Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

Normally, I wouldn't post something like this but I haven't been having a very good day-and-a-half, and getting this out might help. A man just called to ask when a certain football game is being played today. (Not a game we're carrying, mind you.) I told him I wasn't totally sure, but I would check. He said -- and I wish I was making this up --"Aren't there any sports people there?" Luckily, he didn't hear what I said under my breath. It wasn't bad. It was something along the lines of -- at least I know how to use the Internet.

The penalty hearing for convicted killer Jason "Spike" Clinger of DuBois will resume Monday. A jury found Clinger guilty of murdering Brooklyn, New York, residents Davon Jones and Dianikqua Johnson. Clinger faces the death penalty. The penalty hearing will continue Monday so the defense will have more time to gather character witnesses to speak for Clinger.

Actor Paul Newman has died of cancer at age 83, a spokeswoman tells CNN. WESTPORT, Conn. (AP) — Paul Newman, the Academy-Award winning superstar who personified cool as an activist, race car driver, popcorn impresario and the anti-hero of such films as "Hud," "Cool Hand Luke" and "The Color of Money," has died, a spokeswoman said Saturday. He was 83. Newman died Friday of cancer, spokeswoman Marni Tomljanovic said. No other details were immediately available. In May, Newman he had dropped plans to direct a fall production of "Of Mice and Men," citing unspecified health issues. For the full story, go to The Associated Press

Area emergency response organizations are participating in a disaster drill today at American Refining Group. The drill includes a mock train crash involving a pickup truck, a tanker leaking crude oil and a bomb threat.

A Village of Gowanda police officer was shot in the chest last night, but his bulletproof vest prevented a life-threatening injury. Jason Miller was treated at Tri-County Hospital, then released. Police say someone threw something at Miller's police cruiser. When he got out of the vehicle the suspect took off into nearby woods. Miller chased after the suspect, who shot at him. Police are questioning a teenage suspect.

Homecoming 2008 will probably be a night not many Bradford Area High School students will forget. The highlights: Fire on a Float The theme of this year's parade was "Holidays." The sophomores picked the 4th of July as their holiday. Perhaps they should have rethought the sparklers. Yes, a sparkler set some tissue paper on fire as the float was traveling down Main Street. No worries, though. Everyone is fine. But high school principal Ken Coffman says no one will be using sparklers in next year's parade. It's a Tie No, the game didn't end in a tie. The homecoming queen contest ended in a tie. Shantel English and Katelyn Morris are sharing this year's crown. No one can remember the last time the contest ended in a tie. Possibly 40 years? It's a Win The Meadville Bulldogs were late getting to Parkway Field, thinking that the game was at 8 p.m., not 7 p.m. By 9 p.m., they probably wished they hadn't shown up at all. They came into Bradford at 4-0 and ...

WASHINGTON, DC- U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) applauds the passage of the Great Lakes Legacy Act of 2008 which aims to clean up contaminated expanses in the Great Lakes within ten years and was sponsored by Senator Casey. Specifically, this bill would allow for additional funding to protect and restore targeted areas in the Great Lakes like Presque Isle. “Lake Erie is such an important part of our heritage and landscape in northwestern Pennsylvania that we must do everything we can to keep it safe and beautiful,” said Senator Casey. “This legislation will provide for funding to sustain this picturesque lake for generations to come and I am so pleased my Senate colleagues have shown they agree by supporting this bill.” The Great Lakes Legacy Act of 2008 passed by the Senate authorizes $54 million annually to clean up what have been identified as “Areas of Concern” in the Great Lakes. These sites do not meet the water quality goals established by the United States and Canada in th...

The United Way of the Bradford Area has announced that the 2008 campaign video, “We ALL Win”, is currently available for viewing on the organization’s website, www.uwbanews.org . “The video is a promotional tool that is used annually at the various employee presentations that (we) conduct throughout the four-month solicitation process,” says Assistant Director Mandi Wilton Davis. “Typically it is only available for viewing to the employees at the local businesses and companies which allow us to make a formal presentation to the workforce. “This is an excellent opportunity for not just the donors who may not ordinarily see the video, but for the community at large,” says Davis. The project was produced locally within the United Way office, with special assistance from the agencies and programs which receive United Way funding. “The directors and volunteers of the agencies were very gracious in sending me photographs,” says Davis, “as well as completing the marketing materials sent to...

