Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

I stared across the farm’s hillside. I could see to the aspen on the back side of the eighty acres from this slight rise. The aspen leaves were bright yellow in the fall. Abandoned pastureland, formerly white pine, hemlock, and black spruce trees over a perched water table, had been logged, grazed heavily, and then abandoned. We had purchased the farm to make a place for retirement and wildlife. An initial survey of the plants on the farm had identified some ‘things to do’. The hillsides were gullied from erosion. Buckthorn (Rhamas sp.) shrubs were gaining a foothold, and would soon overtake all moist soil places. In the farm’s history, some well-meaning (but unknowing) soul had planted autumn olive, multi-flora rose, and Tartarian honeysuckle shrubs. Our vision of creating a haven for wildlife was going to take hard work, some herbicide, and planting the best native shrubs for wildlife. Our work was cut out for us. Autumn and Russian olive (Elaegnus sp.) shrubs were wid...

An Irving man is dead and his passenger is hospitalized following an accident early Saturday morning at routes 5 and 20. Chautauqua County Sheriff's deputies say a car driven by 28-year-old Thomas O'Connell Jr. went out of control, left the road, hit and severed a utility pole, then rolled several times before hitting a tree. Both O'Connell and his passenger, 22-year-old Jason P. Sanford were ejected from the vehicle. O'Connell was found dead, next to his car. Sanford was pinned under the car. Sanford is being treated at ECMC.

A 59-year-old Forestville man died Friday afternoon in a fire at his home. Firefighters found Michael Domenico in a bedroom as they battled the blaze. The house was fully engulfed in flames when they arrived at just before 5 p.m. Chautauqua County officials say the cause of the fire hasn't been determined yet and an autopsy is being performed to determine how Domenico died.

These people look over items for sale at Grace Lutheran Church Saturday morning. The yard sales at the church were a few of dozens held Saturday as part of the annual Bradford Area Town-Wide Yard Sales. It was a perfect day, weather-wise, for bargain hunting, and News 4 Meteorologist Mike Cejka says after a chilly start to Sunday, we'll enjoy sunshine and a high around 76.

It might be one of Pittsburgh's famous Primanti Bros. sandwiches for Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm. Or it might be a platter of Detroit-made Kowalski sausages for Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell. The outcome depends on the winner of the NHL Stanley Cup finals between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Detroit Red Wings. The seven-game series opens Saturday night in Detroit. If the Penguins lose, Rendell must have a meal of Kowalski sausages, Faygo Rock and Rye pop and Michigan cherries while wearing a Red Wings jersey. If the Red Wings lose, Granholm must don a Penguins jersey, and down hot dogs from the Original Hot Dog Shop and a Primanti Bros. sandwich, as well as Eat'n Park cookies.

My guest on The Weekend Wrap is Hillary Clarke, director of advocacy for the Cancer Action Network. She'll be talking about the Fight Back Express bus tour and its stop in Buffalo on Sunday. The Fight Back Express is working to make cancer a national priority by educating the public, lawmakers, candidates and the media about the importance of the government's role in defeating cancer. The Fight Back Express will be at Delaware Park from 4 to 5 p.m. Sunday. The easiest way to get to the bus is by way of the Jewett Parkway entrance. You can hear The Weekend Wrap at 9:15 a.m. Saturday on 1490 WESB and 6 a.m. Saturday on 100.1 The HERO. For more information about the Cancer Action Network, visit ACSCAN .

A new panel has been formed to keep an eye on booming natural gas exploration in Lycoming County. County commissioners and Williamsport-Lycoming County Chamber of Commerce have named the Community Gas Exploration Task Force. The mission is to identify key issues, research facts and propose public policy on gas exploration. Commissioner Rebecca Burke says that should include preserving natural resources, without hindering gas companies from operating. She says the commissioners hope positive working relationships can mean big benefits for the local economy. The move comes after area cooperative extension staff members spent several days studying the effects of gas exploration in the Barnett Shale region of northern Texas. The formation is similar to the Marcellus Shale, which lies under some areas of Pennsylvania, including most of Lycoming County.

An Olean City Alderman has pleaded innocent to a petit larceny charge. 22-year-old Andrew Searles is accused of taking a pre-paid gas card from Mastel Ford while he worked there. Searles no longer works for Mastel. Searles says he has no reason to resign from Common Council and declined to comment further. Both Mayor David Carucci and Common Council President Richard Smith have also declined to comment, other than to say they will wait for the issue to work itself out in court. Searles is free on his own recognizance.

A Bradford man has pleaded guilty in connection with an accident that killed his passenger last year in Belfast, New York. 36-year-old Joseph Arnett has been sentenced to five years' probation. On June 24 he was driving on Route 305 when he did not stop at the stop sign at the bottom of a hill. The vehicle went across Route 19, hit an embankment and went airborne, flipping over near the old River Valley Farms. 23-year-old Devon Brunell of Cuba, New York, was pronounced dead at the scene.

The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford’s student newspaper, The Source, has received a second-place award in the American Scholastic Press Association’s annual newspaper competition. The award was based on issues from the Fall 2007 semester, during which time Ed Nolter, a senior public relations major from Bradford, served as editor; Anna Chiodo, a senior public relations major from Bradford, was managing editor; and Alex Davis, a freshman public relations major from Emporium, was assistant managing editor. Tim Ziaukas, associate professor of public relations, is the paper’s adviser.

New York Governor David Paterson is out of the hospital after having a second eye surgery performed. The laser surgery was performed as a precautionary measure, and is the same procedure he had on Tuesday in his other eye. Paterson went to the hospital early Tuesday morning complaining of severe eye pain. The governor was diagnosed on that day with acute glaucoma, and the procedure was performed. Paterson is expected to recover at home with his family over the Memorial Day weekend, and is likely go back to work next week.

