Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati said he is planning to introduce an amendment to Pennsylvania’s Constitution that would prohibit government from mandating that an individual participate in a given healthcare system. "Clearly the healthcare reform legislation passed by Congress crosses the line in many different aspects of personal freedoms and governmental intrusion," Scarnati said. "States have the right to protect our citizens from undue burdens and mandates placed on them by the federal government. Therefore, I find it imperative that the General Assembly of the Commonwealth amend the state’s Constitution to reflect a person’s right to choose their own healthcare policy." "I recognize the demand for accessible, affordable healthcare, but this legislation does neither and quite frankly, places government in between solid healthcare decisions involving doctors and patients," Scarnati stated. "I agree that healthcare reform is needed, but in...

A Limestone man and a Bradford woman are being accused of heroin possession following a traffic stop in Springville, New York. 30-year-old Lloyd Baribeau III and 25-year-old Mary Bradley are each charged with a felony count of criminal possession of a controlled substance. Erie County Sheriff's deputies stopped the car at about 3:15 p.m. Friday after receiving a report of an erratic driver in the village business district. On Wednesday, Baribeau waived a preliminary hearing in Bradford on charges of that he sold crack cocaine to confidential informants with the drug task forces of McKean and Warren counties.

PennDOT District 2 announced that work will start Monday, March 29, on a project to replace the Janders Run Bridge on Route 44 in Ceres Township, McKean County. This project is financed with federal funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). Work includes removal of the existing, single-span bridge and placement of a new pre-cast concrete box culvert. A temporary road will be in place to maintain traffic through the area. PennDOT expects the new bridge to be open to traffic by mid June. L.C. Whitford Company of Wellsville, New York, is the contractor on this $$728,000 job. This project is part of PennDOT’s more than $66 million investment of federal economic recovery funds for 17 transportation projects across the nine counties of District 2. To learn more about how the federal economic stimulus will benefit Pennsylvania, visit www.recovery.pa.gov

Rap and pop recording artist Sean Kingston will perform in concert at 8 p.m. Thursday, April 29, at St. Bonaventure University’s Reilly Center Arena. Kingston, who describes his style as a fusion of “reggae, pop, dance and fun,” first burst onto the scene in 2007, when his single “Beautiful Girls” hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the U.S. and topped singles charts in the United Kingdom and other international markets. The record earned him a Teen Choice Award, as did his 2009 single “Fire Burning.” Kingston won a 2007 MOBO (Music of Black Origin) Award for Best Reggae Act, and was nominated for an NAACP Image Award as Outstanding New Artist in 2008. On his latest release, the single “Eenie Meenie,” he teams up with Justin Bieber, the Canadian teen pop star who was discovered through FaceBook. Born Kisean Jamal Anderson in Miami in 1990, Kingston spent much of his youth in Jamaica. He had a rough upbringing, landing in jail at the age of 11 on a breaking-and-entering charge, and ...

PennDOT District 2 announced that work will start Monday, March 29, on a project to make improvements on Route 6 in Potter County. This project is financed with federal funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). On Monday, March 29, crews will begin to resurface the roadway in Sweden Township, Eulalia Township and Coudersport Borough. The work zone stretches from the Franklin Bridge in Coudersport to the Route 6/Route 872 intersection. Work includes roadway resurfacing, drainage improvements, guiderail updates, new curbing and sidewalks, waterline installation and pavement markings. During daylight hours, motorists can expect short delays through the work zone. PennDOT expects work to be complete by the end of September. I.A. Construction of Zelionople, Butler County, is the contractor on this $2.1 million job. This project is part of PennDOT’s more than $66 million investment of federal economic recovery funds being spent on 17 transportation projects across the nin...

This year’s One Book Bradford season will come to a close Wednesday night with a presentation by author Lenore Hart. Hart, who wrote this year’s One Book Bradford selection – “Becky: The Life and Loves of Becky Thatcher” – will speak at 7:30 p.m. at the Mukaiyama University Room at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford. The event is free and open to the public. Hart will talk about her approach to writing and the story behind the story of “Becky.” Hart picked up where famed writer Mark Twain left off and carried Becky Thatcher, as well as other characters such as Tom Sawyer, into adulthood. Hart’s visit will also include a morning session at the Bradford Area Public Library where she and her husband, Bradford native David Poyer, will speak with registered participants about “Then Things Your English Teacher Never Told You About Writing.” Each year, One Book Bradford seasons end with a visit from the author of the featured reading. Hart’s visit culminates a busy season of activ...

