Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

Congressman Glenn “GT” Thompson will be the keynote speaker at the McKean County Republican Committee’s annual spring dinner on Tuesday, April 30, at the Pennhills Club, Rep. Marty Causer, chairman of the committee, announced today. Doors open at 6 p.m. for cocktails; dinner will be served at 7 p.m. Thompson is serving his third term in Congress representing Pennsylvania’s most rural district. As a member of the House Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Education and Workforce Committees, Thompson brings his expertise and knowledge to bear on the issues facing rural businesses, communities, and families in order to improve the lives of the citizens of the Fifth District. He is again serving as chairman of the House Agriculture Subcommittee on Conservation, Energy and Forestry. A forum featuring GOP candidates for the offices of county sheriff and treasurer is also planned. Tickets cost $25 per person. For additional information or to RSVP, call 814-368-7534 or email m...

A plastic toy melting in a forced air heating vent caused a fire in Ridgway this morning. State Police fire marshal Greg Agosti says the fire started at just before 8 a.m. at the Sherman Avenue home of 29-year-old Dolri Pounds. No one was hurt. Damage is estimated at $5,000. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

CARE for Children will hold its fourth annual Rock and Win fundraiser on Saturday, April 13th at 7p.m. at the Pennhills Club on Minard Run in Bradford. There is a charge for the event and limited tickets are available at the door. The band Bad Influence with Mick Marshall and Chuck Sirko are the headline performers with special guest percussionist Jimmy Copeland. The event has drawings, auctions, and specials throughout the evening. Rock & Win benefits CARE for Children’s community outreach services for local children. Services include child safety & injury prevention initiatives, disability awareness programs, and therapeutic recreation activities and also supports early learning at Rainbow Corner Preschool. CARE for Children is a non-profit organization that is dedicated to improving the lives of children of all abilities. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Ridgway – Beginning Monday, PennDOT will move ahead with roadway and intersection improvement work on Route 219 in Ridgway. When work completes this fall, area drivers will enjoy smoother, more efficient travel through the Route 219/Route 948 (Main Street) intersection in downtown Ridgway. Work will begin with excavation and paving in front of the Ridgway Welcome Center to improve the turning radius for trucks traveling southbound on Route 219. Other work will include new curb, curb ramps, traffic signal upgrades, milling, and roadway paving. Depending on the work being performed, drivers may encounter short delays and roadway flaggers in the work zone. PennDOT reminds drivers to remain alert and proceed through the work zone with caution. These intersection improvements are the final piece of PennDOT’s Osterhout Street project. Osterhout Street opened to truck traffic late last year, allowing trucks to travel directly from the bottom of the Boot Jack Hill Bypass at Route 120 to Ro...

A Lewis Run woman was arrested early this morning after a domestic incident in the borough. Police say 22-year-old Chelsea Coldren kicked and hit a 28-year-old man several times, smashed windows at a house and damaged the victim’s vehicle. She was charged with assault, harassment and criminal mischief and jailed on $5,000 bail. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A Limestone man is in jail for allegedly have sexual contact with three victims younger than 17. Sheriff’s deputies say on four separate occasions 20-year-old Jesse James Williams had sexual contact with the children. He was arrested at 11 o’clock last night and charged with four counts each of forcible touching and endangering the welfare of a child, all misdemeanors. He was arraigned in Allegany Town Court, and is being held on $1,000 cash bail or $2,000 property bond. He will appear in Carrollton Town Court for further court proceedings. Deputies did not release any further details. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

City of Bradford Police on Thursday looked into a report of marijuana possession on Interstate Parkway and reports of harassment on Bushnell and High streets. They got reports of a disturbance on Roberts Street and criminal mischief on Congress Street. Officers also issued a traffic citation on West Washington Street and investigated reports of a barking dog on Calvin Court and a suspicious vehicle on East Main Street. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Gypsy moths are headed this way, and Senator Bob Casey wants to make the US Forest Service is doing everything possible to protect the Allegheny National Forest. Casey sent a letter to Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell urging him to take measures to prevent damage to the forest, which is a critical component of the state’s $5.5 billion timber industry. Casey says in fiscal year 2012 timber sales by the Allegheny National Forest totaled more than $7 million. He added that the timber industry is an important source of direct and indirect employment for northwestern Pennsylvania.

