Category: PostNews

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — As crews work around the clock on USS The Sullivans, the community is doing everything it can to make those long days a little easier.

Buffalo & Erie County Naval & Military Park officials said since last week, people and businesses in the community have been donating food, money, and anything else the crew needs.

Naval park education director Steven Tedesco said the food donations give them one less thing to worry about during this tough time.

“The food has just been coming in and we have [about] 58 people today and that’s a lot of people that are hungry and they want to keep their mind on safety and so do we, so the food coming in has been an absolute blessing, really,” he said.

The Little Bakery in Niagara Falls and Sports City Pizza in Buffalo each donated several pizzas.

Tuesday’s lunch was donated by Pat Ardent, a staff member at the naval park gift shop.

The team at the Explore and More museum donated money and food.

Joe Miranda and his family gave the crew two microwaves, which are now set up on site.

Freed Maxick CPAs committed to buying the crew breakfast and lunch.

Tedesco said the city is living up to its reputation.

“The outreach has been absolutely amazing the support that the community, that Buffalo, has given to us- you know they call it the city of good neighbors for a reason and it is shining through right now.”

He said eventually they’ll need help cleaning on site and he has no doubt the community will step up once again – because that’s Buffalo.

Anyone else looking to donate can visit savethesullivans.org or just bring food down to the naval park.

Kayla Green is a reporter who has been part of the News 4 team since 2021. See more of her work here.

………………..

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Buffalo Police will be holding a press conference at 4 p.m. today to address the Tasering and arrest of a rape suspect who jumped from a roof last week in an attempt to flee the scene.

The incident happened around 8:30 a.m. Thursday morning near the intersection of W. Utica Street and Brayton Street. Victor Cramer-Williams, 27, was taken to ECMC for treatment of his leg after fighting off officers and jumping off the roof.

The press conference will be live streamed above and this article will be updated following Commissioner Gramaglia’s remarks. With this being the second use of Tasers following the BPD’s implementation of the new Taser program, Gramaglia will be addressing the program and the department’s efforts to be more transparent.

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — More than 4,000 gallons of oily, watery waste has been removed as crews continue efforts to save USS The Sullivans.

Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown, Erie County Naval & Military Park President Paul Marzello, Commander of the Buffalo Sector of the U.S. Coast Guard Capt. Lexia Littlejohn and DEC Acting Regional Director Chad Staniszewski provided an update on Tuesday afternoon.

The waste coming from the ship is the biggest concern for crews right now. In terms of the status of the ship itself, Marzello says there’s been no change in position. As of 1 p.m., it remained wedged against the shoreline.

“The ship is fairly stable right now,” Capt. Littlejohn said during the conference.

Last week, USS The Sullivans began to partially sink as it sat at the Naval Park. Before this started happening, support to save the World War II-era vessel had come from countless sources, including at least 25 states and seven different countries.

Buffalo firefighter injured in St. Patrick’s Day bar incident released from hospital

“She is a gift to Buffalo, New York,” Marzello said during a conference this past weekend. “And she represents the courage and the honor and the commitment, of not only the five Sullivan boys who that ship is named after, but the thousands of veterans that have served this country.”

U.S. Senator Charles Schumer came to town on Monday to share a three-part plan.

Work on securing federal funding.Call on the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to work with local officials on remaining cleanup issues.Push for major increases to the National Maritime Heritage Grant Program in this year’s National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).

“We cannot let the Sullivans’ stories sink into the abyss,” Schumer said.

The historic vessel has been a draw for visitors at the Buffalo and Erie County Naval & Military Park. Since it started going underwater, crews have been working around the clock to keep it afloat.

If you’d like to make a donation, click or tap here.

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) – The off-duty Buffalo firefighter who was injured last month at The Blackthorn Restaurant & Pub following a St. Patrick’s Day parade has been released from the hospital, sources told News 4.

Firefighter Derek Rose was treated in ECMC’s intensive care unit after a March 19 bar incident that resulted in a fellow firefighter, Richard Manley, being suspended without pay.

USS The Sullivans: Sullivan family has ‘lots of tears’ watching as crews work to right WWII ship

Erie County District Attorney John Flynn last month lamented a “lack of cooperation” from witnesses who were at the Seneca Street restaurant when the altercation happened.

Flynn said both men were in uniform at the time of the incident, which followed the Old First Ward parade.

A GoFundMe for Derek Rose and his family has raised more than $45,000.

“Derek’s family cannot thank you all enough for the love and support you have all shown them during this difficult time,” an April 4 update on the GoFundMe read. “The last couple weeks have had many ups and downs, but we are holding on to those “ups” or as we like to call them “small wins” as tight as can be. It’s a long road ahead but we remain optimistic as we take it day by day. The family asks for continued prayers for Derek at this time.”

New Elmwood KFC holding ‘free chicken for a year’ giveaway

Anyone with information is asked to call the BPD’s confidential tip line at (716) 847-2255 or the DA’s office at (716) 858-2424.

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) – A new KFC location on Elmwood Avenue is giving away a year of free chicken at its grand opening next Tuesday.

The location at 2230 Elmwood Ave., just south of Kenmore Avenue, will open its doors at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, April 26. Its grand opening celebration will feature a Colonel tie ribbon-cutting and “free chicken for a year” gift card giveaways to the first 50 customers, KBP Brands announced.

Taco Bell bringing back Mexican Pizza (for good)

The ownership group said the new restaurant will feature “the latest design features from KFC’s new Next Generation concept, such as built-in ‘Quick Pick-Up’ shelving, and signage and dedicated parking for KFC app or KFC.com orders.”

The 2,900 square-foot restaurant will feature 40 seats, the company said. They plan to hire about 50 team members — more info on hiring can be found here.

Pizza Hut planning return to Buffalo this year

LEWISTON, N.Y. (WIVB) — The next band announced for this year’s concerts at Artpark is Rainbow Kitten Surprise.

Joined by Twen, the band will perform at Artpark’s Amphitheater on September 3. The show will begin at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets to see Rainbow Kitten Surprise will cost $38.50 for general admission and $64 for front of stage. They’ll go on sale this Friday at 10 a.m.

To get tickets once they’re available, go to Ticketmaster or the Artpark Box Office on a Friday or Saturday between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Tommy Bennett, one of the actors taking the stage at Shea’s during Trolls LIVE!, joined us to talk about the show during Wake Up!

Watch the interview in the video above and get tickets for Trolls LIVE! here. Performances will be taking place on May 7 and 8.

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Meet Jessie! She’s up for adoption through Buffalo Underdogs.

This lab/pit bull puppy from Texas is 8 months old. If you’d like to learn more about adopting her, watch the video above and click/tap here.

TONAWANDA, N.Y. (WIVB) – Sheridan Golf Course in the Town of Tonawanda will open Friday, along with the town’s driving range and batting cages on Brompton Road.

Brighton Golf Course, which is next to the driving range, will open at a later date, the town announced.

Town of Tonawanda moves ceremony for fallen firefighters from Memorial Day to October

The Paddock Chevrolet Golf Dome will remain open until further notice. More information about Tonawanda’s golf courses can be found here.

NORTH TONAWANDA, N.Y. (WIVB) — North Tonawanda police are looking for help finding a missing teenager.

Tristan McGee, 15, was last seen on Cedar Avenue in Niagara Falls this past Saturday night. It was around 11 p.m.

Police say he may have come back to North Tonawanda and is reported to be wearing a gray sweatshirt and light-colored jeans.

McGee is 6’1″ and approximately 140 lbs. He has dark, curly hair. Anyone with information on his whereabouts can call (716) 692-4111.