Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

Someone stole about 4,000 feet of copper wire from the railroad near Kinzua Bridge State Park. The theft happened sometime between Wednesday and Thursday. Anyone with information on the theft is asked to contact Kane-based state police.

Dear Director Reidenbach: I write in response to your letter of March 31, 2010 in which you state the National Park Service's concern regarding the fiscal condition of the State of New York and the impact it is likely to have for the operation and maintenance of our parks and historic sites. Let me state from the outset that New York is not going to convert any parks or historic sites. We will maintain all areas as public outdoor recreation use in perpetuity. To read the full text of Paterson's letter, go here .

PennDOT is imposing new weight limits on a number of roads in McKean County, including Interstate Parkway. Starting Monday vehicles that weigh more than 10 tons won’t be able to travel on certain roads. They are Interstate Parkway from the Bradford Township line to the Foster Township line; Big Shany Road from the intersection of Route 59 to the intersection of Valley Hunt Drive; Lindholm Road from the intersection of Route 6 to the intersection of Route 59; and Clermont Road from the intersection of Route 6 to the intersection of Route 2001.

The Press Club of Western Pennsylvania has awarded a $5,000 scholarship to University of Pittsburgh at Bradford junior Alex Davis. Davis, a public relations major from Emporium, will receive the award at the press club’s annual Golden Quill Awards Dinner May 3 in Pittsburgh. Davis is the editor of The Source, Pitt-Bradford’s student newspaper, and has written for the Endeavor News of Cameron County, DuBois Tri-County Sunday, Potter Leader-Enterprise of Coudersport, The Bradford Era and Portraits magazine, the general interest magazine of Pitt-Bradford. In addition, he has worked in the Pitt-Bradford Office of Communications and Marketing for three years. In applying for the scholarship, Davis submitted writing samples from both his professional and college newspaper work as well as recommendations from professors. “I’ve been dabbling in journalism for area newspapers since I was 15 years old and continued my love for the craft...

The McKean County Tea Party Patriots are planning a trip to Erie Sunday to meet the Tea Party Express III at Perry Square. The group will car pool, and plans to leave the Bradford Mall at 2 p.m. They’ll have dinner in Erie before the rally, which starts at 7 p.m. The McKean County Tea Party group is also meeting at 7 p.m. Monday at the Bradford Senior Center on Campus Drive. Russ Diamond, a candidate for Pennsylvania lieutenant governor, will be the guest speaker.

Raymond L. Wangelin of 121 York Street passed away Thursday, April 8, 2010 in the Millard Fillmore Gates Circle in Buffalo following complication from a stroke. Mr. Wangelin was born on May 15, 1948 in Springville and was the son of Raymond and Nina Rumfola Wangelin. On October 29, 1983 in Olean, he married Nancy J. Roblee, who survives. Mr. Wangelin was a 1967 graduate of Springville High School and a 1971 graduate of SUNY School. He was the owner of South Summit Excavation on Front St. and in 1978 he purchased Adams Septic Service. Mr. Wangelin served on the Olean Common Council for seven years, three as Council President. He was a former member of the Olean Moose Club and the host of "What's Up Olean" TV program for about the past three years. Mr. Wangelin was a member of St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, serving on the Vestry for many years, Eucharist minister, head usher and Greeter. He was a loving family man whose family always came first and the Olean community ...

The St. Bonaventure University Chamber Ensemble will perform a concert Sunday, April 11, in the Rigas Family Theater located inside The Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts. The concert is scheduled for 2 p.m. and is free and open to the public. Laura Peterson, the concert’s coordinator, says the event is a great opportunity to enjoy classical music and to support St. Bonaventure students. “It is a wonderful opportunity to support students involved in the arts on campus—students who have worked very hard and are very talented,” Peterson said. “Just as we attend sporting events, go to theater productions and student galleries, this is a chance to see students involved in interesting and exciting endeavors on campus.” The concert will showcase St. Bonaventure University’s small ensembles and applied music students, including the Brass Ensemble, String Ensemble, Voice Studio and Piano Studio. Among the featured composers will be Gershwin, Rossini and Rachmaninov. The performance will feat...

