Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

Kristina Luzzi, Local OIL150 Chairperson, Charlotte Busch, contest winner, and Bridgette Wells, of Dallas-Morris, Inc. are outside of Bradford Area Chamber of Commerce Office to show off the local celebration's winning logo. ( Photo provided by the Oil150 Committee )

A Jamestown man is being treated for severe cuts after being attacked by a pit bull Friday afternoon. Police say 41-year-old Douglas Fischer was walking on Barrows Street when the 16-month-old dog broke free from his collar, ran off a porch and grabbed Fischer's arm and hand. The dog knocked Fischer to the sidewalk and dragged him about 20 feet before the dog's owner, Jesus Torres got the dog under control. Police charged Torres with violating the city code on dog bites. The dog was confiscated and will be quarantined for 10 days for observation.

A Salamanca man has been charged with rape after he admitted to having sex with a 14-year-old girl. 22-year-old Earl Piscitelli is also charged with endangering the welfare of a child. The victim was taken to Bertrand Chaffee Hospital in Springville.

Pitt-Bradford basketball player Katie Moore of Warren has been named Female Athlete of the Year and Female Scholar Athlete of the Year. Male Athlete of the Year is swimmer Cameron Lanich of Batavia. Panther Triangle of Success winner is men's soccer player Kyle Dickey of Tioga. Jen Cole of Cyclone was also named Female Scholar Athlete of the Year and golfer Eric Schenfield of Bradford is Male Scholar Athlete of the Year. Rookies of the year are basketball players Whitney Cline of Bradford and Sam Moore of Olean.

A Warren man has been sentenced to three months to two yeas in jail for his role in a bomb-making operation. Robert Edwards pleaded no contest to causing or risking catastrophe. Warren police busted the bomb-making operation in August of 2008 at Edwards South Street home. They discovered a device resembling a pipe bomb along with another device and gun powder residue in the basement. Police say Edwards and others detonated at least three bombs in the city. Edward Thornton of Warren and Eugene Whipple of Sheffield have already been prosecuted.

"Around the Home" with Bob Harris will be back on ... Saturday, May 2!

A cardiologist and author believes President Abraham Lincoln had a rare genetic disorder and would have died of cancer within a year if he hadn't been assassinated. And, he says he can prove it. For the full story, go to philly.com .

A Lackawanna County lawmaker has been getting some ribbing from his colleagues for it, but he says having a drive-through window at his office is working very well. State Rep. Kevin Murphy says his Scranton office has the drive-through to make it easier for his constituents to see him. He says senior citizens, the disabled and those who have children in the car especially like not having to walk into the office to conduct business. The first-term Democrat says he personally works the drive-through most Thursdays and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more on this story, go to WNEP-TV .

Police in the Twin Tiers are looking for information about a rash of larcenies across the region involving car dealerships. The dealerships have reported numerous incidents where vehicles have had their tail lights removed. Police say all the major dealerships in Warren and Chautauqua counties have been hit. The thieves are removing the whole tail light assembly and cutting the wires to free them from the vehicles. The value of the tail lamp fixtures coupled with the damage done makes each act a felony. Police say there must be a market for the tail lights if the thieves are taking them in such quantities. Anyone with information on these crimes can contact the Jamestown Police Department.

Two Clearfield men have pleaded guilty to their parts in the Operation Drive Thru drug ring. 27-year-old Matthew Olson and 21-year-old Adam Caldwell have each been sentenced to six months in prison and three years' probation. The two were involved in a drug ring organized by Michael Styers, Who would drive to Pittsburgh, Philadelphia or Wilkes-Barre to get the drugs, and sell them in Clearfield County. The two men had sold drugs as part of the drug ring. The attorney general's office named the ring Operation Drive Thru because people would drive up to the window of a mobile home to buy the drugs.

An 82-year-old DuBois area man is dead after an explosion in his garage. Police say George Walls was using a torch to remove the lid from a metal drum. Fumes built up inside the drum and it exploded. Walls was first taken to Altoona Hospital, then later taken to Presbyterian Hospital in Pittsburgh, where he died.

