Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) announced today his latest effort to protect consumers and employers from wasteful mandates that drive up the price of food and gasoline. Sen. Toomey is calling on the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to lessen the renewable fuel standard (RFS) that refiners must meet when manufacturing gasoline – and to do so in a timely manner. According to federal law, every November, the EPA must announce a sensible RFS mandate for the upcoming calendar year. Unfortunately, the EPA failed to meet this responsibility last year when it ignored the deadline and increased the RFS mandate on gasoline manufacturers. This lead to increased compliance costs for many Pennsylvania employers, including refineries located in Southeast Pa. “The EPA’s failure to follow the law last year put many family-sustaining jobs in Southeast Pa. in jeopardy. I urge the EPA to follow federal law and announce the RFS for 2014 in a timely manner,” said...

PennDOT is designing a slope repair project along Interstate 86 in Greenfield Township, Erie County. The project is located on the south side of the eastbound lanes along French Creek just east of the Ashton Road overpass, approximately at mile marker 6. Anticipated work includes the removal of guide rail, placement of temporary barriers, removal of existing erosion material and the placement of rock along the existing slope. The anticipated work will be done in the 2014 construction season. Both travel lanes will remain open, but the shoulder will be closed at the project site. Motorists can expect flaggers controlling construction vehicle access at times during work hours. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Are you a veteran who enjoys pheasant hunting? Then you’re in luck, because the National Wild Turkey Federation’s (NWTF) second annual Veterans Hunt still has openings. The hunt is scheduled for Tuesday, November, 12, 2013, at Buzzard Swamp on the Allegheny National Forest. The event is free of charge and is open to veterans of any age. Physical limitations should not be a deterrent, as organizers will have the ability to let people with limited mobility enjoy the hunting experience. Veterans participating in the hunt will need a valid Pennsylvania hunting license and the required orange apparel. Participants are encouraged to bring their own shotguns, but a limited number of shotguns will be available. The hunt will be staged out of the Veterans Club of Forest County located off of Route 66 just north of Marienville. Check-in starts at 8 a.m. and will be followed by a safety briefing. For more information and to register, contact Kristen Giger at...

Stanley P. Doleski 95, of Bradford, passed away, Sunday October 27, 2013 at the Olean General Hospital in Olean. Born August 23,1918, in Scranton, he was a son of the late Stanley P. and Stella (Motylewski) Doleski, Sr. On October 17, 1945 in Bradford he married Florence "Babe" N. (Osborne) Doleski, who died, August 20, 2005. Mr. Doleski was a proud veteran of World War II. He entered the United States Army in 1939 served in the Pacific Theater, was awarded the Purple Heart. He was honorably discharged in 1944. He was a member of St. Francis of Assisi Church. He worked at the Star Garage in the morning and then went to work Bovard and Seyfang in the afternoon, he retired from Dresser Manufacturing. He continued his life long passion of automobile repair. In his later years he became a great lawn mower mechanic. He enjoyed bowling, gardening, and especially his Friday night fish Fries. Surviving is a daughter, Carol (Bob) Riddle, of White, GA, five ...

Congressman Tom Reed and the House Manufacturing Caucus welcomed a panel of experts Tuesday to Washington for a discussion on the “National Network for Manufacturing Innovation (NNMI) – Past, Present and Future.” The caucus delved into a conversation of the first national manufacturing innovation institute, what current proposals exist for additional institutes, and the outlook for legislation to authorize future innovation centers to promote job growth in the United States. “Having a network of manufacturing institutes is what we need here in America to ‘Make it here, sell it there,’” Congressman Tom Reed said. “The Revitalize American Manufacturing and Innovation Act I introduced in the House will add more manufacturing institutes to bolster private-sector job creation and advance our competitive edge. We’ll engage the best and the brightest minds in manufacturing, academia and business to move American manufacturing forward.” Caucus Members were joined by panelists from the...

