Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

Manny Ramirez has been traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers and Jason Bay is going to Boston as part of a three-team deal finished just before today's MLB trade deadline. The Pirates get third baseman Andy LaRoche and pitcher Bryan Morris from the Dodgers, and outfielder Brandon Moss and pitcher Craig Hansen from the Red Sox.

The Chautauqua County Sheriff's Patrol Boat had to rescue two boaters fishing on Lake Erie in the Bass Masters tournament today. Sheriff's deputies say Corry Waldrop of Forth Worth, Texas, and another boater were in Lake Erie, northwest of Dunkirk when the motor on their boat stopped. As the boat drifted, waves went up over the rails and swamped the vessel. Waldrop used his cell phone to call for help. The disabled vessel was towed to the Dunkirk Harbor, dewatered and put on a trailer. The tournament sponsor brought another vessel for Waldrop and his passenger so they could return to Buffalo with their catch and not be disqualified for trailering back to the launch site.

The United Way of the Bradford Area recently allocated $6,300 to local agencies and programs via the Community Innovations funding category. Local non-profit 501(c)3 health and human service organizations are able to apply once per quarter for a maximum amount of $1,500. This funding stream has been in place since the local United Way re-designed its allocation process in 2003. Third quarter recipients include: CARE for Children (adaptive playground equipment), Dickinson Partial Hospitalization Program (mental health programs), Grace Lutheran Church’s Community Life Center (leadership program supplies), The Salvation Army (backpack program), YMCA Child Care Center(s) (educational play tables) and the YWCA of Bradford (food pantry). “This is an opportunity for the United Way to continue to make a great impact locally,” says Assistant Director Mandi Wilton Davis. “These beneficiaries are in addition to the annually-funded programs, all of which are meeting the needs in our community.”

PITTSBURGH (AP) — The only sitting state legislator charged in an investigation into the use of taxpayer money for political campaigns is dropping out of his race for state Senate. Democratic Rep. Sean Ramaley of Beaver County made the announcement Thursday, three weeks after he was charged. Ramaley says Republicans will try to use the accusations to influence all races, not just his. Ramaley faces six theft, conspiracy and conflict of interest charges. He is accused of performing campaign work for his 2004 House race while being paid as a part-time legislative assistant. Ramaley says he is innocent. Eleven other people with ties to the House Democratic caucus were charged by the attorney general's office.

The man accused of raping a 4-year-old in Clearfield County on Monday was spotted last night on the Ohio Turnpike, near Maumee. Police say 43-year-old Sherman Graham didn't have money to pay a toll so he rammed a toll gate Wednesday night. Earlier on Wednesday, he was in Buffalo, where his ex-girlfriend lives. She called 9-1-1 after she told him to leave her house. Trooper David Patrick of the Clearfield State Police says they're working closely with Ohio authorities. Police say they aren't sure why Graham is in Ohio. They don't believe he's armed but Patrick says, given Graham's criminal history, he could steal a weapon. Graham is accused of raping the girl Monday morning then running into a nearby wooded area. After that, they believe he stole the pickup truck he was seen driving in Buffalo.

A suburban Philadelphia couple is accused of damaging the property of more than 400 people during an 18-month egging spree. Philip Fleck and his girlfriend, Heather Darcy, admitted to the vandalism. Police say the couple wanted to retaliate against friends for damages they said were inflicted upon them — but the couple also egged other people to draw suspicion away from them. Police say Fleck and Darcy caused more than $7,000 in damages.

A 40-year-old Ridgway man who stole 11 valuable black cherry trees from the Allegheny National Forest has been sentenced in federal court to three years of probation that will start with six months of house arrest. Joseph Harvey must also pay $9,020 in restitution. Harvey pleaded guilty in May. Harvey and a co-defendant, Michael S. Merritt, were accused of cutting down a stand of the trees in Elk County in the national forest, in September 2004. The two were also accused of arranging for the sale of the trees, which are used for furniture and other wood products. The case against Merritt is pending.

A man will spend a year on probation for storing his dead mother's body in a freezer in their western Pennsylvania home. Fifty-eight-year-old Philip Royer Jr. had pleaded no contest to abuse of a corpse earlier this month and was sentenced Wednesday. Cranberry Township police accused Royer of hiding the body after his 90-year-old mother died of natural causes in August 2006. Police say Royer hid the body so he could cash his mother's Social Security checks, but prosecutors dropped a theft by deception charge in exchange for the corpse abuse conviction. Royer's attorney has said failure to notify the government of the death isn't the same as hiding it. Royer says he froze the body until he could make funeral arrangements.

National Fuel Gas has filed with the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission, and intends to raise prices by more than 33 percent starting tomorrow. The monthly bill for a typical residential customer will go from $129.83 to $173.20. Nancy Taylor of National Fuels says the company is considering an interim adjustment so prices stay at current levels, and so the lower cost can be passed on to customers more quickly. She says the company is concerned about the impact these costs will have on customers.

