Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

The Bradford man who kidnapped a Crosby’s employee after robbing the store where she worked will spend the next 3 to 6 years in state prison. 39-year-old Robert Hannon Sr. was charged with robbery and kidnapping to facilitate a felony in connection to the December 12 incident. After taking about $3,000 from the store’s safe he drove the employee in her car to Allegany State Park, took her cell phone and left her there. Hannon’s wife Alice, who drove her husband to the store knowing he was going to rob it, was sentenced last week to 11 ½ to 23 ½ months in McKean County Jail. She told law enforcement officials she didn’t know her husband planned to kidnap the employee. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

The husband and wife who conspired to rob the Crosby’s store on South Avenue have pleaded guilty. 39-year-old Robert Hannon Sr. and 34-year-old Alice Hannon drove to the store on September 17. After his wife dropped him off, Robert Hannon forced an employee who was leaving for the night to unlock the door and go back inside, where he unlocked the safe and took about $3,000. He is a former Crosby’s employee. He then drove the employee, Jamie Cabisca, to Allegany State Park in her car, made her get out of the car took her cell phone. Robert Hannon pleaded to robbery and kidnapping to facilitate a felony. Alice Hannon pleaded to conspiracy to commit robbery. They are both scheduled for sentencing on January 9 in McKean County Court. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

The Bradford woman who drove her husband to a Crosby’s store so he could rob the place has waived her preliminary hearing. 34-year-old Alice Hannon dropped off her husband, 39-year-old Robert John Hannon Sr., at the South Avenue store as the clerk was closing up for the night, and then forced her back inside where he stole money from the safe, according to court records. She is charged with robbery, theft and kidnapping. Her husband waived his hearing last week. Both remain in McKean County Jail on $50,000 bail. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

An alleged robbery and kidnapping at the South Avenue Crosby’s early Tuesday morning has landed a Bradford couple in jail. 34-year-old Alice Hannon of Bolivar Drive dropped off her husband, 39-year-old Robert John Hannon Sr. at the store at just after midnight when the clerk was locking up for the night. According to papers filed in District Judge Bill Todd's office, Hannon, who was wearing a camouflage mask, forced the clerk back into the store, where he took money from the safe. Hannon then forced the clerk into the passenger seat of her own vehicle, drove her to the Interstate Parkway entrance of Allegany State Park, took her cell phone and left her there. The victims started walking down Interstate until she was able to flag down a passerby and get a ride to the Bradford police station. Robert Hannon, who used to work for Crosby's was identified through surveillance video. When police talked to his wife she told them he got home at about 2:30 a.m. and was carrying a C...

A Bradford man sentenced last week on drug charges waived a preliminary hearing today on a different set of charges. 20-year-old Zachery Dahlke allegedly had a baggie of marijuana at a Crosby’s store in Bradford Township on Christmas Day last year. He’s charged with a felony count of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance. He’s free on $25,000 unsecured bail. Last week in McKean County Court he was sentenced to 18 months’ probation and 120 hours of community service for possession with intent to deliver. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A Crosby’s store in Mayville, New York, needed a little extra cleaning Sunday night after a customer caused a bit of commotion. 46-year-old Douglas Fisher of Mayville went into the store at just after 7 o’clock and allegedly was aggressive and irate with employees. Sheriff’s deputies say he yelled obscenities at them, pushed a customer and then flipped over a newspaper stand and a display of sunglasses. He also damaged other merchandise in the store. Fisher is charged with criminal mischief and disorderly conduct and is in jail without bail. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A New York City resident is accused of stealing a 30-pack of beer from a Allegany County Crosby’s. State troopers got a report on Friday about the theft at the store on Route 19 in the Town of Amity. They arrested 27-year-old Kelly Gallman for petit larceny. He was released with an appearance ticket for Town of Amity Court at 7 p.m. January 9.

By ANNE HOLLIDAY WESB/WBRR News Director Sewer issues once again dominated a Foster Township supervisors meeting, but they also discussed the township’s hiring practices, the Foster Brook intersection and new Tasers for the police department. During Monday’s meeting, township engineer Harold Bloomgren said the layout of the sewer line extension project is being finalized, and once it’s complete they will address issues concerning streams and wetlands. Bloomgren also explained the formula for PENNVEST funding, which is based on a points system. The more points a project has, the higher it moves on the priority list. He said one of the most important factors is whether a project would create or retain jobs. Another concern is “wildcat” lines flowing into waterways. An October 18 meeting has been scheduled for residents to get more information about the sewer line extension project. Bloomgren said while engineers were out working in the Kendall Avenue corridor, the question people asked o...

A Bradford man committed suicide Monday night in the Crosby Mart parking lot on Route 219 in Lewis Run. State Police say 36-year-old Daniel Benner was found dead in an SUV. He died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound at 9:15pm. Police were getting ready to stop Benner for questioning when he pulled off the road and into the Crosby's parking lot. When police approached Benner's SUV they discovered him dead inside. McKean County District Attorney Ray Learn says Benner was wanted by Foster Township Police for several charges, including rape, indecent sexual assault and incest. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Man wins $1M on scratch-off using his last $10: wivb.com The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

After looking at surveillance video from a robbery and an attempted robbery, police in Chautauqua County believe the same person committed the crimes. Monday night someone attempted to rob the Arrow Mart in Jamestown and, a short time later, someone did rob the Crosby’s in Falconer. Detective Brad Knight of the Ellicott Police Department says the suspect did not display a weapon in either case but, in both cases, handed the cashier a note demanding money. The white man is about 5 feet 9 inches tall. The original news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

An Olean man who tried to rob a taxi driver back in September has pleaded guilty. 22-year-old Jordan Stebbins got in an Alle-Catt Cab in Olean and wanted to go to the Crosby’s in Hinsdale. When the driver, 59-year-old Vernon Outman, stopped the cab in the Crosby's parking lot, Stebbins punched him several times in the face and head. During the assault, the taxi accelerated through the parking lot and hit a canopy beam covering the gas pumps. Stebbins then tried unsuccessfully to rob Outman of his money. Outman was treated at Olean General Hospital for cuts to his face and head, and had to have stitches on his upper lip. Stebbins will be sentenced May 23.