Residents in Bradford's Second Ward Area will soon have an opportunity to help guide Neighborhood Revitalization efforts through a “Community Needs Assessment Survey.” The Downtown Bradford Revitalization Corporation recently received approval of a state Neighborhood Partnership Program (NPP) tax credit application that will provide funding to undertake improvements to the Second Ward Neighborhood annually for a five-year period. The DBRC will partner with the City’s Office of Economic and Community Development (OECD), which will be the administering agent for improvement activities in the selected neighborhood. To help guide efforts a questionnaire covering important aspects neighborhood revitalization including planning, physical environment, economic development and community services will be reaching Second Ward NPP area homes and businesses in the next couple of days. “The primary purpose for conducting this survey is to find out where efforts are doing well and where effo...

A flood watch is in effect for the entire region. The National Weather Service in both State College and Buffalo says periods of moderate to heavy rain will affect the region through Friday afternoon. Additional rainfall of 1 to 2 inches is possible. Runoff from excessive rain will result in minor flooding of small streams, creeks and poor drainage areas with each wave of rain that passes through the area. From north to south the watch is from Erie County, New York, to Clearfield County. From west to east it affects Erie County, Pennsylvania, to Potter County. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A Hornell man was hurt in a one-vehicle crash this morning on I-86 near the Kennedy exit. Sheriff’s deputies say 67-year-old Rodney Milliner veered off the road for an unknown reason and his vehicle hit a guide rail, then slid about 300 feet into a ditch. Milliner was taken to WCA Hospital in Jamestown for treatment of what deputies believe are non-life-threatening injuries. Charges are pending. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A watercolor rendering of Ancilla the Ice Witch and her minion has taken the grand prize in the Bradford Little Theatre art contest. Twelfth grade student Rachel Saxton submitted the winning entry, taking top prize in her age division and grand prize overall. Other winners were fifth grade School Street Elementary School student Nolan Macias for his colored pencil depiction of a troll; eighth grade St. Bernard School student Jared Gallagher of Bradford for his pencil drawing of the Ice Castle; and third grade St. Bernard School student Brooke McClain of Bradford for her crayon depiction of a troll. “We were so pleased with the quality of the work these young people submitted,” said Nanci K. Garris, BLT president. Judges were Carol Minard and Arnold Evers, both of Bradford, and Julie Mader of Smethport. Saxton is the daughter of Sarah and Scott Saxton of Oswayo. Macias is the son of Jamie and Alex Macias of Lewis Run. Gallagher is the son of Carol Dana Will of Bradford. McClain is ...

A Bradford man was hurt in a one-car crash Wednesday night on Route 646 in Otto Township. State Police say at around 9 p.m. a vehicle driven by 60-year-old William Cleveland went off the road, hit an embankment and ended up on its roof along the south berm of the road. Cleveland was taken to BRMC for treatment of moderate injuries. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

HARRISBURG, Pa.—The PA Family Support Alliance (PFSA) kicked off Child Abuse Prevention Month with an annual breakfast honoring those who have made a difference in preventing child abuse and highlighting the need for more child abuse education and training in the Commonwealth. With an audience of legislators, child advocates, policymakers and family support and child welfare workers, the annual breakfast served as an opportunity for PFSA to look to the future of how child abuse prevention efforts can be strengthened in PA. According to Angela Liddle, executive director of PFSA, a critical part of prevention efforts is training and educational outreach so that every day citizens know how to recognize and report child abuse. “We must learn, we must get involved, we must find the resources needed, we must hold ourselves and those we know to a standard of accountability for the safety and well-being of our children,” said Liddle. “Every child is my child and your child.” Jay ...

By SANDRA RHODES Activities that appeal to all ages are on tap for this year’s National Library Week at the Bradford Area Public Library. Tapping on the theme “Communities Matter,” the BAPL is gearing up for a week of exciting activities that run from April 14-April 20. “We are very excited to be offering these events to the community,” said Ed Pecht, president and chief executive officer of the Library. “We want to celebrate what the Library has to offer all our patrons.” Some of the featured happenings at the Library have an emphasis on art. There will be a display of art done by students from CARE for Children. Bradford Little Theater will also display the entries from their recent art contest. Sandy Caparotta will lead a Kids Intro to Art Class 10:30 a.m. Monday at the Library. Preschool Story Hour is set for 10:30 a.m. Friday, April 19. Throughout the week, accumulated artwork from the Library will be sold. With the wide variety of artwork available, there is something fo...

