Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

The Bradford City Water Authority has been awarded a $5.2 million H20 PA Grant to rehabilitate a high dam that spans Gilbert Run in Bradford Township, according to Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati (R-25). Scarnati said the grant was approved today by the state’s Commonwealth Financing Authority – paving the way for improvements to begin. Originally constructed in 1886 and modified in 1914, Bradford Dam No. 2 is 44 feet tall, 850 feet long and impounds a 30-acre lake used as a water supply. Scarnati said the spillway will be repaired, its current width will be maintained and its downstream slope will be flattened and reinforced with Roller Compacted Concrete (RCC) overtopping protection. “This reinforcement is crucial because it will prevent damage and the possible breaching of the embankment if there is a large storm that exceeds the capacity of the spillway and runs over the dam,” Scarnati said. “Approximately 1,200 residents and 40 businesses would be impacted if the Br

A Bradford man accused of breaking into a truck loaded with cigarettes has pleaded not guilty in Cattaraugus County Court, according to a fax sent to WESB and The HERO by the district attorneys office. 27-year-old Phillip Haight is accused of using bolt cutters to break into a truck owned by Al Harris Associates in Salamanca. The value of the cigarettes is more than $4,100, according to the District Attorney's office. Haight is charged with third-degree burglary, third-degree grand larceny and possession of burglar’s tools. The matter has been adjourned for motions.

St. Bonaventure associate athletic director Steve Campbell announced the addition of Bob Macfarlane to the department of athletics staff as the head men’s and women’s cross country coach on Wednesday. “We are excited to have Bob take over the reins of our cross country program. He was very successful at Bradford High School for the past several years and we look forward to Coach Macfarlane’s impact on the St. Bonaventure program,” said Campbell. “He is a very knowledgeable in distance running and we are confident that his success at Bradford High along with his enthusiasm will enhance our recruiting efforts. Bob is an excellent addition to our staff and to the greater St. Bonaventure community.” Prior to coming to St. Bonaventure, he served as the head varsity girls cross country coach at Bradford Area School District for the past seven years. He led the cross country team to a 66-4 dual meet record as well as five Pennsylvania District IX AAA titles and coached four

St. Bonaventure men’s basketball head coach Mark Schmidt announced Wednesday that Stephen Curran has been hired as an assistant coach. Curran formerly was an assistant coach at Central Connecticut State, and he worked as an assistant under Schmidt at Robert Morris from 2001-04. “I’m excited to welcome Steve into the St. Bonaventure basketball family,” said Schmidt. “I am very familiar with Steve from our time together at Robert Morris and have followed his success from afar over the last several seasons. He will be a great addition to our program and will do a tremendous job representing the Bonnies.” During Curran’s five seasons at CCSU, the Blue Devils posted a Northeast Conference record of 56-34 and went 46-22 at home, including 33-12 in home regular season NEC action. In 2006-07, Curran helped the Blue Devils post a memorable run, winning 16 of 18 NEC games and three straight games in the NEC Tournament to advance to their third NCAA Tournament since 2000. During his time at C

A Salamanca man is dead after his motorcycle crashed into the back of a tractor-trailer at 8:18 Tuesday night on Route 219 in the Town of Great Valley. In an e-mail sent to WESB and THe HERO, Sheriff’s deputies say 53-year-old Timothy Wick was pronounced dead at the scene by Coroner Kevin O’Rourke. The tractor trailer was driven by 37-year-old Tidings Sibotshiwe of Indianapolis, Indiana. He wasn’t hurt. No charges have been filed.

A memorial service for arts educator Simon P. Griffis is scheduled for 4 p. m. today in Christ the King Chapel at Canisius College. Griffis died in a hiking accident June 28 in Zoar Valley. To read Griffis' obituary, go to The Buffalo News . Thanks to Stony for passing that along.

A Gettysburg man is dead following a crash early Tuesday evening on Interstate 80 near the DuBois-Penfield Exit. State Police say 56-year-old Spencer Chapman of Sandy Lake was driving a tractor-trailer that hit a car that had stopped for road construction and pushing into a flatbed truck. The driver of the car, 26-year-old Katheryn Sneeringer of Gettysburg, and one of her passengers suffered serious injuries and were flown to Altoona Hospital. Another passenger 57-year old David Cook, was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the flatbed, 61-year-old David Kaschak Erie, was not hurt. Charges are pending against Chapman, who suffered moderate injuries and was taken to the DuBois Regional Medical Center. That section of I-80 was closed for about 4 hours while investigators were on the scene.

