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Showing posts from September 23, 2012

Bob Harris Talks About the 'Woolly Bear''

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We saw this woolly bear caterpillar outside -- and inside -- our studios earlier this week. So, what do the stripes tells us about the impending winter season? Master Gardener Bob Harris has the answer: Listen here . If you'd like to ask Bob a question, give him a call today at 368-9372 during "Around the Home with Bob Harris" at 8:30 a.m. on 1490 WESB and at WESB.com . The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Taglianetti in Custody

Sheriff Joseph A. Gerace and District Attorney David Foley announce that Anthony Robert (“Rob”) Taglianetti, II has been apprehended Mr. Taglianetti was located by the United States Marshal Service Fugitive Task Force and the Shenandoah Valley County Sheriff’s Office late this afternoon near the Shenandoah Valley National Park in the State of Virginia and was taken into custody without incident. Deputy U.S. Marshal John Doss and Harrisonburg Police Officer were partnered up as part of a fugitive task force. They were patrolling areas that they thought the suspect may be in and spotting his moving vehicle. Taglianetti was stopped and taken into custody. Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Investigators and Prince William County Detectives are continuing their investigation in Virginia.

WGRZ Reports on Taglianetti Motive

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

Bradford Man Dies of Burns

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The Bradford man severely burned in a house fire Thursday has died at ECMC in Buffalo. 65-year-old Harold Peabody suffered burns on the majority of his body. State police fire marshal Greg Agosti says Peabody was sitting in a chair in the living room of his Hawthorne Road home filling a lighter with lighter fluid. The fluid spilled onto his clothes, and when he lit the lighter the flame ignited the vapor on his clothes. Agosti says Peabody attempted to take his clothes off and leave the house but he was overcome before reaching the front door. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Fredonia Native Killed in Afganistan

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We have more information about the Fredonia native who was earlier this week in Afghanistan. 28-year-old US Army Sergeant Jonathan Gollnitz was Wednesday in Pul-E Alam killed by a suicide bomber while on patrol with another soldier. Gollnitz and 29-year-old Staff Sergeant Orion Sparks of Tucson, Arizona, were assigned to the 1st Squadron, 91at Calvary Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team in Schweinfurt, Germany, according to the Defense Department. Gollnitz attended schools in the Fredonia School District through 11th grade, and graduate from the Levant Christian School in Falconer in 2003. Gollnitz’s family went to Dover Air Force Base yesterday to receive his body. Funeral arrangements are incomplete. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Pheasants Forever Holds Youth Event

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By Jane Bbryndel Pheasants Forever The volunteers waited anxiously for the young hunters to arrive with their families to start the 2012 Pheasants Forever Youth Outdoor event from September 21-23, 2012. Courtney Shatley from Turtlepoint, PA was the first to arrive with her parents Troy and Stephanie along with her little sister, Autumn. Older sister, Alesha, drove up after classes from Thiel to share her sister's special weekend. Travis Greenawalt from Knox, PA came soon after with his sister, Krista and his parents, Eric and Sherri. Jasmine Carlson and Cory Huff, our teen PF volunteers, helped to break the ice with the kids while the adults got to know each other better over hamburgers and hot dogs. Travis received a complete set of Pheasant Forever hunting clothing. Courtney received plenty of Pheasants Forever clothes along with a 20 gauge shot gun. Travis couldn't wait to get on the trap field under the lights for some shot gun safety and shooting

Doctor Surrenders Medical License

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A Clarion doctor who had an office in Kane has voluntarily surrendered his medical license amidst an investigation by the state attorney general’s office. Dr. Thomas Radecki is under investigation for over-prescribing medications as wells as trading drugs for sex, but no charges have been filed yet. Over the summer, evidence was seized from Radecki’s home in Clarion and his offices in Seneca, DuBois, and Kane. Radecki is a psychiatrist who specializes in treating patients who are addicted to heroin and highly addictive pain pills through the use of the controversial prescription medication Suboxone. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Fatal Stabbing in Amity

