Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

A fire Saturday morning destroyed a building, trucks and equipment owned by Minard Oil Company Wells Services Division. A passerby reported the fire at 4:08 a.m. Saturday near the intersection of Big Shanty and Taintor roads. The contents of the building included three new water hauling trucks, a pickup truck, tools and oil field equipment. The building also housed an office. Several explosions were caused by the cutting torch tanks and 55-gallon drums of products being stored on the property. No one was injured. About 45 firefighters from Lafayette Township, Lewis Run, Bradford Township and Hilltop battled the blaze. A state police fire marshal was called to the scene. Fire crews were called back to the scene late Saturday night for a re-kindle.

Governor Ed Rendell has announced a new panel to oversee use of federal stimulus money in Pennsylvania. Rendell says creation of the Pennsylvania Stimulus Oversight Commission is intended to ensure that stimulus money is spent "wisely, transparently and in a manner that assures accountability." The panel will include members of all four legislative caucuses, the congressional delegation, representatives of the AFL-CIO, United Way and Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry. On Tuesday, Rendell will announce the state's chief accountability officer for federal stimulus funds, then the panel will hold its first meeting in Harrisburg. Senate and House Republicans had planned to introduce resolutions calling for oversight of the stimulus money. Previously, Rendell had said that wouldn't be necessary because the federal government, not the state, has discretion over how the money is spent.

A Pittsfield man is facing several charges after he allegedly fought with his girlfriend and police Thursday night. Randy Hildum allegedly grabbed, punched and threatened to kill Jamie Bean. He also knocked her to the ground while her children were present. After she got away, Hilldum threw a large stone through the windshield of Bean's vehicle then drove it through the yard, hitting trees, rocks and stumps. He drove the vehicle onto Route 6, then onto Barton Run Road, where police stopped him. He then became combative with the troopers and was arrested. Hildum is charged with assault, terroristic threats, resisting arrest and a number of other offenses.

An apparently hungry 19-year-old and two juveniles are facing charges after trying to steal a sandwich from a man on a Buffalo street Friday morning. The victim says he was walking from Jim's Steakout when three people approached him and tried to take his submarine sandwich. 19-year-old Eric Goldzweig and the two juveniles were charged with robbery and obstructing governmental administration after a police officer spotted them.

A Portville man took police and sheriff's deputies on a chase last night. Employees of Country Fair on East State Street in Olean say 26-year-old Joshua Edwards was causing problems so they called police. When sheriff's deputies arrived Edwards was leaving in a vehicle. When they attempted to stop him, he fled through the City of Olean, then into the Town of Olean. Edwards eventually lost control of the vehicle on West Windfall Road and traveled into a field. He fled on foot but was caught by police without further incident. He's facing numerous charges by the sheriff's department and City of Olean police.

An HIV positive sex offender charged with assaulting two boys has been sentenced to 30 months to six years in state prison. Louis Robert Flick of Warren, who's currently serving another sentence at the State Correctional Institute in Houtzdale, was arrested in October of 2008 after admitting to State Police investigators that he sexually assaulted two boys under the age of 13 between February and November 1999. Flick, who says he was sexually assaulted in the past, addressed the court prior to his sentencing and said he feels sorry for the victims because they're going to the same mental health clinic he went to and it didn't help him.

Members of the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford’s Sport and Recreation Management Club are teaming up with the Bradford Family YMCA to offer an Easter Egg-Stravaganza Saturday, April 4. The sleepover event will follow the YMCA’s regular Saturday Family Night, which will feature gym time with the blow-up slider, swimming and pictures with the Easter bunny. Family night is from 5 to 7 p.m. and is free for YMCA members and $15 for non-member families. Following Family Night, children in kindergarten through fifth grade can stay over for a sleepover that includes snacks, swimming and Easter games and crafts such as coloring eggs, egg relays and making Easter flowers. The cost is $10 for YMCA members, $22 for non-members. The Sport and Recreation Club members have planned the event and will provide supervision. “We wanted to get the club involved in the community and gain some event-planning experience,” said Kim Rublee, president of the S...

State police shot and killed a man who fired at them while they were helping mental health case workers in Mercer County. For the story, go to WTAE-TV .

A cow died when two trucks hit it this morning on Interstate 80 in Centre County near Howard. The cow was hit at about 3:30 a.m. Neither trucker was hurt, but both vehicles had to be towed from the scene. Police don't know who owned the cow, or how it got onto I-80.

Police are searching for man who tried robbing a pharmacy of hydrocodone Thursday night. They say a man walked into the CVS at the intersection of Market Street and Pennsylvania Avenue in Warren at about 7:15 and passed a pharmacist a note saying he had a gun. The suspect left before the pharmacist handed over the pills. The suspect is described as a white man in his mid- to late-20s. He is about 5 feet 10 inches tall with a thick build, and was clean-shaven.

