Niagara Frontier Today

Today's Reports
from
The Greater Lockport Area
Including Newfane, Wilson, Cambria, Pendleton, Royalton, Hartland, Somerset, & Eastern Niagara County Outside Lockport
The Niagara Border Regions
Along The Niagara River US-Canada Border And The Cities Of Niagara Falls and North Tonawanda
Nearby Niagara
Including Stories That Impact Greater Lockport From Buffalo Plus Erie, Genesee, & Orleans Counties

Another Major Reporting Center Of

A Service Of The Lockport Home Page:   www.Lockport-NY.com

Most recent stories are first and age as you scroll down
Latest Updated Edition:
Thursday, November 27, 2003

Sheriff's investigators claim death of mother and son from drug OD "accidental."  Residents of Newfane are in shock over reports that 37-year old Dawn M. Smith and her 22-year old son, Justin Murphy, were found dead on Saturday, 11/22 in their Ridge Road home and investigators are claiming it was "accidental."   Details on the incident are sketchy but word has come out of the investigation that the two probably died from an overdose of the drug "Fentanyl," a medicinal painkiller said to be "100 times more potent than morphine."  The two were said to have had "patches" for the drugs on their arms.  There is speculation that the two may have used patches left over from a deceased relative.   There is published, but unconfirmed reports  that the two had been using crack cocaine at Urban Park Towers in Lockport Friday morning before hiring a taxi to travel to Smith's home on Ridge Road with a third man.  An unconfirmed report said that Ms. Smith's "boyfriend" had also been with the trio but left early Saturday.   (11/27/03)  To be filed under Crime & Courts

Niagara Falls teacher suspended on sex charges.  Officials at Niagara Falls Schools have declined to identify the Middle School music teacher who has been suspended, with pay, after a girl student told officials that the man had "an affair" with her.  The girl, a student at the high school, has not been identified.  School authorities are reported turning over the results of their investigation to the Niagara County District Attorney's Office.  No criminal charges have been placed as of 11/26.  First allegations of the relationship surfaced on November 17th.  (11/27/03)  To be filed under Niagara Falls School News

Buffalo man promises to pay back $20K stolen from taxpayers.   A 43-year old Buffalo man appeared in Niagara Court this week to admit that he made a false filing, using a North Tonawanda address, to rip off Niagara County taxpayers of $20,800 in welfare benefits he was not entitled to.  Judge Sara Sperrazza said the man will has promised her to pay the money back over time and she reportedly is inclined to limit his jail time to that served since his arrest.   (11/27/03)  To be filed under Crime & Courts

Boys With Toys

Summit Park Mall in Wheatfield has a new feature.  The Niagara - Orleans Model Railroad Engineers club has taken over one of the many vacant stores.   Several large and elaborate  model train landscapes are here.  The exhibit area is open to the public only a couple times a month but Saturday, 11/15 was one of those days.

Guys:  If you're in the area it is worth a stop.  Girls:  The Bon Ton is still at the mall, just down the walkway.

Niagara USA has membership directory printed in Canada.   In what appears to be the latest in a long series of mis-steps, the Niagara USA Chamber of Commerce (the Niagara Falls organization that gobbled up the Eastern Niagara Chamber) has had its new membership directory printed in Canada.   Printing firms, members of Niagara USA, are complaining that they were not even given an opportunity to bid on the job.  The publisher of the directory, which had the printing done across the border, isn't in Niagara County either.  WorldWebDex is located in Williamsville, in Erie County.  The CEO of Niagara USA doesn't live in Niagara County but in Erie County and that could explain the chamber's lack of loyality to its own.  To be filed under Frontier Follies  (11/8/03)

Day Road Bridge Re-Opens

Just as the Erie Barge Canal prepares to close for the season, the Day Road Bridge over the Canal reopened Saturday, 11/1. It was closed for most of the season for extensive repair.  The result is very nice. 

But it's still only a one-lane bridge.  That's due, in part, we're told, by opposition by at least one resident of the Day Road area to keep traffic on Day Road low in volume.  If a two-lane bridge were here it would encourage Day Road as an excellent North-South alternative to Route 78.

Lockportian sees fire in San Diego, CA   Renee Cascia is a photographer in San Diego, CA where the California wildfires are moving in.   She sends these photos back to her hometown website from Monday, 10/27.  We thank her for taking the time to remember us at this time.

Another Cover-Up Uncovered!
Sheriff's Dept Emergency Power Generator...Failed In Emergency!

Sheriff's back-up generator failed in last power outage.  The Lockport Union-Sun & Journal reported it as a matter of routine, "Power to the Niagara County's Mount View complex and the Niagara County Jail was lost about 12:15PM forcing both facilities to operate on emergency power."  But that's not quite the way it happened, on Wednesday, October 15th, when the Greater Lockport Area was hit with 50-mph winds gusts and numerous trees and power lines came down.  (See full report and photos in our Special Report on the Storm).  Several weeks after the event, the real story has finally found its way to be revealed to the public...

It turns out, the Lockport Home Page has been told, that when the area power failure hit, the Sheriff's Department was experiencing yet another problem:   An air handling unit in the Sheriff's Administration building overheated and kicked off power overload relays in the Sheriff's Department which dumped building power.  The emergency generator back-up for the Sheriff's communications center failed to activate and County emergency communications were silenced --- right at the peak of a real storm emergency!  It appears the battery that triggers the emergency generator was dead!  As smoke began to enter the building from the roof-top air handling unit, the Sheriff communication staff, we're told, didn't even have the juice to radio volunteer firemen to come to the scene!  A communications center employee reportedly got on the telephone (still working) and called the Lockport Police Department for help. 

Niagara County Legislature candidate Rick Podgers, also a detective with the Lockport Police,  tells the Lockport Page, "LPD brought Lockport Fire into the conversation. LFD then dispatched all city fire units to the NCSD.  During this emergency, No one could have received help from any county dispatched police, fire or medical emergency units. Fortunately LFD and LPD could pick up the operation until the Sheriffs dept. could bring their mobile communications vehicle to be utilized. What if that battery would have been dead or as reported by your web page, what if that unit would have been out of the area on the T-way.   Thankfully our cities were not tied into the communications center. If it were not for the stand alone city systems, 220,000 residents in Niagara County would have been in serious jeopardy."

