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April 18th: Local News Briefing

April 18th: Local News Briefing

BUFFALO, NEW YORK – WTN NewsRadio Co-Anchors Edvardi Jackson and Ashton Renna covered the following headlines on The World Telegram NewsRadio. Missed it? Listen to it below, or read the headlines down below.

Local News

Buffalo Ranked #1 in Zillow's Housing Market Tier list

A new report from Zillow ranks Buffalo as 2025’s hottest housing market, thanks to affordable pricing and a strong construction pace. This is Buffalo’s second year at the top, followed by Indianapolis and Providence.

Bills Stadium Hits New Milestone

Construction on the new Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park has hit the halfway mark with a “topping out” ceremony. The final steel beam was placed, signaling a major construction milestone. The stadium is expected to be completed before the 2026 NFL season.

Infrastructure Upgrades Begin on East Delavan

Phase 1 of the $100 million East Delavan Sewer Improvement Project has officially kicked off. The project, part of the larger Queen City Clean Water Initiative, aims to reduce sewage discharge into Scajaquada Creek and modernize infrastructure across over 50 city sites. Mayor Chris Scanlon highlighted the long-term vision:

“This is only the beginning of a $1 billion undertaking over the next 15 years… to create an equitable and inclusive method of delivering public health and economic benefits.”

Queen City Field Expansion Announced

Buffalo Pro Soccer announced a $10 million privately-funded expansion of Queen City Field, increasing capacity to 7,600 seats. While welcomed by fans, environmental concerns surfaced, as the venue was once shuttered in 2021 for sulfur dioxide emissions due to proximity to the PVS Chemicals plant. Reopening is slated for next year.

Mayoral Race Heats Up

Acting Mayor Chris Scanlon is seeking a full term, facing a crowded Democratic field:

James Gardner is the lone Republican candidate after James Payne dropped out on April 7.

🗓️ Democratic Primary: June 24 | General Election: November 4

Crackdown on Property Neglect

Landlord Chuck Dobucki was arrested last week after ignoring three court warrants tied to four neglected buildings in Allentown. Emergency action was recently taken at 2 St. Louis Place, one of Dobucki’s properties. The city has begun remediation efforts and may take ownership within 3–6 months.

Mayor Scanlon stated:

“We are sending a clear message that property neglect and disregard for the law will not be tolerated in Buffalo.”

NWS Halts Multilingual Bulletins

The National Weather Service has paused its AI-translated weather bulletins after a contract ended. While Buffalo wasn’t served by the program, this development aligns with policies stemming from former President Trump’s English-first executive order.

Community in Focus: Coffee with a Cop

At a William Street McDonald’s, BPD officers met with residents during a “Coffee with a Cop” event hosted in partnership with Mayor Scanlon and local leaders. The goal? Open dialogue about public safety and building community trust.

Buffalo Public Schools Seek Superintendent Feedback

The Buffalo School District is surveying residents for input on their next superintendent. Responses are accepted through May 1 on the district’s website. A candidate will be selected by July 2025, with plans for onboarding that fall.

Crime Watch: Western New York

Tonawanda

Tonawanda Police have arrested a man in a hit-and-run on Young Street.

Amherst

Amherst PD responded to 870 calls and made 33 arrests last week, reporting:

Carjacking in Amherst

Let's take a closer look at one of those car thefts. Two suspects stole a woman’s vehicle after asking her for help, snatching her keys and injuring her. Her car was recovered in Buffalo. The suspects have been identified as two Black men, with a "medium build", wearing dark hoodies.

Got Info? Call Amherst PD: 716-689-1131

Potomac Avenue Homicide

A man accused of killing another on Potomac Ave. last October is being held without bail. His court date is pending, and he faces up to 25 years to life if convicted.

Guilty Verdict in Hertel Ave. Shooting

William Quinones was found guilty of manslaughter and weapons charges after a deadly shooting outside a Hertel Avenue bar in May. He’s being held without bail, awaiting sentencing next month.

Missing Persons

Buffalo PD is asking for the public’s help locating two missing individuals:

If you have info, call: 911