🌱 Downtown Fire + Gendron’s Federal Trial + Outbound 33 Closed

Hello, Buffalo. I'm here in your inbox this morning to get you caught up on everything you need to know about what's going on in town. Today's issue includes:

• A firefighter lost his life battling a downtown fire yesterday.
• An accident closed the outbound 33.
• Learn about hydroponic gardening.

But first, today's weather:

Cloudy. High: 38. Low: 26.

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Here are the top five stories in Buffalo today:

1. While fighting a fire downtown yesterday morning, a 37-year-old firefighter lost his life. The fire broke out at DC Theatricks on Main Street in the Theater District. The remainder of the building will be demolished. (WGRZ 2)
2. Peyton Gendron’s federal trial is unlikely to occur by July, as originally thought. Despite the public defenders requesting more time, U.S. District Judge Lawrence Vilardo assures that this trial is “not going to sit around on a back burner. The case is too important for that to happen.” It remains undisclosed if Gendron, who is accused of the May 14th Mass Shooting, will face the death penalty in federal court. (The Buffalo News)
3. An accident closed all lanes on the outbound 33 yesterday. The incident occurred near the Best Street exit around 9:30 AM, and the highway lanes remained closed through rush hour. (WGRZ 2)
4. The annual Lake Erie ice boom will be removed today. The ice boom is a preventative measure to make ice runs less common in the waterway. This is an earlier removal that usual, on account of less ice on the lake than average at this point in the season. (WIVB 4)
5. Hydroponic gardens offer hope for the east side food desert. FeedMore had already begun this type of gardening to address the region’s food shortage. (WBFO NPR)

Today in Buffalo:

• Wellness Walks! Tifft Nature Preserve (10:00 AM)
• Collections Live: A Botanical Legacy! Buffalo Museum of Science (12:30 PM)
• The Checkout (regular meeting)! Buffalo and Erie County Public Library (7:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• International Celebration @ University at Buffalo: "Our students shined under the bright lights at #UBuffalo's International Fiesta this past weekend! 💃" (University at Buffalo via Instagram)
• First Responders Gratitude: "Thank you to our first responders, today and everyday ❤️🦬" (Step Out Buffalo via Instagram)
• Jewett Parkway Home: "94 Jewett Parkway - Our latest @gurneyrealestate featured home!" (Buffalo Homes via Instagram)
• National Corgi Day: "It’s National Corgi Day! 🐶 #dogsofbuffalo #corgi #nationalcorgiday" (Dogs Of Buffalo via Instagram)

Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Thursday. I'll catch up with you bright and early tomorrow morning with a new update!

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Buffalo Patch newsletter? Contact me at buffalo@patch.com