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Representative Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson, R-Howard, has joined a bipartisan coalition of Members of Congress in introducing the Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act (H.R. 3370), a bill to terminate rate increases under the Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012 until two years after the Federal Emergency Management (FEMA) completes the rate affordability study originally mandated under the law. "Despite action taken by Congress in 2012 on a set of long-overdue reforms that strengthen the solvency and administrative efficiency of this program, I have serious concerns over FEMA’s ability to properly implement these changes without causing massive rate hikes for policy holders,” said Thompson. “I have already heard from many in the 5th District who are being affected, and it’s simply not fair." Under the 2012 law, which was designed to more accurately match subsidies with actual flood risk, Congress mandated FEMA complete an affordability study...

A McKean County jury has found a Smethport man guilty of raping a woman back in June. 33-year-old John Brown Jr. showed up uninvited at a woman’s home on June 20, dragged her through the house in front of her three young children, choked her and raped her. Besides rape, Brown was charged with aggravated assault, simple assault, indecent assault and indecent assault by forcible compulsion. District Attorney Ray Learn tells WESB they found Brown guilty of all charges except aggravated assault. The trial started at 8:30 this morning. The verdict came in at about 5:15 this afternoon. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A cheese manufacturing plant is moving to Chautauqua County, and bringing a couple hundred new jobs with it. Empire Specialty Cheese Company will take over the former AFA Foods Plant in Ashville. The $6 million project that includes renovating the building and buying new machinery and equipment is expected to create 204 jobs over five years after the project is finished next year. The project is also expected to create new demand for local milk production and potentially re-employ workers at the facility that were terminated less than two years ago. “In Chautauqua County and Western New York, local businesses like Empire Specialty Cheese are expanding, investing in their community and creating new jobs for New Yorkers,” said Governor Andrew Cuomo. “This company’s choice to invest in economic improvements in Western New York is another example of what can happen when state government partners with businesses to help them succeed.” Empire State Development, the state’s economic de...

Several scams have been making their way back through the area within the last couple of weeks. Now, it seems, the jury duty scheme is back, too. State police say people identifying themselves as court employees have been calling citizens and tell them they have either been selected for jury duty, or that they have not reported for jury duty as directed. Then the caller asks to verify names and Social Security numbers, and asks for credit card numbers. If the request is refused the caller threatens the person with fines. Police are reminding people that court employees do not contact people by phone and ask for personal information. If you receive one of these calls, hang up. It’s an attempt at identity theft. If you’ve already given out personal information, monitor your account statements and credit reports, and contact your local police department. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Shrapnel from a gunshot hit and injured a man during a neighbor dispute Monday evening in Steamburg. Sheriff’s deputies say 36-year-old James Newell and his 53-year-old neighbor were arguing on Route 394 when he fired a round from his rifle into concrete, causing shrapnel to hit the neighbor. The neighbor was flown to ECMC in Buffalo, where he was treated and released. Newell is charged with reckless endangerment and criminal possession of a weapon, because he is a convicted felon and prohibited from having a weapon. He was sent to jail on $10,000 bail. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Robert Samuel Day, 92, of 20 Sherman St., Bradford, died Monday (Oct. 28, 2013) at The Pavilion at Bradford Regional Medical Center. Born Oct. 28, 1921, in Warren, he was a son of the late Elmer Irvin and Mary Margaret Sweeney Day. On July 16, 1949, in Pittsburgh, he married Lois Isabella Ginn, who survives. Mr. Day attended a one-room schoolhouse in Warren County and his teacher rode to school on horseback. He graduated from Lander High School in 1940. He served with the U.S. Army Infantry during World War II. He was awarded the Bronze Star for the heroic action of carrying a wounded fellow soldier on his back to safety under enemy fire. He also received the Purple Heart for injuries suffered in the war. Mr. Day attended art school in Pittsburgh following the war and worked at McCourt Label for 37 years as a commercial artist. After retirement in 1987 he volunteered for the American Red Cross and the McKean County Special Olympics for a number of years He was a member of St. Be...