The Bradford Area Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce the recipients of their 2010 Awards and the nominees honored in each category. The Option House is the first recipient of the BACC Exemplary Business Award. The BACC Exemplary Business Award is given to a for-profit business that demonstrates a well-planned, commendable, and thorough approach to business development. They must also exemplify the unique “hometown” charm of the area in their manner of administration, customer service and quality of product or service. This award covers manufacturing, industrial, tourism, hospitality, retail or service. From the moment Sam Sylvester purchased The Option House, he had a plan, dream and vision of what he could do for the hometown he loves. Through hard work, determination and perseverance, he would give back to Bradford a magnificent, historic building that was on the verge of collapse and ruin. This landmark is restored to its former glory and beyond as ...

State police are warning people of a possible scam being run in the Lewis Run, Kane and Pittsfield areas. They say a woman approached a residence and began asking questions concerning the mortgage, saying the information was needed for Northwest Savings Bank. She said she worked for Default Services, which was working for Northwest. A representative of the bank told Kane-based state police that this person is not associated with the bank, and that Northwest does not have people going door to door. State police say they would like to remind the public that if they're not sure if something is a scam or not, take time to check it out prior to giving out any personal information.

A Shinglehouse man has been cited following an accident on in the 700 block on Summit Road Thursday night. Foster Township Police say 28-year-old Steven Lanager Jr. was traveling at a high rate of speed on the snow-covered, icy road when his car went out of control, off the road and into a ditch, where it hit a utility pole. Police say when they arrived on the scene the only thing holding the pole upright was the car wedged into it. The road was closed four about 4 hours and traffic was detoured at Summit Road's intersections with Rew Hill and Looker Mountain Trail. Penelec crews were able to stabilize the pole while Clayt's Towing removed the car. Lanager wasn't hurt. He was cited for driving at an unsafe speed.

Police, DA say Man Killed Woman, Baby By ANNE HOLLIDAY WESB/WBRR News Director A Bradford man is facing two criminal homicide charges in connection with the deaths of a woman and her baby last week in their Pleasant Street home. 38-year-old Waide Eugene Nolf of 56 Pleasant St. is accused of killing 24-year-old Tonya Haight and 3 1/2-week old Tamara Haight, also of 56 Pleasant St., on March 19. Nolf is being held in McKean County Jail in Smethport without bail after being arraigned by District Judge Dom Cercone. Although Nolf lived in the same house as the victims, McKean County District Attorney Ray Learn said he can't comment in detail on the relationship they had. Learn, along with Pennsylvania State Police Information Officer Bruce Morris and acting Bradford City Police Chief Lt. Carl Milks, held a news conference Saturday morning in Bradford City Hall. Learn did say Nolf was "one of several persons of interest" in the case, and Morris said "all avenues were looke...

38-year-old Waide Eugene Nolf of 56 Pleasant Street is charged with two counts of criminal homicide in connection with the deaths of 24-year-old Tonya Haight and 3 1/2-week old Tamara Haight, of the same address, on March 19. More to follow.

Synergy Business Managment in Salamanca has filed a notice with the state labor department, saying it will lay off an undertermined number of workers effective June 30. The company, which employs 130 people, cited the PACT Act for the layoffs. If signed by President Obama, the PACT Act would prohibit the US Postal Service from delivering tobacco products ordered over the Internet. Synergy Business Management is not affiliated with the Seneca Nation of Indians, but Seneca leaders have said the PACT Act would result in the loss of about 1,000 jobs in Western New York.

Newly-developed award to allow United Way to acknowledge agency representatives The United Way of the Bradford Area has developed an award to acknowledge the effort and dedication of a funded-agency representative. The inaugural award will be given to CARE for Children Executive Director Tina Martin at the United Way’s annual Red Feather Volunteer event on June 1. The award, deemed as the “Excellence in Representation”, was created by UWBA Executive Director Kelly Case and Assistant Director Mandi Wilton Davis. It was voted on by the members of the UWBA Board of Directors. According to Case and Davis, there is a set criteria for which the award will be based including, but not limited to the recipient being affiliated in some capacity with a funded agency; the person who best exemplifies the United Way mission within their own organization; one who participates with the annual campaign; one who possesses a working knowledge of the United Way and how it benefits the various programs and...

