Wesley Snipes on 'Larry King Live' Tonight

Actor Wesley Snipes, who is scheduled to report to FCI-McKean on Thursday, will appear on CNN's "Larry King Live" tonight.

http://marquee.blogs.cnn.com/2010/12/07/wesley-snipes-to-appear-on-larry-king-live/

Warren's Winter Winterland

These pictures were taken today in Warren near the mall.

Elizabeth Edwards Has Died

From CNN -- Elizabeth Edwards, the wife of former Sen. John Edwards, has died after a battle with breast cancer, her family says.

"Today we have lost the comfort of Elizabeth's presence but she remains the heart of this family," the statement from her said. "We love her and will never know anyone more inspiring or full of life."

Read more at CNN.com.

Garbage Truck, Bus Collide Near Brockport

A garbage truck crashed into a bus carrying senior citizens this morning on Route 219 near Brockport.

Police say the truck driven by 40-year-old Timothy Forest of Brockway slid into the path of the bus, and both vehicles ended up on the side of the road.

Police say two of the bus passengers – women from Ridgway and Johnsonburg – suffered minor injuries and were taken to DuBois Medical Center for treatment.

Four ambulances were dispatched to the scene but neither the nine other bus passengers, nor the drivers were hurt. 63-year-old Walter Erickson of St. Marys was driving the bus.

CARTs Gets 17 Replacement Buses

MAYVILLE, NY -- County Executive Gregory J. Edwards has announced that CARTS has received seventeen (17) replacement buses through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) grant. In addition, this grant provides funds for twenty-two (22) new mobile two-way radios and a new ventilation system for the maintenance shop at CARTS in Jamestown.

According to Senior Project Coordinator Cheryl Gustafson, this project totaling $1,252,500 will be 100% reimbursed through the ARRA grant. Ms Gustafson also states that 65% of the routes will be replaced with the new buses over the next month and all are wheelchair accessible.

"Chautauqua Area Regional Transit System has been our county-operated transit system for over 30 years", stated George Spanos, Director of the County Department of Public Facilities. The service is utilized for many purposes from visiting a friend to getting to college, a medical appointment or to work.

Call CARTS at 665-6466, 366-4500 or 800-388-6534 for further information and scheduling.

There will be no regular CARTS city, rural, or demand bus services on Friday, December 24th and Friday, December 31st due to The County's observance of the Christmas and New Years Holidays. Transportation for dialysis will be provided on both of these days.

Pictured, from left, Gregory Edwards - County Executive; Cheryl Gustafson - Sr. Project Coordinator-CARTS; Paul Abram - Project Coordinator-CARTS; Holly Johnson - Resource Assistant-CARTS; George Spanos - Director of Chautauqua County Department of Public Facilities
Photo courtesy of Edwards' office

'Gifts that Save the Day' Underway

The McKean-Potter Counties American Red Cross has launched its holiday giving campaign, urging residents to make a gift that could save the day for someone in need.

The Red Cross campaign features a holiday giving catalog, www.redcross.org/gifts. A Spanish-language version of the catalog is also available, www.cruzrojaamericana.org/catalogo.

The gift catalog has more than 20 gift ideas — such as assisting someone in the military with a phone card or supplies, providing food and shelter to a disaster victim, covering the costs of snacks at a blood drive, or giving basic necessities to a family in another country.

“The holiday season is a time of hope, and a gift to the Red Cross provides hope when the next disaster strikes, when a neighbor’s house burns down, when someone needs life-saving blood or when a child needs a hug and a blanket,” said Jason Bange, executive director. “A gift to the Red Cross can save the day for people in need, whether they are down the street, across the country, or around the world.”

