Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

By Greg Clark Pitt-Bradford S.I.D. The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford inducted three women into its Athletic Hall of Fame on Saturday. Jessica Coene of Baden, Nichole Spindler of Bradford and Amanda Gressley Reese of Shinglehouse were the 2008 inductees. Coene was a goalie on the women's soccer team from 1998 to 2001. She graduated in 2001 with a degree in Sports Medicine. Coene ranks first at Pitt-Bradford in career minutes played (5,019), career shutouts (9) and career saves (496). She also holds the single-season goals against average mark at 1.80. She was inducted by her sister Carolyn Becker. "When I started playing soccer at the age of seven, I never dreamed I would be standing here to be inducted into the Pitt-Bradford Hall of Fame," Coene said. "This is the greatest honor of my soccer career." Spindler was a catcher on the softball team from 2002 to 2004. She graduated in 2004 with a degree in Biology and Secondary Education. The Bradford native wa...

Firefighters were called to St. Bonaventure University's Regina A. Quick Fine Arts Center last night, but they learned there was no fire. A steam leak in the mechanical room set off the fire alarm at around 9:15 p.m. The steam was contained to the mechanical room, and did not damage any of the artwork in the building. An electrician is trying to determine the cause of the steam leak.

Yes, this was taken today -- at 6:24 a.m. at Hamlin Bank & Trust Company on East Main Street. Mike Cejka says the thermometer should say 57 or so later today, but expect a temperature in the 30s again early Sunday morning.

09/30/08 - Man Going to Prison for Robbery A Wellsville man who robbed a store at knifepoint has been sentenced to 5 years in state prison. 18-year-old James Ben Card pleaded guilty to attempted robbery in connection with an incident on May 15 when he went into Alan Hills Carpet with a knife. He threatened the lives of store clerks and stole money. 09/29/08 - Jamestown Man Exposes Himself A Jamestown man was arrested Sunday and charged with exposing himself at a donut shop. Jamestown Police say 20 year-old Christopher Horan was apprehended a short time after the incident at the Donut Connection. 10/03/08 - Trial of Man in Death of Cameron Set The trial of a Bradford man involved in the accidental death of Alissa Cameron has been set for November 17. 20 year-old Zachary Coon is charged with ciminal solitation in accidents involving death. Coon was charged after allegedly telling the driver of the vehicle Nikole Smock to leave the scene of the accident. Smock is also facing charges in co...

Former gridiron great O.J. Simpson was found guilty Friday of all 12 counts in the armed robbery of two sports memorabilia dealers at a Las Vegas, Nevada, casino hotel last year. Simpson, 61, and his co-defendant Clarence "C.J." Stewart, 54, were charged with a dozen offenses stemming from the alleged sports memorabilia heist. Stewart was also found guilty of the same charges as Simpson. Simpson sat quietly and showed little emotion at the defense table as courtroom clerk Sandra Jeter read the verdicts. After the verdicts were read, deputies immediately handcuffed Simpson and led him out of the courtroom. For more, including video, go to CNN.com

The man whose suicide threats caused a traffic jam that lasted for hours on the Niagara Thruway in May has been released from jail. A judge could have sentenced 66-year-old James Gilchriese to seven years in state prison on weapons and other charges, but credited Gilchiese's efforts to help other Vietnam Veterans as a reason for releasing him from custody. Gilchriese had been jailed since his nationally televised capture by a Buffalo police SWAT team on May 12. Gilchriese said he felt alcoholism and a combat flashback about the day three friends were killed by a land mine caused his Thruway drama.

President Bush has signed the compact designed to prevent Great Lakes water from being sent to thirsty areas while requiring the region's eight states to regulate their own water use. It was the final step in pursuit of stronger legal protections against diverting water from the system consisting of the five lakes, their connecting channels and the St. Lawrence River. They contain nearly 20 percent of the world's fresh surface water and supply eight states and two Canadian provinces, which have a combined population of roughly 40 million.

