Friday, December 27

Author: Grace Thompson

Attorney General James Urges U.S. to Strengthen Global Treaty on Plastic Pollution
4Nov By Grace ThompsonNo Comments
Environment

Attorney General James Urges U.S. to Strengthen Global Treaty on Plastic Pollution

(WNY News Now) – New York Attorney General Letitia James, leading a coalition of attorneys general, is pushing the U.S. to adopt stronger international policies to combat plastic pollution at a critical United Nations meeting this month.NEW YORK — Attorney General Letitia James, along with attorneys general from nine other states, has called on the U.S. Department of State to advocate for an ambitious, legally-binding global treaty to curb plastic pollution. In a letter addressed to the department, James praised the U.S. delegation’s recent commitment to supporting plastic production limits and phasing out harmful chemicals, urging further action to confront the escalating plastic crisis.The coalition’s call comes ahead of the fifth session of the United Nations Intergovernmental Negotiati...
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Local Man Arrested for DWI After Crash in French Creek
4Nov By Grace ThompsonNo Comments
Arrests

Local Man Arrested for DWI After Crash in French Creek

(WNY News Now) – A 65-year-old French Creek resident faces multiple charges, including driving while intoxicated, following a late-night crash into a field.French Creek, N.Y. – On November 3, 2024, at approximately 2:33 AM, Chautauqua County deputies responded to a report of a motor vehicle accident in the Town of French Creek. Upon arrival, they discovered Dennis P. Griffin, a 65-year-old man from French Creek, a short distance from the scene of the crash, which involved his vehicle going into a field.Deputies quickly determined that Griffin was the driver of the vehicle. During the investigation, it became evident that he was operating the vehicle under the influence of alcohol. Witnesses reported seeing Griffin attempt to evade law enforcement, but deputies were able to apprehend him af...
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31Oct By Grace ThompsonNo Comments
Election 2024

Niagara County Early Voting Soars Past 2020 Levels

(WNY News Now) – Early voting in Niagara County for the 2024 election is heavily outpacing the early voting levels seen in the 2020 election.Niagara County, N.Y. – In response to intense public interest in early voting totals, the Niagara County Board of Elections is releasing daily updates on early voting in the county for the 2024 election. On day 4 of the 9 days of early voting, the number of votes cast is almost 85% higher than the number of votes cast within the first 4 days of early voting in 2020.As of Tuesday, October 29th, a total of 16,783 early votes have been cast in Niagara County. Over the same time in 2020, only 9,086 early votes had been cast. A chart of the voting trends can be viewed below:With 4 days of early voting finished, 2024 early voting has reached over 80% of the...
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31Oct By Grace ThompsonNo Comments
Arrests

Driver Arrested Under Leandra’s Law Near Elementary School in Wheatfield

(WNY News Now) – A morning incident at Errick Road Elementary School led to the arrest of a Niagara Falls woman under Leandra’s Law after staff alerted authorities of her alleged impairment.WHEATFIELD, NY — On October 30, 2024, an intoxicated driver call led Niagara County Sheriff’s Office deputies to Errick Road Elementary School, where they arrested a 34-year-old woman under New York’s strict Leandra’s Law, which penalizes impaired driving with a child in the vehicle.Savannah M. Ciocco, of Niagara Falls, reportedly dropped off a 5-year-old student at the school around 9:18 a.m. before school staff noticed signs of possible impairment and contacted 911. Responding deputies located Ciocco’s vehicle, which had mounted the sidewalk near the school entrance, raising further concern for safety...
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31Oct By Grace ThompsonNo Comments
Courts

Greene County Woman Found Guilty of Vehicular Homicide in High-Speed Crash Killing Mailman

(WNY News Now) – A Greene County woman faces a guilty verdict after a high-speed crash that killed a mail carrier on his delivery route, as Attorney General Michelle Henry announced today.Harrisburg, P.A. – On Monday, Tina Phillips, 49, was found guilty of homicide by vehicle, aggravated assault by vehicle, and involuntary manslaughter regarding the 2021 crash.The Office of Attorney General presented testimony at trial that Phillips was driving nearly twice the speed limit when her vehicle veered off a road and struck Chad Varner, who was delivering mail on foot.“This completely preventable tragedy serves as a reminder that reckless and careless driving can have deadly consequences,” Attorney General Henry said. “No one expects to face this kind of danger when they go to work, and there is...
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Man Sentenced to 11 Years After Police Find Gun and $700,000 in Cocaine in Wardrobe
31Oct By Grace ThompsonNo Comments
Courts

