Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

The Asbury United Methodist Church on East Main Street is getting decorated for Easter Sunday. ( Photo by Anne Holliday )

Someone stole a 2006 Yamaha ATV from Mefferts Run Road in Jones Township. In a fax sent to WESB and The HERO, state police say the vehicle was stolen sometime between midnight and 8:45 a.m. Friday. The owner is 25-year-old Brandon Malinky of Wilcox. The value of the vehicle is $5,000.

While Bradford City firefighters were battling the stubborn blaze on School Street, other firefighters were dealing with wildfires on Saturday. Fires were reported at the Bradford Gun Club as well as on Sartwell Creek Road in Pleasant Valley Township and on Stamp Brooke Road in Hamlin Township. Port Allegany, Kane, Mount Jewett, Roulette and Austin fire departments were among those that responded. In Clarion County, the forestry department used air tankers to help fire a large wild fire.

By ANNE HOLLIDAY WESB/WBRR News Director No people were hurt, but at least one dog died in stubborn apartment house fire on the corner of School and North Center streets Saturday morning. The building is owned by Bradford Rentals LLC and had four apartments. The residents were Marcus Edward Vance; Samantha Silvis; Latdior "Lamar" Williams; and Curtis Glenn, 6-year-old Shelby Nelson, 9-year-old Brent Nelson, 12-year-old Jesse Renner and 16-year-old Kenny Parris. The American Red Cross is assisting them. Bradford City Fire Department Lt. Mike Cleveland said at least one dog, possibly more, died in the blaze. He said two cats were also missing, but one was found alive later. The first call went to the fire station at about 10:55 a.m., and the building was fully engulfed in flames when they arrived. They got called back twice for re-kindles, and got back to the station the third time at 7:10 p.m. At around 11:15 a.m. as firefighters were shooting water at the flames, thick smoke ...

At around 4 p.m. Bradford City firefighters were still putting out hot spots at what's left of the building at the corner of School and North Center streets. The fire was reported at just before 11 a.m. Firefighters were back at the central station at around 5 p.m. Update: Firefighters were back on the scene at about 6:45 p.m. ( Photo by Anne Holliday )

Bradford City and Bradford Township firefighters are still at the scene of a fire across the street from School Street Elementary School. Smoke was still coming from the buildng at the corner of School and North Center streets as of 1:30 p.m. Flames were coming from the building when firefighters got the call at about 10:55 a.m. We have unconfirmed reports that the fire started in the kitchen of one of the apartments. Bradford Township firefighters protect the house next door to the fire site. Former Bradford City Fire Chief Bill McCormack and former city councilman Tom Shay were on the scene, as was Mayor Tom Riel. Bradford City Police and Special Police controlled traffic. ( Photos by Anne Holliday )

( Photos by Anne Holliday )

Bradford City firefighter Butch Kreiner shoots water onto flames shooting from the roof and back of a multi-family apartment building on the corner of School Street across the street from the elementary school. Below, other firefighters try to douse the flames coming from the front of the building. A neighbor tells us the building has four apartments in it, but she believes everyone got out safely. A friend of one of the residents tells us that at least one family pet died in the blaze. The fire was reported at about 10:55 a.m. Flames and thick smoke were still billowing from the building at 11:30 a.m. We'll have more information as it becomes available. ( Photos by Anne Holliday )

Bradford City Police started the holiday weekend by answering a variety of calls throughout the city. They responded to a vehicle complaint on Cornen Streete, a juvenile complaint at a West Washington Street restaurant, and noise complaints on Charlotte Avenue and Summer Street. Officers also responded to disturbances on South Avenue and Interstate Parkway, a fight on Main Street and a report of a suspicious person on Lorana Avenue. They also responded to motor vehicle accidents on Forman, Main and East Main streets. Police also received reports of illegal dumping on Bedford Street and a disabled vehicle on Jackson Avenue, according to news releases sent by the police department.

John Forsythe, probably best known for his portrayal of Blake Carrington onTV's "Dynasty" and the voice of Charlie on "Charlie's Angels," died Thursday at his Santa Ynez home after a year-long battle with cancer. He was 92. Read more here .

A firefighter suffered a minor injury while battling a blaze in Corsica Wednesday morning. A fax sent to WESB and The HERO by State Police Fire Marshal Greg Agosti of the Ridgway barracks says he and the Corsica Fire Department investigated the origin and cause of a fire that damaged a two-story house at 3395 Asbury Road. The owner, 38-year-old John Glenn, was not home when the fire started. When he returned home at around 8:30 a.m. he found the kitchen on fire. He fought the fire with a garden hose until Corsica and Strattenville firefighters arrived. The injured firefighter was treated at Brookville Hospital, then released. The fire, which was determined to be accidental, was contained to the kitchen area and did about $25,000 worth of damage.

