Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

State Police are looking into a theft of timber in Eldred Township. In a fax sent to WESB and The HERO, they say someone cut timber from Harry Martin Jr.’s property off of Smith Road without compensating him. The theft happened between February 1 and Friday. Police are continuing their investigation.

A vehicle was stolen from Turtlepoint sometime between April 16 and Friday. In a fax sent to WESB and The HERO, state police say the 1991 Ford Explorer owned by Michael Meacham of Port Allegany was taken from a residence off of route 155 in Annin Township. The 4-door Explorer, with no engine, is two-tone with a gray top and Navy blue bottom. It’s worth about $500. Anyone with information on this incident is asked to contact Kane-based state police.

From entertainment in the East Main Street gazebo ... to pony rides in Kiddyland ... to hanging out with friends ... or even just takin' a snooze, the 9th Annual Stinkfest had something for everyone. The main event, though, is always the leek cuisine. Always a popular stop -- the East Bradford fire station for the leek dip contest. Sausage and leek sandwiches were one of the hot items for lunch. Joe Frombach serves up some delicacies, not all with leeks, from John Williams European Pastry Shop. What would Stinkfest be without outhouses? Denny Colman and pals move a couple of outhouses to the starting line for the outhouse races. And, of course ... Scott Douglas was broadcasting live on 100.1 The HERO ( The Rock Station of the Twin Tiers) from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

By Greg Clark Pitt-Bradford Sports Information Molly Brennan has been named head women's basketball coach at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford. Brennan has been an assistant women's coach at SUNY Potsdam for the past four years where she helped guide the school to four SUNYAC tournament berths and two ECAC invitations. A 2006 graduate of Ithaca College where she was a four-year letter winner, Brennan was a captain her senior year and led the Bombers to a 78-31 record over four years. Brennan played on two Empire 8 championship teams and three NCAA Division III tournament teams. A native of Green Island (NY), Brennan attended the Heatly School where she scored over 1,000 points and was her conference MVP.Brennan earned a bachelor's degree in exercise science and a graduate degree in organizational leadership. She replaces Brian Sansom, who took over after nine games this season and led the Lady Panthers to the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference title contest.

A Sherman, New York, woman is facing charges after being found naked in a car early this morning in Chautauqua. In an e-mail sent to WESB and The HERO, Sheriff’s deputies say they found a suspicious vehicle at about 2:30 a.m. and, when they approached it, they found 34-year-old Lori Freeman sitting in the driver’s seat without clothes on. She was arrested for driving while intoxicated and exposure of a person. The man in the car with her was not charged. Freeman will answer the charges in court at a later date.

It was a business last day of April for Bradford City Police. Officers investigated thefts at a Main Street business and on Kiwanis Court, and a report of bad checks from a bank. They also looked into a reported assault on Chautauqua Place, fights on Barbour Street and Cole Avenue and a property dispute on Homestead Avenue. Police went to the scene of motor vehicle accidents in the Bradford High parking lot and on Bushnell Street, assisted a motorist at Callahan Park, and assisted the fire department on Holley Avenue. They checked the welfare of a person on Jackson Avenue, got a report of an unwanted person on South Avenue and looked into a harassment complaint on Bushnell Street. Police also got several reports of violations of protection from abuse orders and requests to speak with an officer. They looked into suspicious activity near a downtown business and a suspicious person on Congress Street. And, their day wouldn’t be complete without an animal complaint. On Friday, they came f...

