Western NY News Now

(WNY News Now) – New York – New York Attorney General Letitia James announced today that Northwell Health, New York’s largest healthcare network, will refund over $400,000 to patients wrongly charged for COVID-19 testing, alongside a $650,000 penalty for deceptive advertising. The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) found that ... read more

(WNY News Now) – Jamestown, NY – The Jamestown Board of Public Utilities (BPU) Electric Division has earned the American Public Power Association’s (APPA) Gold Status Safety Award of Excellence for safe operating practices in 2023. The BPU earned the award in the E category for utilities with 150,897 worker ... read more

(WNY News Now) – Buffalo, NY – Governor Kathy Hochul today announced progress toward redeveloping the Commodore Perry Homes in Buffalo’s First Ward neighborhood into a 27-building, all-electric housing development with 405 affordable homes. After closing on financing, the project is set to begin its first phase of construction – ... read more

(WNY News Now) – Town of Chautauqua – Deputies of the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office swiftly addressed a suspicious situation complaint in the Town of Chautauqua on April 11, 2024, at approximately 4:35 pm, resulting in charges against the vehicle’s operator. Responding to a report of suspicious activity, deputies engaged ... read more

(WNY News Now) – New York – Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that the New York State Cannabis Control Board has issued 403 adult-use cannabis licenses in 2024 to bolster the legal market in New York. The Cannabis Control Board recently issued 101 licenses, building on significant progress to strengthen our state’s ... read more

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand released the following statement addressing President Biden’s finalization of a new rule that will save lives by ‘closing the gun-show loophole’ and reducing the number of firearms sold without background checks: “President Biden has made combatting the epidemic of gun violence a top priority ... read more

(WNY News Now) – Hanover, NY – Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a vehicle complaint on Rt. 5&20 in Hanover, NY, resulting in the arrest of a 63-year-old Hamburg, NY, man for driving while intoxicated. On April 11, 2024, at approximately 6:07 PM, Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to ... read more

ALBANY – Senator George Borrello has introduced legislation that would ensure that digital-only coupons and deals are automatically applied to the eligible grocery store purchases of senior citizens and loyalty program members who don’t have the smartphones or devices needed to activate the discounts. Senator Borrello explained that as paper coupons for ... read more

Governor Kathy Hochul today advanced $5.8 million through the New York State Grown and Certified Infrastructure, Technology, Research and Development Program to support New York agricultural producers. The New York Farm Viability Institute has been named as the regional funding program administrator as part of Round II of the NYS ... read more

(WNY News Now) – Westfield, NY – Chautauqua County authorities respond to an alleged assault incident in the early hours of April 12th, 2024, leading to the arrest of a 23-year-old Westfield man. On April 12th, 2024, at approximately 1:13 AM, the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office and Westfield Police Department ... read more

Mobile Users Click Here For Video Report (WNY News Now) – Busti, NY – Recent heavy rainfall in Busti has resulted in significant flooding, prompting concerns among residents and calls for safety measures while traveling. The community of Busti is grappling with the aftermath of heavy rains, as numerous residents ... read more

NEW YORK – New York Attorney General Letitia James and the Central Pine Barrens Joint Planning and Policy Commission (Pine Barrens Commission) Executive Director Judith Jakobsen today announced a settlement with Stephen Affatato and his company Affa Organics, Inc. (Affa Organics), a landscaping supply business, for illegally removing trees and ... read more

(WNY News Now) – Buffalo, NY – The National Weather Service (NWS) in Buffalo, NY, has issued a Wind Advisory effective from April 12 at 9:12AM EDT until April 13 at 2:00PM EDT, warning of gusty winds up to 50 mph in several counties. The NWS Buffalo NY has issued ... read more

In a recent incident, Kenneth Grainer, 29, was arrested on charges of criminal mischief following a domestic dispute at his residence in Napoli, NY. On April 7, 2024, law enforcement responded to a domestic disturbance at 10480 Jamestown Rd. in Napoli, NY, where Kenneth Grainer was taken into custody. Grainer, ... read more

Dale Opferbeck, 49, from East Otto, NY, faces charges including Assault 3rd Degree and Endangering Welfare of Child after a domestic incident on East-Otto Springville Rd. Dale A. Opferbeck, 49, was apprehended following a 911 hang-up call on East-Otto Springville Rd, East Otto, NY. The altercation involved physical assault on ... read more