Warren is one step closer to having a new convention center. A groundbreaking was held this morning for the $12 million complex at the corner of Clark and Liberty streets near the Allegheny River. Construction will start in a month to six weeks. Part of the former Loranger Manufacturing complex will be gutted and turned into a 500-seat convention center, ballroom, restaurant and, possibly, a microbrewery. Officials are confident there will be a demand for the hotel rooms and convention space from both local residents and tourists. During the groundbreaking ceremony, Lt. Governor Joe Scarnati said the project is expanding the tax base, which has been dwindling and dying, and needed to be expanded. He says this will go a long way to keeping the area vibrant and alive. About $58 million has already been spent on other Impact Warren projects, including townhouses, a parking ramp and a new corporate headquarters for Northwest Savings Bank.

The Buffalo Bills have agreed to trade Jason Peters to the Philadelphia Eagles after failing to negotiate a new contract with the disgruntled left tackle. In exchange, the Bills will receive the 28th pick — the second of the Eagles two first-round picks — and an undisclosed second-day selection in next week's NFL draft. Peters traveled to Philadelphia to meet with Eagles executives today.

The Buffalo Sabres will have the same coach and general manager for at least one more season. A one-paragraph statement at Sabres.com , says "Tom Golisano and Larry Quinn today announced that General Manager Darcy Regier and head coach Lindy Ruff will return next season in their current roles with the organization. Ownership is very excited to have these two individuals return to help lead the organization back to the playoffs next season." There was speculation about the job security of Ruff and Reiger after the Sabres missed the playoffs for the second straight year and fifth time in seven seasons.

A burn ban is now in effect in Cattaraugus County because of the dry conditions and risk of brush fires. The order bans all open burning and all outdoor open fires except for cooking purposes, where the fire is contained in a fireplace, barbecue grill or cooking pit. A fire extinguisher or other fire extinguishing material or equipment such as sand, dirt, a water barrel or garden hose must be on site as well. The ban is in effect at least until 8 p.m. Sunday.

The Stackpole-Hall Foundation in St. Marys and Dr. William C. Conrad, its executive director, whose significant financial support to the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford has resulted in enhanced educational opportunities and advanced classroom technology, will receive the Presidential Medal of Distinction. The presidential medal, which is the university’s highest honor, will be presented during commencement exercises on Sunday, April 26, in the KOA Arena of the Sport and Fitness Center. “We are grateful and profoundly appreciative of Dr. Conrad’s generosity and that of The Stackpole-Hall Foundation,” said Dr. Livingston Alexander, Pitt-Bradford’s president. “The grants, which the foundation has awarded to Pitt-Bradford over the last 18 years, have allowed us to significantly enhance the educational programs we provide to our students, particularly those in Elk and Cameron counties. Without the support from the foundation and Dr. Conrad, Pitt-Bradfor...

Listen now: Midday News for April 17, 2009

A Pittsburgh Steelers legend, CNN’s longest-tenured news anchor, and a champion of spiritual and environmental causes will receive honorary degrees May 17 at St. Bonaventure University’s 149th Commencement Exercises. Buffalo native Wolf Blitzer, a CNN reporter since 1990 and anchor since 1998, will be the keynote speaker when the class of 2009 graduates. Blitzer will be joined on stage by John B. “Jack” Butler, SBU class of 1951 and an all-pro defensive back for the Steelers in the 1950s; and Marcia Marcus Kelly, a niece of renowned Olean poet Robert Lax. Commencement activities begin Friday, May 15, with the traditional Candlelight Ceremony for graduating seniors, followed by the Baccalaureate Mass on Saturday, May 16. Graduation ceremonies begin at 10:30 a.m. on May 17. Blitzer is the anchor of CNN’s “The Situation Room,” a three-hour weekday political news program. He is CNN’s lead anchor for the network’s political coverage and moderated several of CNN’s presidential primary debate...