A Limestone man is jail for allegedly selling crack cocaine in Salamanca. The Southern Tier Regional Drug Task Force charged 31-year-old Donald Watson Jr. with two counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell and two counts of criminal sale of a controlled substance in connection to two separate incidents. Watson was arraigned in Town of Carrollton Court and sent to jail on $1,000 bail. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

American Refining Group, Inc. (ARG) has been honored with the Community Partner Award, given by Futures Rehabilitation Center to recognize contributions to individuals with disabilities. The award will be presented at Futures’ Donor Reception on April 25. The Bradford Refinery, now ARG, has been a significant contributor to the growth and development of Futures since its founding. Refinery staff were instrumental in the incorporation of the agency in 1968 and have served for decades on the board of directors. Refinery staff assisted in fund raising efforts needed to acquire and renovate Futures’ facility on 1 Futures Way and have provided technical assistance and support in the operation of the work center. ARG provides a variety of contract work for employees in Futures’ work center, where the first run of Brad-Penn motor oil was packaged. Futures works with ARG to provide a variety of packaging, assembly, clerical, laboratory support and related work Futures President/CEO Will...

Burglary and criminal trespass charges against a Limestone man accused of stealing from The Aud restaurant have been bound to court, but two of the charges originally filed against him have him dismissed. 25-year-old Jason Gallick is accused of getting into the building using a hidden key and taking $984. Police used surveillance video from the Bradford Club to help track Gallick down. He said he knew where the key was hidden and where cash was kept because his relatives were providing contracting services to the restaurant. One count of theft and one count of receiving stolen property were dismissed, but he is still facing one other count of each of those charges. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) today released the following statement on The Public Safety And Second Amendment Rights Protection Act, the amendment that he and Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) are offering to the gun bill currently on the Senate floor. “Pennsylvania has a long, bipartisan tradition of supporting gun rights. I am a proud part of that tradition. I am a gun owner. I revere the rights enshrined in our Second Amendment. My record shows this. “Criminal background checks are just common sense. If you pass a criminal background check, you can buy a gun. It’s the people who fail a criminal or mental health background check that we don’t want having guns. “That can be done without infringing on law-abiding people’s gun rights. And we ought to do it.” The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

By Dr. Richard G. Frederick When Tim Roudebush died last week in his home near Kansas City, he left an important legacy to McKean County. During the 1990s the Kansas businessman provided the impetus and much of the financial support for the foundation of the Eldred World War II Museum and Camp Penuel East, a Christian summer camp for inner-city youths. The Kansas entrepreneur was the founder and owner of several business ventures, notably Akro Fireguard, Inc., which sold a fire-retardant process to airlines around the world. Although he was born and raised in Cleveland, Tim’s family had interests in the Eldred area, where Tim’s lawyer father had facilitated an arrangement with both the United States and Canadian governments to establish a munitions plant during World War II. Following the war, the elder Roudebush purchased the land, which included a lodge and several miles of bridle trails. In addition to his businesses, Tim had a strong interest in history and politics, ho...

Parking issues took center stage during Tuesday’s Bradford City Council meeting, and misbehavior on Main Street played a part in the discussion, too. Business owner Steve Cavallaro, who presented council with a petition holding 1,876 signatures of people who would like to see a change in the parking meter situation in Downtown Bradford, said he isn’t against tickets, but he doesn’t want the metered parking so strictly enforced that it discourages people from shopping downtown. There was also discussion on whether parking enforcement officer Karen Disney is too enthusiastic in the writing of tickets. Kathy Obermyer, on the other hand, lauded Disney’s enthusiasm and jokingly said maybe council could put that enthusiasm to use to help alleviate the problem of misbehavior on Main Street. I sometimes which you’d give her a billy club so she could clean up the other side that we’ll be dealing with this summer,” she said. Mayor Tom Riel said council will look over three proposals Cavalla...

