Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

When Ellen E. Grant was asked to contribute to a treasury of letters written by African-American women to first lady Michelle Obama, she didn’t have to think twice. “Absolutely,” she proudly stated. “Sign me up.” That treasury of letters was published last month by SUNY Press under the title of “Go, Tell Michelle: African-American Women Write to the New First Lady.” Compiled and edited by Barbara A. Seals Nevergold, Ph.D., and Peggy Brooks-Bertram, Ph.D., the book was an experience and opportunity for African-American women from around the world to write to the new first lady. “Go, Tell Michelle” stemmed from the editors’ work with the Uncrowned Queens Institute for Research and Education on Women, Inc., which Nevergold and Brooks-Bertram founded in 1999 as a way to recognize and celebrate the accomplishments and contributions of African American women. “Our first lady is truly an uncrowned queen,” said Grant, a trustee at St. Bonaventure. “This is an exciting time in history and I wan...

Ed Jacobs Jr. said that FBI agents had resorted to "voodoo accounting" to build the federal fraud case, which alleges that Arnao and Fumo looted Citizens Alliance for Better Neighborhoods of $1.4 million. For the full story, go to the Philadelphia Daily News .

HARRISBURG -- A new statewide poll shows 53 percent of Pennsylvanians -- and 66 percent of Republicans -- want someone to replace Sen. Arlen Specter. For the full story, go to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review .

The Community Reads Project and Jamestown Community College’s campus program committee are sponsoring two events on March 19 related to The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time by Mark Haddon, the book selected for this year’s study. The events will be held in the Magnano Reception Room, adjacent to Cutco Theater at JCC and are free and open to the public. For more information, call 376-7594. Making Connections and Coping with Autism Spectrum Disorder, moderated by Linda Matthews, JCC human services instructor, will be presented from 4 to 5:30 p.m. A panel of experts on autism will share their experiences and knowledge. Panelists include: James Kinney, author, speaker, and parent of an autistic child; Luke Kinney, teenager with autism and student at Bradford Area High School ; Cheryl Moore, board certified behavior analyst and 6:1:1 teacher for BOCES at Cuba Elementary School; Karen O’Dell, autism services specialist for Olean City Schools; and Pam Salzmann, PT, DO, pediatric...

Due to the high level of interest in this year’s Northwest PA Grazing Conference, registration has been extended to March 7, 2009 This year’s conference will be held at the Tri County Church of God just off route 255, 1.3 miles north of I-80 Exit 101 in DuBois, Pennsylvania. The conference will begin at 9:15 AM. This year’s featured speaker will be Kit Pharo, a beef breeder and producer from Cheyenne Wells, Colorado. Pharo, a nationally known speaker, has interesting ideas on why producers should focus on profitability and not production and will discuss his three keys to profitability. In addition, John Vanderstappen, a Jersey milk producer from Mercer will discuss how he incorporates an intensive grazing system into his total mixed ration feeding program. The conference will end with the always popular farmer panel featuring Michael Wright/Warren County, Alvin Vogel/Butler County, and Junior Gilkinson/Warren County. All three depend on a high level of grazing management to make thei...

A workshop on autism spectrum disorders will be held March 26 at St. Bonaventure University. Sheila Wagner, M.E.D., an internationally renowned lecturer, will present “Educating Youth with Autism Spectrum Disorders: Inclusion, Behavioral and Social Best Practices Interventions” at noon in the San Damiano Room in Francis Hall. Wagner is the assistant director at Atlanta’s Emory Autism Center and the program coordinator for the MONARCH School Age Program at the center, which is dedicated to providing information and resources to families and school systems throughout Georgia for the education of K-12 students with autism. Wagner has more than 20 years’ experience in working with autism spectrum disorders as a teacher, consultant and evaluator. Wagner is also the author of many books that focus on inclusive programming for students with autism. Her first book concentrated on elementary students and was recognized with the ASA Literary Award in 2000. The cost of the workshop is $30 for ...

Mary Hosmer Public Affairs Allegheny National Forest I stare at the privet hedge. Like any second hand homeowner, I treasure things about my home and dislike some things the previous homeowner obviously thought to be wonderful. Privet (Ligustrum spp.) bushes are everywhere on my piece of God’s Little Acre, near the Allegheny National Forest. Privet is commonly planted as a hedge to provide a screen of plants in the summer months. Privets form dense thickets elsewhere in the forests, outcompeting native vegetation. They do their intended job, only too well. I want a windbreak on the western and northern edges of my property, particularly after experiencing the brutal winds of last winter. I also want to create my windbreak from native shrubs and trees that not only break the wind, but also provide habitat for wildlife. I need a plan… back to the seed and plant catalogs; back to http://paforeststewards.cas.psu.edu. I need to remove the privet before I can plant some trees and ...

