Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

As if a citywide power outage wasn’t enough for Bradford City Police to deal with on Tuesday, officers responded to a number of calls throughout the city. They received a report of an assault on West Washington Street and harassment on Congress Street, Chautauqua Place, South Avenue and Interstate Parkway. Officers also investigated a retail theft on West Washington Street, a report of criminal mischief on South Avenue, trespassing on Kennedy Street and a disturbance on South Center Street. Police also received an animal complaint from Jackson Avenue and a report of barking dogs on Amm Street, according to news releases sent by the police department.

A hearing for the Bradford man accused of drowning a woman and her infant daughter has been continued. 38-year-old Waide Nolf is charged with criminal homicide for the deaths of 24-year-old Tonya Haight and 3 ½-week old Tamara Haight on March 19 in the Pleasant Street house they shared with several other people. Nolf became angry with Haight and held her underwater in a bathtub, as she held the baby, according to papers filed in District Judge Dom Cercone’s office. Nolf is being held in McKean County Jail without bail.

Harrisburg – High levels of total dissolved solids pollution from natural gas drilling and other sources pose a real threat to Pennsylvania’s streams and rivers, including aquatic life, warned Department of Environmental Protection Secretary John Hanger today. “The treating and disposing of gas drilling brine and fracturing wastewater is a significant challenge for the natural gas industry because of its exceptionally high TDS concentrations,” said Hanger. “Marcellus drilling is growing rapidly and our rules must be strengthened now to prevent our waterways from being seriously harmed in the future.” Hanger pointed to recent examples where TDS impaired streams and affected major sources of drinking water. In 2008 and 2009, TDS levels exceeded drinking water standards along the Monongahela River, which is a major source of drinking water. Drinking water treatment plants do not have the equipment available to remove TDS, so any water polluted with TDS goes into Pennsylvania’s homes and b

Charges against one of the Bradford men accused of trying to break into Bradford Beverage last month have been bound to court following a preliminary hearing in front of District Judge Dom Cercone. 19-year-old Matthew Bundy is charged with conspiracy to commit burglary, conspiracy to commit theft, criminal trespass, disorderly conduct and underage drinking. Bundy and Matthew Burgess allegedly tried to break into the East Main Street business at around 4:30 a.m. on March 20.

The hearing for a man accused of having inappropriate contact with a teenage girl has been continued. 30-year-old Jonathan Baxter is accused of communicating with a 14-year-old over the Internet between February 1 and March 24, according to papers filed in District Judge Dom Cercone’s office. Baxter is accused of sending instant messages to the girl describing the sexual contact he would like to have with her.

A man accused of sending a sexually explicit video to a teenage girl has waived his preliminary hearing. 20-year-old James Cornman III is charged with obscene and other sexual materials, and corruption of minors. The mother of a 16-year-old girl said she had told Cornman in the past that she didn’t want him to have contact with the girl or anyone else in her family. But last month, she found two e-mails from Cornman in her daughter’s account, according to papers filed in District Judge Rich Luther’s office. One e-mail included pictures of Cornman and the 16-year-old. The other included a video showing Cornman dancing. In the course of the video, he undressed and exposed his genitals. The mother forwarded the e-mails to her own e-mail account, deleted them from her daughter’s account and contacted Bradford Township Police.

The Jake’s Rocks Overlook on the Allegheny National Forest will be closed to the public beginning immediately due to construction and maintenance work being performed at the site. Jake’s Rocks is scheduled to re-open to the public on Saturday, April 17th. The Rimrock Overlook will be open for the summer season beginning Friday, April 9th. The Bradford Ranger District can be reached at (814) 363-6000 if you have additional questions.

An inmate at the Potter County Jail is facing additional charges after being found with marijuana in the jail. State police say 33-year-old David Dailey of Galeton was found to be in possession of suspected marijuana between March 24 and March 31. Police are continuing their investigation.

A Stockton man has been charged for breaking into a pizzeria in January. 21-year-old year-old Cody Gibbons is accused of entering Nordy's Pizza in Cassadaga through the back door on January 24 and stealing a large sum of money. Chautauqua County Sheriff’s deputies say Gibbons became the prime suspect in the break-in, and he later confessed. He was arraigned Monday on charges of burglary and grand larceny and released to the custody of probation officers

Sheriff's deputies have identified the woman who was found dead inside a Brocton, New York, home on Friday. The body of 50-year-old Jaylyn Coon was found after police got a call from inside the house. An autopsy was performed at ECMC in Buffalo on Saturday, but Chautauqua County Sheriff Joe Gerace says the results weren't conclusive, so they still don't know how Cooon died. He said they're still waiting for results from toxicology tests, and they may not be available for 6 to 8 weeks. The sheriff's office, its forensic team and the district attorney's office are all involved in the investigation.

