Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

Senior Megan Van Tatenhove set an early tone for No. 22/25 St. Bonaventure (25-2, 12-0 Atlantic 10 Conference) as she scored SBU's first 15 points and the Bonnies cruised to a 66-48 win over Xavier (7-18, 4-8 A-10) on Senior Day at the Reilly Center. Van Tatenhove finished with a season-high 24 points in front of a Homecoming Weekend crowd as the Bonnies remained perfect in conference play and moved within one win of clinching the No. 1 seed at the A-10 Championship. The victory snapped a nine-game losing streak to Xavier as Bona picked up its first win over the Musketeers since Jan. 25, 2002. It also extended Bona's winning streak to 14 straight, and continued what is now a 16-game regular-season conference winning streak dating back to last year.

Thank you to Jim Jones of Solomon's Words for designing our new logo! The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A Cattaraugus County couple picked the wrong place to have sex. Sheriff’s deputies say 35-year-old Robert Beatman of Olean and 41-year-old Beckey Livingston of Hinsdale were seen at the New York State DEC fishing access site on Gile Hollow Road at 9:30 Wednesday night engaging in sexual conduct. They were charged with engaging in obscene or indecent conduct at a fishing access site, and issued appearance tickets for Town of Hinsdale Court. The case has been turned over to DEC law enforcement. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

The Bradford Lady Owls basketball team beat Punxsutawney 53-26 to finish the season at 22-0. Ali Rinfrette had 14 points; Emily Marshall scored 12 points; Kaserra Owens and Alex Vinelli each had 10 points. The first playoff is next Friday. If you're reading this before 11 p.m. -- The Lady Owls will be getting a police escort into town and down Main Street at around 11. Welcome them home!!

Dresser-Rand in Olean is building a new research and development facility that will help the company retain 787 jobs and create 50 new jobs. Dresser-Rand has received a half-million dollar grant from the Empire State Development Board that will go toward the cost of construct, machinery and equipment. The total cost of the project is $9.6 million. The development board awarded $3.3 million in grants throughout the state and says it will help to create 168 new jobs and retain more than 1,400. http://www.esd.ny.gov/ The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A Bradford man is accused of pointing a loaded gun at people during a domestic incident on East Main Street this afternoon. City Police say 59-year-old Robert Rogowski had a .22-caliber rifle with one round in the chamber and 6 more in the clip. Witnesses told police he pointed the weapon at them, and they had to jump back into a room to take cover. The incident happened in the apartments above The New Keystone. Police arrested Rogowski without incident on the scene and charged him with two counts each of aggravated assault, simple assault, recklessly endangering another person and terroristic threats. He was arraigned by District Judge Dominic Cercone and sent to McKean County Jail in lieu of $10,000 cash bail. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Manu Gajanan will have a debut piano recital in which all proceeds from the event will benefit the United Way of the Bradford Area, Inc. Gajanan, 15, is the son of Dr. Shailendra Gajanan, associate professor of economics at Pitt-Bradford, and has been playing piano since he was 7-years-old and under the instruction of Ritsuko Wada. Megan Minich, Executive Director, said “We are honored that the Gajanan family would like the proceeds to benefit the United Way of the Bradford Area, Inc., which in turn supports 17 agencies and 38 programs in the Bradford area.” Dr. Gajanan added that “We wanted the proceeds to go to United Way because we would like to give back to the Bradford community.” The recital will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, February 24, in Bromeley Family Theater at Pitt-Bradford. Admission will be free for the recital but donations are encouraged. Light refreshments will be served after the performance in the lobby directly outside of the theater. For further information, pl...

Members of the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford’s writing faculty will give a lunchtime reading Feb. 23 in the Studio Theater in Blaisdell Hall. The reading, which will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 12:50 p.m., will feature Judy Hopkins, Dr. Nancy McCabe, Carol Newman, Helen Ruggieri and Dani Weber. Hopkins teaches news writing at Pitt-Bradford and has published poetry in California Quarterly and Timber Creek Review. In the 1990s, she co-wrote with writer Dennis Hensley and recorded a light piece for BBC Radio based on Hensley’s book “Screening Party,” to which she also contributed. McCabe, who is director of the writing program, is currently on a national radio tour to promote her third book, “Crossing the Blue Willow Bridge: A Journey to My Daughter’s Birthplace in China.” She is the author of two other books, “Meeting Sophie: A Memoir of Adoption” and “After the Flashlight Man: A Memoir of Awakening.” Newman, who teaches beginning ...