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An argument turned fatal overnight in Allegany County. State police say 29-year-old Jason Cipriano and 33-year-old Jason Mehmel were arguing in the street near Tuckers Corner Road in Amity at around 12:30 a.m. when the fight turned physical and Mehmel fatally stabbed Cipriano in the chest. Mehmel ran away, but surrendered a short time later. Mehmel, who is from Angelica, is charged with second-degree murder as well as criminal possession of a weapon. Pictured, Jason Mehmel The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

EPA Announces Agreement with
Company that Dumped Brine Waste in ANF

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The US Environmental Protection Agency has announced an agreement with a company that illegally dumped oil production brine waste on the Allegheny National Forest. The EPA says the Consent Agreement and Final Order requires Swamp Angel Energy to pay a civil penalty of $54,324, and plug the well that was used for the dumping. In 2007 and 2008, a former part-owner of Swamp Angel and a former site supervisor dumped about 228,000 gallons of contaminated brine into two pre-existing wells in the Allegheny National Forest without a permit. Wastewater from Swamp Angel’s oil production wells in the ANF was supposed to be disposed of at an authorized treatment facility. Since then, Swamp Angel applied for and received a SDWA permit from EPA to use one of the wells for disposal of brine generated during oil production. As part of the settlement, Swamp Angel will plug the other well to prevent contamination of underground sources of drinking water. In 2010, a criminal case involving the comp

Bradford Man Severely Burned

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A 65-year-old Bradford man was taken to ECMC in Buffalo in critical condition after suffering severe burns to the majority of his body. State police say Harold Peabody was burned at his Hawthorne Road house sometime between 10 a.m. and 3:35 p.m. Thursday. His roommate returned home to find the house full of smoke and Peabody lying on the living room floor. He was taken by Mercy Flight to Buffalo. The cause of the fire remains under investigation but police do not believe foul play is involved. Pictured, a Mercy Flight helicopter carrying Peabody takes off from the Bradford Mall Thursday evening. WESB photo

New Info Released on Taglianetti

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The Chautauqua County Sheriff's Office has released this updated "Wanted" poster for Anthony Robert Taglianetti, who they believe shot and killed Keith Reed Jr. last Friday. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

More Info on ANF Drug Bust

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McKean County District Attorney Ray Learn has released more information about the drug bust on the Allegheny National Forest. He says on Tuesday the McKean County Drug Task Force and US Forest Service Law Enforcement busted a sizeable marijuana growing operation in the forest in Lafayette Township. About 100 freshly harvested marijuana plants were seized. 57-year-old William Kamholtz of Frewsburg, New York, is charged with a felony count of manufacturing a controlled substance and two misdemeanor possession charges. He was arraigned by District Judge Rich Luther and sent to jail on $75,000 bond. Bradford Township Police and the DA’s office assisted in the drug bust. Photo courtesy of Ray Learn The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Suspect Named in Reed Murder

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A Virginia man has been named as the suspect in the killing of Clymer School District Superintendent Keith Reed Jr. Anthony Robert Taglianetti is considered armed and dangerous, according to Chautauqua County Sheriff Joe Gerace who held a news conference this afternoon along with District Attorney David Foley. They believe he is in Virginia now, but have put out a nationwide alert. Gerace and Foley said the murder has nothing to do with Reed’s job, but was not a random act of violence. They believe they know the reason Taglianetti killed Reed, but are not disclosing that because it’s an ongoing investigation. They say they know Taglianetti was in Clymer in Friday, and they believe that’s when Reed was killed. Foley says the main purpose of the news conference was to find Taglianetti. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Three Arrested for Growing Pot

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Three Mayville, New York, residents have been arrested for allegedly growing marijuana on their property. Sheriff’s deputies say on July 16 they harvested a small amount of marijuana growing at 107 Valley Street. After completing their investigation they arrested 54-year-old Suanne Carroll, 23-year-old Eric Courtier and 19-year-old Robin Johnson-Dearing. All three are charged unlawful possession of and growing marijuana and are scheduled to appear in Town of Chautauqua Court. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Flight 93 Memorial Project Gets $1.2 Million

