Category: PostNews

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) — The Environmental Protection Agency has released new health advisories for PFAS substances. PFOA and PFOS are members of the PFAS family known as forever chemicals that may cause health problems.

“From non-stick pans, to clothing, to food packaging, PFAS are everywhere,” explained Rob Hayes, Director of Clean Water for Environmental Advocates NY. “That’s why many Americans already have PFAS in their blood, which is very concerning and too many of them also have PFAS in their drinking water.”

In New York State, the contaminants have been found in the drinking water of some communities in the Capital Region, prompting the state to lower the contaminant threshold to well below the Environmental Protection Agency’s health advisory level of 70 parts per trillion. Now, the EPA has lowered it even more to less than 1 part per trillion.

“New York allows 10 parts per trillion of these chemicals in our water, that’s 10 times higher than the level EPA says is safe.”

Environmental Advocates NY wants the state to further lower its threshold.

“Whenever these chemicals are detected in drinking water, there is a risk to public health,” stated Hayes. “And they should be removed from the drinking water. That’s why we have been advocating for Governor Hochul and her Department of Health to reevaluate where New York is at on PFAS based on this new science.”

In a joint statement, The State Department of Environmental Conservation and the Department of Health stated,

“DOH and DEC are evaluating U.S. EPA’s new health advisory guidance for PFAS contaminants and how it will complement New York’s nation-leading, rigorous and enforceable drinking water standard.  While the new interim Health Advisory Levels provide additional guidance on PFAS in drinking water, New York continues to advocate for an enforceable national drinking water standards for PFOA and PFOS and looks forward to EPA’s release of proposed standards later this year.  Until then, New York will continue to work closely with EPA on their PFAS guidance, while upholding the strictest regulatory standards possible and using the best available science to ensure protections for water quality and public health. “

$1 Billion in grant funding is now available for states to apply for. This is to help disadvantaged and small communities combat PFAS contamination.

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — A warm-weather tradition returned to Delaware Park in Buffalo Thursday. Almost 6,000 people laced up to run in the JP Morgan Corporate Challenge.

This was the first in-person race in three years. Workers from 206 different companies competed in the 3-and-a-half-mile race.

For this year’s run in Buffalo, the JP Morgan Chase Foundation will make a donation to the Dnipro Ukrainian Cultural Center.

40th M&T Bank Downtown Country Market kicks off

“We are extremely happy, proud and grateful to be recipients of part of the funds for the JP Morgan Corporate race today here in Delaware Park, it means that we’re not forgotten,” said Emil Bandriwsky, president, Dnipro Ukrainian Cultural Center.

The return of in-person running also meant the return of post-race celebrations at more than 150 tents throughout the park.

This marks the 46th year for the Corporate Challenge and the 40th year for the race here in Buffalo.

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Film crews that shoot scenes in Western New York will be able to grab gear from a business in Buffalo.

Expressway Cinema Rentals provides cameras and lighting to the movie industry. Thursday night, the company opened Buffalo Camera in the old Buffalo China Complex on Hayes Street in South Buffalo.

The shop will come in handy for crews who use the Buffalo Film Works soundstage complex for filming.

Is Buffalo becoming the “Tinseltown” of the East?

“Well, Buffalo’s had a really growing industry over the past couple years, and one of the key things for films to be able to do their work is to have good infrastructure, and that’s what we aim to do,” said Zac Rubino, co-founder/owner, Expressway Cinema Rentals/Buffalo Camera. “We are an equipment rental company for the film industry and we can really help support those projects happening and make production easier for everyone involved.

The company works with major studios, as well as companies that make commercials or other industry projects.

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Congratulations are in order for four of Buffalo’s bravest.

Four Buffalo firefighters were promoted Thursday night.

Buffalo fire commissioner William Renaldo has promoted Michael Maly Jr. and Justin Sumbrum to fire captains. Jesse Reiter and Joseph Langdon have been promoted to fire lieutenant.

It’s a proud moment for the Langdon family, Joseph’s father is a Buffalo Police officer, and his grandfather is the former Buffalo Fire Commissioner Fred Langdon.

News 4 legend Al Vaughters announces retirement

He had some advice for his grandson.

“I say lead by example, Retired BFD Commissioner Fred Langdon said. “If you give your men a good example they will do whatever you need to do.”

Fred Langdon retired in 1985.

News 4 congratulates all of them.

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Thursday was another great afternoon to enjoy lunch outside and pick up some fresh produce.

This marks the 40th season of the M&T Bank Downtown Country Market. It’s a great spot to pick up some fresh fruits and vegetables and check out the many local vendors.