Commenting on remarks by State Senate President Pro Tem Joe Scarnati regarding the support of Marcellus Shale natural gas development, the Marcellus Shale Committee, the Independent Oil and Gas Association of Pennsylvania (IOGA), and the Pennsylvania Oil and Gas Association (POGAM) issued the following statement today: "We applaud Senator Scarnati and the other elected leaders from both political parties who understand the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity we have to strengthen our Commonwealth's economy and energy independence by supporting the development of the Marcellus Shale, including their public remarks rejecting unnecessary new forms of taxation." "The development of the Marcellus Shale is not a partisan issue, but an opportunity embraced by people throughout Pennsylvania. We can only begin to understand the potential of the Marcellus when we appreciate the impact of the Barnett Shale in northeast Texas. Through a collaborative approach from the natural gas ind...

If you didn't get a chance to see the Pitt Improvers improvisational group Thursday night at the Bromeley Family Theater, you missed a laugh-out-loud-funny show. But, next semester they plan to have shows in September, October and November. Dates will be announced.

The McKean County SPCA will open its annual calendar contest with a special event at the Bradford Area Public Library. From 10:30 to 1:00 on Saturday, April 18, pet owners will have the opportunity to enter the contest for the 2010 SPCA Pet Calendar. Pet owners are invited to bring small pets on leashes or in carriers to the library, where photographers will take pictures of the animals. For the payment of a $5 fee, the picture will be entered into the contest. People may also enter their own pictures of their pets by registering and paying the $5 entry fee. Entries may be made at the April 18 event at the public library or at any time until June 29 at the McKean County SPCA on Glenwood Avenue in Bradford. The photographs will be circulated throughout the county during the months of July and August, and people will “vote” for the winners by contributing money for their favorite animals. The top twelve money-winners will be featured on the 2010 calendar, in p...

HARRISBURG – The third year of the Pennsylvania Game Commission’s two time-limited collectible series – the Wild Turkey Heritage Series and the Upland Game Bird Series –now are available for ordering. Orders will be taken through the agency’s website ( www.pgc.state.pa.us ), by mail or by calling 1-888-888-3459 (toll-free). In addition to ordering online, a downloadable application is available on the agency’s website by clicking on the “Limited Collector’s Series” icon in the right-hand column of the homepage. Delivery can be expected by December. The two series, which were launched in 2007, and will run for a total of five years, incorporate products grown and made in Pennsylvania, as well as the designs of an award-winning Pennsylvania wildlife artist. “The new collectible, numbered wild turkey calls and knives are handsome additions to these continuing series,” said Carl G. Roe, Game Commission executive director. “Both series, which also offer corresponding fine-art prints and...

Bradford Regional Medical Center (BRMC) has begun a major health initiative by naming its first-ever wellness coordinator to lead work force lifestyle improvements at the hospital and ultimately other companies throughout the region. Mariann Kahle, former Food & Nutrition Services director at BRMC for the past nine years, has just started her new position as wellness coordinator. Her immediate goal is developing and implementing health assessment plans to determine the health and lifestyle needs of BRMC employees. Soon afterward, she will expand the effort by developing specially tailored plans for area employers and others throughout the region, says Dennis Geitner, the hospital’s vice president of human resources. Part of her responsibilities will include developing specific health risk management programs and services, and working with external resources to provide comprehensive wellness plans, he says. Additionally, Mrs. Kahle will develop promotion and publicity plans for well...

Washington, DC – U.S. Representative Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson, R-Pa., issued the following statement after a series of meetings on the settlement reached by the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) and environmental groups regarding energy production in the Allegheny National Forest (ANF): “I am mystified and seriously troubled as to why the USFS, through the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), would so blatantly disregard the legal process and private property rights by agreeing to an out of court ‘settlement’ which has the potential to kill the regional economy, increase unemployment, and further our dependence on foreign oil and natural gas. “Since the ANF was created 86 years ago, there has been a healthy working relationship between the USFS and the owners of subsurface mineral rights. This relationship came to a screeching halt on January 16th, when the USFS put a moratorium on issuing notices to proceed – the last step before drilling can occur. “Even more troubling is that when this so-calle...