A 12-year-old was rescued and a firefighter was hurt during a fire in Strattenville early Wednesday morning. A fax sent to WESB and The HERO by State Police Fire Marshal Greg Agosti of the Ridgway barracks says he and the Srattenville Fire Department investigated the origin and cause of the blaze that damaged the two-story home at 510 Main Street at 12:25 a.m. Andrew and Lori Rawson are the owners of the house. The fire broke out while the family was asleep. The 12-year-old was rescued from a second floor window. The child and one adult were taken to Clarion Hospital for treatment of smoke inhalation. One firefighter was treated for a minor arm injury, then released. The fire, which was determined to be accidental, damaged about 35 percent of the house. The entire house had smoke, water and heat damage. Damage is estimated at $120,000.

16-year-old Joe Frederick carries the cross from the First United Methodist Church to the First Presbyterian Church during the annual Good Friday Cross Walk. More than 300 people participated in the event. Other churches along the walk were St. Bernard, the First Baptist, Church of the Ascension, Grace Lutheran and the First Free Methodist. Ministers speaking on the topic "Transformed by the Cross" during the stops at the churches were the Rev. Lee Beckes, Father Leo Gallina, the Rev. Mary Houck, the Rev. Phil Palutro, the Rev. Dennis Swineford, the Rev. Mike McAvoy and the Rev. Dave Bunnell. ( Photo by Anne Holliday )

Police are looking for the woman who stole a vacuum cleaner from a St. Marys store. In a fax sent to WESB and The HERO, state police say that at about 9:50 a.m. a woman went into Burkes True Value store on Million Dollar Highway, removed a Hoover Wind Tunnel Self-Propelled Vacuum from its display and put it in her cart. She then left the store without paying for the vacuum cleaner and left the scene in a blue two-door car. The cost of the vacuum cleaner is $240.

A Milton, PA, man suffered neck injuries in a crash at 11:30 Friday morning on Route 144 in Abbott Township. In a fax to WESB and The HERO, state Police say a motorcycle operated by 47-year-old Bryon Anspach was going around a curve when it went toward the shoulder of the road that had silt and gravel on it. The bike went out of control and slid about 30 feet before the front tire hit a ditch. Anspach was thrown from the bike and rolled about 18 feet past it. He was flown to Geisinger Medical Center in Danville. Police note that he was wearing a helmet.

An Elk County Bank is being cited for having more than 3 false alarms in a 12-month period. In a fax sent to WESB and The HERO, state police say First Commonwealth Bank on Route 255 has been charged with Control and Automatic Dialing Devices. The last incident happened at 2:08 a.m. Thursday.

A Dunkirk man is facing charges following a road rage incident Friday night. In an e-mail to WESB and The HERO, sheriff's deputies say that at 11:20 p.m. they received a road rage complaint that allegedly happened on Route 5 between Dunkirk and Sheridan. Sheriff's deputies say they were able to locate the vehicle and made a traffic stop. During the course of the investigation, they discovered that 32-year-old Dennis Wallace was driving while his driving privileges in New York state were suspended. Wallace was taken into custody and then later released with appearance tickets.

Sheriff's deputies are investigating a death of a Brocton woman who was found inside her home Friday afternoon. They were called from inside the house about the death of the woman who is in 40s. They didn't release any further information about the woman. Sheriff Joe Gerace says there were no obvious indications as to the cause of death, and an autopsy will be performed as soon as possible.

A Clarendon man escaped injury, but he's facing charges following an accident at just before 5 o'clock this morning on Route 59, about a mile west of Route 219 in Lafayette Township. In a fax sent to WESB and The HERO, state police say the car driven by 21-year-old David Littlefield traveled off the road, went off the berm and down a steep embankment. The car then traveled about 120 feet through a brush field before coming to rest. Police say Littlefield and his passenger, 40-year-old Wendy Littlefield of Clarendon, were attempting to leave the scene. After further investigation, they determined that David Littlefield was driving under the influence and arrested him. The car was towed from the scene.

Apparently closing some state parks and cutting back services and hours at others isn't enough for New York State. The Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation has announced fee increases. They include raising the price for vehicles to enter about half of the state's parks, including Letchworth; raising fees at golf courses; and a new surcharge to campers who come from out of state. Parks officials estimate the new fee structure will bring in an additional $4 million to the state, but say that's not enough to offset the previously announced cutbacks. http://www.nysparks.com/newsroom/press-releases/release.aspx?r=781

Bears are out of hibernation and hanging around Lincoln Avenue again. Bradford City Police received their first bear complaint of the season Thursday morning. Officers also got a report of trespassing on Petrolia and Pleasant streets, harassment on Summer and East Main streets and noise on Walker Avenue. They looked into a report of a burglary on Main Street, shoplifting at a downtown store and criminal mischief on Clinton Street. They assisted the dog warden on South Avenue and looked into a report of a lost dog on West Corydon Street. Police also responded to disturbances at a Mechanic Street business and on Congress Street, several vehicle complaints throughout the city and juvenile complaints on Roberts and Mechanic streets. They also received a report of a suspicious vehicle on Euclid Avenue, suspicious people on Jackson Avenue and High Street. They removed an unwanted person from Brookline Court, according to news releases sent from the police department.