They said they are hoping for a good season.

“It seems like people are coming back to the office. Last year was better and hopefully, this year will be better,” said Sheri Senek, Senek Farms.

You can check out the market every Thursday on Main Street downtown from now until October.

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — The New York State Commission of Correction is investigating what lead to an Erie County inmate being declared brain dead. Sean Riordan was an inmate at the Erie County Holding Center, and his family wants answers, too.

“Sean didn’t drink, and Sean did not even like to be around people that drank because it bothered him so much,” said Christine Riordan, Sean’s mother.

Christine Riordan is a grieving mother, trying to find out what happened to her son, 30-year-old Sean Riordan while he was locked up at the Erie County Holding Center.

Riordan had been arrested on an outstanding bench warrant, and his mother says he did not have a mark on him. But by Sunday morning Riordan was admitted to Buffalo General Medical Center in a coma and on life support.

“We just don’t understand how a perfectly healthy 29-year-old kid could go into the Holding Center for four days and come out in a coma and on life support, and no one can give me any answers,” said Riordan.

Family of inmate on life support wants answers from Erie County Sheriff’s Office

Christine Riordan said, the Sheriff’s Office told the family Sean collapsed, went into cardiac arrest, and was revived, but he later went into cardiac arrest again at Buffalo General.

Riordan was declared brain dead Monday, but his mother asked that he remain on life support until Tuesday, his 30th birthday.

Christine Riordan added her son could not have been drinking — his drug of choice was heroin.

“Sean was determined to beat this demon no matter how long it took, and it appears he was headed in that direction,” said Riordan.

Christine told us, that Sean is still on life support because he is an organ donor.

To be clear, Sean Riordan may be brain dead, but he is still on life support for the purpose of organ donation.

The family told us, that Riordan’s heart, lungs and kidneys have given many others a new lease on life, but he is to be removed from life support Friday.

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — The Tops mass shooting suspect, Payton Gendron, 18, faced a judge Thursday on federal charges related to the shooting.

The suspect faces 26 counts, including 10 counts of a hate crime resulting in death. Gendron, who’s been in custody since the mass shooting, was technically arrested on federal charges Thursday.

Some of the victim’s family members were there for the hearing and could be seen visibly emotional, as they heard the suspect speak.

“I’m disgusted, for a minute it makes you lose hope in humanity hearing his voice shakes me,” said Zeneta Everhart, the mother of Zaire Goodman, who was shot in the mass shooting and suffered non-fatal injuries to his neck, back and leg. While being in the courtroom was extremely difficult, for Everhart, it’s something she says she had to do.

“I need some understanding through this and I don’t understand how another human can carry out something like this,” Everhart said.

Security at the federal courthouse in Buffalo was tight, with K-9s outside and two security checkpoints inside. Gendron showed no emotion during his initial appearance on federal charges and is being represented by the Federal Public Defender’s Office.

While answering questions from Judge Kenneth Schroeder, who is presiding over the case, Gendron indicated he has $16 in his checking and savings accounts and owns two shares of stock in Disney. The lack of resources pales in comparison to the weaponry, armor and technology he’s alleged to have had.

“Somebody was funding those things,” Everhart said.

Federal prosecutors have not determined whether they’ll seek the death penalty, a determination that could be many months away.

“The Justice Department has a series of procedures that it follows, first of course, there needs to be an indictment, after the indictment then the regulatory procedures will be followed and the families and the survivors will be consulted,” said U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland, Wednesday while in Buffalo.

John Elmore, an attorney for the families of two victims says it will be an exhaustive process to determine whether Gendron could face the death penalty.

“It’s going to take a long time, there’s going to be a panel in Washington that’s going to look at it,” Elmore said, “They’re going to look at all the factors they’re going to look at all the evidence and it’s going to take the government probably a year or more to make that determination as to whether or not to seek death.”

Some families of victims say they’re in support of the death penalty.

“I don’t wish death on anyone, but this right here, I have to work on that because I would rather see him dead,” said Tamika Harper, a niece of Geraldine Talley.

“I consider myself a humanist, I believe in the preservation of human life, but I also trust in the prosecutors, I trust the U.S Attorney General, if that is the direction that he thinks we need to go in this case then that’s where we’re going to go,” Everhart said.

Judge Schroeder said he would like prosecutors to indicate as soon as possible whether they will seek the death penalty so that a budget can be set on the use of expert witnesses. But, there’s no telling when that could happen. This case now heads to a grand jury.

