Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

Quick update (from the water authority's Facebook page): There is really nothing new to report. The job is finished. Samples have been taken and sent to the lab. All we can do is wait for the results to lift the advisory. We should have them back by the beginning of next week hopefully. Please note that this is an "Advisory" that is automatically triggered due to the large main line break that disrupted the water system. It is not an "Order", which would have been issued if some kind of contamination was actually found in the water.

Three people died in a crash Friday on James City Hill in Wetmore Township. Police say a Ford F350 was traveling north and just into McKean County when it went off the road, hit three trees, flipped end over end and landed on its roof. The driver, 25-year-old Andrew Snarey of Aliquippa, and two of his passengers, 28-year-old Jeffrey Kramer of McDonald and 60-year-old George Snarey of Carnegie, died on impact. A third passenger, 42-year-old Todd Kosenina of Imperial, was flown to UPMC Hamot for treatment of moderate injuries. Police are continuing their investigation. More from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette .

The first round of voting for First Night’s Got talent is over, and 15 people now move on to Round 2. They will be performing live at 7 p.m. Friday at Open Arms Community Church. Videos from that performance will be placed online, and the voting will open again, to see which contestants make it through to the finals at First Night Bradford. To see the list of people moving on to Round 2, go to http://firstnighttalent.com/

An Olean man was sent to jail this morning after allegedly stuffing his pockets with stolen merchandise from the Allegany Wal-Mart. 19-year-old Matthew Mowery was arrested after he set off the electronic article surveillance alarms at the exit. Sheriff’s deputies were on patrol at the store and witnessed the incident. They found Mowery with five pockets “literally stuffed with stolen merchandise.” Mowey’s bail is set at $250 cash.

Charges are pending against an Eldred man who crashed his pickup truck on Route 155 in Potter County early Thursday morning. Police say at about 12:15 a.m. the truck driven by 28-year-old Thomas Pritt of Barbertown Road went out of control and hit a guiderail. Pritt left the scene and was later located by police and arrested for reasonable suspicion of DUI. Police say more charges are pending further investigations.

A Kane man crashed his pickup truck early Wednesday morning while reaching for his cell phone. Police say that at about 2:15 a.m. 20-year-old Joshua Hadfield was on JoJo Road and his cell phone had fallen onto the floor of the truck on the passenger side. When he received a text message he reached for the phone and, when he did, the truck went off the road, hit four pine trees with its side then hit a fifth tree head-on. Hadfield left the scene, and was interviewed on Thanksgiving Day. He wasn’t hurt, but received several traffic citations.

A fisherman was lost for several hours Friday near Ripley in Chautauqua County. At about 7:30 last night a camping party called the sheriff’s office saying 56-year-old Joseph Evancho of Blasdell left the camp to go fishing at about 2:30, but hadn’t returned. The sheriff’s department, fire department, state forest ranger and Erie County’s Air One helicopter searched the area. Air One found Evancho shortly after midnight. Air One then directed the sheriff’s office K9 unit and firefighters to Evancho’s location. They reached him at about 12:30. He wasn’t hurt.

TV personality Daphne Brogdon shares some tips on not only style, but trying to keep yourself sane while raising a family. For more of Daphne's tips and humor visit CoolMom.com .

A wild turkey probably would have gotten through Thanksgiving safely – if it had stayed away from Interstate 80. Police say the turkey flew into the path of a car driven by 43-year-old William Bowman of St. Marys on Thursday, and hit and shattered the windshield Bowman suffered minor injuries from the shattered glass.

A Panama, New York, man is facing charges for allegedly shooting a dog with a bow and arrow. 19-year-old Bradley Bogert is accused of shooting and killing the dog in Clymer, back in October. He is charged with agriculture and markets law for injuring an animal, and more charges are pending.