"Little Chicago" has a new director. Jason Wiles, who is also an actor, an appeared on the show "Third Watch." Executive producer Carl Veno says he hopes Wiles' Hollywood connections will help the production land a big-name star to play the lead role in movie. When filming resumes, it will be in Bradford, Kane, Olean, Salamanca and Niagara Falls.

A Belfast, New York, man has been charged with impersonating a police officer after allegedly making a bogus traffic stop. Police say 22-year-old Christopher Hotchkiss pulled over a young woman by flashing his vehicle's high beams while following her down Main Street in Angelica. He allegedly displayed a badge, identified himself as an undercover state trooper and asked to see her license and registration. Then he warned her about her driving and let her go. Hotchkiss was sent to Allegany County Jail on $2,500 bail.

A Salamanca developer and his wife have been charged with selling nearly $5 million in untaxed cigarettes. Joseph and Rita Roosa allegedly sold 175,000 cartons of cigarettes to New Jersey customers over three years. They were charged by the Department of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms. Roosa once owned the Movie World video stores and has been working to build a plaza on 9 acres of land in Salamanca. He has also developed mini-plazas in Allegany, Warren and Springville.

These six girls are vying for the Homecoming Queen crown tonight at Bradford Area High School. They are, from left, Katelyn Morris, Kayla Barger, Shantel English, Leah Anderson, Sammi Langianese and Bethany Russell. They'll be escorted by Drew Kelly, Cody Fowler, Shane Speaker, Brett Butler, Christian Holzworth and Matt Schwab. The six seniors were Frank Williams' guests on WESB's Sports Forum this afternoon. As for the Owls game against the 4-0 Meadville Bulldogs. Shantel says the Bulldogs "are going down!"

A jury has convicted a DuBois man of killing two Brooklyn, N.Y. residents during a 2006 kidnapping and robbery. The jury convicted 27-year-old Jason "Spike" Clinger of first- and second-degree murder in the killings of 22-year-old Davon Jones and 21-year-old Dianikqua Johnson. The jury reached a verdict late Thursday after about five hours of deliberation. Clinger could face the death penalty. The penalty hearing will begin today. Hunters found the bodies of Jones and Johnson in a remote area of Jefferson County in November of 2006. During the trial, a witness testified that Clinger killed Jones and Johnson because they were drug dealers and no one would miss them.

The U.S. Senate has passed the Great Lakes Legacy Act, which would continue a program to reduce contaminated sediments in the lakes. The legislation authorizes $54 million a year for the cleanup of polluted parts of the Great Lakes. The $54 million is about the same amount the project has received in the past. The House passed the measure earlier this month with $150 million a year for funding, an increase over previous allowances. There's no word when a conference committee will start working on a compromise. The legislation follows an earlier version of the law, which passed in 2002.

The Olean-Bradford Area YMCA has announced Jake Steger as its new CEO. Steger is a career YMCA professional, most recently serving as branch executive for the Central Florida YMCA in Orlando, now the ninth largest association in North America and one of the fastest growing in the country. His experience and work as a branch executive has been instrumental in the success of two YMCA family centers in Brevard County, Florida. His professional experience working for an independent association and a large metro association has prepared him for the opportunity to be the next leader of the Olean-Bradford Area YMCA. Steger has worked with YMCA organizations for 10 years in Texas and Florida -- four as a branch executive. He began his career as a sports and fitness director, then as a membership director in Corpus Christi, Texas. He is a strong fiscal manager with significant membership development experience and has a passion for community and financial development, as well as donor cultivati...

