Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

A former McKean County woman is fighting the Seneca Nation of Indians for custody of her 4-year-old daughter. Kevin McGonnell is a member of the Seneca Nation and, because of treaties signed decades ago, US custody laws are not valid in the Seneca Nation. Amanda Prechtel, who now lives in Elk County, is fighting for her daughter Marissa anyway. During a visit to her mother last week, Marissa said she didn't want to go back to Salamanca with her father. Seneca marshals traveled to St. Marys to serve a custody order from Seneca Peacemaker's Court. But Amanda said she didn't answer the door, still has Marissa, and plans to keep fighting for her.

I can't tell you why some people are having problems accessing WESB but, rest assured, we have paid our bill and the site is still there, and still being updated.

"Oil Field Trash" --> The Mad Tatter --> Worth W. Smith --> The "Mad Tatter" receives his trophy. "The Army Guys," who raced The HERO's Lean Mean Latrine get ready to pick up their trophy. Burritt's Appliance Center Regains the Title! If you've never seen an outhouse race, here ya go. It's "The Army Guys" racing The HERO's Lean Mean Latrine.

A little rain didn't dampen anyone's spirits any the 7th Annual East Bradford Stinkfest on Saturday. Scott Douglas and Jeff Wemmell team up for part of The HERO's live broadcast during Stinkfest. Later, Jeff added this appropriate-for-the-occasion hood ornament to the Twin Tiers Action Van. The Church Street Blues Band entertains in the East Main Street Gazebo.

Two local youths died as a result of an accident late Friday night on West Washington Street near the Marilla Reservoir. Bradford Township police say two vehicles were "traveling together" in the same direction when one of the vehicles left the road, hit numerous trees and burst into flames. Two of the youths died. A third young man is in Hamot Medical Center in serious condition. The second vehicle hit the guiderails, crossed both lanes of traffic, hit an embankment and ended up in a ditch. Police say three local youths were taken to Bradford Regional Medical Center for treatment of their injuries. Bradford Township Police were assisted at the scene by a state police crash reconstruction team from Erie, McKean Count District Attorney John Pavlock and McKean County Detective. Gerald Okerlund. Bradford Township Volunteer Fire Department and Fire Police assisted with scene management. Also on the scene were the Corydon Township Volunteer Fire Department and Bradford City Fire D...

A 45-year-old Warren County man has been ordered to stand trial on a homicide charge and other counts related to a fatal shooting in February just outside Corry, Testimony at Friday's preliminary hearing showed that the defendant, David Beattie, argued with the victim, 58-year-old Andrew Balog, prior to the shooting. Beattie and Balog were housemates, and a state trooper testified that Beattie told him young girls frequently visited Balog to use drugs with him, sometimes in exchange for money or sex. Beattie is in Warren County Jail without bail.

Several family members of the 40 passengers and crew who died on hijacked United Airlines Flight 93 say they're fed up with controversies surrounding the design of a national memorial. The families of four victims held a news conference in Pittsburgh, where they said it's time to get on with developing the memorial near Shanksville, where the hijacked airliner crashed during the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. The plane was the only one of four hijacked that day that terrorists were unable to crash into a building. A government inquiry determined the plane crashed as the passengers attempted to wrest control from the four hijackers. The planned memorial has been dogged by some critics who say its crescent-shaped design and other features call to mind Islam or subtly include the hijackers alongside the passengers and crew.

Leslie C. Quick III (right) talks with Laura Peterson, lecturer in music, during a reception Friday. St. Bonaventure University recognized the Leslie C. Quick III family with a campus reception on Friday for their "extraordinary commitment" to arts education through the establishment of the $2 million Thomas T. and Mary W. Clarkson Arts Education Endowment. The purpose of the Quicks' endowment is to ensure that regional elementary, middle, and high school students and their teachers have access to the superb collections and facilities of The Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts. The endowment will provide funding for support of exhibitions, performances, and arts education programming, as well as transportation for K-12 students to the center's programs, and transportation of the center's programs to students at their schools or other venues.

Leslie C. Quick III talks with students in the School of Business as they use the Bloomberg Machine. The Bloomberg machine and subscription to the database, known as the Bloomberg Professional Service, will allow students access to financial, market and regulatory database information. "St. Bonaventure has an outstanding School of Business. My wife, Eileen, and I wanted to build on that excellence," Quick said. The Bloomberg machine and subscription to the database offer students a hands-on learning environment and the opportunity to reinforce their theoretical knowledge, Quick said. Subscription cost for the database is approximately $1,800 per month.