Bob, Becky and everyone at Allegheny Vein & Vascular . (No one saw that coming, right?); The people I work with who make me laugh every day; The ARG News Review; Girls Night Out; My Circle of Friends -- You each bring a special joy to my life; Oil of Olay; JoAnn's pumpkin martinis; Sandy's sense of humor; Congress making pizza a vegetable (It'll be much easier to get 5 servings a day now); The first four weeks of football season. Happy Thanksgiving!

A contractor working on a house in Ellicottville is hospitalized after getting an electric shock Wednesday afternoon. Sheriff's deputies say the man was standing on an aluminum sawhorse while working on an electrical box, when he was shocked. The shock sent him backward off the sawhorse and the back of his head hit the concrete floor. He was airlifted to ECMC, where there is no word on his condition.

Governor Tom Corbett and First Lady Susan Corbett volunteered today at the Water Street Mission in Lancaster, as the mission held its annual Great Thanksgiving Banquet for the homeless and hungry. The mission serves approximately 200 people who are homeless or would otherwise go hungry on Thanksgiving. Governor and Mrs. Corbett felt it was important to volunteer and remind Pennsylvanians of the importance of community service. Provided by Commonwealth Media Services

Claudine Cooper, instructor of hospitality management at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford -- and a food safety expert -- visited WESB's LiveLine on Wednesday to talk about how to keep your family safe as you prepare your Thanksgiving feast. You can listen here .

Bradford City Water Authority customers who live in higher elevations will no longer have to boil their water. These areas include all customers south of Owens Way and Route 219 to Route 59, including Custer City, Minard Run Road, Lewis Run, FCI-McKean and Bradford Regional Airport. Also, West Washington Street from Stephen Lane to Marilla and Harrisburg Run east to Olean Road, and the area from the intersection of Interstate Parkway and Stone Avenue to Sullivan Road. All other water customers remain under a Boil Water Advisory until further notice. The water authority will be working with the state DEP until all regulatory guidance and water sampling requirements are met. The water authority is also asking that people continue to conserve water until storage levels return to normal, and that could take several days. 4 million gallons of water were lost during a 20-inch water main break Tuesday morning. To read the news release go to BradfordWater.com .

(CNN) -- Stan Case, an anchor for CNN Radio, has died in a car crash in Birmingham, Alabama, a police spokesman said Wednesday. "Stan was a news anchor for CNN Radio and a mainstay of the network since he joined CNN in 1985," said Jim Walton, president of CNN Worldwide. "He was a fine journalist, a leader in our organization and, as anyone who had the privilege of knowing him will tell you, a great guy." Case's wife, Angela Stiepel Case, was injured according to a family friend, Merrell Waring. She remained hospitalized on Wednesday. Tyler Moody, vice president of CNN Radio, said news of Case's death caused "terrible sadness" for him and his colleagues. "Our thoughts now are for his wife Angi's recovery, and his family during this difficult time. For over 26 years, Stan was our friend first and colleague second. He will be missed." Birmingham police Sgt. Johnny Williams said he did not have details on the crash, which happened Tuesday...

A 59-year-old Randolph man has turned himself into authorities after accidentally shooting a school bus Monday morning. William Squire turned himself in this afternoon. He is charged with criminal mischief, reckless endangerment and a DEC violation of firing a shot across a highway. The school bus was hit while traveling along Route 241 in Conewango Monday morning. None of the 35 students from Kindergarten through 12th grade or the bus driver were injured.

If you're tracking your family's flights go to FlightView.com for information on delays, cancellations and more. Traveling on the road? Go to 511PA.com or 511NY.org . Remember, police agencies will be doing extra patrols to check for aggressive drivers and people who are driving under the influence.

Emmy Award-winning actor Edward Hermann has appeared in many memorable films and TV shows, but he has also won awards for narrating audio books. I had the honor and pleasure of speaking with him this morning about two of his latest ventures "Life Itself," a memoir by Roger Ebert and "Unbroken" by Laura Hillenbrand. With holiday travel time approaching, what better time could there be to pick up an audio book to keep you company as you travel over the river and through the woods? You can listen to my conversation with Mr. Hermann here .