A retired police chief says he was robbed by "probably the dumbest criminal in Pennsylvania." It happened this morning at a police officers' convention, where 300 narcotics officers from Pennsylvania and Ohio were gathered. John Comparetto says as he came out of a stall in the men's room, a man was pointing a gun in his face and demanding his money. Comparetto gave up his money and cell phone. But when the man ran away, Comparetto and some colleagues chased him. 19-year-old Jerome Marquis Blanchett of Harrisburg was arrested as he was trying to leave in a taxi. For more, go to the Harrisburg Patriot-News .

New York's drug laws may change in an effort to send fewer people to prison. Lawmakers say the changes include sending more nonviolent drug offenders to addiction treatment or putting them on probation. They would also eliminate minimum sentences for lesser felonies. Senate Republicans are warning that watering down the laws will protect drug dealers and release criminals into the community

A Sugar Grove man is in jail for allegedly assaulting two state troopers while he was on his way to the hospital for an evaluation. Police say Paul Kocur asked to be taken to the hospital to prevent him from hurting people he said were harassing him over a CB radio. While at the hospital, Kocur allegedly tried assaulting an ER doctor but then assaulted one of the troopers who was trying to restrain him. He allegedly spit at the other trooper. He's charged with aggravated assault. His bail is set at $25,000.

University of Pittsburgh at Bradford writing students are helping area elementary school students prepare for a regional reading competition April 2 at Floyd C. Fretz Middle School. The students are members of Dr. Nancy McCabe’s Writing for Children class. McCabe, associate professor of writing, is the director of the Pitt-Bradford writing program. “The reading competition is a great event that really gets kids enthusiastic about reading,” McCabe said. “And helping out was a way for my Writing for Children students to familiarize themselves with books for a middle-school audience and gauge what that audience values in its literature.” For the reading competition, teams made up of 8 to 10 students read 40 books, then compete against other teams in a quiz bowl-style trivia competition, explained Melissa Cornelius, librarian and reading competition coordinator at School Street Elementary School. Each team member is responsible for the contents of at le...

Sources familiar with the Fumo case say that Michael Palermo, 68, who was given a lucrative Senate contract by Fumo, may have been sent a "target letter" by the feds. For the full story, go to the Philadelphia Daily News .

DALLAS - A police officer was placed on administrative leave yesterday over a traffic stop involving former Philadelphia Eagle Ryan Moats, whom he kept in a hospital parking lot and threatened to arrest while his mother-in-law was dying inside the building. For the full story, go to philly.com .

The search for a Jamestown mother who has been missing since late October has been postponed because of possible inclement weather. Texas EquuSearch had planned to search for 36-year-old Corrie Anderson next weekend. They'll announce a new search date on Monday. Anderson's family reported her missing on October 29 after she didn't pick her son up from school. For more information, visit www.findcorrie.com .

A jury has found an Olean man guilty of drug possession following a four-day trial in Cattaraugus County Court. 46-year-old Elliott James had crack cocaine on February 25, 2008, on Bishop Street in Olean and intended to sell it. He's already serving an eight-year prison sentence for drug possession, so when he's sentenced on July 20 it will be as a second felony offender. District Attorney Ed Sharkey tried the case and credited the Southern Tier Regional Drug Task Force and a confidential informant for the successful prosecution.

Sheila Wagner, M.E.D., an internationally renowned lecturer, addressed nearly 100 people Thursday afternoon in the first of two workshops to be held at St. Bonaventure University on autism spectrum disorders. Dr. Wagner discussed inclusion, behavioral and social best practices interventions in dealing with children with autism spectrum disorders. Representatives from six school districts, several local agencies, parents with children on the autism spectrum, SBU faculty and students attended the luncheon presentation in the San Damiano Room of Francis Hall. Participants also had access to a variety of information resource tables representing: The Autism Society of WNY, BOCES, Directions in Independent Living, Merrill Lynch, The ReHabilitation Center, Summit Educational Resources, and VESID. 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 resour...

Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi (R-9) and Senator Elder Vogel (R-47) today announced their intention to introduce a new Senate rule designed to address the potential abuse of non-profit organizations highlighted in this week’s grand jury presentment. The presentment alleged that former Representative Mike Veon created a non-profit organization, the Beaver Initiative for Growth (BIG), for his personal and political benefit, and that he funneled approximately $4.7 million of taxpayer money through BIG between 2004 and 2006. Some of that money was allegedly used to pay bonuses for campaign work. "We must do everything we can to prevent the kind of wrongdoing alleged by the grand jury," said Senator Pileggi. "In light of Wednesday’s announcement by the Attorney General, it is clear that a Senate rule should be in place." "This last election, my constituents voted for the restoration of character and integrity in the halls of our State Capitol," said Sen...

