Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

Two people suffered moderate injuries in a motorcycle accident on Kinney Road about a mile and a half west of Route 244 in Potter County. State Police say a deer ran in front of a motorcycle driven by 26-year-old Dann Thompson of Genesee and the bike hit the deer. Thompson and his passenger, a 15-year-old girl, were taken to Jones Memorial Hospital for treatment. ~~ A Falls Creek man suffered major injuries – and is facing DUI charges – following a crash at just before 7 p.m. Friday on Route 872 near Portage Road. Police say a motorcycle driven by 54-year-old Jeffrey Striegel was traveling too fast and went out of control on a curve. The bike then crossed the road, hit the guide rails, turned over and slid another 75 feet. Striegel and his passenger, 40-year-old Patricia Fields of Reynoldsville, left the scene but were found a short time later near the Wharton Tavern. Striegel was taken to Charles Cole Memorial Hospital. Fields sustained minor injuries but refused medical treatment.

Connor Borosky, Kevin Cannon and Frenchie -- a cocker spaniel/lab mix who's available for adoption -- show off the 10' x 12' storage shed that's being raffled off to benefit the McKean County SPCA. You can see the shed until 4 p.m. today at the SPCA, where Kevin is also grilling up hot dogs. This is Kevin's senior project -- and he's been working really hard on it. So, head on down to the SPCA on Glenwood Avenue to help Kevin and the SPCA.

A Jamestown man faces 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine after pleading guilty Friday to a federal charge of possession of child pornography. 42-year-old Kenneth Lamb II had 10 images and 20 videos on his computer showing children engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Some of the children were younger than 12. Lamb is scheduled for sentencing September 9.

A former Emporium woman has been sentenced to 30 years in federal prison for sex crimes against her children that a judge said were so vile that he had to close his courtroom to the public during testimony. Angela Larkin, also known as Angela McCullen, pleaded guilty in 2005 to sexually exploiting children, admitting she sold sexually graphic images of her 2-year-old daughter on the Internet. U.S. Middle District Judge John E. Jones III called the case the ugliest of his legal career. For more on this story, go to the Williamsport Sun Gazette .

The Seneca Nation of Indians has signed a deal with Sullivan County to develop a new casino in the Catskills. The agreement was supposed to be signed in a ceremony last Thursday but it was postponed until today. The Senecas have agreed to pay Sullivan County $15.5 million while the casino is being built. That's expected to take two years. For the next four years after that, the county would get $20 million. That differs from the deal the Senecas have with Cattaraugus, Erie and Niagara counties, which get a percentage of the slots revenues. The Senecas still need approval from Congress before they can move ahead with the project.

By ANNE HOLLIDAY WESB/WBRR News Director Senator Joe Scarnati says his goal in negotiating a state budget is balancing the needs and the wants of state agencies. He says the Senate Republicans have been criticized for passing a budget with major cuts in it – even more cuts than the governor's proposed budget. But, Scarnati says, there has been continuing economic decline and loss of revenue since February when Governor Ed Rendell proposed his budget. The Senate bill would spend $27.3 billion while the governor proposed a $29 billion spending plan. Scarnati says Senate Bill 850 "reflects the current revenues the state expects to receive and the federal stimulus dollars, and (we) used those to craft the budget to live within our means." He says while good programs are being cut and eliminated he believes "working families and our job creators would well-prefer to have state cuts than to take more money out of their pocketbooks." "I refuse to raise taxes,...

On Wednesday, May 27, PennDOT will post weight limit changes on two more Potter County bridges. Effective Wednesday, PennDOT will post the Sweden Valley Bridge on Route 4031 in Sweden Township. The bridge will be posted for a 19-ton weight limit for single vehicles and a 35-ton weight limit for combination vehicles. The Sweden Valley Bridge spans Lyman Creek, near the intersection with Route 6. Also on Wednesday, PennDOT will post the Oswayo Creek Bridge on Route 4017 (Sunnyside Road) in Shinglehouse Borough. The bridge will be posted for a 19-ton weight limit for single vehicles and a 35-ton weight limit for combination vehicles. The Oswayo Creek Bridge spans Oswayo Creek in Shinglehouse. Vehicles exceeding the posted limits on either bridge will need to use an alternate route. The decision to post weight limits on the bridges was the result of recent inspections. The Sweden Valley Bridge was built in 1946, is 14 feet long and carries an average of 176 vehicles...