Mr. Podgers, a candidate for County Legislature, has been critical of some of the grandiose communications planning at the Sheriff's Department.   Podgers said:

I have repeatedly warned of this scenario. Not because I could for-tell the future, but because I have learned from the past. This is at least the fourth time I can recall, NCSD for various reasons, has lost all communications capabilities. It will not be the last.

Now perhaps some of our leaders will understand the risks of their central dispatch scheme especially with a center located at the base of a hill.

This was a minor accident that caused such a serious disruption. Just imagine if someone planned to cause a disruption of emergency communications.

(10/26/03) To be filed under Crime & Courts

Middleport Fire Chief charged with stealing pumpkins.  John Keirn has been charged with the theft of pumpkins from a Telegraph Road farm.  The charges against the Mill Street Middleport man is the second time in a month that a Niagara County fire chief has been in trouble with the law.  Besides 15 pumpkins found in Keirn's vehicle another 35 were reported found at his home.  When apprehended at the scene, Keirn reportedly identified himself as the Fire Chief and claimed he was taking the pumpkins to the fire hall.  He had only $13 in his wallet to pay for about $50 worth of pumpkins.  (10/25/04)  To be filed under Crime & Courts

A Dirty Job For Men In White

Our Lockport Page Photographer complained about being sent out to Hartland to photograph the Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day at the Town of Hartland Garage off Wruck Road.  "There is no way I'm going to get a nice picture with dirty and dangerous waste slop as a subject," he remarked.  He was right, of course but he went out Saturday, 10/25, and brought back a record of the event.  But he brought along some waste driveway tar from his own house to get rid of.  The company contracted by Niagara County to collect all the undesired chemicals, Clean Harbors, of New England, had quite a messy operation that fully matched some of the waste being brought in.  There are reports in national media that Clean Harbors is in some financial difficulties and couldn't raise cash for payroll a month or so ago.  One wonders what they will do with all that stuff once it's put in the trucks.

15^th District Legislative candidate Rick Podgers says Niagara County Legislators have again decided to waste millions of county tax dollars using the cry of an emergency to justify their lack of knowledge of existing county equipment.

Fire chief arrested, charged with Grand Larceny.  State Police say they have arrested 50-year old Patrick M. Sheehan, the former Niagara Number 1 Fire Chief.  Another member of the now inactive fire company, 27-year old Pamela L. Thompson, was also charged by Troopers in connection with the removal of about $18,000 in equipment from the fire hall.  Police say various items were given away, retained, and or sold.  A riding lawnmower, worth about $5,000 was reported sold.  Five suits of fire gear, two-way radios, and several air packs are among items reported taken.   The matter now goes to Town of Niagara Court.  (10/15/03)  To be filed under Crime & Courts

Boy accused of beating mother to death in Buffalo, found in Canada.  14-year old Justin Louallen has been charged with second-degree murder of his mother, 48-year old Sandra Louallen.  The brutal beating of Ms. Louallen took place in August but little Justin fled the scene.  He was found last week, living as a charity ward, in Fort Erie, Ontario.  Authorities in Canada say Justin had already begun to accumulate a "record" in Canada.  He was caught breaking into a vehicle.  Now, authorities in Buffalo are engaged in efforts to bring Louallen back to the USA to face murder charges.  (10/13/03)  To be filed under Crime & Courts

Fatima At Night

Crowds continue to flock to Fatima USA, northwest of Lockport during the month of October, designated as the month of the Rosary.

One of the features of the giant devotional and retreat area is the giant outside rosary seen in the picture.

About a month from now, the Christmas decorations will start going up for the biggest and best holiday light festival in this part of the state.  More details at our Fatima site in the Tourism section.

Starpoint still without teacher contract.  Teachers at Starpoint Central School, despite nearly two years of negotiations and some "hardball" public relations tactics, still don't have a contract with the school system.  The teachers are pressing for a minimum 3.5% pay raise and a continuation of essentially 100%-district paid health benefits.  The health insurance plan especially, is crippling the taxpayers of the schools district as health insurance and charges have skyrocketed in recent years.  (10/10/03)  To be filed under Starpoint School News

Sheriff admits Clark retired while still under investigation.   Niagara County Sheriff Tom Beilein confirmed on Monday, 10/6, after the fact, that his right-hand man, Peter Clark retired in a relatively private ceremony.  Beilein claimed the retirement had "nothing" to do with the charges leveled against Clark by 18-year old Stephanie Strickland of Lockport who has complained of being hit by Clark while chained to a bench at the Sheriff's Department.  That story, broke this summer by the Lockport Home Page, sent shock waves through the community and even many in the Sheriff's Department who were unaware of the incident until reports appeared online.  Not long after, blocking filters were reported installed on County Sheriff's Department computers to prevent them from accessing the Lockport Home Page.  Clark's retirement insures that he will receive taxpayer funded retirements benefits.  His retirement still isn't "official, " however, as he is reported using up his accumulated vacation and sick days.  Had he been fired or dismissed with cause such benefits could have been denied in part, at least that's what some sources say.  The "retirement" option has been used by nearly a score of Sheriff's Department personnel (including a former Sheriff and Under Sheriff, over the past 20 years, to avoid losing substantial taxpayer funded benefits after being fired with cause.  Beilein said Tuesday that he has not yet received reports on Clark from investigations he requested by the Niagara Falls Police Department and the District Attorney's Office.  Sources tell the Lockport Home Page that Niagara County could be the target of a substantial law suit in matter.  There are reports of calls for an FBI investigation.  (10/0/03)  To be filed under Crime & Courts