Besides the interception of a large shipment of marijuana that was on its way to the Rainbow Family gathering, officials say there weren’t any major problems among the 900 incidents they dealt with. The Rainbows have started heading home, although about 100 of them are staying behind to clean up the area of the Allegheny National Forest where they gathered. Forest Service officials say that between the end of June and Tuesday about half of the incidents were drug-related and one-third were traffic-related. Some of the citations issued were for public nudity. Officials say nudity isn’t a problem in the middle of the forest, but it is a concern when people are nude along roads or closer to the general public. For many more pictures of the Rainbow Gathering, go to Allegheny Outdoor Adventures . Photos courtesy of John Stoneman

A Roulette woman is facing charges after driving with a man on the hood of her car during a domestic incident Monday night. State Police say 53-year-old Joni Peer hit a 59-year-old Olean man with her car in the front yard of her house on Laniger Creek Road. She then drove on nearby roads with the man on the hood of the car. Police say Peer will be charged with simple assault, recklessly endangering another person and harassment.

A fatal crash on Interstate 80 near DuBois tied up traffic for more than three hours Tuesday night. State police say a tractor-trailer slammed into the back of a car, hit an embankment, went airborne and rolled onto its side. The car was pushed into the back of a flatbed truck and was totaled. The Clearfield County coroner pronounced a man inside the car dead at the scene. Three other people were taken to local hospitals. Police haven’t released the names of the victims yet.

Ringo Starr turns 70 today, and all he wants is peace and love. Ringo Starr.com .

An Olean woman is hospitalized after an accident early Tuesday morning on Buffalo Road in Allegany. In an e-mail sent to WESB and The HERO, Sheriff’s deputies say a vehicle driven by 40-year-old Sonya Williams traveled over the fog line and almost hit a guard rail. When Williams overcorrected, the vehicle went across both lanes of travel and hit the steel retaining wall on the east side of the road. Williams was first taken to Olean General Hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries, and then was transferred to ECMC in Buffalo. Williams is facing several charges including driving while intoxicated.

A Buffalo man is facing charges for trying to steal a boat that was anchored at Sunset Bay and getting into a fight with its owner. In an e-mail sent to WESB and The HERO, Sheriff’s deputies say 23-year-old Brandon Birdwell swam out to the unmanned boat, boarded it and tried to steal it. The owner of the boat was having dinner at a restaurant in Sunset Bay and was made aware of the situation. He and his friends went to the boat, and Birdwell got into a fight with them as they tried to keep him from stealing the vessel. Birdwell is charged with grand larceny, assault and criminal mischief. He’s in Chautauqua County Jail with no bail and will appear in Town of Hanover Court at a later date.

A motorcyclist is dead after hitting a tractor-trailer on Route 219 in Great Valley Tuesday night. Sheriff’s deputies say the truck slowed down while traveling through the underpass, but the motorcycle didn’t slow down and ran into the back of the truck. Deputies haven’t released the victim’s name yet.

The cause of a fire that destroyed a Crosby house on Tuesday is under investigation. In a fax sent to WESB and the HERO, State Police say Fire Marshal Greg Agosti and Norwich Township Fire Chief Bill Gallup conducted an investigation into the blaze at the home of James Angell at 78 White Hollow Road, but are still asking for more information. No one was home at the time of the fire, which started at just after 11 a.m. There were no injuries. Damage is estimated at $150,000. Norwich Township firefighters were assisted by companies from Smethport, Port Allegany, Roulette, Bradford Township, Emporium and Clermont.

BUFFALO, N.Y.– U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Field Operations announced the arrest of a citizen of Albania wanted in Illinois for attempted first degree murder. On July 6, CBP officers received notification from Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) that 37-year-old Ifriam Luzaj, a citizen of Albania with lawful U.S. Resident status, was being deported from Canada and returned to the United States. Canadian authorities received information that the subject was living illegally in Canada, and was subsequently arrested by the Toronto Police Fugitive Squad. Record checks by Canadian authorities revealed the possibility of active warrants in the United States. Mr. Luzaj was deported from Canada by CBSA and returned to the United States via the Peace Bridge border crossing in Buffalo, N.Y. Upon his return to the United States, CBP officers performed record checks that verified the validity of the nation-wide felony warrant and confirmed the extradition. The warrant was issued i

Bradford Farmers' Market to join forces with Pitt-Bradford's Center for Rural Health Practice, Canticle Farm The Center for Rural Health Practice at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford, is joining forces with the Bradford Farmers’ Market and Canticle Farm to bring locally-grown produce to downtown Bradford. The Bradford Farmers’ Market will operate from 8 a.m. until noon on the second and fourth Saturday of each month, beginning July 10, in the parking lot of Old City Hall on Boylston Street in Bradford. The Bradford Farmers’ Market is sponsored by Bradford’s Downtown Bradford Business District Authority. Initially started more than 15 years ago, the market has struggled in the last few years to attract produce vendors at its location in Veterans Square. The change of location will provide vendors with a better area in which to set up their wares, said Anita Dolan, Main Street Manager, and a safer, less-trafficked location for customers. The help of the Center for Rural He

