Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

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The author who wrote a travel book about Pennsylvania will be doing a book signing at the Kinzua Bridge Fall Festival. The Kinzua Bridge Fall Festival, held annually at the Kinzua Bridge State Park, Mount Jewett, is a two-day event featuring music, crafts and food vendors. This year, the festival will be held Saturday, Sept. 17, and Sunday, Sept. 18. New this year is the Kinzua Sky Walk, a scenic overlook with a partial glass floor, built on six of the historic towers of the Kinzua Viaduct. Now open to the public, the Kinzua Sky Walk provides spectacular views of the Kinzua Gorge from a height of more than 300 feet. Admission to the park and the Kinzua Sky Walk is free. Anna Dubrovsky, who wrote “Pennsylvania” by Moon Handbooks, will be at the Allegheny National Forest Visitors Bureau’s booth starting at 11 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 18, to talk with visitors and sign books. The books will be available both days at the ANFVB booth for $22, including tax. The book includes travel information on...

A Weedville woman is accused of not paying for school pictures. State police say Dean Erich Photography of DuBois took pictures at Bennetts Valley Elementary School in April and 36-year-old Tami McClintick sent a check to the photographer for payment. The check was returned because the account was closed. The photographer contacted McClintick several times requesting payment, but the requests were ignored. McClintick is charged with two counts of theft by deception.

Two people have been arrested for an incident at a bar late last month at the Kennedy Grill in Kennedy, New York. Sheriff’s deputies say 30-year-old Dawn Lutgen of Ellington, NY, slapped the bartender and threw a rock through the front window. She and 34-year-old Bryan Knapp of Ellington had been locked out of the bar, but they both re-entered. They were both arrested early this morning and charged with criminal trespass. Lutgen is also charged with criminal mischief and harassment.

No one was hurt when a car and a tractor-trailer collided near Tack’s Inn Friday afternoon. State police say the tractor-trailer driven by Michael Kickham of Geulph, Ontario, Canada, was traveling north on Route 219 when a car driven by 19-year-old Jo-Ann Keppel of Edinboro pulled into its path from Route 59. The car spun around and came to rest along the berm of 219. The tractor-trailer continued into the Tack’s Inn parking lot.

This red rainbow appeared over Bradford at about 6:50 this morning. Red rainbows only happen at sunset and sunrise, and they don’t last long. They happen when the short wavelength blues and greens are more scattered, leaving the longer wavelength reds and yellows.

A person, who apparently got tossed out of Players Downtown last night, went back to the bar and tossed a Molotov cocktail at the building. Frank Williams, who was just getting back from the Owls game at Meadville, said people told him flames had been leaping 20 feet out of the building after the fire bomb was thrown at about 11:30 p.m., He said could still see smoke at 1:30 a.m. State Police fire marshal Greg Agosti says the improvised incendiary device was thrown at the front door, and about 50 people had to be evacuated from the building. No one was hurt. Damage is estimated at $10,000. Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact Bradford City Police.

A government official tells CNN that members of Congress were briefed by the White House, intelligence and other officials on Thursday that there is a "specific, credible but unconfirmed threat" to the U.S. homeland as the 9/11 anniversary approaches. The source said New York and Washington were specifically mentioned as possible targets. The members were told that officials are "strongly concerned" and "are not taking anything for granted" the source told CNN. Additionally, a senior administration official with first-hand knowledge tells CNN National Security Contributor Fran Townsend that there is "specific, credible but unconfirmed threat information." The official noted that al Qaeda has shown an interest in important dates and anniversaries. "Weird things" raised questions about the intelligence but officials felt they should inform people because of the nearing 9/11 anniversary. For updates go to http://cnn.com/

Brenda L. McGee, senior vice president for finance and administration at St. Bonaventure University, has been named to serve on New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s Regional Economic Development group for Higher Education. The Higher Education group was appointed by the Western New York Regional Economic Development Council to work in conjunction with the council to develop a five-year strategic plan for long-term, sustainable regional economic growth with higher education as the driver of that growth. The plan will establish a vision and provide a framework for regional growth, leveraging the strength of higher education and other strengths in Western New York and address the needs of the region. The Western New York council is one of 10 councils statewide appointed by the governor. Each council is tasked with developing a strategic plan for the development of their region. The governor has set a Nov. 14 deadline for strategic plan submissions, and has announced $200 million in capital funds ...

