Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

This young lady gets ready to hunt for some Easter eggs at the Callahan Park ice rink Saturday morning. The Bradford City Firefighters Local 655 annual egg hunt had to be held inside because of the weather, but no one seemed to mind.

Juveniles kept Bradford City Police busy Thursday evening and into Friday. They received complaints about kids from Congress, East Main, Davis and Jefferson Streets, according to the complaint report and request sheet. Officers also looked into a theft at a High Street business and a theft of medication, a disturbance on Bushnell Street and criminal mischief at Davis and Main streets. They were also called about a motor vehicle accident on Euclid Avenue and an unwanted person on Belleview Avenue.

Investigators are still trying to determine what caused a fire in a DuBois strip mall Friday that did three-quarters of a million dollars worth of damage. The fire started at about 10:45 a.m. in the Beaver Grove Plaza, according to a news release sent to WESB and The HERO by State Police Fire Marshal Greg Agosti. Commercial Radio Systems was severely damaged while Flatirons Development, Gruda Chiropractic and the Punxsutawney Sleep Center were moderately damaged. Stellabuto's Everything Under Roof had smoke damage. James and Bernice Stellabuto of DuBois own the building. Agosti says no one was hurt.

A representative from Emporium’s Emmanuel Episcopal Church visited Charles Cole Memorial Hospital’s Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation residents to deliver Easter cards this week. Program organizer Sissy Miller delivers the “sunshine cards” throughout the year and also visit residents at the Guy and Mary Felt Manor and Grove House. Pictured, from left, are Eva Connors and Sissy Miller. Courtesy of CCMH

Bill Sallade presents a check to Marcia Austin, Theresa Robinson and Kari Karpinski at Charles Cole Memorial Hospital’s Patterson Cancer Care Center. The funds will benefit patients at the PCCC and were raised during the fourth annual Kathy Sallade Memorial 9-ball Pool Tournament in February. Mrs. Sallade loved pool and always thought of others before herself, even while undergoing cancer treatment. The annual tournament will continue to benefit PCCC patients. To donate toward the fund, contact CCMH’s fund development at 274-5204. Courtesy of CCMH

The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford Alumni Association will honor Dr. Lee Colosimo with its PBAA Alumni Award of Distinction for outstanding professional achievement and exemplary service to the community. The award will be presented by Dr. Livingston Alexander, university president, and Chris Luke, PBAA president and 1995 graduate, during commencement exercises on Sunday, May 1. “I’m thrilled to join the PBAA in presenting the Alumni Award of Distinction to Dr. Colosimo, one of the most accomplished and decorated physicians in the country,” Alexander said. “That Dr. Colosimo received his educational foundation at Pitt-Bradford and Bradford Area High School speaks volumes about the longstanding quality of those local educational institutions.” Colosimo, a cardiovascular, thoracic and endovascular surgeon in Houston, Texas, was nominated by Beverly and Fred Gallup. A Bradford native, Colosimo attended Pitt-Bradford from 19...

McKean County Commissioner Joe DeMott has been named to the newly created Transportation Funding Advisory Commission. Governor Corbett announced the formation of the commission today. Its goal is to develop innovative solutions to Pennsylvania’s mounting transportation funding challenges. “We need a comprehensive, strategic blueprint for how we pay for years of underinvestment in our roads, bridges, and mass transit systems, and I have directed PennDOT Secretary Barry Schoch to lead the commission to explore our financial options,” Corbett said. “Pennsylvanians expect and deserve to have a transportation system that improves not just their safety, but their overall quality of life. The time has come to put a financial plan in place that not only addresses our transportation needs but also takes into account our nation’s energy objectives and realities.” The governor tasked the group to make its recommendations by Aug. 1. The panel’s first meeting will be on April 25. Named to the commi...

Speaker of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives Sam Smith (second from right) was the keynote speaker at the McKean County Republican Party Annual Spring Dinner Thursday night. Among the issues Smith addressed was the state budget. He said the Rendell administration left the state with many budget problems, making this budget difficult. He said, when the process is finished, most people probably won't be happy "but the bottom line is: We have an opportunity to get Pennsylvania back on the right track by putting a budget into place (that has) our spending in line with our revenues. That's the first real step to getting this Commonwealth back on track. Hopefully, we won't be left sloshing around in the wake of the Rendell administration for much longer. Listen here . Also pictured, from left, state representatives Kathy Rapp, Matt Gabler and Marty Causer. Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati also attended the event as did representatives for US Senator Pat Toom...

