Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

Wesley Snipes is coming to the area after all – but not to film a movie. Snipes has been ordered to surrender at FCI-McKean next Thursday. The 48-year-old actor was convicted in 2008 for failing to file tax returns. Snipes appealed to a court in Atlanta in the US state of Georgia after being found guilty by a jury in Florida. But the court upheld the conviction and sentence. Snipes asked a judge last week to let him remain free on bail while he appeals to the US Supreme Court to overturn his conviction, but that judge said no, too.

Cattaraugus County Sheriff Timothy Whitcomb has issued the following travel advisory: Snow county wide has made travel conditions difficult and motorists are urged to use caution. Lake Effect Snow that is forecasted for today and tonight will make roads more treacherous in the northern portions of the county. Unnecessary travel in these areas is not advised. Drivers should be aware of the possibility of sudden changes in road conditions due to the winter weather. At this time, most roads in Cattaraugus County are snow covered and slippery. No roads are closed at this time. This travel advisory is in effect until 6:00 a.m., Thursday, December 2, unless otherwise extended.

A Delevan man has been found guilty of strangling his elderly neighbor to death a year ago. 43-year-old Melvin Stephenson was on trial for killing 80-year-old Wilbur Norton inside his Delevan Terrace Apartment last December. After six days of testimony, the jury deliberated for nearly two days before returning the guilty verdict. Stevenson facings a sentence of 25 years to life when he’s sentenced on January 31. District Attorney Lori Rieman credits the “outstanding job performed by members of the Cattaraugus County Sheriff’s Department, as well as various members of the Delevan/Yorkshire community in securing the conviction” on second-degree murder, manslaughter and robbery charges.

By Kimberly Marcott Weinberg Assistant Director of Communications and Marketing University of Pittsburgh at Bradford The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford evacuated about 160 students from on-campus housing along the Tunungwant Creek early Wednesday morning after hours of steady rain caused the creek to flood. Pitt-Bradford also canceled classes for the day and asked about 100 students to move vehicles from parking areas along the creek. About 100 students spent the night in the Frame-Westerberg Commons, said Dr. K. James Evans, vice president and dean of student affairs. “We had some students playing cards, some watching TV and some playing board games,” he said. Some students rolled up their socks and started a game of baseball in the Mukaiyama University Room, which became their diamond for the overnight. Around 3 a.m., Dan Howard, general manager of dining services, came in and opened up the KOA Dining Room for bagels, ice cream and cereal. ...

By ANNE HOLLIDAY WESB/WBRR News Director The Bradford Zoning Hearing Board on Tuesday granted variances to two businesses, which could mean a pick-me-up for the local economy. The first variance will allow Bradford Fairway Sales & Leasing to build an auto showroom for its Ford Lincoln Mercury and Chrysler Dodge Jeep business at 215 Euclid Avenue. The current car lot there will remain, and the building will be added onto it. Ben Shearman, general manager of Bradford Fairway Sales & Leasing, explained that the current building on East Main Street “can’t support the needs of two additional franchises.” Board member Jeff Carson said he had concerns about traffic because that’s “a rotten intersection,” but Shearman said he doesn’t anticipate a huge or significant increase in traffic. “The nerve center of the whole unit in its totality will still be operating” from the East Main Street location. He said he anticipates at least another 40 vehicles being sold per month, and 35 percent ...

A Brocton, New York, man is dead after he had a heart attack and crashed his SUV into a creek bed Tuesday afternoon in the Town of Portland. Sheriff’s deputies say an SUV driven by 72-year-old Herbert Schultz traveled into the opposite lane of Route 5 and into a ditch and a creek bed, then hit an embankment before finally coming to rest on its roof. Schultz was pronounced dead at the scene, and the county coroner determined that Schultz had a heart attack before the accident.

County Treasurer Nancy Evans has announced that the State Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement has raised the price of each type of dog license by forty-five cents. The cost of a regular annual license is now $8.45. If the pet is spayed or neutered, the cost is $6.45. If the owner is a senior citizen, age 65 or older, or a person with a disability, the cost of a regular license is $6.45 and if the pet is spayed or neutered, it is $4.45. State law requires that all dogs age 3 months and older must be licensed. The 2011 McKean County dog licenses go on sale Wednesday December first at the county treasurer’s office. License sales by other agents, to be announced, will begin in January. There is an additional fifty cent charge for licenses issued by agents other than the county treasurer. To purchase a McKean County dog license from the county treasurer, you may download an application form by going to the county web site at www.mckeancountypa.org . Click on “Departments”, then “Treasurer”, then ...