Pittsburgh-area student Paige Kiliany has won first prize in the inaugural “Young Dramatist Contest” sponsored by Bradford Little Theatre. An eleventh-grader at Shady Side Academy, Kiliany won the award with a one-act play titled “Before I Go.” The contest began last Fall, with announcements sent to high schools throughout western Pennsylvania and New York. “We’re looking for ways to stimulate interest in theater among young people,” said Diane Kerner Arnett, President of Bradford Little Theatre, a community-theater organization. “We have produced many plays with parts for young actors, at both the grade- and high-school levels, but we were looking for a way besides acting to get kids involved in the theatrical experience,” Arnett explained. “We thought a writing contest would be one way to do that.” The judge for the contest’s finalists was Dr. Kevin Ewert, Associate Professor of Theatre at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford and past General Manager and Artistic Associate of the...

Because the Beijing Olympics are coming this summer, I thought speaking with a Beijing native would be interesting. So this weekend, you can hear my interview with author, actress and illusionist Grace Chang. Besides her book, Jin Jin the Dragon , she'll be talking about Chinese culture, Chinese philosophy, East meeting West and the city of Beijing itself. The Weekend Wrap airs at 9:15 a.m. Saturday and Sunday on 1490 WESB and 6 a.m. Saturday on 100.1 The HERO. For more information on Grace Chang, visit Chang Imagination .

A 70-year-old Millcreek man who said he robbed a bank to make up for gambling losses has been sentenced to four years and five months in federal prison. Donald Cesare was sentenced this morning but will report to federal prison at a later date. Cesare said he was dealing with gambling-related financial problems when he robbed $6,172 from the First National Bank on November 8. Cesare admitted using an old handgun to threaten a teller to give him the money, which he stuffed in a plastic grocery bag.

A Sugar Grove woman is accused of stealing funds from the Eisenhower High School band boosters. State Police say 49 year-old Susan Lyle used money from the account to pay personal bills. Lyle used at least $1,200 worth of Bantastic Funds from 2006 until her arrest on Wednesday. She's in Warren County Jail on $25,000 bail. State police say the investigation is continuing.

Authorities in Brockway expect to issue an announcement soon concerning the cause of a fire that claimed the lives of 10 people early last month. Fire Chief Chris Benson says several items from the fire have been sent to a lab for testing, and the fire marshal has narrowed down the cause. Nine members of the Peterson family, along with family friend Jason Mowry, died in the April 3 fire. Mowry had actually escaped from the burning house, but went back in to try to save members of the Peterson family.

In case you heard this on The Food Insider on 1490 WESB on Thursday: The Search for America's Worst Cook . And, I got this in my e-mail this morning: Ugliest Door in America Contest .

News 4 Meteorologist Mike Cejka is calling for rain on Saturday, so what does that mean for Stinkfest? Fred Cloud of the East Bradford Business Association says "It's gonna go rain or shine. We play in the rain; we play in the sun. Whatever it is, that's the way we have the festival. ... It's amazing the number of people who will come out for our festival even if it's a damp, rainy day. They want to see the outhouse race." Stinkfest is from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday on East Main Street. The outhouse races start at 1 p.m. Scott Douglas and 100.1 The HERO will be broadcasting live from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Stop by and say hello!

Dr. Steven Hardin, vice president and dean of academic affairs, congratulates Andrea Robbins, instructor of chemistry, on being awarded the Chairs’ Faculty Teaching Award during Honors Convocation at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford. “Andrea is very sensitive to students’ demands and suggestions, and always does her best to make adjustments to meet the students’ needs,” said Dr. Yong-Zhuo Chen, chairman of the Division of Physical and Computational Sciences, in nominating Robbins for the honor. “She is active in introducing new teaching methods and technology in her classroom teaching.” Robbins was chosen for the award by the chairmen of Pitt-Bradford’s five academic divisions. ( Photo Courtesy of Pitt-Bradford )

Ralph "Bucky" Phillips, the man who was the focus of the largest manhunt in New York state history, is appealing the convictions that put him in prison for life. Appeals have been filed to overturn his convictions in Chautauqua, Chemung, and Erie counties. Phillips pleaded guilty to aggravated murder and attempted aggravated murder after shooting three state troopers in 2006 after he escaped from an Erie County prison using a can opener. Trooper Joseph Longobardo died as a result of the Chautauqua County shooting. Phillips was eventually arrested in a Warren County field. He is serving time at the Clinton County Correctional Facility in Dannemora, New York.