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood today awarded $1.2 million to the National Park Service (NPS) to complete road work that provides access to the Flight 93 Memorial for 9/11 victims in Shanksville, Pa. “We are committed to helping make this a lasting memorial to the heroes of Flight 93,” said Secretary LaHood. “This funding will ensure that generations of Americans will have access to this important site where they can pay their respects to those who died on September 11th.” The Secretary visited the memorial on September 11 this year with Vice President Biden and Interior Secretary Ken Salazar. During that visit, Secretary LaHood met with officials from the Flight 93 National Memorial and the National Park Foundation who described a need for additional funding in order to complete the access road. “I am very proud that we were able to find the funds to help this critical and historic project,” said Secretary LaHood. The funds will be used to

Ribbon Cutting for 6V Sales & Service

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6V Sales and Service prepares for their Grand Opening celebration on Saturday with a ribbon-cutting ceremony Thursday morning. Pictured left to right are Fran Bottone, John and Kate Vinelli, owners, and Bradford Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Ron Orris. The Grand Opening celebration is from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at 170 Seaward Avenue and includes food and refreshments, a raffle for a set of passenger tires, giveways and music. You can also meet with 6V's factory reps and sponsors. WESB photo

Police Identify Burglar Who Was Stabbed

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Police have identified a Warren man as the person was stabbed, and later died, during a home invasion Wednesday in Jamestown. Police say 26-year-old Henry Smith and another person were in the Barker Street home at around 11:30 a.m. when the homeowner found them, and stabbed them both. Smith’s body was found in a yard a short distance from the house, while the other person made it to WCA Hospital, and was later taken to UPMC Hamot in Erie. Police have not released the second person’s name. The investigation is continuing. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

State Prison Time for Man Who Raped Teen

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A Ridgway man convicted of sexually assaulting a 13-year-old girl he was babysitting has been sentenced to 10 to 20 years in state prison. 26-year-old Corey Heatherdale forced the girl to perform oral sex on him and forced her to have intercourse with him at least five times. The victim, who is now 18 years old, testified that she was living with her father at the time of the assaults and her father knew Heatherdale from the Ridgway Fire Department. He asked Heatherdale to watch the girl while he worked second shift at a local factory. She testified that she did not tell any adults about the abuse earlier because she was afraid of possible repercussions. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Man Jailed on Drug Charges

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A Frewsburg man is in McKean County jail after a marijuana growing operation was discovered on the Allegheny National Forest. Law enforcement officials say they had been watching a field with about 50 marijuana plants in it for some time. They say 57-year-old William Kamholtz harvested the crop and they stopped his truck and arrested him after finding a duffel bag with suspected marijuana in it. Kamholtz is facing charges of manufacture and intent to deliver marijuana and possession of a controlled substance. His bail is set at $75,000, and he is scheduled to appeaer in McKean County Central Court next Thursday. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

The End of the World as We Know It:
Church Starts New Series

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As December 2012 nears, debates about the end of the world have been stirred up by many. Global government and economic unrest, drug-fueled cannibalistic "zombie" attacks, global warming, mysterious Mayan prophecies, and political tensions in the Middle East have added fuel to the fires of discussion of what many Christian groups call "The End Times" Sunday, September 30, Open Arms Community Church in Bradford, PA, will be launching a four-part series of talks on the end times, with the goal of offering a hopeful and sensible approach to the apocalyptic prophecies. Christian interpretations of the end times are varied and confusing, and in some cases, have led to some manipulative and destructive teachings, according to Open Arms Pastor Mike McAvoy. "It's sad and disgusting the exploitations and deaths that have taken place in the name of the End of the World. So many people struggle with fear and anxiety about the end of the world, our goal is to put

Federal Raid on Cattaraugus Reservation

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Federal agents are conducting a raid on a warehouse on the Seneca Nation’s Cattaraugus reservation in Irving, New York. The Associated Press is reporting that the agents are going through the warehouse for Wolf’s Run Trading and have taken owner Will Parry into custody. Parry is a tobacco wholesaler. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives has not commented yet. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Obituary
Carolyn Barr