The official website of the Oil Region Alliance's Oil 150 celebration, www.oil150.com has added an entire new section of essays describing 15 of Pennsylvania's earliest commercial oil companies. Randy Seitz, President of the ORA said: "Neil McElwee has done extensive research and has developed an extremely interesting series of essays that chronicle the development of the oil companies with roots in Western Pennsylvania. Anyone interested in the history of the petroleum industry will find these articles fascinating." The material can be found in the "Essays" section, under "Pennsylvania Oil Companies" at www.oil150.com. The complete list of articles includes: United Refining Company; American Refining Group, Inc .; Atlantic Refining Company; Crew Levick – Cities Service Group; Empire – Wolverine – Wolf's Head; Freedom Oil Works Co. and the Valvoline Oil Company; Galena Oil Company and Signal Oil; Gulf Oil company; Kendall Refining ; Pennsylva...

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Pitt-Bradford let Penn State-Behrend off the hook last week, but the Panthers weren't about to let it happen twice. Friday night at Medaille College, UPB got some revenge by eliminating the Lions from the AMCC playoffs with a 62-54 victory in their semifinal game. "This was a great, great win for us," said a pleased Andy Moore, UPB coach. "Last weekend we let our game at Behrend get away and we didn't want that to happen tonight." The Panthers played hard right from the start and behind a stingy defense built a three-point, 28-25 lead at halftime. With 12 minutes left in the second half, Zach Moore's three-pointer gave UPB a comfortable 12-point (43-31) lead. Behrend trimmed the deficit to Five at 53-48 on a 3-pointer by Adam Kaiser with 2:21 left, but the Panthers knew what they had to do to advance to today's championship game. "Down the stretch we made some plays and hit our free throws," said coach Moore. "We led p...

Bradford High's Mark Havers has advanced to the semifinals in the Northwest Regional Wrestling Championships. Havers beat Cathedral Prep's Dave Heynoski. Today, he faces Brian Greenlee of Franklin for a spot in the finals.

The former NBA player and Syracuse University star caught up in a Buffalo drug raid has been released by the NBA Development League. 29-year-old Damone Brown of the Reno Bighorns was released so he can focus on "personal business," said Jason Glover, team president and assistant coach. Brown is accused of leasing a safe deposit box at Citizens Bank in Buffalo that was used by a drug kingpin to store proceeds. Authorities seized $170,000 from the box before Brown's arrest in Reno. In U.S. District Court in Reno on Thursday, Brown was released on his own recognizance pending a March 11 preliminary hearing in Buffalo. FBI agent Peter Orchard was shot and wounded Thursday during the roundup of suspects. He's been released from the hospital. 31 people were charged with participating in the ring.

The Buffalo News may have to lay off 52 employees due to the economic downtown. A memo sent to all News employees from News Publisher Stan Lipsey on Friday outlined the economic troubles the News has faced due to the reduction of advertising and circulation revenue. The letter states: "February will be the fourth consecutive month in which the company has struggled with profitability." Most the layoffs would come from the circulation department with 33, while the rest is split between editorial, classified advertising, accounting and marketing. The Buffalo News recently increased the cost of a newspaper from 50 cents to 75 cents.

If you thought you saw Scott Douglas on The Today Show just a couple minutes ago, you weren't imagining things. He's in NYC and made a stop at 30 Rock.

Singer Jimmy Buffett wants a Pittsburgh bar named Margaritaville to quit using the name. Buffett's lawyers sent the bar's owner a letter demanding that it cease operating, saying the singer owns dozens of restaurants called Margaritaville. Buffett released the song "Wasting Away Again In Margaritaville" in 1977. For the full story, go to WPXI.com .

A female teacher in Oil City is being accused of having an inappropriate relationship with a 16-year-old female student. Oil City Police say 34-four-year old Angie Marie Fetty of Franklin admitted hugging and kissing the girl and having her sleep over. Fetty has been suspended with pay pending the case's outcome. Fetty has been charged with endangering the welfare of children, corruption of minors and possessing drug paraphernalia. Police say they found drug paraphernalia while searching Fetty's house.

By Kellan Terry SBU ’10 Dr. Patrick James, director of the Center for International Studies at the University of Southern California, will be visiting St. Bonaventure University March 9-20 as a Lenna Endowed Visiting Professor. James is one of the world’s top scholars in international relations and comparative politics. He will address audiences of students and scholars on a variety of topics, from offensive realism to global governance. James will be giving a lecture at 7 p.m. on March 10 in the auditorium of the William F. Walsh Science Center. His lecture is free and open to the public. James will also visit the Jamestown campus of Jamestown Community College to address the President’s Roundtable at 7:45 a.m. on March 18 in the Weeks Reception Room in the Arts & Science Building. James is the recipient of numerous fellowships and awards, including the Louise Dyer Peace Fellowship from the Hoover Institution at Stanford University, the Milton R. Merrill Chair from Political Sci...

