There are currently three cryptocurrency facilities now operational in Niagara Falls, New York. One of them, run by the company Blockfusion, which mines Bitcoin, gave a look inside their facility.

"Our company has more than 10,000 miners and more the 50 MW of clean power that is constantly running to mine cryptocurrency," said Alex Martini, the Chief Executive Officer of Blockfusion.

The New York-based company made its way to Western New York for one reason: Niagara Falls.

"We came to Niagara Falls to harness the power of the falls. It is one of the most powerful natural landmarks when it comes to hydropower...and our company, different from all the rest, uses as much renewable energy as possible. We're at about 90% at this point," said Martini.

Blockfusion says they want to embrace Western New York and shape the company with the community.

"We are here to work with Western New York, bring in jobs, industry, capital, and immerse ourselves in your community," said Martini.

The company has already hired over 60 Western New York residents and is actively looking for more talent, specifically graduating college students.

"Blockfusion will become Western New York. Let's work together," said Martini.

However, residents in the area have raised concerns about the volatility of cryptocurrency mining facilities. The Niagara Falls City Council said that at least 20 complaints have been filed against the extreme noise the facilities make. Those complaints have had a focus specifically on one U.S. Bitcoin facility in Niagara Falls.

"We don't believe those accusations apply to us, as we are not in a residential area...we will continue to work with local government and local ordinances," said Martini.

Due to the noise issue, Niagara Falls Mayor Rob Restaino issued a 180-day moratorium on new cryptocurrency development and facilities in the Falls.

In a statement the Mayor said:

This story was originally published by Ryan Arbogast of WKBW.

MILWAUKEE —

It looked like a geyser went off Thursday morning near 48th and Congress streets in Milwaukee.

As water spewed into the air, crews rush to turn off the water and start cleaning up.

"I looked out the window, and it was just water shooting across the street," said a witness who did not wish to be identified.

A towering column of water rained down on homes in this Lincoln Creek neighborhood Thursday morning.

News Chopper 12 out of Milwaukee captured the spectacle that neighbors witnessed from their doorstep.

"The water was shooting up, oh my God, as tall as the trees. And it was freezing," Becky Redmond-Walker said.

Water Works officials said the combination of cold temperatures and age likely caused the 1930s-era water main to burst, sending some area residents scrambling.

"We hurried up and ran to move our cars. The water came up to my ankles," a witness said.

Water Works monitors detected the break when there was a sudden drop in pressure in the part of the city.

City crews raced to shut off the water, impacting service to several homes and leaving behind an icy mess.

The sidewalks, the streets of the neighborhood now covered in ice.

"And the next thing you know, it built a mountain on the island full of ice from the water coming out and freezing. And the street, I couldn't tell where the street began and the island end," Redmond-Walker said.

Some drivers ignored the warning cones and rolled through the ice and flood-covered streets.

Department of Public Works crews brought in heavy equipment to start scooping and clearing the ice and salt trucks to treat the streets.

Neighbors said their homes and cars are ice-covered but not damaged.

But the sight of the water column is something they won't soon forget.

"And it was so amazing to see something like that. I felt like I was in Niagara Falls," Redmond-Walker said.

Some homes were still without water service at 5 p.m.

City crews were still at the scene, and a Water Works spokesman said repairs to the busted main were expected to take several hours.

NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. — The first full season of all electric-zero emission boat usage for the Maid of the Mist at Niagra Falls has been a brand new experience for Capt. Katiltynn McHenry.

"It's completely different," McHenry said. "There's definitely a learning curve if you've never worked on something like this before."

McHenry has been making history on the boats all season. After being hired in 2019, she's the first-ever female Maid of the Mist captain. It's something McHenry says she didn't know when she became a captain of the Maid of the Mist.

"And it only ever came up in conversation when I was trying to order uniforms one day and I said, ‘You know, where did the other women captain get their shirts from?’ They said, ‘I don’t think we’ve ever had a female captain before,'" said McHenry

She says it's never been a huge thought on her mind as she enjoys the job. The Maid of the Mist says there have been fewer than 50 captains since 1846 with many staying for 20 or 30 years.

"Kaitlynn has transitioned very well to our new all-electric, zero-emission vessels, and we are pleased she is part of our team of captains who expertly navigate Maid of the Mist vessels on the Niagara River every day," Maid of the Mist President Christopher M. Glynn said of McHenry.

As hundreds of tourists each day are flocking back to the boats following a down year in 2020 due to the pandemic, McHenry says she's still in awe of the natural wonder that is her office.

"If anything, I appreciate them a little more than I did before," McHenry says of Niagara Falls.

McHenry said she would love it if her being a captain could lead to more like her.

"Hopefully, one day, we can do a fully crewed boat by all women," McHenry said, "that would be a lot of fun."

For more information on the Maid of the Mist, check out the link here.

This story was originally published by Jeff Slawson at WKBW.