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Hilton Teens Unite To Clean Up Vandalized Park

Sat, 25 May 2013 19:11:00 EST

Hilton, N.Y.ï¿½ Itï¿½s a forgotten Hilton park. Some people donï¿½t even remember what itï¿½s actually called.

To many Hilton residents itï¿½s known as ï¿½The Trussleï¿½ but officially itï¿½s called Salmon Creek Park.

According to residents, for so many years, the park has been neglected, vandalized and overrun by drug dealers and people starting fights. Itï¿½s a place people are scared to go.

ï¿½You always risk physical harm when you cross this area and the drugs are constant,ï¿½ explained Riley Page, a Hilton High School student.

Riley says he and he his friends would try to cut through the park to get to their homes but found that it was dangerous.

ï¿½The place is vile in general,ï¿½ he said. ï¿½I could never get to my friendsï¿½ houses or pass through because every time I tried to, it was always a struggle. Someone was always trying to pick a fight, verbally abusing anyone who was passing through.ï¿½

A few months ago, Riley said enough was enough and decided Salmon Creek Park needed to change.

Thatï¿½s when he went before his classmates at Hilton High School and asked if they would help him clean up the park. Riley, a member of the schoolï¿½s Gay-Straight Alliance, already had support from his club and several other students wanted to help.

However, he found that he had the greatest support from the Cadet Crossï¿½the schoolï¿½s Christian club.

ï¿½The GSA and the Cadet Cross are supposed to be seen as enemies, but at the same time we love our community and we love our town,ï¿½ said Kraig Johnson, the president of the Cadet Cross. ï¿½We donï¿½t have any hate towards each other, so we want to work together to make this park beautiful.ï¿½

For the two groups, their differences donï¿½t matter. Itï¿½s the love for their community that binds them together.

Kraig and Riley became partners and project co-managers. They approached the Hilton Village Board and their superintendent with the idea of cleaning up Salmon Creek Park. They met with leaders over several months to work out the plan and logistics.

Eventually they had the village and school districtï¿½s full support and thanks to donations from the library, chamber of commerce and Home Depot, the students began the clean up on Saturday, May 25.

More than a dozen students picked up trash, planted flowers and bushes. They painted the words ï¿½Peaceï¿½ over a spot where vandals had burned down and torn apart a gazebo.

They also plan to paint over the layers of graffiti that disfigures the bridge over Salmon Creek.

ï¿½Itï¿½s really a surprising to know that high school kids would come down here and put such effort into this,ï¿½ said Cody Kelly, the Village of Hilton Parks Manager. ï¿½For this many kids to be down hereï¿½ itï¿½s a real nice thing.ï¿½

Kraig and Riley hope that Salmon Creek Park eventually becomes a place where families and kids would want to hang out. The park has a barbeque grill and a canoe launch that makes it ideal for fishing.

ï¿½As long as people are here, using this area, the people who do the drugs will have no desire to be [at this park],ï¿½ Riley said.

Early on there was some skepticism about the project because some people felt the vandals and drug dealers would just come back and destroy the park again.

The students expect that.

ï¿½We know they are going to come back here and they are going to try their best to uproot everything we are doing,ï¿½ Riley said. ï¿½Weï¿½re going to keep coming back here day in and day out. If they put back their graffiti, we will take it off again. If they ruin all the flowers, we will plant new ones. Eventually they will get tired.ï¿½

For the students who took part in transforming this parkï¿½they say itï¿½s their legacy.

ï¿½This is how we want to leave our mark,ï¿½ Kraig explained. ï¿½When we go to college, this park will remain beautiful.ï¿½

Source: 13wham.com

Deadly Plane Crash in Fulton County

Sat, 25 May 2013 14:17:00 EST

Ephratah, N.Y. (AP) - Rescuers are searching for the pilot of a volunteer Angel Flight that crashed in upstate New York, killing two passengers.

A dispatcher for the Fulton County Sheriff's Department says divers went to a large pond Saturday morning where the bulk of the plane was found submerged in Ephratah (ee-FRAY'-tah), west of Albany. Investigators are also combing nearby woods.

The Federal Aviation Administration says the plane departed from Bedford, Mass., and was headed to Rome, N.Y., when it crashed Friday night.