Kane Community Hospital is gaining recognition as an IT leader among hospitals. In July KCH was named one of the American Hospital Association's "Most Wired Hospitals for 2011" by Hospitals and Health Networks magazine. Kane Community Hospital is among only 154 organizations (both large and small) to make this year's Most Wired list. For the 13th year, Hospitals & Health Networks has named the "Most Wired" hospitals and health systems, based on the "Most Wired" Survey. The 2011 survey results continue to build on the new analytic structure that was implemented in 2010 after two years of redesign. This year, many additional requirements corresponded to meaningful use criteria, although they were not as stringent as federal meaningful use requirements. Hospitals and health systems are assessed based on progress in adoption, implementation and use of information technology in four critical areas: infrastructure, business and administrative manag...

Dr. Nancy McCabe’s third book, “Crossing the Blue Willow Bridge: A Journey to My Daughter’s Birthplace in China,” will be published next month by the University of Missouri Press. McCabe is an associate professor of writing and director of the writing program at Pitt-Bradford. The book is on Amazon.com and other online booksellers. The book is a follow-up to McCabe’s 2003 book, “Meeting Sophie: A Memoir of Adoption,” about the adoption of her daughter from China. “Crossing the Blue Willow Bridge” began with a “homeland visit” by the McCabes in the fall of 2008, in which they visited the region of China from which Sophie was adopted. McCabe said she used the trip as a framework for exploring other issues of parenting, interracial and intercultural families and international adoption, including addressing a child’s feeling of connection to multiple heritages. Heritage trips, particularly to China, have become a rite of passage f...

By Dominick Lisi Dr. Gregory Privitera, assistant professor of psychology at St. Bonaventure University, authored a 736-page book titled “Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences.” The book was published by Sage Publications, Inc. and is set to be on sale soon. In this text, Privitera highlights statistical methods using an integrated method of instruction. The book encompasses a cutting-edge balance of theory and application that illuminates modern-day research with the statistical software researchers use. “This book incorporates instructions for using SPSS statistical software into the main text,” he said. “Writing this book has strengthened my teaching and ability to understand where students struggle most. Publishing also is a humbling process and I am grateful to be able to share this project in the classroom with students.” By incorporating laboratory with lecture instruction in the main text, the book will strengthen a foundation of learning for future research-based classes. “...

Smethport – A detour for roadway improvement work on Route 3011 in McKean County remains in effect through Monday, Sept. 12. McKean County drivers will encounter a closure for Route 3011 near the village of Ormsby and will be directed use the following official detour: Southbound drivers will follow Route 59 east and Route 6 south before returning to Route 3011. Northbound drivers will follow Route 6 north and Route 59 west before returning to Route 3011. Signs will be in place to assist drivers on the detour. Roadway reclamation work will continue through Friday. Paving will begin on Saturday and is expected to be complete sometime on Monday. On Tuesday, Sept. 13, Route 3011 will be open but drivers may encounter single lane closures and short travel delays as crews complete roadwork activities. Glenn O. Hawbaker, Inc. of State College is the contractor on this roadway improvement project. All work is weather dependent. Follow PennDOT on Twitter at www.twitter.com/511PAStateCOLL .

Harrisburg – Governor Tom Corbett today ordered all U.S. and Pennsylvania flags at the Capitol Complex and at commonwealth facilities statewide lowered to half staff on Sunday, Sept. 11 in honor of Patriot Day. All Pennsylvanians are authorized to join in this tribute.

