Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

Wind gusts of up to 60 miles per hour knocked down power lines, and knocked trees onto power lines, causing outages in almost every corner of the Twin Tiers, and beyond. As of 6:30 p.m., parts of Bradford, Eldred, Gifford, Kane, Lewis Run, Ludlow, Smethport, Warren, Westline, Sugar Grove, Galeton, Shinglehouse, Brockway, Punxsutawney and DuBois are without power in Pennsylvania, according to First Energy, which doesn't have an estimate on when power will be restored. Thousands of people in Cattaraugus and Chautauqua counties are without power, according to National Grid. The hardest hit areas are along Route 16 north of Olean. National Grid expects to have most of the power restored by 10 p.m.

Salamanca Police say they expect to charge five juveniles later today in connection with the fire that caused more than $1 million worth of damage in Salamanca’s industrial district Friday. The fire destroyed the four-story former Fancher Furniture building. The remains of the building will be demolished on Sunday. 43 fire departments battled the blaze “aggressively” until 3 o’clock Saturday morning, according to Salamanca Assistant Fire Chief Ed Frederickson. He added that firefighters are still knocking down hot spots. The fire started at around 5:30 Friday afternoon. The vacant building across Rochester Street from the Fancher building was also destroyed, as was the Luminite printing building. Salamanca Lumber, and other nearby buildings were threatened, but firefighters say they were able to save about $2 million worth of property.

Salamanca fire chiefs along with fire investigators from Montour Falls are still investigating the fire that destroyed the former Fancher Furniture building on Friday. They have been questioning people but haven’t said if they’ve determined yet if vandals started the blaze accidentally, or if it was intentionally set. The fire started at around 5:30 Friday afternoon. At just before 7 p.m. the entire south wall facing the railroad tracks collapsed. Firefighters say they didn’t declare the blaze under control until around midnight. Several firefighters were on the scene today as well. Mayor Jeffrey Pond declared a state of emergency in the city at around 7:30 p.m. Friday because the fire left many residents without power or phone service, and because he didn’t know what kind of chemicals were still being stored in the building. Philadelphia Furniture Manufacturing (formerly Fancher Furniture) closed late last year. The subsequent owners didn't pay their taxes, and the Seneca Nation b...

McKean County District Attorney Raymond Learn and University of Pittsburgh at Bradford president Dr. Livingston Alexander will speak at the Police Memorial Day service at Pitt-Bradford May 14. The service, which is co-sponsored by the Bucktail Lodge #96 and the William Hanley Sr. Lodge #67 of the Fraternal Order of Police, will take place at 1 p.m. in the Bromeley Family Theater in Blaisdell Hall. The service is open to the public and will feature a color guard and a 21-gun salute. As part of the service, wreaths will be laid at a plaque commemorating three local officers who have died in the line of duty in the past 23 years – Sgt. David Distrola, Bradford; Patrolman Steven Jerman, Kane; and Patrolman Carl Whippo, Johnsonburg. A luncheon will follow in the KOA Dining Hall in the Frame-Westerberg Commons. For disability-related needs, contact the Office of Disability Resources and Services at 814-362-7609 or arj4@pitt.edu. You...

A 15-year-old Scio, New York, boy is facing a rape charge in connection with an incident on the morning of April 14 in Scio. Amity-based police are continuing their investigation and didn’t release any further information. A Wellsville, New York, man is in jail after being accused of selling Oxycontin pills from his home at the Level Acres Trailer Park. Allegany County Sheriff’s deputies say 32-year-old Rodger Howell sold the pills twice. He’s charged with two counts each of sale or and possession of a controlled substance. A Buffalo man is in jail for selling drugs on a Jamestown street. Agents with the Southern Tier Regional Drug Task Force say they saw 22-year-old Levelle Jones selling crack cocaine to another person. The agents confiscated the crack and some money. They say they expect to make additional arrests. A Roulette man is accused of going into a Coudersport home uninvited Wednesday night and making threats against the resident. Police say 28-year-old Michael Gallina entere...

And, the thefts continue in Bradford. On Friday, police investigated a theft on Main Street, a theft from a vehicle on Interstate Parkway and an attempted theft from a vehicle on East Corydon Street, according to the complaint report and request sheet faxed to WESB and The HERO by the police department. They also received a report of a possible burglary on High Street. Officers also looked into a motor vehicle accident on Davis Street and a neighbor dispute on Williams Street. Police also got reports of disturbances on Brennan Street, a public drunk at Elm and High streets, kids on scooters on Mechanic Street and suspicious activity at Kiwanis Court.

Heavy winds are already causing some problems in the Twin Tiers. Several trees, tree branches and power lines have been reported down in McKean, Cattaraugus and Warren counties. Police are advising motorists to use caution, and are asking people to stay away from the downed wires. Gusts of up to 60 miles per hour are expected this afternoon, according to News 4 Meteorologist Mike Cejka. So far, the highest gust recorded at our weather station on St. Francis Drive was 34 miles per hour.

Clarion University’s Council of Trustees has narrowed its search for a new president. They are Charles Fey, vice president for student affairs and enrollment management at the University of Akron; Cathy Sandeen, dean of continuing education at UCLA; and Karen Whitney vice chancellor for student life and dean of students, Indiana University-Purdue University. State System of Higher Education officials will interview them within the next few weeks. Current President Joseph Grunewald is retiring effective June 30.

