Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

A Forest County woman is in jail for attempted homicide after a stabbing early Sunday morning. Police say 26-year-old Kayla Butler of Tionesta stabbed 25-year-old Derek Kirkpatrick of Leeper during a domestic dispute at a gas station parking lot in Farmington Township at around 1:30 a.m. Kirkpatrick was taken to UPMC Presbyterian in Pittsburgh. Butler is in Clarion County Jail in lieu of $20,000 bail. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

The Pennsylvania Department of Corrections is paying $250,000 to settle a lawsuit filed by the daughter of an inmate killed by his deranged cellmate at the state prison in Forest County. Carla Davis-Vining claims corrections officials mishandled the man who killed her father, 63-year-old Frederick Kirkland, in 2012. 28-year-old Elwood Braswell was housed with Kirkland, although Braswell had a history of acute psychotic behavior and was serving time for assaulting another inmate. In the attack on Kirkland, who used a wheelchair, Braswell beat him, smeared him with feces and attempted to bite of his genitals. In his trial, was found guilty but mentally ill. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Warren, Pa. – The Allegheny National Forest will hold an open house at an active archaeological dig site at the “King Farm” near West Hickory, PA, on Tuesday, July 1, 2014. Dr. Susan Prezzano of Clarion University is conducting the dig in conjunction with the forest. The public is invited to visit the dig to witness how an archeological excavation is conducted and learn about the people who lived and used the King Farm area throughout history. The site will be open to visitors from 10:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The King Farm site is located in Forest County near the Allegheny River. To reach the site, from West Hickory, take Dawson Run Road (paved) south for about 2 miles. After the Allegheny National Forest motor vehicle sign (large white sign with black text), watch for the first gate on the left. There is a small dirt parking area near the gate. The excavation is about 200 yards behind the gate. For additional information, contact Marienville District Archeologist ...

Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati (R-25) has issued the following statement regarding disaster assistance for Elk County flood victims: I am grateful that today, Governor Corbett has sent a letter to the United States Small Business Administration to request a disaster declaration for local areas that were impacted by the severe flooding that took place on May 21 and 22, 2014. This disaster declaration would enable residents and business owners with property damaged by the massive rains to be eligible for low interest loans through the US Small Business Administration. If the request is granted, counties that are contiguous with Elk will also be eligible for the loans, including Cameron, Clearfield, Forest, Jefferson, McKean and Warren counties. As this process moves forward, I will continue to work with Governor Corbett and PEMA to find ways to best help our community and local residents with clean-up and recovery. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

River Road in Forest County is closed from the Clarion County line to Coleman Run Road in Barnett Township due to flooding. Traffic is detoured to Route 36, then Route 66 to Route 899. The road is expected to reopen by 4 p.m. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A Forest County man was found with a bug zapper in his pants. No, that’s not the beginning of a joke. A 25-year-old Endeavor man, who police did not name, went into Dave’s Dollar Plus in Tionesta on April 16, put the $5 bug zapper in his pants and then left the store. He was caught, and charged with one summary count of retail theft. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

15 Fatalities in McKean County Last Year Harrisburg – The number of highway deaths on Pennsylvania roads tumbled to a record low last year when 1,208 were recorded, the lowest number since recordkeeping began in 1928, PennDOT Secretary Barry J. Schoch announced today. “Though Pennsylvania has made significant progress in reducing highway crashes and deaths, our efforts to ensure that all travelers reach their destinations safely will remain paramount,” Schoch said. “However, our efforts cannot reach their potential if drivers refuse to do their part by observing traffic laws and always using common sense on our roads.” While the number of highway deaths dropped in many types of crashes, there were significant decreases noted in unbuckled, speeding and single vehicle run-off-the-road related deaths. Unbuckled fatalities dropped from 503 in 2012 to 425. Speeding-related fatalities also decreased from 262 in 2012 to 193 last year. Deaths attributed to single-vehicle, run-off-the-roa...

HARRISBURG (News Release) — After casting her fourth "no" vote in less than a week, Rep. Kathy Rapp (R-Warren/Forest/McKean) issued the following statement regarding Thursday evening’s final passage of a transportation funding plan that contains a $2.3 billion increase in gas taxes and fees on Pennsylvania drivers: “There is no excuse to impose an additional $2.3 billion gas tax and fee increase on Pennsylvania motorists when we already spend close to $7 billion annually on transportation. My constituents view this transportation plan which is now awaiting the governor’s signature as more money they are going to have pay to fuel and maintain their vehicles to subsidize mass transit for Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. “Any additional revenue that comes out of this transportation funding plan comes at the full expense and burden of Pennsylvania motorists. While I agree with the governor that funding and maintaining our infrastructure is a core function of governm...

An inmate at SCI-Forest in Marenville apparently hit another inmate in the head several times with a lock tied to a sock. The assault on the 50-year-old inmate happened this morning. State police haven’t released any other details yet. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Are you a veteran who enjoys pheasant hunting? Then you’re in luck, because the National Wild Turkey Federation’s (NWTF) second annual Veterans Hunt still has openings. The hunt is scheduled for Tuesday, November, 12, 2013, at Buzzard Swamp on the Allegheny National Forest. The event is free of charge and is open to veterans of any age. Physical limitations should not be a deterrent, as organizers will have the ability to let people with limited mobility enjoy the hunting experience. Veterans participating in the hunt will need a valid Pennsylvania hunting license and the required orange apparel. Participants are encouraged to bring their own shotguns, but a limited number of shotguns will be available. The hunt will be staged out of the Veterans Club of Forest County located off of Route 66 just north of Marienville. Check-in starts at 8 a.m. and will be followed by a safety briefing. For more information and to register, contact Kristen Giger at...

