🌱 Great Lakes Protection + Strip Club Owner + Bidwell Development

Hello, friends! I'm back in your inbox this morning to walk you through the most important things happening these days in Buffalo. Today you'll read about...

• Great Lakes protection
• Development at Elmwood and Bidwell Corner
• North Parade fire

But first, today's weather:

A bit of snow and rain. High: 40. Low: 31.

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Here are the top five stories today in Buffalo:

1. Canada has promised $306 million (USD) to the protection of the Great Lakes. This pledge came following pressure from the United States, which was asking Canada to take a more active financial role in protecting the water source both nations rely on. Local representative Brian Higgins says, "Canada’s commitment, combined with the major investments made by Congress, will deliver economic and environmental returns for generations to come." (The Buffalo News)
2. Peter Gerace, a strip club owner in Cheektowaga, has been arrested with charges relating to drug trafficking and human trafficking. Gerace maintains his innocence and is being held at Niagara County Jail. (WIVB 4)
3. The Douglas Development project on the corner of Elmwood and Bidwell is continuing despite neighborhood opposition. The opposition has lessened greatly since the beginning of the year, partially because future residents of the development will have parking at the Richardson-Olmsted Campus about a mile away, which means the development won't overly affect street parking. (The Buffalo News)
4. The Buffalo Naval Park opened this past weekend, honoring U.S. Coast Gaurd Chief Mario Roy as the first guest of the season. The Naval and Military Park is open daily from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. (WKBW 7)
5. A weekend fire on North Parade Avenue is being investigated. The fire caused $200,000 worth of damages and two people were assisted by The Red Cross. (WIVB 4)

Today in Buffalo:

• Collections Live: Processing Historic Images! Buffalo Museum of Science, 12:30 PM
• Pizza Making! Miller's Thumb Bakery & Cafe, 5:45 PM
• Crafts and Corks: Beer Lovers! Buffalo State University, 6:00 PM
• Buffalo Sabres vs. Montreal Canadiens! KeyBank Center, 7:00 PM
• Karaoke with TJ the DJ! OSB Ciderworks, 8:30 PM

From my notebook:

• Magic Buffalo: "Magic Buffalo! 🦬 #InTheBUF photo by @anthonybialy / Artwork by @bunnieluvrocks at 1322 Hertel Ave" (Visit Buffalo Niagara via Instagram)
• National Puppy Day: "National Puppy Day “Parade of Pups” 🐶 #dogsofbuffalo #puppies #nationalpuppyday #celebratingpuppies #howitstarted #backtothebeginning #cutenessoverload #paradeofpups" (Dogs Of Buffalo via Instagram)
• Upcoming Concert Season: "Concert season is on its way! 🎶 Check out our lineup so far for the Seneca Buffalo Creek Casino Outer Harbor Concert Series!" (Buffalo Waterfront via Facebook)
• Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens: "It's a tulip lover's dream 🌷😍" (Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens via Facebook)
• Proud Dog Mama: "It’s late and we’re letting all the young pups stay up for National Puppy Day 🐶 SWIPE FOR THE PROUD MAMA SHOT 🐕 #dogsofbuffalo #puppies (Dogs Of Buffalo via Instagram)

Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Monday. See you all tomorrow for another update!