Just a reminder that the Bradford City Firefighters' annual Easter Egg hunt is scheduled for tomorrow at Callahan Park. The hunt starts at 11 a.m., and we should have good weather for it -- sunny with a high in the mid- to upper 40s. Every participant from age 2 through 10 will get an Easter basket in a bag.

An Olean man is facing charges afer being accused of stealing a gun from a Town of Hinsdale house. 19-year-old Jonathan Fye is charged with grand larceny and criminal possession of stolen property. Sheriff's deputies say Fye stole one gun in August but had other guns that were stolen from the same house by someone else. Fye is in Cattaraugus County Jail on $5,000 bail.

A convicted rapist from Gowanda has been sentenced to life in prison for a 1991 Maryland rape. 68-year-old was Leslie Maize was convicted earlier this year on rape and burglary charges. Investigators solved the crime through DNA testing after they came across the victim's rape kit and noticed it hadn't been added to a national criminal DNA database. Maize will begin serving the Maryland sentence after he's released from prison in New York, where he was convicted of a 1993 rape.

The Bradford woman accused of stabbing an Allegany woman in the neck with a pair of scissors is scheduled for arraignment today in Cattaraugus County Court. 19-year-old Samantha Jo Conner was arrested for stabbing a 27-year-old woman early Sunday morning at the Lantern Motel in Allegany. The victim was treated at ECMC in Buffalo, then released.

A Chautauqua County man who drives a Pine Valley school bus has been arrested on charges of public lewdness and endangering the welfare of a child. State police say 33-year-old Daniel Noody of Silver Creek exposed himself while sitting in the bus and acted in a lewd manner on Pine Valley Elementary School property on Monday. Noody is in jail on $20,000 bail. Troopers are continuing their investigation. Photo provided by NYS Police

The Southern Tier Regional Drug Task Force in Cattaraugus County has broken up a marijuana-growing operation on Irish Hill Road. Authorities say they found a sophisticated marijuana growing and cloning operation, and in the process, seized 100 live plants, an unspecified amount of dried buds, 17 firearms, and a large amount of hydroponic growing equipment. The estimated street value is $200,000. Charges are pending. The suspects' names haven't been released yet.

Open Arms Community Church in Bradford, PA is launching a four week sermon series geared toward helping people strengthen their relationships this coming weekend. The series of talks, called "Relationship Rescue" will start Sunday, March 28 at Open Arms, and will address practical steps that can be taken to improve relationships from a biblical perspective. Week One of Relationship Rescue will explain that there is hope that even broken relationships can be restored, but it also has a cost. Week Two discusses the kind of attitude necessary to make a relationship function at it's best. Week 3 explains that love works best when it's put into action. Week Four addresses "building a better mate." Relationship Rescue is the continuation of a campaign at Open Arms to bring hope and healing to broken relationships, especially considering that the divorce rate in the US is over 60 percent. In February, Open Arms ran a four part series called "Finding Your Bella...

Tuna Crossroads will be closed next week as crews working on the Route 219 Bradford Bypass project demolish the bridge. The road will be closed starting Wednesday. Also, northbound traffic is sharing a lane with southbound traffic from Mill Street to north of Hillside Drive in New York. The lanes are separated by a temporary concrete barrier. Northbound ramps at the Foster Brook interchange and Tuna Valley Trail access at Bolivar Drive are closed. Trail access is still available at Crook Farm and Seaward Avenue.

Olean General Hospital’s Gundah Dental Center and Bradford Regional Medical Center’s McKean County Dental Center announce the addition of Joseph DiDonato III, D.D.S. Dr. DiDonato will split his time by working two days at each dental center, said Gregory McCraith, D.D.S., Chief of Dental Medicine at Olean General’s Gundlah Dental Center and Bradford Regional’s McKean County Dental Center. The addition of Dr. DiDonato will allow each dental center to expand access to patients in the region. Dr. DiDonato is a Fellow of the Academy of General Dentistry and earned his doctorate in dental surgery from New York University’s School of Dentistry. He has operated a dental practice in Rochester since 1982, and also served as a clinical instructor in the Eastman Department of Dentistry at the University of Rochester’s School of Medicine and Dentistry. Dr. DiDonato is a former president of the New York State Academy of General Dentistry. “Dr. DiDonato comes highly recommended to Olean General Hosp...

