12-03-25 Midday Headlines

Lockport residents have the opportunity to comment on proposed changes to the city’s zoning code at a public hearing during today’s Common Council meeting at 6 pm. The changes amend the city’s comprehensive zoning plan, passed in March, which had reviewed and approved the uses for all city parcels.

Buffalo man, 34 year old Angel Valentin-Martinez, pleaded guilty on Tuesday for his role in a credit card scam that carries a penalty of up to 30 years in prison and a $1 million fine.

A man arrested during an investigation into threats made against the Granger Homestead and Carriage Museum is now facing federal charges.
56-year-old Michael J. Keitz of Canandaigua was arrested on Nov. 9 for an unrelated incident.

The Salvation Army will shut down its stores on Military Road in Kenmore later this month, it said in a letter to employees. The stores will close on Dec. 27. Employees were given the letter on Nov. 27 informing them of the decision.

12-02-25 PM Headlines

The Town of Lockport will hold a public hearing at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday to review a proposed amendment to regulations and restrictions that allow detached garages. According to Town Attorney Thomas Seaman, the amendment seeks to clarify the types of accessory structures that are permitted in residential areas of the town.

The Erie County Sheriff’s Office’s plans for a new $428 million jail campus is on hold for now after county legislators removed the design study for the facility from the 2026 county budget.

There’s been a major update to a retrial that was about to begin Tuesday for a controversial case in Tonawanda. The Erie County District Attorney’s Office says they filed a motion to dismiss the case against James Pugh. Pugh and Brian Scott Lorenz were convicted in the death of Deborah Meindl in 1993.

Code Blue will be in effect through 8 a.m. Wednesday (Dec. 3) in the city of Lockport due to forecasted overnight below-freezing temperatures. Any homeless person or individual without home heating may go directly to the Salvation Army, 50 Cottage St., between 8 and 10 p.m. for shelter. After 10 p.m., anyone needing shelter should go to the walk-up window at Lockport Police Department, Niagara Street entrance, for assistance.

12-02-25 Midday Headlines

The family of long-time Niagara Region businessman Jerome Williams has filed paperwork necessary to sue the city of Niagara Falls over a boat crash that took his life

A notice of a psychiatric defense is expected to be filed after a man allegedly killed his girlfriend and their infant son and then set their house on fire. Kidane Haile, 30, is accused of murdering the two individuals in their Buffalo home in the Elmwood Village on Norwood Avenue.

The public hearing on a proposed $23.9 million Royalton Hartland school facilities improvement project will be held at 6 p.m. today.

The Erie County Legislature approved amendments to the 2026 budget proposals on Monday during a special session. Perhaps the biggest change to the budget, plans to bond $20M for the study needed to design and build a new Sheriff’s Office jail in Alden.

12-01-25 PM Headlines

A catastrophic May 2024 crash that killed two adults and a young boy at a North Tonawanda railroad crossing is now the subject of a massive negligence lawsuit at State Supreme Court in Niagara County.

Two children have been found dead following a house fire that engulfed a home on French Street in Buffalo on Saturday morning. Firefighters responded to a house located at 69 French St. for reports of a fire with people trapped inside at around 5 a.m. Saturday.

A fundraiser called “Tailgate for Travis,” which took place during the Bills game against the Pittsburgh Steelers; the goal being to help the recovery of a 15 year old Lockport student who was seriously injured after being hit by a vehicle while waiting for his school bus.

The recent ban on cellphones in New York classrooms seems to be having a positive impact. That’s according to New York Governor Kathy Hochul who said that new survey results show the “distraction-free schools” law is already making a noticeable difference for students and teachers across New York.

12-01-25 Midday Headlines

The Bills played some effective football Sunday in a 26-7 victory over the Steelers.

A fundraiser called “Tailgate for Travis,” which took place during the Bills game against the Pittsburgh Steelers; the goal being to help the recovery of a 15 year old Lockport student who was seriously injured after being hit by a vehicle while waiting for his school bus.

Two children are dead and five other people are hurt after an early Saturday morning fire in Buffalo’s MLK Park neighborhood. The kids, 2 and 10 years old.

A major settlement recommended for approval by the City of Buffalo’s legal department, with more than $3.3 million connected to the 2014 incident at Molly’s Pub in which William Sager Jr. died after being pushed down a flight of stairs, and his friend, Donald Hull, was handcuffed trying to help him.

