Category: PostNews

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) – Shea’s Performing Arts Center along with several other theaters officially opened its doors on Friday for Curtain Up, the official kickoff of the Broadway season in the Queen City.

Smiles adorned the faces of hundreds of people who entered Shea’s for the 41st in-person celebration. It kicked off with a cocktail hour, followed by several performances, and wrapped up with a free street party for all to enjoy.

The CEO of Shea’s Performing Arts Center, Brian Higgins, says Broadway in New York City and Buffalo are very similar to each other, and we have Michael Shea to thank for that.

“He built them (theaters) in the neighborhood so the working folk would have access to entertainment and theater,” said Higgins. “This, the Shea’s Buffalo Theatre, is his lifework.”

12 different shows opened up on Friday including Dracula and Newsies. Lisa Ludwig, Co-President of the Theater District Association says there are over 20 professional theater companies in Western New York for everyone to enjoy.

“The great thing about ‘Curtain Up’ is it’s the kickoff to the season,” said Ludwig. “We don’t want people to think it’s just one night. You’ve got all year to go to these amazing theaters right here in Western New York and see great, wonderful entertainment.”

A ‘Curtain Up’ event especially for kids takes place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday at 203 Allen St.

If you’d like to purchase tickets, you can check out the list of shows with dates here.

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — A New York State trooper was seriously injured Friday afternoon after a two-vehicle crash involving a motorcycle in Niagara County, police announced.

A Youngstown woman was allegedly exiting the Niagara Scenic Parkway northbound onto Route 93 in the Town of Porter when she failed to yield the right of way and was struck by a New York State Police motorcycle traveling eastbound.

State police confirmed to WIVB News 4 that the trooper was doing a safety run for Saturday’s Dice Run by the WNY Riding Lions Club at Mercy Flight when the crash occurred.

The trooper was transported to ECMC with serious injuries, while the Youngstown woman was taken to St. Mary’s Hospital with minor injuries. The trooper’s identity will be released at a later time, police said.

Intoxication did not play a factor in the crash, according to police.

An investigation into the crash is ongoing, and Route 93 between East Avenue and Niagara Scenic Parkway remains closed as of 5 p.m. Friday.

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Five people were hospitalized after three motor vehicles and one motorcycle were involved in a crash Friday, according to the Amherst Police Department.

Police said they responded around 10:51 a.m. to the area of 6035 Main St. for reports of an injury rollover crash involving a motorcycle. One of the vehicles had rolled over and the motorcyclist was ejected from their bike.

Five of the people involved were transported to local hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries.

The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information or dashcam footage of the crash is asked to contact police at (716) 689-1355.

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — A Buffalo man was sentenced to 14 years in prison Friday for fatally injuring his father-in-law during a domestic violence incident, the Erie County District Attorney’s Office announced.

Mohammed Mia, 42, unlawfully entered the Buffalo home of his estranged wife on the morning of Oct. 24, 2021 and proceeded to slap, punch and choke the victim while making threats, officials said. Mia violated an existing order of protection when entering the home.

Mia also assaulted the victim’s parents as they attempted to intervene during the attack, and repeatedly punched and kicked his father-in-law after throwing him to the floor, officials said. He was arrested later that day after reporting he was attacked by the three victims to police.

The victim’s father, 47-year-old Mohammed Hossain, was unconscious when paramedics arrived and was taken by ambulance to ECMC with severe head trauma. The victim and her mother were also taken to ECMC with various injuries.

Hossain later died from his injuries on Oct. 27, 2021.

Mia pleaded guilty to one count of first-degree manslaughter, a reduced charge that was offered with the consent of the victim’s family. He originally pleaded guilty in full satisfaction of the indictment against him on May 6.

In addition to 14 years in prison, he also received five years of post-release supervision.

Final orders of protection were issued on behalf of the surviving victims, which remain in effect until November 2040.

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — A Cheektowaga man was arraigned on a murder charge, among others, Friday after allegedly beating a man to death in Buffalo’s Riverside neighborhood and then fleeing to South Carolina, according to the Erie County District Attorney’s Office.

Buffalo police found 66-year-old Michael Fronczak deceased in the basement of his home on Henrietta Avenue during a wellness check around on Aug. 17. The death was ruled a homicide caused by blunt force trauma by The Erie County Medical Examiner’s Office, officials said.

James D. Dietz, 56, allegedly beat Fronczak with his fists and a lamp. He then is alleged to have stolen the victim’s wallet and vehicle before fleeing the area, officials said. Fronczak died from his injuries.

Dietz was arrested in Taylors, South Carolina on Aug. 21. He was then returned to Western New York to face prosecution after waiving extradition.

Dietz was charged with one count of second-degree murder, one count of third-degree unauthorized use of a motor vehicle and one count of petit larceny.

He faces a maximum of 25 years in prison if convicted and was held without bail. His next court date has not been scheduled at this time.

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — A Buffalo man was arraigned Friday on multiple charges involving falsified DMV documents in connection with a crash that killed a pedestrian last summer outside an Elmwood Avenue bar, the Erie County District Attorney’s Office announced.

Mohammed R. Tanbir, 27, was allegedly driving a vehicle on Elmwood Avenue when he fatally struck a pedestrian who was crossing the street south of Forest Avenue, officials said.

The victim, 21-year-old Sydney Lohr, was leaving her shift at Cole’s when the incident occurred. She was taken by ambulance to ECMC where she later died from her injuries, officials said.

An investigation determined that Tanbir was driving with heavily tinted windows, and that he allegedly falsified forms to the DMV that cited a medical exemption that allowed for the tints on his vehicle, officials said. He is accused of falsifying a doctor’s signature on the forms in 2020, 2021 and 2022, according to officials.

The DA’s Office said in March that the tints did not contribute to the crash.

Tanbir was charged with three counts of second-degree criminal possession of a forged instrument and three counts of first-degree offering a false instrument for filing.

Tanbir faces a maximum of seven years in prison and is scheduled to return to court on Sept. 26. He remains released on his own recognizance as the charges are non-qualifying bail offenses, officials said.

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — An Amherst man pleaded guilty Friday morning to leaving the scene of an incident after causing a crash that caused serious injuries to a motorcyclist in May, the Erie County District Attorney’s Office announced.

Town of Tonawanda police officers found an injured, unresponsive motorcyclist in the roadway around 4:22 a.m. on May 11 near Colvin Boulevard and Eggert Road. The 36-year-old male victim was taken by ambulance to ECMC for serious physical injuries.

Brian J. Perrin, 34, while under the influence of alcohol, was found by Amherst police a few miles from the crash site near Margaret Road and Charlotte Street. An investigation determined that he was driving southbound on Colvin when he caused a collision with the motorcyclist at the intersection of Eggert.

Perrin’s vehicle was found with heavy front-end damage in a nearby parking lot. Further investigation determined that he had fled the area on a bicycle.

Perrin pleaded guilty to one count of first-degree vehicular assault and one count of leaving the scene of an incident resulting in injury. He faces up to seven years in prison when he is sentenced on Jan. 15 and was released on his own recognizance.

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — A Niagara Falls man was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison for a murder in 2022, the Niagara County District Attorney’s Office said Friday.

Marchello Gildersleeve, 43, shot and killed 35-year-old Daniella Patterson on the 400 block of 9th Street in Niagara Falls on Dec. 10, 2022. Patterson was a single mother.

Niagara County District Attorney Brian Seaman said she was sitting “defenseless” in a car when the defendant shot at her from close range. Gildersleeve continued to shoot at her as the car drove off.

Gildersleeve was convicted of one count of second-degree murder and second-degree criminal possession of a weapon in June.