State Senator Joe Scarnati (R-25) and State Representatives Sam Smith (R-66) and Matt Gabler (R-78) are urging residents to take part in an upcoming public meeting that will focus on a proposal by Flatirons Resources to drill a Marcellus Shale well in Brockway. The Department of Environmental Protection is holding the meeting at 6 p.m. on Wednesday February 22 at Brockway Area Junior/Senior High School. “This is a great opportunity for Brockway residents to learn more about the permitting process, DEP’s role in enforcement and how the company plans to implement environmental protections,” Scarnati said. “Our goal throughout the development of this growing industry has been to ensure public safety and protect our natural resources. Residents with questions or concerns should take this opportunity to speak with DEP and company representatives.” “This open forum is an excellent opportunity for local residents to listen, learn and ask direct questions of DEP and Flatirons Resources rela...

Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman today issued the following statement on the agreement to restore MSG Networks’ programming to Time Warner Cable customers. “Our office has worked diligently with Time Warner Cable and MSG Networks over the last month to bring about a resolution to their dispute. We are pleased that both parties have reached an agreement that will finally allow Knicks, Rangers, and Sabres fans to enjoy the rest of this season’s games.” The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

The Pittsburgh Pirates today announced the gates at PNC Park will now open 30 minutes earlier for all Pirates season ticket holders prior to all Monday through Saturday night games. The change means season ticket holders will now have access to the park a full hour prior to gates opening to the general public. The enhanced benefit allows season ticket holders to gain access two hours and thirty minutes prior to game time by showing their Season Ticket Holder card or having their season ticket scanned. After surveying several current season ticket holders and understanding the desire to view Pirates batting practice, the organization decided to make the change to enhance the overall experience for our loyal season ticket holders. “This decision was made as a response to the feedback we received from our season ticket holders,” said Pirates President Frank Coonelly. “Our fans provide outstanding feedback and we agreed that season ticket holders who support the club all season long deserv...

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) called on the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to work with Pennsylvania hospitals and healthcare providers to ensure patients in the state are not receiving a counterfeit cancer drug that has flooded the U.S. market. This week it was revealed that the cancer drug Avastin has been counterfeited and distributed throughout the U.S. The drug’s counterfeit version is missing an active ingredient that helps patients fight the disease. Currently the FDA does not know how far the drug, which is used to treat cancers of the colon, lung, kidney and brain, has been distributed. “The idea that a counterfeit cancer drug could enter the U.S. market is shocking and unacceptable,” Senator Casey said. “The FDA needs to step up right away and work with Pennsylvania’s hospitals and healthcare providers to ensure that sick patients aren’t taking this counterfeit drug. Furthermore, the FDA, the pharmaceutical industry, drug distributors, and other ...

Neil Walker of the Pittsburgh Pirates shares a laugh with a teammate during spring training in Florida Friday. The Pirates' first spring training game is March 4 against Toronto. The first regular season game is April 4 against the Phillies. Photo courtesy of the Pittsburgh Pirates The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A Kane woman is facing charges for allegedly stealing more than $13,000 from a pre-school program. 26-year-old Ashley Wilson is accused of taking the money while serving as the treasurer of the Kane Day School at Tabor Lutheran Church starting in July of 2010. Wilson is charged with a total of 84 counts of theft and forgery, all felonies. She’s free on $10,000 bail and a preliminary hearing has been scheduled for March 1 in Central Court. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947 The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

ANGELICA, NY – Fifty years after U.S. Air Force Retired Second Class Airman Karl Grantier retired from the military, he received a medal and certificate recognizing his service. During a meeting at the Angelica American Legion on Thursday, Senator Catharine Young presented Airman Grantier with the Good Conduct Medal and a Cold War Recognition Certificate. “Airman Grantier served three years, four months and 15 days in the United States Air Force, and it is a tremendous honor for me to present this medal and certificate to him. He, like all our veterans, deserves our utmost respect, and I am grateful for the opportunity to thank him for his courage and dedication,” Senator Young said. Mike Hennessey, Director of the Allegany County Veterans Service Agency added, “I think it’s important for all our veterans to see the medals due them, no matter if they’ve been out of the military for 50 years. I appreciate the Senator’s office in helping to obtain them and present them. It means a lot to...