One bridge to Canada will be a lot brighter soon. The Buffalo and Fort Erie Public Bridge Authority says about 300 new light fixtures will be installed on the Peace Bridge, possibly before Christmas. The authority hopes to save money, provide better lighting for security and make the bridge look better. The new fixtures will replace the 10 floodlights, attached to piers that currently illuminate the bridge.

Ground was broken Thursday on construction of an entryway on the newly named Magnano Centre dining complex at St. Bonaventure University. The dining facility, which houses Hickey Dining Hall, Café La Verna, the Rathskeller and other dining areas, is being named for Olean businessman and philanthropist Louis Magnano, a major contributor to the university’s ongoing 150th Anniversary Campaign. A gift of $2,030,000 from Magnano and his wife, Patricia, will fund construction of the new entryway on the northeast corner of the dining facility. The new vestibule will serve as a much-needed weather barrier for the entrance shared by the dining hall and the café, said Philip Winger, associate vice president for facilities at St. Bonaventure. The Magnano gift also supports the Enchanted Mountain Scholarship fund at the university, which dramatically reduces the tuition for qualifying students in the Southern Tier and northern Pennsylvania. In addition, the gift provides an endowment for annual ma...

U.S. Representative John E. Peterson, R-Pleasantville, issued the following statement after voting in support of legislation that extends the Secure Rural Schools program for an additional four years and gives the Department of the Treasury authority to purchase toxic mortgage backed securities that continue to strain the financial and credit markets, in an effort to stabilize the economy: “As I stated earlier this week and I will say again today, this was one of the toughest votes of my legislative career. The legislation that I supported today, and was adopted by the House of Representatives, is not perfect and by no means will solve the financial crisis over night. “However, the rescue package will inject much needed capital into the economy, allowing consumers to regain confidence in the market and eventually rebound from the disastrous effects of the subprime mortgage meltdown. “The option of doing nothing would cause citizens of the Fifth Congressional District to pay the heavi...

27 witnesses are being summoned to testify at next week's preliminary hearing in the Bonusgate case. The witness list includes a woman who was allegedly given a job that entailed little work because of a sexual relationship she was having with a man, who at the time, was chief of staff to House Democratic Leader Bill DeWeese. Former state Representative Frank LaGrotta is also on the list, as are several people who are currently working for the House Democratic caucus.

WASHINGTON, DC- This morning, Senator Casey responded to the new Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) job report for the month of September, which showed that the American economy lost 159,000 jobs. The BLS also revised statistics for July and August, showing that during those months the American economy lost 4,000 more jobs than initially projected. So far this year, the economy has lost 768,000 jobs. “The American economy continues to hemorrhage jobs and the credit crunch threatens to hurt the economy even further. American families have been in recession for over a year as prices of everyday expenses such as food, gas, health care and education continue to rise and wages remain flat,” said Senator Casey. “The credit crunch and measurements of manufacturers’ sentiment mean our fragile economy is at great risk of losing over 1 million jobs for the year. Congress must stabilize the economy now by rescuing credit markets and when it returns in November, must pass an economic stimulus...

It's been six months since a fire in Brockway killed 10 people, and officials still haven't determined a cause. Brockway Fire Chief Chris Benson says it may be several more months before they know what sparked the April 3 blaze. He says rumors that a space heater fell over and didn't shut off are not true. State police have released the house and owner Douglas Peterson Jr. has applied for a demolition permit.

The Mount Jewett Charter Coalition will be submitting its Amended Charter School Application today, Friday, Oct. 3rd to the Kane Area School District. This comes after the Coalition made a decision earlier this summer to postpone the process due to the lack of time to open the Charter School once approved. Instead, they decided that they would make some modifications to the application they deemed necessary and resubmit with the intention of getting the approval either from the Kane Area School District or the PA Charter Appeals Board. They plan to open the Charter School in Mount Jewett for the 2009-2010 school year. With the submission of the Amended Application, Kane Area School District will have 45 days to hold a Public Hearing on the Charter Application.