University of Pittsburgh at Bradford Outreach Services will offer ServSafe food safety training courses in Bradford next month. The training will take place from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. on March 23, 25 and 30 in the sixth floor conference room of the Seneca Building on Marilyn Horne Way in downtown Bradford. Those seeking ServSave certification will need to attend all three classes at a cost of $199, which includes textbook and exam fees, while those being recertified should attend the first two classes at a cost of $99. The deadline for registration has been extended to Friday, March 6. “This is the first time that Pitt-Bradford Outreach Services has offered the ServSafe course,” said Ann Robinson, director of the Business Resource Center. “In the past, most food service employees who needed the certification had to travel outside of Bradford and sometimes even outside of McKean County to find a course like this.” Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture re...

Dr. Neal Carter, associate professor of political science at St. Bonaventure University, has received a $9,500 grant from the Canadian government to support the development of Canadian content courses, including a six-credit course for summer 2010. The course features a two-week trip to four major cities in Canada. About $5,000 of the grant will help defray travel expenses for the students who take the course, now being developed by Carter and Dr. Jeff Slagle, assistant professor of English. The course — a seminar version of the World Views course (CLAR 108) taught every fall by Carter — will be merged with a section of Arts and Literature (CLAR 109) to account for the six credits. Both courses are Clare College (core program) requirements for all St. Bonaventure students, but are offered each semester in a number of sections and taught by several different faculty members. Carter’s section of World Views focuses on identity and intergroup contact in general, but uses the United States...

By Kimberly Marcott Weinberg Assistant Director of Communications and Marketing A University of Pittsburgh at Bradford alumnus whose engineering business now employs 28 people in Olean, N.Y., received the second annual Entrepreneurial Excellence Award Monday on campus. Chris Napoleon, owner of Napoleon Engineering Services, was honored by the Pitt-Bradford Students in Free Enterprise and the Small Business Administration at a luncheon meeting of the Pitt-Bradford Advisory Board. Laura Megill, director of the entrepreneurship program at Pitt-Bradford, and Dr. Livingston Alexander, president, presented Napoleon with the award. Napoleon was chosen, in part, for his work mentoring students from middle school through college. “I do feel it’s important to remain involved with education. That’s the foundation of everything,” said Napoleon, who after studying engineering for two years at Pitt-Bradford finished his mechanical engineering degree at...

By Tom Missel Director of Media Relations/Marketing He lived more than 90 years in a non-descript house on Wayne Street, made $5.85 an hour in 1975, his 38th and final year at Dresser Industries. A simple man of modest means, Frank T. Gelsomino Jr. died Aug. 13, 2007. His legacy will be felt in Olean forever. Scrimping and investing wisely, tracking TV stock tickers faithfully and making daily calls to his broker, Gelsomino amassed a fortune and made sure two pillars of the community — St. Bonaventure University and Olean General Hospital — were the richer for it. He left the university more than $1.6 million and donated $700,000 to the hospital. Gelsomino’s generosity was remembered Friday by both institutions, first at a midday reception at St. Bonaventure, and then at the dedication of a Gelsomino family portrait — painted by Sharon Long — at Olean General. Relatives and friends of Gelsomino attended both events. “Words could never adequately convey what this remarkable man has done...

HARRISBURG – Residents in Western Pennsylvania and Northeastern Ohio will have access to new workforce development opportunities through the nation’s first Interstate Workforce Region that Governor Edward G. Rendell and Ohio Governor Ted Strickland announced today. “A workforce with the skills and training to succeed in the 21st-century workplace is essential, and Pennsylvania’s local and regional workforce development partners are helping us realize that goal,” Governor Rendell said. “The Interstate Region is a logical extension of our current workforce development strategies, and I am pleased that we can partner with Ohio to create and implement workforce strategies that will benefit the workforce and employers in our states.” “Regional collaboration is more important than ever as a driver of economic growth, especially in these challenging economic times,” Governor Strickland said. “We look forward to working closely with our partners in Pennsylvania on ways to more effectively and...