On Tuesday, August 5th, neighborhoods throughout Bradford are being invited to join forces with thousands of communities nationwide for the “25th Annual National Night Out” (NNO) crime and drug prevention event. From 7 to 9 p.m. on August 5th, residents in neighborhoods throughout Bradford and across the nation are asked to lock their doors, turn on outside lights and spend the evening outside with neighbors and police. Project Pride will be hosting a live broadcast by WBRR at Family Video with the City of Bradford Police Department providing children’s fingerprinting ID kits, safety information, and activities. CARE for Children will be on hand with safety information and SAFE Kids McKean County handouts. National Night Out is designed to: (1) Heighten crime and drug prevention awareness; (2) Generate support for, and participation in, local anticrime efforts; (3) Strengthen Neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships; and (4) Send a message to criminals letting them kno

The world of computers is moving in a new direction at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford. After years of a nationwide decline in enrollment in computer science programs, Pitt-Bradford is phasing out its program and introducing a bachelor of science program in computer information systems and technology. Students can begin enrolling in the new major this fall. The last computer science majors will likely graduate from Pitt-Bradford in 2012. “After listening to the industry in the region, we developed this program to respond to the times,” said Dr. Steven Hardin, vice president and dean of academic affairs. The new major will be housed in the school’s Division of Management and Education. “This program uses technology to address the needs of businesses,” Hardin said. “These graduates will have technical skills, but they will also understand the needs of the companies they work for.” As part of a statewide initiative to keep high-tech workers in Pennsylvania, students majoring in C

Attorneys for both sides and a judge have agreed that a post-conviction appeal filed by a Starbrick man who murdered his wife six years ago was "without merit." Warren County Senior Judge Paul Millin quickly disposed of the latest appeal filed by 44-year-old Gregory Scott Vasilisin, who is currently serving a life sentence without possibility of parole for the Nov. 19, 2002, murder of his 34-year-old wife, Kenda. Acting on his own behalf, Vasilisin filed an appeal that centered on his entering of a guilty plea in the case and the sale of his two vehicles. The proceeds of the sale were used to pay funeral expenses of the victim. The judge said that Vasilisin had been advised prior to sentencing that the sale of his vehicles - a 1994 Pontiac Bonneville and 1999 Dodge pick-up truck - would be part of the sentence.

A third person has decided he wants to run for the Fifth District Congressional seat being vacated by Representative John Peterson, who is retiring. Roger Boyer of Brookville will seek the seat as a non-affiliated, independent candidate. Republican Glenn Thompson of Howard in Centre County and Democrat Mark McCracken of Clearfield are currently on the ballot. Boyer recently returned to Brookville after taking an early retirement from a 23-year career in a Department of Energy science lab.

The inmate who helped convicted murderer Malcolm Kysor escape from the state prison at Albion in November is facing a possibility that he will get a stiffer sentence for his role in the plot. An Erie County judge today granted the prosecution’s request that he reconsider the sentence of two and a half to five years he gave 26-year-old John Gromer earlier this month. The date for the new sentencing hearing hasn't been set yet. Gromer pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit escape. Gromer helped Kysor escape by stuffing him in a garbage can. Kysor was found in a park in Bakersfield, California, in April.

The Bradford Legion baseball is headed to Boyertown for the Legion State Playoffs. Bradford knocked off Cochranton by way of the 10-run rule. They won 14-3 in seven innings. Cory Viola went the distance for Bradford; Kevin Pautler hit a 3-run homer in the 6th inning; Mike Pascarella added a grand slam, also in the 6th. Earlier today, the Bradford Legion baseball team beat Millcreek 13-5.

For the fifth consecutive year, The Princeton Review has recognized the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford as one of the best schools in the Northeast. “Without question, we’re delighted that The Princeton Review once again recognizes Pitt-Bradford as one of the best in our region,” said Dr. Livingston Alexander, university president. The New York City-based education services company selected Pitt-Bradford as one of 212 institutions it recommends in its “Best in the Northeast” section on its PrincetonReview.com feature “2009 Best Colleges Region by Region.” The Princeton Review also profiles Pitt-Bradford in its book, “The Best Northeastern Colleges: 2009 Edition,” which goes on sale Aug. 5. The 630 colleges named “regional bests” represent about 25 percent of the nation’s 2,500 four-year colleges. The Princeton Review survey for this project asks students to rate their own schools on several issues -- from the accessibility of their professors to quality of the campus food -- and

A Gowanda woman has been sentenced to one to three years in prison for disrupting last year's Harley Days while driving drunk. 43-year-old Rhonda Bulman drove down a road that was closed to traffic for Harley Days on June 1 of last year, hit some motorcycles and caused pedestrians to scatter. She ignored uniformed police officers who were trying to stop her. One of the officers reached into the moving car to turn off the ignition to prevent any further damage or injury.

The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford’s Bromeley Family Theater is welcoming young theater-goers with the launch of a new school matinee series. The inaugural New Horizons School Matinee Series will feature performances of classic children’s novels for elementary school age children, “Charlotte’s Web” on Oct. 9 and “Nate the Great” on Jan. 22, 2008. For older students, a school matinee performance of “The Cripple of Inishmaan” directed by Dr. Kevin Ewert, associate professor of theater, will be offered Nov. 19. A school matinee of the spring production by the Division of Communication and the Arts will take place April 1, 2009. That offering has yet to be announced. “This series of innovative live performances is designed to educate, entertain and inspire young audiences,” said Randy L. Mayes, arts programming director, adding that he is thrilled with the response to New Horizons. “I was surprised when one simple black-and-white flyer sent to the Intermediate Unit 9 and Warren Count

A Webster, New York, man accused of shooting and killing a hunter in December has pleaded not guilty to criminally negilgent homicide. 38-year-old John Gisel was indicted for shotting 30-year-old Brandon Haugh of Geneseo while hunting in the Almond area on December 1. Gisel told state troopers he thought he was shooting at a deer. District Attorney Terrence Parker says what happened was a violation of hunter safety guidelines, noting a hunter should not shoot at something without knowing what the target is. Gisel is free on his own recgonizance.

The National Transportation Safety Administration says they still don't know what caused a fatal glider crash last summer in central Pennsylvania. The five-member board has released a probable cause statement saying it could not determine why 39-year-old Debra Burgess lost control of the glider during takeoff last July. Burgess, who was from Elmira, N.Y., had made an unplanned landing at Centre Airpark in Centre Hall after losing lift. An airplane was in the process of towing the glider back to Mifflin County Airport when the crash happened. The board says an antidepressant was found in Burgess' blood, but it could not be determined if it affected her ability to keep control of the glider.