On Saturday, the town where Jimmy Stewart grew up having a wonderful life -- Indiana, Pa. -- will celebrate the 100th anniversary of the birth of its favorite son. The centennial festival day for Stewart will be held inside the Jimmy Stewart Museum and outside at the museum plaza at 835 Philadelphia Street on Saturday. There will be bands, an Air Force flyover, movie viewings, presentations, dedications and awards during the all-day program. Earlier this week, US Senator Bob Casey talked about Stewart on the Senate floor.

US Senator Bob Casey is support the Great Lakes Legacy Act of 2008, which is aimed at cleaning up contaminated areas of the Great Lakes within 10 years. Among other things, the bill would allow additional funding to protect and restore targeted areas in the Great Lakes like Presque Isle. “Lake Erie is an integral part of Northwestern Pennsylvania’s landscape and we must do everything we can to keep it safe and beautiful,” Casey said “This legislation will provide for funding to sustain this picturesque lake for generations to come.” The Great Lakes Legacy Act of 2008 would authorize $150 million annually to clean up what have been identified as “Areas of Concern” in the Great Lakes.

Bright purple boxes will be hanging from ash trees as Pennsylvania officials begin a survey after Memorial Day to assess the spread of the ash borer. Agriculture Secretary Dennis Wolff says the invasive beetle was discovered in Butler and Allegheny counties western Pennsylvania last summer. Quarantines were imposed on the movement of ash nursery stocks, green lumber and firewood in those counties and neighboring Beaver and Lawrence counties. Wolff says 10,000 three-sided traps will be hung in trees in 35 counties this summer to see whether the bettle has spread to new areas. The emerald ash borer is a wood-boring beetle native to China and eastern Asia. It has killed more than 30 million ash trees in Michigan since 2002 and millions more in Ohio and Indiana. You can read our previous posts on the emerald ash borer HERE

The White House says a Pennsylvania soldier who jumped on top of a grenade in Iraq and saved the life of his comrades will posthumously receive the Medal of Honor. The honor will be given to Pfc. Ross McGinnis, of Knox on June 2. Military officials have said McGinnis was perched in the gunner's hatch of a Humvee when a grenade sailed past him and into the truck where four other soldiers sat. He shouted a warning to the others, then jumped on the grenade. It blew up and killed him. The 19-year-old McGinnis was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, in Schweinfurt, Germany. He died on Dec. 4, 2006. Congressman John Peterson issued the following statement: “It is with deep gratitude, and sorrow, that I recognize the selfless act Ross McGinnis performed on December 4, 2006. This young man, just 19 years old, was a soldier’s soldier, who enlisted in the Army to fight for causes larger than any individual: freedom and libert...

D’Hondt Motorsports, LLC (DMS) announced today that Zippo Manufacturing Company, promoting their line of hot new Zippo BLU lighters, will be the primary sponsor for Kyle Busch in the #92 Toyota Camry in the “Zippo 200” August 9th at Watkins Glen International. “We are proud to have Zippo sponsor D’Hondt Motorsports (DMS) and Kyle Busch at Watkins Glen” said team owner Eddie D’Hondt. “This new partnership is a good opportunity for us all and allows us room to grow. Zippo has supported racing at some level for a long time and we look forward to a very successful weekend.” Zippo founder, George G. Blaisdell, began attending events at Watkins Glen in the 1950’s. In 1993, they became the title sponsor for the Grand Prix race there. In NASCAR, they sponsored Jimmy Spencer in the 1990’s and introduced a line of collectible driver lighters. They have been the Nationwide Series event title sponsor at Watkins Glen for four years. “We are excited to not only be the race title sponsor but to al...

National River Cleanup is a year-long event. This year’s event officially kicks-off May 31-June 8. Millions of tons of trash end up in our nation’s rivers and streams every year. American Rivers is a proud sponsor of National River Cleanup and invites you to launch a river cleanup in your backyard. More than 600,000 volunteers have participated in thousands of National River Cleanups since inception in 1991. More than 1,000 tons of litter and debris have been removed from over 100,000 miles of waterways. In 2007, the National River Cleanup removed 600 tons of trash from 7,500 miles of streams; the 95,000 volunteers filled 100,980 garbage bags! How do you get started on your own National River Cleanup day? American Rivers has an “Organize a Cleanup” button at their http://www.americanrivers.org/ website. American Rivers provides everything you need to know to start your own event, and register your event so other people can find your event. You can also find river cleanups near...

Former GOP Congressional candidate Derek Walker says he's planning to file federal election tampering charges against a political rival and law enforcement officials. Five days before the April 22 primary, charges of stalking and burglary, among others, were filed against Walker in connection with an incident involving his former girlfriend. Earlier this week, Walker pleaded guilty to 4 misdemeanor charges; the felony charges were all dropped. Walker says the charges brought against him were part of a political conspiracy, and he has the evidence to prove it. He says Clearfield County District Attorney Bill Shaw, Clearfield Police Chief James Schilling and Matt Shaner, another of the 8 Republicans running for the 5th District Congressional seat, smeared his name and tampered with a federal election. He claims the three worked together to bring the charges to light. Walker says he pleaded guilty to the misdemeanors, because it was best for everyone involved. He admits to being guilt...