With only three rounds remaining in chess league action at School Street Elementary, the tension is mounting in the final matches. Edmond Chevrolet outscored Drs. Rhinehart by 2 points. Lang Surveying won its match against Northwest Savings Bank by 2 points. Tasta Pizza managed a one point victory against Domino’s Pizza. And Hamlin Bank trounced Smith’s Watch & Clock Repair 3.5-0.5 to maintain its lead. Top individual in the JV section is Nico Alvarado, captain for Lang Surveying. Leah Swineford, captain for Tasta Pizza, is only half a point behind in second place. A full point behind in third are Justin Wedge, captain for Lang Surveying, and Jordan Graffius, captain for Edmond Chevrolet. Dr. Gonzalez shut out their main competition for first when they blanked Bradford Window. Smith’s Fine Jewelry tied its match with Dr. Laroche to advance to third place. Parkview Super Market won its match against Dexter’s Service Center. And The Pharmacy at Union Square drew its match against...

The world renowned Spanish company Flamenco Vivo: Carlota Santana will perform at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 10, at St. Bonaventure University’s Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts. The program, “Fiesta Flamenco,” is being presented by Friends of Good Music in association with The Quick Center. Flamenco Vivo bridges cultures around the world to push the boundaries of traditional flamenco, infusing it with fresh energy and excitement. “Unforgettably hot dancing” is how The Washington Post described a performance by the Spanish dancers and musicians. Artistic Director Carlota Santana, named “The Keeper of Flamenco” by Dance Magazine, conjures vibrant performances from an ever-expanding repertoire of new music, original dramatic works, and a bold mixture of dance vocabularies, including Hispanic-American influences. True to its founding vision, the company commissions new works with original choreography and music and has premiered a series of dramatic, cutting edge works. The live music wi...

Members of the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford community will travel to Mexico next month as part of the 6th Annual Maya Archaeology Spring Break Trip, which will take place from March 8-14. The trip will highlight Teotihuacan, the enormous city “where time began,” the Aztec Templo Mayor discovered under the Zocalo plaza of Mexico City, agave (tequila) plantations, obsidian workshops, the Xochimilco gardens by canal boat, the Cacaxtla murals, and also the Aztec Calendar Stone and other treasures of the Museo National, the world’s best anthropological museum, featured in the best-seller book “1000 Places to See Before You Die.” The $1050 price of the trip includes hotels, two meals each day, van transportation, tours by archaeologists, and entrance fees to museums and sites. It does not include airfare to/from Mexico City, Mexico. The trip is open to anyone with an interest in the Maya and Aztecs, in archaeology, in the ecology of the Basin of Mexico, or ...

Mary Hosmer Public Affairs Allegheny National Forest The seed and plant catalog came yesterday. I opened it up to thumb through the offerings, debating in my mind which plants I needed and how much I could afford to spend. Oh, to be rich. Seed and plant catalogs are better than Christmas catalogs for me. This year I am doing something quite different than previous years. I’ve been learning about backyard habitats and planting native plants. I am determined to make a difference on my piece of God’s Little Acre. Visit the website http://www.nwf.org/backyard . Visit http://paforeststewards.cas.psu.edu , for even more detail about wildlife and good solid forestry practices for your woodlands. My eyes view the colors red, purple, and pink as pleasing. But, this year, I quickly pass by the pages of burning bush [Euonymus alatus] (red leaves in the fall), butterfly bush [Buddleja sp.] (purple flowers), and Dame’s rocket [Hesperis matronalis](pink flowers). I’ve learned these bushes ...

WHAT: Representative Kathy Rapp (R-Warren/Forest/McKean) will co-host a Town Hall Meeting to discuss state legislative and community issues impacting residents of the 65th Legislative Districts. Light refreshments will be served. DATE: Thursday, March 12 TIME: 5:30 p.m. WHERE: Friends Memorial Library 230 Chase Street Kane, PA 16735 MORE INFORMATION: District 65 residents interested in attending or obtaining more information should contact either of Rapp's Kane or Warren district offices toll free at (866) 854-5294.

"I have to believe that if there's any state agency that ranks lower than the governor or the legislature in (public trust), I'm looking at it," Sen. John Rafferty, R-Montgomery County, said during an often-contentious hearing (Thursday) morning before the Senate Appropriations Committee. Senator Jane Orie (R-40) questions the operating expenses and the mission of the Gaming Control Board. For the full story, go to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review . Photo provided by Senate Republican Communications

Washington, DC – U.S. Representative Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson, R-Howard, announced today that his district office staff will be fanning out across the Fifth Congressional District to hold constituent hours throughout the month of March. While Thompson maintains two full time district offices – Bellefonte and Titusville – he remains committed to providing top-notch constituent services in every county and community. The Congressman’s staff will hold constituent hours quarterly at various locations across the district. “The Fifth District is 22 percent of Pennsylvania’s land mass and larger than nine states including New Jersey. So while I maintain two full time, full service district offices to assist constituents in navigating the federal government, it is important for me and my staff to take the office on the road and travel the seventeen counties of the Fifth District to provide the level of constituent service that citizens deserve and expect,” said Thompson. Thompson's staff will...

