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Showing posts from August 12, 2012

Parking Restrictions on School Street

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No parking will be allowed on School Street between North Center and McClellan streets from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday of next week. The parking restrictions will be in place while sidewalk reconstruction is going on in the area. Vehicles parked in the area will be towed at the owner’s expense. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

PGC Seeks Info on Poached Deer

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Two deer carcasses were dumped at the edge of field in Keating Township on Monday, and the state game commission is trying to find out who did it. They say an adult doe and an adult buck were shot in the head, and some of the meat was removed from both of them. The antlers were also taken from the buck. The animals were found at the edge of a field along the West Valley Road about a mile and a half south of Irish Hollow. Anyone with information on this incident is asked to contact the game commission. A reward is possible. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Man Ffacing Charges After Crash

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A Franklinville, New York, man is facing charges for allegedly running from police after a hit and run crash early Friday morning on Route 155 near Route 120 in Cameron County. Police say 26-year-old Brandon Cole fell asleep at the wheel of his SUV, causing it to leave the road and hit a road sign and a utility pole. Cole then drove away from the scene. A witness called police, who saw the SUV pull into a driveway on West Fourth Street in Emporium. Cole got out of the vehicle and ran away but, after a short foot chase, police caught up with him and charged him with DUI, resisting arrest and traffic violations. He’s free on $2,500 bail. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Man Pleads Guilty to Mail Fraud

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A Freedom, New York, man has pleaded guilty to federal charges of mail fraud for running a scam to defraud his employer. 34-year-old Nicholas Polcz created a shell company while working at Ziphany Company in April 2010. He told Ziphany that the shell company would provide wireless services, while telling Ziphany’s actual provider to forward all future bills to the shell company. Using this scheme, Polcz was able to charge Ziphany a higher amount than the wireless services cost, paying the provider and keeping the extra for himself. In all, prosecutors say he scammed the company out of $28,000. Polcz is scheduled for sentencing in November and could face up to 20 years in prison. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Jury Finds Man Innocent of Assault

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A jury has found a Salamanca man not guilty of assaulting another man outside the Dudley Hotel last August. After the four-day trial, the jury deliberated for two hours before finding 31-year-old Douglas Farnham not guilty of ambushing and seriously injuring 39-year-old David Jacobson. Cattaraugus County Public Defender Mark Williams successfully argued that it was Jacobson who ambushed Farnham, and Farnham acted in self-defense. Testimony from several eye-witnesses collaborated Farnham’s account of the events that happened at around 2:15 a.m. on August 7 of last year. Read Williams' news release: A Cattaraugus County Jury today of seven women and five men found Douglas Farnham, 31, of Salamanca, NY, not guilty of two counts of felony assault 2nd after deliberating for about 2 hours. It had been alleged that Mr. Farnham assaulted Salamanca resident David Jacobson, age 39, on August 7, 2011, at approximately 2:15 a.m. outside the Dudley Hotel in Salamanca. Mr. Jacobson suffered fr

Man Sentenced on Child Porn Charges

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A Dunkirk man has been sentenced to 70 years in federal prison for possessing and producing child pornography. 32-year-old Roger Luczkowiak had nearly 600 images of child pornography and more than 80 videos when police seized his home computer in June of last year. Some of the images and two of the videos were of Luczkowiak and a 6-year-old victim. If he is ever released from prison he will be under federal supervision for the rest of this life. http://www.justice.gov/usao/nyw/press/press_releases/Luczkowiak3.pdf The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Give Blood, (Possibly) Win Disney Trip

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The Community Blood Bank of Northwest Pennsylvania is holding its biggest promotion in years during the hardest month of the year for the blood supply. Through August 31 everyone who comes to give blood with the Community Blood Bank can enter to win a trip to Walt Disney World in Orlando! This trip is valued at $4,000 and includes airfare, hotel stay at a Disney hotel and four Park-Hopper tickets to Disney parks for four people! The Community Blood Bank is holding a blood drive on Monday August 20th from noon to 4pm at the Mount Jewitt Health Center. The Community Blood Bank is also holding a blood drive on Tuesday, August 21st from 11am to 6pm at the Holy Redeemer Church on Pennsylvania Avenue in Warren. No appointment is needed "Hakuna Matata! A safe blood supply means No Worries," said Dan Desrochers, Director of Marketing at the blood bank. "Make the Community Blood Bank the second happiest place on earth by giving blood!" The news l