By ANNE HOLLIDAY WESB/WBRR News Director Governor Ed Rendell says he will call a special session of the General Assembly to address transportation funding following the federal government’s refusal to allow Pennsylvania to toll Interstate 80. Tuesday's decision by the U.S. Department of Transportation to deny Pennsylvania’s application to toll I-80 will significantly reduce transportation funding, Rendell said. "We have to deal with the fallout of this decision; there is no way that we can just do nothing," Rendell said. "I’m going to call a special session of the legislature to address our transportation challenges. We’ll look at every option on the table. This is a dire situation with significant consequences." He said he'll meet with Legislative leaders to decide on a time for the special session. One of those leaders, Lt. Governor and Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati, said he's pleased with the decision by the highway administration, but agr

Two students in the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford’s computer information systems and technology program have won first place for Web site design in Microsoft Corp.’s Imagine Cup 2010 competition. Ceegan Danielson, a freshman from Lewis Run, and Melissa Lupole, a senior from St. Marys, will split a cash prize of $2,000. The two said they learned about the nationwide contest from Dr. Ken Wang, assistant professor of computer information systems and technology, during the course Introduction to Web Programming. With a few weeks of class under their belts, the two students decided to pair up and take on the challenge of entering the nationwide contest. Imagine Cup is a Microsoft-sponsored student technology competition in which students use Microsoft products to compete in a variety of categories, including Web site design, software design, development for embedded devices, game design, digital media and an IT challenge. S

An Olean man is in jail after being accused of breaking into a house in Hinsdale. Cattaraugus County Sheriff's deputies say 19-year-old Eric Nellis broke into the McMahon Road house in August. He was arrested on Friday. After being arraigned on a charge of second-degree burglary, he was sent to the county jail on $5,000 bail.

A Salamanca woman is facing charges for letting a 12-year-old drive her car. Police say that on Saturday afternoon 35-year-old Danette Buffalo allowed the 12-year-old to drive the car on the road and in a yard with another 12-year-old and two 6-year-olds in the car. Buffalo is charged with four counts of endangering the welfare of a child. She'll appear in Salamanca City Court on Friday.

A Salamanca man is facing charges following a crash on Route 219 in Lewis Run at 6 o'clock this morning. In a fax sent to WESB and The HERO, state police say a car driven by 21-year-old Dillon Pennell crossed the center line and traveled off the shoulder of the road, where it hit mail boxes. It continued traveling on the shoulder of the road before hitting an embankment, which caused disabling damage. Police arrested Pennell for driving under the influence. He wasn't hurt in the crash.

Bonnie Kratzer, left, and Amber Johnson from Home Health and Hospice at Charles Cole Memorial Hospital stand on the capitol steps after being invited to meet with state legislators in Harrisburg recently. Their visit was arranged by Pennsylvania Home Care. Kratzer said they were very receptive to their thoughts related to home care, PDA waivers and hospice. They represented Potter, McKean, and Tioga counties. “It was an amazing day,” Kratzer said. ( Photo provided by Charles Cole Memorial Hospital )

The price of a barrel of Penn Grade crude oil is back over $80 again. The price American Refining Group is paying today is $80.50, according to an e-mail sent to WESB and The HERO from ARG. That's up $2 from yesterday's price and up $34 from the price they were paying last year at this time. The last time oil was in the $80-a-barrel range was October of 2008.

A raccoon, not weather, caused this morning's power outage in the City of Bradford. Penelec spokeswoman Linda Routzhan tells WESB and The HERO the raccoon came in contact with a circuit breaker on a high voltage supply line at around 5:30 this morning. Penele crews were able to "do some switching and back feed all customers." Power was restored about about 6:45 a.m. Crews are checking out the circuit breaker to make sure everything can run normally. About 2,300 customers were affected.

Power has been restored in the City of Bradford, but some Smethport and Warren County Penelec customers are still without power. At one point, about 800 customers in Bradford didn't have power. We'll have more information about the outages as soon as possible.

Power has been restored in some parts of the City of Bradford. At one point, about 800 customers were without power and a number of traffic lights in the city weren't working. We'll have more information about the outage as soon as possible.

A carelessly lit candle is being blamed for a fire that extensively damaged a four-story building in Fredonia Monday night. In an e-mail sent to WESB and The HERO, Chautauqua County Sheriff's deputies say that the fire was discovered on the second floor at just before 9 p.m. The fire eventually spread to the third and fourth floors of the building at 5 East Main Street. The first floor housed a Blue Wireless store. The remaining floors housed 10 apartments. All of the occupants were able to get out of the building without injury.

Police are looking for a Colorado man they believe stabbed a 29-year-old Emporium man outside the My Place Bar early Sunday morning. 42-year-old Miguel Rivera is wanted for attempted criminal homicide and related offenses. Police say after Rivera stabbed the other man twice in the abdomen with a pocket knife he left the scene in a blue ford pickup truck with Utah license plates. They say Rivera had been living and working in the Emporium area. The victim was trying to break up a fight when he was stabbed. Police didn't identify him, but did say he was hospitalized Sunday and Monday.

