Articles for Garrett Looker

Aug 27

2024

This Assemblyman makes a lot of money on the side

New York State Assemblyman Michael Norris. Photo provided. Outgoing Republican state Assemblyman Michael Norris won’t be able to keep his lucrative side jobs — 10, all in Niagara County — presuming he becomes a state Supreme Court justice next year. The assemblyman did not respond to a request for comment, but his law firm, Lockport-based Seaman Norris, confirmed that Norris will be withdrawing as a partner if elected to the bench in November. Norris, 48, a Lockport attorney and former Niagara County Republican Party chairman, has served as the 144th District state assemblyman – representing parts of Niagara and Erie[...]

Posted 2 months ago

Aug 23

2024

OTB set to discuss search for Wojtaszek replacement

OTB Chairman Dennis Bassett. Photo by Garrett Looker. If Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown is a candidate for the top job at Western Regional Off-Track Betting Corp., the chairman of the organization’s board isn’t saying so. Following the board’s monthly meeting on Thursday at Batavia Downs, Chairman Dennis Bassett said Brown is welcome to “put his name into the pot” of candidates seeking to replace outgoing CEO and President Henry Wojtaszek, who has accepted a contract buyout and is expected to leave his post before the end of the year. OTB’s board has called a special meeting next Thursday for a[...]

Posted 2 months ago

Aug 22

2024

Beach closure blues

Story was updated at 1:10 p.m. Last weekend was a tough one for Lake Erie beaches. First was a lifeguard shortage that kept Bennett Beach closed to swimmers last Friday. Then came the thunderstorm that chased beachgoers from Woodlawn State Park the next day. And then, when Saturday’s rains raised E. coli bacteria levels, leading to poor water quality readings, Woodlawn was closed to swimmers on Sunday. Both beaches were closed to swimmers on Monday, Woodlawn because of water quality and Bennett because it again didn’t have enough lifeguards. It’s not the best way to enjoy a summer’s day at[...]

Posted 2 months ago

Aug 21

2024

Buffalo high school break-in was apparently an inside job

Bennett High School on Main Street in North Buffalo. Photo by Garrett Looker. The sons of Buffalo school board president Sharon Belton-Cottman broke into Bennett High School last Tuesday, according to a Buffalo police incident report. Khalil and Jamaal Cottman — both coaches at Bennett last year — entered the school through a rear window after one of the men climbed over a gate, according to the report. After entering the school, one of the brothers opened a door to allow unknown individuals to enter. The group then went to the gymnasium and stayed for three hours before leaving, the[...]

Posted 2 months ago

Aug 15

2024

Four judgeships, four cross-endorsed candidates

New York State Assemblyman Michael J. Norris. Photo provided. Story updated 1:35 p.m. today. A New York state assemblyman from Niagara County, who struck immunity from prosecution deals as part of criminal investigations in the past, is in line for a new job as a state Supreme Court judge. Assemblyman Mike Norris, R-Lockport, said in an interview earlier this month that he intended to seek reelection this year, but the Niagara Gazette learned Wednesday that he is one of four state Supreme Court nominees cross-endorsed by Republicans and Democrats this week. Niagara County Republican Committee Chairman Richard Andres confirmed Wednesday[...]

Posted 2 months ago

Aug 13

2024

Summer fun drops student reading scores

Students board a school bus outside of Buffalo’s Waterfront Elementary. Photo by Garrett Looker. Educators call it the “summer slide.” In the spring of 2023, almost 41 percent of Buffalo students in kindergarten through third grade were reading at — or above — grade level. But when those students returned to school in the fall — as first through fourth graders — some of their reading skills had fallen: 34.5 percent reached their benchmark. The 6-point drop is the summer slide, a few points steeper than the typical loss in recent years. And, an Investigative Post analysis found, it primarily[...]

Posted 2 months ago

Jul 12

2024

What about a branch library at the Broadway Market?

After years of inaction, progress is being made toward bringing library books to the Broadway-Fillmore neighborhood – with a branch library in the Broadway Market suggested as one possibility. John Spears, director of the Buffalo and Erie County Public Library, and Chris Hawley, a community advocate, met last week to discuss ways to address the book desert that exists in a large swath of the city’s East side. As a short-term solution, they discussed the possibility of expanding the library’s bookmobile in the Broadway-Fillmore neighborhood. As a longer-term goal, they talked about establishing a “physical presence” in the community, Spears[...]

Posted 3 months ago

Jun 6

2024

Charters outperform urban public schools in reading

The reading skills of young students who attend charter schools in and around Buffalo are slightly better than those attending urban public schools, an Investigative Post analysis has found. The results of 2023’s testing showed 30 percent of third through fifth grade students at the 19 charter schools tested in Erie and Niagara counties could read and write at or above grade level, according to the New York State Education Department. That compares with 25 percent of students in the same grades in Buffalo public schools. “There’s more we want to achieve for our kids, clearly,” said Fatimah Barker, executive[...]

Posted 4 months ago