Man Sentenced to 11 Years After Police Find Gun and $700,000 in Cocaine in Wardrobe

(WNY News Now) – A Hertfordshire man has been sentenced to 11 years after authorities discovered a pistol, ammunition, and 13 kilos of cocaine in his residence, ending a significant criminal enterprise.Albanian national Irakli Rustemi, 33, from Hertfordshire, was investigated by officers from the Organised Crime Partnership – a specialist unit comprised of Metropolitan Police and National Crime Agency officers.In October last year, the OCP instructed Cambridgeshire Police armed officers to stop a white Citroen DS3 on the A10 at Buntingford, which was being driven by Rustemi, after receiving intelligence that those inside had access to a firearm.Checks established that Rustemi was an absconder from Immigration Enforcement with no leave to remain in the UK. Officers searched the vehicle and ...
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Local Sales Tax Collections Rise by 1.4% in Q3, Growth Slows Across NY
30Oct By Grace ThompsonNo Comments
Comptroller

Local Sales Tax Collections Rise by 1.4% in Q3, Growth Slows Across NY

(WNY News Now) – Local sales tax collections showed a modest 1.4% increase in the third quarter, reflecting the slowest growth rate since the pandemic’s economic rebound, State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli reported today.New York – Local government sales tax collections totaled $5.98 billion in the third calendar quarter (July-September) of 2024, an increase of 1.4%, or $82.7 million, compared to the same quarter last year, according to a report released today by State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli. Eight of the ten regions in the state, including New York City, saw collections rise.“Local sales tax collections are growing more slowly than they were in the pre-pandemic period,” DiNapoli said. “Given this lower year-over-year growth, local officials should temper their expectations for f...
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30Oct By Grace ThompsonNo Comments
Buffalo

Buffalo Business Owner Admits to $3.5 Million Fraud Scheme Involving Stolen Identities

(WNY News Now) – Rochester, NY – A Buffalo businessman has pled guilty to an extensive fraud operation that leveraged stolen identities from clients to secure millions in fraudulent loans. Paul Paredes, 53, pleaded guilty in federal court before Chief U.S. District Judge Elizabeth A. Wolford to charges of wire fraud and aggravated identity theft, crimes that may result in up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.Assistant U.S. Attorney Katelyn M. Hartford, who is handling the case, stated that since 2013, Paredes has owned J&E Business Consulting LLC, which provides services to client businesses, including acting as a broker between the credit card processing companies and smaller retail businesses. Small businesses provide J&E with their financial information, such as...
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30Oct By Grace ThompsonNo Comments
Courts

AG Henry Sues Prospect Medical Holdings Over Alleged Mismanagement, Seeks Immediate Oversight of Crozer Health

(WNY News Now) – Attorney General Michelle Henry has filed a lawsuit against Prospect Medical Holdings, Inc., alleging contract violations and systemic neglect in managing Delaware County’s Crozer Health System, leading to facility closures and reduced healthcare services for thousands.HARRISBURG — Attorney General Michelle Henry announced the filing of a lawsuit against Prospect Medical Holdings, Inc., regarding years of the company’s mismanagement and neglect of Delaware County-based Crozer Health System, which has resulted in closures of facilities and shattered a network of care for hundreds of thousands of Pennsylvanians.The lawsuit alleges Prospect Medical has broken an Asset Purchase Agreement, approved by a court in 2016, by cutting services and closing facilities, while diverting ...
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30Oct By Grace ThompsonNo Comments
Arrests

Lockport Woman Arrested Under Leandra’s Law for DWI with Child Passenger

(WNY News Now) – A Lockport woman faces felony DWI charges under Leandra’s Law after reportedly driving intoxicated with a child in the vehicle late Tuesday night.Lockport, NY – On October 29, 2024, around 11:46 p.m., a concerned driver alerted Deputy M. Brant of the Niagara County Sheriff’s Office to a reckless driver near the Speedway on South Transit Road in Lockport. The witness reported nearly being struck by a vehicle, providing a description and license plate number to Deputy Brant, who was already on-site conducting a follow-up investigation.Upon locating the vehicle northbound on South Transit Road, Deputy Brant observed multiple traffic infractions before initiating a traffic stop. The driver, identified as 38-year-old Latasha N. Porter of Lockport, was found to be operating the ...
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