By ANNE HOLLIDAY WESB/WBRR News Director In February of 2005 Governor Ed Rendell came to Bradford with $11 million for Impact Bradford. The downtown streetscape project "is icing on the Impact Bradford cake," Sara Andrews said Thursday afternoon prior to a ribbon cutting for the project. Andrews, executive director of the Office of Economic and Community Development, said the streetscape project is a "perfect complement" to Old City, the Bradford Family YMCA and the Boylston Street Medical Plaza. Andrews also thanked the Impact Bradford partners for helping to bring the project to life. The partners are the Bradford Area School District, Bradford Regional Medical Center, which is currently undergoing renovations of its own, the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford, the City of Bradford and Zippo Manufacturing Company. "Zippo, while facing some challenges," she said, "is still the main economic development driver in the community." Andrews also re...

By ANNE HOLLIDAY WESB/WBRR News Director Onofrio Street may be Sara Andrews' baby, but she admits getting the neighborhood in the shape it's in today took a team effort. Andrews, executive director of the Bradford Office of Economic and Community Development, spoke Thursday morning during the ribbon cutting and dedication ceremony for North Onofrio Street – the third phase of the revitalization project. She said in the community development field people "get a career project every once in a while and, for me, this is it." She added that the project has been a big part of her life – and her husband's – for the last 10 years. Her husband Jeff Andrews is the OECD construction manager and she says his "construction expertise and love of housing has made these old homes come back to life." "He's the one who wanted to keep the integrity of the old homes," she said. She also thanked Joe Kuhaneck and the OECD construction crew for their "craft...

WASHINGTON, DC- U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) sent a letter to the Chief of the U.S. Forest Service, Abigail R. Kimbell, expressing his concern over the recent recommendations by the Forest Service to close or decommission several campgrounds and recreation facilities in the Allegheny National Forest. “The recreation facilities in Allegheny National Forest are an integral part of the northwestern Pennsylvania economy, and they are important on a personal level to many people throughout the state,” wrote Senator Casey. In the letter, Senator Casey seeks to find out more information about the possible closures of the campgrounds at Twin Lakes Park, Loleta Recreation Facility and Kiasutha Park. Casey went on to write, “I request that you provide my office with some information on the Forest Service’s decisions to close and/or reduce service at Allegheny’s recreational facilities. I would also appreciate information on what this means for the long-term future of the facilities.” The full...

Senator Mike Stack is reminding older Pennsylvanians who feel they are being mistreated by their insurance companies that, under state law, they have the right to make a complaint. "Too often, I hear seniors getting told they're rejected for insurance, or they get a certain claim rejected and they want to know why," Stack says. "Under the Older Pennsylvanians Bill of Rights they have a right to be told why." The Insurance Bill of Rights for Older Pennsylvanians specifies that seniors have the right to make a complaint against an insurance company or insurance agent. The Insurance Bill of Rights for Older Pennsylvanians, which was developed by the Pennsylvania Insurance Department, states the following rights: ● You have the right to file a complaint with the Pennsylvania Insurance Department against an insurance agent, insurance agency or insurance company if you feel you are not being treated fairly. You can file a complaint at www.insurance.state.pa.us ...

The Senate Urban Affairs and Housing Committee approved legislation today that would help municipalities prevent blight and remediate abandoned properties. Senate Bill 1291 , sponsored by Sen. James J. Rhoades (R-29), would hold property owners accountable for the costs to secure, remediate or demolish blighted structures. The bill would also expedite the process of prosecuting owners of blighted properties and give municipalities the authority to go after the financial assets of negligent owners. "When a property falls into a dangerous state of disrepair, the local taxpayer usually ends up footing the bill," Rhoades said. "My bill would hold landlords accountable when they allow their property to become an eyesore and a danger to the community." Senate Bill 1291 would expand the ability of redevelopment authorities to assist municipalities with blight remediation. The bill also takes steps to prevent foreclosed and bank-owned properties from becoming blighted by re...