Saying a person lives on a numbered floor can sound somewhat sterile and blaise so The Pavilion at BRMC has decided to change all that by naming its three residential levels as home-like streets. A vote by Pavilion staff was held during National Nursing Home Week, celebrated May 10-16, in which the second floor will be renamed Apple Blossom Avenue, the third floor as Rose Terrace and the fourth floor as Skyview Lane. “We had a contest for all staff to vote on renaming their floors,” says Bonnie Himes, The Pavilion’s administrator. The Pavilion staff team of Michael Grover, and Rosa Martinez, both CNAs, and Pam Medeiros, LPN, submitted what ultimately were the three winning names, says Mrs. Himes. “I had the idea for the contest. I just thought it was better for residents to say they lived on a nice-sounding street than a numbered floor. It’s just another aspect to make our residents feel they’re at home,” she notes. “It can help both residents and staff to take ownership of their floor...

Leadership McKean participants became tourists at several of McKean County’s prominent attractions during a private bus tour. This session included presentations by Linda Meabon, Zippo Manufacturing Company museum curator and historian, Linda Devlin, Executive Director Allegheny National Forest Vacation Bureau, Steve Appleby, Eldred World War II Museum and Learning Center, Lu Vandermark, McKean County Historical Society Old Jail Museum, Terri Dennison, Route 6 Heritage Corporation and Route 6 Tourist Association, Ta Brant, Small Business Ombudsman, Pennsylvania Wilds, Holly Dzemyan, Environmental Education Specialist and Jason Zimmerman, Park Ranger for Kinzua Bridge State Park, and Ron and Sue Zampogna, Flickerwood Wine Cellars. The theme of McKean County’s rich history and heritage was expressed at each stop on the tour. Visitors are attracted by the beauty and versatility of our natural resources and the authentic experience of rural America. Small businesses to serve the tourist...

Kong Ho, associate professor of art at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford, has received a prestigious Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program Lecturing Award to teach mural painting in the fine arts department of the National Academy of Art in Sofia, Bulgaria. Ho, founder and current chairman of the Hong Kong Mural Society with murals to his credit in Hong Kong and the U.S., will spend five months at the academy beginning in February 2010. Ho’s Fulbright Scholarship is sponsored by the U.S. Congress and Bulgarian-American Commission for Educational Exchange. “We couldn’t be more pleased that Professor Ho has received this prestigious fellowship,” said Dr. Steven Hardin, vice president and dean of academic affairs. “It’s a testament to his leadership in the art community and his commitment to public art projects.” While in Sofia, Ho will teach in the bachelor’s and master’s art programs in mural painting at the academy. He will design and paint a commun...

The PIAA has delayed its final vote on a proposal to shorten the football season from 16 weeks to 15 weeks. The proposal would also increase the number of classifications from four to six. The board will address the issue again at its meeting in July. Also on Thursday, the PIAA decided to keep the basketball championships at Penn State's Bryce Jordan Center despite a strong bid by the Giant Center in Hershey.

Several students were taken to the hospital after a school bus collided with a car just outside of St. Marys this morning. The crash happened on Routes 255 and 948 at around 9:15 when the bus was making a turn and hit the car. Five of the seven injured people are students, but police say their injuries aren't serious. The bus driver, 72-year-old Kay Lenze of Ridgway, suffered minor injuries. The driver of the car, 57-year-old Robert Davis of St. Marys, suffered unspecified injuries. His car was severely damaged.

