BREAKING NEWS: Senate Passes Airline Safety Bill
 Far-reaching aviation safety legislation developed in response to the crash of Flight 3407 in Clarence Center has been approved by the US Senate and house, and only needs a promised signature from President Obama before becoming law.
The impetus for the safety measures was the crash of Continental Connection Flight 3407 near Buffalo-Niagara International Airport on Feb. 12, 2009. All
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Great Lakes Leads Nation in Beach Closures
Looking for the best beaches to help beat the summer heat? Well, if water quality's key, California's Orange County might offer the best options, while the Great Lakes won't. And two nearby ones are near the top of the polluted list.
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Do Frequent Pleas Scale Back the Seriousness of DWI?
Do Frequent Pleas Scale Back The Seriousness of DWI?
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Paterson: Expect 1,000 State Layoffs
ALBANY, N.Y. (AP/WBEN) -- New York's governor says he's planning for at least 1,000 layoffs to contend with a fiscal crisis after public employee unions refused to provide concessions.
Gov. David Paterson made the comments Thursday on WSYR-AM in Syracuse. It's the first time he's specified how many layoffs he plans to issue before the end of the calendar year.
INSIDE: Your comments
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Tonawanda Coke Indicted on Federal Charges
Buffalo, NY (WBEN) Tonawanda Coke and its environmental control manager, Mark Kamholz, have been indicted on 15 counts of violating the federal Clean Air Act. They're also accused of obstructing justice.
Prosecutors say the company and Kamholz are charged with five counts for the release of coke oven gas containing benzene into the air through an unreported pressure relief valve.
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House Passes Federal Equivalent of "Amanda's Law"
Buffalo, NY (WBEN) -- The House of Representatives on Thursday passed the "Residential Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Prevention Act," which establishes new safety standards for all carbon monoxide detectors.
The bill is the federal equivalent of "Amanda's Law," which was adopted in New York State on February 22, 2010. "Amanda's Law," which requires working carbon monoxide detectors to be installed in every residential property, is named after Amanda Hansen, a West Seneca teenager who was killed by a carbon monoxide leak during a sleepover with a friend.
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Justice Department Re-files Complaint Against Erie County Over Holding Center
Buffalo, NY (WBEN) The Justice Department has re-filed its complaint over conditions at the Erie County Holding Center and Alden Correctional facility. In the filing, the Justice Department says there are new allegations deputies have continued their practice of "elevator rides," where deputies physically assault inmates. Read more and read the complaint....
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WBEN Extra: DWI Plea Controversy
Were Special Favors Called in in North Tonawanda DWI Case?
Sara Donovan, 23, was arrested by police after hitting two parked cars, and blew a blood alcohol content of .13. Donovan's mother Nancy is a city councilmember and was represented by former Niagara County Republican Party Chairman Henry Wojtaszek. And a Democratic county legislator is crying foul.
INSIDE: Your Comments
ALSO INSIDE: An area attorney says the DWI deal was all legal. Michael Taheri tells WBEN the DA should be commended for "taking a risk." | A primer on DWI Laws | Niagara County DA Violante Responds
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 WBEN's Tom Bauerle with an Open Letter to the Niagara County District Attorney: "Your smug arrogance is astounding." Read More |
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BAUERLE: Open Letter to Niagara County DA
Mr. Violante,
Your smug arrogance is astounding. Even for a radio talk show host.
Your press release basically says that we can kiss your butt if we don't like your decision.
But you were elected by the PEOPLE of Niagara County to be the voice of the PEOPLE in seeking fair justice for the PEOPLE of your county.
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DWI Basics: What Should The Penalties Be?
From the NYS Dept. of Motor Vehicles: What are the alcohol and drug-related violations in New York State? Here's a primer
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Special Session In Albany Produces No Results
ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) - The New York Legislature's "extraordinary session" to finally pass the late state budget Wednesday night was anything but extraordinary, with nine senators not showing up and no agreements on which to vote.
An angry Gov. David Paterson warned he will keep forcing lawmakers back to Albany until the budget that was due April 1 is passed.
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No Charges for NY's Paterson in Aide Violence Case
ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) -- New York Gov. David Paterson will not face criminal charges for calling a woman who later dropped domestic violence charges against a top aide, though the aide could still face prosecution, according to an investigative report issued Wednesday.
Read the report HERE.
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Congress Ready to Pass Aviation Safety Measures
WASHINGTON (AP/WBEN) -- Congress is getting ready to pass tough new aviation safety measures that were developed in response to a deadly commuter plane crash in Clarence in early 2009.
The chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee says he'll introduce a bill with the safety improvements later Wednesday. House passage is expected Thursday.
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N. Tonawanda DWI Plea Raises Eyebrows
North Tonawanda, NY (WBEN) Eyebrows have been raised in the Niagara County city of North Tonawanda after a plea deal was reached in the case of a daughter of a North Tonawanda city councilwoman.
Back on July 11th, Sara Donovan, 23, was arrested by police after hitting two parked cars, and blew a blood alcohol content of .13. Donovan's mother Nancy is a city councilmember.
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Insider: Don't Be Surprised if Nothing Happens in Special Session
As lawmakers get ready for Gov. Paterson's extraordinary session today, one insider thinks very little will happen, if anything. "It's Albany, so the best bet is nothing will happen," says Albany Times-Union reporter Jimmy Vielkind.
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