The Buffalo News (Buffalo, NY) articles from September 2011

The Buffalo News (Buffalo, NY) archives from September 2011

Tuesday morning QB: Bell does his job.
September 13, 2011... Byline: Rodney McKissic Sept. 13--If Tamba Hali watched tape of Demetrius Bell from last year's Buffalo-Kansas City game, he would have found exploitable weaknesses. Bell hadn't shown much leg power and his shoulders faced the sidelines at...

The Buffalo News, N.Y., Jerry Sullivan column.(Column)
September 13, 2011... Byline: Jerry Sullivan Sept. 13--I've heard it half a dozen times in the last couple of days. The chip on the shoulder. The Bills have more chips than a poker addict. Go ahead, sell them short. They thrive on the knowledge that the outside...

Apartments mark milestone for Buffalo State.
September 13, 2011... Byline: Jay Rey Sept. 13--The new student apartments at the corner of Grant and Letchworth streets mark a milestone for Buffalo State College. The complex is the first entirely new housing on the campus in 40 years. The addition of the...

State agrees to safety improvements on Dysinger Road.
September 13, 2011... Byline: Thomas J. Prohaska Sept. 13--LOCKPORT -- The state Department of Transportation will install a sidewalk and make other improvements along Dysinger Road, the scene of three serious car-pedestrian accidents in a 15-month period. Town...

Reconciling those 4 deadly days at Attica.
September 13, 2011... Byline: Gene Warner Sept. 13--Forty years ago, Michael S. Smith was a 22-year-old corrections officer who was beaten by inmates when the Attica prison uprising began Sept. 9, 1971. Two inmates, one of them named Donald Noble, came to...

Pominville increases population.
September 13, 2011... Byline: Mike Harrington Sept. 13--When you last saw Jason Pominville, he was hopping off the ice in Philadelphia with a serious left leg cut. A tendon was severed and Pominville's season was done in Game Five of the Buffalo Sabres' playoff...

Bills notebook: McGee facing significant down time.
September 13, 2011... Byline: Jay Skurski Sept. 13--The Buffalo Bills' depth in the defensive backfield will be put to the test starting Sunday against Oakland. Cornerback Terrence McGee's hamstring injury is "not good," according to coach Chan Gailey, and...

Eden's Pierce set to take on new challenge.
September 13, 2011... Byline: Amy Moritz Sept. 13--If she took the easier route, the one with more certainty and security, that just wouldn't be characteristic of Kendall Pierce. The senior at Eden relishes a challenge. It's what has pushed her as she became...

Frontier seniors set loftier goals for themselves.
September 13, 2011... Byline: Amy Moritz Sept. 13--A team which returns a group of seniors is often characterized as having experience. But there's a difference between being a year older and a year wiser. Frontier boys volleyball coach Bill Faust believes his...

Girls volleyball outlook.
September 13, 2011... Byline: Mary Jo Monnin Sept. 13--Defending state champs Eden: The Raiders have won back-to-back New York State Class B titles as well as 12 consecutive 12 Section VI titles. Coach Stephen Pierce was named Co-Coach of the Year in the...

Adirondacks looking for a flood of tourists.
September 13, 2011... Byline: Tom Precious Sept. 13--AU SABLE FORKS -- In this flood-weary area in the eastern Adirondacks one day last week, the sun popped out, and streams and rivers, which surged to historic heights during the recent visit by Tropical Storm...

Corner Bakery Cafe coming here.
September 13, 2011... Byline: Samantha Sept. 13--Maziarz Christmann Corner Bakery Cafe, a fast, casual restaurant franchise, will soon open two stores in the Buffalo area. Franchisee Fran DeSimone plans to bring 15 locations to New York State within the...

Calspan wins 5-year DOT contract.
September 13, 2011... Byline: Matt Glynn Sept. 13--Calspan Corp. was awarded a five-year, $40 million contract by the U.S. Department of Transportation to continue research of motor vehicle crashes. The contract will help Calspan retain 71 jobs, including 23...

Low turnout expected for dull primary elections.
September 13, 2011... Byline: Robert J. McCarthy Sept. 13--It may prove to be one of the skimpiest turnouts in recent memory as party members vote today in low-key primary elections, but that doesn't mean there aren't "hot spots" galore around Western New York. ...

