🌱 Pete Buttigieg + Overdose Deaths + Disaster Declaration for Snow

Hello all! Happy weekend! Today you'll learn about these stories and more...

• Pete Buttigieg is in Buffalo today.
• BPS and Buffalo Teacher's Federation negotiation continues.
• Weekend's events

But first, today's weather:

Very windy; periods of rain. High: 46. Low: 30.

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Here are the top five stories in Buffalo today:

1. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg is in Buffalo today to commemorate the $55 million grant awarded by the Biden Administration for the Kensington Expressway Project. Buttigieg will be joined by Governor Kathy Hochul, Mayor Byron Brown and other regional and local politicians at the Buffalo Science Museum this morning for a news conference. (Niagara Gazette)
2. Erie County's overdose death has reached a record high, possibly due to fentanyl in cocaine. "The cocaine is spiked so much with fentanyl that they've become addicted to fentanyl, and they don't even know it," Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz said of recreational users. (The Buffalo News)
3. The December blizzard has officially received disaster declaration from President Biden, which will allow for more emergency funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency for affected individuals. Mayor Byron Brown commented, "this funding is critical for Buffalo to successfully recover and strengthen after this ‘once in a generation’ blizzard." (WIVB 4)
4. As negotiations continue seemingly endlessly, there is still no contract between Buffalo Public Schools and the Buffalo Teacher's Federation. While salary has been agreed upon, health care is among one of the topics still being debated by the union. There are currently no more scheduled negotiation dates. (WGRZ 2)
5. Winter parking restrictions have been lifted in the Town of Tonawanda, the Village of Depew and the Village and Town of Lancaster. If not lifted early, these overnight parking rules last until April. (WKBW 7)

Today in Buffalo:

• Art of Science! Buffalo Museum of Science, 12:00 PM
• St Patrick’s Day Pub Crawl! Day's Park Tavern, 4:00 PM
• Friday Nights Fish Fry! Roycroft Inn, 5:00 PM
• Beginner Wooden Spoon Carving Class! The Foundry, 6:00 PM
• Saints, Scholars & Sinners- A Pop- Up Dinner Celebrating Buffalo’s Irish History! 27 Chandler St., 6:00 PM

Saturday in Buffalo:

• St Patrick’s Day Pub Crawl! Day's Park Tavern, 1:00 PM
• St. Patrick’s Day Skate! Cornerstone CFCU Arena, 1:00 PM
• WNY Filmmaker Spotlight with Tammy McGovern! Fitz Books & Waffles, 1:30 PM
• Post-Parade Party with Three Parts Whiskey! Flying Bison, 1:30 PM
• 4 Hr Detained Ghost Hunt! Rolling Hills Asylum, 7:00 PM

Sunday in Buffalo:

• Drag Me to Brunch! Strange Design Public House, 11:00 AM
• Yoga with Soma Cura Wellness Center! Freedom Run Winery, 11:00 AM
• St. Patrick’s Day Brunch! Patina 250, 11:00 AM
• Buffalo Sabres vs. Boston Bruins! KeyBank Center, 1:00 PM

From my notebook:

• Giveaway Alert: "We're teaming up with Created By TG to give away a $100 shopping spree and gift bundle ($175 value).⁠ ⁠" (Step Out Buffalo via Instagram)
• City Of Buffalo Animal Shelter: "Black dogs are often overlooked in shelters, but there a lot of great reasons to adopt a black dog!" (City Of Buffalo Animal Shelter via Instagram)
• Buffalo Fish Fry: "Looking for a new contender on your Buffalo fish fry tour? Beer-battered using their Sticky Trees West Coast IPA, @pressurebrewers is looking mighty tasty! Get it as the platter presented here, as a sandwich or as a pair of tacos, and o..." (Visit Buffalo Niagara via Instagram)
• Old First Ward Mural: "A splash of color in the Old First Ward! Found on the corner of Mackinaw and Alabama Streets. 🎨 #InTheBUF photo by @scott_balzer" (Visit Buffalo Niagara via Instagram)
• St. Patrick’s Day Events: "St. Patrick’s Day Events are in full swing this weekend! Embrace your Irish side at these festive events - see the full list at our link in bio 🍀" (Step Out Buffalo via Instagram)

Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Friday. I'll see you soon!