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Carolyn A. Barr, 76, of 115 South Ave. passed away Monday, September 24, 2012 at Hamot Medical Center, in Erie. Born January 8, 1936 in Bradford, she was a daughter of the late Charles and Rhea (Rose) Barr II. She was a1953 graduate of Bradford High School. She worked in various factories, then for many years cared for her mother. She then worked as a clerk at the Housing Authority, retiring in 2003 after 15 years of service. She was instrumental in starting the Association for Retarded Citizens in McKean County, and was a volunteer at Futures and with the Special Olympics. She is survived by a daughter, Lori R. (Scott) Bebko, and a son, Charles J. Barr III, both of Bradford; fiance, Ian Fitzpatrick of Edinburgh, Scotland and five grandchildren, Amanda Boon, Heather Varner, Zachary Boon, Benjamin Boon, Kaitlin Boon, and seven great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by one brother Gerald Barr. At the request of the family, there will be no visitation. A Mass of Christain

Homeowner Stabs, Kills Burglar

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A man who was burglarizing a Jamestown house is dead after the homeowner stabbed him this morning. Police have not identified the people yet, but say a man found two other men burglarizing his Barker Street home at around 11:30 this morning, and stabbed them both. One of the burglars died a short distance from the house. The other is being treated at WCA Hospital. We’ll have more information as it becomes available. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Obituary
Keith Reed Jr.

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Keith L. Reed Jr., age 51, of Clymer, New York, formerly of Salamanca, New York, died Friday evening, September 21, 2012 at his home. Born June 3, 1961 in Olean, New York, he was the son of Keith Sr. and Shirley Spink Reed, of 63 Adams Street, Salamanca, New York, who survive. Mr. Reed was a graduate of Salamanca High School Class of 1979. He earned his bachelor's degree from St. Bonaventure University and two master's degrees, one in education, and the other in administration from Mansfield University, Mansfield, PA. He was enrolled in the Superintendant Development Program through Oswego State University. He began his career in 1984 as a business and distributive education teacher at Horseheads Central School. He became the intervention specialist for Horseheads High school in 1995. In 1997, he was appointed assistant principal at Campbell Savona Middle / High School, and then assistant high school principal in Horseheads in 2000. In 2005, Mr. Reed became principal fo

SBU to Celebrate Franciscan Roots

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St. Bonaventure University will celebrate the Feast of St. Francis with a week of Franciscan-inspired events beginning Friday, Sept. 28. Opening Francis Week will be Italian stage star Mario Pirovano, the speaker at the Friday Forum. Open to faculty and staff, the talk is scheduled from 12:30-1:30 p.m. in the University Club, with lunch — partially subsidized by the President’s Office — beginning at noon. There will also be an open overnight at Mt. Irenaeus beginning at 4 p.m., featuring Pirovano as a guest. Friday’s event is connected with Tuesday’s performance of Pirovano’s acclaimed one-man show, “Francis, The Holy Jester,” written by Nobel Prize winner Dario Fo. The performance at SBU kicks off his two-month North American tour. Philosophy Professor Mike Chiariello asked Pirovano to perform for students in the Umbra Institute study abroad program last year in Italy, and then invited the actor to come to St. Bonaventure. “The forum will be a discussion wit

BLT Announces ‘Marvelous Wonderettes’ Cast

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Bradford Little Theatre newcomers Ariel DeFrank, Melanie Bizzarro and Lori Johnson will join BLT veteran Andee Cole to make up the cast of the musical “The Marvelous Wonderettes.” The musical kicks off the BLT season with shows at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, October 25-27 and a matinee at 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 28. All performances will be held at the First Presbyterian Church hall on East Corydon Street. Created and written by Roger Bean, the two-act musical shows the girl quartet entertaining at their 1958 senior prom and again ten years later at their class reunion. More than two dozen songs from those years will be in the show, including "Son of a Preacher Man" "Secret Love," "Lipstick on Your Collar" and "Rescue Me." Director Cindy Graham said that while three of the singers are new to the BLT stage, all four of them are experienced performers. DeFrank won “Fretzican Idol” while a student at Fretz Middle School