.S. Representative John E. Peterson, R-Pa., issued the following statement after the House of Representatives approved legislation that will fund the Federal government through March 6, 2009 and abolishes the long standing congressional moratorium on offshore energy production: “Seven years ago, when I began the fight to open up our vast offshore energy reserves, I could count on one hand the number of supporters. As the days and years passed, the American people began to understand this issue and realized that the United States Congress was the number one obstacle impeding the expansion of domestic energy production. Today their voices were heard. “While this is a huge victory for the American people, there is still much that needs to be accomplished. Congress needs to create an environment where scientists and entrepreneurs can work together and create next generation energy sources like coal-to-liquids, coal-to-gas, and the reprocessing of nuclear waste so we can end our dependen...

CNN is reporting that Senator Barack Obama wants Friday's debate with Senator John McCain to go on as planned. Obama says this is exactly the time the American people need to hear from the person who will be the next president.

HARRISBURG – Pennsylvania has been recognized as one of the 10 most digitally advanced state governments in the nation, according to the Center for Digital Government’s 2008 Digital States Survey, a comprehensive biannual review of digital solutions and best practices. “We’ve been working hard to advance the commonwealth’s technology infrastructure and operations for the benefit of the people of Pennsylvania, and it’s exciting to receive such high national recognition for that work,” said Naomi Wyatt, secretary of administration. “Pennsylvania is a proven leader in a number of areas including IT consolidation, deployment of a comprehensive enterprise resource planning system and data center operations and services. Being ranked as one of the top 10 technology savvy states in the nation certainly is further evidence our efforts are working.” The Digital States Survey is the only analysis of state governments’ use of information technology as a tool for serving it...

The prosecution has rested its case in the double homicide trial of a DuBois man. Jason "Spike" Clinger is accused of shooting and killing Davon Jones and Dianiqua Johnson and leaving their bodies in a remote location in Jefferson County. One of the first defense witnesses testified that she saw Clinger in the Kmart parking lot in DuBois at about the time the murders happened. The defense expects to wrap up its case tomorrow. Earlier in the trial, a witness testified that Clinger said he killed Jones and Johnson because they were drug dealers from Brooklyn and nobody would miss them.

A former Cattaraugus County substitute teacher has been charged with a felony for lying about a previous manslaughter conviction. Harold Eisenman of Springville told the state Education Department his arrest in 1973 and conviction a year later for manslaughter was due to a reckless driving accident, but actually he and his girlfriend at the time were convicted for the beating death of the woman's 2-year-old daughter. He was sentenced to two to 10 years in prison for contributing to a 2-year-old's death "by using her to demonstrate karate blows." Attorney general Andrew Cuomo charged Eisenman with first degree offering a false instrument for filing. He was arraigned today before Albany City Court Judge Will Carter and released on his own recognizance pending a court appearance on Oct. 22.

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Arlen Specter (R-Pa.) wrote to Secretary of the Treasury Henry Paulson and Chairman of the Federal Reserve Ben Bernanke yesterday following a day of testimony in front of the Senate Banking Committee. “I write to you because I am in the process of deciding how to vote on legislation to deal with the economic crisis,” Specter writes. “I agree that there is need for federal action; but I am concerned that we not rush to judgment without giving sufficient attention to the many complex issues which are involved.” In the letter, Specter details concerns he has about the plan and outlines several priorities the legislation should contain. Some excerpts: · “Keeping people in their homes should be a, if not the, fundamental object of congressional action.” · “I am very skeptical about granting authority to spend $700 billion on other aid without standards as to who should get the funds and a requirement that there be demonstrated necessity th...

A Towanda-area man is facing charges after he allegedly put a little girl in a clothes dryer. Police say 32-year-old Nelson Chilson Jr. put a 5-year-old inside a warm dryer while he was babysitting her. They say he then closed the door and turned the machine on. Chilson has been charged with assault and endangering the welfare of a child.

Reverend W. Craig Smith of the Mount Jewett/Hazel Hurst United Methodist Church offered the opening prayer during today's session of the state senate. Among his remarks were "Help direct the affairs of this legislative body. And on this day we ask for the wisdom and direction of our federal government as they work to put things in order with this financial problem we face." Smith was the guest of Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati.