Zippo Manufacturing Company and Moderati Inc. today announced the launch of the Virtual Zippo Lighter, a free, branded application available in Apple’s iTunes App Store for the iPhone and the iPod Touch. The Virtual Zippo Lighter brings the look and feel of Zippo’s iconic lighter to the iPhone, with interactive action that mimics the real thing. It opens with a flick of the wrist and lights with a turn of the flint wheel and the truly windproof flame sways as the device is moved back and forth. The Virtual Zippo Lighter allows Zippo fans to experience the famous “Zippo Moment” for free, by holding their cell phones aloft and swaying to power ballads at concerts. Zippo manufactures an average of 12 million windproof pocket lighters each year, and nearly 450 million since the first lighter was created in 1932. Zippo windproof lighters enjoy a widespread and enviable reputation as valuable collectibles throughout the world. In the United States alone there are more than four million coll...

Three people are dead after a car they were in hit a tree Thursday afternoon near Clarion. Police say 19-year-old driver Amber Marie Hanson of Farrell was speeding when she lost control of the car, left the road and hit a tree. Hanson and two passengers were pronounced dead at the scene. They say 22-year-old Shawn Michael Sferzza and 20-year-old Matthew Mead Swyers were both from Strattanville. A third passenger, 19-year-old Douglas Lucas Jr. of Strattanville, was in critical condition at a Pittsburgh hospital Thursday night.

HARRISBURG - Attorney General Tom Corbett today announced that agents from the Attorney General's Public Corruption Unit have arrested two York County men in connection with an ongoing investigation into bribery and bid-manipulation for printing work and supplies at the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA). Corbett identified the defendants as Kyle Andrew Becker, 38, 1676 Yorktown Drive, York, a former purchasing agent for PHEAA, and Daniel R. Snyder, 44, 100 Meadow Trail, Dillsburg, owner of DRS Printing Services, of Dillsburg. Corbett said that as a purchasing agent, Becker was responsible for quotes, bids and contracts for printing and publishing services used by PHEAA. Snyder and his printing business were awarded contracts for various PHEAA printing projects. "This case is about the manipulation and corruption of the bidding process for personal profit, stealing from an agency whose mission is to fund college education for Pennsylvania's youth,...

Officials have confirmed that a fire that killed two Fredonia boys was most likely caused by unattended candles on the front porch of their home. The September 21 fire killed 10-year-old Dawson McKinnon and 3-year-old Clayton McKinnon. Chautauqua County fire investigators ruled the fire accidental. The blaze was determined to have started on the front porch of the home. The most likely cause, according to fire officials, was a candle or candles on the front porch. The mother of the boys, 34-year-old Jennifer McKinnon is still in Erie County Medical Center, where she is in fair condition.

Several Cattaraugus County Amish families say they will not comply with the health department's regulations concerning disposal of raw sewage. They say the health department is discriminating against them, by telling them they have to use wooden traps specially designed for them. The department has fined three families, who filed appeals based on their religious beliefs. The appeals have been denied and the families have been given until October 26 to install compliant septic systems.

Speaking at a candidates' forum at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford Thursday night, State Auditor General Jack Wagner re-iterated the importance of the election, not just for the state, but for the country. "If it's not time to change the direction of America, I don't know when it will be. ... We should have 100 percent voting on November 4. And if we did, I believe we could put it back on the right track." Candidates for Congress, state senate, state treasurer and state representative also participated in the forum. The event was organized by the Bradford, Kane and Smethport chambers of commerce.

A Cattaraugus man has been indicted by a grand jury on charges of criminally negligent homicide and manslaughter. Court records indicate that 41-year-old Michael Andrews was driving while intoxicated on January 2 in the Town of Mansfield when an accident caused the death of 46-year-old Joseph Sebastiani of Otto, New York. An arraignment date hasn't been scheduled yet.

