Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

A 37-year-old Ripley man was hurt in a logging accident Friday in the Town of Hanover. Chautauqua County Sheriff’s deputies say a large branch was being moved by a claw-type piece of logging equipment when the branch fell from the claw and hit the man, who was working at the scene. The man was thrown about 20 feet. He was taken by Mercy Flight to ECMC in Buffalo. Deputies didn’t release his name.

A Kersey man is facing charges for allegedly pointing a gun at another man’s head. State police say 40-year-old Peter Mackie pointed the gun at the head of a 48-year-old St. Marys man at 2:30 Saturday morning. Mackie is charged with aggravated assault and other unspecified charges. He was arraigned and released on $25,000 bond.

City firefighters battled a blaze this morning at 19 Chautauqua Place. They were called at 7:22, and Lt. Mike Cleveland tells WESB and The HERO that smoke was coming from the eaves and attic when they arrived. Heavy smoke was also pouring from the front of the house out of the attic vent. Cleveland says they were able to contain the fire to the attic, although there was a little bit of damage on the second floor. There was smoke and water damage throughout the building, he added. No one was hurt. Bruce Haight owns the building. Roger McCracken and Amy Sellers are renting the upstairs. Linda Bell, her boyfriend and two children live in the downstairs apartment. Firefighters were on the scene for about 2 ½ hours. Bradford Township was on standby at the city station. Special police directed traffic while Chautauqua Place was closed. As of 12:15 p.m., a state police fire marshal was on the scene trying to determine the cause of the blaze.

Salamanca Mayor Jeffrey Pond has issued layoff notices to 49 City employees today, citing the need to control expenses in the wake of the ongoing dispute between New York State and the Seneca Nation of Indians. In addition to the layoffs, the City has cut all programs, projects and services funded with Economic Development funds. This includes the construction management and inspection portion of the contract for the State Park Avenue reconstruction project. In a news release, Pond says more layoffs are possible.

District Attorney David Foley announces that 50-year-old David Scarpino of Jamestown pleaded guilty before the Honorable John T. Ward to Manslaughter in the 1st Degree for the August 22nd, 2008 beating death of Bruce Boje. The incident occurred in the early morning hours at a 66 Andrews Street in the City of Jamestown. An altercation between Scarpino and the victim led to Scarpino's beating of Mr. Boje, which in turn led to his death. Mr. Boje was pronounced dead at the scene. In a news release, the District Attorney says he was pleased with the disposition as it provided closure to Mr. Boje's family, stating, "I have been in constant contact with Mr. Boje's family and they are pleased that we have been able to put this tragic event to rest with the plea." The District Attorney added that this was a case of domestic violence that unfortunately led to a death, and should serve as a reminder to all those who suffer at the hands of another to get help. "There ar...

A federal judge in Albany is blocking the state from enforcing new cigarette tax regulations on any Indian tribes. This afternoon, U.S. District Judge Lawrence Kahn ruled that the Department of Taxation and Finance cannot start collecting sales taxes on cigarettes sold by any Native American retailers until at least October 1. On Thursday, Kahn granted the St. Regis Mohawk Indian Nation's request for a temporary restraining order. Like the Senecas and Cayugas, the Mohawks are asking for an injunction hearing, claiming that the taxes violate their tribal sovereignty. Kahn has ordered the Mohawks' injunction hearings to start Thursday. The Senecas' and Cayugas' injunction hearings were held before U.S. District Judge Richard Arcara in Buffalo on Tuesday and Wednesday. Kahn's ruling today supersedes a ruling from the New York State Court of Appeals saying the state can move ahead with enforcement of the tax.

ELDRED, PA — On Saturday, September 25, 2010, the Eldred WWII Museum will participate in the sixth annual Museum Day, presented by Toyota on behalf of the redesigned 2011 Avalon. The Eldred WWII Museum will join participating museums and cultural institutions nationwide to open their doors free of charge to all visitors who download the Museum Day Ticket from Smithsonian.com. A journey to celebrate our world’s dynamic heritage and cultural life, participating Museum Day venues emulate the free admission policy of the Smithsonian Institution’s Washington, D.C.-based facilities. Museum Day 2010 is poised to be the largest to date, outdoing last year’s record-breaking event. Over 300,000 museum-goers and 1,300 venues in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico participated in Museum Day 2009. Last year, two million visitors logged on to www.smithsonian.com/museumday to learn more about the program. “We are pleased to join with Museums across the country to offer a day of f...

