Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

From Zillow.com : We like to be creeped out, don’t we? To kick off this Halloween season, we have chosen 10 homes in the U.S. notorious for their haunted history and spirits who like to visit. Some are privately owned homes, some are now bed-and-breakfasts, some have historic designations, and one is even the seat of our government. Take a deep breath and let’s visit some of the most notable haunted homes in the U.S.: Zillow.com

An Emporium man is facing charges after an accident at about 7:20 Friday night on Rich Valley Road at Cooks Run. Police say Thomas William Miller failed to negotiate a left curve and his vehicle hit a bridge. Miller was arrested for driving under the influence.

Yes, candy corn has its own day. The National Confectioners Association estimates that 20 million pounds (9,000 tons) of candy corn are sold every year. Most of it is purchased at Halloween, but it is available year round. For more information, go to Holiday Insights.com .

A Steamburg man is accused of raping a teenage girl three times last week. Cattaraugus County Sheriff’s deputies say 24-year-old Marshall Jacobs had sex with a 14-year-old against her will last weekend at his home. Jacobs is charged with first-degree rape and was sent to Cattaraugus County Jail on $250,000 bail.

Police are looking for a Sheffield woman they believe participated in a burglary at the Shaw House last month. They have issued a warrant for 27-year-old Amanda McClellan and charged her with first-degree burglary, along with criminal trespass and theft by unlawful taking. Police say McClellan participated with Andrew John Osborn on September 21 when $1,500 in cash and more than $100 worth of liquor was stolen from the Shaw House.

No one was hurt when a tractor-trailer rear-ended another truck at 7:18 Thursday on Route 219 in Horton Township. Police say 57-year-old Anthony Tegano of Ridgway was slowing down to pull into a driveway when a Freightliner operated by 40-year-old Jose Ramirez-Acevedo hit the back of it. The Freightliner had disabling damage. Ramirez-Acevedo was cited for following too close.

Police investigated another theft on Friday, this time on Russell Boulevard. According to the complaint report and request sheet faxed to WESB and The HERO by the police department, officers were also called to a motor vehicle accident in a school parking lot, a vehicle complaint and North Kendall and Seaward avenues, and a parking problem on Morehouse Place. Police also got a report of a fire alarm at KOA, removed an unwanted person from South Center Street and assisted a motorist on Campus Drive.

A man from Ontario, Canada, has pleaded guilty in federal court to heading a drug organization that smuggled high-grade marijuana into the United States. 41-year-old Kieu Dang Cao headed the group between 2004 and 2008. The marijuana was distributed throughout western Pennsylvania and sold for more than $4,000 a pound. When federal agents arrested Cao, they seized more than $1 million in cash. Canadian officials seized several million dollars worth of assets. Sentencing is scheduled for Feb.18, 2011. http://www.justice.gov/usao/paw/pr/2010_october/2010_10_28_05.html

The city of Niagara Falls is receiving $16.5 million in federal funding to complete the conversion of a Civil War-era building into a new Amtrak station. The funding comes from a DOT grant program that was part of the federal stimulus bill. http://www.state.ny.us/governor/press/102910HighSpeedRailPlanningBoard.html

State police are investigating the death of a Ridgway man who was reported missing Thursday and was found near his vehicle today on state forest land in Jones Township. Police say they believe the 58-year-old died of natural causes and there are no suspicious circumstances, but they are continuing their investigation. Police were assisted by the Jones Township Volunteer Fire Department, Elkland Search and Rescue and the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

The St. Bonaventure University community will be trading in their brown for pink to support breast cancer awareness across campus on Friday, Nov. 5. There will be a full day of educational events for students on campus including a Hickey Dining Hall pink-themed day and informational waterproof shower cards for the dorms. The pink excitement will conclude at the women’s and men’s home exhibition basketball games at 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. respectively. Athletes and coaches will participate in the event by incorporating pink into their uniforms. Those in attendance will have the opportunity to buy T-shirts, win prizes in a raffle, learn breast cancer prevention tips, and celebrate those who have fought the battle with this disease. Clubs across campus participating in the event include Student Government Association, FM 88.3 The Buzz, and the Campus Activities Board, all in conjunction with the Athletics Department. Shannon Shepherd, student coordinator of the event, knows the importance of th...

