LISTEN TO POLICE AUDIO BELOW Law enforcement received a call around 6am on January 1st after reports of a check the welfare at McDonald's on Pine Avenue in Niagara Falls. The 911 caller reported that a male in a black pickup truck appeared to be unconscious in the drive-thru line past the menu board. It is unknown what the male ordered, but Niagara Action can confirm he did not receive his food. Police responded to the scene. The male was taken into custody. No further information is available at this time. These are merely allegations and should not be taken as fact. LISTEN TO FULL AUDIO HERE: Promotional Content No Fries for You: Suspected Drunk Driver Wakes Up in McDonald's Drive-thru Line in Niagara Falls

LISTEN TO POLICE AUDIO BELOW Law enforcement received a call around 6:30pm on December 31st after repots of a home invasion in Packard Court involving two female suspects with injuries. The 911 caller said that the two females, identified as Pleasure Cox and Danasha Maxwell, broke into her home, "jumped her" causing serious injuries, and stole her daughter's black 2008 Nissan Pathfinder. The vehicle was last seen driving in the direction of Pine Avenue. Police responded to the scene. It is unknown if the vehicle was recovered, or if either women were arrested. No further information is available at this time. These are merely allegations and should not be taken as fact. LISTEN TO FULL AUDIO HERE: Promotional Content Pleasure Cox, Danasha Maxwell Seriously Injures Victim During Niagara Falls Home Invasion

LISTEN TO POLICE AUDIO BELOW Law enforcement received a call around 1:50am on December 30th after reports of a domestic incident on the 5400 block of Elm Drive in Lewiston, New York, involving injuries. The 911 caller said that his wife attacked him during a heated argument that resulted in him sustaining injuries and her fleeing the home. The husband told police that his wife stabbed him with a sharpened pencil before fleeing the home in a black Hyundai. Police responded to the scene and began a search for the wife's vehicle. It is unknown if she was found and, once she was, if an arrest was made. No further information is available at this time. These are merely allegations and should not be taken as fact. LISTEN TO FULL AUDIO HERE: Promotional Content Wife Attacks Husband and Stabs Him with a Pencil in During Niagara County Domestic

LISTEN TO POLICE AUDIO BELOW Law enforcement received a call around 10:15pm on December 30th after reports of a domestic incident on the 1300 block of East Robinson Street in North Tonawanda, New York. The first 911 caller and victim stated that his father attempted to "crush him" with a garage door. Police responded to the scene. It is unknown if the father was arrested. There was then a second male related to the incident who was stopped by police and issued tickets. This male party was reportedly verbally aggressive with police during the incident and then followed police afterward for an unknown period of time placing them in fear for their safety. No further information is available at this time. These are merely allegations and should not be taken as fact. LISTEN TO FULL AUDIO HERE: Promotional Content Son Says Father Tried to 'Crush him' with a Garage Door in North Tonawanda

LISTEN TO POLICE AUDIO BELOW Law enforcement received a call around 7:35pm on December 30th after reports of a mental health emergency at LaSalle Waterfront Park, 6611 Buffalo Avenue, in Niagara Falls, NY. Reports indicate that a male was in the area who left his jacket and phone by the gazebo at the park if he entered the water. Other than that, they had no other contact. There was no indication during the call that he was located. As previously reported, dozens of bodies travel over Niagara Falls each year that are not reported on. These bodies are discovered in various places in the lower Niagara River including, but not limited to, the Power Authority and along Lake Ontario. To be very specific, the headline is that he was feared to have entered the water and FEARED that if he did, that the body would go downstrea, due to the powerful current and travel over the falls. No further information is available at this time. These are merely allegations and should not be taken as fact. LISTEN TO FULL AUDIO HERE: Promotional Content Man Feared to Have Entered Niagara River, Body Traveled Over Niagara Falls

LISTEN TO POLICE AUDIO BELOW Law enforcement received a call around 6pm on December 30th after reports of an assault with a weapon near Mechanic Street in Wilson, New York, with injuries. The 911 caller said that a screwdriver was being used as a weapon. Medical was called to the scene in addition to law enforcement for treatment of serious injuries sustained during the incident. It was reported that both males were heavily intoxicated. One of the individual sustained lacerations along the back in addition to a stab would between the eyes from the screwdriver. Niagara County Sheriff Deputies responded to the scene. It is unknown if the male who stabbed the other male was arrested. No further information is available at this time. These are merely allegations and should not be taken as fact. LISTEN TO FULL AUDIO HERE: Promotional Content Niagara County Man Stabbed Between the Eyes with Screwdriver During Drunken Argument

New England Patriots WR Stefon Diggs is facing legal trouble after authorities brought a felony charge of strangulation and a misdemeanor assault charge stemming from an alleged incident on December 2nd, reviving scrutiny of the star receiver’s off-field conduct. A motion hearing was held Tuesday morning at Dedham District Court in Massachusetts where a judge is weighing whether to seal court records ahead of Diggs’ arraignment scheduled for January 23rd, which is just two days before the AFC Championship Game. According to WCVB-TV, the defense has asked that documents be impounded to limit public disclosure before formal proceedings begin. In a statement, the Patriots acknowledged the situation while standing behind the player. “The New England Patriots are aware of the accusations that have been made regarding Stefon Diggs. Stefon has informed the organization that he categorically denies the allegations. We support Stefon,” the team said. “We will continue to gather information and will cooperate fully with the appropriate authorities and the NFL as necessary. Out of respect for all parties involved, and given that this is an ongoing legal matter, we will have no further comment at this time.” Diggs’ legal team forcefully denied the claims. His attorney, David Meier, described the accusations as baseless and tied to a financial dispute. “Stefon Diggs categorically denies these allegations. They are unsubstantiated, uncorroborated, and were never investigated -- because they did not occur. The timing and motivation for making the allegations is crystal clear: they are the direct result of an employee-employer financial dispute that was not resolved to the employee's satisfaction. Stefon looks forward to establishing the truth in a court of law,” Meier said. According to the Boston Globe, Diggs’ lawyer Michael R. DiStefano argued that releasing details of the case could create “substantial risk of widespread publicity” that might prejudice potential jurors. The Globe also reported that Diggs’ defense team is pursuing a monetary resolution related to the dispute. The NFL confirmed it is monitoring the situation but offered no further details. “We are aware of the matter and have been in contact with the club,” the league said in a statement. “We have no further comment at this time.” Now 32, Diggs is having a strong season on the field, leading the Patriots with 82 receptions for 970 yards and four touchdowns. New England enters the final week of the regular season at 13–3 with a matchup against the Miami Dolphins before heading into the playoffs. They have a shot at claiming the number 1 seed in the AFC with a win and a Broncos loss. Promotional Content Patriots’ Stefon Diggs Hit With Felony Strangulation Charge as Legal Troubles Cloud Playoff Push

A Niagara County man who told authorities he accidentally drove onto the Lewiston-Queenston Bridge earlier this month is now being held in federal custody after investigators say the encounter uncovered drugs, cash, and a loaded firearm. Ma Le Jones, 37 from Lockport, was ordered detained following a court appearance Monday, where U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeremiah J. McCarthy ruled that he would remain in custody while facing federal drug trafficking and weapons charges. Prosecutors have charged Jones with possession with intent to distribute cocaine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Federal authorities say the incident began on December 13th when Jones arrived at the Lewiston-Queenston Bridge for inspection. He presented a New York State driver’s license and told Customs and Border Protection officers that he had taken a wrong turn and was trying to re-enter the United States. During routine checks, officers discovered that Jones was subject to an active order of protection and was currently under probation supervision related to a prior firearms conviction. Based on that information, he was directed to secondary inspection. During a follow-up search, CBP officers reported finding two cell phones, $2,383 in cash, large quantities of marijuana, MDMA, cocaine, crack cocaine, and a loaded revolver. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Jones remains on parole stemming from a 2017 New York State conviction for second-degree criminal possession of a weapon. Jones remains in custody. Promotional Content 'Wrong turn' at Border Results in Drug Trafficking and Firearm Arrest for Niagara County Man