20 charged with drug traffic; FBI cites Islamic ties.  Twenty suspected drug dealers around the Niagara Frontier were arrested in early morning raids Tuesday, 10/7.  Nine of those charged were identified by authorities as Arab-Americans or Islamics with suspected ties to funding the Islamic terror war against the United States.  Others were suspected of working under Islamic direction and with possible sympathies for the Arab terror war.  The arrests were coordinated by the FBI Buffalo Office and involved nearly 300 agents and police who blocked off streets and areas as they moved in before dawn to take the drug suspects into custody before school children would be out.  Authorities say the tip that led to a long investigation and the arrests came from the same anonymous source that tipped the FBI to Islamics in the Lackawanna area in 2001 who had been overseas training in Arab terror camps.  This week's arrests seemed to be centered on the same Arab-American communities in Lackawanna-Hamburg-South Buffalo areas.  Among those arrested was a former Buffalo Bill  football player who had been suspended for drug use and a Buffalo policeman.   Authorities indicated the investigation seemed to indicate that illegal drug traffic has been adopted as one of the means the radical Islamic movement has been using to fund its international terror war.  (10/8/03)  To be filed under Crime & Courts

Clark to retire; accused of hitting pregnant prisoner.  Peter Clark, longtime deputy, investigator,and now top official at the Niagara County Sheriff's Department is reported ready to be quietly retired in a brief ceremony, Monday, 10/6, at the Niagara County Sheriff's Department.  Clark had been accused of hitting an 18-year old woman, pregnant at the time, who was chained to a bench at the Sheriff's Department on or about August 1st.  After that incident Clark reportedly went "on vacation."  The victim had a miscarriage and is reported considering a law suit against the County.  The incident has reportedly been the subject of an intense effort at cover-up inside the Sheriff's Department.  After the matter was first reported on the Lockport Home Page, the Sheriff's Department computers with Internet access are said to have had a "block" installed so that employees there can not access www.Lockport-NY.com. Criminal and civil action may be pending against the County sources tell the Lockport Home Page and the FBI may be investigating.  Clark has been in charge of the Sheriff's Road Patrol.  And who is to replace Clark?  One rumor indicates that Niagara Falls Police Chief Carlin may be the top candidate.  Carlin is still officially "on leave" from the Sheriff's Department and his tenure at Niagara Falls could be coming to an end with a change in city administration after the November elections.  (10/5/03) To be filed under Grapevine Telegraph

Doctors diagnose:  Health Department's "Early Intervention" waste of money.  Two doctors on the Niagara County Board of Health are indicating that children entered into, and retained in, the expensive "early intervention" program are probably in it because bureaucrats and program functionaries what to keep demand up for their jobs.  Millions of taxpayer dollars could be in various stages of "wasted" if the doctor's analysis of the program that treats children is correct.  Early Intervention deals with pre-schoolers who are perceived to have problems with speech, motor skills, and intellect.  (9/29/03)   To be filed under Grapevine Telegraph

Politicians want to "study" sale of County nursing home.   Claiming they don't have enough information in spite of previous studies, the latest manager of the facility quitting, and the projection of well over a million dollars in losses this year, Niagara County Legislators say they want an "outside study" as to what to do with Mount View Health Facility.  The county operated nursing home at Lockport could be closed, sold, or the beneficiary of millions of dollars of new taxpayer money.  Politicians are mostly strongly opposed to over 200 county employees at the nursing home, most on political appointment, facing loss of their jobs or loss of their benefit-laden county employment agreements.  Sale of the facility and its prime real estate could generate millions in cash into the county coffers.   However, legislators are aware that any take-over of the facility by a commercial-for-profit nursing home operator could result in wage-benefit cuts, if not job losses, for the present employees.  Most of those employees have political, family, or friendship ties to members of the Legislature. A check by the Lockport Home Page, the week of September 8th, indicated conflicts with the public position of the nursing home claiming they were phasing out an entire floor of operation at the home due to lack of customers.  When the facility was called seeking admission of a new resident the caller was told that the nursing home was "full up" and couldn't take any more in-patients. (9/24/03)  To be filed under Niagara County News

WX forecasts prove wrong, Greater Lockport spared harshest residues of Hurricane Izzy.  As of mid-day Friday, 9/19, Lockport had received only a trace of rain from the northward moving leftovers of Hurricane Isabel which did considerable damage along the Eastern Seaboard, especially in North Carolina coastal areas Thursday.  The National Weather Service had forecast the center of the storm leftovers to move right through Lockport on a path north into Canada.  Winds did increase in the Lockport area early Friday morning but no significant damage is expected.  (9/19/03) 

Farm family throws caution to the wind, invites rabid raccoons into their home.  A Hartland family just couldn't abide by warnings of health authorities and invited two baby raccoons into their home last week.  One of the critters was sickly and the family was trying to aid its recovery by feeding it antibiotics.  At least one family member was bitten after which the family called public health authorities.  The raccoon tested positive for rabies and now the entire family is undergoing the extensive treatment of five shots over 28 days.  Rabies is an always fatal infection according to Niagara County health officials.  (9/19/03)  

Five children charged with causing $28K in damage to graveyard.   The children, ages 8 to 12 years of age, both boys and girls, have been identified as the blame for the second serious vandalism incident at the Greenwood Cemetery in Wilson this year.  The latest spree involved damage to 28 tombstones and the burning of 40 American flags.  Authorities have refused to release the names of those charged and they will likely not face any serious consequence such as reform school.   See previous story on another such case.  (9/6/03)  To be filed under Wilson News

NF gets $3.5-million in fed funds for new train station.  Niagara Falls will receive the funding from the Bush Administration to build an "international" train station near the Whirlpool Bridge.  The matter has been under planning for several years and a total of $20-million is estimated to be needed for the project.  Work includes renovating the 9,000 square-foot "Customs House" which will provide space for various retails shops along with offices for government border agencies.  (9/6/03)  To be filed under News of Niagara

Almost half Buffalo schools tagged "deficient" by the state.  It was no surprise when the announcement came from New York State Education officials that 48% of City of Buffalo schools were cited as deficient and in need of academic improvement.  No schools in Niagara County were on the state's deficient list.  (9/5/03)  To be filed under Buffalo Briefing

