Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

Steve Jobs, 1955 - 2011

For those of you who did not see this at WESB.com 4 hours ago ... It only took Bradford High's Mark Havers 14 seconds to pin West Allegheny's Aaron McKinney in the quarterfinals of the PIAA wrestling championships in Hershey this afternoon. He now moves on to the semi-finals, where he takes on Geno Morelli of DuBois. Good luck, Mark, from all of us at WESB and The HERO!

02/19/09 - Man Hurt After Truck Strikes Home A truck struck a house Wednesday afternoon at around 4 o’clock at 375 East main Street in Bradford. Bradford City Police say that 51 year-old Bruce Haight of Smethport lost control of his truck after a coughing spell and went across a couple of lawns before striking the house. Haight was taken to BRMC with moderate injuries. No other injuries were reported. The house's foundation was severely damaged. 02/19/09 - Woman Charged With Theft From Office A Bradford woman has been charged with stealing money from her husband’s law office. Court records indicate that 56 year-old Catherine Langella ia accused of taking the money from the law office of Ron Langella over the last four years. The money that has been taken is believed to be in excess of $2,000. Mrs. Langella is free on $20,000 bail. 02/18/09 - Two Bfd Men Charged With Sale of Drugs Two Bradford men were arrested Monday night by the McKean County Drug Task Force. Court records indicat...

02/16/09 - Seton Hill Student Killed by Police A 22-year-old from Maryland who held police at bay for over three hours at his on-campus apartment at Seton Hill in Pittsburgh was shot and killed by police. Police say that Joseph Briggs fired 30 to 40 shots at police and other emergency officials outside his Concord Avenue apartment early Sunday morning. None of the officers were hit, but Briggs did hit several parked cars and a house nearby. Officers say when Briggs fired a long-barreled gun out of an upstairs bedroom window at an officer a state police marksman shot and killed Briggs. 02/10/09 - Clerk Sentenced on Fake Money Charges A former clerk at the Olean Bon-Ton was sentenced Monday to probation in Cattaraugus County Court. 30 year-old Brett Anderson of Olean was charged with switching fake money for real money between last June and August. Anderson gets five years’ probation, 100 hours of community service, and must pay $1,000 in restitution. 02/10/09 - Two Charged in Mausoleum...

01/20/09 - Details of New BASD Teachers Agreement Details have been released on the new four year contract between the Bradford Area School District and it’s teachers union. The new deal includes a 4 percent wage increase. Sources tell WESB and The Hero that despite the wage increase taxes will not be going up for the 2009-2010 school year. The four-year contract was approved on January 12. 01/20/09 - Derrick City Man Charged With Burglary A Derrick City man was arraigned last weekend on charges he burglarized the Lighter Side bar on Mechanic Street in Bradford on January 13. Court records indicate that 24 year-old Eric Quinn gained entry by force into the bar and took $905 dollars in cash. Quinn is charged with burglary, theft and criminal mischief. He was sent to the McKean County Jail on $15,000 dollars. 01/16/09 - Austin Boys Dies in Snowmobile Accident An Austin teen was killed in a snowmobile accident Wednesday night in the borough. Austin Police say that 15 year-old Trevor Dynda...

01/07/09 - Three Bills Finalists for Hall of Fame Three Buffalo Bills are among the 17 finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Bills founder and owner Ralph Wilson, defensive end Bruce Smith and wide receiver Andre Reed will be on the final ballot. For Wilson and Reed it's their third time as finalists. 01/07/09 - Eldred Ethan Allen Plant is Closing Employees of the Ethan Allen plant in Eldred were told during a Tuesday afternoon meeting that the plant will be closing in a few weeks. The Ethan Allen plant had employed nearly 200 people. The plant manufactures custom furniture and other products. 01/07/09 - Leonard to Redshirt at St. Bona St. Bonaventure has announced that junior Lewis Leonard will redshirt his first year in the program. Leonard, a highly touted forward from San Bernardino Valley and Philadelphia, will attend classes, but not play. He averaged 25 points per game last season in the Foothills Conference in California. 01/07/09 - Former Bill Jack Kemp has Cancer F...

11/26/08 - Smethport Man Dies in Plowing Accident A Smethport man died Tuesday night when the tractor he was driving while snow plowing tipped off a bridge and into a small creek. State Police say that the tractor driven by 61 year-old Dr. Douglas Bowman came to rest on top of him. Bowman was pronounced dead at the scene. The accident happened on a private road off Pumphouse Road in Liberty township. 11/26/08 - Salamanca Teacher Facing More Charges Additional charges have been filed against the Salamanca school teacher who is facing several counts of sodomy. Cattaraugus County Sheriff Deputies say Michael Dupont has had two additional counts of sodomy filed against him. Deputies say the charges against Dupont are a result of two more victims coming forward with accusations of sexual misconduct. Dupont was a seventh grade teacher at Salamanca high School when the alleged incidents happened. The Cattaraugus County Sheriff Department says the investigation remains open as further victims ...

