Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

A Salamanca teacher is accused of sexually abused a 14-year-old boy more than six years ago. The Cattaraugus County Sheriff's Office says Michael Dupont is charged with three counts of sodomy in the second degree. Investigators say his arrest stems from incidents in April and May of 2002. Investigators say they believe there are several more victims who have not yet come forward. Dupont is a seventh-grade science teacher in the Salamanca School District. He was arrested Saturday and is in Cattaraugus County jail in lieu of $10,000 bail.

"Jim's passing is a tremendous loss for Pennsylvania. He was a great person and a tremendous fighter for school children in the commonwealth. No one cared more about advancing education in Pennsylvania than Jim. He will be missed. "Our thoughts and prayers are with Jim's family, especially his wife, Mary Edith, who was riding in the car when the accident happened."

HARRISBURG -- The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission will launch a new initiative to help the state’s 25 Preserve America communities with historical preservation and heritage tourism development “Preserve America communities are recognized for protecting and celebrating their heritage, for using their historic assets for economic development and community revitalization,” said Barbara Franco, executive director of the commission. “These communities encourage people to experience and appreciate local historic resources through education and heritage tourism programs.” Specifically, the grant will be used to: · Create a program to further help Preserve America communities with historic preservation planning, · Provide a Preserve America community coordinator, and · Develop a report documenting the economic benefits of historic preservation in the state. “The program does not fund bricks-and-mortar projects,” Franco said, noting that the cost of the local assistance announced ...

From senators Joe Scarnati and Dominic Pileggi : Jim Rhoades was a remarkable man, and a true friend. It is impossible to properly express how much we will miss him personally, and how much the Senate of Pennsylvania will miss his presence. Jim was a one-of-a-kind senator. His down-to-earth approach to solving problems reflected his roots in Schuylkill County. His experience as a teacher and coach at Pottsville and Mahanoy City High Schools, and as the principal of Mahanoy Area Junior High School, permeated every decision he made as a senator. As the chairman of the Senate Education Committee, Jim was a statewide leader on education issues. He was a part of every major education initiative in recent history. Senator Rhoades’ legacy includes the Pennsylvania Safe Schools Act, the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletics Accountability Act, and the Head Start Supplemental Assistance Program. Jim’s hard work extended to other areas, as well. With his booming voice, he always spoke forcefull...

Longtime state Sen. James Rhoades has died from injuries suffered in a car crash, state officials said Saturday. Rhoades died Saturday, a day after being injured in a car accident near Brodheadsville in Monroe County, Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati and Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi said in a joint statement. "It is impossible to properly express how much we will miss him personally, and how much the Senate of Pennsylvania will miss his presence," the statement read. For the full story, go to pennlive.com .

Face painting and pumpkin painting are just two of the many activities at the Tops Fall Festival going on until 3 p.m. today (Saturday) in Tops parking lot on Main Street. Lunch is available for a small price. All proceeds benefit the United Way of the Bradford Area. The costume contest parade is at 2 p.m. Some of the other activities include apple bobbing and Halloween Hopscotch. There's an apple pie contest, and kids might even get some treats, too! Sparky the Fire Dog is leading costume kids on tours during the Tops Fall Festival. The fun goes on until 3 p.m. and also includes apple bobbing, and apple pie contest and more!

From Talk About Bradford : by PghArchitect on Fri Oct 17, 2008 12:27 pm When: November 10, 2008, 7:00 pm Where: Grace Lutheran Church Community Center, 79 Mechanic Street What: Public Forum about the Bradford Regional Strategy MCF Architects will be presenting concepts for downtown Bradford and the Bradford Mall that have been developed based on input received in the planning process. These plans are not final and input from the public is still welcome. Some of these proposals will be posted in Main Street storefronts and city offices in the coming weeks so that residents can review them prior to the forum. Press releases about the event will also be distributed to local news outlets shortly. Other goals and action items being considered for the final strategy report will also be presented at the meeting.

Pennsylvania Game Commission Wildlife Conservation Officers and Deputy WCOs have been investigating cases of illegally killed deer. In the Northcentral Region, McKean County WCO Len Groshek says he received reports of deer poaching in the Crosby area, and recovered and head and hide from a large doe that was shot. The head and hide were placed in a garbage bag and thrown from a bridge into Potato Creek, he says. Cameron County WCO Wayne Hunt says he has been receiving reports from concerned sportsman and members of the community pertaining to poaching occurring in his district. He says people are jack lighting large bucks to collect their antlers. The investigations are continuing.

State Sen. James J. Rhoades, a veteran state legislator, was seriously injured in a car accident in northeastern Pennsylvania on Friday night. Rhoades and his wife, Mary, were hurt in a collision with another vehicle near Brodheadsville in Monroe County at around 7:30 p.m., according to police. Both were flown to Lehigh Valley Hospital near Allentown, but their conditions were not released. Rhoades' chief of staff, Champ Holman, said he has been told that the senator's injuries are serious. For the full story, go to pennlive.com .