Another Arson Arrest in Elk County

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A St. Marys man has been arrested for one of this summer’s arson fires in Elk County, and federal agents searched a building in connection to the case of a man already jailed for arson and other charges. 25-year-old Michael Scolari is accused of starting a camper fire on North St. Marys Street on July 9 that spread to portions of a nearby house that was occupied. The blaze damaged the house and a nearby vehicle. In addition to arson, Scolari is charged with reckless endangerment, criminal mischief and insurance fraud. He’s in Elk County Jail in lieu of $50,000 bail. Police say this fire is not connected with any of the other arson fires under investigation in Elk County. Father and son Francis and Anthony Milliard are accused of starting a fire at the Ridgway home of Pauline Smith on May 30. This morning, state police and the federal bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives served at federal search warrant at a building on East Avenue in Johnsonburg as part of the inve

Singer Andy Williams Dies at Age 84

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ST. LOUIS -- Andy Williams, the silky-voiced, clean-cut crooner, whose hit recording "Moon River" and years of popular Christmas TV shows brought him fans the world over has died, his publicist said. He was 84. Williams died Tuesday night at his home in Branson following a yearlong battle with bladder cancer, his Los Angeles-based publicist, Paul Shefrin, said Wednesday. For the full story go to MSNBC.com . The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

County, City Housing Authorities Look at Merger

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By ANNE HOLLIDAY WESB/WBRR News Director The housing authorities of McKean County and the City of Bradford have been sharing a director for about a year and a half, and now they want to know if the city wants them to go ahead with some kind of merger. County Redevelopment and Housing Authority Executive Director Dusti Dennis, who has been working 20 hours a week for the city authority, explained during a city council work session Tuesday what the housing authorities do, and what they don’t do. The city has 200 public housing units and the county has 216. The city has 112 Section 8 vouchers, while the county has 356. Residents pay 30 percent of their income in rent. “At this point we’re just exploring,” Dennis said. “What (a merger) could like we don’t know.” She said a merger “seems to make sense” financially, at least, because federal funding has been cut. Capital fund budgets for both authorities have been cut by 20 percent over the last three years, she said. Whether it’

Autopsy Confirms Gunshots Killed Reed

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An autopsy has confirmed that the superintendent of the Clymer School District who was found dead on his property on Monday died of multiple gunshot wounds. Chautauqua County Sheriff Joseph Gerace said this afternoon that the death of Keith Reed Jr. has officially been ruled a homicide, but they have no suspects. Reed's body was found on his property by K-9 units with the Sheriff's Office during a search Monday morning. Deputies went to Reed's property on Sunday night after receiving a missing persons report. They searched inside and outside Reed's house, but couldn’t find him, and then brought the dog in the next day. Reed was superintendent of the Clymer Central School District. In a statement posted on the district's website, members of the school's Board of Education called him "more than a superintendent” and said, "He encouraged everyone without judgment. He simply brought the best out in everyone -- students, faculty, staff and community.”

Mom Allegedly Grew Pot with Children

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A woman and her three children have been charged with growing large amounts marijuana on their Allegany County property. The Southern Tier Regional Drug Task Force raided the Moses residence in Almond and seized more than 60 pot plants as well as processed marijuana with an estimated street value of $70,000. The plants growing outside the house were about 4 feet high. Agents also seized pot-growing equipment and an undisclosed amount of cash. 59-year-old Kathryn Moses and her three children, 27-year-old Kyle, 30-year-old Timothy and 25-year-old Colleen, along with 27-year-old Stephen McIntyre, who lives with the family, were all charged with criminal possession of marijuana and unlawful growing of cannabis. They have all been released on appearance tickets for Town of Almond Court. Allegany County District Attorney Keith Slep says other charges are pending the results of further examination of the evidence seized at the scene. Kathyrn Moses Kyle Moses Timothy Moses