Legislators asked to mull $1-Million expenditure for new fire training facility.  Niagara County Legislator Dennis Virtuoso (D-Niagara Falls) is reported favoring spending about a million (taxpayer) dollars to build a new fire training facility in the western limits of the county.  He reportedly wants it built on 102nd Street, right in the city of Niagara Falls where volunteers and others would then practice putting out fires.  (9/3/03)  To be filed under Grapevine Telegraph

County out $30K in Festival financial fiasco.  The Niagara Falls Festival of the Lights ended in 2000.  Still, Niagara County Legislators dispensed $40,000 to the same group in hopes that they would stage a festival in 2001.  It didn't happen.  Will County taxpayers get their $40,000 back.   No.  Maybe $10,000.  Where did the rest go?  Nobody is saying but we're reminded that this is Niagara Falls and money just tends to evaporate there.   (9/2/03)  To be filed under Frontier Follies

Sheriff wants $3-Million more from taxpayers for 911.  Niagara County Sheriff Tom Beilein has told County Legislators he wants an "enhanced" 911 emergency telephone system which would ultimately give his department more control over the dispatch of emergency services in Niagara County.  He wants to spend another $3-million to put his modifications of the existing 911 system (financed largely by a tax on telephone users) into effect.  Beilein funding request is the biggest increase yet proposed anywhere in the 2004 budget discussions.  (8/28/03)  To be filed under Grapevine Telegraph

Teaching gambling at NCCC called "smart."  In their latest effort to find a way to spend more of the taxpayer's money, the officials at Niagara County Community College are proposing that they teach how to gamble as casinos.   The idea is apparently to prepare Niagara County youth for careers in the gambling industry, including the Indian-run gambling hall at Niagara Falls.  The proposal is backed by Niagara Falls politician, Dennis Virtuoso who has been author of similar proposals of about the same quality in the past.  This time he's got the strong support of the Lockport Union-Sun & Journal which calls the gambling and casino curriculum proposals, "smart."  (8/26/03)  To be filed under Frontier Follies

County nursing home, losing customers and money, gets OK to "expand."  Niagara County's Mount View Health Facility at Lockport, reported losing money and losing patients once again, has had its proposal to expand approved by State authorities.  Being proposed is a $15-million dollar bite on taxpayers to build a "greenhouse project" of 10-unit buildings being touted as a "new concept in elder care."  Recently the county home has been in the process of closing the top floor because it has failed to attract enough patients to fill the facility and losses have increased.  Up until now there have been two issues concerning the County nursing home facility:  1)  Sell it to a profit-making corporation to stop losses and to reap a one-time big cash influx to help trim County property taxes or 2) Keep it going to save large number of political appointment jobs.   If the expansion idea proceeds it will effectively mean that County Legislators have decided to protect those county jobs but also to increase the tax bite on property owners.  (8/25/03)  To be filed under Frontier Follies

After $100K damage to cemetery, vandals get "probation."   Two of the three teens finally apprehended and charged with causing about $100,000 damage, in March, to the Greenwood Cemetery in Wilson have been let off with probation and an order to pay $1500 in "restitution" for the damage they caused.   The boys, both aged 15, will not have identities revealed to the community.   Charges against a third teen are still unresolved.  In July another group of youth hit the cemetery again causing considerable damage but no arrests have been made in that case.  (8/26/03)  To be filed under Wilson News

Sheriff bans Lockport Home Page.  It appears Niagara County Sheriff Tom Beilein is fed up with stories in the Lockport Home Page revealing inner-most secrets of his Jail and Road Patrol operations.  An informant tells us that now he has ordered filters installed on department computers to keep the deputies, administrators, and anyone else at the Niagara Street Extension complex from bringing the Lockport Home Page up on line.  The latest move, we're told, comes after The Lockport Home Page report of a pregnant woman being beat in the jail reception area while secured to a bench.  Later she had a miscarriage.  Apparently the web story shocked even some at the Jail.  The Lockport Home Page has a backlog of additional articles revealing operations at the Sheriff's Department (including a shocker on the Sheriff's grounded Air Force) which have been held up because of staff overload.  Look for them in the near future --- but don't try to use a computer at the Sheriff's Department.   (8/25/03) To be filed under Frontier Follies

"Not my fault" - Buffalo Mayor mails 15-pages of excuses.  Residents of the city of Buffalo are receiving a 15-page epistle from Buffalo Mayor Anthony Masiello claiming that the city's fiscal crisis is not his fault.  The massive mailing attempts to defend his nine year track record --- a period during which Buffalo reversed gears from a revival sparked by former Mayor James Griffin--- to near bankruptcy.  The city has now been taken over by a State financial control board.  (8/24/03) To be filed under Buffalo Briefing

Three more shot in Niagara Falls.  City officials in Niagara Falls are making deals with the Niagara County Sheriff's Department and State Police to pump manpower into the crime infested city in an attempt to stop the increase in murders and shooting.  Three more people were shot and wounded in drive-by shootings early Saturday, 7/26 in the 500 block of Fourth Street.  The victims have reportedly been "uncooperative" with police and those responsible for the shootings have gotten away --- just as have all the other gunmen who are shooting up the city and its residents during the past several weeks.  (7/26/03)  To be filed under News of Niagara

Legislature rejects "sales tax holiday" proposal.  The Niagara County Legislature Tuesday, 7/15, rejected by a 10-7 vote a proposal to eliminate the County Sales Tax on clothing and footwear during the last weeks of August and January.   The state had already passed laws eliminating the state sales tax during those periods considered to be prime time for back to school shopping.  Legislator Lee Simonson (R-Lewiston) declared to the press a spin that would have those listening believe that by cutting the sales tax only "out-of-town store owners and their overseas manufacturers" would be aided by the measure.  In reality the sales tax cut would benefit exclusively shoppers at stores in Niagara County---mostly residents of the county.  Since Erie County did pass a sales tax holiday bill for two weeks, it's expected that thousands from Niagara County will travel to nearby Erie County for their back-to-school clothing shopping.  (7/16/03)  To be filed under Frontier Follies

