Two workers who refused treatment at scene say they were struck by vehicle crossing picket line on Millersport Highway.

DETROIT, MI – On August 2, Zach Deputy made his first trip ever to Detroit, and threw down a great show at the Magic Stick. Highlights included Rootstand’s opener with a sit-in from the Macpodz’ Brennan Andes, and some spectacular new ZD material. But the real treat came after the show when Zach sat down with about 10 of the fans still there and played four acoustic songs on his guitar. Thanks Zach for a memorable evening, we hope that you come back to Detroit soon! No related posts.

Barge to be made of recycled pop bottles.

The Erie County Legislature passed a resolution calling on the County Executive and Health Department to release the funds appropriate for rodent abatement.

On April 14, 2011 the Legislature passed a resolution that appropriated $70,000 for use in rodent abatement. The money was intended to be used to for training of town and village officials in rodent abatement methods including baiting.

At the Legislature’s annual Mid-Year Budget Hearings Legislator Lynn Marinelli (D-Tonawanda and Buffalo) asked officials from the County Health Department what steps were being taken to distribute this money to the municipalities. The Health Department officials said they were waiting on direction from the County Executive on how to distribute the funds.

“These funds should have been used for rodent abatement months ago,” stated Marinelli “I can’t understand what the Administration is waiting for, but I can tell you that the residents of my district expect this money to be spent and this problem to be confronted immediately. Saying that we are waiting on a plan is unacceptable – action needs to be taken now to control the rat population.”

The resolution also called for the addition of 2 positions in the Health Department that deal with rodent abatement to be restored. Those positions were eliminated from the County budget this year by the Administration.

“The County Executive has said this is not a state mandated service that the County has to perform,” Marinelli explained. “But I am saying that the residents of the County of Erie are the ones that are proclaiming this a mandate. Rodent abatement is high on the list of priority for the residents and that is what makes it an important issue for the County.”

Erie County Legislature Chair Barbara Miller-Williams (D-Buffalo, 3rd District) announced today that she and colleague Legislator Betty Jean Grant (D-Buffalo, 7th District) will host an informational meeting about the changes that are occurring at the Erie County Medical Center (ECMC).

The meeting will take place at the Delavan-Grider Community Center at 877 E. Delavan Avenue in Buffalo on Tuesday, August 16th from 6-8 pm. Executives from ECMC will be on hand to talk about the many exciting changes taking place including the construction of a new skilled nursing facility on the Grider Street campus.

“I know there are many questions by members of the community about how the changes at ECMC will affect the quality of life in the neighborhoods around ECMC,” Miller-Williams explained, “I realize people are excited about the additional facilities while at the same time are concerned about access and disruptions that accompany any major construction project. I want to thank the executive staff at ECMC for being so willing to come out and share information and answer questions from residents.”

The meeting is open to the public. For more information please contact the District office of Chair Miller-Williams at 716-842-0490.

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Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-27) announced the award of $167,000 in federal funding for Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper. The grant, provided through the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration, will support Phase II of the Buffalo Riverbend project.

“These federal funds will continue our efforts to preserve and enhance the water’s edge,” said Congressman Higgins, a member of the Congressional Great Lakes Task Force. “Beyond the clear environmental benefits this work will continue the transformation of Buffalo’s old and industrial image to one that is new, exciting and welcoming to the public and innovative economic development.”

Jill Jedlicka, Director of Ecological Programs for Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper added, “Riverkeeper is thrilled to be able to continue our work in the transformation of a former industrial brownfield that will provide improved riverfront access for the South Buffalo community. We have been very pleased to bring federal investment and restoration jobs into Buffalo in recent years and we are fully committed to the continued ecological and economic revitalization of the Buffalo River.”

Last fall Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper received $657,245 through a federal Great Lakes Restoration Initiative grant toward the Riverbend project. Riverkeeper will use the additional funding for the creation of design and engineering specifications of shoreline restoration of 1,520 linear feet of Buffalo River Area of Concern (AOC) Shoreline. An additional 3.5 acres of habitat will also be targeted for restoration design.

The Riverbend project sits adjacent to Riverbend Commerce Park, a “green” business hub. The South Buffalo site was formerly the home of Republic Steel and Donner Hanna Coke facilities. The area’s heavy industrial past contributed to contamination of the land and water. The Riverbend project is a component of the South Buffalo Brownfield Opportunity Act (BOA), which is transforming almost 2,000 acres along the shores of Lake Erie and the Buffalo River.

For more information on this project and others led by Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper visit: http://bnriverkeeper.or

The Board of Ed will be voting on a revised package for Folasade Oladele. But the public can't know what the buyout is until after it's a done deal.

There’s a $450 million opportunity slipping by. It could be the thing that helps transform this region.

