Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

A Cooperstown, PA, man is dead after trying to retrieve a canoe in the Allegheny Reservoir near Kinzua Dam Saturday morning. State police say 18-year-old David Sarber III, and a friend, were packing up their camp when their canoe drifted away from shore. Sarber jumped into the water to try to retrieve it, but then swam back to shore to take off his boots, jacket and two sweatshirts before going back into the water. He was overcome by the cold water before making it back to the canoe. His friend traveled on foot several miles to the Docksider Restaurant, where he found two area hunters who gave him a ride to the nearest phone. Volunteer water rescue and recovery personnel locate and retrieve Sarber's body. State police were assisted by the Glade Volunteer Fire Department, McKean County Dive and Rescue Team, Glade Township Water Rescue, US Forest Service, Emergycare, Clarendon Volunteer Fire Department, Warren County Coroner's Office, Red Cross and employees of Docksider's Re...

In recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, the LiveLine is running a month-long series featuring the YWCA Victims Resource Center. This Tuesday's show will be about legal issues. The October 27 show will center on safety issues. Although it's not officially part of the series, Nancy Chesnut, director of the Victims Resource Center, will be on a special Friday edition of the LiveLine on October 23 to talk about the 3rd Annual Poetry Slam being held October 28 at Kimberly's Cool Bean Café (formerly the Emery Espresso Bar). Our first two shows were on "Domestic Violence 101" and children's issues. I'll have audio up for you soon.

By Patrick Pierson Sports Information Director It’s certainly feels like winter in more than one way at St. Bonaventure. With snow falling on campus, the 2009-10 men’s basketball season got under way on Friday evening, as St. Bonaventure took to Bob Lanier Court in its first practice of the year. Led by third-year head coach Mark Schmidt, the Bonnies return six players, including four starters, from last year’s club that finished with a 15-15 record and made the program’s first appearance at the A-10 Tournament since 2005. Headlining that group of returners are seniors Jonathan Hall and Chris Matthews, junior Malcolm Eleby and sophomore Andrew Nicholson. All four had strong seasons statistically, but it was Hall filling up the box score, becoming the just the second player in program history to lead the team in points (12.9), rebounds (6.3) and assists (3.2). Nicholson was the talk of the town, though, earning the Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Year Award...

BAHS Homecoming Queen Katie Brooks and her escort Chris Salerno

Governor Rendell has called a meeting with legislative leaders to help resolve the dispute over table games that's holding up funding for the University of Pittsburgh, Penn State and other institutions and organizations. The meeting is scheduled for Monday. Pitt, Penn State, Temple and Lincoln are supposed to get more than $600 million in state funding this year, but that funding is linked to table games legislation. So far, legislators have not agreed on the license fee for casinos to add table games or how much to tax them. On Wednesday, Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati and Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi sent a letter to House Speaker Keith McCall asking for a quick resolution to the issue. Scarnati and Pileggi expected to work on the legislation last week but McCall hasn't scheduled another House session until November 9. You can read the letter to McCall from Scarnati and Pileggi here . from Governor Rendell's Web site, Senate Republican Communications,...

A Falconer man took police on a hour-long chase through New York and Pennsylvania Friday. Chautauqua County Sheriff's deputies say they tried to pull over an SUV driven by 36-year-old James Silk at about 4:15 Friday afternoon in Lakewood after several other drivers reported that it was being driven erratically. Silk fled, leading officers on a chase to Corry, PA. Back in French Creek, New York, police put spike strips on the road, which caused Silk to lose control of the vehicle and drive it off the road. He attempted to flee on foot but police used a Taser on him. During the chase, Silk allegedly rammed a sheriff's vehicle. After his arrest he allegedly kneed a deputy in the face. Silk is in Chautauqua County Jail. from Chautauqua County Sheriff's Department

Some Bradford Township residents are still without power today, and although Penelec crews are working to get it restored they're not sure when that may happen. But Bradford Township Volunteer Fire Department Chief Dan Burkhouse tells WESB and The HERO the Custer City fire station is being set up as an emergency shelter for anyone in the High Street area (from just south of East Warren Road to Lewis Run) who doesn't have power. "People already went through one night …We can't go into a second night without having shelter for these people if they need it," Burkhouse said. He said firefighters have been going door-to-door to let people know about the emergency shelter, but some of them are not home. Crews from First Energy (Penelec) tell us they're working on some "major problems" today that are causing the intermittent power outages. Yesterday, most of the problems were caused by a tree that fell on power lines in the Warren area and knocked out a maj...