This was the temperature at 6:22 a.m. Saturday at Hamlin Bank on East Main Street. Expect a couple more frosty mornings. News 4 Meteorologist Mike Cejka says we can expect clear cool nights tonight and Sunday and lows both nights around 25 degrees. I'm glad I just bought a brand new Bills blanket!

Gas prices in Bradford went down 20 cents in one day. They started out the day on Friday at $3.19 and ended the day at $2.99. Analysts say the price could drop even further before the end of the year.

Crews will begin soil excavation work Monday at the southern end of the Driftwood Bridge. This will be the start of remediation efforts related to the contaminated soil uncovered in March. Excavation work is not expected to impact traffic. While there is no danger to motorists or residents in the area, work crews will be dressed in protective equipment to meet state and federal regulations.

The frozen body of an elderly woman from the Catskills was found Wednesday in her son's home freezer, where it had been stored for more than a year. State police say the woman's body will have to thaw before an autopsy can be conducted at Lourdes Hospital in Binghamton. Investigators say no foul play appeared to have been involved in the woman's death, but they will wait for autopsy results before determining whether they are investigating a natural or suspicious death. State police declined to identify the family members or provide an address, other than to say the discovery was made in the Town of Colchester in the southwestern corner of Delaware County. The woman would be about 100 years old. The son's attorney alerted state police to the case.

Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown has been named to a state commission that will study potential public-private partnerships, including ways to leverage the state's resources – without selling assets – to better serve New York State citizens. Governor David Paterson appointed Brown and 10 other people to the New York State Commission on State Asset Maximization today. The Commission is required to submit a preliminary report of their recommendations to the Governor and the Legislature within 90 days, and a final report within 180 days. The Commission will hold hearings and meetings across the State. For more, go to the governor's web site .

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — A jet-setting college beauty who, teamed with her Ivy League boyfriend, swindled more than $100,000 from friends and neighbors through a complex identity theft scheme was sentenced Friday to five years in prison. Jocelyn Kirsch, a former Drexel University student, and University of Pennsylvania graduate Edward Anderton used the money for expensive salon visits, fancy dinners and lavish trips. For the full story, go to pennlive.com .

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Pennsylvania's Republican Party sued the state's top election official and the community activist group ACORN, accusing the group of fostering voter registration fraud and asserting that the election system lacks adequate safeguards to stop it. "The stakes in this action are enormously high: Unless this court acts quickly and decisively, the right to Pennsylvania's 21 electoral votes may be determined by illegal ballots," said the lawsuit filed Friday in Commonwealth Court. For the full story, go to pennlive.com .

United States Attorney Mary Beth Buchanan announced today, October 17, 2008, that Rauje Tehran Badelle, a resident of Erie, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of violating federal firearms laws. Badelle, age 21, pleaded guilty to one count before Senior United States District Judge Maurice B. Cohill, Jr. In connection with the guilty plea, Assistant United States Attorney Marshall J. Piccinini advised the court that on April 2, 2008, the Erie Police Department responded to the 500 block of East 24th Street, following a report of shots fired. On their arrival, officers observed a fight between several black males in the front yard of 520 East 24th Street. As they cleared the area, officers heard five additional shots fired. Officers observed Badelle running from the area and stopped him. A stolen, black Ruger 9 mm handgun was recovered from the area behind 531 East 24th Street, where officers had observed Badelle running. Five shell casings, matching the fire...

Lancaster- An $8 million cocaine ring, which operated in Lititz, was broken-up today by agents from the Attorney General's Bureau of Narcotics Investigation (BNI). Attorney General Tom Corbett said the investigation, known as "Operation Dough Maker," began in January 2008 after agents received information about cocaine trafficking by Mario Naranjo, 22, 554 W. Springettsbury Avenue, York. Evidence and testimony regarding the case was presented to a statewide investigating grand jury, which recommended the criminal charges being filed today. Corbett said that a series of undercover purchases were conducted in January and February from Naranjo and his brother-in-law, Jose Arroyo-Medina, at the Parma Pizza and Grill, 1704 New Holland Pike, Lancaster, where Naranjo was an employee. These purchases ranged from 28 grams of cocaine to 125 grams of cocaine before undercover agents began making multi-ounce quantity purchases in March from Naranjo and his juvenile girlfriend. Corbet...