Two men are facing drug charges after a traffic stop in the Town of Pomfret on Wednesday. State police say 25-year-old Kahl VanKoughnet of Erie was found with less than 25 grams of marijuana and a pipe containing residue. 24-year-old Benjamin Steger of Fredonia was also found with less than 25 grams of marijuana and two pipes. Both were passengers in the vehicle. A passenger in another vehicle in Pomfret is facing charges after another traffic stop on Wednesday. Police say 20-year-old John Jarjabka Jr. of Warren was cited for underage drinking and for drinking alcohol in a vehicle on a public highway after the car he was riding in was stopped for a taillight violation.

Bradford City Police arrested 6 people for disorderly conduct following 3 separate incidents on Wednesday. At just before 12:30 a.m., police went to South Center Street for a disturbance call and arrested Tasha Butterbaugh. At just after 12:30 a.m., they responded to a fight call at the Riddell House, where they arrested Gary Simes Jr., Artter Hubbart and Michael Holden. Holden was also charged with DUI a short time later on Route 219. At about 7:30 Wednesday night, Eddie Ambers Jr. and Menton Harding were arrested for fighting on Main Street.

Bradford City Police responded to a variety of calls Wednesday. Officers received reports of suspicious people and a suspicious a vehicle in a Mechanic Street parking lot. They also received reports of harassment on Sherman and East Main streets, thefts on North and Main streets and criminal mischief on Amm Street. Officers also got an animal complaint from Leland Avenue, vehicle complaints on Blaisdell Avenue and State Street and reports of abandoned vehicles on Davis Street and at the Comfort Inn. Police are also looking into a report of unlawful contact with a minor, according to news releases sent by the police department.

A Bradford woman waived her preliminary hearing on charges of making false reports to law enforcement and driving with a suspended license. According to papers filed in District Judge Dom Cercone's office, on January 26 when police arrived at the scene of a non-reportable accident on East Washington Street one of the drivers was agitated. They say Jacquie Horton told them she was upset because she was pregnant and on her way to the hospital, which is also why she didn't have her driver's license with her. Instead of giving her name, however, she allegedly gave police the name and birth date of her older sister. After her younger sister called the older sister to tell her about the incident the older sister, who lives out of town, called police to tell them she wasn't involved in the accident. Horton later contacted police and "literally confessed several times" and said she gave the wrong name "because she was scared about going to jail," according t...

Retired Bradford City Police Chief Mike Close has waived his preliminary hearing on charges of simple assault and harassment. Close was charged by state police after an incident at around 12:30 a.m. on March 14, when he allegedly hit and pushed Amy Baker. He's free on unsecured bail.

Over the last couple of days, Bradford City police responded to reports of thefts on Congress and West Washington streets, South Kendall Avenue and Brookline Court. They also looked into reports of criminal mischief on Chestnut and Congress streets and a fight on Elm Street. Officers also responded to minor motor vehicle accidents on Campus Drive, Hoffman Avenue and West Washington Street, according to news releases sent by the police department.

A Galeton man is facing charges after trespassing in a neighbor's house early this morning, then driving into parked vehicles when he came out of the house. State police say 33-year-old David Dailey went through the front door of the neighbor's house. When he left, he got into his vehicle that was parked in front of the house. He drove in reverse for about 450 feet and hit two parked vehicles. Police determined Dailey was driving under the influence of alcohol, and will be charged with DUI, criminal trespass, disorderly conduct and numerous summary traffic offenses.

A 31-year-old Weedville woman is facing drug charges after she was found unconscious on Monday. State police say they were called to Old Brynedale Road at 7 o'clock Monday night to help Byrnedale Ambulance personnel with an unconscious female. Police say the woman was found to be in possession of a suspected controlled substance and drug paraphernalia. Charges are pending tests at a state police lab. Police didn't release the woman's name.

Last year's state budget was approved 101-days late. This year the House has advanced a budget bill 100-days early: The House voted 107 to 89 advance a $29-billion dollar spending plan that includes a 4 percent increase in spending. Three of those no votes came from Marty Causer, Kathy Rapp and Matt Gabler. Among the GOP objections are that the bill doesn't account for federal stimulus dollars running out.

