Category: PostNews

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) — Today marks Day 45 since Governor Kathy Hochul was sworn into office. Hochul has vowed to transform the way Albany functions and remove bad actors. But, critics say not much has changed.

“You’ve already seen major changes in the second floor. It is unrecognizable to people who are used to seeing individuals who were there in the past,” Hochul told the press today.

Back in August then-Incoming, Governor Hochul said she’d have a transition period of 45 days from the day she was sworn in to review personnel employment in the Administration. She said some of the changes started on “day one” and that she didn’t say they would all happen on “Day 45.”

She’s also said that anyone found of wrongdoing in the Attorney General’s sexual harassment report on former Governor Andrew Cuomo would be removed.

But, some of Cuomo’s allies who have board positions might not be gone until January when the legislature is back.

“There are individuals who are on boards who have longer terms. I’ve asked people to resign, but I cannot replace people… I can’t replace them until the Senate’s back and so you’ll see another time frame when there’s a shift,” Hochul said.

Last month Hochul announced that New York State Health Commissioner Howard Zucker, who faced criticism over COVID-19 nursing home policies and data had resigned. He will stay on until Incoming Commissioner Mary Bassett takes charge in December.

New York GOP Chair Nick Langworthy says that Hochul hasn’t done enough to clean house and that she hasn’t been transparent enough when it comes to the COVID-19 nursing home scandal.

“She’s avoided this topic and I can’t help but believe it’s because she remained silent while it was going on. She cheerlead-ed this administration’s COVID response while there was clear wrongdoing happening,” Langworthy said.

Langworthy suggested Hochul should call the Senate back to replace the board positions for people she’s called on to resign.

AMHERST, N.Y. (WIVB) — Money from Washington will help a volunteer fire company in Amherst buy a new firetruck.

Thursday, Congressman Brian Higgins announced a grant of more than $900,000 for the Ellicott Creek Volunteer Fire Company.

They’ll be replacing one of their trucks, that’s 39 years old.

Higgins says up-to-date equipment is essential to keep these first responders safe.

“We’re getting a 100-foot rear-mounted aerial, to be able to still do what we have to do, all our buildings are six-stories high, or better, it just, it modernizes the equipment, safety features. This truck does not have all the bells and whistles for safety,” Ellicott Creek Fire Chief Paul Dusel said.

Congressman Higgins says this grant is the largest to any fire company in New York state this year.

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Medaille College is working to provide need-based scholarships for New York State students.

The college is committing $1.5 million a year to the goal.

Today the Medaille College president officially launched the program.

It’s called the “American Rescue Plan Scholarship,” and aims to make college education more accessible to students across the state, with an emphasis on low-income rural areas.

HAMBURG, N.Y. (WIVB) — Hamburg’s Zittel’s Country Market has a new owner and is getting a new name, Busy Beaver Lawn and Garden.

Zittel’s first opened in 1996 on Camp Road in Hamburg before moving to its longtime home on Southwestern Blvd. A spokesperson for Busy Beaver said five generations of the Zittel family agreed on selling the market.

The new owner and namesake of the market, Busy Beaver Lawn and Garden, was founded in 2014 by Elizabeth Bonadonna with her Cheektowaga location. With the purchase of Zittel’s, Busy Beaver will now offer more products and landscaping services.

National Fuel: Expect a 43 percent price increase on winter heating bill

The location plans to stay open year-round.

For more information about Busy Beaver Lawn and Garden, click here.

WILLIAMSVILLE, N.Y. (WIVB) — National Fuel is warning customers in New York State that come winter, their gas bill will spike.

The utility company estimates the average heat bill in Western New York will increase by 43 percent over what customers paid last winter. The company cites the rising cost of natural gas as a commodity and an expected colder winter for the price increase.

The average National Fuel heating bill, November through March, cost $498 in 2020-21. This winter, they estimate it will cost $714.

Source: National Fuel

National Fuel wants Western New Yorkers to know resources are available to help them pay their gas bill.