Angel Flight is a nonprofit group that arranges free air transportation for sick patients from volunteer pilots. Officials haven't yet identified the passengers or pilot.

Ephratah resident Roger Berry tells The Associated Press he was chopping wood when the plane crashed. He says he heard a bang and saw pieces of the plane crash.

(Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

RPD To Increase Beach Patrols For Holiday Weekend

Sat, 25 May 2013 11:59:00 EST

Rochester, N.Y. - Following violence outside of the Lilac Festival, the Rochester Police Department announced Friday that it will increase beach patrols over the Memorial Day weekend.

Officers from Special Events, Impact, Mounted, and Traffic units will be on foot, bike, ATV, and in marked patrol cars.

Additional assistance will be provided by the Sheriff's Office and Juvenile probation.

Source: 13wham.com

Robbery Leads to Shooting

Sat, 25 May 2013 10:03:00 EST

5/25/13 9:42 AM

Rochester, N.Y. - A 26-year-old was shot after police say he was robbed on Flint Street.

It happened just after 2:00 a.m. Saturday.

Police say the victim was walking on Flint Street when he was approached by a man demanding property.

The 26-year-old was then shot in the lower torso.

He was taken to Strong Memorial Hospital with minor injuries.

No suspects are in custody.

Source: 13wham.com

Memorial Day Parade

Sat, 25 May 2013 05:54:00 EST

The annual Memorial Day Parade will begin at 10:30 a.m., Monday, May 27.

The parade will begin on East Avenue at Alexander Street - down East Avenue to Main Street, then on Main Street to Plymouth Avenue for disbandment between Exchange Boulevard and Plymouth .

All downtown streets will reopen after the parade approximately 12:30

The Memorial Day Parade is sponsored by the Veterans Memorial and Executive Council. For more information, call (585) 544-2839.

Rapper 'Tim Dog' Reportedly Faked His Own Death To Avoid Paying Thousands Of Dollars In Restitution

Fri, 24 May 2013 07:08:00 EST

A Mississippi woman is claiming that a popular 1990s rapper faked his own death to get out of paying her thousands of dollars.

On Feb. 14, rapper Timothy Blair, better known as "Tim Dog," reportedly died from a seizure following a battle with diabetes. Rolling Stone reported this news via a report from The Source, but that link is now disabled. Southaven, Miss., native Esther Pilgrim may know why such news disappeared. She is claiming the rapper actually faked his death to swindle her out of $32,000.

JOSE CANSECO Flirty Pic With Accuser Hours Before Alleged Incident

Fri, 24 May 2013 06:39:00 EST

Just hours before Jose Canseco allegedly committed rape ... the alleged victim posed for a very flirty pic with J.C. in a Vegas casino and joked that they had just gotten married, TMZ has learned.

The pic was taken on the floor of the MGM Casino at 2:51 AM on May 10 -- with the woman cozying up for a couply shot with Jose ... with her open right hand placed on the center of his exposed chest.

The person who took the photo says he's a huge Canseco fan (apparently those still exist) ... and had recognized Jose strolling around the casino with a female companion.

The fan asked Jose if he could snap a shot -- and Jose obliged, striking a pose with the woman while she giggled and told the photog she and Jose had just tied the knot.

For the record -- we've done some digging, but couldn't find any proof of a Canseco marriage.

The photog told us the two seemed happy ... no signs of distress.

Of course, things changed -- 'cause the woman reportedly told police Jose drugged and raped her later that day.

Jose has denied the allegations -- claiming his accuser is making up the story for publicity.

Source:TMZ

Judge declares mistrial in penalty phase of Jodi Arias trial

Fri, 24 May 2013 06:36:00 EST

Jurors who spent five months determining Jodi Arias' fate couldn't decide whether she should get life in prison or die for murdering her boyfriend, sending prosecutors back to the drawing board to rehash the shocking case of sex, lies and violence to another 12 people.

Judge Sherry Stephens gave a heavy sigh as she announced a mistrial in the penalty phase of the case Thursday and scheduled a July 18 retrial.

Source:Bossip

Urban Renewal? Big US Cities Showing Strong Growth

Fri, 24 May 2013 06:26:00 EST

Washington (AP) - Most of the nation's largest cities have enhanced their allure, showing strong population growth for a second consecutive year.