The Jefferson County District Attorney says he will be seeking the death penalty for the Emporium man accused of shooting a Brockway couple earlier this year. Jeff Burkett says he based his decision on aggravating circumstances in the case, specifically that the murders happened during a burglary and robbery. 45-year-old Steven Rebert is accused of shooting Wayne and Vicky Shugar on the weekend of April 12 in their home. He is charged with two counts each of criminal homicide and aggravated assault, one count of burglary, one count of robbery and one count of theft. No trial date has been set.

http://1490newsblog.blogspot.com/2010/07/blight-bill-passes-senate.html http://1490newsblog.blogspot.com/2009/05/lawmakers-hear-testimony-on-blight.html http://1490newsblog.blogspot.com/2009/03/renaissance-city-plan-for-pa.html http://1490newsblog.blogspot.com/2008/09/committee-approves-blight-bill.html

Work is winding down on PennDOT’s Route 219/Bradford Bypass project in McKean County. PennDOT issues the following travel update for the week of Sept. 20. All work is weather and schedule dependent. Glenn O. Hawbaker, Inc. of State College is the contractor on this $28 million job. · 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 bituminous pavement 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. · Northbound ramps at Foster Brook Interchange are closed. Traffic is to follow the posted detours. · No construction activity is expected on Bolivar Drive/State Route 346. Bridge painting at this location will take place later in early October. · The Tuna Valley Trail access at Bolivar Drive is closed due to bridgewor...

A masterpiece of slapstick and protest set in a police headquarters where a man has fallen to his death will be performed Monday, Sept. 20, at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford. “¡Anarchist!” will be performed by the Little Green Pig Theatrical Concern of Durham N.C., at 7:30 p.m. in the Studio Theater in Blaisdell Hall. Admission is $6 for all adults and $2 for students. The production is part of the university’s Spectrum Series. “¡Anarchist!” is an updated version of Dario Fo’s classic “Accidental Death of an Anarchist.” Questions are raised as to whether the anarchist jumped or was pushed. A chameleonic maniac turns the tables on a corrupt establishment in an effort to get to the bottom of it. “Little Green Pig is the most consistently exciting and surprising theater company in the Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill area,” said Dr. Kevin Ewert, associate professor of theater and director of the theater program at Pitt-Bradford. “‘¡Anarchist!’ played to sold-out houses and rave revie...

WASHINGTON, DC— U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) today applauded Senate passage of legislation to provide tax cuts to small businesses and increase their access to capital. Senator Casey released the following statement: “I have heard from small business owners all across Pennsylvania about their struggles in this economy to grow and to obtain capital. If businesses can’t grow, they can’t hire. The legislation the Senate passed today will give small businesses $12 billion in tax cuts, provide $30 billion to community banks to help provide access to capital for small businesses and increase SBA loan limits. This is needed help for communities in Pennsylvania and the economy. “It is unfortunate that some people in Washington don’t share the same sense of urgency in delivering help to small businesses. This bill should have been passed months ago. It would not have passed at all if not for a couple of Republicans who put help for small business and workers ahead of partisan politics.” ...

HARRISBURG - Attorney General Tom Corbett today warned Pennsylvania consumers to watch carefully for scams when searching for jobs on the Internet, including questionable online ads for part-time "modeling jobs." "Con artists are using online message forums, email ads or bogus websites to circulate job offers that require consumers to respond quickly for high-paying opportunities," Corbett said. "These crooks are hoping that the attraction of work as a model, along with a paid trip to New York or other exciting locations, will get consumers to respond quickly and send money before verifying that the offer is legitimate." Corbett explained that the exact details of these job scams can change, but all share common themes: Easy money" for a small amount of work. The need to respond immediately. Difficulty meeting prospective employers face-to-face. Most importantly, at some point during these scams, victims will be asked to wire-transfer money to anothe...

