Dale’s Briefs – Friday October 14th

The National Weather Service has issued a high wind advisory for late tonight and into tomorrow night. Winds up to 55 miles an hour could bring down trees and overhead wires and cause property damage.

Two men face long jail terms and heavy fines after the DEA busted up a drug pipeline that used area border bridges to transport oxycodone from Canada into the United States. Joseph Julian and Kevin Hinca were arrested when they attempted to sell pills to an undercover agent in Depew.

The union representing sheriff’s deputies at the Erie County Holding Center has filed a lawsuit against the county and the sheriff claiming the holding center is understaffed, forcing deputies to work excessive overtime. The county says the lawsuit is politically motivated because it was just last month the union turned down a contract proposal with the county.

North Tonawanda police have charged a couple with firebombing a house. They say Stephen Ralston and Cynthia Aponte had an argument with the victim, then later returned and threw an incendiary device at the house. They’re being held on $100-thousand bail.

A North Collins man says he was out walking his dogs when he heard his neighbor calling for help. He found she’d fallen into a well. He and volunteer firefighters were able to pull her out. The 76-year old woman was treated for a leg injury.

Niagara County officials are warning of an e-mail scam. The message warns of consequences if a traffic ticket isn’t paid up within a matter of days. The instructions are to send a check to a post office box in Chatham, New York. Officials say the scam is being investigating by the Niagara County Sheriff and state police.

The chairman of the NFTA says with a reduction in state funding he’s predicting they have no choice but to raise fares – to start – and that’s a harsh reality. He says service cuts, union concessions and layoffs have to be considered as well.

After playing the first two games of the season in Europe, the Sabres home opener is tonight. They host the Carolina Hurricanes looking to extend their winning streak to start the season to 3 in a row. Fans will see some changes to the arena and the food stands when they enter tonight.