Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

Is someone intentionally skewing my poll , or are we more Republican than I thought? And, would a woman really vote for another woman just because she's a woman? That's sad.

It seems some thieves in Crawford County are planning a big Labor Day party that they didn't want to pay for. State police say someone entered the Creek Side Bar and Grill through a bathroom window and took 61 cases of beer, 31 bottles of liquor, a keg of Labatt Blue, 25 steaks and $300 in cash.

HARRISBURG, PA (August 29, 2008) - Pittsburgh Terminals Corporation today announced that nine more convenience stores have agreed to serve as Kerosene Recall Collection Centers – including the first locations in Ohio and additional ones in West Virginia and Pennsylvania. This brings to 26 the total number of places where customers can conveniently return any kerosene purchased this year between May 1st and August 19th in western Pennsylvania, eastern Ohio, northern West Virginia and southwestern New York. Last week, Pittsburgh Terminals Corporation issued a widespread recall of kerosene after tests found some valves had intermittently malfunctioned, allowing traces of gasoline to mix with kerosene. Kerosene contaminated with gasoline creates a risk of fire or explosion. “We deeply appreciate the assistance of everyone at these stations who is helping to facilitate our collection of potentially contaminated kerosene,” said John Arnold of Pittsburgh Terminals Corporation. “We are doi...

Kenneth Barnes is expected to plead guilty Wednesday to conspiracy in the bank robbery that led to the collar-bomb death of an Erie pizza deliveryman 5 years ago. Delivery man Brian Wells told police he had been forced at gunpoint to wear a bomb around his neck and rob the bank. As police waited for the bomb squad, the device exploded, killing Wells. The alleged mastermind of the plot is 59-year-old Marjorie Diehl-Armstrong. A federal judge last month ruled she's not mentally competent to stand trial, but that could change depending on how she responds to medication and treatment.

The Chautauqua County inmate who escaped from a work detail earlier on Tuesday was spotted in Crawford County this morning, and may have stolen another vehicle. Police say they believe 24-year-old Lucas Hull stole a vehicle in Bloomfield Township and may be heading west. Several people say they spotted him Wednesday in Harborcreek in or around his mother's house. Hull is accused of taking a county vehicle – that had the keys in it – and driving away from the landfill in Ellery, where he was on a supervised work detail. Hull was in jail for theft and has a history of stealing vehicles. Police agencies in Pennsylvania and New York are looking for him.

Five Warren men have been charged with making pipe bombs. The charges stem from a search of a South Street home in Warren on July 7. During the search, police found a 4-foot explosive. The Erie bomb squad was called in to deactivate the bomb. Police charged 23-year-old Justin Steinman with possession of explosives, conspiracy to commit weapons of mass destruction, risking a catastrophe and recklessly endangering another person. Police say he detonated at least three bombs in the city in June and July. Police also charged 28-year-old Robert Edwards and 40-year-old Ricky Barr for helping to make the bombs, and 29-year-old Edward Thornton and 25-year-old Eugene Wipple for helping to detonate the bombs.

My prediction is that Tina Fey will make (at least one) guest appearance on Saturday Night Live to impersonate Sarah Palin.

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- David Duchovny has entered a rehabilitation facility for sex addiction. In a statement released Thursday by his lawyer, Stanton Stein, the actor said he did so voluntarily, adding: "I ask for respect and privacy for my wife and children as we deal with this situation as a family." For more on this story, go to Chicago Tribune.com

The Bradford City Police Department and Bradford Area School District are reminding motorists to obey traffic laws when approaching a school bus with its warning lights activated. Police say any driver who passes a bus while the lights are on will be reported and a citation will be issued. The penalty is a $250 fine and a 60-day suspension of the driver's license. Drivers are required to stop at least 10 feet from the bus when the red lights are activated, and cannot proceed until the lights are off. When the amber lights are flashing, drivers may pass with caution, but must be prepared to stop when the red lights are activated. All local police departments will be enforcing these traffic laws during the current school year.

