Justin Sondel

Buffalo

Public Safety Reporter for @TheBuffaloNews. Words in @washingtonpost @CityandStateNY @ipostnews Husband. Dad. Aspiring EBUG.

Articles

5/14 Commision moves closer to a permanent memorial

1 day ago | buffalonews.com | Justin Sondel

Members of the 5/14 Memorial Commission celebrated approval of a land acquisition the day ahead of the commemoration of the May 14, 2022 racist mass shooting at the Jefferson Avenue Tops Markets that will allow the installation of a permanent memorial to move forward. The Buffalo Common Council approved the purchase or transfer of 18 lots that will become the home of the permanent memorial honoring the 10 Black people killed in the racist attack. Representatives from Gov.
'Community trust': Special unit in DA's Office helps give voice to the victimized

1 day ago | buffalonews.com | Justin Sondel

In a courtroom, Kim Rapp could easily be mistaken for a friend or relative there to support the victim of a violent crime. And although she is indeed supporting those whose lives were touched by violence, Rapp is working. She represents the Erie County District Attorney’s Office as a member of the DA’s Victim/Witness Services Bureau.
Buffalo finances have Council members looking to avoid another control board period

5 days ago | buffalonews.com | Justin Sondel

As city leadership works to tame a deficit that was at one time pegged at $70 million, some in City Hall are wondering whether the Buffalo Fiscal Stability Authority will once again become a “hard” control board. The control board, as the Fiscal Stability Authority is known, was established by state law in 2003 during the city’s last major fiscal crisis. It has been operating in an advisory capacity since 2012.
City lawmakers move budget forward after measures included in state budget

1 week ago | buffalonews.com | Justin Sondel

After weeks of waiting for news on the state budget, Buffalo city leadership can now move forward with its own budget process. On Monday, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie told reporters that a new hotel bed tax and approval of a new parking authority that will borrow money to buy city-owned parking ramps will make the final cut for the state’s next annual spending plan.
4-alarm fire closes streets in downtown Buffalo

1 week ago | buffalonews.com | Justin Sondel |Aaron Besecker

Buffalo firefighters are battling a four-alarm fire downtown near Delaware Avenue and Church Street. Enormous plumes of smoke could be seen from Niagara Square. Listen now and subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS Feed | SoundStack | All Of Our Podcasts Streets around the scene have been closed to traffic. Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz said on Facebook that it was at the Paul William Beltz Building and had "increased dramatically. Firefighters were pulled from the building.
Political proxy wars: In Buffalo mayor's race, Ryan supporters continue to link Scanlon to Carl Paladino

1 week ago | buffalonews.com | Justin Sondel

It’s a season for proxy wars in the race to elect Buffalo’s next mayor. The most recent chapter in this political story comes as members of the local Working Families Party try to tie Mayor Christopher Scanlon to real estate developer and Republican provocateur Carl Paladino, who has endorsed Scanlon. The Working Families Party recently endorsed State Sen. Sean Ryan.
Michael Gainer knocked out of Democratic primary in Buffalo mayoral race

2 weeks ago | buffalonews.com | Justin Sondel

Mayoral candidate Michael Gainer has been knocked off the ballot for the Democratic primary. The move is the result of a lawsuit brought on behalf of the endorsed Democrat in the race, State Sen. Sean Ryan. State Supreme Court Justice Dennis Ward ruled in favor of Ryan and Christine Sabuda, who alleged some of Gainer’s nominating petitions contained fraud.
Buffalo control board asks Scanlon for alternate plan included in his budget

2 weeks ago | buffalonews.com | Justin Sondel

The city’s control board is asking Mayor Christopher P. Scanlon’s administration to provide an alternate plan to its proposed budget in case a number of uncertain revenues included in his spending plan don’t come to fruition.
Gainer survives petition challenge in Buffalo mayoral race; Grant gets extension in bid for Legislature seat

2 weeks ago | buffalonews.com | Justin Sondel

Michael Gainer has survived a challenge to his nominating petitions from opponent State Sen. Sean Ryan, and will remain on the ballot for the Democratic primary in the race to be Buffalo’s next mayor. Gainer collected 3,006 signatures and had 937 invalidated through the process, leaving him with 2,083. He needed at least 2,000 signatures.
Scanlon asks Board of Elections for opinion on Ryan contribution limits

2 weeks ago | buffalonews.com | Justin Sondel

Mayor Christopher Scanlon’s campaign is seeking a formal opinion from the state Board of Elections on whether State Sen. Sean Ryan, an opponent in the race for mayor, violated campaign contribution limits by transferring money from other campaign committees into his mayoral committee account.