A Smethport man is accused of not keeping proper records at his business. In a fax to WESB and The HERO, state police say 43-year-old Russell Shunk failed to maintain records of vehicle sales at Shunk's Auto Sales on Route 6 in Keating Township. Police listed the date of the incident as February 5 at 11:45 a.m.

Representatives from the Cameron County Family Center’s Share the Love program visited Charles Cole Memorial Hospital’s Long Term Care residents to deliver Easter cards this week. Program organizers Kris Fapore and Sissy Miller deliver holiday cards throughout the year and also visit residents at the Guy and Mary Felt Manor, Grove House, and Elk Regional Medical Center. Pictured, from left, are Ruth Lentz, Sissy Miller, and Rachel Hile. ( Photo courtesy of Charles Cole Memorial Hospital )

A Jamestown woman is accused of pushing an infant into the path of police officers who were conducting a drug raid on her her home. Members of the Southern Tier Regional Drug Task Force say they were trying to get into the home at around 6:30 last night when 26-year-old Jenny Martinelli pushed the baby in front of them. In the search, police found about half a pound of marijuana, scales, packaging materials and more than $1,400 in cash. Martinelli is charged with obstructing governmental administration and endangering the welfare of a child. She and 26-year-old Jeffrey Martinelli are charged with criminal possession of marijuana and criminal use of drug paraphernalia. Jeffrey Martinelli is also charged with criminal sale of marijuana. They're both in Jamestown City Jail.

State College, Pa. -- AccuWeather.com reports maple syrup producers in the Northeastern part of the country faced paralyzing blizzards this winter, inhibiting the tapping of some trees. The colder-than-average temperatures into early March prevented up to 2 feet of snow from melting in places like Meadville, Pa., which is located near the heavy lake-effect snow city of Erie. It became impossible for syrup producers to make it into the woods, and in many instances tappers got stuck even when using ATVs or snowmobiles to maneuver. Some producers chose not to tap this season, but others did so later than usual. "We tapped much later into the season than is normal for us," said Clair Grove of Groveview Farm in Hesston, Pa. "After the second February blizzard, the roads were shut. We just couldn't make it into the woods." The tapping season, which generally begins in February and wraps up no later than the beginning of April, was pushed back significantly for tapper...

The Bradford Water Authority is working on a problem on Boyer Avenue, off East Main Street. At around 4:30 this morning, police received a report of water in the road in the area. The McKean County 911 Center contacted representatives of the water authority, who are now on the scene.

New York Governor David Paterson may not call for a special election to fill the seat left vacant by former Congressman Eric Massa. Last month, Paterson said he would call for the election as soon as possible. But now he says he may not call for the election because of the financial impact it would have at the county level. In a news release, he says the Southern Tier counties that Massa represented are facing the same fiscal crisis the state is facing. Without a special election, the district would be without representation in the House until January.

A Clarendon man has pleaded guilty to statutory sexual assault. 21-year-old Tyler Depto had sex with two underage girls last summer and fall. The incidents happened in Mead and Sheffield townships.

For the second time this week, Sheriff's deputies arrested a teenager for having drugs at Pioneer Central School. In an e-mail to WESB and The HERO, deputies say that on Wednesday afternoon a student they didn't identify was charged with selling Adderall to another student. Adderall is used to treat narcolepsy and attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder. The student is being held in a facility in Buffalo. On Wednesday morning, Sheriff's deputies arrested 17-year-old Anthony Calcaterra of Chaffee, New York, at the school on two counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance.

Senator Catharine Young (R,C,I – Olean) was proud to participate with Seneca Nation officials and members of the local American Legion to present the New York State Medal for Merit to World War II veteran and past President of the Seneca Nation George Heron.  “As a member of the United States Navy, George Heron gave several years of his life in service to our country. Like all veterans, he is deserving of our respect and gratitude. I am pleased to congratulate George on earning this honor and thank him for his dedicated and distinguished service,” said Senator Young. “I am also honored to call Mr. Heron my friend. He is a pillar of the community who has earned our respect and gratitude for all of his accomplishments,” Senator Young added. Mr. Heron enlisted in the United States Navy in November of 1941 and served until his discharge in 1945. He achieved the rank of pharmacist mate first class during the war and was assigned to the United States Navy Amphibious Forces in ca...

