Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

Rep. Tom Reed, county police, sheriff, fire and emergency services departments gathered at Cornell University Thursday for an Emergency Responders Advisory Board meeting. The group focused primarily on funding opportunities including grants made available to emergency and first responders. “With the relationships we’re building with local emergency and first responders, we have a better understanding of what they are looking toward Congress to help them with,” Reed said. “Fire departments, EMS organizations, police departments – they all have specific equipment and personnel needs and the better we understand those needs, the better equipped Washington will be to address them and address them fairly.” “As the Chief of Police at a large Ivy League University that works closely with other first responders in our community, this type of forum is essential to communicating what our needs are to do the best job in responding to and preventing emergencies,” said Chief Kathy Zoner o...

U.S. Senator Pat Toomey will host a couple of of town hall meetings with constituents in the region next week. At 3 p.m. Wednesday he will be at VFW Post 813, 114 Fuller Street in DuBois. At 12:20 p.m. Thursday he will be at the Gunzburger Building, One North Main Street in Coudersport. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Jane F. Thompson, 94, formerly of 287 Congress St., passed away Thursday, August 22, 2013, in The Pavilion at BRMC. Born August 24, 1918, in Bradford, she was a daughter of H.K. "Kirby" and Veronica (Cummiskey) Dougherty. On June 5, 1947 in Bradford, she married Charles P. Thompson, Jr. who died, September 14, 2007. Mrs. Thompson was a 1936 graduate of St. Bernard High School and a 1940 graduate of D'Youville College in Buffalo. She had worked at Corning Glass. She was a member of St. Bernard Church. a member of the Catholic Women's Club, a member of the Bible Class at Church and the Rosary Confraternity. She was also a member of the N.A.R.F.E. and A.A R.P. She was an accomplished artist, enjoyed painting with oils and writing poetry. Surviving are two daughters, Maria (Joseph) Montaruli of Irvington, NY and Aimee (Richard) Mack, of Bristol, RI; three sons Joseph Thompson, of Bradford, Michael Thompson, of Washington, DC, and John (Mary) Thompson, of Peterborou...

NIAGARA FALLS, SALAMANCA and BUFFALO, N.Y. – Two great offerings – Seneca Casinos and fantasy sports – are now one for the 2013 football season. Every day from September 2 through December 29, guests can head to each of the three Seneca Casino locations in Western New York to play fantasy football for free and win a share of cash and prizes in the $175,000 All-Star Fantasy Football Challenge. Playing is simple, quick and fun. At all three Seneca Casinos, interactive kiosks will be available in the lobbies and other select areas on property. Using a free Seneca Player’s Club card, guests can play every day at each property starting on Mondays at noon through Sundays at 11 a.m. for the Sunday and Monday football games the following week. At the end of each week at each property, those among the top five scores will receive cash and Free Slot Play credits ranging from $200 to $1,500. The top three scores for the entire season (consolidated by property) will win $15,000, $7,500 an...

Labor Day Weekend is normally one of the three worst weekends of the year for blood usage so having a safe blood supply before the holiday is important for public safety. The local blood supply has been in and out of shortage territory for about a month now. The Community Blood Bank is holding a blood drive this Monday August 26th at St. Bernard's Catholic Church located at 95 East Corydon from noon to 5:30pm. From Aug. 1-31 everyone who comes to give blood at any Community Blood Bank blood drive can enter to win a trip to Walt Disney World in Orlando! This trip is valued at $4,000 and includes airfare, hotel stay at a Disney hotel and four Park-Hopper tickets to Disney parks for four people! "Labor Day weekend is approaching fast and we need to be ready." Said Dan Desrochers at the blood bank, "Hopefully our Give Blood: Go To Disney! promotion will give us a little magic!" The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Dr. Mark Kelley, assistant professor of sports medicine, and alumnus Joe Colosimo ’94 will be honored by the Pitt-Bradford Alumni Association during Alumni and Family Weekend at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford. Kelley, director of the sports medicine program, will accept the PBAA Teaching Excellence Award. Kelley has taught at Pitt-Bradford for nine years, directing the sports medicine program and serving as director of freshman seminar for several years. Before coming to Pitt-Bradford, he was a graduate teaching assistant in the anatomy lab at Slippery Rock University. He has worked with the Bradford Family YMCA developing a diabetes program through a grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Health. Kelley holds a doctoral degree from Capella University in leadership for higher education, a master’s degree in exercise and wellness promotion from Slippery Rock University and a Bachelor of Science in sports medicine from Pit...

HARRISBURG – Pennsylvania’s prevailing wage laws costs jobs, taxes and economic development according to municipal officials who testified before the House Labor and Industry Committee Thursday in State College. Rep. Stephen Bloom (R-Cumberland), who presided over the meeting, said reform of the Prevailing Wage Law is needed for the benefit of taxpayers. “Prevailing wage prevents local governments from funding necessary projects,” said Bloom. “Under prevailing wage, Pennsylvania’s municipalities and school districts just can’t afford to complete projects or don’t do them at all.” Those who testified included township managers, supervisors, a county commissioner and union officials. “Clearly, the prevailing wage mandate results in less roads paved and at a higher cost,” said Vana Dainty, Bellefonte Borough Council vice president, who indicated that the borough has postponed “true maintenance that was needed for our roads and was forced into doing more patching projects...