Corruption charges have been dropped against a former Pennsylvania state representative, but the attorney general's office plans to refile the charges. Former Representative Mike Veon appeared for his preliminary hearing today in Harrisburg, where a district judge dismissed charges related to misusing taxpayer money and funneling into a nonprofit organization in Beaver County. The judge said the prosecutors didn't have enough evidence to take Veon to trial. Assistant Attorney General Anthony Krastek says if new charges are filed, they might not be the same as those that were thrown out today.

More than 200 Bradford Regional Medical Center (BRMC) volunteers, many who also serve as members of Bradford Hospital Auxiliary, were honored Thursday during the Annual Recognition Luncheon at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford. The luncheon also included the Auxiliary’s second $60,000 donation being made to the Bradford Hospital Foundation. This goes toward the Auxiliary’s overall five-year pledge of $300,000, its largest commitment ever. The donation is for the Foundation’s “Building The Future” capital campaign, which began in 2005 and has a $6 million goal. Auxiliary President Beverly Gallup said to BRMC President/CEO George E. Leonhardt, “On behalf of Bradford Hospital Auxiliary and its members, here’s our second $60,000 donation toward our total pledge amount. We know you’ll put it to very good use for our hospital and community.” In thanking the Auxiliary, Mr. Leonhardt said the donation would be extremely helpful in reaching the Foundation’s overall five-year capital camp...

A 33-year-old Edinboro man is accused of pretending to be a 19-year-old bisexual woman to solicit sex from teenagers in an Internet chat room. The state attorney general's child predator unit arrested David Jones after he allegedly propositioned an undercover agent posing as a 13-year-old. Jones is also accused of sending pictures of women to his alleged target, claiming they were pictures of himself engaged in sexual activity. Jones is free on bond pending a preliminary hearing May 29. For more on this story go to the attorney general's Web site .

Cattaraugus and Chautauqua counties are set to receive millions of dollars in federal stimulus money for road improvement projects throughout both counties. Part of the money will go toward paving 21 miles of I-86 in both counties. The project should be finished by this winter. A five-mile portion of Route 62 from the Chautauqua County line to the towns of Conewango and Leon in Cattaraugus County will be repaved. Also, about 100 miles of road in each county will be paved. Four million dollars will go toward a bridge replacement project in Jamestown. For more information, go to NY Governor David Paterson's Web site .

State Senator Joe Scarnati today questioned several assertions from the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources regarding the impact of the Senate-passed state budget plan for 2009-2010, and called on DCNR to tone down its rhetoric. “Citizens have, sadly, come to expect some exaggeration from state agencies seeking additional tax dollars. But the claims made by DCNR are over the line,” said Senator Scarnati. “Citizens understand that the struggling economy and declining revenues mean the state has to spend less or raise taxes. The budget passed by the Senate chooses to spend less.” Senator Scarnati questioned the following assertions made by DCNR regarding the 2009-2010 budget approved by the Senate (Senate Bill 850): Funding DCNR Senate Bill 850 appropriates approximately $19 million less for the DCNR budget than proposed by the Governor. DCNR recently failed to successfully close two bids for Marcellus Shale natural gas drilling on state forest...

The proposed Tracy Ridge and Chestnut Ridge Wilderness Areas in the Allegheny National Forest are featured in the June 2009 issue of Backpacker magazine. The article "Hike It, Save It" highlights 10 areas of federal public land around the country that organizations would like to see given a wilderness designation. The US Forest Service recently withdrew Tracy Ridge from recommended wilderness status but Kirk Johnson, executive director of Friends of Allegheny Wilderness, says the area remains undeveloped and is still qualified for the designation. He says the article will inspire renewed interest in permanently protecting these areas. The magazine has a circulation of 340,000. Backpacker magazine Friends of Allegheny Wilderness

A port-a-potty rental company has been fined for spilling – something – onto a road in Tioga County. The DEP fined B & L Portable Toilet Rental $2,000 for spilling septage and related debris onto about half a mile of Croft Hill Road. Septage is partially treated household waste stored in a septic tank. It is periodically pumped out by private businesses and taken to a municipal sewage treatment plant for final treatment. DEP says company officials admitted that their driver released a tanker load of the material onto the road after unsuccessfully trying to resolve a mechanical problem with the vehicle. DEP Northcentral Regional Director Robert Yowell says a citizen, not the company notified them of the violation, and that's inexcusable.