Joan Pessia (left) and Aldene Brocious, both residents of The Pavilion at BRMC, were among 20 other Pavilion residents who spent Thursday afternoon coloring 10 dozen Easter eggs for The Friendship Table in Bradford, a center for fellowship and food for all members of the community. The Pavilion, adjacent to Bradford Regional Medical Center, is a 95-bed facility which provides long-term care to residents and also short-term restorative care to post-surgical patients. For more information about The Pavilion, call 362-8293 or go online at www.brmc.com . ( Photo courtesy of BRMC )

BUFFALO, NY – Youcef Rustum, PhD, Distinguished Member, Pharmacology and Therapeutics, department of Cancer Biology at Roswell Park Cancer Institute (RPCI), has been awarded a grant by the National Cancer Institute to study curaxins, novel multifunctional anticancer agents that came out of a collaborative drug discovery program between researchers of RPCI and Cleveland BioLabs, Inc. (CBLI). Inactivation of the tumor suppressor p53 is frequently found in many types of cancer. Constitutive activation of pro-survival pathway NF-kappaB is another common property of tumor cells. This is commonly associated with poor response to chemotherapy and thus decreased survival chances. Curaxins are a novel class of multifunctional anticancer agents that simultaneously target p53 and NF-kappaB, causing their activation and suppression, respectively. The study will aim to select a lead curaxin for development through the side-by-side evaluation of efficacy and pharmacodynamics in assisting p53 to “t...

Second-year nursing school students who are residents in a four-county area can now apply for two $2,000 scholarships being offered by the Bradford Hospital Auxiliary. Along with McKean County, the eligible scholarship area includes students from Potter, Cameron and Elk counties. The scholarship applications are available at HeartStrings Gift Shop in the Outpatient Services Center lobby of Bradford Regional Medical Center (BRMC) and also in the nursing and financial aid departments of the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford and Jamestown Community College in Olean. The application forms can also be downloaded by going to www.brmc.com. April 23 is the deadline to submit the applications. “Along with being a second-year nursing student and a resident of McKean, Potter, Cameron or Elk counties, the applicants must have a 2.7 grade-point average to qualify,” says Virginia Hauser, the Auxiliary’s executive director. “These healthcare-related scholarships should prove to be very helpful to ...

The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford will introduce a new vocal performance course in the fall term that will give students more opportunities to perform. The course will feature student vocalists in an ensemble performing at luncheons, in classes and at a holiday event in December. “The initial student response to this offering has been quite good,” said Jeff Guterman, chairman of the Division of Communications and the Arts. “Several student performers have been lined up for the fall, and several more are expected when incoming freshmen register for classes this summer.” In order to give Dr. John Levey, assistant professor of music, more time to work with the students in the one-credit course, the College-Community Choir will not be offered. Dr. Livingston Alexander, president, explained how the change fits in with a larger vision for the performing arts at Pitt-Bradford. “Our plans call for us to now direct our attention...

Seneca Nation President Barry E. Snyder Sr. called today's signing of the PACT (Prevent All Cigarette Trafficking) Act a "deliberate betrayal" of all Native Americans. "The President of the United States invited Native American leaders to Washington D.C. in November and looked us in the eye as a sign of good faith in his pledge to protect federal treaties," Snyder said. "Now four months later he has betrayed that promise." "In 1779, President George Washington was referred to as 'Hanodagonyas,' an Iroquois term meaning 'town destroyer,' for his attempt to quell Native American uprisings. I think that term should be dusted off and given to Barack Obama for the economic destruction that Pact Act will cause," Snyder said. "This is certainly not the first time a U.S. president has failed to honor federal treaty rights, but it is particularly hurtful when this country's first minority president turns his back on another ...

Governor David Paterson is urging New Yorkers to lobby their lawmakers to approve the now overdue state budget. The Senate and Assembly have left Albany for a more than week long holiday break. In a statement to radio and TV stations Paterson said the work legislators completed before their vacation was inadequate, and didn't cut enough spending to close the state's $9 billion budget gap. On Wednesday, Paterson said $2.1 billion in school aid payments will be delayed. Several road construction projects could also be delayed because of the state's budget crisis. They include the Route 353 Bridge over the Allegheny River in Salamanca; the Irvine Mills Road Bridge over the Tuna Creek in the Town of Carrollton; and the Route 219 project in Cattaraugus and Erie counties.

Rep. Martin Causer (R-Turtlepoint) is encouraging everyone in Cameron, Potter, McKean and surrounding counties to participate in the U.S. Census in order to ensure the region gets its fair share of federal funding. "The federal government decides where to invest tax dollars based on a region's population," Causer said. "People who don't participate in the census won't be counted. That means they and their families, not to mention entire communities, will miss out on funding, programs and services that could really benefit our rural region." Census figures also affect representation in Congress and the General Assembly, and guide state government decisions on education, health care, job training and more. "If you haven't already completed your form, please do so as soon as possible. It takes just a few minutes of your time," Causer said. People who have misplaced their Census forms or never received them may call the U.S. Census Bureau...

The Pennsylvania Wilds is pleased to announce that awards have been granted, designs accepted, and that signs are beginning to be installed across the region as part of the Pennsylvania Wilds Business Signage Program and the Pennsylvania Wilds Community Signage Program. At least one community or business sign was awarded to every county in the Pennsylvania Wilds region. Grants provide up to $1,000 to business owners to upgrade existing business signage, and up to $3,000 to communities that want to construct welcome signage. The program was funded by $25,000 in grants from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation of Natural Resources, and $25,000 in grants from the Department of Community and Economic Development. “The primary goal is to help people improve the look and feel of their communities,” said Pennsylvania Wilds Community Outreach Specialist Sam MacDonald. “Great business and welcome signage can make communities more inviting to locals and visitors alike. One of the great st...