By ANNE HOLLIDAY WESB/WBRR News Director During Appropriations Committee hearings today with the Office of the Administration, Senator Mary Jo White questioned why getting cell phone service in rural areas of the state seems to very low on the state's priority list. "We're like a Third World country up there," White said, referring particularly to the western and northwestern part of the state. She said when driving from her Warren office to her Oil City office she has coverage only about one-fifth of the time. She added that there are some places along Interstate 80 where you can't get coverage. "I think in a state, in this time and place, that is just unimaginable," White said. She said when the Office of Public Safety first started working on its project to provide emergency radio service to the entire state – in 1996 – she talked to the state police and technicians about making space available on their towers for cell phone providers. "I think t...

An FBI agent shot during a drug raid this morning in Buffalo is hospitalized in stable condition, and a former Syracuse basketball star is one of the people targeted in the raid. The agent, Peter Orchard, is recovering from a gunshot wound to the shoulder. Laurie Bennett is FBI Special Agent-In-Charge says "After any shooting incident involving an FBI agent, an investigative inquiry is conducted. The facts surrounding the incident will be thoroughly reviewed. ... Because the situation is ongoing, I'm not able to provide any further information at this time." 31 people were arrested on cocaine trafficking charges. One of the people arrested as a result of the raid is 29-year-old Damone Brown, who played basketball for Syracuse University, and is now a member of the NBA Development League's Reno Bighorns. He was arrested in Reno. Brown is accused of leasing a safe deposit box at a Buffalo bank for an alleged drug kingpin to store his drug proceeds in. Authorities seized...

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senators Tom Harkin (D-IA) and Arlen Specter (R-PA) today will reintroduce the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act, legislation to lift the Bush Administration’s restrictions on stem cell research. The bipartisan measure would allow federal funding for stem cell research using stem cell lines derived under strict ethical requirements from excess in vitro fertilization embryos, regardless of the date they were derived. It is the same bill that both houses of Congress approved in 2007, but was vetoed by President Bush. Senators Ted Kennedy (D-MA), Orrin Hatch (R-UT) and Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) have cosponsored the legislation. “For too long, political interference has delayed research that holds the promise for millions of Americans who suffer from a wide range of diseases,” said Harkin. “President Obama has promised to lift the restrictions on embryonic stem cell research that were put in place by President Bush, and I hope and expect that he will do so soon, but ...

A 10,000-pound MRI magnet gets hoisted by a hydraulic crane from the second-floor window of Bradford Regional Medical Center’s (BRMC) Imaging Services Department on Thursday. The unit’s removal will make way for a new, state-of-the-art MRI to be installed in the coming weeks. Meanwhile, a mobile MRI unit has arrived for patient use and is now parked behind The Pavilion at BRMC, near the intersection of North Bennett and Summer streets. The mobile MRI unit should remain on location throughout the month of March. No interruption of MRI services is expected for patients during this time period, BRMC officials say. Those seeking appointments should contact Imaging Services at BRMC, 362-8200. ( Photo courtesy of BRMC )

The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford on Wednesday celebrated faculty and staff who “go beyond” and chose winners among the student body who submitted homemade Pitt-Bradford videos. At the 3rd annual Go Beyond Brand Party, the Sociology program, under the direction of Dr. Helene Lawson, and the Office of Computing, Telecommunications, and Media Services, directed by Donald Lewicki, were honored as this year’s Brand Champions. Selected by Dr. Livingston Alexander, Pitt-Bradford’s president, the Brand Champions are those people who best outwardly live the university’s brand promise, which includes providing a safe, friendly and personalized campus environment. Lawson, professor of sociology, and Dr. Michael Klausner, associate professor of sociology, were recognized because of the close relationships they forge with their students that go beyond the classroom, explained Pat Frantz Cercone, director of communications and marketing. “They work very cl...

Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Arlen Specter (R-Pa.) today made the following comments regarding President Obama’s proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2010: “It is impossible to evaluate adequately the President’s ten-year budget until the release of the full documents. “On this state of the record, it is hard to see how the President can fulfill his commitment to reduce the deficit in one-half by Fiscal Year 2013 in light of the substantial proposed expenditures, including $634 billion for a health care reserve fund. “The proposed revenues of $646 billion from “cap and trade” on climate change is entirely speculative. “Looking at the ineffectiveness and delay in the administration of TARP, it would be wiser to forego the tax increases, leaving those funds in the hands of taxpayers who have traditionally made wiser decisions than the government on how such funds would be spent.”