The Pennsylvania man wanted for raping a 4-year-old Monday has been spotted in South Buffalo. Police say 43-year-old Sherman Graham of Frenchville disappeared into the woods near his home after the crime was reported in Covington Township. Graham stands 5'10, weighs about 300 pounds. He has long brown hair, a mustached, and a goatee. He was spotted Wednesday morning in South Buffalo apparently in a dark blue pickup truck. Anyone who sees him is asked to call 9-1-1 immediately.

A man is dead in Buffalo after being shot by a police officer. Operation Third Strike began in the pre-dawn hours Tuesday. But what was expected to be a relatively routine execution of search warrants by multiple teams of officers from all levels of law enforcement quickly turned violent on Kay Street when officials say an armed man allegedly pointed a gun at one of the officers. McCarthy Gipson, Buffalo Police Commissioner, said, "During the entry a firearm was pointed at one of the entering officers and the officer returned fire." Investigators later confirmed that a seasoned Niagara County Sheriff's Deputy fired two bullets, striking a 44 year old man who died a short time later. The deputy has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation. Operation Third Strike Indictments

Story & Photos By Joel Keefer Executive Assistant to Greg Edwards Mayville, NY -- On a gorgeous summer afternoon, Chautauqua County Executive Gregory J. Edwards headed out onto the placid waters of Chautauqua Lake. In the boat with him were the 2008 Fishing Essay Contest winners, Morgan Perkins and Austin Glasier. Austin, who is 5th Grader at Fredonia Elementary, and Morgan, who is in 3rd Grade at Cassadaga Elementary School, won the opportunity to go fishing with Edwards after their essays were chosen from a group of over 400 well written, and thoughtful, entries. The group headed out on a pontoon boat from the docks at We Wan Chu Cottages outside of Mayville, NY with Craig Robbins, promotion director for the Chautauqua County Sports, Fishing and Hunting Authority, who volunteered his professional guide service for the excursion. In the end, everyone aboard the pontoon boat was able to catch a number of fish, including sunfish, a small musky and yellow perch. Austin and Morgan won

U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) today accepted an award from the Visiting Nurses Association of America (VNAA). Senator Casey was recognized as “Legislator of the Year 2007” by VNAA for his work on behalf of home healthcare workers. “I am honored to receive this award from VNAA and even more honored to work every day on behalf of good people like the members of VNAA who have dedicated their lives to helping some of our most vulnerable Pennsylvanians and people nationwide,” said Senator Casey. “We still have a lot of work to accomplish on behalf of home healthcare workers who help over 4 million Americans receive quality healthcare in the comfort of their own homes.” “In 2007, Senator Casey clearly emerged as a new leader for home health providers and Medicare beneficiaries receiving home health services through his role as lead cosponsor of the Home Health Care Access Protection Act of 2007,” said Andy Carter, VNAA CEO and President. “The Pennsylvania Visiting Nurse Agencies were clea

Lauren Lawson welcomes her husband Sgt. Timothy "Timmer" Lawson Tuesday evening at Bradford Regional Ariport. Sgt. Lawson, who is from Duke Center, is serving his second tour of duty in Iraq. He'll be home for 18 days, and his family is hosting a party Saturday at the Rixford Well. Sgt. Lawson hugs his grandmother while his wife and mother, Sharon Schwab of Eldred, looks on. ( A Bradford soldier, Specialist John McGriff, will be home Monday. Check back for more details on that. )

A piece of steel that was once part of the World Trade Center will soon stand in Shanksville, just miles from where Flight 93 came crashing down on Sept. 11, 2001. New York and Shanksville firefighters poured the concrete base on Monday where a 14-foot-high, 3,000-pound steel monument will soon stand. Shanksville's monument will sit on a pentagon-shaped base. The steel monument will be shaped like a cross.

A magnitude 5.8 earthquake has rattled Los Angeles, California, according to CNN. The quake hit at 11:42 a.m. Pacific Time (2:42 p.m. Eastern Time) Chris Jansing of MSNBC describes it as a "major shake." She says the newsroom started receiving calls within 30 seconds of the quake. MSNBC is also reporting that "buildings did sway." There are no reports of injuries. The quake could be felt in San Diego and Las Vegas. CNN is reporting that there have been at least 20 small aftershocks, the largest of which was a 2.8 magnitude. USGS has downgraded the quake magnitude to 5.4

WILLIAMSPORT – The Department of Environmental Protection has issued two permits to AES Armenia Mountain Wind LLC for the construction of 124 wind turbines in Bradford and Tioga counties. “This is a landmark occasion for the future of clean, renewable energy in rural north central Pennsylvania,” said DEP Northcentral Regional Director Robert Yowell. “When complete, this will be the largest wind energy facility in Pennsylvania, producing about 150-megawatts of electricity or enough to service 47,000 homes.” AES, based in Arlington, Va., plans to construct 52 turbines in Armenia Township, Bradford County, and 73 in Richmond, Sullivan and Ward townships, Tioga County. The Water Obstruction and Encroachment and NPDES Stormwater Discharges Associated with Construction Activities permits to AES allow the company to proceed with its plans to build wind turbines in the counties. DEP’s Water Obstruction and Encroachment permit will require AES to comply with state regulations for 39 stream and

U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) today introduced a bill to help rural school districts deal with the rising cost of fuel. The Rural Fuel for School Act would help schools pay for the cost of transportation of students to and from school through a new grant program. “With gas prices at record highs, school districts, especially ones located in rural areas, are facing challenges meeting their transportation needs,” said Senator Casey. “This bill will help take some of the burden off of the school districts so their money can be better put to use teaching students, rather than worrying about transportation costs.” In 2005-2006, approximately 7,900 school districts nationwide that were classified as “fringe rural,” “distance rural” and “remote rural” by the National Center for Education Statistics. In Pennsylvania alone, there are almost 200 school districts who would be eligible for the grant program. The grant program would be administered through the Department of Education (DOE). In o

Sgt. Timothy Lawson is coming home on leave today (Tuesday, July 29), and his family is inviting to the community to welcome him at 6 p.m. at Bradford Regional Airport. This is Lawson's 2nd tour of duty in Iraq. He'll be home for 18 days.

Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Arlen Specter (R-Pa.) spoke on the Senate floor late Monday night regarding the use of the Senate procedure called “filling the tree” to derail progress on important pending legislation this session. Filling the tree is a process whereby the Majority Leaders use their power to offer a sufficient number of amendments to “fill the tree” so that no other Senator can offer an amendment. Senator Reid has employed the practice 15 times this Congress on legislation, including the oil speculators bill currently pending, the Medicare bill, FAA reauthorization and climate change. “We have plenty of time to deal with these issues if we allow Senators to offer amendments and if we then proceed to consider them,” Senator Specter said on the floor. “I call upon the majority leader to keep the Senate in session providing we take up the issues of oil prices and gasoline prices and providing we do not engage in the same circular, dilatory finger-pointing practices wh

My guest on today's LiveLine is Abby Pecoriello, author of "Crafty Mama: Makes 49 Fast, Fabulous, Foolproof (Baby & Toddler) Projects." Check out the book. It's filled with all kinds of cool -- and easy -- crafts. I think my favorite part of the book is the "Craftypedia," which explains everything you need to know about being crafty. Abby's Blog

A prisoner at SCI Forest, in Marienville, stabbed another prisoner at the corrections facility back on July 22. State Police say that 30 year-old Bobby McColley was stabbed three times in the back by another inmate. Police say McColley does not want to pursue charges against his attacker. He is recovering in the prison’s infirmary.

A man who operated a crack house in Jamestown has been sentenced to 30 months in prison. 23-year-old Michael Harris of Buffalo was arrested on June 21, 2006, as part of a operation that targeted street sales of crack cocaine in Jamestown and lead to the arrest of Adrian Yarborough and 10 other co-conspirators. While out on bail, Harris was arrested on an unrelated charge and told Buffalo Police his name was Marshawn Lynch. Yarborough, whose group bought cocaine in Buffalo and ran several crack houses in Jamestown, was sentenced in the spring to 15 years in prison.

A Williamsport man is charged with murdering a 19-month-old boy who was in his care. Court papers say 20-year-old Fabian Peterkin allegedly beat to death Marquise Hanible at a home he shared with the child's mother and two-and-a-half-year-old brother. Police and paramedics were called to the home on April 12 and found the child in cardiac arrest. He was pronounced dead at Williamsport Hospital. An autopsy showed that the toddler died from blunt force trauma to his body, including broken ribs, laceration to his heart and lungs, and bruises all over his body. The coroner ruled the death a homicide. Peterkin was found in Philadelphia and returned to Williamsport on Monday. He is being held in the Lycoming County Prison without bail.

The Lackawanna County Humane Society has accepted more than 50 potbellied pigs that were removed from a barn in Wyoming County. Humane Society officer Tina Walter says the 54 pigs were cramped together without adequate food or water in a dirty barn. The pigs have been fed and watered and a veterinarian will examine them. Humane society officials say they hope people may be interested in adopting some of the animals, since potbellied pigs are considered good pets.

These students are painting pottery as part of the art and sculpture track of the Seneca Highlands IU9 Summer Academy at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford. They are (top to bottom) Alena Larnder of Ridgway (painting pot in foreground is her sister Denise); Emily Smith, a student at Galeton Area School, and Reba Higley of Eldred; and Mallory Rodich, a student at Cameron County High School, and Bonnie Darrow of Coudersport Area Junior/Senior High School. ( Photos Courtesy of Pitt-Bradford ) By Kimberly Marcott Weinberg Assistant Director of Communications and Marketing Forty-two students from 14 school districts were able to go beyond their regular course of studies last week at the 23rd annual Seneca Highlands IU9 Summer Academy at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford. Students were able to choose one of three tracks: technology and entrepreneurial science, drama and communications, or art and sculpture. Technology and entrepreneurial science was taught by Diana Maguire, asso

Mark Whitaker is the new D.C. bureau chief for NBC News, succeeding the late Tim Russert, NBC announced today. NBC News President Steve Capus called Whitaker "the ideal candidate for the job, and that was evident the minute we took stock of potential replacements." Whitaker will remain a senior vice president at NBC News. Former NBC anchor Tom Brokaw is filling Russert's seat at "Meet the Press" through the presidential election.

Robert Novak, who brought conservative fire to CNN's "Crossfire," is suspending his career after he was diagnosed with a brain tumor. The tumor was found Sunday after Novak, a Chicago Sun-Times columnist, was rushed to a Boston hospital. Novak issued a statement Monday: "I will be suspending my journalistic work for an indefinite but, God willing, not too lengthy period." He is editor of the Evans-Novak Political Report, a newsletter that comes out twice a month. After 25 years as a commentator for CNN, Novak moved over to Fox News.