PennDOT has issued the following travel update for the Route 219/Johnsonburg Bypass project in Elk County for the week of April 5. Local, neighborhood traffic (including First, Blaine and Shawmut Streets) will be affected as the contractor works on the end of the Grant Street Bridge. Drivers will encounter a barrier along Grant Street. PennDOT will maintain two lanes of traffic on Grant Street but lanes will be narrow. This traffic pattern will be in place for several weeks. Route 219 traffic will not be affected.

A documentary on the largest manhunt in New York State history will air tonight. The A&E network is starting a series called "The Fugitive Chronicles," and their first topic is the five-month search for Ralph "Bucky" Phillips. Phillips is serving a life term in the state correctional facility in Dannemora for fatally shooting State Trooper Joseph Longobardo and injuring troopers Donald Baker Jr. and Sean Brown. You can watch a preview of the program here .

A Cattaraugus County teenager is in custody after being arrested for taking drugs to a school. In an e-mail to WESB and The HERO, Sheriff's deputies say they arrested 17-year-old Anthony Calcaterra of Chaffee, New York, at Pioneer Center School Wednesday morning on two counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance. His bail is set at $1,000 cash.

A senior criminal justice major at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford has secured an internship with the U.S. Marshals Service for this summer. Ryan Monoski of Mill Hall will spend 270 hours at the U.S. Courthouse in Williamsport, observing marshals at work in the courtroom and holding cells and helping perform research. Monoski was one of two students chosen for an internship in the marshals’ Williamsport field office, for which he applied a year ago and underwent a drug screening and background check. “It was a lot different than the typical summer job interview,” he said, explaining that the interview was more extensive. Dr. Bernie Meyer, associate professor of criminal justice, said, “Getting an internship with the U.S. Marshals is very competitive. It’s going to be a great opportunity for Ryan to see what the marshals do and help him decide what he wants to do with his future.” Dr. Tony Gaskew, assistant professor o...

Mayville, NY -- Chautauqua County Executive Gregory J. Edwards was informed yesterday by Mark Thomas, Western New York Regional Director for NYS Parks that the Marina at Long Point State Park will be open for the spring and summer seasons. "Mr. Thomas told me that the Marina at Long Point State Park will open however, the determination of the opening of the rest of the park will not be decided until after the State has a budget in place," Edwards said. New York Governor David Paterson, along with Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation Commissioner Carol Ash recommended earlier this year that Long Point State Park, which is located outside of Bemus Point, be closed. It was part of an overall plan to close 41 parks and 14 historic sites when the new budget year begins April 1, 2010. Closing the parks would reportedly save New York State $6.5 Million. "Having the marina open is certainly good news for Chautauqua County and the groups and organizations that ...

President Obama has signed a bill into law that the Seneca Nation says could leave as many as 1,000 people without jobs. The Prevent All Cigarette Trafficking Act bars the US Postal Service from shipping cigarettes through the mail. Seneca Indian Nation business owners say the PACT ACT will kill legal Native American commerce and take 1,000 tobacco-industry jobs in New York with it. 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 tobacco-related company which employs 130 people is not affiliated with the Seneca Nation.

Tack's Inn h as been cited by the state police bureau of liquor control enforcement for operating without a valid health permit or license, which expired on January 11. In a fax sent to WESB and The HERO, state police say the business still didn't have a valid permit or license on February 11. The charges will be brought before an administrative law judge.

A 72-year-old Union City PA man was rescued from Chautauqua Lake this morning after his boat overturned. In an e-mail sent to WESB and The HERO, Chautauqua County Sheriff's deputies say they received a call at about 10:30 a.m. saying that a boat overturned near Prendergast Point, and the operator was hanging onto the boat. Ronald Linkewitz was in the water for a about 25 minutes before rescuers arrived. He was conscious and coherent after being removed from lake. Linkewitz was taken to WCA Hospital in Jamestown for further evaluation.

For the second time in four months, New York Governor David Paterson has ordered a delay in school aid payments. $2.1 billion was supposed to be paid today. Paterson says the state intends to meet the June 1 statutory deadline for making this payment, assuming enough cash is available by then. In December, Paterson ordered the withholding of $750 million in payments to school districts, local governments, and other entities in order to prevent the state from running out of cash. Those payments were made in January when the state’s operating margins temporarily improved. Paterson also said some road construction projects will also be delayed. http://www.state.ny.us/governor/press/033010DelayedPayments.html

Windfall Road in St. Marys was closed for several hours Tuesday after a tractor-trailer crash. In a fax sent to WESB and The HERO, police say that at around 9 a.m. a rig driven by Kevin Prechtl of Ridgway went out of control while going around a curve, traveled across the road and turned over. The report didn’t say if Prechtl was hurt, and an answering machine at the police department said all officers were on patrol so no one was there to answer the question.