Fifty seniors and second-term juniors at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford will appear in the 2009 edition of “Who's Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges.” Students were selected based on the following criteria: leadership and participation in co-curricular activities, service to the college community, and academic achievement. Established in 1934, the annual directory honors students from more than 1,500 institutions across the country. Their names and a biography will appear in “Who’s Who.” Staff, faculty and a student representative made the nominations at Pitt-Bradford. Those named are Carly Ambuske, a biology major from Bradford; Melissa Anderson, an entrepreneurship major from Port Allegany; Jennifer Autieri, an English education major from Derrick City; Benjamin Babcox, a broadcast communications major from Smethport; Brittany Barnes, a chemistry major from Butler; Debra Bell, a history-political major from Shin...

Over 130 special athletes are registered to compete in the annual Special Olympics Swimming Invitational, Sponsored by Dallas-Morris, which will be held at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford Sport and Fitness Center on Friday, Mar. 6, starting at 10:00 a.m. Special Olympians from McKean, Warren, Elk and Cameron counties have been in training for several months in preparation for the competition, according to meet director Carol Ryan. They will be competing for medals in individual and team events. “We have the largest number of swimmers that we have ever had,” said Ryan. “We’re excited and expect the level of competition to be the best ever.” Up to seven swimmers will qualify to compete at the Pennsylvania Special Olympics Summer Games at Penn State, June 4-6. Ryan expressed gratitude to Dallas-Morris Drilling for their sponsorship of the McKean County swimming program and noted that students from Pitt Bradford’s Alpha Phi Omega fraternity and Peer Helpers from Bradford High Sc...

A federal appeals court says it's not willing to reinstate a lawsuit by Common Cause of Pennsylvania and others over how a governmental pay raise law was passed nearly four years ago. The 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals today upheld a district court judge's decision in 2006 to throw out the lawsuit. The appeals judges say the plaintiffs' claims "are insufficient to allege more than a generalized, abstract grievance, shared by all Pennsylvania citizens." Common Cause, the state's League of Women Voters and others claimed the Legislature bypassed constitutional rules for lawmaking. The law was later repealed, but the state Supreme Court reinstated higher pay for judges.

HARRISBURG – Working to minimize barriers to Election Day voting, Sen. Pat Vance (R-Cumberland/York) recently proposed a constitutional amendment that would pave the way for expanded access to absentee ballots. The Pennsylvania Constitution specifies categories of voters that the General Assembly may permit to vote by absentee ballot. These categories include voters who will not be in their home municipality due to their duties, occupation or business. Under the proposed amendment, the General Assembly would be authorized to extend absentee ballots to those individuals regardless of the reason for their absence. "This proposal helps to expand access to the election process, which was one of the goals of the Pennsylvania Election Reform Task Force" Vance said. "With only about 67 percent of eligible voters exercising their right this past November, I am hopeful this amendment will allow more people to participate in elections. It is important to remove election hurdles....

GALETON - Those who may want to clean up their act, or at least the area around them, are invited to participate in the 2009 Great American Clean-up – “Pick Up 6” event. This local event, set for April 24-26, is organized by the Pennsylvania Route 6 Heritage Corp. "We hope to surpass the incredible number of volunteers who helped clean-up a quarter of Route 6 throughout the state in last year's inaugural clean-up," said Pa. Route 6 Heritage Corp. Executive Director Terri Dennison. Last year, 250 volunteers picked up litter along 103 miles of the 400-plus mile scenic highway, Dennison said. A portion of the highway in all 11 counties was cleaned by local schools, businesses and service organizations. As part of the 2009 Great American Clean-up, the nation's largest organized annual clean-up, the "Pick Up 6" event will be expanded to include community beautification and improvement programs. Special prizes and incentives will be sent to organizations, schools,...

A former Titusville man has been sentenced to 25 months in prison for violating federal counterfeiting laws. 37-year-old Gregg Militello was caught by Titusville Police in May of 2007 for passing counterfeit bills at a convenience store. Police and the US Secret Service later learned that Militello was also in possession of several counterfeit bills that he made using a copier and printer in his home. He either passed or attempted to pass those bills as well.

The American Cancer Society "Beat It" Committee is proud to announce its new 80s themed event in Bradford. Save the date! Beat It is scheduled for April 18, 2009, at the Pennhills Club. This 80s themed party will help raise funds for the American Cancer Society in McKean County and share the importance of saving lives. "Beat It is as much an awareness raiser about the progress made against cancer as it is a fund raiser," said event chair John Marasco. "We are really excited about this event. Everyone on the committee has given a tremendous amount of time and energy to make this happen and show our community that when it comes to cancer, together we can beat it." Beat It is an 80s themed evening with celebrity waiter look-a-likes such as Prince, Indiana Jones and Lita Ford. Auction packages will reflect the times also. "Hungry Like the Wolf," Frankie Says Relax" and Ferris Bueller's Day Off" are some examples. The food will be tastin...