RHP Ross Ohlendorf, who is currently on the 15-day disabled list due to back spasms, threw 3.0 innings and a total of 43 pitches today without incident during the Pittsburgh Pirates' Extended Spring Training program in Bradenton, Fla. He is on schedule to make his next start, which is expected to be another minor league rehab start on May 5 (location TBD). RHP Kevin Hart, who is currently on the disabled list with Triple-A Indianapolis, has been diagnosed with a labrum tear in his right shoulder. He has been examined by Dr. Patrick DeMeo, the club’s Medical Director, and is expected to be examined by Dr. James Andrews for a second opinion early next week (specific date & time TBD). The Pirates will have additional comments once Hart is examined by Dr. Andrews. e-mail from Dan Hart, Pittsburgh Pirates

Stinkfest gets underway at 11 a.m. on East Main Street. One of the highlights is the outhouse races. Pictured above is the Togi's team in last year's race. Scott Douglas will be broadcasting live from Stinkfest starting at 11 on 100.1 The HERO. For more information on Stinkfest, go to Stinkfest.org / Also tomorrow ... Organizers are anticipating a fun filled event for participants who at the same time will be supporting Bradford Area Public Library Endowment Fund. The BAPL has faced a 21% reduction from the state of Pennsylvania. The significant reduction from the state, combined with lower returns from investments and rising costs, have inspired the library to embark on an annual fundraising event. Derby Gala proceeds will strengthen the financial base of the Endowment Fund. Income earned on the investments of the Endowment Fund help offset the daily expenses of electric, heat, and salaries. For this reason, the BAPL welcomes the community’s support. One can contribute ...

OLEAN – The most visible phase of an ongoing community cleanup effort will begin Thursday evening in the neighborhood roughly bounded by Jamestown Community College, North Barry and East State Streets. From 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. volunteers will gather in JCC’s parking lot and fan out to provide residents with information about city codes and safety, while picking up trash and litter along Laurel, Tompkins, North Clinton, North Barry and Hamilton Streets. “Please feel free to come out and join the Neighborhood Preservation Committee Volunteers,” said Mayor Linda Witte about the kickoff in a series of neighborhood cleanups that organizers say will continue throughout the city. “We want to commit to doing this as long as there is an interest and a need.” Residents will meet representatives of two departments that provide key services that can turn around neighborhood deterioration. The Code Enforcement Office and the Olean Police Department can help residents identify dilapidated structures...

By Kimberly Marcott Weinberg Assistant Director of Communications and Marketing When the students at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford march across the stage at commencement Sunday, nine of them will be Pitt-Bradford’s first class of hospitality management graduates. Pitt-Bradford launched its hospitality management program in 2006, at the same time it started new majors in accounting and secondary education, but unlike those programs, which were based in existing majors, hospitality management had to be built from scratch. Students majoring in hospitality management are prepared for careers in resort or hotel management, restaurant or institutional food service, event planning, sports and entertainment facilities, on cruise ships or anywhere service-management skills are needed. The program was started in part to help boost the economic development of the area. After looking at several top programs, the school designed the program after the ...

Two University of Pittsburgh at Bradford senior ROTC students will be commissioned as second lieutenants in the U.S. Army in a ceremony on campus Saturday, May 1. Lt. Col. Thomas Leitch of the Seneca Battalion of the ROTC program headquartered at St. Bonaventure University in Allegany, N.Y., will administer the oath to Christina Rossi, a criminal justice major from Lorton, Va., and David C. Kosakowski, a nursing major from Ridgway. Leitch said that the students are the 16th and 17th Pitt-Bradford students commissioned since Pitt-Bradford began offering ROTC through St. Bonaventure 30 years ago. Rossi enrolled in ROTC as a sophomore and received a three-year scholarship at Pitt-Bradford. She served as a student ambassador and as a peer mentor for incoming freshmen through the TRiO academic support program. Upon completion of the Leadership Development and Assessment Course, Rossi was selected for commissioning as a Military Intelligence Of...

This is all that’s left of what once was the oldest original Chrysler dealership in the country. Chrysler decided to close Rink Brothers last year as part of its bankruptcy restructuring plan. Shults Auto Group may move its dealership from South Avenue the former Rink Brothers site. Pictured above, today a crew works on removing what's left of the debris. Below is what Rink Brothers looked like on May 14, 2009, the day Chrysler decided to close 789 of its dealerships.

