Category: PostNews

HOUGHTON, N.Y. (WIVB) — Nearly a century after awarding its first baccalaureate degrees, Houghton College is taking on a new name — Houghton University.

Founded as a secondary school in 1883, the main campus is located in Allegany County with a satellite location in Buffalo. The news of its name change was announced by President Wayne Lewis on Monday.

“With this transition, we move courageously and prayerfully into Houghton’s next chapter of service, innovation and excellence,” Dr. Lewis said.

According to the school’s Facebook page, the school has become Houghton University following the approval of the New York State Board of Regents.

“As The Wesleyan Church’s oldest established higher education institution, this is a momentous time for our church and university family,” Houghton wrote on Facebook.

Evan Anstey is an Associated Press Award and Emmy-nominated digital producer (and Houghton graduate) who has been part of the News 4 team since 2015. See more of his work here and follow him on Twitter.

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Millie’s almost two years old and in need of a home. She’s up for adoption through the SPCA Serving Erie County.

With an adoption fee that’s half the normal price, learn how she can become your new friend by clicking/tapping here and watching the video above.

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Visitation hours have been announced for Dr. Jonathan Daniels and his daughters, Jordan and Jensen, who were killed in a fire last week.

Dr. Daniels served as associate director of admissions at the University at Buffalo’s Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. Jordan had just graduated from the UB School of Management in May, receiving her MBA.

Dr. Daniels’ wife, Janessa Givens Daniels, works for the school as senior associate director of financial aid. Their surviving daughter, Jillian, is a 2020 graduate.

“My daddy and sisters taught me to walk with integrity.”: Loved ones honor Dr. Daniels, daughters who died in fire

Visitation hours will take place Wednesday at Friendship Baptist Church from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. A service will follow. Scholarships are being established in their memories and donations for these are being accepted.

LAKEVIEW, N.Y. (WIVB) – Hamburg Police announced charges against six people after a man was found dead in a wooded area in Lakeview early Sunday morning.

Police said 25-year-old Brenden Benoit of Boston, N.Y. was found dead with knife wounds at approximately 1:45 a.m. Sunday. They believe he was lured to the woods in a plan to assault him.

Police charged Jared Adamski, 26, with first-degree manslaughter. They believe he was responsible for the knife wounds.

Police charged five others with felony assault: Harrison Drozen, 20; Conner Krone, 22; Kayleigh Skybyk-Schuh, 19; Larissa Smith, 18; and Elexus Dean, 20.

Those accused are being held pending arraignment. More charges are pending.

Owner arrested after French bulldog ODs on cocaine, police say

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — More than 30,000 backpacks were filled during this year’s Fill the Backpack campaign, which makes sure kids get the nutrition they need while school’s out.

The exact number of backpacks filled is 30,615. FeedMore WNY is working with 57 schools in their four-county service area.

Every Friday, those schools put nutritious food into the backpacks of students who receive free school lunches to help them over the weekend. In total, the program provides nutritious food to 2,973 students.

Between June 26 and July 9, people were able to donate $3, $5 or $10 at their local Wegmans’ checkout to support Fill the Backpack. 100 percent of the money donated goes directly to the program.

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Some new NOAA-funded technology is helping the local waterways get cleaner.

NOAA stands for National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Thanks to them, Buffalo Harbor State Park has a new, aquatic trash skimmer. It’s called a Seabin.

Congressman Brian Higgins says “This is a demonstration project. It’s innovative. It’s about trial and error, but our hope is with the two installations here, we will be successful in addressing a major threat, which is manmade, to our waterways.”

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — The Jefferson Avenue Tops store will be reopening this Friday, July 15.

On May 14, 10 people at the Buffalo supermarket were fatally shot and three others were injured. Every person killed was Black. The accused shooter is a suspected white supremacist.

Since the shooting, the store has remained closed as crews worked on redesigning and renovating it.

The day prior to the store’s reopening, a moment of silence and prayer will take place there, exactly two months after the mass shooting. Tops President John Persons will be present, along with a number of elected officials and community representatives.

The moment of silence and prayer will take place at 2:30 p.m.

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Down in Florida, Buffalo Bills safety Jordan Poyer and plenty of other athletes are switching sports, and it’s all for a good cause.

Monday is the start of the Jordan Poyer Celebrity Open, where participants play golf in order to raise money for ECMC. The funds brought in will help refurnish and equip what will soon be called the Jordan Poyer Fitness Center, a part of the hospital used by teens receiving recovery services.

Jordan Poyer golf tournament to feature football players & benefit ECMC

Other current and former members of the Bills will be there as well.

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Prices at the pump are getting less painful, with the national average down 13 cents at $4.68, AAA said. In New York, it’s down nine cents at $4.80.

One year ago, those prices were $3.14 and $3.20, respectively. Here’s what the most recent averages are around New York State:

Batavia – $4.72 (down 8 cents from last Tuesday)Buffalo – $4.76 (down 5 cents from last Tuesday)Elmira – $4.79 (down 8 cents from last Tuesday)Ithaca – $4.86 (down 5 cents from last Tuesday)Rochester – $4.86 (down 7 cents from last Tuesday)Rome – $4.90 (down 5 cents from last Tuesday)Syracuse – $4.81 (down 7 cents from last Tuesday)Watertown – $4.90 (down 3 cents from last Tuesday)

“Early last week, unleaded gasoline dropped below $5 a gallon at about 80% of gas stations across the country as oil prices dropped amid broad market concern regarding a potential slow, or even stall, of economic growth due to rising interest rates and inflation,” AAA said. “A lower economic growth rate than expected could cause crude demand to further decline, leading pump prices to follow suit.”

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Erie County Legislator April Baskin recently sent County Executive Mark Poloncarz a letter. In it, she questioned why the community benefits negotiating team for the new Buffalo Bills stadium hasn’t met yet.

MORE | Learn more about the Bills Stadium Deal here.

On Monday morning, Baskin joined us to talk about this. Watch the interview in the video above.