His lungs gave out. Nightmares kicked in. But he's home for his son's birthday

Ivan Gonzalez is home after being critically ill with Covid-19 at Buffalo General for a month. He got home in time for his son Milo's third birthday. With Ivan, center are his wife Colleen, left, and their four sons, Milo, 3, Fletcher, 16, Odin, 18 and Serge, 12. Photo taken, Monday, May 4, 2020 at their home in Buffalo. (Sharon Cantillon/Buffalo News)

Colleen Gonzalez waited in the lobby of Buffalo General Medical Center. She hadn’t seen her husband in 34 days. Nearly five weeks of wondering and hoping were about to end. Any minute, the elevator doors would open to reveal a nurse pushing Ivan Gonz…

Tue, May 5, 2020

Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz and Health Commissioner Dr. Gale Burstein deliver an update on Covid-19 in the county. (Derek Gee/News file photo)

Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo. (Mike Groll/Office of Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo/TNS)

New York State officials is visiting area nursing homes in light of the high percentage of nursing home deaths. (Robert Kirkham/News file photo)

What Covid-19's effect on the meat industry means for you

Jose Rivera, 65, of Lancaster, died at Catholic Health's dedicated Covid-19 treatment facility at the St. Joseph Campus on April 24, 2020. (Photo courtesy of Maureen Rivera)

A CT-scan of the mummy Artemidorus is part of "The Golden Mummies of Egypt" exhibition at the Buffalo Museum of Science, which closed with the museum on March 14 due to Covid-19. The exhibit's future is uncertain. (Mark Mulville/Buffalo News)

Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo has used his executive order powers to streamline state spending on Covid-19 response. (Mark Mulville/Buffalo News)

Medaille College’s board of trustees has given President Kenneth Macur unprecedented emergency powers to steer the college through fiscal strains during the coronavirus pandemic. (Robert Kirkham/Buffalo News)

Retired doctors Angel Gutierrez, right, and Elizabeth Zausmer volunteered to help with the pandemic response in New York City, where they volunteered at the Jacob Javits Center field hospital. (John Hickey/Buffalo News)

Judge Sheila DiTullio presides over a distance hearing on a screen using Skype at the Erie County Court house in Buffalo. (Mark Mulville/Buffalo News)

Brompton Heights adult home in Amherst. Assisted living facilities are calling on Albany to provide more materials and more money to help them deal with the Covid-19 outbreak.(Robert Kirkham/Buffalo News)

Friends and family who gathered at True Bethel Baptist Church for Joseph Earl Pitts' wake and funeral on Saturday, May 2, 2020, saw lines marked on the floor of the sanctuary every 6 feet. Seating was blocked off during the wake, to discourage people from staying. Only immediate family were allowed to attend the funeral service.

At the Catholic Health Covid-19 Treatment Facility at St. Joseph Campus on April 23, 2020, front line workers care for the most serious cases in the Catholic Health system. The hospital has been transformed to take care of only Covid-19 patients.

Medical staff diligently cares for Covid-19 patients at Buffalo General Medical Center on April 21, 2020. The hospital now has three wings that are Covid-19 ICU units.

A visit to ECMC on April 22, 2020, provides a glimpse into how medical staff cares for patients on a Covid-19 floor.

Veterans Administration Health Center in Buffalo. (Derek Gee/News file photo)

(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

James Roberts, owner of Toutant and Dobutsu, is trying to nurse his restaurants through the pandemic. (Sharon Cantillon/News file photo)

Restaurants confront bleak future and wonder what 'normal' might be Tue, May 5, 2020

No matter when dining rooms and bars finally open in coming months, the restaurant era you knew is over.