Mechanicsburg – Governor Edward G. Rendell today signed a $28 billion General Fund budget for the 2010-11 fiscal year that holds down spending as the state strives to live within its means using existing resources. While not increasing taxes, the budget makes substantial new investments in education and job creation programs that are critical to Pennsylvania’s ongoing efforts to recover from the national recession. Hampered by a U.S. economy that is still struggling to grow, Governor Rendell had to trim $1 billion from the proposed budget that he presented five months ago. In spite of these cuts, the budget absorbs cost increases mandated by law, over which the state has no control, which total more than $650 million for line items that fund Medical Assistance for the poor, prisons, debt service and school employees’ Social Security. To offset those rising and unavoidable costs, most other agencies of state government had to absorb deep cuts, as budget negotiators fought to contain spe

State police are looking into a burglary that happened between May 31 and Saturday on Pithole Road in Cyclone. 49-year-old Kelly Wilson says someone went onto her property, entered a locked shed and removed a Craftsman riding mower, Craftsman push mower and a Stihl chainsaw. The person then took a picnic table from the backyard of the vacant residence. Anyone with pertinent information is asked to contact Kane-based state police.

10 people died and 361 others were hurt in 712 crashes investigated by Pennsylvania State Police over the four-day holiday weekend. That compares with nine fatalities and 206 injuries in 447 crashes during last year's holiday period, which was a day shorter. Seven of the people killed this year were not wearing seat belts, according to state police Commissioner Frank E. Pawlowski. Seventy-two of the crashes were alcohol-related, including three of the fatal crashes. During the period that covered Friday through Monday, troopers arrested 339 people for driving under the influence, issued 7,877 speeding citations, cited 723 for failing to wear seat belts, and issued 129 citations for not securing children in safety seats. The statistics include only incidents state police responded to, and not those handled by local law enforcement agencies.

Governor Edward G. Rendell will sign the fiscal code, a part of the 2010-11 state budget, at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, July 6, at the Bradford County Courthouse, 301 Main St., Towanda, Bradford County. He will also outline his plans to work with the General Assembly to develop a fair natural gas extraction tax by Oct. 1, another key component of the budget agreement. Details, including rates and structure, will be worked out over the summer.

A Maryland man accused of hitting a woman in the head with a cast iron skillet and assaulting two other people Saturday in Harrison Township is in Potter County Jail. Police say 24-year-old Joshua Franklin was intoxicated when he got into an argument with a 32-year-old woman and hit her repeatedly in the face and head. When she was on the ground, he grabbed her by the hair, dragged her around the home and hit her with the skillet. She was able to break free and lock herself in the bathroom, but Franklin kicked door in, pulled her out by her hair and continued hitting her in the face and head. A 55-year-old woman tried stopping the incident, but she received an injury to her forehead. A 58-year-old man was able to subdue Franklin and get him out of the house, but Franklin is accused of biting his bicep. Franklin is charged with aggravated assault, simple assault, recklessly endangering another person and harassment.

Bradford City Police answered a variety of calls on July 4th and 5th, according to the complaint report and request sheet faxed to WESB and The HERO by the police department. Officers looked into criminal mischief on South Avenue and Davis Street, a disturbance on Congress Street and a neighbor dispute on Jackson Avenue. Police also received reports of a couple of alarms going off, got several requests to speak with an officer and responded to some domestic incidents. Officers investigated a hit and run on East Main Street, a theft on South Center Street, a stolen flower on Barbour Street and, of course, a fireworks complaint, this time on West Washington Street.

Rescue crews spent about an hour early this morning looking for two adults and four Boys Scouts on the North Country Trail in Cherry Grove Township. One of the adults was suffering from dehydration, and crews used GPS to find them. The call came in at around midnight. Crews found them at around 1 a.m. Emergency medical personnel took care of the dehydrated man.

An 18-year-old from Coudersport is in jail after being accused of raping a 10-year-old girl Saturday. Police say Matthew Allen Lawton had inappropriate contact with the victim, whose 8-year-old brother witnessed several of the sexual acts and was allegedly told by Lawton not to tell anyone about what he saw. Lawton is charged with 3 counts each of rape and involuntary deviate sexual intercourse; 4 counts of aggravated indecent assault; 7 counts of indecent assault; and 2 counts of corruption of minors. Lawton’s bail is set at $85,000.

Pretty darn hot at between 2:30 and 3 p.m. when these pictures were taken: East Main Street Mechanic Street Take your pick on this one, I guess. It's opposite sides of the same thermometer on Bolivar Drive. Interstate Parkway

News 4 Meteorologist Mike Cejka says it'll be hazy, hot and humid for a couple more days. You can listen to his forecast here . For some tips on how to stay safe during a heat wave, go to the McKean-Potter Counties American Red Cross website .