You may have heard Scott and me talking about this on The Morning Buzz. In case you want to see the entire list of the Top 10 Free US Attractions, here it is: Top 10 Free US Attractions

By ANNE HOLLIDAY WESB/WBRR News Director The Marcellus Shale rock formation hasn’t had much of an impact in McKean County yet, but experts expect that to change. During a statewide television call-in show – Pennsylvania's Gas Rush – a panel answered questions about gas and oil drilling in general, and Marcellus Shale in particular. Marcellus Shale is a layer of black shale 6,500 to 7,000 feet underground. It covers about 34 million acres in parts of Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Ohio and New York. With new drilling techniques, it may be possible to produce 50 trillion cubic feet of natural gas from the Marcellus Shale formation. That's about how much natural gas the United States uses in two years. The Allegheny National Forest is rich in Marcellus Shale. But Ron Giiius of the Department of Environmental Protection said at this point there's no interest in drilling for Marcellus Shale in the forest, but there's no telling what the future holds. "Right now," Gil...

Pittsburgh police are looking for two men who robbed a candy store of $125 and a $40 box of fine chocolate truffles. Police say the two men acted as if they had guns when they entered the Betsy Ann Chocolates shop downtown just before 4 p.m. Thursday. Police say the men never showed guns to the only employee on duty. There were no customers in the store at the time and nobody was hurt. Police say the robbers also asked the clerk for his wallet, but gave it back when they saw it contained no money.

Looks as if 7 percent of the respondents to our web poll are going to be wrong -- unless something drastic happens in the next couple of days. By the way, that 7 percent said gas prices would never reach $4 a gallon.

These students from Floyd C. Fretz Middle School spent part of their Thursday afternoon getting ready for Monday's Memorial Day parade. The parade steps off at 10:17 a.m. on Main Street, and will be followed by a ceremony in Veterans Square. Scott Douglas and I will be broadcasting live from the parade. Frank Williams will be driving the Twin Tiers Action Van in the parade. (We're leaving Jeff Wemmell in the studio to do all the real work.)

By ANNE HOLLIDAY WESB/WBRR News Director State Senator Joe Scarnati has introduced a new transportation funding plan that would eliminate the possibility of imposing tolls on Interstate 80 or leasing the Pennsylvania Turnpike. "While Act 44 did provide a much needed boost to our transportation funding crisis in the Commonwealth, the citizens of this district (25th) demanded that we do better," Scarnati said. He adds that while many lawmakers – both state and federal – said they were against the tolls, they didn't offer alternatives. "It's time for these legislators to be for something," he said. Among the elements of Scarnati's plan are evaluating the operating expenses of the turnpike through an independent auditor, and using the proceeds from any cost-saving recommendations to supplement statewide transportation funding; changing the way the state police is funded; and enacting legislation authorizing the Commonwealth to enter into public-private partn...

Pennsylvania's high school and college students now have an opportunity to serve on the State Board of Education. The board voted unanimously Thursday to include current students or recent graduates as members for the first time in its 45-year history. Under changes to the board's bylaws, its chairman appoints four students to one-year terms: one member and one member-elect each representing high school and college students. The board plans to have the student representatives in place during the 2008-09 school year or sooner, if possible. None of the students would have voting privileges, but board chairman Karl Girton said their input on education policy and regulatory decisions would be valuable to the board.

Blair County authorities are taking over the possessions of a former part-time park ranger who pleaded guilty to dealing drugs. Authorities say 63-year-old William Ickes' Roaring Spring home, motorcycle, guns and money were forfeited to the district attorney. Ickes was accused of selling methamphetamine at his home and while on duty at Blue Knob State Park. Prosecutors say they seized large amounts of methamphetamine and marijuana, as well as 16 guns and more than $1,600 from Ickes' home. The house and a motorcycle will be sold and the guns will be destroyed. Ickes is serving a four-to-eight-year prison term after pleading guilty in August to prohibited offensive weapons and delivery of a controlled substance.

The man who held up traffic on the Niagara section of the 190 thruway last week has waived his preliminary hearing in Buffalo City Court, and has offered an apology to the public. James Gilchriese is facing several charges including possession of a weapon with the intent to use it, drunk driving and unlawful imprisonment. A little more than a week ago, Gilchriese threatened to kill himself with a gun and jeopardized the safety of hundreds of people on the 190. After a nearly three-hour stand-off, State Police and the SWAT team took him down. A motorist originally noticed Gilchriese and a woman in a heated argument on the I-190, and alerted authorities. Since then, he's undergone a psychiatric evaluation. The case now heads to a grand jury.

A dozen Pennsylvania landfills have lost an appeals court decision in their effort to recover $4.6 million in disputed tipping fees. Commonwealth Court says the Department of Environmental Protection doesn't have to repay the companies for the overpaid solid-waste tipping fees. The Greentree Landfill in Elk County is one of the plaintiffs in the case. A previous decision meant landfills could stop paying the $4-a-ton fee on sand and other materials used to cover up landfill deposits at the end of each day. But they've been battling with the DEP over how much in refunds they should get for fees they already paid. A lawyer for one of the landfills says no decision's been made about whether to appeal to the state Supreme Court.

A man has been convicted of stealing an exotic cat from a Columbia County dealer. 29-year-old William Bobbett of Wilkes-Barre was charged with robbery and other offenses in last year's gunpoint theft of an endangered Canadian lynx. Breeder Ronald Derr says that after he refused to sell the pregnant 3-year-old lynx to Bobbett, Bobbett returned with two friends and forced him to load up the cat at gunpoint.

New York Governor David Paterson is scheduled to have a second routine eye operation Friday, two days after he was hospitalized for acute glaucoma. His office says the governor is resting at home today after conducting some state business Wednesday. He is expected to return to a full schedule after Memorial Day. Paterson went to a Manhattan hospital Tuesday after suffering from excruciating pain due to his glaucoma.