11/04/08 - Schiappa to Face Attempted Homocide A Bradford man will be facing attempted homicide charges in connection with an attack on his girlfriend back on September 2 in Bradford. Court records indicate that 23 year-old Uriah Schaippa is facing attempted homicide, aggravated assault with indifference to human life and reckless endangerment charges. Schiappa allegedly attacked Tara Strait with a hammer at a residence on West Washington Street. He remains jailed without bail. 11/04/08 - Two Charges for Weekend Assaults A Bradford man was charged Monday after a weekend assault on his wife. Court records indicate that 22 year-old Robert Girdlestone is facing several charges including terroristic threats and public drunkeness after he struck his wife Victoria. Bradford City Police then say that Girdlestone made threats against them and their familes while he was being held in the holding center downtown. Girdlestone was sent to McKean County jail on $10,000 bail. 11/03/08 - Kane Man Cha...

10/17/08 - Bfd Man charged with Purse Snatching A Bradford man was arrested Thursday morning after snatching a purse from a 79 year-old woman on Congress street in Bradford. Bradford City Police say that 37 year-old Timothy Stingel grabbed the purse from the lady and ran. Stingel was in custody by noon yesterday. He is facing robbery, receiving stolen property and possession of a controlled substance charges. 10/21/08 - ARG Awarded Biomass Grant The Pennsylvania Energy Development Authority has awarded a $1 million grant to American Refining and Biochemical Inc. to construct a new biomass facility. Officials say there isn’t a timetable for construction of the plant saying it is still in the early stages. The plant could process up to 180,000 tons of biomass per year into more than 60,000 tons of a coal-like product. 10/22/08 - Another Bfd Teen Arrested in Robberies Another Bradford teen has been arrested in connection with a series of robberies in Pennsylvania and New York state. Court...

08/31/08 - Couple Charged with Welfare Fraud An Allegany couple is accused of welfare fraud and grand larceny for stealing more than $3,000 from the Department of Social Services. Cattaraugus County Sheriff's Deputies say Dennis and Colette Harrison of Pumpkin Hollow Road fraudulently obtained the money between September of 2005 and November of 2006. They're scheduled to appear in court on September 16. 08/31/08 - Bike Stolen From Elk County Riders Club Someone broke into the Elk County Riders building in Fox Township and stole a motorcycle. Police say the person pried up a garage door, causing the sliding door lock to break and spring out of the door track. Once inside the building, the burglar got on a motorcycle belonging to Larry Anders of Kersey and drove away on it. 08/31/08 - Theft of Snacks, Money in Allegany Someone broke into the Frito-Lay warehouse in Allegany and made off with a bag of empty pop bottles, $8 in loose change and $200 to $300 worth of Frito-Lay product...

08/30/08 - Woman Allegedly Stole from Employer An Olean woman has been charged with grand larceny after being accused of stealing from her employer. 25-year-old Michelle Cowles allegedly stole more than $2,000 from Tops Market while she worked there. The alleged incidents started in May. 08/30/08 - Man Hurt in Beauty School Fire A maintenance worker at the Intercontinental School of Beauty in Olean was hurt during in a fire Friday afternoon at the school. Olean firefighters say the man opened an electrical box and there was an explosion. The man, who was not identified, was injured but did not go to the hospital. The school was evacuated and firemen put out the blaze in about half an hour. National Grid disconnected the power. Only minor damage was done to the building, but the school will remain closed until the electrical issue is resolved. 08/30/08 - Woman Sentenced to State Prison A Tidioute woman will spend up to 9 years in state prison for stealing from her employer – again. 43-y...

07/01/08 - BWA Drinking Water Report Released The Bradford Water Authority has released its Annual Drinking Water Quality Report, and said they received no violations for water quality and did not exceed any maximum contaminant levels. The report covers the period from January 1 to December 31 of 2007. The water authority did receive a "failure to monitor" violation, but that was the result of miscommunication with the testing lab. Two of the 20 monthly required samples for coliform bacteria were not analyzed. All other sampling requirements for 2007 were in compliance. 07/02/08 - Bars Cited for Underage Drinking A Bradford bar and a Warren County bar have been cited for selling alcohol to minors. The Lighter Side on Mechanic Street is accused of selling to a 19-year-old male on April 30. The Columbus Inn in Columbus is accused of selling to a 19-year-old male on May 10. The charges will be brought before an administrative law judge. 07/02/08 - Copper, More Stolen from PetroN...

05/29/08 - Brennan St. Fire Considered Suspicious A fire that damaged a Bradford house Sunday is being considered suspicious. Bradford City Fire Chief Boo Coder says a state police fire marshal investigated the scene at 35 Brennan Street and took samples to send to the state police lab. The house had not been occupied for about six months. 05/29/08 - Man Loses Toes in Workplace Accident An employee of Dresser-Rand in Olean lost two toes in an accident Wednesday evening. A rail car ran over the man's foot at about 5:30 p.m., causing him to lose the big toe and second toe on his right foot. The man was flown to ECMC. His name has not been released. Dresser-Rand officials say they will release more information pending an investigation.

