Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

State Rep. Scott Hutchinson of Oil City has announced that he will run this year for the state Senate seat now held by Mary Jo White. White has announced that she would not seek re-election to another term. Her district includes Venango and Forest counties and part of Warren and Butler counties. Hutchinson said he is committed to conservative, pro-growth, smaller government principles that allow working families and the small businesses that create jobs to keep more of their income. The Pennsylvania primary is April 24 and the general election is Nov. 6. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A Shinglehouse woman is dead after being hit by a pickup truck while she was walking along Kings Run Road in Ceres Township Thursday evening. State Police say 34-year-old Linda Wood was in the southbound lane wearing dark clothing at just after 6 p.m. 37-year-old Russell Hartzell of Eldred didn’t see Wood and his truck hit her. Wood was taken by ambulance to Olean General Hospital, where she was pronounced dead. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A science teacher at Salamanca Central School has been charged for allegedly having sexual contact with an underage girl. 39-year-old Shane Riethmiller of Dunkirk is charged sexual abuse, promoting sexual performance by a child, disseminating indecent material to a child and endangering the welfare of a child. Riethmiller allegedly received nude photos of an underage girl on his cell phone and sent nude photos of himself back to her. Sheriff’s deputies say the incidents happened from September through the November. Riethmiller was arraigned in Salamanca City Court and was released to appear in Cattaraugus County Court at a later date. Deputies say the name, age and address of the child will not be released. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Senator Cathy Young will be meeting on Monday with Governor Cuomo’s office and local state representatives to advocate for the old Route 219 bridge to be reopened quickly. The New York State Department of Transportation (DOT) closed the old Route 219 Bridge Thursday afternoon, citing structural problems found during an inspection last week. The inspection, conducted as part of a plan to rehabilitate the 50-year-old bridge, revealed a seized bearing, which DOT officials said compromised the safety of the bridge. “The new development is disappointing, especially since we successfully pushed for an agreement to have the state fix the bridge and have each respective county maintain the approaches. The bridge and its future seemed to be secured before this happened,” Senator Young said. Senator Young, who represents the Cattaraugus County side of the bridge, decided with Senator Patrick Gallivan (R,C,I - 59th District), from Erie County, to call the meeting. Also invited are Senate Transpor...

New York Senator Kirsten Gillibrand is accusing federal agencies of dragging their feet on a decision over whether to tighten controls on hydrocodone. Gillibrand sent a letter to the Drug Enforcement and Food and Drug administrations, which have been studying since 1999 whether to move hydrocodone medicines like Vicodin into a more tightly controlled category of drugs. "I am concerned with the perceived lack of response to an emerging and concerning issue," Gillibrand wrote. "I am disappointed that neither agency has prioritized the completion of this study." Read more here . The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

On Friday, Jan. 6, state Rep. Matt Gabler (R-Clearfield/Elk) presented a House citation to Robbie G. Fedder. A resident of St. Marys, Fedder was recognized for 25 years of service with the Pennsylvania State Police, having recently retired from the Ridgway barracks. Photo provided by Gabler's office

Two Dunkirk men are facing charges in connection to daylight burglaries in the towns of Hanover and Sheridan. Sheriff’s deputies arrested 30-year-old Angel Ocasio and 37-year-old Jose Morales in a parking lot on Route 20 Thursday when they and state police saw them unloading property reported stolen earlier in the day. Both men were charged with burglary and petit larceny and sent to jail on $50,000 bail each. Deputies say more charges are pending. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A Bradford man is one of 45 people who graduated from the State Police Academy today. Scott Sipko has been assigned to Troop E, Erie County. Also graduating today were Terry Seal of Eldred and Timothy Wright of Ridgway. They have both been assigned to Troop F, Montoursville. I congratulate each and every one of you, the 133rd class of the Pennsylvania State Police. Today, you become the ultimate protectors of the citizens of the commonwealth and we thank you for your dedication and service," said Commissioner Frank Noonan . "As you broach your new assignments, I am confident you will uphold the traditions of honor, service, integrity, respect, trust, courage and duty of this great law enforcement organization." Also speaking at today's graduation ceremony, held at Central Dauphin High School, was James W. McJunkin, assistant director in charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Washington, D.C. field office. McJunkin began his law enforcement career as Penn...

