How did the Bills find draft gems Christian Benford and Jackson Hawes? Key takeaways from the process
Buffalo Bills' late-round picks Christian Benford and Jackson Hawes have become significant contributors, thanks to the team's meticulous scouting process. Area scouts play a crucial role, particularly by valuing college coaches' opinions, as seen with Benford from Villanova and Hawes from Georgia Tech.
Scouts often make multiple visits to assess players' skills and character, as evidenced by Hawes' journey from Yale to Georgia Tech. Interviews are pivotal in evaluating late-round prospects, with scouts like Pete Harris emphasizing the importance of a player's motivations and character in predicting their success.
Read full article →
Playoff drought ended, and Sabres' social media team is celebrating. But they kept receipts
The Buffalo Sabres' social media team has seen a surge in engagement following the team's improved performance, culminating in a Stanley Cup
Playoffs appearance. Led by Alexi Spector and Anna Stolzenburg, the team creatively engages fans with game highlights, memes, and themed events like "Receipts Day," where past critiques are humorously addressed.
The team's efforts have led to significant growth in social media metrics, with impressions and engagements up by over 100% and 75%, respectively, compared to the previous season. As the playoffs continue, the team remains excited to capitalize on this momentum, enhancing fan interaction and support online.
Read full article →
Could a family feud result in Buffalo losing Hyatt's All Things Creative?
Peter Hyatt has filed a lawsuit in Erie County Supreme Court seeking to dissolve Hyatt's Graphic Supply, alleging mismanagement by family members who co-own the business. The dispute centers on claims that Greg Hyatt and his daughters have excluded Peter from company decisions and misappropriated profits.
The legal battle has been ongoing for two years, with previous lawsuits and court interventions. Despite Peter's call for dissolution, Greg Hyatt maintains that the company will continue to serve its customers. The parties are scheduled to appear in court on May 5.
Read full article →
Niagara Falls considers two local offers for Rapids Theatre
The Rapids Theatre in Niagara Falls may reopen by year-end, two years after closing due to legal issues with former owner John L. Hutchins. City officials are evaluating two proposals to redevelop the 1,750-seat venue, aiming for concerts and events by early fall. A decision is expected by the end of May.
This initiative is part of a broader effort to revitalize Niagara Falls' North End, supported by a $10 million state grant. The city also acquired 37 properties for redevelopment, focusing on new housing and commercial projects. Officials emphasize a proactive approach
to ensure timely development and community benefits.
Read full article →
High-impact tutoring partnership between Buffalo State, South Buffalo Charter helps elementary readers catch up
Kevin White, a first-grader at
South Buffalo Charter School, benefits from high-impact tutoring sessions with Callan Barber, a senior teacher candidate at SUNY Buffalo State University. This initiative, part of a collaboration with The Reading Institute, aims to address learning loss from Covid-19 and improve reading scores. The program employs a kit-based model called Reading Ready, developed by Katie Pace Miles, and is supported by the Bentzen Silverman Foundation and Heckscher Foundation for Children.
Buffalo State's teacher candidates, trained in this program, tutor elementary students in several local schools. The initiative provides personalized literacy support, fostering both student growth and teacher candidate development. Jennifer Reichenberg, an associate professor at Buffalo State,
highlights the mutual benefits, noting the rapport established between tutors and students. The program's success encourages tutors like Barber to consider further studies in literacy education.
Read full article →