A Jamestown woman is accused of using counterfeit money at several Warren-area businesses. 47-year-old Debra Thompson is accused of using the bills at four convenience stores, a grocery store and the Warren Wal-Mart. Thompson allegedly tried to use $180 in counterfeit money at the Sheffield Uni-Mart to buy a money order. The clerk questioned the validity of the money and, after Thompson left the store, the clerk called police. Police found counterfeit bills and items used to make the fake money during a search of Thompson’s house. She’s free on $150,000 bail.

Two Marienville residents have been sentenced to life in prison for murdering an Elk County man in August of 2008. 19-year-old Raymond "RJ" Lambert was convicted in February of first-degree murder for shooting 50-year-old Timothy Finucan at his Milestone Township home. 18-year-old Stephen Hall was convicted of second-degree murder as an accomplice. The two were attempting to steal drugs from Finucan when Lambert shot and killed him with Hall's gun. The jury deliberated for six hours before finding them guilty. Lambert and Hall both apologized to Finucan’s family before they were sentenced. http://1490newsblog.blogspot.com/search?q=finucan

The City of Salamanca is in a state of emergency after a fire believed to be intentionally started destroyed the former Fancher Furniture building Friday, along with another building. The fire started at around 5:30 p.m. on Rochester Street and, before 7 p.m., the entire wall facing the railroad tracks collapsed. Mayor Jeffrey Pond declared a state of emergency at around 7:30 p.m. "I hereby direct all city agencies to take whatever steps necessary to protect life and property, public infrastructure and other such emergency assistance as deemed necessary," Pond said in his proclamation. The fire also destroyed the Luminite building, and threatened Salamanca Lumber. Part of the city was without power and phone service. Houses on the north side of Elm Street were evacuated. Firefighters from every department in Cattaraugus County helped to battle the blaze, while departments from Chautauqua, McKean and Potter counties were on standby. The Seneca Nation bought the property in Dec...

A: They were all topics of projects Bradford Area School District students took on for the annual science fair at Fretz Middle School. Dakota Brewer's project explored how temperature affects the way a plant absorbs liquid. ( And, he explained it to me very well! Thanks Dakota! ) Logan Esrich built a working oil jack, and explained how it works. ( This was the first project that caught my eye. Very cool! ) The catapult display was one of the most popular interactive projects. You could learn how to make a lava lamp, or everything you wanted to know about oil spills -- a very timely topic. This family enjoys a project about dolphins. As most of our regular readers know, I'm a weather geek. That's why I had to get a picture of this project. Other projects included the intelligence of gerbils; how fast various liquids will rust a nail; blood; volcanoes; the Allegheny Reservoir; how black lights work; measuring lung capacity with balloons; the solar system; famous female scient...

The Philadelphia Furniture Manufacturing building on Rochester Street in Salamanca is on fire. The building is at the site of the former Fancher Furniture Company. The four-story, 250,000-square-foot building was constructed in 1923. We'll have more information on the fire as soon as it becomes available, but we do know that Portville, Olean and Westons Mills firefighters are on the scene, and they're getting water to fight the blaze directly from the Allegany River. We've also learned that parts of the building have collapsed. The fire started at about 5:30 p.m. If you have pictures you can send them to news@wesb.com . ( Thanks to Scott Douglas, who tells me he can smell the smoke in Little Valley. )

Harrisburg – Governor Edward G. Rendell announced today that he intends to nominate Austin Burke, the president of the Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce, as the new Department of Community and Economic Development secretary. Governor Rendell intends to formally introduce Burke as his nominee during a news conference at noon on Tuesday, May 11, in his reception room, 225 Main Capitol Building, Harrisburg. The Governor will also recognize the work of outgoing DCED Secretary George Cornelius, who will soon leave his post to become the president of Bridgewater College in Virginia. Burke brings a wide range of civic and community development experience to the commonwealth. For the past 35 years, he has served the Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce, 30 of which were as the organization’s president. During the past three years, he has also served on the Commonwealth Finance Authority. His list of civic involvement includes volunteer leadership on numerous foundations, and education, work...

Former Eldred Township and Borough firefighter Scott McClain has been charged and jailed in connection with another arson in Eldred Township. State police fire marshals Greg Agosti and Martin Henneman arrested the 39-year-old McClain after completing their investigation of a fire at the Koch Farm House at the end of Carpenter Creek Road off of Stack Hollow Road. The fire happened July 23, 2009. Police say "serial arsonist" McClain took his son to the farm, lit a road flare and put it on the porch of the house. He then dropped his son off at their house and went to the fire hall. When no fire was called in, he returned to the house, picked up his son and drove back to the farm, where he discovered the flare had burned out without catching the house on fire. McClain went back home, got some gasoline, went back to the farm with his son, poured gas on the porch and lit another road flare. He then went home again. “After a while, he told his son to tell his mother that he thought ...

Former Eldred firefighter Scott McClain h as been charged with setting another fire in Eldred Township. Police are now calling him a "serial arsonist." He was arraigned this afternoon and sent to McKean County Jail on $250,000 bail. More details to follow shortly.