Clarion Students Create Art by the Book

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Clarion University Special Libraries Association's student chapter will have a Book-Based Designz display and sale from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays, Aug. 20 to Sept. 7, in Gemmell Student Complex. The students will offer an assortment of book-based décor - books that have been repurposed into lamps, vases, bookmobiles, book safes, shelves and more - perfect for dorms and apartments. "Many of the books which were used to create the artwork would have been otherwise discarded, so the fundraiser incorporates the values of both recycling and artistry," said Michael Widdersheim, a recent graduate of the Master of Science in Library Science program at Clarion University and SLA president. "We scheduled the fundraiser during first-year orientation and move-in so that students could find items for dorms and apartments, and also so that parents could view our display. We hope this event not only helps support our student organization, but that it also inspires others to repurp

Boy Rescued After Fall from Bridge

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Bradford City firefighters were called to a land rescue at the Mechanic Street Bridge this morning. At about 11:15 a boy was either playing or on his bike and fell off the bridge and into the edge of the water. Captain Eric Taylor says firefighters used a Stokes basket and Tower One to hoist him out. The road was closed for a just over half an hour during the rescue effort. Taylor could not provide any further information on the child or his condition because of privacy laws. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Corbett Signs Three Execution Warrants

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Harrisburg – Governor Tom Corbett has signed execution warrants for three men, each of whom were convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to death. Terry Ray Chamberlain, Andre Staton and David Richard Ramtahal are scheduled to be executed in October. They are incarcerated at the State Correctional Institution at Greene. Terry Ray Chamberlain, 60, was found guilty of breaking into the home of his estranged wife, Sherri Chamberlain, and her boyfriend, Greg Inman, on Aug. 22, 1991, where he shot each of them multiple times, including an execution-style shot to the head. A neighbor testified that on the morning of the murders, Mrs. Chamberlain telephoned her home, saying she and Inman had been shot, asking her to call an ambulance and identifying the gunman as Chamberlain. The neighbor’s husband arrived at the home and found the pair dead. A Bradford County jury convicted Chamberlain of two counts of first-degree murder and returned two death sentences on May 13, 1994. Chamberlain i

Motorcycle Crashes, Burns

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A man is facing charges after a crash that destroyed his motorcycle early this morning. Sheriff’s deputies say 60-year-old David Gordon of Findley Lake, New York, was on Route 430 in the Town of Mina at 12:40 a.m. when his bike crashed and caught on fire. Gordon has been charged with driving while intoxicated. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Man Jailed for Domestic Incident

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A Brocton, New York, man is in jail for allegedly choking a woman during a domestic incident early this morning in Brocton. Sheriff’s deputies say 30-year-old Brian Trask also pushed the victim through a glass door. Trask is charged with criminal obstruction of breathing and harassment. His bail is $1,500 cash. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Chapman Pleads Guilty to Escape

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Accused rapist Joseph Chapman of Emporium pleaded guilty Thursday in McKean County Court to an escape charge. The 28-year-old walked away from the McKean County Jail in July of 2007 and spent nearly five years on the run. He was arrested on May 20 near Dunkirk, New York, after a TV viewer recognized him on the show “America's Most Wanted.” He was originally in jail after being charged with raping a seven-year-old and eight-year-old girl in Cameron County. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Man Falls From Roof, Dies

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A 43-year-old Cleveland, Ohio, man died after falling at a Titusville plant Thursday afternoon. Crawford County Coroner Scott Schnell says Mark Allen Whitley fell about 30 feet from a roof at International Waxes when he was removing beams from the roof and one of them gave way. Schnell says Whitley removed his fall protector so he could move to a new position. Whitley was taken to Titusville Area Hospital, where he was pronounced dead of multiple blunt force trauma to the head. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Man Who Set Fire to Tree Stand
While He was in it Pleads Guilty

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The man who set a tree stand on fire while he was in it during a police chase has pleaded guilty to a number of charges. The incidents started after a woman confronted Jacob Richards of Grand Valley about using bath salts, after he spend more than a day pounding and sawing in his bedroom. He fired a shotgun inside the house and, after the woman called police, he set items inside the house on fire and escaped through a hole he cut in the floor. Police chased him through the woods for a couple of hours until they found him in the tree stand. The district attorney’s office withdrew charges of arson and flight to avoid apprehension. He is scheduling for sentencing on October 1 on charges of persons not to possess firearms, recklessly endangering another person and resisting arrest. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Search for Smith Turns Up Nothing

