Latest news with #NFTA
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Yahoo
NFTA's Parks Adventure Bus is back for free trips to popular parks this summer
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Western New Yorkers looking to escape the city and explore the outdoors won't have to spend a dime this summer. The Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority's Parks Adventure Bus is back for its fourth season, offering free roundtrip rides to eight regional parks every Saturday through Aug. 9. The service is part of a collaboration between the NFTA, the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, the Erie County Parks Department, the Department of Environmental Conservation, and Congressman Tim Kennedy. 'It makes it very equitable for everyone to be able to see the great outdoors,' said Kelly Khatib, public information officer and communications manager for NFTA. 'It doesn't matter where you're from East Side, West Side, Cheektowaga, Hamburg, North Buffalo, South Buffalo, we want to make sure that everyone has the chance to enjoy these beautiful parks, and that it doesn't have to break the bank.' Buses depart from 181 Ellicott St. in downtown Buffalo with multiple departure times throughout the day, 8:30 a.m., 10:15 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1:15 p.m. and 3:15 p.m. Return trips from each park are scheduled between 11:10 a.m. and 6 p.m. Destinations include: Chestnut Ridge Park Fort Niagara State Park Reinstein Woods Nature Preserve Como Lake Park Beaver Island State Park Akron Falls Park Evangola State Park Emery County Park Each location offers something different from hiking and birdwatching to beaches and historic sites. Khatib said riders can 'choose their own adventure,' with new experiences every week. 'There's so much to explore at each park,' she said. 'If you go to Beaver Island, you're going to get a little bit of that sun and sand. If you go to Fort Niagara, you get a little history lesson with your park adventure.' Park staff are stationed at each destination to help guests make the most of their visit. 'When you show up to one of your Erie County parks on the bus, you'll typically find a little canopy with a table and a park ranger,' said Chuck Bartlett, supervising park ranger. 'They'll have information on what's available to do in that park, where to go, and help you get started on your adventure.' New this year is a ranger-led hike to the to one of the region's most iconic natural wonders. 'This year we've added an auxiliary stop at the Eternal Flame, and you'll be able to meet up with a ranger and do a guided hike,' Bartlett said. Last summer, more than 700 riders used the Parks Adventure Bus, and officials expect that number to grow as more residents and visitors discover the free service. 'It's not just for families or kids,' Khatib added. 'It's a chance for everyone to enjoy the beautiful parks we have here in Western New York.' More information and full schedules can be found here. Gwyn Napier is a reporter who joined the News 4 team in 2025. See more of her work by clicking here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Drivers compete for 'Best in Snow' at Annual Snowplow Rodeo
CHEEKTOWAGA, N.Y. (WIVB) — There might not be snow on the ground, but that isn't stopping plows from hitting the pavement on Wednesday at the Buffalo Niagara International Airport. The annual Snowplow Rodeo marks the final day of the International Aviation Snow Symposium, bringing drivers from around the world to compete for the title of 'Best in Snow'. The rodeo is more than just a contest, it's a way for snowplow operators to showcase precision, training and safety, giving them a chance to demonstrate the skills they've developed during the weeklong symposium. 'We've got a three-time champion on our hand, and we want to make sure that he keeps that title,' said NFTA Public Information Officer Kelly Khatib. 'Even though it's a lot of fun, it's about safety. We are an award-winning airport when it comes to snow removal and that's something that we're extremely proud of.' The Buffalo-Niagara International Airport has been hosting the Snow Symposium for 50 years. Chris McBride, a landscape supervisor and 2024 snowplow rodeo champion, told WIVB News 4 that dedication is the most important part of the job. 'In the wintertime we basically live here,' McBride said. 'We are committed to being here, and I mean that's the job. That's the main reason we are here is to make sure the place stay open for the traveling public, and your families can fly in and fly out safely.' Drivers go through an obstacle course with various plow backstops during the rodeo. Running over a cone counts as a penalty. Speed and time play a significant part in determining the winner. McBride's strategy for winning? 'Just try my best and hope that I'm the fastest,' he said. 'Get through fast and no penalties.' The rodeo serves as a celebratory end to the snow season, with plow operators from across the country heading home with new skills, sharper instincts and for one driver, the championship belt. Gwyn Napier is a reporter who joined the News 4 team in 2025. See more of her work by clicking here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
BBC News
18-02-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Buckinghamshire student wins Bafta for short film Rock, Paper, Scissors
A graduate who received a major film award has described the win as a "surreal".Franz Böhm studied at the National Film and Television School (NFTS) in Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire, after he moved to the UK from Germany. His film about the war in Ukraine, Rock, Paper, Scissors, won a Bafta for Best British Short Film."Being part of the Bafta ceremony is already such a dream, then when we had the enormous honour and pleasure of winning the award that was absolutely surreal," he said. "It was certainly an amazing atmosphere there, it was insane to be invited to the winners' bar. I tried to keep it cool, I had amazing people speak to me, and I was trying to act like it was every day business for me." The 20-minute short film is a war thriller based on the true story of a 17-year-old Ukrainian civilian named film was shot in the UK and featured a performance by Ukrainian actor Oleksandr Böhm wrote and directed the film during a two-year masters course on directing fiction."It was our graduation project... For the graduation film we do get a lot of support from the school itself, it is obviously a proper film and everything, but it was made during our time at the film school," he said."I think I did OK there, I certainly wasn't the best student of all." The winner of Best Short Animation, Wander to Wonder, was made by NFTA alumnus Nina former student, Nick Park, picked up two BAFTAs for Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most 2024, NFTA students triumphed in the British Short Animation and British Short Film categories for the films Crab Day and Jellyfish and director Jon Wardle said: "Winning BAFTAs for student work two years in a row speaks volumes about the creativity, dedication, and innovation of our students."The School continues to be a global leader in film and animation training, and we couldn't be prouder of the team for this outstanding BAFTA win. Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Yahoo
11-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
NFTA honors civil rights icon Rosa Parks during Black History Month
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — All month long, WIVB News 4 will be celebrating Black History Month. We're focusing on a special recognition from the NFTA, which is honoring legendary civil rights activist Rosa Parks. The NFTA is honoring Parks with a seat that's reserved for her. For the first time, on every bus and paratransit bus you'll find a sign that's located near the front honoring Rosa Parks and her contribution to the Civil Rights movement in her courageous actions in 1955 in the Montgomery Bus Boycott to not go to the back of the bus. It's a decision that cost her her freedom and her job. This is something that other transportation agencies are doing across the state in Albany and New York City as well. 'We've come a long way. African Americans have come a long way in this country,' said James Morrell, director of public transit for the NFTA. 'But I think what's more important is to make sure that we teach the younger kids what happened in the past — not just what they read, but some symbol. And I think this is a great symbol.' Returning again this year is the NFTA's Black History Month art contest, a platform given to local artists. Last month, the NFTA unveiled this year's winner, Jalen Law. Law's work will cover a bus all year long and can also be seen at bus shelters. 'We're trying to think of ways on how we could celebrate Black History Month in a really big way and also engage the community and we thought, you know what, we have some really great local artists here,' said Crystal Edwards, NFTA customer relations manager. Jeff Preval is an award-winning anchor and reporter who joined the News 4 team in December 2021. See more of his work here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
