Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

Port Allegany's Matt Bodamer needed 313 yards to set a new state record for career passing yardage. He got that and then some in the Gators' 55-20 win over Brockway Saturday afternoon. Bodamer threw for 347 yards and 5 touchdowns. The previous record was held by Derek Buganza of Brockway. Tyce Miller had three receptions for 106 yards, including one touchdown. Nick Conway caught three touchdown passes. Bodamer added 61 rushing yards on six carries, including two touchdowns. Nick Conway had three scores for the Gators. Trent Neal and Rickie Bova accounted for the other scores, one rushing, the other receiving.

While you're preparing for the "Frankenstorm," remember your trees! Master Gardner Bob Harris talked about that on today's season finale of "Around the Home." Listen here . The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Did you catch Scott's interview with Lew Temple about his appearances on "The Walking Dead" and "The Lone Ranger?" If not, here ya go: The Walking Dead- Lew Temple interview 10-25-12 by morningbuzz

Penn State wants rehabilitate its reputation by trying to become a national leader in researching and preventing child abuse. A major step toward that goal is a three-day event called "Child Sexual Abuse Conference: Traumatic Impact, Prevention and Intervention." Abuse survivors retired boxing champ Sugar Ray Leonard and kidnapping victim Elizabeth Smart are the featured speakers at the conference that also will include academic and clinical experts on child molestation and trauma. University officials hope the event sheds more light on a problem that gained national attention after former assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky was arrested on child sex abuse charges last November. Earlier this month Judge John Cleland sentenced Sandusky to 30 to 60 years in state prison following the 68-year-old’s convictions for abusing 10 boys over a 15-year period. Read more here . The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Two men are facing charges for getting into a fight at a Salamanca gentleman’s club. 23-year-old Harley Jimerson of Irving and 26-year-old Jared Klein of Springville were arrested at 11:30 Tuesday night after fighting at the Paradise Club. They are both charged with disorderly conduct and have been issued court appearance tickets. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

An Austin teenager, along with a former Bradford woman and an Austin woman, are charged in connection with the theft of ATVs and other items from Potter County in August and September. Earlier this week we told you that 20-year-old Ashley Gibson, formerly of Bradford, was charged with nine felony counts including conspiracy to commit burglary, receiving stolen property and theft by unlawful taking, and 18-year-old Shelby Lynn Snyder of Austin was charged with a total of six felony conspiracy charges and a charge of receiving stolen property. A 15-year-old boy is charged with more than 15 felony counts related to the thefts of four ATVs along with gas cans, cigarettes and lighters from the Potter County Anglers Club. His case is being handled by the Potter County Juvenile Probation Department. State Police have confirmed that those cases are all related to thefts allegedly committed by 20-year-old Skyler Shaffer of Austin, who has been jailed since early September. The four stolen ...

Friday’s court session for a man accused of trying to kill two New York State troopers came to an early end when one of the troopers was involved in a car crash on the way to court. 38-year-old Richard Vangorden is accused of trying to shoot and kill the troopers during a high-speed chase in Hornellsville in September of last year. Vangorden then held police at bay for three hours in a Wellsville trailer park until they forced him out with tear gas. Vangorden could face life in prison if convicted. The trial will continue Monday, and could last up to two weeks. The state trooper involved in the car crash was not seriously hurt. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

UPDATE: Sandy has been upgraded back to a hurricane Although Sandy has been downgraded from a hurricane to a tropical storm, it and two other systems could wreak havoc in the area, and both governors Tom Corbett and Andrew Cuomo have declared states of emergency, which authorizes state agencies to use all available resources and personnel, as necessary, to cope with the magnitude and severity of emergency situations. Flooding and power outages are also anticipated, and could last for several days. Sustained high winds will likely contribute to damage across both states as well. Read Corbett's disaster declaration here and Cuomo's here . The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A third man has been arrested in connection to an active meth lab found in Allegany County earlier this week. 30-year-old Justin Billings was arrested Friday. 23-year-old Zackery Billings and 22-year-old Timothy Billings were arrested Thursday. The two younger men were arrested on drug charges after being pulled over for having inadequate headlights. The drug charges allowed police to obtain a search warrant for the Forsythe Road house owned by Justin Billings, where they found the meth lab and several guns. Police say their investigation is continuing and more arrests are possible. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A state trooper will face a false arrest claim, but two other claim filed by a Lewis Run woman have been dismissed. Jamie Essien filed a lawsuit against Trooper Andrew Brothers for unlawful arrest, false imprisonment and malicious prosecution after he stopped her, and detained her for about an hour in the Jackson Avenue Crosby’s parking lot back in March. Essien’s 7-year-old daughter was vomiting in her car when she pulled into the Crosby’s parking lot. Brothers, who had been following Essien, stopped her and allegedly would not let her tend to her sick child while accusing her of drunk driving and asking if she was on or had ever taken prescription medication. Essien was planning to fight the charges, which were dismissed by District Judge Dominic Cercone when Brothers did not appear for a hearing. Essien filed the lawsuit in June. US District Judge Maurice Cohill let only the false arrest claim stand. Read more here . The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