Incident reports filed by Pennsylvania state troopers do not have to be released to the public, according to today’s ruling by the Commonwealth Court. The 6-1 majority ruling said the forms are covered by an exception to the Right-to-Know Law that allows agencies to withhold criminal investigative records. The case involves a February 2009 request by the Potter Leader-Enterprise for a complete incident report about a fight in Potter County. The court found that the incident report did not amount to a police blotter, which are public record, and therefore did not have to be released. Judge Renee Cohn Jubelirer wrote, "The incident report is not a chronological listing of arrests. Rather, it is a description of an investigation by the PSP into a complaint of criminal activity." Office of Open Records Director Terry Mutchler says she is reviewing the decision to decide whether to appeal. Read more: http://www.courts.state.pa.us/OpPosting/Cwealth/out/741CD09_9-16-10.pdf

BUFFALO, NY — Roswell Park Cancer Institute (RPCI) leadership received official word this morning that America’s first cancer center has earned Magnet Recognition for nursing excellence, a top national honor bestowed by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). Approximately 6% of all hospitals in the United States earn Magnet designation. RPCI is the only hospital in Western New York — and the only freestanding cancer center in New York State — to earn this designation, according to a news release sent to WESB and The HERO. The Magnet distinction recognizes quality patient care, nursing excellence and innovations in professional nursing practice, providing the ultimate benchmark for consumers to measure the quality of care they can expect to receive. In Magnet hospitals, patient outcomes are better, and their length of stay is shorter. “We’re ecstatic and honored to receive such a distinction,” says Maureen Kelly, RN, MS, Vice President of Patient Care Services and Chief Nursin...

Doctor critically injured in shooting at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, police tell CNN. More from CNN.com . Johns Hopkins provides the daily Health Report during 1490 WESB's Midday Magazine.

Congresswoman Kathy Dahlkemper announced today that Hamot Medical Center has received a $99,000 federal grant to partner with three hospitals to provide rural patients greater access to the advanced medical care they need. The Health and Human Services grant, which Hamot applied for with Charles Cole Memorial Hospital in Coudersport, Elk Regional Health Center in St. Marys, and Kane Community Hospital in Kane, will specifically help pay for a cache of equipment to be stored at each of the rural hospitals for use while transporting critically ill patients to Hamot. The equipment includes a portable ventilator, a wireless device to monitor vital signs, and a state-of-the-art portable IV pump. Currently, transfer of critically ill patients to Hamot from the rural hospitals can be significantly delayed because of a lack of equipment and critical-care trained paramedics and nurses. “The purchase of this equipment will help put an end to critically-ill patients having to wait for a hospital ...

Rep. Martin Causer (R-Turtlepoint) is inviting area senior citizens and their families to his Eighth Annual Senior Citizens Expo on Friday, Oct. 8, at the Roulette Fire Hall. The free event will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., and lunch will be provided. "We got great feedback after our Bradford Senior Expo in August, so I hope more people take advantage of this opportunity to gather a lot of useful information in one convenient place," Causer said. State, county and local vendors will be on hand to distribute information and answer questions. Information about health care, insurance, nutrition and exercise, fire safety, financial planning, fraud protection, government services, hunting/fishing and personal safety will be available. Health screenings will also be offered, and door prizes will be awarded. For more information, contact Causer's Coudersport office at (814) 274-9769 or visit RepCauser.com .

The Pitt Improvers, a student improvisational group at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford, will perform its first free monthly show of the academic year tonight. The all-ages show will take place from 8 to 9:30 p.m. in the Mukaiyama University Room of the Frame-Westerberg Commons. Performers will be students from last year’s improv team, including Morgan Back, a sports medicine major from Auburn; Manny Diamant, a psychology major from New Hope; Nick Jones, a writing major from Ardmore; Chris Hooks, a health and physical education major from Elmira, N.Y.; Kyle Renwick of Mount Vernon, N.Y.; Brian Roberts, an athletic training major from New Albany; Brandon Tully, an interdisciplinary arts major from Bradford; Kate Yeagle, a broadcast communications major from Newville; and club advisers Tim and Kristin Asinger. The 2010-11 team will be formed after auditions in mid-September. The monthly shows are full of favorite games containing scenes that are made up o...