State police are searching for a pickup truck driver who ran from the scene after causing a head-on collision Sunday night on the Niagara Scenic Parkway. New York State Park Police said the crash happened at approximately 8:40pm on the parkway near the 53rd Street overpass. Emergency responders from Park Police, the Niagara Falls Fire Department, and AMR were dispatched to the scene shortly afterward. Investigators said the pickup truck was traveling westbound in the eastbound lanes when it collided head-on with an SUV that was properly traveling east. The force of the impact caused significant damage to both vehicles. Before first responders arrived, the driver of the pickup truck reportedly abandoned the vehicle and fled the area on foot. Police have not released a description of the suspect and said the search remains ongoing. The driver of the SUV was transported by ambulance to a local hospital with injuries that were described as non-life-threatening. Park Police continue to investigate the crash. Anyone who has information about the fleeing driver is asked to contact law enforcement. Promotional Content Suspect Flees After Causing Head-on Collision in Niagara Falls, Victim Hospitalized with Injuries

James Glynn, longtime chairman and chief executive officer of the Maid of the Mist Corp. and one of Niagara Falls’ most influential leaders, died Sunday, December 28th, at his home following a lengthy illness. He was 91. Glynn’s association with the iconic Niagara Falls attraction spanned more than seven decades. He joined Maid of the Mist in 1950 as a ticket seller, using his earnings to help pay for his education at Niagara University. On May 25th, 1971, he realized a lifelong ambition when he purchased the company, beginning a transformative era that reshaped the historic boat tour into a world-renowned destination welcoming visitors from around the globe. Under Glynn’s leadership, the Maid of the Mist underwent significant modernization and expansion, including the launch of seven new vessels and the introduction of groundbreaking all-electric boats. On October 5th, 2020, the company placed two zero-emission, all-electric vessels into service on the Lower Niagara River—the first of their kind in the United States. Reflecting on his early days with the company during an interview with WBFO-FM, Glynn said, “My first job at the Maid was having a palm of pamphlets, and I handed them out at Prospect Point. When I gave you a pamphlet, I gave you a ticket and I asked for a dollar. The ticket was 90 cents for the boat and ten cents for the elevator.” One of the electric vessels, christened in July 2020, was named the James V. Glynn in his honor. The ceremony included a traditional mast stepping, during which a sixpence Irish coin dated 1950 was placed beneath the mast to commemorate Glynn’s first year with the company and his family’s Irish heritage. Born May 11th, 1934, in Niagara Falls, Glynn was the son of the late Vincent E. Glynn and Margaret McCarthy Glynn. He was a 1957 graduate of Niagara University having earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration. He later received an honorary doctorate of commercial science from Niagara University and a doctor of humane letters degree from St. John’s University. A Niagara University citation described him by noting, “He is, in all ways, a good man, because he thinks with his heart.” Beyond his business achievements, Glynn was widely respected for his dedication to community service and philanthropy. He spent 22 years on Niagara University’s Board of Trustees, becoming its first lay chairman and later chairman emeritus. He also chaired the 1997 Catholic Charities of Buffalo Appeal and, in 2017, Catholic Charities named its Niagara Falls facility the Glynn Family Services Center. Glynn served on the boards of numerous regional organizations, including M&T Bank, National Fuel Gas Company, Buffalo Niagara Partnership, the Niagara Falls Area Chamber of Commerce, Catholic Health, and AAA of Western & Central New York. Together with his wife Mary, Glynn supported numerous charitable efforts across Niagara County including Heart, Love & Soul, the Francis Center in Niagara Falls, and OLV Charities in Lackawanna. Under his leadership, Maid of the Mist also supported Opportunities Unlimited, United Way of Niagara Falls, Mount St. Mary’s Hospital, CARExpress Transportation Service, Summit Healthplex, and Hamilton B. Mizer Primary Care Center. The company additionally sponsors the Niagara University Vincentian Scholarship Program, the Diocese of Buffalo’s Curé of Ars dinner, and the James V. & Mary Glynn Endowment Fund for the Foundation of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Buffalo. When asked about his extensive charitable involvement, Glynn once responded, “If I don’t do it, who will?” Glynn is survived by his wife of 67 years, Mary (Gallagher) Glynn, whom he married on October 25th, 1958, at Sacred Heart Church in Niagara Falls. He is also survived by five children, 18 grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by a grandson, James Fiore, who died in 2006, and by his brother Leo Glynn. A resident of Lewiston, Glynn was a member of St. Peter Roman Catholic Parish. His life story was captured in the book The Magic in the Mist by Linus Ormsby, which recounts a conversation between James and Mary Glynn shortly after their marriage. When Mary asked him, “Would you be happy sitting behind a desk in a law office?” Glynn replied, “I think I’ll stay at the Maid.” He never left. Promotional Content Maid of the Mist Chairman and CEO James Glynn Dies at 91

LISTEN TO POLICE AUDIO BELOW Law enforcement received a call around 11:30am on December 25th after reports of a domestic dispute at a parking lot along Kenmore Avenue in Buffalo. The 911 caller - a third party - said that a male party was attempting to run over a female with his vehicle in a parking lot. A physical description of the male was given along with the vehicle. Police responded to the scene. It is unknown if the male and/or his vehicle were located or if the female sustained any injuries during the altercation. No further information is available at this time. These are merely allegations and should not be taken as fact. LISTEN TO FULL AUDIO HERE: Promotional Content Suspect Tries to Run Over Girlfriend with Vehicle on Christmas Morning

LISTEN TO POLICE AUDIO BELOW Law enforcement received a call round 6:50pm on December 26th after reports of an assault on the 1200 block of Main Street. The 911 caller said that someone broke into his room, injected him with something and stole his debit card. It is unknown what symptoms, if any, the victim showed as a result of being injected with the unknown substance. At the time of the call, the suspect had fled. Police responded to the scene to check the welfare. No further information is available at this time. These are merely allegations and should not be taken as fact. LISTEN TO FULL AUDIO HERE: Promotional Content Suspect Injects Victim with Unknown Substance During Break-in

A third-prize Powerball ticket worth $50,000 was sold in Niagara Falls for the December 24th drawing, according to the New York Lottery. The winning ticket was purchased at the 7-Eleven located at 8505 Niagara Falls Boulevard. In total, eight third-prize Powerball tickets were sold across New York State for the Christmas Eve drawing, each matching enough numbers to secure the $50,000 prize. The remaining winning tickets were sold at the following locations: Tops at 5335 West Genesee Street in Camillus; Cortlandt Farms Cafe at 96 Oregon Road in Cortlandt Manor; a 7-Eleven at 811 Waverly Avenue in Holtsville; Islandia Expressway Inc. at 1395 Veterans Highway in Islandia; Lido Wines & Spirits Inc. at 639 East Park Avenue in Long Beach; a Gulf station at 634 Route 6 in Mahopac; and another 7-Eleven at 653 Montauk Highway in Montauk. While New York saw multiple third-prize winners, the Powerball jackpot itself, which was valued at $1.8 billion, sold to a winner in Arkansas. The holiday week also brought major lottery news elsewhere in the state. The New York Lottery announced that a winning LOTTO ticket from Wednesday’s drawing worth $13.9 million was sold at Lovely Cards and Gifts in Hicksville on Long Island. Promotional Content Third-prize Powerball Ticket Sold at Niagara Falls 7-Eleven on Christmas Eve Drawing