A taxi driver ended up in the hospital after a man assaulted him and tried to rob him early Thursday morning. In an e-mail to WESB and The HERO, Cattaraugus County Sheriff’s deputies say 22-year-old Jordan Stebbins of Portville got in an Alle-Catt Cab in Olean and wanted to go to the Crosby’s in Hinsdale. When the driver, 59-year-old Vernon Outman, stopped the cab in the Crosby's parking lot, Stebbins punched him several times in the face and head. During the assault, the taxi accelerated through the parking lot and hit a canopy beam covering the gas pumps. Stebbins then tried unsuccessfully to rob Outman of his money. Outman was treated at Olean General Hospital for cuts to his face and head, and had to have stitches on his upper lip. He was released after being treated. Stebbins was arrested for assault and attempted robbery and sent to jail in lieu of $20,000. Deputies say more charges are possible.

State Police have now identified the man killed Saturday morning in Cattaraugus County. They say 20-year-old Kevin Stafford of Cherry Creek was westbound on Route 322 at about 7 a.m. when his vehicle went off the road and hit a tree. Troopers say he had just gotten off work at Crosby's in Little Valley, and was near South Dayton when the crash happened. Stafford was pronounced dead at the scene.

Brian Larson solved the "Touchdown Scramble" and won two tickets to the Bills/Patriots game and a ride to & from the game from Premo Limousine. Thanks to our sponsors for making the contest possible: Tasta Pizza- Bradford, Fairway Ford- Bradford, Sportsman's Outlet- Bradford, Carpet Express- Olean, Charlie's Cycle Center- Limestone, Paul Brown Dodge- Olean, Heritage Suites- Bradford, Cavallaro's Paint and Decorating-Bradford, Bradford Furniture and Carpet- Bradford, Premo Limousine- Olean, Crosby's- Bradford, Lewis Run. But we still have more chances for you to win great prizes! Our Tops Tailgate at Home contest is still going on, so you have 3 chances to win a $100 gift card from Tops. Starting next week, you'll have chances to win scratch-off tickets from the Pennsylvania Lottery . And our winter contest is coming up, too. We'll have more details on that in a few weeks. Again, thanks to our sponsors ... and thanks to our listeners for being so e...

Bradford City Council on Tuesday passed two resolutions to address the city's budgetary problems. First, the city is submitting a Fleet Credit Card Application to buy E-85 Flex Fuel for all city vehicles that can use it. Wednesday afternoon, E-85 was 50 cents cheaper than regular gasoline. Also, any purchase expected to be more than $50 has to have prior approval from the city clerk or deputy city clerk. Because of a decrease in timber revenues, the city is looking at a budget shortfall of between $300,000 and $500,000. Also during Tuesday's meeting, council awarded a contract to I.A. Construction for paving Kennedy and Boylston streets. The $109.5 million project is being funded with 2008 Community Development Block Grant money. In other matters, City Clerk John Peterson wanted to remind contractors that the Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act goes into effect on July 1, and they must be registered with the state. Attorney General Tom Corbett says that the law is intended...

Ken Leet of the McKean County Raceway stopped by to talk with Scott Douglas during The HERO's live broadcast from Crosby's/Tim Hortons Saturday afternoon.

Crosby's/Tim Horton's store manager Crystal Payne cuts the ribbon on the E85 pump at the Foster Brook Crosby's fueling station Friday afternoon. Reid Petroleum President Paul Quebral (wearing a suit) says this is the only E85 pump from Buffalo to Pittsburgh. The Crosby's celebration continues Saturday as Scott Douglas broadcasts live from the store on 100.1 The HERO from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Our condolences to Doug Galli, who couldn't be at the ribbon cutting because of the death of his father.

Crosby’s and Reid Petroleum will mark an environmental milestone on Friday, May 15 with the launch of Bradford’s first E85 fuel station at the new Crosby’s site at 1002 East Main Street and Derrick Road in Foster Brook. A ribbon cutting ceremony will mark the occasion at 2:00 p.m. that afternoon along with comments from General Manager and Vice-President of Crosby’s, Doug Galli, and the President of Reid Petroleum, Paul Quebral. E85 is the term for motor fuel blends of 85 percent ethanol and just 15 percent gasoline. E85 is an alternative fuel as defined by the U.S. Department of Energy. “We are very excited to be a part of the introduction of ethanol fuel into Bradford and McKean County. Crosby’s has always looked to the future in our store development and what we offer to our customers. Giving the people of McKean County the option to purchase a fuel that has been proven to reduce greenhouse gas emissions is another example of our focus on the future.” said...

By ANNE HOLLIDAY WESB/WBRR News Director The Bradford Mall, swine flu and the Derrick City reunion were among the topics discussed during a lengthy Foster Township supervisors meeting Monday night. Seaward Avenue resident Tom Perry asked if anything could be done with the mall to push the owners into doing something. Township solicitor Dick Mutzabaugh said if codes are being violated the owners could be cited, and he could give further advice when and if that happens. Township resident Jim Connolly mentioned the Bradford Master Plan, which calls for "cutting the building, more or less, in half" with the stream running between the two halves of the building. He said if the Office of Economic and Community Development could come up with grant money, and go to the owners saying they and the township want to work with them "and hand them some free money, maybe it would give them some incentive to get the mall … going." "Isn't the Bradford Mall the most valuabl...