local charities and the community.News 4 Wake Up's Scott Patterson spoke with safety Damar Hamlin about his community involvement, and how it's evolving beyond what happened to him on the field early last year."I've always wanted to build myself into somebody that the neighborhood and the kids can look up to an
  
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• 'Multiple' people dead in Cattaraugus County residential fire

  06-09-2024 13:33 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) -- Multiple people are dead following a residential fire early Friday morning in the Town of Yorkshire, New York State Police announced.Troopers responded around 4 a.m. to 3825 Creek Rd. for a report of a fire at a single-family residence. "Multiple fatalities" were confirmed as a result of the blaze, police said.An investigation into the fire is ongoing and police will provide more information at a later time.This is a developing story, check back for updates.Latest Local N
  
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• 4 dead, including multiple teens, in Cattaraugus County house fire

  06-09-2024 13:33 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) -- Four people are dead following a house fire early Friday morning in Cattaraugus County, and authorities continued to search the residence for other occupants, New York State Police public information officer James O'Callaghan said in a news conference.Troopers responded around 4 a.m. to 3825 Creek Rd. in the Town of Yorkshire for a report of a fire at a single-family, two-story residence. Police worked with multiple fire departments to control the blaze, which O'Callaghan
  
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• 3 dead, including multiple teens, in Cattaraugus County house fire

  06-09-2024 13:33 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) -- Three people are dead following a house fire early Friday morning in Cattaraugus County, and authorities believe others could still be inside the residence, New York State Police public information officer James O'Callaghan said in a news conference.Troopers responded around 4 a.m. to 3825 Creek Rd. in the Town of Yorkshire for a report of a fire at a single-family, two-story residence. Police worked with multiple fire departments to control the blaze, which O'Callaghan s
  
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• Man fatally shot by Orchard Park police identified; Chief reveals details, calls shooting 'justified'

  06-09-2024 12:56 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) -- New details are emerging surrounding the fatal shooting of a man by Orchard Park Police Department officers on the evening of Aug. 30.Orchard Park Chief of Police Patrick Fitzgerald is scheduled to take questions from the media during a news conference at 10 a.m. Saturday. Ahead of that meeting, he provided WIVB News 4 with information about what he says occurred on Aug. 30.The 911 callFitzgerald told WIVB in a phone interview Thursday night that 31-year-old James Tighe C
  
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• Jessica Pegula is a major championship finalist, rallying to win U.S. Open semi

  06-09-2024 05:26 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) -- A Grand Slam title is within Jessica Pegula's reach.Pegula will play for the U.S. Open championship on Saturday following her rally to victory in the semifinals late Thursday night at Arthur Ashe Stadium in Flushing Meadows, Queens.After losing a set for the first time in the tournament, and eight of nine games at the start of her match with Karolina Muchova of the Czech Republic, the Buffalonian and crowd favorite in New York City came back to win nine of 11 points on he
  
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• Sheriff's Office investigating rollover crash involving ambulance in Batavia, Elba

  06-09-2024 03:13 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) -- The Genesee County Sheriff's Office says they're investigating a two vehicle accident involving an ambulance that occurred on Route 98 Thursday afternoon.
  At 2:45 p.m., Genesee County dispatch received a 911 call reporting the accident with rollover and entrapment at the intersection of Batavia-Elba Town Line Road, according to officials.
  A Mercy EMS ambulance was traveling northbound on Route 98 when it was allegedly struck by a 2024 Kia traveling eastbound that failed t
  
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• Man charged with criminal obstruction of breathing, allegedly strangled victim with golf club

  06-09-2024 01:47 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) -- A man was charged with criminal obstruction of breathing, among other charges, after he allegedly strangled a female victim with a golf club Wednesday night, according to Orchard Park police.
  Police say around 10:30 p.m. Wednesday, dispatch received multiple calls from residents on Abbott Road near Brookview Terrace reporting a disturbance and a man with a golf club in his hands in the area.Upon arrival, officers were allegedly met by a female victim who said she was assa
  
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• Bills fans await payouts, gear from Smile Mail, inc.

