Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

Students from Bradford Area and Port Allegany High Schools took top honors at the 9th Annual College Mathematics Competition held Thursday at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford. The competition is organized each year by the mathematics departments of Pitt-Bradford and the Jamestown (N.Y.) Community College Cattaraugus Campus. Forty-nine students coming from five different high schools competed by taking a two-hour math examination. According to their size, the schools were divided into two different divisions. Patrick Hoover of Youngsville High School was the overall individual winner, earning a $1,500 scholarship to Pitt-Bradford. Hoover was also the first-place winner in the small-school division. Elliot Binder of Port Allegany came in second in the small-school division. Dan Tingley of BAHS took first place in the large-school division and also earned a $1,500 scholarship to Pitt-Bradford. Coming in second in the larg...

The Navy will commission the newest Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, Pre-Commissioning Unit Jason Dunham, during a 10 a.m. EST ceremony Nov. 13 at Port Everglades, Fort Lauderdale, Fla. The new destroyer honors Cpl. Jason L. Dunham, the first Marine awarded the Medal of Honor for Operation Iraqi Freedom. Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. James Amos will deliver the ceremony's principal address. Debra Dunham will serve as sponsor of the ship named for her late son. The ceremony will be highlighted by a time-honored Navy tradition when she gives the first order to "man our ship and bring her to life!" Dunham was born in Scio, N.Y., Nov. 10, 1981, sharing the same birthday as the U.S. Marine Corps. On April 14, 2004, Dunham's squad was conducting a reconnaissance mission in Karabilah, Iraq, when his battalion commander's convoy was ambushed. When Dunham's squad approached to provide fire support, an Iraqi insurgent leapt out of a vehicle and attack...

The search is continuing in Allegany State Park at this hour for 92-year-old Thomas Hamilton of Great Valley, according to a news release sent by Cattaraugus County Emergency Services at 7:24 a.m. Hamilton and his daughter were hiking in the park Wednesday when they lost the trail. The ended up spending the night in the park. Thursday, Hamilton's daughter found her way out and contacted New York State Park Police at 1 p.m. Search activities Friday night did not disclose any new information, the news release said. A news conference will be held at 11 o'clock this morning at the park. Those involved in the search besides state park police include the Cattaraugus and Erie County Sheriff's offices; New York State Department of Environmental Conservation; New York State and Cattaraugus County emergency management offices; Western Region Emergency Management Assistance Team; Seneca Nation of Indians Marshalls; and New York State Police. Also assisting are 17 local fire department...

A man is in Cattaraugus County Jail on a quarter of a million dollars bail after being accused of raping a woman Thursday morning in the Town of Otto. Sheriff’s deputies say 42-year-old Christopher Allen Sharp pried open the back door of a home belonging to a 27-year-old woman. Once inside, he allegedly duct taped her hands and legs, and used rope to tie her to a bed while raping her. Sharp is charged with rape, burglary, unlawful imprisonment and criminal contempt. Deputies say their investigation is continuing, and more charges may be filed.

Police are looking for the person who shot and killed a heifer at Erway Farms on Wednesday. Police say the cow was shot between midnight and 3 a.m. at the farm along Route 6 in Eulalia Township. The heifer was valued at between $7,000 and $10,000.

Two New York State men are in Potter County Jail after being accused of trying to sell stolen catalytic converters to the Friendly Core Company in Shinglehouse. Coudersport-based state police say they received information that New York State Police were investigating a theft of 80 to 100 catalytic converters in Ogdenburg. They also received information that two people were trying to sell a large number of catalytic converters to Friendly Core. Police made contact with Joshua Pitts of Pyrites, New York, and Robert Forsythe of Canton, New York, while they were attempting to sell 89 converters. After arresting the men for receiving stolen property, police learned Forsythe had been driving under the influence of a controlled substance and Pitts was in possession of drug paraphernalia containing residue of a controlled substance. Their bail is set at $15,000 each.

Rumor has it that some miscreants in Bradford thought they were unstoppable Friday. Police answered calls reporting thefts on South Avenue and Mechanic Street, a neighbor dispute on East Main Street and trespassing on South Center Street, according to the complaint report and request sheet faxed to WESB and The HERO by the police department. Officers also investigated motor vehicle accidents in a downtown parking lot and at the intersection of Main and Chambers streets. They looked into harassment complaints on South Avenue, at a Main Street restaurant and on East Washington, and harassment plus threats on West Washington Street. They were also called about a suspicious person at Grace Lutheran Church.

