Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — A 20-6 run to open the second half and four players in double figures helped Conference USA foe Marshall hand St. Bonaventure a 80-61 loss on Saturday afternoon at the Cam Henderson Center. The loss puts an end to non-conference play for the Bonnies and drops their record to 7-6 heading into Atlantic 10 action this week. Marshall now stands at 11-2 heading into the start of its league play and extends its home winning streak to 13 games. Leading the way for Marshall was freshman Hassan Whiteside, who finished with game-highs of 17 points, 12 rebounds and six blocks. The 7-foot freshman did all of his damage in the second half and played just 19 minutes. Fellow big man Tyler Wilkerson also finished with a double-double with 10 points and 12 boards. Making his first career start, junior Ogo Adegboye (London, England/Findlay Prep) led the Brown and White with 15 points in a full 40 minutes of work. Senior Jonathan Hall (Miami, Fla./Mia...

Police are investigating a burglary in Ulysses Township that happened sometime between 10:15 Wednesday night and 6:40 Thursday morning. Someone entered the Bailey Hill Lodge and Restaurant on Bailey Hill Road by forcing open a locked door. Once inside, the burglar opened two cash drawers and stole the cash inside. Nothing else was reported stolen.

A Kill Buck man is facing charges after taking police on a chase through the City of Salamanca Friday afternoon. Sheriff's deputies say they were called to a domestic incident in the Town of Great Valley, and then saw the suspect, 53-year-old Andrew Swan, driving in Salamanca. Swan allegedly refused to stop for deputies and led them, along with Salamanca Police, on a brief chase. Swan eventually stopped, and was taken to the Salamanca Police Department for arraignment on charges of felony driving while intoxicated, resisting arrest and related offenses.

Fire damaged part of Randy and Joan Connor's Derrick City house Friday afternoon. Derrick City Volunteer Fire Department Chief Jim Kelley says at about 2:15 p.m. they got a report of a structure fire at 651 Derrick Road. Heavy smoke was coming from a second story window when they arrived on the scene. Kelley says firefighters knocked down the blaze "rather quickly," and fire damage was contained to the kitchen area. There was smoke and water damage on the first floor. Kelley says one person was home at the time of the fire. He made it out safely and went to a neighbor's house to call 9-1-1. There were no injuries. About 40 firefighters were on the scene for about 2 hours. Besides Derrick City, the departments responding to the scene were Bradford City, Bradford Township, Otto Township and Limestone. Rew firefighters were on standby at Derrick City. Kelly says the cause of the fire hasn't been determined yet, but a state police fire marshal has been called in to i...

There's an interesting story in the Scranton Times-Tribune : "A state investigation sparked by a local environmentalist who rented an airplane to gather photographic evidence has revealed an unreported contaminate release at a natural gas drilling site in Wayne County." Read the rest here .

Cattaraugus County officially has its first female district attorney. Machias native Lori Rieman took the oath of office this afternoon in Ellicottville. Rieman was first assistant district attorney for eight years under outgoing DA Ed Sharkey, who she beat by a 2 to 1 margin in November's election. One of the cases she'll tackle in her new job involves the death of 80-year-old Wilbur Norton of Delevan, who was killed in his apartment last month. An arrest has not been made yet.

A Titusville man who crashed his pickup truck into a police car on Christmas Eve has been charged with driving under the influence. Police say 27-year-old Nash Harvey was driving the wrong way on Route 6 near Warren. State Police trooper Andrew Goss blocked the highway and the truck slammed into the police car going about 60 mph. Police say if Goss hadn't blocked Harvey's truck, it would have collided head-on with a vehicle carrying a family from Erie. Harvey's blood alcohol content was determined to be about three times the legal limit.

An appeals court has overturned the prison sentence for the former Mercyhurst College volleyball player who killed her newborn daughter. Teri Rhodes was 19 years old when she suffocated the baby in August 2007 shortly after giving birth in her campus apartment. In 2008, Rhodes was sentenced to 9 to 18 years in prison, but the sentenced was harsher than her attorney and prosecutors expected, given her guilty plea to a manslaughter charge. The Superior Court panel also ordered that a new judge be appointed to impose Rhodes' new sentence. Rhodes, who lives in Michigan, has been free on bond.

A Lakeview, NY, man is facing charges after his vehicle hit a utility pole in the Town of Ashford early this morning. Cattaraugus County Sheriff's deputies say 21-year-old Christopher Steinert was traveling north at 4:15 a.m. when his vehicle crossed the centerline and hit the pole, causing the pole to collapse onto the road. He's charged with aggravated driving while intoxicated and related offenses.

A Randolph man is facing rape charges for allegedly having sex with a child younger than 11. 20-year-old Randy Lee Baker allegedly had intercourse with the child sometime in late November. Baker is in Cattaraugus County Jail on $10,000 bail.