Landfill Wants to Use Rail Rustick LLC representatives and officials with the DEP presented a plan for Tuesday night for expanding the landfill. Rustick President Rich Godshall says the company wants to expand the landfill and handle municipal waste by rail. Under the landfill expansion, the company is asking for permission to bring in up to 6,500 tons per day by rail. 04/30/08 - Man Charged With Inspection Violations A Bradford man was arraigned Tuesday on charges he passed his own vehicle for inspection when the vehicle wasn’t licensed. Court records indicate that 31 year-old Alvin Reed is facing altered, forged or counterfeit of documents and plates and tampering with public records. He is also facing charges for passing another vehicle for inspection when it wasn’t right. The incidents happened while Reed worked at Monro Muffler in Bradford. He remains in the McKean County jail.

The Clearfield County District Attorney says he may seek the death penalty in the case of a Houtzdale man accused of killing his mother and reading the Bible to her as she died. Jesse James Campbell has been charged with murder for allegedly cutting his mother's throat on March 13 following an argument over a computer. William Shaw Jr. says he's looking at the possibility of the death penalty very closely, but hasn't made a decision yet. Campbell is in Clearfield County Jail without bail.

A process server has been arrested after investigators learned she had allegedly filed false affidavits to the Cattaraugus County clerk. 34-year-old Annette Forte of Alden, is accused of claiming she had served papers on people when she had not, leaving them with no notice of pending court actions against them. The charges are the result of investigations by the Cattaraugus County clerk’s and state attorney general’s offices. State Attorney General Andrew Cuomo says the victims had no idea that a court action had been brought against them and, because of that, were unable to defend themselves. Forte is free on her own recognizance. There's no word on how the judgments based on the false affidavits will be resolved.

The Department of Environmental Protection says they're already addressing many of the recommendations offered today in a report released by the auditor general. D-E-P Secretary Kathleen McGinty says efforts began more than four years ago to improve the safety of the state's dams and levees. D-E-P regulates nearly 800 dams that are classified as "high hazard." Among those is the East Branch Dam in Elk County that was built by the Army Corps of Engineers to control flooding on the Clarion River. The dam was placed on a watch list earlier this year, but officials with the Army Corps say that doesn't mean the dam isn't safe. For more information, visit DEP's Dam Safety pages.

Victims of securities fraud committed at Adelphia Communications can ask for restitution to recover some of their financial losses, according to the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York. Adelphia founder John Rigas and his son Timothy, the company's former finance chief, were convicted of looting the company to pay for personal land deals and vacation homes, and are now serving prison sentences. More than $700 million in criminal forfeitures were made to the government as a result of the case, which will be distributed to victims of the fraud. Petitions must be submitted by July 16 to qualify for a distribution from the Adelphia Victim Fund. For more information, visit Adelphia Victim Fund .

A Clearfield family has been flushed from their home after 22 tons of human waste got dumped in their yard following a traffic accident. A truck driver had taken a curve in the road too fast and dumped the load of sludge into the front yard of Dan Firestone's house. The sludge was on its way from New York City to state game lands in Clinton County. The sludge is semi-treated, but officials say it could still be dangerous so they are taking their time cleaning it up. Meanwhile, the Firestones are staying somewhere else until the mess is cleaned up. And we thought we had problems!

“Spring showers bring May flowers.” We’ve all heard the adage; and we all appreciate the beauty of a field of wildflowers in bloom. This is a series of weekly articles for the month of May to showcase the importance of wildflowers. Flowers play a role in society and nature that few of us recognize. The first of the spring flowers to emerge in this part of Pennsylvania in wooded areas is rarely thought of as a flower – the purple flower of skunk cabbage emerges in wetlands in April. Eastern skunk cabbage derives its name from the foul-odor the plant emits when leaves are broken or crushed. The skunk-like odor attracts pollinators such as flies and bees that help complete the lifecycle of the skunk cabbage. The plant is particularly attractive to carrion (dead animal) insects because it is the first flower to emerge after winter. Skunk cabbage can even grow in icy soils by creating its own heat in a process called thermogenesis. The warmer air temperature inside the flower moves...