A Fredonia man is in jail following a domestic incident in the village. In an e-mail to WESB and The HERO, Sheriff's deputies say 28-year-old Matthew Peszko was arrested after they received a report of a woman screaming inside her home. Deputies say when they and state troopers arrived on the scene they found that the woman had a bloody nose, redness on her face and chest and saliva on her face. Deputies say Peszko pushed, slapped and spit on the victim while she had their one-month-old infant in her arms. They say the incident happened in front of a 4-year-old child. Deputies also found a pistol in his possession without the required state pistol permit. Peszko was taken into custody, arraigned and an order of protection was issued.

Diane Sheeley will be leaving her position as executive director of the Bradford Area Chamber of Commerce on April 22. Sheeley has been with the chamber for about 8 years, and is taking another position in the community. Chamber board members say they will hire someone to replace Sheeley soon as possible.

A Brookville teacher is facing charges after being accused of having an inappropriate relationship with a student. 42-year-old Karin Hetrick was arrested last week at her home in Summerville after the girl's mother reported the relationship to police. According to court documents, Hetrick started a relationship with a female student in November 2009. The documents say Hetrick hugged and kissed the girl in her high school classroom, and that they traveled to remote areas to have sex. Hetrick is charged with child abuse, indecent assault and related offenses.

An Olean man has been sentenced to 5 years in prison on sex-related charges involving a child younger than 13, according to the Cattaraugus County District Attorney's Office. 54-year-old Clayton Griffis pleaded guilty in January to attempted course of sexual conduct. The incidents happened betewen November of 2004 and December of 2008.

The Southern Tier Symphony Chamber Strings, under the direction of music director John Whitney, will present a performance of “Bach’s Lunch” on Wednesday, March 31st, at First Presbyterian Church, 54 East Corydon St., at noon. Patrons may believe the title of the concert has something to do with food, but it is simply a musical presentation, lasting under one hour, to nourish the soul. This concert is a part of the anniversary celebration of Johann Sebastian Bach's 325th birthday, which occurred last week. Underwriting support sponsors for the concert are Barbara and Mac Sue and Stephen P. Grillo. The ensemble consists of twelve string players and pianist Nancy Hefti with the addition of two local sopranos. Annamaria Myers, of Port Allegany, PA graduated from Mansfield University in 1981 and was a finalist for the Schorr Prize in Voice at the Croswell Opera House in Adrian, Michigan. She has made numerous solo appearances in the twin tiers region including the mother in “Amahl ...

OLEAN -- The Greater Olean Area Chamber of Commerce and the Olean Area Motorcycle Enthusiasts are raffling off a 2010 Harley Davidson Dyna Wide Glide, black with flames during the 8th Annual Rally in the Valley motorcycle event in August. After a year's absence, the wide glide returns to the 2010 H-D lineup as one of four newer revised models introduced in the standard 2010 production line. The 2010 Dyna Wide Glide looks smoking' hot in its vivid black with flames color combo. The pulse of the Wide Glide is provided by a 1584cc, air-cooled Twin Cam 96 engine. Tommy Gun 2-1-2 exhausts replace the dual staggered shorty pipes of old and emit note at speed. Tickets are available for a chance to win the Dyna Wide Glide and second prize of a Krish Enclosed Two Bike Trailer. The tickets are $20 with a limit of 2,000 tickets to be sold. The drawing will be announced on Sunday, August 29. The motorcycle was partially sponsored by Larry's Sport Center, Galeton, PA. Tickets are availa...

Marienville, Pa. – On March 23, 2010, Marienville District Ranger Robert T. Fallon made the decision to continue using prescribed fire to maintain the herbaceous openings in the Buzzard Swamp area located in Jenks Township in Forest County and Millstone Township in Elk County, Pennsylvania. The project will burn up to 200 acres annually for the next 5 to 10 years. Prescribed burning would occur outside of the nesting season (April 15 to September 15) unless sites have been surveyed to determine that species with viability concerns are not currently nesting in these areas. This decision is not subject to administrative review or appeal pursuant to 36 CFR 215. Implementation may occur immediately. A map and complete project record are available from the Marienville Ranger District, 131 Smokey Lane, Marienville, PA 16239, or at http://www.fs.fed.us/r9/forests/allegheny/projects/other .

The Kinzua Quality Deer Cooperative (a 73,250 acre management area in McKean County) and Penn State Cooperative Extension are proud to provide sportsmen, private forest landowners, natural resource professionals and the public with a day to learn and talk about deer density as it relates to the carrying capacity of the habitat. We will be in the woods about half of the time. You will learn about deer biology; quality deer management; estimating deer density within deer home range, completing a deer browse survey, relating density to preferred deer foods, deer reproduction and deer harvest. The Deer Density and Carrying Capacity workshop will be in the Kinzua Quality Deer Cooperative Management Area (includes ANF, Kane Hardwood, RAM Forest Products, Commonwealth Forest Investments and Bradford Water Authority lands) near Marshburg, Pennsylvania on Route 59 on Thursday, April 14 from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. There is a minimal fee of $10.00 which includes refres...