Buffalo native is contestant riding summer wave of reality shows Tue, May 5, 2020

National Fuel makes big deal to buy gas drilling sites that Pegulas once owned Tue, May 5, 2020

His lungs gave out. Nightmares kicked in. But he's home for his son's birthday Tue, May 5, 2020

Buffalo bid farewell to its man of letters 25 years ago today Tue, May 5, 2020

Fredonia man arrested for violating court order Mon, May 4, 2020

Batavia to freeze hiring on all open positions across the city Mon, May 4, 2020

State to begin visits, Covid-19 testing at area nursing homes Mon, May 4, 2020

Man and woman struck by gunfire in suspected targeted shooting

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Western New York is a beautiful place – and each day, Buffalo News photographers will bring you a photo to prove it. Our challenge is to look at things differently, to remind us all to slow down and enjoy our surroundings. Check back each morning to see our favorite image for the day. View the images in full screen for the most impact. – Cathaleen Curtiss, director of photography

Don’t say I didn’t warn you. Back on April 6 I wrote an article advising gardeners it was “too early to plant.” It still is, particularly THIS May. He…

Every day the photography staff at The Buffalo News is out taking photographs of Western New York's residents and visitors. These images regularly appear in our City and Region section. Out and About in Western New York will be updated regularly with these images. Please enjoy the photographs from April.

My father died 25 years ago today. He lived a quintessentially Buffalo life, from his beginning (in Black Rock) to his end (at Sisters Hospital). He c…

Fredonia man arrested for violating court order Mon, May 4, 2020

A Fredonia man was arrested by State Police after he was found as a passenger in the vehicle of a driver who had an order of protection against him. Troopers charged Brennen Rivera, 23, with second-degree criminal contempt after pulling the vehicl…

Man and woman struck by gunfire in suspected targeted shooting Mon, May 4, 2020

Morgan defendant Giacobbe placed under house arrest after drunken driving charge Mon, May 4, 2020

Covid-19 and incarceration: 'No such thing as 6 feet apart in prison or jail' Mon, May 4, 2020

Previously banned shoplifter accused of stealing from Walmart again Sun, May 3, 2020

Lewiston man accused of punching out screen at supermarket self-checkout Sun, May 3, 2020

Mortgage broker in fraud case seeks leniency after DWI, gun violations Sun, May 3, 2020

Family wonders why murder charge was suddenly dropped in shotgun slaying Sun, May 3, 2020

Ralph J. Monahan, 77, former Buffalo teacher could not get care in Florida, wife says Mon, May 4, 2020

Jan. 8, 1943 – March 26, 2020 Ralph J. Monahan of Arcade and his wife, Robin, spent winters in Boynton Beach, Fla., for about a decade. The retired Buffalo teacher was active there, serving as president of clubs, building sets for the local the…

John F. Downing Sr., 88, engineer, public works commissioner, deputy mayor Sat, May 2, 2020

Dorothy White, 90, bus driver and bookkeeper Fri, May 1, 2020

Dorothy J. Beauregard, crossing guard, secretary to Chevy plant manager Thu, Apr 30, 2020

Lawrence J. Sams Jr., 70, special agent for U.S. Customs Service Wed, Apr 29, 2020

Edward W. Miller II, 73, owned and operated Barron-Miller Funeral Home Wed, Apr 29, 2020

Richard T. Vallone Jr., 64, longtime attorney was 'loving and proud family man' Tue, Apr 28, 2020

Jim Yousett, 82, mechanic who helped motorists without money for repairs Tue, Apr 28, 2020

Dorothy Carlone, left, believes her 92-year-old mother, Maxine Schwartz, died of starvation at Absolut Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation at Aurora Park. (Sharon Cantillon/Buffalo News)

The pollsters over at Siena College in Loudonville continue to churn out a slew of fascinating statistics. Take their latest New York State matchup be…

Though the potential for mischief is greater than with in-person voting, millions of Americans have been voting by mail for years with virtually no pr…

For [BN] Blitz and Buffalo News subscribers

Former Panthers defensive end Mario Addison signed a three-year contract with the Buffalo Bills as an unrestricted free agent. (Getty Images)

New Buffalo Sabres forward Wayne Simmonds skates with his teammates at KeyBank Center. (Mark Mulville/Buffalo News)

Submissions can be emailed to outdoors@buffnews.com and should include name, hometown and particulars of the catch. One photo will be selected Catch of the Week and be published on the Thursday Outdoors page.

The members of the 2019-20 All-Western New York boys basketball team, as selected by The News with inputs from area coaches.

The All-Western New York girls basketball teams are selected by The Buffalo News with input from area coaches.