New Bradford Owls Varsity Football Coach Jeff Puglio was Frank Williams' guest on Friday's Sports Forum. You can listen to the show HERE .

Marine Corps Cpl. Thomas A. Keltz and Marine Corps Pvt. Andrew R. Riehle are currently deployed with fellow Marines and sailors of the 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment (Reinforced), Camp Lejeune, N. C., assigned as the ground combat element of Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force - Afghanistan (SPMAGTF-A), Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. Keltz is the son of Dawn M. Luzzi of Bradford, Pa. and Richard C. Keltz of Kane, Pa. He is a 2005 graduate of Bradford Area High School. Riehle is a 2005 graduate of Otto-Eldred High School, Duke Center, Pa., The Marines recently graduated 150 Afghan national policemen from an eight-week training program that focuses on security, weapons handling, marksmanship, advanced first aid, non-lethal weapons techniques and human rights. With the Afghan national police (ANP) in the lead, Marines conducted a search of a high-interest village resulting in the discovery of 150 pounds of explosive materials, rocket-propelled grenades and improvised explo...

One-lane traffic is returning to the Route 219 Bradford Bypass next week. Beginning next Friday, Route 219 North will be restricted to one lane from the Forman Street on-ramp to Hillside Drive in New York. As always, all work depends on the weather.

By Patrick Pierson Sports Information Director MADISON, Wis. — For the second straight game the St. Bonaventure women’s basketball team overcame at 14-point halftime deficit with a nearly perfect second half, this time stunning Big Ten Conference foe Wisconsin 56-51 on the road Wednesday night in the third round of the WNIT at the Kohl Center. With the win, St. Bonaventure moves into the quarterfinal round of the WNIT to face Big East member South Florida (24-10), who defeated Mississippi, 74-57, earlier in the evening. The game will be played at the Reilly Center on Sunday, March 29 at 1 p.m. “This is group is really something,” said an emotional head coach Jim Crowley. “We were really frustrated with our first half performance because we played like a team I’ve never seen before. That being said, I’ve learned to never doubt this group because they have more fight and heart than any team I’ve ever coached.” The Brown and White continue to add to the...

By ANNE HOLLIDAY WESB/WBRR News Director People with a passion and love for their community can make a difference. That was one of the messages Jack Schultz sent to a packed Rice Auditorium Thursday night. Schultz is the author of “Boomtown USA: The 7 1/2 Keys to Big Success In Small Towns." He's also CEO of the Boomtown Institute (Agracel Inc.), an industrial development firm specializing in the agurban market. (Agurban? We'll get to that.) When listing his keys to success he gave examples of how several communities across the country lifted themselves up by making the right choices. Having the right attitude is a major part of being successful. And it's not just the attitude of the people trying to make the changes that's important. "Are you willing to back visionary people who are trying to take your community to a higher level … to create new opportunities for your kids and grandkids?" he asked. "Or are you going to listen to those curmudgeons –...

I was looking at my April LiveLine calendar and I realized I have an interesting month coming up. First, it's our second annual series on child abuse (and taking a proactive approach to preventing it). Thank you, Tina Martin! The Pitt Improvers will be on to talk about an upcoming show. Dr. Bob Tahara and Nancy Chesnut are making return visits. Other guests include State Sen. Mike Stack and best-selling author Steve Martini. See? Pretty good month so far, isn't it?

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — A once-powerful former Democratic state lawmaker and a staff aide said Thursday they are innocent of newly filed corruption charges that they siphoned millions of dollars in state grants from a nonprofit organization for personal benefit. For the full story, go to pennlive.com .

"The economic potential for the state of Pennsylvania is beyond imagination," Penn State geosciences professor Terry Engelder said Tuesday during the Lycoming County Conservation District's annual awards banquet. For the full story, go to the Sun Gazette .

The lawyer representing former Congressional candidate Derek Walker has some legal problems of his own. For the story, go to The (Clearfield) Progress .

Dan Seals -- England Dan in the pop duo England Dan and John Ford Coley -- has died of complications from cancer. He was 61. For the full story, go to The Dallas Morning News .

