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Showing posts from 2014

CNB Bank Warns of Scam

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CNB Bank is warning customers about a scam that starts with a text message. They say the scammers send a message that says, “State Bank Alert: Your VISA Check Card is blocked.” People are then asked to call VISA Card Services and entered their card information on the phone’s keypad. Once again, this is the scammer’s attempt at getting personal information – and you should never enter any account numbers on a phone. If you’ve already received this message and given out your CNB Bank information, contact the bank’s Customer Service Center immediately. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

City of Bradford Police Log for 12/23/14

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City of Bradford Police on Tuesday investigated a motor vehicle accident on West Washington Street, criminal mischief at Mill and East Main streets and a disturbance on Bushnell Street. They also looked into harassment on South Center Street and suspicious activity on Sherman Street. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

City Tax Hike Not as High as Anticipated

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Property taxes in the City of Bradford won’t be going up nearly as much as anticipated. The average property owner will see an increase of about $4.50 a month. They had been looking at an increase of around $10. Mayor Tom Riel says they were able to knock the millage down from 4.9 to 1.5 in the past month. “It was kind of scary when we did the first reading (of the millage ordinance),” Riel said. “I want to commend council for their efforts working with everybody to lower that down to 1.5 mils.” “I wish it was nothing,” he said, “but we can’t go without a tax increase every year.” He added that there has not been a tax increase for the past three years. Eliminating the purchase of new vehicles for the police, fire and property maintenance departments is one way they trimmed the budget. Health insurance, pension costs and contract obligations were among the increases expenses they had no control over. Councilman Fred Proper, who oversees accounts and finances, said although the for

Man Charged With Child Sex Abuse

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A 26-year-old McKean County man is accused of sexually abusing children in Potter and Elk counties. 26-year-old Christopher Mitchell of Port Allegany is charged with sexual abuse of children, unlawful contact with a minor, corruption of minors and indecent assault. The alleged incidents happened between August of 2011 and August of 2013. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

More Charges Filed Against Man
Accused of Raping 7-Year-Old

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A 41-year-old man already in McKean County Jail for sexually abusing a 7-year-old girl is facing more charges – including rape. Police say Joseph Allen Snyder of Kane sexually abused the victim in late November at a home in the borough. On November 26 police filed charges of indecent assault of a person younger than 13 and corruption of minors. Additional felony counts of rape of a child, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse with a child, statutory sexual assault, aggravated indecent assault, and unlawful contact with a minor have now been field. Snyder remains in McKean County Jail on $200,000 bail. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Scarnati Plans to Re-Introduce
Direct Wine Shipping Bill

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This is a memo Senator Joe Scarnati sent to all members of the Senate: In the near future I plan on re-introducing legislation which would allow Pennsylvania wine consumers the convenience of making purchases by internet, mail or telephone and having the product shipped directly to their homes. This legislation will be similar to Senate Bill 101 of last session. The Liquor Code currently allows for wine to be shipped directly to consumers' homes only from Pennsylvania wineries. A consumer who orders wine from an out-of-state entity must have the product shipped to their nearest Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB) store for pickup. In the 2005 “Granholm” Case the United State Supreme Court ruled that allowing only in-state wineries to ship directly to consumers was a violation of the Federal Commerce Clause. This legislation will bring Pennsylvania law into compliance with this ruling and provide added convenience and selection for consumers. My legislation

Cops: Man Stole Coins, Cashed Them In

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A man is accused of breaking into a house, taking a jar of coins and cashing them in at a Coinstar machine. 31-year-old Gregory DeHaven of Bradford is charged with burglary and related offenses in connection to the November 29 break-in at the West Washington Street home. Police say after he took the coins he went to Walmart and used the Coinstar machine to get about $287. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Salvation Army Thousands Under Goal

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If you're doing any last-minute shopping -- please don't ignore the Salvation Army's Red Kettles on your way out of the store. With only today and tomorrow left in the campaign they are $10,000 short of their goal. Lt. Shane Carter talks says the money goes toward funding their programs for the entire year. This includes the food pantry, emergency housing and more. You’ll find Red Kettles at Walmart, Big Lots, Tops and Save-A-Lot. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Man Who Lied to Feds About Well-Plugging
Sentenced to Six Months in Prison

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A contractor who lied to the government about plugging abandoned oil wells in Elk County has been sentenced to six months in prison. 45-year-old Ronald Wright of Pleasantville must also pay more than $236,000 restitution to his former employee, S&T Services and Supply to cover costs of re-plugging 95 wells. ARG Resources had contracted with S&T to plug the abandoned wells so they would be in compliance with the Safe Drinking Water Act before doing work in the Allegheny National Forest. During his sentencing in federal court in Erie he apologized for filed false certificates that environmental regulators used to approve an injection well in Elk County. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Joe Cocker Dies at Age 70

