Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

A North Harmony man is in jail after standing in traffic Wednesday afternoon. Sheriff’s deputies say 54-year-old Randall Lawergren was standing on Button Valley Road at around 3 o’clock, causing vehicle to swerve onto the shoulder to avoid hitting him. Lawergren was charged with disorderly conduct. After his arrest, deputies discovered he had an outstanding warrant in the town of Busti for aggravated harassment. On September 14, he allegedly called a Busti resident and threatened him several times.

A Clymer, New York, man stopped for not using a turn signal is now facing charges for, among other things, driving after his driver’s license had been suspended 19 times. Chautauqua County Sheriff’s deputies say when they stopped 34-year-old Christopher Nielson at about 8 o’clock last night in the Town of Ripley he gave them the wrong spelling of his last name in an effort to prevent them from obstaining his driving status. Once they got the correct spelling, they learned about the license suspension, and also that his license had expired. He is charged with false personation and aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle. Nielson’s passenger, 27-year-old Kristan Heber of Oil City is charged with facilitating aggravated unlicensed operation. They will both appear in court at a later date.

Don’t expect oil and gas drilling in Allegany State Park after all. Governor Andrew Cuomo on Friday signed two pieces of legislation giving broad new protections against drilling in the park. The legislation comes a couple years after U.S. Energy Development of Getzville, which has drilling operations in Western New York and Pennsylvania, said it had subsurface mineral rights in the park and wanted state approval to sink five test wells. US Energy says it has claims on 2,800 acres in the Red House area of the park. The two-bill package Cuomo signed says any oil and gas claim not actively used within the past 20 years shall be considered "extinguished" and the rights reverted to the state, and gives the state parks department powers over any effort to explore or drill within Allegany State Park.

The Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts at St. Bonaventure University opens the fall season with a number of new exhibitions and programs that focus on the art and music of the 20th century. Works from various artists and movements of the 20th century are on display in the Quick Art Center’s Paul W. Beltz Gallery in the exhibition “Out of the Soupcan: Art of the Mid-Century and Beyond,” on exhibition now through Dec. 30. Highlighted among these works are Moroccan inspired paintings by Cecile Brunswick. Also included are works by Roy Lichtenstein, Keith Haring, and Helen Frankenthaler on loan from Bonnie Perryman in memory of her brother, Robert Young, as well as a rotating selection of 150 photos by Andy Warhol recently received by the Quick Center from the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts through a nationally competitive grant. Accompanying the exhibition is a guide to the interchange of psychology and art written by St. Bonaventure professor of psychology Dr. Robin Valeri....

The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford Alumni Association will honor Dr. Shailendra Gajanan with its Teaching Excellence Award and Ryan Race ’07 as its Distinguished Volunteer as part of Alumni and Family Weekend. Gajanan was nominated by Danielle Graves ’00, who was an economics minor at Pitt-Bradford, in large part due to Gajanan’s teachings. “Economics can be a rather uninteresting subject for some,” she wrote in her nomination. “While attending classes with Dr. Gajanan, however, I never felt that he lost anyone’s attention. He used humor and really taught the subject on a level that related to all of the students, such as using examples with beer and pretzels.” Mark Byrne ’98 also nominated Gajanan. “As a former student, I can say, without hesitation, that Dr. Gajanan played a major role in my development at Pitt-Bradford. His intellect, subtle wit and keen sense of how to connect with students furthered my educational experience at...

St. Bonaventure University alumnus Thomas Marra, ’80, and his wife, Michelle, have made a donation to the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation to fund a one-time scholarship for a Southwestern High School graduate who plans to attend St. Bonaventure University. “We wanted to show our support for both Southwestern High School and St. Bonaventure, so this gift will highlight the commitment to excellence of both institutions,” said Marra, a native of Jamestown, N.Y., and alumnus of Southwestern. Marra is the president and CEO of Symetra Financial Corporation in Bellevue, Wash. “The Southwestern High School family is very grateful to Tom and Michelle for this gift, and we are very happy it will help one of our students to attend such a fine institution as St. Bonaventure,” said Michael Cipolla, principal of Southwestern High School. Cipollo is also a 1999, 2003, and 2005 graduate of St. Bonaventure. The $2,500 scholarship will be awarded by the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation to a...