Mayville: -- With the final numbers coming in, Chautauqua County Executive Gregory J. Edwards has hailed the County's most recent snowmobile season a major triumph. "I am pleased to report that thousands of people from Chautauqua County, the surrounding region and as far away as California used our over 450 miles of snowmobile trails that are maintained here locally," Edwards proclaimed. "We truly enjoyed a great season." Paul Weatherlow, Secretary of the Snowmobile Clubs of Chautauqua County, agreed with Edwards that the 2009-2010 snowmobile season was a huge success. "We had a great winter," Weatherlow said. "Missing from the typical weather was the normal meltdown during the season. We only had one weekend in January where warmer temperatures and some rain forced cancellation of our weekend events." Weatherlow said the official County snowfall was just about the normal average with 223” (about 19’) falling in Mayville. He stated that the c...

The New York State Department of Transportation has announced that the NY Route 353 bridge over the Allegheny River in the city of Salamanca, on the Allegany territory of the Seneca Nations of Indians, will be closed to all traffic beginning on Monday, May 10th. The bridge will be undergoing replacement, with the project completion expected in the fall of 2011. A detour will be posted to divert traffic. The detour route will proceed along NY Route 417 (Broad Street), Main Street, and West State Street. Motorists are advised to expect delays and obey all posted speed limits along the detour route. e-mail from NYDOT

OLEAN -- The Harlem Wizards, founded in 1962, are one of the greatest basketball show-team organizations to ever "lace it up and let 'em fly." They have scheduled a basketball game in Olean against the Olean High School Faculty and Gus Macker Community Members on Tuesday, May 18 at the Olean High School. Each event that the Harlem Wizards perform offers a rare combination of individual athleticism, teamwork, entertainment and community involvement. It is pure enjoyment for every fan in attendance. Advance tickets are $8 for students (K-12) and $10 for adults, with tickets at the door $10 and $12. Tickets can be purchased until Monday, May 17 at all Olean elementary schools, Olean Middle School, Olean High School and the Greater Olean Area Chamber of Commerce, 120 North Union Street, Olean. Game time is 6:30 PM on May 18th with doors opening at 6 PM. A free autograph session is also scheduled at the game. Refreshments and souvenirs will be on sale during the game. The...

“Diagnosis of Obstructive Sleep Apnea” will be the topic of a free Sleep Forum held Wednesday, May 5, 6 p.m., in Bradford Regional Medical Center’s (BRMC’s) third-floor Room B in the Human Resource Center. The guest speaker will be Frank Arnal, M.D., who specializes in pulmonary and sleep medicine. Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder characterized by pauses in breathing. Each episode lasts long enough that one or more breaths are missed. There are two types of sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea is the more common form and is caused by a blockage of the airway, usually when the soft tissue in the back of the throat collapses during sleep. Central sleep apnea is caused when the brain fails to signal the muscles to breathe due to instability in the respiratory control center. Sleep apnea symptoms that others may notice include: episodes of not breathing, which may range from five to 50 times an hour; loud snoring; restless tossing and turning during sleep; and nighttime choking and gasping ...

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Arlen Specter (D-Pa.) has introduced legislation to address the growing number of U.S. children who go hungry on the weekends or when school is not in session. The Weekends Without Hunger Act, cosponsored by Senator Bob Casey (D-Pa.), would establish a pilot program that provides resources to eligible institutions, such as schools and emergency food providers, to carry out projects to provide nutritious food to at-risk school children on weekends and during extended school holidays during the school year. Eligible institutions must be located in low-income communities, meaning at least 50% of the children are eligible to receive free or reduced-price school meals. “For many children at risk of hunger in this country, school breakfasts and lunches are a main source of food throughout the week.” Senator Specter said. “We need to act to ensure that no child goes hungry simply because it’s the weekend.” “While we have made great strides to make sure childre...

