Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

Potter County – A closure and detour for Route 2002 (Branch Road) in West Branch Township has been lifted. Crews finished with paving operations between the villages of Cherry Springs and Germania Station on Thursday. Work to install guide rail along the five-mile work zone remains and drivers may encounter intermittent flagging and short delays as that takes place. All work is weather dependent. This work is part of a $4.8 million resurfacing contract covering eleven routes in Cameron and Potter counties. IA Construction is the contractor on this roadway improvement project. Follow PennDOT on Twitter at www.twitter.com/511PAStateCOLL .

Cattaraugus, Chautauqua and Allegany counties will be sharing in more than 10 million in grant money to help farms protect streams, rivers and lakes from agricultural runoff. Governor Andrew Cuomo says the grants will help farmers implement safeguards to help preserve the state’s water ways, while supporting jobs and economic activity. The grants are part of the New York State Agricultural Nonpoint Source Abatement and Control Program which is funded through the Environmental Protection Fund. Cattaraugus County will get more than $400, 000, Chautauqua County nearly $900,000 and Allegany County a little more than $200,000. County Soil and Water Conservation Districts will disperse the money. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Two items were stolen from a public restroom at East Branch Dam over the weekend. Police say sometime between 7 o’clock Saturday night and 7:40 Sunday morning a 1500 watt electric heater and a liquid soap dispenser were taken from the men’s restroom at the boat launch. Anyone with information on this theft is asked to contact Ridgway-based state police. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

The first American woman to go into space, Sally Ride, died Monday after a 17-month battle against pancreatic cancer, her company said. Ride made history in 1983 as a crew member on the space shuttle Challenger, breaking the gender barrier for U.S. spaceflight. Soviet cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova became the first woman in space in 1963, but it took another 20 years for NASA to follow suit. For more on this story go to MSNBC.com . The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A 29-year-old man is accused of having a sexual relationship with a 16-year-old Potter County girl. Leonard Vanorder of Tioga is charged with two felony counts of sexual abuse of children and a misdemeanor count of corruption of minors. Police say Vanorder solicited and received lewd pictures by way of text message from the girl, and also engaged in a sexual relationship with her. Vanorder is in Potter County Jail on $15,000 bail. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

An Olean man has pleaded guilty to attempting to rob a Bradford man in the Olean Center Mall parking lot back in February. 23-year-old Thomas Washington is accused of hitting and robbing the man, who prosecutors have not identified. Washington is scheduled for sentencing on October 9. His co-defendant, 27-year-old Ivan Williams, pleaded not guilty in May and his case was adjourned for motions. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Rain bounces off the Twin Tiers Action Van during a brief shower at about 1:30 this afternoon. There's a 40 percent chance that we could see another shower or two -- and hear some rumbles of thunder -- later today and into tonight, according to the National Weather Service. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

HARRISBURG – Hunters interested in learning the age of the bear they harvested during the 2011 seasons can log onto the Pennsylvania Game Commission’s website ( www.pgc.state.pa.us ). To access the database providing this information, click on “Hunt/Trap” in the menu bar at the top of the page, then click on “Hunting,” scroll down and click on “Black Bear” in the “Big Game” listing, and then scroll down and click on “Black Bear Age Data” in the “Reference” listing. “As a cost-cutting measure, the Game Commission no longer mails a certificate and letter to successful bear hunters notifying them of their bear’s age,” said Carl G. Roe, agency executive director. “To maintain this valued customer service, however, we provide hunters with a certificate at the check station when their bear is processed, and information about how and when they can find the age data, which is determined by examining a tooth from the bear that is extracted as part of the check station processing, on our websit...

Tidioute – Governor Tom Corbett today began a three-day kayak tour through Western Pennsylvania to promote Pennsylvania’s vast natural resources and array of recreational opportunities. Gov. Corbett will be joined on the water by First Lady Susan Corbett and representatives of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) and the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). “Pennsylvania is a vast state with an abundance of scenic landscapes,” Corbett said. “There are many ways to see Pennsylvania and, for the second year in a row, I will get to experience the beauty of our commonwealth from our rivers.” Setting off this morning from Tidioute, Warren County, Corbett will be kayaking down the Allegheny and Conemaugh rivers; visiting Forest, Venango and Warren counties, Johnstown and Pittsburgh. Throughout the trip, the governor will be spending time on water as well as on land touring several Pennsylvania parks and historic sites. “Preserving our natural resources for gen...

