Category: PostNews

LEWISTON, N.Y. (WIVB) — The community came out with lawn mowers and weed whackers in hand after hearing Riverdale Cemetery needed help.

Earlier this week, News 4 responded to concerns from people who had loved ones buried in the cemetery, and spoke to Riverdale office manager, Katherine Scott, on why the grass has grown into weeds.

Lewiston Cemetery seeks help as the grass grows faster than their workers can mow

The overgrown conditions of the cemetery is due to having trouble finding people to work for them.

Since then, Scott has received tons of calls from veterans, companies, and neighbors who want to help.

“It makes me feel good that somebody actually did something postive.” said Scott, “I am so grateful for them because once we get all the weed taken care of, which they are almost taken care of, then we can maintain with the guys we have.”

Since we last spoke, Scott has hired three seasonal and two full time workers, giving her more staff than she usually hires for the summer but she says, she will always have duties for people to do if they want to volunteer.

About a dozen volunteers donated their time on Saturday morning, and more are expected to come back next weekend. The Town of Lewiston arranged community service workers to assist next weekend, and the companies that came out today say they will be back until the job gets done.

“We’re trying to do everything we can.” said Michael Shaner, the owner of BCG Lawn and Snow removal, just one of the companies who helped Saturday. “It’s a big cemetery for a little bit of people.”

But it wasn’t just neighbors who came out to help. Landscaping services were provided by companies like Patriot’s Landscaping and high school kids gained community service hours by helping out.

“It feels great to help somebody out because I know if when I’m buried or anything, I’d want my grave to look good.” said Matthew Mayes, who is in eleventh grade at Niagara Falls High School, “It’s nice to help other people out.”

The cemetery says after Saturday morning, 89 percent of the cemetery is now cleaned up, but there is still work that needs to be done. They expect it to take another few weeks to fully catch up.

“I appreciate it from the bottom of my heart I really do because it does make a difference,” said Stephanie Turk, whose father is buried at Riverdale, she says she appreciates the volunteers and the hard work they put in, but she hopes this clean up effort will last and keep the cemetery well maintained.

“Everyone’s trying to get back on track, and that’s what the community is here for.” said Turk, “But once you’re back on track, we expect you to stay on that course. We are going to be keeping up with it.”

The cemetery expects it will take a few more weeks to get fully caught up, but are happy people want to help be apart of finding the solution of their staffing problem.

HANOVER, N.Y. (WIVB) — According to the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s office, deputies, Forestville Fire and mutual aid responded to a residential fire on Bennett State Road around 8:30 Saturday morning.

The residence was vacant at the time of the fire and no injuries were reported.

Forestville Fire later requested the Sheriff’s Fire Investigation Team, as well. The Sheriff’s office is continuing to investigate the cause and origin of the fire.

ALBANY, N.Y. (WWTI) — On Saturday, President Joe Biden signed a landmark gun violence bill in response to mass shootings that have occurred across the country.

The legislation will toughen background checks for the youngest gun buyers, keep firearms from more domestic violence offenders and help states put in place red flag laws that make it easier for authorities to take weapons from people adjudged to be dangerous. Most of its $13 billion costs will help bolster mental health programs and aid schools.

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In early June Governor Kathy Hochul signed a 10-bill package into legislation that established stricter gun control laws throughout the state. Governor Hochul applauded the Biden Administration for their work to pass federal gun safety legislation in a press release on June 25.

“For far too long, this country has been plagued by an epidemic of mass violence, taking the lives of members of our own community in Buffalo and innocent school children in Uvalde, Texas,” Governor Hochul said. “I applaud President Biden, Speaker Pelosi, Senate Majority Leader Schumer, and the New York Delegation for their work to pass the most significant federal gun safety legislation in nearly three decades.”

Governor Hochul highlighted what the legislation addresses and how it will contribute to protecting residents. However, she also urged further action regarding gun regulation throughout the country.

“While the bill does not take every action we need, it is an important step in the right direction. Strengthening federal background checks, criminalizing straw purchasing and gun trafficking, closing the boyfriend loophole, and investing in our children’s mental health are significant steps that will immediately save lives,” Governor Hochul stated. “I urge Congress to follow our lead, and take further actions to make the nation safer for all.”

BATAVIA, N.Y. (WIVB) — Batavia Police were dispatched to a house on S. Jackson Street on Friday around 2 a.m. after an SUV crashed into the building. Batavia Fire also reported to the scene.

Initial witness reports indicated that four of the eight occupants of the vehicle, including the driver, fled the scene on foot. The other four remained on scene, one of whom had minor injuries.

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A Genesee County Sheriff’s K9 responded to assist in the tracking of the individuals who fled.