Bite on taxpayers increases $600,000 for record NCCC $34.3-million budget.  Much of the increased funding is being sent to Niagara County Community College out of the pockets of County taxpayers and will be used to fund huge increases in salaries for top administrators.  $1.24-million will be spent on a group of just 19 administrators---who get an average of about 13% raises over the previous year.   Tuition for a full-time student (before various student aid, scholarships, loans, etc.) increases to $2870 per year from $2600.  The total funding from Niagara County taxpayers increases to $7.8-million.  State taxpayers pay the rest and students pay the least.  NCCC President, James P. Klyczek told the Buffalo News he didn't really much care what the County Legislature had to do to boost the taxpayer contribution to the school, declaring, "However I can get the money, I don't care what it is."  Mr. Klyczek gets a raise from $117,920 a year to $126,000 a year with the new budget.  (7/16/03) To be filed under NCCC News

Sheriff now wants money to buy ATVs.  Sheriff Tom Beilein this week publicized his newest goal:  getting money to buy at least two All Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) along with a trailer to haul the sporty little recreational off-roadsters around the county.  Several members of the Sheriff's Department enjoy the sport of riding the noisy mud monsters around on their own time and were delighted to participate in a May multi-agency crackdown on others who ride recklessly and damage property.  The county is overflowing with complaints about damage done by ATV operators who roar through rural areas, mostly at night.  One farmer stated that the trouble snowmobile operators give during the winter is taken up by the ATV operators when snow is off the ground.  Many areas, Royalton's Ravine County Park is one example, have been extensively damaged by ATV operators.  Crops, drainage ditches, and lawns are prime damage targets for those on ATVs.  Just last week the Sheriff was reported making moves that indicates he's about to try to reinstate the Niagara County Sheriff's Department "Air Force," an operation that was stopped last year because of budget problems.   (7/16/03)  To be filed under Crime & Courts

Longtime Vice-President of Niagara USA Chamber fired.  Fred Caso, a veteran of more than 20 years of service to the Niagara Falls Chamber of Commerce was fired this week from his position as Vice-President (of Economic Development and Communications)  for the Niagara USA Chamber which is the organization that gobbled up the Eastern Niagara Chamber of Commerce based in Lockport.  The leadership of the former Lockport-based group had been disposed of at, or shortly after, the merger. Satellite office operations continuing in Lockport are on a reduced level and many from the Lockport area are expressing strong disapproval with the merged result of the Niagara USA Chamber being run by an executive out of Erie County.   According to a statement released by the Chamber, Mr. Caso will not be replaced thus effecting another cost reduction for Niagara USA which has been staffed with four (4) highly paid Vice-Presidents in addition to a staff of functionaries and CEO, Robert Newman.  Steve Braver, reported fired from the Greater Niagara Newspapers in late Spring, is reported still in power at the Niagara USA Chamber as President of the Board of Directors.  Braver is now reported employed by the Seneca Indian gambling casino.    (7/15/03)  To be filed under News of Niagara

Another murder in Niagara Falls.  Police have launched a homicide investigation after finding a badly burned female body inside the former Pharaoh's nightclub at 1919 Whirlpool Street.  The victim is believed to have been in her 20's.  The former trouble spot partially burned early Monday, 7/14 and police feel the blaze was set to conceal the crime. Damage has been pegged at about $50,000.   The woman's killing is the 7th murder this year in Niagara Falls, the fourth in the past two weeks.  Niagara Falls Police Superintendent Christopher Carlin was cautious with his comments on the city's current murder rampage.  He told the Niagara Gazette, "My gut feeling is that we are dealing with more hardtimers, people who are repeat offenders who are out there in society (on parole)."   (7/15/03)  To be filed under News of Niagara

Sheriff reported moving to reactivate his "Air Force."   Niagara County Sheriff Tom Beilein who last year, under public and then Legislative pressure, had to ground his fleet of helicopters, is now reported making moves to reactivate the fleet.  Pressure to cut spending is off since the County Legislature passed a 33% hike in the county sales tax.  Niagara County presently gets helicopter service from the State Police, Erie County Sheriff's Department and U. S. Coast Guard in the rare times it is needed.  But one officer of the Sheriff's Department who needs to get "hours" in for his flying license has been putting the pressure on to get the choppers back in the sky so he can go flying again at Niagara County taxpayer expense.   The latest indication:  a very quiet request to a local insurance company for a quote on a $10-million insurance policy to cover all perils of flying the helicopters.   That would include crashing the helicopters such as happened last year, reportedly by the pilot who is trying qualify for his license.  (7/9/03) To be filed under Grapevine Telegraph

Before The Days Of S-Mail, E-Mail Overload

Back in 1837 when Lockport area Postmaster Daniel Pomeroy starting using this sorting desk he and his small staff had only a few major names to keep track of and several more hundred less frequent customers.  The desk is now on display as part of the collection at the Niagara County Historical Society Museum in Lockport.  We recommend a visit if you haven't been there in the last year.  Still free admission to this museum.  Also free admission to the other great Lockport history museum:  The Lockport Cyber Museum of Rocks, Minerals, and Fossils.  It is online and open 24/7.

Light sentence for man who "misspent" $150K at Medina Y.  Former Lake Plains YMCA Executive Director, David Granville has been sentenced to four months of weekends in jail,  five years probation, 1,500 hours of community service and payment of only $40,000 restitution for his admission that he stole or misspent approximately $150,000 in YMCA funds. (7/9/03)  To be filed under Orleans County News

Staples leaving Medina Schools after only four years.  Judith Staples, former Royalton-Hartland Superintendent of Schools who appeared to have departed Roy-Hart under pressure, has most recently decided to move out of the area.  She's leaving the superintendent's position at Medina at the end of July to take a similar position with the Corning/Painted Post area school district.  Taking over as Medina Superintendent is Richard Galante who has worked as the district's chief financial manager.  He says he will move into the district from a home in Getzville.   (7/9/03)  To be filed under Orleans County News

Another killing Monday night in Niagara Falls.  Details have not been released to the Lockport Home Page but we are told by reliable sources that another Niagara Falls resident was shot dead Monday night, 7/7, in the area of 2712 Highland Avenue.  The slaying took place about 10:30PM.  (7/8/03)  To be filed under News of Niagara

Lighthouse At Olcott

We had just published a picture of this reconstructed landmark lighthouse at Olcott Beach a month or so ago.  But now it's been painted and looks so much better.  The frame taken by the Lockport Page Photographer on Tuesday, 7/8 is a classic.  Bravo, Olcott volunteers!