If you'd like updates on Taylor Brinker (the young man who was badly injured in an accident early Saturday morning) and/or you'd like to help his family with expenses -- you can "like" this Facebook page: Donate to Taylor, Rhonda and the Brinker Family http://1490newsblog.blogspot.com/2010/07/17-year-old-driver-hurt-in-crash.html

Police are investigating a burglary in Duke Center on Friday. Thomas Frederick tells police that someone pried open an outside door to the house that led to his bedroom. Once inside the person stole a jewelry box that contained several gold necklaces, diamond pendants and other charms; several gold and diamond rings; a diamond tennis bracelet; and several sets of gold earrings. The estimated value of the stolen items is $5,100. Anyone with pertinent information is asked to contact Kane-based state police at 778-5555.

During a trip to the Middle East, U.S. Senator Bob Casey, Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Near Eastern and South and Central Asian Affairs, spent July 4th with Pennsylvania troops based at Camp Arifjan in Kuwait where they are working on an effort to refurbish equipment coming out of Iraq for return back to the U.S. or to use in Afghanistan. Photo courtesy of Senator Casey's office

A Westfield, New York, teenager is facing charges for shooting bottle rockets in a crowd of people. Sheriff’s deputies say 17-year-old Samaira Dros was with a group of other teens walking on the sidewalk of Morris Street in Fredonia at 9:35 Saturday night when they were shooting the bottle rockets. When the teens were stopped and interviewed, deputies found Dros with a quantity of bottle rockets in her pocket. She was charged with unlawful dealing with fire works and is scheduled to appear in court at a later date.

A case of possible road rage led to criminal mischief charges for two Elk County residents. State police say 38-year-old John Pierce of St. Marys and 18-year-old Brandon Sheeley of Kersey got into an argument at 12:15 Sunday morning after Pierce was following Sheeley too closely when Sheeley pulled out onto Old Kersey Road in front of Pierce. Pierce is accused of hitting the back of Sheeley’s SUV with a wooden club. Sheeley then allegedly punched and broke a window of Pierce’s Porsche.

A 12-year-old Brockport boy was hurt during an ATV accident Sunday afternoon in Horton Township. Police say the boy was driving the ATV from an unmarked ATV trail on the west berm of Shawmut Road and when he tried crossing the road he traveled into the path of another ATV driven y 53-year-old Stephen Schatz of Brockport. The 12-year-old sustained moderate injuries when the vehicles collided and was taken by ambulance to DuBois Regional Medical Center. No one else was hurt.

An Amherst man is dead after falling 300 feet into the gorge at Letchworth State Park. 19-year-old Andrew Brinkman was with three friends when he fell into the Genesee River Gorge at around 9:30 Saturday morning. Police say Brinkman stepped over a stone retaining wall and was walking along a dirt ledge when he slipped. Just last week, Simon Griffis of Buffalo died after falling into the gorge at Zoar Valley.

The Town of Dayton fire chief has been arrested for assault and endangering the welfare of a child. Richard Ulmer Jr. of Fredonia was arrested Saturday in connection with a domestic incident. He was released on his own recognizance and is scheduled to appear in court on July 15. Police didn’t release any further details.

Listen to my interview with author John Aubrey Anderson here . For more information, go here .

Happy Indpendence Day! Happy Birthday to Bob Onuffer!

The state Legislature has finished passing the bills that make up the new $28 billion state budget. They wrapped up the budget work today, as both the Senate and House were in session. The final votes included a promise to work on a Marcellus Shale natural gas extraction tax and a fiscal office, as well as $600 million in capital projects borrowing. Governor Ed Rendell says he plans to sign the budget bills on Tuesday and Wednesday in the Harrisburg area and at other locations throughout the state.

Dennis W. Lowery, 65, of 25 School St., passed away Sunday, June 27th, 2010 in Gibsonia. Born January 20, 1945, in Rochester, NY, he was the son of the late William J. and Bernice B. (Butts) Lowery. On June 20, 1970 in Pittsburgh, he married Deborah Sainsbury, who survives. Mr. Lowery was a 1963 graduate of Bradford High School. He then was a member of the first class of the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford. He graduated from The University of Pittsburgh in Oakland in 1967 with a Bachelor's of Science Degree in Biology. Upon returning to Bradford, he worked at his family's business, Tuna Manufacturing, where he served ultimately as owner and President. In July of 1987, he joined Northwest Mutual Savings Bank, where he worked as Supervisor of Facilities and Properties. He was currently employed at Northwest Savings Bank as Vice President of Facilities and Properties. He was a member and former trustee of the First Presbyterian Church, a member and past president of the Bradf

