Thomas Prohaska

Niagara County reporter for The Buffalo News

[Thomas Prohaska @ThomasProhaska]

Saluting Sean for speaking the truth about the importance of local journalism!

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Check out this video from @TheBuffaloNews national award-winning columnist and Guild member @seankirst explaining why local journalism matters. 👀@LeeEntNews

https://t.co/joJ3BpqPsb

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The Buffalo Newspaper Guild, a @LeeEntNews shareholder and employee representative of the 2nd largest news organization in the Lee chain, has voted in favor of Lee board's recommended directors and urges all shareholders to do the same. Our full statement: https://t.co/zyvY4c1ulV

[Thomas Prohaska @ThomasProhaska]

With nighttime temps expected below freezing for more than a week, the City of Lockport has announced a Code Blue through March 16. The homeless or residents without heat should report to Police Headquarters, on the Niagara Street side of City Hall, for help in finding shelter.

[Thomas Prohaska @ThomasProhaska]

Riford, 37, is to be extradited back to Niagara County on charges of custodial interference and violating a Family Court order. She was using a different last name in New Mexico, Sheriff Mike Filicetti says. The dad, who lives near Boston, en route to Albuquerque to get the kids.

[Thomas Prohaska @ThomasProhaska]

Niagara County sheriff and DA announce Katie Riford, missing from Wheatfield since Feb 2019, was arrested yesterday in Albuquerque and charged with absconding with her 2 kids after a judge gave custody to the father.

[Thomas Prohaska @ThomasProhaska]

Niagara County Sheriff's Office says flooded portion of Cambria-Wilson Road, Route 425, between North Ridge and German roads, is now reopened.

[Thomas Prohaska @ThomasProhaska]

Niagara County road flooding update: Tuscarora Road in Town of Niagara and Lake Road in Somerset, closed yesterday, now are open. Sheriff's Office says flood-closed roads now include parts of Simms Road in Royalton, Cambria-Wilson Rd in Wilson, Wheatfield-Pendleton Townline Rd.

[Thomas Prohaska @ThomasProhaska]

City of Lockport has posted another Code Blue. Mayor Michelle Roman says this one is in effect through Feb. 12. Those without heat or shelter may come to the Police Department on the Niagara Street side of City Hall, and officers will assist them in finding shelter.

[Thomas Prohaska @ThomasProhaska]

City of Lockport, which has had a Code Blue in effect just about all month, has extended it to Monday. Those without heat or who are homeless should stop at the Police Department's walk-up window on the Niagara Street side of City Hall to receive help in obtaining shelter.

[Thomas Prohaska @ThomasProhaska]

City of Niagara Falls suspends trash collection for the rest of this week to allow for snow removal in side streets and alleys. Pickup will resume Monday, but residents will be allowed to put out 6 bags of trash in addition to their totes next week only. Bulk pickup resumes 1/31.

[Thomas Prohaska @ThomasProhaska]

City of Lockport Mayor Michelle Roman extends Code Blue for 10 more days because of forecast very cold low temps. Those without homes or heat should drop in at Lockport Police Headquarters to be directed to shelter.

[Thomas Prohaska @ThomasProhaska]

Niagara County cancels Rural Transportation bus today. "With the large accumulation of snow, the fact that some streets are still not fully plowed and many corners are hidden with large snow banks, we are concerned about the safety of our riders," county says.

[Thomas Prohaska @ThomasProhaska]

Judge Michael Mohun sentences Belstadt to 25 years to life for the 1993 murder of Mandy Steingasser. "Joe Belstadt has walked free longer than Mandy was alive. He will walk free no longer."

[Thomas Prohaska @ThomasProhaska]

Belstadt proclaims his innocence. "I did not kill Mandy Steingasser. "

[Thomas Prohaska @ThomasProhaska]

Defense attorney Michele Bergevin says jury "got it wrong" in convicting Joe Belstadt of murdering Mandy Steingasser. Belstadt about to speak.

[Thomas Prohaska @ThomasProhaska]

Lockport Mayor Michelle Roman has extended the city's Code Blue for 7 more days, through Jan. 19. Anyone who is homeless or without heat should report to the Police Department walk-up window at the Niagara Street side of City Hall for help in finding shelter.

[Thomas Prohaska @ThomasProhaska]

Only a dusting in Lockport as of 3:15 pm.

[Thomas Prohaska @ThomasProhaska]

Lockport has called a Code Blue for the next 10 days, through Jan. 12, because of forecast cold temps. Mayor Michelle Roman says anyone homeless or without heat should report to the Police Dept walk-up window on Niagara Street and the police will assist them.

[Thomas Prohaska @ThomasProhaska]

Joseph Belstadt convicted of the murder of Mandy Steingasser.

[Thomas Prohaska @ThomasProhaska]

The jury in the Joseph Belstadt trial asked for readbacks of testimony from 2 of Belstadt's friends about what he did in the days after the Sept 1993 disappearance of Mandy Steingasser. We may not get a verdict today.

[Thomas Prohaska @ThomasProhaska]

Belstadt trial jury has been out almost 2 hours. Jurors requested Belstadt's 1993 police statements, maps of the area, DNA reports, photos of Mandy Steingasser's autopsy especially of the bra knotted around her neck.