🌱 Poloncarz Apologizes + Airport Reopens + Grocery Store Stock

Hi all! Here are all the most important things to know about what's happening in town. In this issue, we'll touch on:

• The airport reopens, but flights remain delayed
• NYE events
• A video of the storm on Christmas Eve

But first, today's weather:

Cloudy, a shower; mild. High: 49. Low: 42.

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Here are the top five stories today in Buffalo:

1. Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz apologized for criticizing Mayor Byron Brown's response to the storm, saying that he "lost his focus" and should have been dedicated to recovery efforts not pointing fingers. Poloncarz also said that the death toll, which is now at 40, could possibly double or triple once all deaths are accounted for. For context, the death toll for the Blizzard of 1977 is most often reported as 29. Learn more at WIVB 4.
2. The Buffalo Niagara Airport has reopened, but many flights remain cancelled. Delays related to this storm have created a national block, which has caused Southwest to retrieve a lot of public backlash for cancelled flights this week. Read more at WIVB 4.
3. As residents rush back to grocery stores after the storm, many are finding bare shelves. Items like deli meat, cheese and baby formula are unfortunately hard to find right now. One father commented to WIVB 4 reporter Sarah Minkewicz, "I’m just trying to find Pediasure for my daughter here and they don’t have any. Pretty much no store I’ve been to has any. Everybody’s out. Tops on Niagara is pretty much out of everything — everyone was going in there rushing." More information can be found in Minkewicz' article.
4. So far, four Buffalo residents have been charged in connection to looting during the snow. Of these four, three are middle-aged men and one is a middle aged woman. Erie County District Attorney John Flynn claims, "these were not crimes of desperation, but crimes of opportunity to steal items from unoccupied stores during a blizzard." To keep reading, visit The Buffalo News.
5. The state is making preparations in response to potential flooding as temperatures rise and snow begins to melt. Among these preparations, Erie and Monroe County collectively have been supplied with 334 pumps, 312 generators,and 4 sandbaggers. Visit WIVB 4 to learn more.

Just a reminder to continue to drive safe, as all of Erie County is still under a travel advisory. (WGRZ 2).

Today in Buffalo:

• Elf the Musical! Shea's Performing Arts Center, 1:00 P.M. & 7:00 P.M.
• Functional Flow Holiday Show! Buffalo Iron Works, 7:00 P.M.
• The Great Train Robbery! Town Ballroom, 7:00 P.M.
• Buffalo Bandits vs. Halifax Thunderbirds! KeyBank Center, 7:30 P.M.
• Ben Gleib! Helium Comedy Center, 7:30 P.M. & 10:00 P.M.

Saturday in Buffalo:

• Elf the Musical! Shea's Performing Arts Center, 1:00 P.M.
• New Year’s Masquerade Ball with Big City Horns! Salvatore's Hospitality, 6:30 P.M.
• New Year's Disco! Salvatore's Venetian Ballroom, 7:00 P.M.
• New Years Eve! Community Beer Works, 7:00 P.M.
• New Years 2023: The Great Gatsby Gala! Bent's Opera House, 8:00 P.M.
• Double Decked NYE! Thin Man Brewing, 8:00 P.M.
• New Year's Eve at Rusty Nickel Brewing- Around the World! Rusty Nickel Brewing Company, 8:30 P.M.
• Celebrate our 20th Anniversary with The Goo Goo Dolls! Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino, 10:00 P.M.

Sunday in Buffalo:

• First Day Hike! Beaver Island State Park, 10:00 A.M.
• First Day Big Tree Walk! Evangola State Park, 10:00 A.M.
• First Day Dog Walk! Knox Farm State Park, 11:00 A.M.

From my notebook:

• Sunsets Over Snow "A view from home." (Kevin Rybczyński via Instagram)
• Travel Advisories in Erie County: "PSA: All driving bans in Erie County have been lifted! 600+ pieces of snow removal equipment are still on the roads, proceed with caution." (Step Out Buffalo via Instagram)
• Dogs' Blizzard Diaries: "BLIZZARD DIARIES: The Aftermath ☃️ #dogsofbuffalo" (Dogs Of Buffalo via Instagram)
• Snowy Country Roads: "Down the snowy country road. ❄️ #InTheBUF photo by @rosept7" (Visit Buffalo Niagara via Instagram)
• Captured Video of the Snow on Christmas Eve: "Walking outside in the blizzard video" (Nextdoor)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Events:

• BUFFALO NY LOCK & KEY SINGLES EVENT at Lockhouse Distillery • Ages 21-59 • Better than Speed Dating! (January 7)
• Add your event

Happy Friday! Have a good weekend and I'll be back in your inbox come Monday.