WILLIAMSPORT -- The Department of Environmental Protection today ordered Cabot Oil & Gas Corp. to close and remove an earthen pit in Susquehanna County that holds drilling fluids to determine whether it is contaminating nearby water resources. The pit, known as a reserve pit, is located at the Hibbard well pad in Dimock Township. The company has 14 days to comply with the order. DEP’s North-central Regional Director Robert Yowell said today’s more aggressive enforcement action was necessitated after the company ignored previous requests. “DEP strongly advised Cabot to close and remove the reserve pit in an April 8 notice of violation letter and reiterated to Cabot’s senior management the same message a few short days ago,” said Yowell. “However, Cabot has not remedied the situation and its inaction demonstrates an arrogant disregard for Pennsylvania’s oil and gas regulations and proper protection of our environment.” The department’s Oil and Gas Program staff responded to a report ...

The Bradford City Fire Department has received a grant of nearly $127,000 for operations and safety programs. The money is awarded by FEMA though the Assistance to Firefighters Grant program. This is the 13th round of grants for Fiscal Year 2009. ~~~~ WASHINGTON, DC-U.S. Senators Bob Casey (D-PA) and Arlen Specter (D-PA) today announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) under the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has awarded $333,626 to three fire companies in northwestern Pennsylvania for vehicle acquisition and operations and safety. “Firefighters are invaluable members of the community and they work tirelessly to ensure our safety. It is critical that we do everything in our power to provide them with the necessary tools and resources to perform their jobs,” said Senator Casey. “This money will provide valuable assistance to the fire departments of northwestern Pennsylvania.” “These fire prevention and safety programs will help protect the citizens of Pennsyl...

National Fuel is lowering its prices by more than 6 percent. The monthly bill of a typical residential customer will go from $81 to $76. Nancy Taylor of National Fuel says, “This decrease is the direct result of a continuing decline in the market price of natural gas.” National Fuel is required by law to pass any increase or decrease in Gas Supply Charges on to customers with no mark-up or profit. e-mail from National Fuel

Navy Seaman Benjamin M. Slavinski, son of Kathy A. and Michael F. Slavinski of Bradford, Pa., recently completed U.S. Navy basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Ill. During the eight-week program, Slavinski completed a variety of training which included classroom study and practical instruction on naval customs, first aid, firefighting, water safety and survival, and shipboard and aircraft safety. An emphasis was also placed on physical fitness. The capstone event of boot camp is "Battle Stations". This exercise gives recruits the skills and confidence they need to succeed in the fleet. "Battle Stations" is designed to galvanize the basic warrior attributes of sacrifice, dedication, teamwork and endurance in each recruit through the practical application of basic Navy skills and the core values of Honor, Courage and Commitment. Its distinctly ''Navy'' flavor was designed to take into account what it means to be a Sailor. Slavinski ...

American Refining Group, Inc. recently completed a $1.5MM bio-fuels project that will supply 2% bio-diesel to the Western Pennsylvania area. The project involved the construction of several new tanks and a new computer controlled injection system. This project was completed with a $609K Alternative and Clean Energy Grant from the PA Commonwealth Financing Authority. ARG is grateful to Sen. Joe Scarnati and Rep. Martin Causer both of whom were instrumental in assisting the company in obtaining this grant. ARG expects to make a 2% Bio-diesel blend available May 1st to comply with Pennsylvania’s Act 78 which requires the use of bio-fuel for all on road vehicles. In addition this project will allow ARG to supply ethanol blended gasoline later this year. Harvey Golubock, President and COO of ARG said, “Renewable fuels are a step toward a sustainable energy source that will contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gases. We are pleased to be able to make this product available within our...

Zippo and Kwik Fill/Red Apple will be sponsoring NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Marcos Ambrose in the Zippo 200 NASCAR Nationwide Series race August 7 at Watkins Glen International. The companies will share joint sponsorship of the #47 Kwik Fill / Zippo Toyota in Ambrose’s only Nationwide appearance this year. Ambrose posted back-to-back Zippo 200 Nationwide Series wins in 2008 and 2009. Zippo, title sponsor of the Zippo 200 Nationwide Series race at Watkins Glen since 2005, is very excited to have the opportunity to partner with Kwik Fill / Red Apple. “When Kwik Fill approached us about co-sponsoring a car driven by Marcos Ambrose, we knew it was a great fit,” said Zippo President and CEO Greg Booth. “Not only is Marcos Ambrose an accomplished race car driver, but the co-branding opportunity with Kwik Fill opened the door to putting Zippo lighters in over 100 of their stores in the Pennsylvania, New York, Ohio tri-state area. To see Marcos bring the car home to Victory Lane sporting...