Mayville, NY -- After thorough deliberation, County Executive Gregory J. Edwards has announced that he has revised his plan regarding Chautauqua County's Sales Tax rate. "I am well aware of the level of conversation that has taken place since late March over my proposal to increase the County's current Sales Tax rate of 7.75% to the rate that existed in 2006 of 8.25%," Edwards said. In March, Edwards filed a home rule request resolution seeking State authorization to raise the County Sales Tax to 8.25% as part of an overall plan to help deal with an estimated $18 Million budget gap in the 2011 budget, driven in large part by increased mandates from New York State. "Dealing with the Sales Tax rate is just one of the steps that I am taking to help close out the projected budget gap for 2011," Edwards said. "I have already eliminated raises for my senior staff this year and next, and I have asked my union leaders to re-open their contracts and help find an...

Clearfield – PennDOT has lowered the posted weight limit restriction on a Potter County bridge on Teed Hollow Road in Harrison Township. The Cowanesque River Bridge is near the Route 49 intersection and the Tioga County line. The bridge is now posted for a 9-ton weight limit. Vehicles exceeding the posted weight limit must use an alternate route. The bridge had been previously posted for a weight limit of 34-tons for single vehicles and 40-tons for combination vehicles. The new, 9-ton posting went into effect April 8. The decision to post the new weight limit was the result of a recent inspection. The Cowanesque River Bridge was built in 1938; is 65 feet long and carries an average of 62 vehicles per day. The new posting for the bridge will remain in place until further notice. PennDOT reminds motorists they can log on to 511pa.com or call 511 from any phone to check traffic conditions before heading out.

BUFFALO, NY – Roswell Park Cancer Institute (RPCI), in conjunction with the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP), is holding a Bone Marrow Donor Drive in the main lobby of Roswell Park on Tuesday, April 27 from 4-6 p.m. Community members, ages 18-60, with no history of cancer, diabetes or heart problems, are invited to help share life at the drive by becoming a bone marrow or peripheral blood stem cell donor. Marrow and stem cell transplants are used to treat leukemia, lymphoma and other life-threatening blood diseases. Each year more than 30,000 children and adults are diagnosed with diseases for which a bone marrow transplant is the only chance for a cure. Only 30% of these people will find a matching donor within their families, making drives like this critically important. A simple swab of the inside of the cheek gives the necessary tissue typing information needed for determining matches. All typing information collected at the drive will be put into the NMDP computerized registr...

The second annual blood drive as part of Northwest Savings Bank's Community Banking Week is this Monday April 12th from noon to 4pm. The Community Blood Bank's 'Turtletop' (small blood mobile) will be parked in the parking lot at 85 West Washington Street in Bradford and will be open to the public. Just come on in. No appointment is needed to save a life. The blood supply is lower than last year at this time due in part to the recent streak of warm weather (although gone now). Blood usage had spiked and the number of donors had declined with the summer like weather. The Community Blood Bank enjoys an excellent relationship with Northwest Savings Bank. In Erie County Northwest savings bank has won the "Battle of the Bankers" promotion 4 years running and Jack Banner, manager of a Northwest Branch in Erie sits on the Community Blood Bank board of directors. All donors are strongly encouraged to donate. The Community Blood Bank is located at 24 Davis Street in Un...

"The Northern Tier Marcellus Shale Business to Business Expo is being held on Saturday June 26th at Alparon Park in Troy, PA. You can register for the event, get information and explore sponsorship opportunities on the expo's website at www.ntmarcellusexpo.com With major sponsors such as Chesapeake Energy, Talisman Energy, East Resources and EOG Resources this event will provide businesses and entrepreneurs with the unique opportunity to network among some of the natural gas industry’s most important contacts and supporting industries. The natural gas industry is raving about the quality and quantity of natural gas in the Northern Tier of Pennsylvania. Industry leaders are taking note and putting major resources into this region. Taking the opportunity to be part of this business to business expo located in one of the hot spots of drilling activity in Troy, Pennsylvania is a must if you and your business is interested in becoming part of this emerging industry. Mark your calen...

A truck driver and his passenger escaped injury, but an Elk County road was closed for several hours following an accident at 12:15 this morning. In a fax sent to WESB and The HERO, state police say 49-year-old Lawrence Himes of Mount Jewett was traveling south on Route 255 when the truck went out of control, traveled off the road and rolled onto its passenger side, losing its load of lumber. His passenger was 23-year-old Stephen Joshnick of St. Marys. Himes was cited for driving at an unsafe speed. Police say charges are pending as the investigation is continuing. The road re-opened at about 7:45 a.m.