Charles Cole Memorial Hospital has received an initial supply of H1N1 vaccine. People identified as high risk patients should contact their primary care provider to receive a vaccination as it becomes available. CCMH also began vaccinating health care workers and emergency medical services personnel this week to protect patients, staff and visitors. The CDC has recommended that high risk groups be vaccinated first: pregnant women, household contacts and caregivers of children younger than six months, health care and emergency medical services personnel, those six months to 24 years, and those 25 to 64 years with certain health conditions. After the high risk groups have been vaccinated, the general population will be able to receive the H1N1 vaccine. Last week, Charles Cole revised its visitation policy to further protect patients, staff and visitors due to increased flu activity. The revised visitation policy restricts children under 18 from visiting the hospital. Exceptions may be m...

Part of this weekend's "Weekend Wrap" is my talk with best-selling author Rick Yancey about his newest book, "The Monstrumologist." You can hear it Saturday at 6:20 a.m. on 100.1 The HERO and 9:15 a.m. Sunday on 1490 WESB.

The DEP is allowing Cabot Oil and Gas to resume drilling in Susquehanna County. DEP said today that the Houston-based company complied with the terms of an order that stopped its hydraulic fracturing, or "fracking," activities last month. Cabot's operations were temporarily halted after three spills of a liquid-gel lubricant within seven days at one of its gas-drilling sites. Fracking is a technique used by drillers to fracture rock and release natural gas from the Marcellus Shale formation. Information gleaned from DEP news release

This is Paul from Smethport and he's this week's winner of the Tops Tailgate at Home contest. You still have 3 more chances to win a $100 gift card from Tops. Go here for all the details.

A Buffalo man who sold cocaine in Bradford and Salamanca has been sentenced to seven years and three months in federal prison. 34-year-old Shawn Johnson pleaded guilty earlier this year in federal court to a felony drug conspiracy charge. He was arrested in January of 2007 in connection with a drug ring that trafficked cocaine in Bradford and Salamanca. federal court records, Buffalo

A dark and funny play exploring the lives of six women living under the Soviet regime will be performed on Tuesday, Oct. 20, at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford. “Child of Hungry Times” will take the stage at 7:30 p.m. in the Studio Theatre in Blaisdell Hall as part of the university’s Spectrum Series. Admission is free. Some language and content may not be suitable for young children. Based on the controversial writings of Soviet dramatist Ludmila Petrushevskaya, “Child of Hungry Times” is a critically acclaimed, one-woman show written and performed by Bridget Bailey. “The play consists of multiple women’s voices, all struggling with a society that seems not to have their best interests in mind,” said Dr. Kevin Ewert, associate professor of theater. After performing “Child of Hungry Times” at Duke University for her senior thesis project, Bailey received a grant and a Benenson Award in the Arts to produce the show in Seattle. She has since performed the production ...

The Bradford Area High School homecoming queen and king candidates (along with Miss Bradford and her escort) stopped by the studios today as Frank Williams' guests on Sports Forum. Tonight's Bradford High Homecoming parade has been cancelled because of the weather. The Homecoming floats can still be seen inside the Bradford High gymnasium until 4:30 this afternoon. The Homecoming court will still be honored at halftime of tonight's football game between the Owls and Strong Vincent. The Homecoming dance is still on too.

The snow is causing a number of problems in the region. Most of Cameron County has been without power all day. Allegheny Power crews are working to restore it. Tri-County Rural Electric tells us about 2,000 customers are without electricity because heavy snow brought trees down onto power lines. It may be 6 to 8 hours before power is restored to some areas. The National Weather Service says Coudersport got about 5 ½ inches of snow. The Bradford area is experiencing intermittent interruptions in power. Because of that, Zippo has cancelled its second shift for tonight. But some people don't have power at all. Penelec reports outages in Lewis Run, Eldred, Smethport, Kane, Ludlow, Rew, Port Allegany, Westline, Clarendon, Russell, Warren, Ulysses and Galeton. There's no word on when power will be restored. National Grid says about 500 customers in the towns of Olean and Cold Spring are without power. It should be restored sometime this afternoon. Trees and power lines are down all o...