For the third year in a row, the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford has broken enrollment records, recruiting its largest freshman class and closing in on its long-term goal of 1,500 full-time equivalent students. “The momentum has been building on our campus for a number of years, and I’m absolutely thrilled that our hardworking faculty and staff can see the results of our efforts,” said Pitt-Bradford president Dr. Livingston Alexander. “The growth of our student population is wonderful for our campus and the University of Pittsburgh as a whole, but we’re also mindful of the important economic benefits to the region that come with a growing student population.” This fall saw 1,511 students enrolled, up 6.9 percent over last year. Of those, 1,323 are full-time students. That head count is 20 percent higher than it was just two years ago. Not only is enrollment growing, but also the enrollment of full-time students has grown while the number of part-time students has gotten smaller. C...

Citing her commitment to tax relief and economic growth, state Senator Catharine "Cathy" Young officially kicked off her reelection campaign for the 57th District today. "My background of growing up on a dairy farm taught me the value of rolling up your sleeves and tackling tough issues. My parents worked hard every day, and they instilled in me the importance of helping others and making your community a better place. I strive to live up to their example," she said. "We are facing serious issues in New York, and now is the time for action and results. This is a fight for the hardworking, overburdened taxpayers. Families and senior citizens are struggling to make ends meet. Suffocating property taxes are driving people and jobs out of our state. Wall Street is a mess, and it is causing a serious state budget shortfall. We need to rebuild our economy and people need good jobs," Sen. Young said. "I've stood up in Albany for property tax relief, econ...

Washington, DC – This past Friday, September 26, 2008, Members of the Pennsylvania Congressional Delegation took to the House Floor to share their memories of serving with U.S. Representative John E. Peterson (R-Pa.), and to pay tribute to his twelve years of service in Washington and his nineteen years of service as a state official in Harrisburg. Led by Representative Phil English (R-Erie), the dean of the Pennsylvania Republican Congressional Delegation, Representatives Bill Shuster (R-Altoona), Jim Gerlach (R- Exton), Charles Dent (R-Lehigh Valley), and Jason Altmire (D-Aliquippa) expressed their friendship, gratitude and sorrow that Rep. Peterson has decided not to seek reelection and retire from the U.S. House of Representatives. Peterson, who is considered an expert by his peers on energy, rural healthcare, technical education, and rural development, served on the powerful House Appropriations Committee for ten years and was the co-chairman of the Congressional Rural Caucus. Whi...

Animal lovers, take note! The McKean County S.P.C.A. is offering something for everyone at its Rabies Clinic and Open House set for Saturday, October 11. Lots of activities will take place outside at the Glenwood Avenue Shelter. Pet owners are invited to dress their animals in costume for a contest beginning at 11 a.m., with judging to take place at 11:30. Trophies and cash prizes will be given for the “best dressed” and the “silliest” costume for both dogs and cats. “We hope that a lot of kids and adults will bring their pets for a Halloween-type dress-up contest,” says Lori Burkhouse, chairman of the Fundraising Committee of the local SPCA Board of Directors. “We’ll be giving $10 prizes for the really creative ones, along with trophies. Of course the kids can dress up, too, just for fun.” Burkhouse added that, in addition to money and trophies for prizewinners, there will be free treat bags for the animals and candy for the kids. Free p...

The Seneca Nation has broken ground for the 144,000 square foot, two-story Allegany Sports and Community Center in Jimersontown. The facility is expected to take 22 months to build and will include a 1,500-seat lacrosse arena with mezzanine and upper deck seating. It will also include two swimming pools, a gym, fitness centers, community recreation rooms and a full-service kitchen. Friday, the Senecas will break ground for an identical complex on the Cattaraugus Territory.

Bradford Regional Airport Manager Tom Frungillo talks with some pilots as they get ready to fly to Cleveland's Hopkins International Airport. The airport and Gulfstream Airlines officially welcomed Continental Airlines to the airport today. Frungillo says they're excited about the opportunity to fly to Cleveland. Personal note: I'm execited about Cleveland, too. I hope my sister plans on picking me up at the airport a lot.