HARRISBURG – The Legislative Budget and Finance Committee has released its comprehensive assessment of the Pennsylvania Lottery Fund. The study was conducted under the direction of House Resolution 106, sponsored by Rep. Martin Causer (R-Turtlepoint). “Senior citizens in our area and across the state rely on a number of programs funded by the Pennsylvania Lottery, including the Property Tax/Rent Rebate program,” Causer said. “With the legalization of slots and table games in Pennsylvania, it is important to know the status of the lottery fund both now and in the future to ensure the sustainability of these vital programs.” According to the report, officials are projecting little annual growth over the next five years in lottery sales. In fact, sales have been stagnating since fiscal year 2005-06, likely due to the weak economy and slower growth in the lottery’s retail sales network. However, the study shows that the lottery-funded senior citizen benefit programs will remain solvent for...

PA Taps into Hydrofracking, While NY Waits http://www.wkbw.com/home/PA-Taps-into-Hydrofracking-While-NY-Waits-139510723.html The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A Chautauqua County man has pleaded guilty to manslaughter for fatally shooting another man in Dunkirk. 22-year-old David Corsi took the plea deal just a week before trial for last April’s killing of 20-year-old Ricardo Vazquez of Silver Creek. Corsi faces 11 to 15 years in prison when he’s sentenced in April. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

The Olean School Board has voted to close all four of the city’s elementary schools by 2015. Boardmanville and Ivers J. Norton will close at the end of this school year. All students will eventually move to a single campus and share an expanded building with Olean Middle School. The school district is looking at a $3.4 million budget gap this year, and that number is expected to double 2015. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A planning committee meeting for the 2nd annual Bradford Central Christian Alumni Reunion will be held on Thursday, March 1, 2012 at 7:00PM. The meeting will be held in the St. Bernard School Cafeteria, 450 West Washington Street, Bradford, PA. All alumni are welcome to attend. Reunion activities will be scheduled for the weekend of August 10th-12th and will include activities to mark the 50th anniversary of the West Washington Street campus and the senior class of 1962-63, the first to graduate from Bradford Central Christian High School. Alumni are encouraged to update their contact information by sending a short message to gomaroon@gmail.com . Information on the weekend events will be distributed soon. Any questions may be directed to the email address or by contacting Kris Tate Luther at St. Bernard School, 814-368-5302. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Marsha A. Fish, 64, of Bradford, passed away Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at her residence. Born February 12, 1948, in Bradford, she was a daughter of the late Paul F. and Althea J. (Jones) Hale. On November 11, 1967, she married James L. Fish who passed away January 16, 2001. She was a 1966 graduate of Bradford High School. Mrs. Fish worked for McKean County CARE for Children for 28 years, and most recently worked for Beacon Light Behavioral Health Systems as a Transcriptionist. She is survived by a daughter, Jessica E. Fish-Long of Washington, a son, Gregory J. Fish of Bradford; a step son, James L. Coldren of Lewis Run; a sister, Nancy (Charles) Tingley of Bradford; six grandchildren, Natalie Fish, Benjamin Fish, Lucas Fish, Chelsea Coldren, Jada Coldren and Hunter Martin and one niece. Friends will be received on Monday February 20th from noon to 1:00pm in the Hollenbeck-Cahill Funeral Homes Inc. South Ave at which time funeral services will be held with the Rev. W. LeRoy Beckes, p...

Today, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer urged U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack to approve federal support for the Town of Westfield to make critical repairs to the Barcelona community’s aging and damaged water lines. Due to the outdated system, residents and businesses in the Hamlet of Barcelona have not had access to high-quality drinking water in recent months, and have been forced to boil water for consumption or to purchase bottled water. The system has suffered water main breaks, causing pressure loss and inviting dangerous germs and harmful contaminants into the system. The town is seeking $1 million in federal funding and loans to help make these repairs, which would otherwise be a serious burden on ratepayers and local taxpayers. “Clean water is absolutely essential for economic prosperity and public health, and Barcelona’s system is far overdue for these important upgrades,” said Schumer. “Left to shoulder the burden on their own, ratepayers and local taxpayers will have ...