A grant from the global professional services firm PricewaterhouseCoopers is supporting a new career mentoring program designed to recruit and retain minority accounting students in St. Bonaventure University’s School of Business. PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) representatives were on campus recently for a presentation to all accounting majors on career readiness strategies, and to recognize three freshmen who have been chosen as the program’s inaugural participants: Thomas Green of Rochester, Dominic Greene of the Bronx, and Michael Marin of East Elmhurst, N.Y. The PwC grant was awarded to Dr. Susan Anders, professor of accounting at St. Bonaventure and chair of its Accounting Department, and Dr. Carol M. Fischer, professor of accounting and associate dean of business, to support their Accounting Scholars Program. The PricewaterhouseCoopers INQuiries grant is part of a larger effort by PwC to support diversity initiatives in accounting programs, added Fischer. “The program is designed ...

Someone stole hundreds of pounds of squash from an Elk County man’s garden earlier this week. State police say the thief stole four Hubbard squash from the garden of Kenneth Patterson sometime between 7:30 Tuesday night and 12:30 Thursday afternoon. The squash weighed between 70 and 90 pounds each. The thief also took 12 smaller squash weighing about 8 pounds each. The total value of the stolen squash is $136.

Someone broke into a Glenn O. Hawbaker Scale House in Turtlepoint and stole some money. State Police say someone pried open a door sometime between 5 o’clock Thursday afternoon and 5:50 this morning. Police did not say how much money was taken. They are continuing their investigation.

Do you like to play games? If you enjoy games, you’ll love chess! To learn how to play or to improve your play, visit the Bradford Knights’ Chess Club on Wednesday, October 5 at 6:30 PM at School Street Elementary. Players may register at the door. The club meets in the School Street Elementary cafeteria each Wednesday from 6:30 - 8:15 PM. All students in grades 3-12 are invited to join the scholastic chess program. The introductory program is scheduled for 4-weeks from October 5 through October 26. The Bradford Businessmen’s Chess League will begin November 2 and run through March 7. Many activities are scheduled, including pizza parties, matches, and tournaments. Research continues to confirm the educational value that chess instruction has on cognitive development, critical thinking skills, and academic subjects. There is a fee. For additional information about joining the club or the educational benefits of chess, please contact execdir@amchess.org .

Bradford City Police were called to a couple of fights on Wednesday, one at Interstate Parkway and Bennett Street, the other on North Center Street. Officers were called to a domestic disturbance on Belleview Avenue, and a disturbance on Mechanic Street on Thursday. Police got calls about a theft on Foreman Street, harassment on Pleasant and Foreman streets, a public drunk on Davis Street and a suspicious person on South Center Street, according to the complaint report and request sheet.

A 17-year-old Little Valley girl has been cited for harassment after throwing a cup of hot chocolate at another female. Sheriff’s deputies say the girl, who they did not identify, threw the hot chocolate while watching a football game in Salamanca on Saturday. She’s scheduled to appear in Salamanca City Court on October 5.

A Salamanca woman has been arrested on drug charges. 27-year-old Ashley John is charged with criminal possession and sale of a controlled substance. After being picked up on a warrant, she was taken to Cattaraugus County Jail, where she is being held without bail.

State Police are investigating a theft of money from the American Legion Post in Crosby. They say about $3,200 was taken from the John Berg American Legion Post 976 in June. Police say no other details are available at this time.

A Fredonia man is facing charges after a domestic dispute with his grandmother. 27-year-old James Hanson is accused of picking up a laptop computer, putting it over her head and threatening to hit her with it. He also threw a dinner plate across the kitchen. Hanson was sent to Chautauqua County Jail on $5,000 cash bail.

A Silver Creek woman was sent to jail after allegedly damaging a baseball field and picnic area with a four-wheeler. Sheriff’s deputies say at 1:19 Wednesday afternoon Town of Hanover Highway Department employees saw 36-year-old Crystal Barrett drive a four-wheeler into the locked gate to the Hanover Town Park. The gate was extensively damaged and torn from its framing. Inside the park Barrett allegedly damaged the baseball field and picnic area with the same vehicle. She then fled the scene on the four-wheeler, but the highway employees followed her and contacted the sheriff’s department. Deputies stopped Barrett on Allegany Road in Sunset Bay, and determined she was driving while intoxicated. She is also charged with felony criminal mischief and a number of vehicle and traffic law violations, including littering.

A fire and explosion destroyed an Arkwright house Wednesday morning. The fire started at about 9:30 at the house on Farrington Hollow Road. The Chautauqua County Fire Investigation Team says there was a propane gas leak inside the house, which led to the explosion and fire. No one was home at the time, and no injuries were reported.