A bus fire sent two people to the hospital and closed part of the Route 219 Bradford Bypass late Tuesday afternoon. The Fullington Trailways bus caught on fire at just before 5:30 p.m. at the Bradford Township line, near the Zippo-Case Museum. The bus was carrying 40 people from the Seneca Allegany Casino in Salamanca to Phillipsburg. Route 219 was closed from Forman Street to Owens Way. One of passengers was taken to BRMC for treatment of smoke inhalation; the other was complaining of chest pain. The rest of the passengers were taken by Bradford Area School District bus to the Holiday Inn Express while Fullington decides how to get them home. Portville Trucking removed the burned bus. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Route 219 South in Bradford is closed because of a vehicle fire on the highway at the Bradford Township line. There is a fuel spill as well. Melissa Scutt Longo shared this picture with us. Portville Trucking has been called to remove the bus. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A Dayton, New York, man has pleaded guilty to rape. 45-year-old Dwight Johnston Jr. had sex with a 12-year-old girl several times from December of 2011 through February of last year. He will be sentenced on June 17. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A motorcycle driver is dead after being hit by an elderly Wellsville man near Phillipsburg on Monday. Clearfield-based state police say the 59-year-old man, who they have not identified yet, was on Route 322 when a car driven by 84-year-old Kasper Anthony turned in front of the motorcycle. The victim was thrown from the bike and pronounced dead at the scene. Anthony and his passenger were not hurt. Police are continuing their investigation. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Five agencies recently received funding from the United Way of the Bradford Area through funds raised during the Smethport campaign. According to Mandi Wilton Davis, Executive Director, the Hamlin Memorial Library, the McKean County Historical Society, the Smethport Recreation Center/Memorial Pool, Futures Rehabilitation Center and the YWCA of Bradford each received $500 during the first allocation process. “We were pleased to have the requests that we did,” said Davis. “I know that the dollars raised during the Smethport appeal were needed by these agencies, all of which provide direct services in that community.” The United Way of the Bradford Area managed the fundraising efforts for Smethport and the surrounding areas during the 2012 solicitation process, and the nearly-$5,000 which was raised will go directly back to applicable agencies and programs in those zip codes. Pictured, United Way Executive Director, Mandi Wilton Davis (r), and Board Member, Patty Witchen, congratul...

Jury selection is set for mid-September in the trial of the man accused of shooting and killing the Clymer School Superintendent last fall. A pre-trial conference was held Monday in the case of 42-year-old Anthony Taglianetti of Virginia, who is charged with second-degree murder in the death of Keith Reed on September 21 at Reed’s home. Investigators believe Taglianetti shot Reed over a relationship he had with Taglianetti’s estranged wife. He went back to Virginia after the shooting and was found in Virginia eight days later. He originally fought extradition, but was returned to Chautauqua County late last year. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

An Olean man has admitted to trying to break into a house last summer. 23-year-old Eric Smith pleaded guilty to attempted burglary for the incidents between August 7 and 11 of last year in Olean. Sentencing is scheduled for June 17. ~~~ An Olean man has been sentenced to five years’ probation in connection to a Christmas Eve break-in. 35-year-old Jason Rivera attempted to enter a Town of Portville building on December 24, 2011. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A Salamanca man who punched a police officer will spend a year in jail. 23-year-old Kurtis Dowdy was charged with attempted assault for punching the officer, who was responding to a domestic dispute on November 20, 2011, in Salamanca. He also resisted arrest. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A Falconer man is facing more than 50 charges in connection to deer jacking. New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Police have charged 60-year-old Bruce Giddy with 46 violations of environmental conservation law as well as eight counts of reckless endangerment. The investigation started on November 25 of last year when police got a report about a deer being shot and left on school property in Jamestown. Witnesses said the man shot the deer from his vehicle in a residential area and on school property. After DEC Police tracked down Giddy, they linked him to similar incidents where deer had been shot in residential areas and left behind. Each misdemeanor carries a jail term of up to one year and fines range from $200 to $2,000 per charge. He will be arraigned later this month. http://www.dec.ny.gov/press/90233.html The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

HARRISBURG – Rep. Martin Causer (R-Turtlepoint), chairman of the House Game and Fisheries Committee, will host a public hearing about Pennsylvania’s deer management policies on Thursday, April 25, at the Coudersport Volunteer Fire Department. The meeting is open to the public and will begin at 6 p.m. “There is a great deal of concern among our sportsmen and sportswomen about the state of Pennsylvania’s deer herd,” said Causer. “This is an opportunity for them to hear firsthand from the Pennsylvania Game Commission and other organizations about the details of the program and its impact.” In addition to Game Commission officials, others scheduled to appear before the committee include representatives the Unified Sportsmen of Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs and the Pennsylvania Forest Products Association. “As chairman of the Game and Fisheries Committee, my priority is to preserve Pennsylvania’s long-standing hunting and fishing traditions...

A Warren man is hospitalized in serious condition after his vehicle crashed into a Mack truck in Clarendon Monday afternoon. 30-year-old Andrew Franklin is being treated at UPMC Hamot. State police say Franklin was on Route 6 at just before 3 o’clock when he crossed the center line and traveled into the path of the truck. Franklin was freed from the wreckage and was flown to UPMC Hamot. Two passengers in his vehicle, ages 3 and 1, were not hurt. The truck driver, 43-year-old Arthur Estus of Sheffield, was not hurt either. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947