Seneca Casinos will deliver an unprecedented level of excitement this summer to the Western New York, Southern Ontario, and Northern Pennsylvania and Ohio regions with “Summer Rush” – a package of world-class entertainment, promotions and special events during June through August. Summer Rush takes place at the Seneca Niagara Casino & Hotel in Niagara Falls, Seneca Allegany Casino & Hotel in Salamanca, Seneca Buffalo Creek Casino in Buffalo and the new Seneca Hickory Stick Golf Course in Lewiston. Just some of the many offerings include blockbuster concerts by Daughtry, Steve Miller Band, Melissa Etheridge, Martina McBride and more; expanded hours at the casino restaurants; and eye-opening promotions such as a cruise-a-day giveaway in August. “The phrase ‘Summer Rush’ captures the compelling combination of activities throughout the Seneca properties,” said Jim Wise, senior vice president of marketing, Seneca Gaming Corporation. “We are the place to be for entertainment, act...

The state attorney general’s office has broken up a cocaine distribution ring they say was operated from two strip clubs in Erie and Crawford counties. Acting Attorney General Bill Ryan says the 14-month long investigation, known as "Operation Stripped Down," focused on the trafficking and distribution of cocaine in northwestern Pennsylvania, much of which appears to have originated from sources in eastern Ohio, but that part of the investigation is continuing. The two strips involved are the Velvet Strip Club in West Springfield and Club Paradise in Linesville. Six people have been arrested so far. http://attorneygeneral.gov/press.aspx?id=6075

Watch the video here . To read the article go to Huskers.com .

Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati re-introduced legislation that would allow for the transfer of excess funds in the legislative reserve account back into the general fund. “For too long the General Assembly has carried an amount of taxpayer money in a reserve account that exceeds the necessary total,” Scarnati stated. “It is my belief that this legislation institutes the appropriate balance needed to continue operations in case of a budget impasse.” According to Scarnati, Senate Bill 1000 will retain sufficient funds in the legislative reserve account in case of emergencies or a budget impasse in order to allow for the continuation of government business. Under the legislation, funds in excess will be returned to the general fund. The legislation would transfer prior year legislative funds that remain unexpended, uncommitted, or unencumbered, and that exceed a four-month reserve. “I have stated time and time again, the reserve account is greater than it needs to be, and ...

On Wednesday, officers of the McKean County Drug Task Force, Bradford City, and Bradford Township Police conducted operations in the City of Bradford. Arrested were Leonard Lionel Holmes, AKA “Phil Brooks”, age 25 of Buffalo, Kennedy D. Gadley, Jr., AKA “PJ”, age 26 of Buffalo, Irvin Mitchell, age 27, of Buffalo, and Angel Fenton, age 18, of Bradford. The arrests were made after officers of the McKean County Drug Task Force conducted controlled purchases of suspected crack cocaine. A search warrant was subsequently executed at a residence at 189 Congress Street in the City of Bradford. Seized in the operation was approximately 35 grams of suspected cocaine, and smaller amounts of Heroin and Marijuana. Also seized were a handgun, $2,400 in cash, and a computer. Statements from District Attorney Raymond Learn: “Getting drugs and drug dealers out of McKean County remains a top priority with my office. We have received many tips and complaints from concerned citizens regarding the residenc...

By more than two-to-one, New York Farm Bureau's Facebook friends think sweet corn should be the Official State Vegetable, beating out onions and some other write-in vegetable candidates. Farm Bureau's informal Facebook poll on the state vegetable debate resulted in sweet corn with 725 votes versus onions with 311 votes. Cabbage, potatoes and pumpkins received 240 votes. The Farm Bureau started the poll after two bills were introduced in Albany aiming to designate an official vegetable. http://www.nyfb.org/resources/topic_detail.cfm?ID=362

WASHINGTON, DC — U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) released the following statement on the hydraulic fracturing well blowback incident today in Bradford County. Senator Casey has introduced legislation to improve safety for workers and emergency response procedures at drilling sites as well as legislation to protect drinking water and require public disclosure of chemicals used in the fracking process. “My office has been in contact with state and local officials to see if any federal assistance is needed after the blowback in Bradford County,” said Senator Casey. “I will continue to monitor the situation as the investigation continues and more details are known. Natural gas drilling offers Pennsylvania a great economic opportunity. However, incidents like this blowback are a reminder that there are dangers and that precautions must be taken to protect the health and well-being of Pennsylvanians.” Senator Casey's Faster Action Safety Team Emergency Response (FASTER) Act provides ...

