Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

A jury has found an Olean man not guilty of attacking his girlfriend's 3-year-old son last January. 30-year-old Robert Battoglia had been accused of attacking the boy in an apartment where he and his girlfriend lived. The boy suffered a pancreas injury that required emergency surgery in Buffalo. Jurors told attorneys after the trial that they didn't believe the boy's injury was intentional, and that they couldn't determine if it was caused by Battoglia or the child's mother.

Ashley Howe of Greensburg, center, talks about being the top female high school bowler in the state. Also pictured are Steve Feldman of Byllye Lane, Ashley's step-father Tony Yorio and Frank Williams. After stopping by the studio for The Byllye Lanes Bowling Show, Ashley headed out to Byllye Lanes, where she'll be until around 2 o'clock this afternoon. For everything you always wanted to know about Byllye Lanes, go to Byllye Lanes.net .

A 12-year-old boy from Pottstown died while sled riding at Ski Denton in Ulysses Township.. State police say the boy, whose name they didn't release, was on a Boy Scout trip and was sled riding on the slopes at around 11 o'clock last night. The boy was riding on a saucer style sled when he hit a ski lift tower, causing severe trauma to the back of his head. The boy was taken to Charles Cole Memorial Hospital in Coudersport, where Potter County Coroner Kevin Dusenbury pronounced him dead at 1:07 this morning. The boy was later identifed as Ian Miller.

Jamestown Community College and D’Youville College have signed an articulation agreement that facilitates transfer into D’Youville’s exercise and sports studies degree program. The agreement guarantees acceptance and junior standing with the transfer of 56 or more credit hours for JCC students who graduate with an appropriate associate’s degree and a minimum JCC cumulative grade point average of 2.5. JCC students are also guaranteed the opportunity to complete a bachelor’s degree in four semesters at D’Youville if they take courses specified in the appropriate agreement as part of their associate’s degree. Upon completion of the bachelor’s degree in exercise and sports studies, students who wish to pursue a doctoral degree are guaranteed acceptance into D’Youville’s doctor of physical therapy program. Students who plan to major in exercise and sports studies have the option of choosing dual admission to JCC and D’Youville. D’Youville is an independent, coeducational institution located...

Harrisburg - Pennsylvania high school students are invited to help remind motorists to drive safely by participating in a radio contest sponsored by PennDOT. High school sophomores, juniors and seniors wishing to participate are asked to create a 30-second radio public service announcement, or PSA, focused on safety topics such as aggressive driving, buckling up or driving under the influence. The PSA must include the phrase “Drive Safe PA,” which PennDOT introduced last year as part of its continued commitment to highway safety. “The students’ creative approach to this contest last year was amazing,” said PennDOT Deputy Secretary for Highway Administration Scott Christie, P.E. “They found a unique way to talk about seat belts and aggressive driving that hopefully resonated with drivers and convinced them to change their driving behaviors for the better. We look forward to having another great contest this year.” One finalist will be chosen from each of PennDOT’s 11 engineering distric...

HARRISBURG - The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) is now accepting applications for 2010 summer employment for students and a limited number of non-students, says Rep. Matt Gabler (R-Clearfield/Elk). To qualify, student candidates must be 18 years of age and enrolled in college for the fall semester of 2010. Non-student candidates are not subject to this requirement. The positions are full-time and last the duration of the summer, some commencing as early as April 1. Seasonal employees typically enhance regular maintenance crews on maintenance projects throughout Pennsylvania. Applications can be found at www.employment.pa.gov under the "student summer employment" category. The deadline to apply is the close of business on Friday, Jan. 22. For more information on PennDOT summer employment opportunities, visit Gabler's Web site at RepGabler.com and click on "PennDOT Summer Employment

After the seventh round of play at School Street Elementary, four out of the eight teams are now tied for top honors in the varsity division: Smith’s Fine Jewelry, Wal-Mart, Parkview Super Market, and Dexter’s Service Center. Only half a point behind is the Pharmacy at Union Square. Five of the eight team captains in the varsity still have perfect scores. In the JV section, Jessica Yost (6-year old member of Drs. Rhinehart team) is still in first place. Brent Kennedy (captain for Smith’s Watch & Clock Repair) is in second. Seth Nelling, member of the Lang Surveying Team, is a half point behind in third. The top JV team at the end of round 7 is Lang Surveying followed closely by Drs. Rhinehart in second, and Smith’s Watch & Clock Repair and Dragonfly Guitar Studio tied for third. Round 8 in league competition is scheduled for Wednesday, January 20. For additional information about the league, email execdir@amchess.org or visit www.bradfordchessclub.com. Results and Standin...

