Western NY News Now

(WNY News Now) – Police Seek Public Assistance in Locating 47-Year-Old Timothy Sawczyn Buffalo, NY – A New York State Missing Vulnerable Adult Alert has been issued following the disappearance of Timothy Sawczyn, a 47-year-old man from Buffalo. The alert was activated at the request of the Buffalo City Police ... read more

(WNY News Now) – A Winter Weather Advisory issued by the National Weather Service warns of significant snowfall across Western New York, impacting travel from today through Saturday morning. The National Weather Service (NWS) in Buffalo has issued a Winter Weather Advisory effective from 7 a.m. on December 20 until ... read more

(WNY News Now) – BUFFALO, NY – Hunter Saxbury, a 22-year-old Buffalo resident, was sentenced today to 10 years of sex offender probation following an attempted sexual abuse incident in April 2024. State Supreme Court Justice Debra A. Haendiges issued the sentence, which includes 12 months of electronic monitoring and ... read more

Devante D. Henley, 32, sentenced for firing shots at vehicle, narrowly missing victim. (WNY News Now) – BUFFALO, NY — A Buffalo man was sentenced today to 3 ½ years in state prison after attempting to seriously injure a victim in a shooting incident. Devante D. Henley, 32, was sentenced ... read more

(WNY News Now) – CHEEKTOWAGA, NY – A Niagara Falls man was sentenced to a split term for his role in a hit-and-run incident that left a pedestrian with severe injuries near the Buffalo-Niagara International Airport. Travis Rosario, 51, received a sentence of 90 days in jail, followed by five ... read more

(WNY News Now) – HARRISBURG – Attorney General Michelle Henry announced today that her office has filed a lawsuit against a Florida-based company and its owners for allegedly impersonating the Pennsylvania Department of State in a scam targeting new business owners. The lawsuit, filed in Dauphin County Court of Common ... read more

(WNY News Now) – Rashina Long and Jasmine Long, a mother and sister duo, sentenced to prison for neglecting a quadriplegic relative, causing life-threatening injuries and Medicaid fraud. HARRISBURG — Attorney General Michelle Henry announced today that two Philadelphia women have been sentenced to prison for neglecting their quadriplegic relative, ... read more

(WNY News Now) – Governor Kathy Hochul today granted clemency to 22 individuals, including 21 pardons and one commutation. This action recognizes individuals demonstrating remorse, exemplifying rehabilitation and displaying a commitment to improving themselves and their communities. After implementing procedural reforms to strengthen the clemency process, Governor Hochul has made ... read more

(WNY News Now) – BUFFALO, N.Y. – A 57-year-old Buffalo man has pleaded guilty to manslaughter in connection with the brutal beating death of 66-year-old Michael R. Fronczak in his Riverside home earlier this year. The defendant, James D. Dietz, admitted to causing the victim’s death in a violent attack ... read more

(WNY News Now) – The 10th annual Hope and Healing Conference promises a day of inspiration and knowledge-sharing in Fredonia, NY, with a focus on mental health, substance use, suicide prevention, and grief. FREDONIA, N.Y. – Mark your calendars: the Hope and Healing Conference 2025 is set to take place ... read more

(WNY News Now) – Three juvenile suspects were arrested and charged following a string of burglaries across Syracuse early Friday morning, with damages totaling over $150,000. SYRACUSE, NY — A series of early morning burglaries led to the arrest of three juveniles in Syracuse this Friday. The suspects, two 16-year-olds ... read more

(WNY News Now) – A former Scranton police officer and school resource officer at West Scranton High School faces multiple charges of sexually abusing five students over a span of years. HARRISBURG — Attorney General Michelle Henry and the Pennsylvania State Police announced that a former Lackawanna County police officer, ... read more

(WNY News Now) – New bipartisan legislation seeks to remove tax burden on survivors of sexual assault and harassment, offering them financial relief in the pursuit of justice. Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Kirsten Gillibrand and Marsha Blackburn introduced the Tax Fairness for Survivors Act, a bipartisan and bicameral bill that would remove the ... read more

(WNY News Now) – SYRACUSE, NY — A man in his 20s was hospitalized Thursday evening following a shooting on Weiser Court, authorities report. Syracuse Police were alerted around 7:11 p.m. after the victim arrived at Upstate University Hospital with a gunshot wound to his leg. The victim is currently ... read more

(WNY News Now) – “Looking for a fun, educational, and festive activity this holiday season? Explore & More – The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Children’s Museum is the ultimate destination for families this winter break!” Explore & More – The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Children’s Museum will be open for play ... read more