A volunteer firefighter from Wellsville who died while trying to save a 16-year-old from drowning is among 25 people awarded Carnegie Hero medals today for their heroism. 56-year-old Ronald Thomas died on April 29 of last year trying to save Daniel Allen, who fell from a waterfall spanning the Genesee River into turbulent water while trying to save his father, who had also fallen. The father and son survived. The medal is awarded throughout the United States and Canada to those who risk their lives to an extraordinary degree while saving or attempting to save the lives of others. Three other recipients besides Thomas lost their lives in the performance of their rescue acts.

You think local media people are the only ones who make mistakes?

The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford will honor professor Donald Lewicki with the PBAA Teaching Excellence Award and alumnus Tim Fannin ’78 with the Distinguished Volunteer Award as part of Alumni and Family Weekend. The awards will be given at the PBAA Awards Brunch held at 11 a.m. Saturday in the Mukaiyama University Room in the Frame-Westerberg Commons. The PBAA Teaching Excellence Award recognizes a faculty member who has exemplified the established educational principles, shown dedication in teaching in his or her students and excelled in his or her area of specialty. Lewicki, associate professor of business management, was nominated by Donny Kemick ’04 and Jeremy Callinan ’04, co-owners of Protocol 80, an information technology/Web firm located in Bradford. “He single-handedly changed my outlook on the opportunities available to me, especially in the Bradford area,” Kemick wrote. “In every class, he brought real-worl...

Excited about the recent identification of several mature American Chestnut trees near Rimrock Scenic Overlook and Picnic Area, Friends of Rimrock has announced an “American Chestnut Hike” at Rimrock Sunday, October 5. American chestnuts once made up about 25 percent of the forests in the eastern United States, with an estimated 4 billion trees from Maine to Mississippi and Florida. But a chestnut disease was introduced to North America through New York City in 1904. This chestnut blight, caused by a fungus and presumably brought in from eastern Asia, was first found in only a few trees in the New York Zoological Garden. The blight spread rapidly and by 1950, the American chestnut had disappeared except for shrubby root sprouts the species continually produces (and which also quickly become infected). “Though many people think the American chestnut tree is extinct, that is not the case,” said Reg Darling, spokesperson for Friends of Rimrock. “There are still millions of sprouts throug...

One of the best ways to protect against influenza is to get vaccinated each year which is why Bradford Regional Medical Center (BRMC) will soon be offering flu shots to the general public. The flu season is approaching and studies have shown skipping that annual flu shot could have serious consequences. Terrie O'Brien, RN, BRMC’s infection control practitioner, says being vaccinated is among the single-most effective ways to prevent getting the flu and spreading it to others. "You should be immunized to not only protect yourself but others that you care about as well," Mrs. O'Brien said. Fortunately, plenty of vaccine will be available this year, according to Gary Malacarne, Pharm. D., BRMC’s pharmacy director. "We ordered 4,000 doses and we now have it all," he notes. The flu vaccine is for two A-strains and also a B-strain. Dr. Malacarne explains that the three strains are A/Brisbane/59, A/Brisbane/10 and B/Florida/4. The past few years have been mild flu ...

A St. Marys firm that advises people on how to avoid mortgage foreclosure is being sued by the state of Illinois. Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan contends Aeroworks LLC promised to keep people in their homes but instead took their money without any results. She says Aeroworks sent out more than 1,000 mailings a week to homeowners offering help in keeping their homes and urging them to avoid dishonest scams, adding that the company charged homeowners more than $1,000 for counseling and home rescue services that were rarely successful. Madigan says she wants Aeroworks to be shut down and fined. The lawsuit also seeks a civil penalty of $50,000 for every violation, and a $10,000 penalty for each violation committed against a person 65 years or older. Aeroworks officials say the lawsuit has no merit.

A jury has found a Galeton man not guilty of aggravated assault in the stabbing of another man last summer. 21-year-old James Douglas Akeley says he acted in self-defense when he stabbed 25-year-old Chad Sepiol on June 28, 2007, after they got into an argument. Akely's attorney says the jury came to the correct conclusion, that his client was defending himself against someone who outweighs him by about 200 pounds. Akely is 6 feet tall and weighs about 160 pounds. Sepiol is 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighs about 350 pounds.