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About a dozen agencies searched near Emporium today for accused kidnapper Thomas Smith, but did not find him. Police have been looking for the 58-year-old Cameron County resident since last Wednesday when he allegedly kidnapped a woman at gunpoint. She was able to get away. Searchers looked in the Whittimore Hill and Norwich Hill areas for about six hours. Two state police cadaver dogs were on the scene because police believe it’s possible Smith committed suicide. Police say they will continue the search. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

CCMH Gets Threee State Health Awards

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COUDERSPORT, PA (August 16, 2012) Cole Memorial is the proud recipient of three prestigious state health awards for successful initiatives to improve the quality and safety of care for their patients and a special citation from the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. An awards ceremony to celebrate these achievements was held today at the hospital with approximately 100 community members, healthcare representatives, hospital employees and board members in attendance. This year, The Hospital and Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania (HAP) received 81 Achievement Award applications from hospitals across the state of which 17 awardees were selected among the most innovative and creative in the health care field. Cole Memorial was the recipient of two of those awards. HAP President and CEO Carolyn F. Scanlan presented both awards during Cole Memorial’s event starting with the 2012 Achievement Award for Operational Excellence from HAP for “A Small Hospital’s Emergency Department Tran

Pitt Band at Pitt-Bradford

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The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford will host the University of Pittsburgh Varsity Marching Band for its annual pre-season camp Aug. 17 to Aug. 21. This will be the 24th year that the band will hold practice sessions in Bradford and the 17th year that the band will be led by Jack Anderson, band director. Practices during the band’s stay will be open to the public. Daytime practices are held on the soccer field along Campus Drive, on the field in front of Hanley Library or in Swarts Hall or Blaisdell Hall. Each evening at dusk, the band relocates to the Bromeley Family Theater in Blaisdell Hall. The public is welcome to attend these evening rehearsals. This is the 101st season of performing for the Pitt band, which has about 260 members. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Delevan Health Center Grand Opening

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Olean General Hospital’s newest health center celebrated a grand opening today. The region’s newest health care facility will begin treating patients on Monday, August 20. The new $1.4 million health center, located in the Delavan Plaza at 38 North Main Street (Route 16), Delevan, NY, will offer primary care and dental services to residents in and around northern Cattaraugus County. “Improving access to essential care is a priority and a commitment of Olean General Hospital”, said Timothy J. Finan, president and CEO of Olean General Hospital. “The Delevan Health Center delivers the convenience of close-to-home care in a new, modern and comfortable setting.” The new center is located in the Town of Yorkshire, identified by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services as both a medically underserved area and a dental professional shortage area. “When we considered this opportunity it was clear to us that placing a health center with both primary care and dental services in the Vill

Judge Orders Cegila to Hand Over Letter
Reportedly Saying Contract is a Fraud

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A federal judge today ordered Paul Ceglia to hand over a confidential letter that may support Facebook’s claim that he is a fraud. The Wellsville man claims he signed a contract in 2003 with Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg that gives him part ownership in the multi-billion dollar company. The letter in question is from one of Ceglia’s former lawyers to another now-former lawyer reportedly telling him Ceglia’s contract with Zuckerberg is a fraud, and that’s why he was withdrawing from the case. Ceglia is on his fourth set of lawyers in the case. The judge today also fined Cegila and his current lawyer another $1,000 for not handing the letter over sooner. Ceglia is already facing tens-of-thousands of dollars in fines for contempt of court. A lawyer for Facebook says, “It’s bad enough that Ceglia is perpetuating a massive fraud on the court. His ongoing contempt makes is all the more reprehensible.” The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Police Looking for Stolen Pickup Truck

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Someone stole a pickup truck from Bolivar Drive sometime between 11 o’clock last night and 6 o’clock this morning. Bradford City Police say the 2000 Dodge Ram 2500 has a license plate of ZMB5593. The extended cab truck is maroon over silver with a cap over the bed, and had a Miller 302 Trail Blazer welder in the bed. Anyone with pertinent information is asked to contact City of Bradford Police or use the City of Bradford Police.com tip line. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Arrest Made in Pitt Bomb Threat Case