McCain Palin.com

NBC has confirmed that Senator John McCain has chosen Alaska Governor Sarah Palin as his vice presidential running mate. DENVER (AP) — John McCain kept his vice presidential pick a closely guarded secret mere hours before the high-stakes announcement Friday and speculation moved to darkhorse candidate Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as other, more prominent prospects dropped away. Two GOP strategists close to the McCain campaign said all indications pointed to Palin, a self-styled "hockey mom" and political reformer. The strategists spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized by the McCain camp to discuss the matter. There was no confirmation from McCain or his advisers. -- Sen. John McCain picks Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate on GOP ticket for White House, CNN learns.

Graduates from Bradford Regional Medical Center’s School of Radiography are (front row, from left) Kayla Copello of Benezette, Randi Dillen of Emporium, Carolyn Forlani of Port Allegany and Tiffani Becker of Roulette; and (back row, from left) Jason DeForno and Brett Morrison, both of Bradford, Raymond Fellows of Warren, Melissa Smith of St. Marys and Beth Stratton of Smethport. Graduation ceremonies were held Thursday, Aug. 28, in the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford’s Commons Building. The students received diplomas for successfully completing the 24-month course which prepares graduates to serve as radiologic technologists in various types of medical imaging facilities. ( Photo Courtesy of BRMC )

PITTSBURGH (AP) — A suburban Pittsburgh woman has sued a town that refused to allow her to open a pole-dancing studio on the grounds it was a sexually oriented business. For the full story, go to pennlive.com .

The Oil Region Alliance and Oil 150 have established consignment sales locations for various promotional items related to the celebration of 150th Anniversary of the world's first successful commercial oil well. Randy Seitz, President of the ORA, said "With the addition of these co-operating retail outlets, it will be much more convenient for anyone interested in purchasing an item to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the discovery of oil." Oil 150 items are available at the following locations: Coal Oil Johnny Eatery, Pleasantville, Drake Well Museum Store, Titusville, Franklin Area Chamber of Commerce, Franklin, Oil Creek and Titusville Railroad, Perry Street Station, Titusville, Pumping Jack Museum, Emlenton, Titusville Area Chamber of Commerce, Titusville, Venango Area Chamber of Commerce, Oil City, Venango Museum of Art, Science and Industry, Oil City, Shopping for a keepsake for yourself or a guest? Consider these Oil 150 products: a 3' x 5' nylon flag; a...

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — A conservative think tank in Harrisburg rolled out a publicity campaign Thursday attacking the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission for a culture of "power, patronage and politics." The Commonwealth Foundation unveiled a two-minute video and a poster that describe links between some prominent state politicians and lobbyists and the turnpike commission's executives and employees. The head of the commission called it a smear campaign that did not merit a response. For the full story, go to pennlive.com .

Patient Accounts Department cashier Susie Sperry is seen in her new office at Bradford Regional Medical Center. The entire department has permanently moved from 55 Boylston Street to the hospital. ( Photo Courtesy of BRMC )

MAYVILLE, NY -- With gas prices remaining high, and the summer season winding down, many Chautauqua County residents are looking for something fun and exciting to do before the kids have to head back to school and the crisp autumn winds begin to blow. Earlier this summer, Chautauqua County Executive Gregory J. Edwards encouraged all County residents to consider a "staycation", and remain closer to home for their summer vacation. With the U.S. economy sagging, and the nationwide average price for unleaded regular gas surging past $4 per gallon this summer, a pricey destination holiday was well beyond the reach of many Americans. Not wanting to experience a summer devoid of well-deserved R&R, many families traded in their travel plans for a stay-at-home vacation. These "staycations" took many forms, including backyard camping “expeditions” and romantic “escapes” to a local hotel. "Thankfully, in Chautauqua County, there are plenty of things to see and do for ...