Right now there are many people who have been affected by the recent flooding across McKean and Potter Counties and the Red Cross is working to meet the needs of both the flood victims and recent home fire victims. “This fiscal year alone (since July) the local chapter has provided almost $11,000 in financial assistance to families displaced by disasters,” said Bange. “Contributions to our Holiday Campaign will ensure adequate funding so that the chapter can continue to meet local needs. Whether the donation is made online or mailed to the local chapter, each gift is a tax-deductible contribution to the overall mission of the American Red Cross and goes a long way to help those in need in your local community.”

National Survey Shows People Plan to Support Charities This Holiday Season
The Red Cross kicked off its 2010 holiday giving effort as a new national survey shows that despite the economic downturn, people remain committed to digging deep into their pockets to support charitable causes this holiday season even as they cut back more on other holiday activities.

Nearly three in four people (72 percent) expect to give more or about the same to charity as they did last year, according to the national survey for the American Red Cross, which was conducted October 21-24.

This commitment to support charities during the holiday season occurs even as 86 percent of Americans reported their personal finances are the same or worse than they were last year.

The Red Cross survey shows seven in 10 people (70 percent) are planning to reduce spending for at least one common holiday expense. More than four in 10 plan to reduce spending on travel (43 percent) and decorations (45 percent), and more than a third will make cuts in entertaining (38 percent) and gifts (35 percent) for friends and family. By comparison, only about one of five (23 percent) are planning to reduce their charitable contributions compared to last year.

About a third (32 percent) say they are not planning charitable donations over the holidays, with half of them (52 percent) saying they just don’t have the money to donate.

And nearly six in 10 (58 percent) say that because the economy is in bad shape, it is more important this year to give to charity.

“It’s gratifying to see that while the personal finances of many people are strained, they still feel a strong desire to do what they can to help someone else in need,” Bange said.

More Women Committed to Donations to Charity, but Men Giving Higher Amounts

The Red Cross survey found that women have a strong sense of giving as a part of the holiday tradition and are more likely to take the current economy into consideration when giving. When it comes to opening their wallets, however, men tend to give charitably in higher amounts.

About seven in eight women (86 percent) say that helping someone less fortunate is an important part of the holiday tradition, higher than the 69 percent of men. Nearly two in three women (65 percent) feel charitable giving is more important in light of the economy; only half of men (51 percent) agree.

However, while women report a higher propensity to give, the survey shows that men seem to dig a little deeper to do so. Of the three in five Americans (57 percent) planning to donate to charity this holiday season, around two in five men (38 percent) will give more than $100 to charity. Only about one in four women (24 percent) plan to donate that amount.

*These results are based on a national probability sample of 1,005 telephone interviews among adults 18 years and older living in private households in the continental United States, conducted from October 21-24, 2010. The margin of error for data based on total sample is plus or minus 3.1 percentage points at the 95% confidence level. The survey was conducted by CARAVAN®, an omnibus service of Infogroup ORC for American Red Cross.

Some Thoughts on the Elf Fund Gifts

By Ron Orris
Executive Director
Bradford Area Chamber of Commerce


As we approach the end of the Elf Fund Gift buying, I wanted to ask everyone who has a Elf Tag to remember our Local Merchants, and I would ask our Local Merchants if they could offer a discount on these items.

It would be a win win for everyone. We are very fortunate to have the Elf Fund in our community to help those that are less fortunate.

Merry Christmas!

Piece From Art Exhibition Donated to SBU by Artist's Grateful Family

A piece from a recent exhibition at St. Bonaventure University’s Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts has been given to the university by the artist’s family, and St. Bonaventure students were allowed to choose the work.

The exhibition “Sticky Fingers: The Art of Alex Masket” ended a six-week run at the Quick Center Nov. 28. It featured the work of Masket, a 23-year-old artist with severe autism who uses markers, duct tape and peel-and-stick numbers and letters to create intricately arranged and beautifully balanced works of art dominated by color and form.

Masket attended the Quick Center opening with his parents, who are left to try to explain the creative genius of their functionally nonverbal son.

Elaine Masket, Alex’s mother, said the family was so impressed by their visit to campus that they decided to donate one of the pieces from the exhibition to the university’s Permanent Collection.