CNN is reporting that Senator John McCain will suspend campaigning to work on the economy. He's asking Senator Barack Obama do the same. McCain is also asking for Friday's debate between himself and Obama be postponed. The Obama campaign said Obama had called McCain around 8:30 a.m. Wednesday to propose that they issue a joint statement in support of a package to help fix the economy as soon as possible. McCain called back six hours later and agreed to the idea of the statement, the Obama campaign said. McCain's statement was issued to the media a few minutes later. Read more from The Associated Press .

A major window replacement project is starting this week at The Pavilion at BRMC, benefitting patients from the second through the fourth floors. The Pavilion, adjacent to Bradford Regional Medical Center, is a skilled nursing facility and also houses short-term beds for post-operative patients. According to Pavilion Administrator Bonnie Himes, funds for the window replacement and patient call bell system replacement projects were provided through a bequest from a former resident. Pictured Tuesday on the hydraulic lift is Timothy Glassmire of Glass Erectors from Reynoldsville, Pa. ( Photo Courtesy of BRMC )

With rate caps on the state's electricity services set to expire in the next two years, Rep. Martin Causer is co-sponsoring legislation that would provide price stability and predictability to consumers who have grown wary of rising energy prices. "The skyrocketing costs of oil and gas, and subsequent rise in food prices, have taken a huge financial toll on families and businesses," Causer said. "Many Pennsylvanians simply cannot bear the significantly higher electric rates that will come with the expiration of rate caps. We must enact comprehensive legislation now to protect consumers." Pennsylvania's electric industry was deregulated in the mid-1990s to bring competition to the electricity generation market. At that time, rates were capped at 1997 levels. Other states that deregulated earlier than Pennsylvania have seen substantial price spikes when their rate caps came off, and some areas of Pennsylvania where caps have already expired are also seeing soa...

This fall, staying flu-free is a top priority for many. The best way to manage flu is to prevent it through vaccination. October and November are the optimal months to receive your flu shot and Tops Friendly Markets has partnered with Maxim Healthcare Services and the Florida Department of Citrus to make the process a bit easier. “Every year the influenza vaccine is reformulated to provide immunization against the predominant influenza viruses circulating throughout the world,” said Frank Wolff, Tops Markets’ director of pharmacy. “This year’s flu bug might be different from last year’s so it’s important to be revaccinated every year. The Centers for Disease Control believe the supply of vaccine is sufficient to meet demand this year and we encourage our customers to stop in to their local Tops to receive a flu shot this season.” Getting a flu shot is a good start in the battle against cold and flu. “Balancing a healthy diet and lifestyle can help support your immune system during t...

Radio Booth Engulfed in Flames - Watch more free videos I asked Dan if he would coming running in with a fire extinguisher like the guy in the video did. He said "No." He says he hopes I would go to a commercial, put the fire out myself, then go back on the air. I probably would ... "Right after this, we'll be back with some hot, breaking news ..."

Members of Charlie Company get some orders Wednesday morning inside the Bradford Armory. The local National Guard unit is on its way to Mississippi to train for their upcoming deployment to Iraq. Diana Combs and her son Sgt. Steve Hardy. Sonya Gee and her fiance Trevor Sena. Family and friends visit with the troops before they get on their buses.

The Office of Economic and Community Development hopes it can do for the Elm Street Neighborhood (Project Pride) what it's done for Onofrio Street. OECD Executive Director Sara Andrews will be meeting with Jackie Parker from the state Office of Community and Economic Development on Thursday to discuss three grant applications that will put the process in motion. She hopes to be able to get grants to acquire more property for commercial development and new housing, as well as rehabilitation for existing buildings. Councilman Bob Tingley asked what the OECD plans to do with the people who will be displaced if the city acquires their homes. Elm Street Manager Lisa Campogiani said that she has been working with people to help them understand that they "don't have to live in these conditions. … They can bring their quality of life up." "We can't put them on a bus and send them away," Campogiani said. Andrews said the OECD is looking into multi-tenant housing ...