The Friends of Hanley Library will host alumnus and author Chris Mackowski to speak about his new book “Chancellorsville: Crossroads of Fire” at 7 p.m. Jan. 11 at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford. The talk will take place in the Mukaiyama University Room of the Frame-Westerberg Commons and is co-sponsored by the McKean County Historical Society/Old Jail Museum. “Crossroads” recounts the events of the Battle of Chancellorsville, a major battle in the American Civil War frequently cited as Confederate commander Robert E. Lee’s greatest victory because the Southern army overcame odds of nearly three to one. The book also serves as a tour guide for the battlefield and is the latest book in a Civil War series that will be authored by Mackowski. Mackowski is an associate professor of journalism and mass communication at St. Bonaventure University in Allegany, N.Y., and also works as a historian for the National Park Service at Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park, w...

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA), Chairman of the U.S. Congress Joint Economic Committee (JEC), released the following statement on the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ December 2011 jobs report showing that the unemployment rate decreased to 8.5 percent and 200,000 total nonfarm jobs were added: “With this month’s employment report, we now have 22 consecutive months of private-sector job gains. In 2011, the economy added 1.9 million private-sector jobs. Congress must do everything possible to ensure that this upward trend in growth continues. “This is why I strongly encourage my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to extend the employee payroll tax cut for a full year. The recent extension of the payroll tax cut gives us until the beginning of March to reach an agreement that will benefit working families and provide more take-home pay for 160 million Americans by ensuring a full year extension of the payroll tax cut. “As one of four Democratic Senators appointed to th...

A Tionesta woman has been charged in connection to the drug overdose death of a Marienville man. 55-year-old Susie Smith is charged with drug delivery resulting in death for allegedly supplying 52-year-old Richard Riggs Jr. with fentanyl. Riggs was found dead in his home on November 11. Smith is in Warren County Jail on $500,000 bail. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for January 17. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Lt. Governor Jim Cawley (right) admires the 2012 PA Farm Show butter sculpture while Secretary of Agriculture George Greig (left) and butter sculpture artist Jim Victor (center) enjoy the moment. Provided by Commonwealth Media Services The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

The United Way of the Bradford Area, Inc. announced today the final results for its 2011 Campaign: Live United and Lend a Helping Hand. With a campaign goal of $325,000, organization officials announced the final amount raised at $328,730. “We are so proud and appreciative of the Bradford community for stepping in to achieve this goal,” says Executive Director Megan Minich. “We are ecstatic with the total raised during this campaign season. More importantly, we’re grateful for the amount of good these dollars can do and the lives we can change through our partner agencies with the money entrusted to us.” Board President Vonda Reese added that “We could not achieve this kind of success without the hard work and dedication of numerous volunteers. On behalf of the Board of Directors, we would like to thank campaign co-chairs Christine Minich, Karen Costello-Pecht, and Steve Cottillion for their enthusiasm and commitment to United Way and this year’s appeal process. In addition to this yea...

Volunteer fire and emergency response organizations in Cameron, McKean and Potter counties have been awarded more than $316,000 in grants from the state, Rep. Martin Causer (R-Turtlepoint) announced today. “We are so fortunate in our region to have dedicated volunteers who are willing to serve our communities,” Causer said. “These state grants will help support them in their mission of protecting the public.” The grants were awarded to 37 fire and ambulance companies in the three-county area. The funding comes from an ongoing grant program created by the Legislature and administered by the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency and Office of the State Fire Commissioner. All funding comes from the proceeds from slot machine gaming, and not general fund tax revenue. This year’s program provided $25 million in grants statewide. Projects eligible for funding include: construction or renovation of a fire or ambulance company facility, purchase or repair of equipment, training, or reductio...

