Rob Hackford

Buffalo

Multi-Skilled Journalist and Producer at WGRZ-TV (Buffalo, NY)

Weekend Daybreak Anchor & Multi-Skilled Journalist 716 ➡️ @SUNYOswego ➡️ @NewsChannel9 ➡️ @WGRZ Story Ideas ❓ [email protected] RT≠ endorsements

Articles

Sabres to borrow Bills' draft room for decentralized 2025 NHL draft

6 days ago | wgrz.com | Rob Hackford

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — The Buffalo Sabres and Bills are taking a "what's mine is yours" approach for the 2025 NHL Draft. With the league holding a decentralized selection this year, the Sabres will borrow One Bills Drive for a couple of days to use the Bills' draft room to make their picks. The two teams are the only NHL and NFL teams with the same ownership in the same market, in Kim and Terry Pegula. The Pegulas have drawn on this relationship before with their 'One Buffalo' idea.
Josh Allen marries Hailee Steinfeld in California

1 week ago | 9news.com | Rob Hackford

BUFFALO, N.Y. — Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen and actress Hailee Steinfeld have tied the knot in Southern California, according to multiple media reports. The long-rumored date and location for the wedding were kept private, although Buffalo Bills Offensive Tackle Dion Dawkins revealed back in March that it was May 31.
Buffalo council approves $622M budget with tax hike

1 week ago | wgrz.com | Rob Hackford

BUFFALO, N.Y. — The Buffalo Common Council has passed an amended $622 million city budget that maintains Acting Mayor Christopher Scanlon's proposed 8% property tax increase and $26.5 million in cuts, with slight adjustments to $1.29 million in expenditures and the addition of five amendments.
Buffalo leaders rush to finalize budget amid $70M deficit

1 week ago | wgrz.com | Rob Hackford

BUFFALO, N.Y. — As the deadline to approve the City of Buffalo’s 2025-2026 budget quickly approaches, city leaders are racing to finalize a financial plan that tackles a large deficit while leaving little margin for error. Facing a structural deficit that some say could reach as high as $70 million, the Scanlon administration and the Buffalo Common Council are returning to basics—tightening spending, exploring new revenue sources, and bracing for tough choices.
DOCCs set to begin analysis with authority to close up to three prisons

1 week ago | wgrz.com | Rob Hackford

ALBANY, N.Y. — The New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision is set to begin analyzing state prisons as it considers closing up to three correctional facilities over the next year. The closures were approved in this year's state budget. In a recent video shared by DOCCS, Commissioner Daniel Martuscello III indicated that while Governor Kathy Hochul has the authority to close three prisons, it doesn't necessarily mean that three will close.
Mother Shares pain over daughter's arrest amid Trooper incident

2 weeks ago | wgrz.com | Rob Hackford

BOLIVAR, N.Y. — Newly shared video with 2 On Your Side shows the moments New York State troopers arrested a woman at a Bolivar gas station on Saturday after she allegedly stole a car, resisted arrest, and seriously injured both troopers. It shows a woman, whom police have identified as 31-year-old Julia Groff, in a struggle with Troopers Jacob Klock and Michael Rich and being tackled to the ground by two bystanders.
Buffalo celebrates milestone in Ralph Wilson Park revamp

2 weeks ago | wgrz.com | Rob Hackford

BUFFALO, N.Y. — What began as a $110 million dream to revitalize Buffalo’s waterfront has started coming to life. Three years into construction, Ralph Wilson Park is nearing the end of Phase 1 construction, and the community appears more invested than ever in the transformation. Excitement filled the room at the park’s third annual community meeting as visuals, maps, and progress reports started reflecting reality.
Former Pike Roller Rink in Wyoming Co. goes up in flames

2 weeks ago | wgrz.com | Rob Hackford

PIKE, N.Y. — A large fire tore through the former Pike Roller Rink early Sunday morning, drawing emergency crews from across four counties to battle the stubborn blaze. A Wyoming County fire official said the call came in just before 6:45 a.m. for a structure fire at 4936 Route 39 in Pike. When the first crews arrived, they encountered a “well-involved fire” engulfing the building.
Buffalo Bandits rally to secure win in NLL Finals Game 1

3 weeks ago | wgrz.com | Rob Hackford

BUFFALO, N.Y. — The Buffalo Bandits are one game away from securing their third straight National Lacrosse League championship after defeating the Saskatchewan Rush in Game 1 of the NLL Finals. The Rush took an early 2-0 lead as they tried to silence the hometown crowd inside KeyBank Arena. Josh Byrne and Kyle Buchanan would answer, netting back-to-back goals in the 9th minute. Buchanan scored with a diving goal, one of three in Game 1.
Couple revitalizes historic Hotel Lenhart in Bemus Point

3 weeks ago | wgrz.com | Rob Hackford

BEMUS POINT, N.Y. — A beloved piece of Chautauqua Lake history is getting another lease of life. The iconic Hotel Lenhart in Bemus Point is under new ownership, and its future looks bright. Long before they became the newest caretakers of the 130-year-old hotel, Bill and Jill Curry were among its many guests. “Probably 30 years ago, we stayed there as a family,” Jill recalled. "We had been going to Chautauqua for quite some time, summers mostly.