A man convicted of killing three of his family members has been sentenced to three life sentences in state prison. 32-year-old Steven Colegrove was convicted last month of shooting his parents and brother in August of 2007 near Towanda. District Attorney Daniel Barrett had sought the death penalty but the jury could not come to an agreement on whether Colegrove deserved death by lethal injection or life in prison with no parole. When a jury can't decide, the judge imposes a sentence of life in prison. Prosecutors say Colegrove killed his family members to get inheritance money.

Washington, DC – Reacting to President Obama’s budget blueprint, U.S. Representative Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson, R-Howard, issued the following statement, vowing to fight against socialized medicine, increased energy costs, and tax hikes on small businesses: “In this time of economic unrest, it is irresponsible for the Administration to think that they can tax its way out of the recession. The budget outlined this morning by President Obama will not only increase taxes on the ‘wealthy’, as the President has stated, but on every single American and small business owner. “As the backbone of our economy, accounting for 70 percent of new job creation, small business owners who file under the individual tax code, will see their tax bill increase under this plan. This is not acceptable and will only prolong the recession and increase unemployment – which is the last thing we need. “If taxing small businesses wasn’t bad enough, each and every American will be paying more to heat and cool their hom...

HARRISBURG - A professional wrestler who is also a male escort was arrested today, following charges that he filed a false injury claim preventing him from working, yet continued to wrestle. Attorney General Tom Corbett identified the defendant as Michael Taris, 34, 138 Ice Pond Road, Levittown. Taris was a professional wrestler for the World Wide Wrestling Alliance (WWWA) and currently wrestles professionally for the National Wrestling Superstars. Corbett said that on Aug. 6, 2007 Taris filed an injury claim with the 7-Eleven Corporation stating that he injured his back, neck and legs after slipping on a puddle of coffee at a Levittown 7-Eleven. According to the charges, Taris stated in the claim that he was unable to work, "rough house" or play with his son, cut grass, and sit or stand for long periods of time as a result of the injuries he allegedly sustained in the accident. The criminal complaint states that during the time after the accident, Taris continued to work as ...

A former drug dealer has pleaded guilty to killing a 13-year-old boy he suspected of stealing his marijuana plants in 1985. Forty-three-year-old Joseph Geiger of Pottsville pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter in Schuylkill County Court today. He was sentenced to 1 to 2 years in prison, but with credit for time served, he could be out in six months. Geiger was arrested in August and charged in the death of David Reed, whose remains were found in a wooded area months after he left home on a bicycle. Police say Geiger accused Reed of stealing his marijuana plants and punched him in the face. The boy fell backward and hit his head against a metal wall.

Two Jefferson County women have been charged with rape. 31-year-old Melissa Burr and 27-year-old Jane Courson of Reynoldsville were charged in connection with an alleged incident that happened between January 1 and March 27 of last year. Besides four counts of rape of a child, they were also charged with statutory sexual assault; involuntary deviate sexual intercourse with a child; sexual assault; aggravated indecent assault of a child; indecent exposure; indecent assault; and corruption or minors.

A Canadian truck driver reported missing on Saturday, has been found dead in the cab of his rig. 50-year-old Virgil Henry crossed the Lewiston-Queenston Bridge on Saturday, but didn't show up at a stop he was supposed to make in Syracuse later that day. Henry was found in his truck at a rest stop west of Syracuse. Police say he apparently went to sleep in his truck and never woke up. Foul play is not suspected.

The Towanda man convicted of shooting and killing three of his family members will be sentenced today. In January, a jury convicted Steven Colegrove for the August 2007 murders of his parents and brother and recommended that he spend life in prison. Today, a judge will hand down his final decision as to how much time Colegrove should spend behind bars.

WASHINGTON, DC- U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) today released a guide for all Pennsylvanians detailing how the money to be released through American Recovery and Reinvestment Act will flow to Pennsylvania. The guide contains resources and contact information for programs that are included in the economic stimulus package. “This recovery package will help the Commonwealth’s infrastructure as well as everything from cops to clean water, job creation to college affordability,” said Senator Casey. “It is my hope that information will better inform Pennsylvania officials about this important legislation designed to help dig our economy out of a ditch.” Casey's ARRA Guide PDF

A burglar broke into a Ridgway-area home, stole about $150 in change and a pair of moccasins. Police say the break-in happened between 9:30 Tuesday night and 1:30 Wednesday afternoon. The burglar entered the home by kicking in the front door. The burglar also stole the address numbers on the outside of the house.