More vandalism at Wilson Cemetery.  A new wave of extensive vandalism was discovered Monday morning, 7/7, at Greenwood Cemetery in Wilson.   Damage is estimated into several thousand dollars and, Niagara County Sheriff's investigators suspect, it may be a "copycat" of earlier vandalism by three youth that exceeded $100,000 in damage.  Sheriff's have no suspects in the latest spree which included flag burning in addition to damage to cemetery stones.   Over the weekend Wilson High School was also hit again by intruders who hauled off four camcorders and two portable radios.  In June the Wilson schools were looted of about $36K in computers.  Sheriff's Deputies have made no arrests in either case and say they have no suspects in the latest cemetery vandalism.  (7/8/03) To be filed under Wilson News

Two shot dead, one pending, three more "hit."  New operators, new patrons, and new activities at the former Dante's Ristorante on Pine Avenue in Niagara Falls resulted in wild shooting and bloodshed early Sunday, 7/6.   Two young men were shot dead with revolvers and another death is pending.   Three more were hit by robust rounds of gunfire and taken to the hospital.   Those involved are not talking to police who struggle to investigate.  No arrests have been made.  The former landmark restaurant, closed in the late spring has re-opened as some kind of "hip-hop" bar and residents of the area are terrified as a new customer base builds.  Guns, noise, and violence seems to be the new mix on the border of "Little Italy."  (7/7/03)  To be filed under News of Niagara

Delphi-Harrison chief appointed to Buffalo "Control Board."  The appointment of Ronald M. Pirtle, President of Delphi-Harrison Thermal  System in Lockport was announced Thursday, 7/3, by New York Gov. George Pataki.  Pataki also named Thomas Baker, who heads the Buffalo Oishei Foundation,  as Chairman of the Control Board which will be responsible for keeping money flowing for Buffalo government after financial conditions for the city collapsed under the administration of Buffalo Mayor Tony Masiello.  Masiello will also have a seat on the control board as will Erie County Executive, Joel Giambra, and former State Comptroller H. Carl McCall.  None of the three politicians were named by Pataki who did name three non-politicians Thursday in addition to Pirtle and Baker.  They are:   Robert G. Wilmers, CEO for M&T Bank, John J. Faso a partner in a NYC law firm and unsuccessful candidate for State Comptroller, and Alair Townsend, publisher of Crain's New York Business.

27 fired at Greater Niagara Newspapers.  Monday, 7/1, was not a good day at Greater Niagara Newspapers as newly installed publisher, Wayne K. Lowman, announced the dismissal of 27 employees.  It is the biggest blood-letting since the Alabama-based Community Newspaper Holdings Inc. purchased the Niagara County newspapers including The Lockport Union-Sun & Journal, Niagara Gazette, and other papers in Tonawanda and Medina.  Staff cuts have been the rule at the Greater Niagara Newspapers where over the past couple of years as many long-time employees were let go, employment levels slashed, and publishing and printing operations at Lockport eliminated.   The paper is gaining a reputation as very  "low-pay" and as a possible consequence, many of its new employees are not the industry's top performers.    Publisher Steve Braver had been dismissed just a few months ago.  Monday CNHI officials tried to put a positive spin on the departure of 12% of its employees but different versions came out of Niagara Falls and Alabama.  Lowman blamed the mass dismissals on "slower-than-expected economic conditions."  In Alabama, CNHI chief Mike Reed declared, "The business was run very inefficiently and what we're going to do is refocus our dollars..."  In Niagara Falls, the weekly tabloid, The Reporter, has blamed much of the financial problems of Greater Niagara Newspapers on CNHI over-paying for the newspapers and now trying to cover interest costs of debt to acquire.  (7/2/03)  To be filed under Media Monitor

DiTullio arrested, latest development in Jail sex scandal.  33-year old Matthew J. DiTullio of 151 West Avenue, Lockport, was arrested Tuesday, July 1st, charged with two counts of second-degree coercion.  The misdemeanor charges could carry a one-year jail term upon conviction but observers feel DiTullio will not be sent away.  A plea is expected to be entered in the case on Tuesday, July 8th in Lockport Town Court.  The charges are reputed to involve conversations, with sexual topics,   between Mr. DiTullio and a 26-year old female inmate at the Niagara County Jail.   He had been working at the jail under a contract the jail has with the Niagara County Mental Health Department to counsel prisoners.  The Health Department in turn sub-contracted the work out to a company calling itself "Odollam Forensic Case Management" where DiTullio was reported to be on the employee roster.   Inappropriate sexual activity is claimed to have been simmering for almost a half year at the Niagara County Jail, sources say.  There was no acknowledgement by authorities Monday that charges against DiTullio are linked to other charges involving sexual activities at the Jail.  The charges announced Monday against DiTullio is the only public acknowledgement by authorities of claims of sexual misconduct at the Jail.   Niagara County Sheriff Tom Beilein declared Monday that DiTullio had "no sexual contact" with the woman inmate who he had been "counseling."   (7/2/03) To be filed under Crime & Courts