Schlumberger Technology plans to hire at least 50 people this summer when the company opens a new facility in Jefferson County that will be used to maintain and repair equipment for its growing Marcellus Shale gas drilling business. The company plans to open the new facility at the site of the former Trail King building just outside Brookville, according to State House Minority Leader Sam Smith. Trail King closed late last year, leaving about 70 people without jobs. Schlumberger plans to open the new facility in July.

One of the St. Bonaventure University basketball players charged in connection with a stabbing incident in March is leaving the university. 22-year-old junior Lewis Leonard was one of four St. Bonaventure players charged with harassment and disorderly conduct in connection to a fight with players from Jamestown Community College, two of whom were stabbed. Three are also facing charges. Bonnies’ coach Mark Schmidt made the announcement today that Leonard is leaving the program. Leonard averaged less than a point in nine games in his only season with the Bonnies.

Someone entered a home on Main Street in Kersey sometime between 5 o’clock Wednesday afternoon and 8 o’clock Thursday morning and took medication from the bedroom. Three 5-gallon buckets containing an unknown number of China plates were taken from a home on South Kersey Road in Kersey sometime between 3 o’clock Monday afternoon and 6 o’clock Tuesday evening. A Brockport man returned to his camp on County Line Road, just north of Route 219, on Monday to find that someone kicked in the main door, damaging the frame. Anyone with information on any of these incidents is asked to contract Ridgway-based state police at 814-776-6136 or Elk County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-775-2030.

NYPD official: Suspicious package that prompted Times Square evacuation contained water bottles. (from CNN) -- New York's Times Square evacuated again after report of suspicious package. Continuing coverage at CNN.com .

A Delevan man has been indicted for punching a state trooper and spitting in his face, and threatening department of transportation workers. 53-year-old Gene Tingue is charged with assault, resisting arrest and disorderly conduct for the incident that happened December 16 in the Town of Yorkshire. He’s also charged with harassment and disorderly conduct for throwing a snowball at a state snowplow, dumping snow on a highway, calling the department and threatening to “blow you away.” That incident happened December 15 in Yorkshire. Tingue is scheduled to appear in Cattaraugus County Court on May 17. DA's office

The price American Refining Group is paying for a barrel of Penn Grade crude oil plummeted by almost $10 this week. Monday, ARG was paying $80 a barrel. Today, the price is $70.75, according to an e-mail sent to WESB and The HERO by ARG. That’s a drop of $3 from Thursday’s price.

Attorney general agents today charged the owners of Reichenbach Oil Company in Allentown with charging their customers for more fuel oil than was actually delivered. Attorney General Corbett said that 42-year-old Daniel Reichenbach Jr. and his brother 45-year-old William Reichenbach stole thousands of dollars by overbilling their customers. The brothers are co-owners of Reichenbach Fuel Company. The investigation began when a Reichenbach employee became suspicious about their billing procedures and, after numerous customer complaints, reported the matter to the Office of Attorney General's Bureau of Consumer Protection. Corbett said inventory records seized during the search show that during the months of February 2008 through May 2008, Reichenbach Oil sold 18,598 gallons of fuel oil and 3,926 gallons of kerosene that they did not have in inventory. http://attorneygeneral.gov/press.aspx?id=5277

The Bradford Branch of the American Association of University Women named Patricia Neidich as its Outstanding Woman of the Year for 2010 in recognition of her contributions to the organization and the Bradford community during its annual banquet on May 6 at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford. Neidich is a graduate of Mansfield University and has taught elementary school in the Bradford Area School District for over thirty years. Neidich is a longtime member of AAUW, and has served as co-president and corresponding secretary of the branch chapter. An active volunteer in the community, she has volunteered for the American Cancer Relay for Life and Bradford Landmark Society. She and her husband Ross have raised three children: Michael, Lindsay and Katie Jo. Pictured, Stephanie Seagren (holding certificate), incoming co-president, and Neidich Photo courtesy of AAUW

11th birthday to Rachel Close!

Next week, no changes are scheduled for the current closures, restrictions. 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 10. 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) is closed in order to grout new beams and install work platforms. Traffic is to follow the posted detours. · The Tuna Valley Trail access at Bolivar Drive is closed due to bridgework. Trail access is still available at Crook Farms and Seward Avenue side of Tuna Crossroads. · Northbound access at Kendall Avenue remains open. · Access at Hillside Drive is restrict...

A State Supreme Court judge has ruled that Nushawn Williams is a danger to society and must remain confined even though he finished serving his prison sentence. State Supreme Court Justice John Michalski said during a hearing this afternoon that there is probable cause that Williams suffers from a "sexual abnormality." Williams could now face a trial to determine his future status. Both sides are due back in court next month to argue a defense motion to dismiss the case. In the late 1990s, Williams knowingly infected more than a dozen people in Chautauqua County with HIV. He claims he was never told by the state Department of Health that he had the virus. Williams finished his prison sentence on April 13, but a 2007 state law requires that sex offenders be evaluated before they are released to determine the likelihood that they could commit another sex crime.