The Pennsylvania Game Commission, Fox Township Sportsmen and Pheasants Forever Chapter 630 are coordinating and hosting a work day on the new Brandy Camp parcel of State Game Lands # 044 on Saturday, March 28, 2009. The project work will be constructing brush piles. Brush piles are necessary habitat, food and nesting sites for many small animals in the wild, including rabbits and pheasants. They are easily built and will be immediately available for animals. We are looking for volunteers who are skilled in the safe operation of a chainsaw. Volunteers will need to bring their own tools. Those using a chainsaw must be safe with its use and have helmets, chaps, etc. Volunteers could also bring pruning poles to topping pine trees instead of chain saws. The rest of the helpers without tools can drag brush or pine tree tops into brush piles. Each volunteer will need to sign a form. This is a great community service project for youth. We will be starting at 9:00 am and plan to finis...

The Philadelphia Inquirer is reporting today that, despite the state's financial status, the General Assembly bought 220 Bibles and other holy books – including Torahs and Qur'ans – for legislators taking the oath of office. Taxpayers footed the bill -- about $13,700. For the full story, go to The Philadelphia Inquirer .

ST. BONAVENTURE, N.Y. - Junior Jonathan Hall scored a season-high 31 points and St. Bonaventure turned in arguably its best defensive effort of the season en route to a convincing 72-55 Atlantic 10 win over Saint Louis Wednesday evening at the Reilly Center. The Brown and White's third straight home win moves them to 14-13 overall, but more importantly 5-9 in the A-10. The Bonnies are now in 11th place in the conference standings just a half-game back of UMass (5-8), who they defeated earlier in the month at the RC. For the full story, go to Go Bonnies.com .

A Johnsonburg woman suffered burns to her face and arms in a house fire at just before one o'clock this morning. 21-year-old Jennifer Washburn of 338 Shawmut Avenue was flown to the West Penn Burn Center in Pittsburgh. 38-year-old Keith Washburn suffered from minor smoke inhalation, but was treated at the scene. Three other people in the house were not hurt. Police say all 5 people were asleep when smoke detectors alerted them to the fire. Damage is estimated at $30,000 and the cause of the fire is under investigation.

An invasive beetle that destroys ash trees has been found in central Pennsylvania. State Agriculture Secretary Dennis Wolff said today that emerald ash borers were identified in Granville in Mifflin County. To help slow the spread of the beetle, Mifflin County will now be included in a quarantine already imposed on five counties in western Pennsylvania. The quarantine restricts the movement of nursery stock, green lumber and any other ash material.

A Jamestown man who admitted to assaulting a county jail corrections officer more than a year ago has been sentenced to 15 years in prison. 30 year-old Darin Bullock assaulted the guard on October 9, 2007, in the Mayville Jail. Chautauqua County District Attorney David Foley says Bullock planned the attack by plugging the toilet in his cell then asking to be taken somewhere to use the bathroom. When the officer came to let him out of the cell, Bullock beat him on the head with a ceramic tile inside a sock.

Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Arlen Specter (R-Pa.) made the following comments after President Obama’s address to a joint session of Congress: “The President was right on target in identifying healthcare, education and energy as our three major problems. It’s hard to see how he can reach those goals and fulfill his commitment to deficit reduction. The figures just don’t add up. I agree with his statement that we should not govern in anger or yield to the politics of the moment.” WASHINGTON, DC- Following President Obama’s address to a joint session of Congress, U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) released the following statement: “The President’s speech was a candid assessment that struck the right balance between confidence and hope. His candor about the challenges we face was refreshing. And his talk of solutions to those problems was assuring. “While the challenges we face are many, the President has already hit the ground running to create jobs, ease credit and address the finan...

OLEAN -- Less than fifteen booths remain for the Greater Olean Area Chamber of Commerce’s Home and Garden Show, scheduled from Friday, April 17th, through Sunday, April 19th at the William O. Smith Recreation Center, 551 East State Street in Olean, across from Bradner’s Stadium. Nancy Morgan, GOACC Member Services Coordinator states, “The show has booths remaining - we encourage anyone interested to call today. The Home Show offers interesting exhibits with the latest energy saving techniques, and tons of ideas for home projects--all under one roof! By late winter, gardners are aching to see a little green and homeowners are itching to spruce up their homes.” New this year, Cabot Cheese of Vermont will be showcasing its cheeses with a cheese tasting at different times throughout the show. Cabot Cheese is a farm family-owned company of 1500 farmer-owners nestled throughout New England and upstate New York. The multimillion dollar dairy products company produces butter, sour cream, ...