Four St. Bonaventure University men's basketball players have been arrested on violations in connection with a fight they had with members of the JCC men’s basketball team when two people got stabbed with a screwdriver. State police arrested 20-year-old Malcolm Eleby of Philadelphia; 18-year-old Brett Roseboro of Allentown, Pa.; 22-year-old Da'Quan Cook of Elizabeth, N.J.; and 22-year-old Lewis Leonard of Olean. All four were charged with at least one count of second-degree harassment and disorderly conduct. Violations, which are considered non-criminal and less serious than misdemeanors or felonies, rarely lead to jail time. The university hasn’t said what disciplinary action it may take. The injured JCC players are 20-year-old Rameek Boyd and 20-year-old James Chatmon. They were treated at Olean General Hospital for minor stab wounds, then released.

Residents of North Hebron Township in Potter County with the phone pre-fix 698 will now be served by the Coudersport Volunteer Fire Department and the Coudersport Volunteer Ambulance Association instead of the organizations from Shinglehouse. Hebron Township supervisors made the decision during their April 1 meeting. They say they reached the decision “after much discussion and deliberation based on a significant requested increase by Shinglehouse Volunteer Fire Department,” according to a published legal notice.

Both lanes of Route 255 in Elk County are now open. The road about 2 and a half miles south of Route 948 in Jay Township had been closed since around 12:20 this morning after a log truck rolled over and spilled about 200 gallons of diesel fuel.

Two inmates in the Warren County Jail are facing additional charges after an incident in the jail involving prescription medication. 22-year-old Joseph Myers and 31-year-old Rudolph Manelick are each charged with criminal conspiracy and contraband in connection with an incident on March 30. Police say Manelick attempted to buy Wellbutrin from Myers. Wellbutrin is an anti-depressant. A week before this incident, Myers was charged with aggravated harassment for spitting on three members of the Warren fire department who were trying to treat him following a suicide attempt. Police say Myers tried to hang himself after his girlfriend broke up with him.

ALBANY – Despite stern warnings by federal officials to keep state parks open or face losing significant federal funding for park projects, Governor Paterson is moving ahead with his plan to close and cut programming and services at state parks, including Allegany State Park and Long Point State Park, according to Senator Catharine Young (R,I,C – Olean). On March 31, federal officials from the National Parks Service sent a letter to the Governor warning him that his proposed closure of 55 state parks and historic sites and curtailing services at an additional 22 would put New York in “non-compliance” with the requirements attached to funding from the Land and Water Conservation Fund, possibly resulting in the loss of federal funding for parks or other areas. Most of the state's parks, including Allegany State Park and Long Point State Park, have received grants from this fund in the past and the federal law governing the grants contains strong protections to assure ...

UPDATE (6 a.m.): The southbound lane of Route 255 about 2 ½ miles south of Route 948 on Brynedale Road is still closed until further notice. The northbound lane is open to both northbound and southbound traffic. ~~~ Part of an Elk County Road is closed because of a HazMat spill. In a fax to WESB and The HERO, state Police say the northbound and southbound lanes of Route 255 south of Route 948 on Brynedale Road are closed until further notice. A log truck rolled over at about 12:20 a.m., spilling about 200 gallons of diesel fuel onto the road. Police say they will notify us when the road re-opens.

Chris Lucoo will be the new chief of the City of Bradford Police Department, and Mike Ward will be the assistant chief, effective tomorrow morning. ~~~~ By ANNE HOLLIDAY WESB/WBRR News Director Chris Lucco has been named the new chief of the City of Bradford Police Department, and Mike Ward has been named assistant chief. Bradford Mayor Tom Riel called the men earlier tonight to ask them if they would accept the positions. After they did, Riel made the announcement to the media. The appointments are effective at 10:30 a.m. Friday. Lucco replaces Mike Close, who retired on March 17. Riel said he interviewed nine current members of the police department who were interested in the job. The interview process lasted about 10 days, and the length of the interviews ranged from an hour and a half to four hours. “We discussed a multitude of issues. I gained a vast amount of knowledge from the folks who were interviewed,” Riel said. “I would officially like to thank everyone who expressed an int...

The rock band SafetySuit, whose video “Stay” was ranked first on the VH1 Top 20 Countdown last summer, will perform April 12 at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford. The concert, sponsored by the Student Activities Council, will be held at 8 p.m. in the Bromeley Family Theater in Blaisdell Hall. Tickets are free for students, $5 in advance and $10 the day of the show for the public. Advance tickets may be purchased by calling the Student Activities Office at (814)362-7593. Opening for the group will by Suddyn. SafetySuit, composed of Doug Brown on guitar and vocals, Dave Garofalo on lead guitar, Jeremy Henshaw on bass and Tate Cunningham on drums, is known for powerhouse, guitar-driven rock. “This is a band that the students listened to last summer, and we knew it would be a fun end-of-the-year event,” said Christina Graham, director of student activities. Mayumi Park, SAC musical entertainment chairperson who is a psychol...