United Way of the Bradford Area has made its second thermometer posting of 2012-2013 Campaign: LIVE UNITED, announcing that the organization is currently at 30% of the $330,000 goal. “We’ve had a successful business solicitation period with 6 new business donors contributing to this campaign. The new support of those businesses along with 39 new individual donors is a testament to our community members who are invested our community’s future,” stated Executive Director, Megan Minich. Business Division Co-Chair Deb Huston added, “We are very pleased at reaching this milestone in our campaign; however, we need to keep the momentum going. The support of the entire community is essential to reaching our goal. I have come to know Bradford as a very warm and giving community and I am confident that we will succeed.” “United Way of the Bradford Area has also seen a positive response from the one-time mailing appealing to the Smethport area for donations,” stated Minich. “Our goal is to...

Joined by Senator John Gordner, Representative David Millard and PEMA Director Glenn Cannon, Governor Tom Corbett held a press conference at the Bloomsburg Fairgrounds that were devastated a year ago by Tropical Storm Lee. “Last year’s storms brought hardship, but Pennsylvanians rose to the challenge,’’ Corbett said. “Our state and local police, emergency personnel, and county and local governments acted quickly to lessen injury and the loss of life, while protecting property. Our state witnessed the genuine acts of heroism that always accompany any emergency in our commonwealth.’’ He is urging people across the state to take precautions and prepare for the storm that's headed this way early next week. PA Internet News Service photo The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

After being closed for a year of renovations, the Statue of Liberty will reopen to the public and will become wheelchair accessible for the first time. On Sunday, October 28 – her 126th birthday – the public will have access to the crown once again. EarthCam is marking this special event with the release of a new 90-second time-lapse movie, detailing the year long efforts required and necessary staging for the pedestal renovation. EarthCam, in partnership with the National Park Service, documented the Statue of Liberty renovation project. A 16 megapixel construction camera, custom designed to be mounted in the torch, provides dramatic imagery of the work below from high above the Statue of Liberty's crown. EarthCam is sharing these unique images with the world to enjoy. Visit www.earthcam.com/statueofliberty  to enjoy live streaming and high resolution views of the Statue of Liberty. To watch and share EarthCam's commemorative time-lapse movie, visit www.youtube.com/earth...

Christopher D. Stanley, professor of theology at St. Bonaventure University, has edited a new book on the apostle Paul’s use of Scripture. The book, which includes two articles by Stanley, was published by the Society of Biblical Literature. “Paul and Scripture: Extending the Conversation” is the second of two edited volumes that grew out of the Society of Biblical Literature’s “Paul and Scripture Seminar,” which Stanley chaired for six years. Both books explore methodological problems associated with scholarly research on the apostle Paul’s engagement with his ancestral Scriptures, which Christians commonly call the “Old Testament.” The new volume includes 14 essays that examine the historical backgrounds of Paul’s interpretive practices; the controversy over Paul’s faithfulness to the context of his biblical references; the presence of Scripture in letters that do not have explicit quotations; and the role of Scripture in Paul’s theology. “Taken together, these two...

HARRISBURG – Reps. Scott Hutchinson (R-Venango/Butler) and Kathy Rapp (R-Warren/McKean/Forest) today applauded Gov. Tom Corbett, who signed into law a measure renaming a section of U.S. Route 62 that runs through Forest, Venango and Warren counties in honor of military veterans. “This stretch of road will serve as a constant reminder of the men and women in uniform who served to maintain our country’s freedom,” Hutchinson said. “Their sacrifices should never be forgotten.” The law renames the portion of U.S. Route 62 that runs through Venango County as the Venango County Veterans Highway. It similarly renames the road the Forest County Veterans Highway and Warren County Veterans Highway in those two counties. While Rapp and Hutchinson originally introduced stand-alone legislation (House Bill 2243) to rename the three stretches of highway, their proposal was eventually amended into another comprehensive measure, House Bill 2460, which renames roads across the Commonwealth ...