A Limestone man is facing drug charges following a traffic stop on Chestnut Street Bradford. State police say after they stopped 20-year-old Tracy McGraw "several indicators led to a more in-depth investigation." They say McGraw attempted to remove controlled substances from inside his vehicle and flee the scene on foot. A scuffle ensued ending in McGraw being charged with possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver, possession of drug paraphernalia, endangering the welfare of children, resisting arrest, tampering with physical evidence, DUI and two traffic violations. faxed from Kane-based state police

A Massachusetts man is dead after being thrown from his truck in an accident this morning in Forest County. State police say 50-year-old Donald Belmore of Malrborough, Massachusetts, was driving on Route 66 at just after midnight today when his pickup truck went off the road, hit a ditch and rolled over twice. Belmore was not wearing a seatbelt and was ejected through the driver's side window. He was pronounced dead at the scene. 47-year-old Gregg Belmore of Land of Lakes, Florida, suffered minor injuries. Two other passengers were not hurt. Police have not determined the cause of the accident, but say it was not weather-related. Ridgway-based state police

Just in case you didn't think we'd really get any accumulation from the storm, these pictures of the Fretz football field and our van were taken at just after 7 p.m.

Warren, Pa. – The Allegheny National Forest announced today the temporary closure of the Kinzua Beach Recreation Area. The facility will undergo major renovations beginning immediately and lasting until its re-opening for Memorial Day 2010. During the construction period, foot travel is permissible; however, the Allegheny NF urges the public to avoid the active construction zone during weekday daylight hours and use extreme caution in the area at all times and be alert to hazards. The off-season construction also warrants the closure of the parking facilities at Kinzua Beach during the winter season. District Ranger Tony Scardina stated “we recognize that this temporary closure may inconvenience some members of the public and we appreciate everyone’s cooperation. We look forward to the re-opening of the improved facility next season.” ~~~~~ Bradford, Pa. – The Bradford Ranger District of the Allegheny National Forest (NF) is seeking public comments in advance of preparing an Enviro...

No changes are planned for the Route 219 Bradford Bypass project next week, meaning that a section of Bolivar Drive will remain closed while bridges spanning the road are painted. Kendall Avenue will remain open to two-way traffic, but work will continue with flaggers directing traffic during daytime work hours. information from PennDOT news release

The ex-husband of a Titusville woman has been indicted on a charge of international parental kidnapping. 34-year-old Chad Hower is accused of taking his then-10-year-old child out of the country in November 2006 to obstruct the parental rights of the child's mother, Nancy Oberlander. An indictment charging Hower with one felony count was filed under seal in federal court in Erie on May 12 and a warrant was obtained for his arrest. Hower was taken into custody on Tuesday, according to court records. The records do not say where Hower was arrested or where the child is. The charge of international parental kidnapping is a felony punishable by up to three years in federal prison and a fine of up to $250,000. from the US Attorney's Office

Watch it live at CNN.com . UPDATE: -- A 6-year-old Colorado boy believed to have set adrift a helium balloon has been found alive, authorities said. -- from CNN UPDATE: Balloon lands; boy not inside

Retail prices in the Northeast region, as measured by the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) were virtually unchanged, inching up 0.1 percent in September, the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor reported today. Sheila Watkins, the Bureau’s regional commissioner, noted that the recent advances in most of the major categories, led by apparel, were nearly offset by declines in housing and recreation. The other goods and services index was unchanged over the month. The September level of 231.200 (1982-84 = 100) was 0.7 percent lower than in September 2008. Over the same period, the core inflation rate, as measured by the all items less food and energy index, rose 1.9 percent. For the full report, go to the Bureau of Labor Statistics .

WILLIAMSVILLE, N.Y. – Tops Friendly Markets, the leading full-service grocery retailer in Western New York, Central New York, including Rochester, and Northwestern Pennsylvania will be awarded with the 2009 Retail Patriot Award from Frozen and Dairy Buyer magazine. Tops is among five retailers from across the country who are being honored for going “beyond the call of duty” in support of the men and women who serve in the military. Store officials will accept this national award during the National Frozen & Refrigerated Foods Association’s annual convention, held in Washington, D.C. October 17 – 20. Tops participates in many events throughout the year to help support the U.S. military on a local and national basis. Most recently, this past summer Tops was the presenting sponsor of the American Veterans Traveling Tribute (AVTT), an 80 percent replica of the Vietnam Wall, and helped to bring the wall to Western New York. Several times throughout the year Tops also sends care pack...