On April 5th, 2024, at 4:24 in Franklinville, NY, Derek M. Dallas, 32, was apprehended on a Bench Warrant from Cattaraugus County Court, leading to his transfer to Cattaraugus County Jail pending further legal action. Derek M. Dallas, a 32-year-old resident of Franklinville, NY, found himself in police custody on ... read more

Riley Priest, 25, encountered legal trouble in Cassadaga after law enforcement stopped him for operating an ATV unlawfully on a public highway. On April 6, 2024, at approximately 3:22 PM, deputies intervened as Priest rode his ATV on State Route 60 within Cassadaga’s limits, under the jurisdiction of Stockton Town. ... read more

Douglas Blicharz, 36, from Olean, NY, was apprehended and charged with Harassment 2nd and Criminal Contempt of a Court Order at 2000 Layfield Drive. On March 31, 2024, Douglas Blicharz was taken into custody after an encounter with law enforcement. Allegedly violating an Order of Protection, Blicharz faced charges of ... read more

Mobile Users Click Here For Video Report (WNY News Now) – Pittsburgh, P.A. – In an exclusive interview with WNY News Now, Sandahl Taylor, Mrs. U.S. Galaxy 2024, shares her remarkable journey towards advocacy for heart health and community empowerment. From personal experiences to professional achievements, Sandahl’s dedication resonates deeply, ... read more

(WNY News Now) – Mayville, NY – A 25-year-old resident of Jamestown, received a 3.5-year determinate state prison sentence with 5 years of post-release supervision for Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the 2nd degree, alongside an additional indeterminate sentence of 1 to 3 years for Criminal Possession of Stolen ... read more

(WNY News Now) – Jamestown, NY ― Retool’24, a one-day conference focused on clean energy sector opportunities for small and medium manufacturers, organized by the Jamestown Board of Public Utilities (BPU), will take place at the Chautauqua Harbor Hotel in Celoron on June 11th . The conference, part of the ... read more

(WNY News Now) – U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that a 54-year-old resident was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with the production, receipt, possession, and distribution of child pornography, and enticement of a minor. The charges carry a minimum penalty of 15 years in prison, a maximum ... read more

(WNY News Now) – Mayville, NY – An incarcerated man at Chautauqua County Jail, faces charges of Criminal Mischief 3rd Degree after allegedly damaging a County-owned tablet. On April 8, 2024, staff at Chautauqua County Jail reported witnessing Javier Baez, 47, allegedly causing damage to a County-owned tablet. Baez has ... read more

(WNY News Now) – Buffalo, NY – Acting Erie County District Attorney Michel J. Keane announces that a 36-year-old Buffalo man was sentenced this morning before State Supreme Court Justice Deborah A. Haendiges to 25 years to life in prison. He received the maximum possible sentence as a persistent violent felony offender. ... read more

(WNY News Now) – Niagara County – Niagara County Legislator Shawn Foti today reminded residents that the county began accepting reservations for picnic shelters in county parks in March and reservations are quickly filling up.  The county operates five parks – Krull, Oppenheim, Royalton Ravine, West Canal Marina and Burmaster ... read more

(WNY News Now) – FREDONIA – The 1891 Fredonia Opera House Performing Arts Center presents the acclaimed guitar duo Smallwood & Fath in concert on Fri., Apr. 19, at 7:30 p.m. Gary Smallwood and Michael Fath have been two of the most prominent and critically acclaimed guitarists in the mid-Atlantic ... read more

(WNY News Now) – Buffalo, NY – Acting Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Keane announces that a 50-year-old Buffalo man was arraigned Tuesday morning before Buffalo City Court Judge Rebecca Town on one count of Public Lewdness (Class “B” misdemeanor). It is alleged that on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, at approximately ... read more

(WNY News Now) – BUFFALO, N.Y. (April 9, 2024) — The Western New York Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association will hold an educational program in Fredonia for area caregivers who need assistance in communicating with loved ones living with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia. The free program, “Effective Communication Strategies,” will take place on Wednesday, ... read more

(WNY News Now) – Mayville, NY – The Administrative Services Committee meeting slated for April 15, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. in Mayville, NY, stands cancelled due to insufficient agenda items, announced the Chautauqua County Legislature. The scheduled Administrative Services Committee gathering, planned for April 15, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. in ... read more

(WNY News Now) – BATAVIA, NY – Sue Gagne, a registered nurse and dedicated mental health professional has been named by Senator George Borrello as the 2024 New York State Senate ‘Woman of Distinction’ for the 57th District. Senator George Borrello said he selected Ms. Gagne as the district’s honoree because ... read more