A Christmas Eve fire left a Hartland family without a home and killed several animals, according to authorities. The blaze broke out Tuesday night at a residence on Stone Road in Niagara County. According to the Niagara County Sheriff’s Office, the fire started in the garage shortly after 9pm and quickly spread through the rest of the house. The structure was already heavily involved by the time crews arrived. No one was inside the home when the fire started, nor were any injuries reported. However, officials believe multiple animals died in the fire. The house is considered a total loss. The Hartland Volunteer Fire Company shared information about the incident on social media, noting that the displaced family includes the department’s chaplain. In the aftermath of the fire, the American Red Cross has stepped in to assist the family with emergency needs. Investigators are continuing to examine the scene to determine what caused the fire. Promotional Content Niagara County Family Loses Home to Devastating Fire on Christmas Eve

LISTEN TO POLICE AUDIO BELOW Law enforcement received a call around 12:30pm on December 22nd regarding a medical emergency at Niagara University's Dwyer Arena. The 911 caller said that a 79-year-old male slipped on the ice at Dwyer Arena, slamming his head on the ice, and could not feel his extremeties. An ALS Priority response was recommended. No further information is available at this time. These are merely allegations and should not be taken as fact. LISTEN TO FULL AUDIO HERE: Promotional Content 79-year-old Suffers Head Injury After Falling on Ice at Niagara University

It was a cold and icy Christmas Eve in the picturesque town bordering the mighty Niagara Falls. People hustled about the small market square finishing up their Christmas shopping and adding finishing touches to their brightly decorated houses. The entire town sparkled with joyous holiday anticipation. Amongst the flurry of festivity lived the Turner family, known to everyone as the keepers of the famed Niagara Inn. Every year, they were in charge of organizing the grand Christmas celebration at the edge of the breathtaking Niagara Falls, which would culminate in the festive lighting of the grand, century-old evergreen tree overlooking the falls. But this Christmas was different. Mrs. Turner, the innkeeper and soul of all their grand events, fell sick just days before the celebration. Her loving husband and daughter, Alice, tried their best to pull together the party but everything seemed to go awry. To make matters worse, an snowstorm threatened to darken the grand celebration. Despite the troubles, Alice kept her faith. She could not let her mother or their town down. Early in the morning on Christmas Eve, she left home determined to save the holiday spirit. As she trudged through the deepening snow, she noticed the almost ethereal quiet around the Falls. She stood at the edge, whispering a small prayer for help. Suddenly, the winds changed direction. Alice noticed a glow dancing atop the turbulent waters of the Falls. To her surprise, it was a beautiful silver fir tree bobbing in the waters, mirroring their own evergreen Christmas tree. Without thinking twice, Alice extended her hand towards the water and in that moment, she felt a guiding force pulling her in the right direction. Soon enough, she had the fallen tree ashore and with the help of some kind neighbors, transported it to their event site. The townsfolk worked tirelessly, adorning it with twinkling fairy lights and vibrant baubles. Later that evening, as Alice flicked on the switch, the newly claimed tree bloomed into life. Gasps filled the chilly air as the town stood in awe, mesmerized by the spectacle before them. The reflection of the illuminated tree against the backdrop of the thundering Niagara Falls was a sight to behold. Just as the crowd erupted into applause, snow began to softly fall, covering everything in a beautiful white blanket. The imminent storm had turned into a beautiful White Christmas. And in the glow of the decorated tree, they could see Mrs. Turner, wrapped in a cozy quilt, smiling from their Inn's window. It was a Christmas miracle that the town would remember for years. And so, the story of Alice's brave feat spread across the town, warming hearts every Christmas season. The memory of the year Niagara Falls gifted them a tree became a beloved tale, filling everyone with faith in miracles and the magic of Christmas. Every year since, the town's Christmas tree would shimmer a little brighter, casting dancing reflections on the icy falls, reminding all of the true Christmas spirit. Promotional Content A Christmas Miracle in Niagara Falls

LISTEN TO POLICE AUDIO BELOW Law enforcement received a call around noon on December 21st after reports of a violent domestic altercation in Jordan Gardens in Niagara Falls near Highland Avenue. The 911 caller and victim stated that the suspect cut her arm and held a knife to her throat during a domestic incident. She then fled the apartment and walked to a nearby store where she called 911. At the time of the call, the suspect was still at the apartment. The suspect's name is included in the audio. Police responded to the scene. It is unknown if the suspect was arrested. No further information is available at this time. These are merely allegations and should not be taken as fact. LISTEN TO FULL AUDIO HERE: Promotional Content Suspect Holds Knife to Woman's Neck During Domestic Incident in Niagara Falls

LISTEN TO POLICE AUDIO BELOW Law enforcement received a call around 9pm on December 22nd after reports of a violent domestic incident on Roesch Avenue in Buffalo involving a tool. The 911 caller said that a female attacked him with a screwdriver. The female could be heard screaming at the male. The female hit him in the head and he was bleeding. At the time of the call, the caller was still with the suspect. Police responded to the scene. It is unknown if the suspect was arrested. No further information is available at this time. These are merely allegations and should not be taken as fact. LISTEN TO FULL AUDIO HERE: Promotional Content Crazed Woman Attacks Man with a Screwdriver Causing Severe Head Injury

Governor Kathy Hochul vetoed legislation advocates said was designed to preserve public and media access to police radio communications. Critics say the move undermines transparency and shields law enforcement activity from scrutiny. The bill, approved earlier this year by both the New York State Assembly and Senate, was crafted in response to a growing trend among police departments to fully encrypt their radio traffic. Legislators backing the measure said it was intended to protect the ability of journalists and first responders to receive timely information about public safety threats, monitor police activity as it unfolds, and hold officers accountable. Hochul rejected the measure late Friday night, issuing a veto message that questioned whether the bill’s safeguards for withholding “sensitive information” could realistically be implemented. She argued that separating routine police communications from sensitive material might not be technologically practical and warned of serious consequences if such information were made public. The governor said disclosure of certain details “could lead to loss of life or operational failure,” framing the veto as a public safety decision rather than a transparency issue. “While transparency is laudable, it should not come at the expense of public safety,” Hochul wrote in her veto message, adding that she did not believe a statewide mandate was necessary. She emphasized that local governments should retain control over how their police departments manage communications. “Municipalities remain free to make their own decisions as to whether to prohibit their police forces from encrypting radio transmissions,” Hochul wrote. Supporters of the legislation disagreed, arguing that expanded encryption makes it more difficult for journalists to alert the public to emergencies, assess police responses in real time, or investigate potential misconduct. Without access to radio transmissions, the public loses a critical window to know when crimes and/or other emergency operations are taking place, how law enforcement operates, or to hold them accountable when improper conduct takes place. Hochul also cited concerns about officer safety and the protection of elected officials, suggesting the bill could unintentionally expose undercover operations or sensitive movements. “In a time when public officials face growing threats of extreme violence, the bill also requires a police agency to effectively make real-time disclosure of the official’s movements to bloggers and paparazzi in addition to more traditional journalists,” said Hochul. The veto was one of nearly 50 issued by Hochul and released just before midnight Friday, a timing that drew additional criticism from advocates who say the administration routinely blocks transparency measures while offering little public debate. Promotional Content Hochul Doesn't Want You Listening in on Cops, Blocks Police Audio Transparency Bill

