Local News
NORTH TONAWANDA: GOP probe sought over Walmart flap
Mayor wants state, county officials to look into allegations
North Tonawanda mayor Larry Soos has requested state Attorney General Andrew Cuomo and the Niagara County District Attorney to investigate alleged action on the part of the Republican Party to delay construction of the Walmart superstore in the city.
Soos, the Democratic incumbent running for re-election on Tuesday, wants the attorneys to determine if the GOP violated any criminal or civil statutes.
The allegation stems from an accusation made by Democratic common council candidate Dennis Barberio. At the Oct. 20 North Tonawanda common council meeting, Barberio said council member Brett Sommer indicated to him that he had been asked by party leaders to delay plans for the superstore at the Melody Fair site.
Sommer, who is not running for re-election, indicated some sort of meeting took place in 2008.
GOP leaders deny any conversation ever took place, and party chairman Henry Wojtaszek suggested in an Oct. 22 News story that Sommer is “bitter” that he wasn’t endorsed by the local committee to run as alderman.
Sommer disputes that statement, and added in the same Oct. 22 article that he fully supports North Tonawanda’s Republican candidates.
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AFTERNOON UPDATE for March 18
Niagara Falls police detectives are investigating another shooting in the city — this time in the 3200 block of Highland Avenue.
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NIAGARA FALLS: St. Patrick’s Day tradition kicks off with World’s Shortest Parade
In Niagara Falls, nothing is bigger on St. Patrick’s Day than the World’s Shortest Parade, and this year the record-breaking parade was shorter than ever.
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NIAGARA-WHEATFIELD: Technology budget to take a big hit
Niagara-Wheatfield officials came one step closer to arriving at a proposed 2010-11 district budget Wednesday as Technology Director Mary Ann Buch proposed lopping $475,940 from her department budget next year in an effort to help the district deal with a tight fiscal situation.
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COURTS: New lawyer for DelRio
A former Falls pastor has a new, publicly paid lawyer and his alleged violation of probation will be handled by a veteran Erie County prosecutor.
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CITY DPW: Request made for ‘modest’ wage increases for director, staff
The head of the city’s Public Works Department has asked lawmakers to approve a re-organization plan that would result in pay increases for him, his deputy and several other staffers.
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ALBANY: Schimminger, Thompson rank high on expense list
Albany may be having trouble with its finances, but that hasn’t stopped lawmakers from spending big dollars on staff and office supplies.
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AFTERNOON UPDATE for March 17
A look at the news in today's — and tomorrow's Gazette
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NIAGARA FALLS: Police, ATF pick up gang members
Two gang members being sought in connection with the recent rash of violence in the city were picked up Monday and Tuesday by Falls police.
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HOUSING AUTHORITY: Bringing in the garbage
The Niagara Falls Housing Authority will spend $94,000 on a garbage collection system upgrade at Packard Court and Jordan Gardens.
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LEW-PORT: Students, teachers defend programs
A parent defending Advanced Placement classes, young musicians telling the school board of their love for the trumpet and a high school principal recognizing hard-working students and the best graduation rate in Niagara County, all brought resounding applause to the crowd of more than 95 teachers, parents and taxpayers at Tuesday’s regular meeting of the Lewiston-Porter school board.
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