🌱 Damar Hamlin + New Chief Medical Officer At ECMC + 3 BPS Go Remote

Hello all. Hope your week is going alright so far! Today's issue includes news about...

• Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin suffers cardiac arrest.
• ECMC seats a new chief medical officer.
• Reminder and more information about filing for reimbursement if you lost power last week.

But first, today's weather:

An a.m. shower, then rain. High: 43. Low: 38.

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Here are the top five stories in Buffalo today:

1. Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin suffered cardiac arrest on the field Monday night in the much anticipated Monday Night Football game against the Cincinnati Bengels. Cardiologists are speculating that Hamlin experienced a rare phenomenon called "commotio cordis," where the chest is hit at a certain time in the heart cycle and causes cardiac arrest. Since the mid 90s, there have been about 200 cases of this phenomenon in the US, and usually occurs in people a bit younger than Hamlin. Hamlin is currently in critical condition at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, with experts crediting the quick timeline of CPR following his collapse as saving his life. The game was postponed and the NFL is currently far more focused on Hamlin and the other players' well-being rather than rescheduling the game. Continue learning about the story at NBC News.
2. Erie County Medical Center (ECMC) named Dr. Samuel D. Cloud as its new chief medical officer on Tuesday. Cloud is an assistant clinical professor of emergency medicine at the University at Buffalo. At UB, he also spent eight years serving as the associate director of the emergency medicine residency program from 2008 to 2016. Cloud is succeeding Dr. Brian M. Murray as chief medical officer. Read more at The Buffalo News.
3. On Monday, Buffalo Public Schools announced that three schools will reopen with remote instruction following winter break due to damage from the blizzard. The three schools are Emerson High School #302, Academy School #131 and Leonardo Da Vinci High School #212. The district says that repairs in process at these location.Find out more via WGRZ 2.
4. Biggie Smokes, a proposed smoke shop on Elmwood and Forest across the street from newly built luxury condominium project, was denied a special-use permit by the city Planning Board. Jeffrey Birtch, who is the developer of the condominium project, comments "It’s not what our residents want." Learn more at The Buffalo News.
5. If you lost power for more than 72 hours during the storm last week, don't forget that you are eligible for reimbursement for any food or drugs you lost due to the power outage. The City of Buffalo says the deadline to file for reimbursement in next Tuesday, and you can fill out a form online or file by email, phone, or mail. More details are available in this article by WGRZ 2.

Today in Buffalo:

• Wednesdays are “Roycroft Uncorked!" Roycroft Inn, All Day.
• Buffalo State Bengals VS Case Western Reserve University! Buffalo State College Sports Arena, 2:00 P.M.
• WNED Documentary Screening: Becoming Frederick Douglass! The Buffalo History Museum, 6:00 P.M. - 8:00 P.M.
• University Drive, Starjuice, Daisychain Concert! Mohawk Place, 7:00 P.M. - 11:00 P.M.
• Virtual Cooking Series with Chef Marshall Goldstein! Online, 7:00 P.M. - 8:00 P.M.
• Horrible People! Helium Comedy Club, 8:00 P.M. - 10:00 P.M.
• The Mid-Week Vibe! 9th Ward at Babeville, 8:00 P.M.

From my notebook:

• Prayers for Damar Hamlin: "The thoughts and prayers of all of Bills Mafia are supporting you, Damar." (Buffalo Bills via Twitter)
• Update on Hamlin: "Damar Hamlin spent last night in the intensive care unit and remains there today in critical condition at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center.
  We are grateful and thankful for the outpouring of support we have received thus far." (Buffalo Bills via Twitter)
• Buffalo Homes Store: "The Buffalo Homes Store has officially launched! Follow the link in our bio to check out these Neighborhood Posters and the rest of the store 🔗" (Buffalo Homes via Instagram)
• Most Popular Restaurants of 2022: "From cocktail bars and waterfront patios to hidden gem taco joints and southern kitchens, tap our link in bio to see what were the most popular restaurants of 2022!" (Step Out Buffalo via Instagram)
• GObike Buffalo on Policies: "Twice as heavy doesn't bode well for the vulnerable road users on foot, on bikes, in chairs." (GObike Buffalo via Facebook)

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Events:

• BUFFALO NY LOCK & KEY SINGLES EVENT at Lockhouse Distillery • Ages 21-59 • Better than Speed Dating! (January 7)
• Add your event

That's it for today! See you all tomorrow morning for your next update.