Our community is mourning the loss of Daniel Thompson III, a 6-year-old boy whose life was cut short after a battle with pneumonia. Daniel died on December 20th, 2025, leaving his family, classmates, and teammates devastated just days before Christmas. A 1st grader in Buffalo, Daniel was known for his warmth, curiosity, and gentle nature. Teachers and classmates alike described him as a joyful child who brought light into every room he entered. The news of Daniel’s passing was shared publicly by Amber Nicole, a teacher at his school, who posted a message on Facebook along with a link to a GoFundMe created to support the family during their loss. In her post, she wrote: “It is with the heaviest of hearts that I share this GoFundMe, Daniel was a sweet 6-year-old boy who attended my school. His mother, Jasmine, also works at my school and has become a dear friend to me and my family. Their family is facing the unimaginable right now. If you are able, please consider donating, sharing this page, or keeping them in your prayers as they navigate this incredibly difficult road ahead.” Outside the classroom, Daniel loved sports. He was a proud member of the Buffalo Vets youth football team and enjoyed basketball and soccer at home, often transforming his living room into a makeshift court or field. His imagination fueled hours of play with his older brother and cousins. Daniel’s life began by overcoming significant challenges. Born months prematurely, he spent an extended period hospitalized as a newborn. Despite those obstacles and ongoing respiratory issues, he persisted. After his passing, the Thompson family was faced with unexpected financial expenses. A GoFundMe page was created to assist with funeral and memorial costs, allowing the family to focus on grieving and honoring Daniel’s life. “Any contribution - big or small - is deeply appreciated. If you are unable to donate, please consider sharing this page and keeping the Thompson family in your thoughts and prayers. Thank you for helping us celebrate Daniel’s life and the light he brought into this world,” says the GoFundMe. Daniel’s father, Daniel Thompson, shared a personal message remembering his son’s spirit and their bond, writing: “To my big guy, biggest little man you’ll ever know, Loving, caring, kindest kid you’ll ever know. One of the most gentlest souls that ever blessed this earth. He would always say ‘papa, who got my back?’ I would say ‘I got your back’ And he would say ‘Let’s GOOOO!!!'” His mother, Maya, shared her grief in a brief but emotional message, writing: “My chunks. I’ll love you forever and always.” Friends, neighbors, teammates, and strangers across Buffalo have come together to support the Thompson family through prayers, donations, and messages of love. He is remembered not only for the battles he overcame, but for the joy, creativity, and kindness he shared in his short life. You can donate here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/honoring-daniel-thompson-iiis-memory/donate Promotional Content Community Mourns 6-year-old Who Dies Days Before Christmas

A scuffle at the Niagara Falls City Market on Saturday drew a law enforcement response after a bystander attempted to stop a shoplifting incident involving candy valued at less than $30. Niagara Falls Police officers said they were patrolling the market when they observed two men engaged in a physical altercation outside a business. At first, officers believed they were witnessing a robbery and immediately intervened, ordering both individuals to stop fighting. After separating the men, officers discovered several bags of Reese’s cups scattered on the ground near one of them. The man admitted to taking the candy from the store, telling officers. The other individual explained he had been inside the market and tried to prevent the theft before it escalated outside. While officers went inside the store to speak with employees, the man who attempted to stop the theft left the area and could not be located. The store’s assistant manager later told police the suspect entered the business around 5:30pm, grabbed multiple bags of candy with a total value of $28, and ran out. The assistant manager also indicated the suspect was known for repeatedly stealing from the store. Police charged the man with petit larceny and issued a trespass notice prohibiting him from returning to the location. He was released at the scene with an appearance ticket. Promotional Content Stranger Attacks Shoplifter Fleeing Store with $30 in Reeses Cups in Niagara Falls

Niagara County District Attorney Brian D. Seaman announced on Monday, December 22nd, an indictment was in Niagara County Court charging Richard J. Fox with one count of Murder in the Second Degree. Fox is charged with Murdering 32 year old Crystal Curthoys, formerly of Lockport, in January 2023, in Niagara Falls. Niagara Falls Police opened an investigation into Fox after he was charged with two murders in Erie County. The investigation led to the discovery this past March of human remains in a house where Fox had formerly lived in Niagara Falls. Those remains have been identified as belonging to Crystal Curthoys through dental records. Fox was remanded to jail without bail by County Court Judge John Ottaviano and a further court date was scheduled for January 5th, 2026. In March, authorities found the remains of an unidentified woman beneath a stairwell, enclosed in drywall, at a property on Orleans Avenue. The discovery came during a joint operation involving Niagara Falls Police detectives, Buffalo Police Homicide Squad officers, and investigators from the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office who were executing a search warrant at the location on March 28th. On April 8th, police ramped up their efforts by executing additional search warrants at multiple properties on Pierce, Pine, and LaSalle avenues. During the operation, authorities towed away a white Chevy Express utility van parked behind a residence on Pierce Avenue. The vehicle is believed to be linked to Fox and may play a role in the expanding investigation. On September 19th, Fox admitted that he murdered two other women whose remains were discovered together in Chautauqua County in September 2021, according to Erie County District Attorney Michael Keane. The victims, 50-year-old Marquita Mull and 40-year-old Cassandra Watson, had vanished from Buffalo nearly two decades apart. Investigators say Watson, who had been romantically involved with Fox, disappeared sometime between 2003 and 2004. Mull was last seen in July 2021. Their bodies were uncovered along a trail in the Town of Portland. Watson’s remains were located on September 26th, 2021, buried in a shallow grave. The following day, Mull’s remains were found less than 20 yards away. DNA testing later confirmed their identities. Authorities believe both women died by strangulation. Fox, now 62, pleaded guilty to two counts of second-degree murder. Prosecutors did not offer him a lesser plea. Promotional Content Richard Fox Charged with Murdering Woman in Niagara Falls, Concealing Body in Wall

The discovery of wooden “timeout” boxes inside two elementary schools in the Salmon River Central School District has prompted an intense statewide backlash, culminating in a call for immediate intervention from Governor Kathy Hochul. After photos of the enclosed wooden structures circulated on Facebook last week, the governor urged the state Education Department to move quickly, saying, “swift action to investigate and rectify this situation” was necessary. Hochul described the situation as deeply troubling, stating, “The reporting coming out of the Salmon River Central School District is highly disturbing and raises serious questions regarding the safety of children at this school.” She emphasized the responsibility schools have to protect children, adding, “As a mom, I know firsthand the trust parents place in our schools, and the teachers and administrators who work with our children. School should be a place where every child is safe, respected and supported.” However, Hochul could not explain how such conduct was permitted to occur undetected under her leadership. The wooden structures in question measured roughly five feet high and three feet wide. They were lined with padding inside. Although the district had never previously addressed their presence, administrators acknowledged earlier this week that the boxes had been located at two elementary schools. Parents later said that after speaking with their children, they believed some students — including autistic and non-verbal children — had been placed inside them. The district has since stated the boxes have been removed and dismantled. The state Education Department, which operates independently from the governor’s office, contacted Salmon River on Wednesday and ordered the district to immediately stop any practice that involved restraining or isolating students, including placing them in the boxes. A letter sent to the district said state officials would visit this week “to confirm the removal of all boxes,” and would return again “to ensure alternative calming spaces are identified for students that comply with state regulations.” Local law enforcement is also believed to be reviewing the matter. At least one parent has filed a criminal complaint. The district’s response has ignited the controversy further. School board members said they were unaware the boxes existed until photos spread online. The superintendent, Stanley Harper, originally acknowledged only one box and insisted it had never been used with students. During a school board meeting the following night, however, he conceded there were three and admitted he had learned about them only weeks earlier. That meeting drew an angry crowd demanding answers and accountability. For more than an hour, parents and community members described what their children had told them and recounted other alleged examples of mistreatment. The board placed Harper on “home duties” while an outside law firm conducts a review. The district's special education director, an elementary principal, and a teacher were also put on administrative leave. Remote learning was instituted Thursday and Friday “to ensure the safety of students and staff.” Classes are scheduled to resume in January. The demographic makeup of the district has heightened concerns. About 60 percent of students are Native American and one of the schools where the boxes were allegedly used is located on the St. Regis Mohawk Tribal Reservation. Speakers at the meeting said the images evoked historical trauma tied to the abuses inflicted at Native residential and day schools. In a statement, board president Jason Brockway said, “The Board of Education extends its sincere apology to our students, families, and community members who have been deeply affected by the ongoing situation. We understand that for many in our community this incident has reopened historical wounds and trauma connected to the mistreatment of Native (American) children. We hear you. We are humbled by the public response, and we feel the pain and fear expressed by our community.” The photos that ignited the investigation were posted by former board member Chrissy Jacobs who received them from another source. During the board meeting, she demanded consequences for anyone who authorized the boxes or failed to speak up, telling officials, “You treated our kids like animals.” New York regulations allow “timeout” only when children are placed in open, unlocked spaces where they can move, recline, and be visually monitored. Timeout can be used only as a last resort to prevent immediate harm or as a planned intervention outlined in a student’s behavior plan. The state explicitly bans “seclusion,” meaning the practice of placing a student alone in a locked or enclosed room. Promotional Content Hochul Scrambles After 'Timeout Box' Scandal Explodes in New York Schools