Members of Christian Youth Corps, Inc. (CYC) based out of Delevan, NY, Allegany Nordic, and BonaResponds from St. Bonaventure University are seeking volunteers to assist with a local service project at Allegany State Park this Saturday. The groups will be working pro bono to help clean up trails and improve buildings and camp sites throughout the Quaker Lake area. Jim Mahar, faculty leader of BonaResponds indicated; “We really need local help in getting this done. Our students are wrapping up the semester with final exams, papers and presentations coming due, so turnout will likely be down on our end. CYC has a great group of kids that will be there, but we still need help to manage some of the larger projects.” CYC completed a similar work weekend last year at the park with projects ranging from cleaning brush off of trails, to power washing cabin roofs of moss and debris. “The kids do a great job and really benefit from the time spent working with others. Unfortunately, the...

By SANDRA RHODES ANF Visitors Bureau Travel and tourism in the Allegheny National Forest region is growing every day and local tourism officials are excited to spread the news. The Allegheny National Forest Visitors Bureau, the official tourism promotion agency in McKean County, will hold an open house from 4 to 6 p.m. May 13 at the Visitors Center, located at the Old Post Office, 80 E. Corydon St. in Bradford. “This will give everyone in the community a chance to learn about what the Allegheny National Forest Visitors Bureau does,” said Executive Director Linda Devlin. The goals of the ANF Visitors Bureau include increasing the number of people visiting the area, increasing the average length of stay, and working to increase the amount of revenue per visitor spent in the area. This is accomplished in a multitude of ways such as printing an annual visitors guide and map, brochure distribution, attending trade shows, working with media and press, and by marketing the region’s unique att...

Washington, D.C. – President Barack Obama will travel to Buffalo on Thursday, May 13, for the next stop on his White House to Main Street Tour. Obama will discuss the latest efforts in Western New York to create good-paying jobs and rebuild the economy. “I’m proud President Obama is coming to Western New York. This shows his strong commitment to the region," said Senator Kirsten Gillibrand. "It is something I advocated for because I believe Western New York can play a leading role in America’s economic recovery." "When President Obama comes next week, he will meet families, workers, businesses and entire communities that stand ready to help lead America’s economic recovery," she continued. "From a world-class manufacturing tradition to cutting edge businesses and universities, to people who know the true meaning of hard work, Western New York can help lead America’s economic recovery.”

Philadelphia Phillies Hall of Fame pitcher Robin Roberts has died, according to a statement released by the team. He was 83. Roberts died of natural causes this morning at his home in Temple Terrace, Fla. Roberts led the Phillies to the 1950 National League pennant as part of the famed "Whiz Kids." He won 286 games over his career and put together six consecutive 20-win seasons. Roberts had 45 career shutouts, 2,357 strikeouts and a lifetime ERA of 3.40.

Five students are facing charges for stealing from teacher’s rooms at Panama Central School between April16 and 18. Chautauqua County Sheriff’s deputies say a 13-year-old from Panama and a 12-year-old from Ashville are charged with third-degree burglary. A 14-year-old from Panama, and a 15-year-old and 13-year-old, both from Jamestown, are charged with criminal trespassing. During their investigation, deputies found some of the stolen items. All of the students will answer the charges in Chautauqua County Family Court.

A woman is facing charges for spitting on corrections officers at the Warren County Jail three times in a week. Police say 21-year-old Amanda Peterson spit in the face of a corrections officer who was trying to give her a shower on April 28. While the officers were trying to restrain her, she kicked one of them in the leg. Monday, when officers tried to change her linens, she spit in an officer’s face. On Tuesday, she had a confrontation with two corrections officers and spit at them, hitting both of them in the mouth. Peterson is still jailed, without bail.

Three Johnstown men have been arrested for distributing more than half a million dollars worth of cocaine over the past two years in Cambria, Clearfield and Somerset counties. Darcangelo and his brother David Darcangelo, along with Patrick Martella, were charged today with of possession with the intent to deliver cocaine, three counts of delivery of cocaine. The grand jury found that over the course of the investigation agents bought multiple ounce quantities of cocaine from the Darcangelo brothers and Martella worth approximately $32,000.00 during thirteen separate controlled purchases. The cocaine had a street value of at least $100,000.00. Agents estimate that the men were capable of distributing one to two kilograms of cocaine a month. http://attorneygeneral.gov/press.aspx?id=5270

I-90 westbound has a driving lane restriction from exit 6, Albion/East Springfield (Route 215) to mile marker 3, Cherry Hill/West Springfield (Route 6N) for bridgework, according to PennDOT. The restriction is expected to be lifted by 3 p.m. e-mail from PennDOT

Varias personas quieren hablar con un oficial de policía de la ciudad de Bradford en el Cinco de Mayo, according to the complaint report and request sheet faxed to WESB and The HERO by the police department. The requests came from Interstate Parkway, Mechanic Street, Congress Street and Albion, New York. Several people also called from the city police station on Kennedy Street. Also Wednesday, police looked into possible drug activity on Chautauqua Place, fights on East Main Street and Homestead Avenue and a vehicle fire on Holley Avenue. They executed a search warrant on Interstate Parkway and served a warrant on Kennedy Street. Police checked on the welfare of someone on Mechanic Street, and got reports of a property issue on Walker Avenue and motorbikes in Oakhill Cemetery.