Bradford City Council on Tuesday enthusiastically agreed to allow the demolition of 31-37 Mechanic Street. By ANNE HOLLIDAY WESB/WBRR News Director One more blighted property in Bradford is coming down, and city leaders are working on ways to get rid of even more. During a public hearing on 2010 Community Development Block Grant proposed activities, Office of Community and Economic Development Executive Director Sara Andrews said she and Mayor Tom Riel had talked about trying to address a larger number of properties instead of the three to five they demolish annually with CDBG money. She said they are considering borrowing money for demolition, then paying the loan back with CDBG money. Andrews said she spoke with her grant manager in Harrisburg, who said that's possible but the city would have to pay the interest on the loan. However, she said the interest rate for municipalities is "probably pretty good right now." Councilman Jim Evans asked if the city could save money...

The South Dayton, New York, highway superintendent has pleaded not guilty to tampering with business records. 37-year-old Brian Taber is charged with falsifying business records, official misconduct and petit larceny. A grand jury indictment says that between July of 2008 and June of 2009 Taber concealed, altered or destroyed evidence that was believed to used in an official proceeding, and that he stole property. The County Sheriff's Office and New York State Police say Taber stole gasoline from the town highway barn at least four times and attempted to cover up the loss by altering records. Taber still serves as the town highway superintendent, after winning re-election in November 2009. The matter has been adjourned for motions.

A Randolph man pleaded guilty to rape this morning, just before jury selection for his trial was scheduled to start. The Cattaraugus County District Attorney's office tells WESB and The HERO that Christopher Emke had sex with a person younger than 17 on March 1, 2009, in the Town of Randolph. Emke is scheduled for sentencing on July 6.

A Portville man who attacked a woman last September has pleaded guilty to attempted kidnapping and criminal possession of a weapon. 35-year-old William Phillips attacked the woman as she came out of a Wilson Farms store in Portville on September 15. Phillips served 15 years in a Georgia prison for convictions of rape and aggravated sodomy of a 13- year old girl. When he was released from prison in Georgia, He returned to Portville to be with his family. He's being held in Cattaraugus County Jail awaiting sentencing, which is scheduled for July 6.

The New York State Senate has approved a $136 billion spending plan that would keep all state parks open. Democrats say the budget would keep spending increases below inflation, but Republicans say it still falls short of fixing structural deficits. Besides keeping parks open, the plan would close three prisons and cut Medicaid spending.

Attorney General Tom Corbett today said that he will file a lawsuit to protect the citizens of Pennsylvania whose rights will be violated when the health care reform legislation, passed last night by the U.S. House of Representatives, is signed into law by President Obama. Corbett said that he believes the courts will find the health care reform legislation unconstitutional. Corbett said he is discussing legal strategy with attorneys general from Alabama, Florida, South Carolina, Michigan, Texas, Utah, Washington, North Dakota and South Dakota and Virginia.

“Restoring Community History: Puerto Ricans In Central Florida” will bring the exhibit, “Puerto Ricans In Central Florida 1940s to 1980s: A History” for two weeks to SUNY Fredonia and for another two weeks to the Dunkirk Public Library. The exhibit consists of bilingual panels and dvds that showcase the oral interviews of hundreds of Puerto Rican families in Central Orlando reconstructing their history and their contributions to the area. The exhibit will also be accompanied by a presentation during opening day by Dr. Patricia Silver, the professor who began a “research” project that brought together universities and state agencies. The exhibit is in itself an expression of the public services provided by Dr. Silver with a team of scholars, students, state workers to create a digital archive of the history of the Puerto Rican community in Central Orlando. A faculty member of the sociology department at University of Central Florida, Patricia Silver began to do some research about the...

Poet Linda Gregg will hold a reading of her work at 7 p.m. on April 28 at Jamestown Community College’s Cattaraugus County Campus. The free event, which will be held in room 308 of the Library and Liberal Arts Center, is co-sponsored by JCC and the Olean Public Library with funding from the Katharine Jackson Carnahan Endowment for the Humanities and the New York State Council on the Arts. Ms. Gregg is the 2009 Jackson Poetry Prize recipient. The prize honors an American poet of exceptional talent who has published at least one book of recognized literary merit but has not yet received major national acclaim. Judges for the award described Ms. Gregg’s poems as “charting human emotion at its most risky, leading the reader at times into a metaphysical or mystical utterance, and at times into a plain-spoken observation of a human world. Her poems are wise and beautiful.” Ms. Gregg’s other works include All of It Singing (2008), In the Middle Distance (2006), Things and Fles...