“Alex has had 10 exhibitions and we’ve never done this before,” said Elaine Masket. “We were very moved by the university’s extraordinary hospitality and the Quick Center’s absolutely beautiful and extremely sophisticated installation. We are honored that St. Bonaventure accepted our offer of a donation.”

The Quick Center let students select the work in balloting before the Thanksgiving break.

“I was really overwhelmed by the level of student response and involvement with the Alex Masket exhibition,” said Joseph LoSchiavo, executive director of the Quick Center. “Students were involved in the planning phase, in the opening event, in reflective activities and in class work. So, it seemed only natural that students should be the ones to choose which work would enter the university’s Permanent Collection.”

The students selected the piece “Untitled (The White Sea),” a 5-by-9 foot painted canvas with adhesive overlay. The piece was created by Masket for the Quick Center exhibition.

The work is hanging in the Quick Center’s Theater Atrium where it will remain throughout the academic year.

What a Difference a Day Makes

Lawn ornaments Monday ...


... and Tuesday

Thanks for sending these!

If you have pictures you'd like to share, send them to wesb@wesb.com

Young: GOP Victory in Senate Great News for Upstate New York

“The Republicans' victory in winning back the state Senate majority is great news for the upstate economy and will bring desperately-needed relief for taxpayers," said Senator Catharine Young (R,C,I-Olean).

"Balance has been restored and New York City's monopoly on state government has been broken. We will stop the unprecedented out-of-control taxes and spending that unfortunately have marked their reign over the last two years, and we will fight for sound policies that will grow jobs and the economy. Upstate no longer will be shortchanged," she said.

On Saturday, state Supreme Court Justice Ira Warshawsky certified the election of Jack Martins in the 7th district in Long Island, who won that contest by 451 votes. His victory gave Republicans the 32 seats needed to return them to the majority that they lost in 2008.

As a result of the election two years ago, the Senate joined the Assembly and Governor's office as being heavily dominated by New York City Democrats. Senate Republicans hail from every region in the state, with the bulk of members representing upstate and suburban districts. Most Senate Democrats live downstate, according to Senator Young.

Senator Young said she will work in a bipartisan manner to change the destructive policies that have emanated from Albany.

"Governor-elect Cuomo ran on a platform of implementing property tax relief, cutting wasteful spending, reforming Medicaid and revitalizing the economy,” said Senator Young.

"Upstate especially needs more jobs to get people back to work, and career opportunities so our young people don't have to leave,” she added.

"I've always fought for these policies because they are what the people who live in my district want and need. If Governor-elect Cuomo stands by what he promised, we can achieve positive results. Many of his priorities are our priorities,” she said.

"There's no doubt it will be a rocky year because of the harsh economic climate and the enormous state budget deficit. Difficult decisions will have to be made. But I believe that with the right policies put into place, we can turn the state around. There's hope again for restoring a brighter future. It's phenomenal," Senator Young said.

Sports Medicine Specalist Joins Champion Orthopedics, Sports Medicine

Andrew W. Gottschalk, MD has joined the medical staff at Charles Cole Memorial Hospital.

Dr. Gottschalk specializes in sports medicine and will join Drs. Giannotti, Foust and Nestor and physician assistants Todd Rudy, Kevin George, and Chad Jackson at Champion Orthopedics and Sports Medicine in Coudersport and Olean.

After earning a medical degree at Case Western Reserve University, Dr. Gottschalk completed an internship and residency at the Mayo Clinic and a fellowship at the Cleveland Clinic.

During his fellowship, he provided sports medicine coverage for the Cleveland Cavaliers, Browns and Indians, Cleveland State University Vikings, and Notre Dame College Falcons. He served as a staff physician for medical programs in El Salvador, Costa Rica and the Dominican Republic.

Dr. Gottschalk serves as musculoskeletal health editor at the Family Physicians Inquiries Network. He is board certified by the American Board of Family Medicine.