A couple who met while studying at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford in the early 1970s have established a scholarship to help students who can benefit, like they did, from the benefits of a smaller campus. John and Marie Seltzer’s gift of $5,000, matched by the Agnes L. and Lewis Lyle Thomas Scholarship Challenge, establishes the John W. and Marie R. Seltzer PBAA Fund, which will be a general fund to benefit any worthy student. John Seltzer studied at Pitt-Bradford from 1972 to 1974, and went on to graduate from the Pittsburgh campus. “Marie and I met there, and that’s sort of special to us,” he said. “Had I not gone to Pitt-Bradford, I don’t think I would have survived at Pitt. I wasn’t cut out for a large school. When I look back on my college years, most of my memories are of my years at Pitt-Bradford.” It was no surprise that they met at Pitt-Bradford. They could hardly not have met, as small as the school was in those days. The entire campus consisted of the townhouses whe

The remains of a Tyrone man missing in action since his cargo plane went down in Burma during World War II have been identified. Clarence Frantz was 24-years-old when his C-47A Skytrain left India on May 23, 1944, to resupply Allied forces near Myitkyina, Burma. Frantz and the six other airmen will be buried with full military honors July 15 at Arlington National Cemetery. Back in 1996, the Defense Department identified Staff Sergeant Anthony "Bib" DeLucia of Bradford, who died in August of 1944 when his B-24 Liberator crashed into a mountainside in South China. http://www.defense.gov/releases/release.aspx?releaseid=13674

A Cattaraugus man is facing charges after he crashed his pickup truck in New Albion early this morning. Sheriff’s deputies say 31-year-old Bret Frantz wrecked the pickup in a ditch at the intersection of Mayo and Chautauqua roads at 12:49 a.m. He was charged with driving while intoxicated and moving from a lane unsafely. He was released on his own recognizance.

A Coudersport woman was hurt in an accident at 10:10 Friday morning in Roulette Township. State police say 21-year-old Krystal Crum was rounding a sharp curve on Back Road when she came across wood debris in the road. When she steered to miss the debris, her car went off the road, hit an embankment and a large rock. Crum was taken to Charles Cole Memorial Hospital by private vehicle for treatment of back pain. No charges will be filed.

During Friday's session, Senator Dave Argall commented on the passage of Senate Bill 900, which would hold property owners accountable for the costs to secure, remediate or demolish blighted structures. Watch the video here .

A 17-year-old boy was taken by Mercyflight to ECMC in Buffalo after an accident early this morning on Seaward Avenue, just north of Tuna Crossroads. In a fax sent to WESB and The HERO, Foster Township Police say at 2:20 a.m. the vehicle driven by the 17-year-old crossed the road, went into the yard of 644 Seaward, hit a mailbox then traveled into the yard at 630 Seaward, where it hit a tree and a parked vehicle. The driver was thrown from the vehicle. Passenger 18-year-old Joshua Harris was treated at the scene and released to the custody of his grandmother. Passenger 48-year-old Larry Elliott was taken by ambulance to BRMC. The investigation is continuing.

John Schneider, probably best known for playing "Bo Duke" on The Dukes of Hazzard , will be performing during the annual "A Capitol Fourth" on PBS. I had the pleasure of speaking with him this morning about the show. You can listen here . Fore more information about "A Capitol Fourth," go here .

Two people were hurt in an accident at 7:20 Thursday night on Route 49 in Potter County. Police say a car driven by 31-year-old Tonya Crosson of Coudersport drifting off the road, went out of control, slid across the road, hit an embankment and turned over. Crosson and her male juvenile passenger were not wearing seatbelts and suffered minor injuries. The car had to be towed from the scene. Police say Crosson will be cited for driving at an unsafe speed.

A Jamestown couple is facing charges after their children were found locked in a room in squalid conditions Thursday afternoon. Police say the 1-year-old, 2-year-old and 4-year-old were found in a room with feces, food and dirty clothes scattered over the floor. They say the room was padlocked on the outside and they could smell marijuana in the apartment. Officers also found marijuana paraphernalia and residue. Chautauqua County probation officers were conducting a visit at apartment 21-year-old Amanda Jackson when they discovered the children. Jackson and 40-year-old Joseph Tucker are the parents. Police say there also was a large hole in the floor that children could step into, and an electrical breaker box with wires exposed that were within reach of the children. Tucker was charged with three counts of endangering the welfare of a child and felony criminal contempt for violating the two orders of protection. Jackson was charged with four counts of endangering the welfare of a chi

HARRISBURG - State Rep. Kathy Rapp (R-Warren/Forest/McKean) this week voted against a state budget that increases state spending to $28.04 billion and uses $850 million in federal money that has not been approved to balance the budget. "Although I am pleased we have been able to get a budget passed in a timely manner, this spending plan is unrealistic and irresponsible," said Rapp. "Not only are we spending $28 billion when revenue has only netted the state around $25 billion, but we are also relying on $850 million from the federal government that has yet to be approved - and is looking less likely that it will be the longer time goes by." The $850 million is stimulus money from the Federal Medical Assistance Percentages that Congress must approve. The $28.04 billion state budget for 2010-11 represents an increase of $207.2 million over last year and is funded with a combination of state dollars, stimulus funds (which expire next year) and several other state funds