WLVL-SAT HEADLINES

Some of those strong winds, up to 50 miles per hour or more in terms of the gusts, which whipped through the area with the snowstorms, caused some tree damage in the City of Buffalo and that’s why tree removal crews were out again on the day after Thanksgiving.
Neighbors in a Porter-area community say they are devastated and angry after discovering that a large tree containing a long-established bald eagle nest was cut down earlier this month. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service confirms it has opened a criminal investigation into how and why the tree was removed.
Western New York’s largest holiday light show is back for its 21st season, with more sparkle than ever before. The Fairgrounds Festival of Lights returned Friday to The Fairgrounds in Hamburg with new displays, expanded attractions, and flexible ticketing to help guests plan their holiday visits.The festival runs on select dates from Nov. 28 through Dec. 30,

11-28-25 PM Headlines

The legal battle between the City of Buffalo and the owner of two charred buildings in the Cobblestone District continues. The Supreme Court of the State of New York’s Appellate Division, Fourth Judicial Department has sided with the buildings’ owner, Darryl Carr, allowing him to move forward with his lawsuit.

The 42nd annual fund drive for the Lockport soup kitchen gets underway today. Despite rising costs, this year’s goal is the same as last year’s: $50,000. That’s an attainable goal, Salvation Army Advisory Board chair Brendan Conley observed — the 2024 drive hit the mark whereas the 2023 drive, which had a significantly bigger goal, didn’t come close.

Lockport businesses are gearing up for Small Business Saturday, offering a wide range of products and customer appreciation specials. The holiday shopping event has become intertwined with promotions to buy locally and support downtowns. Last year, spending on Small Business Saturday reached nearly $22 billion.

Due to cold weather, Code Blue continues in Lockport through the weekend. Any homeless person or individual without heat can go to the Salvation Army directly between the hours of 8pm – 10pm, if after 10 pm, please report to the walk-up window at the Niagara Street entrance of Lockport Police Department where they will assist individuals seeking shelter.

11-28-25 Midday Headlines

After last season’s supplier shortage, the City of Buffalo is taking steps to ensure it has more than enough rock salt this winter. Offcials say they have 18 thousand tons on order.

People Inc. is partnering with Niagara Area Habitat for Humanity to build an accessible, single-family home in the Village of Youngstown. Niagara Area Habitat for Humanity will manage planning and construction, while People Inc. will cover project costs

A Virginia man was arrested on Nov. 18 at the Lewiston Bridge border crossing after it was discovered that he was wanted on a felony aggravated assault warrant out of Fairfax County, Virginia. 62-year-old Nejat Assad was returning to the United States following a trip to Canada.

AAA is urging travelers to prepare for potentially significant delays on the return trip home, warning that Sunday and Monday are expected to be the busiest travel days of the holiday period as people head back for work and school.

Copies of the free 2026 Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor calendar will be available for pickup at local libraries and visitor centers beginning Monday at Erie Canal Discovery Center in Lockport, the North Tonawanda History Museum, and the public libraries in Lockport, Middleport, Medina, Albion and North Tonawanda.

11-26-25 PM Headlines

Snow is sweeping through Buffalo ahead of Thanksgiving, with a winter weather advisory in effect for several Western New York counties beginning Wednesday night. Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz said Wednesday that Buffalo is prepared to handle the winter weather.

A 32-year-old inmate at the Niagara County Correctional Facility is facing a felony charge after attacking a corrections officer on Tuesday.

A 35-year-old woman and a 54-year-old woman suffered minor injuries after they were hit by a truck being driven by a man known to them about 11:55 p.m. Sunday. Niagara County Sheriff’s deputies, Miller Hose Fire, and an Olcott ambulance were dispatched to the 3200 block of Lockport Olcott Road for the incident.

The mother of a West Seneca man fatally shot by U.S. Customs and Border Patrol agents near Las Cruces, N.M. more than two years ago is suing the unnamed agents and the federal government for wrongful death in what the lawsuit describes as an “unjustified shooting

Seats from Highmark Stadium will be available for fans to buy. A single seat will be available for just under $550. A pair of seats can be purchased for just under $650.

11-26-25 Midday Headlines

Amazon has opened a same-day delivery service in Genesee County ahead of the holiday season. The 201,000-square-foot facility is close to the thruway exit in Pembroke, between Buffalo and Rochester. It will employ more than 100 people and provide faster service for Amazon customers.

The mother of a West Seneca man fatally shot by U.S. Customs and Border Patrol agents near Las Cruces, N.M. more than two years ago is suing the unnamed agents and the federal government for wrongful death in what the lawsuit describes as an “unjustified shooting.”

The southbound lanes of the I-190 bridge damaged earlier this month aren’t expected to reopen until mid-. The structure was damaged Nov. 13 when a commercial truck hauling a shipping container struck the overpass, affecting the steel girders. State DOT crews have already made significant progress on initial repairs.

The Buffalo Common Council has approved a new homestead plan to sell city owned vacant lots.
The 2025 Homestead Plan will see the city sell their 6,000 vacant lots to neighboring residents and business owners for a minimum of $1,000 if they meet certain conditions.