New census estimates show big cities surpassed the rate of growth in their surrounding suburbs at an even faster clip last year. It's a sign of America's continuing preference for urban living after the economic downturn quelled enthusiasm for less-crowded expanses.

Growth in outlying suburbs known as exurbs slipped to the lowest level in more than a decade.

Economists generally have played down the recent city boom, saying young adults in the recovering economy will be back on the move after years of staying put in big cities. But the 2012 numbers indicate that young people are still playing it safe in dense urban cores, where many jobs are.

Source:Wham13

Police Say Man Picked Up Young Boy and Slammed Him To the Floor In Walmart

Fri, 24 May 2013 06:24:00 EST

A Warsaw man faces charges of child endangerment and harassment after witnesses say he threw his son to the floor and yelled at him inside a Batavia Walmart.
Christopher Cummings, 28, was arrested after troopers say a witness inside the store reported seeing him pick up his seven-year-old son, lift him over his head, and slam him to the floor.

Cummings, a woman and their three children quickly left the store Thursday afternoon after being confronted.

Witnesses came forward quickly after a surveillance photo of Cummings was posted online.

Police say his son wasn't hurt but was taken to a local hospital to be examined.

In a statement to police, Cummings said his son was arguing with him about a package of cards, and then opened them. He said he slapped his son and then threw him down.

Cummings said he knows he has anger management problems and needs to get some help.

He is being held in the Genesee County Jail.

Law Would Link Student Loan Rates To Financial Markets

Fri, 24 May 2013 06:16:00 EST

Washington (AP) - House lawmakers are ready to pass legislation that links student loan rates to the financial markets in spite of a veto threat from President Barack Obama.

Supported by Republicans, the bill would avoid a rate increase for students with new subsidized Stafford loans if lawmakers pass it, as expected, on Thursday. Democrats generally opposed the measure, which would provide some students a deal in the first years of the new system before ratcheting up interest rates later.

"As the economy continues to recover and at a time when market interest rates are at historic lows, more than 7 million students who rely on these loans to finance postsecondary education should not be burdened with additional college debt as they seek to graduate, launch a career or a business, start a family or buy a house," the White House Office of Management and Budget said in a memo announcing its opposition.

The top Republican on the Education Committee, Rep. John Kline of Minnesota, said Obama was standing against many of the ideas he included in his own budget.

"The legislation is based on the president's own proposal and provides a solid basis for negotiation through the legislative process," Kline said.

Interest rates on new subsidized Stafford loans are set to double, from 3.4 percent to 6.8 percent, for new loans on July 1. Lawmakers said they wanted to avoid that but were divided on how, exactly, to accomplish that. With most lawmakers set to leave Washington for the Memorial Day holiday, time is running short.

Source:Wham13

Boy Scouts Approve Plan To Accept Openly Gay Boys

Fri, 24 May 2013 06:10:00 EST

Rochester, N.Y. - It was the reason Joel Helfrich turned in his scouting medals. The anti-gay policies of the Boy Scouts of America became too much for the former Eagle Scout to bear.

Thursday, as the Boy Scouts of America lifted its ban against membership for gay boys, Helfrich - who is straight - smiled.

"I think there is going to be a number of people who join the Boy Scouts because of this," said Helfrich.

In a statement, the Boy Scouts of America said the following:

"Today, following this review, the most comprehensive listening exercise in Scouting's history the approximate 1,400 voting members of the Boy Scouts of America's National Council approved a resolution to remove the restriction denying membership to youth on the basis of sexual orientation alone. The resolution also reinforces that Scouting is a youth program, and any sexual conduct, whether heterosexual or homosexual, by youth of Scouting age is contrary to the virtues of Scouting. A change to the current membership policy for adult leaders was not under consideration; thus, the policy for adults remains in place. The BSA thanks all the national voting members who participated in this process and vote."

The policy change will go into effect on January 1, 2014 as the group said it needed time to implement the changes within its roughly 116,000 Scouting units.

Local Scoutmaster Jason Patterson said he can see both sides, and that the issue has opened a wound for many in the scouting community.

"My thought on that is this is a private organization and it should remain that way, they should be able to govern themselves," declared Patterson.

"It does an awful lot of good to the youth and you know, we want to be inclusive, I don't think anyone would disagree with that," said Don Hensel, Lighthouse District chairman.

