Niagara Falls News

BUFFALO, NY - Former Niagara Falls Mayor Vince Anello appeared in court Thursday morning to take a plea deal.

Anello plead guilty to a felony charge of making false statements to the IBEW Local 237, after leaving office.  In return, prosecutors are dropping charges of bribery in a separate case. 

Anello faces 10 to 16 months in jail when he's sentenced. 

Anello had an electrical business prior to becoming mayor in 2004.  When he retired from the union he started receiving a pension of about $4,000 per month.  But the government charge claims he violated union rules after he left his job as myaor by working more than the permitted 40 hours per month, and ultimately stealing nearly $100,000 from the pension fund. 

NIAGARA FALLS, NY--  The state's efforts to collect taxes on cigarettes sold to non-natives on Indian land is on hold indefinately.

The governor has suspended the tax collection following a state appellate court ruling that stopped the effort statewide.

The City of Niagara Falls says a decision by the Seneca Nation of Indians to withhold Seneca Niagara Casino slot revenue from the state will blow a four million dollar hole in their budget.

The Senecas voted to do this to protest the cigarette tax, as well as the state's growing racino business.

City Councilmember Sam Fruscione says one immediate effect-- is that this will interfere with the city's ability to pay for its new municipal complex on main street

As the SPCA’s longest-running fundraiser, the Paws in the Park Walk presented by Keller Technology Corporation invites people to come with (or without) their dog to a two-mile walk at Beaver Island State Park on Saturday, September 11, at 11 a.m. (Registration begins at 9:30 a.m.)

The day includes lunch for participants and the opportunity to interact with: 50 or more pet-related vendors, exhibitors and canine rescue groups; judged dog trick, costume and dog-owner look-alike contests; an agility course for the dogs; and fun for children and adults alike with inflatable bounce houses. 

Participants are encouraged to raise pledges that directly benefit the people and animals the SPCA assists. In return, these participants win incredible prizes, including airline tickets, messenger bags, and pet first aid kits!

For more information, visit the Paws in the Park website.

Niagara Falls, N.Y. - A Niagara Falls woman contacted our tipline Friday, for help with a dispute she's having with a local cemetery.

Karen Centofanti lost her mother, father and 17-year-old son in a tragic car accident back in 1994. To help cope with their loss, Karen and her daughter, Anne Marie, visit St. Joseph's cemetery every week to spend time with their family.

But last week, Karen discovered something at her son's grave that made her and her daughter very upset; a solar cross that was once attached to the grave had broken off. And they say that's not all.

"We found a piece of granite knocked off the back of the stone," said Anne Marie Lodick. "Also, the solar panel is very loose and coming off and the way that is was broken it was tilted forward."

Anne Marie and her mother believe the cross was broken by a lawnmower or other piece of equipment used by the cemetery's maintenance workers.