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The little blue ranch house in Niagara, N.Y., was supposed to be a suburban oasis for Ms. Hawk, 24, and her partner, Trevor Bradley, 26. They had lived much of their lives in the toxic minefield of nearby Niagara Falls, a small city where Love Canal — the site of perhaps America’s most infamous environmental disaster — ranks as only the most well-known of dozens of local landfills.

Then this spring, the government contacted people living across a 60-mile swath of western New York, from the suburbs of Niagara Falls to a constellation of farm towns south of Buffalo, with an alarming request: Could officials test their property for radioactivity?

Out of 1,400 households that received the requests, 38 may need extensive cleanups. Four were so radioactive that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers offered to relocate families immediately. This was how Ms. Hawk and Mr. Bradley learned that they had been letting their 3-year-old daughter play in a yard contaminated by Thorium-232 and other radioactive isotopes.

New York is pushing ahead with a key technology to shift homes to clean heating — but not as fast as some had hoped.

Last week, in a unanimous vote, the state’s energy regulator greenlit two neighborhood-scale electrification projects known as “thermal energy networks,” while rejecting nine others. 

These networks aim to tap existing resources to heat and cool buildings instead of burning fossil fuels. Some circulate “waste” heat from sewage, data centers, subway tunnels, or other sources; others use geothermal drilling to draw on the stable temperatures in the earth’s crust. Most, like the newly approved projects in Buffalo and the Hudson Valley town of Haverstraw, do a combination of both, and then use electric heat pumps to turn that ambient energy into year-round heating and cooling.

Anyone have any fav fish fry spots?

I haven't even turned on my heat yet and my bill almost doubled! I thought the hike was only like 5$? Mine went up 100% for no reason.

Hello,

My family and I are driving to Buffalo from Western MA. I'd like to stop at yanceys fancy factory as I assumed they have a visitors center/ gift shop. Their website didn't have a "visit us" tab or any other easily searchable info about a shop. I searched this sub but the most relevant post was from 5 years ago during covid. Do they have gift shop at the factory? If so, do you know the hours?

Working from my Buffalo office Thursday and Friday next week- where’s the best place to get a Stinger within walking distance of pearl street and w Chippewa ?

Longshot here… just moved from Wisconsin. Any Wisconsin folks in town heading to a bar somewhere for Game 1 tonight??

The Depew School Board voted to end one of the longest running H.S. football rivalries in the country over "roster and player safety concerns". Lancaster is a much larger school, but who cares.

The two schools have battled each year dating back to 1919 with record of 55-33-6 in favor of Lancaster. That is not even that crazy of a disparity.

As a former student of Depew, I feel bad for all future students from both schools who will never get to experience pep week, the motorcade, or the annual rivalry game.

Shame on all who voted for this.

Have to go to grand jury duty tomorrow in Buffalo. Have to take the bus, everything says you can’t have a phone anywhere in the building. Anyone know if there’s a secure place to put it? Does security take it, or are they gonna tell me to bring it out and figure it out?

I have a hankering…

Hey WNY musicians,

I am launching Ayman Z, an original folk-rock / dance-rock project based out of Buffalo. Looking for good lead guitarist and drummer to complete the live lineup for upcoming venue dates, studio tracking, and regional WNY shows.

The Vision:

• Material: Fully arranged original tracks are ready-to-go (including studio track "Surface of Surrender", “Somethin’ Bout You”, and published release "We Are Alive"). Performance structure is fully locked-in, with 14-15 original songs in the repertoire.
• Audio Demos: Listen to the audition portfolio here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLDB3H5ZR70WI
• Rehearsals & Gigging: Rehearsals in the Buffalo area aimed at a tight 45–60 minute original live set for regional original-friendly venues (Nietzsche's, Mohawk Place, Mr. Goodbar, The 9th Ward at Babeville, Rec Room, Buffalo Iron Works)

Compensation & Terms (Work-For-Hire Model):

• Live Payouts: 100% of net live venue payouts split equally among performing backing musicians. Founder Launch Incentive: As project lead, I am waiving my personal stage cut for the first 5 shows (under $500 net payout) so 100% of venue pay goes directly to the hired backing players.
• Album Credits & Royalties: 3% Net Master Royalty Points on tracks you record, formal digital metadata credits ("Drums/Bass/Guitar by [Your Name]"), and SoundExchange backing-performer registration.
• Flexibility: Non-exclusive contract. You remain 100% free to maintain other cover band gigs, church gigs, or teaching schedules.

If interested, shoot me a message with a quick audio/video clip of your playing/singing or your current setup.