Bradford City Police are investigating a couple more thefts in the city. One was at a bank; the other on Pearl Street. They also got reports of fights on West Washington and Main streets, criminal mischief on East Corydon Street and South Kendall Avenue and harassment on Bushnell Street. Police also looked into a juvenile disturbance at a park, helped with a couple of traffic problems and got several requests to speak with an officer, according to the complaint report and request sheet faxed to WESB and The HERO by the police department.

A revision has been made to the Route 219/Bradford Bypass work scheduled for next week. Tuna Crossroads will be closed for the setting of bridge beams. Traffic is to follow the posted detours.

Start your day with America's Sweetheart, Scott Douglas, and his trusty sidekick Frank Williams. They deliver news at the top and bottom of every hour and update you on sports at :15 and :45. Scott sends birthday and anniversary wishes at 6:29, 7:29 and 8:29. They also have weather from News 4 Meteorologist Mike Cejka. You don’t want to miss “The Stand-Up Break at Eight” right after the 8 o’clock news. And today – Friday, April 30 – Scott is giving away concert tickets! Listen on 1490 WESB AM, 100.1 FM, The HERO or live online at WBRRFM.com or WESB.com Pennsylvania Lottery New York Lottery

Some business owners in Bucks County are up You-Know-What Creek without a paddle. The Department of Environmental Protection today ordered the owners of Parx Casino and Parx Racing facilities in Bensalem to clean up their site to comply with environmental laws and regulations. “More than 1,200 horses are being kept on a property where manure-laden stormwater and wastewater continually impact the Neshaminy Creek watershed,” said DEP Southeast Regional Director Joseph A. Feola. “This untenable situation must end.” The department’s order requires the owners of both operations to complete many short- and long-term projects that will stabilize the site and eliminate environmental threats. Within the next two weeks, the racetrack owners must stop washing manure into storm grates, implement a water conservation plan, improve their efforts to collect and manage wastewater, and inspect their stormwater and sanitary sewage systems weekly. http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/...

Jamestown, NY -- Chautauqua County Executive Gregory J. Edwards is proud to announce that the VA Western New York Healthcare System, located at 610 West 3rd Street, Jamestown, is now participating in the rural health initiative. The rural health initiative is a multi-disciplinary team who provides primary care in a home based model serving Veterans in Chautauqua, Cattaraugus and southern Erie County. Edwards said this will expand Veterans Association health care to Veterans who may not be able to travel to a VA clinic or medical center. "Many Veterans living in Chautauqua County have a difficult time traveling to the Jamestown facility for their appointments," Edwards said. "Offering care to Veterans in their homes is just another way we can help out these heroic men and women live an independent life." Home based primary care is a unique primary care practice that meets the Veteran patients where they live – in their own homes. Chautauqua County Veterans Services A...

Someone released about 129 barrels of oil onto the ground off forest road 261 in Hamilton Township sometime between April 14 and Wednesday. In a fax sent to WESB and The HERO, Kane-based State Police say someone went to the site owned by Howard Drilling of Mount Jewett and opened an oil tank. The monetary loss is about $9,600. There’s no estimate on environmental damage yet. Their investigation is continuing.

By Jerry Feaser PA Game Commission HARRISBURG – In an effort to garner appreciation for wildlife, especially the state’s bluebird population, the Pennsylvania Game Commission’s webcasting of a live video feed from a bluebird nestbox on the grounds of its Harrisburg Headquarters now is providing a glimpse into an active nest. You can find the web cam here . “After several weeks of nest building and waiting, the bluebird nestbox camera now is allowing viewers to follow along with an active nest that presently contains five recently laid bluebird eggs,” said Carl G. Roe, Game Commission executive director. “The best way to get Pennsylvanians – in fact most Americans – excited about wildlife is to show them what makes wildlife so irreplaceable and priceless. “We decided to set-up and use this live webcast to help us educate the public about the importance of wildlife, how to make backyards friendlier to wildlife and also provide a way for folks to simply get closer to bluebirds. Last year,...