An inmate at the McKean County Jai is among the people picked up in an Olean drug bust that came after a yearlong investigation. 27-year-old Samuel McKinney is charged with sale and possession of a controlled substance. Other people arrested are Carlton Sayles of Portville; and Paul Rankin, Mark Ciancio, Leroy "Puddin" Gilbert, Tara Gayton, Jennifer Barnes and Zachary Loop, all of Olean. Police say they are not part of a drug ring but alleged dealers. Most were allegedly selling crack cocaine, while others sold pills and heroin.

A Salamanca man has been charged with predatory sexual assault against a child younger than 13. 37-year-old Shawn Snyder is in Cattaraugus County Jail without bail. Police say he was arrested after they received information about a possible child abuse case then searched his home.

Four Pennsylvania National Guard soldiers with the 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team were injured by a roadside bomb north of Baghdad Sunday – but none of those soldiers is from northwestern Pennsylvania. All four of the soldiers were serving with a Chambersburg-based unit. The 4,000-soldier brigade arrived in Iraq in January for a nine-month assignment. Soldiers from the Bradford Armory are part of the combat team.

HARRISBURG – A number of Pennsylvania rail projects could benefit from President Barack Obama’s strong endorsement today for additional investment in high speed rail corridors. “We are already seeing the benefits of the significant rail investments we’ve made in Pennsylvania,” Governor Edward G. Rendell said, noting that improvements to the Keystone Corridor between Harrisburg and Philadelphia boosted ridership by 26 percent. Transportation Secretary Allen D. Biehler., P.E., was one of five state transportation secretaries in the audience at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building in Washington, today when the president reiterated his commitment that the nation should move ahead with a nationwide system of high speed rail lines. The Keystone Corridor in Pennsylvania is on the White House’s list of lines that could qualify for such investment. “Governor Rendell has demonstrated the wisdom of investing in high speed rail,” Biehler said. “Under the Governor’s leadership, Pennsylvania in ...

A Warren woman is dead after her car crashed into a utility pole Wednesday evening in Warren. 25-year-old Crystal Bell was pronounced dead at the scene. Police say the car left the road in the 700 block of Conewango Avenue and hit the pole.

Attorney General Tom Corbett today announced that agents from the Attorney General's Child Predator Unit have recently arrested men from the Pittsburgh and Harrisburg areas who are accused of using the Internet to sexually proposition what they believed were young girls, including a central Pennsylvania man accused of traveling to have sex with a 13-year girl during the Easter holiday. Corbett identified the defendants as William J. Bussard, 38, 2344 Lynnrose Drive, North Huntingdon, Westmoreland County and Donald D. Miller, 41, 3441 Davidsburg Road, Dover, York County. Corbett said that Bussard and Miller are both accused of using Internet chat rooms to sexually solicit undercover agents who were using the online profiles of 13-year old girls and sending nude photos to the "girls." Additionally, Corbett said that Miller allegedly arranged to travel to Harrisburg on Friday, April 10th, (Good Friday) in order to have sex with the "girl," believing that she had n...

The lawyer for the man accused of killing three Pittsburgh police officers on April 4 wants Governor Ed Rendell to stop talking about the case. Lisa Middleman says Rendell has, in effect, convicted and sentenced 22-year-old Richard Poplawski by saying he'd sign a death warrant for him without a minute's thought. Because of that, Middleman says, Poplawski won't be able to get a fair trial anywhere in the state. A judge has already issued a gag order preventing police, attorneys, potential witnesses and others involved in the case from talking about it outside of court. Middleman wants the judge to extend the order to include Rendell.

Listen now: Midday News for April 16, 2009

The Pittsburgh Pirates today announced that the team has placed the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police (PBP) caps and Pirates jerseys with the “PBP” patch worn by all Pirates players and coaches during the 2009 Home Opener at PNC Park up for auction on Pirates.com. Also up for bid are the PBP caps worn by the Houston Astros players and coaches during the pre-game ceremonies honoring the three fallen Pittsburgh police officers Eric G. Kelly, Stephen J. Mayhle and Paul J. Sciullo II. All items have been autographed and authenticated, including the jersey and cap worn by Pirates manager John Russell which has been autographed by all Pirates players and coaches. All proceeds raised during the auction will benefit the Pittsburgh Fallen Heroes Fund to help support the families of these brave officers. The items will remain up for bid until Wednesday, April 22 at 7 p.m. To view the items or to place a bid, please visit www.pirates.com and click on the auction link at the top of the page. h...