Gerhardt reported target of criminal investigation.  Niagara County Coroner, Steven Gerhardt is reported the target of a criminal investigation by State Police authorities.  According to limited information in public papers, the investigation was sparked by a complaint that advance payments made for funerals, out of a Lockport funeral home Gerhardt was working for, were not properly accounted for.   Niagara County Democratic boss Frank Soda, said that the Democratic Committee has declined to endorse Gerhardt for re-election.  But Soda declared the lack of endorsement for the long time incumbent had nothing to do with the criminal investigation that sources now reveal had been on-going for many months.  (7/2/03)  To be filed under Niagara County Political News

Arrest now reported "pending" in County Jail sex case.  In an apparent response to public pressure, the (ex) employee of a quasi-public agency servicing the Niagara County Jail is now expected to be "arrested" this week.  The man who has left his employment in Niagara County and is now reported working in Erie County will apparently be allowed to plea to a misdemeanor rather than a felony in the case of sexual activities with a female inmate at the County Jail.  Details of the reduced charge that is said pending could not yet be obtained by The Lockport Page.  News of the pending arrest came just a day after a letter appeared in the Lockport Home Page E-Mail To The Editor section by a reader who said they would go to the FBI in Buffalo on this, and other matters of alleged corruption in Niagara County government.  (6/30/03)  To be filed under Grapevine Telegraph

Newspaper truck stolen.  A driver left a large newspaper transport truck with its motor running and keys inside at the gasoline station at Dysinger Road and Transit Sunday morning, 6/30, and complains to Niagara County Sheriff's Deputies that somebody stole the vehicle.  The truck, owned by Greater Niagara Newspapers, is used to truck printed copies of the Lockport Union-Sun & Journal into the city from its out-of-area printing plant.  There were reports on Sunday that many in Lockport did not get their Sunday edition of the Lockport-Niagara Falls newspaper.  Deputies had not reported that they had recovered the truck, its contents, or its thief as of Monday.  (6/30/03) To be filed under Crime & Courts

Newfane votes "No" again on school budget.  The $25.5-million Newfane School budget was defeated this week by 153 votes and the district will now go to a so-called contingency budget with a 74-cents/thousand tax increase.   A slightly higher budget of $25.8-million was voted down on June 3rd but school administrators and Board of Education members failed to make a significant cut in the record spending plan to satisfy taxpayers.  (6/27/03)  To be filed under Newfane News

Retired educator writes take-off on Lockport Boy.   She calls her collection of memories of a few of her early years living in Gasport, NY, "Gasport Girl" and has been making a tour of Niagara County to promote the book.  Author D. Jean (Kolb) Lang is a former Lockport High School graduate and, in a press release, says she relates in the book "the summers and holidays spent with her maternal grandparents, Thomas and Mary Ann Degan of East Avenue, Gasport."  We don't have a copy of the book to provide any addition information but can suspect the title may have been composed after hearing of the multiple printing orders Frank Bredell has enjoyed with Lockport Boy which is still on sale at local book stores, Amazon.com, and directly from the publisher.  (6/26/03)  To be filed under Lockport Literary

Wilson man shoots himself as Sheriff patrols close in.  43-year old William Demmin of Maple Road Wilson was despondent Tuesday, 6/24.  He was due in court the next day to deal with multiple charges of sex abuse with children.  Demmin, a truck driver, walked out of his home after leaving notes of departure and drove away into the country.  His mother spotted the notes and called the Niagara County Sheriff's Department which dispatched a small army of deputies plus a helicopter to try and find Mr. Demmin.  Finally as he spotted patrols moving in on him he shot himself in the stomach in a wooded area about a half mile from Thomas Marks Elementary School.   He died shortly thereafter at Intercommunity Hospital in Newfane.  (6/25/03) To be filed under Wilson News

Cover-up charged in jail sex scandal.  The chief suspect in the latest Niagara County jail sex scandal is apparently being allowed to walk in the case in exchange for him giving up his job as a civilian consoler-employee for an quasi-public agency that services the jail.   The man has left his employment and is now working in Erie County, the Lockport Page has been told.  The arrangement was made in exchange for not pressing major criminal charges according to word leaked to the The Page.  Criminal charges in court would have blown the entire episode into the public eye.  Left unanswered, publicly, is whether the woman who says she became pregnant while an inmate in the Niagara County Jail will have any recourse against Niagara County taxpayers and who will provide the financial support for the new child.  The Lockport Page was told on Monday, "It's like it never happened...the lid is now on and the county is in the denial mode."  (6/24/03)  To be filed under Grapevine Telegraph

Teen finally caught after 15-day crime spree.  He eluded and out-smarted Niagara County Sheriff's Deputies for 15 days while on an expensive crime spree in Niagara County but a Barker boy has finally been caught.  Authorities so far have tallied about $27,000 in damages the boy, who they decline to identify, is responsible for while on the loose.  He faces multiple charges including felonies.   The boy had reportedly stayed away from his home while he was breaking into other homes and businesses, stealing vehicles, and doing extensive property damage.  Damage he is charged with include messing up the lawn at Lockport's Charles Upson School with a stolen van.  There was no immediate explanation of how the youth could remain at large for so long without authorities catching him.  (6/21/03)  To be filed under Crime & Courts

Orleans County man charged with rape of Lockport girl.  Authorities have charged 21-year old Michael A. Motzer of Millers Road, Lyndonville with multiple counts of rape and other sex charges in connection with sexual activities with a Town of Lockport girl said to be under the age of 16.  The sex adventures for the man are said to have taken place in September of 2002 in the Town of Lockport but there is no public explanation of why the delay in his arrest.  Motzer has entered a plea of "not guilty" to all charges but is being held in the Orleans County Jail.   (6/21/03)  To be filed under Crime & Courts

Alabama owners bring in Indiana man to run Greater Niagara Newspapers.  45-year old Wayne K. Lowman has been sent into Niagara County with an assignment to boost profits and improve editorial content of the Lockport Union-Sun & Journal, Niagara Gazette, and the other newspapers and penny-savers in the local chain run under the umbrella of "Greater Niagara Newspapers."  Community Newspapers Holding Group of Birmingham, Alabama says Mr. Lowman last worked in Kokomo, Indiana running the Kokomo Tribune.  He has been appointed Publisher of the Niagara group of newspapers on his first working assignment in New York State.  He replaces Steve Braver, who was brought in from Nevada a few years ago but suddenly dismissed this spring.  (6/21/03)  To be filed under Media Monitor