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A 64-year-old man from Ireland has been charged with emailing dozens of bomb threats to the University of Pittsburgh. Adam Stuart Busby of Dublin has been charged with sending more than 40 emails targeting the University between March 30 and April 21. The threats forced more than 100 evacuations at Pitt’s Oakland campus, and one at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford. Busby faces 17 counts of wire fraud, 16 counts of maliciously conveying false information in the form of bomb threats and two counts of international extortion. U.S. Attorney David J. Hickton announced the charges alongside FBI Special Agent in Charge Gary Douglas Perdue and University of Pittsburgh Chancellor Mark Nordenberg during a news conference at FBI headquarters this afternoon. Busby is also charged with threatening Hickton and claiming bombs had been placed at courthouses in Pittsburgh, Erie and Johnstown on June 20 and 21. 24-year-old Alexander Waterland of Loveland, Ohio, and 26-year-old Brett Hudson of Hi

Police Still Searching for Thomas Smith

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Police in Cameron County are still searching for Thomas Smith, and are looking into the possibility that he killed himself. Endeavor News is reporting on its Facebook page that police received a report of a gunshot fired where a person may have seen Smith last week. Cadaver dogs have been called in to follow up on that lead. Police have searched property of many of Smith’s relatives but did not say what, if anything, they found. Smith is accused of kidnapping at woman at gunpoint last Wednesday afternoon. The woman was able to get away. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Obituary
Edward Chandler

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Edward C. Chandler, 78, of 876 W. Washington St. Bradford, passed away Tuesday, August 14, 2012 at the Bradford Regional Medical Center. Born April 28, 1934 in Bradford, he was a son of the late Edward S. and Rachel (Simpier) Chandler. He was 1952 graduate of Bradford High School. On July 8,1961 in Bradford he married Sandra V. (Peterson) Chandler who survives him. Mr. Chandler enlisted with the U.S. Army on October 2, 1956 and served in Germany, he was honorably discharged October 2, 1958. Upon returning from the service he worked at Airco Speer, Boise Cascade, at Zippo as a Security Guard and delivery person for Ott & McHenry. He also served as a Loan officer for the Bradford Area Credit Union for many years. Ed held various offices for the American Legion Post #108 and was a member of the Marche Club. Edward is survived by his wife of 51 years, along with a son, Edward A. (Stephanie) Chandler of Kane, a daughter, Tracey (Dan) Byers of Erie and a sister, Gloria Coffman Sweeney of

United Way 2012 Campaign Begins

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United Way of the Bradford Area’s 2012 appeal has officially begun, with a theme of “Live United.” Chairing this year’s campaign are Steve Cottillion of Northwest Savings Bank, Christine Minich of Zippo Manufacturing Company, and Karen Costello-Pecht of Control Chief Corporation. “With the community behind the United Way, we believe we can accomplish anything. Karen, Chris and I look forward to working with our wonderful and caring community to help everyone Live United!” said Cottillion. The annual campaign, which runs from August 15 through December 15, has a goal of securing pledges from the community through workplace campaigns and individual contributions that benefit the local United Way’s 18 affiliated agencies and 39 programs in the areas of education, income, health and rebuilding lives. The local staff and volunteers will spend the next four months soliciting the community, especially by the use of the workplace campaign presentations. Speakers from partner agencies are eager

Pair Facing Charges After Fatal Crash

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A Dunkirk woman and a teenager are facing charges in connection to a fatal crash last month on the Cattaraugus Indian Reservation. Sheriff’s deputies say 27-year-old Jessica Mann originally told them 16-year-old Paul Williams was driving the car that turned in front of a motorcycle operated by 53-year-old Charles Phillips of Derby on July 21. But their investigation revealed that Mann was actually driving. Phillips died at Lakeshore Hospital. Mann and Williams are both charged with providing a false written statement, obstructing governmental administration and conspiracy. She was also ticketed for failure to yield the right of way and unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle. She jailed on $2,500 bail. Sheriff's deputies say Mann has also been detained by federal authorities for an incident that occurred in the City of Dunkirk in February of this year. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Kane Man Escapes Injury in Crash

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No one was hurt when a car hit a tree late Tuesday night in Ridgway. State police say 27-year-old Michael Niklasof Kane was traveling too fast for conditions on the wet road when his vehicle went out of control, spun around, left the road and hit the tree. Police say Nicklas was wearing a seatbelt. He was cited for driving at an unsafe speed. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Flags Stolen from Vet's Memorial Found

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Two flagpoles and three flags stolen from the memorial for Staff Sergeant Kenneth VanGiesen have been found. The poles, an American flag, Pennsylvania flag and POW flag were stolen earlier this month from Gibbs Hill Cemetery. They were found Monday in a wooded area across the road from the cemetery hidden in tall vegetation. VanGiesen is the Kane native who was killed last year in Afghanistan. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Tattoo Shop Owner Trying to Help with
Effort to Install Surveillance Cameras