If this video doesn't get you excited about the fall sports season at Bradford High, you're hopeless! ;) This is the dedication ceremony for the new field: The Marching Owls band and the fall sports teams, including girls tennis and boys soccer were introduced. The varsity cheerleaders also took the field: This is my favorite part of the Marching Owls' show:

Cutting the ribbon to officially dedicate the new William F. Walsh Science Center at St. Bonaventure are (from left) Michael Fischer, provost and vice president for academic affairs; Very Rev. John O’Connor, O.F.M., University trustee; Donna Brestensky, chair of the chemistry department; Fr. Peter Schneible, O.F.M., biology professor; U.S. Rep. James T. Walsh; Sr. Margaret Carney, O.S.F., University president; Robert Crowley, co-chair of the 2008 Bonaventure Fund ; Steve Stahl, dean of Arts and Sciences; Fr. Fred Link, O.F.M., University trustee; Fr. Dan Riley, guardian of the friary and Mt. Irenaeus; and Leslie C. Quick III, University trustee. St. Bonaventure dedicated the $14.6 million William F. Walsh Science Center on Wednesday, capping a period of dramatic physical transformation at the 150-year-old University. Donors, administrators, faculty, students and politicians — including U.S. Rep. James T. Walsh (R-Syracuse), who helped secure federal NASA funding for the project —were o...

A 13-year-old boy and his mother are facing charges after police pulled their car over for speeding and learned the teen was driving -- because his mother's license was suspended after a DUI charge. Jessica Maria Sanchez of Gettysburg was a front seat passenger in the car. Police say the car was traveling 64 mph in a 40 mph zone.

Senator Mike Stack, whose district is along the Delaware River, is criticizing last week’s Supreme Court decision in favor of allowing the SugarHouse casino to build on state-owned land under the river. The court ruled, 4-2, that the City of Philadelphia was permitted to grant so-called "riparian" rights along the Delaware to the proposed Sugarhouse casino development. Stack pointed out that it has been long-established legal practice for the state General Assembly to decide whether or not to approve the lease of submerged waterfront land, which the state owns, to private entities. The state is also entitled to compensation. One of the most troubling aspects of the court’s decision was the claim by the court that the submerged lands license cannot be revoked, thereby granting the casino control over the public lands in perpetuity. The senator fears that the case has set a precedent, causing the commonwealth to lose control over all public lands along the city waterfront and...

The Seneca Nation of Indians has suspended construction at its Salamanca and Buffalo projects. In a news release this afternoon, the Seneca Gaming Corporation said the suspension is due to "various factors, including challenging economic and capital market conditions, greater demands on the company's available cash, and increased competition and construction costs." Seneca Gaming Corporation had been putting up steel for both the $130 million hotel expansion at Seneca Allegany Casino & Hotel in Salamanca and the $333 million permanent Seneca Buffalo Creek Casino in Buffalo, where the company currently operates a temporary casino. Existing operations at the two facilities will not be affected, nor will the operation of the company's flagship facility, Seneca Niagara Casino & Hotel in Niagara Falls, New York. Seneca Gaming Corporation Chairman Barry Snyder Sr. says they forward to resuming and completing construction of these two world-class projects at the appr...

Police say they will wait until all forensic test results have been reviewed before they decide if criminal charges will be filed in the case of a 3-year-old Beaver County boy who shot and killed himself with a gun that was left out. They say Trey Rosenberger was in the living room of an Elk County camp while his mother and other adults were in the kitchen and dining room making breakfast at 11 a.m. Trey apparently climbed onto a chair where the .44 Magnum had been laid and pulled the trigger. Police say he was hit in the forehead. The adults rushed Trey to Med-Express in Ridgway, where he was pronounced dead at 12:47 p.m. An autopsy was performed in Erie on Tuesday and confirmed the cause of death was a gunshot wound to the head. Police say they are continuing their investigation.

The emergency response to the oil spill on the Allegheny National Forest 10 days ago is over; but the clean up and other work is continuing. The effort has been turned over to DEP's water management team, which will be working with the game commission, forest service, fish and boat commission and Weavertown Environmental Group on the clean up as well as full damage assessment and restoration of the waterways. A Bradford father and son, Andrew and Christopher Horton, have been charged with causing and risking a catastrophe, among other crimes, for allegedly working together to release about 45,000 gallons of crude oil from Snyder Brothers' tanks. An estimated 19,000 gallons of crude oil has been clean up from soil and the water surface so far. The oil killed thousands of fish along with other aquatic and wildlife. The Hortons had been scheduled for a preliminary hearing today, but that's been moved to September 10. They're still being held in McKean County Jail.

