🌱 Federal Spending Bill + WNY Lit Up for Hamlin + Looting Incidents

Good morning, friends! Hope you're hanging in there as the last of this snow melts and we wait as a city to hear more about Hamlin. In today's newsletter, we will cover:

• The federal spending bill brings more than $47.5 million in aid to metro Buffalo.
• Neighborhoods and landmarks light up in Bills' colors to honor Damar Hamlin who remains in critical condition.
• A Code Blue has been issued. Shelter is available

But first, today's weather:

A thick cloud cover. High: 41. Low: 35.

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Here are the top stories in Buffalo today:

1. The Federal spending bill brings more than $47.5 million in aid to Buffalo. Some of the most crucial projects included in the spending bill are $10 million to continue rebuilding Bird Island Pier and $7.5 million to repair the USS The Sullivans, which started sinking in April. Other projects include $2.4 million for a 40-bed Substance Use Disorder Treatment Center, $2 million to expand FeedMore WNY, and $2 million to People Inc. to aid in elderly and disabled people. Read more about the bill at The Buffalo News.
2. People's homes, Niagara Falls, Buffalo City Hall and the Peace Bridge light up in red and blue to support the Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin, who remains in critical condition after experiencing cardiac arrest during the Monday Night Football game. Kate Glaser, founder of Hope Rises, says “really prayers are one thing but some people don’t want to pray, they don’t feel like they can pray, so this is another way to show support, show red and blue to really show we stand behind Damar.” She hopes to see the city lit up for Hamlin. Read more at WIVB 4.
3. Three men have been arraigned for respective incidents of looting during the blizzard. The lootings have been confirmed by WIVB 4 to have occurred at a Louie’s, Carbone’s and Domino’s. Learn more about these cases via Adam Duke's article at WIVB 4.
4. 477 Elmwood's renovations are currently being finished by Sinatra & Company Real Estate. The building, which is on the corner of Elmwood and Hodge, will house one- to three-bedroom apartments. One of the one bedroom apartments will be restricted as affordable. To learn more about the project, visit Buffalo Rising.
5. A Code Blue has been issued for Buffalo. ROC Code Blue Transitional Housing and 586 Genesee St. will be open for shelter from 7 A.M. until 7 P.M. today, as temperatures once again cool down. Learn more at WGRZ 2.

Today in Buffalo:

• Literacy NY Buffalo-Niagara Work Experience Program! West Room Central Library, 9:00 A.M.
• Wellness Walks presented by Independent Health! Tifft Nature Preserve, 10:00 A.M.
• Open Mic Night! Hyde Park Cafe, 3:00 P.M. - 7:00 P.M.

From my notebook:

• Buffalo Schools Think of Hamlin: "Per Superintendent Williams: In light of Buffalo Bills Team Member, Damar Hamlin #3 getting hurt in yesterday's game I am asking all that would like to help to make our district and schools go RED, WHITE, AND BLUE this coming Friday" (Buffalo Schools via Facebook)
• Polar Bear Pic: "Hanging out underwater with Luna!" (The Buffalo Zoo via Instagram)
• Bengals' Fans Pray for Hamlin: "This Bengals fan stuck around after the game was suspended to show his support to Damar Hamlin. ⁠ ⁠ TW: GesusJuice⁠" (Step Out Buffalo via Instagram)
• Botanical Gardens Think of Hamlin #3: "Tonight we light the dome blue in support for Buffalo Bills Safety Damar Hamlin 💙" (Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens via Facebook)
• Delaware District Home: "Clarendon Place - Delaware District" (Buffalo Homes via Instagram)
• Sweet JCC Song: "*Sound On* A few of our kids at Kids' Place were so excited to be back following the holiday break that they wrote a song about their love for the JCC!" (JCC 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

Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Thursday off right! See you tomorrow for another update.