Former Congressman John Peterson is calling for Arlen Specter to retire, and says he won't support the senator in his re-election bid next year. Peterson says the reason he won't support Specter is the senator's age. Specter will be 80 next year. Peterson didn't endorse either Pat Toomey or Peg Luksik, who have announced that they're running for the seat. He says he's waiting to see who else runs in the primary. For the full story, go to Roll Call.com .

HARRISBURG – Just in time to meet the demands of a nearly $3 billion roadway and bridge construction season, the Department of Transportation recently opened its new highway materials testing lab in Harrisburg, PennDOT Secretary Allen D. Biehler, P.E. announced. “It’s going to be a busy highway construction season, which not only means jobs for workers, but also lots of materials testing to ensure the quality of products used in roads and bridges across the state,” Biehler said. “This new lab will do just that and also allow our employees to conduct their work more safely and efficiently.” Before the new lab was built, PennDOT employees were working in a nearly 100-year-old facility that did not meet the demands of a vigorous testing program. The new, 107,500-square-foot facility, which is located on the former Harrisburg State Hospital grounds, employs 120 workers involved with the quality assurance and testing of construction material. The new facility offers an improved HVAC system,...

Charles Cole Memorial Hospital has announced the addition of David Kulling, MD, FAAFP, to its medical staff, effective April 20. Dr. Kulling will see new and returning patients at the Bowman Health Center in Smethport, formerly known as Misty Valley Health Center. Appointments can me made by calling 814/887-5395. Dr. Kulling earned a medical degree at Munich University of Technology in Germany. He completed his family medicine residency at Altoona Hospital and a family practice and primary care sports medicine fellowship at the University of Michigan Medical Center. He is an American Academy of Family Physicians fellow and member of the Pennsylvania Academy of Family Physicians and a member of the American College of Sports Medicine. He is board certified in family medicine and sports medicine. For more than 20 years, Dr Kulling has practiced family and emergency medicine in central Pennsylvania and he has been practicing at CCMH’s emergency department since November. Since that time,...

New discharge standards for industrial wastewater that is high in total dissolved solids will take effect by January of 2011. The Department of Environmental Protection made the announcement during a public meeting of the Marcellus Shale Wastewater Technology Partnership, and said the new limits will protect aquatic life and drinking water supplies. Acting DEP Secretary John Hanger says they are establishing base standards for the waste water so the companies that discharge it move toward actually treating total dissolved solids instead of depending on dilution to protect water quality. For more information, go to DEP's Web site .

A 3-year-old was rescued from a pond Wednesday evening after the child fell into the water while trying to get a ball. When Chautauqua County Sheriff's deputies and Sheridan fire department personnel arrived on the scene at about 6:15, the child was already out of the water but wasn't breathing. He was revived with CPR. The child was taken by Starflight to Women and Children's Hospital for follow up treatment. The pond is close to a house where the child was playing.

Click HERE to hear the Pitt Improvers. They'll be performing Thursday, April 16, at the Bromeley Family Theater. The show is also a benefit for The Friendship Table.

A former food service worker at Gannon University is being held on charges that he robbed a South Carolina convenience store. 41-year-old Douglas Gregg is in the Erie County Jail awaiting extradition to South Carolina. Gregg is employed by Metz Group, not the university. He allegedly robbed the store in Darlington, S.C. on Nov. 20, 2007, and threatened a clerk with a knife.

