Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

Congressman Glenn "GT" Thompson spoke with RadioPA's Brad Christman the day before the Congressional Natural Gas Caucus hearing in Williamsport Friday. You can listen here Read about the hearing here . Note: NY Congressman is also a chair of the caucus. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Gov. Tom Corbett has asked the federal government for money to help the state and local governments and nonprofit groups recover from the severe storms that hit several counties – including Clearfield and Jefferson – late last month. Preliminary estimates put the total damage at about $20 million. In a letter to the White House, Corbett says he expects that figure to grow as more claims come in and repair work begins. Corbett, who visited DuBois the day after the flooding, said in his letter that he witnessed the devastation left behind and it’s evident that the communities will need federal assistance to recover. If approved, federal funds could cover 75 percent of the cost of debris removal, emergency services and repairs to public facilities, such as roads, buildings and utilities. Read more here . The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

The CEO of Pennsylvania’s Marcellus Shale Coalition says she’ll be stepping down this fall. Kathryn Klaber says she is proud of what the group has accomplished over the past four years, and she will represent the group at upcoming meetings in Australia and London. She will also host the coalition’s Shale Insight Conference in Philadelphia this September. The group plans a nationwide search for its next leader, according to a news release. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Several area state troopers have been promoted to corporal, and most are changing assignments. Kane-based troopers transferring are Douglas Kramer to Belle Vernon; Frank Milliard to Mansfield; Lance Schimp to Marienville; and David Surra to Emporium. James Weaver of Clarion will transfer to Kane. Christopher Bock of Emporium, William Chase of Ridgway and Robert Podbielski of Erie will transfer to Coudersport. Eric Farabaugh of Emporium will transfer to Hollidaysburg. Michael Smith will remain in Emporium. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

An Emporium man who was recently honored during an event that recognized the 60th anniversary of the start of the Korean War has won a photo contest about the war and is headed to Washington, DC, to accept the award. Ken Ostrum served in Korea in 1953 and 1954 as a combat engineer advisor at a training camp. After the war, he stayed in Korea to help build orphanages and schools. For the contest – Remembered Moments in the Korean War – he submitted pictures with the orphans. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A Bradford man accused of downloading sexually graphic images of children as young as four years old has waived his preliminary hearing. 28-year-old Christopher Abrams was arrested in June by city police and agents from the attorney general’s child predator unit for distribution and possession of child pornography as well as criminal use of a communication facility. According to the criminal complaint, agents conducting an online investigation noticed multiple downloads of suspected child pornography on Abrams’ computer. He allegedly downloaded images of children as young as four to eight years old. He is free on $50,000 bail. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Dr. Livingston Alexander, president of the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford, second from right, chats with, from left, state Rep. Marty Causer, R-Turtlepoint; state Sen. Joe Scarnati, R-Brockway, and Dr. K. James Evans, deputy mayor of Bradford, before taking the field for the rededication of the Kessel Athletic Complex. The complex was rededicated following a $2.68 million renovation that occurred during the summers of 2011 and 2012 and made significant improvements to the baseball, soccer and softball fields. The rededication was held prior to the first semi-final game between Keystone and Lionsville in the Pennsylvania Little League Championship being held at the complex this week. Alan Hancock photo The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Besides chasing down a shoplifter on Wednesday City of Bradford Police also investigated a theft on Main Street, disturbances on Chautauqua Place and South Center Street and criminal mischief on West Washington. Officers also issued several traffic citations and got a complaint about barking dogs on Hobson Place. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A Sherman, New York, man is accused of pointing a loaded gun at someone while making threats. 37-year-old James Linger allegedly pointed the gun at the victim at 10 o’clock Sunday night on Route 76 in the Town of Sherman. Sheriff’s deputies charged Linger with menacing. He is due back in court at a later date. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A Freedom, New York, man is facing a number of charges, including sex abuse. 31-year-old Richard Morgan was arrested Friday in connection to an incident that happened on an earlier date in the Town of Freedom. Troopers also charged him with criminal trespass for going into a home on Friday in the Town of Yorkshire. An order of protection was issued but Morgan allegedly violated the order on Sunday and was charged with criminal contempt. On Wednesday, Morgan was charged with conspiracy for allegedly getting 22-year-old Angel Andress of Yorkshire to tell state police that another person had committed a crime, knowing that it wasn’t true. Morgan is in Cattaraugus County Jail. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A report of suspicious activity in an unoccupied house in Ridgway led to the arrest of a Bradford woman. Police say they found 38-year-old Charlotte Shugars in the house and soon learned she had a warrant out against her in Clearfield County. She was taken to Elk County Jail to await extradition. Police didn’t say what she was wanted for, and online court records only list a case from 1999. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A man who appeared on Cattaraugus County’s Most Wanted list on Tuesday was arrested Wednesday. 21-year-old Jandrew Terwilliger of Machias was picked up for violating his probation on a charge of criminal possession of a controlled substance. He’s jailed without bail. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

