Latest News on our streets & in the nearby area

(If there is a tax issue, the IRS will mail you a letter.  NO phone calls.  NO emails)

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18886867096 Deposited a new message:

"Hi, this is Lisa calling from American Tax Professionals. Today is the 10th of June. I'm calling to follow up on missed tax filings or back taxes for the account linked to xxx-xxx-xxxx.  Programs are still available to bring filings current, waive penalties, and get relief or resolution from back taxes. These programs are only available during specific eligibility windows. Because these options are not guaranteed and may expire, we recommend speaking with us today. Please note this may be our only outreach regarding this matter. Please call us back today at 844-472-5420. Again, 844-472-5420. If you've already resolved this issue, you may disregard this message or call back using the number on your caller ID to opt out. Thank you."

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You can report a scam call like this to the IRS.  Go to IRS.gov for contact number.

"Hi, this is Amy with United Tax Consultants. It's Friday the 22nd. I'm reaching out to follow up on missed filings or outstanding tax balances for 716 xxx xxxx. Our goal is to get you placed in a program that can offer immediate relief and in many cases, complete resolution. We will bring filings current, get penalty relief, and get you qualified for a relief program. Because eligibility can change, we recommend you call us today so you don't miss the opportunity. Please be aware this may be our only attempt to reach you regarding this notice. You can reach us today at 888-481-8671. Again, 888-481-8671. If this has already been addressed, you may disregard this message or call back the number on your caller ID to opt out. Thank you."

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1. The IRS sends anything related to taxes via mail.

2.  If you get a notice, do NOT call the number in the letter (could be a scam, too).

3. Go to IRS.gov for the correct contact information.

2 teens caught on camera at about 11:00pm Saturday night on Cedar Road going up and down driveways checking for unlocked cars.

They were both wearing masks, so no good pictures on this camera to help identify them.

If your cameras captured any better pictures, call Cheektowaga Police at 911.

Keep your cars doors locked anytime your vehicle is in the driveway. Shut and lock your house and garage doors whenever you are in your back yards. Potential thieves will walk the streets looking for opportunities to run up your driveway and steal things while you are not able to see them.

BUFFALO, N.Y. — New York State Police arrested 10 teens over the weekend following three separate pursuits involving stolen vehicles in Western New York.

According to Troop A Public Information Officer Trooper James O'Callaghan, the incidents occurred between April 17 and April 18 and involved multiple law enforcement agencies, including Buffalo Police and Amherst Police.

The suspects — ranging in age from 13 to 17 — were all taken into custody and charged with multiple offenses, including criminal possession of stolen property and, in some cases, weapon-related charges. None of the teens had a valid driver's license.

All were issued appearance tickets and were released, pending further proceedings.

O'Callaghan said warmer weather often leads to an increase in car thefts, a trend already emerging this spring.

"These are crimes of opportunity," he explained. "We're seeing stolen cars traveling across communities within a roughly 35-minute radius of East Buffalo."

Police say the suspects typically travel in groups, often wearing masks and hooded clothing, moving slowly through neighborhoods while checking for unlocked vehicles or cars with keys left inside.

Authorities say many of the juveniles arrested are repeat offenders.

"We know these individuals," O'Callaghan said. "It's the same group cycling through — arrested, released, and then back out doing the same thing again."

He added that many of the teens are not regularly attending school and are using stolen vehicles to commit additional crimes, including drug and weapon offenses.

Beyond the criminal charges, officials stress the significant toll on victims.

"These vehicles are essential for people's daily lives — getting to work, taking care of family," O'Callaghan said. "When a car is stolen or damaged, it can be devastating."

Police report that many recovered vehicles are heavily damaged, sometimes totaled.

State Police are urging residents to take simple precautions:

Lock vehicle doors

Remove keys and key fobs

Stay alert for suspicious activity

"If you see unfamiliar cars slowly moving through your neighborhood or people checking door handles, call 911," O'Callaghan advised.

Authorities also warn that the situation could become more dangerous.

"These incidents aren't just happening at night," O'Callaghan said. "They can happen in the middle of the day, when homeowners may be present. There's always the risk of a confrontation."

Police say they will continue working with local departments and specialized units to combat the trend, but acknowledge challenges remain — particularly with repeat juvenile offenders and limited legal consequences.

"We enforce the law as it stands," O'Callaghan said. "But the bigger question is what happens after the arrest."

For now, officials say community awareness and prevention remain key as warmer weather approaches and car theft activity is expected to rise.

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Cheektowaga gains national attention after being ranked a top Northeast place to live, praised for its affordability and charm.

The Town of Cheektowaga is having a moment in the national and international spotlight.

Travel + Leisure magazine featured the Buffalo suburb in an article recently, after a Livability ranking named Cheektowaga as one of the top places to live in the Northeast. 

Cheektowaga was ranked #6 on their list.  Rochester was ranked 19, Buffalo 21, and Syracuse 22.  The top city in the Northeast according to the Livability ranking?  Clifton, New Jersey. 

"Cheektowaga is built on hardworking, blue-collar roots and offers a classically friendly suburb with affordable homes that make the sweet life accessible to most," Livability said about Cheektowaga. 

The magazine said Cheektowaga is getting attention for offering easy travel with Buffalo Niagara International Airport nearby, while still being just minutes from downtown Buffalo. At the same time, its competitive housing market and relatively affordable home prices are drawing buyers. Add in an active community with parks, programs, and local events, and more people are starting to take notice.

The article write-up was the topic of conversation when New York Governor Kathy Hochul came to town on Wednesday for a press conference on gun safety.  The governor mentioned how special Cheektowaga was to her. 

"I have to say a couple of things about Cheektowaga. It's the home of my husband. That was me decades ago, sitting there in Town Park watching him play softball, hoping he'd pay attention to me," the governor reminisced.  "I finally caught his eye, and we went out for a couple of drinks, you know, the bars in Cheektowaga. They're always fun. And we fell in love, fell in love a long time ago, and we've rekindled that for now, 42 years. And so, I, I thank, I thank Cheektowaga for giving me the best part of my life."

Click here to see the story

Internet Enabled Scams are when fraudsters use impersonation, urgency and emotional manipulation to trick you into sending money or disclosing sensitive information online. Common tactics include:

Pretending to be a trusted company, government agency or family member with a pressing financial need for money.

Presenting fake investment opportunities that supposedly offer huge returns with little or no risk involved.

Acting like someone interested in romance, gaining trust and then asking for money to cover various expenses

Help better protect yourself.

The good news is there are simple actions you can take to better protect yourself, including:

Verifying the source of a digital message by contacting the sender separately, not the phone number the potential scammer gives you to call.

Pausing before you click; don’t feel pressured to take a requested action.

Being cautious with online payments, especially crypto, wires and gift cards.

 This is a newer scam everyone needs to know about. A package you didn't order arrives, sometimes posing as a gift from an unknown sender. A QR code is inside the box with no other information. Do not scan the code. It's a trap to steal your information. Packages have been known to arrive from different services, including USPS, Amazon, and UPS.