Today Cole Memorial was named one of the nation's Top Performers on Key Quality Measures by The Joint Commission, the leading accreditor of health care organizations in America. Cole Memorial was recognized by The Joint Commission for exemplary performance in using evidence-based clinical processes that are shown to improve care for certain conditions, including heart attack, heart failure, pneumonia, surgical care, children's asthma, stroke and venous thromboembolism, as well as inpatient psychiatric services. New this year is a category for immunization for pneumonia and influenza. Cole Memorial is one of 1,099 hospitals in the U.S. earning the distinction of Top Performer on Key Quality Measures for attaining and sustaining excellence in accountability measure performance. Cole Memorial was recognized for its achievement on the following measure sets: Surgical care and pneumonia prevention. The ratings are based on an aggregation of accountability measure data reported t...

Motorists may want to avoid East Main Street this afternoon while paving is being done. The paving is from East Avenue to Kendall Avenue. Expect traffic backups and delays. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A Bradford woman is accused of going into the home of an acquaintance and leaving with several items that didn’t belong to her. 33-year-old Jennifer Coldren was in the garage of another woman’s home at 1 a.m. on October 20 without permission when the woman got home, according to papers filed in District Judge Rich Luther’s office. The victim says Coldren then said she needed to use the restroom and went into the house. About half an hour later, a friend of the victim gave Coldren a ride home. Later, they learned that Coldren had taken clothes, which she claims the victim gave to her, along with a bottle of perfume and a bottle of prescription medication. Coldren is charged with burglary, theft and prowling at nighttime and is jailed on $50,000 bail. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

The woman accused of driving under the influence in a crash that killed her daughter, nephew and four other people was arraigned today in District Court. 37-year-old Kathleen Douglas is also charged with six counts of homicide by vehicle, as well as multiple counts of aggravated assault by vehicle, involuntary manslaughter and a number of other offenses. Police say Douglas was driving her SUV on Route 219 at the Meade Run Road intersection on the afternoon of August 31 when it crossed the center line and hit a car head-on. Her 12-year-old daughter Olivia Douglas and 6-year-old nephew Jarrett Costanzo were pronounced dead at the scene. Douglas and her 10-year-old son were flown to trauma centers for treatment of serious injuries. 62-year-old Gary Beimel, 55-year-old Elaine Beimel, 54-year-old David Cuneo and 81-year-old Florence Donachy, all of St. Marys, were also pronounced dead at the scene. Douglas is in McKean County Jail on $750,000 bail and a preliminary hearing is schedule...

MOUNT JEWETT – Paving work began yesterday on Route 146 between Marvindale and Clermont in McKean County. The work zone stretches for about five miles in Hamlin and Sergeant Townships. Through Nov. 13, crews will perform a paving operation to place 4.5 inches of asphalt on Route 146 in this area. Flaggers will be in the roadway to control an alternating traffic pattern during daylight hours. Drivers need to remain alert for flaggers, sudden stops, and short travel delays. Each day, when work is complete, this section of Route 146 will re-open to two-way traffic. In addition to the paving operation, shoulder backup, guide rail removal/ replacement, and line painting will occur. All work is weather and schedule dependent and may also take place during the weekends. Glenn O. Hawbaker, Inc. of State College is the contractor for this $1.1 million roadway improvement, which is being funded by Seneca Resources. PennDOT reminds drivers to obey posted speed limits and use caution throug...

Just in time for Halloween author Andrew Klavan talks about his book "Nightmare City." Listen here . The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A reward is being offered for information leading to the prosecution of the person who illegally shot an elk near Benezette earlier this month. The 5-by 5-point bull was found injured and hiding in a patch of goldenrod shortly after daylight on October 15. Game Commission officials say residents in the area heard several gunshots at around 3 a.m. that day. The game commission says the elk was apparently shot while in the front yard of a nearby home and hobbled about 100 yards before lying down. The injuries left the elk unable to walk any farther or get back up, so it had to be put down. Wildlife Conservation Officer Doty McDowell, who responded to the site where the elk was found, called the illegal shooting a senseless act. “Whoever did this has no respect for elk, but also little regard for human life,” McDowell said, pointing out the elk was shot within close proximity of several homes. Several people and groups have contributed to the reward fund and, so far, have pledged...