When Bradford businessman Mike Smith was cited for displaying flags too close the street in front of his business, a debate on patriotism started in the city. Mayor Tom Riel says it's unfortunate that people are saying the citation has something to do with patriotism and flags, when it has nothing to do with patriotism and flags. The city has a legal right to ask anyone to remove anything in a right-of-way, Riel says, adding that even the city's signs have to be a minimum distance from the road, as per PennDOT stipulations. Riel says he drove by the store this morning and saw the flags waving out over the street. "Those are the issues the city is concerned with," Riel says. "We're not concerned with patriotism or his right to fly the flag." Smith is a Vietnam veteran and says he's flying the flags for the troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, and has been flying them for years. He also says he wants his day in court, and will have it August 11 in front of

A motorcyclist is dead after an accident with an Amish buggy in Crawford County. Police say a group of Amish people fishing at Pymatuning State Park had their horse tied up, but the horse broke loose and pulled the buggy onto Route 6 east of Linesville. The unlighted buggy collided with a motorcycle operated by 42-year-old Duane Forsythe of Beaver Falls. Forsythe was killed. His passenger, 44-year-old Catherine Fosnaught, also of Beaver Falls, was injured. The horse wasn't hurt.

A retired state police corporal died in a motorcycle accident over the weekend in Jefferson County. Police say 47-year-old Mark Conrad Sr. was riding his motorcycle on the Reynoldsville-Skyesville Road when it went out of control, crossed both lanes of traffic, slid on its side and hit a guide rail. Police say Conrad was thrown from the motorcycle and hit the guide rail. He wasn't wearing a helmet. Conrad was pronounced dead at the scene.

Crews from Sports Construction Group of Cleveland worked on Parkway Field over the weekend to get it ready for this Saturday's Don Raabe Big 30 All-Star Charities Classic Football Game, and for next Saturday's Nothing But Nets Soccerthon.

Did you ever think you'd see gas below $4 a gallon in Bradford again? This was Saturday evening.

The ex-wife of a gunman fatally shot by police outside a central Pennsylvania radio station says the man struggled with bipolar disorder. Centre County Coroner Scott Sayers identifies the gunman as 50-year-old Brian Neiman of Pottersdale. Police say Neiman was killed Friday after he fired at officers and tried to run them over with his vehicle outside WTLR in State College. Jean Neiman of Mifflin County says her ex-husband could turn angry when he didn't take his medication. She says they frequently listened to the Christian station together before divorcing in 2006. Police got a tip that an armed man was heading to the station and intercepted him outside. No one at the station was injured.

Parker Shonts (with parents Don and Kris) shows off the trophy and medal he received for taking first place in his age group during the annual Kids Fun Run following the "Vig" Memorial Run/Walk Saturday morning. Ashton McGriff took first place for the girls in the 7 and 8 age group. Other winners were Jaxon Faes, Max Greenberg, Erica Marshall, Ben Bean and Mitchell Vleminx. Adult winners were Hannah Bean, Myriah Wiseman, Deanna Wachtel, Natalie Marasco, Denise Bean and Pat Wachtel. Also, Aziz Yousif, Matt White, Mark Kelley, James Housler, Bob Hannon, Ray Thompson and Jerry Stauffer. During the first six years, the event has raised more than $100,000 and has given out $60,000 worth of scholarship money for the Zachery Vigliotta Scholarship at Bradford Area High School. ( If you can't single out your cousin's son when he wins, what's the point of having a news blog? ;) )

These girls dive into Barcroft Pool at Callahan Park Saturday morning in the preliminaries of a swim meet. The girls were competing in a relay.

Business owner Mike Smith is in trouble for flying U.S. flags outside his store. A citation filed earlier in the week accuses Smith of violating Bradford's sign ordinance because his flags flap into the street. Smith, a Vietnam War veteran, has displayed the two U.S. flags, a Prisoner of War flag and a Missing in Action flag outside his business for eight years. He says he displays the flags for the troops in Iraq and Afghanistan and in memory of those who don't return. Bradford Mayor Tom Riel says the problem is not with the flags. He says the concern is that they flap into a traffic lane. The case will be argued before District Judge Dom Cercone on Aug. 11.

A historical marker has been unveiled commemorating Corry as the birthplace of the Pennsylvania Game Commission. A meeting led by businessman H.A. Penrose in the northwestern Pennsylvania city in 1890 led to the formation of the Pennsylvania State Sportsmen's Association. That became the Pennsylvania Game Commission in 1895. The historical marker was unveiled at Corry City Park. Another marker honoring Joshua Merrill was unveiled near the firefighters' memorial. Merrill was the chief chemist and manager of Corry's former Downor Oil Works that flourished during the oil boom in the 1860s. The markers were approved by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.

The Pennsylvania Big 30 team scrimmaged Friday night at the Fretz Middle School field in preparation for next Saturday's Don Raabe Big All-Star Charities Classic. You can hear the game on 1490 WESB, 100.1 The HERO and Network1Sports.com

Doctors are warning people about a gag gift that looks like candy but has sent three children to the emergency room. "Fruit Bomb" is sold in a package with cartoon characters on it, and it looks like a bag of candy. But it contains a liquid and other ingredients like baking soda and vinegar. People are supposed to shake the bag to mix the ingredients, then throw the bag on the ground. A few seconds later, it makes a small explosion. There is a warning on the back of the bag that says the contents are not to be ingested.

An Olean man has been charged with assault for allegedly punching another man in the face. Police say 20-year-old Anthony Sherlock and Darren Padgett Jr. of Olean were at a convenience store Thursday evening when Sherlock punched Padget. Padget lost a front tooth and suffered facial injuries and contusions on the back of his head.

A lobbyist with ties to former Congressman Curt Weldon has pleaded guilty to destroying evidence related to an FBI investigation. Cecelia Grimes of Philadelphia entered the plea today in federal court in Washington. Grimes admitted throwing her Blackberry into the trash at a fast food restaurant to keep the FBI from finding it. She also admitted to throwing away other evidence authorities were looking for in an investigation. Federal authorities have been looking into whether Weldon agreed to help Grimes by supporting appropriations requests from her lobbying firm. Weldon lost his seat in 2006.