I just had a really fun and interesting chat with Erin Morgenstern, author of one of the hottest books of the summer -- "The Night Circus." Listen here . The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A man suffered only minor injuries when his vehicle crashed into a building early this morning in Cherry Creek. At about 3:15 a.m. 55-year-old Mark Swanson of Sinclairville failed to stop at the intersection of Bates Road and Thornton Road, then traveled into the woods, hit an earth embankment and came to rest against an outbuilding that had already caved in on itself. Swanson was taken to WCA Hospital for treatment of his injuries. Sheriff’s deputies say they are continuing their investigation and charges may be filed later. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A one-car crash led to a charge of driving while intoxicated for a Cherry Creek man Sunday morning. 20-year-old Tyler Bailey was on Route 83 in the Town of Arkwright when his car left the road and rolled over. Sheriff’s deputies say Bailey was able to free himself from the vehicle. A resident near the accident called 9-1-1. Bailey was taken to a local hospital for treatment of minor injuries. Besides DWI, he was cited for several traffic violations. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A Tioga County teenager is dead after driving his car into the opposite lane of traffic early Sunday morning. Police say 18-year-old Tyler Fleming of Mansfield was driving his Ford Ranger on South Main Street in Mansfield when he crossed the road and went into the State Route 15 overpass, rolled over and landed on its passenger side. Fleming was pronounced dead at the scene. Police say he was not wearing a seat belt. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A car hit and killed a man riding a motorcycle on Route 20 on the Cattaraugus Indian Reservation Saturday night. Sheriff’s deputies say a 16-year-old driver made a left turn in front of a motorcycle operated by 53-year-old Charles Phillips of Derby. Phillips was taken to Lakeshore Health Care Center, where he was pronounced dead. The driver of the car, Paul Williams of Dunkirk, and his passenger, 27-year-old Jessica Mann of Buffalo, were not hurt. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

The NCAA announced a $60 million fine today against Penn State University as part of the fallout from the child sex abuse scandal involving former coach Jerry Sandusky. The university also is banned from bowl games for four years. The NCAA also vacated all of Penn State's football wins from 1998 to 2011, stripping the late Joe Paterno of the title of winningest coach in major college football history. Get complete coverage of the Penn State scandal and fallout for the university on CNN.com, CNN TV and CNN Mobile. Watch live coverage now on http://CNN.com/Live The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

The two little guys in the top picture are waiting for the "parade of bikes" to start the 15th Annual Kids and Cancer Benefit Run, while the little guy below does a balancing act at the FOP Craft & Vendor Fair on Irving Lane Saturday. To see more pictures of both events go to our Facebook page: Kids and Cancer Run & Bash FOP Fair The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Penn State President Rodney Erickson issued a statement early this morning announcing that the statue of former coach Joe Paterno would be removed from its spot in front of Beaver Stadium. Crews began working to remove the statue around 7 a.m., and pulled it out at around 8:20 a.m. The library will retain the Paterno name and the statue will be stored in a secure location, according to Erickson's statement. This decision comes after a recent investigation into what information Paterno and other head members of Penn State knew, involving former assistant coach, Jerry Sandusky's child sex abuse scandal. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A Kersey man was hurt in a two-car crash Friday night on Route 219 near Wilcox. Police say a car driven by 23-year-old Danielle Winiecki of Gasport, New York, was stop in traffic for a vehicle turning left when a car driven by 82-year-old Leander Ginther that was behind Winiecki did not stop and crashed into her car. Ginther suffered a major injury, but police did not say which hospital he was taken to. He will be cited for following too closely. A passenger in Winieck’s car, 40-year-old Amy Allison of Clarence, New York, suffered moderate injuries. Two other passengers, 28-year-old Tristan Lambright of Tonawanda, New York, and 24-year-old LaurenPicciano of Liverpool, New York, suffered minor injuries. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

The Bradford Main Street Movie House released a statement concerning the shooting at a Colorado movie theater early Friday morning. It says, Dipson Theatres join all the members and staff of the National Association of Theatre Owners, our hearts and prayers go out to the victims of this despicable act and their families. They add that they are grateful for the quick and effective response by police and emergency personnel. Guest safety is, and will continue to be a priority for theater owners, and they are working closely with local law enforcement agencies and reviewing security procedures. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

The Case Collectors Reunion continues today on Owens Way, and several other events are also planned. The FOP craft & vendor fair starts at 10 a.m. at the Bradford Township Lions Club. It also includes demonstrations by area police and fire departments, a fly-in by a Stat MedEvac helicopter and the world famous Bradford Township Lions Club chicken barbecue. For more information and a schedule of events go to www.Facebook.com/1490wesb . The 15th annual Kids and Cancer Benefit Motorcycle Run starts at noon. Registration starts at 9:45 in the Zippo parking lot on Congress Street. One of the stops will be the Kinzua Sky Walk. This is the anniversary of the day a tornado knocked down the Kinzua Viaduct. After the run, a block party will be held on Mechanic Street, where the winner of the Harley of Hope will be announced. You don’t have to participate in the motorcycle run to attend the block party. Also today, Habitat for Humanity is hosting a spaghetti dinner from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Fi...