Robert S. Day, 92, of 20 Sherman St., passed away Monday, Oct. 28, 2013 in the Pavilion at BRMC. Funeral arrangements are incomplete, and will be announced by the Hollenbeck-Cahill Funeral Homes, Inc., with a full obituary. Online condolences can be expressed at www.hollenbeckcahill.com   The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Police are looking for the thief who took prescription medication and other items from a Duke Center woman’s car. They say between 3 o’clock Monday afternoon and 8:30 this morning someone took the medication, money and a PA inspection sticker from the car while it was parked on Oil Valley Road. Anyone with information on this incident is asked to contact Kane-based state police. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

The Bradford Area Public Library has started a new chapter and everyone is invited to see what it's all about. A meet and greet reception for Guy Bennett, BAPL's new executive director, will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. Wednesday the library. Light appetizers will be provided by the Women's Literary Guild. Bennett came on board on Sept. 19 and hails from Olean, N.Y. Ed Pecht had been the interim director after the departure of Tamara McIntyre. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Friends are invited to attend a Celebration of Life at noon on Saturday in Kinzua Bridge State Park for Patricia Marie Nuzzo, 43, of 10 Ash Court, Lewis Run, who died, Thursday, October 17, 2013. Following the service, friends will gather at the Lewis Run Volunteer Fire Department until 4 p.m. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Hollenbeck-Cahill Funeral Homes Inc. Online condolences can be expressed at www.hollenbeckcahill.com The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A Portville man has been sentenced to five years’ probation and ordered to pay more than $23,000 in restitution for his conviction on a grand larceny charge. 23-year-old Jaryd Rodgers was also convicted of forgery. The incidents happened between January 7 and February 20 of this year when he forged checks and stole money in Olean, according to the Cattaraugus County DA's office. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A Brocton, New York, man has been sentenced to a year in Cattaraugus County Jail for attempted burglary. On October 27 of last year in Perrysburg 28-year-old Mark Dzielski attempted to break into a building. Dzielski is also facing drug charges in Chautauqua County. Among other things, state police say he was found in the parking lot of a Country Fair with a hypodermic needle sticking out of his arm. Troopers say he had heroin and Xanax with him. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

In case you missed today's "LiveLine" with Bradford Mayor Tom Riel, you can listen to it by going to http://www.wesb.com/listen/ , clicking on the "Local Programs" tab and scrolling down to #60. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

An Olean man has pleaded guilty to selling heroin in the city. 34-year-old Joseph Dempsey, who is currently the Wyoming County Correctional Facility on unrelated charges, sold the heroin on January 11. He is scheduled for sentencing on February 10 in Cattaraugus County Court. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Jurors in the trial for Anthony Taglianetti today saw the .357 Magnum prosecutors say is the murder weapon. The bloodstained gun was found under the front seat of Taglianetti’s car wrapped in an email between Taglianetti’s wife and Keith Reed Jr. that Taglianetti had printed out. Taglianetti is charged with second-degree murder for shooting Reed outside his Clymer home in September of last year. Prosecutors say he killed Reed because of the relationship he had with Taglianetti’s wife. A crime scene expert from Virginia was on the witness stand for most of the morning describing in detail what was found at Reed’s home and in Taglianetti’s car. The trial will continue this afternoon in Chautauqua County Court. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Items that could potentially be used to make explosives were found in a Bradford man’s home Monday. Police Chief Chris Lucco says city police officers and agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms were at 20 Mechanic Street speaking with 44-year-old Eric Cramer when they could see what appeared to be multiple items that could be used for making an explosive device. Officers secured the apartment, evacuated the building and called the Erie Bomb Squad. Police also searched a storage locker leased by Cramer and found several items that could be used to build and/or detonate an explosive device, as well as detailed notes on how to manufacture such a device, Lucco said. At 10:45 Monday night Cramer was arraigned by District Judge David Engman on felony charges of unlawful possession or manufacture of weapons of mass destruction and causing a catastrophe and sent to McKean County Jail on $300,000 bail. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Thursday. Lucco thanked the McK...