🌱 Common Council Elections + Club Marcella Shooting + Black History

Hello again, hello! Let's get this week started off right, with a quick guide to the most important things going on around town. Today we'll cover...

• Kathryn Franco running for University District Council seat
• Gendron expected to apologize
• Marine Drive apartments

But first, today's weather:

Mostly sunny and breezy. High: 41. Low: 31.

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Here are the top five stories today in Buffalo:

1. After losing the election four years ago, Kathryn Franco is running for the Common Council seat in the University District. Franco has a background in social work and hopes to use the position to consider the city holistically. She wants to address public safety and affordable housing while bringing diversity to the currently all-male council. (Buffalo News)
2. Early Sunday morning three individuals were shot at Club Marcella. One was dead at the scene, while the other two are now in stable conditions at the hospital. This is the second shooting to occur at Club Marcella in 2023. (WGRZ 2.)
3. All month the Michigan Street African American Heritage Corridor is hosting a Black History through art series. Featured artist Edreys Wajed said that art is a way to heal the trauma of the community and express what cannot necessarily be said with words. (WGRZ)
4. Payton Gendron, mass murderer of the Tops massacre last year, is expected to apologize at his state sentencing later this week. Family members of those shot during the racial hate crime say that an apology would be "insincere" and not take away their grief or pain. (WIVB 4)
5. The Marine Drive apartments are potentially going to be demolished and rebuilt next year. Currently, the housing complex is affordable housing and Mayor Byron Brown says it will stay that way despite its location at Canalside. He told WGRZ 2, that renters "will not pay more than 30 percent of their income for rent including utilities." (WGRZ 2)

Today in Buffalo:

• Literacy NY Buffalo-Niagara Work Experience Program! Central Library, 9:00 A.M. - 1:00 P.M.
• Gardens After Dark Galentine’s Celebration! Botanical Gardens, 6:00 P.M. - 9:00 P.M.
• SCORE Buffalo Niagara Webinar: Exploring Government Procurement Opportunities! Online, 6:30 P.M. - 8:00 P.M.

From my notebook:

• Spring on Its Way: "Happy Sunday #UBuffalo 💙 Soon enough, Spring will be here! 🌸" (University at Buffalo via Instagram)
• Polar Bears: "Polar bear love is in the air!❤️🐻‍❄️ 🐻‍❄️❤️ Luna and Sakari are back together and you can see them when you visit the Zoo this weekend." (The Buffalo Zoo via Instagram)
• Lego Higmark: "Highmark, Lego Edition.⁠ ⁠ TW: amERICa_Allen1" (Step Out Buffalo via Instagram)
• Dogs for Adoption: "Azora is all dressed up and ready to give out smooches 💋💋💋 at our Kissing Booth 😘 today 12:00-1:30." (City Of Buffalo Animal Shelter via Instagram)
• Brunch Love: "DAY 11: Because brunch is the most important meal of the day 👇️⁠ ⁠ Tag your favorite spot(s), save this post for future reference 💾, and stay tuned to see who makes the best brunch in town!" (Step Out Buffalo via Instagram)

Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Monday! I'll be back in your inbox tomorrow with another update.