Two doctors testified during a 3-½ hour hearing Wednesday on whether accused murderer Waide Nolf was coerced into confessing that he killed a mother and her infant daughter in March of last year. Dr. Christine Martone testified for the defense, and said Nolf’s desire to please other people could have caused him to confess even if he didn’t commit the crimes. Dr. Barbara Ziv testified for the prosecution, and said she does not believe Nolf is mentally retarded and the claim that he confessed to please the police is nothing more than speculation. McKean County District attorney Ray Learn tells WESB and The HERO the defense and prosecution were each given 20 days to submit supplemental briefs. Nolf is accused of killing 24-year-old Tonya Haight and her 3-½ week old daughter Tamara in a Pleasant Street house.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – On behalf of the nearly 900,000 workers in the U.S. forest products industry, Donna Harman, president and CEO of the American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA), commended today the action taken by U.S. Rep. Glenn Thompson to protect manufacturing jobs by co-sponsoring legislation that would stay and improve EPA’s costly and burdensome Boiler MACT rule and three related rules until they can be improved to be more achievable and affordable. “Congressman Thompson has shown decisive leadership to protect good manufacturing jobs from regulations that even the EPA itself has admitted need to be changed,” said Harman. “By sponsoring legislation to stay and improve these costly rules, Representative Thompson is helping to prevent severe hardship and tens of thousands of job losses in the forest product sector alone.” The Boiler MACT regulation issued by the EPA in February 2011 sets emission limits for boilers used in a vast array of industrial, commercial and inst...

Charges against a 21-year-old man accused of having sex with a 13-year-old girl have been bound to court following a hearing in front of District Judge Dominic Cercone. Steven Taylor is accused of having sex with the girl on July 17 and 18. He told police the sex was consensual. He is also accused of contacting her on Facebook and asking her for oral sex and intercourse. He also requested – and received – nude photos of the girl on his cell phone, according to papers filed in Cercone's office. Taylor is free after posing $10,000 bail.

Mount Jewett officials have enacted a Boil Water Advisory for residents affected by a water main break on Main Street between McClellan Avenue and Short Street. Mount Jewett Borough Water customers need to boil their water for drinking and cooking until further notice.

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) announced that the U.S. Department of Justice has awarded a $298,638 grant to Gannon University to fight dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking on campus. “Every student deserves to study in an environment where they feel physically and emotionally secure. This funding will help Gannon accomplish this goal,” said Senator Casey. Senator Casey sent a letter of support for this grant to the Department of Justice in April. Earlier this year, Senator Casey introduced the Campus Sexual Violence Elimination Act (SaVE Act), legislation that will close a serious gap in the law by requiring colleges and universities to clearly spell out their policies regarding sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence and stalking. Gannon University will use this funding to more effectively coordinate community-wide responses to these crimes, provide further training for police and school officials to better respond to crimes of th...

JAMESTOWN, NY – Jamestown resident Anthony “Tony” J. Costanzo has earned a special place of distinction in recognition of his meritorious military service during WWII and his tireless advocacy on behalf of his fellow veterans. Senator Catharine Young (R,C,I – Olean) hosted a special ceremony at the Vietnam Veterans Chapter #865 in Jamestown on Friday to induct Tony as a member of the 2011 New York State Senate Veterans’ Hall of Fame. "It is my honor to recognize Tony who has lived a life of service not only to his country but to his community as well. He embodies the definition of a true American hero and is the exact type of individual this Hall of Fame was created to honor," said Senator Young. “Tony is 91 years young, yet he still commands the firing squad of the Vietnam Veterans post. He dedicates himself to being at veterans’ funerals, and taking part in ceremonies to honor our country. He truly is remarkable,” she added. “I would like to thank Senator Young for nominati...

HARRISBURG -- A major reorganization within the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection will refocus the agency on its core mission of protecting the environment while improving efficiency and regulatory consistency. “These organizational changes will enhance the department’s ability to protect Pennsylvania’s air, water and land, and also will result in a consistent and predictable regulatory system,” DEP Secretary Mike Krancer said. Krancer said DEP will make decisions based on facts and sound science by providing enhanced, unified oversight to the natural gas industry; emphasizing the revitalization of brownfields; providing consistent, predictable decision-making; and delivering compliance assistance and pollution prevention education. “This is an installment of delivering what Governor Corbett promised during the campaign; and I, along with the governor, am committed to protecting the environment and public health for the future of all Pennsylvanians by strictly and vig...