Work is scheduled to begin Monday on PennDOT’s Route 6 project in the western Coudersport area. The one-mile work zone will stretch from Eulalia Township to the intersection at the Sheetz convenience store in Coudersport. Monday's work will include staging, sign placement and drainage work. Other work will include roadway milling and overlay. Drivers should be alert for flaggers along the road, alternating traffic patterns and short delays. Work will be finished in early September. ~~~ PennDOT will post weight limit restrictions on the Mundy Bridge on North Bingham in Potter County, effective Friday. The bridge is near the Village of Genesee and will have an 8-ton weight limit for single vehicles and a 15-ton limit for combination vehicles. The decision to restrict the weight is the result of a recent inspection of the 72-year-old bridge.

Starting tomorrow, access to Hillside Drive from the north will be eliminated while crews continue work on the Route 219 Bradford Bypass Project. Traffic will follow the posted detour. Route 219 southbound is still restricted to one lane from a mile north of the state line to the Forman Street off-ramp. The contractor is setting up temporary barriers to prepare for crossover construction.

An Elk County man who was serving a 180-day sentence in jail now faces up to 50 years in prison. Douglas Eugene Green had been granted a six-hour furlough from Elk County Jail to attend a funeral in Clarion. He didn't return to the jail, and was picked up at his mother's house in Oklahoma six days later. His mother is facing charges as well. Green is now charged with providing false information to police, possession of methamphetamine, possession of a firearm and other offenses, as well as escape. He was originally jailed on a domestic relations contempt charge. Green's mother, 52-year-old Arla Kay Elder, faces a charge of harboring a fugitive, which carries a penalty of five to ten years.

Area physicians looking to diagnose patients’ ailments or abnormalities can now obtain the best magnetic resonance images (MRIs) available with today’s advanced technology at Bradford Regional Medical Center. Tim Brown, Bradford Regional Medical Center’s (BRMC) administrative director of Imaging and Cardiovascular Services, said Tuesday at the Bradford Hospital Foundation’s Community Relations Committee meeting that the hospital’s $1.7 million High-Field Open-Bore MAGNETOM Espree MRI provides the most detailed diagnostic images available in the healthcare industry. BRMC just started using its High-Field Open-Bore MAGNETOM Espree MRI unit earlier this week. It also offers far more room for larger patients and eliminates claustrophobic concerns while still providing the best high-field quality diagnostic images, he said. Another advantage this high-field MRI has over traditional open MRIs is that its requires far less time for patients to undergo exams. “Our high-field MRI has a stronger...

Bradford Regional Medical Center's (BRMC) Steven Herrmann, M.D., Ph.D., F.A.C.C., F.A.S.E., medical director of the hospital's Cardiovascular Services and the region's only board-certified physician in cardiovascular imaging, will be included in a national "Best Physicians 2009" edition of U.S. cardiologists. This will be the third time Dr. Herrmann has been selected to a publication spotlighting the best cardiologists in the country. Dr. Herrmann, who leads BRMC's Heart Center, works to provide the highest levels of cardiac care. The cardiologist will be recognized in the Victoria Foundation's publication, scheduled to be printed this summer and available nationally by fall. "We're extremely proud to have a specialist of Dr. Herrmann's caliber and credentials in the region, and especially excited about this latest honor," said BRMC President/CEO George E. Leonhardt. "As a nationally recognized physician with over a decade of experie...

Sierra Kelly and Amber Ostrowski, both students at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford, work with Kong Ho, associate professor of art, on a painting that will be auctioned off at the Derby Gala next month. The gala, a fundraiser for the Bradford Area Public Library’s endowment fund, will be held from 4 to 8 May 2 at the Bradford Club. Tickets for the event are available at the library and the Bradford Club. Also helping out on the painting were students Kristy Fithian and Tim Burkhouse.

The Oil Region Alliance has added a Commemorative Coin to the list of items available for the celebration of the Sesquicentennial of Oil in 2009. The coin features the Oil 150 logo and slogan in full color on the front and the logo of the Oil Region National Heritage Area on the reverse. It is 1.75 inches in diameter and is finished in antique bronze. This coin is available at the online store at www.oil150.com and will be available from the following retail outlets: Venango Area Chamber of Commerce, Oil City Franklin Area Chamber of Commerce, Franklin Titusville Area Chamber of Commerce, Titusville Venango Museum of Art Science and Industry, Oil City Pumping Jack Museum, Emlenton Drake Well Museum Store, Titusville Transit Fine Art Gallery, Oil City Oil Creek and Titusville Railroad, Titusville Coal Oil Johnny Restaurant, Pleasantville Crawford County Convention and Visitors Bureau, Meadville Roseart, Bradford Randy Seitz, President of the ORA said: "This coin will make an ideal ...

