Category: PostNews

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Good news for drivers — the national average price of gas is dropping closer to four dollars per gallon.

As of this week, AAA says the average dropped three cents, and is now at $4.08. New York’s is getting lower, too, but it’s still more than the national average at $4.18 per gallon.

Last year at this time, the national average was $2.87, while New York’s was not far off that, at $2.89.

Here are the average prices across upstate New York:

Batavia – $4.23 (down 5 cents from last week)Buffalo – $4.23 (down 5 cents from last week)Elmira – $4.13 (down 4 cents from last week)Ithaca – $4.19 (down 2 cents from last week)Rochester – $4.27 (down 3 cents from last week)Rome – $4.22 (down 2 cents from last week)Syracuse – $4.21 (down 4 cents from last week)Watertown – $4.24 (down 4 cents from last week)

How you could see your pet on a beer can, all while helping local animals

Ironically, the price of oil is up six cents since last week; AAA says it’s now $106 per barrel.

“Prices had dropped earlier this month after domestic crude stocks increased by 2.5 million barrels, followed by announcements that 180 million barrels would be released from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve over the next six months and the International Energy Agency would release 120 million barrels from its emergency reserves,” AAA says.

In order to further lower gas prices, President Joe Biden announced last week that the United States would be suspending the federal rule that prevents the sale of higher ethanol blend gas during the summer.

This type of gasoline, called E15, is normally not in use while the weather’s warm since there are concerns of it adding smog to the air. Typically, it’s banned from June 1 to September 15.

To compare, most of the gas used in the U.S. contains 10 percent ethanol, instead of 15. According to AAA, the higher-ethanol fuel “typically sells for 5 to 10 cents less per gallon than regular gas.”

It’s worth noting, though, that 12 percent of vehicles, including motorcycles and pre-2001 vehicles, aren’t designed to run on E15 gas. This list of vehicles also includes school buses, delivery trucks and ATVs.

“The announcement has helped ease some supply concerns, initially pushing crude prices lower,” AAA says. “Sanctions against Russian oil are likely to remain at the top of the EU agenda in the coming months, however, experts believe a complete ban is unlikely.”

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) – Millions of Ukrainians have sought refuge around the world during the war between Russia, including here in Western New York.

“This war change our whole lives forever,” said Masha Tsybulnyk, who’s from Ukraine.

When Russia invaded Ukraine, Masha spent almost a week in a basement shelter in her city Kharkiv, until even that seemed unsafe.

“After the missiles shook the main government building in Kharkiv, we decided we should leave, the situation was unstable,” she said. “I crossed the border to the city in Slovakia, spent 2 days, and then I had my flight to the United States.”

She decided to leave Ukraine and head to Western New York, to be with her aunt and cousin. Her decision to leave wasn’t an easy one. Masha’s mother, father, other relatives and friends are still in Ukraine. She keeps in contact with them as much as she can, but is constantly worried about their safety.

“There is a lot of feelings that I experience now,” she said. “I’m glad that I am now in a safe place but at the same time, I feel guilty that I’m not with my friends and family, who are there.”

Masha said the support from her family and the community in Buffalo has meant a lot to her.

“I saw many places here. So each day we drive somewhere or walk somewhere so it distracted me a lot from the bad events that are happening now,” she said. “I see how Buffalo people support Ukraine too, I’m so happy to see all the buildings in the evening. it’s magical for me.”

Masha has plans to go back to Ukraine next month, but that all depends on what the the situation will be like between Russia and Ukraine by then. She says she’s hopeful, she’ll be able to return and see her family again.

AMHERST, N.Y. (WIVB) — A snowy start to Easter Sunday didn’t keep nearly 200 parishioners from gathering outside to celebrate Easter Mass.

Members of the UB North Newman Center gathered around the cross in the frigid temperatures Sunday morning to watch the sunrise. Monsignor Patrick Keleher celebrated the outdoor Mass as he’s done for decades — but this is the first time the Newman community has gathered for a sunrise service since before the pandemic.

As cold as it looks, it’s not unusual for worshippers to have to bundle up for a snowy Easter morning.

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Even though the Easter Bunny was extremely busy today, the Easter Bunny was still able to make a pit stop in Western New York.

News 4 found the Easter Bunny at the New York Candle Café in Buffalo, where there was an Easter egg painting workshop. Kids had the chance to make their own custom Easter eggs to take home, and take pictures with the famous bunny.

The Candle Café is also currently accepting luggage donations for foster children. To learn more about the New York Candle Café, visit the café’s Instagram page here.

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — A homeless shelter in Buffalo is celebrating 40 years of serving the community.

The Little Portion Friary homeless shelter opened its doors back in 1982 when Deacon John and Reverand Alexius began offering services to care for those who needed a warm place to stay. The shelter continues to provide meals and counseling services to those in need.

The Friary is also looking for volunteers to help out, as the number of workers has dropped since the beginning of the pandemic.

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — We are just hours away from Dyngus Day, as the festivities get underway bright and early Monday morning, and continue throughout the day.