Appointments can be scheduled by calling 814/274-0900 or 716/372-3212.

Pitt-Bradford Students Present at Penn-York Undergraduate Research Conference

Students from the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford presented on topics ranging from biology to Disney stereotypes at the 11th annual Penn-York Undergraduate Research Conference held at the University of Pittsburgh at Titusville.

Erin Moyer, a sociology major from Smethport, presented “Disney: Stereotyped or not?” Her presentation examined gender roles as portrayed in three Disney movies based on 18th and 19th-century fairy tales.

Mary Jo Stuckey, a sociology major from Coudersport, presented “Status of Homemakers Within Society,” which she researched by interviewing homemakers and administering a survey.

Jen Teribery, a social sciences major from Kane, presented “Inequality of Beauty in the Workplace,” which argues that physical appearance can play a key role in obtaining employment.

Sarah Rhinehart, a criminal justice major from Olean, N.Y., presented “Women in Law Enforcement,” in which she examined equity issues for women in law enforcement.

Cassandra Ludwig, a social sciences major from Derrick City, examined gender roles and activities of couples who were married, living together or dating in “Gender Roles Changing: Women Comply to Pump the Gas.”

Diane Marold, a social sciences major from Kane, presented “Selling Adult Sexual Pleasure Novelties: Mainstream Society or Not? The Not-so-taboo Taboo Business.” Marold surveyed women ranging in age from 18 to 61 on their views of adult stores and novelty items.

Cassandra Jaillet, a sociology major from Grove City, presented “Male Homosexuality in the Workplace,” which examined interactions among people of different sexual orientations in the workplace.

Christopher Bierbower, a criminal justice major from Kane, presented “Finishing the Fight: A Soldier’s Transition Home.” Bierbower reflected on his own experiences and that of his family returning home post-deployment and interviewed close friends and their families about their experiences.

Betty Barro, a history/political science and business management double major from Bronx, N.Y., presented “Potable Water and Sanitation in Senegal: Partnering for Progress,” which was based on research she conducted last summer in Senegal.

Natasha Mattis, a sociology, communications and criminal justice triple major from Kane, presented “Emotional Labor: What Does it Take?” She examined occupations of people who work with others who need special care and supervision, such as nursing, mental health workers and social workers. She found that such emotionally draining jobs are not for everyone and that different coping skills are used to deal with the jobs’ stresses.

Other students gave poster presentations. Erin Copeland, a post-baccalaureate student, presented “Isolation and Characterization of Cellulose Degrading Ultraviolet Radiation Resistant Extremophiles.” His research focused on ultraviolet radiation-resistant microbes that have a potential for being used in the production of biofuels.

Vanessa Durland, a criminal justice major from Meshoppen, presented “Processing Latent Fingerprints From Difficult Surfaces” based on research she conducted in Pitt-Bradford’s Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) House to determine the best way to retrieve latent fingerprints from different surfaces.

Audubon Pennsylvania Joins Coaltion

Audubon Pennsylvania has joined with six other conservation organizations as part of the fledgling Pennsylvania Wilderness Coalition, which was formed earlier this year. The mission of the coalition is to support the Citizens’ Wilderness Proposal for Pennsylvania’s Allegheny National Forest.

National Audubon Society opened its Pennsylvania State Office in 1997 as the organization’s tenth state office. Today, Audubon Pennsylvania has more than 24,000 members across the Commonwealth. Its mission is to conserve and restore natural ecosystems, focusing on birds, other wildlife, and their habitats for the benefit of humanity and biological diversity in Pennsylvania.

“The Allegheny is located in the northwest corner of the state, but as Pennsylvania’s only national forest, it belongs to all of us,” said Phil Wallis, executive director for Audubon Pennsylvania. “Wilderness designation, under the Wilderness Act of 1964, for the most unbroken forest canopy tracts in the Allegheny will leave a permanent natural legacy benefiting future generations of bird populations, and indeed all native Allegheny Plateau wildlife species.”