By ANNE HOLLIDAY WESB/WBRR News Director The City of Bradford’s proposed 2012 budget includes no tax increase and no increase in residential garbage rates. “Any year you can get by without raising the cost of services and not raising taxes is a great year,” said Mayor Tom Riel after Tuesday’s City Council meeting. “The city’s finally getting turned around and heading in the right direction.” The proposed total for general fund expenditures in 2012 is $8,383,733. Council passed the budget ordinance unanimously on first reading. It must still be passed on final reading, presumably during the December 27 council meeting. Riel went on to say the city is “exploring a lot of alternative revenue streams that should begin to come in next year and we’ll continue on a positive note next year as well.” One of the new revenue streams is a tax that would be levied on juke boxes and other mechanical devices. Establishments with the devices would have to get a license and pay an annual fee of $50 for...

McKean County Senior Judge John Cleland will be hearing the matters related to the case of former Penn State assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky. Cleland was appointed to the case after all Centre County Common Pleas Court judges recused themselves, according to the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts. Court officials said the judges recused themselves to avoid any appearance of conflict of interest due to real or perceived connections to Sandusky, The Second Mile charity he founded, or Penn State University. Until Cleland assumes jurisdiction, petitions filed by counsel will be heard by President Judge Kathy Morrow of Perry and Juniata counties. Neither judge has any known connections with Sandusky, Penn State, or The Second Mile, according to court officials. Sandusky faces 40 criminal counts for sexually abusing eight boys over a 15-year period. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for December 13 in Centre County. Judge Cleland has been a jurist since 1984. He has ser...

The boil water advisory for Bradford City Water Authority customers may remain in effect for several days. Water Authority Executive Director Kim Benjamin says the advisory will be in effect until all DEP requirements for sampling are complete. The water authority is also asking people to conserve water until storage tanks recover to normal levels. The 20-inch water main break in the South Center Street area caused widespread disruption of water pressure and quality throughout the system, as about 4 million gallons of water was lost. Repairs are underway. When you’re boiling the water, let it boil for one minute and let it cool before using. Boiled or bottled water should be using for drinking, making ice, brushing teeth, washing dishes and food preparation until further notice. Boiling kills bacteria and other organisms in the water. Turbidity has no health effects, but it can interfere with disinfection and provide a medium for microbial growth. Turbidity may indicate the presence of...

Harrisburg - State Transportation Secretary Barry J. Schoch and the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission's Chief Operating Officer Craig R. Shuey today unveiled Pennsylvania's latest weapon in their battle against winter weather: a 30-foot-long, tow-behind snowplow. PennDOT and the Turnpike will use the new tow plows on major roadways this winter. Because of their size, tow plows are only used on limited-access roadways such as the Pennsylvania Turnpike, interstates or other multi-lane roads. The plow was unveiled at the Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg. Provided by Commonwealth Media Services

The Rochester Police is cancelling the AMBER Alert that was activated at 12:50 PM on 11/22/2011 regarding Darius Lee and Jeremiah Baker. They have been found, and are safe. The Rochester Police has activated the New York State AMBER Alert and is investigating a confirmed child abduction that occurred on Garson Avenue, in Rochester, NY at about 4:00 AM on 11/22/2011. The CHILD, Darius Lee is a Black male, approximately 1 year old with black hair and brown eyes. He is approximately 23 inches and weighs about 18 pounds. Darius was last seen wearing Pajamas. The CHILD, Jeremiah Baker is a Black male, approximately 3 years old with black hair and brown eyes. He is approximately 2 feet 8 inches tall and weighs about 30 pounds. Jeremiah was last seen wearing pajamas. The SUSPECT, Kenneth Smith is a Black male, approximately 25 years old with brown hair and brown eyes. He is approximately 6 feet tall and weighs about 190 pounds. He has burn scars on an upper arm. Th...

The Portville hunter who fell from a deer stand this weekend has died. State Police say 70-year-old Robert Miller fell on Saturday and was taken to Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester, where he was treated for broken ribs and a punctured lung. Police say Miller apparently did not secure a safety strap on the stand and fell after shooting at a deer.