Participants in the Center for Rural Health Practice’s Community in Action program logged more than 64 million steps this summer. CIA began in April with 93 participants who recorded the number of steps they walked each week. A ceremony was held today to recognize those with the most steps. Teams with the most steps were: first place, The Guidance Center, with an average of 1,917,298 steps; second place, Turbo Kickers with an average of 1,183,635 steps; and third place, American Refining Group, with an average of 932,702 steps. Individuals with the top number of steps were Donna Good with 1,500,066 steps; Jackie Good with 1,289,522 steps; and Amy McCune with 1,097,459 steps. As a group, participants walked 30,502 miles, enough to have walked to California and back six times. “At a time when the cost of health care reached $2.3 trillion in 2009, and about $40 billion of the cost is attributed to physical inactivity, participants at this co...

The first Ladies’ Night Out at Kane Community Hospital was a big hit on Tuesday with more than 200 attending the evening bash. Groups of women entered at the ER entrance and toured KCH’s Breast Health Center suites and technology within Diagnostic Imaging, received lots of information about health concerns, enjoyed a wealth of healthy, scrumptious food and recipes, as well as pampering and prizes. The Cardiac Rehab and Wellness Center at KCH was also open for touring. Pampering came in the form of free hand massages, aroma therapy, facials, therapeutic hand waxing, spa hand treatments, and bone density screenings. Vendors were on hand as well to round out the event and provide shopping fun. Mothers, daughters, sisters, and friends came in groups throughout the night. Many groups included three generations of women and girls. Over 50 community organizations donated gifts, money, services, or time to assist KCH in hosting this informative and festive celebration for women of the a...

Zippo, is celebrating its starring role in Lionsgate’s newest thriller Buried by sponsoring the movie’s premiere and after-party in New York today. Buried , which Lionsgate will release in select theaters on September 24 and wide on October 8, stars Ryan Reynolds as a truck driver and family man who wakes up six feet underground, buried alive inside a coffin with no idea of who put him there or why. Buried with only a cell phone and a Zippo lighter, his contact with the outside world and ability to piece together clues that could help him discover his location are maddeningly limited. The lighter featured in the film is a stock windproof Zippo lighter with a Street Chrome finish. In commemoration of the film, Zippo recently produced several lighters with the Buried theme which are destined to be highly prized by collectors. The Buried-branded Zippo lighters will be distributed to attendees of the Buried premiere after-party. “ Buried is a guaranteed to keep audiences at the edge of th...

Three elderly men, including the inventor of The Club anti-car theft device, are dead after a head-on crash in Clarion County. Investigators say 81-year-old James Winner Jr., of Sharon, Pa., and Hollywood Beach, Fla., crossed into oncoming traffic and hit a car carrying 82-year-old Bobby Jarrett of Tionesta and his passenger, 76-year-old Raymond Fair of Tylersburg, All three men were pronounced dead at the scene. In the 1980s, Winner developed the steering-wheel lock known as The Club after his car was stolen. He sold the first one in western Pennsylvania before creating Winner International and selling about 10 million of the devices.

The new Route 219/Johnsonburg Bypass will be fully open to both directions of traffic (northbound and southbound) on Tuesday, September 21. Traffic signals at Fairview Avenue and Grant Street will be fully operational. The contractor on the $32 million project is Swank and Associated Companies.

