Category: PostNews

SALAMANCA, N.Y. (WIVB) — A Salamanca High School teacher has won a national award for his work in the classroom.

Justin Hubbard, a social studies teacher at Salamanca, was one of three recipients of the 2022 American Civic Education Teacher Award. He has taught at the school for eight years.

The awards recognize teachers who have “demonstrated exceptional expertise, dynamism, and creativity in motivating students to learn about the Constitution, U.S. government at the federal, state, and local levels, and public policy.”

“I am very proud and honored to receive this award,” Hubbard said. “Civic education is vital for the survival of democracy, and I will use this award to motivate me to continue my work in this extremely important field.”

According to the Center for Civic Education, Hubbard strongly believes in acting as an advocate and activist for justice and human rights through civic education. 

PENDLETON, N.Y. (WIVB) — Two people from Niagara County were arrested Saturday on multiple charges, following a 911 call around 4 a.m. that morning, which reported that two people had stolen the caller’s pickup truck.

Upon arrival, Niagara County Sheriff’s deputies reportedly observed the truck fleeing the area. After a traffic stop, the Sheriff’s office conducted a lengthy investigation, during which they reportedly discovered the occupants of the vehicle had recently burglarized Scooter’s Place on Beach Ridge Road and were impaired by drugs.

Carmen Deline, of Newfane, was charged with driving while ability impaired by drugs, aggravated unlicensed operation in the second degree, false personation, and numerous other Vehicle and Traffic Law violations, according to the Niagara County Sheriff’s office.

On Thursday, Deline was also charged with burglary in the third degree, criminal mischief in the third degree and grand larceny in the third degree. She was arraigned in court and released on her own recognizance.

Robert Abernathy, of Lockport, was arrested on an outstanding warrant for false personation and was taken to the Niagara County Jail, where he was held pending arraignment. He was also charged with burglary in the third degree, criminal mischief in the third degree, grand larceny in the third degree, and criminal impersonation.

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown announced two appointments to the City Court bench on Friday.

The first appointment went to Samuel P. Davis, a private attorney who has a law practice focused on criminal, family and personal injury law. He is a Chicago native and attended Western Illinois University and moved to New York City as a full-time substitute teacher before moving to Buffalo in 1999 to go to UB’s law school and has been in Buffalo since.

Davis fills the vacancy created by the appointment of Judge JaHarr S. Pridgen as Chief Judge of the City Court.

The second was to Gary A. Wilson, a native of Buffalo. He was the principle law clerk to Judge John B. Licata of the state Supreme Court. Wilson graduated from Nichols School and also went to UB’s law school after attending Cornell for undergrad. Wilson, a member of the LGBTQ+ community, has also served as the Erie County Commissioner of Labor Relations and was also the county’s Deputy Labor Relations Commissioner.

Before that, he was a labor relations specialist for UB and assistant legal counsel for the Buffalo Public School System.

He replaces the spot previously held by Judge Betty Calvo Torres, who was appointed to the New York State Court of Claims by Gov. Kathy Hochul.

“I am honored to make these appointments to the Buffalo City Court,” Mayor Brown said. “They are not only accomplished attorneys, they also bring diverse educational and life experiences to the bench which will make Buffalo City Court even more representative of the residents of our city.”

AMHERST, N.Y. (WIVB) — Rooms in seven buildings in Sweet Home Central Schools are undergoing renovations, according to contractor Concept Construction Corp.

Construction is underway in the middle and high schools. The contractor said the work it is taking on includes a complete reconstruction of locker rooms and showers, as well as meeting rooms and classrooms. Additional upgrades are being made in the auditorium, pool area, cafeteria and kitchen.

“To see the overall, completed transformation, is extremely satisfying,” Concept Construction’s VP of Business Development, Vince Ricotta, said. “We are proud of every job and these Sweet Home School projects are really looking great.”

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BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — The Buffalo Police Department will release a series of body camera videos Friday showing what officers saw while responding to a high-speed chase this past March that resulted in three officers being hit by gunfire.

The lengthy chase stretched across numerous Buffalo highways and briefly into Cheektowaga. On Wednesday, Erie County District Attorney John Flynn revealed that two of the officers who were shot were hit by friendly fire.

Buffalo PD: Three officers shot during pursuit

The suspect, Kente Bell, who was shot approximately three to four times, is undergoing rehabilitation at ECMC. He faces five counts of attempted murder, along with one count each of criminal possession of a weapon, unlawful fleeing of a police officer in a motor vehicle and reckless endangerment.