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — The Erie Community College budget was put up for public comment Thursday night, but no one from the public came to the meeting to comment. Even though the meeting was short, SUNY Erie President David Balkin discussed his plans to change the college.

“The previous administrations haven’t really responded by doing the right sizing that’s required in order to maintain a viable business model moving forward,” Dr. Balkin said.

ECC president warns staff of forthcoming cuts

The new plan to consolidate E.C.C. took a step forward after a public comment hearing in the Erie County Legislature. The budget calls for a small increase in tuition and program cuts.

“Students shouldn’t be forced to pay additional money for community college as a result of prior administration and Board of Trustee mismanagement,” Legislator Joe Lorigo, minority leader for the Erie County Legislature, said.

“I think people not coming indicates that they are not upset and they support the budget that was offered by E.C.C.,” Legislator Jeanne Vinal, District 5, said.

The college’s enrollment is down 50 percent since 2011 and the president predicts it will lose $9 million next academic year alone. There’s concern one of the three campuses will close.

Consulting firm recommends ECC South reductions

“Our footprint is going to change throughout the region whether it is at North, City, South Campus. It’s going to expand and contract depending on the needs of our students,” Dr. Balkin said.

Minority Leader Lorigo said maintaining three campuses could be challenging and reconsolidating the college’s structure may help it moving forward.

“Operating three campuses at the level that they were operating at is likely not sustainable and we finally need to have the real serious conversations about what the future of the college looks like,” Minority Leader Lorigo said.

The president says new, innovative curriculum can ease the college’s financial burden.

“We’re a business much akin to any other business and we have to focus on a portfolio. As long as we are developing programs and courses that are relevant, I think we are going to be fine,” Dr. Balkin added.

President Balkin, Minority Leader Lorigo and Legislator Vinal say there needs to be change to the E.C.C. course offerings. They hope to partner with local businesses to provide students with workforce opportunities.

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Thursday, our Channel 4 family filed into FeedMore Western New York to lend a helping hand. Since 2016, we’ve celebrated the birthday of WIVB/WNLO-TV and WIVB.com’s owner, Nexstar Media Group, by giving back to the communities that we serve.

This year we return to FeedMore Western New York, an organization that does so much for our community.

FeedMore has been able to distribute $3.5 million worth of food since the attack at Tops Markets on Jefferson Avenue, on top of the efforts they do annually.

“There’s always a need for when donations come in, to support our emergency response efforts, all of those donations need to be sorted, checked and repacked.” Collin Bishop, the Chief of Communications of FeedMore said, “Volunteers had always been an important part of FeedMore WNY’s mission, and right now that need is even greater.”

“It’s always great to give back, especially now,” Dee Jakel, a Director at WIVB said, “There’s so many people in need and it’s great to do something to give back to the community.”

FeedMore WNY helps Buffalo one plate at a time

Our team that’s seen on camera, to the ones working behind the scenes, filled over 600 backpacks worth of food today and hundreds of emergency food kits will be going directly to East Buffalo.

But for some members, the volunteer hours hit closer to home.

“FeedMore is close to my heart because my mom gets three meals a week,” Paul Ivancic, one of our News Photographers said, “We depend on them as a family so my mom was getting a good meal.”

Ivancic has been a part of every Founder’s Day since it began and has been working behind the camera at WIVB for 28 years.

He says it’s important to see this side of the many fundraisers that he has filmed over the years.

How to help those affected by the Buffalo mass shooting

“I just love it because I’ve done a lot of stories on them, and I’ve seen the kids that get the backpacks, I’ve been to a lot of the distributions and it just melts my heart,” Ivancic said.

“For me, I know that there’s kids at my daughter’s school that might receive some of this stuff,” Dee Jakel said, “For me it’s kind of a full-circle moment, tying all three aspects together.”

Our team will be back helping again tomorrow, doing anything we can to help the community that helps us daily.

For more information about FeedMore WNY, click here.

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — If you’re looking for a new job, the Buffalo Public Schools are searching for more bus aides.

Interested applicants can attend open interviews at the Buffalo Academy for Visual and Performing Arts at 450 Masten Ave. on June 25 from 8:30 a.m to 12:00 p.m.

The position pays between $15.00 to $16.85 an hour and applicants must be 19 years old or older. This job has no educational requirement.

Those interested can expect to work the following shifts:

Morning: 6:30 a.m-11:30 a.m. Afternoon: 1:30 p.m-4:30 p.m. Afternoon shift could go beyond 7 p.m.

Candidates who are hired will complete civil service and HR paperwork on the spot, according to Buffalo Public Schools.

Here are forms of identification applicants are asked to bring: