Archive for December, 2017

ABC’s 20/20 to air investigation into NXIVM & Raniere, Friday December 15th

ABC’s 20/20 to air investigation into NXIVM & Raniere, Friday December 15th

NXIVM December 14, 2017 at 9:47 am

By Frank Parlato;   The ABC TV show “20/20” has been investigating NXIVM for some time and has announced their show about the now infamous cult will air on Friday, December 15th (10:00-11:00 p.m. EST), on ABC. The full hour is expected to be devoted to NXIVM and its founder, KeithRead More

Print Edition – Dec 8, 2017

Print Edition – Dec 8, 2017

Online Newspaper December 10, 2017 at 9:05 pm
Clare Bronfman in Mexico, seen in San Pedro near Raniere

Clare Bronfman in Mexico, seen in San Pedro near Raniere

NXIVM December 9, 2017 at 12:17 am

Clare Bronfman was seen on the streets of San Pedro Garza Garcia, the wealthiest municipality in all of Mexico and part of greater Monterrey. Keith Raniere was reported to be living in that affluent community. Ms. Bronfman was positively identified in several locations. The Monterrey ESP Center is also inRead More

County residents say ‘no’ to proposed legislature pay increase

County residents say ‘no’ to proposed legislature pay increase

Niagara County December 8, 2017 at 5:52 am

By Joseph Kissel Other than Town of Lockport Supervisor Mark Crocker, all the speakers at Tuesday’s public hearing on the county’s proposed budget shot down the idea of raises for legislators. Mr. Crocker and legislators in favor of the 28 percent raise said it was time after 18 years ofRead More

James Glynn and Andrew Cuomo make an excellent team when it comes to land deals. Twice the governor has come to James' rescue, first granting him land in the Niagara Gorge for a new boatyard and then relieving him of unwanted acreage on Buffalo Avenue.

First “Buffalo Billion” land deal in Falls just another Cuomo favor for Maid’s Glynn

Niagara Falls December 8, 2017 at 5:48 am

As part of his “Buffalo Billion II,” Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced earlier this year that he had decided to purchase “distressed lands adjacent to Niagara Falls State Park” as part of a new “Strategic Land Acquisition Program” for the purpose of subsequent redevelopment, the idea being to spur economic growthRead More

Local Media mum as Greenway Director throws in towel after short stint

Local Media mum as Greenway Director throws in towel after short stint

Niagara County December 8, 2017 at 5:36 am

Having held the position for barely a year, Jeanne Leccese abruptly and unexpectedly resigned as Executive Director of the Niagara River Greenway last month, leaving unanswered questions. Namely, why did she leave the high-paying, prestigious position at the public benefit corporation for a staff job at a lowly non-profit? ButRead More

Baby Shawn is a Niagara Falls resident who's the longest surviving patient of a rare childhood brain cancer. Here, Bill Kennedy appears with Baby Shawn just before the fundraising walk that took place around Three Sisters Island.

Political outsider Kennedy is a question mark until the next votes come in

Niagara Falls December 8, 2017 at 5:34 am

By Joseph Kissel What is it about incoming councilman Bill Kennedy that makes him such a compelling figure as the city begins looking past three terms of Mayor Paul Dyster? First off, his election was a surprise and a resounding success, emerging from a crowded Democratic primary field though old-fashionedRead More

Chris Voccio at the primary candidates forum hosted by the Niagara Community Forum at the Niagara Falls Public Library.

Small-government libertarian Chris Voccio sets his sights on city budget

Niagara Falls December 8, 2017 at 5:32 am

By Joseph Kissel “I’m not the axman everyone thinks I am,” said incoming Falls councilman Chris Voccio. The now-retired newspaper publisher arrived here in 2014 to turn around The Niagara Gazette (after many similar assignments in other parts of the county) and reducing expenses considerably. “Even when you think youRead More

Wishing well for Kristen Grandinetti as she leaves behind council, few accomplishments

Wishing well for Kristen Grandinetti as she leaves behind council, few accomplishments

Niagara Falls December 8, 2017 at 5:30 am

By Joseph Kissel Kristen Grandinetti never made it easy to like or admire her as a Niagara Falls city councillor. Although she does ask relevant questions from time to time during discussions and presentations, even more so she manages to alienate nearly everyone with her disrespectful and seemingly incessant smartphoneRead More

Christmas at the NACC is Yuletide delight

Christmas at the NACC is Yuletide delight

Community News December 8, 2017 at 5:12 am

A full slate of holiday activities will be taking place at the Niagara Arts and Cultural Center (NACC) at 1201 Pine Avenue in the Falls this month, including art shows, receptions, parties, concerts and dance performances. You won’t want to miss any of the fun! From December 2 through JanuaryRead More

204th ANNIVERSARY TUSCARORA HEROES REMEMBRANCE

204th ANNIVERSARY TUSCARORA HEROES REMEMBRANCE

Community News December 8, 2017 at 5:08 am

You are invited to attend a very brief ceremony and presentation as the Lewiston community commemorates the 204th Anniversary of the Tuscarora Heroes actions which saved dozens of lives from the British Attack in 1813. The gathering will take place on Tuesday, Dec. 19, at 8am at the Tuscarora Heroes Monument, Portage and CenterRead More

CRIME OR NOT? YOU BE THE JUDGE!

CRIME OR NOT? YOU BE THE JUDGE!

Uncategorized December 8, 2017 at 5:04 am

The Right Side By J Gary DiLaura My dear readers, this is taken directly from U. S. Code, the “the law book “of the United States. It is not the least bit complicated. Please read it. “Whoever willfully and unlawfully conceals, removes, mutilates, obliterates, or destroys, or attempts to doRead More

Niagara Falls Jokes

Niagara Falls Jokes

Uncategorized December 8, 2017 at 5:01 am

Mayor Dyster was thinking of new strategies to increase revenues for his cash-strapped city, and came up with the brilliant idea of becoming a Tom Jones impersonator. Tom Jones was a popular singer back in the 1960’s and ’70’s. “Is it common for a government official to do such aRead More

Hair Cutting Economics

Hair Cutting Economics

Uncategorized December 3, 2017 at 5:47 pm

By Craig Reger “Inflation is when you pay fifteen dollars for the ten-dollar haircut you used to get for five dollars when you had hair”. Sam Ewing, author. This quote could have applied to me over my 48 years of thinning hair, but it didn’t. On December 2, my motherRead More

Members of Niagara Falls police officers speak with incoming council member Chris Voccio on Wednesday about the five department jobs being eliminated through retirement.

City avoids hard cuts to 2018 budget, “gambles” casino funds will return

Niagara Falls December 1, 2017 at 5:52 am

Council vows to override possible mayoral veto on police retirements By Joseph Kissel In total, 14 positions were eliminated from the city’s 2018 budget through a $10,000 retirement incentive. “If the mayor had done it in July, he could have saved the taxpayers a million dollars,” said Councilman Andy Touma.Read More

According to the FBI's annual Crime Report, the city of Niagara Falls has the highest rates of violent and property crime in New York State for cities with population over 25,000. The proposed 2018 budget cuts two detectives and two patrol officers. What are they thinking?

Niagara Falls City Council, Mayor Dyster exceed tax cap, cut Police

Niagara Falls December 1, 2017 at 5:40 am

Budget Woes lead to big Tax Increases for Residents, Businesses It took less than twenty minutes. The meat cleaver came down hard on Mayor Paul Dyster’s proposed 2018 budget Wednesday afternoon, courtesy of the Niagara Falls City Council. In short order, the council eliminated four police positions, paring the mayor’sRead More

"The Mouse that Roared" (1959) was a dark comedy that foreshadowed the classic "Dr. Strangelove" in which Peter Sellers played three roles in the movie.

Answer to Niagara Falls’ fiscal distress may lie in classic comedy film

Niagara Falls December 1, 2017 at 5:36 am

The Niagara Falls Reporter has a solution to the budget crisis facing the city of Niagara Falls. It’s common knowledge that Gov. Andrew Cuomo is planning to run for president in 2020. The governor recently even went on a fundraising trip to California, being feted by Silicon Valley titans, HollywoodRead More

Signage at Lewiston (above) and the town of Porter (below) is routinely ignored by commercial traffic

State Parks trashes Niagara “Scenic” Parkway by tolerating commercial traffic

Niagara County December 1, 2017 at 5:36 am

When it comes to Niagara Falls, it’s like the Wild West around here. That’s because New York State completely and willfully ignores the law when it comes to just about anything to do with the 80% of Niagara Falls waterfront that it owns and operates. The Cuomo administration blatantly violatedRead More

Raising Salaries While Lowering Expectations

Raising Salaries While Lowering Expectations

Niagara County December 1, 2017 at 5:30 am

If you asked the average person whether their elected representative to the County Legislature deserved a raise, you can be almost certain the answer would be a resounding, ‘No!’  Even if the county is fiscally solvent, most people do not appreciate giving raises to politicians with their hard-earned tax dollars. Read More

NF Firefighters Christmas Toy Fund Telethon and Basket Auction to be held on Saturday

NF Firefighters Christmas Toy Fund Telethon and Basket Auction to be held on Saturday

Community News December 1, 2017 at 5:08 am

Make sure you stop in to Niagara Falls High School on Saturday and check out the Firefighters Christmas Toy Fund event. “Bring a friend. Bring the Family!” encourages the post on their Facebook page, “Partake in the Basket Auction!” Mingle with real live and handsome hunky Niagara Falls firefighters. LiveRead More

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