A Ripley man and his son escaped injury when a Norfolk Southern train destroyed their car at about 6 o’clock Wednesday night on the Goodrich Street crossing. Sheriff’s deputies say 69-year-old Richard Swonger ignored warning lights and drove onto the tracks as the freight train approached. His 31-year-old son Jason was in the car with him. The train pushed the car off the tracks, but neither man was hurt and neither was anyone on the train. Richard Swoger was charged with failure to stop at a railroad crossing

Five years ago today the largest manhunt in New York State history ended when Ralph “Bucky” Phillips surrendered to authorities in Warren County, PA – just over the New York State line. Wayne Bennett, who was the New York State Police Superintendent at the time, made the announcement, and talked about why Phillips surrendered. "You’ve got a helicopter hovering over your head. You’ve got SWAT team members coming down the woodline. The game was up and he knew it," Bennett said. When the announcement was made that Phillips was in custody crowds gathered in Carroll, New York, and Akeley, PA – including the media -- let out cheers and gave law enforcement a round of applause. "You have no idea how that makes us feel," Bennett said. "We don’t tend to have a lot of people cheer us on except maybe in a parade. To get it from the public is the best ‘thank you’ that we could ever have." Phillips escaped from the Erie County Correctional Facility on April 2, 2006. Ph...

WASHINGTON, DC—U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) today applauded action by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to temporarily ban the chemicals in so-called ‘bath salts.’ Senator Casey first called on the DEA to implement such a ban in March. “This action is long overdue,” said Senator Casey. “Even though Pennsylvania has banned bath salts, this DEA ban will help keep these dangerous products out of Pennsylvania.” This action will make possessing and selling these chemicals or the products that contain them illegal in the U.S. for at least one year while the DEA and the United States Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) further study whether these chemicals should be permanently controlled. A Notice of Intent to temporarily control was published in the Federal Register today to alert the public to this action. This alert is required by law as part of the Controlled Substances Act. In 30 days or more, DEA intends to publish in the Federal Register a Final Order to temporar...

By Kimberly Marcott Weinberg Assistant Director of Communications and Marketing Joe Hannon, a junior biology major at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford, spent his summer bent over – first over delicate trout lilies in the field, then over a microscope as he dissected the spring flowers. Hannon worked with Dr. Mary Mulcahy, associate professor of biology, on a research project to test an evolutionary prediction: that the lilies that received more pollen would produce more ovules, or seeds. Once Mulcahy showed Hannon what the early spring lilies looked like and the conditions under which they were likely to grow, she turned him loose with the instructions to obtain a randomized sample of 40 lilies from three different elevations. Hannon found three areas where the flowers grew, laid down a string grid and harvested a certain number from each square in the grid to ensure randomization. Then he took his bounty back and dissected them under a micr...

WASHINGTON, DC—U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA), U.S. Senator Pat Toomey (R-PA) and U.S. Representative Glenn Thompson (R-PA) today nominated Joe Paterno for the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor, for his substantial contributions to collegiate athletics, higher education and American society. “Coach Paterno’s accomplishments on the football field are nothing short of legendary. During his 45-year tenure at Penn State, he has amassed 402 career wins – more than any other coach in Division I history,” the members wrote in a letter to President Obama. “He has coached five undefeated teams, two national championship teams, won three Big Ten conference championships, and been named ‘Coach Of The Year’ five times by the American Football Coaches Association.” The letter continued, “While these numbers are unrivaled, Coach Paterno’s contributions to society off the field are even more noteworthy. His commitment to the success of student athletes under his guidan...

Gregory W. Booth, president and chief executive officer of Zippo Manufacturing Co., will speak on Sept. 19 at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford as part of its Executive Speaker Series. Booth will speak from 11 a.m. until noon in the Mukaiyama University Room of the Frame-Westerberg Commons. The event is free and open to the public. Booth will speak on topics that will cover the success of Zippo, new additions to the company’s product line, international challenges, well-developed partnerships and critical positioning for future growth. Founded in 1932, Zippo is the manufacturer of the world-famous windproof lighter with a lifetime guarantee. Today Zippo has grown to sell a diverse line of products, including pocket knives, key holders, money clips, writing instruments, tape measurers and a new Multi-Purpose Lighter. Zippo is found in more than 120 countries and has produced more than 400 million windproof lighters; Zippo is synonym...

By ANNE HOLLIDAY WESB/WBRR News Director A Bradford man is jailed without bail for allegedly stabbing another man multiple times this morning on Tibbitts Avenue. 25-year-old Randon Black is charged with attempted criminal homicide, aggravated assault and related offenses after allegedly stabbing David Kelsey and cutting his throat and neck with a black-handled K-Bar knife. The incident happened at about 2:30 a.m. Assistant Bradford City Police Chief Mike Ward said when he arrived at the scene he saw that Kelsey had “a large laceration to the side of his neck from which blood was squirting profusely,” according to the affidavit of probable cause filed in District Judge Dominic Cercone’s office. Ward said Kelsey told him he thought he was going to die and wanted Ward to know who stabbed him before he died. Kelsey told Ward Black stabbed him but wasn’t sure why. Ward said Kesley kept repeating that he was going to die but Ward “tried to assure him that he would be OK,” the affidavit says....