Billy Ray Cyrus plans to be in Pittsburgh tomorrow to meet his namesake tiger cub at the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium. The Siberian tiger cub, born on Mother's Day, was named after Cyrus by donors who paid to name it in honor of a deceased family member who was a big fan of the country music and television star, who is also the father of Hannah Montana star Miley Cyrus. Billy Ray the tiger will likely grow up to be about 11 feet long and 450 pounds. There are an estimated 400 endangered Siberian tigers in the wild.

The girlfriend of Ianna Maybee's father has pleaded guilty to criminally negligent homicide in the death of the 3-year-old in her home on March 21. 32-year-old Stephanie Pierce is scheduled for sentencing on December 15. Court records show that Pierce's boyfriend and Ianna's father, Guy Maybee, fatally assaulted the girl and Pierce was present at the time. Maybee has pleaded not guilty to the charges and is being held in Cattaraugus County Jail in lieu of $300,000 bail. Charges of second-degree murder and reckless endangerment against Pierce dropped because there was no evidence she did anything to the child. Pierce’s plea is an admission that she did not seek medical attention or call 911 while Ianna was being attacked.

Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell and Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle and are betting beer, sausages and cheesesteaks over the upcoming baseball playoffs. The Milwaukee Brewers are in Philadelphia to take on the Phillies in the best-of-5 National League Division Series starting Wednesday. Doyle said he is betting Miller beer, Klement's Sausages and secret sauce they serve at Miller Park. Rendell is offering up a selection of Yuengling Brewery products and Philadelphia cheesesteaks. Doyle said he looks forward to celebrating a Brewers victory with a tasty cheesesteak. Rendell said he wants to find out what the secret sauce takes like.

PennDOT is reminding young artists that the deadline for this year's aviation art contest -- "A Day at the Airport" -- is October 14. Entries will be judged in two divisions: first through third grades, and fourth & fifth grades. There will be 22 statewide winners, with one winner from each division selected from each of PennDOT's 11 district offices. Winners will receive a certificate signed by the transportation secretary and a mounted, full-color, 16-by-20-inch copy of their entry. The students' schools will also receive a mounted copy of the artwork for display. More information on submission guidelines, including permitted formats and other requirements is online at dot.state.pa.us . Click on the "Bureau of Aviation" link.

The Olean High School Sports Boosters Club purchased and donated to the Olean City School District a $14,000 Daktronic scoreboard capable of handing any number of events including Soccer, Track, and Football. The scoreboard, which measures 18’ by 8’, was installed by the maintenance crew from Olean High School. Dr. Colleen Taggerty, Olean City School District superintendent, stated “This was a collaborated project with the boosters and the school district. The school district and athletes appreciate the financial support received from the boosters to fund this project. The district’s maintenance staff constructed the sign - saving us significant labor costs.” Mike Nenno, OHS Sports Boosters Secretary added, “Most Daktronics displays, like the one at OHS, are capable of scoring multiple sports. Simply by changing the code and insert on the controller, the scoreboard is ready to handle a new sport - track, soccer, and football.” The Boosters is an organization for parents, coaches, ...

Bruce Springsteen will perform an acoustic set at a rally in Philadelphia to help the campaign of Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama register voters and recruit volunteers. The program is Saturday on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. Springsteen has endorsed Obama for president.

The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford will rededicate its first academic building, Swarts Hall, on Friday, Oct. 3. Swarts Hall re-opened this fall after a year-and-a-half $6.4 million renovation. The rededication, which is free and open to the public, will take place at 4:30 p.m., followed by tours, mini-reunions by academic area, demonstrations by academic programs and refreshments. The event is part of activities for Alumni and Family Weekend. The renovation created new nursing labs that will mimic a real hospital, a large multimedia technology classroom, a psychology lab and an E-venture lab as well as new suites of private faculty offices that will provide students and faculty with more privacy. “The renovation of this important academic building reestablishes it as the heart and soul of our academic complex,” said Dr. Livingston Alexander, president. “The state-of-the-art technology that permeates the building will ensure that future generati...