Listen now: Midday News for April 15, 2009

By ANNE HOLLIDAY WESB/WBRR News Director Bradford City Council is asking the Department of Environmental Protection to revise the sewage facilities plan for a possible development on the former site of Micale Construction. The developer, Tarport Properties, has said possibilities for the development include a 73-unit hotel, a restaurant and an auto parts store. Bisett owns the land in question, and is working with the developer, who is new to the area. During Tuesday's meeting, Bradford resident Dave Newman questioned council about the proposed development. "I don't understand how the council can agree to this," he said. "Economic development is great, but that infrastructure in the whole area ..I don't know, right now, if this is such a bright idea." Mayor Tom Riel tried to explain that Forman Street would not be the only entrance to the property, adding that the map hasn't been made public yet because it's still in the very preliminary stages. ...

By ANNE HOLLIDAY WESB/WBRR News Director Trails bring in tourists. Tourists bring in money. That was one of the messages the Tuna Valley Trail Association had for Bradford City Council Tuesday night. Mike Glesk said one of the objectives of the association is to be a "Trail Town USA." He said that kind of designation "brings in tourism. Tourism brings in money," which would help the Just Riding Along bicycle shop, restaurants, hotels and other businesses in the community. He said the trail association has brought in about $31/2 million in grant money for the trails. About $600,000 has been invested in gardens, memorial benches and markers along the trails. Glesk said there is federal and state money designated just for trails so "Why not Bradford?" The trail system, he said, is just one thing that will "make Bradford a better place." He stressed, too, that the trails are not just for tourists. "If we make this a beautiful place to live work ...

Forest Supervisor Leanne Marten and Bradford District Ranger Tony Scardina (and Marienville District Ranger Rob Fallon, not pictured) spoke to a crowd of more than 150 people Tuesday night at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford. Marten explained that, because of the recent settlement of a lawsuit, the forest service will go ahead with "notices to proceed" for 54 drilling packages submitted before an unofficial three-month moratorium on new drilling was imposed on the Allegheny National Forest. She said the settlement has given back to her the responsibility of issuing notices to drillers. Early this year, the responsibility was shifted from Marten to the Forest Service regional office in Milwaukee. She says the notices should be given within the next 10 days, although some operators still need to pay timber fees at their sites and get other permits before they can drill. As part of the agreement, the rest of the oil and gas development proposals would have to undergo som...

Authorities in Ohio and Pennsylvania are looking for an Akron man wanted for attempted murder. 52-year-old Dennis Burley is wanted in connection to the shooting of a 28-year-old woman in a Cuyahoga Falls parking lot. The woman is hospitalized in serious condition. Authorities say Burley has family in Crawford County, PA. He is 6 feet tall, weighs 240 pounds and has brown hair, a beard and mustache and green eyes. He drives a 2005 silver Dodge Ram. Burley is considered armed and dangerous.

A former substitute teacher in Gowanda who pleaded guilty to lying to the state Education Department about his conviction for killing a child has been sentenced to five years' probation. 60-year-old Howard Eisenman of Springville told the state his 1974 conviction came after an automobile accident when his car hit a tree, killing his passenger. But the conviction actually came after an indictment that charged him and his girlfriend with causing the death of the woman's 2-year-old daughter while he was practicing karate techniques. Besides probation, Eisenmann has also been ordered to not work in a school setting. He's waived his right to appeal.

Elk Regional Health System in St. Marys is one of 15 Pennsylvania businesses and organizations being recognized by Governor Ed Rendell for adopting environmentally friendly practices and technologies. Elk Regional started a biomass project that reduced energy costs and created business for local architects, contractors, equipment designers and manufacturers. The project cut the system’s fossil fuel use by as much as 90 percent and reduced waste by 5,200 tons per year, saving the company $177,000 in the first year. During an awards celebration, winners of the 2009 Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence will receive a commemorative award to acknowledge their commitment to environmental quality.