Gov. Tom Corbett has signed into law legislation authorizing increased state oversight of natural gas pipelines in Pennsylvania. State Representative Matt Baker says the new law will allow Pennsylvania for the first time to regulate and conduct oversight of pipelines. "This is very important given the fact that the Marcellus Shale industry has taken off. This will also allow the Public Utility Commission to draw down more federal funding to hire additional pipeline safety inspectors. So the more pipeline safety inspectors we have out in the field, the better we think it'll be for all consumers in Pennsylvania," Baker said. Baker said he’s pleased that the governor and General Assembly recognized the need for quick action on the legislation. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Director Cindy Matteson has announced that casting is complete and rehearsals are underway for “Twelve Angry Men,” the second production of Bradford Little Theatre’s “Fun, Furious Fifteen” season. The Emmy Award-winning story by Reginald Rose, adapted for the stage by Sherman Sergel, takes the audience into the jury deliberations of what appears to be an open-and-shut case of murder. The play is a period piece from the 1950s; it lasts about 80 minutes and will have no intermission. The drama will be performed at the auditorium of the First Presbyterian Church, 54 E. Corydon St., Bradford, on Friday and Saturday, February 3 and 4, at 7:30 p.m. with a matinee performance at 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 5. “Fourteen talented men from around the region will bring this drama – one of my personal favorites – to life,” said Matteson, a BLT board member and veteran director of both Otto-Eldred Junior-Senior High School and BLT productions. “Many of us held our breath this year awaiting the verdicts in ...

The 2011 edition of Baily’s Beads, the literary magazine of the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford, has been chosen Most Outstanding University Literary Magazine for 2011 by the American Scholastic Press Association. It is the highest honor the association can award a college literary magazine. Last year the magazine received the award for colleges in its enrollment category, but this was the first year it was the overall winner. The magazine also received first place with special merit, a distinction it also earned in 2004, 2005 and 2008. The 2011 issue was edited by Sarah Dorben, a 2011 writing graduate, and Michael Reeder, a 2011 writing graduate from Murrysville who also served as layout editor. The issue also earned a gold medalist certificate from the Columbia Scholastic Press Association, which it also earned in 2005, 2007 and 2008. Dr. Nancy McCabe, associate professor of writing and director of the writing program, is advisor for the staff, which also included Arpad Hervanek...

A judge appointed nearly three years ago to review thousands of juvenile convictions following the “Kids for Cash” scandal in Luzerne County has finished his work. The state Supreme Court said today that Berks County Senior Judge Arthur Grim has completed his review of cases handled by former Judge Mark Ciavarella, Jr. The justices returned control of all juvenile court functions to the Luzerne County Court of Common Pleas. Ciavarella was sentenced to 28 years in federal prison for taking $1 million in bribes from the owner and builder of a pair of for-profit youth detention centers. Former judge Michael Conahan pleaded guilty and is serving a 17-year prison term. The Supreme Court followed Grim's 2009 recommendation and dismissed the convictions of more than 2,000 juvenile offenders. The justices said Ciavarella disregarded the youths' constitutional rights, including the right to legal counsel and the right to intelligently enter a plea. Judge John Cleland of McKean County, w...

Salamanca High School was on lockdown this morning after a 15-year-old student armed with scissors and a wooden stick started acting violently. The boy is now in police custody and the lockdown has been lifted. Students were told to remain in their classrooms during the lockdown. Sheriff’s deputies have not released any further information yet. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Coudersport resident Stanley R. Goodwin has received a Letter of Commendation from Pennsylvania State Police for his efforts and community service, particularly involving state police. Goodwin has donated countless hours of his time, as well as materials and heavy equipment in the design and construction of a shooting range behind the Troop F Coudersport station, according to a news release sent by Cpl. Michael Murray. This was at a time in which the private shooting range used during the spring and fall firearms qualifications by members of Potter, Tioga and Cameron County law enforcement was being closed. After a search for a sutibale replacement range was unsuccessful, Goodwin offered to design and build a shooting range. The range is used state police from Coudersport, Mansfield and Emporium and is, or has been, used by every municipal police department in Potter County, as well as member of the state Game Commission, Fish & Boat Commission, DCNR and other law enforcement. It i...

