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February 25, 2009 / Front Page

Police complaints increased 11 percent in 2008

by JESSICA L. FINCH Associate Editor

In 2008, the Amherst Police Department responded to 58,753 complaints, an 11 percent increase from 2007. (See editorial on page four) More notably, the department reported a rise in reported aggravated assaults. More...

Child overcomes rare liver disease; family's mission is to help others

by JESSICA L. FINCH Associate Editor

The name of the event is Ski4e but anyone who doesn't enjoy hitting the slopes can also help — just consider it "Party4e." In its third year, the Ski4e event continues its mission of raising funds for research and sponsoring a child in need. More...

Kensington Avenue McDonald's robbed at gunpoint on Monday

Amherst police are continuing their investigation of an early-morning robbery at a fast-food restaurant. Police were called to the McDonald's at 1970 Kensington Ave., near Harlem Road, shortly after 2:15 a.m. Monday. More...

Local News

Community News

Abby Zwierzchowski, a student at Williamsville North High School, was awarded first place and $100 in Gilda's Club Western New York's second annual "It's Always Something" writing contest. More...

Political News

State Senator Mike Ranzenhofer, R-Amherst, has been appointed to the newly created Senate Select Committee on Budget and Tax Reform. More...

Deadline for filing for tax exemptions is March 1

Property owners are reminded of the change in taxable status date for the 25 towns in Erie County to March 1. Previously, the taxable status date was May 1. The change was made to conform Erie County with every other county in the state. More...

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Police Blotter

Woman rescues bird from own cat's mouth

Friday, Feb. 13 • A group of males was reportedly running through the back yard of a Pheasant Run Road home onto Berehaven Road. Police advised the males. More...

Men charged after alleged robbery in car

Amherst police have apprehended two men suspected of asking a man for a ride and then robbing him at gunpoint in his car. More...

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Obituaries

Brad S. Green Sr., Kraft Foods district manager

Brad S. Green Sr., 53, of Clarence, was a victim of the Continental Flight 3407 plane crash in Clarence Center on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2009. Born in Buffalo, he grew up in Cheektowaga and graduated from the Maryvale Central School District. More...

Henry A. Lopian, WW II veteran, Trico employee

Henry A. Lopian, of Williamsville, died Sunday, Feb. 15, 2009, in St. Joseph Hospital in Cheektowaga. Mr. Lopian was born Sept. 28, 1920, in Buffalo to Polish immigrants who settled in the United States after fleeing the Russian Army. More...

Dorothy M. LaPorte, retired secretary, ski instructor

Dorothy M. LaPorte, 90, formerly of Williamsville, died Thursday, Feb. 19, 2009, at the Rosa Coplon Jewish Home and Infirmary in Getzville. Mrs. LaPorte was born in Buffalo on June 7, 1918. More...

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Lifestyles

Amherst Central graduate to bike cross country while serving community

by KELLY JACKSON Reporter

On May 17, a group of bicyclists will leave Nags Head, N.C., to bike 3,500 miles across the United States to San Diego. The estimated time of travel is two months. More...

Life planning seminar to be offered

A life planning seminar for seniors and family will take place at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 28, at Presbyterian Village, 214 Village Park Drive, at the intersection of North Forest and Reist Street. More...

Library News

The following events will be held at the Audubon Library, 350 John James Audubon Parkway. Registration is required for all programs. Call 689-4922. Computer Basics, 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 25. More...

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Business

Business News

Dr. Saralyn Notaro Rietz, of Back of the Eye MD, specializing in diseases of the retina, has been named as a member of the Board of Directors for the Olmsted Center for the Visually Impaired. More...

Thai Orchid Cafe opens in Evanstown Plaza

by NAOMI SPENCER Intern

You don't have to know all about Thai food to enjoy the Thai Orchid Cafe. More...

Granite gallery offers homeowners various options

by KELLY JACKSON Reporter

In November, CFM Stone and Solid Surface worked with a company from Syracuse plus 2,000 volunteers to help construct a new home for a Geneva, N.Y., family on the ABC-TV series "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition." On Feb. More...

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Reassessment notices headed to residents

by JESSICA L. FINCH Associate Editor

Most residents wouldn't disagree that they want their property to be worth more — they just don't want their taxes to increase along with it. More...

Sew nice

Mayme Nati, right, puts the finishing touches on a High School Musical blanket with her grandniece, Amanda McCann, during the Grandparent and Me craft project last week at the Amherst Senior Center. More...

Museum's new main exhibit will explore Amherst's development

by JESSICA L. FINCH Associate Editor

In this case, it is the kitchen sink that is going. The Amherst Museum is currently reconstructing its main exhibit, expected to open in June. More...

DETAILED WORK

DETAILED WORK — Courtney Vaughn, 6, and her sister Trinity, 8, of Amherst make necklaces at the Audubon Library on Feb. 18 during a craft event planned by Amherst Y.E.S. Photo by Jim Smerecak Purchase color photos at www.BeeNews.com More...

Editorial

Police continue to respond to criticism, complaints

Bee Editorial

Amherst police officers are overpaid and there are too many of them. Those are common accusations about the department. Many of those accusations are nothing more than cheap shots More...

Spindle items

JESSICA FINCH Associate Editor

• GUEST SPEAKER — On Friday, I had the honor of being the guest speaker at the League of Women Voters, Amherst Unit's luncheon. More...

Out of the Past

125 Years Ago Feb. 28, 1884 Last Thursday night, some roost robbers killed one and took six chickens from Mr. William Brown's chicken-house. More...

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Bee Heard

(Editor's note: Call The Bee at 632-0390 and record a one-minute comment on our Bee Heard line. It gives readers an opportunity to comment quickly and candidly on items of local or regional interest. More...

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Letters to the Editor

Mohan's mistakes have cost a lot

Several weeks ago, The Amherst Bee ran an article by Town of Amherst Supervisor Satish Mohan. Mr. Mohan stated that downsizing the Town Board doesn't save much money, only about $75,000. It's time Mr. More...

Town responded well to flood region

This letter is overdue. I would like to recognize and thank the Town of Amherst for the vigilance during the Dec. 29, 2008 winter thaw and February 2009 rain/ice issues. Living on South Lehn Springs Drive, we are an area prone to flooding. More...

Firefighters proved their value

Like most volunteer firefighters, I have been reading and listening to all the comments and bashing of the volunteer fire service in Clarence, especially against the Harris Hill Fire Company by Clarence Town Councilman Joe Weiss. More...

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What's Going On

Youth 4-on-4 basketball tourney registration due The Northeast Family YMCA will host a youth 4-on-4 basketball tournament March 21 and 22. All players must register as individuals no later than Wednesday, March 11. Call 839-2543. More...

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Sports

South hockey holds off Amherst in Fed quarterfinal

by PATRICK J. NAGY Reporter

Williamsville South was the favorite going into their Section VI Western New York Varsity Hockey Federation Small School quarterfinal game with Amherst last Saturday on the Amherst Pepsi Center Feature Rink, but the Tigers did not go down easy. More...

Sweet Home duo falls in wrestling finals

by PATRICK J. NAGY Reporter

For the second time this season, Jimmy Kloc had Zack Fumerelle's number. More...

Flames upset Bulldogs in double overtime

by PATRICK J. NAGY Reporter

Sean Mahon picked a great time to pick up his first goal of the year. More...

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Weekly Feature

February 25, 2009 / Front Page