Law enforcement officials say the woman who was found dead in a Jamestown house Monday was murdered. The body of 24-year-old Dana Cowart was found at around noon Monday in a vacant house that had recently been damaged in a fire. Police haven't released any further details yet. The District Attorney's office and Jamestown Police say they are continuing the investigation along with several other law enforcement agencies.

Area volunteer emergency responders could be eligible for a tax credit worth up to $100 on their 2008 state income tax return, Rep. Martin Causer (R-Turtlepoint) announced today. Act 66 of 2008 provides a credit of up to $100 against the state personal income tax liability of residents who are active members of a volunteer ambulance service or volunteer fire or rescue company. Eligibility for the new tax incentives will be based upon how active an individual is within his or her company and is open to volunteer firefighters, rescue and emergency medical personnel. A volunteer responder must earn a total of 50 points between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31 of this year to be eligible for the state income tax credit. Responders can accumulate points through obtaining certifications, attending training courses and organizational meetings, as well as through response rates, sleep-in and standby times, holding elected and/or appointed positions, lifetime membership, military leave, and other related adm...

The partnership that offered $12.8 billion to lease the Pennsylvania Turnpike is walking away from the deal, citing inaction by the state Legislature. Pennsylvania Transportation Partners decided not to renew its offer, which was set to expire at the end of the business day. Leaders of both chambers have said they weren't interested in putting the offer up for a floor vote. A spokesman for the group says it's still interested in the road and they're will to re-bid. Opponents say the bid was too low.

Police believe the fire that destroyed the Brokenstraw Inn this morning may have been arson. Firefighters were called to the Warren County restaurant at around 3 a.m., and found the building engulfed in flames. Because there are no fire hydrants in the area, firefighters had to get water from a nearby stream. The business had just re-opened in August after temporarily closing because of flood damage.

Tops Friendly Markets has started renovations of its Olean, N.Y. store, which will give the store an updated look and expand the selection available to customers. Tops, who has had a presence in Olean for 37 years, will make various improvements to the store located at 2401 West State St. The changes will include exterior and interior improvements. The 77,000 square foot store originally opened in 1995. “Olean and Cattaraugus County are very important to Tops Markets, and we identified this store in particular to make some general improvements for our customers,” said Frank Curci, CEO of Tops. “Tops has a long and proud tradition in Olean and we are certain our customers will like the new features of the store and take advantage of the increased selection of products.” Tops is adding a new natural and organic foods section, responding to a nationwide trend of consumers seeking those products. Other changes coming to the store include new décor inside the store and some exterior painti...

Cambria County is going to court to prevent conservative Amish families from living in homes without sewage disposal permits. The Amish are members of the Swartzentruber Amish, who are known for their severe restrictions on technology and interaction with the outside world. They contend their religious convictions prevent them from disposing of outhouse waste according to state sewage laws. The county is trying to prevent one family from moving into a home being built and to another family from continuing to live in their home. A hearing is scheduled for November 13.

1,500 inmates are locked down at the state prison in Pittsburgh because its phones and computers were knocked out by water from a broken washing machine. Department of Corrections officials say the washer broke Monday at the Riverside Community Corrections Center, a halfway house that also contains administrative offices for the State Correctional Institution-Pittsburgh. The washer was on the second floor and water leaked into a lower area containing computer and telephone equipment. Crews are working on the problems, but they don't know when it will be fixed.

HARRISBURG – Environmental Protection Acting Secretary John Hanger told a state House panel today that the department is working to maximize the opportunities citizens, communities and companies can realize through the development of the natural gas contained in the Marcellus Shale formation, while also protecting Pennsylvania’s natural resources. “There is no question that the Marcellus Shale holds tremendous economic potential for Pennsylvania’s families and its communities,” Hanger told the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee as he explained how DEP is responding to increased drilling activity in the 5,000- to 8,000-foot-deep geologic formation. “This exciting potential also brings with it the need to act responsibly and ensure that Pennsylvania’s valuable natural resources are not sacrificed in the process.” The Marcellus Shale formation is estimated to hold as much as 50 trillion cubic feet of recoverable natural gas under Pennsylvania, New York and West Virginia. P...