05/28/08 - Man Sentenced on Sexual Assualt A Bradford man was sentenced Tuesday in McKean County Court on indecent assault charges involving a minor. 32 year-old Daniel Benner was sentenced to up to two years in jail after being found guilty of sexual contact with a nine year-old female. Benner had been found guilty during a jury trial last November. 05/28/08 - Former Asst. Warden Sentenced A former assistant warden at the McKean County jail has been placed two years probation by McKean County Court. 45 year-old Robert Windsor Jr. of Eldred had entered a no contest plea to charges that he took money from inmates accounts while he worked at the jail. Windsor was also ordered to repay the county restitution of $10,000 dollars. 05/28/08 - Men Hurt in Motorcycle Crashes Two people are being treated for serious injuries after separate motorcycle accidents in Warren County. Police say 58-year-old Leland Riggs of Allegany, New york, was on Cobham Park Road when the bike left the road, hit a g...

05/14/08 - City to Send Trash to Chautauqua Co. Bradford City Council is moving ahead with plans to send its garbage out of state. Council approved sending it’s trash to Chautauqua County which will be cheaper. City Clerk John Peterson says the cost of fuel will be offset by the decrease in tipping fees over what they pay at the landfill in McKean County. 05/14/08 - Fatal Accident in Eden, New York Police are investigating an overnight accident that killed an Eden, New York, teenager. 18-year-old James Bierl died when the car he was driving slammed into a tree. The accident happened at about 2 a.m. today in Eden. Police say Bierl was the only person in the car. 05/14/08 - Port Allegany Man Hurt in Emporium Emporium state police are still investigating an accident that injured a Port Allegany man on May 3. In a report released today, police say 74-year-old John Waid was driving his car just east of the intersection of routes 155 and 120 when it went out of control, traveled onto a loadi...

05/12/08 - Wind Damage in McKean County Sunday Strong winds Sunday afternoon knocked trees down in McKean County. Lafayette Township Volunteer firefighters removed a tree which had fallen across a part of Route 321 near the intersection of 59. A tree fell across power lines and across Mechanic Street in Smethport. The Smethport Volunteer Fire Department was joined by the Smethport Borough Electric Department in the removal of the tree which had blocked a part of Mechanic Street. News 4 Meterorologist Mike Cejka says wind gusts as high as 43 miles per hour were recorded in parts of McKean County Sunday. 05/12/08 - Lewis Run Home Burglarized A Lewis Run home was burglarized Friday. State Police say someone took silver coins, old pennies and six crystals inside a velvet bag. Also, $400 in cash and 30 shirts were taken from the residence of Jeremy Magee and Gergory DeHaven Jr. 05/12/08 - Buffalo Airport Shutdown Sunday Night A security breach at the Buffalo Niagara International Airport...

05/07/08 - Man Charged With Fleeing From Police A Bradford man was arrested Tuesday after stealing a truck and leading police on a high speed chase from Coleville to Bradford. State Police were joined in the pursuit by Bradford City Police in apprehending 32 year-old Brian Uber at the Riddle House on main Street in Bradford. Uber had at one point ended his run from the law at Dresser Manufacturing where he ran inside before heading downtown. He was charged with theft, speeding, fleeing from police, possession of marijuana and numerous other violations. Uber was sent to McKean County Jail on $25,000 dollars bail. 05/05/08 - Foster Township Supervisors Meet During last month's Foster Township supervisors meeting, several residents raised concerns about a brine disposal plant being built in the township. Supervisor Chairman Bob Slike says they don't have to worry about that anymore because attorney Dan Hartle told him the plan is "dead in the water." The Department of E...

Landfill Wants to Use Rail Rustick LLC representatives and officials with the DEP presented a plan for Tuesday night for expanding the landfill. Rustick President Rich Godshall says the company wants to expand the landfill and handle municipal waste by rail. Under the landfill expansion, the company is asking for permission to bring in up to 6,500 tons per day by rail. 04/30/08 - Man Charged With Inspection Violations A Bradford man was arraigned Tuesday on charges he passed his own vehicle for inspection when the vehicle wasn’t licensed. Court records indicate that 31 year-old Alvin Reed is facing altered, forged or counterfeit of documents and plates and tampering with public records. He is also facing charges for passing another vehicle for inspection when it wasn’t right. The incidents happened while Reed worked at Monro Muffler in Bradford. He remains in the McKean County jail.

04/29/08 - Thieves Hit Mick's Mart in Lewis Run Mick’s Mart in Lewis Run on Route 219 was broken into to sometime between Sunday night at 8pm and Monday morning a 5. Thieves made off with $675 in cash and between $1,000 and 1,500 from a safe inside the store. They also made off with sunglasses, cigarettes and 30 cans of smokeless tobacco. 04/29/08 - Attempted Robbery at Crosby Mart A man tried to rob the Crosby Mart in Lewis Run last night at around midnight. State Police say a man brandished a camouflaged knife and demanded money. The clerk activated a panic alarm and the would-be robber ran from the mini-mart. No money was taken. The man is described as white, 5’6, with a thin build. He was wearing all black clothing, including long black sweatshirt with a ski mask. He fled on foot northbound on Route 219. 04/29/08 - Man Charged With Stealing Piping A Bradford man was arrested Saturday and accused with stealing scrap metal from a lease in Lafayette Township. Court records say 64 ...