A father and son accused in a string of burglaries in Allegany, Steuben and Potter counties are facing more charges. 52-year-old Ronnie Farrow Sr. of Andover, New York, and 26-year-old Ronnie Farrow Jr. of Wellsville were charged today in connection to burglaries in Genesee and Allegany townships in Potter County. New York State police recovered thousands of dollars worth of stolen items including 4 ATVs and miscellaneous tools and household items. The string of burglaries and thefts started in November. The Farrows are in Allegany County Jail. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

WASHINGTON –– The Internal Revenue Service today issued its annual “Dirty Dozen” ranking of tax scams, reminding taxpayers to use caution during tax season to protect themselves against a wide range of schemes ranging from identity theft to return preparer fraud. The Dirty Dozen listing, compiled by the IRS each year, lists a variety of common scams taxpayers can encounter at any point during the year. But many of these schemes peak during filing season as people prepare their tax returns. “Taxpayers should be careful and avoid falling into a trap with the Dirty Dozen,” said IRS Commissioner Doug Shulman. “Scam artists will tempt people in-person, on-line and by e-mail with misleading promises about lost refunds and free money. Don’t be fooled by these scams.” Illegal scams can lead to significant penalties and interest and possible criminal prosecution. The IRS Criminal Investigation Division works closely with the Department of Justice to shutdown scams and prosecute the criminals be...

This morning the Arbitration Panel in the Garrett Jones case ruled in favor of the Club’s $2.25M submission. The Pirates and infielder Casey McGehee have agreed to terms on a contract for the 2012 season, thus avoiding salary arbitration. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Sentencing for a Sheridan man who pleaded guilty to manslaughter was scheduled to be earlier this week, but it has been moved to February 27 at the request of the defense attorney. 54-year-old Thomas Rell shot Alan Kilburn in his home on October 17, 2010, while showing him defensive military maneuvers with an older model military-style rifle. According to the terms of a plea deal, Rell is set to be sentenced to 2 to 6 years in state prison. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Paul Ceglia is trying to get half ownership of Facebook, but instead of getting a share of the multi-billion company so far he’s been ordered to pay $80,000 in court costs. The Wellsville man has already paid a $5,000 fine for not complying with a court order. Now a judge has ordered him to pay Facebook $75,000 for court costs and attorney fees. The fines, costs and fees stem from Ceglia’s failure to turn over information about his personal email accounts. In the lawsuit, Ceglia claims he and Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg entered into a contract in 2003 that gives him half ownership of the company. Zuckerberg acknowledges working with Ceglia on another project, but said it had nothing to do with Facebook. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

State Police are investigating the death of a 34-year-old Roulette man. Elliot Knight died unexpectedly early Wednesday morning at his home on 3rd Street. He was pronounced dead by Potter County Coroner Kevin Dusbenbury. Authorities are waiting for the results of an autopsy and toxicology reports to determine a cause of death. An autopsy is scheduled for today in Erie. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A Salamanca woman has been charged in connection to an accident that seriously injured a man over the weekend. Cattaraugus County Sheriff's Deputies say 22-year old Brooke Kennedy was driving drunk around 2:30 Sunday morning in Great Valley when she hit Jessie George of Salamanca as he was walking toward the city on Route 417. George suffered severe head trauma and was taken to Olean General Hospital. He was later taken by Mercy Flight to ECMC, where he is in stable condition. Kennedy is charged with driving while intoxicated, aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle and vehicular assault. Her bail was set at $1,000. She is due back in court on March 14. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

ALBANY – Twelve years ago, Edward Kindt was sentenced to nine years to life in prison for brutally raping and murdering Penny Lea Brown, a wife, mother of two and a well-respected member of the Salamanca community. Today, Edward Kindt’s parole was denied for the fourth time, ensuring the safety of families and surrounding communities. Had Kindt, who was 15 years old at the time of his heinous crime, been just a year older, his punishment would have been a more appropriate sentence of 15 to 25 years to life in prison. “The parole board correctly reasoned that Kindt’s parole is not compatible with the welfare of society, and that this violent, dangerous person who continues to show no remorse for his actions should continue to be locked away,” said Senator Catharine Young (R,C,I – 57th District). “It is unfortunate that families of victims must continually work to ensure offenders who commit such gruesome, savage acts remain imprisoned. Thanks to the efforts of all the caring, concerned ...