About 800 customers are without power in the City of Bradford. Traffic lights at a number of intersections, including Davis and Main, and East Main and Kendall Avenue, are not working. Special police are directing traffic at some of those intersections. The outage also set off alarms at a number of businesses. Penelec has been notified, but they're not sure when a crew can get here. We'll have more information as it becomes available.

A state police fire marshal says an ashtray with cigarette butts that was emptied into a plastic garbage can with papers in it caused the fire at 11 South Center Street Monday morning, according to a fax sent to WESB and The HERO. The fire gutted the living room, but the rest of the building had only smoke and heat damage. 43-year-old Gail Button was not home at the time of the fire. Damage is estimated at $120,000. The Bradford City Housing Authority owns the property.

By ANNE HOLLIDAY WESB/WBRR News Director Changes will be coming to one of the busiest spots in McKean County. Shults Auto Group has applied for demolition permits for the former Rink Brothers property on East Main Street. Foster Township Supervisor Jim Connelly Jr. said during Monday night's meeting that they haven't applied for any building permits yet, though. He did say he's heard "a few things" concerning what they're going to put in there, but hasn't heard it from a Shults representative yet. "I've said for years that corner down there .. is one of the most valuable pieces of real estate that we have in McKean County," Connelly said. He added that the Shults businesses are "good neighbors and I'm sure they're going to put something in there that's going to be a good addition to Foster Brook." Connelly did say they are moving their dealership from South Avenue to East Main Street, adding that First Street residents a

A stripped-down version of William Shakespeare’s shortest tragedy will be performed this week at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford. The Division of Communication and the Arts will present “Macbeth” at 7:30 p.m. April 8, 9 and 10 and 2 p.m. April 11 in the Studio Theater in Blaisdell Hall. Tickets are $6 for the public and $2 for students, and the performance is part of the university’s Spectrum Series. “We’ve made it even leaner and more intense, and the student cast is attacking it with great speed and even greater heart,” said Dr. Kevin Ewert, associate professor of theater at Pitt-Bradford. “The Studio Theatre is set up in a modified thrust arrangement, with the audience close to the action. You might call it ‘Chamber Shakespeare.’” Composed by Shakespeare in the early 1600s, the tragedy follows Macbeth’s ill-fated, ill-advised attempt to be king of Scotland. “Shakespeare’s play tells the story of a man who, in order to gain a little bit of power, finds himself killing his fr

Fire gutted the living room of a two-story housing unit at 11 South Center Street this morning. Bradford City Fire Department Captain Larry Visbisky tells WESB and The HERO they got a 911 call at 11:04 a.m. saying there was smoke coming from a building at Barbour and South Center streets. He says Fire Chief Boo Coder was the first person on the scene, and verified that there was smoke and fire coming from the building. Tower One was next on the scene. Firefighters were able to keep the fire contained to the living room area. "They stopped it right in the living room," Visbisky says. "It was going pretty good. It was a good stop." The rest of the building had smoke and heat damage. Resident Gail Button was not home at the time of the fire. A state police fire marshal has been called in to complete the investigation. 11 men were on the scene for an hour. Bradford Township stood by at their station.

to us! WESB turns 63 today.

A Coudersport woman is facing assault charges following an incident early Saturday morning at the Northwood Tavern. In a fax sent to WESB and The HERO, state police say 28-year-old Jaimi Bonczar of Coudersport and 27-year-old Janelle Kelley of Coudersport were standing outside the bar when 27-year-old Stacey Taubert came out and engaged in a verbal altercation with Bonczar. Police say Taubert then hit Bonczar several times, causing her to fall to the ground. Kelley was hurt when she tried to stop the fight. Bonczar and Kelley were treated for cuts and bruises at Charles Cole Memorial Hospital, then released. Police say Taubert will be charged with simple assault, harassment and disorderly conduct.

Two St. Marys residents are dead following a collision between a pickup truck and a motorcycle Saturday afternoon. 50-year-old Irene Sorg died at Elk Regional Health Center. 50-year-old Joseph Michuck II was flown to UPMC in Pittsburgh, where he died. In a fax sent to WESB and The HERO, St. Marys Police say that at 3:30 on Glen Hazel Road Michuck's motorcycle was going around a curve, when it cross the center line and traveled into the path of the pickup, driven by 51-year-old Michael Pearsall of St. Marys. Michuck and Sorg were thrown from the bike. Pearsall and his passenger, Jacqueline Pearsall, were not hurt. Both vehicles were severely damaged. Police were assisted by the Crystal Fire Department, St. Marys Area Ambulance Service, DCNR, the state Fish and Boat Commission and PennDOT.

Emporium Police are investigating a stabbing incident that reportedly happened early this morning. The incident happened at about 2:30 a.m. at the My Place Bar on East Allegheny Avenue in the borough. We'll have more information as it becomes available.

