Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

State and Congressional redistricting has received most of the focus as lawmakers try to draw new district maps, but boundaries for District Judges are also under review following the federal Census. McKean County Judge John Pavlock today issued a report saying outlining he has proposed. The report says although there is a minor decline in McKean County’s population, the likelihood of increased population and caseload from Marcellus and standard natural gas development are among the factors that outweigh a reduction in district judges. He said caseloads of the current judges, however, does call for a change in the current districts. The proposal moves the City of Bradford’s 6th Ward 1st District from District Judge Dominic Cercone to Rich Luther. Lafayette Township would move from District Judge Bill Todd to David Engman. Pavlock said if, after the next federal Census, McKean County sees another population decline and increased demands do not materialize, reduction may be appropriate. ...

A former teacher of accused killer Waide Nolf testified during a hearing this morning about his cognitive abilities. Patty Sanfilippo is a former special education teacher for the Bradford Area School District. Judge John Pavlock ordered that the Commonwealth has 20 days to submit an amended expert report on Nolf's cognitive abilities and, if needed, the defense has 20 days after that to file an amended expert report. Nolf is accused of drowning 24-year-old Tonya Haight and 3 ½-week old Tamara Haight on March 19 of last year in the Pleasant Street house they shared with several other people. McKean County District Attorney Ray Learn is seeking the death penalty.

The man accused of killing a woman and her infant daughter in March has pleaded not guilty. Waide Nolf was formally arraigned by Judge John Pavlock in McKean County Court on Thursday. He’s accused of drowning Tanya and Tamara Haight in a house they shared with several other people on Pleasant Street. McKean County District Attorney Ray Learn is seeking the death penalty.

Some people ran unopposed in Tuesday's election. McKean County Sheriff Brad Mason received 4,123 votes. Among the 33 write-in votes that were cast for the position were one for Elmer Fudd and one for Santa Claus. McKean County Judge John Pavlock, who was appointed to the bench shortly after he won the primary election, received 4,103 votes. There were 28 write-ins. Acting District Attorney Ray Learn garnered 3,863 votes. There were 18 write-ins. Lewis Run Mayor Albert Montecalvo got 64 votes. Smethport Mayor Ross Porter, who was seriously injured in a motor vehicle accident last week, received 242 votes. Doug Caldwell received 285 votes for Kane Borough Mayor. There were 8 write-ins. As for the numbers in the contested elections, Dave Feely garnered more votes than the other Bradford Area School Board candidates with 1,688. Pat Vigliotta took in 1,642; Carla Manion 1,584; Joe Troutman 1,422, Shane Oschman 1,413; and Rita Dincher 862. Jim Evans received the most votes in the Bradfor...

The Bradford Rotary Club held its annual Firefighter of the Year awards dinner Saturday. In recognition of the 25th anniversary of the event, all area volunteer firefighters were honored. McKean County Judge John Pavlock was the keynote speaker and commended the firefighters for volunteering to do a dangerous, and potentially life-threatening, job.

This just in: The PA Senate has confirmed John Pavlock as Judge of the McKean County Court of Common Pleas.

McKean County District Attorney John Pavlock has announced that he is going to run for the vacant seat on the McKean County Court of Common Pleas. Before being elected District Attorney, he was an assistant district attorney for 8 years, and was a partner in the law offices of Mattie and Alfieri, where he handled a variety of civil cases. During his time as District Attorney, he has formed the McKean County Drug Task Force, developed the "Safe Choices Program," spearheaded an effort to implement an Intermediate Punishment Program, helped develop the DUI Fast Track and other programs to resolve cases quickly.

In case you missed today's LiveLine with David Laskin, author of "The Children's Blizzard," you can listen to it HERE . My guest on Thursday's LiveLine is McKean County District Attorney John Pavlock, who will be talking about his new "Safe Choices" program.

McKean County has a new way of punishing criminals. The Intermediate Punishment Program falls between imprisonment and probation, and can include ankle bracelets to monitor the offenders. The McKean County Commissioners, as well as Sheriff Brad Mason and Public Defender Doug Garber, say this will cut costs for the county because fewer people will have to be housed at the jail, and the county won't have to incur costs associated with that. Mason and District Attorney John Pavlock also said this will address the problem of overcrowding at the jail. People who have a history of violent behavior – such as assault, robbery and kidnapping – as well as sexual and drug trafficking offenses – are not eligible for the program.