United Way campaign opens with higher goal.
September 13, 2011... Byline: Deidre Williams Sept. 13--United Way of Buffalo&Erie County kicked off its annual campaign Monday with hopes of continuing the modest upswing in donations that it posted last year. The goal for the 2011 campaign is $13.5...

Preservation session eyes record.
September 13, 2011... Byline: Mark Sommer Sept. 13--Attendance for the National Preservation Conference here next month is exceeding expectations and could set a record, local organizers said Monday. Registration enrollment for the National Preservation...

BRIEF: Cuomo gets measure on Falls tightrope walk.
September 13, 2011... Byline: Tom Precious Sept. 13--ALBANY -- For Nik Wallenda, the clock is now ticking on his quest to gain--at least from New York State -- permission to walk above the Horseshoe Falls on a tightrope. Legislation overwhelmingly approved...

BRIEF: Man indicted in four bank robberies.
September 13, 2011... Sept. 13--A 36-year-old Buffalo man has been indicted on four robbery counts after being accused of stealing a total of $20,000 from four local banks between last November and February, Erie County District Attorney Frank A. Sedita III announced...

Production, new orders recede here for August.
September 13, 2011... Byline: David Robinson Sept. 13--The Buffalo Niagara region's manufacturers fell into the summer doldrums during August. A new report by a local purchasing managers group found that Buffalo Niagara's manufacturers stopped growing during...

The film fest game.
September 13, 2011... Byline: Jeff Simon Sept. 13--TORONTO--Here's a new game. Call it "Film Festival!--The Toronto Film Festival Edition." The object is to jam as much worthwhile stuff as possible into the few days you can spend there. The winner gets...

EDITORIAL: Act like the commander.(Editorial)
September 13, 2011... Sept. 13--He's the commander in chief. And, politically, his enemy is the leadership of the Republican Party. President Obama's approach to dealing with the Republicans has failed badly. If he is to succeed, if he is to win, he can no longer...

BRIEF: UB moves up in publication's ranking of top colleges.
September 13, 2011... Byline: Gene Warner Sept. 13--The University at Buffalo has moved up the ranks in two major categories according to the annual "Best Colleges" rankings released today by U.S. News & World Report, UB officials announced. UB is ranked...

County lawmakers probe cultural grants.
September 13, 2011... Byline: Denise Jewell Gee Sept. 13--When it came to how Erie County Executive Chris Collins chose which arts and cultural organizations would split $300,000 to spruce up their facilities, very little resembled a typical application process....

Returns play a special role in NFL openers.
September 12, 2011... Byline: Milt Northrop Sept. 12--Supposedly they legislated the kickoff return out of NFL games with kicks from the 35-yard line instead of the 30 this season. Tell that to the San Diego Chargers and Seattle Seahawks. Percy Harvin of the...

BRIEF: Amherst house fire causes estimated $200,000 damage.
September 12, 2011... Sept. 12--An estimated $200,000 damage occurred in a house fire that may have originated in an attached garage early today in Amherst, fire officials said. No injuries were reported in the 5:33 a.m. blaze at 10 Troy Del Way, a one-story,...

Homeless man charged in vandalism of church statues.
September 12, 2011... Byline: Lou Michel Sept. 12--A homeless Cheektowaga man has been charged with damaging three statues at Saint Philip the Apostle Catholic Church, town police announced today. Michael Taylor, 30, whose last known address was on the 1100...

'From those ashes really rose heroes'.
September 12, 2011... Byline: Barbara O'Brien and Kevin J. Bargnes Sept. 12--Western New Yorkers gained strength and hope in coming together Sunday to remember the day the world changed 10 years ago. At parks and town halls, in churches, mosques and synagogues,...

Homeless man held in damage to statues.
September 12, 2011... Byline: Lou Michel Sept. 12--A homeless Cheektowaga man has been charged with damaging three statues at St. Philip the Apostle Catholic Church, town police announced Monday. Michael Taylor, 30, whose last known address was on the 1100...