By Jerry Feaser PA Game Commission HARRISBURG – Charles W. Olsen Jr., 39, of Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne County, was found guilty today of illegally killing a 707-pound bear over bait during the 2009 hunting seasons, and ordered to pay fines and restitution of $6,800, plus court costs, according to Pennsylvania Game Commission Wildlife Conservation Officer (WCO) Vic Rosa, of Wyoming County. District Judge Carl Smith, of Tunkhannock, found Olsen guilty of unlawfully killing a bear, for which he was fined Olsen $1,500, and of hunting over bait, for which he fined Olsen $300. In addition, Judge Smith assessed Olsen with a $5,000 restitution penalty since the bear was considered “trophy-class,” which means that it exceeded a field-dressed weight of 350 pounds. Olsen also stands to lose his hunting and trapping privileges for at least three years. The origins of the case began when Luzerne County WCO Cory Bentzoni became suspicious when he saw a truck loaded with pastries from a local store tra...

OLEAN -- Gus Macker 3-on-3 Basketball, America's largest outdoor basketball tournament, will be held in Olean August 20-22, 2010. The 3-day event will benefit both the Olean High School Sports Booster and the Olean City School District Foundation. The next organizational meeting for this year’s event will be held Tuesday, May 11 at the Olean High School Cafe (Fourth Street side entrance) in Olean from 6:00 - 7:30 PM. The committee is looking for people to assist in the planning and development of this community event. The tournament is open to players of all ages and experience levels who are computer-matched by age, height and experience so that all participants can be competitive. The event, first held in Lowell, Michigan in 1974, is a family festival with food and music along with the basketball competition held on the streets near downtown Olean. For more details or if you wish to attend the meeting, please contact John Irving at 397-8223 or Meme K. Yanetsko at 372-4433.

A Dunkirk man somehow managed to escape serious injury in a wild accident at 11 o'clock this morning in Dunkirk. In an e-mail sent to WESB and The HERO, Chautauqua County Sheriff’s deputies say a vehicle driven by 45-year-old Richard Kendorski was traveling west on Route 5 when, for unknown reasons, it veered into the eastbound lane, then went into the drainage ditch and front lawns of some houses. The vehicle then went airborne and flew between vehicles parked in the A.W. Farrell Roofing Company parking lot. One of the vehicles was occupied by a 79-year-old man who witnessed the incident. The other parked vehicle was hit by the airborne Kendorski vehicle. The impact caused extensive damage to the right side of the parked vehicle and to the right side of the Kendorski vehicle. The out of control vehicle continued through the parking lot narrowly missing a fence, a sign and another parked vehicle. The heavily damaged vehicle re-entered the road and sideswiped a tractor-trailer. Kend...

A former employee of the New York State Department of Health is charged with using the department’s postage meter to send out items he auctioned on eBay. 57-year-old Robert Pagini of Delmar is also accused of sending other personal mail using the department’s postage machine. The criminal complaint says he charged more than $16,000 to the department between March of 2004 and January of this year. Pagini was arraigned today in Troy City Court on a felony charge of third-degree grand larceny and official misconduct, a misdemeanor. He is faces a maximum penalty of seven years in jail. He was released on his own recognizance. http://www.ag.ny.gov/media_center/2010/apr/apr29a_10.html

A Quakertown woman is facing charges for collecting workman’s comp while still working as an exotic dancer. 43-year-old Christina Gamble is charged with theft and insurance fraud. Attorney General Tom Corbett says that on Nov. 9, 2007, Gamble reported that she slipped and fell during her work shift as a waitress, allegedly injuring her back. She resigned before her shift ended. Gamble told her doctor that she was unable to work, and that standing and changing positions were a problem, according to the criminal complaint. Eight days after that doctor's appointment, Gamble was seen working as an exotic dancer in Easton. The charges carry a maximum penalty of seven years in prison and a $15,000 fine each. Gamble is free on her own recognizance. http://attorneygeneral.gov/press.aspx?id=5255