An Olean woman was hurt in a two-vehicle crash Wednesday afternoon on Barnum Road in Eldred Township. Police say 36-year-old Holly Scordo went through a stop sign at the intersection with Prentisvale Road and hit a truck driven by 55-year-old Frank Hervatin of Lewis Run. Scordo suffered minor injuries and was cited for failing to stop at a stop sign. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Bradford’s road resurfacing project is scheduled to start Monday and run through Friday. The affected areas include East Main Street from East Avenue to Melvin Avenue; Jackson Avenue from Kennedy to Mechanic streets; School Street from Mechanic to Interstate Parkway; and Harding and Marion avenues, and Elm Pearl and Kennedy streets. Door knockers will be placed on houses the day before paving starts and people are asked not to park in those areas until the resurfacing is finished. Flaggers will direct traffic. Expect delays. The project is weather-dependent. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Police and fire officials have finished their investigation in the fire at the Domtar paper plant in Johnsonburg, but they still don’t know what sparked the blaze. The fire started on the afternoon on July 12 in an underground wood chip transportation tunnel and, although it was under control the next morning, it was not completely extinguished until Wednesday. State Police fire marshal Greg Agosti says the “fire issues” between July 13 and Thursday were isolated to the above ground wood chip storage area near the tunnel system. The smoldering of the chip pile was a result of the tunnel fire. Agosti says although they don’t know what started the fire it is not considered suspicious. Domtar is now working on cleanup and repair. A dollar estimate for the damage is not available yet. Hundreds of firefighters from across the region, including McKean County, battled the blaze. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

An alleged shoplifter tried to run from Bradford Police this afternoon, but the chase didn’t last very long. Officers caught up with 21-year-old Megan Buterbaugh about two minutes after they started chasing her on East Main Street at around 1:30 p.m. Besides flight to avoid apprehension and retail theft, she is also charged with giving false identification to law enforcement. Buterbaugh was arraigned by District Judge Dominic Cercone and then sent to jail on $10,000 bail. She is scheduled to appear in Central Court on August 1. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A bus hit a pedestrian this afternoon at the intersection of Howard Street and Central Avenue in Silver Creek. Sheriff’s deputies say 50-year-old Robert Stankowitz was running after the Coach USA bus at just after noon, trying to get it to stop. The bus stopped at a stop sign and then when it starting going again, and making a turn, Stankowitz lost his footing and fell to the ground. As the bus continued to turn, Stankowitz went under the bus. Witnesses were able to get the bus driver’s attention and he stopped. Stankowitz was taken by Starflight to ECMC in Buffalo. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

City of Bradford Police on Tuesday investigated a burglary on Interstate Parkway and a report of terroristic threats on Florence Street. They also stopped someone who was possibly driving under the influence on Mechanic Street and talked to a girl who was loitering on West Corydon Street. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Virginia A. (Wilson) Dietz, 84, of 5 Delaware Ave., passed away Tuesday, July 23, 2013, in her residence. Born May 4, 1929, in Jeanette, she was the daughter of the late Ralph and Grace (Campbell) Dietz. On June 27, 1953, in Bradford, she married Dr. David R. Wilson, who died on December 3, 1970. Ms. Dietz was a 1946 graduate of Jeanette High School. She was a 1952 graduate of Montefiore Hospital School of Nursing with a degree as a Registered Nurse. She had been employed at the Bradford Hospital for 44 years. Surviving are four daughters, Mikki (Joe) Huss, of Kirtland, Ohio, Debra (Bill) Taylor, Linda Close, and JoAnn Wilson all of Bradford; eight grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and a brother Ralph E. Dietz. At the family's request there will be no visitation. Private services will be held at the convenience of family. Burial will be in McKean Memorial Park. Arrangements are under the dire...

Bradford City Council has named Michael Shanks as the city’s chief financial officer. Deputy Mayor Jim Evans explained during last night's council meeting that consultants Delta Development Group recommended hiring a CFO, and council agreed it was a good idea. Shanks begins his duties on August 19. His salary will be $65,000 a year. You can listen to the entire council meeting here . The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Resisting arrest was added to a list of charges against a Salamanca woman who allegedly tried to kick out the back window of a sheriff’s patrol car early this morning. Sheriff’s deputies say they stopped 21-year-old Donielle Storey at about 2:15 a.m. for speeding and not dimming her high beams, and soon learned she was driving while intoxicated. When they put her in the back of a patrol car she allegedly tried to kick out the back window, damaging the door. She will answer charges of DWI, resisting arrest, criminal mischief and aggravated unlicensed operation in City of Salamanca Court. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A Smethport man wasn’t hurt but a horse died in a crash this morning in Keating Township. State police say a car driven by 45-year-old Rickey Parris was on Route 46 at 4:50 a.m. when the horse entered the road and couldn't avoid hitting it. The car had major damage. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

An ATV rolled on top of a man during an accident Tuesday morning in the Town of Andover. State Police say 28-year-old Brady Archer of Brooklyn, New York, was operating the four-wheeler in a field when it hit a depression in the ground, rolled over and hit him, knocking him out for a brief time. When Archer regained consciousness he drove the ATV for help, but then passed out again. He was flown to Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Three 17-year-old boys are facing charges for stealing a car and a mini-van. Police say between January 5 and 6 two of the boys stole a car from Titusville and drove it to Clarendon to visit the third boy. Then they stole a mini-van. The two Titusville boys drove the mini-van back to Titusville and the Clarendon boy disposed of the car. Both vehicles were later recovered by police. Charges against the boys were filed with Warren County Juvenile Probation. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947