Dale’s Briefs – Monday October 17th

The state's second largest labor union might avoid layoffs after a tentative deal was hammered out over the weekend. 35-hundred members of the Public Employees Federation had been facing layoffs after the first contract deal was rejected. If the union’s executive board approves it today, the governor says he will delay the layoffs so a ratification vote can take place by the union.

The driver who slammed into the attached garage of a house on Abbott Road in Orchard Park early yesterday is facing felony drunk driving charges. Police say Michael Metro has a previous DWI conviction and was supposed to be driving a vehicle with an ignition interlock device. He wasn’t. The garage was destroyed.

Buffalo police are still looking for suspects in a triple shooting over the weekend on Eggert Road near Kensington Avenue. The two men and woman were shot while sitting on a porch. One of the victims is in fair condition.

A man and a woman were rescued from the gorge at Zoar Valley over the weekend. They were rafting in the creek when the water suddenly rose. They made it to shore where they called 9-1-1 for help. Rescue crews had to use ropes to reach them and pull them out.

While the Occupy Wall Street protest enters its second month in New York City, similar protests have been popping in other cities including Buffalo. Some people have been camping out in Niagara Square in what they’re calling an Occupy Buffalo protest. They’re directing their anger at corporate greed.

The Bills let one get away yesterday. Ryan Fitzpatrick threw a pair of interceptions while the Bills defense failed to register any takeaways from the Giants in a 27-24 loss at the Meadowlands. With time winding down it looked the Bills were driving for a go-ahead score – at least a field goal when Fitzpatrick underthrew Stevie Johnson at the four-yard line. The ball was picked off and the Giants drove the other way for what turned out to be the winning field goal. So the Bills enter the bye week with a record of 4 & 2. They trail the Patriots now in the AFC East after the Patriots rallied to beat Dallas.