More than 100 elected officials and other leaders from across the Pennsylvania Wilds gathered at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford today to explore the economic impact of the Pennsylvania Wilds initiative, and also to honor some of the region’s most dedicated and productive community activists. The primary focus was on Making an Impact, a new report that the Pennsylvania Wilds Planning Team released at the luncheon and made available to the public at www.pawildsresources.org . The Making an Impact report includes findings from two major studies that measure the jobs, tourism dollars and other benefits that the Pennsylvania Wilds has generated to date. It also highlights the major investments that have been made in the area as part of the Pennsylvania Wilds Initiative. “This is a very important document for the Pennsylvania Wilds and this region,” said Pennsylvania Wilds community outreach specialist Sam MacDonald. “It is incredibly difficult to measure something like ‘economic i...

Penn State University has been selected by the U.S. Department of Energy to receive a $1.5 million grant for a research project that could fundamentally change the way the country uses and produces energy. In an announcement made today by Vice President Joe Biden, the DOE is awarding a total of $106 million, through the Department’s Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E), for 37 projects that could produce advanced biofuels more efficiently from renewable electricity instead of sunlight; design completely new types of batteries to make electric vehicles more affordable; and remove the carbon pollution from coal-fired power plants in a more cost-effective way. Penn State's project is Electron Source – Solar Hydrogen: An oil-producing algae that usually derives its energy from residual light and organic waste at the bottom of ponds will be “rewired” to use electricity. The organism will be able to convert hydrogen and carbon dioxide into a bio-oil that can be refined int...

For next week, no changes are planned to the current traffic patterns and restrictions in place for the Route 219/Bradford Bypass Project. For further details, you can read the PennDOT news release: Clearfield – PennDOT issues the following travel update for the Route 219/Bradford Bypass project in McKean County. This update is for the week of May 3. All work is weather and schedule dependent. Glenn O. Hawbaker, Inc. of State College is the contractor on this $28 million job. · Northbound traffic is sharing a lane with southbound traffic, separated by temporary concrete barrier from Mill Street to north of Hillside Drive. · Northbound ramps at Foster Brook Interchange are closed. Traffic is to follow the posted detours. · Tuna Crossroads (T-369) will be open to traffic. As work progresses, short closures (day-to-day) will be needed. Traffic is to follow the posted detours as necessary. · The Tuna Valley Trail access at Bolivar Drive is closed due to bridgework. Trail access is still av...

Making booties “shake, shake, shake” since 1973, disco legends KC and the Sunshine Band continue to make crowds get up and dance with their unique fusion of R&B and funk. Unmistakable hits like “Get Down Tonight,” “Shake Your Booty,” and “That’s the Way (I Like It)” can be heard daily in TV shows and movies, and throughout radio stations worldwide. With three Grammy Awards and more than 100 million records sold, KC and the Sunshine Band’s music stands the test of time and forever defines what it means to boogie. They'll be at the Seneca Allegany Events Center Saturday, May 22, 2010 at 8 p.m. Tickets starting at $35 are on sale now. Tickets are available at all Seneca Casino box offices, Ticketmaster.com, all Ticketmaster locations, or by phone at 716-852-5000. All ages are welcome, but people under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. http://www.senecaalleganycasino.com/seneca_event_center.cfm photo courtesy of Seneca Gaming

A Conewango Valley man has been cited for several traffic violations, and charged with driving while intoxicated, following an accident at just after 10:30 Wednesday night in Cherry Creek. In an e-mail sent to WESB and The HERO, Chautauqua County Sheriff’s deputies say they responded to a report of a vehicle rollover at the end of Maple Avenue and, when they arrived, found an unoccupied car with Ohio plates. During their investigation, they learned that 34-year-old Kevin Perkins was traveling east on Maple when the car left the road while going around a turn at Depot Street, went airborne over railroad tracks, then went through a lawn and garden before coming to rest against a tree. Perkins was found a short distance away.