After speaking to witnesses, investigating debris and video surveillance footage, police believe the vehicle, a 2017 Toyota 4Runner, sped eastbound on Chestnut Street, ran the stop sign at Chestnut and S. Jackson streets and failed to turn.

Then, the vehicle reportedly crossed into the westbound lane on S. Jackson Street, struck the curb and hit a National Grid pole, shearing the pole in two spots, as well. It traveled an additional 100 feet before hitting the front porch of the residence.

The passenger with a minor injury was taken to United Memorial Medical Center by Mercy EMS. The other passengers were taken to UMMC for evaluations by private vehicles.

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All eight occupants have been identified and the crash remains under investigation. According to police, most of the occupants of the vehicle were minors, including the alleged driver. Batavia Police also believe alcohol and marijuana were contributing factors to the crash.

Batavia Police urge anyone with additional information to contact Officer Girvin at (585) 345-6350.

TONAWANDA, N.Y. (WIVB) — A 40-year-old Tonawanda man pleaded guilty to receipt of child pornography in U.S. District Court, U.S. Attorney Trini Ross announced Friday.

Town of Tonawanda Police began investigating David Rubel for child pornography, after a man filed a report that Rubel had been texting the man’s 16-year-old daughter, with some texts being sexual in nature. The man also said he observed inappropriate images in the text thread between Rubel and the teen.

Tonawanda man indicted on child porn production charges

Investigators later recovered sexual images and two videos in a search of Rubel’s phone, which had also appeared in the texts between Rubel and the victim.

Rubel faces a mandatory minimum of five years in prison, with a maximum of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

TONAWANDA, N.Y. (WIVB) — A federal grand jury returned a 14-count indictment charging a 44-year-old Tonawanda man with child porn production and possession, according to U.S. Attorney Trini Ross.

Andrew Vallone was charged with nine counts of production of child pornography, three counts of attempted production of child pornography and two counts of possession of child pornography.

Tonawanda man pleads guilty to child porn possession

According to the indictment and a previously filed criminal complaint, Town of Tonawanda police were contacted after a video depicting the victim, a child, wearing only a pair of underwear, was found on Vallone’s desktop.

On Jan. 23, 2021, Tonawanda Police contacted the FBI, and further investigation determined Vallone had hidden a camera, which allowed him to secretly film the victim. The MicroSD card recovered from the camera reportedly contained several images of the victim in various states of undress.

If convicted, Vallone faces a mandatory minimum of 15 years in prison, with a maximum of 30 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Mel B, a 5-month-old lab mix, joined Weekend Wake Up! on Saturday. She currently lives with an 80-pound Pitbull and several cats, with whom she gets along. According to 716 Paws, she would be good in a home with other animals or by herself.

Additionally, the 716 Paws “Paws and Pride” event will be taking place Saturday afternoon, from 12 until 3 p.m., at 5660 Clinton St. in Elma. Dogs will be up for adoption, with local vendors present, as well as a photographer to take pictures of people with their dogs. For more information, view the flyer below.

The full segment can be seen above. For more info on 716 Paws, click here.

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — American Medical Response is partnering with the City of Buffalo and Councilmember Ulysees Wingo, Sr. to provide free emergency medical training to residents Saturday at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.

According to AMR, “Stop the Bleed” training is a hands-on class that teaches the basics of identifying and treating life-threatening bleeding using tourniquets, wound packing and pressure dressings. Because a person can die from blood loss within five minutes, it is important to know how to quickly stop the bleeding.

The training will show how bystanders can take simple steps to keep an injured person alive until proper medical care is available. Community members are invited to attend the training at the Delavan-Grider Community Center at 877 E. Delavan Ave.

HAMBURG, N.Y. (WIVB) — Following customer calls overnight and early Saturday morning reporting an odor of gas, National Fuel crews have investigated the odor and resolved the issue.

Between 8 and 9 a.m. Saturday, it was discovered that odorant pumps from a nearby compressor station were pumping twice the level of mercaptan — the rotten eggs odor added to natural gas to ease in detection of a leak — into the gas system, according to a National Fuel representative.

The system has reportedly been adjusted and odor levels are beginning to stabilize.

National Fuel thanked its customers for assistance in reporting the smell and apologized for the inconvenience. The company also requested that anyone smelling the mercaptan odor in or around their homes report it to 1 (800) 444-3130 so a field service representative can monitor the situation.

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — A federal grand jury has returned an indictment charging a 65-year-old Perry, Ohio man with shipping and transporting firearms with intent to commit an offense, according to U.S. Attorney Trini Ross.

According to the indictment, Allen DeCola, a former federal firearms licensee, illegally shipped and transported firearms from The State of Ohio to New York State between April and May of 2018.

The charge carries a maximum of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. DeCola was reportedly arraigned before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeremiah McCarthy and released on conditions.