Harrisburg - The Pennsylvania State Police made 78 arrests, captured 19 fugitives, and seized vehicles, drugs and more than $675,000 in cash during a recent four-day enforcement blitz, Commissioner Frank Noonan announced today. "Operation Maximum Effort succeeded in removing criminals, fugitives and drugs from our highways," Noonan said of the April 12-15 initiative. "At the same time, we took an aggressive and proactive approach to promoting highway safety." Noonan said troopers seized $675,321 in cash, six vehicles, 253 grams of cocaine, 36,483 grams of marijuana, 9,000 grams of an illegal stimulant known as khat, four ecstasy pills, 83 grams of uncut heroin and 1,500 packets of heroin. Officials estimated the street value of the seized drugs in excess of $130,000. The teams also seized 840 cartons of untaxed cigarettes. In addition to the 78 criminal arrests, state police made 37 arrests for driving under the influence and issued 734 citations for speeding, 142 f...

Senator Catharine Young (R, C, I – Olean) today joined local officials to praise the designation of the 103 miles of Route 62 in New York State as National Veterans Highway. “The designation Route 62 as National Veterans Highway is a way of expressing our deepest gratitude to our brave veterans. The men and women of our armed forces have been courageously defending our country in many wars over many generations. Because of these patriots, our country continues to shine brightly as a beacon of freedom worldwide,” said Senator Young. Signage has been erected on Route 62 at the New York/Pennsylvania state line and in Niagara County to commemorate the designation, which is the result of legislation co-sponsored by Senator Young (S.6277-A) that was signed into law last summer. Senator Young remained hopeful that other states will make similar designations. “I am confident that the nine other states encompassing Route 62 will follow New York State’s lead by honoring ou...

Charges against a 29-year-old Bradford man accused of having inappropriate contact with a male juvenile have been bound to court. Jason Howell is charged with 60 counts each of child pornography and photographing a sex act with a child in connection with alleged incidents from October of last year to February of this year. According to papers filed in District Judge Dominic Cercone’s office Howell put his hand down the pants of the boy while he was sleeping and touched his genitalia. Howell also allegedly took 60 nude photographs of the boy and asked him to take a shower or bath with him a number of times. Howell is jailed on $25,000 bail.

One of the accused drug dealers arrested in the November drug bust in Bradford is back in jail. 26-year-old Kennedy Gadley was arrested and arraigned this morning after officers with the McKean County Drug Task Force executed a search warrant at his Congress Street home and found about 100 pieces of crack cocaine packaged for sale. Last month Gadley waived his preliminary hearing on charges of delivery and possession of a controlled substance that were filed in November. At that time he was released on $12,500 bail. Today, he was sent to jail on $50,000 bail. A preliminary hearing on the new charges is scheduled for May 4 in front of District Judge Dominic Cercone.

UPDATE: DEP spokeswoman Katy Gresh tells RadioPA that the fracking fluid has stopped flowing into the unnamed tributary of Towanda creek and that, so far, there's no evidence of impact to aquatic life. She says DEP will continue to take samples and monitor the situation. Seven families in Bradford County have been evacuated after a Marcellus Shale well blowout that spilled thousands of gallons of fracking fluid. In a news release, Chesapeake Energy says that at 11:45 last night an equipment failure caused the spill just west of Towanda. The company says an undetermined amount of the fracking fluid has flowed into the Towanda Creek, which feeds the Susquehanna River. DEP has not commented yet.

ALBANY – State health officials made the right decision by nixing a proposal to deem children’s games such as freeze, kickball, tag and Wiffle ball dangerous, said Senator Catharine Young (R,C,I – Olean). The reversal followed an uproar when villages, towns and other summer day camp operators received notice from the New York State Department of Health (DOH) that common playground games posed a “significant risk of injury,” and would require additional safety regulations that would make many programs unaffordable to operate, said Senator Young. “This situation is a classic example of state government run amuck. Overregulation and red tape from Albany continue to cause significant problems. At least the kids won this round. Summer fun won’t be outlawed,” she said. Senator Young said she first learned of the new rules after she was contacted by a local town board member. In an email, the official wrote, “These regulations would put a financial burden on...

The Phillie Phanatic has officially dethroned his archrival, the mascot formerly known as The San Diego Chicken, as America's favorite sports mascot in a Forbes annual fan survey. The Famous Chicken – as he’s now known – is number two in the survey this year. The Pirate Parrot didn’t make the top 10 – but maybe after the Ultimate Fishing Town contest we can work on moving him up in the rankings. By the way, voting in the first round of the fishing town contest is going on for 2 more weeks. http://wfnfishingtown.com/town/bradford-pa Photo by Dave Arrigo and provided by the Pittsburgh Pirates

As part of its Tree Campus USA initiative, St. Bonaventure University has appointed a Campus Tree Advisory Committee and planned an Arbor Day observance. As announced earlier this semester, St. Bonaventure has earned Tree Campus USA recognition for 2010, capping a yearlong effort to demonstrate its commitment to promoting healthy management of its campus forests and engaging the campus community in that effort. The University is among only about 100 campuses to have received the designation since the program began in 2008. The University’s Arbor Day tree planting will take place at 12:30 p.m. Friday, April 29. A sapling donated by Schichtel’s Nursery of Springville will be planted near Shay-Loughlen Hall (parking lot adjacent to the Rathskeller). The University community and the public are invited to attend. To renew the Tree Campus USA designation, the University must annually demonstrate standards of tree care and community engagement. A Campus Tree Advisory Committee was establish...