Pennsylvanians could have fewer dinnertime interruptions and automatic political messages waiting on their answering machines under a bill approved by the state Senate on Wednesday. The measure would allow people to block automatic telephone calls, or "robocalls," by political campaigns, parties and organizations. The bill, which passed 48-1, now goes to the House of Representatives, where similar measures are awaiting a vote. Under the bill, a person wishing to block recorded political calls would have to specify that they want their telephone number to appear on a "do-not-call" list to be maintained by the attorney general's office or another state agency. If the Senate bill is acted on soon enough, it could be in effect in time for the November general election.

A Clearfield County man was in court today for a preliminary hearing on charges that he killed his mother. Jesse James Campbell is accused of killing Cindy Jo Coleman after a fight involving a computer. Coleman was found dead in the early-morning hours of March 13. Police say Campbell had spoken with friends about killing his mother in the hours leading up to her death. Court documents showed Coleman had asked her son to return her computer by that morning, but that he went to her apartment, woke her up and then hit her several times, cut her neck several times with a kitchen knife and read the Bible to her as she died.

The president of the Cattaraugus County SPCA says allegations that animals are being treated improperly at the shelter are atrocious. Kelly Chaffee says they do need more money to keep the building maintained, but the animals are treated well. The facility was given a "satisfactory" rating during its last inspection by the state last month. Chaffees says the people making the accusations may have ulterior motives and were upset about something like not being allowed to adopt an animal from the shelter.

04/29/08 - Thieves Hit Mick's Mart in Lewis Run Mick’s Mart in Lewis Run on Route 219 was broken into to sometime between Sunday night at 8pm and Monday morning a 5. Thieves made off with $675 in cash and between $1,000 and 1,500 from a safe inside the store. They also made off with sunglasses, cigarettes and 30 cans of smokeless tobacco. 04/29/08 - Attempted Robbery at Crosby Mart A man tried to rob the Crosby Mart in Lewis Run last night at around midnight. State Police say a man brandished a camouflaged knife and demanded money. The clerk activated a panic alarm and the would-be robber ran from the mini-mart. No money was taken. The man is described as white, 5’6, with a thin build. He was wearing all black clothing, including long black sweatshirt with a ski mask. He fled on foot northbound on Route 219. 04/29/08 - Man Charged With Stealing Piping A Bradford man was arrested Saturday and accused with stealing scrap metal from a lease in Lafayette Township. Court records say 64 ...

State police say someone stole a boat and trailer from a Punxsutawney dealership, then left the boat high and dry. The boat was found chained to a tree in Clearfield County on Monday. Police say the boat and a trailer were reported stolen from All Seasons Boat Sales on Route 36. Whoever stole the boat chained it to the tree, then hooked a trailer to a vehicle and drove it out from under the boat. Police are still searching for suspects.

The unique music and dance group Barrage is performing Saturday night at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford's Bromeley Family Theater and Tony Moore, one of the group's founders, says it's a show that's sure to please everyone. WESB listeners can hear an interview with Tony on Thursday's LiveLine. For now, you can check out one of their performances in this video. For ticket information, call 362-5113.

A Kersey man has been sentenced to 7 to 19 years in state prison for burning down his house while his two children were in his care. 29-year-old Gerald McCracken was found guilty of arson and other charges during a two-day trial in Elk County Court. He started the fire one year ago today.

An Oil City native will stand trial on charges that he broke out of three law enforcement vehicles earlier this month in an effort to stay out of jail. Titusville police accuse 37-year-old Christopher Stevenson, of breaking out of two city police cruisers as officers attempted to transport him to the Crawford County Correctional Facility after he was arrested on assault and other charges on April 5. State police accuse Stevenson of jumping out of a Crawford County Sheriff’s Department van as he was being taken back to the county jail from his arraignment in Titusville on April 7. Stevenson is in jai on 350 thousand dollars bond.

A Fillmore man has pleaded guilty to helping another man commit a murder in the Town of Freedom. Thomas Burrows is charged with criminal facilitation and making false statements by helping Robert Secrist when he shot and killed Salamanca resident Therin Jimerson. He'll be sentenced August 5. Secrist pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and is serving 25 years to life in prison for shooting Jimerson on July 3. The incident happened at the home of Secrist's ex-girlfriend, Krista Brown. Jimerson was Brown’s boyfriend at the time of the shooting.

