Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

The Bradford Area Public Library has named Guy Bennett as executive director of the library. The appointment becomes effective September 19, 2013. “We are thrilled that Mr. Bennett accepted our employment offer,” stated Chris Minich, chairwoman of Governance and Human Resources. “We began a diligent process early in 2013, defining the leadership role for the library and conducted a broad search. After reviewing 14 interested applicants, the search was narrowed to three individuals.” Bennett is leaving the post of Manager of Library Services at Bryant and Stratton. He earned his Master Degree of Library Science from SUNY Buffalo, after receiving his Bachelor of Science degree from Houghton College. He is a member of American Library Association, New York Library Association, and Western New York Library Resource Council. Board member Jeannine Schoenecker remarked, “Guy has 14 years of diverse library experience. We are confident in his ability to lead our library and staff towar...

A mother and daughter from Cattaraugus County are among the people arrested by the Wyoming County, New York, Drug Task Force after being indicted by a grand jury. 36-year-old Lorraine Whiting of Delevan is charged with criminal sale and possession of a controlled substance for allegedly selling Xanax and hydrocodone in March and April of this year in Arcade. Her mother, 53-year-orld Debra Hamilton of Franklinville, is accused of selling 10 hydrocodone pills with her daughter in April in the Village of Arcade. Mom and daughter are both in jail on $5,000 bail each. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Bradford Police are looking for a man who absconded from parole. 27-year-old Matthew Musolino has several active warrants and is a person of interest in several other investigations. Two felony counts of receiving stolen property were filed against him today in connection to incidents last month. Police ask that if you see Musolino you do not attempt to make contact with him. Instead, contact your local police department. CoBPD photo The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

First Energy has asked the federal government for permission to sell 11 hydroelectric power generation stations, including Seneca Pumped Storage at Kinzua Dam. According to a news release First Energy wants to sell stations in West Virginia and Virginia as well as Pennsylvania that could generate 527 megawatts of power all together. Seneca Pumped Storage counts for 451 megawatts of that total. One megawatt equals one million watts. First Energy’s total capacity is about 20,000 megawatts. No jobs will be lost in the sale to Harbor Hydro Holdings. The Seneca Nation is competing for the license application for the station, and the government’s OK for the sale is contingent upon settlement of that issue. The Nation has not commented yet. Image from Google Earth © The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

An assault near the Bradford Area Public Library has landed a couple of Hinsdale residents in McKean County Jail. City police responded to a report of a fight outside the library early Saturday morning, and found a person with head injuries lying motionless on the ground. The person, who they didn’t identify, was taken to UPMC Hamot for reconstructive surgery on a broken eye socket. When police arrived on the scene they also saw Evan Fields, Heather Powley and another person behind the library. Fields and Powley are each charged with aggravated assault and reckless endangerment. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

HARRISBURG – Speaker of House Sam Smith (R-Armstrong/Indiana/Jefferson counties) issued a statement on the death of Rep. Dick Hess (R-Bedford/Fulton/Huntingdon counties). Hess died Friday at UPMC Shadyside Hospital in Pittsburgh due to complications resulting from recent leg surgery. “Dick Hess and I came in together as freshmen in 1987, and he was always a good friend, colleague and ally on many issues. “A devoted family man, Dick will be missed by many more than those of us in the state House. His loss will be felt throughout the 78th Legislative District, from constituents, to the schools and many service organizations he belonged to. He’s been a tireless public servant and truly helped so many people.” Hess was 74 years old and died peacefully surrounded by family. Funeral and other arrangements are being finalized. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Charges are pending following a fatal crash between a motorcycle and a pickup truck Thursday in Cattaraugus County. Sheriff’s deputies say 68-year-old John Hermann of Farmersville was riding his motorcycle in Route 98 when a truck driven by Richard Carson of Franklinville pulled out of a driveway in front him, and the bike crashed into the driver’s side of the truck. Hermann was flown to ECMC in Buffalo, where he was later pronounced dead. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A Salamanca man who punched and killed his girlfriend’s three-year-old son six months ago will spend the next 21 years in prison. 30-year-old Justin Crouse was sentenced this morning for punching Gage Seneca in the head after the toddler got up in the middle of the night and wouldn’t stop crying. Gage’s mother discovered him not breathing about seven hours later. An autopsy showed that Gage died of blunt force trauma to the head. The incident happened on the Seneca Nation's Cattaraugus Reservation. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