The main attraction, of course, is the Dyngus Day Parade, which will roll out at 5 p.m. at the corner of Broadway and Memorial Drive. The parade will head down Broadway for roughly 10 blocks and end at Fillmore Avenue.

There will also be live polka music and the Broadway Market will be open from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m.

The tent set-up will be at 111 Memorial Dr., just two blocks away from the parade route, and right in the heart of the Polonia District.

For more information on Dyngus Day celebrations, click here. You can also see the events begin to unfold, live during “Wake Up!” tomorrow.

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — The Ten Lives Club Cat Adoption Group and the City of Buffalo Animal Shelter are giving Western New Yorkers the chance to see their pet on a beer can, with the relaunch of Resurgence Brewing Company’s “Resurgence to the Rescue.”

The contest invites dog and cat owners to submit photos of their pets, and the winners of the contest will appear on the brewery’s summer brew cans. “Buffalo’s Top Dog & Coolest Cat” will also be invited to the pet-friendly “Resurgence to the Rescue” celebration, from noon to 5 p.m. on July 10.

Last year, the contest raised over $60,000 for both organizations and this year, organizers hope to surpass that. Nearly 150 pets have already been entered into the contest, which ends May 13.

To enter your pet into the contest and for more information, click here.

LOCKPORT, N.Y. (WIVB) — Niagara County SPCA Human Law Enforcement agents are investigating claims of an illegal ear cropping set-up out of Lockport.

Ear cropping is a surgery where the soft part of a dog’s ear is clipped. The American Kennel Club recognizes 20 breeds that receive this procedure.

SPCA Investigator Eric Salisbury says it is not illegal when done in a veterinarian’s office and with proper anesthesia. But, he says the person allegedly doing the operation was traveling to Western New York from Pennsylvania and did not have any certification.

The SPCA received an anonymous tip about the possible illegal operation, which led them to investigate.

“I understand it has been done two or three times, anywhere from ten to twenty puppies each time, ” said Salisbury. “At this event, we basically halted it before any animals got injured.”

Salisbury also told News 4 that some of the drugs used to sedate the dogs came from out of the country and had expired.

Both the Lockport homeowner and the Pennsylvania resident are charged with misdemeanors and will be back in court on April 18.

WEST FALLS, N.Y. (WIVB) — Hawk Creek Wildlife Center announced its event season for the year, promising to have visitors on the edge of their seats.

Season pass holders will be able to attend one of each of the following events this year and each event includes free parking, refreshments and gifts for kids:

May 7 & 14: Wild Earth Days — flying bird show, up-close wildlife encounters, meet eagle ambassadorsJune 18: Animal Play Day — interactions with animals, training and enrichment behind-the-scenes, hawk walk, flying demo, over 100 animals (cats, eagles, hawks, owls, falcons, vultures), meet eagle ambassadorsAug. 6: Enchanted Wild Fest — animal movie stars, meet the sand cats, medieval games, flying bird show, 100 rare and wild animals, princess and hero characters, movie-themed fundraiserOct. 1 & 8: Spooky Safari — trick-or-treat trail through the wild, pumpkin painting, hawk walk, costumes encouraged, rain or shine

Other events include:

May 27-29: Plant SaleJune 18: Photo DayJune 25: Wild Brews (adult-only fundraiser)Nov. 26 & Dec. 3: Wreath Sale

Individual season passes are $40 each, with family passes (valid for two adults and three children) are being sold for $80 apiece. Tickets for individual events are also available. To learn more about Hawk Creek and its event season, or to purchase passes or tickets, click here.

Additionally, the wildlife center announced it will not be accepting birds for rehabilitation at this time, due to the recent rise in avian influenza (HPAI), and directed anyone who finds an injured bird to contact the USDA Avian Influenza Hotline at 1 (866) 536-7593, Messinger Woods (for raptors) at (716) 345-4239 or the SPCA (for waterfowl) at (716) 875-7360, extension 247, for care.

“This was not an easy decision, but the health and safety of our permanent resident birds must be our number one priority as we face this threat,” the center said. “We are honored to do rehabilitation work for the community and we will reevaluate when USDA and veterinary guidance determines it is safe to do so. Thank you for your understanding.”

Because the avian influenza has been detected 65 just miles from Hawk Creek, and is 90-100% fatal to raptors, the center has been working to modify its exhibits to keep the birds safe, and said they are appreciative of any donations to help fund the construction.

DEPEW, N.Y. (WIVB) — If you bought a Powerball ticket with Powerplay at the Depew 7-Eleven on Transit Road, you might want to check your numbers.

A winning Powerplay ticket worth $250,000 was bought at the convenience store for the Saturday drawing.

The winning numbers for April 16 are 15-21-32-62-65 and Powerball number 26.

The Powerplay multiplier for the drawing is 5.

WNY family honors dad with yearly 20-pound butter lamb

Powerball costs $2 and players can pay an extra dollar to add Powerplay, which multiplies the prize, not including the jackpot, up to ten times.

Players can use the New York Lottery app to check their tickets.

For more information on claiming a prize, click here.