Police say they shot and killed a man suspected of opening fire outside a radio station in Centre County. Employees at WTLR, a Christian radio station, called police after warnings that an armed man was driving to the station's Ferguson Township office, according to station manager Mark VanOuse.When police showed up, the man rammed one of the cruisers with his Ford Bronco and opened fire, according to witnesses. Witnesses said dozens of shots were exchanged before police shot and killed the man. Police have not yet released the man's identity or a motive for the shooting.

At 10 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 8, Pennsylvania Game Commission officials will offer a public presentation to address the anticipated impacts to the agency from oil/gas leasing and development operations on State Game Lands derived from the Marcellus Shale gas formation underlying portions of State Game Lands. The presentation, which will be conducted by personnel from the agency's Bureau of Wildlife Habitat Management, will take place in the auditorium of the Game Commission's Harrisburg headquarters, 2001 Elmerton Avenue, just off the Progress Avenue exit of Interstate 81.

Dr. Shailendra Gajanan, associate professor of economics at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford, is spending two months this summer studying water depletion in India with the hopes of making a recommendation to the government there. Gajanan has returned to his native Chennai (formerly Madras) for the months of July and August to work with two colleagues on the project, which will look for patterns and characteristics of the depletion and determine what measurements are most useful in crafting a solution. The project, “Strategic Democracy and Water Depletion: A Case-Study from Tamil Nadu Farmers,” will also be published later this year as a chapter in a book, “Welfare Economics,” edited by Paul E. Weston and Robert N. Townsend. Gajanan explains an economic theory that, if left to their own devices, people in a democracy will use up all of their resources. The government, he says, is supposed to regulate common resources and protect the masses from their own appetites. “At the local

The pit bull that attacked a 13-year-old girl last week on Clarence Street is now in the custody of the McKean County SPCA. Its owner, 28-year-old Edward Dallenbach, turned the dog over to the SPCA, which must now decide whether to have the dog euthanized. The dog also completed a 10-day quarantine to see if it had rabies or other diseases. The dog bit the girl's hand and lower back. She had to be treated at Bradford Regional Medical Center. Dallenbach had been found guilty earlier this month for failure to confine the dog. It had previously been declared dangerous after attacking another dog last month.

Officials have revealed the identity of the man whose body was found near the Allegany Wal-Mart on July 11. 56-year-old Patrick Molineux of Utica was found by a father and son walking in a patch of woods between Wal-Mart and Tim Horton's. Cattaraugus County Sheriff Dennis John says dental records were used to identify the body. They believe the cause of death was suicide or natural causes, and are awaiting further tests to make the final determination. John says Molineaux's family told investigators it was not uncommon for him to go missing for three or four months at a time before returning to Utica.

The annual Don Raabe Big 30 All-Star Charities Classic football game isn't until August 2, but employees at Northwest Savings Bank on East Main Street are already in the spirit. The game will be played at Bradford's Parkway Field. You can hear it on 1490 WESB, 100.1 The HERO and online at Network1Sports.com

We've been hearing all that gas prices are going down across the country. On Friday afternoon, we saw the proof -- $4.06. The highest price in Bradford this year was $4.15 for a gallon of regular unleaded about a month ago. That only lasted for a day. The price had been stuck at $4.09 for several weeks.

McKean County Sheriff Brad Mason is proposing that the county use supervised chain gangs to assist in maintenance programs. Sheriff Mason believes the chain gangs would help with rehabilitation and act as a deterrent to inmates going back to prison. Mason’s proposal would use inmates who do not qualify for community service. Chain gangs would consist of four to five people and an armed corrections officer. The chain gang proposal would have to be OK'd McKean County Commissioners.

The Bureau of State Parks has appointed two new managers to oversee operations of a Greene County state park and a two-park complex in Lebanon and Schuylkill counties, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Michael DiBerardinis announced today. Alan C. Johnson, formerly a manager trainee at the bureau's Region One office in Emporium, Cameron County, was named manager of Ryerson Station State Park, near Wind Ridge, Greene County. Angelique D. Croll, formerly acting manager of Memorial Lake and Swatara state parks, takes over the managerial reins at that state park complex in Lebanon and Schuylkill counties. "A strong grasp of administrative and public relations skills has seen these young managers advance steadily within the Bureau of State Parks," said DiBerardinis. "Under Alan's and Angel's leadership, the parks and their many visitors will benefit." Located in the far southwest corner of the state near the West Virginia border, Rye

The Bureau of Forestry has appointed two new foresters to oversee operations in northeast and northwest districts, according to Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Michael DiBerardinis. Nicholas P. Lylo, formerly assistant manager at Lackawanna State Forest District, was named district forester for that district, which encompasses Lackawanna, Susquehanna, Wayne, Wyoming and Luzerne counties. Cecile M. Stelter, former assistant manager of Cornplanter State Forest District, based in Warren, Warren County, was appointed district forester for that district. Her district includes Warren, Erie, Crawford and Forest counties and a section of Venango County. “Nick and Cecile served admirably in a variety of prior posts with the Bureau of Forestry and they bring a wealth of technical and administrative skills to their new positions,” said DiBerardinis. “They know their districts, their employees, and their major tasks and challenges, whether they are land acquisition and c

Adelphia founder John Rigas and his son Timothy face more tax-evasion charges under a new indictment by a federal grand jury. The indictment adds 2001 to the years for which 83-year-old John Rigas and his 52-year-old son Timothy Rigas are charged. John Rigas is the founder of the bankrupt Adelphia Communications Corp. Timothy Rigas was once chief financial officer. They are imprisoned following convictions in 2004 in New York on charges including bank fraud and securities fraud. The two have filed an appeal challenging their prosecution in Pennsylvania. In this case, the government alleges they diverted Adelphia funds for personal use without reporting it as income. The new indictment says this caused the government a tax loss of $483 million for 1998 through 2001.