About 30 people showed up to help pick up the streets around Bradford on Saturday, including Mayor Tom Riel, and City Police Chief Mike Close. The event was organized by Josh Hatcher from Open Arms Community Church. "We really wanted to invite the community to come out and help out. This isn't just an Open Arms thing." In fact, while a lot of people picking up trash were from Open Arms, several people from Grace Lutheran, and even a few from the community came to help out. "I've had a lot of people thank me for putting this together. To be honest, it's not about that. I just thought that cleaning it up is better than complaining about it, and we worked together to make that happen," said Hatcher. The group filled a dumpster that the Department of Public Works had provided within an hour, and continued to gather trash along Maplewood, Jackson Avenue, Bedford Street, and others. "Our hope is that we can continue to keep these clean-up efforts goi...

For more information on Sunday's barn fire near Port Allegany, including pictures, go to the Star Hose Company's Web site .

Rolling Rock -- the iconic beer in the dark green bottle -- is for sale, and there's speculation that its new home could be its old home of Latrobe, or an upstate New York brewery that is making Pittsburgh's Iron City. For the story, go to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review .

The US Forest Service plans to issue "notices to proceed" for 54 drilling packages submitted before an unofficial three-month moratorium on new drilling was imposed on the Allegheny National Forest. Forest Supervisor Leanne Marten made the announcement during a meeting last night in Warren. She said a signed settlement in a lawsuit has given back to her the responsibility of issuing notices to drillers. Early this year, the responsibility was shifted from Marten to the Forest Service regional office in Milwaukee. She says the notices should be given within the next 10 days, although some operators still need to pay timber fees at their sites and get other permits before they can drill. The Forest Service is holding another public meeting at 7 o'clock tonight at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford.

Governor Ed Rendell says millions of Pennsylvanians will get tax cuts about the same size as this year's, thanks to slot machine revenue. The expected distribution of $770 million is still less than the $1 billion Rendell promised that the machines would bring in each year when he pushed to legalize them. Still, Rendell said the additional revenue is a significant achievement considering the country's – and the state's – economic downturn. He says money will allow more than 100,000 low-income senior citizens to pay no school property taxes at all. "Huge cuts in school property taxes, that's what we promised and we're here to deliver it again," Rendell said during a news conference at a Pittsburgh senior center. He also stood by his promise that the state will eventually collect $1 billion a year from the slot machines. "You know what's happened?" Rendell asked rhetorically. "Pennsylvanians who used to go to West Virginia to gamble or who...

By George Nianiatus, senior writer Communications Department Four senior students from Bradford Regional Medical Center's (BRMC)School of Radiography proved their knowledge by winning the annual Technibowl academic competition, held this year at Trocaire College in Buffalo, N.Y. The winning BRMC team was comprised of Emily Rieder and Kristin Braun, both of St. Marys, Ricky Bee of Olean, N.Y., and Rabecca Chase of Franklinville, N.Y. The BRMC students competed against other teams from Trocaire College, Niagara County Community College, Monroe Community College in Rochester and WCA Hospital in Jamestown, N.Y. BRMC's School of Radiography has won this competition six times out of the last nine years, say BRMC officials. "This victory was just incredible," says Jeanne Burritt, director of BRMC's School of Radiography. "The students were so enthusiastic and worked so hard getting ready for the competition that it was very exciting to see them bring home the trophy...

The Pittsburgh Zoo is getting ready to welcome a new addition. A sea lion named Zoey is pregnant and is expected to give birth this summer. Zoey and another female, Maggie, have been mating with a male named Seahawk. The females were born at the Indianapolis Zoo and came to Pittsburgh in the late 1990s. Seahawk came from a rescue organization in 2006 after he was found orphaned off the California coast. Zoo officials will closely monitor Zoey to ensure she bonds with the pup, which will be the first pup born at the Pittsburgh zoo.