BUFFALO, NY — Yeong “Christopher” Choi, PhD, has joined Roswell Park Cancer Institute (RPCI) as Director of the newly created Therapeutic Cell Production Facility, a critical component of RPCI’s Center for Immunotherapy. The facility is the first of its kind in the Western New York region. The objective of the center is to accelerate efforts to bring effective immune-based therapies to cancer patients sooner, explains Kunle Odunsi, MD, PhD, Chair of the Department of Gynecologic Oncology and Director of the Center for Immunotherapy. “One promising approach is the use of immune cells directly harvested from cancer patients. The cells are expanded and manipulated in a ‘clean’ facility, and given back to patients in order to fight their cancer,” says Dr. Odunsi. “The Therapeutic Cell Production Facility will prepare these immune cells, and take appropriate steps to ensure that they can be safely administered to our patients. It will allow us to deliver these cutting-edge, innovative treat...

The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford, along with two of its student groups, is working with the United Way of the Bradford Area to gather food next month for area food banks. The food drive, which is being organized by Pitt-Bradford’s Students in Free Enterprise, will gather non-perishable items from Nov. 1 through 19. Items will be split between the Bradford YWCA food pantry, the Bradford Salvation Army food pantry and The Friendship Table, which provides evening meals for those who are hungry. On campus, the Student Nurse Organization will be collecting at several sites: Frame-Westerberg Commons, Hanley Library, Fisher Hall, Swarts Hall, Blaisdell Hall and the Sport and Fitness Center. Off-campus drop points for individuals or organizations to make donations are Bradford branches of Northwest Savings Bank and the lobby of Pitt-Bradford’s Seneca Building on Marilyn Horne Way downtown. Non-perishable food and hygiene items are welcome...

PennDOT has completed work on the new Hicks Run Bridge on Route 555 in Gibson Township, Cameron County. Traffic began using the new bridge this afternoon. Crews have been working since February to replace the old bridge. With traffic now using the new bridge, PennDOT will begin work to remove the temporary, one-lane bridge and signal that had been in place during construction. The new bridge opened about a week ahead of schedule. The bridge is located on Route 555 near the Elk and Cameron counties line. Overall project work has included replacement of the old bridge, approach work and miscellaneous construction. The L.C. Whitford Company, Inc. of Wellsville, New York was the contractor on this $1.1 million job. PennDOT reminds motorists they can log on to 511pa.com or call 511 from any phone to check traffic conditions before heading out.

the suspicious packages found on the cargo planes, go to CNN.com .

Former Cattaraugus County District Attorney Michael P. Nevins 65, of 120 North 13th Street, passed away Wednesday, Oct. 27, 2010, shortly after arrival at the Olean following a brief illness. Mr. Nevins was born on Feb. 6, 1945 in Olean and was a son of Joseph Anthony and Frances H. Haely Nevins. Mr. Nevins was a life long resident of Olean. He graduated from Archbishop Walsh High School class of 1963. He then graduated from Niagara University in 1967 with a Bachelor's degree in Arts & Science with a major in History and later graduated from the University of Baltmore with a JD in 1970. Mr. Nevins was a First Lt. in the US Army and served from March 17, 1971 to March 7, 1973. Following his service opened his own law practice in Olean. He was the Cattaraugus County District Attorney two separate terms. In 1999 he began working in the Public Defender Office in Chemung County where he worked for 10 years until his retirement in the summer of 2009. Mr. Nevins was licensed to practi...

Police looked into several reports of burglaries and thefts in Bradford, according to the complaint report and request sheet faxed to WESB and The HERO by the police department. The reported burglaries were on Congress and Main streets, while the thefts were on East Main Street and Burnside Avenue. Officers also received a report of stolen property from Summer Street. Police received reports of a fight at a West Washington Street establishment, a disturbance on Mechanic Street and harassment on Congress Street. Officers also investigated a motor vehicle accident at East Corydon and Congress streets.

Work is winding down on PennDOT’s Route 219/Bradford Bypass project in McKean County. PennDOT issues the following travel update for the week of Nov. 1. All work is weather and schedule dependent. Glenn O. Hawbaker, Inc. of State College is the contractor on this $28 million job. · Motorists are advised to watch for slow-moving and stopped vehicles throughout the entire work zone. · The contractor will be working close to the travel lanes, building an emergency crossover. Watch for workers and equipment being close to the travel lanes. · TRAFFIC ALERT: The southbound and northbound lanes of Route 219 from Elm Street to Hillside Drive in New York State will be restricted to one lane in each direction. The passing (left) lanes will be closed for median work. All ramps are open. · Work on the Route 219 southbound ON-ramp at Elm Street continues. Traffic will continue to use the existing shoulder. The contractor crew will be working close to the roadway placing plants behind the new ba...