A 1-year-old is dead after falling into a pond and drowning near his family's home in Napoli. Caleb Winship, who would have turned 2 in August, was home with his parents and brother at the time of the accident Tuesday morning. Sheriff's deputies say Caleb found his way out of the home and to the pond. He was taken by the Randolph Rescue Squad to WCA Hospital in Jamestown, where he was pronounced dead.

Dozens of drivers of vintage Bentleys stopped by American Refining Group today to show off their cars and to see where the Brad Penn High Performance Oil they use in their cars is made. The visitors were treated to a presentation about the refinery. Dick Glady, Director of Branded Lubricants Marketing for ARG, talked about another use for Brad Penn -- Brad Penn Railroad Oils. ARG is the leading proprietor of zinc-free railroad oil east of the Mississippi. Also pictured is Jim Dincher who talked about the differences between Penn Grade crude oil and other oils, as well as the refining process.The Bentley's also stopped by the Zippo/Case Visitors Center.

It appears McKean County District Attorney John Pavlock has won the Republican and Democratic nominations for Judge of the Court of Common Pleas. According to unofficial election results, Pavlock received 312 more votes than Bradford attorney Chris Hauser on the Republican side and 127 more on the Democratic side. Jim Evans was the top vote-getter in the race for a Bradford City Council seat with 451 votes. Fred Proper garnered 409 votes while incumbent Rick Benton got 385. Fellow incumbent Bob Tingley picked up 269 votes. Democrat Bob Onuffer got 206 votes. Challengers in both Foster and Bradford Townships beat out the incumbent supervisors in Tuesday's primary. In Bradford Township, Jim Erwin garnered 304 votes while Don Cummins got 300. It wasn't as close in Foster Township. Jim Connelly Jr. got 256 votes while Cary Kaber got 151. Bradford City Police Officer Dave Feely led the field of school board candidates with 1343 votes on the Republican ballot and 484 on the Democrati...

Common Pleas Judge: John Pavlock: 690 (D) 1788(R) Chris Hauser 563(D) 1476(R) Erik Ross 443 (D) 1030 (R) Tony Alfieri 81(D) 149 (R) Bradford City Council: Fred Proper 409 Rick Benton 385 Jim Evans 451 Bob Tingley 269 (Bob Onuffer received 206 votes on the Democratic ballot) Bradford Area School Board: Joe Troutman D – 416 R – 1067 Pat Vigliotta D – 458 R – 1195 Dave Feely D – 484 R – 1343 Shane Oschman D – 325 R – 950 Rita Dincher D –341 R – 910 (Carla Manion D – 476 R – 1352) Lewis Run Borough Council: Diana DeCasper 30 Steve Falconi 20 Frank Langianese 27 Robert Cotton 12 Foster Township Supervisor: Jim Connelly Jr. 256 Mike Scrivo 45 Dave Gomes 88 Cary Kaber 151 Bradford Township Supervisor: Don Cummins 300 Jim Erwin 304 Mount Jewett Mayor: Brett Morgan 29 Robin Leviere 101

The end of the school year will bring a PennDOT closure of Route 4003 (Tambine Road) in Jones Township. Starting Monday, June 8, deck replacement work on the bridge will require a 6-8 week closure of Route 4003 and a detour. PennDOT expects the work to be finished no later than August 6. The bridge is located 3 miles northwest of Johnsonburg on Route 4003, near the intersection with Silver Creek Road. The detour will direct drivers to use Routes 219 and 948. PennDOT Elk County Maintenance will be performing the deck replacement work and signage will be in place to alert drivers to the closure and detour.