A new book co-edited by Dr. William Schumann III, assistant professor of anthropology at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford, examines the culture of government. “Governing Cultures: Anthropological Perspectives on Political Labor, Power and Government” is a collection of essays edited by Schumann and Kendra Coulter, assistant professor in the Centre for Labour Studies at Brock University in St. Catharines, Ontario. The two met at the 2008 meeting of the Canadian Anthropology Society, where a panel discussion about the culture of government brought about the idea for the book. Schumann and Coulter selected a broad range of essays from different disciplines and covering a variety of worldwide geography and time periods, including late 20th century Mexico, 1930s and ’40s Ecuador, and modern Alberta, Canada. The essays focus less on the culture of politics and more on the culture of everyday bureaucracies. In addition to editing th...

PennDOT District 2 is prepared for possible severe weather being forecast for central and northern Pennsylvania, and motorists are advised to plan in advance as well. Forecasts for next week call for heavy rain, strong winds and snow in some parts of District 2, which includes Cameron, Clearfield, Clinton, Centre, Elk, Juniata, McKean, Mifflin and Juniata counties. In some areas of the district, 4 to 6 inches of rain is expected Sunday through Tuesday. The northern portions of the district could see some accumulating snow. Drivers should be ready to encounter a variety of weather conditions, depending upon their planned travel. Travelers should also monitor weather forecasts as conditions can change rapidly. Even if snow does not fall in much of the region, there is the potential for downed trees and utility lines. Sustained winds of 25-35 miles per hour are forecast Monday afternoon into Tuesday. Gusts in central Pennsylvania could reach 50-60 miles per hour. Because of the pos...

The National Hurricane Center says the storm itself is expected to come ashore near the New Jersey-Delaware border and then track directly over Pennsylvania late Tuesday and into Wednesday. The main concern is that Sandy could collide with a westward-moving early winter system and park itself over the region for days, bringing heavy rains, winds and snow in higher elevations. Governor Tom Corbett is urging Pennsylvanians to stock up on food, water and batteries. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

An earthquake rattled some windows – and nerves – in Niagara County, New York, early this morning. The United States Geological Survey reports that a 2.5 magnitude quake happened about four miles east northeast of Olcott shortly after midnight. No damage was reported. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A Port Allegany woman is accused of stealing from a Cattaraugus County store. Sheriff’s deputies say 47-year-old Mary Lou Silvis took a carton of cigarettes from W&W Vandalia Gas Mart back in April 2011. It wasn’t until she returned to the gas station Sunday night that the attendant was able to get a license plate number off the vehicle she was driving. She is scheduled to appear in Town of Carrollton Court. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

By Kimberly Marcott Weinberg Assistant Director of Communications and Marketing Ernest Benkovski, a history-political science major from Pittsburgh studying at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford, will be taking a keen interest in the Nov. 6 election. His boss from his summer internship, U.S. Sen. Robert Casey, D.-Pa., is up for re-election. Benkovski spent his summer in a flurry of staff meetings and event briefings, drafting letters, attending high-level political soirees, and monitoring every media source on the planet for any incident, change in public opinion, or noteworthy press release that might be of interest to the senator. As an intern in Casey’s office, Benkovski had a vast amount of research and writing to do in addition to his other duties. “It’s a good thing I did well in my English classes,” he said. Benkovski started his trek with his work with Dr. William Schumann III, assistant professor of anthropology, and the Appalachian Reg...

There’s a dramatic twist in the case of Paul Ceglia vs. Facebook. Ceglia has been arrested on federal charges for trying to defraud the multi-billion dollar company and its founder Mark Zuckerberg. Authorities say the Wellsville man doctored, fabricated and destroyed evidence to support a 2010 lawsuit he filed, claiming he is entitled to at least a 50 percent interest in Facebook. Ceglia is charged with mail fraud and wire fraud for allegedly replacing a page of a contract he did sign with Zuckerberg to make it look as if the document pertained to Facebook, when it actually involved work on another project. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

United Refining is being accused of not maintaining underground storage tanks at six of its western New York gas stations. EPA is seeking more than $42,000 from the Warren-based company in connection to its Kwik Fill stations in Jamestown, Dunkirk, Westfield, Fredonia and Rochester. The complaint refers to record-keeping as well as maintenance of storage tanks. http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/8b770facf5edf6f185257359003fb69e/17b8deca94fdb08885257aa1005b48a3!OpenDocument The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Sunday marks 21 years to the day after the formation of the system that became known as “The Perfect Storm.” Also known as the Halloween Nor’easter of 1991, the system was a confluence of a hurricane and a cold front. The ensuing monster storm lashed the east coast for days and was immortalized in the movie that highlighted the story of the Andrea Gail, a commercial fishing vessel lost at sea. For more on this story go to PAMatters.com The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