The Neighbor For Neighbor Heat Fund offers grants up to $500 year-round. Qualified customers must be aged 55 years or older, disabled, currently receiving unemployment benefits, or are military veterans.Deferred Payment Agreement allows customers to negotiate a repayment plan based on individual financial circumstances.Special Protections is applicable for households where all residents are aged 62 years and up or are 18 years and younger, or are blind or disabled.The NYS Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) provides rent, utility, and home energy payment assistance for tenant households.Budget Plan billing allows winter payments to be spread out over the whole year, providing stable monthly bills.Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP)

LOCKPORT, N.Y. (WIVB) — It’s that time of the year when the ghosts and ghouls come out to play. One spot in Lockport is especially spooky.

If you’re brave enough, head over to the Lockport Haunted Caves to take a look.

In just a week, you will be able to experience a one hour and 15 minute guided tour led by nothing but lantern light.

You’ll learn all about the Erie Canal, underground tunnels, and even take an underground boat ride.

“We tell a story as well. So we involve the people and the actors and interact as a part of the story. So it’s a different type of event. It’s not a typical haunted house. We try to use the assets that we have at night and there’s nothing like this anywhere else in Western New York,” Lockport Caves owner Thomas Callahan said.

Actors are ready at every turn to give you a fright all while you learn about some local history.

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Buffalo mayoral candidate India Walton said her car has been towed.

In a Facebook post, Walton says she was late on some parking tickets, and her inspection was expired.

She goes on to hint that the towing may have been an act of retribution by City of Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown.

We have reached out to the mayor’s office for a statement and are waiting to hear back.

Read the full Facebook post below:

India Walton For Buffalo

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — After being accused of fatally shooting his ex-girlfriend, Shane Casado is walking free.

Back in November 2018, Casado had been accused of killing 22-year-old Rachael Wierzbicki outside a home on Edson Street in south Buffalo. Casado, who was 24 at the time, was charged with second-degree murder.

In a wrongful death lawsuit filed earlier this year, Wierzbicki’s parents named both Casado and his grandmother. They claimed his grandmother should have known that Casado had a gun and a history of violence.

MORE | New lawsuit filed in 2018 death of Rachael Wierzbicki

On Thursday afternoon, Casado was acquitted of both second-degree murder and first-degree manslaughter. News 4 will provide more information when it becomes available.

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Doug Jemal’s footprint on the Queen City is growing Wednesday afternoon.

The developer won an auction for the five-story Mahoney Office Building on Court Street.

His winning big was $4.1 million. He beat out nine other bidders.

Jemal also owns the Seneca One Tower, Statler City and the Hyatt Regency Downtown.

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Buffalo Bishop Michael W. Fisher reinstated four priests Thursday on the recommendation of the Diocese’s Independent Review Board, which found allegations against the priests unsubstantiated.

The Diocese said the Erie County District Attorney’s office was also notified of the allegations and chose not to act on any of them.

The reinstated priests are:

Rev. Adolph Kowalczyk, pastor of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart in Orchard ParkRev. Gregory Dobson, who is retired but continues to assist in various parishes of the DioceseRev. Matt Nycz, pastor of SS. Peter and Paul in WilliamsvilleRev. Msgr. James G. Kelly (83), a retired priest of the Diocese of Buffalo who continues to assist in parish ministry

State assessing “South Park Site” in addition to Orchard Park for Bills stadium

“The Diocese followed its rigorous policies and protocols in dealing with the allegations in question, including notifying the Erie County District Attorney’s office, which declined to act on any of the allegations,” the Diocese said in a statement. “In addition, Diocesan attorneys reached out to the attorneys for the plaintiffs, and the Diocese confronted each of the accused priests, all of whom denied ever committing any acts of abuse. Some of the accusers cooperated with the investigation, and one refused to cooperate or provide information beyond the accusation.”

The Diocese said it encourages any person who wishes to report an instance of sexual abuse or sexual harassment by a member of the clergy, diocesan employee or volunteer to contact the Victims Assistance Coordinator at (716)-895-3010 or Jacqueline.joy@ccwny.org. More information is available on their website at https://www.buffalodiocese.org/abuse-response.