This little girl waits for her family outside St. Bernard Church as Father Leo Gallina greets parishioners following the 10 a.m. Easter Sunday Mass. ( Photos by Anne Holliday )

State Police Fire Marshal Greg Agosti has ruled that the fire that destroyed a School Street apartment building on Saturday was accidental. In a fax sent to WESB and The HERO he also had some updates and additional information about the residents of the building. The occupants of 77 School Street were 34-year-old Samantha Silvis and a 6-year-old boy. The residents of 77 1/2 School Steet were 28-year-old Amy Nelson, 25-year-old Clifford Bell, a 6-year-old girl, a 9-year-old boy and a 12-year-old girl. The resident of 79 School Street was 21-year-old Latdior Williams. The resident of 79 1/2 School Street was 21-year-old Marcus Vance. Three of the four apartments were occupied at the time of the fire, but everyone managed to get out safely. They're being assisted by the Red Cross. Agosti says two Bradford City firefighters were treated at Bradford Regional Medical Center for smoke inhalation, then released. Damage is estimated at $300,000. Demolition, which is being handled by owner B

After a brief hiatus Sunday Book Talk is back -- and back big. This week's guest is award-winning and best-selling author Lisa Scottoline. You can listen to the show here . To listen to an excerpt from "Think Twice," go here . To learn more about Lisa and her books, go to Scottoline.com .

The Asbury United Methodist Church on East Main Street is getting decorated for Easter Sunday. ( Photo by Anne Holliday )

Someone stole a 2006 Yamaha ATV from Mefferts Run Road in Jones Township. In a fax sent to WESB and The HERO, state police say the vehicle was stolen sometime between midnight and 8:45 a.m. Friday. The owner is 25-year-old Brandon Malinky of Wilcox. The value of the vehicle is $5,000.

While Bradford City firefighters were battling the stubborn blaze on School Street, other firefighters were dealing with wildfires on Saturday. Fires were reported at the Bradford Gun Club as well as on Sartwell Creek Road in Pleasant Valley Township and on Stamp Brooke Road in Hamlin Township. Port Allegany, Kane, Mount Jewett, Roulette and Austin fire departments were among those that responded. In Clarion County, the forestry department used air tankers to help fire a large wild fire.

By ANNE HOLLIDAY WESB/WBRR News Director No people were hurt, but at least one dog died in stubborn apartment house fire on the corner of School and North Center streets Saturday morning. The building is owned by Bradford Rentals LLC and had four apartments. The residents were Marcus Edward Vance; Samantha Silvis; Latdior "Lamar" Williams; and Curtis Glenn, 6-year-old Shelby Nelson, 9-year-old Brent Nelson, 12-year-old Jesse Renner and 16-year-old Kenny Parris. The American Red Cross is assisting them. Bradford City Fire Department Lt. Mike Cleveland said at least one dog, possibly more, died in the blaze. He said two cats were also missing, but one was found alive later. The first call went to the fire station at about 10:55 a.m., and the building was fully engulfed in flames when they arrived. They got called back twice for re-kindles, and got back to the station the third time at 7:10 p.m. At around 11:15 a.m. as firefighters were shooting water at the flames, thick smoke

At around 4 p.m. Bradford City firefighters were still putting out hot spots at what's left of the building at the corner of School and North Center streets. The fire was reported at just before 11 a.m. Firefighters were back at the central station at around 5 p.m. Update: Firefighters were back on the scene at about 6:45 p.m. ( Photo by Anne Holliday )

Bradford City and Bradford Township firefighters are still at the scene of a fire across the street from School Street Elementary School. Smoke was still coming from the buildng at the corner of School and North Center streets as of 1:30 p.m. Flames were coming from the building when firefighters got the call at about 10:55 a.m. We have unconfirmed reports that the fire started in the kitchen of one of the apartments. Bradford Township firefighters protect the house next door to the fire site. Former Bradford City Fire Chief Bill McCormack and former city councilman Tom Shay were on the scene, as was Mayor Tom Riel. Bradford City Police and Special Police controlled traffic. ( Photos by Anne Holliday )

( Photos by Anne Holliday )

Bradford City firefighter Butch Kreiner shoots water onto flames shooting from the roof and back of a multi-family apartment building on the corner of School Street across the street from the elementary school. Below, other firefighters try to douse the flames coming from the front of the building. A neighbor tells us the building has four apartments in it, but she believes everyone got out safely. A friend of one of the residents tells us that at least one family pet died in the blaze. The fire was reported at about 10:55 a.m. Flames and thick smoke were still billowing from the building at 11:30 a.m. We'll have more information as it becomes available. ( Photos by Anne Holliday )

Bradford City Police started the holiday weekend by answering a variety of calls throughout the city. They responded to a vehicle complaint on Cornen Streete, a juvenile complaint at a West Washington Street restaurant, and noise complaints on Charlotte Avenue and Summer Street. Officers also responded to disturbances on South Avenue and Interstate Parkway, a fight on Main Street and a report of a suspicious person on Lorana Avenue. They also responded to motor vehicle accidents on Forman, Main and East Main streets. Police also received reports of illegal dumping on Bedford Street and a disabled vehicle on Jackson Avenue, according to news releases sent by the police department.

