Natalie Brophy

Buffalo

Technology and Startups Reporter at Buffalo News

Journalist at @TheBuffaloNews. Cat mom. @sunyoswego grad. she/her. Reach me: [email protected]

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Articles

Orchard Park's Providence Farm Collective grant canceled over DEI concerns

1 week ago | buffalonews.com | Natalie Brophy

An Orchard Park farming collective saw its federal grant funding terminated last month after the government determined the money was being used to fund a diversity, equity and inclusion – widely known as DEI – program. The United States Department of Agriculture cut up to $500,000 that Providence Farm Collective had been using for a program to help refugee, immigrant and Black farmers start their own farm businesses.
State audit finds West Seneca did not implement changes from 2020 review

1 week ago | buffalonews.com | Natalie Brophy

Nothing has changed about the way the Town of West Seneca manages capital projects. And according to a state comptroller’s report, that’s a problem. In March 2020, the Comptroller’s Office released an audit critical of the West Seneca Town Board for lacking transparency and not properly planning and managing construction of the town’s 30,000-square-foot library and community center. Told you so.
West Seneca considers building new ice rink, recreational facility

1 week ago | buffalonews.com | Natalie Brophy

West Seneca is exploring the possibility of building a new ice rink and recreational facility to replace the aging rink in Centennial Park. In a Facebook post laying out preliminary details about the project, Town Supervisor Gary Dickson called the current West Seneca Ice Rink a “money pit.”The proposed facility would be built at the site of the current rink in Centennial Park, off of Union Road.
North Tonawanda embarking on project to reimagine Twin Cities Memorial Highway

1 week ago | buffalonews.com | Natalie Brophy

If you live or work in North Tonawanda, you probably have opinions about the Twin Cities Memorial Highway, the roadway that connects North Tonawanda with neighboring City of Tonawanda and beyond. Mayor Austin Tylec sure does. “It is really a divide in the city,” Tylec said. “It’s not very safe. It doesn’t flow very well. It’s large. It’s hard to cross.
East Aurora music festival will take place this year with earlier shutdown, fewer tickets

2 weeks ago | buffalonews.com | Natalie Brophy

East Aurora’s annual one-day summer music festival is a go for this year, after organizers and government officials reached an agreement aimed at making the event safer for the public and more manageable for first responders. The future is cloudy for the annual music festival in East Aurora as organizers and village officials work out a compromise to keep the event smaller and more manageable.
Republicans running for Cheektowaga Town Board survive petition challenges, will remain on ballot

2 weeks ago | buffalonews.com | Natalie Brophy

All four Republican candidates running for Cheektowaga Town Board will remain on the ballot after challenges were brought to their nominating positions. Diane Benczkowski is running to fill the position vacated last month when longtime Board Member Gerald Kaminski died. During a hearing Thursday morning, Erie County Republican Election Commissioner Ralph M. Mohr and Democratic Election Commissioner Jeremy J.
West Seneca appoints new town justice, residents decry lack of transparency

3 weeks ago | buffalonews.com | Natalie Brophy

A new town justice was appointed in West Seneca last week, following the resignation of a judge who had been in the role just four months. The West Seneca Town Board unanimously named Chelsea MacDonald to the position on April 14. She replaces Justice Paula Eade Newcomb and will be on the ballot in November to seek a full term.
Future of East Aurora music festival up in the air

3 weeks ago | buffalonews.com | Natalie Brophy

The Village of East Aurora's annual one-day summer music festival will be different this year – that is, if it goes on at all.
Erie County sees 21% increase in suicide deaths, driven by men over age 40

3 weeks ago | buffalonews.com | Natalie Brophy

Beginning at 6 a.m. on March 31, Jason Lape cut hair for 24 hours in his Village of Hamburg barbershop. Three years before he embarked on the all-day “hairathon” in Jay’s Barber Shop, Lape had cut the locks of one of his regular clients for the last time. The next day, a family member of the man came in and told Lape that his customer, a father in his late 30s, had died by suicide.
The lighter side of The News: It's a family affair; Bringing the ... lukewarm; winter of our discontent

3 weeks ago | buffalonews.com | Justin Sondel |Natalie Brophy

Fathers, be good to your daughtersFor many elected officials, politics is a family business. Whether it means showing up at events to support relatives, participating in public relations campaigns or helping their spouse, sibling or cousin get or stay elected, relying on the family to have your back is a mainstay of American politics.