City of Bradford Police are warning people about phone scams in the area. They are encouraging people to be cautious when receiving calls about winning money or other large prizes. They say several scams have been reported recently in which people are asked to send money in order to receive their winnings. There have also been reports of guaranteed loans being offered if you send the first payment. Police are asking people to use common sense and to use online resources like Google to check on any phone numbers they may be asked to call. They say that many times you will find these numbers listed as affiliated with scams. Police are also reminding people that legitimate lotteries to not ask for money in order for you to collect your prize. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Foster Township Police Chief Tom Munn says his department has received numerous tips on the suspicious van thats driver has approached at least one girl, but none of them turned out to be the van they’re looking for. Munn does want people to be aware that the van is a conversion van – not a cargo van – and does have windows on the sides. (It’s similar to the van in the picture. This is NOT the actual van they’re looking for.) He says they have taken calls from all over the area and “We absolutely appreciate all the calls we’re receiving. We’d rather be safe than sorry.” The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

The Cattaraugus County Sheriff’s Office is alerting the public to a phone scam in the area. They say residents are receiving phone calls from people saying they are from the federal government and that they have won federal grant money. Residents are being instructed to go to a Western Union and wire $250 to receive their “grant prize money.” People receiving these calls should never give out personal information or wire any funds. If you are a victim of this scam, notify your local law enforcement office. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Governor Tom Corbett and First Lady Susan Corbett today served as Grand Marshalls of Tall Ships® Erie Parade of Sail. The event began four days of events marking the 200th Anniversary of the Battle of Lake Erie. The Flagship Niagara led nine tall ships from around the country and the world into Presque Isle Bay as Erie marks the bicentennial of the battle that was the turning point in the War of 1812. During the battle, Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry of the U.S. Navy and his crew of the Niagara defeated the British fleet near Put-in-Bay, Ohio. This victory gave the United States control of the Great Lakes and secured the young nation’s western frontier. “As we stand here today with the Flagship behind us, we are reminded of the great sacrifices of Oliver Hazard Perry and his crew,” Corbett said. “If not for their bravery and sacrifice, the war would have turned out much differently. Their victory allows us to stand on the shores of Lake Erie, united as Americans and as proud Pennsyl...

If you were on Interstate 90 in Cheektowaga during rush hour this afternoon you already know traffic was backed up more than usual. A fatal accident at about 4:15 p.m. snarled traffic and prompted a detour for all eastbound traffic until just before 7:30 p.m. State police say a pedestrian was hit and killed by a tractor-trailer. They are looking for witnesses to the accident, and ask that anyone who saw it call 716-935-6570. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A Pittsburgh area city councilman, a police chief and 14 other people are facing charges in connection to a video gambling ring around McKeesport. The state attorney general’s office says police seized more than 300 video gambling machines from about 70 locations, along with about $1 million, during the months-long investigation. Forward Township Police Chief Mark Holtzman is one of the people charged. Attorney General Kathleen Kane says he was not the chief at the time he was allegedly involved in the gambling ring. McKeesport Councilman Daniel Carr is also facing charges. For more information go to AttorneyGeneral.gov . Pictured, Mark Holtzman The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Father is a Titusville Police Officer A 25-year-old man is accused of stealing more than a dozen guns from his father, who is a Titusville police officer. Ruel Root IV told police he stole, and then sold the 14 various kinds of guns, to get money for drugs and beer, according to papers filed in District Judge Amy Nichols’ office. Root is in Crawford County Jail on $75,000 bail. Charges against two friends who helped him are pending. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Two men have pleaded guilty, and one not guilty, to drug charges. Bryant Battle of Olean sold cocaine and Carlton Sayles attempted to sell a narcotic drug. Both incidents happened last September in Olean. Both men are scheduled for sentencing November 4 in Cattaraugus County Court. David Benson of Olean is accused of selling a narcotic drug in June of last year. His case has been adjourned for motions. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A Venango County probation officer is accused of raping and sexually assaulting two women he was supervising. 39-year-old Marc Taylor of Knox in Clarion County allegedly raped the women while they were on house arrest in 2009 and 2010, according to papers filed in District Judge Douglas Dinberg’s office. Charges were filed Tuesday by Oil City Police following an eight-month investigation. Taylor is charged with felony counts of rape, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, aggravated indecent assault, institutional sexual assault and bribery, along with misdemeanor counts of obstruction of administration of law and official oppression. Taylor is free on $40,000 bail and is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on Wednesday. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

