Top Local Stories of 2009

BUFFALO, NY (WIVB) - As 2009 comes to an end, here's a look at some of the major local news stories that made headlines during the year.

On the evening of February 12, lives in western New York were changed forever when Continental Flight 3407 crashed into a house in Clarence Center, killing everyone on board and one man on the ground. >> read more

Heavy rains in early August caused some areas of the Southern Tier to experience severe flooding. The National Guard and FEMA were both called on to assist the cleanup. >> read more

The H1N1 virus, or "Swine Flu" was on everyone's mind in 2009. Some died from the outbreak and many swamped local clinics in order to receive a vaccination against the virus.  >> read more

Lt. Charles "Chip" McCarthy and Firefighter Jonathan Croom laid down their lives on August 24th answering the call of duty fighting a fire on Genesee St. in Buffalo. >> read more

Former 73-year old Congressman and Buffalo Bills Quarterback Jack Kemp died on May 2nd of cancer. >> read more

In November, the television show "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" selected a home on Massachutes Avenue in the Queen City to receive a makeover. Thousands of WNY residents volunteered to help in the effort. >> read more

Visible progress was made on downtown Buffalo's waterfront development projects. The Memorial Auditorium finally came down to make way for new retail and tourist destinations. >> read more

Actor Keanu Reeves came to Buffalo this winter to film scenes for his upcoming movie, "Henry's Crime". >> read more

Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown was caught up in a scandal involving former basketball star Leonard Stokes and his failed restaurant, One Sunset. > > read more

In order to stimulate the US auto industry, the "Cash for Clunkers" program provided refunds to consumers who traded in their older vehicles for more fuel efficient cars. >> read more

Internet media company Yahoo! unveiled plans to build a new data center in Lockport which will create 125 new jobs for the WNY area. >> read more