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. 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. Listen on 1490 WESB AM, 100.1 FM, The HERO or live online at WBRRFM.com or WESB.com Pennsylvania Lottery New York Lottery

By George Nianiatus, senior writer/media manager Marketing and Communications Department Upper Allegheny Health System Bradford Regional Medical Center (BRMC) has just installed a new 32-slice computed tomography (CT) scanner which provides more detailed images in less time with a lower radiation dose. This week BRMC’s Diagnostic Imaging Services started performing CT scans with its Lightspeed VCT Select from GE Healthcare, said hospital officials. BRMC obtained the Lightspeed VCT Select for three key reasons. “The new CT unit provides better reliability and image quality,” said Tim Brown, BRMC’s Director of Clinical Ancillary Services. Secondly, “It also has the ability of scanning a larger area with a single rotation, cutting down on time and, more importantly, radiation dose,” he said. “This CT scanner has dose-limiting and control software called Opidose, which reduces radiation to the patient. This enables us to perform better peripheral vascular angiography procedures.” Lastly, “...

After many years of gentle prodding by music fans and industry aficionados, Randy Bachman and Fred Turner, two giants of rock n' roll, are finally back together as Bachman & Turner after being apart for over 20 years. The group is giving away the first track “Rock n' Roll is the Only Way Out” on their website www.bachmanandturner.com - a glimpse into Bachman & Turner's brand new album slated for release September 7, 2010 through E1 Music. The yet-unnamed studio album, will be stocked with great new tracks - all penned by Randy Bachman and Fred Turner - that seamlessly fit among their classic rock anthems. "I'm thrilled to be working on new music with Fred and feel a sense of excitement and anticipation," says Randy Bachman. "I feel like I'm coming full circle with a completeness that I never ever thought I'd feel again." In the mid-70s, after Randy Bachman's colossal success in Winnipeg rock band the Guess Who, including the #1 B...

Pennsylvania Crimes Stoppers is offering cash rewards for information leading to arrests for two crimes last month, according to two faxes sent to WESB and The HERO. James Wayne and Victoria Lynn Shugar, both 61, were found shot to death in their Brockway home sometime between April 10 and 12. The Shugars owned and operated Flowers and More on Main Street in Brockway. On April 25, a man robbed the Bennetts Valley Pharmacy in Weedville at knifepoint. Anyone with information on these incidents is asked to call PA Crime Stoppers at 1-800-4PA-TIPS. All callers remain anonymous and could be eligible for a cash reward.

HARRISBURG – Senate Local Government Committee Chairman John Eichelberger (R-Blair) and Senator Mike Waugh (R-York) have introduced Senate Resolution 323 to establish a task force to study the impact of state mandates on Pennsylvania's boroughs, townships, cities and counties. The County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania estimates that up to 80 percent of a county's budget is made up of directives from outside entities, including human services (which represents 60 percent of a county's responsibilities), plus courts and corrections. A recent study by the National Conference of State Legislatures found that from 2004 to 2008, Congress shifted a financial burden of at least $125 billion on to states, a portion of which has been subsequently transferred to local governments. "For many years, local officials have been concerned about the strain on their budgets that stem from laws and regulations passed at the state level," noted Eichelberger. "However...

Northwest Bancshares Inc., the holding company for Northwest Savings Bank, has announced plans to buy Butler-based NexTier Inc. and NexTier Bank. Under the terms of the agreement, shareholders of NexTier will receive $200 in cash for each outstanding share of common stock for a net payment of about $20.3 million. NexTier has assets of $583.7 million and shareholders’ equity of $23 million. NexTier operates 16 branches in Allegheny, Armstrong and Butler counties. Northwest, which has assets of $8 billion, operates 171 branches in Pennsylvania, New York, Maryland, Ohio and Florida. Northwest is based in Warren. The transaction is expected to be complete in the fourth quarter of 2010, subject to the approval of shareholders and regulatory authorities. e-mail from Leslie A. Stewart, Northwest Savings

SALAMANCA, N.Y. – Seneca Gaming Corporation regrets to announce that the Willie Nelson concert this weekend on Saturday, May 8, at 7 p.m. in the Seneca Allegany Events Center at Seneca Allegany Casino & Hotel is postponed. Mr. Nelson recently suffered a torn rotator cuff and is being treated by a doctor. The show has been rescheduled for Sunday, August 15 at 5 p.m. Guests may retain this weekend’s tickets for the new date. Tickets purchased at any Seneca Casino must be returned to their original point-of-purchase location for a refund. Those who purchased tickets through Ticketmaster may seek a refund at any Ticketmaster location, online at Ticketmaster.com, or by phone at 800-745-3000. The show for country legend Willie Nelson has been sold out for more than two weeks. Nelson’s iconic career and recent release of a new album makes this a highly anticipated concert. Seneca Allegany Casino & Hotel is home to a great array of live entertainment, and its Seneca Allegany Events Cen...