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By ANNE HOLLIDAY WESB/WBRR News Director A tattoo shop owner wants to help with the cost of surveillance cameras for downtown Bradford, and a paving project will help making driving a little easier in some other parts of the city. The issue of surveillance cameras came up during the last council meeting when several downtown business owners expressed their concerns about bad behavior in the downtown area. At that time, Mayor Tom Riel said the Bradford Area Chamber of Commerce is trying to raise money to have the cameras installed. During Tuesday’s council meeting Bob Price, who owns Inferno Studio, said he is offering some money for the cameras “just so people know we care and we want to help.” “I’m trying to put together as much as I can,” he said, adding he has raised $1,000 so far and is trying to raise more. He added that he has talked to people who would be willing to do the work on the cameras inexpensively. Price also wanted to dispel a misconception about tattoo parlors. “I kno

Catt Co SPCA Worker Charged with Forgery

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A man who works for the Cattaraugus County SPCA is facing charges for having a forged rabies vaccination certificate. Sheriff’s deputies say on March 3, 2008, 38-year-old Phillip Barrett used the certificate in Hinsdale. They did not name the victim. Barrett, a cruelty inspector for the SPCA, is charged with a felony count of criminal possession of a forged instrument. He’s scheduled for arraignment tomorrow in Town of Hinsdale Court. The sheriff's office did not say why they filed charges four years after the alleged incident. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

New Law for Telemarketers in NYS

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Telemarketers will not be allowed to use pre-recorded messages in calls to New York State residents and, if they do, they could have their company registration revoked. Governor Andrew Cuomo today signed a measure into law that gives the Department of State the authority to ban from the state telemarketing companies that violate the law. When signed the bill into law Cuomo said the calls are intrusive and irritating. The law goes into effect in 90 days, but does not include automated calls for political campaigns. http://www.governor.ny.gov/press/08142012-make-unwanted-invasive-telemarketing-more-difficult The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Woman Accused of Drinking on the Job

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A Bradford woman is accused of drinking while tending bar at the Hotel Holley. 40-year-old Ida Jo Bundy is charged with a misdemeanor count of drinking alcohol while tending bar stemming from an alleged incident on May 4. If she is found guilty she would have to pay a fine of between $100 and $500. Bundy is scheduled for a preliminary arraignment on Monday in District Judge Dominic Cercone’s office. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Appalachian Trail Turns 75 Today

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There was no precedent for the Appalachian Trail in 1921, when Benton MacKaye dreamed it up as a wilderness refuge for people in the big cities of the eastern United States. The first section was constructed in 1922, and the entire trail was completed on August 14th, 1937. Read more at PA Matters.com . The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

BAHS Goal:
Cultivate High Performing Climate

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Bradford Area High School’s new principal wants to cultivate a high-performing school climate that emphasizes college and career readiness. David Ray gave a presentation during Monday’s Bradford Area School Board meeting on the school’s “Getting Results Plan,” which is required by the state Department of Education. He said, “Each member of the school community will promote, enhance and sustain shared vision of a positive school climate.” Ray said one of his goals for this year is to have a much more focused look at putting students into career pathways by having increased enrollment in career and technical education schools and an increased number of students in advancement placement courses. He said the staff will also more closely monitor student attendance and participation. The key is “a consistent effort to identify struggling students and to implement plans to help those students succeed,” Ray said. He said the school administration has “developed a customized system of academic

Men Sentenced for Violent Home Invasion

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Four Jamestown men who robbed and assaulted a Randolph couple in their home last November will spend the next 20 years in state prison. 23-year-old D’Allyn Washington, 22-year-old Derrick Williams, 25-year-old Samuel Rodriguez Jr. and 19-year-old Cameron Rives entered the home of Thomas and Marjorie Andrews at about 2:15 on the morning of November 10 and held the couple at gunpoint. They also kicked, punched and pistol whipped Thomas Andrews and bound Marjorie’s wrists together with duct tape. Prosecutors say the men thought they were going into the home of a drug dealer but went to the wrong house. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Biplane Flight:
Like Riding a Harley in the Sky