The Seneca Nation plans to build a 400,000-square foot outlet mall in Chautauqua County, right off I-90 near Exit 58 in Hanover. The Senecas bought the land about 10 years ago. They are trying to secure funding for the project and hope to break ground within the next couple of years. They say about 1,000 jobs would be created. Seneca President Robert Odawi Porter and Chautauqua County Executive Greg Edwards both say the mall would have a dramatic and positive economic impact for the region. They, along with Council Chairman Richard Nephew, made the announcement today.

The McKean County 4-H Program is teaming up with Bradford Little Theatre to give local youth another creative outlet through the new 4-H Theatre Arts teen club. The club is geared toward youth in 6th through 12th grade. Monthly meetings will feature special guests from the BLT community who will share their expertise in all aspects of theatre – from backstage to onstage. The first meeting of the 4-H Theatre Arts teen club will be held Oct. 28 from 2 to 4 p.m. at the BLT office at 79 Main St., Bradford. Participants are asked to wear a costume. The meeting will focus on characterization and improvisation. Refreshments will be provided. Ann Dunkerton, 4-H Youth Extension Educator and BLT veteran, will coordinate the club. Standard 4-H member fees will apply; contact the McKean County Cooperative Extension office in Smethport at 814-887-5613.

A traffic stop in Wellsville Wednesday night led to the discovery of an active meth lab. Police say they stopped 23-year-old Zackery Billings of Whitesville for having inadequate headlights, and then arrested him a drug charges. His passenger, 22-year-old Timothy Billings of Whitesville was also arrested on drug charges. Those arrests were enough for police to get a search warrant for a house on Forsythe Road in the Town of Independence, where they found the active meth lab and several guns. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

UPDATE: Devin Mertz has also died as a result of the crash. Also police released the name of the femaile passenger who died at the scene. She is 20-year-old Kelsey Stahli of Eldred. Two people are dead and two St. Marys residents are hospitalized in critical condition following a one-car crash Wednesday afternoon in Jefferson County. Police say 26-year-old Tyrell Ott of St. Marys and an unidentified female passenger were pronounced dead at the scene on Route 28 in Summerville. 24-year-old Christina Karnes was thrown from the vehicle and suffered major injuries. She and 24-year-old Devin Mertz are both being treated UPMC Presbyterian in Pittsburgh. Police said only Ott, who was driving the car, was wearing a seat belt. They are continuing their investigation. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

100.1 The Hero's Scott Douglas gets ready to dig in to a lunchtime sampling of gourmet dishes, including braised lamb shank and roasted rabbit loin, during the grand opening of the Seneca Allegany Casino & Hotel's second hotel tower today. Don Fredeen photo

Senator Joe Scarnati was the guest on today's LiveLine on 1490 WESB. You can listen here . http://soundcloud.com/wesbnews/scarnati1023 The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

NEW YORK – The following statement can be attributed to Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman regarding today’s ruling by the New York State Court of Appeals to deny a motion to appeal the Marriage Equality Act. The Attorney General’s Office defended the State law in this case. “Today another barrier has been overcome in the struggle for full equality for gay and lesbian New Yorkers. The New York State Court of Appeals sided with my office in a rejecting a challenge to the Marriage Equality Act. With this ruling by our state’s highest court, same sex couples can now have peace of mind that this legal challenge to their marriages has been laid to rest. The struggle to secure federal recognition of all New York marriages continues, but today’s decision is an important victory for equal justice. My office will keep fighting every day to defend the fundamental guarantee of equal protection of the law for all New Yorkers.” The case was handled by Assistant Solicitor General Victor P...

Instead of leaving a wedding gift for a couple during their reception Saturday, a guest decided he was going to grab some of the bride and groom’s loot for himself. State troopers say a 31-year-old Titusville man stole wedding cards from a basket during the reception at the Harmony Township Community Center. Police haven’t released the man’s name yet, but say they plan to charge him with theft. Troopers haven't said how much money or what other gifts the cards contained, or whether any of that has been recovered. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Ron Bowers, plant manager at Nestle Purina PetCare Co. located in the Town of Dunkirk, and other members of the Nestle Purina staff, accepted the County Executive's 2012 Innovative Energy Award for a local industrial facility from Chautauqua County Executive Greg Edwards. The award was given due to the extensive energy efficient upgrades made at the plant. These included: a high efficiency industrial steam boiler, a new direct fired natural gas dryer, improved plant lighting, new LED lighting in their parking lots, new energy shut-down procedures, and a "pilot" Solar Energy system installed over the office area. Edwards stated, "It is great to see a major employer in the area make so many capital improvements that lead to less energy consumption and less costs to run the plant. Ron Bowers and his staff are to be congratulated for constantly seeking ways to improve their facilities. Not only are they good stewards of the environment, they are also excellent par...