HARRISBURG - Attorney General Tom Corbett today announced that agents from the Attorney General's Child Predator Unit have arrested two Dauphin County men who both are accused of using the Internet to sexually proposition what they believed were young girls, as well as sending sexually explicit photos or traveling to meet the children. The "girls" were actually undercover agents from the Child Predator Unit who were using the online profiles of young teens. Corbett identified the defendants as John Frank Geist, 49, 1019 Chestnut Place, Hummelstown, and Hiram Eugene Staley, 30, 202 Cameron Ave., Hummelstown. "Both of these men are accused of using Internet chat rooms to contact and sexually proposition what they believed were young girls," Corbett said. "It is important for parents to understand how quickly online conversations between their children and strangers can progress to sexual conversations, the transmission of graphic photos or webcam videos and,...

Governor David Paterson is urging Time Warner Cable and the owners of WIVB-TV in Buffalo to start negotiating again and, in the meantime, broadcast Sunday's Bills-Chargers game. In a letter, Paterson said these games are "an important engine of the state economy, but, on an emotional level, they are also a source of state pride." Neither side has commented on Paterson's letter yet. No matter what they decide, you can listen to the game starting at 11:30 a.m. on 100.1 The HERO. You can read Paterson's letter HERE .

The husband of Republican vice presidential candidate and Alaska Governor Sarah Palin will make three campaign stops in western Pennsylvania on Saturday. Todd Palin will attend a breakfast meet-and-greet in Greensburg, before attending a rally at the Pitcairn-Monroeville Sportsmen's Club. Palin will also appear with Attorney General Tom Corbett at a tailgate meet-and-greet event in State College before the Penn State-Michigan football game.

Charles Cole Memorial Hospital announced the addition of Dr. Saket Prasad, M.D. to its medical staff this week. Dr. Prasad, who previously practiced at the Veterans Administration New Jersey Healthcare System, earned a medical degree at Leeds Medical School in England. He completed an internship at Leeds General Infirmary, a residency in internal medicine at Our Lady of Mercy Medical Center in Bronx, and a fellowship in gastroenterology and hepatology at Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in New Brunswick, NJ. He is certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine, subspecialty by the Board of Gastroenterology. He co-authored an article on villous adenoma of the urinary tract, has presented at the American Gastroenterology Association, American College of Gastroenterology, and American College of Physicians meetings, and conducted a variety of research including studies on peptic ulcer bleeding and hormonal metabolic controls. He is a member of the American Gastroenterology Associa...

By Kellan Terry, SBU ’10 ST. BONAVENTURE, N.Y., Oct. 17, 2008 — A collective gasp could be heard from local area high school students as Lee Coppola, dean of the Russell J. Jandoli School of Journalism and Mass Communication, introduced keynote speaker Patricia Kennealy-Morrison on Communications Day. Kennealy-Morrison, widow of The Doors front man Jim Morrison, took to the podium and proceeded to “wow” her content listeners. Hundreds of young adults sat silently as Kennealy-Morrison spoke about her life experiences, her past works and her memories of St. Bonaventure. She recalled how personal her St. Bonaventure experience was, stating, “I wasn’t just a number in a seating chart.” She said that she remembered Dr. Jandoli, the same Dr. Jandoli for whom the department is named, as a professional, fair man. Kennealy-Morrison transferred from St. Bonaventure after two years, but continues to support Bonaventure and speaks at the university often. Kennealy-Morrison’s main topics were the i...

Governor Ed Rendell has signed a bill that increases the mandatory minimum sentence for anyone convicted of shooting a firearm at a police officer and for crimes committed with illegally purchased guns. The signing comes less than 10 days after the Legislature unanimously approved the bill and less than a month after Philadelphia Police Officer Patrick McDonald was killed by an illegally purchased gun. Senator Mike Stack of Philadelphia, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, who amended the bill to include the cop shooting provision, joined Rendell at the bill-signing ceremony in Philadelphia today. State Representative Marty Causer says he's always skeptical of legislation dealing with firearms because some lawmakers are pushing legislation for more gun control. But, he says, this legislation "toughens penalties for criminals while, at the same time, protects our second amendment rights." Stack amended House Bill 1845 to include language that mandates a 20-year min...

The aisles at Tops Supermarket will be filled with ghosts, goblins, princesses and superheroes as the local business is set to host a fall festival and Halloween celebration on Saturday. Parents and children can enjoy many activities, including bobbing for apples and pumpkin painting, with the day to conclude with a costume parade for the children. There will also be appearances by the Bradford City Fire and Police Departments, as well as an apple pie baking contest. All of the proceeds will benefit the United Way of the Bradford Area. “I was pleasantly surprised when approached by a couple of the Tops associates and store manager Michele Gangloff regarding this event,” says Mandi Wilton Davis, Assistant Director. “We have such a strong relationship with the employees there, as they are one of our 100% contributors. I’m very appreciative of the support that we continue to receive from them.” The event will start at 11:00 am and conclude at 3:00 pm, with the costume parade schedul...