By Tom Missel Director of Media Relations/Marketing Wednesday’s St. Bonaventure University campus disaster drill was dissected for two hours Thursday morning, and while some minor problems were discussed, all parties directly involved agreed on one point: The drill was a resounding success. “As I’ve talked about this plan with my peers in higher education, I think we’ve set the bar pretty high here,” said Sr. Margaret Carney, O.S.F., university president. Police agencies applauded the exhaustive nature in which the university planned for the drill. “I’ve overseen a number of drills like this, and I just have to say the level of detail and cooperation shown here was outstanding,” said Sgt. Michael Dembrow of the New York State Police. Police officials, emergency responders and members of the university’s emergency planning groups attended Thursday’s open forum, which evaluated the drill from its onset at 8:30 Wednesday morning. Lessons learned from the drill will be incorporated into fu...

Harrisburg -- On Wednesday, March 25, 2009, Pittsburgh Urban Magnet Project (PUMP) Executive Director Erin Molchany and Pennsylvania Senator Rob Wonderling (R-24th) were joined by young people from throughout the state to announce a new program aimed at giving twenty to thirty something's a voice in state government. The event was held at 10 a.m. in the Main Rotunda of the Capitol Building in Harrisburg. The initiative called YouLead is designed around the idea of making Pennsylvania a premier state for young adults ages 21-34 years of age. More than just reversing the flow of young professionals out of the state, the initiative hopes to make the Commonwealth a place for the young to move to, start a business, work within their communities, and raise a family. On November 19, 2008, YouLead hosted a conference in Harrisburg with young people, entrepreneurs, educators, and legislators to discuss the issues important to Pennsylvania's youth. The result was a number of proposals ce...

The human remains found Saturday in the Town of Cold Spring have been identified. 43-year-old Kieran Alex Murphy of Fredonia, NY, had been missing since late October of 2008. Forensic doctors at ECMC in Buffalo examined the remains. Cattaraugus County Sheriff Dennis John says foul play is not suspected, but the investigation is continuing.

ALBANY - State Senators Catharine Young (R,I,C-Olean), George Winner (R,I,C-Elmira) and Thomas Libous (R,I,C-Binghamton) today blasted Gov. David Paterson for secretly pushing a new oil and natural gas production tax that could put thousands of natural gas wells out of business across the Southern Tier, and stifle new development that could generate up to a billion dollars of investment in the state and local economy. "Albany’s full-scale assault to destroy the Upstate economy continues. This 5 percent tax will kill a major revenue generator in rural areas, making low-volume producing wells unfeasible to operate. There won’t be enough revenue left to cover costs. Farmers, landowners and local governments depend on income from these oil and natural gas wells. Not only will this outrageous tax put people out of business, it will drive up local property taxes," Sen. Young said. "It damages our efforts to become energy independent, and hurts the environment by depressing pro...

Igor and Frank Williams & Stefan Arlington for winning awards from the Pennsylvania Association of Broadcasters Igor won for producing a HERO Web site promo. Frank and Stefan won for an Owls football broadcast. Once again ... Congratulations guys! Listen to Igor's winning promo HERE .

A hunter who accidentally shot another hunter in December of 2007 has been found not guilty of criminally negligent homicide. John Gisel of Webster was hunting in the town of Almond when he shot 30-year-old Brandon Haugh of Geneseo with a single shot to the neck. Gisel says he thought Haugh was a deer. A jury in Allegany County reached its verdict on Wednesday.

Fugitive Donald Riley is back behind bars. The 46 year-old Riley, of Pearl Street in Bradford, was arrested last night by Bradford Township Police. Police say Riley was a passenger in a vehicle which had been stopped by a Bradford Township Police officer for a license check. Riley was sent to McKean County Jail in Smethport and is awaiting extradition to Jefferson County to face charges of escape. Riley, who had been in the custody of Jefferson County Sheriff Deputies, had left the Dubois Regional Medical Center Monday during treatment for a foot infection.

The preliminary hearing for a man accused of trying to stab his parents to death in their home has been postponed until after he has a psychiatric evaluation. The attorney for 50-year-old Michael Lanigan of DuBois says he's not sure if Lanigan will be able to help in his own defense. Lanigan is charged with two counts of criminal attempt to commit homicide and aggravated assault for allegedly stabbing his parents, James and Olivette Fogg. The Foggs were taken an Altoona hospital, where they are recovering from their wounds. Lanigan's evaluation is expected to be done at Warren State Hospital. His hearing had been scheduled for Friday.

An abandoned house on Collins Court burned this afternoon, and will probably be torn down tomorrow. Bradford City Fire Department Lt. Chris Angell says the house was fully involved in flames when they arrived on the scene. He said firefighters knocked it down from the outside and a few of them went inside to make sure the fire was completely out. He says there were no utilities going to the house. A state police fire marshal will be on the scene investigating tonight. Angell says the house will be on the emergency demolition list and will probably come down tomorrow. Angell says two other house within three or four feet of the burned house had no damage at all. No one was hurt. Firefighters were called out at 3:48 p.m. and returned to the station at 5:45. The Bradford Township Volunteer Fire Department was on standby. Collins Court is off East Corydon Street, across from Sehman's Tire Service.

