Irv Weinstein, the fast-talking, durable and popular television news anchor on both sides of the US-Canada border, has died at the age of 87 in California. Weinstein worked for WKBW for 34 years, much of it at a time when his newscast was more popular with Canadians than the few home-grown channels available here. Weinstein followed the urgent ABC local formula known as Eyewitness News. He uttered the same words — “Topping Eyewitness News tonight …” to begin every newscast. Also part of the Weinstein format was a public service one-liner which aired before the news began. “It’s eleven o’clock. Do you know where your children are?” He took credit for creating that line. Weinstein retired on Dec. 31, 1998, a day that was proclaimed “Irv Weinstein Day” in Erie County.