The spraying of the Main Street pear trees scheduled for Thursday has been postponed due to weather reports calling for windy conditions. Parking will be normal on Main Street Thursday. A new date will be announced for the annual spraying. fax from City of Bradford

Bradford City Police are looking into thefts on East Main Street, West Washington Street and Mechanic Street, according to the complaint report and request sheet faxed to WESB and The HERO. Officers also got reports of harassment on Elm, Main and Roberts streets, suspicious people on Kennedy and Miller streets, and criminal mischief on Vista Avenue Extension. They got complaints about traffic, vehicles and/or parking on Jefferson and Chestnut streets, juveniles on South Avenue, loud music on High Street and noise on Pleasant Street. Police also got a report of a reckless driver in an Interstate Parkway parking lot and a request to check on kids in the Pearl Street triangle.

A bill that would require Pennsylvania’s two largest pension funds and the Pennsylvania Treasury Department to divest from investments in Sudan and Iran has passed the state Senate by a 42-7 vote. “As a civilized Commonwealth, and as one of the states that was directly impacted by the September 11, 2001, terror attacks, Pennsylvania cannot and will not associate itself with rogue nations that sponsor genocide and terrorism,” said Senator Mike Stack. “Companies that choose to conduct business with nations that sponsor terrorism or murder their own people should not be supported by Pennsylvania tax dollars.” At a Senate Appropriations budget meeting in February, officials of the Pennsylvania School Employees Retirement System (PSERS) said they were steadily reducing investments in companies investing in Sudan and Iran. Both PSERS and the State Employees Retirement System say that less than 1 percent of their total investments are in companies doing business in Sudan or Iran. “Divestin...

The Bradford Area Chamber of Commerce is promoting The 3/50 Project, “Saving the Brick and Mortars Our Nation is Built On.” The BACC staff is distributing bookmarks, sponsored by the BACC Downtown Partnership Committee, to local, independently owned businesses. Local business owners can then stamp their information on the back of the bookmarks, and distribute them to customers to encourage participation in the project. The bookmarks highlight the key points of The 3/50 Project. The first suggests consumers think about three independently owned businesses they would miss the most if they were gone. Secondly, it encourages individuals to spend $50 each month in independently owned businesses to help keep those businesses around. As noted in The 3/50 Project highlights, “For every $100 spent in independently owned businesses, $68 returns to the local economy through taxes, payroll, and other expenditures.” Each individual who chooses to spend $50 per month in local, independently o...

Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati continued today to seek answers from the county commissioners in Jefferson and Clearfield Counties regarding the relocation of Service Access and Management Incorporated. The organization is moving from Brockway to a new facility in DuBois. “The way this move transpired should outrage the citizens in Jefferson County, as the lack of transparency brings up more questions than answers,” Scarnati stated. “It is vital that government continue down the path of restoring the public’s confidence and trust; the commissioners’ curious action does very little in this regard.” Scarnati mentioned that he questions when the vote took place to move this organization and why the public was not included in the decision. Also, the question of whether or not this new facility for the non-profit is paying property taxes, such as the owner of the former location had been paying, has to be answered. “It seems appropriate that the Jefferson County commissioner...

Happy Cinco de Mayo & Happy Birthday to Karla Bove!

Charles Cole Memorial Hospital will experience a brief phone system outage at 1 a.m., May 5 while the IT department performs a necessary upgrade. During this time, there will be no incoming or outgoing phone calls, faxing or overhead paging. The outage is expected to last approximately 45 minutes. In the event of an emergency, the public should call 911; emergency dispatchers will be able to communicate with CCMH personnel via portable radios.

Governor David Paterson has proposed legislation that would enhance penalties for repeat DWI offenders. The proposal increases the mandatory sentence for person convicted of a second DWI offense within 10 years from five days to 30 days in jail. It increases the penalty on a person convicted of three or more DWI offenses in 10 years from 10 days to 90 days in jail. Paterson said drunk drivers cause about 9,000 accidents and kill about 400 people every year. http://www.state.ny.us/governor/press/050410StrengthenDWILaw.html

By ANNE HOLLIDAY WESB/WBRR News Director The state House has passed a bill that would immediately impose a three-year moratorium on natural gas drilling on state forest land. Sponsors of the bill want a thorough environmental assessment of the impact of drilling on the land before more can be leased. Speaking on the House floor against an amendment to the bill, State Representative Marty Causer said passing the bill would delay development in the Commonwealth. He said the counties he represents have some of the highest unemployment in Pennsylvania and drilling is “one bright spot that we actually have.” “This is one potential area where we can put people to work … and that’s what we need to do,” he said, drawing cheers from some of his colleagues Causer continued, saying the overall goal of the bill is to stop drilling all together. “Make no mistake, the people pushing this legislation want to stop the drilling, whether it’s on state land or private land – any land. They want to stop t...

Lewis E. Egbert, 65, of 434 South Ave., Bradford, passed away Monday, May 3rd, 2010 at The Bradford Regional Medical Center. Born May 1, 1945 in Norfolk, Virginia, he was a son of the late John L. and Louise N. (Nash) Egbert. Mr. Egbert graduated in 1967 from the University of Virginia with bachelors degree in economics. After college he worked at McCourt Label. He was a self employed businessman, he owned and operated the Turtle Inn, in Turtlepoint and currently owned and operated Lewie's Lounge in Bradford. Surviving are two daughters: Jennifer (Thomas) Kibler and Pam (JT) Holland all of Huntington, West Virginia, two sisters: Jane E. (Louis) Luzzi of Bradford, and Mary E. (Tim) Reiley of Bradford, two brothers, John C.(Suzanne) Egbert of Bradford, James A. (Earline) Egbert of Rogersville, TN, four grandchildren: Dylan T. Holland, Lauren Holland, Stephanie Kibler and Patrick Kibler one great grandson, Jace Wolfort and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his pa...