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(CNN) -- Joe Cocker, the British blues-rock singer whose raspy voice brought plaintive soul to such hits as "You Are So Beautiful" and the duet "Up Where We Belong," died Monday after a battle with lung cancer. He was 70. Cocker's performing career spanned some 50 years, from Woodstock, where he sang the Beatles' "With a Little Help From My Friends," to the digital-music era. He had tour dates scheduled well into 2015. Read more at CNN.com . The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Man Hurt After Animal Crosses Road

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A man suffered minor injuries after an animal ran in front of his car on Wykoff Run in Cameron County on Sunday. Police say 30-year-old Mehedi Hasan of State College was traveling south near Peach Lane at 1:25 a.m. when he saw the animal enter the road. He swerved off the road, and attempted to correct, but then traveled into the opposite lane of travel and hit a tree. The car had to be towed from the scene. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Pedestrian Dies in Cameron County

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A pedestrian is dead after being hit by a car early Sunday morning in Cameron County. Police say a car driven by 21-year-old Kaitlyn Crosby of Emporium hit two men who were walking along Old West Creek Road in Shippen Township at just after 3 a.m. 62-year-old David Croyle Jr. of Emporium was pronounced dead at the scene. 25-year-old Patrick Hornung, also of Emporium, was taken to Penn Highlands Elk for treatment of serious injuries. Police are continuing their investigation. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Three Hurt in Two-Vehicle Crash

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Three people were hurt in a two-vehicle crash Saturday afternoon on Looker Mountain Trail near the intersection of routes 246 and 646 in Foster Township. Police say a van driven by 17-year-old Sheldon Foley of Eldred crossed the center line and hit a pickup truck driven by 45-year-old Daryl Quick of Bradford. It took emergency responders about an hour to free Foley and his passenger from the van. Quick, Foley and his passenger, 19-year-old Michael Vancise, also of Eldred, were all taken to BRMC for treatment of moderate injuries. Police are continuing their investigation. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Three Charged After Mount Jewett Fight

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Harassment charges have been filed against three Mount Jewett residents after one of them refused to leave the home of the others Sunday morning. Police say 30-year-old Krystle Causer was asked to leave the home of 29-year-old Ryan McClellen and 27-year-old Yvonne Bush, but wouldn’t, and a fight broke out. Causer is charged with assault harassment and trespassing. McClellen and Bush are each charged with assault harassment. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Smethport Man Facing Charges

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A Smethport man is facing charges after two incidents late Saturday night along Route 6. Police say 54-year-old Robert Kelly hit a large traffic sign in Smethport at around 11:30 p.m., and then drove away on Route 6 east. About 10 minutes later, while passing a car near the Route 6 intersection with Shunk Lane, a tire came off Kelly’s car and hit the other car’s bumper. Kelly drove away from that scene as well. State police, along with the Smethport and Port Allegany police departments, looked for the car, and found it in a driveway along Woodland Drive in Port Allegany. Kelly’s car was moderately damaged, but he wasn’t hurt. He was taken to Kane Community Hospital for a blood test, which he refused. Charges will be filed in District Judge Bill Todd’s office. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Gas Pipeline Company Settles With DEP

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The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) today announced a settlement with Tennessee Gas Pipeline Company, LLC (TGP) for multiple violations of the Clean Streams Law during the construction of a natural gas pipeline in 2011 and 2012 through four counties in northeast and north-central Pennsylvania. The violations occurred during construction of the company’s “300 Line Project.” According to the agreement, TGP will pay a penalty of $210,000 and will fund a $540,000 clean-up program of illegal dumpsites in Pike, Potter, Susquehanna and Wayne Counties. The fund will be administered by the Pennsylvania Environmental Council over a four year period. TGP has also agreed to pay cost recovery monies to four Conservation Districts and the Department in the amount of $50,002. “This civil penalty is two-fold in its benefit to the public,” DEP Northeast Regional Director Mike Bedrin said. “It eliminates unsightly and illegal dumpsites that are problematic for many communities across the

Obituary
Dorothea Fesenmyer

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Dorothea C. Fesenmyer, 85, of 371 Langmaid Lane, Bradford, passed away Sunday, December 21, 2014, at the Bradford Manor. Born January 19, 1929, in Bradford, she was a daughter of the late Basil and Harriett (Robbins) Gildersleeve. On August 19, 1950, in St. Bernard Church she married Howard L. Fesenmyer who survives. Mrs. Fesenmyer was a 1946 graduate of Bradford High School. She attended Keuka College and graduated from Clarion University in 1950 with a teaching degree. She taught in the Butler School system and then in 1953 moved back to Bradford. She taught for the Bradford Area School District for many years as a reading specialist, in the Title 1 program, retiring in 1979. She volunteered for the Bradford Hospital Auxiliary and for the Bradford Hospital Resale Shop and was awarded Female Honoree from the hospital. She was also recognized by the YWCA as Woman of the Year. She was a member of the Thursday Bridge Club at Pennhills Club and a member of the America