(WNY News Now) – Big Lots, a nationwide retail chain, has announced that all of its remaining locations will be holding going out of business sales after its planned asset purchase agreement seemingly fell through. COLUMBUS, Ohio — Big Lots, Inc., one of the nation’s leading closeout retailers, has announced ... read more

(WNY News Now) – New York State’s Allegany-Limestone School District makes history with AED-equipped buses, setting a new standard for student safety. Allegany, NY – New York State Senator George Borrello visited the Allegany-Limestone Central School District bus garage to see firsthand the automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in the district’s school ... read more

(WNY News Now) – Attorney General Letitia James holds Card Compliant LLC accountable for aiding H&M in circumventing New York’s gift card laws, recovering millions for consumers. NEW YORK – New York Attorney General Letitia James today secured nearly $4.4 million from a gift card company, Card Compliant LLC (Card ... read more

(WNY News Now) – The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) ramps up efforts to protect wildlife and enforce environmental laws, with a focus on poaching and pollution across the state. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s (DEC) Division of Law Enforcement enforces the 71 chapters ... read more

(WNY News Now) – Jamestown, NY — A routine landlord-tenant call on the city’s west side escalated into a foot chase and arrest on Thursday evening. Jamestown Police Department’s Second Platoon officers responded to the incident around 7:05 PM at a west-side address. While mediating a landlord-tenant dispute, officers encountered ... read more

(WNY News Now) – With millions of visitors flocking to New York City this holiday season, Governor Kathy Hochul, alongside MTA and law enforcement officials, announces new measures to enhance subway safety, including an additional 250 National Guard members and complete surveillance coverage across all subway cars. Ahead of the ... read more

(WNY News Now) – A peculiar complaint at a Jamestown hotel has led to the arrest of two men accused of inappropriate conduct with hotel staff. On the evening of December 19, 2024, officers from the Jamestown Police Department’s 3rd Platoon responded to a downtown hotel after receiving a report ... read more

(WNY News Now) – Governor Kathy Hochul, alongside SOMOS Community Care in the Bronx, distributes toys and announces new paid leave benefits for mothers, setting the stage for historic investments in child care and maternal health. Governor Kathy Hochul distributed toys with SOMOS Community Care in the Bronx.  Bienvenidos. Welcome ... read more

(WNY News Now) – Jamestown, NY – A routine police response to an unwanted person complaint on the west side of the city led to the arrest of a 25-year-old Jamestown man on multiple felony charges. Shortly before midnight on December 19, 2024, Jamestown Police officers were dispatched to a ... read more

(WNY News Now) – A Jamestown resident faces harassment charges after an alleged physical altercation during a domestic dispute in the Town of Ellicott. ELLICOTT, NY – Austin R. Karash, 29, of Jamestown, was charged with harassment in the second degree following a domestic disturbance on December 16. Town of ... read more

(WNY News Now) – Former VP and Faculty Member Recognized for Over 40 Years of Service. JAMESTOWN, N.Y. — SUNY Jamestown Community College recognized Marilyn Zagora’s more than 40 years of contributions to the college recently with a bench dedication to the former faculty member and administrator. The wood bench, ... read more

(WNY News Now) – A shoplifting complaint in the Town of Ellicott has led to a petit larceny charge against a Randolph resident. The Town of Ellicott Police Department announced that Ginger L. Lecceardone, 58, of Randolph, NY, has been charged with petit larceny following a shoplifting incident earlier this ... read more

(WNY News Now) – This Friday, the Reg Lenna Center for the Arts brings the beloved romantic comedy Love Actually back to the big screen—just in time for the holidays. Love Actually to show at Reg Lenna Center for The Arts. Funny, irresistible and heartwarming, Love Actually (Fri., Dec. 20 at 7 p.m.) is the ultimate ... read more

(WNY News Now) – A 46-year-old Ellery man faces criminal trespass charges after reportedly violating a prior ban from the Fluvanna Library. ELLICOTT, NY — Tobin S. Hagstrom, 46, of Ellery, was charged with third-degree criminal trespass on December 9, 2024, after an incident at the Fluvanna Library. According to ... read more

(WNY News Now) – Landowners in Chautauqua County have until January 31, 2025, to submit requests to include viable agricultural land in the county’s certified agricultural district. This annual opportunity allows landowners to secure the benefits and protections of the district. JAMESTOWN, N.Y. – Per New York State Agriculture and ... read more