The Seneca Nation is OK with Governor Andrew Cuomo’s plan to increase gaming in the state – as long as it’s not in Western New York. Indian tribes currently have exclusive rights to operate casinos in New York, but in his State of the State address Wednesday Cuomo proposed an expansion of gaming, saying it could generate more than $1 billion dollars. Seneca President Robert Odawi Porter said if the exclusivity is violated, it would cause significant harm to existing businesses. In 2002, the tribe signed a 21-year compact with the Pataki administration, allowing it to retain exclusivity in Western New York. Porter said the Senecas are “very sensitive to broken promises.” Read more at: http://news.sni.org/Press.aspx The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

The Kane Community Center on Fraley Street was heavily damaged when a pickup truck jumped the curb and hit the building at around 11 o’clock Tuesday night. Police say the truck driven by 18-year-old Nicholas Abplanalp of Kane went out of control and over the curb, then sheered off a street light pole and hit a fire hydrant, pushing it 100 feet. The truck also hit a sign before hitting the building, then sheered off two bicycle racks in front the community center, and hit another street light pole and a pedestrian crosswalk sign. Neither the driver nor his passenger, 18-year-old Mike Shrubb of Kane, was hurt. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A Sinclairville man suffered minor injuries when his vehicle ended up in more than three feet of water in the Town of Kiantone this afternoon. Sheriff’s deputies say a vehicle driven by 19-year-old James Emmott went out of control between Route 60 and Peck Settlement Road due to wintry road conditions, left the road and rolled over into 3 ½ feet of water. A passing motorist helped Emmott get out of his vehicle, and he was later taken to WCA Hospital. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

It was heartening to hear the Governor speak about building on our successes that we accomplished in 2011. No new taxes, fiscal responsibility, mandate relief, protecting the local taxpayers and private sector job creation all are priorities of the Senate, and it is tremendous to have the Governor as a partner. The activation of the Mandate Relief Council is something I have been pushing, and having hearings around the state to gain citizen and local government input will be invaluable and helpful in getting meaningful reforms. It fits in with our fight to change the Medicaid program to give local taxpayers relief, and I am optimistic we can get real results this session. Increasing New York State’s economic competitiveness is crucial, and I fully support public/private partnerships to stimulate infrastructure construction and job growth. We cut taxes on manufacturers, and our small businesses need tax relief too so they can invest and expand. Getting people back to work, having good p...

The owners of Ski Denton in Potter County are now the new owners of the Swain Resort in Allegany County, New York. Denton Hill Family and Ski Resort Inc. has been running Swain for the last two years, and the purchase completes a lease-to-own agreement that was reached in August of 2009 with the previous owners. “We have been greatly encouraged by the support of what we call the ‘Swain Family Ski Community’ and its positive reception to our efforts,” said Scott Carts, who along with Jodi Carts and Shawn and Celeste Schoonover, is an officer in the company. “Skier visits at the resort have increased by about 20% over the past two seasons and our hands-on customer service approach has been a key factor in winning back school club groups as well,” Carts said in a news release sent to WESB and The Hero. The installation in the summer of 2011 of 3,000 feet of new snowmaking lines now provides Swain with 98% snowmaking capacity, adding Maverick, Zig-Zag, Fools Gold, and The Pass to the acces...