St. Bonaventure University will host Chuck D, the recognized leader and co-founder of legendary rap group Public Enemy, for a candid discussion on “Race, Rap and Reality.” The free program is slated for 7 p.m. Friday, April 24, in the Reilly Center Arena on campus. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Chuck D has made a loud impact in the music industry, which few have transcended. He redefined rap music and hip-hop culture with the release of Public Enemy’s explosive debut album, “Yo! Bum Rush the Show,” in 1987. His lecture will address serious issues that go beyond rap music, such as electoral politics, Internet file sharing, the representation of urban space and culture, and race in the media, offering his audiences a jolting combination of intelligence and eloquence. Born Carlton Ridenhour in Roosevelt, Long Island, Chuck D formed Public Enemy in 1982. Two decades after the group’s debut album was released they went on to produce 12 more albums, which delivered powerful messages about race, ...

Kirk Johnson, executive director of the Friends of Allegheny Wilderness, will present a program on “Keystone Wilderness: A Citizens’ Wilderness Proposal for Pennsylvania’s Allegheny National Forest” at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford on Thursday, April 2. Johnson’s talk, which is presented by the Friends of Hanley Library, will take place at 7 p.m. in the Mukaiyama University Room of the Frame-Westerberg Commons. The program will include a viewing of a film produced by Friends of Allegheny Wilderness that uses photography and video of proposed areas to be protected. Following the screening of the film, Johnson will discuss his organization’s efforts for conservation on the Allegheny National Forest, followed by a question-and-answer period. Kirk Johnson graduated from Albion (Mich.) College in 1991 with a bachelor of arts degree in philosophy and from The Evergreen State College in Olympia, Wash., in 1999 with a master of environmental studies degree. ...

A Lancaster, New York, man is facing charges of reckless skiing after an instructor at Kissing Bridge was seriously injured earlier this month. 25-year-old Dominic Galasso is charged with reckless endangerment. On March 4, he was skiing down the Mistletoe trail in a full tuck position and hit instructor Carl Hensler. Hensler suffered a broken arm, broken leg, broken nose and internal injuries. So far, he's had two surgeries and his still a patient at the ECMC Rehab Unit. Because of the severity of his injuries, doctor's don't know when he'll be released. Galasso was arrested Tuesday and issued an appearance ticket for Town of Concord Court on Monday.

Kirk Johnson, Executive Director, Friends of Allegheny Wilderness "Today the U.S. House of Representatives finally passed the Omnibus Public Lands Management Act [H.R. 146] which when signed into law by the President will protect in perpetuity as wilderness under the Wilderness Act of 1964 two million acres of our Federal public lands in their natural condition for future generations of Americans to use and enjoy. Although there are no Allegheny National Forest lands included in the measure, Friends of Allegheny Wilderness and our vast network of supporters applaud the 15 out of 19 Pennsylvania House members who voted to invest in our grandchildren's future by supporting this important bill. Both Arlen Specter and Robert Casey are also to be heartily congratulated for voting for the measure previously in the U.S. Senate. The wilderness community across the country has invested a tremendous amount of blood, sweat, and tears over the last decade to get to this point. With today...

A former Beaver County lawmaker is facing corruption charges for allegedly establishing a nonprofit so he could use the money for his own personal and political purposes. State Attorney General Tom Corbett says a grand jury determined the Beaver Initiative for Growth was established primarily for former state Representative Mike Veon's own use and that it "was tightly controlled by Veon, who allegedly spent the taxpayer money at his own discretion without any oversight by BIG, DCED, or any other government agency." Corbett says only 23 percent of the $4.7 million the nonprofit spent over a two-year period went to program expenses. Veon faces charges of theft, conspiracy and conflict of interest. His former staffer Anna Marie Peretta-Rosepink is also charged. Veon and Peretta-Rosepink already face charges in the Bonusgate investigation. Veon was defeated in the 2006 election. For more information, go to the attorney general's Web site .

A former PennDOT supervisor in Coudersport has been charged with theft for, among other things, using state money to buy personal items. 48-year-old Timothy Brem of St. Marys has been charged with several counts of theft along with tampering with public records and receiving stolen property. In all, he's been charged with 20 counts. Police say Brem was initially caught buying tires for his personal truck using state money. This prompted an internal investigation by the state Comptroller that included a complete review of records that Brem would keep or authorize. According to court documents, Brem forged other employees' names on requisition sheets to order personal items for himself. He submitted forms to have equipment dismantled as junk then would take the items. And, he took items from PennDOT surplus for himself. Brem's bail was set at $40,000. He left his job in 2007 after the initial discovery in the investigation.