Longtime NBC newscaster Edwin Newman died Wednesday. He was 91. Newman also wrote best-selling books on linguistics, including "Strictly Speaking" and "A Civil Tongue." He worked at NBC from 1952 until his retirement in 1984,and anchored news specials, "Meet the Press," "Today," "The Nightly News," midday news and a variety of radio spots. "News is a great business," Newman once wrote. "I count myself lucky to be in it." For more, go to CNN.com

WARREN—Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati (R-Jefferson) will kick off his second annual three-day, 100-mile bike ride on Friday, September 17 at 10:30 a.m. to benefit the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh. The event is called the “Scarnati 100.” “The Children’s Hospital has been a wonderful asset to many children not only across Pennsylvania, but across the country as well,” Scarnati said. “The Hospital has touched the lives of my children and me, and this event is a way in which we can give back a little.” Scarnati said that the bike ride will start in Gettysburg and end at Fort Indiantown Gap, Annville on September 19, where proceeds raised will be presented to hospital officials. Riders will arrive at the State House at approximately 12:00 p.m. The schedule will be as follows: Gettysburg Battlefield to York York to Hershey Hershey to Fort Indiantown Gap “It is my sincere hope that we get tremendous support and can make a significant contribution to the hospital,” Scarnati add...

Remains Found in Barrel in Indiana County Two weeks after human remains were found in a barrel in an Indiana County creek, police have identified a suspect in the homicide. 32-year-old Jon Anthony Black has been known to frequent Indiana and Westmoreland counties. A month ago, a judge ordered Black to stay with his mother in Blairsville while he was free on his own recognizance awaiting trial for a misdemeanor charge of possession of drug paraphernalia. Black is 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighs about 175 pounds. Police said he has brown eyes and hair. He has multiple tattoos on his upper body, including a large skull on his upper arm, skulls on his neck, and a picture of Adolf Hitler on the upper right portion of his chest. Police haven’t released the victim’s identity and say once Black is arrested, they’ll have additional details. In a news release, state police said, "Due to the sensitive nature of the investigation and the possibility of additional actors being charged, the Co...

Buffalo developer Carl Paladino beat Rick Lazio in the Republican gubernatorial primary to set up a November showdown with Democrat Andrew Cuomo. Paladino received Tea Party support in defeating Lazio, who had backing from the Republican Party. However, Lazio's running mate Chautauqua County Executive Greg Edwards won the Republican primary for lieutenant governor. Lazio and Edwards were able to keep the Conservative Party nomination for governor, meaning Edwards could run for lieutenant governor with Lazio as a Conservative and for lieutenant governor on the Republican line with Paladino. Edwards hasn't made a decision yet. US Senator Kirsten Gillibrand easily won a Democratic primary challenge from Gail Goode, a lawyer for New York City. Goode said she realized she was not considered a threat to Gillibrand, who was appointed last year to fill the unexpired term of Hillary Rodham Clinton, but ran to give voters a choice. Joseph DioGuardi won the three-way Republican primary an...

The man accused of raping a woman on the Allegheny National Forest has been indicted by a federal grand jury. 35-year-old Mike Beaulieu of Anson, Maine, is charged with aggravated sexual abuse, kidnapping, using and carrying a firearm during a crime of violence and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. On August 3, Beaulieu kidnapped a woman from the Kinzua Point Information Center, and used a handgun to force her to engage in a sexual act after taking her to a remote area of McKean County. He’s also accused of restraining the woman’s boyfriend with rope and duct tape. Beaulieu is currently being held in a Canadian prison on a weapons charge, and a hearing is scheduled for next Wednesday. He fled the country after the incident in the forest. http://www.justice.gov/usao/paw/pr/2010_september/2010_09_14_01.html

Two prisoners at the Warren County Jail are facing additional charges for throwing urine at other inmates on Friday night. Police say 20-year-old Aaron Adams squirted another inmate in the face with a bottle of urine, while 20-year-old Rasheed Seward threw a wad of urine soaked toilet paper at another inmate and hit him. Adams and Seward are both charged with aggravated harassment by a prisoner.

A Buffalo man is in Cattaraugus County Jail on burglary and theft charges after asking plain clothes detectives for directions. 18-year-old Brett Giambelluca and two other people were picked up early Monday morning in the Town of Conewango. Cattaraugus County Sheriff’s deputies say they had been doing surveillance in the area because it had been targeted by burglars. Shorlty after Giambelluca and the others asked for directions at 12:45 a.m., detectives learned a burglary had taken place near the place the three were going. Police found the stolen property in Giambelluca’s vehicle. The other two people have not been charged yet. The case is still under investigation.

