Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

Syndicated columnist and magazine contributor Robert Grede chats with Anne Holliday about the 3rd edition of his book "Naked Marketing." Listen here . The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

You can find even more activities at http://www.wesb.com/news/comcal/ Or: Discover the Tuna Valley Trails http://tunavalleytrail.com/ Make a terrarium Learn to knit or do woodworking Visit a nursing home Read a book http://www.bradfordlibrary.org/ Use your imagination The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

As Halloween approaches, AAA East Central reminds parents, trick-or-treaters and motorists to observe some important safety tips when they are out in the evening during the next several days. “Because excited trick-or-treaters often forget about safety, motorists and parents must be even more alert,” said Terri Rae Anthony, safety advisor, AAA East Central. “Drivers should to be especially vigilant between the hours of 4 p.m. and midnight, when pedestrians are most vulnerable,” she added. Here are some tips for parents and drivers to help keep children safe this Halloween: Parents AAA recommends that parents accompany young trick-or-treaters at least until the age of 12. Since children are small and often hard to see even in well-lit situations, it is important to be sure a child’s Halloween costume is flame-retardant and visible with retro-reflective material. Choose disguises that don't obstruct vision and opt for non-toxic face paint instead of masks. Check and adjust th...

St. Bonaventure University will welcome Dr. Khalid J. Qazi, clinical professor of medicine at the University at Buffalo, as its guest speaker for an interfaith prayer service at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 30, in the University Chapel. The service will be held in honor of the first World Day of Prayer for Peace, or the Spirit of Assisi. On Oct. 27, 1986, Pope John Paul II led the first World Day of Prayer for Peace in Assisi, Italy, home of the founder of the Franciscan friars, St. Francis, to celebrate the unity amongst all people. This is St. Bonaventure’s third annual celebration of the Spirit of Assisi. This year’s theme is “widening the circle of friends.” Representatives of many faiths, including the Muslim, Jewish, Sikh, Buddhist, Hindu, Baha’i and Christian communities, will also participate in the service to emphasize this event’s celebration of diversity. Qazi, a native of Kashmir, has worked in the Buffalo area since 1977, promoting diversity and the advancement of civil...

Lesléa Newman, the prolific poet and children’s book author who wrote “Heather has Two Mommies” will give two talks Tuesday, Oct. 29, at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford. At noon, she will present “It Takes a Village to Raise a Children’s Book Writer.” At 7:30 p.m., she will present “He Continues to Make a Difference: The Story of Matthew Shepard.” Both presentations will take place in the Mukaiyama University Room and are free and open to the public. Newman is the author of more than 40 books for children and young adults, including “Heather has two Mommies,” the first children’s book to portray lesbian families in a positive way. Other popular youth titles include “Hachiko Waits,” “Fat Chance” and “A Sweet Passover.” The evening program uses poetry, photographs and creative visualization to explore the impact of Matthew Shepard’s murder on the world. In 1998, Shepard was kidnapped, robbed, beaten and murdered in Laramie, Wyo. Newman was...

A man is accused of stealing a John Deere utility vehicle and then leaving it in a ditch. State police say they believe 22-year-old Patrick Gallagher of Wellsville stole the 2008 John Deere Gator from Otis Eastern Service early Thursday morning and then traveled into Steuben County before abandoning it in a ditch in the Town of Howard. Gallagher is charged with grand larceny and is in Allegany County Jail in lieu of bail. Pictured, a John Deere similar to the one that was stolen. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Two people were killed in separate crashes this morning. State police say 56-year-old Brenda Boyer of DuBois died in a head-on crash on Route 36 in Jefferson County at just before 7 a.m. when a car driven by 19-year-old Taylor Cudworth of Sigel crossed the center line. Cudworth was taken to UPMC Presbyterian in Pittsburgh for treatment of major injuries. Two hours later in Forest County, 67-year-old John Zang of Butler was driving on Route 62 in Tionesta Township when his pickup truck went out of control, hit an embankment and rolled over. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Sutphen Corporation posted this picture of the City of Bradford Fire Department's new truck (along with some firefighters) this morning. This truck replaces the 1976 Ward La France truck that is obsolete. But if you'd like the Ward La France, you can bid on it. Minimum bid is $2,500. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A 24-year-old Bradford man is accused of having sex with a 14-year-old girl. Max Sutley took the girl, her brother and another girl four-wheeling near Garlock Hollow at around noon on July 3, but she said she didn’t feel well and went to Sutley’s garage, where there was a bunk bed, so she could lie down, according to papers filed in District Judge Rich Luther’s office. The girl asked Sutley to get in bed with her, which he did. Eventually they had intercourse. Then they went back to four-wheeling and, at around, 11 p.m., he took her back to Bradford. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Thursday. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