The preliminary hearing for former Penn State assistant coach Jerry Sandusky, accused of sexual abuse of eight boys over a 15-year period has been moved back a week. The hearing has been rescheduled for December 13 in the Centre County Courthouse in Bellefonte. A posting on the website established to spread public information about the case says the new schedule is meant to accommodate "logistical needs."

People on South Center Street have plenty of water, but in the road and beyond following a 20-inch water main break. Pictured, Patrick Morrisroe makes waves as he drives through the flood taking pictures. Lewis Run residents are being reminded to conserve water due to the water main break in Bradford.

Because of the water main break in the city, and low water pressure, Bradford Area Schools are closing early today. School and GGB will dismiss at 10:30 a.m.; Fretz and 12:30 p.m.; the high school, 12:45 p.m. Parents with safety concerns may contact the office of the school their child attends.

A tow truck driver is dead after a tractor-trailer hit him as he was working on a disabled vehicle on Interstate 90 near Syracuse. Police say 53-year-old Todd Young of Mattydale, New York, died after being hit by the tractor-trailer driven by 40-year-old Kurt Brown of Herkimer, New York. Young was loading the disabled vehicle of Kevin Woloszyn of Delevan, New York, when he was hit. No one else was hurt. Brown has been cited for moving from his lane unsafely.

A Little Valley woman has been charged with criminal possession of a hypodermic instrument. Sheriff’s deputies arrested 31-year-old Sandra Sherlock after finding her with the items on Thursday. Sherlock wa sent to Cattaraugus County Jail.

A New Wilmington, PA, man has been cited for defiant trespass in Lewis Run. Police say 62-year-old James Moore entered the property of Marcia Reese on October 23 and on Sunday after he had been given notice against trespassing. Summary charges of defiant trespass have been filed.

A Salamanca man is accused of punching a police officer who responded to a domestic incident early Sunday morning. Police say 22-year-old Kurtis Dowdy punched and kicked a woman, and damaged property during the dispute, then refused to follow police orders and punched an officer. Dowdy is charged with assault, harssment, criminal mischief, resisting arrest and obstruction of governmental administration.

A 20-inch water main break in the South Center Street area is causing problems in the entire Bradford water system. A boil water advisory is in effect. Water Authority Executive Director Kim Benjamin says some areas have low to no pressure. Besides the boil water advisory, the water authority is asking for voluntary water use restrictions, too. Benjamin says he will keep us updated on developments.

Genevieve L. VanNette, 97, of 162 Congress Street, passed away Sunday, November 20, 2011, in Bradford Manor. Born September 18, 1914, in Westfield, PA, she was a daughter of Harry and Maude Sugden Welch. On May 12, 1951, in Bradford, she married Jack C. VanNette, who passed away on August 28, 2002. Mrs. VanNette is survived by three daughters, Susan L. Sinclair of Bradford, Leslie A. Guenter of Oxnard, CA, and Linda K. (Jude Kaye) VanSciver of San Francisco, CA; one sister, Catherine Anderson of Port Charlotte, FL; and several nieces and nephews. At the request of the family, there will be no visitation, but friends are invited to attend a memorial service at 12:15 p.m. Sunday at the First Presbyterian Church with the Rev. W. Leroy Beckes officiating. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the First Presbyterian Church, 54 East Corydon Street, Bradford, or to the Bradford Manor, 50 Langmaid Lane, Bradford. Arrangements are under the direction of the Mascho Funeral Hom...