KILL: Former WNY resident injured in stage collapse.
September 12, 2011... Sept. 12-- Aug. 16 -- The story slugged "BF-Former-WNY-resident-injured-in-stage-collapse-0816" distributed Aug. 16, 2011, by MCT Regional News on behalf of The Buffalo News, N.Y., should be killed. The story is credited "From staff and wire...

The Buffalo News, N.Y., Jerry Sullivan column.(Column)
September 12, 2011... Byline: Jerry Sullivan Sept. 12--KANSAS CITY -- Chan Gailey didn't hide it this time. A year ago, he wouldn't admit how much he burned to come here and beat Todd Haley, who had fired him as the Chiefs' offensive coordinator 13 days before the...

Chandler's day is a revelation for Bills.
September 12, 2011... Byline: Rodney McKissic Sept. 12--KANSAS CITY -- As Ryan Fitzpatrick dressed in his locker room stall, a horde of media members stuffed microphones, recorders and mini-cams into the face of Scott Chandler. "Look at that," Fitzpatrick said...

Preserving memories of St. Adalbert's.
September 12, 2011... Byline: Sandra Tan Sept. 12--In the sanctuary of St. Adalbert Basilica stand two facing paintings. One is of St. Adalbert's martyrdom. The other depicts the story of St. Peter walking on water toward Jesus until his faith falters in the face...

Stirring memorial can only do so much.
September 12, 2011... Byline: Donn Esmonde Sept. 12--NEW YORK -- It looks and feels as good as it possibly can. Which does not mean it will heal the wounds or bring anybody back or erase what happened here. Memorials can only do so much. They honor the dead and...

'From those ashes really rose heroes'.
September 12, 2011... Byline: Barbara O'Brien and Kevin Bargnes Sept. 12--Western New Yorkers gained strength and hope in coming together Sunday to remember the day the world changed 10 years ago. At parks and town halls, in churches, mosques and synagogues,...

Jackson provides offensive balance, beats Chiefs at own game.
September 12, 2011... Byline: Rodney McKissic Sept. 12--KANSAS CITY -- Fred Jackson played exactly the game he needed to establish himself as the Buffalo Bills' featured running back. He ran with authority, extended touchdown drives and gained tough yardage. ...

Quarterly report: Breaking down the blowout.
September 12, 2011... Byline: Mark Gaughan Sept. 12--First quarter: Jump start A fast start? By the Bills? What do you know? The Bills scored two first-quarter touchdowns for the first time in 31 games to take a 14-0 lead over the Chiefs. It was the Bills'...

Know what's in your lease before signing.
September 12, 2011... Byline: Samantha Maziarz Christmann Sept. 12--Leaving the nest is so exciting. You can play your music as loud as you want. Have your friends over 'til the wee hours. No more curfew. No more consequences. No more rules. Oh, except there...

Escaping close encounters.
September 12, 2011... Byline: Lou Michel Sept. 12--Before he was drafted into the Army, Stanley M. Maziarz had already put in four years of service in the work world, starting at age 16. Life was not easy. He had quit high school to support himself after his...

Shooting victim leaves vehicle, collapses.
September 12, 2011... Byline: Jay Tokasz Sept. 12--A man with a gunshot wound to his chest pulled his pickup into a gas station parking lot on Porter Avenue, near Columbus Parkway, and collapsed on a sidewalk Sunday afternoon. The man was rushed by a...

The Buffalo News, N.Y., Denise Jewell Gee column.(Column)
September 12, 2011... Byline: Denise Jewell Gee Sept. 12--C'mon, big money. New York has sidled up to the roulette table, and it likes the sweet, sweet taste of the payout. And, like any addict, it needs more, much more, to feed the bloated state budget. So...

BRIEF: Fire damages home in Broadway-Fillmore.
September 12, 2011... Byline: Gene Warner Sept. 12--An early-morning fire that swept through an occupied home in the city's Broadway-Fillmore area also left exposure damage to the house next door, Buffalo fire officials reported. Firefighters responded to a...

OPINION: Obama is in full denial on U. S. manufacturing.
September 12, 2011... Byline: Douglas Turner Sept. 12--WASHINGTON -- In full cheerleader mode -- "Are you out there, America?" -- President Obama quick-stepped us through his trophy room of corroding, empty gestures last Thursday night. With a "rah" for the...