– Kinzua Beach and Kinzua Point Information Center (KPIC) will be open May 22 through Labor Day as free recreation sites. The Beach will have new amenities including a new pavilion, sand volleyball courts, and horseshoe play area. In addition, fresh sand will be on the Beach this year. KPIC, on the Allegheny Reservoir, will be open Fridays through Sundays, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. KPIC will provide a variety of information to visitors on the Forest, as well as a place to stop for relaxation, a beautiful view of the Allegheny Reservoir, and some amazing photo opportunities. The recreation staff will be providing nature presentations. If you have any interest in volunteering to work at KPIC or have additional questions, please contact Tonika Goins at (814) 363-6049

Members of all six nations of the Iroquois Confederacy will gather for three days at St. Bonaventure University this week to “raise awareness of the true strength and power of Native spirituality,” said Lehman “Dar” Dowdy, conference organizer. The first Iroquoian Spiritual Conference begins Thursday, with Friday and Saturday events open to the public. As many as 200 members of the six Iroquois nations — Cayuga, Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Seneca and Tuscarora — are expected to attend, said Stephen Gordon, speaker coordinator for the event. “We even have a couple of Oneidas coming from as far as Green Bay, Wis.,” Gordon said. The conference, Gordon said, hopes to address a problem not specific to Indian nations — the erosion of spirituality. “The basic intent is to help people foster an awareness of their spirituality, and to show how bolstering spirituality can enhance a person’s own well-being,” Gordon said. “I think that’s a lesson not just for us, but for the general public.” In a po...

CLEARFIELD – PennDOT will repair the Mundy Bridge on Route 1010 (North Bingham Road) starting on Wednesday, May 27. The repair work will require the closure of Route 1010 from May 27 through June 5. A detour will be in place that directs motorists to use Routes 1011 and 1013. Signage will be in place to alert motorists to the closure and detour. Earlier this spring, PennDOT restricted the weight limits allowed on the bridge. Repairing the bridge will allow PennDOT to remove the weight limit restrictions. The Mundy Bridge is located on Route 1010, near the village of Genesee. Maintenance forces from Potter County PennDOT will perform the repair work.

The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford has inducted 10 students into Chi Alpha Sigma, the National College Athlete Honor Society. To be considered for Chi Alpha Sigma, a student must earn a varsity letter in that academic year. The student must also earn at least a 3.40 overall grade point average. Those inducted were Megan J. Clyde, a sports medicine major from Falls Creek; Elizabeth A. Courson, a biology major from New Castle; Geoffery M. Flowers, a business management major from Oil City; Brent D. George, a social studies education 7-12 major from Arkport, N.Y.; Hannah R. Goeggelman, an athletic training major from Fairport, N.Y.; Stefanie M. Herrmann, a sports medicine major from Bradford; Matthew Lee, a business management major from New Albany; Ali L. Mertsock, an elementary education major from Shinglehouse; Aaron P. Stang, a business management major from Hamburg, N.Y.; and Christopher Tewksbury, an accounting major from Laceyville. Advisors for the group are Lizbeth Matz, a...

The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford inducted four students into Psi Chi, the national honor society in psychology. To be eligible for Psi Chi induction, the student must be at least a second-semester sophomore and be enrolled in a psychology program as either a major or minor, having completed at least nine semester hours of psychology courses. He or she must have at least a 3.0 grade point average as an overall GPA as well as within the psychology program. Those inducted were Brian A. Guentter, a psychology major from Hatfield; Harold A. Yale, a psychology major from Kane; Immanuel Diamant, a psychology major from New Hope; and Jacqueline Foley, a psychology major from Pleasantville. Dr. Warren Fass, associate professor of the psychology program and director of the psychology program, is advisor.