Randy Pausch, a Carnegie Mellon University computer scientist whose "last lecture" about facing terminal cancer became an international sensation and a best-selling book, died Friday. He was 47. University spokeswoman Anne Watzman says Pausch died early Friday at his home in Virginia. Pausch was diagnosed with incurable pancreatic cancer in September 2006. His popular last lecture at Carnegie Mellon in September 2007 garnered international attention and was viewed by millions on the Internet. In it, Pausch celebrated living the life he had always dreamed of instead of concentrating on impending death. Note: The book is wonderful. Definitely a "must read."

Six Pittsburgh-area residents are in FBI custody for allegedly being part of a drug ring that stretched from Canada to Florida and distributed more than 200 pounds of marijuana. Details of the alleged ring probably won't be released because federal prosecutors say criminal complaints will remain sealed even after the suspects appear before a federal magistrate. The Pittsburgh-area men arrested charged are 32-year-old Cuong Nguyen, 33-year-old Dung Minh Tran, 34-year-old Christopher Leventis and 35-year-old Magdi Milad Louis, all of Pittsburgh, 29-year-old Giacinto Rocco Derenzo of Cranberry and 19-year-old Hau Duy Bach of Allison Park. Two Florida residents and six residents of Canada were also arrested. Their names haven't been released yet. Agencies involved in the ongoing investigation are the FBI; Drug Enforcement Administration from Pittsburgh and Buffalo; Immigration and Customs Enforcement from Pittsburgh, Buffalo and Cleveland; Royal Canadian Mounted Police Greater Toro

Two people were rescued from the Allegheny National Forest near the Hearts Content Scenic Area last week. US Forest Service Law Enforcement says at 6 p.m. July 17, they got a report of a hiker lost on or near the Hickory Creek hiking trail in the Hickory Wilderness. While officers were looking for 21-year-old Jonathan Hill of Watson, they encountered a group from Warren State Hospital who were looking for another lost person – a 40-year-old woman with impaired vision. They found the woman two or three hours later, when she made her way toward the sirens being used to locate Hill. Hill remained missing, but searchers remained in contact with him by cell phone, but he was unable to navigate in the forest because of darkness. At about 4 a.m. Friday, a forest service officer and Warren County sheriff's deputy set out on foot to locate Hill. They found him at about 7 a.m. just off the Hickory Creek Trail. He wasn't hurt.

A 20-year-old Port Matlilda man has been charged with attempted murder following an assault near the Port Matilda Elementary School. Richard Barger is in the Centre County Correctional Facility after allegedly attacking 30-year-old Ryan Morgan of Port Matilda. Police say Morgan had been stabbed multiple times in the chest, arms, back and abdomen and suffered injuries to his heart and lungs. He's being treated at the Altoona Trauma Center.

A New York State Department of Transportation worker is dead after being hit by an SUV when the driver bent over to pick up a lit cigarette he dropped. 46-year-old Kevin Forsyth was hit Wednesday morning while setting up traffic cones along Porter Road in the Town of Niagara. The SUV driver, 47-year-old Frank Serba, was charged with failure to keep right. Officials haven't said if more charges will be filed, but the accident remains under investigation.

One person was taken to the hospital after being overcome by chlorine fumes at Wellsville's water treatment facility Wednesday. Brent Roberts of Wellsville was admitted to the hospital for observation. As a precautionary measure, residents were sheltered in place and ordered to keep their windows and doors closed. Also, Wellsville health care facilities were told to shut down their air intake systems. A malfunctioning 150-pound storage cylinder was the cause of the leak, which created a small chlorine gas cloud in the area surrounding the treatment plant building. The incident happened at 3:34 p.m. and ended when it was determined the air was clear at 6:12 p.m.

The state Public Integrity Commission has found "reasonable cause" to charge four former state officials with misusing state police to discredit a political foe of former Governor Eliot Spitzer. The commission found "insufficient record evidence" to charge anyone else, including Spitzer. It is the first accusation of a violation of law in the political scandal that gridlocked state government for most of 2007. The commission says former Spitzer aides Darren Dopp, Richard Baum and William Howard and former state police superintendent Preston Felton conspired to smear former Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno by releasing his travel records to the media. Felton faces two charges carrying a maximum fine of $20,000, while Dopp faces one charge with a maximum penalty of $10,000. The two can now request a public hearing by an agency hearing officer into the matter, or sue the commission.

HARRISBURG - Attorney General Tom Corbett today announced the arrest of the office manager for Altoona Magisterial District Judge Jeffrey Auker for the alleged theft of more than $35,000. Corbett said that Christine Dively, 58, 1010 Christian Drive, Duncansville, allegedly failed to make 44 daily bank deposits, which included cash, checks and money orders, during both 2006 and 2007. Dively is charged with one count of theft by failure to make required disposition of funds received, one count of theft by unlawful taking or deception and one count of receiving stolen property. All three charges are felonies. Dively was preliminarily arraigned before Centre County Magisterial District Judge Carmine Prestia and released on $25,000 unsecured bail. She will be prosecuted in Centre County by Senior Deputy Attorney General Anthony Forray.