An Olean man has pleaded not guilty to rape and sexual abuse charges. 33-year-old Ronald Scott is accused of having sex with a child younger than 13, in Olean, between the summer of 2009 and December. The matter has been adjourned for motions.

The Allegany man accused of killing an Olean man in August has pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter. 33-year-old Martez Johnson entered the plea on Monday, according to a fax sent to WESB and The HERO by the Cattaraugus County District Attorney's Office. Johnson shot 27-year-old James Williams on August 3 in Williams’ Olean apartment. Johnson will be sentenced November 15. http://1490newsblog.blogspot.com/2010/08/olean-murder-case-goes-to-grand-jury.html

Steve Tasker, Kent Hull Fred Smerlas Cornelius Bennett, Darryl Talley, Andre Reed and Larry Centers are among the Buffalo Bills nominated for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2011. The former Pittsburgh Steelers nominated are Jerome Bettis, Dermonti Dawson, Donnie Shell, Kevin Greene and Gary Anderson. The 113 modern-era nominees will be whittled to 25 semifinalists in November and then 15 finalists. The Hall of Fame Class will be chosen Feb. 5. http://www.profootballhof.com/hof/2010/9/13/class-of-2011-preliminary-nominees-named/

OLEAN -- The City of Olean and the Greater Olean Area Chamber of Commerce deemed the second annual Greater Olean Area Outdoor & Rec Sports Show held this weekend a continued success with more than 1,100 visitors. The show which featured 47 vendors encompassed the William O. Smith Recreation Center, War Veterans Park, and Bradner Stadium. The 3-D Archery Stadium Shoot by Windfall Archery on Saturday attracted 19 contestants. Many participated in the Charlie’s Cycle Center Off Road Course and Lake Lane Resort Fishing Pond. A Companion Retriever Hunting Contest (C.R.H.C.) sponsored by Jim Beverly Retriever Training was held with the focus on actual hunting scenarios for both field and water hunting. The William O. Smith Rec Center field and swimming pools were used in the challenge. Ryan Young of Newstead, NY with his dog, Gunner won the Stage Two (higher skill level) and Larry Tarnacki, of Alden, NY with his dog, Jay won the Stage One (beginning level). The winners of the Grea...

Two Port Allegany residents were hurt in a crash Sunday morning on Route 155 in Keating Summit when their vehicle hit a building. Police say a vehicle driven by 20-year-old David Akins left the road and hit the Forest House. The impact caused Akins to be ejected out of the back window of the vehicle. Akins and his passenger, 23-year-old Jessie Armour, were taken to Charles Cole Memorial Hospital for treatment of their injuries.

An Erie man suffered a severe leg fracture after hit his motorcycle in Ripley Saturday. Sheriff’s deputies say 31-year-old Elizabeth Williams of Westfield was attempting to make a U-turn on Route 5 and didn’t see a motorcycle operated by 42-year-old Gregor Olsavsky of Erie. He was thrown from the bike, then flown by helicoper to a hospital for treatment. Williams was charged with making an unsafe start.

Someone broke into a camp in Warren County and took nearly $10,000 worth of guns and other items. Police say someone picked the front-door lock of John Duda's camp on Grannis Road in Elk Township and took an Arctic Cat 400 ATV, a utility trailer, two chain saws, two propane tanks, two heaters, a generator and a toolbox. They also took a 12-guage shotgun, three rifles and two pistols. Anyone with information on this incident is asked to contact Warren-based state police.

These ladies entertain the crowd with The Charleston during Autumn Daze and the Street Dreams Car Show Sunday in Downtown Bradford. Mandy Miles, Tina Herne, Jeff Sherwin and Robin Palmer also sang. Woody "The President" Woodruff also enjoyed Mandy/Marilyn Monroe's rendition of "Happy Birthday." Wally Melvin of Edinboro won "Best in Show" in the car show with his 1941 Willys.