Syracuse Symphony Orchestra conducted by Andrew Sewell will perform in the ninth and last concert of the Friends of Good Music season at 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 16, at St. Bonaventure’s Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts. The program will feature Ilya Yakushev, gold medal winner of the 2005 World Piano Competition in Cincinnati, Ohio, performing Prokofiev’s Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 3 in C-Major, op.26. “The program that the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra will be performing is a particularly interesting one,” said Joseph A. LoSchiavo, executive director of the Quick Center. “In addition to Prokofiev’s piano concerto, the orchestra will play the tone poem Death and Figuration by Richard Strauss and Nocturnes by Claude Debussy, both important works of the late 19th century. The Syracuse Symphony Orchestra’s concerts are firmly established as audience favorites and we are grateful for the symphony’s continued support in touring to communities in Western New York.” The Syracuse Sy...

The annual Kane Community Hospital (KCH) and Hamot Heart Forum has been rescheduled for Tuesday, April 20, 6-8 p.m. at the St. Callistus Hall on Chase Street in Kane. This change takes place after blizzard conditions caused the February scheduled forum to be postponed. The forum is a “Heart to Heart” about heart disease, the number one killer of both men and women in the U.S. Each year between 1.2 million and 1.5 million people in the U.S. suffer a serious heart attack. More than 500,000 die. Everyone is welcome to attend the free forum. Pre-registration is required. To register or learn more about this event call KCH Cardiac Rehab at 837-4779. When you register, ask about what information you should bring or get prior to the forum so you can complete a heart risk assessment during the event. The assessment is a tool you can take home, share with your doctor, or use as a guide to regain or maintain a healthy heart. Speakers include keynote Kelly Hayes, M.D., Cardiologist, Hamot H...

Eleven students at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford were inducted on Sunday into the Upsilon Phi Beta chapter of Alpha Sigma Lambda, the premier national honor society for nontraditional students. In order to be recognized as a member of Alpha Sigma Lambda, students must have earned at least 30 credits at Pitt-Bradford and have a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or above. “Alpha Sigma Lambda provides a way for Pitt-Bradford to recognize and celebrate the academic achievements of its top performing nontraditional students, many of whom are working and/or raising families as they pursue their college studies.” said Dr. K. James Evans, vice president and dean of student affairs and advisor to Alpha Sigma Lambda. “The fact that ASL is a national honor society gives additional recognition to students who achieve this distinction.” `The new members this year are Grant Allen, a computer information systems and technology major from Bradford; Tamra Caton, a bus...

Pioneer Central Schools earned top team honors defeating Bradford by just half a point in the Western NY Scholastic Championship held at the Hornell High School over the weekend. All of Pioneer’s players were fifth and sixth graders whereas Bradford’s team consisted of second and third graders: Danny Fedak, Nate Evan, and Jacob and Jessica Yost. Danny Fedak won the third place individual trophy on tiebreaks. Coach Ferguson predicts that Bradford’s younger team should prove difficult to beat in future years. Pioneer also took top honors in the junior-senior high section. Buffalo finished second, while Hornell and Bath tied for third. Bradford did not take a junior-senior high team. Tied for third place team were Buffalo and Scio Central Schools. Other participating schools included Olean, Bath, and Hornell. Pictured, top, from left to right are first place individual Sam Tillinghast from Pioneer, second place individual James Miles from Buffalo, and third place individual Danny Feda...

Pennsylvania's Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is now open until April 16, Rep. Martin Causer (R-Turtlepoint) announced today. The LIHEAP program is administered by the Department of Public Welfare (DPW) and helps income-eligible households pay for heat during the winter months. The LIHEAP program was scheduled to close April 2, but the program has been extended another two weeks to end April 16. DPW has helped nearly 500,000 families through cash and crisis grants since the program opened last November for the current season. For more information, contact the appropriate county assistance office: · Cameron County -- 814-486-3757. · McKean County -- 814-362-4671. · Potter County -- 814-274-4900. Assistance is also available by calling the toll-free LIHEAP hotline at 1-866-857-7095 (individuals with hearing impairments may call the TDD number at 1-800-451-5886). Internet users can access additional information at Causer's Web site at RepCauser.com .

The Chautauqua County man who shot his stepfather to death has been sentenced to 25 years in state prison. 21-year-old Daniel Hyers pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter in January for shooting 51-year-old Dean Nagel in Villenova on September 9, 2008. After a massive manhunt, Sheriff Joe Gerace arrested Hyers himself after spotting him walking on Butcher Road in Villenova on September 10. http://1490newsblog.blogspot.com/2010/01/hyers-pleads-guilty.html

Bradford City Police were kept hopping over the last couple of days. Officers responded to reports of stolen property on Interstate Parkway and North Center Street; vandalism on High Street and loud music on State Street. They also received reports of harassment on East Main, High and Forman streets and criminal mischief on Davis Street. Police also responded to an accident on Interstate Parkway, a gun-related incident on St. Francis Drive and a report of a suspicious person in the North Kendall Avenue Park. They also received a report of a dog left alone on a South Avenue porch and responded to Bedford Street where a "juvenile was acting spoiled and (the) mother requested an officer to talk to her son," according to news releases faxed to WESB and The HERO.