American Refining Group is paying a price for a barrel of Penn Grade crude oil that it hasn't paid since June of 2007. ARG lowered its price by $4.75 today, bringing it down to $64. The price was in the $60 range in August of last year, but hasn't been as low as $64 since June 27, 2007.

A Massachusetts bowhunter died Thursday after falling out of a tree stand in Potter County. Police say 78-year-old Thomas Kinny of Norton, Mass., fell as he was climbing into a tree stand early Thursday afternoon. His leg got stuck in the crook of the tree, and he hung upside down for about three hours until a hunting partner found him. Emergency workers say Kinny suffered a broken leg when he fell. After he was helped out of the tree, he slowly became unresponsive and his heart stopped. Potter County Coroner Kevin Dusenbury pronounced him dead at the scene.

An Erie man apparently had a real hankering for pizza – and it landed him in jail. Police say early this morning 33-year-old Clarence Stout walked into a garage, where he took 5 pounds of sliced pepperoni, 8 one-pounds bags of shredded cheese, two pizza shells and 5 pounds of Tyson chicken nuggets. Stout was getting into his car when police arrived. His bail is set at $5,000. Woulda been way cheaper to go to Little Caesar's.

Jesse James Campbell will spend the rest of his life in prison without parole, after a jury decided not to impose the death penalty. Campbell was found guilty of killing his mother, Cindy Jo Coleman, by beating her with a five-pound weight and cutting her neck with a steak knife. He then read the Bible to her as she died. Coleman's mother asked the jury to spare her grandson's life so she could still have some link to her daughter.

A Sheffield teenager accused of beating up an elderly woman and stealing her car surprised his lawyer, and the district attorney, by changing his plea. Jeremy Hoden has been charged with assault and burglary for breaking into the home of 77-year-old Irene Rice in August of last year, beating her and stealing her car and cash. Hoden had worked out a plea agreement, and was expected to plead guilty but, instead, pleaded not guilty. The burglary charge had been reduced to criminal trespass in the plea deal, but was re-instated after Hoden changed his plea. He pleaded guilty to the burglary charge. Hoden, who was 17 at the time of the incident, was charged as an adult due to the severity of the crimes.

The National Federation of Independent Business has recognized State Representative Kathy Rapp as a 2007-08 Guardian of Small Business. "It's always an honor to be recognized as a champion of small business," Rapp said. "It is no secret that small businesses continue to create most of the new jobs in Pennsylvania. In both good times and bad, they are truly the heartbeat of our country." Rapp is one of less than 60 state house members to earn "A" ranking during the 2007-2008 legislative session for supporting small businesses on such key issues as affordable health insurance, tort reform, protecting private property rights and lower taxes. This is Rapp's second consecutive Guardian of Small Business award since taking office in 2004.

A Uniontown man has eaten a 15-pound burger with 5.2 pounds of toppings in 4 hours and 39 minutes. Brad Sciullo is the first person to successfully eat the huge burger at Denny's Beer Barrel Pub in Clearfield, according to owner Dennis Liegey. The burger — called the Beer Barrel Belly Bruiser — includes a bun, lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, onions, mild banana peppers and a cup each of mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard and relish. When asked what possessed him to eat a burger that big, the 5-foot-11, 180-pound Sciullo said he just wanted to see if he could. For pictures of Brad, the burger and more go to Denny's Beer Barrel Pub.com

By Kaitlin Flor, SBU ’11 ST. BONAVENTURE, N.Y., Oct. 16, 2008 – All Negros Driven from Indiana Town read one 1920s newspaper headline in Arkansas. Racial cleansings, like the one the 1920s headline demonstrated, are a part of American history Americans tend to forget. St. Bonaventure University students and the surrounding community will have the opportunity to learn about this on Oct. 29 in a presentation by Elliot Jaspin, a retired journalist and Pulitzer Prize winner. The presentation, titled “Separate Histories; How We Lie to Ourselves,” will be at 7 p.m. at Dresser Auditorium in the John J. Murphy Professional Building. Lee Coppola, dean of the Russell J. Jandoli School of Journalism and Mass Communication, and Dr. Robert Amico, professor of philosophy, chose to bring Jaspin to St. Bonaventure because of his unique accomplishments in the field of journalism. “I am most concerned about making sure that my students learn to use their journalism skills for the greater good of socie...

Governor Edward G. Rendell today said Department of Community and Economic Development Secretary Dennis Yablonsky will resign, effective Oct. 23, to return to the private sector. The Governor lauded Yablonsky’s service to Pennsylvania’s working men and women, which drove economic growth throughout the commonwealth. “It is hard to imagine any secretary of DCED or Commerce had a greater impact in creating a stronger Pennsylvania economy than Dennis Yablonsky,” Governor Rendell said. “He was at the forefront in attracting billions in new capital investments that have enabled us to create thousands of new jobs, revitalize our communities, diversify our economy and put Pennsylvania in a better position than most states. “Dennis and I worked hand-in-hand with the General Assembly to get my economic stimulus package passed that invested more than $3 billion to support more than 2,600 projects statewide. This state investment has been able to leverage more than $8.8 billion in additional inv...