John Forsythe, probably best known for his portrayal of Blake Carrington onTV's "Dynasty" and the voice of Charlie on "Charlie's Angels," died Thursday at his Santa Ynez home after a year-long battle with cancer. He was 92. Read more here .

A firefighter suffered a minor injury while battling a blaze in Corsica Wednesday morning. A fax sent to WESB and The HERO by State Police Fire Marshal Greg Agosti of the Ridgway barracks says he and the Corsica Fire Department investigated the origin and cause of a fire that damaged a two-story house at 3395 Asbury Road. The owner, 38-year-old John Glenn, was not home when the fire started. When he returned home at around 8:30 a.m. he found the kitchen on fire. He fought the fire with a garden hose until Corsica and Strattenville firefighters arrived. The injured firefighter was treated at Brookville Hospital, then released. The fire, which was determined to be accidental, was contained to the kitchen area and did about $25,000 worth of damage.

A 12-year-old was rescued and a firefighter was hurt during a fire in Strattenville early Wednesday morning. A fax sent to WESB and The HERO by State Police Fire Marshal Greg Agosti of the Ridgway barracks says he and the Srattenville Fire Department investigated the origin and cause of the blaze that damaged the two-story home at 510 Main Street at 12:25 a.m. Andrew and Lori Rawson are the owners of the house. The fire broke out while the family was asleep. The 12-year-old was rescued from a second floor window. The child and one adult were taken to Clarion Hospital for treatment of smoke inhalation. One firefighter was treated for a minor arm injury, then released. The fire, which was determined to be accidental, damaged about 35 percent of the house. The entire house had smoke, water and heat damage. Damage is estimated at $120,000.

16-year-old Joe Frederick carries the cross from the First United Methodist Church to the First Presbyterian Church during the annual Good Friday Cross Walk. More than 300 people participated in the event. Other churches along the walk were St. Bernard, the First Baptist, Church of the Ascension, Grace Lutheran and the First Free Methodist. Ministers speaking on the topic "Transformed by the Cross" during the stops at the churches were the Rev. Lee Beckes, Father Leo Gallina, the Rev. Mary Houck, the Rev. Phil Palutro, the Rev. Dennis Swineford, the Rev. Mike McAvoy and the Rev. Dave Bunnell. ( Photo by Anne Holliday )

Police are looking for the woman who stole a vacuum cleaner from a St. Marys store. In a fax sent to WESB and The HERO, state police say that at about 9:50 a.m. a woman went into Burkes True Value store on Million Dollar Highway, removed a Hoover Wind Tunnel Self-Propelled Vacuum from its display and put it in her cart. She then left the store without paying for the vacuum cleaner and left the scene in a blue two-door car. The cost of the vacuum cleaner is $240.

A Milton, PA, man suffered neck injuries in a crash at 11:30 Friday morning on Route 144 in Abbott Township. In a fax to WESB and The HERO, state Police say a motorcycle operated by 47-year-old Bryon Anspach was going around a curve when it went toward the shoulder of the road that had silt and gravel on it. The bike went out of control and slid about 30 feet before the front tire hit a ditch. Anspach was thrown from the bike and rolled about 18 feet past it. He was flown to Geisinger Medical Center in Danville. Police note that he was wearing a helmet.

An Elk County Bank is being cited for having more than 3 false alarms in a 12-month period. In a fax sent to WESB and The HERO, state police say First Commonwealth Bank on Route 255 has been charged with Control and Automatic Dialing Devices. The last incident happened at 2:08 a.m. Thursday.

A Dunkirk man is facing charges following a road rage incident Friday night. In an e-mail to WESB and The HERO, sheriff's deputies say that at 11:20 p.m. they received a road rage complaint that allegedly happened on Route 5 between Dunkirk and Sheridan. Sheriff's deputies say they were able to locate the vehicle and made a traffic stop. During the course of the investigation, they discovered that 32-year-old Dennis Wallace was driving while his driving privileges in New York state were suspended. Wallace was taken into custody and then later released with appearance tickets.

Sheriff's deputies are investigating a death of a Brocton woman who was found inside her home Friday afternoon. They were called from inside the house about the death of the woman who is in 40s. They didn't release any further information about the woman. Sheriff Joe Gerace says there were no obvious indications as to the cause of death, and an autopsy will be performed as soon as possible.

A Clarendon man escaped injury, but he's facing charges following an accident at just before 5 o'clock this morning on Route 59, about a mile west of Route 219 in Lafayette Township. In a fax sent to WESB and The HERO, state police say the car driven by 21-year-old David Littlefield traveled off the road, went off the berm and down a steep embankment. The car then traveled about 120 feet through a brush field before coming to rest. Police say Littlefield and his passenger, 40-year-old Wendy Littlefield of Clarendon, were attempting to leave the scene. After further investigation, they determined that David Littlefield was driving under the influence and arrested him. The car was towed from the scene.