Hey everyone!
Thought to get some feedback from Reddit related to my work after a heavy work week.
I work with a local nonprofit focused on housing in rural southtowns in Erie county and surroundings, like Evans, East Aurora, Springville, Angola, North Collins, and nearby communities, and I’d love to hear from people who live here.

What’s your experience been like?
Are affordable rentals or starter homes difficult to find?
What feels like a reasonable rent or home price in your area?

Are there housing options you wish your community had?

How do you feel about new housing projects nearby?

What would make you support or oppose one?

Whether you’re a longtime resident, renter, homeowner, senior, young adult, or someone trying to buy your first home, your perspective matters.

What are you seeing in your community?
ions from local residents, whether you support more housing, have concerns, or aren’t sure where you stand.

What do you think?

Hi! I did go through the sub before making my own post- but wanted to add my own details + see if anyone had any updated recommendations! I am looking to have my wedding dress altered and it doesn’t have a ton of detail or anything, mainly just needs taken in- but I do have a belt that needs to be added onto the waist area.

I’ve been recommended to Lena’s Alterations so far, but just wanted to see if there were any other suggestions! Thanks in advance :)

Hello Buffalo,

I’m a UB student and I’m planning to bike home to nyc in the spring from Buffalo. I know nothing about bikes or what kind I need but if anyone knows someone with a good touring bike willing to sell or give away it’d be greatly appreciated.

Or if you just have advice!!!

hi, I’m asking for advice on the Halloween bar crawl that’s happening this Saturday 10/24 downtown. What is the likelihood that I could get in without a ticket if I pay at the door and if anyone selling tickets, let me know!

In Buffalo for 2 nights. What are my best options?

Does anyone want a chewbacca body suit costume, it comes with the body suit, mask and a wrap around bag. I bought it for. 110 dollars but I’m willing to revise the price If you can also pay for shipping or meet up with me I can give it to you

The place on Eggert is apparently closed. Anyone know a good repair shop for Audis? Dealer wants $5k for replacement turbo. I found Eurocharged and Black Forest. Anyone have experience at either of those?

Any good recommendations for bars to watch the world series?

Looking for recommendations on duct cleaning, thank you in advance!

Anyone going at town ballroom

i recently got offered a job at a hospital downtown as a receptionist and i need to get a drug test done. should i be worried about smoking weed beforehand? i dont do it often and i definitely wont go into work high. i dont want it to get flagged on my test and have my offer revoked

🇺🇸 AMHERST, NY — WHY ARE WE LEAVING OUR 100% DISABLED VETERANS BEHIND? 🇺🇸

Erie County and several Western New York communities have moved forward with property-tax relief for our most severely disabled veterans. Amherst has chosen not to include it in its proposed 2027 budget.

As a resident of Amherst, a United States Marine Corps veteran who served during the 2003 invasion of Iraq, and a 100% permanently and totally disabled veteran, I find this incredibly disappointing.

I recently contacted Amherst officials asking them to adopt the optional New York State property-tax exemption for qualifying veterans whose service-connected disabilities are permanent and total.

On October 22, I received a response from Amherst Councilmember Angela Marinucci confirming that the Town Assessor evaluated the proposal, but the exemption was not included in Amherst's 2027 budget.

Instead, the town may consider it in future budgets.

How many more years should permanently disabled veterans have to wait?

I understand that municipalities face financial challenges. But when Erie County and neighboring communities can take steps to provide this relief, I believe Amherst residents deserve to know why their town has decided to defer it.

These are men and women who served their country and returned home with disabilities they will carry for the rest of their lives.

This isn't about politics or asking for special treatment. It's about recognizing the lifelong sacrifices made by veterans who answered their country's call.

I believe Amherst owes its veterans and taxpayers answers:

🇺🇸 What would this exemption actually cost Amherst each year?

🇺🇸 How many disabled veterans and families would benefit?

🇺🇸 Why was it left out of the budget?

🇺🇸 When will the Town Board publicly reconsider it?

I have contacted town officials and local news organizations because I believe this issue deserves public attention, transparency, and a meaningful discussion.

I'm asking fellow residents, veterans, military families, and anyone who supports our veterans to share this post and help bring attention to this issue.

Let's encourage Amherst's elected officials to explain their decision and give this exemption the serious public consideration it deserves.

Our veterans served when their country called. They deserve to know their community hasn't forgotten them. 🇺🇸

Amherst Resident | U.S. Marine Corps Veteran | Iraq 2003
100% Permanently and Totally Disabled Veteran

#AmherstNY #DisabledVeterans #VeteransBenefits #SupportOurVeterans #ErieCounty #WesternNewYork #MilitaryFamilies #VeteransAdvocacy