Governor Ed Rendell says Lt. Gov. Catherine Baker Knoll is in a Baltimore hospital getting intensive treatment for cancer.Knoll has been in the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center for about two weeks, but there is no prognosis, Rendell says. He says Knoll's doctors feel that the hospital is the best setting for her to get the kind of treatment she needs. Knoll revealed in August that she had been diagnosed with neuroendocrine cancer in early July and that she had been undergoing radiation and chemotherapy treatments. She returned to Harrisburg to preside over the Senate on the first day of the fall legislative session. Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati presided over the chamber for the rest of the session. Under the state constitution, if Knoll is unable to complete her term, Scarnati would become lieutenant governor.

A jury trial for the people accused of misusing public money for Pennsylvania legislative campaigns is set to begin January 12. All 12 defendants are connected to the House Democratic caucus, but Attorney General Tom Corbett says he's investigating both parties in the state House and Senate and more arrests are expected. It's unclear how many defendants will actually go to trial because some are cooperating with investigators and may be plea bargaining. The defendants include current Representative Sean Ramaley of Beaver County, and former House Democratic whip Mike Veon.

An Altoona man who went to buy cigarettes in a gorilla suit to win a bet with his girlfriend has been charged receiving stolen property. Police say they noticed 20-year-old Brian Hoover just after midnight dressed as an ape. When they stopped Hoover, they discovered he was wanted for receiving stolen property. Police say Hoover told them he had gone to the convenience store in disguise because his girlfriend had bet him he wouldn't do it. Police didn't release details on the alleged crime. Hoover was released on bond.

Five men arrested in connection with a bomb-making operation waived their preliminary hearings. Justin Steinman, Robert Edwards, Ricky Bar and Edward Thornton, all of Warren, and Eugene Whipple of Sheffield were arrested in August at Edwards' South Street home. Police say they detonated at least three bombs within the city limits over a span of three months. Police say Steinman, Edwards and Barr, manufactured at least five bombs in the basement of Edwards' home. Thornton was allegedly involved in detonating a bomb in the Point Park area, and Whipple was allegedly involved in a detonation near Washington Park. Whipple, Barr and Edwards are free on bail; Steinman is in Warren County Jail. Thornton is in jail on a separate charge.

A dog found tied to railroad tracks near Pittsburgh is recovering at a western Pennsylvania shelter. Norfolk Southern spokesman Rudy Husband says one of the company's train engineers saw the dog tied to the tracks and called police, who briefly shut down the tracks about 8 miles east of Pittsburgh. Officials say the dog recently gave birth. She is emaciated and nearly died of starvation. The dog is now recovering at the Western Pennsylvania Humane Society, where employees are calling her Choo-Choo.

Two Marienville teens have been charged in connection with the murder of a 50 year-old Sigel man in his residence back in August. State Police say that 18 year-old Raymond Lambert and 17 year-old Stephen Hall allegedly shot and killed Timothy Finucan at his home August 20th in Elk County. Police haven’t said whether a burglary occurred during the homicide. The two are being held in the Elk County Jail without bail.

Three Bradford teens have been charged with robbing convenience stores in Bradford and are also suspects in a string of robberies in New York state. Court records indicate that 19-year-old Benjamin Trumbull is facing charges for the robbery of Crosby Marts on East Main Street and Interstate Parkway. He is in McKean County Jail on $50,000 bail. Police have also charged 18-year-old James Baribeau with the East Main Street robbery. 17-year-old Kyle Grandinetti, Baribeau and Trumbull are also persons of interest in an armed robbery at Sugarcreek store in Olean. McKean County District Attorney John Pavlock says the investigation is continuing and more charges may be coming.

A Houtzdale man may face the death penalty after a jury convicted him of beating and slashing his mother to death. The jury found 21-year-old Jesse James Campbell guilty of six charges relating to the March 13 murder of his mother, 49-year-old Cindy Jo Coleman. The penalty phase starts today. Campbell is accused of hitting his mother with a five-pound plastic weight and cuttting her neck with a steak knife. Police say Campbell then read the Bible to his mother as she died. During the trial, Campbell tried to pin the murder on his ex-girlfriend.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — State Attorney General Tom Corbett and his Democratic challenger clashed over ethics Wednesday, accusing each other of allowing conflicts of interest to interfere with their public responsibilities. For the full story, go to pennlive.com .

