Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

A North Carolina man is facing drug charges following a traffic stop on Route on Route 219 in the Town of Carrollton. State Police say when they stopped 31-year-old Joey Cartee of Spring Lake he had two controlled substances. Cartee was charged with two counts each of criminal possession of a controlled substance and possession of a controlled substance not in its orginal container.

Marijuana-growing was a family affair in an Orleans County town. State police say a father, mother and their son had a sophisticated growing operation in their Clarendon, New York, home, where they executed a search warrant on Friday. Troopers say the marijuana was growing in the basement, while the plants were being dried and packaged for sale on the second floor of the home. Besides the plants, police seized a large quantity of harvested marijuana, two long guns and a .380-caliber handgun. 51-year-old David Costrino, 64-year-old Marcia Costrino and 27-year-old Austin Costrino were each charged with one count of criminal possession of marijuana, a second-degree felony. NY State Police photos The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A 5-year-old Jamestown girl is dead after being hit by an SUV while sled riding Friday evening. Police say the little girl was sledding down the hill and went into the road, where she was hit by the vehicle. The accident happened at about 6 p.m. on Foote Avenue. The child was taken to WCA Hospital, where she later died. Police have not released her name. The accident is still under investigation but police say they do not expect to charge the driver. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Penn State Extension Educator, Jim Clark, and the Cameron County Conservation District, recently obtained a $6,000 grant from the Headwaters RC&D Sinnemahoning Stakeholders Group. The grant will pay for water tests for 35 rural ponds located throughout the Sinnemahoning Watershed. The ponds need to be one quarter acre or larger in size and will be selected on a first come, first served basis. The ponds must be located in the Sinnemahoning Watershed to be accepted. Clark will collect all of the samples and deliver them to the Penn State Water Lab in State College this spring. The Penn State Water Lab has two pond test kit options and these ponds will be tested for pH, total dissolved solids, nitrate-nitrogen, alkalinity, aluminum, iron, manganese, phosphorous, sulfate, hardness, and E coli. bacteria. The combined results will be shared at a Penn State Extension Pond Management Workshop to be held in Emporium in September. The project is designed to encourage pond owners to re...

Clarion University sophomore Rakeeah Megan Sabazz Merritt accepts $500 checks from Susan Bornak, dean of student development, on behalf of Student and University Affairs, and Josh Domitrovich, vice president of Student Senate, to help with expenses incurred after she was shot in the leg during a drive-by shooting Feb. 2 in Clarion. Merritt suffered broken tibia and fibula bones. She has returned to Clarion University and is recovering. Also pictured is Reginald Merritt, Rakeeah’s father. Kevin “Deuce” Austin of Farrell is charged with attempted homicide and for being a convicted felon with a firearm, and a number of other charges in connection to the shooting. He is in Clarion County Jail on half a million dollars bail. Photo provided by Clarion University The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A Bradford woman was hurt in a one-car crash Thursday morning on Route 44 in Potter County. State police say a car driven by 22-year-old Joseph Weaver of Williamsport went out of control on a curve and hit an embankment. He and his passenger, 21-year-old Emily McLaughlin, were both taken to Charles Cole Memorial Hospital for treatment of minor injuries. Weaver was cited for driving too fast for conditions. Police are continuing their investigation. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Faculty from the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford spent the fall semester not only teaching, but also conducting and presenting research. Dr. Wayne Brinda, assistant professor of education, presented a session titled “Teasing Your Students to Read: Create Teasers to Engage and Motivate Students to Read” at the 2012 Annual Convention of the National Council of Teachers of English in Las Vegas. The presentation discussed the use of a “teaser” like those given on the nightly news to present students with a context for a story and get them interested before they began reading. Brinda also had a paper, “Engaging Students in Inquiry through Field Trips in Your Classroom,” accepted for publication by the Middle School Journal. Dr. Donna Dombek, associate professor of education, participated in a panel discussion titled “Building Bridges between Theory and Practice: Strategies to Forge Connections between Foundations Courses and Clinical ...