The deadline to apply for the second phase of funding through the United Way of the Bradford Area’s Smethport allocations is Tuesday, September 3. Eligible non-profits providing services throughout the Smethport area may submit a request for up to $500. Applications may be received by visiting United Way’s website at www.uwbanews.org, the United Way office, or by request at admin@uwbanews.org . All applications are reviewed by a committee comprised of United Way Board members, with recommendations being presented to the full board for final approval. The United Way of the Bradford Area managed the fundraising efforts for Smethport and the surrounding areas during the 2012 solicitation process, and is doing the same for the 2013 campaign. The recipients of the first phase of funding announced in March of this year were: the Hamlin Memorial Library, the McKean County Historical Society, the Smethport Recreation Center/Memorial Pool, Futures Rehabilitation Center and the YWCA of Br...

City of Bradford Police on Thursday were called to disturbances on East Main and Bank streets, as well as Walker Place, and a domestic incident on Linwood Avenue. They also got complaints about animals on Summer Street and Harris Court, and suspicious activity on East Main, West Washington, Chestnut and Congress streets. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

City of Bradford Police on Wednesday investigated reports of a sexual assault on East Avenue and a burglary on Mechanic Street. Officers also looked into reports of illegal drug use on Main Street, criminal mischief to automobiles on Pine Street, a theft on Euclid Avenue and harassment on West Corydon Street. Police were also got calls about a domestic incident on High Street and suspicious activity on Main Street. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A car hit an apartment house Wednesday afternoon in Jamestown leaving more than a dozen people homeless, and the woman who left the unattended has been cited. Police say 50-year-old Tracy Abbey left the car in front of a house, parked in the wrong direction, when it rolled down a hill and into the building. The building had to be condemned because of structural damage, leaving 14 tenants homeless. Abbey was ticketed for having an unsecured, unattended vehicle. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A fight around a campfire ended up with one man in the hospital and another in jail.] Donald Walters and Jake Avenali were at the campfire in the woods in Hamilton Township early Sunday morning when Walters tried getting Avenali’s gun out of its holster, and then hit him in the head, according to papers filed in District Judge Bill Todd’s office. Walters also tried to choke Avenali while he was lying on the ground. Another person pulled Walters off Avenali and then took Avenali to Kane Community Hospital for treatment of broken bones in his face. Walters was charged with assault and harassment and sent to McKean County Jail on $50,000 bail. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Tools were taken from an Elk County home sometime over the last week. Police say someone went to a Wilcox Road home in Jones Township between Friday and yesterday and took a number of hand tools, floor jacks and other tools. The investigation is continuing, and anyone with information on this incident is asked to contact Ridgway-based state police. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A Kersey man is jail after getting into a fight with the mother of his child. Police say 24-year-old Sam Reed and the 20-year-old woman were arguing over the child and when the woman attempted to leave the house, Reed grabbed a rifle from a closet and blocked her so she couldn’t leave. Reed was charged with simple assault and harassment and sent to Elk County Jail on $5,000 bail. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Harrisburg – Today, PennDOT Secretary Barry J. Schoch authorized his department to add or increase weight restrictions to about 1,000 structurally deficient (SD) bridges statewide to ensure bridge safety and preserve our aging bridge system. PennDOT must take this step because of legislative inaction this past June on transportation funding, leaving the department’s future resources in question. Reducing the weight traveling on these bridges will slow down their deterioration and preserve safety while funding for their repairs remains uncertain. “For months I’ve been explaining to Pennsylvanians and to lawmakers that there are very real consequences to not enacting a transportation funding plan,” Schoch said. “Without additional revenues anticipated in the future, I have to make the safe and responsible decision to reduce how much weight is crossing these deteriorating bridges.” As PennDOT has regulatory oversight over all bridges in the state, Schoch’s authorization ap...