Dr. V. Rao and Rajeswari Nadella of Bradford have established a scholarship at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford in memory of their daughter, Seetal. Seetal Nadella graduated from Pitt-Bradford in December 2006 with a degree in economics and died in October 2008 after a lengthy illness. Her mother, Rajeswari Nadella, graduated in 1991 with a degree in business management. The Seetal Nadella Memorial Scholarship will benefit a student of at least sophomore standing who is majoring in a business or economic discipline and has achieved a grade point average of 3.0 or higher. Preference will be given to a student from the counties of McKean, Elk, Warren, Cameron, Potter or Cattaraugus (N.Y.). The Nadellas’ pledge of $50,000 will be matched by the Agnes L. and Lewis Lyle Thomas Scholarship Challenge. The Thomas Scholarship Challenge matches the amount of any gift between $5,000 and $50,000 given for scholarships. Dr. Gautam Mukerjee, associate professor of economics, was Seetal’s pro...

A Pittsfield man is dead after being hit by a vehicle at 6:45 this morning on Route 27 in Warren County. Police say 63-year-old Paul Davis was walking on the westbound lane of Route 27 when a vehicle drivn by 36-year-old James Jewell, also of Pittsfield, was attempting to pass a commercial vehicle. Jewell’s vehicle hit Davis, who was walking along the outside edge of the fog line. Davis was pronounced dead at the scene. State police are continuing their investigation and ask any witnesses to the accident to contact the Warren barracks.

A Chautauqua County sheriff’s deputy suffered minor injuries in an accident this afternoon in the Town of Gerry. The sheriff’s office says 39-year-old Deputy Daniel Forsberg was on Route 60 when his unmarked patrol vehicle hydroplaned, left the road, rolled and came to rest on its wheels in a parking lot. Forsberg was taken by ambulance to WCA Hospital in Jamestown.

State Senator Joe Scarnati of the 25th District expressed dismay that Jack Wisor and officials at the Just for Jesus homeless shelter outside of Brockway have chosen to intentionally violate a measure which was just recently passed by the legislature and signed into law by Governor Ed Rendell. According to Scarnati, Act 95 of 2010 states that a group-based home like Just for Jesus, which agrees to provide housing to a convicted murderer, must notify the county and municipal governments in which the home is located that the individual is staying at the home, within 48 hours of his arrival. Upon notification, the county or municipal government may choose to hold a public hearing concerning the group-based home provider, its site and operation. “The law is very clear and unmistakable, Scarnati said. “Without question, it was ignored by Mr. Wisor and his Just for Jesus group, as they continue to be a safety concern for many citizens in the Jefferson County area.” Convicted murderer Ern...

A Lackawanna, New York, man who apparently was satisfied with being in the hospital allegedly destroyed property when he was told he could leave. Sheriff’s deputies say that at around 11:15 this morning 37-year-old Mark Buffington “became irate when he was told he was being discharged” from Lakeshore Hospital and destroyed four chairs. Buffington is charged with criminal mischief and will answer the charge in Town of Hanover Court.

Local parents, child care providers, and educators now have a consolidated venue to turn to for information on child development, parenting, and issues specific to children with delays and disabilities with the unveiling of the Parent Resource Center at the Bradford Area Public Library. CARE for Children initially developed a collection of materials following a Children First Priority One grant that the agency received from the Kiwanis Club of Bradford in 2001. The number of resources has grown considerably over the years, with continued funding from the Kiwanis Club and the United Way of Bradford. Donations of books were also received by the March of Dimes, the Bradford Area School District and local individuals. “CARE had all these great resources for parents but they were underutilized,” stated Tina Martin, Executive Director. “We decided to collaborate with the library, and Director Linda Newman graciously set aside a prominent space next to the circulation desk to house the col...

The Seneca Nation wants to take over the Seneca Pumped Storage Project at Kinzua Dam when the current operator’s license expires in 2015. Seneca President Robert Odawi Porter says the nation is beginning the application process for the license. First Energy currently holds the license to operate the hydroelectric plant in Warren County.