The Bradford Area Chamber of Commerce announces its 3rd annual Summer Soiree to be held July 21st from 5-7:30pm at Heritage Suites, 139 Minard Run Road. The Summer Soiree is an adult networking event, open to the public, which will include refreshments by Bradford City Beers and Tortugas Restaurant, hearty hors d’oeuvres by Andy Mascioni Catering, and live music by Take 3. Heritage Suites will offer tours during the event. This event is an opportunity to socialize and network in a fun, casual atmosphere. There will be door prizes and the drawing for the 200 Club raffle will be held at 6:30pm. There is a nominal admission fee of $10 per person. One FREE admission is included with the purchase of a 200 Club ticket. This popular 50/50 raffle only has 200 tickets with 27 prizes ranging from $100 up to $1000. Part of the proceeds from this fundraiser benefit BACC community outreach programs such as community holiday lighting displays. Contact the Bradford Area Chamber of Commerce for your l

– PennDOT issues the following travel update for the Route 219/Bradford Bypass project in McKean County. This update is for the week of July 5. All work is weather and schedule dependent. Glenn O. Hawbaker, Inc. of State College is the contractor on this $28 million job. · No work will be performed Monday, July 5 in observance of the Independence Day holiday. · Work on the Route 219 southbound ON-ramp at Elm Street continues. Traffic is using the existing shoulder. Contractor crew will be working close to the roadway, placing concrete for a new barrier wall. Expect delays during work hours. · Northbound traffic is sharing a lane with southbound traffic, separated by temporary concrete barrier from Mill Street to north of Hillside Drive. · Contractor will continue to truck materials for sub-base and paving operations and will be pulling into the closed “dead lane” from the northbound “live lane”. Traffic may be slow moving on Route 219 as this work takes place. · Northbound ramps at

State police are continuing to search for a Titusville man who has been missing since Saturday. 76-year-old Charles Speer was last seen at Presque Isle Downs & Casino in Erie at about 6 p.m. on June 26. Speer suffers from dementia. Police say he drove away in a 1998 burgundy Nissan Maxima with the Pennsylvania license plate GFA9486.

The State Senate did not approve a budget plan during Thursday's brief meeting. Republican lawmakers, including Senator Cathy Young, say it's outrageous the budget is three months overdue. "In one of the most irresponsible and shameful moves ever seen in Albany, the New York City-controlled tax and spend Senators have decided to adjourn rather than finishing the state budget," Young said in a statement e-mailed to WESB and The HERO. "They have added billions of dollars in new spending, yet they are skipping town without paying the bill." "When Upstate Senators questioned them about why they were not bringing up the rest of their budget, they refused to answer, and instead ruled Senators out of order," she said. "The law requires the budget to be passed by April 1 and the Senate should stay in Albany until it's done. I'm going to continue to fight against their out-of-control taxes and spending. We must turn around the economy so that

A man is facing charges for allegedly threatening an employee while robbing the Rite Aid Pharmacy in Wellsville Thursday. In a news release, police say 29-year-old Aaron Heale grabbed an employee at just before 1 o’clock in the afternoon, said he had a weapon and demanded drugs. They say based on excellent information provided by witnesses, they were able to find Heale in Wellsville at about 2:45 p.m. He’s charged with robbery and petit larceny.

The McKean/Potter Counties American Red Cross held its annual meeting on June 30, 2010 at the Sawyer Evangelical Church’s pavilion in Bradford. The primary purpose of the meeting was to thank Red Cross volunteers and donors. Volunteer program awards were presented by executive director Jason Bange and human resources chairperson Melissa Ibanez to Marion Lineman for Blood Services; Ray Austin for Community Services; Jennifer Stambaugh for Emergency Services; and Sam Cummings for Financial Development. Outgoing board members were honored while incoming board members were welcomed. Outgoing board members include Melissa Ibanez, HR Chair, Jane Bell, Secretary; Staci Frantz, Treasurer; and Stacy Sorokes Wallace, Chairperson. New board members are Danielle Delong, Mike Montecalvo, Erika Seagren, and Jon Bradish. Incoming officers are: Thomas Schultz, Secretary; Cliff Wood, Finance Chairperson; Sam Cummings, Vice-Chairperson, and Ryan Dach, Chairperson. Bange commented, “Our former le

The man accused of killing a woman and her infant daughter in March has pleaded not guilty. Waide Nolf was formally arraigned by Judge John Pavlock in McKean County Court on Thursday. He’s accused of drowning Tanya and Tamara Haight in a house they shared with several other people on Pleasant Street. McKean County District Attorney Ray Learn is seeking the death penalty.