The Pennsylvania Statewide Automatic Victim Information Notification System is now available to residents of McKean County who have been victims of a crime. The program will notify victims who have registered about changes in the status of the person who committed a crime against them. Information available to victims includes release, transfer or escape from prison; placement on work release; posting of bail; getting admitted to a hospital; and death. Notifications are made with a phone call or email. People can register online at pacrimevictims.state.pa.us or by calling 1-866-9PA-SAVIN. Listen to the comments of McKean County District Attorney John Pavlock HERE .

Sorry I forgot to post this a couple of days ago. I guess it's old news now, but just in case you want to read it sometime in the future, you know it'll be archived here. Joint statement to the media from Mayor Tom Riel and District Attorney John Pavlock: "We recently met and had a lengthy discussion regarding these limited disagreements. Each of us now has a much better understanding of the other's position. As far as both of us are concerned, any limited disagreement between the two of us about these issues has been completely resolved. This matter is now behind us and we will continue our joint efforts to work for the citizens of McKean County and the City of Bradford. Anyone who thinks otherwise, particulary criminals, will be sadly mistaken."

Editor's Note: This letter concerns the conflicting opinions of Bradford Mayor Tom Riel and McKean County District Attorney John Pavlock. I am appalled that I seem to be a "red herring" between these to "warring" public officials. While Mr. Riel has a legitimate complaint with 1 or 2 local law officers for instigating a false complaint against him in an apparent attempt to keep Mr. Riel from office, a complaint in which I was approached to be a part of, Mr. Pavlock doesn't seem to have a legitimate complaint concerning me. Then why am I being dragged through the mud? I don't fit any description given by any witness concerning the Crosby Mini Mart robbery of Lewis Run. I do not have gray hair. I do not and have not had a beard. I do not have an acne-scarred face. I have never confessed to anyone, especially a Pennsylvania State Trooper, of my guilt to any crime. I find it ridiculous that I be the center of attention here. I have a past record. I never sai...

Mayor Tom Riel says he's sticking by claims he made in a speech last week, despite statements made by District Attorney John Pavlock. Riel's statement: John Pavlock is a seasoned politician who regularly tries to sell his story to a jury. It's sad and unfortunate that he somehow now feels he is on trial. In his statement, he doesn't deny that Mr. (Dennis) Fuino was originally in jail on bogus charges that were later dropped. In fact, I have a recording from the alleged victim admitting the charges were bogus. He doesn't deny that Fuino was shown a picture of me and let out of jail to – quote – help get me. He also once again gives a description from eyewitnesses that did not match Fuino, yet they supposedly picked him out of a lineup. Hair color and fingerprints didn't even match. No matter what the spin on the facts, I still stand by my allegations and believe that they are true. Audio of Riel's statement . Riel's Dec. 30, 2008, Speech COMMENT FROM DA ...

I am writing to you to address several recent statements made by Bradford City Mayor Tom Riel regarding the handling of a McKean County criminal case that I believe are misleading, inaccurate and incomplete. However, before I do that I want to make it clear that I am making this statement because I believe that the public is entitled to have correct facts and information about their criminal justice system. I am not doing this because of any animosity toward Mayor Riel. I have worked with Mayor Riel and Chief Close regarding several important issues since the Mayor took office. I believe that, despite our clear disagreement regarding this one issue, overall we have had a productive working relationship with the Mayor’s Office. Although I strongly disagree with several of the Mayor’s recent assertions, because I believe the public needs solutions from its elected officials and not squabbles, I will continue to try and productively work with the Mayor and I hope he will continue...

The McKean County District Attorney's Office has received $11,500 from the state to address and help stem underage drinking. The money will be used to train local police regarding source investigations, which focus on discovering and fully prosecuting people and businesses that provide alcohol to underage people. Part of the grant will also be used to encourage and help pay for increased patrols on target weekends such as prom and graduation. District Attorney John Pavlock says there have been several case in McKean County over the past couple of years that involved underage drinking and severe injury and/or loss of life. He says he's hopeful that the training, increased police presence and public awareness of the problem will help prevent these types of tragedies in the future.

By ANNE HOLLIDAY WESB/WBRR News Director McKean County District attorney John Pavlock says he hopes the arrests of 14 people this week on drug charges sends a message. "I hope it puts a dent in the drug trade," Pavlock told WESB/WBRR on Thursday afternoon. "Of course I know it's not going to stop the drug trade. I wish it would, but I'm not that naïve." "But it should make people out there who are selling drugs and peddling the stuff nervous that we are doing what we can, that there's cooperation here to address the problem and that resulted in the activity that occurred (Thursday)," Pavlock said. Pavlock said the arrests of three people Tuesday and 11 people Thursday were the result of a months-long investigation by a number of officers in the McKean County Drug Task Force. Pavlock said the county administers the program "but individual officers work overtime on it – officers from departments all throughout the county and they really work...