Warren City Police say they have at least two possible motives for a theft they're investigating. They could be looking for a Democrat who wanted a Barack Obama sign or a Republican who wanted one less Obama sign. At any rate, a red, white and blue "Warren County for Obama" banner was stolen from the county Democratic headquarters between 4 and 6 p.m. Tuesday. The banner is valued at $500.

A unique installation art piece will be on display starting Friday at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford. “Sprawlification,” an installation art piece by Dylan J. Beck will be showcased in the KOA Art Gallery of Blaisdell Hall from Friday through Nov. 14. As part of the university’s Spectrum Series, the exhibition is free and open to the public. There will be three to four pieces that are fixed to the wall with a small amount of joint compound, so the pieces appear seamlessly attached. On the floor of the gallery there will be a sprawling city made up of 300 slip-cast ceramic objects about 6 inches high. As part of the opening Friday, Beck will talk about the concepts behind his installation, highlighting domestic architecture and urban and suburban planning. The talk will take place from noon to 12:30 p.m. Friday in the Webb/Bradford Forest Rehearsal Hall in Blaisdell Hall, followed by a reception in the KOA Electronics Lobby. ...

OLEAN -- Children who live in Cattaraugus County are invited to write an essay about the December holidays -- What is so special about the holidays in Cattaraugus County? The Holiday Essay Contest is sponsored by Olean Times Herald's Newspapers in Education program, Premo Limo, and the Greater Olean Area Chamber of Commerce. Officials want to hear how the students spend the holidays in and around the county: students may sled down St. Bonaventure’s hillside with their cousins; may go for a wagon ride around trails at Allegany State Park; or spend the day skiing in Ellicottville with all their relatives. This year the essay is reflecting the County’s Bicentennial Celebration and the essay can be written at school or at home. The top three winners will be invited to the Annual Santa Claus Lane parade and will then help Santa and the Mayor David Carucci light the holiday decorations. Children can drop off their essay at the Greater Olean Area Chamber of Commerce office, Monday-Fri...

The Clearfield County man accused of killing his mother after an argument over a computer took the stand today in his murder trial. 21-year-old Jesse James Campbell is facing charges of criminal homicide and murder and could face the death penalty if he's convicted. Campbell testified that he did not kill his mother, was not involved in her murder and never admitted to police that he had anything to do with it. When asked about yesterday's testimony about letters he allegedly wrote about killing his mother, Campbell testified that he was writing about a character in a book, not himself. Campbell is accused of slitting his mother's throat with a steak knife on March 13. The trial is expected to last two more days.

A Pittsburgh suburb will allow a pole dancing studio to open, ending a federal lawsuit that accused town officials of violating the First Amendment rights of the prospective business woman. The American Civil Liberties Union filed the suit on behalf of 30-year-old Stephanie Babines. Officials had barred her from opening the studio, saying it was a sexually oriented business. Babines' classes include pole-dancing, power lap dance, strip tease and "SeXXXercise." They are all taught and performed fully clothed.

Police are looking into thefts at the Potter County Fairgrounds. They say sometime between September 1 and October 1 someone lifted a 4-foot by 16-foot steel tube gate from its hinges. The gate is valued at $500. Also, sometime between October 1 and Sunday someone cut about 200 feet of copper wire that connected lighting fixtures on the rafters under the entertainment pavilion. Also, the burglar broke into a booth and stole about 20 more feet of copper wire.

I hate to do this while some people (include myself) are still grieving, but I also hate being questioned about why I'm grieving. Obviously, Spider and I were friends and had a mutual respect for each other. 'nuff said.

The oil industry is helping Bradford Area High School. Dresser-Rand may be helping Allegany-Limestone High School. Dresser-Rand representatives met with school officials concerning a mentoring partnership. Superintendent Diane Munro says a partnership could result in a program where students go to Dresser-Rand to learn machine skills.

Bradford City Council – on first reading Tuesday night – approved the "Bradford Open Burning Ordinance." Among other things, the ordinance prohibits open burning that is offensive or objectionable because of smoke or odor emissions. It also says recreational fires can't be within 25 feet of a building or combustible material. Council thanked Fire Chief Boo Coder for the work he put into the ordinance. Council still has to approve the ordinance on second reading before it goes into effect. Anyone can read it at city hall. Also Tuesday, Dr. Brian MacNamara tried to encourage Bradford City Council to do something about the former J.A. Still Funeral Home on Congress Street, which is in a state of disrepair. "I'm concerned about another building in the (historic) district edging its way toward a point that it can't be saved," he said. "The architectural features are quite significant," he added, "and they're actually in pretty good conditio...