LISTEN TO POLICE AUDIO BELOW Law enforcement received a call around 8:45pm after reports of a domestic disturbance involving threats of physical injury to a child on the 400 block of 10th Street in Niagara Falls. The 911 caller - a woman - called twice. During the first call, she told police that her boyfriend was not welcome in the home and refused to leave. When she told him to do so, he allegedly threatened to shoot her child. The suspect is a white male named Chris Eoyrk. On the second call, she told police that her boyfriend was "shooting through her door with a 22-caliber" firearm. At that time, she barricaded herself in a second floor bedroom along with her child(ren). At the time of the call, the suspect was outside without a shirt one in below-freezing temperatures Police responded to the scene. It is unknown if the male was apprehended. No further information is available at this time. These are merely allegations and should not be taken as fact. LISTEN TO FULL AUDIO HERE: Promotional Content Boyfriend Threatens to Shoot Woman's Child, Starts Shooting Gun Through Front Door in Niagara Falls

LISTEN TO POLICE AUDIO BELOW Law enforcement received a call around 6pm on December 16th of menacing with a weapon at the Fashion Outlet Mall in Niagara Falls. The 911 caller said that a male was making general threats to a Spencer's worker. The male was descrbed as a white male. He was highly agitated. Security had eyes on the male. He was last seen at Auntie Anne's. It is unknown if he had bought a pretzel. It was then reported that the male had brandished a firearm during his altercation with the Spencer's employee. It was in his waistband. The official cause of said altercation has not been released by law enforcement. Police responded to the scene. It is unknown if the male was arrested. No further information is available at this time. These are merely allegations and should not be taken as fact. LISTEN TO FULL AUDIO HERE: Promotional Content Male Threatens Spencer's Employee with Gun During Possible Dildo Dispute in Niagara Falls

LISTEN TO POLICE AUDIO BELOW Law enforcement received around 6:30pm on December 17th after reports of breaking and entering on 20th Street in Niagara Falls. The 911 caller said that a male (named in the audio) broke into his ex-girlfriend's home. Upon entering, he threatened to kill people inside, including his ex-girlfriend, with a knife. According to sources, the male was reportedly heartbroken over the breakup. Police responded to the scene. It is unknown if the male was arrested. No further information is available at this time. These are merely allegations and should not be taken as fact. LISTEN TO FULL AUDIO HERE: Promotional Content Suspect Breaks Into Ex-girlfriend's Home, Starts Threatening to Kill People with Knife

LISTEN TO POLICE AUDIO BELOW Law enforcement received a call around 11am on December 16th after reports of an assault on the 1500 block of Pine Avenue in Niagara Falls. The 911 caller - a third party neighbor - stated that a neighbor is beating his elderly father. He could hear the noises made by the son as he hit his father in addition to the sounds made by the elderly male as he was being assaulted. At the time of the call, the beating was actively taking place. Police responded to the scene. It is unknown if the son was arrested. No further information is available at this time. These are merely allegations and should not be taken as fact. LISTEN TO FULL AUDIO HERE: Promotional Content Neighbor Calls Police as Son Starts Beating Elderly Father to Death in Niagara Falls

LISTEN TO POLICE AUDIO BELOW Law enforcement received a call around 5:15pm on December 13th after reports of a possible medical emergency on Pierce Avenue in Niagara Falls. The 911 caller said that a male was lying face down in the snow. There was also a mention that the incident was the result of a possible overdose. No update was given of the update of the male's condition. However, it was noted that the male was not moving. Police responded to the scene. It is unknown if the male was deceased. No further information is available at this time. These are merely allegations and should not be taken as fact. LISTEN TO FULL AUDIO HERE: Promotional Content Niagara Falls Police Discover Possible Dead Body Face Down in Snow

LISTEN TO POLICE AUDIO BELOW Law enforcement received a call around 9:15pm on December 10th after reports of an assault with a weapon that occurred at Hotel Cambria in Downtown Niagara Falls. The 911 caller stated that the male suspect was inside of the hotel. He came at her with brass knuckles and dropped his newborn baby on the ground. The suspect also has a knife. Police responded to the scene. It is unknown if the male was arrested. Unknown severity of injuries to the newborn baby. No further information is available at this time. These are merely allegations and should not be taken as fact. LISTEN TO FULL AUDIO HERE: Promotional Content Father Drops Newborn Child While Attacking Baby Momma With Brass Knuckles in Niagara Falls

LISTEN TO POLICE AUDIO BELOW Law enforcement received a call around 9pm on December 10th after reports of a shooting near Pine Avenue in Niagara Falls with injuries. The 911 caller stated that her daughter was shot and named the suspect. Police and medical responded to the scene. responded to the scene. It is unknown if the suspect was arrested. No further information is available at this time. These are merely allegations and should not be taken as fact. LISTEN TO FULL AUDIO HERE: Promotional Content Woman Calls 911 After Daughter was Shot in Niagara Falls

A tense standoff on 10th Street ended on Wednesday night with Niagara Falls Police taking a 29-year-old man into custody after reports that gunfire had been directed toward another person inside a home. Officers were first called to a residence on the 400 block of 10th Street at about 8:45pm for a complaint involving an unwanted individual. The situation escalated when dispatchers were told that a man had fired a .22-caliber firearm through a door. According to police, the shot was aimed toward someone on the other side. Fortunately, the individual was not struck. When officers arrived, they immediately secured the area and set up a perimeter after receiving information that the suspect was still inside the home. Police used loudspeaker announcements to direct anyone inside to exit. Five people eventually came out, all of whom complied with officers’ commands. Investigators later confirmed that none of them were the suspect. With the man believed to be barricaded in the house, police continued issuing commands over the patrol vehicle’s loudspeaker. However, the man ignored them. The Niagara Falls Police Department’s Emergency Response Team and Crisis Negotiation Team were then deployed to the scene. The standoff concluded when the Emergency Response Team entered the home and found the suspect on an upper floor. He was taken into custody without further confrontation. Detectives recovered two long guns and additional evidence from the residence. The Criminal Investigation Division is continuing to review the case and charges are expected to be filed. Promotional Content Armed Standoff Ends with SWAT Team Storming Home in Niagara Falls

New York State Police reported an arrest for driving while intoxicated that occurred on Thursday, December 11th, in Lewiston involving a Niagara Falls School teacher. Victoria Waugaman, 28-years-old, was arrested around 11pm after colliding with an unoccupied vehicle on Center Street. The impact caused significant damage to the vehicle. It is unknown if Waugaman sustained any injuries in the accident. Arrest information released by the New York State Police Waugaman reportedly failed standardized field sobriety testing and had a BAC far exceeding .08%. No further information is available at this time. Promotional Content Niagara Falls School Teacher Victoria Waugaman Arrested for DWI

LISTEN TO POLICE AUDIO BELOW Law enforcement received a 911 call on December 12th after a witness described watching an individual go over Niagara Falls. Law enforcement responded to the welcome center. The witness described watching someone go over Niagara Falls, believed to be a male. However, it could have been a female. The witness described seeing the individual in the water from the Prospect Point Observation Tower. Several first responders went to the location. The result of the call is unknown, including if a body was recovered. As we have previously reported, dozens of individuals go over Niagara Falls each year that never are reported on. This is a fact. Some bodies are never located while others surface at the Power Authority or along Lake Ontario. No further information is available at this time. These are merely allegations and should not be taken as fact. LISTEN TO FULL AUDIO HERE: Promotional Content Witness Watches Man Go Over Niagara Falls