Lawyers for Ralph "Bucky" Phillips are moving forward with an appeal of his conviction for killing a state trooper during the largest manhunt in New York history. Phillips claims he pleaded guilty to a number of criminal charges, including murder and escape, because he got bad advice from a court-appointed lawyer. His current attorneys will ask for his convictions to be overturned so he can stand trial. Lawyers are scheduled to argue on Phillips' behalf before the Appellate Division of state Supreme Court in Rochester on October 20. After he escaped from the Erie County Correctional Facility, he was on the run throughout New York and Pennsylvania for five months. Besides shooting and killing Trooper Joseph Longobardo, he also shot troopers Donald Baker and Sean Brown, who survived. Phillips was captured in a Warren County field in September of 2006. In December of 2006, he was sentenced to life in prison and sent to the Clinton County Correctional Facility in Dannemora, N...

OSHA is still investigating an explosion at the Dresser-Rand plant in Painted Post, New York, that injured two workers, one critically. Gerald Leach is hospitalized in critical but stable condition in an Elmira hospital following Sunday's explosion. Art Shugars suffered moderate injuries and was released from the hospital Monday. The explosion happened when a cylinder was being pressure tested with helium. OSHA is trying to determine if the incident could have been prevented, and if Dresser-Rand was in violation of any OSHA laws.

A popular Warren County restaurant has been destroyed by fire. The Brokenstraw Inn burned to the ground early this morning. A state fire marshal is investigating.

Left, Bradford City Police Officer Mike Ward trains on one of the police department's new Segway machines Tuesday morning at Callahan Park. Below, Rob Havsrath of Segway of Western New York shows off some features of the machine to Police Chief Mike Close, while Bradford Area High School student Caitlin Szczupak records the training as part of her senior project. Bradford City Police Officers Chris Lucco, Jason Daugherty and Mike Ward check out a Segway. The machines are part of a community safety effort for our downtown area. The City of Bradford was awarded compensation for two (I) 2 Segway machines as a result of a Community Safety Initiative grant made available to Elm Street Communities through the Pennsylvania Downtown Center. Proposals needed to address revitalizing core communities within the commonwealth by addressing safety and cleanliness issues. The grants proposals needed to explore innovative approaches to enhancing community safety. The proposals were judged on:...

A DuBois man has been sentenced to life in prison without parole for the deaths of two Brooklyn, N.Y., residents during a 2006 kidnapping and robbery. Prosecutors had been seeking the death penalty for 27-year-old Jason "Spike" Clinger. He was convicted last week of first- and second-degree murder in the killings of 22-year-old Davon Jones and 21-year-old Dianikqua Johnson. During the death penalty phase of the trial, Clinger's mother and grandmother pleaded with jurors to spare his life. Hunters found the bodies of Jones and Johnson in the woods of rural western Pennsylvania in November 2006. During the trial, a witness testified that Clinger killed them because they were drug dealers and no one would miss them.

Well, all you fans of the Stinkfest Outhouse Races -- say good-bye to the Lean Mean Latrine. While doing some fall cleaning at the station, the guys decided the outhouse had to go, and Frank got the honors of smashing it up.

International Studies put its name on the map this semester at St. Bonaventure, receiving status as one of the university’s undergraduate courses of study. The multidisciplinary major provides opportunities for students interested in global issues and expects to draw heavily from students torn between various disciplines and from those seeking a second major. International Studies coordinator Dr. Joel Horowitz said initial planning on the new program began nearly two years ago. Committee and Faculty Senate approval at the university took place before the New York State Department of Education was approached. The state’s approval of the curricula took less than one month, according to Horowitz. “The idea is to be interdisciplinary, to use St. Bonaventure’s resources,” Horowitz said of the new bachelor of arts degree. International Studies comprises 22 faculty and staff members from the theology, modern languages, political science, philosophy, history, sociology, marketing, management s...