Governor Paterson’s press secretary is resigning amid scandals that threaten the administration. Marissa Shorenstein says she is quitting because her reported role in one of the scandals makes her unable to do her job effectively. Our Grace Rauh has the latest.
Out-of-town visitors with money burning a hole in their pockets are catching a break from the City of Buffalo. Free and discounted parking is being offered at City-owned facilities to fans attending the NCAA Tournament this weekend. While City-owned ramps are at capacity due to regular parkers during the day Friday, the HSBC and Adam ramps will be able to accommodate about 150 parkers for the noon games at a $5.00 rate. In the evening, rates will be $5.00 at HSBC, Augspurger, and Adam ramps and $2 at other locations.
For Sunday games, consistent with regular policy during all special events, there will be a $5 charge at the HSBC and Adam ramps. All other City-owned downtown parking facilities will be free.
The gracious parking fee waivers were announced in a press release from Mayor Brown's office. Apparently the action was taken without the prior approval of the Buffalo Common Council.
The City is passing on what could be a significant revenue boost without gouging fans. Instead of maximizing the benefit to taxpayers by generating additional revenues that could be put to use for parks, police, or other basic services, the City puts on a happy face and says "no thanks."
What next? Free food for the visiting fans?
A federal judge ruled Wednesday that the Erie County attorney and her staff may not sit in when the U.S. Justice Department interviews the Holding Center inmates who volunteer to talk about their experiences with the jail's mental health care and suicide-prevention screening.
Today looks so good it's hard to believe that it's still officially winter. The forecast is calling for sunshine all day and temperatures as high as 61 in places that are far enough inland not to feel the winds off frigid Lake Erie. Buffalo and the suburbs aren't expected to be so hot, topping out only in the low to mid-50s, thanks to a stiff westerly breeze. Friday? Much the same.
Teeing off at city-owned golf courses would cost more money under a plan the Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy is asking the Common Council to approve as quickly as possible.
Idol Pool standings through Week 3
A woman in her 40s died late Wednesday, shortly after fire broke out in her first-floor apartment in the Commodore Perry projects, fire officials said.
The action has quieted down, but that's because only a handful of teams are still alive as we've reached the most important basketball games of the year -- the state championships. Buffalo News high schools writer Keith McShea held his live chat tonight at the Prep Talk blog.
A republican challenger is looking to oust Senator Bill Stachowski.
State Assemblyman Jack Quinn III says he will make a run for the New York State Senate in the 58th District.
The Buffalo Olmsted Park Conservancy is asking the Common Council to increase fees, which they say have not changed in several years. The higher fees could raise $35,000-$50,000 more per year.
Manufacturer Gaymar is closing down its facility in Kitchner, Ontario by the end of June and will be bringing those operations to its headquarters in Orchard Park.
The Genesee County Sheriff’s Office say they responded to a call Tuesday evening, saying 47-year old Richard Fox had driven away from his home in Bergen after drinking.
If you don’t have a ticket to this weekend’s NCAA Tournament at HSBC Arena, there’s still an opportunity to see the teams take the court.
There’s more good news about U-B wrestler Dan Bishop, who is recovering from a severe spinal cord injury. Doctors plan to transfer him to a rehabilitation hospital in Schenectady on Thursday.