A Bradford man is facing charges following a crash last week in Salamanca. 25-year-old Kyle Keller is accused of driving through a guard rail and a yard on North Main Street before coming to rest on Elm Street. Sheriff’s deputies say Keller failed field sobriety tests and was charged with aggravated DWI, and a number of traffic violations. After being arraigned, Keller was released on $1,500 cash bail. ~~~ An Allegany man is facing charges after an accident in Limestone on Saturday. Sheriff’s deputies were called to Main Street at around 7:30 p.m. and learned that 56-year-old Rodney Kelley hit a parked car. He was charged with aggravated DWI and has been scheduled to appear in Carrollton Town Court. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Convicted child molester Jerry Sandusky is now out of jail and in state prison. Sandusky was transferred from the Centre County Jail to the State Correctional Institution at Camp Hill near Harrisburg today. The 68-year-old former Penn State assistant football coach will be tested and evaluated before being assigned a security risk level and sent to one of the state facilities as his home prison. That’s expected to take at least a week. Judge John Cleland sentenced Sandusky earlier this month to 30 to 60 years in prison for sexually abusing 10 boys over a 15-year- period. He is appealing his conviction. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A former teacher in the Salamanca School District has pleaded guilty to having sexual contact with a 15-year-old girl. Shane Riethmiller agreed to surrender his teaching license as part of the plea Monday in Cattaraugus County Court. Besides having sexual contact with the student Riethmiller also sent explicit text messages to her. He faces up to six months in jail and 10 years’ probation when he’s sentenced January 27.

A Driftwood woman has been charged for stealing $7,500 from Grove Township in Cameron County. 47-year-old Maryfrances Gibson is charged with a felony count of failure to make required disposition of funds for writing a check for her personal use on the township’s account back on June 30. Gibson is free on $10,000 unsecured bail and her preliminary hearing is scheduled for Thursday. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A Bradford woman and an Austin woman are accused of stealing ATVs in Potter County. 20-year-old Ashley Gibson of Bradford is charged with a total of nine felony counts including conspiracy to commit burglary, receiving stolen property and theft by unlawful taking. The alleged incidents happened in August in Wharton Township. 18-year-old Shelby Lynn Snyder of Austin is charged with a total of six felony conspiracy charges and a charge of receiving stolen property for incidents September 2 in Keating Township. Both women are free on $15,000 unsecured bail and preliminary hearings are scheduled for Thursday. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

The First Presbyterian Church of Bradford at 54 East Corydon Street will celebrate a legendary Scottish tradition called the “Kirkin ‘o’ the Tartans“at the 11 a.m. worship service on Sunday, October 28, 2012. Members of the Caledonian Pipes and Drums from Buffalo, New York, will participate in the service, playing music of Scotland. In addition to the Caledonian Pipes and Drums, Regina Gabriel, director of music at the church, will provide organ music of the traditional style. The roots of this unique worship reach back to the 18th century. A kirk is a Scottish word for church and a tartan is the traditional pattern of unevenly spaced stripes crossing at right angles woven into a woolen fabric that distinguishes the various Scottish clans. Each clan had its own design and was worn with pride, often as a kilt, to identify the wearer’s heritage. The Scottish ceremony is a gathering of the tartans for the blessing of the church. This celebration is recognition of national heritage...

Clarion University History Club will host its annual Ghost Event from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Oct. 29-31 in the auditorium of Clarion's most haunted building, Hart Chapel. Admission is free, and it is open to the public. This year, the 10th anniversary of the Ghost Event, will be one of the few times it has taken place Halloween night. History Club advisor Dr. Todd Pfannestiel said he hopes that will translate into more activity from the spirits. Pfannestiel shares tales about Clarion's past and the ghosts that remain in the present. Everything presented is 100 percent authentic, according to Pfannestiel. The stories presented are based on historical events that have happened on campus, with the audience left to determine whether the subsequent unexplained activity is paranormal in nature. He has even worked with speech pathology professors on campus to further analyze the unknown voices recorded on tape during various investigations. Through visual evidence, night cameras, and a...