Bradford Mayor Tom Riel will be naming a new chief and assistant chief for the City of Bradford Police Department tonight. We’ll have the announcement on the 11 p.m. news on 1490 WESB and online, too.

Christ in Action, the Outdoor Club and WDRQ Radio are hosting an all day concert event starting at 2 p.m. in Pitt-Bradford's Sport and Fitness Center. Pitt students get in free with a student ID. It's $5 for the general public.

At summer freshman orientation, more than a month before she ever took a note in a St. Bonaventure classroom, Rachel George was pulled aside by Dr. Denny Wilkins, her adviser. “The highest award we have in journalism is the Hellinger. I expect you to win it,” Wilkins recalled. A product of Pioneer Central School’s renowned journalism program, George did just that. The former BV sports editor, Times Herald intern and Associated Press stringer graduated with a 3.8 GPA and was honored with the university’s Hellinger Award in 2006. Four years later, George has added an even more impressive award to her trophy case. The Wilmington (N.C.) StarNews sports writer took first place in the 2009 Associated Press Sports Editors Writing Contest in the highly competitive Investigative category. “I’m beyond excited getting the award. But I’m so much prouder of the fact that we didn’t have to write a story about four football players who died because the roof caved in,” George said. George figured the ...

Author Tina Winne will be available to sign copies of her Children's book, So Many Puppies , from 1-3 p.m. April 17 at the J&K Pet Store, 196 Main St. in Bradford. In So Many Puppies , Winne takes readers to a strange farm where adventure is waiting around every corner and nothing is as it seems. Children will love meeting Sandy, Sarge, and a farm full of other animals who love getting into trouble, as they learn that 'fun on the farm' can have many unusual meanings.

U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand is back from a trip to Haiti, where she got a first-hand look at the impact of January’s earthquake. Gillibrand is a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and made the trip as a part of a congressional delegation. Gillibrand says she now plans to work with her Senate colleagues on new legislation to help bolster Haiti's child welfare system. http://gillibrand.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/?id=7B9A10EC-4674-4224-9886-935282594643

Republican Pat Toomey is back on top 46 - 41 percent over Sen. Arlen Specter in Pennsylvania's seesaw U.S. Senate race, while Attorney General Tom Corbett, the leader for the Republican gubernatorial nomination, remains ahead of each of the three top Democratic contenders by double digits, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today. In the governor's race, Tom Corbett - by far the best known of the contenders - retains a double digit lead over the three leading contenders for the Democratic nomination, which will be decided in the May 18 primary. http://www.quinnipiac.edu/x1327.xml?ReleaseID=1442

Governor David Paterson’s popularity is continuing its slide. In a Siena College poll released today, pollsters say the only good news for Paterson is that voters don’t believe the scandals that prompted the resignations of several members of his administration would force the governor to resign. Only 22 percent of the people polled believe Paterson may have acted inappropriately in office. http://www.siena.edu/pages/179.asp?item=2211

A New York process server company has agreed to shut down after being accused by the state of falsely claiming to have served thousands of legal documents to people. We Serve it For You in Brockport also agreed to pay $10,000 in penalties. Attorney General Andrew Cuomo's office says that more than 1,000 times process servers claimed to have been serving papers in two places at the same time. Process servers get paid for each attempt. The audit also found 700 cases of workers reporting that they’d served papers even before they received them. http://www.ag.ny.gov/media_center/2010/apr/apr7b_10.html

Governor David Paterson has submitted legislation that would expand New York's Missing and Exploited Children Clearinghouse to missing adults who either cannot assist in their own recovery or who have disappeared under circumstances that indicate that they are in imminent danger. The clearinghouse currently oversees the AMBER Alert system Under the Governor's proposal, the same system now used to disseminate missing child alerts to police agencies, broadcast networks, Thruway service areas, lottery terminals, airports and bus terminals would be deployed when at-risk adults go missing. http://www.state.ny.us/governor/press/040710.childExploited.html

On Wednesday, Bradford City Police investigated motor vehicle accidents on Cole Avenue, Elm Street and Marilyn Horne Way. They also looked into a report of an assault Officers also received reports of harassment on Interstate Parkway and Pleasant and East Main streets, and disturbances on South Center Street and Osborne Place. They also got an animal complaint from Williams Street, according to faxes sent by the police department.

WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Bob Casey (D-PA) and Arlen Specter (D-PA) today announced that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service under the Department of the Interior has awarded $1.68 million to make infrastructure improvements at the Allegheny National Fish Hatchery in Warren. The work will be completed by Wm. T. Spaeder, Co., Inc., of Erie. The funding is being awarded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). “These funds going towards the reopening of the Allegheny National Fish Hatchery are yet another example of the way the Recovery Act is positively impacting Pennsylvania,” said Senator Casey. “Prior to its closure in 2005, Allegheny was the only fish hatchery working to restore the lake trout population in the Lower Great Lakes. By investing in Allegheny’s reopening, we can help them continue their conservation efforts while at the same time creating jobs.” “I am pleased to see stimulus funds being used to repair and reopen the Allegheny National Fish Hatchery,...

Three people have been arrested in connection with a violent home invasion March 20 in Ashford. In an e-mail to WESB and The HERO, Cattaraugus County Sheriff’s deputies say 37-year-old Joseph Kahr and 22-year-old Ronald Kahr of Collins and 39-year-old Steven DeCapua of Springville forced their way into the home and caused serious physical injury to the homeowner. The victim, whose name deputies did not release, was first taken to Bertrand Chaffee Hospital, then transferred to ECMC. The assault happened in front of the homeowner’s child. All three men are charged with burglary, assault and endangering the welfare of a child and are being held in Cattaraugus County Jail.

A Mayville man is accused of injuring his girlfriend late Wednesday night. In an e-mail to WESB and The HERO, Chautauqua County Sheriff’s deputies say 32-year-old Henry Stovall grabbed Katie McKane’s hair, face and throat and threw a full can of beer at her. Stovall is in jail in lieu of bail.

A Bradford man is facing charges after a motorcycle chase late Tuesday night in the city and Bradford and Foster townships. In a fax sent to WESB and The HERO, Bradford City Police say 19-year-old Chaz Zawatski of Burnside Avenue is charged with fleeing or eluding police and numerous summary traffic offenses. The pursuit started at about 9:30 when Zawatski drove away from a police officer who was trying to make a traffic stop.

As if a citywide power outage wasn’t enough for Bradford City Police to deal with on Tuesday, officers responded to a number of calls throughout the city. They received a report of an assault on West Washington Street and harassment on Congress Street, Chautauqua Place, South Avenue and Interstate Parkway. Officers also investigated a retail theft on West Washington Street, a report of criminal mischief on South Avenue, trespassing on Kennedy Street and a disturbance on South Center Street. Police also received an animal complaint from Jackson Avenue and a report of barking dogs on Amm Street, according to news releases sent by the police department.

A hearing for the Bradford man accused of drowning a woman and her infant daughter has been continued. 38-year-old Waide Nolf is charged with criminal homicide for the deaths of 24-year-old Tonya Haight and 3 ½-week old Tamara Haight on March 19 in the Pleasant Street house they shared with several other people. Nolf became angry with Haight and held her underwater in a bathtub, as she held the baby, according to papers filed in District Judge Dom Cercone’s office. Nolf is being held in McKean County Jail without bail.

Harrisburg – High levels of total dissolved solids pollution from natural gas drilling and other sources pose a real threat to Pennsylvania’s streams and rivers, including aquatic life, warned Department of Environmental Protection Secretary John Hanger today. “The treating and disposing of gas drilling brine and fracturing wastewater is a significant challenge for the natural gas industry because of its exceptionally high TDS concentrations,” said Hanger. “Marcellus drilling is growing rapidly and our rules must be strengthened now to prevent our waterways from being seriously harmed in the future.” Hanger pointed to recent examples where TDS impaired streams and affected major sources of drinking water. In 2008 and 2009, TDS levels exceeded drinking water standards along the Monongahela River, which is a major source of drinking water. Drinking water treatment plants do not have the equipment available to remove TDS, so any water polluted with TDS goes into Pennsylvania’s homes and b...

Charges against one of the Bradford men accused of trying to break into Bradford Beverage last month have been bound to court following a preliminary hearing in front of District Judge Dom Cercone. 19-year-old Matthew Bundy is charged with conspiracy to commit burglary, conspiracy to commit theft, criminal trespass, disorderly conduct and underage drinking. Bundy and Matthew Burgess allegedly tried to break into the East Main Street business at around 4:30 a.m. on March 20.

The hearing for a man accused of having inappropriate contact with a teenage girl has been continued. 30-year-old Jonathan Baxter is accused of communicating with a 14-year-old over the Internet between February 1 and March 24, according to papers filed in District Judge Dom Cercone’s office. Baxter is accused of sending instant messages to the girl describing the sexual contact he would like to have with her.