Wilderness designation by Congress is the strongest protection that can be given to federal lands, adding them to America’s National Wilderness Preservation System. They are areas where by law natural processes are permitted to run their course in perpetuity, and where people are just visitors – using the areas to hunt, fish, hike, backpack, and for other forms of low-impact recreation.

The charter members of the Pennsylvania Wilderness Coalition were: Friends of Allegheny Wilderness; Sierra Club, Pennsylvania Chapter; Pennsylvania Division, Izaak Walton League of America; Pennsylvania Trout Unlimited; The Wilderness Society; and the Campaign for America’s Wilderness of the Pew Environment Group.

With the addition of Audubon Pennsylvania as the seventh member organization, the coalition now collectively represents more than 75,000 Pennsylvanians. The Coalition supports the Citizens’ Wilderness Proposal for Pennsylvania’s Allegheny National Forest, crafted by Friends of Allegheny Wilderness in 2003, which identifies 54,460 acres of wilderness-quality lands.

Only two areas in the Allegheny National Forest are currently protected as wilderness – the Hickory Creek Wilderness with about 8,600 acres, and the Allegheny Islands Wilderness, totaling fewer than 400 acres. That is less than two percent of the 513,300-acre Allegheny National Forest.

“Clearly there is a shortage of designated wilderness in Pennsylvania,” said Dave Rothrock, president of Pennsylvania Trout Unlimited. “The areas identified in the Citizens’ Wilderness Proposal are the most roadless and most undeveloped remaining portions of the Allegheny National Forest. They are one of our greatest public assets and provide refuge for naturally reproducing brook trout. We need to ensure they remain wild for our children and grandchildren.”

“This is an issue for all of us who call Pennsylvania home,” said David Sublette, federal public lands chair for the Sierra Club’s Pennsylvania Chapter. “We have but one national forest. It is heavily used – more than a third of the nation’s population is within a day’s drive. If we do not move quickly to protect these undeveloped areas, they will be lost as the natural areas they are today.”

Bob Stoudt, board president of the Warren-based Friends of Allegheny Wilderness, noted that 70 leading ecologists, biologists, and economists have signed a letter supporting wilderness designation for the areas identified in the Citizens’ Wilderness Proposal.

“Many of us fully appreciate the aesthetic and even spiritual values of wilderness, but these scientists understand and stress the ecological and economic benefits to wilderness designation,” Stoudt said. “They make it clear that permanent protection of these lands is important to maintaining the state’s habitat types and biodiversity.”

For more information about the Pennsylvania Wilderness Coalition, contact Kirk Johnson of Friends of Allegheny Wilderness at kjohnson@pawild.org. For more information about the Citizens’ Wilderness Proposal please visit www.pawild.org.

The website for Audubon Pennsylvania is: http://pa.audubon.org

The Pennsylvania Wilderness Coalition is working to have wilderness areas designated in the Allegheny National Forest – Pennsylvania’s only National Forest.

Zippo 2nd & 3rd Shifts Cancelled

Zippo has cancelled its second and third shifts for Tuesday. Second and third shifts at Zippo do not have to report to work today.

Weather Not Fit for Man nor Beast

These are just a few of the pictures our listeners have sent in. The middle one is from ARG, the second from Cole Avenue.

To see more pictures, check out our Facebook photo album here.

Send your own pictures to wesb@wesb.com

Scarnati on Tuesday's LiveLine

Lt. Gov. Joe Scarnati was in Bradford Monday, and stopped by WESB's studios to talk about what's in store for lawmakers in Harrisburg next year.

Tune in at 12:35 p.m. on WESB and at WESB.com.

Two Foster Township Supervisors Resign

Foster Township supervisors Bob Slike and Chris Wolcott have resigned, along with longtime township secretary Jennifer Gorrell.

