🌱 Kensington Expressway Funding + Train Derailment Effects + ASL

Morning, everybody. Happy President's Day! I'm back in your inbox this morning with everything you need to know about what's happening in town today. Today you'll read about...

• Kensington Expressway project updates
• Ohio train derailment's regional effects
• Winter break ideas

But first, today's weather:

A morning rain or snow shower. High: 40. Low: 31.

Are you tired of blending in with all the other real estate agents in Buffalo? Stand out with a premium sponsorship in our newsletter. Gain valuable exposure for yourself to our highly engaged local readership. Click here to learn more about this exclusive opportunity.

Here are the top stories in Buffalo today:

1. A $55 million federal grant from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act’s Reconnecting Communities Program has been given to the Kensington Expressway project. The project hopes to reconnect this part of the east side, replacing the expressway with a 6-lane tunnel and redesigning the area for pedestrians and cyclists, as well as other things. Senator Chuck Shumer said, "This significant $55 million investment will lay the foundation for a more equitable future for Buffalo’s East Side, helping transform this divisive relic of the past into a site that will bridge divides and spur new economic opportunity." (WIVB 4)
2. Officials reassure that the Lake Erie watershed and Buffalo railroads remain safe after the tragic train derailment in Palestine, Ohio. Despite its close proximity, the water authority stated on Twitter that it is "highly improbable that residual chemicals or toxins from the derailed train have navigated to Erie County Water Authority water sources, including Lake Erie and the Niagara River." (The Buffalo News)
3. Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown commented on the lack of an ASL interpreter during some blizzard-related news conferences and briefings, saying "there were some challenges in the organization that we work with being able to get an interpreter to us in the conditions." Experts, some from nearby Rochester which has one of the largest deaf communities in the nation, suggest that accessibility be accounted for prior to emergencies. Brown agrees moving forward, commenting, "we know it's critically important to be able to communicate with all of our residents, with all of our businesses, with all of our visitors to the city, and interpretation services is a critical component of that." (WBFO NPR)
4. This week, schools are closed for winter break. WKBW 7 has compiled a list of family activities to explore this week, including the Aquarium of Niagara, Riverworks and the Buffalo Heritage Carousel. (WKBW 7)
5. In a city with a long winter, indoor spots are extremely important. That's why Weldon Jones is opening an indoor skate park in the McKinley Mall. The park hopes to open this spring in the northern end of the mall. (WIVB 4)

Today in Buffalo:

• Literacy NY Buffalo-Niagara Work Experience Program! Central Library, 9:00 AM
• Reading Time with Sammy Sponge! Platter's Chocolate Factory & Cafe, 10:00 AM
• Winter Wellness with Kidding Around Yoga! Explore & More, 11:30 AM
• Family Day at The Haus: Pajama Party! Hofbräuhaus Buffalo, 12:00 PM
• New Moon: Cosmic Creator! Ambient Sound Healing, 6:30 PM

From my notebook:

• Sabres Dog: "LATE NIGHT PUP DROP in the Bay Area 🏒 @pawsitiveforheros @buffalosabres 🐕 #dogsofbuffalo #buffalosabres @buffalosabres #pupdrop #puckdrop #wnyheros" (Dogs Of Buffalo via Instagram)
• Miller's Thumb Bakery: "New contender for top Buffalo breakfast sandwich, finesse division: the Hot Breakfast Hoagie at @millersthumbbakery with pepperoni, egg, pepper relish on airy roll made from house-ground WNY wheat, like almost everything else in the grou..." (Andrew Galarneau via Instagram)
• CHQ Barn: "Meet CHQ Barn – A Rustic Venue with a Breathtaking View of the Chautauqua Lake Region⁠ ⁠ The story of how this barn came to be a wedding venue is a fairytale itself.⁠ ⁠ Once upon a time, it was a dairy farm. Then it was a working horse f..." (Step Out Buffalo via Instagram)
• Polar Bear Days: "Don't forget Polar Bear Days begin on tomorrow! Visit any day February 20–24 and receive $5 off your admission!" (The Buffalo Zoo via Instagram)
• Southern Junction: "@southernjunction716 has your brisket biryani bowl, pulled pork kolaches, and barbacurry flatbread with Keralan coconut sauce until 5 pm. Walk in at 27 Chandler or order at http://southernjunction716.com #ThisIsGuildWork" (Andrew Galarneau via Instagram)
• Break Week at Buffalo Museum of Science: "It's officially Break Week and we're feeling good! 🤩 If you're looking to visit the Reinventing Reality exhibit to explore the science behind virtual reality this week, we strongly encourage you to reserve your tickets online in advanc..." (Buffalo Museum of Science via Instagram)

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