Harrisburg — State Senator Stewart J. Greenleaf (R, Montgomery, Bucks) has introduced legislation that would establish the Pennsylvania Office of Faith-Based and Non-profit Community Organizations within the Office of the Governor. The legislation will create more opportunities for all volunteer organizations in Pennsylvania to partner with government entities to help deliver vital services in our communities. It will also help to identify any barriers that may exist to fair competition for government funding and propose any changes that would level the playing field for faith-based and non-profit organizations. This will enable the government to choose the most effective partner to provide the public services, maximizing taxpayer dollars. Under the bill, the Office will provide a point of contact for organizations to receive information, assistance, and referrals related to faith-based and non-profit organizations within state government, including the development of a w...

HARRISBURG – Regional campuses of the University of Pittsburgh will soon qualify for funding to study issues facing rural Pennsylvania, Sen. John N. Wozniak announced today. Earlier this year, Wozniak introduced legislation to allow researchers at the regional campuses to receive the funding and to increase the maximum grant amount. Senate Bill 607 was signed into law by Gov. Ed Rendell last week. “It makes sense that more bright people working on these special challenges will mean more ideas and better results,” Wozniak said. “Rural Pennsylvania is facing problems that have been forming for decades and new ones emerge every year.” Senate Bill 607 – now Act 52 – will amend the regulations for the “Center for Rural Pennsylvania,” an agency of the General Assembly governed by an 11-member board. The board oversees distribution of grants to faculty members at colleges and universities to fund study of the issues facing rural communities, including economic development, educational outrea...

Harrisburg – PennDOT Secretary Allen D. Biehler, P.E., announced today that more than 2,200 plow trucks are ready to go when that first winter storm strikes the commonwealth. “As caretaker of nearly 40,000 miles of state roads and 25,000 bridges, PennDOT strives to be as prepared as possible for whatever winter throws at us,” Biehler said. “We started preparing for this winter when last winter ended -- from our operators doing dry runs of their routes to garage staff servicing our vehicles. We work extremely hard to ensure that everyone is prepared for that first snowfall.” About 5,400 PennDOT employees will be working hard to keep Pennsylvania roads passable during winter storms. PennDOT reminds motorists roadways such as interstates and expressways will be its primary focus and at times, the department may redirect equipment to these routes during significant winter events. During these heavier storms, motorists may encounter deeper accumulations on less traveled routes and they shou...

OLEAN -- The Olean Times Herald and the Greater Olean Area Chamber of Commerce will be hosting both a mayoral and district attorney debate, at the Olean High School auditorium, 410 West Sullivan Street, Olean. The two candidates for City of Olean mayor will be part of a debate set for 7 PM Monday, October 19. County Legislator Linda Witte will face off against Mayor David Carucci in the November 3rd election. The two candidates for Cattaraugus County District Attorney will be featured in the debate scheduled for Wednesday, October 21, 7 PM. Lori Rieman, the former Cattaraugus County first assistant district attorney will challenge current District Attorney Ed Sharkey. Larry Sorokes will moderate the forum. The questions that will be asked have come from area residents. PLEASE EMAIL debate questions to info@oleanny.com. Deadline for questions for the Mayoral Debate is Monday, October 19, NOON and for the District Attorney Debate is Wednesday, October 21, Noon. The events are open t...

HARRISBURG - Rep. Martin Causer (R-Turtlepoint) announced today that Pennsylvania's Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) will begin accepting applications for cash grants Nov. 2. Crisis grants will be available on Jan. 4, 2010. LIHEAP helps low-income people pay their heating bills through home energy assistance grants and crisis grants. Cash grants are awarded based on household income, family size, type of heating fuel and region. Crisis grants are provided in the event of a heating emergency, including broken heating equipment or leaking lines that must be fixed or replaced, lack of fuel, termination of utility service or danger of being without fuel or of having utility service terminated. In most counties, assistance with home heating crisis situations is available 24 hours a day. Families may earn up to 150 percent of federal poverty rates and still qualify for assistance. For a family of four, the income limit is $33,075 per year. To apply for LIHEAP, call or ...

