Category: PostNews

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — While the first games of the men’s NCAA tournament won’t take the court at KeyBank Center until Thursday and Saturday, the crowds will start even sooner for local restaurants.

Hofbräuhaus Buffalo and Pearl Street Grill and Brewery are among many local restaurants already preparing for how to handle the big crowds.

“NCAA coming here is gonna make us — we are gonna be packed in here and I’m gonna love every minute of it,” said Pearl Street manager Ryan Mulvihill. “I can’t wait to have everybody come in here and see what we have to offer especially here at Pearl Street.”

He said while staffing is pretty solid now after a tough stretch, it’ll still be all hands on deck.

They plan to open a buffet on their catering floors to accommodate those larger-than-normal crowds.

“We are opening the catering floors for that overflow so we can make sure that everybody gets in and is able to go to the game on time and perfect.”

Just a few minutes away, Brian Windschitil at Hofbräuhaus is also preparing.

The restaurant is huge and with the weather looking good for the weekend, they also plan to open the beer garden, which can accommodate another 400 people.

“I know people have a short period of time between games, so you can definitely stop down here and grab a Dunkel or a Hefe Weizen and we’ll have sausages available in the beer garden,” Windschitil said. “It’s a grab-and-go, so it’ll make it very convenient for anybody to stop in.”

He said they plan to open early at 11 a.m. on Thursday for St. Patrick’s Day and expect crowds for Saturday and Sunday’s parades also.

“The staff that we have here is wonderful, it’s people that have put their heart and soul into the place and work very hard but yeah we could always use more people it is gonna be a challenge and I think it’ll continue to be a challenge but I think we just do our best and try to get through what we can do and that’s all we can do.”

Both restaurants accept reservations online, but as those games get closer, they’ll fill up fast.

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

TONAWANDA, N.Y. (WIVB) — A Town of Tonawanda man was sentenced in Erie County Court Monday after scamming customers while posing as a home improvement contractor.

Richard Brady, 41, was sentenced to a year and a half to three years in prison on one count of grand larceny in the fourth degree and one count of scheme to defraud in the first degree, both Class E felonies. He was sentenced as a second felony offender.

According to the Erie County DA’s office, Brady acted as a contractor and collected payments from victims between May 1 and Nov. 5, 2019, without ever doing any work to the homes. Brady admitted to stealing a total of $43, 414.08 from seven customers in the county. He has reportedly not paid any restitution to victims.

Brady pleaded guilty to the above charges on Oct. 15, 2020 and also pled guilty to charges in the counties of Niagara and Cattaraugus, where reportedly he committed similar crimes. His sentence for the Erie County crimes will run concurrently to his other sentences.

County DA John Flynn encouraged anyone who has been victimized in a home improvement scam to contact his office.

“Even the most cautious homeowner can become the victim if the person hired never shows up to perform the work,” he said. “I encourage anyone who has been victimized by this offender or another home improvement contractor to contact my office.”

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) – Students on the Buffalo State College campus gathered Monday to share stories of Royden Cave, the freshman criminal justice major who was shot and killed in a house on Bird Ave. early Sunday morning.

Timothy Gordon, the college’s Vice President for Student Affairs, said classmates are creating spaces on campus where they can leave messages and stories about the Brooklyn native.

“They will tell you that he was a person who had an amazing sense of humor,” Gordon said. “He was somebody who could be counted on and was really involved in a lot of things. Students joked about the fact that you could find him almost everywhere at any time of day supporting and enjoying time with his fellow students.”

Buffalo State freshman dies after Bird Avenue shooting

Buffalo police say Cave, 19, was shot in the midst of a “large gathering”. He later died at the hospital. On Monday, Crimestoppers offered up to $7,500 for information in the case.

“We know that there are multiple witnesses that were there that can provide us with information. We ask them to come forward,” said BPD Commissioner Joe Gramaglia.

Gramaglia also acknowledged that detectives are “coming up with some leads”.

Gordon said students are planning a memorial service for Cave. The service has not yet been scheduled.

“The piece that is important about our Bengal community is that folks come together and they support each other,” he said.

BATAVIA, N.Y. (WIVB) — The body of a Batavia man who was reported missing Friday was found in Tonawanda Creek during an extensive search.

The man’s body was recovered around 12:35 p.m. Monday by search and rescue teams while searching the creek between the S. Lyon Street and River Street bridges, after his jacket was located near the creek bank Sunday. Police later confirmed the body was Lewis Hyde.

An autopsy is pending and the investigation is ongoing, however at this time, police said there does not seem to be signs of foul play.

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Meet Finnegan! This little guy’s up for adoption through the SPCA Serving Erie County.