Two people died in a head-on collision on Route 6 just east of Port Allegany near the Potter County line Tuesday afternoon. 67-year-old Leslie Badanes of Olean and 61-year-old Ronald Gehman of Port Allegany died in the crash, according to Kane-based state police. They say Badanes was half a mile west of Boyer Crossing when his car crossed the centerline and hit Gehman's pickup truck. The accident happened at about 4:30. The road was closed for about 3 hours. Police were assisted at the scene by Star Hose Company of Port Allegany, Port Allegany fire police and ambulance, Coudersport State Police, Port Allegany Police, PennDOT and McKean County Coroner Mike Cahill and Deputy Coroner Bob Hartle. For more information, you can go to the Star Hose Company .

The St. Bonaventure baseball team used a four-run fifth inning and a five-run seventh to snap a four-game losing streak as it defeated Big 4 rival Canisius on Tuesday afternoon at Fred Handler Park. The win also put an end to a four-game losing streak to the Griffs, as the Bonnies improve to 8-7 overall heading into its weekend A-10 series at Saint Joseph’s. Canisius, on the other hand, slips to 10-11 on the season. The story of the game was the Bona bullpen, as it kept a potent Canisius lineup off the scoreboard in the middle portion of the game. Junior Dennis Sherba (Binghamton, N.Y./Binghamton) turned in his second solid relief outing in a row, earning the win by giving up just one run over three innings of work. Sophomore Aron Meindl (Fairport, N.Y./Fairport), senior Matt Stewart (Hornell, N.Y./Hornell) and junior Cory Sudbrook (Bradford, Pa./Bradford) followed Sherba with scoreless innings of their own. In all, seven different players took the mound for the Brown and W...

Justin Smith and Josh Mesler drove in three runs apiece as Pitt-Bradford defeated Brockport State 9-4 in non-conference baseball on Tuesday. The Panthers scored four runs in the second inning on two-run singles by Mesler and Derek Smith, and then added two runs in the fifth on RBI singles by John Bizzak and Mesler. Pitt-Bradford then tacked on three more in the sixth on a bases-loaded triple by Smith. All nine of the Panthers' hits occurred in their three scoring innings. "We are a streaky hitting group and it worked in our favor today," said Bret Butler, Pitt-Bradford head coach. "We are a young team and we dwell on them to forget their mistakes and go on to the next at bat." Jeremy Grove allowed five hits and just one earned run in 5.2 innings in improving to 2-0 on the season. James Ashley relinquished just two hits and no earned runs in 3.1 innings for his first save on the year. "We needed that (pitching)," Butler declared. "I was tough on ou...

By ANNE HOLLIDAY WESB/WBRR News Director It's only "a wish and a prayer" right now, but Bradford City firefighters are hoping federal stimulus dollars will help them build a new fire station. Fire Chief Boo Coder explained during Tuesday's Bradford City Council meeting that the Department of Agriculture has grants available for new fire stations and, because of the stimulus package, there is more money in the mix this year. "We're not licking our chops," Coder said. "We haven't even put pen to paper yet." Councilman Ross Neidich added that if the city does get the money for the new fire station, they would make it "totally green," which would save money in the long run. The alternative fuels they would use include solar, geo-thermal and hydroelectric. "That's the future," Coder said. "That's where everyone's going." Coder said a green building would pay for itself in 20 years. He also said, if the ...

UPDATE: "I was shocked to be told today that my wife has been arrested for kidnapping. I am hurt, frustrated, and confused by her actions. I have and will continue to cooperate with law enforcement officials in anyway that I can. Until I have all of the facts, I cannot comment any further." - Jose Tabata ~~~~~~ The wife of a Pittsburgh Pirates minor league player is being questioned in connection to an alleged kidnapping in Florida Authorities in Manatee County issued an Amber Alert for two-month-old Sandra Cruz-Francisco, but the infant has since been reunited with her family and was unharmed. Investigators are questioning Amalia Tabata Pereira, the wife of Jose Tabata. We received the following statement from Piartes President Frank Coonelly: “While we have received very little information at this point in the investigation, we have received no indication that Jose is believed to have had any involvement in the matter. We are attempting to secure more information as quic...

The White House has provided exerpts from President Obama's opening remarks at tonight's news conference: [W]e’ve put in place a comprehensive strategy designed to attack this crisis on all fronts. It’s a strategy to create jobs, to help responsible homeowners, to re-start lending, and to grow our economy over the long-term. And we are beginning to see signs of progress. The budget I submitted to Congress will build our economic recovery on a stronger foundation, so that we do not face another crisis like this ten or twenty years from now. We invest in the renewable sources of energy that will lead to new jobs, new businesses, and less dependence on foreign oil. We invest in our schools and our teachers so that our children have the skills they need to compete with any workers in the world. We invest in reform that will bring down the cost of health care for families, businesses, and our government. And in this budget, we have made the tough choices necessary to cut our ...

