A former state Department of Environmental Conservation engineer has accused the agency of retaliating against him for blowing the whistle on Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. in Niagara Falls over alleged underreporting of toxic air emissions, according to complaints filed in state and federal courts.The Town of Niagara has unveiled its 2027 budget proposal, which includes a property tax increase. Local officials say the adjusted rate will fund critical public infrastructure improvements and cover inflationary increases in operational expenses.Chippewa bar The Cowboy was closed by Buffalo Police after its owner, 72-year-old Alfred Castricone, allegedly stabbed someone before inadvertently stabbing himself on Oct. 2.Castricone was arrested Monday in connection with Friday’s stabbing that occurred on Friday.The New York Power Authority formally approved $1 million in economic development funds for Candlelight Curated’s modernization work.The 35th annual Niagara Cup Classic raised $40,253 to support Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center’s $56 million Capital Improvement Campaign.The Buffalo Sabres are back at KeyBank Center Tuesday night to face the Minnesota Wild in the first meeting of the season between the teams.