The Penn State Extension Water Resources Team is offering two pond education opportunities where participants learn from home. An Online Pond Home Study Course, and an Aquatic Pesticide Recertification Correspondence Course, allows Pennsylvania Pond Owners to participate, without ever leaving their home. Beginning on April 4, 2013, a twelve week Penn State Extension Online Pond Management Home Study Course will restart. The course has been completed by over 100 pond owners so far and was redesigned last year for re-release this spring. The new course will feature PowerPoint’s with narration, covering the various topics. The cost of the course is $35.00 and covers six lessons delivered by email over a 12 week period. The six lessons cover pond assessment, pond maintenance, aquatic plants and algae, fisheries management, attracting and managing wildlife, and pond case studies. In the case studies lesson, the participants are given real life PA pond cases to manage. A series of six works...

Olean General Hospital says the confirmed cases of hepatitis in Cattaraugus County have not been linked to re-use of insulin pens at the hospital. Hospital spokesman Dennis McCarthy says there is no documentation showing that any patient received an insulin injection from another patient’s pen. The hospital did send letters to nearly 2,000 patients last month saying they might have received insulin from pens used on more than one patient, which is against federal lines, and they suggested that the patients be tested for hepatitis and HIV. He says, although the 13 people who tested positive were patients at the hospital, it’s possible they had the disease before they were admitted because it can remain dormant for years. The Cattaraugus County Board of Health says the people who tested positive will be tested again using a different method in order to rule out false positive results. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

An Olean woman is dead and a man is facing charges following a crash last night near South Union and Irving streets. Police say 53-year-old Leisa Lentz was found lying on the street at around 7:10 p.m. She was taken to Olean General Hospital, where she died a short time later. Shortly after that, police arrested 79-year-old Paul Wood and charged him with leaving the scene of a personal injury accident. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Three libraries in the 25th Senatorial District have been awarded more than $114,000 to make repairs and upgrades to their facilities, according to Senator Joe Scarnati (R-25). Scarnati said the grants were awarded through the Commonwealth’s Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund. The following libraries received grants: · Barbara Moscato Brown Memorial Library, Cameron County $28,000 · Ridgway Public Library, Elk County $26,847 · Punxsutawney Memorial Library, Jefferson County $60,000 Funding from these grants can be used to pay up to 50 percent of eligible costs in the planning, acquisition, construction and rehabilitation of public libraries. Eligible projects include new roofing, replacement windows, energy efficient upgrades to heating and air conditioning systems, facility expansion and new construction. “Providing access to valuable learning resources is one of the best ways that we can help our resident...

I wanted to pass this along from our buddy Lew Temple. He plays Montgomery Blair, the first Post Master General, who sat on Lincoln's cabinet, and was also the Great Grandfather of actor, Montgomery Clift. The movie is only in limited release, and the closest it will be to Bradford is NYC, but he hopes if we ever do get a chance to see it, that we do. Lew would also like to thank fans of "The Walking Dead" for continuing to watch. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Two Cuba, New York, residents are in jail for growing marijuana and having an assault rifle in their home. Police say 30-year-old George Brown and 23-year-old Sybil Davis had 61 marijuana plants and packaged marijuana, valued at $74,000, along with cash, an assault rifle, 50-round drum magazines, a large amount of ammunition, indoor growing equipment and a surveillance system. They are both charged with unlawfully growing cannabis, criminal possession of marijuana and two counts of endangering the welfare of a child. Brown is also charged with criminal possession of a weapon. Brown’s bail is $15,000. Davis’s is $10,000. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

An Elk County man died behind the wheel of his vehicle, which then crashed into a parked SUV. Police say 71-year-old Jerome Cavalline of St. Marys died of natural causes at around 4 p.m. Thursday. The incident happened on Route 255 in Fox Township. No one else was hurt. A Marienville man is dead following a two-vehicle crash Thursday night on Route 948 in Elk County. State police say a pickup truck driven by 78-year-old Harry Bills went out of control on the snow-covered road and hit a pickup truck driven by 22-year-old Michael Lawson of Youngsville. Bills was pronounced dead at the scene. Police say he was not wearing a seat belt. Lawson was not hurt. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

HARRISBURG – High school seniors can now apply for a Pennsylvania House of Representatives Scholarship to help cover the costs of higher education, Rep. Martin Causer (R-Turtlepoint) announced today. Each year, two students preparing for post-secondary education are awarded four-year scholarships. The program is privately funded by individual and corporate donors. No tax or other public funds are used. The program is open to graduating high school seniors who are Pennsylvania residents with plans to attend a Pennsylvania college, university or career school as a full-time student. Students must have attained a minimum 3.0 cumulative grade point average in high school in order to be eligible for the scholarship. A student’s commitment to community, leadership qualities, extracurricular activities and financial need are also taken into consideration. The scholarship program is administered through the Foundation for Enhancing Communities. To apply, interested students sh...