US Senator Arlen Specter has decided to vote against the Employee Free Choice Act, commonly referred to as the Card Check bill. Specter was the only Republican to support the bill two years ago. Unions were counting on him as the crucial 60th vote needed to overcome an expected GOP filibuster of the measure when it's taken up later this summer. To read Specter's floor remarks, or watch the video, go to the senator's Web site .

An 11-year-old boy has been ordered to stand trial in the killing of his father's pregnant fiancée. Jordan Anthony Brown was in court today for a preliminary hearing, but did not speak. He's accused of shooting 26-year-old Kenzie Marie Houk in the back of the head while she was sleeping in their farmhouse on February 20. Brown is charged as adult with homicide and could be sentenced to life in prison if convicted. The boy's attorney has unsuccessfully argued to have the case moved to juvenile court.

The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford honored four high school students at a luncheon Tuesday for being Women of Promise. Shown here with speaker Julie Coates of WICU-12 News (center) are, from left, Jennifer Anderson of Port Allegany, who was honored in athletics; Alyssa Lapp of Port Allegany, honored for community service; Katelyn Scanlan of Bradford, honored for creative and performing arts, and Jennifer Andrews of Randolph, N.Y., who was also honored for athletics. This is the 13th year Pitt-Bradford has honored Women of Promise as part of its Women’s History Month events. ( Photo courtesy of Pitt-Bradford )

The Bradford City Housing Authority will receive more than $335,000 in federal stimulus money. HUD’s Capital Fund Program provides annual funding to public housing authorities to develop, finance and/or modernize the public housing in their communities. This funding can also be used to make large-scale improvements such as new roofs; and for the replacement of plumbing and electrical systems to more energy efficient standards.

"For several years, it’s been the goal of Kane Community Hospital (KCH) to bring its rehabilitation services back in-house for both inpatient and outpatient care and that will be achieved beginning April 1," announced J. Gary Rhodes, CEO of KCH. "Our contract with Keystone ends March 31." "We have assembled a highly experienced team and will offer the full spectrum of rehabilitative services – physical, occupational, and speech therapy – that will be led by Joseph Sorg, PT, PhD., a native of St. Marys." The rehabilitation services team will complement already successful KCH prevention care teams such as the KCH Athletic Training program in the Kane Area School District, an established outpatient Cardiac Rehab and Fitness Center, as well as, nutrition and community wellness programs. Delivering “personal, professional and progressive care” is a hallmark of KCH’s 80 years of caring for the communities they serve. Together these in-house teams allow the hosp...

Neurologist and stroke specialist James DeMatteis, M.D, FACP, FAAN, FAHA, joined the medical staff at Charles Cole Memorial Hospital March 19. Dr. DeMatteis is director of the Stroke Center at Hamot Medical Center where he is also the neurology division chief. He also serves as director of neurological services at HealthSouth Great Lakes Rehabilitation Hospital, HealthSouth Lake Erie Institute of Rehabilitation, and is a staff neurologist at Northshore Clinical Associates, LLC in Erie. Dr. DeMatteis earned a medical degree at the University of Miami and completed post graduate training in internal medicine and neurology at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation. He is board certified in internal medicine, psychiatry and neurology, electrodiagnostic medicine, and neurorehabilitation. He is an American College of Physicians, American Academy of Neurology, and American Heart Associate fellow and a member of the American Association of Electrodiagnosis and Electromyography, American Medical Asso...

HARRISBURG - Rep. Martin Causer (R-Turtlepoint) said today he is encouraged by a proposal that should help create jobs by expanding the natural gas industry in the Commonwealth while also generating revenue for the state and affected communities. At a Capitol press conference Tuesday, House Republicans unveiled legislation that calls for allowing natural gas drilling on 390,000 acres of state forest land during the next three years. The lease fees alone would generate approximately $260 million per year to be shared between state and local governments and conservation districts. Once the natural gas is harvested, additional revenue would be generated from royalty payments to the Commonwealth. "The difference between our proposal and the governor's tax on natural gas is like night and day," Causer said. "While Republicans want to support this growing industry and the good-paying jobs it will create, the governor's plan would stifle the industry and likely drive ma...