The City of Olean’s Annual Fourth of July Fireworks Celebration is set for Saturday, July 4, at Bradner Stadium in Olean. The fireworks are organized by the Olean Professional Firefighters Association, OPFFA. The fireworks celebration is funded through donations. There are several ways for the community to assist. Greater Olean Area Chamber of Commerce, in conjunction with the OPFFA, will be scheduling Dress Down Days throughout the Olean area. GOACC is asking area employers to allow their staff to dress down patriotically on scheduled days and donate a dollar (or more) to the Firefighters’ Association Fireworks Fund. The following days are designated the following days for Dress Down Days: Friday, May 22nd (Memorial Day Weekend); Friday, June 5th; and Friday, June 12th. The firefighters will also be serving up hot dogs and other refreshments on May 22 and June 12 at the Olean Area Federal Credit Union. Volunteers Needed -- The OPFFA is looking for some volunteers for July 4. Volunteer...

An Ishua man is dead after being hit by a car early Monday morning on Route 16. 22-year-old Matthew Bartholomew was walking along the road at about 4:40 a.m. when he was hit by a vehicle driven by 40-year-old Audrey Knapp of Franklinville. Bartholomew suffered internal injuries, along with head and lower leg trauma. He was flown by medical helicopter to ECMC in Buffalo, where he died.

Yahoo! could be bringing its northeast data center to Western New York thanks to a deal between the state and the New York Power Authority. Governor David Paterson says the deal includes a donation of low-cost electrical power. It's still subject to approval by Yahoo! If the company accepts the proposal Yahoo! would create about 125 new jobs in either Niagara or Genesee county. State officials estimate the jobs would pay $65,000. Officials haven't said exactly where the data center would be. For more on the deal, go to the governor's Web site .

Today, the New York State Senate passed critical legislation (S.4110-A) that will provide an additional 13 weeks of extended benefits to nearly 120,000 currently unemployed New Yorkers. Unemployment benefits for about 56,000 jobless New York residents are set to expire starting this week; nearly 5,000 people will lose benefits every week over the next 2-3 months. “As we work to restore the economy we inherited, it is programs like this that will make the greatest difference in getting New York’s economy back on track,” said Senate Majority Leader Smith. “Today, our conference demonstrated our commitment to restoring the economy through sound economic investment and development. I am pleased that this Federal Stimulus money will be going to New Yorkers who need it the most, and believe that it will serve as an efficient and successful way to expedite economic recovery.”

Money is tight; jobs are scarce. Tap water needs to be treated, pumped, and distributed, which requires energy to process. Energy costs money. Rain barrels provide a way to supply water to your garden or wash a vehicle, and never turn on the spigot in the home. You will save money on your water bill. You are also helping the environment when you use rain barrels because: ~~less water is available to ‘runoff’ in a storm event and create erosion, ~~less drinking water is used, so you are actually saving drinking water, ~~rain water is available during periods of droughts, and ~~you use less energy to process the water. Recent participants at a Rain Barrel Workshop at the Warren Mall learned how to construct their own rain barrel from parts available at local hardware stores. Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection granted funds to the Warren County Conservation District and the Conewango Creek Watershed to conduct the workshop, with assistance from hydrologist Chuck Kee...

Pittsburgh—U.S. Representative Glenn `GT’ Thompson, R-Howard, said Monday, “Generals and privates alike say that more often than not, soldiers fight for their buddies, not for some policy, goal, or skirmish line set by politicians. There can be no greater example of that than the story of Ross Andrew McGinnis. Four men will live on to enjoy their families and their futures because Ross McGinnis gave his life for his friends.” McGinnis of Knox, Pennsylvania, was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously for his actions in Operation Iraqi Freedom by President George Bush on June 2, 2008. The official citation reads in part, “In a selfless act of bravery, in which he was mortally wounded, Private McGinnis covered the live grenade, pinning it between his body and the vehicle and absorbing most of the explosion.” In his remarks on Monday at the Pittsburgh Military Entrance Processing Station, Thompson asked, “Where do we get such men and women? What inspires them to say, `Here am I. Send...

