Deidre Williams

Buffalo

City Hall reporter @TheBuffaloNews. Animal lover especially dogs. Sports fan especially Washington @Commanders but I HATE the new name. Views are my own

Articles

Hikes in parking violation fees puts city on par with other communities, Buffalo officials say

6 days ago | buffalonews.com | Deidre Williams

Buffalo Mayor Christopher P. Scanlon says the cost of doing business in Buffalo is cheap compared with other municipalities, which is why he’s asked the Common Council for increases in fines and fees, including parking tickets. Council members considered the matter at their April 15 meeting, but voted to send the matter back to committee, for now. City officials said the increases would put the city more in line with other municipalities in upstate New York like Syracuse, Rochester and Ithaca.
Pedestrian killed after being struck by car in Medina

1 week ago | buffalonews.com | Deidre Williams

A pedestrian who was struck by a vehicle Saturday in the Village of Medina was pronounced dead at the scene. The incident happened at the corner of W. Center Street and West Avenue, according to a post on the Village of Medina Police Department’s social media page. Listen now and subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS Feed | SoundStack | All Of Our Podcasts “Tragically the pedestrian involved in the accident was pronounced dead at the scene,” the post said.
Vacant house scheduled for emergency demolition following early morning fire

1 week ago | buffalonews.com | Deidre Williams

A vacant property in the Broadway-Fillmore neighborhood is scheduled for an emergency demolition following a blaze early Sunday morning. Buffalo Fire Department crews responded at 3:42 a.m. to a structure fire at 4 Thomas St. and encountered heavy fire showing from the roof of a 2.5-story wood frame structure, city officials said. The fire caused an estimated $100,000 in damage to the vacant house and former storefront. No contents of value were reported lost. No injuries were reported.
'It was always good vibes here:' North Buffalo YMCA closes its doors after nearly 100 years

2 weeks ago | buffalonews.com | Deidre Williams

It’s almost 9 a.m. when Rob Keohane finishes his daily swim at the YMCA in North Buffalo. Afterward, the retired North Tonawanda teacher then heads to work at the Hertel Avenue restaurant he’s owned for nine years, Café on the Avenue. But Keohane’s morning routine will change come Monday. That’s because on Friday, the Delaware Family YMCA is closing its doors for good after almost 100 years of service in its North Buffalo neighborhood.
'This is my house': Habitat Buffalo dedicates new home for Vazquez family

3 weeks ago | buffalonews.com | Deidre Williams

Last year, Zenner Street in Buffalo was the site of a shocking crime that united a community in grief and fear. On Friday, Zenner Street was in the spotlight again. This time though, the community was able to focus on the positive contributions of Habitat for Humanity, and the benefit it will bring to one family and to the neighborhood, as well.
Local coalition is giving away money to individuals, families, small businesses

1 month ago | buffalonews.com | Deidre Williams

Buffalo’s Crossroad Coalition is giving away money, about $1 million a year. The money comes through the coalition's Crossroads Community Fund and will directly benefit Buffalo’s frontline communities, including the LGBTQ+ and Indigenous communities as well as communities of color and youth, organizers say. Approximately $1 million a year will be distributed via three grant programs over the next 10 years. The money comes from private donors across the United States.
No Menthol Buffalo, local grocer say no to selling tobacco

1 month ago | buffalonews.com | Deidre Williams

Research shows flavored cigarettes – such as menthol – are especially appealing to young and newer smokers who become more nicotine dependent and less successful at quitting. And menthol use is more common among Black, Hispanic and Asian people who smoke. The striking statistics are some of the reasons Abdulla “Tony” Ahmed of Lackawanna does not sell cigarettes at his Double Apple supermarket. He opened it on Bailey Avenue on Buffalo’s East Side last month. He doesn’t sell alcohol, either.
Coalition looks for public help to transform the 'Black East Side'

1 month ago | buffalonews.com | Deidre Williams

African Americans in Buffalo live in neighborhoods where employment opportunities are fewer, housing stock is of worse quality, neighborhoods are less walkable and there is less access to healthy food. That’s a glimpse of what it’s like for many Black residents in the city, according to the University at Buffalo’s Community Health Equity Research Institute and its Center for Urban Studies.
Clinical social workers to help Buffalo Police handle mental health calls

1 month ago | roanoke.com | Deidre Williams

The Buffalo Police Department will embed a handful of licensed clinical social workers by mid-July to work alongside police officers and respond to mental health and substance abuse calls. The clinicians, employed by Endeavor Health Services, also will focus on steps to prevent incarceration for people who suffer from mental illness or substance abuse, according to documents filed with the City Clerk's office. And they will help develop crisis response plans, said Endeavor CEO Elizabeth L. Mauro.
And then there were nine: McLeod drops out of Buffalo mayor's race

2 months ago | buffalonews.com | Deidre Williams

The race for Buffalo mayor just got less crowded. Retired City Court Judge James A. W. McLeod has announced he has withdrawn his name as a candidate. In an emailed statement early Sunday, McLeod said, “The decision to step down from this race was not easy. This journey has been filled with invaluable experiences, insightful conversations, and unwavering support from my dedicated team and supporters.