A Missouri man is accused of trying to smuggle five pounds of marijuana into the Rainbow Family gathering near Hearts Content in the Allegheny National Forest. The US Forest Service says 37-year-old Bruce Runion Jr. was arrested Tuesday after a joint investigation they conducted with the Warren County Drug Task Force. Runion is charged with possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, criminal conspiracy and 11 counts of criminal use of a communications facility, for using UPS to ship the pot from California.

WILLIAMSVILLE, N.Y. – Tops Friendly Market announced that it has awarded $876,200 dollars to 772 Tops first-year and matriculated college associates, associate dependents and associate grandchildren for the 2010-2011 academic year. Since the start of the scholarship program in 1989, Tops has awarded $12,585,050 dollars to over 10,000 recipients. “Each year, we are pleased to work with our Union partners to award Tops associates, their dependents and their grandchildren with college scholarships” said Frank Curci, president and CEO of Tops Markets. “We proudly support all associates and associates’ family members who choose to further their education by providing funding toward all four years of their educational journey.” All Tops associates, union and non-union, their dependents and grandchildren are eligible to apply for scholarship awards ranging from $1,000 to $1,500 annually over the course of four academic years. Through partnership with the United Food and Commercial Workers

Harrisburg -- Governor Ed Rendell Thursday said that state revenue collections in June exceeded expectations. Pennsylvania collected $3 billion in General Fund revenue in June, which was $58.3 million, or 2 percent, more than anticipated. “June is the first month since December 2007 that our revenues have been above what was estimated." Fiscal year 2009-10 General Fund collections totaled $27.6 billion, which is $1.176 billion, or 4.1 percent, below estimate. Sales tax receipts totaled $776.9 million for June, $7.7 million above estimate. Sales tax collections for the fiscal year totaled $8 billion, which is $362.1 million, or 4.3 percent, less than anticipated. Personal income tax (PIT) revenue in June was $1.1 billion, $2.8 million above estimate. This brought fiscal year PIT collections to $10 billion, which is $308.3 million, or 3 percent, below estimate. June corporation tax revenue of $541.8 million was $25.5 million below estimate. Fiscal year corporation tax collections to

HARRISBURG -- The Department of Agriculture announced today that it has quarantined cattle from a Tioga County farm after a number of cows came into contact with drilling wastewater from a nearby natural gas operation. Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding said uncertainty over the quantity of wastewater the cattle may have consumed warranted the quarantine in order to protect the public from eating potentially contaminated beef. “Cattle are drawn to the taste of salty water,” said Redding. “Drilling wastewater has high salinity levels, but it also contains dangerous chemicals and metals. We took this precaution in order to protect the public from consuming any of this potentially contaminated product should it be marketed for human consumption.” Redding said 28 head of cattle were included in the quarantine, including 16 cows, four heifers and eight calves. Those cattle were out to pasture in late April and early May when a drilling wastewater holding pond on the farm of Don and Caro

The 3rd Annual McKean-Potter Counties American Red Cross Golf Tournament, held at Pine Acres Country Club last Saturday, was a great success raising over $7,500 to support the chapter’s programs and services. The tournament committee thanks all those who sponsored and participated in the event and hopes everyone will participate again next year. Photo by Jennifer Fleck

A Collins Company Foundation gift of $20,000 for the purchase of a GlideScope for KCH’s Emergency and Operating Rooms was acknowledged last week with Emergency and Operating Room staff gathering for in-service on the use and care of the new equipment. Connie Grenz, General Manager of Kane Hardwood, a Collins company worked with CEO J. Gary Rhodes and George Saleh, CRNA, Manager of the Department of Anesthesia at Kane Community Hospital to identify and research several options for the formal Foundation request. The ER video intubation laryngoscope was on Kane Community Hospital’s wish list for emergency room health professionals. The GlideScope Videoscope is a recommended instrument of the American Society of Anesthesiologists to be a standard part of the difficult airway management protocol. Because of its rural location, KCH is not staffed with a 24/7 trauma surgeon. The medical professionals’ skills when serving in the ER are now greatly enhanced by using this airway instrument.

Everyone loves a parade. The Kane Area Relay for Life's annual parade is on Thursday, July 15 at 6 p.m. in uptown Kane. The Relay parade is the largest parade of the year. Bring your family, friends, kids of all ages. Organizers are in the final stages of planning the event. Still needed are a several convertibles or jeeps for Miss Relay Contestants and local dignitaries. If you have a convertible or jeep that could be used for the parade, please contact Shirley Morgan at 837-9696 or Marianne Rook 837-7115. If you or your club or group would like to walk or ride in the parade, or you have a unique vehicle or a vehicle promoting your business, please call as well. The parade is a show of awareness and support for all those touched by cancer in our community. Cancer survivors (those who have heard the words "you have cancer", or those living with cancer) are encouraged to come to the parade assembly area on Wetmore Avenue at 5:30 and ride on one of the floats. Or c