State authorizes "control board" for Buffalo.  The vote came late Thursday, 6/19 that allows the State of New York to back debt for the city of Buffalo in exchange for control over the city finances.  Buffalo Mayor Tony Masiello, responsible for most of the decline in the city's fiscal condition is reported as saying, "Let's get going."  Masiello is likely to tangle with State members of the new Buffalo Fiscal Stability Authority as the authority's members try to cut the political fat from city payrolls, reduce job feather-bedding in city police, fire, nearly every other department, and institute new taxes.  Among the new taxes city authorities are advocating is one that would impose an income tax on those who work in the city but live outside it.  As the control board was established, credit agencies lowered Buffalo's credit rating to just one notch above "junk bond" ratings.   The new control board has the authority to borrow up to $175-million and continue in operation until 2037 if necessary.  Among action in the final hours of the State Legislature was to leave a state ban on smoking in most all public places, including restaurants and bars, in effect.  It will stop smoking in public establishments effective July 24th.  (6/20/03)  To be filed under Buffalo Briefing

Buffalo politicians want share of casino revenues in Niagara Falls.  After concluding that taking out the Buffalo Convention Center for a new Indian gambling casino was not in the city's best interests, Erie County Executive Joel Giambra and other Buffalo power brokers have set their sights on taking money from casino operations at Niagara Falls.  Their money grab out of Niagara County would come about, they advocate, if and when a new, second casino is built at Niagara Falls.   However, the Seneca Indians are saying they want to consider other locations in Erie County for a casino.  The old Memorial Auditorium (vacant), the remediated hazardous waste site just west of Transit near the New York State Thruway, and even the extensively vandalized old Buffalo Art Deco train terminal building are being promoted for gambling locations.  (6/20/03) To be filed under Buffalo Briefing

Lights out at Delaware Park.  Organizers of a Christmas holiday light show for the past four years in Buffalo's Delaware Park have announced they will discontinue the event.  "Lights in the Park" was very competitive with the long-running Christmas Season light show at Niagara Falls and is considered one of the main reasons the decades-old celebration in Niagara County failed a couple years ago.  Now, those wishing a holiday lighting show will have to go across the border to Niagara Falls, Ontario.  (6/19/03)  To be filed under Frontier Follies

Swan keeps job as head of St. Bonaventure Board of Trustees.   The CEO of First Niagara Bank (the former Lockport Savings Bank), William E. Swan, has retained his position of chairman of the board of trustees of St. Bona's at Olean, NY.  Swan, a graduate of  Bona's who has directed substantial amounts of bank money to that institution, was expected to encounter resistance in light of his part in the school's Spring basketball scandal.  Swan had declined to act on complaints that a student with only a "welding certificate" from a southern community college was given advance standing at Bona's so he could help out the school's basketball team.  Three top figures, including the university president, were let go after that scandal broke public.  Swan was reelected to his position this week  (6/19/03)   To be filed under Sport Shorts

Did Buffalo teacher steal over $40K from students? A 54-year old teacher in the Buffalo School system is reported under investigation after news broke out that upward of $40,000 from student funds has disappeared over the past several years.  The teacher is now on "sick leave" as investigators probe how student funds at City Honors School were looted to the point that the Board of Education (the taxpayers) stepped in to reimburse the student accounts.  The teacher reportedly earns $72,113 a year plus substantial benefits and "extras."   One of the extras is to serve as "Senior Class Advisor," a position that now is suspect in connection with the money outflow.  Both the teacher and her union are not offering public information on the matter.  Meanwhile, money to reimburse the student funds for graduation, a prom, and yearbooks has been drained from what remains in the school central office cash accounts --- further increasing financial problems for the district as Buffalo looms one step from bankruptcy.  At the same time the possible teacher theft is being investigated, Buffalo Superintendent of Schools Marion Canedo convinced the Board of Education to give her a $30,602 per year raise ---despite the fact that the city did not have cash available to meet its next payroll due at the end of June.   Canedo will now take in over $175,000 in cash plus substantial benefits.   Meanwhile New York State Gov. George Pataki said the State Control Board that will seize control of Buffalo's out-of-control spending, will have the most power of any such board ever appointed in the state.  Members would be empowered to break contracts, fire political appointees, and slash waste and spending as Buffalo struggles to avoid bankruptcy.  (6/13/03)  To be filed under Buffalo Briefing

17 years after his confession, man is finally arrested for murder.   A 46-year old Tonawanda man has finally been arrested for the murder of a cohort back in 1974.  Michael Thuman had reportedly confessed to police 17 years ago that, as an 18-year old, he had shot and killed 16-year old Duane Talmon Jr. of Clarence.   Both boys were reportedly involved in drug deals.  Thuman told police where he had buried Talmon's body in North Amherst but authorities were never able to dig up the body.  Finally, this week, body or no body, Thuman was arrested and entered a guilty plea to manslaughter.  The former U. S. Postal worker could face 5 to 15 years in prison.  Asked for an explanation for the delay in Thuman's arrest, authorities said it was "an unusual" case.  (6/12/03)  To be filed under Crime & Courts

Wilson schools hit again with $36K computer theft.  For the second time this year intruders have entered the Wilson Schools and left with thousands of dollars worth of laptop computers.  The latest job was reported in the wee hours of Tuesday, 6/10 when men with a truck just drove up to Marks Elementary School, broke a window in a door to enter, and then loaded about 24 student laptop computers into their vehicle and drove away.  A witness called the Sheriff's Department after noticing the break-in in progress but by the time Sheriff's patrols arrived the thieves were long gone.  A similar break in took place at the same school in February when $26,000 in computers were stolen.  The thieves had such an easy time of it this time week that they also broke into the Middle School the same morning, taking a $2000 Apple computer there along with a couple $500 saxophones.  (6/11/03)  To be filed under Wilson School News

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