Six people have been arrested in three separate cases for possession of more than 300 cartons of illegal cigarettes they bought on the Seneca Indian reservations in Salamanca and Irving. None of the people are arrested are local. Two are from Rhode Island; two from New Jersey; and two from southwestern Pennsylvania. Authorities say all six were allegedly attempting to evade and defeat tax. They were also charged with possession of unstamped cigarettes. No one can possess large quantities of unstamped cigarettes unless authorized by New York State. The arrests are part of ongoing attempts by the tax department to cut down on the resale of illegal cigarettes.

The governor has released a list of 1,145 bridges – 16 of them in McKean County – that would see repairs over the next three years -- if lawmakers approve his plan. “This list represents my response to a seemingly invisible — but very real — threat to our safety, ease of travel and to the economy of Pennsylvania,” Governor Rendell said. “We must make these repairs or we will irresponsibly leave to our children crumbling bridges and roads. Right now, interest rates are extremely low and, as a result, it is an opportune time for the commonwealth to embark on these necessary repairs and ensure that we leave well maintained bridges to the next generation. “This list includes bridges in every county. Rural, urban and suburban residents will benefit from my proposal to accelerate the repair of these bridges." His plan calls for $200 million in borrowing for each of the next ten years. A spokesman for Senate majority leader Dominic Pileggi says they aren't rejecting the plan, but a...

Senator Lisa Baker was at the state Capitol Thursday to honor Pennsylvania’s emergency medical services personnel and to introduce legislation to update the Commonwealth’s Emergency Medical Services Act. “The existing law has not been revised since 1985, but advancements in medicine and technology over the last 20 years have been tremendous,” said Baker. “Current regulations do not match today’s needs. We need bring our EMS system into the 21st century.” Baker’s bill would reduce duplication of service and create a more coordinated and adaptive system by giving EMS personnel the tools they need to continue to provide quality medical care to those in need. The measure would also implement the EMS Scope of Practice used by the National Association of State EMS Officials. “In Pennsylvania, more than 54,000 EMS workers respond to nearly 1.8 million emergency calls annually,” she said. “We are thankful for their commitment, dedication and devotion to saving lives. The event was organize...

State Senator Joe Scarnati has introduced a new transportation funding plan that would eliminate the possibility of imposing tolls on Interstate 80 or leasing the Pennsylvania Turnpike. Among the elements of Scarnati's plan are evaluating the operating expenses of the turnpike through an independent auditor, and using the proceeds from any cost-saving recommendations to supplement statewide transportation funding; changing the way the state police is funded; and enacting legislation authorizing the Commonwealth to enter into public-private partnerships. Scarnati says the plan "requires the general assembly and the governor to make tough budgetary decisions," but he's confident that his colleagues will "see the merit in this fiscally prudent transportation funding plan." We'll have much more on this story later this afternoon.

DVDS4Vets is asking listeners (and blog readers) to donate new or used DVDs for the benefit of military veterans who otherwise cannot easily obtain them on their own. Started in 2006, DVDs4Vets has been arranging for the donation of DVDs for soldiers returning with Traumatic Brain Injuries or TBI as well as other serious battle wounds. With limited entertainment, vets in rehab can use what many of us take for granted every day. DVDs4Vets does not solicit or receive financial assistance nor are they politically affiliated. Their primary goal is to show gratitude to those men and woman who have proudly served our Country with honor. For donations of 10 or more DVDs, all donors will be included on the DVDs4Vets Honor Roll. To donate new or used DVDs or to learn more about this worthy cause, please go to DVDs 4 Vets .

The campfire – what would summer time and camping be like without the crackling of a campfire? Many of us have pleasant memories of roasting marshmallows, watching the flames dance, or cooking fish over hot coals. But, with camping season, employees of the Allegheny National Forest (NF) have a new, dangerous concern: the camper who brings a load of firewood from home. Dangerous insects are hitchhiking rides to new areas when firewood is moved by campers. You can help protect the forest by not moving firewood. All the following insects are dangerous because they are non-native insects and our native trees do not have any natural defenses against them. Non-native means that this insect came from outside this part of the United States or another country. The four most dangerous insects are: · The Emerald Ash Borer kills ash trees. · The Sirex Woodwasp kills pine trees. · The Asian Longhorned Beetle kills maple trees, but also kills birches, poplars, willows, elms and horsechestnut...

A reminder from Jim Clark of the Penn State Cooperative Extension, McKean County: The live, state-wide call-in television broadcast and webcast "Profits and Pitfalls of Natural Gas Leasing for Landowners" is tomorrow from 7 to 8 p.m. In Bradford, you can see the show on channels 3 (WPSU) and 9 (PCN). You can also see it via the Internet at Pennsylvania's Gas Rush . The show will center on natural gas exploration and drilling (and the implications of the Marcellus Shale rock formation); lease negotiations and addenda; and financial, environmental and infrastructure impacts.

Jeff DePrimo, the Pennsylvania soldier killed in Afghanistan was from Pittston, PA, hometown of Port Allegany School Nurse Lt. Col. Richard Berrettini, who died in January after his vehicle was hit by a explosive device in Afghanistan. More from Solomon's Words .

The state Board of Education has moved a step closer to including student members for the first time in its 45-year history. A board committee voted unanimously Wednesday to recommend the addition of two student representatives_ either current students or recent high-school or college graduates — to the 22-member board under revisions to its bylaws. The full board is expected to consider the proposal Thursday. The board has spent several months studying the idea with assistance from the National Association of State Boards of Education, which is encouraging more states to open their education boards' membership to students. The proposal calls for the board to have the student representatives in place during the 2008-09 school year or sooner, if possible.