Statement from New York State Senator Cathy Young: “It is unconscionable that the New York City-controlled legislators who currently are in the majority of both Houses left Albany without even trying to get the state budget passed by the April 1 deadline. They have failed to hold conference committees which would have moved along negotiations and put the process out in the open where it belongs, instead of negotiating the budget in secret. Last year, these same legislators forced through a state budget that contained out-of-control taxes and spending. This year, I fear they will pull the same stunts again, but add massive borrowing to their repertoire of bad fiscal policy that hurts our families and the economy. I am calling on the leaders of the Senate and Assembly to hold conference committees immediately. The people have a right to know what their government is doing. I also call on them to scrap their irresponsible borrowing plan, implement spending cuts and a...

John T. Costanzo, resident of Hockessin, DE, quietly passed into heaven from Delaware Hospice in Milford on Friday, March 26, 2010. He was 48 years old. Born in 1961 to Joseph and Marilyn Costanzo of Lewis Run, Pennsylvania, John was the youngest of three children and a special part of a large Bradford area extended family. There he learned to work hard and play hard, excelling in school and athletics. He graduated in 1979 from Bradford Central Christian High School, where among other things, he lettered four years on the Rambler Football Team. Following a long family tradition, John then moved to South Bend, Indiana to attend the University of Notre Dame, graduating with a bachelors degree in Business Administration in 1983. He flourished under the Dome of Our Lady and cherished his time at ND. After graduation from Notre Dame, in the footsteps of his Dad, John began a 25 plus-year career in the mortgage industry. Starting at MGIC and ending at Fifth Third Bank, he became a trusted an...

A chapter written by Dr. Philippe van Berten, assistant professor of business management and marketing at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford, has been published in a new book about the emerging field of knowledge management. The chapter, “Market Information Knowledge: A Systemic Model for Customer Knowledge Management Which Changes the Enterprise Structure,” appears in “In Search of Knowledge Management.” Knowledge management is a new trend in marketing that allows companies to make the best use of information gathered and stored in large databases. Van Berten’s chapter develops a model of how companies can use database information gathered through customer loyalty program such as shopper cards for maximum effect on social networks. He has also contributed chapters on knowledge management to “Management & Knowledge Engineering” and “Guiding Principles to Knowledge-Centric Enterprise Engineering & Management,” both published ...

The Bradford Mastercraft All-American Soap Box Derby is organizing for this year's races, starting with at informational meeting at 6 p.m. Tuesday at Byllye Lanes. They're looking for volunteers and drivers to participate in this year's Soap Box Derby. If you're interested, please attend. That's Tuesday at 6 p.m. at Byllye Lanes in Bradford.

An Emporium woman was hurt in an accident Saturday afternoon on Route 120 in Gibson Township. In a fax sent to WESB and The HERO Monday morning, state police say a car driven by 52-year-old Loretta Montgomery went out of control and hit an embankment. The car then rolled over, coming to rest in the road. Montgomery was taken by ambulance to Elk Regional Health Center for treatment of moderate injuries.

An illegal alien from Mexico was picked up in Cameron County Saturday evening. In a fax sent to WESB and The HERO, state police say they stopped 23-year-old Francisco Javier Parra Cazares during a traffic safety checkpoint just north of Emporium at 6 o'clock on Saturday. Cazares failed to provide evidence of his right to be in the United State. Police contacted US Customs and Immigration Services, who determined that Cazares was in the country illegally. ICE officers traveled to Emporium, where they took custody of Cazares.

This week's Big 30 selections: Pennsylvania Andy Neatrour, Smethport High School 6’ 225lbs. Nose Tackle Andy plans on going into the welding and fabrication trade after High School. Andy was asked why he would like to play in the Big 30 game and he said, “Because I have put a lot of time and effort in getting ready for the Big 30 game. I just like playing football.” Andy’s hobbies include; hunting and fishing. His favorite team is the Steelers and his favorite football player is Casey Hampton. Brad Daughenbaugh, Bradford Area High School 6’ 200lbs. Tackle / Defensive Tackle Brad will be attending Penn State Behrend in the fall to major in Mechanical Engineering. Brad’s honors include: 2 Year Letterman, Team Captain, PFN Honorable Mention All-State, and National Honor Society. Brad said, “My dad was in the Big 30, and it gives me a chance to play one more time. It is an honor to play with the best kids around, and it’s for a good cause. Brad’s big...

Someone broke into a Guardian Exploration storage facility on Fishing Creek Road in Hebron Township and stole about $1,300 worth of equipment. In a fax sent to WESB and The HERO, state police say the burglar stole several hand tools, a bolt cutter, a chop saw and a chain saw. The burglary happened sometime between March 19 and March 22. Anyone with information on this burglary is asked to contact Coudersport-based state police.