🌱 NEXUS Interviews + SNAP Food Benefits + Emergency Alert System

Good morning, everybody! I'm back in your inbox with everything that's fit to print about what's happening locally. Including...

• Virtual NEXUS interviews
• Emergency alert system for storms
• Lots of events happening tonight

But first, today's weather:

Mostly cloudy. High: 26. Low: 23.

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 five stories in Buffalo today:

1. Representative Brian Higgins has introduced a bill called the "Make NEXUS Work Act." This bill would allow NEXUS applicants to meet with both U.S. and Canadian border patrol agents virtually as part of the pre-screening requirement for the program. This would hopefully combat the current applicant wait time of almost 16 months. (Spectrum Local News)
2. The increased SNAP benefits, which were part of Congress's response to Covid-19, are being cut by March 1st. Public relations manager of FeedMore WNY is worried about how this change will affect the community, saying "People will be receiving their regular SNAP benefit amounts and that's going to be a drastic difference for so many people in our community. SNAP is the first line of defense against hunger." (WKBW 7)
3. Announced by County Executive Mark Polancarz, the next time a blizzard is hitting Buffalo the county plans to use an emergency alert system rather than their text subscriptions to warn everyone of the storm. Polancarz explained that this decision is a response to how many people were not properly warned or did not understand the magnitude of the storm in advance. He said that he has since "ordered Emergency Services to basically pre-prepare everything." (The Buffalo News)
4. Buffalo Police Officer Mitchell Thomas has been arraigned on a misdemeanor gun charge for an off-duty incident that happened in the fall of 2022. Thomas was in violation of the SAFE Act, which requires guns to be stored in a locked safe when not in use. (The Buffalo News)
5. 716 Health, a surgery center that is being worked on by Ciminelli Development Corporation in partnership with Kaledia Health and UBMD, has been estimated to cost $25 million. The proposed center would be off Maple Road in the northtowns. (WGRZ 2)

Today in Buffalo:

• Bank on Buffalo Bank on Wheels - City of Buffalo Special Events! Peter Machnica Community Center Parking Lot, 9:00 A.M. - 1:00 P.M.
• Winter Recess Self-Guided Tour! Frank Lloyd Wright's Martin House, 10:00 A.M. - 1:00 P.M.
• Paula’s and a Pint Night! The Ice at Canalside, 3:00 P.M. - 7:00 P.M.
• First Take Wednesdays! New York Beer Project, 5:00 P.M. - 12:00 A.M.
• Self Love Belly dance with Ilya's Bellydance Studio! Buffalo Gal Organic Skincare, 6:00 P.M.
• Realism in Charcoal! Locust Street Art, 6:00 P.M. - 8:00 P.M.
• Orange Wine Class! Winkler and Samuels, 6:00 P.M. - 12:00 A.M.
• Artlab! Snowy Owl Kombucha and Tea, 7:00 P.M. - 9:00 P.M.
• Buffalo Sabres vs. Carolina Hurricanes! KeyBank Center, 7:30 P.M.

From my notebook:

• Dog for Adoption: "This cutie patootie with the big ears and big smile to match is Odefin! He was adopted from us in the fall but unfortunately due to things beyond anyone’s control he’s back with us. " (City Of Buffalo Animal Shelter via Instagram)
• GObike Buffalo Memberships: "Every day. bit.ly/GObikeMembership" (GObike Buffalo via Facebook)
• Thurs-Date Night at Botanical Gardens: "There are just a few more hours left to get your tickets for this week’s #ThursDateNight! Kick off the most romantic month of the year with a trip to the Botanical Gardens with your love. Get your tickets now at buffalogardens.com ❤️" (Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens via Facebook)
• La Nova Pizzeria: "Char-B-Que fingers from @lanova.pizzeria always play. Plus that blue cheese they have is just the cherry 🍒 on top. 📸 x @markgoodwin10 #buffaloeats #buffalo" (Buffalo Eats via Instagram)
• Curling at the Waterfront: "There’s only 4️⃣ weeks left to try curling at the Ice!" (Buffalo Waterfront via Facebook)
• Buffalo Museum of Science: "Frederick Houghton (1869-1950) was trained in geology at Harvard University and carried out geological and archaeological research for the Buffalo Society of Natural Sciences for seven years. " (Buffalo Museum of Science via Instagram)
• JCC Personal Trainers: "Are you ready to GET FIT?! Calling individuals, teams, and corporate/organization partners!" (JCC Buffalo via Facebook)
• Step Out Football Post: "Vacation Time! 🫶 @eliapple⁠ ⁠ TW: x0tararose" (Step Out Buffalo via Instagram)

Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Wednesday. See you all tomorrow for another update!