Many hands make for light work. Last spring, many sportsmen and some scouts showed up for the work day on new state game lands building habitat for all animals on lands that everyone can enjoy. Brush piles are necessary habitat, food and nesting sites for many small animals in the wild, including rabbits and pheasants. They are easily built and will be immediately available for animals. Pheasants need this habitat work. This year we will meet at 8:00 AM on Saturday, March 27, 2010. Groups will form and work 9AM-noon and 1PM until 4PM or until the work is done. We will park at the dedication sign going into the Shawmut tract of PA State Game Lands #44. Signs will be placed along route 219 south of Ridgway. We will need as many people as possible to bring chain saws, chaps, helmets, pruning poles and other safety gear and brush cutting tools. Pheasants Forever will once again provide a lunch for the volunteers. We will be working outdoors cutting brush and building habitat so dress for t...

The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford College-Community Choir will perform Gabriel Fauré’s Requiem in D minor, Op. 48, during its annual spring concert on March 24. A Spectrum Series event, the concert will take place at 7:30 p.m. in Bromeley Family Theater, and is free and open to the public. “Fauré’s Requiem is undoubtedly his most popular composition; it’s a masterpiece of choral literature,” said Dr. John Levey, assistant professor of music at Pitt-Bradford. “I’d recommend this concert especially to those who have yet to see the College-Community Choir. “The Requiem isn’t a long work, but it’s quite moving, an embodiment of Fauré’s personal conception of death and the afterlife.” Fauré completed the first version of the Requiem in 1888, but reworked it several times through about 1900. The original is scored for orchestra, but the choir will perform a version with piano accompaniment by Roger Ducasse. Rick Snyder will accompany the group. Since taking over as music director in A...

Chad Zandy of "Team Farsight" shows off some of the material he's been studying to get ready for an historic trek on the Pacific Crest Trail starting next month. The adventure will be historic because this is the first time a blind man -- Trevor Thomas -- will be a team leader. Zandy and Thomas were on WESB's LiveLine last week, and will be making another visit before they start their journey. Before that, though, is the Team Farsight Expedition Kick-Off Fundraising Event from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday at Kimberly's Cool Beans Cafe. It's a $20 donation at the door for adults; $5 for children. It includes food, live music, pictures and plans for the upcoming trip. You can listen to last week's LiveLine here .

In case you didn't go out to check last night -- yes, that was hail you heard hitting your house at just after 9 p.m. Today's forecast from News 4 Meteorologist Mike Cejka says it'll be a mostly cloudy day, but we'll see some rain, too. The high will be around 43. Tonight, expect rain and wet snow -- but not enough to shovel. The low will be around 30. Tomorrow should be sunny with a high around 46. Thursday should be sunny with a high around 50.

A Cattaraugus County man is being held without bail after trying to escape from a state police car last night. Sheriff's deputies tell WESB and The HERO that 48-year-old Ivan Bowles, who is on parole for a felony driving while intoxicated conviction, was found to be drinking alcohol and in possession of a Ruger .223 semi-automatic rifle during a routine visit to his Town of Napoli home. Bowles was handcuffed and placed into a state police car. On the way to Cattaraugus County Jail, Bowles unhooked his seatbelt, opened the front passenger door and attempted to jump from the police car. The parole officer managed to hold onto to Bowles to keep him from jumping, and called sheriff's deputies for help. Bowles is now facing additional charges of criminal possession of a weapon and attempted escape.

Lowman Henry of The Lincoln Institute and Lincoln Radio Journal , which can be heard on 1490 WESB at 9:30 a.m. Sunday. The LiveLine can be heard at 12:30 p.m. on 1490 WESB and online at WESB.com .

