Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

A burglary at the Zoar Valley Inn Tavern landed a man in jail over the weekend. Sheriff’s deputies charged 39-year-old Gordon Brumley of North Tonawanda following the incident at about 2:30 Saturday morning. He was sent to Cattaraugus County Jail on $20,000 cash bail and scheduled to appear in East Otto Town Court. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A 49-year-old Collins man suffered a severe leg injury when his ATV when he was thrown from his ATV and landed on a rocky embankment of Cattaraugus Creek early this morning. Scott Smith and his brother 47-year-old Glen Smith were on separate ATVs on Zoar Valley Road at just after midnight when the accident happened. Sheriff’s deputies say Scott Smith was taken by Mercy Flight to ECMC. Glen Smith is charged with driving while intoxicated. Charges against Scott Smith are pending the outcome of toxicology tests. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

GOWANDA, NY – An increase in coordinated law enforcement sweeps conducted by members of the Zoar Valley Task Force have been an effective tool to promote safety and help stop illicit and dangerous activities, according to Senator Catharine Young (R,C,I - Olean). Over the summer months, the New York State Police, New York State Forest Rangers, Cattaraugus County Sheriff's Department and other members of the Task Force have increased patrols in the gorge area, parking lots and surrounding roadways to ensure that people are aware of dangers and to prevent trespassing, drunk driving, drug use and illegal camping. “We want people to enjoy Zoar Valley, but extreme caution should be exercised. Zoar Valley can be extremely hazardous and visitors need to adhere to the rules,” said Senator Young. “If you take risks, trespass, use drugs or alcohol and break other rules, chances are you will be caught. “Unfortunately, we have had deaths, serious ...

Emergency crews are continuing their efforts to rescue an injured teenage hunter from Zoar Valley. Erie County’s Air One helicopter found the hunter in Cattaraugus Creek between two high cliffs. They were able to get him out of the water, but are still working to get him out of the gorge. Air One was running low on fuel and had to land until it could be re-fueled. Emergency personnel say the young man from Gowanda has a severe head injury and possibly a broken leg.

A memorial service for arts educator Simon P. Griffis is scheduled for 4 p. m. today in Christ the King Chapel at Canisius College. Griffis died in a hiking accident June 28 in Zoar Valley. To read Griffis' obituary, go to The Buffalo News . Thanks to Stony for passing that along.

The man found dead on Monday in Zoar Valley has been identified. In an e-mail sent to WESB and The HERO, Cattaraugus County Sheriff’s deputies say 48-year-old Simon Griffis of Buffalo was hiking along the Deer Lick trail when he fell off a cliff into the Zoar Valley Gorge. Griffis was the executive director of the Ashford Hollow Foundation, which oversees Griffis Sculpture Park. Two hikers from Jamestown found him in Cattaraugus Creek and called police. His body was airlifted out by Erie County's Air One helicopter. Deputies say the preliminary investigation has revealed that there are “no apparent suspicious circumstances involved,” but t heir investigation is continuing.

Two hikers found a dead body in Zoar Valley Monday night. The women found the body in Cattaraugus Creek while hiking near the Forty Road parking lot. After they called police, the Erie County Sheriff's helicopter, Air One, flew the body out of the valley and turned it over to the Cattaraugus County Coronoer’s office. No further information has been released yet.