A Salamanca woman has been confirmed by the state Senate to serve as a member of the Minority Health Council. Dr. Lori V. Quigley currently serves as associate dean of School of Education at Buffalo State College. A lifelong educator, she has also served in such capacities as associate professor, interim education director, assistant professor and English Department chairperson at Aquinas High School. She has also worked very closely with the Seneca Nation of Indians, providing educational leadership in the development of a Seneca language/culture curriculum for preschoolers, teachers and their families. Quigley is a graduate of St. Bonaventure University. e-mail from NY State Senate

A 19-year-old airman from Pennsylvania died Monday in Afghanistan. The Department of Defense says Airman 1st Class Austin H. Gates Benson of Hellertown, died of injuries sustained from a non-combat related incident near Khyber, Afghanistan. He was assigned to the 54th Combat Communications Squadron at Robins Air Force Base, Ga. Hellertown is in Northampton County. http://www.defense.gov/releases/release.aspx?releaseid=13502

U.S. Rep. Joe Sestak is within striking distance of U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter in the Pennsylvania Democratic primary, trailing the long-time incumbent 47 - 39 percent among likely primary voters, compared to his 53 - 32 percent gap April 7, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today. In the Democratic primary for Governor, Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato has 36 percent to lead a pack of largely unknown candidates, none of whom tops 9 percent, the independent Quinnipiac University survey finds. Another 37 percent are undecided and 60 percent of likely primary voters who express a choice say they might change their mind. "The Senate race is closing and could be headed for a close finish, while the race for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination is moving in the opposite direction," said Peter A. Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute. "With only two weeks until the May 18 primary, Onorato can feel somewhat confident, wh...

The Portville man who kidnapped a woman last fall has been sentenced to 8 years in state prison. 36-year-old William Phillips was sentenced in Cattaraugus County Court as a repeat felon. Phillips pleaded guilty to attempted kidnapping and illegal possession of a weapon for an incident last September outside the Wilson Farms store on South Main Street in Portville. Phillips is a registered sex offender in New York and has a history of being a violent sex offender. DA's office

Several state senators, including Joe Scarnati, have sent a letter to school superintendents across the Commonwealth regarding Governor Ed Rendell’s proposed budget. The letter urges superintendents to be cautious when putting together their 2010/2011 final budget. You can read a copy of the letter here . (PDF) e-mail from Scarnati's office

State Senator Daylin Leach is introducing a bill that would allow Pennsylvania to join 14 other states and the District of Columbia in offering doctor-supervised marijuana programs to residents with debilitating medical conditions. New Jersey passed their safe access law earlier this year. The legislation would allow physicians in Pennsylvania to prescribe medicinal marijuana to eligible patients. According to recent studies, marijuana has been proven to counter the side effects of chemotherapy, control pain and relieve symptoms of glaucoma and other chronic conditions. A poll conducted in 2009 by Quinnipiac University found that 59 percent of Pennsylvania residents support the legalization of medical marijuana for use by eligible patients. e-mail from Senate Democratic Broadcast Services

Charles Cole Memorial Hospital will experience a brief phone system outage at 1 a.m., May 5 while the IT department performs a necessary upgrade. During this time, there will be no incoming or outgoing phone calls, faxing or overhead paging. The outage is expected to last approximately 45 minutes. In the event of an emergency, the public should call 911; emergency dispatchers will be able to communicate with CCMH personnel via portable radios.

A Limestone man is among three people in New York’s 29th Congressional District who have filed a lawsuit, hoping to force Governor David Paterson to call a special election. The district has been without representation in Washington since former Congressman Eric Massa resigned in March. On Monday, Carl Edwards of Limestone, along with Cynthia Alford and Larry Fox filed the suit in US District Court. The governor’s office says the litigation is without merit because the law says calling a special election is at the governor’s sole discretion.

We know Tim Hortons donuts are good. But we also know you have to pay for them. 19-year-old Holden Crabb of Olean apparently didn’t get the second part. In an e-mail sent to WESB and The HERO, Cattaraugus County Sheriff's Deputies say he’s charged with petit larceny for taking donuts without permission while he was working at the Allegany store last Monday. Crabb was sent to jail on $150 bail and is due back in court next week.