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On my return to Smethport from a year-long teaching assignment at a university in China, I was told of a biplane ride that operated out of Bradford Regional Airport. Would I be interested? Picturing a rickety crate that would wobble down the runway before risking a tepid leap into the air, it was easy to dismiss the idea. After all, I could quench my thirst for adventure in a variety of other ways — without having to entrust my soul to a patchwork machine ushered back to life with long forgotten parts exhumed from a scrap yard. Read the rest of Matt Muller's story -- and see video -- here . The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

The Scarnati Report for August 2012

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The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

SBU's Burke Serves on Committee to
Guide Neurofibromatosis Research

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Dr. Peggy Yehl Burke, associate provost and dean of St. Bonaventure University’s School of Graduate Studies, recently participated in the evaluation of research applications submitted to the Neurofibromatosis Research Program sponsored by the Department of Defense. Burke was nominated for participation in the program by the Children’s Tumor Foundation in Atlanta. As a consumer reviewer, she was a full voting member, along with prominent scientists, at meetings to help determine how the $12.8 million appropriated by Congress for fiscal year 2012 will be spent on future neurofibromatosis research. Consumer reviewers are asked to represent the collective view of neurofibromatosis survivors and patients, family members, and persons at risk for the disease when they prepare comments on the impact of the research on issues such as disease prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment, and quality of life after treatment. Neurofibromatosis results from a genetic change (spontaneous or inherite

Trekking Deadline Approaching

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The deadline to submit completed Tuna Trekker Trail Logs is Thursday, August 16th at the Red Cross office. If participants have been unable to finish their logs, the event committee is still asking that the logs be turned in along with any donations that were raised. For people participating in the GeoCoin Challenge, it is only necessary to have found 8 of the 10 caches. All participants will be considered for the various prizes that have been donated from local businesses. Anyone with questions regarding submitting their Trail Logs should contact the Red Cross office. If no one is available at the office when participants arrive to submit their logs, please place log through mail slot in the front door. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Reward for Smith's Capture Now $5,000

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The reward for information leading to the capture of Thomas Smith is now $5,000. Emporium Borough Police say, along with the $2,000 being offered by PA Crime Stoppers, two private citizens have added another $3,000. The 58-year-old Cameron County man is accused of kidnapping a woman at gunpoint Wednesday afternoon. She was able to escape, but the search for Smith has been on since then. Police say they did receive a report Sunday night saying someone saw Smith in the area of Route 120 between Emporium and St. Marys, but the person was not Smith after all. Mountain Rescue also searched in the Whittimore Hill area on Sunday. Police remind people that Smith is considered armed and dangerous, and that anyone helping him elude police may also face felony charges. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Two Hurt in Early Morning Crash

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Two people were hurt and charges are pending against the driver in a one-car crash at about 2:30 this morning on Route 120 in Cameron County. 20-year-old Noel Beck of Emporium was about half a mile west of Sterling Run Road when she saw a deer crossing the road, swerved to miss it, traveled off the road and hit a parked vehicle. Police say Beck’s vehicle kept going and then hit a guide rail, went into a ditch and rolled over. Beck was taken to Elk Regional Health Center for treatment of minor injuries. Her passenger, 33-year-old Richard Olivett Jr. of Emporium, was taken to the hospital for treatment of moderate injuries. Police say DUI charges are pending against Beck. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

BRMC Finalizes Settlement with DoJ

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Bradford Regional Medical Center (BRMC) has finalized a settlement of the claims alleged in the qui tam proceeding brought against the hospital nearly 10 years ago, according to Timothy J. Finan, president and CEO of Bradford Regional Medical Center and Upper Allegheny Health System. “I am pleased this matter is now officially behind us and put to rest,” Mr. Finan said. The lawsuit involved allegations against the hospital and two physicians related to regulations that govern financial relationships between hospitals and physicians. This matter involved circumstances that occurred well before the 2009 integration of Bradford Regional Medical Center with Olean General Hospital and the formation of Upper Allegheny Health System. Mr. Finan said the settlement agreement is neither an admission of liability by BRMC nor a concession by the United States (Department of Justice) that its claims are without basis, and allows BRMC to make settlement payments to the government through 2018. “B

Carrollton Man Charged with Arson

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A Carrollton, New York, man is charged with arson for allegedly setting another man’s vehicle on fire. The Cattaraugus County Fire Investigation Team says 36-year-old Brett Bunker set Christopher Barrile’s vehicle on fire while it was on Nichols Run Road. Bunker is also charged with criminal mischief. The vehicle was destroyed. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947