EDITORIAL: Help the libraries.(Editorial)
September 12, 2011... Sept. 12--The Buffalo News, in its continuing commitment to community service, has launched the "Bucks for Books" campaign to purchase children's and adult books for the Buffalo & Erie County Public Library system. The goal is to raise...

Diving into day care.
September 12, 2011... Byline: Emma Sapong Sept. 12--In four months, Jennielynn Smith went from a dead-end food service position to running her own business. She's quadrupled her earning potential and has more time with her children. Just two months ago,...

Historical sites stir British interest.
September 12, 2011... Byline: Richard E. Baldwin Sept. 12--NIAGARA FALLS--The role of the Niagara Frontier in the Underground Railroad of the mid-19th century has become a tourist attraction for travelers from the United Kingdom. Interest in the path to...

Four female members form caucus in Niagara County Legislature.
September 12, 2011... Byline: Thomas J. Prohaska Sept. 12--LOCKPORT -- The four women in the Niagara County Legislature, three of whom have joined the body this year, formed a Women's Caucus last week. Legislator Renae Kimble, D-Niagara Falls, an 18-year...

Town of Lockport budget draft holds the line for homeowners.
September 12, 2011... Byline: Thomas J. Prohaska Sept. 12--LOCKPORT -- The first draft of the 2012 Town of Lockport budget, released last week, would be a break-even affair for the average homeowner. Supervisor Marc R. Smith said the tax impact of the...

In post-9/11 America, complex new realities.
September 11, 2011... Byline: Jerry Zremski Sept. 11--WASHINGTON -- Ten years ago today, much of America awoke to cloudless skies. And then all of a sudden, in the midst of all the sunshine, two planes hit the World Trade Center. Another struck the Pentagon, and a...

Smartest guy in the room takes charge.
September 11, 2011... Byline: Mark Gaughan Sept. 11--KANSAS CITY -- One of the delightful Ryan Fitzpatrick stories goes back to the time the Buffalo Bills quarterback took his future wife, Liza, back home to Arizona to meet his parents for the first time. Ryan...

The Buffalo News, N.Y., Jerry Sullivan column.(Column)
September 11, 2011... Byline: Jerry Sullivan Sept. 11--KANSAS CITY -- As Bills fans are well aware, Kyle Williams is remarkably quick on his feet for a man his size. That's one of the reasons the Bills rewarded him with a contract extension that averages $7.25...

On a somber day, The News remembers and revamps.
September 11, 2011... Byline: Margaret Sullivan Sept. 11--For every American, Sept. 11 is personal. For me, that's because Sean Rooney -- the brother of one of my oldest and closest friends -- died in the World Trade Center. As a journalist, I also remember it...

Sabres set to mix and match.
September 11, 2011... Byline: John Vogl Sept. 11--The easiest way to explain the emotions, Robyn Regehr said, is to imagine you're the new kid in school. The faces are unfamiliar, the course load is alien and the scenery is strange. Yet beneath the anxiety, there...

9/11/01: Sabres' visit to Ground Zero was overwhelming.
September 11, 2011... Byline: John Vogl Sept. 11--Lindy Ruff, in Manhattan less than a month after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, knew he should walk down the island toward Ground Zero. The Buffalo Sabres coach was only blocks away from the world's most infamous...

Revamped Bills defense ready for its close-up.
September 11, 2011... Byline: Rodney McKissic Sept. 11--1. No where to go but up As Kyle Williams said, the run defense can't get any worse. The Bills added Marcell Dareus, Nick Barnett, Shawne Merriman and Kirk Morrison in hopes of improving the run defense...

Expect the unexpected when prognosticating standings.
September 11, 2011... Byline: Mark Gaughan Sept. 11--Pittsburgh and Baltimore are the stone-cold locks entering the 2011 NFL season. We're going with San Diego, Houston, Arizona, Dallas and Tampa Bay as the new playoff teams this season. Every year the...

NFL Power Rankings: Week One.
September 11, 2011... Byline: Mark Gaughan Sept. 11--(Last ranking at end of 2010 regular season in parentheses) 1 Green Bay Packers: Wow. (8) 2 Atlanta Falcons: The only team to finish in top 5 in scoring offense and scoring defense. (2) 3 San Diego...

