A New York panel on Monday approved three proposals to build casinos in the city, including two owned by companies that already have casinos in Atlantic City, with whom they will now be competing. According to the Press of Atlantic City, the state Gaming Commission is expected to formally issue the licenses before the end of the year, as the gambling revenues are already factored into the state budget. Bally’s plan to spend $4 billion building a casino at the Ferry Point golf course in the Bronx . In nearby Queens, billionaire New York Mets owner Steve Cohen has proposed building a $8.1 billion Hard Rock casino on a parking lot of Citi Field.

A catastrophic May 2024 crash that killed two adults and a young boy at a North Tonawanda railroad crossing is now the subject of a massive negligence lawsuit at State Supreme Court in Niagara County.

Two children have been found dead following a house fire that engulfed a home on French Street in Buffalo on Saturday morning. Firefighters responded to a house located at 69 French St. for reports of a fire with people trapped inside at around 5 a.m. Saturday.

A fundraiser called “Tailgate for Travis,” which took place during the Bills game against the Pittsburgh Steelers; the goal being to help the recovery of a 15 year old Lockport student who was seriously injured after being hit by a vehicle while waiting for his school bus.

The recent ban on cellphones in New York classrooms seems to be having a positive impact. That’s according to New York Governor Kathy Hochul who said that new survey results show the “distraction-free schools” law is already making a noticeable difference for students and teachers across New York.

The Bills played some effective football Sunday in a 26-7 victory over the Steelers.

A fundraiser called “Tailgate for Travis,” which took place during the Bills game against the Pittsburgh Steelers; the goal being to help the recovery of a 15 year old Lockport student who was seriously injured after being hit by a vehicle while waiting for his school bus.

Two children are dead and five other people are hurt after an early Saturday morning fire in Buffalo’s MLK Park neighborhood. The kids, 2 and 10 years old.

A major settlement recommended for approval by the City of Buffalo’s legal department, with more than $3.3 million connected to the 2014 incident at Molly’s Pub in which William Sager Jr. died after being pushed down a flight of stairs, and his friend, Donald Hull, was handcuffed trying to help him.

In May’s Landing Farpoint Toys & Collectables hopes to ease some of the stress of holiday spending.The vintage toy store and museum held its annual toy drive Saturday morning at William Davies Middle School in Mays Landing, in partnership with Hamilton Township Cares and the Hamilton Township School District.Last year’s toy drive helped over 400 kids in Hamilton Township, a statistic that Farpoint co-owner Penelope Daniels called a massive achievement and a reminder of how much is left to do.

In Ocean City work on Roosevelt Boulevard could begin Dec. 8, county engineer Robert Church said during a recent meeting of the Cape May County Board of Commissioners. County officials have approved a $5.8 million contract with South State Inc. for the resurfacing work, which is expected to increase the level of the road above future flood levels.Church said the work would be expedited, with the intent to be completed before Memorial Day 2026.

Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small Sr. 51 is scheduled to go on trial beginning today over allegations he physically and emotionally abused his teenage daughter on multiple occasions in late 2023 through early 2024. Superior Court Judge Joseph Levin will preside over the trial at the county criminal courthouse in Mays Landing, which is expected to last two weeks and will be open to the public.Small is charged with endangering the welfare of a child, terroristic threats, aggravated assault and witness tampering.According to the Press of Atlantic City Small maintains his innocence.

The Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens’ 15th annual Festival of Lights, runs through Dec. 21st.  The event is a major fundraiser for the Botanical Gardens featuring thousands of holiday lights. Guests can explore the 47-acre gardens, take photos, enjoy the Holiday Café’s warm drinks and festive treats, visit the open gift shop, and see Santa Claus. Tickets and details are at gardenbythesea.org/fol.

The East Region Town Hall, or ERTH, will meet on Wednesday, Dec. 3rd at 4 p.m. at the Moose Lodge in Clearlake Oaks.  Marcus Beltramo of Lake County Code Enforcement will give a report on code enforcement issues in the ERTH region.

A Ukiah man was arrested Saturday after allegedly threatening a man with a fake gun and intentionally ramming the victim’s vehicle, according to the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office. Deputies responded to Lake Mendocino Drive.  Eloy Lopez Jr., 26, fled a CHP traffic stop, and his vehicle was later found.  Lopez was detained and arrested for  felony assault with a deadly weapon (not a firearm), brandishing an imitation firearm, and controlled substance possession.  He was booked on $30,000 bail.

The Lakeport City Council when it meets tomorrow evening at 6 p.m. is set to consider  long-term, exclusive agreements with two nonprofit organizations this week. These agreements involve the use of key city-owned properties, including the historic Carnegie Library.