A man accused of sending a sexually explicit video to a teenage girl has waived his preliminary hearing. 20-year-old James Cornman III is charged with obscene and other sexual materials, and corruption of minors. The mother of a 16-year-old girl said she had told Cornman in the past that she didn’t want him to have contact with the girl or anyone else in her family. But last month, she found two e-mails from Cornman in her daughter’s account, according to papers filed in District Judge Rich Luther’s office. One e-mail included pictures of Cornman and the 16-year-old. The other included a video showing Cornman dancing. In the course of the video, he undressed and exposed his genitals. The mother forwarded the e-mails to her own e-mail account, deleted them from her daughter’s account and contacted Bradford Township Police.

The Jake’s Rocks Overlook on the Allegheny National Forest will be closed to the public beginning immediately due to construction and maintenance work being performed at the site. Jake’s Rocks is scheduled to re-open to the public on Saturday, April 17th. The Rimrock Overlook will be open for the summer season beginning Friday, April 9th. The Bradford Ranger District can be reached at (814) 363-6000 if you have additional questions.

An inmate at the Potter County Jail is facing additional charges after being found with marijuana in the jail. State police say 33-year-old David Dailey of Galeton was found to be in possession of suspected marijuana between March 24 and March 31. Police are continuing their investigation.

A Stockton man has been charged for breaking into a pizzeria in January. 21-year-old year-old Cody Gibbons is accused of entering Nordy's Pizza in Cassadaga through the back door on January 24 and stealing a large sum of money. Chautauqua County Sheriff’s deputies say Gibbons became the prime suspect in the break-in, and he later confessed. He was arraigned Monday on charges of burglary and grand larceny and released to the custody of probation officers

Sheriff's deputies have identified the woman who was found dead inside a Brocton, New York, home on Friday. The body of 50-year-old Jaylyn Coon was found after police got a call from inside the house. An autopsy was performed at ECMC in Buffalo on Saturday, but Chautauqua County Sheriff Joe Gerace says the results weren't conclusive, so they still don't know how Cooon died. He said they're still waiting for results from toxicology tests, and they may not be available for 6 to 8 weeks. The sheriff's office, its forensic team and the district attorney's office are all involved in the investigation.

By ANNE HOLLIDAY WESB/WBRR News Director Governor Ed Rendell says he will call a special session of the General Assembly to address transportation funding following the federal government’s refusal to allow Pennsylvania to toll Interstate 80. Tuesday's decision by the U.S. Department of Transportation to deny Pennsylvania’s application to toll I-80 will significantly reduce transportation funding, Rendell said. "We have to deal with the fallout of this decision; there is no way that we can just do nothing," Rendell said. "I’m going to call a special session of the legislature to address our transportation challenges. We’ll look at every option on the table. This is a dire situation with significant consequences." He said he'll meet with Legislative leaders to decide on a time for the special session. One of those leaders, Lt. Governor and Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati, said he's pleased with the decision by the highway administration, but agr...

Two students in the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford’s computer information systems and technology program have won first place for Web site design in Microsoft Corp.’s Imagine Cup 2010 competition. Ceegan Danielson, a freshman from Lewis Run, and Melissa Lupole, a senior from St. Marys, will split a cash prize of $2,000. The two said they learned about the nationwide contest from Dr. Ken Wang, assistant professor of computer information systems and technology, during the course Introduction to Web Programming. With a few weeks of class under their belts, the two students decided to pair up and take on the challenge of entering the nationwide contest. Imagine Cup is a Microsoft-sponsored student technology competition in which students use Microsoft products to compete in a variety of categories, including Web site design, software design, development for embedded devices, game design, digital media and an IT challenge. S...

An Olean man is in jail after being accused of breaking into a house in Hinsdale. Cattaraugus County Sheriff's deputies say 19-year-old Eric Nellis broke into the McMahon Road house in August. He was arrested on Friday. After being arraigned on a charge of second-degree burglary, he was sent to the county jail on $5,000 bail.

A Salamanca woman is facing charges for letting a 12-year-old drive her car. Police say that on Saturday afternoon 35-year-old Danette Buffalo allowed the 12-year-old to drive the car on the road and in a yard with another 12-year-old and two 6-year-olds in the car. Buffalo is charged with four counts of endangering the welfare of a child. She'll appear in Salamanca City Court on Friday.

