Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

Not many will be left out from being made fun of during The Second City’s show later this month at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford. At least not politicians, celebrities and significant others. The Second City’s Fair & Unbalanced show will start at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 18, in the Bromeley Family Theater in Blaisdell Hall. Cost is $20 to $24 for the public and $8 to $10 for students. The world’s premier comedy club’s performance is part of the university’s Prism series. “No one knows what the performance will be like exactly, but it will be witty, fun, entertaining and never the same way twice,” said Randy Mayes, director of arts programming at Pitt-Bradford. “Many skits are where the framework of the plot is set, but the ultimate resolution is improvised. Seeing where the cast takes it is always exciting. There will also be some audience participation in each show, so people should realize there will probably be calls for volunteers at some point.” The approximate two-ho...

Richard W. Luther, Jr. will seek nomination for re-election as Magisterial District Judge for District 48-3-03 in the May 2011 Primary Election. Luther will seek representation on both the Republican and Democratic ballot. District 48-3-03 includes Bradford, Foster, Corydon and Otto townships and the borough of Lewis Run. The position has a six-year term that begins in 2012. Luther is a lifelong resident of Bradford and began his career in law enforcement in 1982 when he attended the Indiana University of Pennsylvania Institute for Criminal Justice Training Center and graduated from the regional police academy and began working part time for the Foster Township Police Department. Luther was hired in January 1984 as a full time officer for the Bradford Township Police Department. At the time of his retirement in 2006, Luther had attained the rank of lieutenant. Additional law enforcement experience includes employment with Corydon Township as well as the Campus Police Department of ...

The second annual Marilla Winter Trek at the Marilla Reservoir is next Sunday (February 13) from noon to 4 p.m. You can cross country ski, snowshoe, ice skate, geocache or walk the Marilla Trails. It also includes shuttles to the top of Marilla Springs Trail, guided snowshoe hikes to the White Pines, lessons in showshoeing and cross country skiing. The Tuna Valley Trails Association is also providing free refreshments -- hot dogs, hamburgers, hot chocolate and mulled cider. The entire event is free and open to the public. For more information you can listen to Monday's LiveLine with Rick Lutz and Gene Cornelius on 1490 WESB or online at WESB.com at 12:35 p.m.

Motorists – on the road and parked – kept Bradford City Police busy on Thursday. They investigated motor vehicles accidents at Oxford Street and Oakwood Avenue, and at Bolivar Drive and Seaward Avenue. They also got a traffic/road complaint on North Kendall Avenue and parking complaints from Avenue B, Elm Street, Merrow Avenue, Interstate Parkway and East Main Street, and a report of an erratic driver on Mechanic Street. Also according to the complaint report and request sheet faxed to WESB and The HERO by the police department, officers got reports of a dispute on South Avenue, harassment on High Street and criminal mischief on Davis Street. They were also called to a couple of domestic disputes and received several requests to speak with an officer.

WILLIAMSVILLE, N.Y. – Tops Friendly Markets and its long-standing partner, Smithfield, are proud to bring Paula Deen Live! to Buffalo, NY on April 20, 2011. Paula Deen will host a two-hour interactive cooking show, live on-stage at Shea’s Performing Arts Center. From February 6 through March 5, Tops shoppers can register their BonusCards at www.topsmarkets.com, and every time they check out at any Tops store they’re automatically entered for a chance to win a Paula Deen Live! VIP package, including a meet-and-greet with Paula Deen, an autographed cookbook and two tickets to see Paula Deen Live! on April 20, 2011. Each time Tops shoppers purchase any Smithfield product using their registered Tops BonusCard, they are automatically given 10 extra chances to win. “We’re very excited to be part of the team that’s bringing Paula Deen to Buffalo,” said Frank Curci, Tops’ president and CEO. “I’d like to thank our partners at Smithfield for presenting this opportunity to Tops, and for helping u...

The St. Bonaventure University community is mourning the death of the Rev. Gerald McCaffrey, OFM, a professed Franciscan for 58 years and a priest for 52, who died Jan. 31 at St. Anthony Friary. The 79-year-old friar spent more than 25 years in various positions at the University, serving as a chaplain, professor, moderator of athletics and vice president for student affairs. He also ministered at Western New York high schools Archbishop Walsh and Bishop Timon. A viewing at 9 a.m. and a 10 a.m. prayer service are planned for Saturday, Feb. 5, at the St. Bonaventure University Chapel, Doyle Hall. For more information, go to SBU.edu .

Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati announced today that Tony Moscato of Cameron County will be named to the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board. Moscato will serve a two-year term beginning February 14, 2011. “I am pleased to announce that Tony will serve in this capacity, and I fully expect him to oversee the operations of gaming in the Commonwealth in an honorable, diligent manner,” Scarnati said. “Given Tony’s experience in balancing the demands of public office with the understanding of true oversight was critical in the decision-making process.” According to Scarnati, the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board is made up of seven Commissioners who oversee the regulatory framework of the gaming industry in Pennsylvania. As President Pro Tempore, Scarnati is responsible for naming one of those members. Members of the board appointed by legislative leaders are only eligible to serve three two-year terms. Recently, the position was held by Mr. Ken McCabe. “Ken served on the bo...

A Clarion County man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for allegedly assaulting two FBI agents last month. 21-year-old Emerson Begolly of Mayport is accused of biting both of the agents, and drawing blood, while they were attempting to question him as part of an ongoing investigation. Begolly also had a loaded 9mm semi-automatic handgun during the assault. Begolly has posted jihadist songs and poetry online including an original song on YouTube that pays tribute to Osama Bin Laden. He is charged with three counts of violating federal firearms laws and could face up to life in prison. http://www.justice.gov/usao/paw/pr/2011_february/2011_02_02_01.html The photo is from his MySpace page.

WASHINGTON, D.C - U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA), Chairman of the Joint Economic Committee (JEC), released the following statement after the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ January jobs report showing that the unemployment rate declined to 9.0 percent and 36,000 total nonfarm jobs were added: “Today’s jobs numbers show some encouraging signs. The number of unemployed Americans dropped by 600,000 and the unemployment rate declined. In the past 12 months, we’ve added more than 1.2 million private sector jobs. The January growth in manufacturing employment reinforced positive news we received earlier in the week, when the ISM Manufacturing Index reached its highest level since May 2004. “These numbers also remind us, however, that we have a long way to go to get back to pre-recession employment levels. While the unemployment rate declined, 13.9 million people were unemployed in January and another 8.4 million were working part time although they would prefer full-time work. The construc...

Today, President Obama traveled to the 5th District of Pennsylvania to deliver remarks on America’s energy policy and the work being done at Penn State University through the Energy Innovation Hub. After greeting the President on the tarmac at the University Park Airport and attending his remarks, Representative Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson (PA-5) issued the following statement: “It was an honor to have President Obama visit the Commonwealth to highlight Pennsylvania’s Energy Innovation Hub and the tremendous research being done at Penn State University on energy efficiency. Unfortunately, without a comprehensive plan that also includes making better use of existing resources and expanding our domestic production, situations like that in Egypt will continue to underscore the need to cease America’s reliance on foreign energy. Our prosperity as a nation is dependent upon access to sustainable, low-cost energy, and l will continue to push for a comprehensive energy plan that meets these deman...

Senator Bob Casey is fighting against an amendment to eliminate the Essential Air Service program, which subsidizes air service to small airports, including Bradford Regional. Casey and three other senators sent a letter to Senator John McCain, who introduced the amendment, and asked him to give up his attempt to kill the program. Last year, about $8.8 million in federal funding was provided to ensure air service in Bradford, DuBois, Oil City, Altoona, Johnstown and Lancaster. Casey says EAS helps lure businesses and boost tourism and eliminating it would cripple economies. For more, including the letter sent to McCain, go to Casey's website .

United States Forest Service Law Enforcement is offering a reward of up to $250 for credible information leading to the arrest and conviction of the individual(s) responsible for vandalism to three signs in the Marienville area of Forest County. During the months of December 2010 and January 2011 an unknown actor(s) cut down two large signs and shot fifteen bullet holes in a third. The signs are all located in the Marienville area of Forest County and intended to advise the public about roadways that are open to travel in the Allegheny National Forest. It is believed that all three incidents are related. If you have any information regarding these criminal acts please contact United States Forest Service Law Enforcement at 814-927-5797 or 814-927-5700. All information will remain confidential.

Harrisburg – Governor Tom Corbett and Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker have announced a good-natured wager on the outcome of Sunday’s Super Bowl™ matchup between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Green Bay Packers in Dallas. The governors agreed to a two-part wager that will be fun and help charity at the same time. Both governors will participate in the “Coke Cheers” promotion that will donate $25,000 to the Boys and Girls Clubs in Green Bay and in Pittsburgh. “Coke Cheers” is a nationwide promotion aimed at supporting the Boys and Girls Clubs of America. The public can visit www.cokecheers.com to vote for their favorite team. Each vote – or cheer – equals a $1 donation by Coca-Cola to the Boys and Girls Clubs of America. The governors are challenging each other to get their fans out to generate the 10,000 cheers needed to qualify for the $25,000 in each city. If the Steelers lose, Governor Corbett will attend the check presentation in Pittsburgh wearing Packers’ gear. Should the Packers los...