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL), joined by Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Crime and Drugs Subcommittee Chairman Arlen Specter (D-PA), and seven other Senators, introduced legislation today to eliminate the sentencing disparity between crack and powder cocaine. The Fair Sentencing Act would refocus scarce federal resources toward large scale, violent traffickers and increase penalties for the worst drug offenders. According to the U.S. Sentencing Commission, restoring sentencing parity would do more than any other policy change to close the gap in incarceration rates between African Americans and whites. The Obama Administration endorsed eliminating the sentencing disparity at a hearing chaired by Durbin in April. “Drug use is a serious problem in America and we need tough legislation to combat it. But in addition to being tough, our drug laws must be smart and fair. Our current cocaine laws are not,” Durbin said. “The sentenc...

Zippo Manufacturing Company announced today that the company has executed an agreement to purchase certain assets of Ronson Consumer Products Corporation, Woodbridge, N.J. The agreement also includes Ronson Corporation of Canada, Mississauga, Ontario. Ronson has developed a strong business in the lighter fluid market and also markets an array of pocket and multi-purpose lighters and butane torches. Zippo is one of the world’s most widely recognized brands and is best known for its iconic windproof lighter. The company also markets lighter accessories, butane candle lighters, and lifestyle products for men such as leather goods and writing instruments. A new line of fire-related outdoor gear is being launched this fall. According to Zippo President and CEO Greg Booth, “Zippo is looking forward to adding the venerable Ronson trademark to its family of brands. This acquisition provides an opportunity to expand our business, particularly leveraging Ronson’s competitive position in the lig...

Mick Marshall! And belated birthday wishes to Steve Cavallaro!

A Winter Storm Warning has been issued for 4 p.m. Thursday through 8 a.m. Saturday. A storm moving up the eastern seaboard will bring rain and snow to the region. It will start as a mixture of rain and snow, then become primarily snow that could be heavy and wet. Listen to the forecast from News 4 Meteorologist Mike Cejka.

Sinclairville, NY -- Chautauqua County Executive Gregory J. Edwards paid a visit to the dining site of the Sinclairville 76ers today to honor a man who was instrumental in the start of the Meals on Wheels program of Southern Chautauqua County. Vaughn Rudy served Meals on Wheels of the Jamestown Area for more than a decade, helping to make sure senior citizens received these essential home-delivered meals. In a ceremony at the Sinclairville 76ers site, Edwards presented Vaughn's son Jack with a plaque in honor of his father's accomplishments. "In 1970, Vaughn helped Rolland Taft, Meals on Wheels Chairman, secure funding for Senior Aide positions to help expand Meals on Wheels," Edwards said. "Vaughn's efforts were a key component of making Meals on Wheels the long term success it is today." Edwards said that Vaughn continued with his unofficial Meals on Wheels capacity until June of 1974, where at the Annual Meeting of Meals on Wheels, Vaughn was elected ...

A winter storm watch is in effect from tomorrow morning through Friday morning. The National Weather Service in State College says a developing storm coming up the eastern seaboard will bring rain and snow to the region. It will start as a mixture of rain and snow, then become primarily snow that could be heavy and wet. News 4 Meteorologist Mike Cejka tells WESB and The HERO if the snow is heavy enough, and accumulates on trees that still have leaves, it could cause significant damage and power outages if the trees fall onto power lines, much like the October Surprise Snowstorm three years ago in Buffalo. Mike says this is only a watch, not a warning, which means there is the potential for significant snow, sleet or ice accumulations that may impact travel.

The Department of Environmental Protection has executed a consent order and agreement that allows the transfer of property in downtown Brookville from Selker Brothers, Inc. to Historic Brookville, Inc. for the development of a public park. “This marks a new beginning for this property,” said DEP Regional Director Kelly Burch. “Previously, the site was home to a gas station where leaking underground storage tanks had contaminated the soil and groundwater. The parties have demonstrated the site will be safe for reuse as a park and the property is poised to become a center for public enjoyment and recreation.” In 2006, Selker Brothers, Inc. removed three underground storage tanks from its former service station and found gasoline in the soil and groundwater, with some of the groundwater leaving the property. After Selker submitted a number of deficient investigation reports and remedial action plans to address the contamination, DEP in 2007 issued an order requiring Selker to submit a com...

