Dale’s Briefs – Friday November 11th

When First Niagara takes over control of HSBC Bank branches in New York and Connecticut, 26 branches won’t be included because of anti-trust concerns. Originally, it was believed the number of branches affected would be closer to 100, but almost all of those 26 branches will be in Erie, Niagara and Orleans counties.

School kids riding a bus in Batavia complained of bumps and bruises when the driver slammed on the brakes to avoid a crash. The students were taken for an evaluation of their injuries.

In their continuing effort to reduce costs, the NFTA has begun layoffs in their police department. Five captains and lieutenants have been let go with more layoffs coming.

City of Tonawanda firefighters rescued four pets from a burning home on Delaware Street yesterday morning. Nobody was home at the time, but a Bassett hound was overcome by smoke. Firefighters used oxygen to revive it.

The Buffalo Sabres will try to make it four wins in a row tonight. On a three-game winning streak, the Sabres host the Ottawa Senators at First Niagara Center. The two teams met last weekend in Ottawa, with the Sabres coming out on top in a shootout.