By ANNE HOLLIDAY WESB/WBRR News Director U.S. Senator Bob Casey today urged his Senate colleagues to pass an extension of unemployment insurance for another year when the measure comes to the floor this afternoon. Without action benefits for workers who lost their job through no fault of their own will begin to expire after today. “After today, two million Americans and 83,000 Pennsylvanians are forced to worry about losing vital support next month that helps them keep food on the table and pay their bills,” Casey said. “I urge my Senate colleagues to allow for this extension to pass, preventing families and the economy from suffering.” Last week, Casey organized an effort joined by 28 senators to call for a vote to preserve unemployment insurance for another year. The letter sent to Senate leadership urges a continuation of the unemployment benefits program through December 31, 2011. A unanimous consent request is expected to be made this afternoon to extend unemployment benefit...

The Old Fashioned Christmas is scheduled for Saturday, December 11th from Noon until 3 p.m. in Downtown Bradford. Activities throughout the afternoon will include free horse drawn carriage rides beginning in front of PNC Bank and a visit from Santa Claus at the Main Street Mercantile. Families are encouraged to shop locally and relax from the hustle and bustle of a busy time of year. Merchants within the historic district will be showcasing unique holiday gifts and specials. Shoppers can visit downtown Bradford in the coming weeks and shop for unique and special gifts, ready wrapped gifts, gift cards and gift baskets. Gift wrapping and special discounts will be featured in many of the stores. There will be free parking in downtown Bradford and extended shopping hours at a variety of merchants from now until Christmas.

Two area Police Departments received Platinum Awards from AAA for their community traffic safety efforts, according to officials at AAA East Central. Seven local departments -- including Bradford City and Pitt-Bradford -- earned Gold, Silver and Bronze Awards. The Platinum awards were given to “Commendable Leaders” for their safety efforts and enforcement activities geared towards making communities safer. The recipients of the prestigious awards were the Jamestown Police Department and Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Department. The departments were among hundreds nationwide that participated in the Community Traffic Safety Program. A Gold Award, the second highest recognition, was given to the New York State Police, Zone 3, Jamestown Station. Warren County Police Department earned a Silver Award. Bronze Awards were given to Warren County Sheriff’s Department, Youngsville, St. Marys, Bradford and the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford Police Departments. “We are very proud of the depart...

No one was hurt in an apartment house fire late Monday night on Jefferson Street. Bradford City Police reported the fire at 11:41 p.m. and said there was heavy smoke coming from the first floor apartment. Fire Department Lt. Matt Rettger tells WESB and The HERO that the fire started in the kitchen of the lower apartment and was “well on its way to spreading to the bathroom and dining room” which are connected to the kitchen. Damage is estimated at $20,000 to $30,000. The fire has been ruled accidental. Edna Hallock owns the building. Katherine Langdon lives in the lower apartment. Rose Snyder and John Frederick live in the upper apartment. Nine city firefighters were on the scene for about two hours. Bradford Township was on standby. Special Police helped with traffic control.

Representatives from the Cameron County Family Center’s Share the Love program visited Charles Cole Memorial Hospital’s Skilled Nursing and Rehab residents to deliver Thanksgiving cards last week. Program organizers Kris Fapore and Sissy Miller deliver holiday cards throughout the year and also visit residents at the Guy and Mary Felt Manor, Grove House, and Elk Regional Medical Center. Pictured, from left, are Sissy Miller and Peggy Russell. Photo courtesy of CCMH

A short recital by well-known local musician John “Mac” Sue on the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford’s new Sarah B. Dorn Organ will give the community a chance to hear the instrument on Friday, Dec. 3. The recital, which will take place from 12:15 to 12:45 p.m. in the Harriett B. Wick Chapel, will feature “Music for the Advent Season.” The recital is free and open to the public. For the past 15 years, Sue has served as director of music and organist at First Presbyterian Church in Bradford. He began studying organ at St. Bernard Church in Bradford at age 12, and continued through high school, at Roberts Wesleyan University, the State University of New York at Fredonia and Chautauqua Institution. He has served as the organist and choirmaster at more than a half-dozen churches. The Dorn pipe organ was constructed by the Schantz Organ Co. of Orrville, Ohio, and consists of 17 ranks with 1,020 pipes.