The man who seriously injured a Salamanca girl during a hit and run accident has pleaded guilty. Albert Covell of Randolph is charged with assault in connection with the April 5 accident in Salamanca. Covell hit Ceanna Maybee with his vehicle while she was walking along RC Hoag Drive. He left the scene. Authorities later learned that Covell had been drinking. He's scheduled for sentencing on July 21. Ceanna is continuing to recover from the serious injuries she suffered.

Congressman John E. Peterson, R-Pa., along with the Republican Conference, unveiled a solutions based approach to solving our nation’s energy crisis, at a press conference on the steps of the U.S. Capitol this morning. Peterson, who has been sounding the alarm on a looming energy crisis for over six years, issued the following statement: “With the price at the pump reaching a new record high daily, and the cost of natural gas soaring, Americans are sick and tired of this do-nothing Congress. From rural America to the big cities, Americans are struggling to cope with the rising cost of energy. Americans deserve a solutions based approach – not the finger pointing Democrats are accustomed to – to help alleviate the burden on senior citizens, the working poor, small business, and middle-class America. House Republicans have waited 18 months for Speaker Pelosi to bring energy production legislation to the floor; yet, all we get is tax and blame legislation. “The solutions based approach R...

The former congressional candidate charged with stalking his ex-girlfriend has pleaded guilty to three misdemeanors and has been sentenced to a year of probation. 32-year-old Derek Walker of Clearfield pleaded to disorderly conduct, invasion of privacy, harassment and defiant trespass. As part of the plea agreement, felony counts of burglary and criminal trespass were dropped. Besides probation, Walker must also pay a 400-dollar fine and have no contact with his former girlfriend or her family. The charges were brought against Walker five days before the April 22 primary in which he was vying against eight other candidates to become the Republican nominee to the seat now held by Congressman John Peterson, who is retiring at the end of the year. Glenn Thompson of Centre County won the nomination and is running against Democrat Mark McCracken of Clearfield County.

The deep blue flowers stood out along U.S. 6. I stopped to admire the beauty of the blue vervain; graceful and not garish. As I continued into Clarendon I recognized the bright pink flowers of purple loosestrife. Just outside of Sheffield I couldn’t help but notice the wetland on the south side of the highway had become overrun with purple loosestrife… The good, the bad, and the ugly. Many people develop flower gardens in their yards, but few ‘plan’ their gardens to use native plants. Some of the most devastating plants were introduced to an area because of their beauty, or a specific use. It was only after the introduced plant had spread so aggressively to outcompete native plants that society realized our loss. Here’s some tips so you, too, can enjoy gardening with native plants and protect your backyard environment. This week we will concentrate on flowers and next week’s article will concentrate on shrubs. Japanese knotweed (Fallopia japonica) was first planted as an ornam...

SACKS Resale Shop Manager Penny Woodmansee (left) and Audrey Gilligan, assistant manager, display a sample clothing voucher. Through a new grant from the United Way of Bradford, vouchers have been given to three local organizations for use in the Bradford store at 26 Pine St. that’s operated by Bradford Hospital Auxiliary. (Photo Courtesy of BRMC) A $500 grant from the United Way of the Bradford Area will enable Bradford Hospital Auxiliary’s SACKS Resale Shop to provide clothing vouchers to three local organizations seeking to help needy individuals. “We will be able to give clothing vouchers in equal amounts to the YWCA of Bradford, Catholic Charities and the American Red Cross. These local organizations will then give the vouchers to people with clothing needs,” says Virginia Digel-Neel, the Auxiliary’s executive director. The clothing vouchers will be given to individuals deemed eligible by the YWCA, Catholic Charities or the Red Cross, Mrs. Digel-Neel says. Qualifying individuals g...

The spreading of unwelcome invaders to this part of Pennsylvania threatens a ‘way of life’. We all enjoy fishing, swimming, and camping in the summer. But are we aware of how invaders, such as zebra mussels, have changed the place we live? Zebra mussels have ecological effects. In our natural world, everything is connected to everything else. When one aspect of an ecosystem is affected, it creates a domino effect resulting in unforeseen changes. Zebra mussels have changed Lake Erie, the only Great Lake shoreline within Pennsylvania. Zebra mussels filter so much ‘feed’ (phytoplankton, or tiny plants) out of the water that little is left for other native mussels or small fishes to eat. This is called a disruption to the food chain for native fish. Phytoplankton are food for small fish which, in turn, become food for the larger fish caught in recreational or commercial fisheries. Fishing suffers when zebra mussels disrupt the food chain. Zebra mussels multiply rapidly and are able...

A tank truck has overturned in Adams County, spilling more than 4,000 gallons of milk. The accident happened shortly before 4:30 a.m. Wednesday on Carlisle Pike in Reading Township. It's unknown if the driver and passenger in the truck were hurt. Emergency crews expect the road to be closed until noon. Too bad this accident (Oreo Cookies Snarl Traffic) didn't happen closer to the other one.

12 students from Washington West Elementary School in Olean traveled to Albany to attend the “I*MA*GREEN*NATION” Celebration awards, an annual event that encourages students to share their knowledge, understanding and ideas about important environmental challenges facing their community. The students won first place in the Science & Technology Division for their project which included audio visual as well as an informative posterboard. The event, which recognizes students in grades one through eight who participated in the 17th annual competition, was held at the state Capitol on Tuesday, May 20, 2008. The winners received award medals, viewed submissions by their fellow students from around the state, and had the opportunity to tour the seat of state government. “I*MA*GREEN*NATION” offers students a fun and unique educational opportunity to share their thoughts about current environmental challenges, as well as learn from classmates and others across the state about their ideas ...

