Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

The preliminary hearing for Stephen Stidd that had been scheduled for tomorrow has been moved to March 11 in District Judge Dominic Cercone’s office. Stidd is accused of shooting and killing his son-in-law, Mel Bizzarro, behind Togi’s Family Restaurant on East Main Street earlier this month. Stidd had been free on bail, but that was changed today when Judge John Pavlock brought to Cercone’s attention that he couldn’t set bail on a criminal homicide charge. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

The man charged with shooting and killing his son-in-law literally had a bullet with the man's name on it. According to papers filed in District Judge Dominic Cercone’s office, while investigating the crime scene where 62-year-old Stephen Stidd allegedly shot 42-year-old Mel Bizzarro, state police found “the letters ‘MEL’ carved into the lead portion of the remaining live round” in the handgun. City police got a call at about 9:30 a.m. from Barbara Stidd saying that her son-in-law had been shot behind Togi’s Restaurant at 412 East Main Street. When they arrived and Lt. Steve Caskey asked what happened, Stidd said, “I told him I had a gun.” Stidd then pulled a handgun out of his right front pocket and handed it to Caskey. A witness, Kevin Rhebergen, was unloading his truck and told police he heard a verbal fight and then heard a gunshot. Rhebergen subsequently saw Bizzarro lying on the ground and Stidd standing near him. State Police Trooper Nicholas Jordan, who is investigating...

Dorothy J. Chirillo, 77, of 130 Kennedy Street, Bradford, passed away on Thursday, October 9, 2014 at UPMC Hamot, Erie surrounded by her loving family. She was born on November 28, 1936, in Emporium, a daughter of the late Anthony and Mabel Striech Gennocro. She was a graduate of the Cameron County High School, Emporium. On June 28, 1958, she married Egidio D. “Gino” Chirillo who preceded her in death on January 11, 2001. She was a member of the St. Bernard Catholic Church. She loved spending time with her family and she also enjoyed cooking. Mrs. Chirillo and her husband were the former co-owners of the Colonial Hotel, Smethport. In Bradford they were the former co-owners of various restaurants including: The Brook Club, Togi’s Drive-in (which they started), Togi’s Old Barn, Dante’s at the Bradford Mall, Gino’s at the former Howard Johnsons, Gino’s Steakhouse and Gino’s at the DeSoto Motel. She is survived by one son, Anthony Chirillo of Bradford; three daug...

Bollywood will be coming to Bradford at the ‘One World’ Cultural Festival Saturday night (Feb. 26) at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford. The Naach Sensation Dance Company will be the featured entertainer at the popular festival, which also features an international sampling buffet, parade of nations and activity booths. Festivities begin at 6:30 p.m. in Frame-Westerberg Commons with the opening of the buffet line and the booth display area. Those dining are asked to bring a dish to pass or make a $5 donation. The event lasts until 9:30 p.m. The Naach Sensation Dance Company was started by Sonalee Vyas, who specializes in traditional and contemporary East Indian “Bollywood” dance styles. “Bollywood” is the informal term popularly used for the Hindi-language film industry based in Mumbai, India. Vyas has more than 15 years’ experience as a professional dancer, instructor and choreographer and tours extensively performing for campus audiences, corporate clients, and community and c...