Niagara Action previously reported on Michael Collesano, a Manhattan-based attorney and real estate broker, who filed a defamation lawsuit against a neighbor for comments allegedly made about his small manhood. The lawsuit, filed on May 11th, 2025, in New York County Supreme Court, has gained traction in recent months with all parties having filed answers and requests for subpoenas . Collesano alleged that Aimee Fink, a neighbor in his condominium complex, launched a campaign to damage his professional reputation and business. The verified complaint chronicled what Collesano described as months of harassment tied to a contentious board election at the Warren House condominium and accused Fink of making defamatory statements, interfering with his business dealings, and disparaging him personally and professionally. However, the heart of his lawsuit centers around a comment levied on January 17th, 2025, where Fink allegedly motioned with her fingers to indicate something small and shouted: “you have a little dick.” A comment that will now live forever in court filings . . . . Niagara Action has not independently verified the claims made in this lawsuit and presents them solely as allegations, which remain unproven unless and until established in court. Collesano claims the insult was made publicly, witnessed by building staff, and illustrative of a broader campaign of harassment. Two weeks after the January lobby incident, Collesano says he told Fink he intended to sue her. According to the filing, she responded by thrusting her middle finger in his face and calling police. The episode generated an NYPD report but no criminal charges. The lawsuit prompted us to ask the question, will Collesano likely be successful in his defamation lawsuit against Fink? We uploaded Collesano's Complaint and asked Chat GPT — this is what it said: Will the lawsuit for defamation brought by Attorney Michael Collesano against Aimee Fink for a comment alleging that he has “a little dick” be successful? To put it plainly: almost certainly not. And New York case law makes that conclusion all but inevitable. According to the verified complaint filed by Michael Collesano, he alleges that during a January 17, 2025 interaction outside his condominium, Aimee Fink “motioned with her fingers indicating a small distance and screamed at him, ‘you have a little dick.’” This isolated insult—undeniably crude, juvenile, and hostile—forms part of his defamation count. But in New York, words being mean is not the same thing as words being defamatory, and courts have repeated this principle for decades. Defamation requires a false assertion of fact, not a moment of playground-style name-calling. New York courts explicitly hold that “statements that are merely abusive, annoying, or embarrassing are not actionable” because they lack the factual content required to be defamatory. 1. The Threshold Problem: It’s Not a “Fact”—It’s an Insult Under New York law, a statement is only defamatory if (1) it is capable of being proven true or false, and (2) a reasonable listener would understand it as conveying actual fact. Courts routinely dismiss suits over insults, epithets, or obvious hyperbole because they are not factual assertions at all. Calling someone a vulgar name—even a sexually demeaning one—falls squarely into the category of nonactionable opinion or rhetorical hyperbole. New York’s Court of Appeals has held repeatedly that “[l]oose, figurative, or hyperbolic statements, even if deprecating, are not actionable because they cannot be proven true or false.” When a neighbor in a heated interpersonal conflict yells a sexual insult, no reasonable person interprets that as a literal medical or anatomical measurement. It is understood universally as an expression of disdain—not as a factual representation of physical traits. Courts know this, and they reject similar claims as a matter of law. 2. The “Truth Is a Defense” Principle Only Underscores the Problem for the Plaintiff New York law makes truth an absolute defense to defamation—and, importantly, the defendant does not need to prove truth unless the statement is the kind that is capable of being true or false in the first place. Here, the comment is so plainly an insult rather than an empirical claim that courts would not even reach the truth inquiry. The statement’s very nature keeps it out of defamation territory. But if it were treated as “factual,” the plaintiff would face another challenge: he would be litigating the size of his own penis in public court. Legal commentators note that plaintiffs who bring lawsuits over insults like this “open the door” to discovery and proof on the very subject they say is defamatory. The fact that this lawsuit invites that possibility only amplifies how unserious the claim appears—and how unlikely it is that any court would permit it to move forward. 3. Context Matters—and the Complaint’s Own Facts Undermine the Claim The setting, as pleaded, is a personal dispute between co-residents of a building, escalating over assessments, board disagreements, and interpersonal hostility. The complaint itself describes months of conflict, accusations, and bad blood between the parties. The January 17 exchange occurs in that broader emotional context—not in a professional setting, not in public media, and not in a situation where reasonable observers would treat the insult as conveying factual information. New York courts emphasize that context determines meaning. In a heated argument, sexual insults are understood as exactly that: insults. Not defamation. 4. New York Requires Defamation Per Se to Be About Profession—Not Anatomy Collesano, who is both a real estate broker and an attorney, frames the lawsuit as one that injures his professional reputation. But New York defamation-per-se doctrine only applies when the statement: accuses the plaintiff of a serious crime, alleges he has a disease, impugns his profession, or implies unchastity (historically applied to women). A remark about genital size has nothing to do with lawyering, real-estate brokerage, or any professional capacity. There is no rule of professional conduct for attorneys or brokers that governs sexual insults or anatomical references. No reasonable reader or listener would conclude that, because someone shouted an obscene remark outside an apartment building, the plaintiff is unfit to practice law. Put differently: even if everything the complaint alleges is true, New York law simply does not recognize “has a small penis” as a professional allegation. 5. The Complaint’s Tone and Scope Create a Serious Proportionality Issue Courts also look at proportionality. When a plaintiff seeks judicial intervention over trivial or childish insults, especially in interpersonal disputes, judges often dismiss the action early to avoid turning courts into referees of neighborhood quarrels. Here, the complaint spans 20 pages and details years of disputes, board politics, emails, elevator conversations, and personal dislike—culminating in a single crude insult shouted during a building disagreement. The sheer mismatch between the legal claim and the conduct alleged highlights why courts treat these suits skeptically. Put straightforwardly: New York defamation law is not designed to adjudicate playground-level personal attacks between neighbors. 6. Bottom Line: This Lawsuit Is Not Likely to Succeed Under New York Law When the elements of defamation are matched against the allegation, the result is legally clear: The statement is not a factual assertion. It is crude hyperbole, not defamation. The context shows it was an insult during a dispute, not a published assertion of fact. It does not relate to the plaintiff’s profession and is not defamation per se. New York courts routinely dismiss similar claims at the pleadings stage. In short: the lawsuit is overwhelmingly unlikely to succeed, and the claim itself borders on frivolous under established New York precedent. BELOW IS A COPY OF THE COMPLAINT: Promotional Content Will Michael Collesano Win Suit Over Tiny Genitals Comment? Chat GPT Says 'Certainly Not'

In her weekly edition of Beau Society, Hailee Steinfeld and Josh Allen announced that they are expecting their first child in an adorable video. Hailee wrote about yesterday being her 29th birthday and what the last year meant to her: This year, I’ve been reminded of how precious life is. I’ve surprised myself in a thousand different ways. Sometimes (many times), laughter saved the day. Other times, I found peace in simplicity: cooking breakfast with Josh, sinking into the perfect nighttime and morning routines, and talking to friends who see me clearly. This year, my work challenged me and rewarded me. Stepping into new projects felt like stepping into new versions of myself. I found creativity in unexpected places, like childhood memories and late-night conversations. I found clarity in asking myself what I really want. Then came the most amazing, and heartwarming, news of all. Promotional Content WATCH: Josh Allen and Hailee Steinfeld Are Expecting Their First Child

LISTEN TO POLICE AUDIO BELOW Law enforcement received a call around 9pm on December 11th after a request for a welfare check at an apartment on Seventh Street in the City of Buffalo. Police responded and, after confirming a deceased male in the apartment, a coroner arrived as well. Family of the deceased resident also arrived on scene. No further information is available at this time. These are merely allegations and should not be taken as fact. LISTEN TO FULL AUDIO HERE: Promotional Content Dead Body Found During Welfare Check