A Salamanca man is facing charges following a crash on Route 219 in Lewis Run at 6 o'clock this morning. In a fax sent to WESB and The HERO, state police say a car driven by 21-year-old Dillon Pennell crossed the center line and traveled off the shoulder of the road, where it hit mail boxes. It continued traveling on the shoulder of the road before hitting an embankment, which caused disabling damage. Police arrested Pennell for driving under the influence. He wasn't hurt in the crash.

Bonnie Kratzer, left, and Amber Johnson from Home Health and Hospice at Charles Cole Memorial Hospital stand on the capitol steps after being invited to meet with state legislators in Harrisburg recently. Their visit was arranged by Pennsylvania Home Care. Kratzer said they were very receptive to their thoughts related to home care, PDA waivers and hospice. They represented Potter, McKean, and Tioga counties. “It was an amazing day,” Kratzer said. ( Photo provided by Charles Cole Memorial Hospital )

The price of a barrel of Penn Grade crude oil is back over $80 again. The price American Refining Group is paying today is $80.50, according to an e-mail sent to WESB and The HERO from ARG. That's up $2 from yesterday's price and up $34 from the price they were paying last year at this time. The last time oil was in the $80-a-barrel range was October of 2008.

A raccoon, not weather, caused this morning's power outage in the City of Bradford. Penelec spokeswoman Linda Routzhan tells WESB and The HERO the raccoon came in contact with a circuit breaker on a high voltage supply line at around 5:30 this morning. Penele crews were able to "do some switching and back feed all customers." Power was restored about about 6:45 a.m. Crews are checking out the circuit breaker to make sure everything can run normally. About 2,300 customers were affected.

Power has been restored in the City of Bradford, but some Smethport and Warren County Penelec customers are still without power. At one point, about 800 customers in Bradford didn't have power. We'll have more information about the outages as soon as possible.

Power has been restored in some parts of the City of Bradford. At one point, about 800 customers were without power and a number of traffic lights in the city weren't working. We'll have more information about the outage as soon as possible.

A carelessly lit candle is being blamed for a fire that extensively damaged a four-story building in Fredonia Monday night. In an e-mail sent to WESB and The HERO, Chautauqua County Sheriff's deputies say that the fire was discovered on the second floor at just before 9 p.m. The fire eventually spread to the third and fourth floors of the building at 5 East Main Street. The first floor housed a Blue Wireless store. The remaining floors housed 10 apartments. All of the occupants were able to get out of the building without injury.

Police are looking for a Colorado man they believe stabbed a 29-year-old Emporium man outside the My Place Bar early Sunday morning. 42-year-old Miguel Rivera is wanted for attempted criminal homicide and related offenses. Police say after Rivera stabbed the other man twice in the abdomen with a pocket knife he left the scene in a blue ford pickup truck with Utah license plates. They say Rivera had been living and working in the Emporium area. The victim was trying to break up a fight when he was stabbed. Police didn't identify him, but did say he was hospitalized Sunday and Monday.

About 800 customers are without power in the City of Bradford. Traffic lights at a number of intersections, including Davis and Main, and East Main and Kendall Avenue, are not working. Special police are directing traffic at some of those intersections. The outage also set off alarms at a number of businesses. Penelec has been notified, but they're not sure when a crew can get here. We'll have more information as it becomes available.

A state police fire marshal says an ashtray with cigarette butts that was emptied into a plastic garbage can with papers in it caused the fire at 11 South Center Street Monday morning, according to a fax sent to WESB and The HERO. The fire gutted the living room, but the rest of the building had only smoke and heat damage. 43-year-old Gail Button was not home at the time of the fire. Damage is estimated at $120,000. The Bradford City Housing Authority owns the property.

By ANNE HOLLIDAY WESB/WBRR News Director Changes will be coming to one of the busiest spots in McKean County. Shults Auto Group has applied for demolition permits for the former Rink Brothers property on East Main Street. Foster Township Supervisor Jim Connelly Jr. said during Monday night's meeting that they haven't applied for any building permits yet, though. He did say he's heard "a few things" concerning what they're going to put in there, but hasn't heard it from a Shults representative yet. "I've said for years that corner down there .. is one of the most valuable pieces of real estate that we have in McKean County," Connelly said. He added that the Shults businesses are "good neighbors and I'm sure they're going to put something in there that's going to be a good addition to Foster Brook." Connelly did say they are moving their dealership from South Avenue to East Main Street, adding that First Street residents a...