The wife of accused killer Anthony “Rob” Taglianetti admitted during cross examination in his murder trial that she had lied in court documents. Today, Mary Taglianetti said that in divorce papers she said she had lived in New York State for two years when it actually only been a few weeks. Public defender Ned Barone, in his opening statement, called Mary Taglianetti a liar and a master manipulator, but didn’t say why that has anything to do with her husband shooting Keith Reed Jr. three times at point blank range on September 21 of last year. Mary Taglianetti testified yesterday that she and Reed sent sexually explicit emails to each other and that her husband got into her email account and saw one exchange. She also said her husband sent emails to Reed and that one of them said he would find out what school system Reed worked for and take action. She also said she contacted Reed, telling him that her husband Googled his name and she was worried that he was going to go to the scho...

City of Bradford Police investigated motor vehicle accidents on Main, Elm and Boylston streets and criminal mischief on Jefferson Street. Officers also got reports of disorderly conduct on Interstate Parkway and harassment on West Washington, Summer and East Main streets. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A Pittsburgh man was hurt in a crash at 9 o’clock this morning on Route 66, south of James City in Highland Township. State Police say 22-year-old Austin Reams was traveling north when he got distracted and his car left the road and hit an embankment. Reams was treated on the scene by Kane Ambulance personnel, and was cited for careless driving. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

PennDOT, the McKean County Conservation District and the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission have partnered to stabilize the Allegheny River’s south bank near the Moose Park in Port Allegany. Using an Agility agreement, which allows an exchange of services with partners to save time and money, PennDOT is providing the labor force and equipment in partnership with the McKean County Commissioners. The agreement ensured that the Conservation District did not have to hire an outside labor force, saving money that can be used on future projects. “Everybody wins on this,” said PennDOT District Executive Kevin Kline. “The agencies involved save money and time. Area residents get an improved riverbank in Moose Club Park that extends the park’s useful life, and we help protect river habitats for years to come.” Crews will be on site throughout this week to improve the eroded bank and protect it from further erosion. Also as part of the project, the McKean County Conservation District i...

Thomas Merton will be the subject when St. Bonaventure University alumnus Fr. Daniel Horan, O.F.M., returns to campus Thursday, Nov. 7, to deliver the 2013 Ignatius Brady Lecture. Horan’s talk, “A Franciscan in Blue Jeans: How Thomas Merton Became and Remained a True Franciscan,” will take place at 4:30 p.m. at the University Chapel in Doyle Hall. Horan will speak of Merton’s time at St. Bonaventure and the role of the Franciscan tradition in Merton’s life, even after he entered the Trappist Order. He will also address the deep-seated Franciscan philosophical and theological foundations of Merton’s life, thought, and writings. Horan graduated from St. Bonaventure University in 2005 and is pursuing a doctorate in theology at Boston College. He has published both scholarly and popular articles, including the much talked about “Dating God: Live and Love in the Way of St. Francis (2012).” He serves on the board of directors of the International Thomas Merton Society and wri...

The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford’s health and physical education program is working with the Bradford Family YMCA to provide a new youth fitness program. The program, Kids in the Community, is being offered to YMCA members in grades 3 through 8 from 4 to 5 p.m. Thursdays at the YMCA. It is designed for students with an above-average body mass index who are at risk for obesity. Dr. Shelly Klinek, visiting assistant professor of health and physical education, and Chris Sherwin, YMCA youth and sports coordinator, will run the program with the help of health and physical education students from Pitt-Bradford. The program incorporates fun, fitness games, information, and activities that raise awareness to families and children about their overall health. Klinek developed a similar program for the New Castle YMCA when she was a member of the faculty at Slippery Rock University. “This was a fantastic and successful after...

Two facilities in the 25th Senatorial District have been awarded a total of $3.145 million in low-interest loans to make major improvements to their water systems, according to Senator Joe Scarnati (R-25). Scarnati said the loans were awarded through the state’s PENNVEST Program. The Emporium Water Company in Emporium, Cameron County, and the Huston Township Water Authority in Penfield, Clearfield County were selected to receive the funding. Emporium Water Company will utilize its $2.5 million loan to complete updates, including installation of a 10,000 gallon finished water tank, pump station and waterline in the Sylvan Heights area. A 500,000 gallon finished water tank and transmission will also be constructed near Britton Road in Shippen Township. The project includes rehabilitation of the Wheaton tank and system-wide upgrades as well. Huston Township Water Authority will use its $645,000 loan to install 18,550 feet of 8-inch plastic water mains, a new concrete met...