“Guinea pigs are very social animals, so if you have a male guinea pig, we’re sure they’d be a good match together!” Bethany Kloc with the SPCA says.

If you’re interested in making Finnegan part of your family, watch the video above and click/tap here.

AMHERST, N.Y. (WIVB) — An Amherst businessman has been accused of bilking the federal government out of more than $3 million.

With a 40-count indictment against him, 67-year-old Hormoz Mansouri could spend up to 30 years in prison if he’s convicted. Authorities have charged him with bank fraud, wire fraud, money laundering and conspiracy to commit wire fraud and bank fraud.

According to prosecutors, Mansouri applied for federal loans through the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program. In all, he got roughly $3.4 million.

This money was received in order to help eight business entities controlled by Mansouri. They are the following:

HLM Holding LLC,El Team Inc.,NPTS Inc.,2060 Sheridan Drive LLC,212 Holden Avenue LLC,350 Old Niagara Falls Boulevard LLC,47 East Amherst LLC, and3600 Harlem Road LLC.

But according to prosecutors, Mansouri inflated or completely made up their average monthly payrolls and falsely represented revenues and the cost of goods sold. Six of the eight business entities had zero employees or payroll expenses.

According to the indictment, Mansouri was accused of moving the money between a number of bank accounts and comingling the proceeds with legitimate business ventures. Prosecutors say he also funded certain accounts, including one in the name of “Mansouri for County Comptroller.”

This past May, approximately $1.9 million was seized. If Mansouri is convicted, in addition to prison time, he could also be forced to pay a $1 million fine.

After his arraignment Monday morning, Mansouri was released on conditions.

CHEEKTOWAGA, N.Y. (WIVB) — Hippity hoppity, Easter’s on its way. The Easter Bunny is returning to the Walden Galleria later this week.

Starting Friday at 11 a.m., kids can get a picture with the Easter Bunny while he’s on the lower level near the Apple Store. He’ll be there through April 16.

Families are encouraged to book a time slot with the Bunny ahead of time at this site. Here’s when he’ll be there:

Mondays – Saturdays: 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.Sundays: 12-5 p.m.

From March 21 through April 12, pet photo nights will take place on Mondays and Tuesdays from 5-7 p.m. In addition to this, there will be a sensory-friendly session happening Sunday, April 3 from 10 a.m. to Noon.

Photo packages start at $34.99. More details on the Easter Bunny’s visit can be found here.

GETZVILLE, N.Y. (WIVB) — Every step in the process of getting a job will be offered at an upcoming event this Wednesday.

Weinberg Campus (2700 N. Forest Rd., Getzville) will host a career fair from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Those who are interested in working there can get interviewed and hired in the same day.

They’re calling it a “red carpet experience,” which will include refreshments and a shot at winning $500 for gas and groceries from Tops.

Some of the positions Weinberg Campus is looking to fill include those in nursing, housekeeping and food service.

Before heading there, job applicants are encouraged to apply ahead of time online or text “WCJOBS” to 888-984-4906.

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Gas prices in the United States are up 26 cents since last week, now averaging at $4.33 per gallon.

New York’s average is even higher, at $4.45 per gallon — a 19-cent week-to-week increase. One year ago, the national and New York averages were $2.86 and $2.90.

Here are the averages across upstate New York:

Batavia – $4.38 (up 15 cents from last week)Buffalo – $4.40 (up 19 cents from last week)Elmira – $4.41 (up 22 cents from last week)Ithaca – $4.44 (up 22 cents from last week)Rochester – $4.42 (up 18 cents from last week)Rome – $4.40 (up 18 cents from last week)Syracuse – $4.42 (up 18 cents from last week)Watertown – $4.41 (up 16 cents from last week)

According to AAA, oil prices appear to have “tapered off.” They say a barrel of oil now costs $110, when it was more than $130 a week ago.

To compare, oil cost $30 per barrel back in August.

In a survey, two-thirds of American drivers told AAA that gas was too expensive a few weeks ago when it was $3.53 per gallon. More than half said they’d change their driving habits or lifestyle if gas got to $4 per gallon.

Three-quarters of those surveyed said changes would be necessary at $5.

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Buffalo police are investigating an officer-involved shooting on Hertel Avenue.

Shortly after 4:30 a.m., police responded to the street’s 1900 block, where they say there was a man armed with a knife.

During this time, officers discharged their weapons, hitting the armed man. He was taken to ECMC, where he’s in serious, but stable condition.

The armed man’s name has not been released. Police also have not announced charges in this incident.

Hertel has been shut down between Beard Avenue and Wesley Avenue. This section of Hertel is near Shoshone Park.

The officers who were involved have since been placed on administrative leave, which is the Buffalo Police Department’s policy following an officer-involved incident.