New coaches and quarterbacks calling the shots.
September 11, 2011... Byline: Milt Northrop Sept. 11--What old-boy network? It's not nearly the great upheaval of 2009, when nine National Football League head coaching jobs changed hands, but seven teams begin the season today with new leaders. Six of the...

9/11/01: Moorman recalls being in "disbelief".
September 11, 2011... Byline: Rodney McKissic Sept. 11--As Brian Moorman drove to the Buffalo Bills facility on Sept. 11, 2001 he heard, "something was going on in New York," but he didn't know exactly what. When he arrived, Moorman walked into the player's lounge...

Oliver fuels runaway triumph by UB.
September 11, 2011... Byline: Bob Dicesare Sept. 11--During his frustrating freshman senior, Branden Oliver never had a run longer than 19 yards. Saturday night, in what's shaping up as a breakout sophomore campaign, each of his three touchdown runs covered at...

Dennison makes an immediate impact as a TE.
September 11, 2011... Byline: Bob Dicesare Sept. 11--Two summers ago, Alex Dennison was once part of UB's quarterback competition. Saturday night, having been converted to tight end, he was on the receiving end of one of the quickest touchdown strikes in Bulls...

Lackawanna passes by Burgard.
September 11, 2011... Byline: Keith McShea Sept. 11--Freshman Davion Stallworth, all 5-foot-8 and 155 pounds of him, put forth the most prolific single-game passing performance in the vaunted history of Lackawanna football -- in his very first start at...

Catholic teams post road triumphs.
September 11, 2011... Sept. 11--Four Monsignor Martin Association football teams went on the road Saturday and made it a clean sweep over downstate opponents. St. Joe's and quarterback Chad Kelly made perhaps the biggest impact of all, rocking traditional Staten...

High School football weekend wrapup.
September 11, 2011... Sept. 11--The News football polls are published each Tuesday in the Scholastic Spotlight. Here's how this week's top 10 fared: LARGE SCHOOLS 1) Orchard Park (2-0) -- beat Jamestown, 31-14. Next week: at West Seneca West. 2) Sweet Home...

East Aurora runners sweep JFK titles.
September 11, 2011... Sept. 11--Marta McLaughlin led a 1-2-3 East Aurora sweep as the Blue Devils easily won the girls team title, and the EA boys also took team honors at the JFK Invitational cross country run. Kalen Sullivan of West Seneca West was the boys...

Fast and furious show of might turns heads.
September 11, 2011... Byline: Mary B. Pasciak Sept. 11--The Brahaney family drove from Salamanca to Niagara Falls on Saturday, then waited in a traffic jam off the I-190 for two hours for a chance to see the Air Force Thunderbirds swoop and zoom. They were not...

After 10 years, pain still raw in New York.
September 11, 2011... Byline: Donn Esmonde Sept. 11--NEW YORK -- The anniversary is for everybody else. The anniversary is for the overwhelming majority of Americans who did not lose someone on Sept. 11, 2001. It is for those for whom the milestone is a reminder...

The Buffalo News, N.Y., Mike Harrington column.(Column)
September 11, 2011... Byline: Mike Harrington Sept. 11--In times of crisis like 9/11, sports are just games. No argument there. But has the nation ever needed the diversion of baseball more than it did 10 years ago? Think of all the images the big leagues left...

Moog making moves.
September 11, 2011... Byline: David Robinson Sept. 11--Bob Brady thinks Moog Inc. is misunderstood. The Elma-based company gets more than half of its business by selling parts and systems that are used on aircraft, satellites and rockets. But it also makes...

Behind Council races, a referendum on Brown.
September 11, 2011... Byline: Robert J. McCarthy Sept. 11--As Buffalo Common Council races go, the 2012 Democratic primary features all the standard ingredients: name calling, character accusations and liberal use of the dreaded "career politician" phrase. But...

Dyster aims to finish job.
September 11, 2011... Byline: Charlie Specht Sept. 11--NIAGARA FALLS--When Mayor Paul A. Dyster asked his wife, Rebecca, for permission to run for mayor in 2007, he made one stipulation: He would need eight years, not four, to get the job done right. "The wisdom...