Pitt-Bradford Nursing Students Achieve
90 Percent Pass Rate on Licensure Exam

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Students in the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford’s associate of science in nursing program scored a 90 percent pass rate on the national nursing exam – eight points higher than the national average. The Pitt-Bradford pass rate on the National Council Licensure Exam – or NCLEX, as it is commonly referred to – was also seven percentage points higher than the pass rate at other programs in Pennsylvania. Most programs have seen a decline in scores this year, explained Dr. Tammy Haley, associate professor of nursing and director of the nursing program, because the test is changed every three years. This was the first year for students to take the new test, but Pitt-Bradford students continued to outperform state and national averages. For the previous three years, Pitt-Bradford students averaged a pass rate of 98 percent compared to a national average of 87 percent. “We’ve done a good job preparing our students and helping to maintain

Students' Work on Display in
Pitt-Bradford's Spring Spectrum Series

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The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford’s spring Spectrum Series will showcase student talent as well as regional musicians and an artist’s view of Iceland. Events are open to the public and free unless otherwise noted. The season begins with the unveiling of the 2015 edition of Baily’s Beads, the award-winning student-run literary magazine. The annual celebration will take place at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 21, 2015, in the Mukaiyama University Room in the Frame-Westerberg Commons. The latest issue will be revealed with refreshments, prizes, readings by Baily’s Beads contributors and an open mic for anyone who wants to share original work. February will begin with an art exhibition by Burke Jam, “From a Black Shore: FRACTURE,” that examines how sound informs our perception of place. An opening and gallery talk by the artist will take place at noon, Feb. 6, in the KOA Art Gallery in Blaisdell Hall. The exhibition will be on display from Feb. 6

BACC Extends Hours For Holiday Shopping

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The Bradford Area Chamber of Commerce will offer extended hours on Monday, December 22nd and Tuesday, December 23rd for holiday shoppers looking to purchase Bradford Gift Certificates. The office will be open Monday, December 22nd from 8am to 6pm, and Tuesday, December 23rd from 8am to 4pm for shoppers’ convenience. Bradford Gift Certificates are available in $5, $10, $25, and $50 denominations, and can be combined for any multiple of $5. They are accepted at more than 100 Chamber member businesses. Anyone wishing to pre-order their gift certificates may call the Chamber at 814-368-7115 and their order will be prepared in advance The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

St. Bonaventure University to
Offer Major in Environmental Studies

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St. Bonaventure University will offer a new major in environmental studies beginning in fall 2015. The New York State Department of Education approved the bachelor of arts degree program earlier this month. Dr. Ted Georgian, biology professor and longtime instructor in St. Bonaventure’s environmental science program, will serve as program director. The environmental science program will be phased out May 31, 2015. Unlike environmental science, which is meant to provide substantial depth in the technical aspects of the discipline, the environmental studies program gives students the flexibility to select courses that approach environmental issues from a perspective of interest to them, from business to natural resources conservation to philosophy and theology. “St. Bonaventure, with its Catholic Franciscan tradition, mission, and value of the care for Creation, is singularly called to initiate such a degree,” Georgian said. “The program will also put to good use the natu

A Season for Giving

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A donation from the American Legion was delivered to Destinations-Bradford on Friday, December 19th. Picture from left to right are Commander Pete O'Donohoe; Destinations Director Becky Plummer; Club President Shelly Pugrant; and Club Manager Darcy Rau. Photo provided by Destinations-Bradford. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Fire Damages Cameron County Motel

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The Lakeview Motel in Sinnemahoning was heavily damaged by fire early this morning. The fire was reported at about 2:45 a.m. and volunteers from Sinnemahoning, Emporium, Coudersport and Austin were on the scene for about four hours. Although the roof caved in, most of the damage was confined to the hotel area and not the storefront. When they got this call, firefighters had just gotten back from battling a blaze in Coudersport that did $175,000 worth of damage to a house on Crandall Street. Coudersport fire Chief Bryan Phelps says the house is a total loss and very little personal property could be salvaged. A state police fire marshal was called in to investigate, and could not determine a cause. Port Allegany, Roulette and Galeton firefighters also responded. Austin Volunteer Fire Department photo The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Man Hurt in Morning Crash

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A Kane man was hurt when his pickup truck went off an icy road and hit a tree this morning. Police say 65-year-old James Shay was on Route 66 in Highland Township at 11:45 a.m. when the truck went out of control on curve, left the road and hit a tree. Shay was taken by ambulance to Kane Community Hospital for treatment of moderate injuries. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Bradford Man Charged With Indecent Assault

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A man is facing a number of charges for having inappropriate contact with a child. 32-year-old Paul Hensley of Bradford is accused of being in a bed with a boy younger than 13 while they were undressed and their genitals were touching. The alleged incident happened on January 9 in Hensley’s Elm Street apartment. Charges were filed after the child was interviewed at the Children’s Advocacy Center in Smethport. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Sex Offender Pleads Guilty

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A man has pleaded guilty to not registering with New York’s sex offender registry. Hector Correa of Portville was supposed to register by September 11 in Olean, because he had changed his address. Correa is scheduled for sentencing on February 23. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947