McKean County has been awarded $7,591 in federal funding through the SSA process under Phase 30 of the Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP). This award will supplement emergency food and shelter programs in McKean County. The National Board is comprised of representatives from health and human service agencies across the country. The United States Congress appropriates funds annually to help expand the capacity of food and shelter programs in high-need areas nationally. The local board, made up of representatives from McKean County, will determine how the funds will be distributed. Local agency representation includes The Salvation Army, McKean/Potter Counties Chapter of the American Red Cross, United Way of the Bradford Area, Catholic Charities, Ministerial Association and the YWCA of Bradford. Under the terms of the grant from the National Board, local organizations chosen to receive the funds must: 1) be private, voluntary non-profit organizations or units of government, ...

The need to repair high-hazard unsafe dams across the state will be among the issues the state Fish and Boat Commission director will talk about during the agency’s annual report to the House Game and Fisheries Committee on Tuesday. John Arway will also talk about changes to the stocking program, the health of the Susquehanna River and the agency’s need for a long-term, alternative funding source. He will also highlight the agency’s accomplishments during 2012. State Representative Marty Causer is chairman of the committee. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

United Way of the Bradford Area held a First Chapter program Wednesday, spending time with 28 children at the Bradford Area Public Library. UWBA Community Relations Specialist Cara Costik read themed stories to the children before they took time to make special Valentine crowns. First Chapter is an early childhood reading and literacy program held on the second Wednesday of every month at the BAPL at 10:30am. United Way photo The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Bradford Regional Airport will be getting more than $1 million in state grant money. The $1.1 million will go toward building and expanding multi-tenant facilities. “Providing individuals with access to safe and reliable transportation across our Commonwealth is a core responsibility of State government,” said Senator Joe Scarnati. “I’m pleased that we are investing in Pennsylvania’s smaller regional airports, which are crucial to transportation, jobs, economic development and quality of life, particularly in rural areas.” “Investing in our airports is a significant part of creating a strong transportation infrastructure across Pennsylvania, and will provide our communities with an important resource to draw in new businesses and local jobs,” Scarnati said. Governor Tom Corbett made the announcement today. The grants are distributed through the Capital Budget/Transportation Assistance Program, which is funded through state capital bond dollars in the General Fund budget. The n...

Harrisburg – State Senate Democrats applauded Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen Kane’s decision to reject the Corbett Administration’s plan to privatize the management of the Pennsylvania Lottery to a U.K.-based company Camelot Global Services. “The Attorney General made a proper decision,” Sen. Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) said. “Pennsylvania seniors all Pennsylvania residents can rest easy now that the Attorney General took this action and put a stop to the expansion of gaming without proper authorization.” “The entire plan was flawed.” Costa, the Democratic Leader said. “It is clear that there are ways for current employees of the Lottery to be given the latitude to implement changes that will produce better results and even more money being generated.” At a news conference today in Harrisburg, Kane said that she could not approve the deal negotiated between the Corbett Administration and Camelot. The Attorney General cited several reasons for her denial including ...

The Newbury Commons housing development is one step closer to reality, as Bradford City Council voted 3-1 Tuesday night to sell houses on Howard and State streets to make room for it. Mayor Tom Riel voted against the project. Councilman Fred Proper was not at the meeting. Before the vote Riel said one of the reasons he is against the private development is that current landlords have told him they would have to lower their standards in regard to their tenants, which would continue the influx of undesirable tenants. Councilman Rhett Kennedy took exception to that line of thinking. "The only way that we’re going to change those that live in Bradford is by maintaining our standards. It is up to us to maintain our standards and not sink to lowering them," Kennedy said. "That’s why people are looking to come to Bradford, because we have low standards. Let’s have the highest standards we possibly can for all of our units," he said. Listen to the entire meeting her...

Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati (R-Jefferson) and Speaker of the House Sam Smith (R-Jefferson) have announced that a $2 million state grant has been awarded to build a medical center in Punxsutawney Borough. The State Redevelopment Assistance Capitol Program (RACP) awarded $2 million dollars for the project, which will be put towards the building of a Federally Qualified Health Care-anchored multi-service, three-story 45,000 square-foot medical facility. According to the legislators, Primary Health Network (PHN) of Sharon, PA will own and operate the facility. PHN has worked closely with Punxsutawney Hospital, the Punxsutawney Chamber of Commerce, the Jefferson/Clarion Community Action Commission, the Borough of Punxsutawney, and other social service providers and individuals to collaboratively develop plans for the facility. “This project is an e...

Washington DC- U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) today released the following statement on the Senate passage of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA): “I am pleased the Senate came together today in a bipartisan manner to pass the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). VAWA has proven to be extremely effective in protecting Pennsylvania women and supporting victims of abuse and assault, and I call on the House to quickly pass this legislation so that these critical protections are not lost. I am particularly encouraged by the inclusion of my provisions to combat sexual violence on college campuses so that college campuses are safe and secure places to learn and work.” The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Zippo President and CEO Greg Booth will be one of the speakers during a meeting Wednesday concerning the future of Route 219. The meeting will be hosted by the Cattaraugus County Legislature’s Route 219 Corridor Development Committee, and will feature leaders from industry, tourism, health and education. Representatives of state and federal legislators will also be attending the meeting. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss how completion of the Route 219 highway will create sustainable jobs, and promote development in the region. Representatives from Dresser-Rand, St. Bonaventure University and Olean General Hospital have also been confirmed as speakers for the meeting. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

City of Bradford Police on Monday investigated reports of terroristic threats on Burnside Avenue and a sex offense (not rape or prostitution) on Interstate Parkway. They also got reports of public drunkenness on Main Street, and harassment on Charlotte Avenue and South Center and High streets. Officers investigated a motor vehicle accident on Main Street, a domestic incident on Chautauqua Place and suspicious activity on Mechanic Street. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A Bemus Point man is facing charges for having a billy club in his car. State police say they pulled 19-year-old Michael Babbage over on Monday for not wearing a seat belt, and smelled marijuana. During a search of the vehicle troopers found the two-foot-long billy club. Babbage was charged with criminal possession of a weapon and issued a court appearance ticket. Troopers did not charge him with marijuana possession because they say the amount he had was not a violation of the law. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A Salamanca man has pleaded not guilty to taking police on a high-speed chase through Cattaraugus County back in September. Sheriff’s deputies say they attempted to stop 45-year-old Richard Skye on Route 353 in Little Valley on September 4, but he wouldn’t stop and led them into the Town of Ellicottville, where the chase ended when he drove his vehicle up a seasonal road. Skye is charged with felony counts of reckless endangerment, along with unlawful fleeing from police in a motor vehicle and a number of traffic violations. The matter has been adjourned for motions. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Several people appeared in Cattaraugus County Court Monday on drug charges. Derek Bentley of Olean was sentenced to two years in prison as a repeat felon for selling heroin. Donald Johnson of Franklinville was also sentenced to two years in prison as a repeat felon for running a meth lab in the Town of Ishua. Stephanie Currie of Olean pleaded guilty to selling Oxycodone and to unlawfully possessing a controlled substance. She will be sentenced April 29. Jesse Bartlett of Olean pleaded guilty to selling methadone and Oxycodone. April Suckow of Olean pleaded guilty to selling a controlled substance. They will both be sentenced May 6. Peter Shaw-Brougham of Randolph pleaded not guilty to possessing a controlled substance with the intent to sell it. The matter has been adjourned for motions. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A Salamanca man has pleaded not guilty to having sexual contact with a child. An indictment charges 49-year-old Hiram Marin with criminal sexual act, sexual abuse and endangering the welfare of a child. Marin is accused of having sexual contact with a child younger than 11 on July 29, 2012, in Salamanca. The matter has been adjourned for motions. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947