Two people were killed in separate crashes this morning. State police say 56-year-old Brenda Boyer of DuBois died in a head-on crash on Route 36 in Jefferson County at just before 7 a.m. when a car driven by 19-year-old Taylor Cudworth of Sigel crossed the center line. Cudworth was taken to UPMC Presbyterian in Pittsburgh for treatment of major injuries. Two hours later in Forest County, 67-year-old John Zang of Butler was driving on Route 62 in Tionesta Township when his pickup truck went out of control, hit an embankment and rolled over. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

The daughter of a state prison inmate who was brutally murdered in his Forest County cell last year has filed a lawsuit saying the state Department of Corrections’ mishandling of mentally ill inmates is what caused her father’s death. 63-year-old Frederick Kirkland was wheelchair bound when he was placed in cell with 26-year-old Elwood Braswell at SCI-Forest in August of last year. Just hours later Braswell beat and suffocated Kirkland and smeared him with feces. Braswell was found guilty but mentally ill of first-degree murder this past August and sentenced to life in prison. Carla Davis-Vining of Pittsburgh is seeking damages based on the claim that prison officials violated her father’s Eighth Amendment right to be free from cruel and unusual punishment. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Kimberly Johnson, corporate AVP, Online and Mobile Banking manager of Northwest Savings Bank, presented a check for $5,000 from the Northwest Charitable Foundation to Lisa Thompson, director of CASA of Warren and Forest Counties on Monday, September 16th. Ms. Johnson is a member of CASA’s board of directors. In June 2012, the Northwest Charitable Foundation approved a grant to CASA in the amount of $25,000 to be given in $5,000 increments over a five-year period. The check presented this year marked the second donation as part of this grant. CASA stands for Court Appointed Special Advocate. CASA volunteers are appointed by judges to watch over and advocate for abused and neglected children to make sure they don’t get lost in the overburdened legal and social service system or languish in inappropriate group or foster homes. Volunteers stay with each case until it is closed and the child is placed in a safe, permanent home. For many children, their CASA volunteer will be th...

UPDATE 11 a.m.: The Full Scale Exercise at SCI Forest has been completed. The institution has returned to normal operations at this time. SCI Forest is conducting a Full Scale Exercise at this time. It started at 8:26 a.m. Please do not be alarmed by extra Law Enforcement Officers in the area or around the the institution. This is only an exercise. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

WARREN – This coming November, Rep. Kathy Rapp (R-Warren/Forest/McKean) will host a ceremony honoring the men and women of the United States military who served in the U.S armed forces from 1990 (the time of the Persian Gulf War which ushered in the era of modern warfare) through the present (including the ongoing War Against Terror in Iraq and Afghanistan). To ensure as many veterans as possible receive recognition, Rapp is asking all local military veterans who served in any of these conflicts, their friends or their family members from the 65th Legislative District to contact her Warren office. “Beginning with World War II, over the past several years we have done an excellent job recognizing the heroic sacrifices of our veterans who served in each of the 20th century’s major military conflicts,” said Rapp, who serves on the House Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee. “My objective in hosting this event is to complete this ever-expanding circle of hono...

A man who used a Taser on corrections officer will spend the next 15 to 30 years in prison – and that’s on top of a multi-year sentence he’s already serving. 27-year-old Eddie Gray of Warren was found guilty by a jury of overpowering a jail guard, stealing her Taser, jabbing into her arm and pulling the trigger, delivering a violent shock. Gray also assaulted another guard. Immediately following the trial Gray was sentenced to 15 to 30 years in prison, which will be served after a 35 ½ to 71- year sentence for writing threatening letters to court officials and witnesses. He’s also in the middle of a five- to 10-year sentence for robbery. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

The man accused of fatally stabbing his former fiancé and her boyfriend is headed to court. Two counts each of homicide and aggravated assault against 38-year-old Scott Black of Butler were bound to court following a preliminary hearing in front of District Judge George Gregory in Forest County. Police say Black killed 42-year-old Marcelle Edwards of Tionesta and 43-year-old Donald Shay of Leechburg back in April. He was arrested several hours after the bodies were discovered, and he had bloodstains on his clothes and a number of minor injuries. Black remains in the Warren County Jail without bail. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

The first-ever PA Firefly Festival will take place June 21-22 on the grounds of the Black Caddis Ranch in Kellettville near Tionesta. This FREE event kicks off Friday, June 21, at 5 p.m., and firefly walks begin at 9 p.m. focusing on the rare and unique Synchronous Firefly. Saturday, June 22, the events begin at noon with family-friendly games, exhibits, arts and crafts, live music and firefly watching. For directions to and more information about the festival and accommodations, visit pafireflyfestival.blogspot.com . The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

The hearing for a man accused of killing two people in Tionesta late last month has been re-scheduled for next week. 38-year-old Scott Black of Butler allegedly stabbed and killed 43-year-old Donald Shay of Leechburg and 42-year-old Marcelle Edwards of Tionesta. Edwards had a past relationship with Black, who is jailed without bail. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A Butler woman whose husband was shot and killed during a domestic dispute at their camp in Tionesta has pleaded guilty. 58-year-old Ruth Angert pleaded guilty to attempted aggravated assault and involuntary manslaughter for the November 17 death of 68-year-old Larry Angert. She is scheduled for sentencing June 21 in Forest County. Courts records say the Angerts were arguing after arriving at the hunting camp, and he pushed her to the floor and grabbed her neck. She says that’s when she grabbed a gun, and it fired as they were both struggling with it. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947