Mayville, NY -- Chautauqua County Executive Gregory J. Edwards was joined by hundreds of revelers at a New Year's Eve party that also served as an Inauguration Celebration Friday, January 1, 2010. The event was held at the Chautauqua Suites Meeting & Expo Center in Mayville. Edwards, along with the Hon. Stephen Cass, Chautauqua County District Attorney David Foley and County Clerk Sandra Sopak were all sworn into office during a ceremony held shortly after midnight. All four gave their official Oaths of Office in the presence of New York State Senator Catharine Young. The inauguration is a departure from the typical time and venue. In the past, the ceremony has taken place during the day at the County Courthouse in Mayville. Edwards said the move allowed friends, family and members of the general public that would not normally be able to attend to take part in the inauguration. "I wanted to ring in the New Year with a special event that included the inauguration ceremony t...

Scott Douglas was the master of ceremonies for First Night's Got Talent as well as the festivities in Veterans Square. ( Thanks to Jim Jones for brighening up this photo for me! ) The fireworks finale by Young Explosives wowed the crowd. Congratulations -- and thank you! -- to Larry, Kim & the entire committee for a great day and night!

More than 600 people turned out at the First United Methodist Church to see that First Night's Got Talent. Sixteen acts performed and the winner was – Marissa Buchheit. Second place went to Devin Dewyer of Smethport. Ariel Campbell took third place. The winners are pictured below, receiving their trophies (provided by 100.1 The HERO) from Nashville recording artist Robert Allen. Ariel Campbell Devin Dewyer Marissa Buchheit

This photo, taken during the fireworks display that started at midnight, should give you an idea of how bright the fireworks were.

A Chautauqua County woman said "enough is enough" after she kept receiving text messages from a Fredonia man. The woman, who lives in Brocton, told sheriff's deputies she received several hundred unwanted text messages from 37-year-old John Noell III. Noel was charged with harassment and issued an appearance ticket.

Our annual Year in Review program airs at 12:40 p.m. today on 1490 WESB and online at WESB.com . We'll also be running RadioPA's Top 10 stories of 2009 and Top 10 stories of the decade starting at 12:30 p.m. Saturday.

HARRISBURG – Pennsylvania Game Commission Executive Director Carl G. Roe today announced that the agency has posted its new Strategic Plan on its website. To view the document, go to the agency’s website (www.pgc.state.pa.us) and click on “Resources,” then select “Reports and Minutes,” then choose “2009-2014 Strategic Plan.” “This strategic plan will be used to guide the agency and its operations for the next five years,” Roe said. “We developed this plan to clearly define the agency’s priorities; how that work will be carried out; and how we intend to monitor our progress. “This plan also will enable us to develop our annual budgets to reflect the priorities established to manage Pennsylvania’s wild birds, wild mammals, and their habitats for current and future generations.” Roe noted that this strategic plan will replace the one developed to cover 2003-2008. “In past Legislative Budget and Finance Committee reviews focused on the agency’s compliance with its strategic plan, it was m...

Here's a sampling of some of the photos we, and others, brought you in 2009. In January, Kimberly Weinberg sent us a photo from Washington, DC, where she attended the inauguration of President Barack Obama. In February, Smokey the Bear and Eddie the Eagle from the National Rifle Association, a guest of the McKean County Sheriff's Department, attended the annual Kinzua Outdoor and Travel Show. In March, Tim Walter congratulated Jeff Puglio after Puglio was named Bradford High varsity football coach. . In April, Forest Supervisor Leanne Marten along with district rangers Tony Scardina and Rob Fallon talked about oil and gas drilling during one of several public meetings at Pitt-Bradford. In May, Crosby's/Tim Horton's store manager Crystal Payne cut the ribbon on the E85 pump at the Foster Brook Crosby's fueling station Reid Petroleum President Paul Quebral (wearing a suit) says this is the only E85 pump from Buffalo to Pittsburgh. In June, the Mastercraft All-American...

Seven miles of westbound Interstate 80 in Venango County remain closed because a tanker carrying ammonia turned over and spilled the chemical. Police say the tanker crashed at about noon, causing a significant amount of ammonia, and at least one other substance, to spill. Initial reports indicated that a firefighter had to be taken to the hospital with an inhalation injury, but police have said there are no injuries. No evacuations have been ordered. The road is closed from exit 35 to exit 42.

Corey McAdam poured in 38 points as Nazareth College defeated the Pitt-Bradford men's basketball team 77-73 in the consolation game of the Nazareth College Tournament on Wednesday. Zach Moore had 27 points and Mike Ridge added 15 points on 7-for-11 from the field for the Panthers, who are now 3-7. Pitt-Bradford will visit Penn State Behrend on Jan. 6.

St. Bonaventure had a seven-point run late in the game and beat Canisius College 82-75 in the Reilly Center on Wednesday night. Five St. Bonaventure players had double figures, led by 20 points, seven rebounds, six assists, three blocks and two steals from Jonathan Hall in 38 minutes. Chris Matthews had 15 points. Andrew Nicholson had 14 points, seven rebounds and four blocks while Michael Davenport and Adegboye each had 12 points. The Bonnies improve to 7-5, and play at Marshall on Saturday afternoon.