Special Olympics Pennsylvania (SOPA) announced that four of its finest athletes and four of its most dedicated volunteers will be among its 2008 Hall of Fame inductee class including Sue and Joe Paterno who will be inducted as Chairman's Choice awardees. They will be honored at the highly anticipated event on Thursday, May 1 at the Hyatt Regency Philadelphia at Penn's Landing. The Presenting Sponsor of the 2008 Hall of Fame is 121 Direct Response. The event is also proudly supported by SAP, Quality Ford Dealers, Gilbane, Pepsi Bottling Group, Philadelphia Insurance Co., Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield and Penn State University. A reception will kick off the celebration at 5:30 p.m. with dinner and induction ceremony immediately to follow at 7:00 p.m. Adam Taliaferro, former Penn State Nittany Lion will present the Chairman's Choice Award to Sue and Joe Paterno. Other special guests attending include Governor Edward G. Rendell, Mayor Michael Nutter, Dr. Graham Spanier, Pre...

Don Lorenzo's is owned by the same person (Simon Banda aka Jorge De Larco) who owns La Herradura in Bradford.

Two Olean men accused of setting fire to a Great Valley house have pleaded not guilty in Cattaraugus County Court. Douglas "Spoons" Mason and William Crimbring are accused of setting the fire on February 26. District Attorney Ed Sharkey says they also knew there was a person in the house when they started the fire. A Salamanca woman has pleaded not guilty in Cattaraugus County Court to forgery and grand larceny charges. Patricia Brisley is accused of forging personal checks totalling more than one thousand dollars in October of last year. She also allegedly took her sister's Seneca Nation I-D card without her permission, assumed her sister's identity and obtained more than 500 dollars. A Salamanca man has been sentenced to two to four years in state prison on robbery and assault charges. On March 22 of last year in Olean Tasheen Robinson forcibly stole property. On July 15 in Olean he cut Timothy Jerge on the upper and lower lips with a knife during a fight. Jerge wa...

The call girl linked to former New York Governor Eliot Spitzer is suing the founder of the "Girls Gone Wild" video series for more than $10 million. Ashley Alexandra Dupre filed a lawsuit Monday in Miami federal court claiming she never gave "Girls Gone Wild" founder Joe Francis permission to use her name and likeness to advertise the videos. Dupre contends she was 17 and not old enough to sign a contract when the videos were taken in 2003 in Miami Beach. A spokesman for Francis didn't immediately return a call for comment Monday.

Tioga State Forest is the cover story in the current edition of Pennsylvania magazine.The article is a feature about the Susquehannock Trial Performance Rally, a time-speed-distance race where drivers race against the clock one at a time on 123 miles of closed public roads in the forest. This race is round five of the eight races held around the country as part of the Rally America Championship. This year's rally is June 6 and 7.

Ten local senior centers will share a 50 thousand dollar state grant that they can spend on what they identify as their greatest need. Some plan to make improvements to their facilities while others will purchase equipment to help them better meet the needs of their senior clients. State Representative Marty Causer made the announcement this afternoon at the Bradford Senior Center. He says senior centers meet a variety of needs for area seniors, including providing nutritious meals, offering informative sessions on issues of interest to older Pennsylvanians and presenting a variety of social and recreational activities. The senior centers receiving grants are Bradford, Smethport, Port Allegany, Eldred, Emporium, Driftwood, Coudersport, Galeton, Ulysses and Oswayo Valley.

A congressional subcommittee begins hearings this week on a report suggesting that the continued sale of tax-free cigarettes on Indian reservations in Western New York has been used as a way to raise money for Hamas, Hezbollah and Al Qaeda. The study says that in many cases, active smuggling rings are used to supply tax-free cigarettes from the Seneca Nation to convenience stores in the New York City Area. As proof of the downstate demand for tax free cigarettes, the report also includes a New York Post display ad for a Salamanca smoke shop selling online. Law enforcement officials in New York State estimate that well-organized cigarette smuggling networks generate between $200,000-$300,000 a week.

US Army Specialist Ross McGinnis of Knox, who was killed in Iraq when he smothered a grenade with his body, will posthumously receive the Medal of Honor. McGinnis will be honored during a ceremony at the White House that is expected to take place in June. McGinnis was 19 years old when he died on December 4, 2006. His actions saved the lives of four other soldiers.