Apparently closing some state parks and cutting back services and hours at others isn't enough for New York State. The Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation has announced fee increases. They include raising the price for vehicles to enter about half of the state's parks, including Letchworth; raising fees at golf courses; and a new surcharge to campers who come from out of state. Parks officials estimate the new fee structure will bring in an additional $4 million to the state, but say that's not enough to offset the previously announced cutbacks. http://www.nysparks.com/newsroom/press-releases/release.aspx?r=781

Bears are out of hibernation and hanging around Lincoln Avenue again. Bradford City Police received their first bear complaint of the season Thursday morning. Officers also got a report of trespassing on Petrolia and Pleasant streets, harassment on Summer and East Main streets and noise on Walker Avenue. They looked into a report of a burglary on Main Street, shoplifting at a downtown store and criminal mischief on Clinton Street. They assisted the dog warden on South Avenue and looked into a report of a lost dog on West Corydon Street. Police also responded to disturbances at a Mechanic Street business and on Congress Street, several vehicle complaints throughout the city and juvenile complaints on Roberts and Mechanic streets. They also received a report of a suspicious vehicle on Euclid Avenue, suspicious people on Jackson Avenue and High Street. They removed an unwanted person from Brookline Court, according to news releases sent from the police department.

A Smethport man is accused of not keeping proper records at his business. In a fax to WESB and The HERO, state police say 43-year-old Russell Shunk failed to maintain records of vehicle sales at Shunk's Auto Sales on Route 6 in Keating Township. Police listed the date of the incident as February 5 at 11:45 a.m.

Representatives from the Cameron County Family Center’s Share the Love program visited Charles Cole Memorial Hospital’s Long Term Care residents to deliver Easter cards this week. Program organizers Kris Fapore and Sissy Miller deliver holiday cards throughout the year and also visit residents at the Guy and Mary Felt Manor, Grove House, and Elk Regional Medical Center. Pictured, from left, are Ruth Lentz, Sissy Miller, and Rachel Hile. ( Photo courtesy of Charles Cole Memorial Hospital )

A Jamestown woman is accused of pushing an infant into the path of police officers who were conducting a drug raid on her her home. Members of the Southern Tier Regional Drug Task Force say they were trying to get into the home at around 6:30 last night when 26-year-old Jenny Martinelli pushed the baby in front of them. In the search, police found about half a pound of marijuana, scales, packaging materials and more than $1,400 in cash. Martinelli is charged with obstructing governmental administration and endangering the welfare of a child. She and 26-year-old Jeffrey Martinelli are charged with criminal possession of marijuana and criminal use of drug paraphernalia. Jeffrey Martinelli is also charged with criminal sale of marijuana. They're both in Jamestown City Jail.

State College, Pa. -- AccuWeather.com reports maple syrup producers in the Northeastern part of the country faced paralyzing blizzards this winter, inhibiting the tapping of some trees. The colder-than-average temperatures into early March prevented up to 2 feet of snow from melting in places like Meadville, Pa., which is located near the heavy lake-effect snow city of Erie. It became impossible for syrup producers to make it into the woods, and in many instances tappers got stuck even when using ATVs or snowmobiles to maneuver. Some producers chose not to tap this season, but others did so later than usual. "We tapped much later into the season than is normal for us," said Clair Grove of Groveview Farm in Hesston, Pa. "After the second February blizzard, the roads were shut. We just couldn't make it into the woods." The tapping season, which generally begins in February and wraps up no later than the beginning of April, was pushed back significantly for tapper

The Bradford Water Authority is working on a problem on Boyer Avenue, off East Main Street. At around 4:30 this morning, police received a report of water in the road in the area. The McKean County 911 Center contacted representatives of the water authority, who are now on the scene.

New York Governor David Paterson may not call for a special election to fill the seat left vacant by former Congressman Eric Massa. Last month, Paterson said he would call for the election as soon as possible. But now he says he may not call for the election because of the financial impact it would have at the county level. In a news release, he says the Southern Tier counties that Massa represented are facing the same fiscal crisis the state is facing. Without a special election, the district would be without representation in the House until January.

A Clarendon man has pleaded guilty to statutory sexual assault. 21-year-old Tyler Depto had sex with two underage girls last summer and fall. The incidents happened in Mead and Sheffield townships.

For the second time this week, Sheriff's deputies arrested a teenager for having drugs at Pioneer Central School. In an e-mail to WESB and The HERO, deputies say that on Wednesday afternoon a student they didn't identify was charged with selling Adderall to another student. Adderall is used to treat narcolepsy and attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder. The student is being held in a facility in Buffalo. On Wednesday morning, Sheriff's deputies arrested 17-year-old Anthony Calcaterra of Chaffee, New York, at the school on two counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance.