LISTEN TO POLICE AUDIO BELOW Law enforcement received a call around 9:30pm on December 11th after reports of menacing with a weapon on West Avenue in the City of Buffalo. The 911 caller and victim stated that a male in the bedroom is trying to kill her by looking at her, saying that there is a gun and knife. Dispatch noted that there are constant mental health calls from this address. Police responded to the scene. No further information is available at this time. These are merely allegations and should not be taken as fact. LISTEN TO FULL AUDIO HERE: Promotional Content Woman Says Male Broke Into Bedroom, Was Going to Stare at Her to Death

A Grand Island man died Thursday night after an incident in which he was reportedly crushed between a semi-truck and a pickup truck while attempting to work on the larger vehicle, according to a spokesperson for the Erie County Sheriff’s Office. Authorities identified the victim as 59-year-old Pavel Tsygyrlash. Investigators said he had been making repairs to a semi-truck in a parking lot near the intersection of Grand Island Boulevard and Long Road when the accident occurred. His son transported him to the hospital around 5:45pm, but Tsygyrlash was pronounced dead at 7pm. At the family’s residence, deputies located a pickup truck with a broken headlight, which the spokesperson said may be connected to the incident. The semi-truck remained parked at the lot where the accident happened with broken glass and a rolled-up blanket found near the passenger side door. The Sheriff’s Office says the investigation is still underway. Promotional Content Man Dies After Being Trapped Between Semi and Pickup Truck on Grand Island

Mark Laurrie, superintendent of the Niagara Falls City School District, has been selected as the Buffalo Bills’ 2025 Inspire Change Changemaker, an annual honor the team presents to local leaders advancing meaningful progress in their communities. The recognition aligns with the NFL’s Inspire Change initiative that focuses on four pillars of education, economic advancement, police–community relations and criminal justice reform. Laurrie was celebrated for decades of work on behalf of students and families in Niagara Falls as well as his involvement with the American Heart Association. His reaction to receiving the award reflected both gratitude and surprise. “I’m shocked and I’m so appreciative,” Laurrie said in an interview with the Buffalo Bills. “We are so appreciative in Niagara Falls that the Bills Foundation reaches that far, and that you don’t forget that we have love in Niagara Falls for you. We appreciate that you remember Niagara Falls.” His selection follows that of David Rust, the 2024 Inspire Change Changemaker and executive director of Say Yes Buffalo, who works closely with Laurrie. Rust credited Laurrie with extending the Say Yes program into Niagara Falls and broadening access to scholarships, workforce pathways and postsecondary opportunities. “My hope is that in honoring Mark’s lifetime commitment to education in Niagara Falls, the city, school district, and Say Yes Niagara Falls will receive similar exposure and support, for the scholarship endowment in particular,” Rust said in an interview with the Buffalo Bills. “Niagara Falls is a critical part of our region, and I’m deeply grateful for the wonderful recognition Mark is receiving, after all he has given to his city.” As part of the award, the NFL Foundation granted Laurrie $10,000, which he chose to donate entirely to Say Yes Niagara Falls. Rust said he hopes Laurrie’s example motivates others to contribute to community-based initiatives. Laurrie’s work with the American Heart Association has also drawn recognition. In September 2024, he collaborated on the HeartBEAT event, which offered hands-on CPR training to more than 750 student-athletes, families and staff members. Laurrie also serves on the Eastern States American Heart Association Board of Directors. Laurrie joins a group of NFL-recognized changemakers whose efforts focus on improving outcomes for underserved communities. Promotional Content Bills Name Niagara Falls Superintendent Mark Laurrie 2025 Inspire Change Changemaker

The long-stalled plan to transform the former Howard Johnson building at 472 Main Street in Niagara Falls into a rock-themed destination hotel has been given new life. The Niagara County Industrial Development Agency voted Wednesday to extend Live Inc.’s Cataract Grant funding through the end of 2027, allowing the developers additional time to assemble financing and prepare for construction, which they now say could begin in the spring. The IDA originally approved $450,000 in Cataract Tourism grant funding in August 2024 to support the redevelopment. The project, Hotel Live!, calls for an 80-room hotel with individually themed music floors, a celebrity-backed restaurant, and an indoor venue designed for live performances. The developers project creating 52 jobs which include 32 full-time positions. According to Agency Counsel Mark Gabriele, the developers’ difficulty securing financing stalled progress. He said he had been working with the operators in recent weeks and expected them to close on the hotel property before the end of the year. The expansion of the grant timeline does not provide additional money but allows Live Inc. time to document spending for reimbursement. Under the terms of the grant, the funds can only be used upon completion and are earmarked specifically for the $1.5 million restaurant component and $2.8 million music venue. The broader redevelopment carries an estimated price tag of $16 million and was first introduced in June 2024. Along with the Cataract Grant, the project has received substantial support from other public and private funding streams, including $2.25 million in tax incentives, $11.65 million in anticipated bank financing, $2.4 million in equity, and $1.5 million from Empire State Development. Live Inc., a Canadian-American company, already operates the helium balloon attraction adjacent to the project site. That ride, which opened in August 2024, was envisioned as a complementary attraction to the future hotel. Promotional Content Niagara Falls Hotel Live! Redevelopment Gets Additional Time to Secure Financing

LISTEN TO POLICE AUDIO BELOW Law enforcement received a call around 3pm on December 8th after reports of an assault with a weapon on North Avenue in Niagara Falls. The 911 caller - the girl's father - said that his 18-year-old daughter was threatening him with a knife. She had, in fact, cut him at least once. The severity of his cuts are unknown. Police responded to the scene. It is unknown if the daughter was arrested. No further information is available at this time. These are merely allegations and should not be taken as fact. LISTEN TO FULL AUDIO HERE: Promotional Content 18-year-old Daughter Tries to Slice and Dice Father in Niagara Falls

LISTEN TO POLICE AUDIO BELOW Law enforcement received a call around 12:30am on December 9th after reports of menacing with a weapon on Crowley Avenue in the City of Buffalo. The 911 caller said that a sister's boyfriend just pulled a shotgun on her. Afterward, he was laying on the couch with the shotgun on his chest. Additional information continued to come in. The caller then stated that the male is highly intoxicated and had just dragged the female down the stairs by her hair. Police responded to the scene. It is unknown if the male was arrested. No further information is available at this time. These are merely allegations and should not be taken as fact. LISTEN TO FULL AUDIO HERE: Promotional Content Suspect Threatens Woman with Shotgun Before Dragging Her Down Stairs by Hair

Face coverings are making a comeback in parts of New York, particularly across the Hudson Valley region, as a rise in respiratory illnesses are pushing hospitals and care facilities to tighten health precautions. While the sight of masks in public spaces has brought back memories of the 2020 pandemic, current changes are more limited. Most mask use remains voluntary, but some health-care settings and private workplaces have begun requiring face coverings for individuals who are not vaccinated or who are showing symptoms of illness. The shift comes amid what health officials describe as an especially aggressive cold and flu season, compounded by increasing cases of RSV and COVID-19. According to NBC New York, the week following Thanksgiving saw one of the steepest single-week increases in flu cases since before the pandemic with 14,506 confirmed infections, an 80% jump from the prior week. Hospitalizations have followed the same upward trend. The surge has prompted hospitals and long-term care facilities to reintroduce masking policies. Rather than universal mandates, many facilities are focusing rules on staff members and visitors who have not received recommended vaccinations or boosters. Health officials say the approach allows facilities to reduce the risk of transmission while avoiding the sweeping restrictions seen in prior years. Governor Kathy Hochul has addressed the renewed attention on masks in recent public comments, emphasizing that New York is not returning to broad, statewide mandates. She has, however, voiced support for current policies and framed masking as a protective option during peak virus season, particularly in medical settings where vulnerable patients face higher risks of illness. Hochul has also reiterated that health-care providers retain the discretion to set policies based on current conditions inside their facilities. Promotional Content Mask Requirements Reappear in Parts of New York as Respiratory Illnesses Surge

