Today could mark the beginning of a new era for the beleaguered Statler Towers. The Buffalo landmark overlooking Niagara Square is set to be sold at a bankruptcy auction. Local businessmen Mark Croce and James Eagen are reportedly up against a California real estate investment company. The sale will be conducted in the offices of the court-appointed trustee before a federal bankruptcy judge gives the final approval. The two bidders have not yet revealed their plans for the vacant building. Previous owner Bashir Issa was forced into bankruptcy in April of last year.
Both sides still await a judge’s decision on whether to delay Native American cigarette tax collections. The Seneca Nation filed suit against the state in order to delay the Governor’s action, set to go into effect this Wednesday, September 1st. Native American tribes have noted their sales tripling as smokers attempt to purchase cigarettes before the deadline. Governor Paterson has expressed concern about possible violence. Tribal protestors blocked the Thruway with burning tires the last time a New York governor tried to impose such a measure.
Buffalo resident Randy Sargent kicked off a 600-mile walk against violence this past weekend. Sargent was joined on the steps of Buffalo City Hall Saturday afternoon by dozens of people who have lost a loved one to homicide. Sargent plans to take his message to the nation’s capital, where he will express his concerns to national leaders. He says he stepped up, and stepped off, because our communities need Washington’s help.
A West Valley man is dead after a car crash in Cattaraugus County. 50-year-old Christopher Schmitz’s car was hit Sunday morning in the Town of Ashford. Police say the other driver, Linda Baker, ran through a stop sign at the intersection of Thomas Corners Road and Route 240. Schmitz was taken to a hospital in Springville where he died from internal injuries. Baker suffered non-life threatening injuries.
A shooting victim was discovered near a Buffalo gas station over the weekend. Police say they found the victim near Main and Glenwood around 6:30 p.m. on Saturday. The victim’s condition has yet to be released. No suspects have been taken into custody, but police canvassed an east side neighborhood to search for suspects after they located the victim.
Buffalo police are investigating a report of a rape early Saturday morning. Cops say a woman told them she was grabbed off the street by a person or persons she did not know. The woman reported that she was taken into an apartment above a Delaware Avenue bar and forced to drink a liquid which made her fall asleep, when she was allegedly attacked.
Amherst Fire Control is blaming a bird’s nest for an attic fire. The Snyder Fire Department responded to the blaze in an attic at a home on Devon Lane at about 5:00 p.m. Sunday. The fire was quickly controlled, but caused 25-thousand-dollars of damage to the structure and 50-thousand-dollars of damage to the home’s contents. Officials believe a bird’s nest and a malfunctioning ventilation fan caused the blaze to start. No injuries were reported and the family’s pet was saved.
Tom Petty’s second appearance at Darien Lake in a couple weeks was a busy night for law enforcement. More than 30 arrests were made at the show Saturday night. 28-year-old Adam Phillips of Brockport allegedly punched a deputy in the face and now faces charges of assault, trespassing and resisting arrest. Cops say he repeatedly tried to get into the wrong seating area before allegedly squabbling with officers. A father and son from Lockport were busted for allegedly fighting with security guards and an Akron man allegedly threatened a deputy. Police say there were also various drug and alcohol related arrests at the show, which also featured Crosby, Stills and Nash.
Governor David Paterson is being sued by the Columbia Journalism Review over disclosure of a series of emails. The publication filed suit against Paterson seeking seven weeks worth of emails involving Paterson’s former Communications Director Peter Kauffmann and former Press Secretary Melissa Shorenstein, from a period before Kauffman stepped down in March. The review, published at Columbia University, critiques the news industry.
The lead organizer behind New York City’s controversial Muslim cultural center and mosque owes back taxes on the proposed site. The “New York Post” reports that Sharif El-Gamal’s company, 45 Park Place Partners, didn’t pay estimated taxes in January and July. City records show he currently owes more than 224-thousand dollars in back property taxes. The debt could be a possible lease violation. A spokesperson for El-Gamal says he has paid the taxes.