The 28-year-old could spend up to 40 years to life in prison if convicted of the highest charges against him.

Buffalo police will provide more information on this incident at approximately 2 p.m. We will share a live feed of the update on this page.

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — It was the day before the festival, and all through out the city, local vendors prepared for the weekend’s nitty-gritty. But this is no mythical story, as the Taste of Buffalo is returns this year in it’s full glory.

Over 40 vendors will be back serving their cuisines on Delaware Avenue. From Gelato from Sweet Melody’s to grilled Jerk Chicken Wings from Chef Darian Bryan with The Plating Society, there will be something on the menu for everyone to try.

Your guide to attending Taste of Buffalo

“I’m so excited to be back doing live demonstrations.” said Chef Darian Bryan, “Just seeing the joy in people’s faces and being able to see them in person. Everyone come and enjoy these delicious bites we will prepare for them.”

Not looking to break your budget? The festival is free of admission and each stand will be offering 2 ticket priced items for a smaller taste. To purchase food and beverages, three ticket stands will be selling $6 sheets of ten tickets. Tickets can also be purchased at participating Tops all weekend until 5pm on Sunday.

Not looking to break your diet? Independent Health’s Health Options at Home program returns to the festival this year.

“Every single food truck and vendor does have a healthy option on sight. We’ve been working with the Taste of Buffalo for over 15 years to make this happen.” Melanie Goehle from the Independent Health Foundation said. “A dietician analyzes the healthy option recipe and makes it more accessible for everyone to eat.”

Taste of Buffalo brings more than food to the table this year

Taste of Buffalo is not only known for serving staple dishes from around Western New York, but for the community to come together, this year more than ever.

Tops has been the main sponsorship of the event for 19 years. Every year they choose one local charity to donate 100% of their proceeds to. This year they chose Camp Good Days, a camp that gives children affected by cancer, a chance to have fun through activities and adventures.

However, in response to the tragic event that happened on May 14th at their Jefferson Avenue store, they are also placing heart shaped QR codes throughout the event, that people that attend can scan and donate directly to the Buffalo 5.14 Survivors fund.

“We’re just encouraging individuals that are here this weekend to scan the code and give back to the fund.” said Kathy Sautter, Public & Media Relations Manager for Tops, “This way, those individuals can benefit from those proceeds.”

The Taste of Buffalo will kick off Saturday 11am-9pm, and Sunday 11am-7pm. For more information you can head to their website, https://www.tasteofbuffalo.com/

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — A Kenmore man will spend between one and two-thirds to five years behind bars for killing another driver.

In February 2021, Jason Washington, 42, was driving south on Seneca Street near Archer Avenue when he crossed the double yellow line and hit a northbound vehicle head-on. It was around 1:15 a.m. at the time of the crash.

The driver of the northbound vehicle, 57-year-old West Seneca resident Thomas Shoemaker, was killed. Washington and his female passenger were taken to ECMC to be treated for their injuries.

At the time of the crash, prosecutors say Washington was drunk and speeding. In October, he pleaded guilty to second-degree manslaughter. At the time of his plea, Washington was out on bail.

His sentencing took place on Thursday afternoon.

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Crime Stoppers is offering up to $7,500 for information on the homicide of Monroe Cross.

On June 20, Cross was killed on Grote Street in Buffalo. Anyone with information on his death can call Crime Stoppers at (716) 867-6161 or submit a tip through the Buffalo Tips app.

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Crime Stoppers is offering up to $7,500 for information on the death of Alexy Ortiz.

On June 28, Ortiz was fatally shot on the Scajaquada Expressway near Delaware Avenue. He was 19 years old.

Dirt biker killed, another injured near Delaware and Rt. 198

That night, another person, age 21, was also shot, but they survived.

Anyone with information that could help Buffalo police in their investigation can call Crime Stoppers WNY at (716) 867-6161 or submit a tip through the Buffalo Tips app.

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — International Child Advancement’s annual Back to School Drive was recently launched in an effort to help 100 families who are refugees, immigrants or living in underserved communities.

On Friday, we were joined by Evelyn Kessler from International Child Advancement, who told us about how this drive not only helps Buffalo’s east and west sides, but an orphanage in Congo, as well. Learn how you can help here, and in the videos above and below.