Coming up on May 14, you can indulge in all kinds of chocolate during a fundraiser for The Salvation Army. For a preview of some of the treats you'll find during the event, check this out: If you'd like to help with a donation of money, supplies -- or chocolate -- call the Chocolate Line: 814-368-4576.

The you-know-what didn't exactly hit the fan Monday at the radio station, but we do have a little bit of a plumbing problem. So, all of you who said we're full of it ... I guess you were right. But we won't be for much longer!

Two Olean men accused of setting fire to a Great Valley house have pleaded not guilty in Cattaraugus County Court. Douglas "Spoons" Mason and William Crimbring are accused of setting the fire on February 26. District Attorney Ed Sharkey says they also knew there was a person in the house when they started the fire. A Salamanca woman has pleaded not guilty in Cattaraugus County Court to forgery and grand larceny charges. Patricia Brisley is accused of forging personal checks totalling more than one thousand dollars in October of last year. She also allegedly took her sister's Seneca Nation I-D card without her permission, assumed her sister's identity and obtained more than 500 dollars. A Salamanca man has been sentenced to two to four years in state prison on robbery and assault charges. On March 22 of last year in Olean Tasheen Robinson forcibly stole property. On July 15 in Olean he cut Timothy Jerge on the upper and lower lips with a knife during a fight. Jerge wa...

Pennsylvania election officials have revised their unofficial vote count for the presidential primary after determining that a clerical error had kept about 26,000 votes out of the state tally. The omitted votes were all from Northampton County in the Lehigh Valley. A Department of State spokeswoman says the problem was traced to a mistaken assumption that all of the county's votes had been recorded. After the numbers were corrected today, about 21,000 votes were added to the Democratic presidential race and about 5,300 to the Republican presidential race. Sen. Hillary Clinton picked up 13,287 votes and Sen. Barack Obama 7,678 votes for the Democratic presidential nomination. Final numbers from the April 22 primary will be announced once counties finish tallying the provisional ballots and making other adjustments. The miscount is not expected to change the allocation of presidential convention delegates among the candidates.

04/28/08 - Wellsville Man Stabbed; Suspect Arrested A man was stabbed early Sunday morning at the lagoon area of Island Park in Wellsville. Wellsville Police say 24 year-old Donald Beckman II of Randolph was stabbed with a knife. Beckman was life-flighted to Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester. New York State Police and Wellsville Police arrested 25 year-old Frank White II of Scio and charged him with the attack. White was sent to Allegany County jail without bail. 04/28/08 - Dexter's Tow Truck Damaged in Crash Bradford City Police are looking for a man who was driving a Dexters Service Center tow truck which ran into the PennDOT facility entrance on South Avenue early Sunday morning. The truck eventually came to rest in a ditch and sustained severe damage. Police say the man fled onto property at the Holiday House and then across the railroad tracks where he disappeared. Witnesses describe the man as having a thin build with little or know hair. 04/28/08 - Coudersport Man Sought...

A new driving-tour map developed by National Geographic and the Appalachian Regional Commission features 28 suggested routes, all reflecting the diversity of the 13-state region that stretches from southern New York to northeast Mississippi. One of western New York's trails, called "Native Sons and Daughters," features sites from the million-year-old stones at Rock City Park in Knapp Creek, the Seneca-Iroquois Museum in Salamanca, Sprague's Maple Farm in Portville and the Lucy-Desi Center in Jamestown. For more information on the maps you can go to Visit Appalachia.com .

Contract talks between the City of Olean and its firefighters have been delayed because the state-appointed mediator died. Negotiations broke off in January when the two sides couldn't agree on terms of a new contract. The main sticking point is the number of firefighters per shift. Neither Mayor David Carucci nor firefighters' union president Captain James Bennett know when a new mediator will be assigned. The last three-year contract expired May 31, but firefighters are required by law to work under the old contract until they get a new one.

Millcreek Township police say a man on a bicycle got away with about $3,000 when he robbed a Peach Street bank at around 10:15 this morning. The bank is near the Barnes & Noble Booksellers, across from the Millcreek Mall complex. Police say the man is believed to be Hispanic and between 20 and 25 years old. He was wearing a dark, hooded sweatshirt, and was also described as thin and about 5 feet, 10 inches tall. Police said the bike was blue, and possibly a mountain bike or a BMX-style bike. Police received several tips about possible sightings, but ruled all of them out after checking with bank personnel.