A Bradford man has been arraigned on attempted criminal homicide and other charges for allegedly stabbing another man in the throat and neck. 25-year-old Randon Black is accused of stabbing David Kelsey multiple times and cutting his throat and neck with a black-handled K-Bar knife at about 2:30 this morning on Tibbetts Avenue. Black was found at his grandmother’s house on Willard Avenue at about 8 o’clock this morning. After being read his rights, he told police he stabbed Kelsey and that blood got on his face and clothes, and that he removed it at his grandmother’s house. Black was arraigned by District Judge Dominic Cercone, and sent to jail without bail. After the arraignment District Attorney Ray Learn said he didn’t know what Kelsey’s condition is, but that he is in an out-of-town hospital. Pictured, Randon Black being led into District Judge Dominic Cercone's office by Assistant Bradford City Police Chief Mike Ward.

State police are looking for a beer thief in Elk County. Sometime between August 26 and 29 someone broke into the Elk County Riders Club in Kersey and stole a 16-gallon keg of beer, a 12-pack of beer, a sleeve of cups and an undisclosed amount of money. Anyone with information on the theft is asked to call state police in Ridgway at 814-776-6136.

A Bradford man is in custody for allegedly stabbing another man in the chest and neck early this morning on Tibbetts Avenue. 25-year-old Randon Black is accused of stabbing the other person during a fight near 11 Tibbetts at about 2:30 this morning and causing serious injury, according to a news release from McKean County District Attorney Ray Learn and City Police Chief Chris LUcco. Black fled the scene and was taken into custody at around 8 a.m. following a brief manhunt. City police and the district attorney’s office will released more information after charges are filed. Police were assisted by state police as well as the Bradford and Foster township police departments and the district attorney’s office.

UPDATE: Assistant Bradford City Police Chief Mike Ward tells WESB and The HERO that the suspect in this morning's attempted homicide is in custody. Ward says more information will be released soon. Police are on the scene of an attempted homocide on Tibbetts Avenue in Bradford. No word on the condition of the victim who was taken away by ambulance. Police radio reports indicate that a K-9 unit has been called in to look for the suspect who is at large, with a knife and considered armed and dangerous. Tibbetts Avenue is currently cordoned off and closed to traffic. The State Police Crime Scene is helping Bradford City Police in the investigation.

Someone broke into a Driftwood house over the weekend and stole some tobacco products and ravioli. State police say the break-in happened between 8 o’clock Friday morning and 4 o’clock Saturday afternoon at Brian Gausman’s house, and the burglar took a cigarette rolling machine, a bag of mint-flavored tobacco, a bag of regular cigarette tobacco, a box of filter cigarette tubes, a small first aid kit and a 4-pack of Chef Boyardee beef ravioli. The value of the stolen items is about $57.

An Austin man is dead after his truck hit a tree in the road at about 6 o’clock this morning on East Fork Road, near Cherry Springs Road. Police say 64-year-old Timothy Foster was traveling north when his pickup truck hit a tree that had fallen across the road. The part of the tree that the truck hit was being suspended in the air by a guide rail. The truck traveled underneath the tree, while the upper half of the cab hit the tree. The truck continued for about 125 feet, where it left the road, traveled up an embankment, then rolled backward into a ditch. Foster was pronounced dead at the scene.

Former Senator Rick Santorum (R-PA) announced today that his campaign for president has been endorsed by 15 Pennsylvania State Senators, including former Lieutenant Governor and current State Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati. Senator Santorum said, "I am honored to have the support of this esteemed group of Pennsylvania leaders, from TEA Party legislators to Party Leadership, who know firsthand that our campaign has the record of electoral and legislative success in Pennsylvania and is best positioned to defeat President Obama. They understand that our nation is at a crossroads and that it is time for proven leadership, not showmanship in the White House. I have worked with these fine people and they know my record of consistent conservative results. Their support undergirds what I've been saying on the trail - that I have the record of results to win the GOP nomination and defeat President Obama in November 2012." Pennsylvania Republican State Senators who have ...