A state senator says she's going to introduce a bill that would stop the Rendell administration from going ahead with a $201 million contract to develop Keystone Exams. Senator Jane Orie says she expects the senate education committee to vote on the bill early next month. It would then go to the full senate. Since the administration first proposed the new testing requirements, Orie has said that with the state facing a budget deficit of $3 billion, this is not the time to go ahead with this – or any – costly, new program. Her bill says that "any statewide requirements for high school graduation from a public school (in Pennsylvania) ... shall be established only by an act of the General Assembly." She and senators Joe Scarnati and Dominic Pileggi wrote to Rendell today saying they were "stunned" to learn about the $201 million contract and urging him to withdraw from this contract.

An Olean man has pleaded guilty to rape. 21-year-old George Portlow Jr. had sex with a woman without her consent between June 17 and 18 of last year in Olean. He'll be sentenced July 27. An Olean man has pleaded guilty to two separate indictments on drug charges. 22-year-old Ronald Billinglsley sold crack cocaine on September 27, 2007, in Olean. On October 22, 2007, he attempted to posses crack cocaine. He'll be sentenced August 24.

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Senate today approved legislation that strengthens oversight of the credit card industry. The legislation includes measures cosponsored by U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) that place restrictions on marketing credit cards to college students and direct the Federal Trade Commission to study new technology to combat crime at automated teller machines. “Students today who work hard to obtain a college degree will enter the workforce saddled with thousands of dollars in loans, and thousands in credit card debt on top of it,” said Senator Bob Casey (D-Pa.). “I am pleased that Congress has acted to require disclosure of marketing tactics that target struggling college students and add to the burden of debt that follows them out of school. The passage of the Credit Card Accountability, Responsibility and Disclosure Act is a victory for consumers that will provide a measure of relief and security.” “Colleges should not be encouraging their students to sign up for pro...

Customers of the bankrupt Pennsylvania company Pure Weight Loss Inc. – formerly known as L.A. Weigh Loss Centers – will be sharing $500,000 worth of repayment checks thanks to a consent decree negotiated by state attorneys general. PA Attorney General Tom Corbett says the money has been sent to more than 2,300 customers around the country. Corbett says the money is for products or services the customers paid for but didn't receive. The average check is for $212. Eligible customers should be getting them over the next week. Pure Weight Loss shut down in January 2008 and filed for bankruptcy. The bankruptcy case is continuing. For more information, go to the attorney general's Web site .

The Bradford Mastercraft All-American Soap Box Derby will be run in a new location this year. The event will be held on Dorothy Lane between West Corydon Street and Campus Drive. The derby is June 13, and you can hear more about it on Friday's Sports Forum when Steve Feldman is one of Frank's guests. 100.1 The HERO is the exclusive media partner for the Bradford Mastercraft All-American Soap Box Derby.

A Clearfield man is dead after a head-on collision with a Jamestown woman's van Monday morning near Bigler. Police say a car driven by 69-year-old Clifford Williams crossed the center line and hit a van driven by 38-year-old Karla Platt. Platt suffered moderate injuries. Several young passengers in her van were also hurt, but police didn't release the nature or extent of the injuries. Police are continuing their investigation.

A Frewsburg woman is facing charges following an accident Monday evening in the village. Sheriff's deputies say a car driven by 37-year-old Ericka Champlin hit a parked pickup truck and flipped over. Champlin refused medical treatment, but was charged with driving while intoxicated and consumption of alcohol in a motor vehicle. She was released on her own recognizance.

Igor passed this story on to me: Police believe a Bakersfield man bit the eyeball out of his son's face and ate it, according to court documents. The 4-year-old's other eye was damaged beyond repair, reports said. The boy's missing eye could not be located, reports said, and he told a detective, ''Daddy ate my eyes.'' For the full story, go to KGET-TV .

Did You? That's what I'll be asking you if you complain about city council or school board. Also, in my travels this morning I learned that quite a few people have been writing in Bradford City Police Chief Mike Close for McKean County Sheriff.

A Bradford man has been sentenced to five years' probation in connection with an accident that killed his wife. 56-year-old Lanny Holly was driving while intoxicated on November 9, 2007, in the Town of Carrollton, when his vehicle went off the road, hit a tree and burst into flames. He was able to get out of the vehicle but his wife, 53-year-old Carol Holly, was trapped inside the vehicle and died. Holly pleaded guilty to vehicular manslaughter.