Pennsylvania gubernatorial candidate John Hanger visited Bradford this morning as part of his Save Our Schools bus trip across the state. But he talked to WESB about more than schools. The former head of both the state Public Utility Commission and Department of Environmental Protection says he has a proven track record of saving Pennsylvanians money. Hanger says his new “Zero Tuition College Plan” will save students thousands of dollars by not having to pay for one year of college – or two years of community college – and then paying into a state fund after they graduate and start working. Listen to Hanger's talk with Anne Holliday here . Pictured, Hanger steps off his bus on Main Street in Bradford. WESB photo The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A pickup truck flew about 15 feet over a driveway during a crash on Rich Valley Road in Cameron County. Police say 43-year-old Shane Lyon was in Shippen Township when his pickup went off the road, went into a ditch and hit a pipe before going airborne and then back into the ditch. Lyon suffered moderate injuries but was not taken to a hospital. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Someone broke into an Emporium man’s home and stole some medication. Police say between 4:30 and 5:30 Tuesday afternoon someone went into Scott Geleen’s home on South Mountain Road and took the medication. Anyone with information on this incident is asked to contact Emporium-based state police. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Spitting on a sheriff’s deputy is never a good idea. It’s an especially bad idea when you’re caught red-handed committing a crime. Allegedly committing a crime. Deputies say they got called to an Arkwright building for a report of a larceny at just before 7:30 last night, and when they got there, 45-year-old Steven Riley of Forestville was still on the scene. While he was being taken into custody he allegedly fought with deputies and then spit on one of them. He’s charged with petit larceny, criminal mischief, resisting arrest, obstructing governmental administration, harassment and unlawful possession of marijuana. Riley was sent to Chautauqua County Jail in lieu of bail. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Employee Band Staff Infection to Perform The Hero's Anne Holliday Broadcasting Live The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford will celebrate its 50th anniversary with a Founders’ Day celebration Sept. 3, 50 years from the day it first opened its doors. In the 50 years since that momentous first day of class, Pitt-Bradford has grown from a fledging institution comprised of a hodgepodge of buildings in Bradford to a nationally recognized university with a campus of its very own. Its enrollment has grown by more than 455 percent from 288 students on its first day to about 1,600 students this year, and it has produced more than 10,000 graduates from all 50 states and several countries. “Pitt-Bradford would not have been established had it not been for several forward-thinking individuals in the community who recognized the need for an institution of higher education in this region and for those residents who contributed to the cause,” said Dr. Livingston Alexander, Pitt-Bradfor...

Cameron County Ambulance is planning to stop offering paramedic services in November. Veteran paramedic and local first responders’ union president Mike Valilne tells WESB and The Hero the union is concerned. Mike Valine He says if someone is having a serious health crisis and need more care than what an EMT can provide, that person may have to wait another 30 minutes for a paramedic to come from St. Marys or Coudersport. The board of Cameron County Ambulance said in a news release that a reduction in volume has led to a significant budget deficit, and that eliminating paramedic service is necessary for the financial health of the non-profit organization. Valine says the union gave Cameron County Ambulance a list of suggestions to stay fiscally sound without eliminating paramedic service, and still hopes they can make it work. "I've heard people all over the place worrying about the same thing," Valine said. "What if it's my loved one having a serio...

A Port Allegany bar has been cited by the state police bureau of liquor control enforcement. Shooters Grill & Bar has been cited for allegedly serving alcohol to a person who was 20 years old on June 10. Also the business allegedly did not post signs as required by the Clean Indoor Air Act, and allowed smoking in the building on June 10. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Two Warren men are in Chautauqua County Jail on drug charges. Jamestown Police say they stopped a vehicle at 8:40 Tuesday morning for not using a turn signal and learned the driver, 60-year-old Robert Proctor, does not have a driver’s license. While police were interviewing him, they saw a bag with more than half an ounce of cocaine on the floor of the vehicle. Proctor and his passenger, 42-year-old Anthony Russell, are both charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance and criminal possession of a hypodermic instrument. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Coudersport-based state police picked up a fugitive from justice on Monday. They say they stopped a vehicle they thought may have been involved in a hit-and-run crash and soon learned Patrick Danielewicz of Wellsville had arrest warrants in new York. He was arraigned as a fugitive from justice and sent to Potter County Jail to await extradition to New York. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

The Johnsonburg man accused of punching another man at Wolf Run Marina on Saturday was found and arrested in Kane. 29-year-old David Boylan allegedly punched Gerard Caribardi of Wilcox so hard that Caribardi had to be taken to UPMC Hamot for treatment. Boylan is charged with aggravated assault, simple assault and disorderly conduct and is jailed on $10,000 bail. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Two Bradford men are facing drug charges after state police saw drug paraphernalia fall out of one man’s lap during a traffic stop. Troopers say they stopped George Duke Jr.’s car at just before 2 a.m. Sunday for a vehicle code violation and as they were approaching the car, 23-year-old Russell Tallentire got out of the passenger side, and that’s when the paraphernalia fell onto the ground. He had an active bench warrant and was taken into custody. Police seized Duke’s car and got a search warrant. Monday, they found several packets of heroin, a small amount of marijuana, un-bottled prescription pills, syringes and other drug paraphernalia. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

The Clarion doctor who had an office in Kane has been arrested, and state attorney general Kathleen Kane says he was the largest buyer and distributor of Subutex in the country during the first five months of 2012. 67-year-old Thomas Radecki has been under investigation for about a year and surrendered his medical license in September. He is accused of over prescribing medications as well as trading drugs for sex. Radecki is a psychiatrist who specializes in treating patients who are addicted to heroin and highly addictive pain pills through the use of the controversial prescription medication Suboxone. Radecki is free on $25,000 bail and a preliminary hearing is scheduled for September 3. Read more here . The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947