Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

Casey Reist's mother, with Ken Coffman, releases two balloons in honor and memory of her daughter, who died in April in a car accident in Warren. Casey was the head cheerleader for Eisenhower High School and would have been a Big 30 cheerleader. Joan Raabe and Brent Raabe Frank Williams and Barry Morgan

I could have said "Frampton Comes Alive in Salamanca," or "Salamanca Comes Alive for Frampton," or ... Well, you get the idea. But that's been done ... for 32 years ... so I thought I'd try something different. Although Frampton referred to himself as a "geezer," he's still got it -- minus the hair. I haven't had a concert render me practically speechless in a long time. I'm still in awe. I'll probably sleep with my guitar pick under my pillow.

Country recording artist and American Idol alum, Bucky Covington, will make a meet and greet appearance from 11am – 1pm on Monday at the Zippo/Case Visitors Center. The appearance will consist of a photo opportunity and autograph session. His appearance is a result of Zippo’s sponsorship of Covington’s “Throttle Wide Open” tour with Trace Adkins and Dierks Bentley. The public is welcome to attend and the first 30 people in line will have the opportunity to meet Covington, get an autograph, and have a photo taken. The public meet and greet will last from 11:10am – 11:40am. All visitors to the Zippo/Case Visitors Center will have the chance to win tickets to see Covington play live at the Warren County Fair on Tuesday, August 5. Bucky Covington merchandise including Zippo lighters, CDs, and t-shirts will be on sale during the appearance.

Sewage treatment plant operators in Elk and Clearfield counties have been charged with environmental crimes.State Attorney General Tom Corbett says 49-year-old John Forster of Penfield and 55-year-old Donald Rucinski of Weedville submitted 1,497 falsified test results on monthly reports submitted to DEP between January 2006 and October 2007. Forster served as operator of the Huston Township Sewer Authority Wastewater Treatment Plant in Clearfield County, and also served as a back up operator for the Jay Township Municipal Authority Wastewater Treatment plant in Elk County. Rucinski served as the operator of the Jay Township plant. According to the criminal complaint, DEP inspectors determined that the laboratory at the Jay Township plant had only purchased 50% of the supplies necessary to perform certain tests, and had only purchased 25% of the supplies necessary for other testing. Additionally, Corbett said that DEP inspectors determined that nearly every result for fecal coliform ...

McKean County police agencies are warning people about a dramatic increase in home burglaries over the past two months. They say the current trend is to target homes that are for sale, as well as vacant homes. The actors then steal as much copper pipe as they can. Police say they believe most of the burglaries are happening late at night, but some people have been bold enough to park in a vacant garage while breaking into a house and removing the copper pipe. Police say with the price of copper reaching record levels, it is imperative that the public knows about this trend. State police are encouraging people to be aware of suspicious activity around vacant houses, or houses that are for sale, and to report any suspicious activity to police.

The death penalty will take center stage at St. Bonaventure University this fall as the Theater Program will produce the play "Dead Man Walking" and the University welcomes Sr. Helen Prejean, C.S.J., author of the Pulitzer Prize-nominated book by the same name. The SBU Theater season opener will run at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 5-8 in the Rigas Family Theater of The Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts on campus. The SBU Theater production of "Dead Man Walking" will be directed by Dr. Ed. Simone, who chairs the Department of Visual and Performing Arts, and designed by Rebecca Misenheimer, assistant professor of theater. Simone chose the play to be the theater program's contribution to St. Bonaventure's 150th Anniversary Celebration because of its strong themes of social justice and non-violence. "Dead Man Walking" is based on the book of the same title by Prejean, who wrote of her early experiences ministering to inmates on Louisiana's death row. Prejean...

Back on July 21, crews were leveling land behind the Foster Brook Crosby Mart to get ready for their "new" store. At that time, Doug Galli of Reid Petroleum said the company isn't ready yet to discuss the plans, but will issue a statement when they are ready.

Twenty-one Japanese students from the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford’s sister college will be seen riding bicycles through the streets of Bradford to immerse themselves in American culture through Aug. 14. The Yokohama College of Commerce students, who arrived at Pitt-Bradford Wednesday (July 30, 2008) with two of their instructors from YCC, will be honing their English as part of Pitt-Bradford’s Summer Intensive English Program. The students will be living on campus and studying English with Gary Tessmer, assistant professor of composition, and Helen Ruggieri, a former assistant professor of writing. Field trips are planned to expose the students to both America and Americana. To help them explore their home in the United States, SIEP rented a bicycle for each student. To encourage their exploration further, the Bradford Area Chamber of Commerce developed a “treasure hunt” for students that encourages them to visit downtown businesses and practice their English. “They get a chan...

A Falconer, New York, must pay the government more than a quarter of a million dollars for filing false Social Security claims. Everett Wilson collected nearly 90 thousand dollars in Supplemental Security Income payments, while using a second Social Security number to collect more payments. Wilson received the payments from 1993 to 2006.

A federal judge has again postponed the sentencing of former Bradford landlord Frank Kartesz II, who pleaded guilty in March to taking part in a widespread mortgage-fraud scam in Erie. The sentencing had been scheduled for this morning, but one of his lawyers had a scheduling conflict so the date has been moved to September 11. Kartesz was part of a scheme in which he and others bought rundown houses and sold them at inflated prices. Most of the buyers had low incomes and knew little about buying homes. The government said the victims lost more than $1 million. Kartesz faces up to 35 years in prison, but he will probably receive a lesser sentence because of his guilty plea.

The jury for the case against a Houtzdale man accused of killing his mother will come from outside Clearfield County. Clearfield County Judge Paul Cherry granted a change in venire request in the case against 20-year-old Jesse James Campbell, who is accused of killing his mother, 49-year-old Cindy Jo Coleman in her apartment on March 13. Campbell allegedly argued with his mother about a computer and then went to her home where he hit her several times in the face and slit her throat. After the alleged attack, Campbell sat beside her and read the Bible to her. The jury will be chosen in Mercer County. The trial will be held in Clearfield County.

A woman who was found guilty of killing two Pedestrians in Mahaffey will serve time in state prison. Twenty-three year old Bobbi Jo Morgan of Patton was sentenced to serve 10 years 8 months to 34 years in state prison for her part in the deaths of Bertha Kitchen and her 3-year-old granddaughter. Kitchen and her granddaughter were killed when Morgan swerved off the road and hit the two of them as they were walking from the Post Office in Mahaffey. Morgan was at a methadone clinic prior to driving toward Mahaffey. Expert testimony during the trial said that the methadone in her system, combined with the prescription Valium that she took made her unfit to drive.

By Alex Johnson and Jesamyn Go Reporters, MSNBC Luke Russert, whose eloquent eulogy for his father, the late NBC News journalist Tim Russert, moved many Americans last month, will join the network as a correspondent, NBC News announced Thursday. Russert, 22, a May graduate of Boston College with a degree in history and communications, will cover the youth vote through the national political conventions and the general election, the network said. Russert said he would be an at-large correspondent reporting for many of NBC’s outlets, including “NBC Nightly News,” TODAY, MSNBC and msnbc.com. NBC News made the announcement in rolling out its plans for more than 200 hours of live coverage of the Democratic and Republican national conventions next month. For the full story, go to MSNBC.com

A Potter County homeowner is under investigation after authorities say the person neglected and deprived a horse, dogs and chickens by starving them from food, water and veterinary care. It happened at a home on Dividing Ridge Road in Homer Township. State Police based in Coudersport ask that anyone with information contact their barracks.

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.