  06-09-2024 00:20 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - WIVB News 4 is hearing from numerous Bills fans who say they entered a raffle with a local non-profit last year and still haven't received their winnings. Now those fans are calling 4 action.These complaints have to do with Smile Mail Incorporated. That's a local non-profit that promised not only cash payouts, but also autographed merchandise such as a Josh Allen jersey.Call 4 Action is hearing from Bills fans about their experiences with Smile Mail, Inc. -- experiences th
  
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• Who is Chris Scanlon? A look at Buffalo's potential acting mayor

  06-09-2024 00:15 via wivb.com
  
  Our January interview with Chris Scanlon after he became Common Council President can be seen in the video player on top of this page.BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — After Mayor Byron Brown was offered the job as the next CEO of Western Regional Off-Track Betting, all eyes turned to his potential replacement.
  If Brown were to resign from office, Buffalo's City Charter stipulates that the Common Council president becomes the acting mayor. That role is currently held by Chris Scanlon. Who would becom
  
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• Superintendent, parent counsel president talk safety of Buffalo Public Schools on first day

  05-09-2024 23:51 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) -- Today, thousands of students of the Buffalo public school district laced up their shoes and walked into another new chapter of their educational career."It's a lot of planning and preparation in order to have a successful start of the school year," said Karen Murray, associate superintendent of school leadership at BPS.
  One of the priorities on their mind for the district's school year, other than academic success, is keeping children safe on school grounds.
  "I'm sure som
  
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• Mayor Byron Brown says contract must be negotiated before accepting OTB position

  05-09-2024 22:45 via wivb.com
  
  BATAVIA, N.Y. (WIVB) -- Longtime Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown appears to have found his post-political landing spot, though he says a contract must be negotiated first.
  The board of the Western Regional Off-Track Betting Corporation unanimously voted Thursday to offer Brown the position as their next CEO and President.In a statement released Thursday night, Brown said a contract must be negotiated before the position is accepted.
  "I look forward to meeting with the Chairman of the Board to start th
  
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• Could Byron Brown leave office? Western Regional OTB to offer Buffalo mayor job as CEO

  05-09-2024 22:45 via wivb.com
  
  BATAVIA, N.Y. (WIVB) -- Longtime Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown appears to have found his post-political landing spot.The board of the Western Regional Off-Track Betting Corporation unanimously voted Thursday to offer Brown the position as their next CEO and President.If Brown accepts the role, it is expected that he would step down as Buffalo mayor before the end of his term.
  The offer was confirmed during a Thursday meeting of the WROTB's Board of Directors at Batavia Downs Gaming & Hotel in Ba
  
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• Pennsylvania man sentenced in connection with abduction of Grand Island girl

  05-09-2024 20:45 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) -- A Pennsylvania man received an aggregate sentence of nine to 18 years in prison in connection with the abduction of a girl from her Grand Island home last year, the Erie County District Attorney's Office announced.Dale R. Kumler, 26, of Glen Rock, Pennsylvania abducted the victim in May 2023 after meeting her online while playing Xbox, officials said last year. The two used different methods to communicate.
  Officials said that Kumler admitted to picking up the victim on G
  
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• Buffalo Diocese priest accused of misconduct with women placed on administrative leave

  05-09-2024 18:42 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) -- A priest has been placed on administrative leave by Buffalo Bishop Michael Fisher pending an investigation into allegations of adult misconduct with women, the Diocese of Buffalo announced Thursday.Rev. Walter Grabowski has been temporarily relieved of his duties due to the investigation. The diocese said that Grabowski being placed on leave "does not imply any determination as to the truth or falsity of the complaint."Grabowski shared pastoral duties with a family of par
  
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• Driver gets 6 months in jail for fatally striking pedestrian in Buffalo

  05-09-2024 17:36 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) -- A Buffalo man received a split sentence of six months in jail followed by five years of probation for fatally striking a pedestrian with a vehicle last December, the Erie County District Attorney's Office announced.Curtis L. Hall, Jr., 37, was driving a vehicle at a high rate of speed while under the influence of alcohol when he struck 69-year-old Michael T. Cosgrove the night of Dec. 15 on the 1000 block of William Street in Buffalo, officials said. Cosgrove was crossing
  
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