Giving is a way of life for Mary Lou Dietrich.
September 11, 2011... Byline: Barbara O'Brien Sept. 11--Mary Lou Dietrich is happy quietly feeding the hungry, sheltering the homeless and helping the poor without accolades or praise. In fact, she'd rather the West Seneca Rotary Club selected someone else as its...

The Buffalo News, N.Y., David Robinson column.(Column)
September 11, 2011... Byline: David Robinson Sept. 11--Dan and Bob Syracuse just might be the unluckiest businessmen in town. A year ago, the brothers, who own the Pizza Plant Italian Pub, were booted out of the Transit Road plaza that had been their home for...

State council plans polling at forums on development.
September 11, 2011... Byline: David Robinson Sept. 11--The Western New York Regional Economic Development Council will hold four public forums this week to give residents the chance to voice their feelings about the economic development plan it is preparing and...

Book highlights Eastman's cutting-edge strategies.
September 11, 2011... Byline: Samantha Maziarz Christmann Sept. 11--Robert Stevenson, president and chief executive officer of Eastman Machine Co., has some ideas about how to be successful in business. Now he has found a national audience to hear them, thanks to...

OPINION: Steve Pigeon resurfaces.
September 11, 2011... Byline: Bob McCarthy Sept. 11--For one brief, shining millisecond a few days ago, peace (relatively speaking) reigned over the Valley of the Democrats in Erie County. Chairman Len Lenihan rescinded his resignation and returned to the party...

EDITORIAL: A time to reflect.(Editorial)
September 11, 2011... Sept. 11--Are we the same anymore? Ten years after the day that was supposed to change everything, what, in fact, has changed? And how much of it was for the better? On the surface, at least, it's fair to say that for most of us there aren't...

Psychiatric patient assaults ECMC nurse.
September 11, 2011... Byline: Henry L. Davis Sept. 11--A nurse suffered serious facial injuries earlier this week when he was punched by a patient at Erie County Medical Center's emergency psychiatric unit. A colleague reported that the incident was one of two...

Pizza still on the menu at City Mission.
September 11, 2011... Byline: Matt Gryta Sept. 11--The Buffalo City Mission's Tuesday pizza party, borne from a judge with a creative mind and a restaurant owner with a tax problem, was supposed to come to an end next month. But thanks to a good Samaritan, the...

1st Ward Democrats vie for spot on ballot.
September 11, 2011... Byline: Michelle Kearns Sept. 11--NORTH TONAWANDA -- Two Democrats are vying for the party's ballot line in the primary race for the 1st Ward Common Council seat left open by departing Republican Alderman Dennis Pasiak. Party-endorsed Dennis...

Buffalo police data coming 'very soon,' panel is told.
September 11, 2011... Byline: Brian Meyer Sept. 11--A lengthy standoff between the Buffalo Police Department and a reorganization panel over the release of data could be nearing an end. The chairman of the Joint Commission to Examine Police Reorganization told...

Color him grateful for Brush Up.
September 11, 2011... Byline: Gene Warner Sept. 11--Relaxed khaki? That sounds like something you'd buy on sale at the mall, with or without a pleated front. "Relaxed khaki," instead, is the predominant new color -- along with "panda white" and "brick red" --...

Bills offense makes statement in Kansas City.
September 11, 2011... Byline: Jay Skurski Sept. 11--The Buffalo Bills couldn't have asked for a better start to their 2011 season. The Bills forced a turnover on the very first play at Arrowhead Stadium, converted the ensuing drive for a touchdown and never...

Festival offers flashes of metal's glory.
September 11, 2011... Byline: Jeff Miers Sept. 11--The Rock Star Energy Drink Uproar Festival is a traveling circus whose aim is to represent the state of modern heavy metal in every town where metal matters. Western New York has always been one of those markets....

Bills' opening statement is loud and clear.
September 11, 2011... Byline: Mark Gaughan Sept. 11--KANSAS CITY -- The Buffalo Bills were not making any bold proclamations in the locker room Sunday. They had to admit, however, their blowout of the Kansas City Chiefs sure felt like a statement victory. "The...