OLEAN, NY -- The Cattaraugus County Arts Council (CCAC) announces its free summer programming held in partnership with Allegany State Park. The classes were made possible with funds donated by National Fuel as well as monies raised by auctioning artist-inspired Adirondack Chairs in August 2009. The first of many summer art workshops will begin next week with Instructor Joan Pingitore who will teach Printing from Nature. This fun, interactive, workshop will give kids and adults a chance to create art from nature and have a beautiful creation to take home with them. Joan Pingitore, a local artist, will guide participants through creating an interesting composition and printmaking techniques. Everyone will make a unique piece of art while learning about the environment in the process. The workshop will take place at The Warming Hut. The Warming Hut is located at the Summit Cabin Loop across from the Art Roscoe x-country ski trails. From I-86 take exit 21 into the park and proceed to the t

American Refining Group has announced the addition of Biogas Engine Oils to its line of Brad Penn Lubricants. Brad Penn Biogas Engine Oils are premium quality stationary gas engine oils with enhanced alkalinity reserve designed for use in applications where fuel gas is generated from anaerobic digestion of manure, compost and/or landfill residue. Ken Tyger, ARG technical service representative, says the Brad Penn Biogas Engine Oils were formulated and tailored specifically to service stationary internal combustion engines, modified to run where methane is generated. He says an engine oil was needed with specific chemistry and characteristics to neutralize the acid produced and to protect engines from damage. Ben Postles from Penn England Farms, an 1,800 cow dairy farm in Williamsburg, was among the first farms to use the Brad Penn Bio as Engine Oils in the farms digester engine. “We have doubled our oil change interval with no evidence of engine wear on an engine that has over 33,000 h

By Sandra Rhodes Visitor & Member Services Allegheny National Forest Visitors Bureau There’s no better way to spend Independence Day weekend than to take in the sights and sounds at a state park. The Kinzua Bridge State Park, located in McKean County, Pennsylvania, and Allegany State Park, in Salamanca, New York, both offer a multitude of activities beginning on Friday, July 2. Step back into history at the Kinzua Bridge State Park for a History of the Bridge Talk and Walk which take place from 1 to 3 p.m. The Kinzua Bridge State Park is located on Route 3011. The Kinzua Bridge State Park is the home of the former Kinzua Viaduct, which was once billed as the “Eighth Wonder of the World.” The Kinzua Viaduct was built to span the Kinzua Gorge as a railroad viaduct in 1882. The viaduct was partially destroyed by a tornado in 2003, but will be reborn in 2010 and will open as the Kinzua Sky Walk in the fall. Railroad enthusiasts need to come on board to a couple of programs at the park.

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation says more trees in the Randolph area have been infested with emerald ash borer, a tree-killing beetle first confirmed in New York last year. DEC foresters have detected emerging insects on private woodlands south of Interstate 86, but within the previously established quarantine area. The emerald ash borer is a small but destructive beetle that infests and kills North American ash tree species, including green, white, black and blue ash. Since it was first discovered in Michigan in 2002, the emerald ash borer has spread to 13 states, including Pennsylvania, and two Canadian provinces and is responsible for the destruction of 70 million trees in the United States alone. After the insect was discovered in Cattaraugus County last year, a multi-agency effort was undertaken to attempt to control its spread. An informational meeting was held last night in Randolph and DEC officials say property owners, and communties, should be read

The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford will hold an informational session July 13 about the University of Pittsburgh’s Master of Social Work degree offered on the Bradford campus. The session, which will take place at 6 p.m. in Room 162 of Swarts Hall on the Pitt-Bradford campus, will feature Phillip Mack, director of admissions for the University of Pittsburgh School of Social Work, which is consistently ranked in the top 10 social work programs in the country. Stephanie Eckstrom, coordinator of the MSW program in Bradford, will also be on hand. Topics to be addressed include the admissions process, program structure, curriculum, financial aid and more. Applications are now being accepted for Pitt-Bradford’s fifth cohort, or class, being formed for Fall 2010. Prospective students can expect to complete the degree requirements by December 2013. The MSW program at Pitt-Bradford is a part-time program offered by the University of Pittsburgh’s School of Social Work in cooperation with t

Two Salamanca women are facing child endangerment charges in separate cases. Police say 19-year-old Trisha Fernandez was baby sitting and left a 1-year-old alone so she could go to a pawn shop with something she stole from the baby’s mother. The mother called police after she got home and found the baby alone. Fernandez is also charged with criminal possession of stolen property, petit larceny. She’s in Cattaraugus County Jail in lieu of $500 bail. In the other case 24-year-old Jessica Wahl was charged after her 2 ½-year-old son wandered out of the house wearing only a diaper while she was napping. Police say they received calls from neighbors about the toddler, but did not receive a call from the mother reporting her son missing. Wahl was issued a ticket to appear in city court.