At the end of Monday’s meeting Wolcott announced that his resignation would be effective Tuesday. Slike’s resignation is effective immediately.

Slike, who had been supervisor chairman for many years, would have been entering his 20th year on the board. Wolcott has been a supervisor for 12 years.

Both men said the meetings had gotten to be too much to deal with.

Remaining supervisor Jim Connelly Jr. must work with the vacancy board to fill the positions.

Gorrell tendered her resignation earlier in the day, and it was accepted during Monday’s supervisors meeting. It was effective Monday.

Ex-Olean Principal Conviction Overturned

A former principal at an Olean school, who has served 18 months in a Florida prison for possession of child pornograpy, will be released after an appeals court overturned his conviction.

The court ruled that the photos held by John Stelmack are not child pornography because they showed the nude bodies of adults. Photos of children’s faces, including two students from schools where Stelmack had worked, had been superimposed on the bodies, but none of the altered pictures showed naked children.

A spokesman for the State Attorney’s Office in Florida said prosecutors can't bring any other charges against Stelmack.

Man Pleads to Injuring Police Officer

A Buffalo man already in Allegany County Jai on a robbery charge has pleaded guilty to injuring a police officer on an unrelated case.

Cattaraugus County District Attorney Lori Rieman says 22-year-old Zachary Barrett attempted to prevent a police officer from performing his duty on May 25, and injured the officer in the process.

He’ll be sentenced on March 14.

Barrett is currently in jail for robbing a pizzeria in Angelica and the Rushford Corner store at gunpoint.

Drilling Affects Snowmobile Trail

A connector trail to the Allegheny Snowmobile Loop will be closed for the season because of a Marcellus Shale drilling operation in the area.

US Forest Service officials say the closing of Connector 17 (Forest Road 186) near Lantz Corners affects about five miles of trail from the intersection of Route 6 near the Kane Drive-In to the intersection of ASL Connector 26.
Connector 26 will remain open, allowing access from Lantz Corners to Forest Road 150 (ASL Connector 18).

The forest services says roads in that area will be experiencing heavy traffic at all times of the day and night, so it is being closed to snowmobiles for safety reasons.

Alternate Side Parking Still in Effect

Alternate side of the street parking is still in effect in the City of Bradford so road crews can get both sides of the streets cleared.

Road crews are out and working and people are asked to be patient.

No Work for Zippo 2nd, 3rd Shifts Today

Zippo has cancelled its 2nd & third shifts for today. Second and third shift workers at Zippo are not to report to work.

Lucco Asks for No Unnecessary Travel

Bradford City Police Chief Chris Lucco is asking motorists to refrain from any unnecessary travel.

He tells WESB and The HERO that road crews are out plowing, but the snow is coming down too fast for them to keep up.

The advisory against unnecessary travel is in effect until further notice.

Numerous Weather-Related Accidents

Area roads are still treacherous, and accidents have been reported throughout the Twins Tiers all day.

At various times throughout the day tractor-trailers were stuck on West Eldred Road, Route 6 in Keating Township, Route 219 and Minard Run Road to name just a few places.

Cars are in ditches just about everywhere in the Bradford area and in Cattaraugus County.

Motorists are urged to use caution if they have to be on the roads.

One of the tractor-trailers was being driven by 53-year-old David Jeffries of DuBois on Route 219 in Lafayette Township, just north of Westline Road.

Police say Jeffries lost control of the rig at just before 10 a.m., causing it to jackknife. The truck was pulled out of a ditch by Boylan’s Trucking, then driven from the scene.

Jeffries wasn’t hurt, but was cited for driving at an unsafe speed.

~~

A Coudersport woman and her 13-year-old passenger suffered minor injuries at 7:30 this morning on Route 120 in Cameron County.

Police say 35-yea-rold Amanda Eddins lost control of her pickup truck on the snow-covered road. The truck eventually flipped onto its passenger side.

No charges were filed.

