Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

John J. Polucci, Sr., 88, of 44 Forman St., Bradford, passed away on Wednesday, April 24, 2013 at the Pavilion at Bradford Regional Medical Center. He was born on April 4, 1925 in Bradford, a son of the late Louis and Marie Conti Polucci. On October 4, 1952 in the St. Bernard Catholic Church, he married Veronica A. “Bonnie” Vigliotti. After 55 years of marriage she passed away on January 13, 2007. He was a 1943 graduate of the Bradford Area High School. In 1943 he joined the U.S. Marine Corp. and during World War II he served in the Pacific theatre; he also served during the occupation of Japan. He was discharged as a Corporal in 1946. He was employed for thirty-three years at the Department of Labor & Industry. He was a member of the St. Bernard Catholic Church. He was also the current President of the Marche Club and a member of the Lt. John C. Roche Post 212 VFW. He is survived by five children, Mary (David) Goodman, Susan Polucci, John (Nancy) Polucci, Jr., J...

Another member of a Jefferson County drug ring has pleaded guilty in federal court. 43-year-old Tina Smith of Brookville distributed methamphetamine in the Brookville and DuBois areas in 2010 and 2011. She is scheduled for sentencing on November 1. Her supplier was Joshua Shaffer of Florida, who provided several pounds of meth and thousands of oxycodone tablets to the other eight members of the conspiracy. Four members of the conspiracy have now pleaded guilty, with five other alleged conspirators awaiting trial. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A domestic incident has landed an Emporium man in jail. 41-year-old Kevin Fox is accused of pushing a 45-year-old woman several times during an argument at just before midnight Wednesday in an apartment in the borough. Police charged him with harassment. Because he was out on bail for a similar incident, District Judge Barry Brown revoked Fox’s bail and sent him to Jefferson County Jail. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Several people pleaded guilty to drug charges Thursday in McKean County Court. 41-year-old Randy Gourley of Bradford delivered seven methadone pills. 21-year-old Brandon Goodreau of Emporium provided marijuana to two 16-year-old girls and smoked it with them in his car. 34-year-old Rennie Gobin of Bradford had a small amount of marijuana and was driving under the influence of marijuana and hydrocodone. 30-year-old Joshua Armstrong of Mount Jewett was driving under the influence of controlled substances and had drug paraphernalia. 50-year-old Neil Reynolds of Bradford had drug paraphernalia and was driving under the influence of alcohol. All of the men are scheduled for sentencing on July 18. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

35 headstones at St. Bonaventure Cemetery were toppled by vandals earlier this week. Police say the incidents happened between Monday night and Tuesday morning, and several people were probably involved because of the size and weight of the headstones. A monetary damage estimate is not available. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

The Bradford man accused of downloading and sharing child pornography from his home computer has waived his preliminary hearing. 22-year-old Cody Burgess allegedly sent videos and pictures of underage children back in January, February and April. The state attorney general’s office began its investigation in the activities in January. Burgess is free on $100,000 bail. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A Gettysburg-area man has been charged with sexually assaulting a child younger than 13 in Potter County back in 2005. 53-year-old William Kennedy assaulted the child in West Branch Township, according to police. He is charged with two felony counts of aggravated indecent assault, as well as corruption of minors and indecent assault. Kennedy is jailed on $50,000 bail. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

The man who stole a vintage Gumby doll from an auction at the Warren Mall has pleaded guilty. Steven Germonto of Sheffield was caught on surveillance video taking the doll, hiding it, and leaving without paying for it. He had originally been charged with several offenses, but pleaded to a summary count of retail theft. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A Sheffield man has pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl. 20-year-old Kenneth Seyler was 18 when he started having sex with the girl on Christmas Day in 2011. He continued having sexual contact with the girl until February of this year. He pleaded guilty to statutory sexual assault. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A patient at Warren State Hospital is facing charges after attacking an employee. Police say at just before 11 o’clock last Tuesday night 35-year-old Brenda Carroll kicked the leg of a 63-year-old woman and scratched the woman’s wrist. Carroll is charged with harassment. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Brenda L. Dunn, 64, of Rew, passed away, Thursday, June 20, 2013 at UPMC Presbyterian Hospital in Pittsburgh. Born March 18, 1949, in Bradford, she was a daughter of the late Robert E. and Eugenia (Bell) Gorton, Sr. On August 2, 1969, at Evans Memorial United Methodist Church she married Larry W. Dunn who survives. Mrs. Dunn was a 1967 graduate of Smethport High School. She had worked as an executive secretary to the plant manager at Hanley Brick, then for the American Cancer Society and currently as a Legislative Assistant for State Representative Martin Causer. She was a member of the Zonta Club, member and treasurer for the McKean County Republican Committee. She loved spending time with her family and grandchildren. She was her granddaughter's biggest fan and followed them throughout their school sports programs. In addition to her husband she is survived by a daughter, Kelly J. (Jeff) Andreano, of Olean, two grandchildren Kaitlyn Jo Andreano and Kylea Joelle Andreano bo...