The Option House has been cited for serving alcohol to minors on December 7 and December 30 of last year, as well as other occasions during the past year. The state police Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement says the current citation involves selling alcohol to two female minors and two male minors. They were 19 and 20 years old at the time. Although not specifically mentioned in the police report, one incident happened on the day Nikole Smock backed her SUV over 20-year-old Alissa Cameron in a nearby parking lot. Cameron died several days later at Hamot Medical Center. The case against the Option House, which has since been sold, will now go before an administrative law judge.

Senator Arlen Specter (R-Pa.) today spoke on the floor of the U.S. Senate in regards to the news that Senator Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.) has a malignant brain tumor. A transcript of Specter’s floor statement follows: “Just before entering the chamber, I heard the devastating news about Senator Kennedy’s diagnosis with a malignant brain tumor. I’ve been there. “A few years back, I was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor and given three to six weeks to live. I note in the press release that it says, ‘how well patients fare depends on what specific tumor type is determined by further testing.’ The diagnosis for me for a malignant brain tumor turned out to be incorrect. “I note that Senator Kennedy will be receiving chemotherapy and radiation. I know something about chemotherapy myself. I’m in the middle of it right now for Hodgkin’s. “Senator Kennedy is a real fighter – we all know that – and I am betting on Senator Kennedy. He’s been such a champion on so many causes: civil rights, heal...

... to everyone who called and e-mailed to find out why we weren't on the air. It sure is nice to know that we're missed. For those who didn't hear, we had a transmitter problem that kept us from broadcasting from Sunday evening until just after 2 o'clock this afternoon.

Solomon's Words has a tribute to firefighter Bruce Setzer, who died unexpectedly Thursday at the age of 46.

New York Governor David Paterson has been diagnosed with acute glaucoma in his left eye and is undergoing an outpatient laser procedure. Paterson’s office said in a statement that the procedure “will not have any long-term impact on the governor’s overall health.” It says Paterson will remain conscious during the procedure. But “in an abundance of caution, the Senate majority leader and the Assembly speaker were advised.” Paterson admitted himself to Manhattan’s Mount Sinai Medical Center earlier today after experiencing “migraine-like symptoms.”

A Berks County woman is charged with throwing her 4-year-old son onto railroad tracks and then jumping into the Schuylkill River. The crew of a Norfolk Southern freight train spotted the pair about 4 o'clock Monday afternoon. The woman was rescued by firefighters using a boat. Police charged 27-year-old Christy Petitjean with endangering the welfare of a child, reckless endangerment of a child, public intoxication and delaying railroad operations. Police say she remains in Reading Hospital with injuries she sustained during the incident. Her son, who had been wearing only socks, was treated and released to family members.

By ANNE HOLLIDAY WESB/WBRR News Director Leasing the Pennsylvania Turnpike is far from a done deal. Senate President Pro Tem Joe Scarnati says a lot of work still needs to be done. "I still have a lot of concern over leasing – I like to say selling – this turnpike to a foreign investor," Scarnati says. "As time goes on, this 700-page document needs to be reviewed and we need to do our due diligence. I am going to push for Senate hearings and be able to take a look at this and give it a fair airing. But the bottom line is we have a transportation crisis and it's time we have numbers that add up and a plan that works for everyone in Pennsylvania." On Monday, Governor Ed Rendell announced that a team led by CitiGroup and a company from Spain submitted a 12 point 8 billion bid to lease the turnpike for 75 years. The money would go toward maintaining and repairing the state's roads and bridges. As for how the plan to lease the turnpike will go over in the Legisla...

Pennsylvania Game Commission officers have seized a black bear cub from a Pittsburgh-area home. Officials say they found the bear cub at a home in Jefferson hills last week after receiving a tip that the owner was keeping the animal as a pet. The owner says he bought the animal about two months ago in Ohio and planned to raise it for a short while before selling it. He says the animal is harmless and that it follows him wherever he goes. The Game Commission says the owner did not have the required permit for the animal. A Game Commission official says the bear cub can't be released back into the wild.

The Senate Republican Caucus today unveiled a sweeping stimulus package that would provide nearly $96 million in tax relief in the upcoming fiscal year for lower-income working Pennsylvanians, small businesses looking to expand, as well as major employers and job creators. The four-bill Senate Republican Tax Stimulus Package was presented today during a press conference in the State Capitol Media Center hosted by Senator Pat Browne (R-16 and Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee), which has oversight powers over state tax matters. "The package we are unveiling today is the result of intensive study and review of a number of proposals with the goal of finding the optimum combination to provide tax relief where it is most needed and best be able to stimulate Pennsylvania's economy," Senator Browne said. "I plan to bring these proposals to the Finance Committee as soon as possible, since these measures must be included as part of the General Assembly's considera...

(CNN) -- U.S. Sen. Edward M. Kennedy has a malignant brain tumor, doctors treating him at Massachusetts General Hospital said Tuesday. Kennedy was hospitalized Saturday morning after suffering a seizure at his family's compound at Hyannis Port, Massachusetts. "Preliminary results from a biopsy of the brain identified the cause of the seizure as a malignant glioma in the left parietal lobe," according to a statement from the doctors treating the senator. "The usual course of treatment includes combinations of various forms of radiation and chemotherapy," they said.

NASCAR’s oldest driver Lloyd Moore of Frewsburg died Sunday. He was 95. Moore was a farmer, mechanic, bus driver, and for 17 years he ran the school bus garage for the Frewsburg Central Schools. And for a little more than six years, he raced stock cars through the sand on Daytona Beach and on dirt tracks against stock car legends like Lee Petty, Buck Baker and Fireball Roberts. Moore was part of the 1949 Strictly Stocks season, which was the first year of what is now known as the NASCAR Sprint Cup

The former voice of the Buffalo Bills is about to receive some big honors. Legendary play-by play announcer and Channel 4 Sports veteran Van Miller has been named to the New York State Broadcasters Association 2008 Hall of Fame. Miller started his broadcasting career with the Bills back in 1960, and he held that position for 37 years. We bet it'll be "fandemonium" at the ceremony.