Very heavy holiday weekend blood usage by local patients has caused the return of critically low levels. The current blood supply levels are very near the lowest of the entire year. Type A is the lowest followed closely by type O blood. Donors of all types are urgently needed to help end it as local lives are literally at risk when the blood supply is this low. There are 4 drives in Western New York this week that people can go to help save a life at: (No appointment needed at any of these drives) . Today (Tuesday Sept. 6th) at Elk Regional Health Center in St Marys from 10a.m. to 4p.m. Wednesday Sept 7 at the United Methodist Church in Sheffield from 1p.m. to 5:30p.m. Saturday September 10th BRMC Outpatient Lab 24 Davis St, Union Square in Bradford from 9a.m. to 1p.m. GIVE BLOOD: SEE HOCKEY: Donors at all of these drives can enter to win a pair of tickets to see the Pittsburgh Penguins play the New Jersey Devils in Pittsburgh on October 22nd. "What a tough weekend!" says ...

The First Presbyterian Church of Bradford, 54 East Corydon Street, will begin the 2011-2012 Sunday School year on Sunday, September 11, 2011. Classes for children and youth ranging from nursery through senior high school will start at 9:30 a.m. An adult education class taught by the Rev. Lee Beckes will begin at 9:45 a.m. The children and youth classes will be using the “Rock Solid” curriculum by Cokesbury for the academic year. Classes, which meet weekly, will include a Bible lesson, craft activities and music. The first day of Sunday School classes will include singing favorite “Sunday School” songs, face painting, a ‘fan’ making craft, and “make your own” ice cream sundaes. A Chapel worship service is held each Sunday at 8:45 a.m., and a Sanctuary worship service will begin at 11:00 a.m. For additional information contact the Christian Education office at the First Presbyterian Church and visit www.presbybradford.org . All are welcome to attend.

The federal appeals court in Atlanta has turned away the latest attempt by actor Wesley Snipes to get his conviction and prison sentence on tax charges overturned. The 11th Circuit Court of Appeals in Atlanta today rejected the appeal by Snipes, who was convicted in 2008 on three misdemeanor counts of willful failure to file income tax returns. Defense lawyers contended they received two emails from former jurors that reported misconduct among other members of the panel. But the court held that it wasn't "strong, substantial and incontrovertible evidence" that would warrant a new trial. Snipes started a three-year term at FCI-McKean in December.

The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford’s KOA Art Gallery will feature the work of Bradford architect Preston Abbey this month. The show, featuring original drawings of campus buildings as well as landscape paintings by Abbey, will be open Sept. 12-23. The gallery, located in Blaisdell Hall, is open from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Fridays. The show will also be open for those attending Pitt-Bradford’s Arts Endowment Gala Sept. 17 in Blaisdell Hall. After serving in the U.S. Marines during World War II, Abbey returned home to Port Allegany and began an apprenticeship in architecture with Raymond Viner Hall. Abbey would finish his apprenticeship with the Bradford architect Earl Wheeler, who was designing both the Zippo Manufacturing Co.’s headquarters on Barbour Street in Bradford and the new Kendall Refining office building at the time of his death. When Wheeler died, Abbey finished those projects and took over his practice. After designing a dr...

New Zippo Jeep to Make an Appearance The grand opening of the Kinzua Sky Walk marks the rebirth of a historic McKean County treasure. The grand opening for the Kinzua Sky Walk is set for 1 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 15, in Kinzua Bridge State Park, McKean County’s only state park. Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Richard Allan will be on hand with several other state and local officials to cut the ribbon marking a new chapter in the Kinzua Viaduct – the structure that was once the highest and longest railroad bridge in the world. The grand opening will include a keepsake ribbon that will be divided into pieces and given to those who want to take a piece of history home with them. A reception will follow the ceremony, which will also include the dedication of a new historical marker by the Kinzua Bridge Foundation. “We are very excited to once again offer people a chance to ‘Walk the Tracks Across the Sky,’” said Linda Devlin, executive director of the Allegheny Nati...