Actor Lew Temple and daughter Tulia, who turns three in January, visit with Judy Rose at Roseart before heading to the Main Street Moviehouse for the premiere of "Unstoppable." In the lobby of the theater, Temple poses with April Stuckey of Roulette who was an extra when the filming took place in Driftwood. more photos and video after Kapers

An inmate at FCI-McKean has been sentenced to an additional seven months in jail for having contraband in the facility. 22-year-old Randy Michaels pleaded guilty to the charge. On December 20, 2009, he was in possession of marijuana in the prison. The new sentence will be served consecutively to the 57-month term Michaels was serving at the time of the offense. http://www.justice.gov/usao/paw/pr/2010_november/2010_11_10_01.html

If you’ve been avoiding the Route 219 Bradford Bypass because of all the restrictions – you can stop avoiding it. Lane restrictions were removed on Thursday, and access at Hillside Drive is open, too.

A Pennsylvania Game Commission officer investigating possible nighttime hunting and poaching was shot to death, and police took a man into custody following an 11-hour search. 31-year-old David Grove was shot Thursday night in Freedom Township, southwest of Gettysburg. 27-year-old Christopher Johnson of Fairfield was detained by police this morning. Police didn’t release any further details, but said they are not searching for anyone else. Earlier they said Johnson should be considered armed and dangerous. The last time a game commission officer was killed in the line of duty was 1915.

If you missed "Unstoppable" actor Lew Temple on The Morning Buzz today, you can still listen to the show here . Thanks to all the people who called with great questions!

A Veterans Day ceremony was held Thursday morning in Veterans Square in Bradford. It included a 21-gun salute, recognition of each branch of the armed forces and musical selections by the Bradford High Jazz Band.

Rich Brandon, engineering manager for W.R. Case & Sons Cutlery Co., presents veteran Phil Sheridan with a pin at a veterans breakfast held by the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford for about 30 faculty, staff and student veterans. Sheridan is a sociology major from Bradford. The breakfast was provided by Metz & Associates. Photo courtesy of Pitt-Bradford

A man and a woman have been arrested for attacking and robbing an elderly Warren County man last week. 45-year-old Richard Otero of Erie and 35-year-old Eugenia Muzzy of Spartansburg are each charged with robbery, burglary, theft and simple assault. Police say 89-year-old Matthew Wojtowicz went to his basement at around 10:35 p.m. after his power went out. In the basement, Otero and Muzzy attacked him, bound his hands with duct tape and put a pillow case over his head. They took cash from his pockets and left the house. Otero and Muzzy are in Warren County Jail on $100,000 bail.

NY State Senator Cathy Young released the following statement: “On this Veterans Day, we pause and honor millions of Americans who have served in our Armed Forces. We honor them for their love of our Country and their willingness to serve. It is because of their great sacrifice that we all enjoy our freedom as we know it today. I want to personally thank all the men and women who have protected our security and defended our founding ideals. I also want to thank them for the long-lasting contribution that they have made to our Country and State after their military service. They have returned home from their duties to become active and responsible citizens in their communities, further contributing to the growth and development of our Nation and State. Their commitment, sacrifice, and dedication to service inspires all of us. Thank you for all that you have done and continue to do!”

By US SENATOR BOB CASEY Near Eastern, South and Central Asian Affairs Subcommittee Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman As we mark Veterans Day, it is not only a time to thank our veterans for their service, but to also acknowledge the debt we owe them for protecting us and preserving our freedom. When young men and women are brought into their nation’s service a promise is made. We promise each veteran that their sacrifice and that of their family will not be forgotten. As a public official, there is a special obligation to serve those who have worn the uniform and served their country. Promises must be kept and their sacrifices must be remembered. There are approximately 23 million living veterans from different generations and with different needs. This sacrifice is also borne by the families of veterans – by the mothers and fathers and especially the spouses and children. While traveling throughout Pennsylvania, I have had the privilege of sitting down and talking with veter...

A Bradford woman escaped injury when her vehicle rolled onto its roof in an accident on Route 446 in Eldred Township at 7:39 this morning. Police say 29-year-old Theresa Pompa veered to avoid hitting an animal that entered the road and lost control of her car, which then went off the road, hit an embankment and rolled over. The car had to be towed from the scene.

A seventh person has been charged with arson and gang assault in connection to the October 17 fire-bombing of an apartment and the assault of St. Bonaventure University student. 21-year-old Garry Coleman of Olean is in jail on $50,000 bail. He and six other men are accused of throwing the fire bomb into the apartment early in the morning, and assaulting student Barrett Telford who was running after the suspects’ car to get the license plate number. The others charged are Steven Sprague, Adam Peterson, Donald Phearsdorf and Mark Braithwaite of Allegany, Andrew Piccirillo of Portville, and Calvin Weiss of Olean. All six are free on bond or bail, and the case has not gone to a grand jury yet.