Two elderly men are victims of scams that are making their way through the region again. State police say 86-year-old Harold Howard of Port Allegany was convinced by someone that he won $5 million and a car, but had to pay to have the car transferred to him. He sent large sums of money but didn’t receive any money or a car in return. 82-year-old Junior Baker of Genesee was contacted by a person who told him he needed to pay for his grandson’s legal fees. He sent a large amount of money and later realized it was a scam. Anyone with information on either of these scams is asked to contact Coudersport-based state police. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Clifford W. Jarrabet, loving father, grandfather and brother, 63, formerly of 67 Jackson Ave., passed away Wednesday, October 23, 2013 at The Pavilion at BRMC. Born in February 3, 1950, in Brooklyn, NY, he was a son the late Leon J. and Veronica M. (Armitage) Jarrabet. He was a 1968 graduate of Connetquot High School in Bohemia, NY. Prior to moving to Bradford, he worked in the New York City area as a truck driver for Entenmann's Bakery and as an auto mechanic. In 1973, he moved to Bradford and worked for Paterniti Lumber Company for a number of years. He joined the Bradford City Police Force in July of 1981 and served as an officer until he was promoted to Detective in 1992. He was promoted to Lieutenant in 1995 and retired from duty in 2009. In addition to serving on the police force, Mr. Jarrabet worked several different jobs during his career, including, Tops Markets in shipping, Zippo Manufacturing in Security and for the Bradford City Water Authority. He was...

A settlement has been reached in the case of the man who practiced medicine without a license in Wellsville, and illegally billed Medicaid for his services. 53-year-old Anthony Hudson of Dearborn, Michigan, was sentenced earlier this week to a year in jail and was ordered to pay more than $20,000 in restitution. Today’s settlement says he must repay $300,000 for the Medicaid payments made to him and other healthcare providers for services he provided and ordered between December 1, 2009, and May 7, 2010. A wrongful death civil lawsuit is still going on regarding the case of a 5-year-old Wellsville girl who died shortly after being treated by Hudson. “No matter how elaborate the lie or cunning the criminal, those who attempt to defraud the healthcare system in our state will be brought to justice,” said Attorney General Eric Schneiderman. “Misrepresentation of one’s credentials as a medical professional to make money is a detriment to taxpayers and dangerous to patients. My offic...

Five people were seriously hurt in a two-car head-on collision this morning on Route 219 near Browntown Road. Bradford Township Police Chief Rob Shipman says a vehicle driven by Carol Mix of Kane was traveling south when, for unknown reasons, it crossed the center line and hit a northbound vehicle driven by Ralph Tressler of Jefferson, Ohio. Mix was first taken to Kane Community Hospital but will be taken to UPMC Hamot in Erie. Tressler and his passengers, Diane Tressler, Roland Ferguson and Louise Ferguson were first taken to local hospital but the Fergusons and Diane Tressler will be taken to ECMC in Buffalo. The Fergusons are also from Jefferson. Shipman said that although everyone suffered serious injuries none of them appear to be life-threatening. Shipman is still investigating and will release more information later today. The accident happened at just before 11 a.m. Route 219 from Irvine Street in Lewis Run to Route 770 in Custer City was closed until about 1 o'clock th...

The Bradford woman accused of running a concert ticket scam on Craigslist has waived her preliminary hearing. 37-year-old Menda Lechiara is accused of posting on Craigslist that she had tickets for Big Time Rush and One Direction concerts for sale, when she didn’t actually have the tickets, according to court papers. She was contacted by four people who wanted the tickets. She was caught on CVS Pharmacy surveillance video picking up money for the tickets. She’s free on unsecured bail. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

The former director of the Oswayo Valley Memorial Library will spend the next two years on probation for stealing thousands of dollars from the library. 40-year-old Tammyann Ray, who now lives in Syracuse, bought more than $8,000 worth electronics, sports memorabilia and clothes with the money she stole from the library between November of 2007 and August of 2011. Ray has also been ordered to pay back the money. Police started their investigation after the library’s board of directors and staff conducted an internal audit that revealed discrepancies in the library’s purchases and its inventory. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Two men were able to escape from their Weedville house before it was destroyed by fire late Wednesday night. Firefighters say the blaze at the River Road home of Dennis Celinski and Curtis Piszenski started at about 11:30 p.m. Firefighters were on the scene until about 6 o’clock Thursday morning. Route 255 was closed between Caledonia and Weedville while firefighters were battling the blaze. Flames damaged Windstream Fiber Optic Cable and West Penn Power Lines, causing a telephone outage in the area. One firefighter suffered a minor injury. He was taken by ambulance to Elk Regional Health Center, where he was treated and released, according to state police fire marshal Greg Agosti. The Red Cross provided food, clothing and shelter to Celinski and Piszenski. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947