Governor Andrew Cuomo today announced a $1 billion economic development package for Buffalo that he hopes will encourage national and global industries to move there, creating thousands of new jobs. Also in his State of the State address Cuomo proposed what he calls an “energy highway” system that would tap into renewable energy sources in upstate and western New York and send the energy to downstate New York. Cuomo also announced that he will support a constitutional amendment to allow gaming in New York State. The Seneca Nation has not commented on the State of the State address yet. To read more: http://www.governor.ny.gov/press/sos2012 The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A Franklinville man is accused of threatening to kill a teenager and another person during his son’s wrestling match Tuesday in Cherry Creek. State Police say 46-year-old Kenneth Winter got upset over the officiating and threatened to kill the 17-year-old his son was wrestling and an adult who was trying to calm him down. Winter is charged with menacing and disorderly conduct, and is scheduled to appear in Cherry Creek Town Court at a later date. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

WILLIAMSPORT -- The Department of Environmental Protection has fined Talisman Energy USA Inc. of Warrendale, Butler County, $51,478 for a January 2011 gas well control incident at the company’s Department of Conservation and Natural Resources 587 #8 well pad in Ward Township, Tioga County. “Equipment failure during fracing on Jan. 17 caused about 21,000 gallons of hydraulic fracturing fluid and sand to be released for about three hours,” DEP North-central Regional Director Nels Taber said. “Fortunately, Talisman responded quickly and most of the release did not escape secondary containment.” The fluid discharged from the head of the well under high pressure, tearing the well pad’s secondary containment liner for several yards. Vacuum trucks recovered the fluid on the well pad. No streams, wetlands or private drinking water wells were impacted by the spill. A department inspection conducted Jan. 25 confirmed that Talisman staff had repaired the damaged liner, replaced the failed equipme...

Several Olean residents appeared in Cattaraugus County Court Tuesday on drug charges. Ashley Walker was sentenced to 5 years’ probation for selling fentanyl on December 1, 2010. Jesse Conner pleaded guilty to selling cocaine March 25 of last year. He’ll be sentenced March 12. Gary Coleman is accused of selling crack cocaine and methadone in December of 2010. Adele Flores allegedly sold crack cocaine on June 30 in Salamanca, and also possessed cocaine and drug paraphernalia. Larry Peterson is charged with criminal sale of a controlled substance. Alicia Tyger is accused of selling oxycodone on December 21, 2010, in Salamanca. They all pleaded not guilty and their cases have been adjourned for motions. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A registered sex offender has pleaded not guilty in Cattaraugus County Court to failing to register his new address. 38-year-oold Ernest Boyd of East Otto allegedly did not register between January and March of last year. The matter has been adjourned for motions. In 2002, Boyd was convicted of forcibly touching an 18-year-old girl. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Four Jamestown men accused of robbing and assaulting a Randolph couple at gunpoint in November have all pleaded not guilty in Cattaraugus County Court. 22-year-old D’Allyn Washington, 19-year-old Cameron Rives, 24-year-old Samuel Rodriguez and 21-year-old Derrick Williams Jr. are all charged with robbery, burglary and assault. Sheriff’s deputies say the four entered the home of Thomas and Marjorie Andrews at about 2:15 on the morning of November 10 and held them at gunpoint. They also allegedly kicked, punched and pistol whipped Thomas Andrews and bound Marjorie’s wrists together with duct tape. The four also allegedly stole two cell phones, cash, Mr. Andrews’ wallet and a flat screen TV. Their cases have been adjourned for motions.

The Olean girl accused of stabbing another girl in the face with a knife in November has pleaded not guilty in Cattaraugus County Court. 16-year-old Destiny Bellaus is charged with assault and criminal possession of weapon in connection to the incident that happened in Oak Hill Park. The victim may have a scar on her face for life, and police have said she was trying to stick up for someone who was being bullied at school. The case has been adjourned for motions. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A Harley Davidson motorcycle and a lawn mower were among the items destroyed in a garage fire at just before noon today in Kane. The Janeway Street garage is owned by Earl Rich of Kane, and was also destroyed. Damage is estimated at $40,000. State Police fire marshal Greg Agosti and Kane Fire Department personnel investigated and determined the cause to be accidental. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Sorry I didn't get these up sooner but my brain is still in vacation mode. (Nine days off has its disadvantages when you come back to work.) This is the WESB/100.1 The Hero Rockin' Block Party at First Night Bradford hosted by Scott Douglas. (Yes, that's him with the "big hair" and sunglasses.) The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947