By ANNE HOLLIDAY WESB/WBRR News Director Bradford City firefighters have found a way to keep a kid's attention. The department's new "hazard house" comes complete with a miniature working smoke detector – and smoke – real-looking fire and appliances too close to a bathtub. Captain Chris Angell demonstrated the house to Bradford City Council Tuesday night. Angell says before they had the hazard house their presentations were "adequate" and firefighters "did a nice job" covering 9-1-1 and other fire prevention basics. But, he says, before they had the hazard house they could only keep a child's attention for about five minutes. At a recent presentation at GGB Elementary School, however, Angell says "We had them for 35 minutes and they never blinked an eye." He says the house also helps them "go beyond the standard fire prevention messages" by addressing household safety, poisons, lawn mowing and safety around cars. The hazard ...

Police chased and captured a wanted fugitive inside the Millcreek Mall today. Millcreek Police say they spotted 32-year-old Marcus Poston of Erie outside the mall. He ran inside with officers chasing him until he was caught in a second floor storage room at Macy's. One officer sustained a facial injury. Poston was wanted for burglary and receiving stolen property. Now, he's also charged with aggravated assault and resisting arrest. He's in jail on $20,000 bond and is expected to be arraigned Wednesday.

Jurors in the double homicide trial of a DuBois man spent yesterday and today listening to forensic and DNA experts. Jason "Spike" Clinger is accused of shooting and killing Davon Jones and Dianiqua Johnson in November of 2006 and leaving their bodies in a remote area of Jefferson County. Christopher Johns, a forensic scientist with the state police crime lab in Erie testified that he found 19 instances of blood and other bodily fluids that matched Clinger's on evidence in the case. Earlier in the trial, a witness testified that Clinger said he killed Jones and Johnson because they were drug dealers from Brooklyn and no one would miss them. The trial will continue tomorrow in Jefferson County Court.

Open Arms Community Church is planning a mission trip to Africa next spring to help some newfound friends. "It's really quite interesting how this all worked out," said Multimedia Coordinator Josh Hatcher, describing the circumstances that built the church's relationship with a a church and school in Conakry, Guinea. "I watched a movie called, 'Blood Diamond', about the civil war in Sierra Leone. The movie shows the horrors that these people faced, and it left me with a strong feeling that I should look for a way to help these refugees and victims of such a brutal war," said Hatcher. A few weeks later, a friend lent Hatcher a book called, "A Long Way Gone" by Ishmael Beah. "When I read the story of this young boy who was conscripted to fight in an army, hopped up in drugs, and forced to kill at such a young age, I started to pray for a way to help." Now, Hatcher was armed with information. In Beah's account, he escaped to a...

By Lowman S. Henry CEO, Lincoln Institute of Public Opinion Research With the Presidential race running red hot, especially here in Pennsylvania, little attention is being paid to the 2010 race for governor of Penn's woods. Ed Rendell is unable to succeed himself again, so the seat is wide open and behind the scenes the angling has already begun. For the full column, go to PA Townhall.com . Listen to Lincoln Radio Journal at 9:30 a.m. Sunday mornings on 1490 WESB.

The preliminary hearings for the father and son accused of intentionally spilling 45,000 gallons of crude oil onto the Allegheny National Forest have been rescheduled again. District Judge Rich Luther's office says Andrew Horton's hearing has been rescheduled for October 8. His son's hearing has been rescheduled for November 5. The Hortons have been charged with causing or risking a catastrophe for allegedly opening valves on tanks owned by Kittanning-based oil and gas producer Snyder Brothers. State and federal agencies are still assessing the environmental and aquatic damage to the area. Andrew Horton remains in McKean County Jail on $500,000 bail. Christopher Horton's bail is $550,000.

Candle luminaries left on the front porch of a Fredonia home may be the cause of a fire that killed two boys and left their mother and brother hospitalized. Fire investigators say, however, that the official cause of the fire has not been determined yet. 10-year-old Dawson McKinnon and his 3-year-old brother Clayton died in the fire. Their brother, 13-year-old Brody, is in Women and Children's Hospital in Buffalo. Their mother, Jennifer, is in serious condition in the burn unit at ECMC. The boys' father, Michael, was treated at an area hospital, then released. A fund to help the family has been established at Lakeshore Savings Bank.