Senator Catharine Young (R,C,I – Olean) was proud to participate with Seneca Nation officials and members of the local American Legion to present the New York State Medal for Merit to World War II veteran and past President of the Seneca Nation George Heron.  “As a member of the United States Navy, George Heron gave several years of his life in service to our country. Like all veterans, he is deserving of our respect and gratitude. I am pleased to congratulate George on earning this honor and thank him for his dedicated and distinguished service,” said Senator Young. “I am also honored to call Mr. Heron my friend. He is a pillar of the community who has earned our respect and gratitude for all of his accomplishments,” Senator Young added. Mr. Heron enlisted in the United States Navy in November of 1941 and served until his discharge in 1945. He achieved the rank of pharmacist mate first class during the war and was assigned to the United States Navy Amphibious Forces in ca

Joan Pessia (left) and Aldene Brocious, both residents of The Pavilion at BRMC, were among 20 other Pavilion residents who spent Thursday afternoon coloring 10 dozen Easter eggs for The Friendship Table in Bradford, a center for fellowship and food for all members of the community. The Pavilion, adjacent to Bradford Regional Medical Center, is a 95-bed facility which provides long-term care to residents and also short-term restorative care to post-surgical patients. For more information about The Pavilion, call 362-8293 or go online at www.brmc.com . ( Photo courtesy of BRMC )

BUFFALO, NY – Youcef Rustum, PhD, Distinguished Member, Pharmacology and Therapeutics, department of Cancer Biology at Roswell Park Cancer Institute (RPCI), has been awarded a grant by the National Cancer Institute to study curaxins, novel multifunctional anticancer agents that came out of a collaborative drug discovery program between researchers of RPCI and Cleveland BioLabs, Inc. (CBLI). Inactivation of the tumor suppressor p53 is frequently found in many types of cancer. Constitutive activation of pro-survival pathway NF-kappaB is another common property of tumor cells. This is commonly associated with poor response to chemotherapy and thus decreased survival chances. Curaxins are a novel class of multifunctional anticancer agents that simultaneously target p53 and NF-kappaB, causing their activation and suppression, respectively. The study will aim to select a lead curaxin for development through the side-by-side evaluation of efficacy and pharmacodynamics in assisting p53 to “t

Second-year nursing school students who are residents in a four-county area can now apply for two $2,000 scholarships being offered by the Bradford Hospital Auxiliary. Along with McKean County, the eligible scholarship area includes students from Potter, Cameron and Elk counties. The scholarship applications are available at HeartStrings Gift Shop in the Outpatient Services Center lobby of Bradford Regional Medical Center (BRMC) and also in the nursing and financial aid departments of the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford and Jamestown Community College in Olean. The application forms can also be downloaded by going to www.brmc.com. April 23 is the deadline to submit the applications. “Along with being a second-year nursing student and a resident of McKean, Potter, Cameron or Elk counties, the applicants must have a 2.7 grade-point average to qualify,” says Virginia Hauser, the Auxiliary’s executive director. “These healthcare-related scholarships should prove to be very helpful to

The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford will introduce a new vocal performance course in the fall term that will give students more opportunities to perform. The course will feature student vocalists in an ensemble performing at luncheons, in classes and at a holiday event in December. “The initial student response to this offering has been quite good,” said Jeff Guterman, chairman of the Division of Communications and the Arts. “Several student performers have been lined up for the fall, and several more are expected when incoming freshmen register for classes this summer.” In order to give Dr. John Levey, assistant professor of music, more time to work with the students in the one-credit course, the College-Community Choir will not be offered. Dr. Livingston Alexander, president, explained how the change fits in with a larger vision for the performing arts at Pitt-Bradford. “Our plans call for us to now direct our attention

Seneca Nation President Barry E. Snyder Sr. called today's signing of the PACT (Prevent All Cigarette Trafficking) Act a "deliberate betrayal" of all Native Americans. "The President of the United States invited Native American leaders to Washington D.C. in November and looked us in the eye as a sign of good faith in his pledge to protect federal treaties," Snyder said. "Now four months later he has betrayed that promise." "In 1779, President George Washington was referred to as 'Hanodagonyas,' an Iroquois term meaning 'town destroyer,' for his attempt to quell Native American uprisings. I think that term should be dusted off and given to Barack Obama for the economic destruction that Pact Act will cause," Snyder said. "This is certainly not the first time a U.S. president has failed to honor federal treaty rights, but it is particularly hurtful when this country's first minority president turns his back on another

Governor David Paterson is urging New Yorkers to lobby their lawmakers to approve the now overdue state budget. The Senate and Assembly have left Albany for a more than week long holiday break. In a statement to radio and TV stations Paterson said the work legislators completed before their vacation was inadequate, and didn't cut enough spending to close the state's $9 billion budget gap. On Wednesday, Paterson said $2.1 billion in school aid payments will be delayed. Several road construction projects could also be delayed because of the state's budget crisis. They include the Route 353 Bridge over the Allegheny River in Salamanca; the Irvine Mills Road Bridge over the Tuna Creek in the Town of Carrollton; and the Route 219 project in Cattaraugus and Erie counties.