An article by Dr. Y. Ken Wang, assistant professor of computer information systems at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford, appears in the conference proceedings of Americas Conference on Information Systems held in San Francisco. The paper, which was co-authored by Dr. Pratim Datta, assistant professor in management and information systems at Kent State University, is about consumers’ experiences with online 3-D interfaces. “As more and more companies start to use 3-D animated ads to present and promote their products on the Internet, there is a need to understand how certain characteristics of 3D interface influence consumers’ attitudes toward the product and the company,” Wang said. “Our research provided evidence that 3-D rich media may effectively attract consumers’ attention, but may not necessarily increase consumers’ intention to make a purchase. Consumers are more willing to purchase if the online interface allows a certain level of inte...

Dunkirk, NY -- Chautauqua County Executive Gregory J. Edwards expressed his thanks Monday for the tremendous work that has taken place so far following February 24th's massive blaze in the City of Dunkirk. "Nearly one month ago, fire tore through the Masonic Temple building and nearly destroyed two County office buildings on either side," Edwards said. "Since that time, I have worked tirelessly to get things back to normal for County residents." Despite the fire's devastating effect on downtown Dunkirk, Edwards said the spirit of the community remains strong. "I have participated in countless meetings with any number of officials over the past month, and in each of those meetings the overwhelming feeling is that Dunkirk will be revitalized," Edwards said. Edwards said that he will do all that he can to bring essential County services back to downtown Dunkirk. "I have a commitment to restoring permanent County offices in the greater Dunkirk are...

“Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad” was performed Monday by Theatre IV for 1,000 schoolchildren in the Bromeley Family Theater at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford. The presentation was part of Pitt-Bradford’s Kaleidoscope arts series for school-age children. Students attended from Smethport, Cameron County, Austin, Oswayo Valley, Otto-Eldred, Ridgway, Kane, Bradford Area Christian Academy, St. Bernard Elementary School, Bennett Valley Elementary School and various home-schooled groups. ( Photo courtesy of Pitt-Bradford )

Cyril Gunawardane, MD, recently joined the medical staff at Charles Cole Memorial Hospital. Dr. Gunawardane is a cardiologist with the Hamot Heart Institute and comes to Charles Cole Memorial Hospital as the hospital’s relationship with Hamot continues to evolve. Services, such as cardiology, are one of the priorities established by both organizations in their recent announcement outlining their new clinical affiliation agreement. Dr. Gunawardane will help to expand cardiology services at CCMH, where he joins Dr. Howard Miller and Dr. Steven Herrmann. Dr Gunawardane completed an internal medicine residency and cardiovascular diseases fellowship at State University of New York at Buffalo affiliated hospitals. He previously served as director of non-invasive cardiology at the Erie County Medical Center, associate professor of clinical medicine at the University of Buffalo’s cardiology division, and as a staff cardiologist at the Olean Medical Group. He is an American College of Cardiolog...

A jury has convicted former state Representative Mike Veon and two of his former aides of some charges and acquitted them of others. A fourth defendant was acquitted of all charges in the second Bonusgate trial brought by the state Attorney General's office. The jury found Veon guilty of 14 of the 59 counts he faced. Former aides Annamarie Perretta-Rosepink was found guilty of five counts and Brett Cott was found guilty of three counts. Defendant Steve Keefer was acquitted of all charges. The first Bonusgate trial ended in the acquittal of former state representative Sean Ramaley.

Bradford Regional Medical Center (BRMC) has installed a new full-field digital mammography unit which provides the clearest diagnostic images available today in just a fourth of the time. The Senographe Essential from GE Healthcare is the newest mammography unit available, offering optimal image quality and increased first-time accuracy, said Timothy Brown, BRMC’s Director of Clinical Ancillary Services. “This full-field digital mammography unit can provide multiple images of the breast while lowering radiation exposure by 20 percent from a conventional mammography unit, and exam time is about a quarter of what an analog unit would take,” he said. “Because resolution is better, we can detect smaller abnormalities. This means outcomes are better because we are able to find them at such an early stage,” Mr. Brown said. Additionally, “We will be providing stereotactic biopsies. This is a less-invasive procedure performed in the mammography suite. It involves a very small and precise incis...