A Tidioute man has been sentenced to 9 months to two years in jail for fatally punching a man outside a bar last May. 25-year-old Brandyn Bynum had been charged with criminal homicide and aggravated assault, but accepted a plea deal to simple assault. Bynum punched 37-year-old Troy McFarland outside The Pub in Tidioute on May 9. McFarland fell back, hit his head on the curb and was pronounced dead at the scene.

‘B’s Sticky Buns’ Judged Best at First-Ever Contest Harrisburg – Belinda Myers of Dallastown, York County baked her “B’s Sticky Buns” to win the first Sticky Bun Contest from among 62 other entries on Friday, Jan. 15 at the 2010 Pennsylvania Farm Show in Harrisburg. Myers, a part-time hairdresser and employee at Perry Dell Dairy, was absolutely shocked when they called her named as the winner. “It’s wonderful! I just can’t believe it!” Myers exclaimed after winning the contest. Myers not only earned bragging rights for baking the best sticky buns, but she also received $500 from event sponsor Good Foods Inc. Second place and $100 went to Greta Slagill of Dillsburg, York County. Third place and $50 went to Alicia Knab of Hollidaysburg, Blair County. Eva Seibert of Allentown, Lehigh County received fourth place followed by Brenda Harper from Pennsylvania Furnace, Centre County in fifth place. The sticky buns were judged on overall appearance, flavor, inside characteristics including text...

Harrisburg – Ann Weikel’s Toggenburg doe, GCH Rockspring T Gstone Gemstar, was named Dairy Goat Best Doe in Show on Friday, Jan. 15, at the 2010 Pennsylvania Farm Show in Harrisburg. This is Weikel’s third consecutive victory in the show. Weikel, owner of Rockspring Farm in Blairs Mills, Huntingdon County, also exhibited Best of Breed LaMancha with her goat “Dorothy.” Judge Daniel Considine, Portage, Wis., said of Gemstar, “This doe’s shoulder assembly and strength of pastern is what really set her apart from the rest of the breeds.” Seven breeds and divisions were represented totaling 297 head in the show, including Alpine, LaMancha, Nubian, Saanen, Toggenburg, All Other Purebreds and Recorded Grades. The results for the seven divisions are as follows: Alpine Grand Champion and Best of Breed: Milar-Farm Laurel Lonestar, exhibited by Catherine Soult of Newport, Perry Co. Reserve Grand Champion: Country-Acres BD Sweetie, exhibited by Heather Moffitt of Mechanicsburg, Cumberland Co. L...

McNeil Consumer Healthcare is voluntarily recalling certain lots of over-the-counter products following an investigation of consumer reports of an unusual moldy, musty, or mildew-like odor that, in a small number of cases, was associated with temporary and non-serious gastrointestinal events. As a precautionary measure, 53 varieties of over-the-counter Tylenol, Motrin, Rolaids, and St. Joseph products have been taken off of Tops’ shelves as a result of McNeil Consumer Healthcare and the FDA applying broader criteria to identify and remove all product lots that it believes may have the potential to be affected, even if they have not been the subject of consumer complaints. Tops is pulling all lots containing these products off of shelves as a precautionary measure. It may be the case that some product is unaffected, but until Tops receives confirmation by McNeil Consumer Health that these products are unaffected, they will remain off of the shelves. The products in the unaffected lots m...

The 2010 butter sculpture is carved from 1,000 pounds of Land O'Lakes butter and depicts a dairy farm family enjoying breakfast together. ( Photo provided by the state Department of Agriculture )

Harrisburg – The 2010 Pennsylvania Farm Show in Harrisburg has a lot to offer maple syrup enthusiasts, with educational displays, competition and fresh maple syrup products available for sale. Janet Woods of the Pennsylvania Maple Syrup producers and the Pennsylvania Maple Syrup royalty presented a maple syrup production demonstration on Monday, Jan. 11, at the show. Together they covered a variety of topics including the types of trees used for syrup, the tools used in the production process and the history of maple syrup making. “Most people don’t know that it takes at least 40 gallons of tree sap to produce one gallon of maple syrup,” said Woods. Woods, an Erie County native, has been producing syrup her entire life and was the premiere exhibitor for the second year in a row at the 2010 Pennsylvania Farm Show. With 15 classes available, Woods was able to enter one of her products in every class. Contestants must enter a minimum of 10 classes, including an entry in the Individual Edu...