WASHINGTON DC – Today, U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-Pa.) joined Senators Barbara Mikulski (D-MD) and Richard Burr (R-NC) in announcing an upcoming Senate hearing to examine how well our nation is protecting children from child abuse and neglect. The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Subcommittee on Children and Families will hold a hearing on Tuesday, December 13 at 10:15 a.m. in Washington, D.C. Earlier this month, Senator Casey wrote to Senators Mikulski (D-MD) and Burr (R-NC), Chairwoman and Ranking Member on the committee, requesting the hearing. “This hearing will be an opportunity to ensure that our federal laws are protecting our children from dangerous sexual predators,” Senator Casey said. “The events of the last weeks are a clarion call for action to ensure that every adult is responsible for reporting the sexual abuse of a child to the proper government authorities. I thank Senators Mikulski and Burr for agreeing to hold this important hearing.” The Senate ...

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Pat Toomey issued the following statement today on the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction: “The Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction had an extraordinary opportunity to pass legislation that would have generated millions of jobs through a reformed tax system and put our government on a path to fiscal sanity by cutting spending. Unfortunately, this opportunity has been wasted. “I am saddened and disappointed that we were unable to meet our goal when so many Americans were counting on us. My Republican colleagues and I proposed a compromise that offered the other side revenue as they demanded. This plan was even hailed by the second highest ranking Democrat in the Senate as a ‘breakthrough.’ Like the proposals offered by other bipartisan commissions, our proposal offered a mix of spending cuts, revenue, and job-creating tax reform that would have lowered tax rates for all Americans and reduced our deficit by $1.2 trillion. Unfortunately, ou...

HINSDALE, NY – Senator Catharine Young recently awarded a Hinsdale U.S. Navy veteran’s family with the posthumous medals he earned but never received for his bravery and heroism during World War II. At a special ceremony held at the American Legion in Hinsdale on Saturday, Senator Young presented the New York State Medal for Merit and the Conspicuous Service Star to the family of Gunner’s Mate Second Class Loren Briggs. "Petty Officer Briggs’ courage is a credit to himself, the United States Navy, and the entire Hinsdale community. It was an honor to present his family with these long overdue awards, he is truly an inspiration," said Senator Young. The effort to obtain the medals began in July when Petty Officer Briggs’ daughter and son-in-law, Carol and Roger Snyder of Portville, contacted Senator Young’s office to request information about their father’s military service. During the course of compiling the information and gathering discharge papers, her office discovered th...

A special family performance of the Hudson Vagabond Puppets’ production of “The Snow Queen” will be presented at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 1, at St. Bonaventure University’s Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts. In this presentation, Hans Christian Anderson’s classic story is set to the music of Archangelo Corelli and danced by large-scale puppets including a Snow Queen standing 12 feet tall. Hudson Vagabond Puppets, a not for profit company, creates larger-than-life puppetry and mask programs designed to fit into the school curriculum and to entertain children and their families. The performers are professional dancers and actors. Clad in black, the puppeteers borrow from the traditional Japanese Bunraku style of puppetry, becoming mere shadows of the enormous figures they bring to life. The company performs more than 100 times a year, entertaining more than 50,000 students, teachers and families throughout the country. Its puppeteers have taken the stage at schools, colleges, festivals...

A bullet hit a school bus this morning in Cattaraugus County, and state police believe it may have come from a hunter. No one was hurt in the incident that happened at about 7:30 on Route 241 near Conewango. The bullet went through the door of the Randolph Central School bus then lodged in the roof behind the driver. Police are still investigating, but don’t believe the shooter meant to hit the school bus.

The United Way of the Bradford Area, Inc. has made great gains in recent days, announcing today that the organization has raised 50% of its $325,000 goal. “We couldn’t be more excited about this,” says Executive Director Megan Minich. “We are so grateful for the community’s generosity. In the past two weeks, we have received a substantial amount of pledges in response to our appeal. Donations have come in large and small, from individual community members to larger corporate gifts, and they all add up. We still have a lot of work to do with less than a month remaining.” “The level of loyalty of our donors is truly inspirational,” says United Way Board President Vonda Reese. “People in this community know what we are trying to accomplish and really get behind the mission of the United Way.” “The greatest aspect of a donation to United Way is the efficiency of one gift to help so many people in need,” continued Reese. “Last year’s campaign allowed our organization to provide funding to 1...