ALBANY - Trying to spur Albany into action, Senator Catharine Young, (R,I,C-Olean) is hosting a public forum on extremely low milk prices to draw attention to farmers’ plights and gain support for a solution. “Albany has been dragging its feet while our $2.4 billion dairy industry is going down the drain. Farms are going under every day, delivering blow after blow to Upstate’s already shaky economy, but nothing is being done. We need action and results,” said Senator Young, who is Ranking Member of the Senate Agriculture Committee. In August, Senator Young introduced the 2009 Dairy Investment Act, which would provide $60 million of direct emergency relief to struggling dairy farmers. The program is modeled after a successful effort in 2007 that was sponsored and passed by Senator Young when she was Senate Agriculture Chair. “The terrible prices that farmers are paid per hundredweight are similar to those around 2007. The big difference is that those low pric...

Harrisburg – Nearly 88 percent of motorists on Pennsylvania roads are making the often life-saving decision to obey the law and buckle up. The 2009 seat belt use rate for Pennsylvania reached a record of 87.9 percent, an increase from the previous high of 86.7 percent reported in 2007. “The simple act of putting on a seat belt or properly restraining your child is the one step you can take to increase your chances of surviving a crash,” said PennDOT Secretary Allen D. Biehler, P.E. “PennDOT will continue to encourage every driver to buckle up and make sure everyone else in their vehicle does, too.” Stronger traffic safety enforcement is one contributing factor to the rising seat belt usage rate. Approximately 450 municipal police departments and Pennsylvania State Police participate in national and statewide Click It or Ticket campaigns. More than 10,000 seat belt citations were issued by these departments in the last year. PennDOT invested nearly $2.5 million of federal funding for ...

When: Thursday, October 29, 7:00 p.m. Where: Slater Room, Warren Public Library, free and open to the public What: Forever Wild: Celebrating America's Wilderness, preceded by the 16-min. film Keystone Wilderness The Pennsylvania Wilderness Act, which designated the Hickory Creek and Allegheny Islands Wilderness Areas in the Allegheny National Forest, was signed into law by President Reagan on October 30, 1984. Forever Wild is a 60-min. documentary hosted & narrated by Robert Redford capturing the glory of undeveloped, wild places and the passionate tales of America¹s modern wilderness volunteers who have spent countless hours working to ensure that wild places are preserved for generations to come under the Wilderness Act of 1964. In Colorado, Idaho, Utah, Montana and New Hampshire, these are tales of vision and dedication by Americans who work to preserve a legacy of wilderness. Forever Wild also features the sage insights of long-time wilderness advocate and historian Doug Sc...

Mayville, NY -- Companies that produce energy efficient and "green" products, such as Dunkirk's ECR International, will be a major player in Chautauqua County's Second Annual Energy Conference and Expo, October 23rd and 24th. Chautauqua County Executive Gregory J. Edwards and Energy Conference Chair/Organizer Doug Champ toured the company's Dunkirk facility September 30th. ECR International, located at 85 Middle Road, Dunkirk, produces the freewatt® system, which is a home cogeneration system that makes electricity while heating a home and dramatically reducing both electric bills and carbon footprints. The state of New York recently passed legislation that expands its current net-metering law to include residential micro-combined heat and power (micro-CHP) technologies like ECR’s freewatt® system. Net metering enables customers to use the excess electricity they generate to offset their consumption over a specific billing period. Essentially, their electric meter...

To help minimize the spread of illness during this upcoming flu season, Bradford Regional Medical Center officials are installing special sanitizer stations throughout the main campus for use by visitors and others in the building. "It's a way of encouraging our visitors to use precautionary measures, especially if they're feeling ill," explained Deborah Price, BRMC's Senior Vice President of Patient Care Services. According to federal and state officials, this year's seasonal flu season could affect record numbers of patients, with the additional health threat posed by H1N1 (swine) flu. BRMC's sanitizer stations consist of lucite holders which provide users with hand sanitizers, Kleenex and face masks. Terrie O'Brien, BRMC's infection control practitioner, said that anyone entering the building exhibiting signs of respiratory illness should stop by the sanitizer stations. "We're encouraging individuals to stay home if they have coughs, fe...