A stripped-down version of William Shakespeare’s shortest tragedy will be performed this week at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford. The Division of Communication and the Arts will present “Macbeth” at 7:30 p.m. April 8, 9 and 10 and 2 p.m. April 11 in the Studio Theater in Blaisdell Hall. Tickets are $6 for the public and $2 for students, and the performance is part of the university’s Spectrum Series. “We’ve made it even leaner and more intense, and the student cast is attacking it with great speed and even greater heart,” said Dr. Kevin Ewert, associate professor of theater at Pitt-Bradford. “The Studio Theatre is set up in a modified thrust arrangement, with the audience close to the action. You might call it ‘Chamber Shakespeare.’” Composed by Shakespeare in the early 1600s, the tragedy follows Macbeth’s ill-fated, ill-advised attempt to be king of Scotland. “Shakespeare’s play tells the story of a man who, in order to gain a little bit of power, finds himself killing his fr...

Fire gutted the living room of a two-story housing unit at 11 South Center Street this morning. Bradford City Fire Department Captain Larry Visbisky tells WESB and The HERO they got a 911 call at 11:04 a.m. saying there was smoke coming from a building at Barbour and South Center streets. He says Fire Chief Boo Coder was the first person on the scene, and verified that there was smoke and fire coming from the building. Tower One was next on the scene. Firefighters were able to keep the fire contained to the living room area. "They stopped it right in the living room," Visbisky says. "It was going pretty good. It was a good stop." The rest of the building had smoke and heat damage. Resident Gail Button was not home at the time of the fire. A state police fire marshal has been called in to complete the investigation. 11 men were on the scene for an hour. Bradford Township stood by at their station.

to us! WESB turns 63 today.

A Coudersport woman is facing assault charges following an incident early Saturday morning at the Northwood Tavern. In a fax sent to WESB and The HERO, state police say 28-year-old Jaimi Bonczar of Coudersport and 27-year-old Janelle Kelley of Coudersport were standing outside the bar when 27-year-old Stacey Taubert came out and engaged in a verbal altercation with Bonczar. Police say Taubert then hit Bonczar several times, causing her to fall to the ground. Kelley was hurt when she tried to stop the fight. Bonczar and Kelley were treated for cuts and bruises at Charles Cole Memorial Hospital, then released. Police say Taubert will be charged with simple assault, harassment and disorderly conduct.

Two St. Marys residents are dead following a collision between a pickup truck and a motorcycle Saturday afternoon. 50-year-old Irene Sorg died at Elk Regional Health Center. 50-year-old Joseph Michuck II was flown to UPMC in Pittsburgh, where he died. In a fax sent to WESB and The HERO, St. Marys Police say that at 3:30 on Glen Hazel Road Michuck's motorcycle was going around a curve, when it cross the center line and traveled into the path of the pickup, driven by 51-year-old Michael Pearsall of St. Marys. Michuck and Sorg were thrown from the bike. Pearsall and his passenger, Jacqueline Pearsall, were not hurt. Both vehicles were severely damaged. Police were assisted by the Crystal Fire Department, St. Marys Area Ambulance Service, DCNR, the state Fish and Boat Commission and PennDOT.

Emporium Police are investigating a stabbing incident that reportedly happened early this morning. The incident happened at about 2:30 a.m. at the My Place Bar on East Allegheny Avenue in the borough. We'll have more information as it becomes available.

This little girl waits for her family outside St. Bernard Church as Father Leo Gallina greets parishioners following the 10 a.m. Easter Sunday Mass. ( Photos by Anne Holliday )

State Police Fire Marshal Greg Agosti has ruled that the fire that destroyed a School Street apartment building on Saturday was accidental. In a fax sent to WESB and The HERO he also had some updates and additional information about the residents of the building. The occupants of 77 School Street were 34-year-old Samantha Silvis and a 6-year-old boy. The residents of 77 1/2 School Steet were 28-year-old Amy Nelson, 25-year-old Clifford Bell, a 6-year-old girl, a 9-year-old boy and a 12-year-old girl. The resident of 79 School Street was 21-year-old Latdior Williams. The resident of 79 1/2 School Street was 21-year-old Marcus Vance. Three of the four apartments were occupied at the time of the fire, but everyone managed to get out safely. They're being assisted by the Red Cross. Agosti says two Bradford City firefighters were treated at Bradford Regional Medical Center for smoke inhalation, then released. Damage is estimated at $300,000. Demolition, which is being handled by owner B...

After a brief hiatus Sunday Book Talk is back -- and back big. This week's guest is award-winning and best-selling author Lisa Scottoline. You can listen to the show here . To listen to an excerpt from "Think Twice," go here . To learn more about Lisa and her books, go to Scottoline.com .