20-year-old Rydell Brooks was arrested along with his cousin, following a police chase in Akron, Ohio. Investigators say Brooks and another man fired at officers during a foot chase. In 2006, Brooks played for the Niagara University Purple Eagles. He helped the team win a MAAC championship and advance to the NCAA Tournament. Following the 2006 season, Brooks left the school and transferred to Akron where he became a walk-on player for the Zips. According to family members, he left Niagara to be closer to his grandmother, who raised him, and his young son. Following his arrest, Brooks was jailed and remains there in lieu of $1,000,000 bond.

LITITZ, Pa. (AP) — Officials say a riding lawnmower apparently slid into Speedwell Forge Lake in Lancaster County and flipped over, killing a state Fish and Boat Commission employee. Bricklerville Fire Chief Sid Adams says two fishermen in a boat found the mower in the lake in Elizabeth Township about 6 p.m. Monday, with the man's body pinned beneath it. Lancaster County Coroner Dr. Stephen Diamantoni pronounced the man dead at the scene. The man's name wasn't immediately released. Diamantoni says an autopsy is planned Tuesday to determine the cause of death.

An airline pilot found hiding behind a shed wearing only flip-flops and a wristwatch in a nighttime romp in the woods with a flight attendant has been arrested. 24-year-old Jeffrey Paul Bradford and 24-year-old and Adrianna Grace Connor, both employees of Pinnacle Airlines Inc., were at a diner on the outskirts of Harrisburg on Sunday night before they apparently decided to walk into the woods, police said. The two somehow became separated, and people who live in the neighborhood called police around 9:30 p.m., saying they had seen a naked man and an intoxicated woman. A helicopter with heat-seeking equipment was called in, and Bradford was discovered hiding behind a shed shortly before midnight. Bradford, of Pittsburgh, was charged with indecent exposure, public drunkenness and other offenses. Connor, of Belleville, Mich., was charged with theft from a motor vehicle, public drunkenness and other offenses; police said she took a flashlight from a neighbor's vehicle. A spokesman fo...

The investigation is continuing into a gas explosion and fire at a seasonal house in Bemus Point Monday morning. Bemus Point firefighters were called to the scene at about 10 a.m. after several residents heard the blast. No one was inside the building. A highway worker and a passerby suffered minor injuries. Investigators say National Fuel and a Town of Ellery Road crew were working on the street when the explosion happened, but they're not sure if that's what triggered the blast.

A Jamestown man who was allegedly using a Samurai sword to threaten his girlfriend jumped out of a second floor window when the woman's dog attacked him. Police say Nicholas Clark punched his girlfriend in the head several times and put the sword to her throat before her pit bull bit him several times. He jumped out the window wearing only blue jeans and socks. The Jamestown Police K-9 Unit found him lying between several mattresses on a neighbor's back porch. Clark has been charged with assault, menacing and criminal possession of a weapon.

New York Governor David Paterson has been taken to a Manhattan hospital after experiencing migraine-like symptoms. Paterson's office said in a statement that he asked to be brought to The Mount Sinai Medical Center for an evaluation. The office says all preliminary tests were normal and that Paterson was resting comfortably. He is still awaiting further tests. Last July, when he was lieutenant governor, Paterson fainted on an airplane in Buffalo, and was later given a clean bill of health after a heart test at Erie County Medical Center. In April 2006, when he was state Senate Minority Leader, Paterson was hospitalized for almost 12 hours after complaining of chest pains. The tests came back normal. The legally blind Paterson is known as an athlete who plays basketball recreationally and ran the New York City marathon.

WKRP in Cincinnati We hope to be back on by this afternoon.

MORRIS, Ill. (AP) -- Got milk? Police say a trailer loaded with 14 tons of double-stuffed Oreos has overturned, spilling the cookies still in their plastic sleeves into the median and roadway. Illinois State Police Sgt. Brian Mahoney says the truck's driver was traveling from Chicago to Morris on Interstate 80 around 4 a.m. Monday when he fell asleep at the wheel and slammed into the median. "The boxes came out of the trailer and boxes were ripped open," he said. The crash about 50 miles southwest of Chicago remains under investigation. Mahoney says no charges have been filed but both lanes of traffic remain closed while authorities remove the cookies.

Following Governor Rendell’s announcement of the winning bid to manage the Pennsylvania Turnpike, Congressman John E. Peterson, R-Pleasantville, issued the following statement: “Today’s announcement by Governor Rendell is nothing short of a win-win for all of Pennsylvania. Under the proposed turnpike lease agreement, the Commonwealth stands to receive an upfront payment of $12.8 billion – more than double that of the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission’s $5.3 billion bid – while maintaining control over future toll rates, road maintenance and safety. Pennsylvanians can rest easy, that under this agreement future toll rates on the Pennsylvania Turnpike will be controlled under strict guidelines and will not increase exponentially as some may lead you to believe. “Additionally, under this proposal, an estimated $1.1 billion annually in debt free funding – $150 million more than Act 44 – will be expended to address the aging infrastructure of the Commonwealth and to stabilize mass transit ne...