– Pitt-Bradford on Wednesday celebrated faculty and staff who “go beyond” and chose winners among the student body who submitted homemade Pitt-Bradford videos. At the 6th annual Go Beyond Brand Party, the biology program, the athletics and recreation office, and student-athletes were honored as this year’s Brand Champions. Selected by Dr. Livingston Alexander, Pitt-Bradford’s president, the Brand Champions are those people who best outwardly live the university’s brand promise, which includes providing a safe, friendly and personalized campus environment and reaching beyond expectations. Biology faculty were chosen for involving students in research and guiding them through the graduate school process as well as mentoring younger children in the community by organizing and volunteering in the Girls in Engineering Math and Science (GEMS) and Science in Motion programs. Faculty members honored were Dr. Mary Mulcahy, associate professor of biology; Dr. David Merwine, assistant professor o...

SHINGLEHOUSE – For the students in the Oswayo Elementary School, raising money is as easy as a hop, skip and a jump. The students in grades three through five in this Potter County school raised $4,800 for the American Heart Association through Jump Rope for Heart. The school has raised more than $20,000 in the eight years it has participated. The students raise money through sponsorships. February is American Heart Month. Physical education teacher April Mashensic believes this program is a win-win situation. “It teaches students about cardiac health, raises money for healthy heart research and they have fun with the activities.” Parents volunteer to assist the class as they fulfill their promise to their sponsors. All students collecting sponsorships are named Heart Heroes and are rewarded for their efforts. The American Heart Association provides thank you gifts along with the school and Elementary Parent Teacher Organization. Each day of the program, students learn a new health...

On Saturday, Feb. 11, St. Bonaventure University hosted the regional phase of the 2012 MATHCOUNTS competition, a national contest for sixth, seventh and eighth grade students. Contestants worked both individually and in four-person school teams on questions designed by the National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE), the main sponsoring organization. The two schools competing at St. Bonaventure, with their coaches, were Allegany-Limestone Middle School (Kathy Stamets) and Cheektowaga Central School (David Guzzino). Other organizations providing financial support for the contest at the national level include CNA Foundation, ConcoPhillips, U.S. Department of Defense, Northrup Grumman Foundation, Raytheon Company, Texas Instruments, 3M Foundation, ThinkFun, and the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics. Locally, the contest was financially supported by St. Bonaventure University and an anonymous grant. The top school teams and the top individuals received trophies. The teams...

The Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts at St. Bonaventure University will hold its second annual Family Day, filled with activities throughout the galleries, from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 25. Activities start at noon with face-painting and balloon art in the Quick Center atrium, a puppet theater performance of “Hansel and Gretel” in the Beltz Gallery, a scavenger hunt in the Dresser Gallery, a poetry writing event in the Kenney Gallery, and CSI (Culture Scene Investigation), another scavenger hunt-type event in the Letro Laine Gallery. Guided tours of the museum galleries will also be available, and all of these activities can be enjoyed by all family members free of charge. At 2 p.m., the Quick Center will host a presentation of the children’s opera “Seasons in the Glen” by Tri-Cities Opera of Binghamton, for which there is a nominal admission charge. Written by Owego native Charles Knauf, this work was inspired by the composer’s childhood experiences growing up in Owego and ...

A Canadian man who was caught with a briefcase filled with more than a quarter of a million dollars in drug money in downtown Pittsburgh has been sentenced to 5 years in federal prison. 39-year-old Thang Dinh Le smuggled 300 pounds of high-grade hydroponic marijuana into the country between 2004 and 2008. The marijuana was distributed in Pittsburgh, Cleveland and in other areas in western Pennsylvania. The marijuana wholesaled for $2,000 per pound, with a retail value of more than $4,000 per pound, according to the U.S. attorney's office. Le was picked up in Pittsburgh in February of 2008. Canadian officials seized several million dollars worth of assets in connection to the drug smuggling ring. http://www.justice.gov/usao/paw/news/2012/2012_february/2012_02_14_01.html The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947