An open house at the Bowman Health Center in Smethport will be held from 3 to 6 p.m., March 31. The open house, which is free and open to the public, will feature facility tours of the health center, physical therapy and wellness center, free blood pressure screenings, free use of the Wellness Center and 15 percent discounts on memberships, if purchased during that day, and refreshments. The health center recently moved to its original location at 83 Marvin St., Smethport, where it first opened in the 1990s. It adjoins the Smethport Wellness Center and Physical Therapy. Part of the building is also occupied by the Guidance Center. In 2005, the health center moved to 17129 Route 6 and operated as Misty Valley Health Center. CCMH reopened the Bowman Health Center in honor of Douglas Bowman, MD, following his untimely death in November 2008.

Fresh, soulful, touching, fun, and beautiful is how several critics describe the music of international singer/songwriter and recording artist Miriam Jones. The Olean/Allegany community will have a chance to hear this soulful singer as she performs a benefit concert at the St. Bonaventure University Chapel on Friday, March 26, from 7:30 to 9:00 p.m. The concert is being sponsored by the community service group BonaResponds, the Campus Activities Board, and University Ministries. Admission is by donation, with a suggested contribution of $10, which will be collected at the door. Proceeds from the event will benefit BonaResponds’ Haiti relief efforts. “Miriam heard about our organization through a mutual friend/colleague and wanted to stop by on her U.S. tour,” said James Mahar, associate professor of Finance at St. Bonaventure University and director of BonaResponds. “We have been working on Haiti relief efforts since the earthquake hit in January and are thrilled to have a per...

Pennsylvania Jesse Isadore, Smethport High School 6’4” 240lbs. Right Tackle/Guard / Nose Tackle Jesse plans to attend Bible College to be a Youth Minister. Jesse’s honors include AML All-Stars in Football, MVP in track, and won the Dave Magee Lineman Award. Jesse said, “I want to play in the Big 30 game because it is an honor and a privilege to do so. Jesse’s biggest thrill in football is praying with his team before every game. Brad Kopp, St Marys Area High School 5’10” 230lbs. Center/Tackle / Nose Guard/Defensive Tackle Brad plans to attend the University of Pittsburgh to major in Rehab Science, in hopes to become a Physical Therapist. Brads honors include: National Honor Society, MAC 1st Team All-Star, Courier Express 1st Team All-Star, D-9Sports.com 3rd Lineman of the Year. Brad said’ “I want to play in the Big 30 game because of what it means. It gives me one more chance to do what I love, play football. There is no better way to do that then to ...

Two area men are dead after separate motorcycle accidents on Saturday. Police say a bike operated by 42-year-old Lawrence Whiteman III of St. Marys went out of control on the on-ramp leading from Interstate 81 to Interstate 80 near Hazelton. Whiteman was thrown from motorcycle, which hit a post and a guiderail. He pronounced dead at the scene. In the other crash, police say 27-year-old Adam Laborde of Sykesville was travelilng at a high rate of speed on the rear wheel of his motorcycle. When he put the front wheel back down the road, the bike went out of control, left the road and hit a tree. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

It certainly was not a restful weekend for Bradford City Police. Officers responded to several fights, reports of suspicious people, and cars being egged. They also looked into a report of terroristic threats involving a firearm on High Street. There were thefts on Euclid Avenue, Chamberlain Avenue and at Comfort Inn. Also, they responded to a report of a theft of a hot dog from a convenience store. Police also looked into a report of a missing patient at BRMC, a drunk laying in the road on South Avenue and a naked man outside on Rochester Street, according to news releases from the police department.

Two men were reportedly stabbed on the campus of St. Bonaventure University early Sunday morning. James Chatmon and Rameek Boyd suffered non-life-threatening wounds in what is being reported as a fight between members of the St. Bonaventure and Jamestown Community College basketball teams. State Police are continuing their investigation.

Two Bradford men are facing charges after allegedly trying to break into to Bradford Beverage early Saturday morning. Matthew Burgess and Matthew Bundy were arrested and arraigned by District Judge Dom Cercone. Bundy was able to post bail. Burgess was sent to jail.

A Bradford woman is accused of stabbing another woman in the neck with a pair of scissors early Sunday morning in Allegany. 19-year-old Samantha Jo Conner is charged with assault for allegedly stabbing an Allegany woman in the neck at the Lantern Motel. Cattaraugus County Sheriff's deputies did not identify the Allegany woman but say she was first taken to Olean General Hospital then to ECMC in Buffalo. Her injuries are considered non-life-threatening. Conner is in Cattaraugus County Jail on $2,000 bail. Deputies say additional charges may be filed.