A hearing for the man accused of providing the gun to a man who fired shots at another man in downtown Bradford has been moved again. The hearing 23-year-old Allen Funk of Smethport had been scheduled for Wednesday in front of District Judge Dominic Cercone, but has been rescheduled for July 17. Funk is accused of selling the gun to Lawrence Fox of Buffalo for $300 in cash and cocaine even though he admitted to police “he knew Fox to be a criminal and crazy,” according to papers filed in Cercone’s office. Fox is serving a 5- to 10-year state prison sentence for firing shots at a Pittsburgh man on Chautauqua Place and Bushnell Street. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A Little Valley woman is accused of pushing someone into a table during a fight early Tuesday morning. Sheriff’s deputies say 31-year-old Sunny Leblanc pushed the other person at just after 1 a.m. in New Albion. She is charged with assault and will appear in court at a later date. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A Smethport woman is facing charges after a crash early Tuesday morning on Route 646. Police say 23-year-old Lacie Gleason was speeding at about 1:20 a.m. when her vehicle went out of control, hit a mail box and spun around before hitting a ditch. Police say Gleason will be charged with DUI and related offenses. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Charges against the Bradford couple who told police they turned to drug dealing to make ends meet have been bound to court. Preliminary hearings for 42-year-old Michael Byerly and 40-year-old Susan Byerly were held today in front of District Judge Dominic Cercone. The Byerlys were arrested on drug charges after a search of their Burnside Avenue home turned up cocaine and marijuana packaged for sale, as well as a number of weapons, including an AK-47 style assault rifle. At the time of her arrest, Susan Byerly told police she and her husband were unemployed and turned to drug dealing to supplement their income. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A Chautauqua County man will spend the next 21 years in federal prison for trying to solicit sex from young Warren County girls. 42-year-old David Lopus of Ashville will also spend the rest of his life on parole after being released from prison. Back in 2011, Lopus traveled to Warren County and tried to lure an 8-year-old girl into his vehicle near a trailer park, and an 11-year-old girl into a portable toilet near the Sugar Grove Elementary School playground. The FBI, state police as well as Conewango Township, Warren and Corry police departments investigated. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Two police cars were damaged in a chase in Elk and Jefferson counties last night. Police say the chase started in Brockway when a woman wouldn’t pull over for police on Route 219. She led police into Elk County, then turned around and headed back to Jefferson County, where police were able to get her to stop in Snyder Township. Police have not released the woman’s name yet. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Governor Andrew Cuomo and legislative leaders have agreed to authorize four upstate New York casinos. They will be near Binghamton; in the Hudson Valley-Catskills area; and in the Albany area. The fourth is also likely to be in the Catskills, which has a tradition of resort development. Voters will have the final say this fall when they’re asked to pass a referendum that would allow up to seven non-Indian casinos across the state over the next several years. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Stand-up comedian, actor, and writer Paul Reiser re-emerges on the comedy scene with his quick wit and comedic talent. Comedy patrons across the country are in for a real treat when Reiser hits the stage and unleashes his hilarious insights about the absurdities of modern life. As a seasoned entertainer, Paul Reiser continues to add to his ever expanding list of accomplishments: In addition to co-creating and starring in the critically acclaimed NBC series, “Mad About You,” which garnered him Emmy, Golden Globe, American Comedy Award and Screen Actors Guild nominations, his successes also include his most recent book, Familyhood, the long awaited follow- up to Babyhood and Couplehood, his first book, which sold over two million copies and reached the number one spot on The New York Times bestseller list. Reiser will be performing in at the Seneca Allegany Events Center in Salamanca at 7 p.m. Saturday. For tickets, call 716-945-9300 or visit: http://www.senecaalleganycasino.co...