~~

A Wilcox man wasn’t hurt, but his vehicle had to be towed from the scene of an accident on Route 46, just south of Columbia Hill Road this morning.

Police say 62-year-old Allen Walker lost control of his van on the snow-covered road, crossed the road a couple of times and hit a snow bank.
Walker was cited for driving at an unsafe speed.

~~

And, as always, for the latest list of closing and cancellations, go to WESB.com, where we post them as soon as we get them.

United Way Needs Your Help

With only 9 days left the United Way needs your help.

“We are currently at 70% of our $325,000 goal” and “it’s the best news I’ve heard in a long time”, says Megan Mangini, Community Relations and Marketing Specialist. The 2010 campaign, “A Lifetime of Gratitude”, officially closes on December 15th, but the organization’s staff will continue to accept donations until January 5, 2011.

“We started off the campaign with a wonderful pacesetting drive – but things tend to slow down after employee presentations are conducted and pledges have been received,” says Kelly Case, Executive Director. ”We shift into overdrive in December and rely heavily on community members to help close our campaign and reach goal.”

As always, the United Way of the Bradford Area, Inc. is stressing to the entire community the policy and practice of keeping 100% of the donations local. The mission of the UWBA is and always has been to raise and distribute funds locally in the Bradford community. “That belief is the foundation of our heritage – 85 years strong”, says Case.

Although the United Way has seen some donations come in lower than years before, 32 new donors have made pledges to the 2010 campaign. “We are extremely excited when we open a donation envelope and see that it is a new donor,” says Mary Ann Quinn, Campaign Co-chair. “It truly brings a smile to my face and warmth in my heart.”

For more information on the United Way of the Bradford Area or its funded agencies, contact the office or visit the website at www.uwbanews.org.

Holiday Book Talk:Dr. Maitland DeLand's 'Baby Santa'

I recently had the pleasure of interviewing popular children's book author Dr. Maitland DeLand (for the third time) about her new "Baby Santa" series of books.

You can listen here.

For more information, go to DeLand Books.com.

Video of Eldred Flooding

PA Flood Victims Should Call Municipality

State Representative Marty Causer is encouraging flood victims to contact municipal officals.

"If you experienced, or are still experiencing, flood damage due to heavy rains on Tuesday, Nov. 30, and Wednesday, Dec. 1, please be sure to report it to your local municipality as soon as possible," he said.

If you have additional questions, contact your county emergency management agency:

McKean County: 814-887-5070

Cameron County: 814-486-1137

Potter County: 814-274-8900

Flood Warning Still in Effect

A flood warning is still in effect until this afternoon, when the Allegheny River at Olean and Salamanca is expected to drop below flood stage.

In Olean, the river crested at 15.7 feet Thursday night. Flood stage is 10 feet. In Salamanca, the river crested at 15.2 feet at noon Thursday. The flood stage there is 12 feet.

Most roads in the area closed by flooding remain closed.

A Weather Bright Spot

We did see some sunshine today. Here, it's shining on Foster Brook.

Don't expect a lot of sunshine this weekend, though. News 4 Meteorologist Mike Cejka says we could see an inch of snow tonight, and then light snow showers on Saturday.

Sunday and Monday, expect more snow and whipping winds that will cause a nasty wind chill and could cause whiteouts.

Disaster Assistance Center Opens in Olean

The Cattaraugus County Office of Emergency Services, along with representatives of the county departments of Social Services, Aging, Health and Community Services, will be available at the newly opened Disaster Assistance Center from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the county office building in Olean (1 Leo Moss Drive).

In order to assit the Office of Emergency Services with damage assessments, residents affected by flooding are encouraged to send photographs, documentation and any other materials related to expenses associated with the repair of damages to eoc@cattco.org or to 303 Court Street, Little Valley, New York, 14655. Materials will be accepted at the Disaster Assistance Center as well.

For shelter assistance, contact the American Red Cross at 716-372-5800.