State police are reporting that a large hog was stolen earlier this month from a farm in Conneaut Township. The owner describes the hog as weighing 30 to 40 pounds, reddish in color and with black spots. Authorities are asking anyone who sees a hog fitting the description to call state police at Girard, 774-9611.

Former state representative Linda Bebko-Jones and her former aide have waived their preliminary hearings. The two appeared before a judge in Harrisburg this morning. Bebko-Jones and Mary Fiolek are charged with forgery and other crimes. They are accused of forging names on a nominating petition for a previous election.

The man who bought the former Adelphia Communications headquarters in Coudersport may put it on the market again. Bogdan Klek of Klek Development Corp. of Lincolnshire, Ill., says unless he's able to lease the 72 thousand square foot building within a month, he may put in on the market. He says he has several interested buyers. Klek recently bought the building for 3 point 6 million dollars.

04/27/08 - Olean man Arrested on Warrant An Olean man was arrested last Wednesday on a warrant for failing to appear in Cattaraugus County Court on an arson charge. Cattaraugus County Sheriff Deputies picked up 41 year-old William Crimbring. Crimbring was wanted on a warrant for arson and criminal facilitation and is being held without bail. 04/27/08 - Dubois Girl Shot in the Head A 13-year-old Dubois girl was shot in the head Friday night. State Police say the girl found a loaded .45 caliber revolver in her Burt Street home and shot herself in the head. Police say the shooting appears to have been accidental. The girl was airlifted to a Pittsburgh hospital and is in serious condition. 04/26/08 - Tractor Stolen from Ridgway Company Someone stole a tractor from a Ridgway construction company sometime between March 10 and Saturday. Police say 18 thousand dollar tractor has a front-end loader and was taken from Continental Construction just north of the borough on Route 219. 04/27/08 - Ka...

A retired New York state troopers is accused of being drunk when he drove the wrong way on a western New York highway and crashed into another car, killing a McKean County woman. 68-year-old David O'Brien of Allegany, NY, was charged with driving while intoxicated and vehicular manslaughter after Saturday night's crash in Carrollton, on the Pennsylvania border. The Cattaraugus County Sheriff's Department says O'Brien was driving south in the northbound lanes of Route 219 when he collided with a vehicle driven by 38-year-old Wendy Karnes. Both O'Brien and Karnes were headed to work at the Seneca Allegany Casino in Salamanca, where O'Brien worked as a state gaming inspector.

By KIMBERLY MARCOTT WEINBERG Assistant Director of Communications and Marketing University of Pittsburgh at Bradford BRADFORD, Pa. – NBC “Dateline” correspondent Chris Hansen told graduates of the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford Sunday about his own beginnings and “lucky breaks” and that success is about working hard and making the most of circumstances. Hansen addressed the 229 graduates as the keynote speaker for the university’s commencement ceremonies held in the Sport and Fitness Center arena. Hansen is most well-known for his NBC “Dateline” specials, “To Catch a Predator,” in which he works with an organization called Perverted Justice to expose pedophiles who plan to have sex with children they meet online. He said that the idea for the show came from a conversation he had with a friend who was familiar with Perverted Justice, an online watchdog group. The organization has members who pose as teens in chat rooms in order to catch sexual predators looking to have sex with mi...

By ANNE HOLLIDAY WESB/WBRR News Director Chris Hansen says the 12 "To Catch a Predator" segments he's done on "Dateline: NBC" have helped to raise awareness about child sexual abuse and open up a dialog. He says keeping children safe online comes down to parents and children being open. "The best defense is what you teach your kids at home," Hansen said. Hansen was the keynote speaker during commencement exercises at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford on Sunday. Prior to that, he spoke with local media about a variety of topics, including "To Catch a Predator." He talked about speaking to a group of high school students and asking how many of them had experienced "uncomfortable" contact with someone they met online. Eighty percent of them said they had, but none of them told their parents. They said they were afraid if they told their parents their computers would be taken away. Hansen said that's why it's important fo...

A Bradford woman is dead and an Allegany man has been charged with vehicular homicide following an accident Saturday night on Route 219 in the Town of Carrollton. 38-year-old Wendy Karnes died when her car was hit head-on by a van driven by 68-year-old David O'Brien. Cattaraugus County Sheriff's Deputies say O'Brien was traveling south in the northbound lane. O'Brien was also charged with DWI and sent to Cattaraugus County Jail.