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'This Is One For The Ages': 28 Now Confirmed Dead During 'Blizzard Of Century' In Western NY 'This Is One For The Ages': 28 Now Confirmed Dead During 'Blizzard Of Century' In Western NY
'This Is One For The Ages': 28 Now Confirmed Dead During 'Blizzard Of Century' In Western NY This story has been updated. At least 28 people are now confirmed dead in Erie and Niagara counties, where around 4 feet of snowfall, coupled with hurricane-force, lake-effect wind gusts of up to 80 miles per hour, have paralyzed the region for the third day. The storm-related death toll in the city of Buffalo is now at 20 people, Buffalo PD spokesman Michael J. DeGeorge said on Monday, Dec. 26. "Unfortunately, we do expect that number (of deaths) to grow," said Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz, who provided details on some of the newly reported fatalities. They include: A 22-year-o…

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by Joe Lombardi
News
7 Dead As Buffalo's Buried In 4 Feet Of Snow: 'We're At War With Mother Nature,' Hochul Says 7 Dead As Buffalo's Buried In 4 Feet Of Snow: 'We're At War With Mother Nature,' Hochul Says
7 Dead As Buffalo's Buried In 4 Feet Of Snow: 'We're At War With Mother Nature,' Hochul Says Updated story: Death Toll Climbs To At Least 17 In Western NY From Devastating Lake-Effect Blizzard At least seven people are confirmed dead in the Buffalo area, where around 4 feet of snowfall, coupled with hurricane-force, lake-effect winds, have brought emergency response efforts to a standstill. Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz said on Christmas morning, Sunday, Dec. 25 that four more people had died as a result of the storm, after three earlier deaths had been reported, including two who had medical emergencies in the town of Cheektowaga, just east of Buffalo, because responders w…

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by Joe Lombardi
News
Here's How Much Tappan Zee Bridge Toll Could Increase If NY Thruway Proposal Takes Effect Here's How Much Tappan Zee Bridge Toll Could Increase If NY Thruway Proposal Takes Effect
Here's How Much Tappan Zee Bridge Toll Could Increase If NY Thruway Proposal Takes Effect It could soon cost more to drive on the New York State Thruway, and that includes the Tappan Zee Bridge. The New York State Thruway Authority's (NYSTA) board of directors will meet Monday, Dec. 5, to consider a proposed toll hike that would begin in 2024, WIVB in Buffalo reports.  Tolls would increase by 5 percent for E-ZPass customers in 2024 and 5 percent again in 2027, according to the outlet.  Those with out-of-state E-ZPasses or who are paying by mail would pay 75 percent more than the tolls for New York E-ZPass holders. That’s up considerably compared to the current 15 percent dif…

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by Michael Mashburn
Weather
Here's When Region Could See Some Snow As Arctic Air Moves In From Canada Here's When Region Could See Some Snow As Arctic Air Moves In From Canada
Here's When Region Could See Some Snow As Arctic Air Moves In From Canada As a potentially historic, extreme storm has already dumped around 2 feet of snowfall in the Buffalo area, with more to come, residents in this region may see a round of light snow before a winter-like blast of Arctic air. Friday, Nov. 18 will be mostly sunny, breezy, and brisk with a high temperature in the mid 40s, according to the National Weather Service. After nightfall, there will be a chance for snow showers, mainly between around 8 p.m. and 11 p.m. Friday. That will come as a cold air mass from Canada moves in with wind-chill values falling between 20 and 25 degrees overnight.…

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by Joe Lombardi
Weather
Potentially Historic Storm: Parts Of NY Could See Up To 6 Feet Of Snow From 'Intense' System Potentially Historic Storm: Parts Of NY Could See Up To 6 Feet Of Snow From 'Intense' System
Potentially Historic Storm: Parts Of NY Could See Up To 6 Feet Of Snow From 'Intense' System A potentially historic, extreme storm that will bring intense snowfall and accumulation of 3 to 6 feet to parts of New York over a period of days has prompted Gov. Kathy Hochul to issue a State of Emergency for 11 counties in the state. The most significant snowfall is expected Thursday, Nov. 17, and Friday, Nov. 18, with accumulations of up to 3 feet of snow possible in the Buffalo area and up to 2 feet of snow possible in the Watertown area, with snowfall rates of 3 inches per hour, according to the National Weather Service. Thundersnow is possible in the most intense bands, according to…

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by Joe Lombardi
News
Alert Issued For Missing NY Man Now Believed To Be In Hudson Valley Alert Issued For Missing NY Man Now Believed To Be In Hudson Valley
Alert Issued For Missing NY Man Now Believed To Be In Hudson Valley A 56-year-old upstate New York man has gone missing and authorities are alerting the public they believe he is in the Hudson Valley. David C. Rasmussen was last seen on Wednesday, Aug. 24 in Tonawanda, New York, just outside of Buffalo. He is described as being 5-foot-7, 160 pounds with brown hair and green eyes. He was last seen wearing a rust/deep orange colored polo shirt, light-colored khaki cargo shorts, brown dock sider-style shoes, and carrying a camouflage backpack with a single pocket on the front with black straps. (Click on the second image above.) Rasmussen's daughter said…