WILLIAMSPORT – The Department of Environmental Protection has fined Kawneer Company Inc. $6,100 for hazardous waste violations, including improperly storing and labeling used fluorescent lamps and batteries. The hazardous waste items were discovered at Kawneer’s Bloomsburg, Columbia County, plant after routine inspections by DEP “Federal and state regulations require used batteries and fluorescent bulbs to be stored securely and labeled properly,” said DEP Northcentral Regional Director Robert Yowell. “The concern here is safety. These items contain hazardous waste materials and we need to ensure that the necessary steps and precautions are in place.” Kawneer officials corrected all of the violations during the inspection and paid the fine to the Solid Waste Abatement Fund, which is used to help pay for cleanup activities across the state. DEP cited Kawneer for similar offenses in 1997 and 2003. During recent inspections, the department cited the company for three hazardous waste recor...

Route 62 near Kiantone was closed for about an hour and a half on Tuesday after a commercial truck flipped over, spilling shingles and lumber onto the road. Sheriff's deputies say Harry Eidens' vehicle went off the road and when it went back onto the road, flipped over. The road was closed while the debris was cleared and the vehicle was towed from the scene. Eidens was treated an area hospital then released.

At the start of Tuesday's Bradford City Council meeting, Mayor Tom Riel commented on the passing of Joe "Spider" Warner. "He truly did care about our community and wanted to help make it a better place," Riel said. "I considered him a friend and I'll miss the guy." "I hope that his legacy of Bradford-Online and ( Talk About Bradford ) goes on. God bless Joe Warner," Riel said.

More than 100 people who own land above part of the Marcellus Shale gas formation in Pennsylvania are suing over the drilling leases they signed. The property owners say in a federal lawsuit that the leases they signed with the land agent, Keeton Group of Lexington, Ky., are illegal under state law and should be invalid. They say the leases violate state law because they don't guarantee that the property owner would get one-eighth of the royalties from drilling on the Marcellus Shale gas formation. The suit says the 135 plaintiffs own more than 18,000 acres in Sullivan and Lycoming counties.

A pistol-packin' soccer mom got her concealed weapon permit back today. Meleanie Hain lost the permit after other parents complained last month that she was carrying her loaded handgun in a holster at her daughter's soccer game. A judge says even though the law required him to give her the permit back, he questioned whether Hain showed good judgment by ignoring other parents' safety concerns. Hain says she expects she'll be back on the sidelines with her gun in the future.

During the trial for a Houtzdale man accused of killing his mother, a state trooper testified today about letters found in the defendant's bedroom. Jesse James Campbell is charged with criminal homicide for allegedly killing his mother Cindy Jo Coleman on March 13. Trooper Michelle Zeiders read one of the letters to the jury today. It says “God knows I hate with a passion who I am. He knows my disgust … that’s why I hate him … I am a horrible person. Horrible and evil.” Another line from the letter states, “Because I could kill my mother with a dull steak knife." Also today, a DNA expert testified that blood on sweatpants worn by Campbell matched his mother's blood. In the first day of the trial on Monday several witnesses testified that Campbell had talked about killing his mother. Campbell is accused of slitting his mother's throat with a steak knife then reading the Bible to her as she died. Earlier they had argued about a computer.

In a letter welcoming presidential candidates John McCain and Barack Obama to New York for Wednesday's debate, Governor David Paterson challenged the men to work on rebuilding the partnership between the federal government and the states. Paterson's letter says "This partnership was once a source of America’s strength. In the immediate aftermath of the September 11th attacks, for example, the federal government worked with New York and other states to shore up security and get our economy back on track." Paterson says he is calling on McCain and Obama to work with the nation’s Governors to restore trust, to rebuild the partnership, and to tackle the urgent challenges facing the states. You can read Paterson's letter HERE .

A Pennsylvania woman whose purported messages from the Virgin Mary have been discredited by the Roman Catholic Church has canceled her scheduled appearances in Maryland at the urging of the archbishop of Baltimore. Gianna Sullivan of Fairfield was warned last week by Archbishop Edwin O'Brien not to talk or write about the alleged apparitions anywhere within the archdiocese. The archdiocese concluded in 2000 that the visions were not supernatural and barred Sullivan's weekly appearances at an Emmitsburg, Maryland, church. The Vatican upheld that decision in 2003.

If there's one game animal that could use some additional attention in Pennsylvania, it's squirrels. Pennsylvania Game Commission field officers report squirrel populations are strong in most areas of the state. Gray squirrels continue to be found across Pennsylvania in sizeable numbers, and the black-phase gray squirrel isn't hard to find north of Interstate-80 and east of the Ohio line all the way into the state's northcentral counties. Fox squirrels also are becoming increasingly available as they continue to push east of the Appalachian Front and north through Pennsylvania's ridges and valleys. Squirrel populations have been enjoying the benefits of declining hunting pressure and the maturation of habitat instate for some time. These factors have spurred fox squirrel range expansion and recovery. Game Commission field officers believe squirrel hunting will be good to excellent in many of the state's forests and woodlots. About the only problem squirrels are ...