In a phone conversation with 13WHAM News, Executive Director Stephen Hoitt said the following of Thursday's vote:

"It's probably not going to have a big impact in Rochester," said Hoitt. "Simply because in our five county area we've already had this policy in place--where it's conduct based--and you'd only get removed if it was something inappropriate."

Source:Wham13

Cuomo: Weiner NYC Mayoral Win Would Be A 'Shame'

Fri, 24 May 2013 06:01:00 EST

SYRACUSE, N.Y. (AP) - New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo says it would be a "shame" if Anthony Weiner was elected mayor of New York City.

Speaking to editors at the Syracuse Post-Standard newspaper Wednesday, the governor, who also leads the state Democratic Party, weighed in on a Weiner candidacy for the first time.

Weiner is back on the political scene two years after a series of raunchy text messages ended his congressional career.

Asked how he'd react if Weiner won, Cuomo answered: "Shame on us."

Earlier Wednesday, he pointedly stayed away from the topic. Asked to comment on Weiner's candidacy, he answered: "None. No reaction. None."

A spokeswoman for the Weiner campaign did not comment.

Weiner is among several Democrats trying to succeed Michael Bloomberg.

Source:Wham13

Memorial Day Movie Weekend Heats Up

Fri, 24 May 2013 05:49:55 EST

The crew is back for Fast & Furious 6. Starring Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Dwayne Johnson and Michelle Rodriguez, the actors reprise their roles for the action-packed Universal franchise. The latest installment finds Dom Teretto (Diesel) and former FBI agent Brian O'Conner (Walker) agreeing to assist Luke Hobbs, played by Johnson, to track down some European car thieves. Dom's biggest motive to help comes from realizing that Letty Ortiz (Rodriguez), who has teamed up with the criminals, isn't dead. The car-chasing flick is directed by Justin Lin.

Another franchise film to hit theaters this week comes from Todd Phillips' and his third installment of The Hangover. Zach Galifianakis, Bradley Cooper and Ed Helms return with another epic adventure to Vegas. The popular series also features Ken Jeong and John Goodman with a cameo from Melissa McCarthy as Alan's (Galifianakis) newfound soulmate.

Meanwhile, the family-friendly, animated film Epic follows a teenage girl transported to a whimsical forest. The Chris Wedge-directed film is voiced by Beyonce, Colin Farrell, Josh Hutcherson, Amanda Seyfried and Aziz Ansari.

Source: The Hollywood Reporter

Five RCSD Schools Will Expand School Year

Fri, 24 May 2013 06:01:00 EST

Rochester, N.Y. - Five Rochester elementary schools will expand their school day next school year. The schools were selected by a national program that will allow them to provide extra instructional time by adding 300 hours of school time for the year.

That's equivalent to eight extra school weeks.

That means students will see an extra 60 to 90 minutes to each school day, depending on the needs of the students in each school.

RCSD Superintendent Bolgen Vargas hopes the move will help bridge the gap between city and suburban schools.

According to the district, city elementary students get 972 hours per year of instructional time.

Compare that to 1,052 hours for suburban students and 1,735 hours for charter school students.

"We believe that this approach to expand the school day will allow us to meet the needs of the teachers and students in a way that we haven't been able to do in the past," Vargas said.

School 46 is one of the schools that will have a longer day.

"We'll start at eight in the morning and approximately go until 4:10 which also allows for extra time for parents and family time in the evening and we'll get our kids when they're nice and fresh in the morning," Principal T'Hani Pantoja said.

The schools were chosen for the program based on their success in completing a rigorous and comprehensive planning process.

That process involved a fully collaborative planning among teachers who voted for the program, community members, union officials, parents and administrators.

In addition to the core curriculum, students will have extra-curricular activities such as knitting, French class and participating in a step team.

The district said it has already had success at School 9 where the school day was extended to 5 p.m. this school year.

Staff told 13WHAM News that attendance at the school was at its highest and students say they're more engaged.

"First I was unhappy because I didn't want to stay in school for that long," said student Trenice Young, "but we get to learn extra stuff for the next year."

"I know they're going to start with, 'oh we have to be in school longer' but once they see what they're going to be doing, they will learn so much and gain so much more, Robert Burns of the Expanded Learning Program said.