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by Joe Lombardi
Obituaries
39-Year-Old Father Of 6 Killed In Hudson Valley Crash 'Brightened Many Days' 39-Year-Old Father Of 6 Killed In Hudson Valley Crash 'Brightened Many Days'
39-Year-Old Father Of 6 Killed In Hudson Valley Crash 'Brightened Many Days' Friends and loved ones are mourning the death of a 39-year-old father of six who was killed in a three-vehicle crash in the Hudson Valley. Orange County resident Jeffrey Griffin, of Pine Bush, died Friday, Aug. 19, from injuries sustained in a wreck that occurred in the Town of Crawford, police said. Original Report: 39-Year-Old Killed In 3-Vehicle Crash At Town Of Crawford Intersection Investigators said Griffin was a passenger in a 2005 Chevy Equinox that collided with a 1995 Chevy van at the intersection of Route 17K and Route 302. The Equinox then struck a 2018 Honda Civic traveling n…

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by Michael Mashburn
News
Author Salman Rushdie Violently Attacked, Stabbed On Stage In New York Author Salman Rushdie Violently Attacked, Stabbed On Stage In New York
Author Salman Rushdie Violently Attacked, Stabbed On Stage In New York This story has been updated Author Salman Rushdie was stabbed on stage at a speaking engagement in upstate New York, according to state police. The violent attack happened at around 10:45 a.m. Friday, Aug. 12, as Rushdie was about to begin lecturing at the Chautauqua Institution in Chautauqua, located about 70 miles south of Buffalo. A man stormed the stage and repeatedly stabbed the 75-year-old Rushdie in the neck and chest, New York State Police said. Rushdie was taken by helicopter to a hospital for emergency surgery.  Friday evening, Aug. 12, his agent told The New York Times that …

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by Michael Mashburn
Obituaries
Corporate Vice President From Westchester Dies Suddenly At Age 39 Corporate Vice President From Westchester Dies Suddenly At Age 39
Corporate Vice President From Westchester Dies Suddenly At Age 39 A Westchester man died unexpectedly at the age of 39 while on vacation with his family in the Turks and Caicos. Christopher Sean Kelly, of Bronxville, a human resources vice president at American Express, died unexpectedly on Tuesday, June 28, due to heart complications, said his obituary. Kelly was born in Buffalo, New York, and attended Canisius High School. He graduated from the University of Rochester with a degree in psychology and political science. He later received a law degree from the Indiana University Maurer School of Law and a graduate degree from Cornell University in industri…

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by Kathy Reakes
News
Want A Gun In NY? Be Ready To Share Your Social Media Accounts Under New Law Want A Gun In NY? Be Ready To Share Your Social Media Accounts Under New Law
Want A Gun In NY? Be Ready To Share Your Social Media Accounts Under New Law New Yorkers hoping to carry concealed handguns will soon have to share their social media accounts as part of a more stringent application process under a new state law. Starting in September, concealed carry applicants will have to go through several new steps, including an in-person interview with a licensing officer “to determine character and trustworthiness to handle a firearm,” according to a statement from Democratic Senator Anna Kaplan, who co-sponsored the legislation. Applicants will also have to give authorities at least four character references and provide a list of current an…

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by Michael Mashburn
News
New Westchester Law Requires Gun Shop Owners Post Warnings New Westchester Law Requires Gun Shop Owners Post Warnings
New Westchester Law Requires Gun Shop Owners Post Warnings In the wake of multiple mass shootings across the country, elected officials in Westchester took steps to help curtail the sale of potentially dangerous weapons in the county. Westchester County Executive George Latimer signed legislation that will require the posting of notices warning of the dangers of weapons or firearms at the point of sale and at the point of the issuance of a firearm license. The move comes following fatal shootings in Buffalo, Texas, Oklahoma, and other parts of the nation. Latimer likened the new legislation to that of the Surgeon General's warning on cigarettes re…

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by Zak Failla
News
911 Dispatcher Who Hung Up On Supermarket Employee During Buffalo Mass Shooting Fired 911 Dispatcher Who Hung Up On Supermarket Employee During Buffalo Mass Shooting Fired
911 Dispatcher Who Hung Up On Supermarket Employee During Buffalo Mass Shooting Fired A 911 dispatcher who hung up on a frightened Tops employee during the mass shooting in Buffalo has been fired. Erie County spokesperson Daniel Meyer told Daily Voice the dispatcher, who worked for the county’s Department of Personnel, was “discharged from employment” Thursday, June 2, following an internal investigation. The dispatcher was placed on paid administrative leave two days after the May 14 shooting after an assistant manager at the store told The Buffalo News the dispatcher yelled at her and then hung up because she was whispering while hiding under the customer service counter.…

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by Michael Mashburn