Leo's Pizzeria flourishes in East Aurora

By Jillian LeBlanc 

Montana Skimin makes a slice
pie for hungry customers at
Leo's Pizzeria in East Aurora
(Photo by Jillian LeBlanc)

Nearly four years ago, Leo’s Pizzeria gambled and opened a new location in East Aurora. In a village packed with restaurants - three of which are pizzerias - Leo’s was faced with tough competition. Despite initial reservations, owner Keith Leo pursued an opportunity and left the confines of South Buffalo to open his third store.

“I didn’t want to do it“ Leo said. “I hung up on the person. I said two stores are enough for me, I’m content, and I make OK money. Yet I kept coming back, and I ended up buying it.”

The first location on Seneca Street in South Buffalo is a tiny 600-square-foot shop which consists of a small takeout counter, with no seating.

The Buffalo News poorly reports the City Grill shooting

By Jillian LeBlanc 

The job of a journalist is tricky on a good day. There is a fine line one must walk in order to inform the public without offending the masses. The City Grill story printed by The Buffalo News failed to do just that.

A week after the City Grill shooting, the Buffalo News printed an article about the criminal records of the victims involved. With 7 of 8 victims having criminal backgrounds, Buffalo News reporters T.J. Pignataro and Patrick Lakamp raised sensitive questions.

While Pignataro and Lakamp went out of their way to prove that these individuals did not deserve this fate, the facts provided imply otherwise.

East Aurora police officer patrols the streets of his hometown

By Jillian LeBlanc 

Officer Cartwright looks upon a
patrol car outside the window.
(Photo by Jillian LeBlanc)

Steve Cartwright, 27, grew up on Girard Avenue in East Aurora, a street he now patrols in his police cruiser. Despite childhood desires to become a veterinarian, Cartwright chose a different path, one that required less rigorous schooling.

Cartwright started his police training early by taking criminal justice courses at BOCES in high school. From there, he went on to Hilbert College where he got his bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. After graduation, Cartwright was hired by the East Aurora Police Department (EAPD), which paid for his training at the New York State Police Academy.

Cartwright then began to study the law for the next six months, evaluating vehicle and traffic law, criminal procedural law, defensive tactics, firearms, DWI detection and testing, CPR, and first aid. After passing every test, Cartwright settled into his career protecting his hometown.