Schools 9, 10, 23, 45 and 46 will take part in the program next school year.

Vargas said he hopes to add more schools in the future.

Source:Wham13

Bridge Collapse In Washington State

Fri, 24 May 2013 05:49:00 EST

Mt. Vernon, Wash. (AP) - The Washington State Patrol says the Interstate 5 bridge over the Skagit River at Mount Vernon has collapsed, dumping vehicles and people into the water.

Trooper Mark Francis said the four-lane bridge collapsed about 7 p.m.

Three people were taken to the hospital. Dive teams searched on for hours to be sure they didn't miss anyone who might be still stranded in the water.

The Washington State Transportation Department is looking into whether an over-sized truck may have struck the bridge.

Source:Wham13

Monroe County Executive Maggie Brooks State of The County Address

Fri, 24 May 2013 05:25:36 EST

Monroe County Executive Maggie Brooks touched on some familiar themes in Thursday night�s state of the county address. One of those themes was related to where the speech was delivered.

The county exec gave her speech in the Theatre on the Ridge building at the Eastman Business Park. Brooks says that she picked that venue for a specific reason...

"Eastman Business Park to me represents our community's ongoing transformation form a big box image capital to a hub for innovation and technology."

Besides talking about successes at the business park, Brooks also defended the way the county nursing home, Monroe Community Hospital, is operated. She says even with a state report critical of one particular incident, staffers at that facilities are extremely dedicated and provide quality care.

The minority leader of the Monroe County Legislature, Carrie Andrews, says Brooks can deliver a speech well, but she wasn't too impressed with the content�

�Honestly I think the speech sounded more like a pep rally than an actual assessment of the state of our county. I was deeply disappointed that she didn't mention any plans for actually closing the county's structural deficit of 50-million dollars. "

Brooks says that structural deficit is due to Medicaid and other mandated programs.

The Republican majority in the legislature as well as the county executive have been at odds with Democratic lawmakers in recent weeks on a number of issues, including funding for some projects, and the fallout from the controversy at the county nursing home.

In her speech, Brooks also announced that she has selected Dr. Byron Kennedy, who is the county's deputy health director, to replace Dr. Andrew Doniger, who is retiring.

Source: WXXI News

French Montana "Excuse My French"

Thu, 23 May 2013 22:25:00 EST

French Montana's much anticipated album, "Excuse My French," dropped this Tuesday right before his concert Saturday, May 25th at the Main Street Armory! The album contains various artists such as The Weeknd, Nicki Minaj, Drake, Rick Ross, and even Max B who sets off the album their song "Once In Awhile."

After listening to the album, it was definitely what I expected, a whole list of hood anthems lined with his new saying that is taking the world by storm, HAAAAANNN!!! My favorite song on the album, besides "Freaks," would have to be "Gifted" featuring The Weeknd mostly because it sounds different from the rest of the tracks on the album.

All in all, it is a pretty good album. Most of the songs on the album have already been released with videos, so there are not many tracks that haven't already been heard. I am more of a fan of his Coke Boys mixtapes than this album to be honest. If you are feeling hesitant towards whether or not you should buy or download the album, preview the entire album at our website, only on WDKX.com!

Mackin' Burgers, Charles Ramsey Rewarded With Burgers For Life

Thu, 23 May 2013 09:01:00 EST

Ohio Hero Charles Ramsey will receive burgers for life in his hometown of Cleveland.

Ramsey has a burger named after him at the restaurant where he worked as a dishwasher, but dozens of eateries throughout the city felt a bigger tribute was in order.

Charles Ramsey will be given a "Chuck Card" when he arrives home from traveling.

For more on this story follow the link below:
http://www.foxnews.com/us/2013/05/23/ohio-kidnap-case-hero-big-mac-eater-charles-ramsey-gets-free-burgers-for-life/

Terror in London: Bloodied Attacker on Camera

Thu, 23 May 2013 09:11:00 EST

London (AP) - The British government's emergency committee has met today after yesterday's attack by two men near London's military barracks.

An active duty British soldier was killed.

One of the attackers went on video to explain the crime, waiving his bloodied hands with a meat cleaver near the body that lay in the street.

Police shot and wounded both suspects.

Prime Minister David Cameron says there are strong indications the attack was terrorism.

Source:Wham13