The “No Rules” Book Club sponsored by the Bradford Area Public Library will discuss this year’s One Book Bradford selection, David Laskin’s “The Children’s Blizzard,” at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the library. The discussion will be led by Dr. Anita Herbert and is open to the public. Anyone who has read the book is encouraged to attend. The discussion is one of several programs this year planned by the One Book Bradford Committee related to “The Children’s Blizzard.” The culminating event is a visit by Laskin at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 9, 2009, at Bromeley Family Theater in Blaisdell Hall at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford. Laskin's visit is part of the Pitt-Bradford Spectrum Series and co-sponsored by the Pitt-Bradford writing program and the Division of Communication and the Arts. “The Children’s Blizzard” tells the story of a group of pioneers on the Great Plains and a blizzard that has been remembered for generations. Other events planned...

HARRISBURG - The Pennsylvania Game Commission expects ruffed grouse hunting to be good - at least as good as last year - for the more than 100,000 hunters who annually pursue these challenging game birds. The opening day of the state's three-part grouse season is Saturday, Oct. 18, and runs through Nov. 29. The season reopens Dec. 15 to 23, and then again from Dec. 26 to Jan. 24. Participating hunters must have a valid Pennsylvania hunting license and follow the regulations that govern this rugged sport of brush-busting and mountain-scampering. “Last year, hunters saw fewer grouse than they had the previous year,” said Bill Palmer, Game Commission grouse biologist. “We were forecasting an improvement in flushing rates, but it didn’t. The flushing rate was down slightly, but it still was the second best rate posted by hunters since 2002. We expect grouse numbers to stay relatively the same and that should translate into good hunting.” Palmer noted, however, that the problem apparent...

Members of the Pennsylvania Oil, Gas and Minerals Association have contributed $26,500 to fund a portion of the staffing requirements for the first year of Bradford Area High School's Petroleum Production Training program. The North Central Workforce Investment Board has also made a $10,000 contribution. Additional funds have been pledged by POGAM members and will be turned over to the high school. The high school re-instituted the Petroleum Production Training curiculum for the 2008-2009 school year. The course of study was discontinued about 15 years ago due to the decline in local drilling at that time. Currently, 18 students are enrolled in the program. Three commute from Smethport. Re-institution of the program was a response to a study by POGAM and the North Centrl Workforce Investment Board that highlighted the shortage of workers needed to support the rapid increase in oil and gas drilling activities in teh area. As a result of the findings of the study, a considerable amou...

No one seems to be exactly sure when or if McCain, Obama, Palin or Biden will be in Buffalo. But they do know when Ralph Nader will be there. The Presidential candidate will be making a campaign stop in Buffalo Friday evening. Nader is scheduled to speak at 6:30 at the Lafayette Presbyterian Church on Elmwood Avenue.

Dr. Richard Frederick, a University of Pittsburgh at Bradford professor of history known for his entertaining lectures, will speak on “A Wild and Crazy Affair: Electing a President in 1800” Thursday night, Oct. 16. Frederick’s talk will begin at 7 p.m. in the Mukaiyama University Room in the Frame-Westerberg Commons. “The colorful characters I’ll be talking about include founding fathers like Adams and Jefferson and Hamilton as well as scoundrels like Aaron Burr and James T. Callender,” Frederick said. “Nothing was ever quite like this election, which is why it has engendered so much interest over the years. It has everything, from mudslinging to the first real party change in U.S. history, to a contested result that was ultimately settled in the House of Representatives.” The program is sponsored by the Friends of the Hanley Library and is free and open to the public.

A 20-year-old Jamestown man died after being thrown from his vehicle Saturday morning in the Town of Busti.Police say it appears that 20-year-old Austin Niles was speeding at around 6:20 a.m., lost control of his vehicle, hit an embankment and landed in a ditch. Niles was pronounced dead at the scene.

Nationally renowned melodic folk pianist George Winston will perform on Oct. 22 at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford. The concert, which is the first offering in this year’s Season Subscription Series, starts at 7:30 p.m. in the Bromeley Family Theater in Blaisdell Hall. Winston, who performed the soundtrack for some of the Peanuts television specials, will perform several styles, including melodic folk piano, New Orleans R&B piano and stride piano on Pitt-Bradford's new 9- foot Steinway concert grand piano. The show lineup includes selections from Winston’s popular recordings “Autumn,” “December,” “Winter into Spring,” and “Summer” as well as recordings from “Forest” and pieces from Vince Guaraldi’s soundtrack to the animated television specials featuring the Peanuts cast of characters. “George Winston is a first-rate pianist with an engaging personality and unusual modern repertoire that no one else can match,” said Randy Mayes, arts programming d...