A Gowanda man has pleaded guilty in connection with an accident that killed a Salamanca teenager last year. Frederick Freeman is charged with leaving the scene of a personal injury accident. On June 13, in the Town of New Albion, Freeman attempted to pass another vehicle and ended up causing the accident that killed 16-year-old Ellie Pierce. Freeman will be sentenced August 18. Also Monday in Cattaraugus County court, a Salamanca man who took police on a high-speed chase in March has pleaded guilty. Darryl Shongo took police on the chase starting at around 2:30 a.m. March 18. It continued over 11 streets in Salamanca, and ended in the Masonic Park. Police say Shongo drove in excess of 80 miles per hour and rammed 2 marked police vehicles. He's scheduled for sentencing on July 21. A Franklinville man has pleaded guilty to rape. Jordan Young had sex with someone without that person's consent between January 23 and 24 of last year in Franklinville. Young will be sentenced on July ...

A Friendship, New York, woman is dead and her husband is hospitalized following a house fire on Saturday. 84-year-old Marie Grimes died as a result of the fire. An autopsy is being performed by the Monroe County Medical Examiner's Office. Her 78-year-old husband Marvin is hospitalized, but no report is available on his condition. Firefighters were called to the house twice early Saturday morning – at 3:36 and again at 5:08 a.m., when the house was fully engulfed in flames. Lab tests are being conducted to determine the cause of the fire.

A Spanish company and a unit of Citigroup have teamed up to submit the largest bid for the right to lease the Pennsylvania Turnpike for 75 years. The bid is $12.8 billion — $700 million more than their nearest competitor. Governor Ed Rendell said he was "strongly in favor of it," but the Legislature must approve any deal. He predicted the deal would generate an average of $1.1 billion a year for roads, bridges and mass transit in the first 10 years. If the deal goes through, the state would almost certainly abandon plans to introduce tolls to Interstate 80.

The Salamanca man charged with murder in the death of his three-year-old daughter has pleaded not guilty. Guy Maybee and his girlfriend, Stephanie Pierce, are accused of causing the death of Ianna Maybee between March 20 and 21. An autopsy performed on March 22 determined that Ianna died of internal injuries, and officials classified her death as a homicide. Maybee and Pierce were indicted by a grand jury on Thursday. Maybee is in Cattaraugus County Jail on 300 thousand dollars bail. Pierce is free after posting 10 thousand dollars bail. Her arraignment is scheduled for May 27. Maybee's next court date is July 28.

State Representative Marty Causer has introduced legislation to create the Office of the State Director of Emergency Medical Services within the Department of Health. "We have a police commissioner in Pennsylvania. We have a fire commissioner, but there is no EMS commissioner," Causer says. "I think this is an important piece of legislation to enhance our emergency medical services. Causer has been an EMS volunteer for many years and says the system is good, but could be better. "An elevated EMS office will allow us to give more attention to EMS issues and better coordinate EMS services across the Commonwealth," he says. The bill has 49 co-sponsors and was referred to the House Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee for consideration

A house has exploded in Bemus Point, but only one injury has been reported. The two-story house was used as a summer residence and was unoccupied at the time of the explosion. A town highway crew was doing excavation work near the house and officials think they may have hit a gas line. One of the highway workers suffered minor burns to his face and was taken to WCA Hospital in Jamestown for treatment. The explosion and resulting fire destroyed the home. Some residents may have their gas shut off for a time while the investigation and repairs are underway.

The former Mercyhurst College student accused of killing her newborn daughter in August is expected to enter a guilty plea Friday in Erie County Court. 19-year-old Terri Rhodes was charged with homicide after the death of the baby on August 12. She gave birth to a 6-pound baby girl in the bathroom of her apartment. The baby died of suffocation 10 minutes after she was born. Rhodes is free on bond and has been awaiting further court proceedings in her home in Commerce, Michigan.

Governor Ed Rendell's budget proposal calls for a 291 million dollar boost to basic education aid. It's the largest one-year increase in more than 20 years, but most of the money will to school districts with high property tax rates. State Senator Joe Scarnati says he won't settle for the smaller increases for the districts he represents. He says the formula used by the governor isn't fair because it penalizes rural school districts like Bradford for not raising taxes.

After much debate, the penalty issued to Christian Iverson for killing his wife stands. Iverson, 54, entered a guilty plea to third-degree murder for shooting to death his wife, Patricia, at their Youngsville home on Feb. 20, 2007. In February of this year, Warren County Judge William F. Morgan sentenced Iverson to 20 to 40 years in prison. Iverson's attorney was before Morgan on Friday arguing that the penalty was equivalent to a life sentence and that sentence should be lessened because the murder was the end result of a tumultuous relationship and a heated act of passion. Ultimately, the appeal for a shorter sentence was denied by Judge Morgan.

It takes a long time to count a million paper airplanes -- and Hunter Winship's family is still counting. Since January, the family has been collecting paper airplanes from all over the world in an effort to get Hunter into the Guiness Book of World Records for the most paper airplanes ever received. His family started the project to keep Hunter's mind of his treatments for a rare form of cancer. They were hoping to have all the planes counted, and have the record included in the Guiness Book, before Hunter's 6th birthday next month. But they've counted about 600,000 so far and still have hundreds of thousands more to count.

Happy 60th anniversary to our friends at WIVB-TV , Channel 4 in Buffalo. (They're just one year younger than WESB ), in case you're wondering.) Channel 4's Web site has a nice story and video about their history. You can find it HERE .

When you reach middle age, what does it take to turn back the hands of time and regain the youthful vitality of your younger years? Top nutritionist and health authority Oz Garcia offers definitive guidance in his information-packed "Redesigning 50." You'll discover what Oz calls "the New 50": a fitter, healthier, better-looking middle age than you ever imagined possible. Oz explains how to take advantage of the finest that science and artistry can offer—without going under the knife. Drawing on the foremost expert opinions in health and beauty, Oz offers the latest information about diet and nutrition, exercise, skin and body care, hormones, stress reduction, dental and cosmetic treatments, and the new nutraceuticals—giving readers the tools to look younger and feel better than they have in years.