BETHLEHEM, Pa. – After going on a 12-6 run to end regulation, the St. Bonaventure women’s basketball team fell in overtime in the championship game of the Christmas City Classic against host Lehigh, 68-66, on Wednesday afternoon at Stabler Arena. St. Bonaventure drops its second game of the season, moving its record to 12-2 with one game remaining before the start of conference play. Dana Mitchell scored a season-high 28 points for the Bonnies. Lehigh improves to 11-2 on the season.

Route 219 in Horton Township, Elk County, was closed for about an hour and a half after a car and tractor-trailer collided at about 1:15 this afternoon. State police say a car driven by 79-year-old Charles Reitz of Kersey crossed the center line and traveled into the path of the tractor-trailer driven by 36-year-old Robert Cabaniss of Greensburg. Brockway and Horton Township fire companies and Brockway and Ridgway EMS were on the scene. Police are continuing their investigation.

The St. Bonaventure University women's basketball team didn't have much trouble defeating IUPUI in the first game of the Christmas City Classic in Bethlehem, PA, this afternoon. The final score was 69-39, improving the team's record to 12-1. Senior Dana Mitchell led all scorers with 13 points on four-of-seven from the floor and a perfect five-for-five from the line in only 23 minutes of play. Tomorrow, the Bonaventure women play the winner of today's game between Lehigh and Wagner. For the full story, Go Bonnies.com .

New York State Attorney General Andrew Cuomo has obtained a restraining order against a Wellsville company accused of defrauding customers out of more than $200,000. Allegany Pellets and its owners Paul and Iasia Ceglia are accused of taking orders and payments from customers in New York, Pennsylvania and other states in the spring of 2009 but not delivering any products or refunds. The restraining order issued today bans Allegany Pellets from taking advance payments, destroying any business records or property or transferring any assets. State police charged the Ceglias in November. http://www.ag.ny.gov/media_center/2009/dec/dec29a_09.html

Some Lewis Run residents and businesses will be without water for a couple of hours this afternoon because of a water line break. The affected areas are Richardson and Lafayette avenues, Lincoln and Valley Hunt drives and, possibly, JFK Drive. Stay tuned for updates.

With only one week to go until the United Way of the Bradford Area plans to make a final goal announcement, the organization has $25,000 left to raise. “We’re appealing to anyone who has been a donor in the past, or anyone who would be considered new, to submit your pledge to us this week,” says Executive Director Kelly Case. “We’re not looking for payment in full at this time, but just a planned contribution to campaign 2009.” “We have been working hard to make personal visits or phone calls to as many individuals and businesses as possible,” says Assistant Director Mandi Wilton Davis. “Our Board of Directors has been working on the follow-up tasks,” she added, “as well as the campaign chairs.” “We’ve made great strides throughout this entire process,” says Case, “we’re just hoping to continue with those successes and ultimately give the agencies which have applied for funding what is necessary to keep their programs operational.” With money raised last year, 16 agencies and 33 progra...

Patricia M. Phillips Hunt, 66, of 356 West Washington St. passed away Sunday, December 20th, 2009 surrounded by her loving daughters at the Bradford Manor. Born October 24, 1943, in Sunderland, England, she was a daughter of the late Philip and Dorothy (Rubery) Phillips. On March 21, 1964 in Birmingham England, she married Roy Henry Hunt who died on September 17, 1993. Mrs. Hunt was a 1959 graduate of Long Meadow Girls High School in Birmingham, England. She moved to the United States in 1981. She was a former manager of the McKean County SPCA for several years. She had worked as a nursing assistant at the Bradford Manor for 16 years. Surviving are two daughters: Anita (Michael) Dolan, and Catherine (David) Trumbull, Jr. all of Bradford, a brother, Brian Bishop of Australia, five grandchildren, Steven Trumbull, Andrew Dexter, Tomi Dolan, Brady Dolan and Regan Dolan, several nieces and nephews, and her faithful companion Abbey. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, one sist...

Gerald Paul Cummins, 78, of 8 Chelsea, Lane, Bradford, a prominent local labor leader, died on Christmas Eve (December 24, 2009) at his residence, after a long illness. Born March 7, 1931 in Bradford he was a son of Jerome and Hazel (Holmes) Cummins. Jerry, as everyone knew him, was a 1949 graduate of Bradford High School. He was drafted into the United States Army on July 2, 1952 and was deployed to Trieste as a medic, he was honorably discharged on June 11, 1954. On July 14, 1956 in Knapp Creek he married Billie Jean (Kockler) Cummins who survives. After being discharged from the Army, Jerry returned to work with his brother, Richard, at the Emery Hotel. In 1954, he joined the Laborer’s International Union of North America as an assistant business agent for Local 836. He remained a member of the Laborer’s Union for the remainder of his life. In 1973, Jerry went to work for the Prevailing Wage Division of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, a post he held for 10 years. After retiring fr...

This week's show features Kathy L'Amour, widow of legendary author Louis L'Amour. Listen here . Get more information at LouisLAmour.com .