HARRISBURG -- At the direction of Governor Tom Corbett, acting Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Michael Krancer today called on all Marcellus Shale natural gas drilling operators to cease by May 19 delivering wastewater from shale gas extraction to 15 facilities that currently accept it under special provisions of last year’s Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) regulations. “While the prior administration allowed certain facilities to continue to take this wastewater, conditions have changed since the implementation of the TDS regulations,” Krancer said. “We now have more definitive scientific data, improved technology and increased voluntary wastewater recycling by industry. We used to have 27 grandfathered facilities; but over the last year, many have voluntarily decided to stop taking the wastewater and we are now down to only 15. More than half of those facilities are now up for permit renewal. Now is the time to take action to end this practice.” The 2010 revised regulati...

HARRISBURG — President Judge Emeritus Stephen J McEwen, Jr., of Pennsylvania’s Superior Court has been appointed by the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania to chair the Legislative Reapportionment Commission, the Court announced today. Judge McEwen began service on Superior Court in 1981 and served a five-year term as that court’s President Judge. He was named President Judge Emeritus in 2001 and has been a Superior Court senior judge since 2003. “My colleagues and I have acted with expedition in making this appointment so that the reapportionment process may move forward,” said Chief Justice of Pennsylvania Ronald D. Castille. “Judge McEwen is widely respected throughout Pennsylvania and the United States and has served the Commonwealth with high distinction throughout his career. This Court has full confidence in his ability to lead the reapportionment commission with fairness, lending to the forthcoming task his superb problem-solving skills and keen ability to mediate differences.” The S...

The McKean County SPCA kicks off its annual pet calendar contest Saturday at the Bradford Area Public Library. Pet owners are invited to bring their animals to the library between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., where Dana DiBlasi will take photographs for the “voting” phase of the contest, which will begin early in June. “This has been a popular event for us the last two years,” said Dick Gorton, President of the organization. “For a small fee of $5, pet owners can have a picture of their pet taken for the contest board, which circulates through the county in June and July. If you’ve seen the board in the last two years, many of the photos were taken by Dana.” Gorton also reminds contest entrants that they may bring 3 x 5 pictures of their pets to the library on Saturday or to the McKean County SPCA shelter any time until the contest ends. “The entry fee is the same,” he noted, “but some animals may be a bit shy, or maybe a little too big to come to the library, so their owners can use their ...

The Downtown Bradford Farmer’s Market will kick off its 2011 season on Saturday, May 21. The market, which will run every Saturday from May 21 to October 15, will again partner with the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford’s Center for Rural Health Practice and Canticle Farm of Allegany, NY to bring locally-grown fresh produce to downtown Bradford. The hours of the market are 8 a.m. to Noon. The Bradford Farmer’s Market is sponsored by Bradford’s Downtown Bradford Business District Authority and organized by the Bradford Main Street program. Initially started more than 15 years ago, the market underwent several changes in 2010, hoping to attract new vendors. One of those changes was the change in location, moving from Veterans’ Square to the Old City Hall parking lot on Boylston Street. That changed proved to be very successful providing vendors with a better area in which to set up their wares as well as providing a safer, less-trafficked location for customers. “2010 was a great...

To read the story go to CNN.com .

Chris Mackowski, an associate professor of journalism and mass communication at St. Bonaventure University, has had an article accepted for the upcoming issue of Blue & Gray magazine. “The 1st Maine Heavy Artillery at Harris Farm: The Hometown Press Reports Their Baptism of Fire” tells the account of a Maine regiment that saw its first action during the Civil War at the Battle of Spotsylvania Courthouse in May of 1864. The First Maine Heavy Artillery earned a place of infamy in Civil War history during the early days of the siege of Petersburg, Va. On June 18, 1864, the 900-man regiment charged across an open field of fire and sustained 67 percent casualties: 115 men killed, 489 wounded, and 28 missing — the highest casualty rate sustained by any unit in the army during the entire war, Mackowski’s article points out. But it was just outside Spotsylvania Courthouse that the unit first saw combat, just one month before the men made their ill-fated charge outside Petersburg. According...

State Representative Marty Causer held a Coffee & Conversation event this morning at Pitt-Bradford, and discussed a variety of topics including Marcellus Shale, education funding and department of public welfare funding. You can listen here . Causer is also holding a town hall meeting at 6 o’clock tonight at the Smethport Fire Hall.