A Wellsville man was crushed to death Tuesday when a 5-ton piece of equipment fell on him while he was working. State Police were called to Alstom Air Preheater Company where they discovered Eric Lehman had been killed after a huge, wedge-shaped piece of steel casing fell from its support stands and landed on him. Police have ruled the incident an industrial accident. OSHA is investigating.

By ANNE HOLLIDAY WESB/WBRR News Director The One Book Bradford Committee is kicking up a storm for this year's selection. They've chosen "The Children's Blizzard" by David Laskin as the Community Read Project for 2008-2009. Activities will culminate with a visit by Laskin on February 9. Among the planned activities are a presentation by Bradford Little Theatre in January, knitters "knitting up a storm" of mittens, quilters "quilting up a storm," and "Talking Up a Storm," a program featuring presentations by a weather expert, a doctor and a member of the local Mennonite community. Pat Shinaberger told Bradford City Council on Tuesday that the committee would like to build a temporary sod house on the old Third Ward School property. The house would be taken down in the spring. The people in "The Children's Blizzard" lived in sod houses in the midwestern prairie in the late 1800s. Committee member Marilyn Richards read from...

Authorities are investigating a murder in Jamestown. Firefighters discovered the body of 45-year-old Bruce Boje while battling a fire in his Andrews Avenue house last week. Police say the fire was set to cover up the murder. Authorities say they are not releasing the suspect's name until they've built a solid case.

New York State Police and the Chautauqua County Sheriff's Department are searching for an escaped prisoner. Chautauqua County Sheriff Joseph Gerace says 24-year-old Lucas Hull was working at a landfill in the Town of Ellery when he jumped into a county vehicle that had the keys still inside, and drove away. Police say Hull was in prison for stealing property and was due to be released in November or December. He's around six feet tall and has blonde hair. Police say he does not have a history of violence.

Just the weekly construction update at the "new" Crosby Mart in Foster Brook.

Another business partner of former Bradford landlord Frank Kartesz has pleaded guilty in connection with a mortgage fraud scheme that cheated people out of more than $1 million. 35-year-old Greg Finney pleaded guilty to fraud, conspiracy and money laundering. Kartesz pleaded guilty to the same charges and is scheuduled for sentencing on September 18. 60-year-old Robert Dodsworth is serving a 6-year term in federal prison for his part in the scheme.

Maybe this man got his inspiration – and chutzpah -- from the 85-year-old woman who held a teenage burglar at gunpoint last week and made him call 9-1-1. A 70-year-old man fought off two burglars as they bound his legs with duct tape, so they left his suburban Pittsburgh home empty-handed. Rudolph Kolder says a man and woman entered his home on Monday and sat on the living room couch, where the man pulled a knife and the woman tried to bind his legs. Kolder says he continued to struggle and the pair fled. Then Kolder crawled to his door pleading for help. Kolder suffered some scrapes and bruises on his face, but did not seek medical treatment. The man and woman are still at large.

A judge says federal officials should enforce his decision that casino gambling isn't legal on land the Seneca Indians bought in Buffalo, but he stopped short of saying a casino already operating there should be shut down. U.S. District Judge William Skretny's ruling this morning leaves the question of how to enforce his earlier decision up to the chairman of the National Indian Gaming Commission. The chairman might choose to issue a fine or temporarily close the casino. A group of gambling opponents had asked Skretny to order the casino to close in compliance with his July ruling that said while the land qualifies as sovereign territory, it's not eligible for gambling because it wasn't acquired as part of a land claim.

State Police are investigating a fatal accident involving a tractor-trailer and a pedestrian. Troopers say a man was killed when he was hit by a truck along Route 5 at around 5 this morning in Dunkirk. Police shut down the road for several hours as they investigated the scene. Authorities say the truck was carrying newspapers and was on its way from Buffalo to Pennsylvania when it happened. Police say the driver tried to avoid the victim, but couldn't get out of the way. Route 5 reopened around 9 a.m. The victim has been identified as 41-year-old Peter O'Hara of Brocton.