Gov.-elect Tom Corbett today announced the leadership of his transition team, naming Christine Toretti, Jack Barbour and Bill Sasso as co-chairs. Corbett also named Leslie Gromis-Baker and Tom Paese as co-directors of the transition. Charles Kopp has been named as the transition’s legal counsel. Additionally, Corbett named Brian Nutt as transition chief of staff and Kevin Harley as transition spokesman. “I’m pleased that such high-caliber men and women have joined me in this important task of crafting a new administration,” Corbett said. “Their leadership will be a valuable asset as we move forward with forming a complete transition team.” “Over the next few weeks, my leadership team and I will be adding members to the transition team who will examine all aspects of state government and the state agencies,” Corbett said. Corbett also named Bob Asher and Laura Ellsworth as co-chairs of the Corbett/Cawley inauguration committee. Christine Toretti, of Indiana County, is Chairman and CEO o...

American Refining Group and a local railroad are each getting a share of $32.5 million in state grant money awarded today for 38 rail projects in 28 counties. ARG is getting $1.4 million to rebuild track, switches and loading racks. The Western New York & Pennsylvania Railroad will get $378,350 to install new crossties, rebuild rail through three grade crossings and realign a curve to facilitate higher track speed. For more information, you can read the news release: – A $32.5 million state investment in 38 rail projects in 28 counties will upgrade and add capacity, stimulate local economies and provide as many as 2,500 jobs, Governor Edward G. Rendell announced today at a York manufacturing and distribution facility. “Transportation investment equals jobs,” Governor Rendell said. “The rail freight projects being funded across the state today will help companies create good-paying jobs and inject billions into local economies. These grants are excellent examples of how public-priva...

An inmate at FCI-McKean has been sentenced to another year in prison. 39-year-old Jorge Borges-Rosario pleaded guilty and was sentenced in federal court on charges of possession of contraband in prison. On December 19, 2009, Borges-Rosario was in possession of heroin and marijuana. The sentence will be served consecutively to the 151-month term of imprisonment Mr. Borges-Rosario was serving at the time of this offense. http://www.justice.gov/usao/paw/pr/2010_november/2010_11_09_02.html

As expected, two legislators from Western Pennsylvania have been chosen to lead the new Republican majority in the state House starting in January. Rep. Sam Smith of Jefferson County, who has been the minority leader for the past four years, was elected today by the GOP caucus to be the Speaker of the House. He will replace Keith McCall, who is retiring. The official full House vote is in January. The new majority leader will be Rep. Mike Turzai of Bradford Woods. He has been minority whip in the current session, which was controlled by Democrats. Joe Scarnati, also of Jefferson County, is expected to be re-elected by his colleagues as Senate President Pro Tempore when that chamber holds leadership elections next week.

Today's Morning Buzz featured an auction to raise money for The ELF Fund, and brought in $380. The prize package included tickets to the premier of "Unstoppble," a meal at The Option House, a private meeting with actor Lew Temple, and a photograph of the meeting by Long Art Photography. While the ELF Fund folks were at the radio station, Chairman Ed Hayden talked to Scott Douglas about just a few of this year's applicants. Listen here . You can learn more about the ELF Fund at ELF Fund.org , and we'll be talking more about it -- and The Festival of Trees -- on next Tuesday's LiveLine. ~~ The Festival of Trees Annual Auction had a remarkable item awarded on WESB/WBRR Morning Buzz with Scott Douglas on Tuesday, November 9. Connie Malone was the winning bidder of the Unstoppable Movie/Dinner package for the Festival of Trees. Her winning prize is comprised of dinner for four at the Option House, four tickets to the premier showing of Unstoppable (as provided f...

A former Warren resident who is a registered sex offender has been charged with raping and kidnapping a woman at knifepoint Sunday night in near Erie. 37-year-old Edmund Gowland robbed a Warren convenience store in 1994, and forced the woman at gunpoint to go to his apartment, where he raped her. He was convicted on November 8 of 1994. For the alleged incidents that happened Sunday, he’s in Erie County Jail on $50,000 bond. Gowland’s preliminary hearing is scheduled for December 14. Photo from the PA Megan's Law Website .