Washington, D.C. – Senator Arlen Specter (D-Pa.) today spoke on the Senate floor regarding the pressing need for health care reform. “We need to agree on a balanced, common sense solution that reins in costs, protects the personal doctor- patient relationship and shifts our focus to initiatives in preventive medicine and research,” Specter said. Senator Specter, who recently participated in the White House Forum on Health Care Reform, pledged to work with his colleagues to pass legislation to provide all Americans access to quality, affordable health insurance, including the 47 million Americans who are currently uninsured. “The effort to bring about health reform can and should be a bipartisan effort,” stated Specter. “I’m prepared, as I’ve said before, to put my shoulder to the wheel to try to get the job done.” Senator Specter is a cosponsor of the Wyden-Bennett Healthy Americans Act which he believes provides a strong starting point in the health care discussion. The bipartisan...

This coming September, Rep. Kathy Rapp (R-Warren/Forest/McKean) will host a ceremony honoring the men and women of the United States military who served during the Vietnam War. To ensure as many veterans as possible receive recognition, Rapp is asking Vietnam War veterans, their friends or their family members from the 65th Legislative District to contact her Warren office. "Many people have said many things about the Vietnam War, but we want to say the two most important words - 'thank you' - to our veterans," said Rapp, who serves on the House Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness committee. "In order to do that, I'm asking Vietnam War veterans, their friends or their family members to please contact my Warren office so we may honor your dedicated service to this Commonwealth and our nation." Rapp has hosted similar ceremonies in the past, first for World War II veterans in 2005 and later for Korean War era veterans in 2007. At each ceremony, eve...

The Source, the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford’s student newspaper, has taken first place in the American Scholastic Press Association national competition. This is the first time the newspaper has been awarded first place in a decade. Universities across the country competed in the contest and were judged by enrollment. The Source was entered in the category for schools with enrollments of 1,001 to 1,700. Based on excellence in design, layout, photography and reporting, the judges awarded The Source 930 of a possible 1,000 points. The 15-member staff made up of editors, reporters and photographers, produced six editions of the 12-page, full-color newspaper during the fall 2008 term, including a 4-page “Election Extra” supplement in October. “Getting a first-place award says something about the staff of writers and photographers,” said editor Alex Davis, a sophomore public relations major from Emporium. “This is another example of what hard work can accomplish. We have set the ba...

On May 6, 2009, the Senate of Pennsylvania passed, along party lines, a fiscally responsible budget that responds to our current economic crisis. This budget reflects an understanding of our revenue shortfall and yields many cuts to programs that not only I, but other Senators as well, have supported in the past. With that said, tough budget realities require tough budget decisions. The $27.3 billion spending package in Senate Bill 850 is responsible and puts Pennsylvania in a position to grow with the economy when it starts to improve. To date the Commonwealth is looking at a $3 billion deficit this year and with most analysts projecting little to no growth next year, it is imperative that we get our spending under control now. The other alternative and one that appears to have the support of the Governor and House Democrats, is to drastically raise taxes. Without question, I find this alternative irresponsible and somewhat humorous given that the federal stimulus dollars are ap...

Thanks to our Wedding Belles and everyone who's supporting them -- and our sponsors -- more than $1,000,000 has been pumped into the local economy. That's right: More than ONE MILLION DOLLARS ! Keep up the great work, everyone! And if you haven't gotten involved yet, go HERE to find out how you can be part of this record-setting year of the contest. Speaking of contests -- Stay tuned for details about THE contest of the season. If you think hard, you'll know what I mean. And keep listening to WESB and The HERO for your chance to win Pirates tickets, Waldameer tickets and (I heard a rumor) concert tickets. What do you have to do to win these tickets? Just listen. That's all. It's our way of thanking you. :)

Ken Leet of the McKean County Raceway stopped by to talk with Scott Douglas during The HERO's live broadcast from Crosby's/Tim Hortons Saturday afternoon.