No one was hurt in a three-vehicle crash on Route 120 in St. Marys Tuesday afternoon. Police say at just after 3 p.m. a pickup truck driven by 34-year-old Melissa Burchett of Ridgway was traveling behind a car driven by 20-year-old Anthony Deprator of St. Marys that had slowed down to make a left turn. The brakes on the pickup locked up, causing it to slide forward and hit the car, which then hit another pickup that was parked in a parking lot. The pickups both had minor damage but the car had major damage. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A four-year-old Johnsonburg girl was hurt when the car she was riding in rolled over on Route 321 in Jones Township. Police say 29-year-old Victoria Gordon of Johnsonburg lost control of her car, which then traveled off the road, hit a guard rail, went back onto the road and rolled over twice. The girl was wearing a seatbelt, but was not in a child safety seat. Gordon is charged with accidents involving death or serious injury while not properly licensed, endangering the welfare of a child, driving with a suspended license and a number of vehicle code and traffic violations. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A Tioga County man is dead following a logging accident on Tuesday. Police say 29-year-old Robert Burd of Westfield was working with a logging crew in the woods near Crance Brook Road at around 6:30 and trimming a fallen tree, while another worker was cutting down another tree. The tree fell in the wrong direction, and onto Burd. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

The Ashville, New York, man who tried to lure young Warren County girls into having sex with him is scheduled for sentencing today in federal court in Erie. 42-year-old David Lopus pleaded guilty in January to interstate travel to have sex with a minor. In May of 2011 he tried to lure a girl into his vehicle near a trailer park in Conewango Township. In June of 2011 he tried luring an 11-year-old girl into a portable toilet near the Sugar Grove Elementary School playground. Lopus was arrested in a homeless shelter in Ohio shortly after the second incident. Although the law provides for a total sentence of 90 years in prison, as part of the plea agreement, Lopus will spend only 21 years in prison, and then will be on parole for the rest of his life. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

John D. "Jack" Maze, 77, of 449 Treasure Lake DuBois, formerly of Richardson Ave., Lewis Run, passed away Monday, June 17, 2013, at Christ the King Manor in DuBois. Born April 23, 1936, in Kane he was a son of the late Samuel E. and Geneva (Carlson) Maze. On November 30, 1963, at St. Francis Church he married Eleanor (Kopelack) Maze who survives him. Mr. Maze went to Kane High School. He served in the United States Navy during the Korean War. He had been employed as a Forester for the US Forestry Service for 38 years. Mr. Maze worked many years as a police officer and retired from the Foster Township Police Department in 2006 due to illness. He was a member of the Lewis Run Volunteer Fire Department and a member and past board member of the Greater Bradford Area Senior Center. Mr. Maze was an avid outdoorsman, and enjoyed hunting and fishing. He loved his work, family and friends. In addition to his wife of 50 years he is survived by a daughter, Lori Maze (Samuel) Donah...

An Olean woman spent her birthday in Cattaraugus County Court, and will spend the next two to four years in state prison for going into a Wal-Mart after being banned from all Wal-Marts. 27-year-old Andrea Warrior went into the Allegany store back in February. She was charged with four counts of burglary. Warrior was sentenced as a second felony offender. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Farmers in New York just received a big boost to help contain rising property taxes. The Assembly followed up the Senate’s action by unanimously passing a bill that will cap agricultural land assessment increases at 2% a year. This has been a top priority for New York Farm Bureau this legislative session. There has been great concern among our farmer members who have seen rising land values push up property tax bills for farmland in recent years, essentially doubling since 2006. Agricultural land assessments are dictated by a complicated formula that takes into account national production value statistics and soil type. Currently, New York farmers pay $38.41 per acre in property taxes, according to Farm Credit East. That is the second highest rate in the country and eats up 15% of a farm’s net income. This puts farmers in this state at a clear competitive disadvantage. “The passage of the 2% cap on agricultural assessments is we...

OLEAN, NY – Registered nurses at Olean General Hospital will hold an informational picket in front of the hospital on Wed., June 19 from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. The 220 RNs, who are members of the New York State Nurses Association, have been in contract negotiations with the hospital since November of last year. NYSNA is proposing safe minimum staffing levels at Olean General Hospital to ensure safe care for patients. New nurses are being forced to take on too many patients at one time, and they are burning out -- making recruitment and retention an ongoing problem and financial burden for the hospital. Patient safety is the nurses’ primary concern, but being forced to care for too many patients at one time puts that safety in jeopardy. Nurses have expressed that they often leave their shift “feeling like I did the very best I could do – with very little staff.” When planning RN staffing, acuity, or severity of illness, must be considered. The hospital currently staffs its units ba...

A St. Marys man is in jail for threatening to kill his mother because he believed she was trying to poison him. 25-year-old Joshua Coffey is charged with assault and terroristic threats after the incident that happened at around 10 p.m. on June 11. Court records say Coffey accused his mother of trying to poison him by giving him pork, which is against his religion. He got a 10-inch kitchen knife and threatened to kill his mother, who climbed out a window and onto the roof. Coffey then held a knife to the throat of a man who was with his mother, and threatened to kill him if his mother called police. His bail is $5,000 and a preliminary hearing is scheduled for July 2 in front of District Judge Mark Jacobs. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947