The Pennsylvania State Police, Troop C, Kane Station, continue their search for Joseph William Chapman. On Monday, July 30, 2007, at apx 10:00 a.m., Joseph Chapman, an inmate at the McKean County Prison, Smethport, McKean County, Pennsylvania, left the prison grounds without permission. Mr. Chapman had been selected to be a trustee inmate, which allowed him to go outside the building to perform various tasks unsupervised. Mr. Chapman was transferred to the McKean County Prison from Cameron County for detention, after he violated his probation. Mr. Chapman's original charges included Statutory Sexual Assault. In addition to the Escape charge, he is also facing further sex charges in Cameron County. He was last seen wearing a white t-shirt and shorts. Information leads investigators to believe he may be in the Jamestown area of New York Stat

This is from yesterday ... but I didn't have Internet access yesterday. Anyway, it's students leaving Fretz Middle School at the end of the first day of school for 2008-2009.

PennDOT plans to re-open Route 6 and the Mike Franklin Bridge on Friday. Once the bridge is re-opened,borough traffic will go back to its original traffic patterns, with Oak and Maple streets carrying two-way traffic.

A 45-year-old Titusville man was fatally injured by his chain saw while doing logging work in the Pittsburgh area. The Beaver County deputy coroner says Rodney Swanson's chain saw got stuck and kicked back, hitting him in the face. Swanson was taken to an Aliquippa hospital, where he died.

Elk County Crimestoppers is offering a cash reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person responsible for the death of 50-year-old Timothy Finucan of Sigel. Finucan died of a gunshot wound. Following an autopsy, police ruled the death a homicide. Finucan's body was discovered by a neighbor on Wednesday. Anyone with pertinent information is asked to contact Elk County Crimestoppers at 1-800-775-2030 or Ridgway-based state police at 814-776-6136.

A 17-year-old from Allegany accused of stabbing a man at the Country Inn and Suites on July 12 has been indicted by a Cattaraugus County Grand Jury. Giovanni Salmonson is charged with assault and criminal possession of a weapon. Salmonson allegedly stabbed Thomas Restuccio during an altercation in the lobby, pool area and parking lot of the hotel. Restuccio was treated at the hospital, then released. Salmonson is in jail awaiting further court action.

A Clymer, N.Y., man is dead after a motorcycle accident Sunday in Warren County. 51-year-old Carl Duane Nielsen was traveling near Hearts Content Road when his bike went out of control on a curve and flipped over. Nielsen was thrown from the bike. Police say he died on his way to Warren General Hospital.

A Westfield man had to be treated for mild hypothermia after his boat ran out of gas and he was stranded on Lake Erie for several hours. Chautauqua County Sheriff's Deputies say at about 1 o'clock in the morning a woman called them to say she lost contact with 35-year-old Andrew Davidson, who had run out of gas at about 9 p.m. and had not returned to Barcelona Harbor. The sheriff's navigation division found Davidson about 4 and a half miles north of Barcelona Harbor at about 3:30 in the morning. He was taken on board the sheriff's vessel, where he was treated for mild hypothermia. The boat was towed to the Harbor and Davidson was charged with having insufficient visual distress signals.

The Pennsylvania State Police, Troop C, Dubois, continue their search for Jeffrey Allen Sprague who is wanted for Robbery, Theft, and Simple Assault. On Monday, August 4, 2008 at approximately 1:40 p.m., the victim was standing by a vehicle operated by the suspect. The victim was leaning in the vehicle speaking with someone in the front passenger side. Jeffrey Sprague grabbed the victim's purse and began to drive away catching the victim's arm in the vehicle. Jeffrey Sprague is on Pennsylvania State Parole and is known to have violent tendencies. The last known address for Jeffrey Sprague was 942 Coal Hollow Road, Verona, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. He is also known to frequent the areas of Hanes Drive and Gateway Garden Apartments in Dubois, Clearfield County, Pennsylvania. NAME: Jeffrey Allen Sprague White/Male DOB: 08/06/84 AGE: 24 years HEIGHT: 6'3" WEIGHT: 210 lbs. HAIR: Brown EYES: Blue SCARS/TATTOOS: Scar on left arm, Tattoo on left wrist, Tattoo...

A car drives under the Bicentennial Arch in Salamanca Sunday afternoon. This arch is a duplicate of the arch that was built for the Cattaraugus County's centennial celebration in 1908.

when parents have child care available for their kids.