The McKean County Animal Response Team (CART), McKean County SPCA, and Penn State Extension are cooperating on a joint fundraising effort to benefit the animals of McKean County. An Emergency Pet Information Booklet has been produced and is for sale for $10.00. Three dollars of every sale is going to the McKean County SPCA and another $3.00 is going to the McKean County Animal Response Team. The remaining $4.00 goes to the Penn State Extension Office for production and distribution. The booklet has a place for a picture of your pet and a picture of you with your pet. There is a place for emergency contact information and vet information, including your pet’s medical history. A list of ideas for a disaster preparedness kit and first aid kit for your pet are also included. We all need to be prepared to be able to make it 72 hours on our own when a disaster happens. Disasters happen to animals too and this is a great way to get your pet ready and at the same time support the less fortuna...

Acclaimed poet Kevin Prufer, whose poetry addresses tragedies both common, such as a car accident, and historical, such as the mind of Caligula, will share his writings Tuesday, Sept. 30, at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford. He will read his poetry at 7:30 p.m. in the Bromeley Family Theater in Blaisdell Hall, as part of the University’s Spectrum Series. A reception will follow. The event is free and open to the public. “What makes Prufer’s poems unique is how he approaches all those elements of our lives that we’ve come to accept as ordinary like cars, constant war, rampant crime or merely slicing up cucumbers on a cutting board,” said Carol Newman, writing instructor at Pitt-Bradford. “He leads us into their ordinariness and then uses language to crack them open, exposing realities like imminent death and our society’s frightening deterioration." One of Prufer’s books, “Fallen from a Chariot,” was named among the best books of the last 25 years by...

Olean police are looking for the man who robbed the North Union Street Sugarcreek store at gunpoint this morning. A store clerk says a white man wearing a black hooded sweatshirt walked into the store at around 2 a.m. and pointed a gun at him. The man left the store with an undetermined amount of cash. Police are reviewing surveillance tapes at the time of the robbery. This is the second time the same clerk has been robbed at the same store. The first time – January 18, 2007 – police caught the robber a short time after the robbery.

WASHINGTON, DC- U.S. Senators Bob Casey (D-PA) and Arlen Specter (R-PA) today joined their colleagues in the Great Lakes region in applauding the Congressional passage of the Great Lakes Compact Resolution which aims to protect the Great Lakes. Today the U.S. House of Representatives passed the resolution would ratify the compact signed into law by the governors of the 8 states surrounding the Great Lakes water basin. The U.S. Senate passed the resolution on August 1st. “The Great Lakes are an important part of the culture and economy of northwestern Pennsylvania. The Lakes are also an important source of drinking water in our state,” said Senator Casey. “I applaud Congress for following in the footsteps of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for taking the first steps to protect and conserve Lake Erie. And I will continue to work to ensure that the long-term health and sustainability of this precious resource is protected.” “I am pleased Congress has passed this important resoluti...

A 74-year old former Salamanca man who stole his stepdaughter’s trust account has been sentenced to five years' probation. William Lisman pleaded guilty August 4 to fourth-degree grand larceny. District Attorney Ed Sharkey says Lisman stole money between Aug. 25, 2006, and last Dec. 13 from his 58-year-old stepdaughter’s special-needs bank account, where he was listed as trustee. The woman was awarded $40,000 from a car accident several years ago and Lisman took nearly all the money for his own use. The woman, who is disabled, now lives in an Allegany nursing home. Lisman’s wife is in a Salamanca nursing home and Lisman had relocated to Westfield.

Nellie Wallace has been named the new physician/professional staff recruiter at Bradford Regional Medical Center (BRMC), according to Human Resources Vice President Dennis Geitner. In her new position, Wallace will be responsible for overseeing and coordinating the recruitment of physicians and other professional staff to help BRMC meet the region’s increasing healthcare needs, says Geitner. “Nellie’s upbeat personality, dedication and previous work experience with the Medical Center, coupled with her involvement in the communities we serve, provides her with the background and knowledge to be effective in her new role,” he says. “I love working with people and my true hope is to help recruit some strong physicians and staff who will not only benefit the hospital but also the community,” Wallace says. She replaces Mary Kay Delneky, who recently relocated from the area with her husband, Dr. Peter Delneky. Wallace previously worked as director of annual giving at Bradford Hospital Founda...