Towel-Hoisting Video New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg followed through with his end of the wager with Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl on the AFC Championship game between the Steelers and the Jets. Bloomberg placed a Terrible Towel on the New York Public Library this morning. He then put on a Steelers jersey while putting together care packages for members of the military returning to Pittsburgh.

Route 6 is closed in both directions from Nelson Hill Road to Miles Run Road in Pittsfield Township, Warren County, due to a two-vehicle crash. PennDOT says road is expected to reopen by 12:30 p.m.

Bradford City Police are investigating a burglary on Mill Street, according to the complaint report and request sheet faxed to WESB and The HERO by the police department. Officers also looked into disturbances on Main Street and Homestead Avenue, a vehicle complaint on Route 219 and a parking problem on Pleasant Street. They went to motor vehicle accidents on Pleasant Street and Route 219 and assisted Bradford Township Police with an alarm at a South Avenue business.

WASHINGTON, DC— U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) joined a bipartisan group of Senators in introducing the Justice for Survivors of Sexual Assault Act of 2011 to ensure that survivors of sexual assault are never billed or forced to pay for their own rape kits. Under current law, states and localities can bill victims for their rape kits so long as those individuals are subsequently reimbursed. Victims billed under this provision are then forced to navigate the maze of insurance companies and state crime victims’ funds to get reimbursed. The bill, introduced by Senators Al Franken (D-MN) and Chuck Grassley (R-IA), is also cosponsored by Sens. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Richard Burr (R-NC) and Bernie Sanders (I-VT). “The Justice for Survivors of Sexual Assault Act will make it easier for rape victims to seek justice by removing red tape that forces victims to pay for rape kits and helping local law enforcement reduce their backlog of untested rape kits,” said Senator ...

UPDATE: Town of Ellicott Police Department say Kayla was found safe, and had left on her own. Town of Ellicott Police Department is looking for a 17-year-old girl who hasn’t been seen since Sunday. Kayla Hart is 5’1 to 5’3 inches tall and weighs between 110 and 120. She has brown hair and brown eyes. Her family last saw her Sunday, and she was not in school this week. Anyone with any informationon Kayla Hart’s whereabouts should contact the Town of Ellicott Police Department at 716-665-7083 or 716-664-3100.

DEP has fined PGE of Warren nearly $29,000 for the illegal discharge of Airfoam into Pine Creek in Lycoming County last March. The Airfoam is used by natural gas drillers to create a foam that will lift water and drill cuttings to the surface. Airfoam HD is approved by DEP for use by the industry. During the weekend of March 13 and 14, 2010, there was significant rainfall and snow melt that caused residual Airfoam in a Marcellus well bore to migrate to a spring on the hillside creating a white, foamy substance. The spring was not used as a source of drinking water. “PGE responded immediately to this incident and fully cooperated with the department,” said DEP North-central Regional Director Nels Taber. http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/news_releases/14288

Ten people, including five minors, are facing charges following a fight where a teenager allegedly pulled a knife on another person. State Police say the fight happened on the night of January 9 on Mitchell Hollow Road in Eulalia Township, Potter County. A 16-year-old boy from Coudersport is charged with simple assault and disorderly conduct. A 14-year-old girl from Austin and a 17-year-old girl from Coudersport, along with 33-year-old Roy Nickerson Jr. of Coudersport, 20-year-old Desiree Rowe of Coudersport, 22-year-old Jacob Kamats of Emporium and 19-year-old Jacob Borowsky of Port Allegany are charged with disorderly conduct. A 17-year-old girl from Austin and a 16-year-old from Coudersport are charged with harassment, along with 20-year-old April Mason of Austin.

A Dayton, PA, man is dead after an accident at a gas well pipeline off Button Hollow Road in Potter County Tuesday afternoon. State Police say 50-year-old Joseph Craig was walking on a gas pipeline, and the driver of a truck that was backing up didn’t see him. The truck hit Craig and he was pronounced dead at the scene by Potter County Deputy Coroner Kenneth Wingo at 4:20 p.m. According to his obituary , Craig was an equipment operator for West Penn Energy. Police were assisted by Coroner Kevin Dusenbury, the Gale Hose Ambulance, Galeton Police Department, Goodyear Hose and Germania Fire Department.

Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati (R-Jefferson) announced today that his Twitter and Facebook accounts are up and running. This is another medium of communication Scarnati felt would better inform not only the citizens of the 25th District, but the rest of the Commonwealth as well. “Clearly it is important for voters to have information readily available to them and gain a better understanding of what is taking place in Harrisburg, as well as around the district,” Scarnati stated. “This is just another means to better notify the public of current actions.” According to Scarnati, his Twitter account will allow him to better communicate with voters in real time, while his Facebook page gives constituents the ability to view current photos, videos and audio files. Scarnati mentioned that to contact him via the aforementioned means, please visit him at www.twitter.com/senatorscarnati and www.facebook.com/senatorscarnati .

Bradford City Police had their hands full again on Tuesday. They investigated a theft on Davis Street and a report of stolen property on Chestnut Street extension. They also got a report concerning a violation of the Drug Act on Bushnell Street. Officers received reports of harassment on Main Street, a parking problem on Willard Avenue and unwanted people on State and Bushnell Streets. Police were also called to a landlord/tenant dispute on High Street and three domestic incidents, according to the complaint report and request sheet faxed to WESB and The HERO by the police department.

Two out of three performances of “I’m Getting Murdered in the Morning” have been sold out, Bradford Little Theatre officials announced today. While more than 100 tickets are still available for the 2 p.m. performance on Sunday, February 27 show, no tickets are available for the Feb. 25 or 26 shows. “With the show taking place at a wedding reception featuring a catered dinner,” said BLT president Nanci K. Garris, “There is no traditional seating, and there is no standing-room-only seating.” “We are delighted with the public response and excited to present this comic murder mystery as part of Improv in February,” she added. Tickets for Sunday’s show are $15 per person in advance, and may be purchased through Graham Florist, Ott & McHenry Pharmacy or Tina’s Hallmark. They may also be ordered by email from BLT treasurer Marcia Morrison at tickets@bradfordlittletheatre.org . The Lee Mueller play will be presented at St. Bernard Educational and Social Center, 95 E. Corydon St. Directors ...

From Punxsutawney Phil.com : Phil's official forecast as read February 2nd, 2011, at sunrise at Gobbler's Knob in Punxsutawney, PA: Here Ye, Hear Ye, Hear Ye Groundhog Day, February 2, 2011 Punxsutawney Phil was raised from his burrow By the call of President Bill Deeley. He greeted his handlers, Ben Hughes and John Griffiths. After casting an inquisitive eye towards thousands of his faithful followers, He proclaimed that the Steelers are going to the Super Bowl! Back to the business at hand... He surveyed his surroundings carefully and found that there was no shadow around, So, an early spring it will be. Note: In order to help handle the enormous amount of traffic on the web site, we have temporarily trimmed the site to a bare bones, low-bandwidth version. Please visit us again for the full version of our site, with news and other fun features about Punxsutawney and its most famous resident! Oh, and GO STEELERS! Closer to home, Dunkirk Dave didn't see his shadow either. ...

Dr. Tony Gaskew, assistant professor of criminal justice at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford and author of a forthcoming book on the Muslim Brotherhood, will speak Thursday night on the current situation in Egypt. Gaskew’s presentation, “Egypt: The New Islamic Revolution,” will take place at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 3 in Harriett B. Wick Chapel. The presentation, which is being sponsored by the Division of Behavioral and Social Sciences, is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be provided. The presentation will provide a discussion on the dramatic and fluid political reform movement currently taking place in the largest Arab nation in the world, as well as its long-term ramifications on U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East, including the state of Israel. Gaskew is a Fulbright-Hays Fellow, an FDD Terrorism Fellow, a Human Dignity and Humiliation Studies Research Fellow, and a University of Pittsburgh Faculty Diversity Fellow. He has conducte...

Dr. Tony Gaskew, assistant professor of crimininal justic at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford, and an author of a forthcoming book on the Muslim Brotherhood, answered those questions and many more on today's LiveLine. Gaskew has conducted ethnographic research in several locations throughout the Middle East, including Egypt and Israel, examining issues of terrorism, social justice and structural violence. If you missed today's show, or you want to listen again, you can find it here .

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has proposed a $132.9 billion budget that relies on cuts, fee increases, and as many as 9,800 state worker layoffs. The 2011-12 proposed budget includes no new taxes and no new borrowing but attempts to eliminate a $10 billion deficit. Cuomo's budget calls for a 2-percent cut in Medicaid funding and a 2.9-percent cut in state school aid. The current budget, ending March 31, totals about $135 billion. http://www.governor.ny.gov/press/020111transformationplan Statement from Senator Cathy Young: "Governor Cuomo is correct that our state is teetering on the edge of a cliff, and it must be saved. People and jobs are leaving, and there are not enough career opportunities for our young people. Our future depends on making responsible decisions to turn around the economy, grow jobs, alleviate the crushing tax burden, and restructure government spending," Senator Catharine Young (R,C,I - Olean) said. "The outrageous taxes and ...