Rep. Martin Causer (R-Turtlepoint) is encouraging everyone in Cameron, Potter, McKean and surrounding counties to participate in the U.S. Census in order to ensure the region gets its fair share of federal funding. "The federal government decides where to invest tax dollars based on a region's population," Causer said. "People who don't participate in the census won't be counted. That means they and their families, not to mention entire communities, will miss out on funding, programs and services that could really benefit our rural region." Census figures also affect representation in Congress and the General Assembly, and guide state government decisions on education, health care, job training and more. "If you haven't already completed your form, please do so as soon as possible. It takes just a few minutes of your time," Causer said. People who have misplaced their Census forms or never received them may call the U.S. Census Bureau'

The Pennsylvania Wilds is pleased to announce that awards have been granted, designs accepted, and that signs are beginning to be installed across the region as part of the Pennsylvania Wilds Business Signage Program and the Pennsylvania Wilds Community Signage Program. At least one community or business sign was awarded to every county in the Pennsylvania Wilds region. Grants provide up to $1,000 to business owners to upgrade existing business signage, and up to $3,000 to communities that want to construct welcome signage. The program was funded by $25,000 in grants from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation of Natural Resources, and $25,000 in grants from the Department of Community and Economic Development. “The primary goal is to help people improve the look and feel of their communities,” said Pennsylvania Wilds Community Outreach Specialist Sam MacDonald. “Great business and welcome signage can make communities more inviting to locals and visitors alike. One of the great st

PennDOT has issued the following travel update for the Route 219/Johnsonburg Bypass project in Elk County for the week of April 5. Local, neighborhood traffic (including First, Blaine and Shawmut Streets) will be affected as the contractor works on the end of the Grant Street Bridge. Drivers will encounter a barrier along Grant Street. PennDOT will maintain two lanes of traffic on Grant Street but lanes will be narrow. This traffic pattern will be in place for several weeks. Route 219 traffic will not be affected.

A documentary on the largest manhunt in New York State history will air tonight. The A&E network is starting a series called "The Fugitive Chronicles," and their first topic is the five-month search for Ralph "Bucky" Phillips. Phillips is serving a life term in the state correctional facility in Dannemora for fatally shooting State Trooper Joseph Longobardo and injuring troopers Donald Baker Jr. and Sean Brown. You can watch a preview of the program here .

A Cattaraugus County teenager is in custody after being arrested for taking drugs to a school. In an e-mail to WESB and The HERO, Sheriff's deputies say they arrested 17-year-old Anthony Calcaterra of Chaffee, New York, at Pioneer Center School Wednesday morning on two counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance. His bail is set at $1,000 cash.

A senior criminal justice major at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford has secured an internship with the U.S. Marshals Service for this summer. Ryan Monoski of Mill Hall will spend 270 hours at the U.S. Courthouse in Williamsport, observing marshals at work in the courtroom and holding cells and helping perform research. Monoski was one of two students chosen for an internship in the marshals’ Williamsport field office, for which he applied a year ago and underwent a drug screening and background check. “It was a lot different than the typical summer job interview,” he said, explaining that the interview was more extensive. Dr. Bernie Meyer, associate professor of criminal justice, said, “Getting an internship with the U.S. Marshals is very competitive. It’s going to be a great opportunity for Ryan to see what the marshals do and help him decide what he wants to do with his future.” Dr. Tony Gaskew, assistant professor o

Mayville, NY -- Chautauqua County Executive Gregory J. Edwards was informed yesterday by Mark Thomas, Western New York Regional Director for NYS Parks that the Marina at Long Point State Park will be open for the spring and summer seasons. "Mr. Thomas told me that the Marina at Long Point State Park will open however, the determination of the opening of the rest of the park will not be decided until after the State has a budget in place," Edwards said. New York Governor David Paterson, along with Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation Commissioner Carol Ash recommended earlier this year that Long Point State Park, which is located outside of Bemus Point, be closed. It was part of an overall plan to close 41 parks and 14 historic sites when the new budget year begins April 1, 2010. Closing the parks would reportedly save New York State $6.5 Million. "Having the marina open is certainly good news for Chautauqua County and the groups and organizations that

President Obama has signed a bill into law that the Seneca Nation says could leave as many as 1,000 people without jobs. The Prevent All Cigarette Trafficking Act bars the US Postal Service from shipping cigarettes through the mail. Seneca Indian Nation business owners say the PACT ACT will kill legal Native American commerce and take 1,000 tobacco-industry jobs in New York with it. Synergy Business Managment in Salamanca has filed a notice with the state labor department, saying it will lay off an undertermined number of workers effective June 30. The tobacco-related company which employs 130 people is not affiliated with the Seneca Nation.