$2 million Potter County cocaine ring stretched to New Jersey Six people have been charged with participating in a large-scale cocaine distribution ring that stretched from Allegany County, New York, to Potter County to New Jersey. Current Attorney General Tom Corbett said the investigation began in 2005 and focused on the cocaine trafficking activities of 50-year-old David Snyder of Whitesville, New York, who allegedly distributed more than 50 kilograms of cocaine with a street value of about $2 million. Snyder allegedly distributed the cocaine in and around Potter County from 2002 through late 2009. The grand jury identified Snyder's main source for the cocaine as 34-year-old Jorge "G" Stuart of Camden, New Jersey. Others charged in the case are 52-year-old Greg Lampson of Ulysses, 42-year-old Donna Gibble of Genesee and 39-year-old Tara Snyder and 57-year-old Rich Pratt, both of Whitesville. For more information: http://attorneygeneral.gov/press.aspx?id=5787 #

A service-minded freshman at St. Bonaventure is one of 10 national finalists for a $25,000 grant from L’Oreal Paris — and you can help her win. Simone Bernstein of St. Louis, Mo., a L’Oreal Paris Woman of Worth Honoree, has won $5,000 for her teen volunteer website. Now she needs our votes to become the national honoree and earn another $25,000 to expand her network and aid campus organizations. Online voting will determine the winner. Vote at www.womenofworth.com Nov. 8 - Nov. 24 only. e-mail from St. Bonaventure

The planned merger of Northwest Savings and NexTier banks has been terminated. In a news release, Northwest says the termination of the agreement was based on the expectation that the merger would not receive required approval from the FDIC. As the result of a recently completed, regularly scheduled compliance examination, the FDIC criticized various components of Northwest Savings Bank's consumer compliance program. Northwest says it is taking steps to address the issues and expects to receive a formal enforcement order concerning its compliance program. In May, Northwest struck a deal to buy NexTier for more than $20 million in cash.

At the invitation of the Fu Jen Catholic University, U.S. Representative Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson, R-Howard, will be in Taiwan, through Saturday November 13th. The trip is paid for by the University and the Congressman at no taxpayer expense, and has been approved by the Congress. During the visit, Thompson will meet Timothy Chin-tien YANG, the Taiwanese Minister of Foreign Affairs and KAO hua-Chu, Minister of National Defense. They will also call on WANG Jin-Pyng, President of the Legislative Yuan, the unicameral legislature of the Republic of China. They will visit Taroko National Park, the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall and Cultural Center, and a military base.

The Bradford Landmark Society will be sponsoring a presentation of “A Christmas Carol “ on December 11th. The performance will be at 2:00 p.m. in the Bromeley Family Theater at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford. Tickets for the show are now available at Herbig Bakery (Bradford Landmark Society headquarters); John William’s European Pastry Shoppe; Graham’s Florist; Tina’s Hallmark; Ott and McHenry Drug Store and the Bradford Area Public Library. Adult tickets are $15.00, students age 10 to 18 are $10.00. This presentation is not intended for children under 10 years of age. It is encouraged to purchase tickets early to ensure a seat. This Charles Dickens favorite will be presented by Mike Randall of Buffalo, NY, as a solo performance. Mike Randall's production of Charles Dickens Presents: A Christmas Carol has been a huge success since its premiere in 2007. Giving about 50 performances across Western New York the last three holiday seasons, and premiering at Musical Fare Theat...

By SANDRA RHODES Odds are that when John Schlimm decides to do a cookbook it will be outstanding. Add into the mix chefs from Harrah’s Entertainment casinos and what you’ll have is a sure bet. That’s just the case with the St. Marys native’s new cookbook – a compilation of 125 recipes right from the chefs that have made their restaurants what they are today. As Schlimm explained, the idea of “The Seven Stars Cookbook: Recipes from World-Class Casino Restaurants,” was born when he was on the national tour for the “Ultimate Beer Lovers Cookbook.” When he was on this tour and working with Harrah’s chefs, a light bulb went off. “There was an absolute gold mine right here,” he said. His agent approached Harrah’s who then jumped right on board. Two years later is a cookbook that is much a work of art as it is a collection of recipes. “It was very important to me that all three dozen (Harrah’s) properties in this country be in this book,” he said. “We worked very hard to reach out to each pro...

The section of Kennedy Street from Boylston Street to Main Street will officially become one-way at 8 a.m. on Monday, November 8. Traffic will flow toward Main Street. Two-hour meters have been installed on the west side of Kennedy Street. The east side of the street has 30-minute meters, which will remain.

Remember to turn your clocks back at 2 a.m.