The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford has named Shawn W.T. Murray the university’s new manager of advancement operations. Murray comes to Pitt-Bradford from Futures Rehabilitation Center Inc. in Bradford, where he had been the information systems coordinator, directing and supervising all technology projects. He replaces Michelle Buchholz, who is leaving the area. A Pitt-Bradford alumnus, Murray earned an Associate of Science in information systems from Pitt-Bradford in 1998, followed by a Bachelor of Science in business management in 2001. At Pitt-Bradford, Murray will maintain the university’s fundraising database of more than 15,000 records. He will work in the Office of Institutional Advancement, reporting to Jill Ballard, executive director. “We are thrilled to have Shawn as a member of our advancement team,” Ballard said. “He has the right experience for the position and brings great enthusiasm to all of his work.” Ou...

Hamot Medical Center is now officially UPMC Hamot. The Erie hospital officially affiliates today with the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, and will serve as the Pittsburgh-based health system's tertiary hub and referral center for northwestern Pennsylvania. A newly formed UPMC Hamot board will now oversee the hospital. Two-thirds of the board will be members of the previous Hamot board of trustees, while one-third will include representatives from UPMC. Next week, UPMC executives will be in Erie, where they and UPMC Hamot officials will meet with physicians and employees to discuss the affiliation. http://www.hamot.org/about/news_view.php?article=300

CRANFORD, NJ -- Metalico, Inc. (NYSE Amex: MEA), a leading regional scrap metal recycler, has acquired Goodman Services, Inc., a Bradford, Pennsylvania-based full service recycling company with additional facilities in Jamestown, New York and Canton, Ohio. Goodman primarily buys and processes ferrous and non-ferrous scrap generated by industrial accounts. The company's Jamestown scrap yard purchases over-the-scale peddler scrap and supports the industrial business. Goodman also provides offsite material handling and packaging services to The Timken Company of Canton, Ohio. The purchase price was not disclosed but included cash and Metalico common stock among other items of consideration. Funding for the acquisition included a drawdown under Metalico's newly increased credit facilities provided by JPMorgan Chase Bank, RBS Business Capital and Capital One Leverage Finance Corp. Goodman's senior management, including Michael M. Goodman and Timothy G. Sampson, will remain as ma...

Bradford City Police on Monday answered a call reporting terroristic threats and harassment in a Davis Street parking lot, and another incident of harassment on West Washington Street. Also according to the complaint report and request sheet faxed to WESB and The HERO by the police department, officers investigated a theft on Pike Street and a motor vehicle accident on Congress Street. They were also called to a couple of domestic incident. Police wre also called to a parking complaint on Summer Street, a dog complaint on Osborne Place and an unspecified animal complaint on West Washington Street. They were also asked to remove an unwanted person from West Washington Street and got a report of a suspicious person on South Avenue.

Due to the winter storm gripping the region, PennDOT is temporarily reducing the speed limit on a portion of Interstate 80. PennDOT is urging motorists to avoid unnecessary travel but those who must head out will see speeds reduced to 45 mph Interstate 80 in Clearfield, Centre and Clinton counties. This restriction is in effect for the entire PennDOT Enginering District 2-0 corridor of Interstate 80, beginning at Exit 97 (Falls Creek) in Clearfield County and ending at Exit 192 (Jersey Shore) in Clinton County. Although PennDOT has crews treating roadways around the clock, the department’s primary goal is to keep roads passable, not completely free of ice, sleet and snow. PennDOT will continue to treat roadways throughout the storm until precipitation stops and roads are clear. The Highway Advisory Radio System is active with the message of the speed reduction, which can be heard at 1640 AM. The reduced speed limit will be in effect from 8 a.m. today (Feb. 1) until 1 p.m. tomorrow (Feb...

The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford and Bradford Little Theatre have combined forces to present “Improv in February,” four events in one month that include different forms of improvisation. Local improv groups will put on a workshop, show and play, and renowned improv group The Second City will visit Bradford. “During our improv shows, everything is made up on the spot right in front of the audience,” explained Kristin Asinger, visiting instructor of sports medicine and advisor for the Pitt Improvers, Pitt-Bradford’s own student improv group. The Improvers will offer the first two events of Improv Month, an improv workshop from noon to 3 p.m. Feb. 5 in Room 218 of the Frame-Westerberg Commons. The workshop is open to the public with registration available at the door. Participants will work on acting skills through improv games and exercises. There is a fee for members of the public. The Improvers 3rd Annual Beyond Funny...