National Fuel is lowering its rates by nearly 10 percent effective Monday. The monthly bill of a typical residental customer will go from $92 to $83. National Fuel Communications Manager Nancy Taylor says the decrease is a direct result of a continuing decline in the market price of natural gas. ~~~~ Read the full news release here: The Pennsylvania division of National Fuel Gas Distribution Corporation (National Fuel) has announced a quarterly adjustment to Gas Supply Charges effective November 1, 2010. This decrease lowers the monthly bill of a typical residential customer in northwestern Pennsylvania using 95,000 cubic feet annually from $91.74 to $82.92 or by 9.6 percent. “This decrease is the direct result of a continuing decline in the market price of natural gas,” said Nancy Taylor, Senior Manager of Corporate Communications. As is the practice for all Pennsylvania utilities, National Fuel projects annual natural gas prices and then performs quarterly reconciliations of actual c...

SATURDAY SHINGLEHOUSE 6 – 8 p.m. SUNDAY ALLEGANY – 6 – 8 P.M. BRADFORD 6 - 7:30 P.M. COUDERSPORT – 6 until porch lights are off ELDRED 6 - 7:30 P.M. EMPORIUM – 6 –8 P.M. FOSTER TOWNSHIP – 6 - 7:30 P.M. LAFAYETTE TOWNSHIP – 6 – 8 P.M. LEWIS RUN 6 - 7:30 P.M. OLEAN 6 - 8 P.M. PORTVILLE – 6 – 8 P.M. SALAMANCA 6 – 7:30 P.M. SMETHPORT 6 - 7:30 P.M.

Sculptures by a famous artist, an almost 800-year-old Turkish gold ring, and a Civil War-era rifle are among the more than 1,800 historic artifacts that the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission cannot locate and are considered missing, Auditor General Jack Wagner said. Based on the physical inventories of 11 collections conducted by the commission between 1998 and 2009, Wagner’s auditors found that 1,588 artifacts were considered missing. In addition, auditors sampled 1,473 artifacts from the nine collections at the State Museum and the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania, and found that 295 artifacts (20 percent) could not be located and are considered missing. “These missing artifacts are pieces of Pennsylvania history that are likely lost forever, either through mishandling or theft,” Wagner said at a news conference at the museum. http://www.auditorgen.state.pa.us/Department/Press/WagnerSaysMuseumCommNotProtectingHistory.html

It’s been two years since Jamestown-area mother Corrie Anderson went missing. She was last seen at about 1:10 p.m. on October 28, 2008, after visiting her boyfriend at the Lake Country Dodge dealership in Jamestown. She was reported missing at about 3:45 that day when she didn’t show up for a meeting at her son’s school. Two days later, a hunter discovered Anderson’s car about two miles from her house. The Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Department says the investigation is continuing. http://1490newsblog.blogspot.com/search?q=corrie+anderson

HARRISBURG – Legislation to fight blight and repair or demolish dilapidated properties has been signed into law today, according to State Senator David G. Argall (R-29), the prime sponsor. Senate Bill 900, known as the Neighborhood Blight Revitalization and Reclamation Act, passed the House and Senate earlier this month. The measure clarifies the identity of property owners and holds them responsible for the municipal costs to secure, remediate or demolish blighted structures. Municipalities may institute an action to prevent, restrain, correct or abate property code violations. "My goal was to see this important bipartisan bill signed into law this session," said Argall. "This is a major victory for municipalities throughout Pennsylvania who have been impacted by abandoned or dilapidated properties. These eyesores leave a black mark on our communities that many times are difficult to eliminate," Argall added. "The Statewide Blight Task Force, my colleagues ...

By Alex Davis University of Pittsburgh ’11 Jazmine Kunes has become acquainted with death. From May through July, the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford criminal justice senior interned at the Allegheny County Medical Examiner's Office in Pittsburgh. That included tasks like pulling prints from corpses and watching autopsies. “One thing that was shocking to me was the first violent death I had seen,” the 21-year-old Ridgway student said. “A body had come in that was a suicide, and, up until that point, I had never seen a violent death. Until I went to this internship, I had never even seen a dead person.” Much of the work included spending time in the latent print lab, using a chemical called ninhydrin to pull prints. Kunes also used automated fingerprint identification systems to try to find a match of an unknown print through state or country databases. She also learned about dusting and lifting prints. “The scientists...