New York Governor David Paterson says he will carry through on his plan to furlough state workers unless the Legislature immediately passes a budget. The budget was due April 1. Lawmakers are not even close to finalizing a spending plan. This morning in Albany, Paterson said he would include furloughs in his emergency spending bill for next week. By including the furlough proposal in the measure, the Legislature will be forced to either accept furloughs or reject the entire spending bill. Rejecting the bill would result in a state government shutdown. http://www.state.ny.us/governor/press/050410Furlough.html

Pennsylvania Zach Smith, Bradford Area High School 6’2” 205lbs. Quarterback / Safety Zach is currently undecided right now with his future plans. Zach’s honors include:4 time lettermen in wrestling, 2 time letter winner in football, Scholar Athlete High honor Roll, Player of the year for both football and wrestling. Zach talked about the game, “ It’s always been a dream for me. It is what I worked for all season.” Zach’s biggest thrill while playing was playing football for the owls and throwing touchdown passes. Sam Skraba, Ridgway High School 5’11” 160lbs. Wide Receiver / Secondary Sam will be attending Clarion University where he will major in liberal studies with a concentration in Sports Management. Sam’s honors include: High Honor Roll, Scholar Athlete Jamestown Wrestling Tourney, AML All-Star Football Team, Tri County Sunday All-Star 1st Team Football, Elk County Tournament – All Tournament Team in baseball., Regional Qualifier in Wrestling. Sam s...

Charles Cole Memorial Hospital joins other health care facilities across the country to celebrate National Hospital Week May 9-15. A week of activities is planned at Charles Cole Memorial Hospital to celebrate this national observance. The hospital’s four Wellness Centers will be open to the public, free of charge, all week, excluding classes. Wellness Centers are located in Port Allegany, Smethport, Emporium and on the hospital campus in Coudersport and all have a variety of aerobic and strength training equipment. An open house will be held from 4 to 6 p.m., May 10 at Integrated Internal Medicine and Dr. Prince’s ear, nose and throat practice in the Irwin Medical Arts Center at CCMH. New and returning patients can schedule appointments at IIM, 274-5276; Dr. Prince, 274-5243. The Emporium Wellness Center will hold an open house from noon to 3 p.m., May 13. The event will include chair massages, door prizes and a Cole Care display. The Coudersport Rotary Club and CCMH will hold a comp...

A Mother’s Day party at 5 p.m. Sunday, May 9, is the first of several activities planned for The Pavilion at BRMC as it celebrates National Nursing Home Week throughout the week until May 15. On Sunday a Special Six Supper Club for Mother’s Day, featuring prime rib, will be held in the first-floor activity room. “These kinds of activities and the rest we have scheduled for the week just give a boost to everyone,” said Karen Sutherland, ADC, CDP, activities director at The Pavilion. “You always know the residents and guests will enjoy themselves.” On Monday, May 10, at 2 p.m. there will be a May Birthday Party in the second-floor lounge with music performed by The Hobo’s. At 6 p.m., there will be another Mother’s Day party in the second-floor lounge for all residents and family with John Berne playing the accordion. On Tuesday, May 11, 10 a.m., historian Dick Robertson will give a presentation in the third-floor lounge on railroads. At 2 p.m., waffle desserts will be served residents an...

By Kimberly Marcott Weinberg Assistant Director of Communications and Marketing University of Pittsburgh at Bradford A new scholarship at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford will benefit students pursuing careers in criminal justice. The Jack and Grace Knapp Fund for Forensic Education was endowed with a $5,000 gift from the Knapps’ daughter, Kathleen Knapp Holt of Victor, N.Y. The gift will be matched by funds from the Agnes L. and Lewis Lyle Scholarship Challenge as well as the Xerox Corp. Although she now lives in Victor, Holt grew up on Pleasant Street in Bradford, playing war with a little boy who would grow up to be the president of Pitt-Bradford – Dr. Richard McDowell, president emeritus – and hanging out with her brother’s best friend, Dennis Lowery, who would enroll in Pitt-Bradford’s first class and become an ardent supporter of the university. In the intervening years, she left Bradford and eventually married Charles P. “Chip” Holt, architect and implementer of Xerox’s ...

On Wednesday, April 28, 2010 Lock Haven University held an Open House to celebrate the expansion of their Nationally Ranked, Master of Health Science: Physician Assistant program at the Charles Cole Memorial Hospital in Coudersport, PA. This May, twelve students will begin the intensive 24 month program to become certified as Physician Assistants at the Charles Cole Memorial Hospital facilities. The Open House featured remarks from the LHU Physician Assistant Program Director, Walter Eisenhauer. Attendees had the opportunity to tour the state of the art facilities that include faculty and staff offices, and classroom and laboratory spaces that utilize television quality, fully interactive, live broadcasts to provide curriculum between and among the four campus locations that deliver the program to students throughout Pennsylvania. Faculty and staff from Lock Haven University and the Charles Cole Memorial Hospital were available to answer questions about the program and facilities...

By George Nianiatus, senior writer/media manager Marketing and Communications Department Upper Allegheny Health System State-of-the-art beds which enhance patient safety and comfort have arrived in the Critical Care Unit (CCU) and the Obstetrics/Gynecology Unit (OB/GYN) at Bradford Regional Medical Center. The hospital also has added new pressure-relieving patient mattresses for the Medical/Surgical Unit and acquired six stretchers for the Emergency Department. “These new beds and mattresses will enhance the safety and comfort of our patients,” said Deborah Price, Bradford Regional’s Vice President of Patient Care Services and Chief Nursing Officer. “Technology has changed dramatically over the years and these new products will ensure BRMC keeps pace with national best patient care practices. These acquisitions will also help our staff do their jobs more effectively.” The five CCU beds, made by Hill-Rom Co., provide the ability to maintain protocol compliance to help prevent...