The special prosecutor assigned to conduct an investigation into the Cattaraugus County Sheriff's Department has released his findings. Wyoming County District Attorney Gerald Stout concluded that Sheriff Dennis John, who committed suicide last summer, was concerned about a sexual harassment lawsuit. The investigation centered on allegations of inapproprate use of text messaging and cell phone communication by members of the sheriff's department. Stout's office interviewed 16 people, and several cell phones were forensically examined by New York State Police. In a news release Stout said, "While it is probable the department cell phones were improperly used by members of the sheriff's department, there is no reasonable cause to believe that any crimes were committed."

Two of the three Subway restaurants in Bradford are closed for business. The Main Street and Foster Brook Boulevard restaurants closed on Thursday. The owner says they can't comment on the matter publicly yet, but will contact us when they can. Meanwhile, the Subway inside the Foster Brook Walmart remains open.

Paul G. Richey, 40, of 183 Doerr Road, Sandycreek Township, was killed in the line of duty late Wednesday morning, January 13, 2010. Paul was born August 29, 1969 in Franklin to his loving parents Clinton (Sam) and Nancy Garmong Richey. Paul was married August 6, 1994 to his devoted wife Carrie Cornell who survives. He was the proud father of two beautiful children Conner age 9 and Catherine age 6 who survive. He was actively involved with his children and helped with his son’s Cub Scout Troop and coached his little league team. He considered his wife and children his universe. Paul graduated from Franklin High School in 1988 and from Edinboro University with a BS degree in Criminal Justice/History in 1993. He graduated from the State Police Academy in Hershey on November 10, 1993 and was then assigned to Troop F in Milton. He transferred to Troop E in Corry on October 19, 1996, and then to the Franklin Station on May 17, 1997. He was a member of the Swanson Memorial Lodge #48 Fraterna...

A hearing on the proposed Holiday Inn Express on Forman Street is scheduled for next Friday in McKean County Court. In the hearing, attorney Greg Henry is expected to argue that the Bradford Zoning Hearing Board should not have granted variances to Tarport Properties for the proposed development. Henry represents Bradford Motel Associates, which objected to the Comfort Inn moving to the site where it's been for nearly 10 years. The variances the board granted in September included allowing the hotel to be four stories and 54 feet tall, when code allows for three stories and a maximum height of 50 feet; and allowing some of the parking spaces and landscaping to not follow code requirements. Developer John Stranburg said he isn't deterred by court action and plans to go ahead with the development.

PennDOT has posted weight limit restrictions on another Cameron County bridge on Route 4004 (Ridge Valley Road). Effective today, the Fishing Creek Bridge in Shippen Township was posted for a 30-ton weight limit for single vehicles and a 40-ton weight limit for combination vehicles. Late in 2009, PennDOT also posted the Driftwood Branch Bridge on Route 4004 for 26 and 31 ton weight limits. The decision to post weight limits on the Fishing Creek Bridge was the result of a recent inspection. The Fishing Creek Bridge was built in 1944; is 33 feet long and carries an average of 1,037 vehicles per day. The posting for the bridge will remain in place until repairs can be made later this year. PennDOT reminds motorists they can log on to 511pa.com or call 511 from any phone to check traffic conditions before heading out.

WASHINGTON, DC-U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) today outlined legislation he intends to introduce to implement a job creation tax credit. Senator Casey is working to add a job creation tax credit to a jobs bill that the Senate is expected to consider. “Over the last couple years the U.S. economy has steadily shed jobs and wages have largely been stagnant,” said Senator Casey. “We have made progress responding to the economic crisis, but more needs to be done to get people back to work. Times are still tough across the board and margins are slim. That is why I am proposing a job creation tax credit to help employers hire workers, put money back into local economies and spur economic growth.” Senator Casey’s proposal builds upon the jobs tax credit enacted in 1977 and was responsible for the creation of 700,000 jobs. Employers who increase their payroll by hiring new employees will be eligible to receive a tax credit. Employers would only receive the credit if they increase payroll. ...

The television production truck donated to the university last year by Game Creek Video will be put to use just days after finally finding its permanent home. The 48-foot trailer was moved Wednesday morning from university property just west of campus to a cement pad at the southwest corner of the Reilly Center. Nine fire-safety windows had to be installed on that side of the Reilly Center before the trailer could be moved. By Saturday night, the trailer will be filled with students producing the men’s basketball game against Saint Joseph’s. Paul Wieland, instructor in the Jandoli School of Journalism and Mass Communication, said his Remote TV Production (JMC 401E) students will be producing nine basketball games this spring — five men’s and four women’s. “Other schools have their students doing similar production, but we’re legitimately unique because this facility is ours. We own it,” Wieland said. “If one of my students wants to go over sometime just to work on graphics, they can w...