Pennsylvania Attorney General Tom Corbett appears to be building a solid lead in his bid for the governor's office, according to a Franklin & Marshall College poll released today. The poll shows the Republican supported by 47 percent of likely Pennsylvania voters to 32 percent for his Democratic rival, Allegheny County executive Dan Onorato. About a fifth of voters remain undecided. A September poll by Franklin & Marshall showed Corbett with 36 percent to Onorato's 32 percent. In New York, the latest poll shows Democrat Andrew Cuomo with a 20-point lead over Republican Carl Paladino less than a week before the election of the state’s next governor. The Quinnipiac University poll of likely voters shows Cuomo's lead at 55 percent to 35 percent, with 11 percent saying they might change their minds before Election. Another 7 percent are still undecided. http://www.fandm.edu/fandmpoll http://www.quinnipiac.edu/x271.xml

By ANNE HOLLIDAY WESB/WBRR News Director During a meeting that lasted about six minutes, Bradford City Council approved sales of two properties currently in the McKean County Tax Claim Repository. Council approved the sale of 31 South Kendall Avenue to Russell and Wendy Persing, and the sale of 437 South Avenue to Marvin Race. Also Tuesday, Council accepted a bid from Stryker EMS Equipment for ambulance equipment. Stryker’s bid was $42,069.97. The other bid was from Boundtree Medical LLC at $58,276.25. The money comes from an Assistance to Firefighters Grant from the Department of Homeland Security Federal Emergency Management Agency, and will go toward the purchase of three cots and one stair chair. Council also accepted a bid of $19,167 from CILS Incorporated to buy a washer and dryer for firefighter turn out gear. This money is also from a federal grant. Council rejected all bids received for ventilator/respirators because the bid packets they received did not have the required docu...

Someone stole a 4-foot metal cross from outside the First Presbyterian Church in Jamestown sometime between 4 o’clock Monday afternoon and 9:30 this morning. Police say the cross was broken off a large decorative stone. Anyone with information on the theft is asked to call the Jamestown Police Department.

A Corry teenager is dead after the car she was driving crashed this morning in Wayne Township. Police say 16-year-old Brittany Fletcher was driving her car on Carter Hill Road at around 7:20 a.m. when it went out of control, went off the road and hit some trees. Erie County Deputy Coroner Scott Rooker pronounced her dead at the scene.

A federal judge in Buffalo has extended a temporary order blocking tax collections on cigarettes sold by two New York Indian nations. Lawyers for the St. Regis Mohawk and the Unkechaugs argued today against the state's plans to apply its $4.35-per-pack sales tax on cigarettes sold by tribal retailers to non-Indian customers. Judge Richard Arcara extended a temporary order blocking the levy while he considers whether to grant a more permanent preliminary injunction. The order now goes until Nov. 12. Arcara recently denied a preliminary injunction the Seneca and Cayuga nations wanted, but gave them time to appeal.

Representatives from the Cameron County Family Center’s Share the Love program visited Charles Cole Memorial Hospital’s Skilled Nursing and Rehab residents to deliver Halloween 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 Janet Peidl, Sissy Miller, and Pamela Doane. Photo courtesy of CCMH

The state DEP has imposed a $32,000 penalty against Huntley & Huntley of Monroeville for the July 23 tank explosion at a gas well that killed two people. The civil penalty is part of a consent order and agreement to resolve violations of the Oil and Gas Act and the Solid Waste Management Act, according to a news release. An oil storage tank at a company gas well site in Indiana Township exploded, releasing small amounts of oil and other liquids and causing the well head and nearby production facilities to catch fire. The tank that exploded was propelled into the air, landing about 150 feet away. 56-year-old Andy Yosurack of Creekside and 46-year-old Kevin Henry of New Florence died in the explosion. http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/newsroom/14287?id=14928&typeid=1

An East Smethport man is facing charges for allegedly taking a van from Quick Way Auto Sales last month. 33-year-old Joseph Bloomfield is accused of going to the Seaward Avenue business in the early morning hours of September 13 and taking the vehicle. A spokeswoman in District Judge Dominic Cercone’s office says the van had been repossessed from a Smethport woman because of back payments, and taken to the Quick Way lot. Bloomfield is free on his own recognizance. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for November 17.

A tornado watch is in effect for the following counties until 9 p.m. Tuesday: McKean, Cameron, Clarion, Clearfield, Elk, Erie, Forest, Jefferson, Venango and Warren. The watch is also in effect in Cattaraugus and Chautauqua counties.