The City of Bradford’s Office of Economic and Community Development is hosting two separate ribbon-cutting ceremonies to celebrate the accomplishments of two community development projects funded in part through the Impact Bradford project. The first ribbon-cutting & dedication ceremony will be held at 11a.m. on Thursday at the intersection of Onofrio Street and North Onofrio Street. This ceremony will celebrate the revitalization of Onofrio Street through the renovation of 16 homes and the construction of 16 new homes along with significant cleanup and infrastructure improvements that have taken place over the past 10 years. The second ceremony will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday in front of the Old City Hall Building on Kennedy Street. This ceremony celebrates the completion of the final phase of the revitalization and redevelopment of the Boylston Street and Kennedy Street area of historic downtown Bradford. The $2.2 million downtown streetscape project was primarily funde...

St. Marys police are investigating the theft of a birthday cake that happened sometime between 11:30 Friday night and 6:30 Saturday morning. But it wasn't an ordinary birthday cake. This was a blow-up birthday cake lawn decoration in a front yard on Sara Road. Anyone with information on this incident is asked to contact St. Marys police.

The vice chairman of the Seneca Gaming Corporation has resigned amid allegations of a shady deal involving a land purchase. 35-year-old Bergal Mitchell III is at the center of a federal investigation into the $2.1 million land purchase by the Seneca Gaming Corp. for a new golf course in Lewiston. Mitchell sent a letter of resignation to the Seneca Tribal Council prior to its meeting Saturday, when the council was expected to fire him. Mitchell's attorney said his client had asked to take an unpaid leave of absence while the investigation is under way. Federal officials have refused to comment on what happened to an amount of money between $500,000 and $900,000 that sources say may have been skimmed from the purchase of land for the Hickory Stick golf course in Lewiston.

Two young boys died in a house fire early Sunday morning in Fredonia. Their parents and another child escaped the blaze by jumping out a window, but firefighters were unable to rescue 3-year-old Clayton McKinnon and 10-year-old Dawson McKinnon. The mother, Jennifer McKinnon was transported to Erie County Medical Center, where she is in serious condition. The surviving child, Brody, is also in a Buffalo-area hospital, but there's no word on his condition. The father, Michael McKinnon, was taken to an area hospital, where he was treated and released. The fire is believed to have started on the porch, but the cause is still under investigation by the Chautauqua County sheriff’s fire investigation team. It doesn’t appear to be suspicious.

Police in Chautauqua County say there are new developments in the case of a woman who has been missing for 11 years. Lori Bova has been missing since June 8, 1997. She was last seen leaving the Red Lobster restaurant in Lakewood with her husband, sister and brother-in-law. Her husband says they went home and had an argument. She left the house and never returned. Police recent developments in the case have led them to re-interview a number of people and take the investigation in new directions. Police did not get into details about the new course of the investigation.

Lieutenant Governor Catherine Baker Knoll has missed her first Senate session in nearly six years of presiding over the chamber. The 77-year-old Knoll is being treated for neuroendocrine cancer, and says she is heeding the advice of her doctors and family by taking it easy. In August, she announced that she was undergoing treatment for the disease. Knoll returned to Harrisburg last week for the start of the fall session, but showed signs of fatigue and split her Senate duties with senate president pro tempore, Joe Scarnati.

The Marching Owls Band performing "Thriller" at the 29th Annual Autumn Classic: Otto-Eldred and Elk County Catholic Cameron County Port Allegany and Kane (A note to the Port band: Dan loved your song choices! Very HERO-esque.) Sheffield Fort LeBoeuf Iroquois Dan "Igor" Griffin and I (and the lovely Amanda, who took the picture) had a great time broadcasting the Autumn Classic live on 1490 WESB. Can't wait 'til next year!