By ANNE HOLLIDAY WESB/WBRR News Director A city employee has been recognized for going above and beyond the call of duty – and saving the city some money. Brad Swackhamer of the Department of Public Works used his mechanical skills, which ultimately saved the City of Bradford thousands of dollars on the repairs needed to put the fire department's Engine Two back in service, according to an award of appreciation read by Mayor Tom Riel during Tuesday's city council meeting. The award further states that Swackhamer persevered and went "above and beyond his job responsibilities." Fire Chief Boo Coder explained that Engine Two was being used while Engine One was being repaired following an accident. But Engine Two wouldn't hold water and the brakes wouldn't work, Coder said, adding that there was "a whole pile of things wrong with it." "Brad put countless hours into it to put it back on the road," Coder said. Coder added that without the work of

CLARKS SUMMIT, Pa. (AP) — Picking up hitchhikers can be risky, but this one in northeast Pennsylvania was a bird of a different feather. Jerry Dimick and a friend were driving along Route 307 near Clarks Summit on Wednesday when they spotted a peacock standing by the edge of the road. Dimick says he stopped and "went 'smooch, smooch, smooch, smooch' and the bird came over," so he "reached out and grabbed him." With no room in the back of his pickup truck, Dimick put the peacock in the front seat. He says, "The bird was sitting in between the two of us. He sat there." Dimick took the bird to his home in Taylor and is trying to find it a safe place to live. So far, he's had no luck with the Game Commission, animal control, the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, or the local zoo.

An airman from central Pennsylvania is one of the six crew members killed in a B-52 bomber crash off Guam. The Air Force says 25-year-old 1st Lt. Joshua D. Shepherd was a navigator on the plane that crashed earlier this week. Shepherd was a 2001 graduate of Lewistown Area High School, and a 2005 graduate of Penn State University. He was married and the father of two sons, 5-year-old Noah and 5-month-old Evan.

Salamanca could have a water park and 300-room hotel resort within the next 18 months. Common Council has approved a land agreement with Ross Wilson & Associates to develop the 54-acre site t hat borders the Seneca Allegany Casino. Plans call for development of a resort complex with a 300-room hotel, indoor and outdoor water park, a theme restaurant, performing arts and conference center, on-site year-round recreational facilities, nature trails, horseback riding trails, a sculpture park, landscape garden and a possible public performance venue. Mayor Jeffrey Pond says a project of this magnitude will stimulate the local economy and nicely complements existing tourism destinations such as the Seneca Allegany Casino and Hotel, Allegany State Park and Ellicottville.

Re-opening of the Allegheny National Fish Hatchery is still more than a year away. Tracy Copeland, manager of the hatchery at the base of Kinzua Dam, says $1.2 million is needed for construction of an aeration tower for the hatchery's water supply. Congress must appropriate an estimated $1.2 million to cover the construction costs. Assuming that Congress adopts a budget by Oct. 1 and the money for the hatchery is included, Copeland said that groundbreaking for the tower could begin this fall and construction will take about a year to complete. The hatchery's entire population of fish was virtually wiped out by two incidents in 2005. In May, a power failure at the hatchery resulted in the loss of up to 300,000 trout fingerlings. In September, lake and brook trout tested positive for the fish virus infectious pancreatic necrosis. The hatchery's entire population of 720,000 juvenile lake, brook and rainbow trout and 2,500 lake brooder fish and 230,000 lake trout eggs was eith

Charles Cole Memorial Hospital has announced the addition Patricia Thum, MSN, CRNP, to its staff. Thum will be working with pediatricians Dr. Mary Ann Rigas and Dr. Marlene Wust-Smith in Coudersport and at CCMH’s Northern Potter Health Center with Dr. Amit Khanna. Thum has over 20 years of nursing experience. She earned a bachelor’s degree at the State University of New York Regents College, a master’s degree in community health administration and wellness promotion at Independence University, California College for Health Sciences, and a master’s degree in the family nurse practitioner program at Indiana State University. She is a member of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners. For more information or to schedule an appointment call 814/274-9198 or 848-7555.

The United Way of the Bradford Area has successfully completed all of the United Way of America membership requirements, according to Executive Director Kristen Luther. The requirements include Membership Requirements Certification, Membership Investment, the Database 2 Survey of Total Resources Generated (a survey that captures the full extent of a community’s resource development efforts during the year) and a report of the United Way’s annual income and expenses. Over and above the annual requirements, the United Way of the Bradford Area completed a mandatory organizational self-assessment in 2007 as part of this process. “The membership requirements must be certified annually in order for us to remain a member of the United Way,” says Luther. “It’s important for us to maintain high standards of accountability, and this is part of the process to confirm that our operations are transparent and meet or exceed United Way membership requirements.” The Board of Directors of the United

Attorney General Tom Corbett today announced the arrest of a Clearfield County doctor for allegedly prescribing drugs for his own personal use. Corbett said that David Girardi, 30, of 241 Ridge Ave., Curwensville, allegedly wrote and filled prescriptions using the names of other people, but kept the drugs for himself. "Our Bureau of Narcotics Investigation agents are very active in investigating medical professionals who are illegally using prescription pain medication," Corbett said. "It is a potentially dangerous situation if the person you trust with your medical care is under the influence of drugs." According to the investigation, Girardi allegedly filled these fraudulent prescriptions at least seven different times. The prescriptions were for Percocet, Oxycodone/Acetaminophen, Lortab, and Hydrocodone/Acetaminophen. All of these drugs are controlled substances. Girardi is charged with seven counts of obtaining a controlled substance by deceit, which is a mis

John P. Saylor (July 23, 1908 ­ October 28, 1973) was a conservative Republican member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Johnstown, Pennsylvania from 1949 until his death in 1973. Wednesday marks the 100th anniversary of his birth. Saylor¹s views rarely strayed far from conventional Cold War conservatism, though he was immensely influential in environmental matters, and considered both a maverick and a pioneer in that arena. He was nicknamed "St. John" by conservation leaders for his dogged work toward broad environmental protections. "Friends of Allegheny Wilderness is pleased and proud to recognize the 100th anniversary of the birth of Representative Saylor, a fellow Pennsylvanian whose contributions to conservation in America were and are immeasurable," said Ron Simonsen, president of the board of directors of the Friends of Allegheny Wilderness (FAW). In his capacity in the Congress, Saylor introduced the Wilderness Act into the House on June 11, 1956 w