The Salamanca Area Chamber of Commerce invites you to explore and experience the many opportunities to expand your knowledge and intuition through enlightenment at our Psychic Readings weekend, Nov. 6-8. Choose to see one of our many Lily Dale, or Lily Dale trained, mediums and spiritualists for your personal half-hour reading. We are pleased to have Salamanca’s own Michael Cricks, an Aura Reader and Spiritualist, participating in this great event. Cricks has been providing public readings for over twenty-seven years. We are also honored to have another phenomenal Spiritualist, Reverend George Kincaid, from Lily Dale. Kincaid believes, as the basis of his religion, in the continuity of life and in individual responsibility. Most spiritualists endeavor to find the truth in all things and to live their lives in accordance therewith. Other local favorites are Michele Harvey-Heusinger, Medium and Palm Reader, and Devonia “Dee” Smith, whose specialty is Tarot Card re...

By ANNE HOLLIDAY WESB/WBRR News Director A code enforcement officer for the City of San Francisco will be getting an order to demolish a property she owns in Bradford. A house at 152 South Avenue is one of nine properties for which the city Board of Health issued demolition orders Tuesday. Bradford Code Enforcement Officer George Corignani explained that Barbara Rozniak, along with Lawrence Israel, bought the house on eBay. She thought she was going to turn it into a bed and breakfast, Corignani said, but didn't realize it was on the high side of South Avenue with no parking. She was in Bradford a couple of years ago and Corignani told her what she had to do to bring the property up to code, but he hasn't heard from her since. "The property is deteriorating to the point it needs to come down," Corignani said. On the other side of the coin, the owner of 144 South Avenue, who lives in Juneau Alaska, recently tried to sell it on eBay, Corignani said. He said the house ha...

Limestone taxpayers voted on Tuesday to dissolve the village. Next year, the village will become a hamlet within the Town of Carrollton. The move is expected to lower taxes almost 4 percent in Limestone and more than 40 percent in Carrollton.

In recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Helen Burfield attended Tuesday's City Council meeting dressed in pink from head to toe. Her "hair-do" came from Lisa's Hairport, one of several salons in the area helping people "get pinked" to raise money for breast cancer research and programs.

By ANNE HOLLIDAY WESB/WBRR News Director A crowd that flowed into the hallway outside of city council chambers heard Mayor Tom Riel and Bradford City Police officers agree to work out their differences concerning a manned police station. A resolution to authorize the McKean County 911 Center to assume dispatch duties for the city police department was on the council agenda. But after about an hour of listening to nearly two dozen people, most of them opposed to transferring the dispatch duties, Riel said council would table the resolution. "The City of Bradford is running a government they can no longer afford and we can no longer afford to have a paid police officer sitting over there at the desk," Riel said to the police officers who were at the meeting. "If you want to work on something that will save money with a civilian dispatch, or something, we can consider it and talk about. But it's got to be something that saves the city money and does not have a paid, uni...

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The Pennsylvania Film Tax credit is still here, it's just not as big. The new budget allows $42 million for the program this year and $60 million next year. It had been $75 million. The Film Tax Credit program started in 2007 and provides a tax credit to film productions that spend 60 percent of their budget in Pennsylvania. Producers for the movie "Unstoppable" say the film tax credit was one of the deciding factors in bringing them to Pennsylvania. Many businesses in McKean, Cameron and Elk counties benefited financially while "Unstoppable" was filming in the region.

No one was hurt in a house fire Monday night on Route 417 in the Town of Carrollton. Officials say flames were showing at the home of Clifford Redeye when Limestone firefighters arrived on the scene. The fire was reported at about 9:45 p.m. and was out shortly after 11 p.m., according to Gary Wuetrich, deputy fire coordinator. Wuetrich says the cause of the blaze may be related to a wood stove, but the Cattaraugus County Fire Investigation Team has not officially determined that yet. He says the inside of the house was moderately damaged.