A $5,000 reward is being offered for a Pittsburgh-area man who disappeared after allegedly shooting and killing a woman a year ago. 43-year-old James Garland Watts of Clairton hasn't been seen since the fatal shooting of 40-year-old Shawnta Lee, and the wounding her husband, 53-year-old David Lee on March 24, 2008. David Lee is offering $4,000 for information leading to Watts' arrest on top of a $1,000 reward by Pennsylvania Crime Stoppers. The case was featured on Fox TV's "America's Most Wanted" last year. Police say Watts shot the couple while trying to rob them of money to pay a cocaine binge.

The Senate State Government Committee today approved legislation sponsored by Senator Joe Scarnati (R-25) that prohibits illegal aliens living in Pennsylvania from receiving public benefits, such as Medicaid, welfare, and in-state college tuition. Senate Bill 9 now goes to the full Senate for consideration. “This has been an issue that I have been pushing very strongly for a number of years, but with the economy in crisis and folks losing jobs, it is even more crucial that we stop providing benefits to individuals who are living outside the law,” Scarnati said. “Pennsylvania citizens, who are struggling to make ends meet, should not have to use their hard-earned dollars to pay for illegal immigrants.” Federal law prohibits illegal aliens from receiving state or local public benefits, however Scarnati said current Pennsylvania law is simply too lenient in enforcing the federal provisions. The Federation for Immigration Reform (FAIR) estimates the current local annual costs...

The Erie Veterans Affairs Medical Center will get nearly $500,000 in federal stimulus money for boiler-plant repairs and improvements. Senators Arlen Specter and Bob Casey announced the $466,440 in funding. The boiler plant produces steam that generates heat and hot water for the hospital.

The New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct has admonished Hinsdale Town Justice Monroe Bishop for his conduct during an eviction proceeding. The commission says Bishop should be sanctioned for ruling against a defendant in a 2007 summary proceeding for eviction and back rent, based on an improper one-sided communication with her lawyer's secretary. Admonition is the least serious of three potential punishments. Bishop had previously been admonished for presiding over a traffic case involving his niece and for misusing subpoena power in a small claims case.

The trial for a man accused of shooting and killing another man while hunting in December of 2007 is underway in Allegany County, New York. 39-year-old John Gisel is accused of shooting 30-year-old Brandon Haugh while they were in different hunting parties near the Town of Almond. Gisel is charged with criminally negligent homicide. If convicted, he faces up to four years in prison. Gisels has said he thought Haugh was a deer. Haugh died instantly.

Several doctors and medical practices in the Twin Tiers will benefit from New York State's new Doctors Across New York program. Funding from the program goes toward helping doctors repay medical school loans in exchange for a five-year commitment to working in an underserved area. It will also help health care facilities or practices recruit new doctors. Olean General Hospital, the Southern Tier Community Health Center in Olean, Brooks Memorial Hospital in Dunkirk and Dr. Kathleen H. Fanos of Jamestown are among those receiving funding. For more information, go to the governor's Web site .

A judge says a man who flipped his middle finger at a Pittsburgh police officer shouldn't have been cited for disorderly conduct. David Hackbart of Pittsburgh made the gesture at another driver in April 2006, then made the gesture again when he heard someone yelling at him. After he made the gesture, he realized the second person was a police officer. The ACLU sued on Hackbart's behalf saying the gesture is protected speech, and the judge agreed.

The "Zombies Ahead" sign on a road in suburban Philadelphia wasn't part of a horror movie. It was a computer hacker's prank. On Sunday night, what was originally a bridge construction warning sign on Route 212 in Richland Township read "ZOMBIES AHEAD." A PennDOT spokesman says the department is investigating how someone could break the locks, get at the controls and change the message. Similar pranks are being reported from Texas to Australia. For more on this story, go to phillyburbs.com .

Scientist says ice cover on the Great Lakes has declined more than 30 percent since the 1970s, leaving the world's largest system of freshwater lakes open to evaporation and lower water levels. For the story, go to the Cleveland Plain Dealer .

The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford will honor four area high school students as “Women of Promise” for their achievements in athletics, community service, and the creative and performing arts at a luncheon on Tuesday, March 24. Julie Coates, meteorologist with WICU-12 News in Erie, will give the keynote address titled “Two Women in the Heart of the Presidential Election.” Being honored are Jennifer Anderson of Port Allegany and Jennifer Andrews of Randolph, N.Y., for athletics; Alyssa Lapp of Port Allegany for community service; and Katelyn Scanlan of Bradford for creative and performing arts. “It was another amazing year for Woman of Promise nominees,” said Heidi Anderson, co-chairwoman of the Women of Promise committee and purchasing manager for Pitt-Bradford. “It is always a pleasure to receive and review the nominations of these amazing young women.” Jennifer Anderson, the daughter of William and Bonnie Anderson, is being honored for her athletic ability and outstanding lea...