A man awaiting trial for killing his girlfriend and their newborn son was found dead Wednesday night inside the Erie County Correctional Facility, ending the criminal case before it could reach a jury. According to the Erie County Sheriff’s Office, 30-year-old Kidane Haile was discovered unresponsive in the shower area of the Alden facility shortly before 9pm. Officials said he was housed in a part of the jail where inmates could move about without constant supervision. One person familiar with the jail’s oversight structure explained that you don’t have a correctional officer with you in the shower. Authorities say the death is being investigated as an apparent suicide, though the official cause has not yet been determined. An autopsy is scheduled to take place. Foul play has not been ruled out. Haile had been facing charges of 1st and 2nd degree murder in the deaths of 29-year-old Katie Carrig and their 4-day-old son, Noah, who were found inside their Norwood Avenue home in Buffalo on October 18th. Prosecutors alleged Haile strangled Carrig, killed the infant, and then set fire to the residence in an effort to hide the crimes. He was also charged with arson and, if convicted, faced the possibility of life without parole. Haile had been scheduled to return to court in January. Despite many being upset that the criminal prosecution never was able to play out, several have already made their opinions clear on social media that justice has been served. "More justice than the victims and their families could have ever gotten in a courtroom," commented one person. Promotional Content Man Charged with Murdering Girlfriend and Newborn Son Found Dead Behind Bars

LISTEN TO POLICE AUDIO BELOW Law enforcement received a call around 12:30am on December 10th after reports of a mental health emergency in Niagara Falls. The 911 caller said that her soon-to-be ex-husband was posting on social media that he wanted to harm himself and jump off a "tall bridge." The male's location was not disclosed on the call. No further information is available at this time. These are merely allegations and should not be taken as fact. LISTEN TO FULL AUDIO HERE: Promotional Content Man Threatens to Jump Off Niagara Falls Bridge

Niagara County District Attorney Brian Seaman announced Friday that Darrion A. Cotton, 59, of Niagara Falls, pleaded guilty to assault in the 1st degree for attacking a gas station cashier with a hammer during a January robbery. Prosecutors said Cotton admitted in court to striking the cashier in the head - causing serious injuries - during the January 19th, 2024 incident in Niagara Falls. Cotton now faces a prison term ranging from 14 to 20 years when he appears for sentencing on March 16th before Acting Supreme Court Judge Mario Giacobbe. “This was a vicious and unprovoked attack,” said Seaman. “We will be seeking the full 20-year sentence.” The Niagara Falls Police Department handled the investigation. The prosecution was led by Assistant District Attorneys Derek Hafner and Richelle Kloch-Krantz. Promotional Content Darrion Cotton of Niagara Falls Pleads Guilty to Attacking Gas Station Cashier with Hammer

LISTEN TO POLICE AUDIO BELOW Law enforcement received a call around 6:10pm on December 9th after reports of a neighbor dispute on the 400 block of 22nd Street in Niagara Falls involving weapons. The 911 caller stated that neighbors were arguing on the front porch over an Amazon package. Both of the individuals pulled guns and acquired a target on the other person. Each of the men threatened to shoot the other over the package. Police responded to the scene. It is unknown if either was arrested. No further information is available at this time. These are merely allegations and should not be taken as fact. LISTEN TO FULL AUDIO HERE: Promotional Content Neighbors Point Guns at One Another Over Amazon Package in Niagara Falls

LISTEN TO POLICE AUDIO BELOW Law enforcement received a call around 4:40pm on December 8th after reports of a domestic incident on Vermont Street in the City of Buffalo involving injuries. The 911 caller initially stated that a male was punching a female. The caller then told dispatch that the female was unconscious and he was dragging her lifeless body toward the street corner. The suspect was described as a black male with dreads. Police responded to the scene. It is unknown if the male was located. No further information is available at this time. These are merely allegations and should not be taken as fact. LISTEN TO FULL AUDIO HERE: Promotional Content Unconscious Woman Dragged Down Street After Being Beaten by Male

LISTEN TO POLICE AUDIO BELOW Law enforcement received a call around 12pm on December 8th after reports of a sexual assault that occurred at a public school in the City of Buffalo. The 911 caller stated that her autistic son has been repeatedly sexually assaulted at school, located in the City of Buffalo. The two closest elementary schools are   Grabiarz Campus School 79 (PFC. William J. Grabiarz School of Excellence) and West Hertel Elementary School (PS 94). It is unknown whether the accused abuser is a student or staff member. No further information is available at this time. These are merely allegations and should not be taken as fact. LISTEN TO FULL AUDIO HERE: Promotional Content Mother Reports Autistic Son Repeatedly Being Sexual Assaulted at School

The operating season at Niagara Pumpkin Farm may be over, but tensions between the farm’s owners and the Town of Lewiston continue to escalate following the town board’s decision to impose a six-month moratorium on seasonal attractions. Kyle and Alisha King, who own the Niagara Pumpkin Farm at 5368 Townline Road, say the town has repeatedly changed requirements even after they complied with prior conditions, making it nearly impossible to plan for future seasons. Their frustration was evident during and after a lengthy Lewiston Town Board work session Monday night that drew a packed audience of supporters. The moratorium, which was approved unanimously, temporarily halts approval of site plans and special use permits for non-conforming seasonal events. Town officials said the pause is intended to give them time to study and potentially update local zoning rules governing agritourism and similar attractions. Public response during the work session was overwhelmingly critical. For roughly 30 minutes, residents and visitors voiced sharp criticism that the moratorium was crafted to impact a single business rather than addressing any broader trend. Several speakers emphasized that the pumpkin farm brings visitors and revenue into Lewiston, while others argued that the town’s actions amount to reactionary regulation rather than reasonable oversight. Kyle King attempted to explain how the moratorium could disrupt next year’s operating plans, affect his construction business within the town, and contradict a prior ruling that confirmed the farm was permitted in an agricultural district. Because his comments exceeded the time limit, another supporter completed the remarks on his behalf. Despite opposition from the audience, the board moved forward with the moratorium. It was clear that the board's decision was made behind closed doors before the meeting began with targeting only one business in mind. Outside observers also raised concerns about the legality of applying new restrictions after approvals had already been granted. Essentially, applying the moratorium retroactively. Town Supervisor Steve Broderick defended the pause in a written statement read during the meeting, citing complaints from nearby residents and an increase in seasonal attractions. He argued that existing town code does not adequately address temporary events and said town attorneys are already working on revised regulations intended to balance safety with neighborhood impact. Magically, there were never any reported complaints from nearby residents in prior years that the Niagara Pumpkin Farm operated - just since the Town of Lewiston started its battle against the Kings. When asked how frequently Lewiston receives applications for seasonal attractions, Broderick indicated the town has not received any such permits annually, a point seized on by critics as evidence that the moratorium is only targeting one business, and one business only. Town Attorney Alfonso Bax said the town does not intend to delay applications from the Kings and has contacted the state Department of Agriculture and Markets for guidance. He agreed that the town code lacks sufficient detail to handle future temporary events. Only two nearby residents spoke in support of the moratorium, saying it would help restore peace to their neighborhood and encourage compliance. The Kings previously operated Niagara Nightmares in North Tonawanda and also own WNY Property Kings, a construction company based in that city. Since launching Niagara Pumpkin Farm in 2022, they have faced multiple enforcement actions from Lewiston, including violation notices, restraining orders that temporarily shut down operations, and a lawsuit filed this past September alleging the farm was not a permitted use. That lawsuit was later withdrawn after the town and the Kings reached an agreement allowing the farm to operate through the 2025 season. The deal included a temporary deferral of code enforcement and required the Kings to submit formal applications beginning in 2026. According to the Kings, all safety changes requested by the town were implemented. Kyle King said the planning board had been expected to approve a site plan for the next season at a December 18th meeting, but the moratorium has now postponed that decision. The Kings say they are consulting with legal counsel to determine their next steps as they believe the town continues to impose shifting restrictions that single out their business rather than offering clear, consistent regulation. Promotional Content Lewiston Weaponizes Zoning Laws Against Niagara Pumpkin Farm with New Moratorium