A Kersey man is facing assault charges following an alleged incident Sunday afternoon at a home in Sergeant Township. Court documents filed in District Judge Rich Luther's office say that Roger Bish punched Krista Bish in the face several times, tackled her and rubbed dog feces on her. She suffered eye, hand, arm and neck injuries. Bish is free on bail with the conditions that he consume no alcohol and have no contact with the victim. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for Monday in front of District Judge Bill Todd in Smethport.

Mike Butler for rolling a perfect game at Byllye Lanes!

Jeff Mahl, whose great-grandfather raced an automobile from New York to Paris in 1908, a feat no one else has matched, will share stories of the trek on Tuesday, Oct. 13, at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford. The free program, “The Great Auto Race of 1908: N.Y. to Paris,” will be presented at 7 p.m. in the Mukaiyama University Room of the Frame-Westerberg Commons. Sponsors are Friends of Hanley Library, University of Pittsburgh at Bradford History/Political Science Club and Pat and H.L. “Woody” Woodruff of Bradford. With more than 250,000 onlookers cheering on the team, Mahl’s great-grandfather George Schuster Sr. of Buffalo, N.Y., a member of the American team of the Great Race, started the journey at Times Square in New York City on Feb. 12, 1908. The crew traversed in a 1907 Thomas Flyer through three continents and more than 22,000 miles in 169 days, often driving over terrain without roads and in the dead of winter. Many people also had ...

Men with a diagnosis of metastatic prostate cancer are being recruited for a national clinical trial currently under way at sites across the nation, including the Cancer Care Center at Bradford Regional Medical Center (BRMC), a network affiliate of Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo. Because androgens -- testosterone and other male hormones -- cause prostate cancer cells to grow, some prostate cancer patients currently receive “androgen-deprivation” therapy to block the body’s production of androgens. Other prostate cancer patients are treated with docetaxel, a chemotherapy drug that either kills tumor cells or prevents them from dividing. This study is designed to determine whether the use of androgen-deprivation therapy and docetaxel together is more effective than androgen-deprivation alone. Participants in this Phase III study will be randomly assigned to one of two groups. One group will receive androgen-deprivation therapy alone, and the other will receive androgen-deprivat...

Two University of Pittsburgh at Bradford art professors will showcase more than 40 pieces of artwork based on a mythical Utopian village, beginning Friday, Oct. 16, at the campus. “The Infinite Dimensions of Shangri-La: Paintings And Sculptures by Kong Ho and Dr. Martie Geiger Ho” will feature the work of Ho, director of the interdisciplinary arts and the art program and associate professor of art, and Geiger-Ho, visiting assistant professor of art, at the KOA Art Gallery in Blaisdell Hall through Friday, Nov. 20. The exhibition, which is free and open to the public, is part of the university’s Spectrum Series. A gallery talk will take place at noon Oct. 16 in the Webb/Bradford Forest Rehearsal Hall and an opening reception will follow at 12:30 p.m. in the KOA Speer Electronics Lobby. The exhibition, based on the world of Shangri-La, a spiritual, mythical village in Tibet, will focus on a peaceful state of mind and being. The exhibition w...

Valerie Tinder, RN, takes Charles Cole Memorial Hospital’s occupational health influenza vaccination program “on the road” last week. To date, 400 employees and volunteers received their annual seasonal flu vaccines. The employee vaccination program will continue as the hospital strives to protect its patients, visitors and staff during the flu season. e-mailed from Janene Dunn, Charles Cole Memorial Hospital

Lamar, PA—U.S. Representative Glenn `GT’ Thompson, R-Howard, today told a meeting of the Coalition Against Tolling I-80 he will “continue to work with you, the State Representatives and Senators and my colleagues in Congress to make sure this tolling scheme does not become a reality.” The meeting took place at the Hampton Inn in Lamar. Thompson thanked the Coalition for its work so far and said, “I can assure you today is the beginning of new grassroots efforts from across the state to urge Harrisburg to repeal Act 44 and go back to the drawing board on this flawed plan.” Pennsylvania Act 44 planned to use the toll revenues from the turnpike, along with huge amounts of borrowed money, to pay for highway and mass transit projects. The anticipated revenues from tolls on I-80 would then pay off that debt. “Unfortunately,” said Thompson, “that’s not the way the federal law works.” The federal pilot program allows states to rehabilitate and reconstruct an interstate by using the funds from...