High-profile departures of Collins, Malone lead WNY's top news stories of 2019
The year in news, in
But there were bright spots in 2019, too.
The
There was also news that was sobering and poignant. A blizzard in January claimed three lives, including that of a man, homeless, whose death in
September brought the trial of an
But surpassing all those moments in 2019, on the list of the Top 10 news stories in
And, in a move that landed him first on The News' list of top stories from 2019, in September, Rep.
As selected by editors and reporters, here are
1.
For more than a year after he was indicted on federal insider trading charges,
Then, on a Tuesday in October, he stood in a federal courtroom in
"The actions I took are anything but what a model citizen would take," Collins told the judge. "I am sorry with regret. There's nothing I can do to change that other than to take responsibility, own up to my actions and tell the truth."
The day before, Collins had resigned from
The resignation set off a scramble among potential Republican successors and interested
2. Bishop
Bishop
The pope appointed
Malone said in a letter to parishioners that he had accomplished as much as he could and "there remain divisions and wounds that I am unable to bind and heal."
3. Child Victims Act unleashes dozens of old lawsuits
In less than five months, lawyers filed more than 300 lawsuits in
More than 100 cases were filed in
With more than seven months remaining in the window, the
4.) Construction reshapes downtown
Meanwhile, Carl and
And the
Those projects aren't alone in reshaping the city's downtown core. A new train station is underway on
5.
With
But the left turn only went so far. Gov.
In the end, the idea stalled at the end of session in June, brought down by a chorus of critics in law enforcement, education and medical communities. The
The issue returns, however, in 2020, with Cuomo and lawmakers saying in December that the matter will be a priority to resolve next year.
6. Controversy hangs over
On
The Howard team has seen bumpy years, but 2019 was rough -- and not just because a rare guilty verdict was rendered in a police brutality case. There was a spate of four deaths in the two jails Howard oversees, and two involved questionable decisions by the Holding Center's medical staff. Lawsuits are expected in both.
Reflecting her concern, Legislature Chairwoman
7. Bills and Sabres on the upswing
The Bills and Sabres ended 2019 on the upswing, with the Bills heading for the playoffs for the second time in three years and having had their first 10-win season since 1999. The Sabres welcomed new coach
Bills quarterback
The
8. Federal investigation in
The
Brown in late 2018 tried to save the job of his friend, CAO President
The day after
9. Albright-
When completed in 2022, the museum's exhibition space will double with the addition of a semi-transparent building that will serve as the new entrance. The 1905 building's front steps will be restored, and the 1962 building will become the museum's educational wing.
Other changes: A green plaza will replace the parking lot that is moving underground, a covered courtyard with a funnel-shaped glass canopy will allow east-west access and a curvy bridge will connect the newest and oldest buildings.
10.
Bellavia was recognized for saving the lives of members of his platoon during the Battle of
He became the first living veteran of the Iraq War to receive the award.
Once considered a favorite to gain the Republican nomination to succeed
Honorable mentions:
Eventful weather
A blizzard, ice shoves, flooding -- and a scow-moving windstorm -- marked
A two-day blizzard, combined with bitterly cold temperatures in January, left three people dead, including a homeless man found in a
The battle with high water levels on
High winds swept into the area again
Tall ships
Thousands turned out to see a flotilla of tall ships in
It was the largest collection of tall ships ever in
With contributions from
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