White House declares Gulf of Mexico oil spill to be of "national significance," freeing up aid. For more on this story, go to CNN.com .

Charges are pending against a Panama, New York, teenager following an accident at about 7:30 this morning on Button Valley Road in Harmony. In an e-mail sent to WESB and The HERO, Chautauqua County Sheriff’s deputies say a motorcycle operated by 17-year-old Michael Mohney left the road and hit a ditch before coming to rest in a driveway. Mohney was thrown from the bike and landed about 40 feet from it. He was taken by Starflight to Hamot Medical Center for treatment of his injuries.

HARRISBURG, April 29, 2010 - Chief Justice of Pennsylvania Ronald D. Castille today applauded the work of many, within and outside the court system, who have collaborated in the past year to “right wrongs, streamline court processes and preserve citizens’ rights.” His comments came in the fifth annual State of the Commonwealth’s Courts report, issued in anticipation of Law Day, May 1, 2010. “If ever there was a time for the state and local governments in Pennsylvania to work together, as resources are limited and citizens’ needs are great, this is that time,” Castille writes in the 2010 report. The Chief Justice outlined ways in which Pennsylvania’s court system is working to improve its administration of justice and reduce costs. Among the report’s highlights: o The Children’s Roundtable Initiative to improve dependency programs, which help abused and neglected children to find permanent and loving homes, is both reducing the need for foster care and saving scarce funds. o Problem-sol...

By George Nianiatus, senior writer/media manager Marketing and Communications Department Upper Allegheny Health System When the opportunity arose to help desperate Haitians injured and sick from the most violent earthquake to hit the country in 100 years, Thomas Sampson never hesitated to join a medical mission group. He knew his training and experience as a registered nurse at Olean General Hospital’s Emergency Department would be indispensable. According to estimates by relief agencies, there are 1.3 million Haitians displaced by the magnitude-7 earthquake that killed more than 200,000 on Jan. 12 in what’s considered the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. “A pastor I know from Houghton was putting together a medical mission group through World Hope International and I had to say yes,” said Mr. Sampson, who also lives in Houghton. World Hope International is a faith-based relief and development organization in Alexandria, Va., established in 1996 to alleviate poverty and suffe...

Warren, Pa. – The Allegheny National Forest (NF) announced last week the construction of a new low-impact, non-motorized interpretive hiking trail between the Kinzua Beach and Rimrock Overlook as part of the recently approved Rimrock Trail Project. The new trail is still currently under construction and the Forest is therefore asking for the cooperation of the public by avoiding the area so that the trail construction can proceed safely and on schedule. An official announcement will be made as soon as construction is complete and the trail can be opened for public use. The decision, map, and other information pertaining to this project can be found on the Allegheny NF website at: http://www.fs.fed.us/r9/forests/allegheny/projects/recreation_projects/rimrock_trail . The documents are also available upon request from the U.S. Forest Service, 29 Forest Service Drive, Bradford, PA 16701. Questions related to this project may be directed to Julie Moyer at (814) 363-6089 or via email at jmoy...

By Liz Wordelmann SBU ’10 Gerald L. Storch, chairman and CEO of Toys“R”Us, will discuss creating a successful business at 2:30 p.m. Monday, May 3, at St. Bonaventure University. The presentation will be held on campus in Dresser Auditorium of the John J. Murphy Professional Building. The talk is a part of the School of Business’s Visiting Executive Series and is free and open to the public. Storch’s brother, Dr. Henry Storch, M.D., is a cardiovascular disease physician at Olean General Hospital. “We are pleased to welcome Mr. Storch to St. Bonaventure and look forward to learning about the business strategy he has established to position the company for success over the long term, as well as the key initiatives he and his team have implemented over the last few years to achieve business growth,” said Dr. John Watson, dean of the School of Business. Storch joined Toys“R”Us Inc. as chairman and CEO in 2006 and has been responsible for leveraging the strength of the brand and positionin...