TOWANDA, Pa. (CNNMoney.com) -- In the hills of northwest Pennsylvania, the boom in natural gas production turned mechanic Chris Sutton into a millionaire practically overnight. ... A half hour away it's a very different story. Truman Burnett's retirement home is ruined: His pond is contaminated by a drilling accident on land owned by a neighbor and his well water is undrinkable. For the full story, go to CNN.com

Dr. Richard McDowell has asked for our help in completing the ECUA Survey to find out what programs would be best for our area. Just go to: http://www.ecuapa.org/survey it will only take a few minutes to complete. Thanks!

A Chafee, New York, man has been sentenced to five years probation on a burglary charge. 19-year-old Aaron Ludwig broke into a Town of Machias Home on May 29, 2009, and stole guns, a cooler and liquor. Ludwig must also do 100 hours of community service, according to a fax sent to WESB and The HERO by the Cattaruagus County District Attorney's Office.

A West Valley, New York, man has pleaded not guilty to rape and other charges. 49-year-old Douglas Till was indicted by a Cattaraugus County grand jury on two counts of rape, criminal sexual act and endangering the welfare of a child in connection with incidents in August and September of last year. Till is accused of have sex with a person young than 15. The matter has been adjourned for motions.

Governor Ed Rendell is expected to issue an executive order banning any further leasing of state forest land for natural gas drilling. He’s expected to sign the order tomorrow during an event in Philadelphia. Less than a year ago, the state DCNR announced it was making nearly 32,000 acres of state forest land available for leasing by gas drilling companies. Although he declared talks concerning a tax on the drilling dead last week, today Rendell said he’s still willing to work toward a compromise if Senate Republicans are willing to hold a lame duck session after the November 2 election. Senate Republican spokesman Erik Arneson said the Senate announced more than 8 months ago there would be no lame duck session, and that has not changed.

A Portville man is facing charges after allegedly punching another man in the head last week. Sheriff’s deputies say 24-year-old Spencer Elliott punched a man in the head and stole his DVD player on October 18, according to an e-mail sent to WESB and The HERO. Elliott is charged with robbery, petit larceny and harassment. He’s in jail on $5,000 bail.

Public flu shot clinics will be held this week in the following locations: Wednesday, October 27 1. Eldred Senior Center from 9 to 11 a.m. 2. Community Nurses office at 52 Davis Street in Bradford from 1 to 3 p.m. Friday, October 29 1. Smethport Senior Center , temporarily located at the East Smethport United Methodist Church, from 10 a.m. to noon All of the clinics are open to the general public, ages 18 and older. Seniors are reminded to bring their Medicare card and all other insurance cards. Flu clinics will be ending soon – be sure to get your shot now!

The final list of winners has been announced for the Pumpkin Fest event that was held in downtown Bradford on Sunday, October 24. Winning the Pumpkin Measuring Contest was Ryan Ward whose pumpkin measured 61 inches in diameter. Second place was Sean Ward and third place was Adam Ward. Winning the Pumpkin Decorating contest for ages 7 to 12 were Brianna and Cassie Platko. Second place was Ellery Signor. Winning the younger age group for the Pumpkin Decorating contest was Kaden Silvis. Second place in that category went to Skye Eakin. Lisa’s Hairport won the Most Creative Scarecrow in the Scarecrow contest and the Marche Club won the Best Traditional Scarecrow. Scarecrows will be on display on Main Street until November 1.

Bradford City Police had their hands full over the weekend. They responded to reports of thefts on Barbour Street and Chestnut Street, and motor vehicle accidents on Jackson Avenue, West Washington Street and Interstate Parkway, according to the complaint report and request sheet faxed to WESB and The HERO by the police department. Police also investigated reports of retail thefts at two downtown stores, and a possible violation of the drug act on Chestnut Street. Officers also got reports of a fight on Barbour Street, a neighbor dispute on South Avenue, disorderly conduct on West Washington Street, threats on Lorana Avenue, harassment on Davis Street, and someone making prank calls to a Roberts Street resident. There were animal problems on Lincoln Avenue and East Main Street, parking problems on Blaisdell Avenue and Bagley Alley, and noise complaints on Jackson Avenue, Limestone Street and Chautauqua Place. Police also looked into reports of criminal mischief on Glenwood and Holley a...

This week, I had the pleasure of speaking with acclaimed author Barbara Taylor Bradford about her new book, Playing the Game, as well as a couple of other topics. You can listen to the interview here . For more information: http://www.barbarataylorbradford.com