St. Bonaventure University alumnus Eugene McQuade, ’71, and his wife, Peggy, have committed $2 million to establish the McQuade Center for Accounting Excellence endowment within St. Bonaventure’s acclaimed School of Business. The endowment will provide scholarship aid to promising incoming accounting majors; funding to recruit, retain and support the work of highly qualified, dedicated faculty; and support for student programming, advisement and professional development. Additionally, the endowment will make possible an awards celebration to honor the achievements of students, young alumni and senior executives. “Gene McQuade is one of the most accomplished business leaders among our many outstanding School of Business alums,” said Sr. Margaret Carney, O.S.F., S.T.D., president of the university. “Gene and Peggy are very discerning observers of the higher education landscape. The vote of confidence that their gift represents sends the strongest possible message about our potential to t...

Harrisburg – Young artists are invited to display their talents and learn about aviation through an annual art contest sponsored by PennDOT’s Bureau of Aviation. “Aviation is an important industry in Pennsylvania, and this is a great opportunity for kids to learn about it while having fun,” said PennDOT Secretary Barry J. Schoch, P.E. “Aviation’s Value to My Community” is the theme of this year’s contest. Entries will be judged in two divisions: first through third grades, and fourth and fifth grades. Entries must be postmarked by Oct. 14. There will be 22 statewide winners, with one winner from each division selected from each of PennDOT’s 11 district offices. Winners will receive a certificate signed by Schoch, and a mounted, full-color, 16-by-20-inch copy of their entry. The students’ schools will also receive a mounted copy of the artwork for display. Artwork should be submitted on 8.5-by-11-inch or 9-by-12-inch paper, unframed, unmatted and unlaminated. All work must be done by ha...

US Senators Bob Casey and Pat Toomey have released statements regarding the release of the American hikers who had been detained in Iran. Josh Fattal of Elkins Park, Pa., and Shane Bauer of Onamia, Minn., had been held in Iran for two years. "I am elated that Josh and Shane were finally released today. These innocent men suffered for far too long at the hands of injustice. Their release is a testament to the hard work and commitment of their families who have not rested over the past two years. I was honored to support their efforts and we are thrilled that this day has finally arrived. I look forward to welcoming you home, Josh and Shane," said Casey, who is chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Near Eastern and South and Central Asian Affairs In April, Toomey sent a letter to President Obama, along with several of his colleagues, urging the president to pursue all diplomatic means to return the American hikers to their families. “For the last two yea...

A Punxsutawney woman has been sentenced in federal court to 30 months probation and three months of home detention for conspiracy to manufacture and use counterfeit money. 35-year-old Tessa Hartless and her co-defendants made thousands of dollars worth of fake money and used it at convenience stores throughout western Pennsylvania. They would buy small items with large denominations of the phony money to get substantial amounts of real money as change.

A Salamanca man is facing charges for allegedly damaging a sheriff’s deputy’s car Monday morning. Deputies say they were at a house in the Town of Great Valley taking a report and while they were inside 20-year-old Ryan Tarr was outside attempting to bust out the windows of the patrol car. Tarr did damage to both front and rear driver’s side door windows and the front driver’s side door. He was charged with felony criminal mischief and is scheduled to appear in Town of Great Valley Court tonight. Damage to the patrol car is estimated at $900.

A hearing for rape and kidnapping suspect Mike Beaulieu scheduled for this week has been re-scheduled for next week. The 36-year-old resident of Anson, Maine is accused of kidnapping a couple near the Kinzua Dam on August 3, 2010, and raping the woman. Beaulieu is charged with aggravated sexual abuse, kidnapping, using and carrying a firearm during a crime of violence and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. The arraignment is now scheduled for next Wednesday in federal court in Erie.

Four people were hurt in an accident late last night on Cobham Park Road when their vehicle ended up in a stream. State police say 19-year-old Jarrett Woodward of Warren was going 60 mph when he lost control of his SUV on the wet road. The SUV dropped off the road, rolled onto its passenger side, then dropped off a steep embankment and landed on its roof in a small stream. Passengers William Turfitt, Anthony Morici, Christopher Sutton, all 19-year-olds from Warren, and 18-year-old Ian Anderson of Youngsville, along with Woodward, were all taken to Warren General Hospital. Morici, Sutton and Anderson were later taken to UPMC Hamot. Woodward was not hurt, but will be charged with driving under the influence of illegal drugs, and driving at an unsafe speed.