Miami Dolphins greats, left to right, Dan Marino Don Shula and Larry Csonka in 2014. (Getty Images)

Buffalo Bulls guard Ronaldo Segu (10) scores two points over Bowling Green Falcons guard Justin Turner (1) in the first half at Alumni Arena on Friday, Jan. 31, 2020. (James P. McCoy/Buffalo News)

David Bauer at National Fuel headquarters in Williamsville. (John Hickey/News file photo)

National Fuel makes big deal to buy gas drilling sites that Pegulas once owned Tue, May 5, 2020

National Fuel Gas Co. is doubling down on its natural gas drilling business in Pennsylvania. The Amherst-based energy company has agreed to a $500 million deal to acquire natural gas fields in northwestern Pennsylvania that Royal Dutch Shell purch…

Where is Bills' Sean McDermott in early Coach of the Year odds Tue, May 5, 2020

UB basketball guard Ronaldo Segu becomes part of viral dunk on TMZ Mon, May 4, 2020

With NFL schedule release set for Thursday, here are Bills' 2020 opponents Mon, May 4, 2020

Marv Levy, Thurman Thomas, other ex-Bills reflect on rivalry with and legacy of Don Shula Mon, May 4, 2020

Lance Cayea set for second tour of duty as Alden football coach Mon, May 4, 2020

New Bills DE Mario Addison's admiration for Buffalo goes way back Mon, May 4, 2020

Vote in the Prep Talk Girls Athlete of the Week Playoffs (Round 1) Mon, May 4, 2020

Sahlen Field was quiet on Friday, April 17, 2020, as the Buffalo Bisons' home opener was postponed due to Covid-19.

People wanting New York State to reopen protest in front of the Rath Building in Buffalo on Friday, May 1, 2020.

Nurses and other health providers spent Monday afternoon outside the Urban Family Practice on Jefferson Avenue conducting blood tests on Medicaid patients to see if they’ve already had the new coronavirus and now have antibodies. The work is part of a growing effort to make more testing available across the region for those who have symptoms or believe they previously might have had Covid-19.

Frank Giacobbe, right, enters federal court with his attorney for his arraignment in Buffalo on May 23, 2018. (Mark Mulville/News file photo)

National Fuel makes big deal to buy gas drilling sites that Pegulas once owned Tue, May 5, 2020

What Covid-19's effect on the meat industry means for you Mon, May 4, 2020

Morgan defendant Giacobbe placed under house arrest after drunken driving charge Mon, May 4, 2020

Gorman takes reins at Key amid economic upheaval Mon, May 4, 2020

List prices for homes hold steady nationwide amid pandemic Mon, May 4, 2020

Buffalo startup has high-flying idea to get arenas ready for sporting events Mon, May 4, 2020

Mortgage broker in fraud case seeks leniency after DWI, gun violations Sun, May 3, 2020

The region will stay in limbo without more Covid-19 testing Sun, May 3, 2020

Betsy Litzinger, 37, a paralegal with a Buffalo law firm, and her husband, John, 32, an accountant, are both working from their Hamburg home. Betsy has taken on the bigger role of being the teacher for Roman, 12- Landon, 7- Hayden, 5- and Paisley, 3. How does she balance parenting, school and her own work? "I set up a workstation in the playroom so when I am working I can keep an eye on them so they don't tear down the house," she said on a recent day.

Volunteers came together Thursday to help Eight Days of Hope, Feed Buffalo and local churches to bag groceries.

When we asked readers to share photos of how they have decorated the outsides of their homes in an attempt to spread cheer and encouragement, Western New Yorkers responded.

Florence Lumpkin turned 99 with a party outside her front window and a parade of cars on her street. Salvatore Buscaglia welcomed his 85th birthday from his porch, surrounded by family and friends - from a distance. And Sandy Starks, who turned 70 on Friday, was surprised by a parade of her friends and family. Families find ways to gather and still maintain social distance to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

Takeout margaritas and family-size taco kits will be the stars on this unusual Cinco de Mayo. (Sharon Cantillon/News file photo)

Camille Le Caer, middle, is pictured with the judges panel and Guy Fieri after winning a "Guy's Grocery Games" competition in the Discovery show's Season 23. (Photo courtesy of Food Network)

The menu at Unbridled Cafe offers eggs, omelettes, pancakes and waffles, sandwiches, soups and salads. A Friday fish fry rounds out the menu for now.

With the future of the live music industry unwritten and unclear at present, something interesting and unintended is occurring – a return to the album…