American Refining Group, Inc. (ARG), manufacturer of quality Brad Penn® Lubricants, announced the addition of Penn Grade 1® Limited Slip GL-5 SAE 80W-90 Gear Oil to its High Performance “The Green Oil”® line. The Penn Grade 1® Limited Slip GL-5 SAE 80W-90 Gear Oil is available in 12/1 quart needle nose bottles. BRAD PENN® Penn Grade 1® Limited Slip GL-5 SAE 80W-90 Gear Oil has been specifically developed to serve as a friction modified lubricant for clutch-type, limited slip differentials, reducing slick-slip ‘chatter’ in low speed high torque operations. It is formulated with Penn Grade base stocks, as well as a skillfully tailored additive system. It is recommended when a SAE 80W, SAE 90, or SAE 80W-90 viscosity is required. .“Our Penn Grade 1® Limited Slip GL-5 SAE 80W-90 Gear Oil is designed for limited slip differentials in passenger cars, vans, SUV’s, on or off-road RV’s and light duty trucks. It is fit for use in ‘modern’ applications requiring API MT-1, MIL-PRF-2105...

No one was hurt but an SUV was damaged when it hit a street sweeper Wednesday morning in Potter County. Police say the SUV driven by 26-year-old Elizabeth Stoddard of Lawrenceville was on Route 49 in Harrison Township when it hit the street sweeper that was sweeping the road. The SUV was disabled. The street sweeper had minor damage. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Three guns were among the items taken from a camp in Ulysses Township over the summer. Police say the burglars forced their way into the camp owned by a Delaware woman and then took the guns, all the copper tubing from inside. From outside, they took a small metal tool shed and a cast iron water holding tank. Anyone with information on the burglary is asked to contact Coudersport-based state police. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A township road worker is being treated for a broken leg, a broken nose and other injuries after allegedly being attacked by an Emporium man, and being dragged by his pickup truck. Court records say 25-year-old Vincent Earle of Emporium was speeding through a work zone in Gaines Township, Tioga County, and nearly hit a road grader. 55-year-old Randall Ferguson of Gaines stopped Earle at the intersection and tried to get his license information, but Earle attempted to drive away. Ferguson punched Earle and grabbed onto the truck. Earle then knocked Ferguson off the truck, hit him with it and dragged him for a time before driving away. When police found Earle they charged him with aggravated assault, simple assault, recklessly endangering another person and harassment, and sent him to jail on $25,000 cash bail. Ferguson was flown by medical helicopter to Robert Packer Hospital in Sayre. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Wastewater from the controversial practice of fracking appears to be linked to all the earthquakes in a town in Ohio that had no known past quakes, research now reveals. For the full story go to NBCNews.com . The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

The National Weather Service has issued a frost advisory for McKean, Cattaraugus, Potter, Allegany and Tioga counties from 2 a.m. to 8 a.m. Friday. They say it will affect Bradford, Olean Coudersport and Wellsville and could cause damage to sensitive plants and vegetation. Sensitive plants and crops should be covered, and potted plants normally left outside should be covered or moved indoors. National Weather Service image The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947