K-Holes with Call of the Wild, Fatal Figures, and Utah Jazz Monday, August 8 It’s been a while since a band has come along with a name that so rightly suits their sound. Brooklyn’s K-Holes push a brand of art-infused swampy garage-rock that is just as capable of making you achieve an out-of-body hallucinatory dirge [...]

The controversy over a Cellino & Barnes commercial filmed in Common Council chambers and the latest development over fired city employee Karla Thomas were discussed by The News' Brian Meyer on WBFO-FM 88.7.

U.S. investors will have their first chance to react to Standard & Poor's downgrade of U.S. credit rating.

The long wait is over. After tracking the progress of a West Side restaurant for seven years, the Connecticut Street Sandwich Shop (CSSS) has finally opened (see back story). And believe it or not, it was worth the wait. It's hard to imagine that seven plus years of anticipation could live up to built expectations. As luck would have it (for anyone who loves food), CSSS has charged onto the scene as one of the best lunch spots in the region. From the thoughtful homemade food to the quaint eastern countryside motif, I'm enamored with just about everything about this little restaurant, right down to the music (Johnny Cash, Alison Krauss, José González).

I first noticed that the CSSS was open while biking on Friday night on my way to the Peace Bridge. On Saturday morning I called first to make sure that I had not been dreaming. After confirming that the place was indeed open, chef Martin Danilowicz and I met up to grab lunch. I was excited to see what had been created on the inside - up until that point the interior was a complete mystery. What we found was a bright, homey combination of vintage malt shop and rustic cafe. Tin ceiling with working fans, stained glass transom windows, a collection of retro robin's egg blue blenders, an antique scale, a functional wood cash register, inlaid wood flooring, white beadboard walls, Tiffany-style hanging lamps along with green poker pendant lights and chalkboard specials all added to the charming ambiance. There was even a killer custom wrought iron bench out on the sidewalk. Would the food be as good as the decor? I was crossing my fingers.

Yes. The food was brilliant. The homemade gazpacho was light and vibrant, with hand chopped vegetables and a real nice kick. It was then that I realized that we had struck gold. As we discussed the colorful presentation and the different flavors, we couldn't help but wonder what the next course had in store for us - the build-your-own carnitas (soft shell tacos). Just as we finished the gazpacho, the carnitas arrived. I filled the first small grilled shell with a combination of egg and cheddar cheese, guacamole, tomato and onion, lettuce, sour cream and roasted chili salsa. Then I squeezed a lime slice on top, drizzled some Cholula hot sauce on it and took a bite. It was one of the best tacos that I had ever put in my mouth. While I ate, Martin was busy creating his own roasted pork taco. After eating his first taco, he exclaimed that he was going to be a regular, and since we both live just down the street, I chimed in that I would be happy to join him anytime. As a matter of fact, I can't wait for Tuesday to head back for the Community Garden Salad (I love that name), a portabella hoagie, the homemade cole slaw, or the egg salad with green olives. Meat lovers might enjoy a chorizo burger, a crazy dog with smoky bacon cheddar potato salad or a BBQ grilled chicken sandwich. CSSS also specializes in old fashioned milkshakes served up in malt glasses with whipped cream and a cherry on top (see menu). They even gave banana boats! 

I am already hooked on CSSS, and I've only been there once. Not only is the atmosphere great, and the food terrific, there's something else... something even better - owners Chris D'Andrea and Mark Supples have created something that transcends food and ambiance. They have brought something to a neighborhood that every neighborhood should have. Just as Grant Street has Sweet_ness 7 and Amherst Street now has the Black Rock Kitchen and Bar... and Lexington Avenue has The Place, and Rhode Island has Left Bank... and Virginia Street has Betty's, and Bryant Street has Trattoria Aroma... Connecticut Street now has an anchor restaurant that will make its mark on the neighborhood. CSSS will hopefully be around for generations, because this neighborhood deserves this type of place. I know that I'll be supporting it.


*The only thing that I can think of that would improve the restaurant would be to invest in more tableware instead of using the disposable plastic containers that came with just about everything. Learn more about Connecticut Street.

Connecticut Street Sandwich Shop
402 Connecticut Street
Buffalo NY14213
716-882-2777 (CSSS)

Today, at the Buffalo and Erie County Historical Society (25 Nottingham Court), there will be celebration of the United Nations Indigenous Peoples Day, with appearances by Native American activist Dennis Banks and film producer Masaou Yamamoto. Banks co-founded the American Indian Movement in 1968 and took part in the 1973 occupation of Wounded Knee at [...]

The controversy over a Cellino & Barnes commercial filmed in Common Council chambers and the latest development over fired city Human Resources Commissioner Karla Thomas were discussed by News City Hall Reporter Brian Meyer on WBFO-FM 88.7 today.

Floating classroom will serve as waterfront attraction.