Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

Frank L. Muto, 86, of 440 Congress St., Bradford, formerly of Bolivar Drive, passed away, Thursday, January 23, 2014, at the Bradford Regional Medical Center. Born November 22, 1927 in Rochester, NY, he was a son of the late Anthony D. and Susan (Chiapetta) Muto. In 1956 he married Virginia M.(Sweitzer) Muto who preceded him in death on June 25, 1992. Mr. Muto was a 1946 graduate of Bradford High School. He was Captain of the undefeated Football Team under Coach Pflug. He was selected to play on the Pennsylvania All State Football Team. On September 18, 1950 he enlisted in the United States Army and served as a Cpl. in Japan during the Korean War. On August 22, 1952 he was honorably discharged. He was a member of the Italian American Club, American Legion, VFW and the former Bradford Moose Lodge. He owned and operated the Option House for many years,. He was involved in Commercial Real Estate in the Bradford Area for some time. He managed the kitchen at Howard Johnson...

The man who shot his estranged wife, her boyfriend and then himself has died at UPMC Hamot. 38-year-old Daniel Podolski had been hospitalized since shortly after the double homicide in Limestone Wednesday afternoon. Deputies say he ambushed 43-year-old Kimberly Podolski and 50-year-old Dennis Larweth when Kimberly went to her former home on Nichols Run Road to pick up some belongings. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Henry Scott Plowman, 44, of 172 Elm St., Bradford, passed away Wednesday, January 22, 2014 at Bradford Regional Medical Center. Born February 17, 1969, in Greensburg, he was a son of the late Henry John Plowman and Linda R. (Stough) Plowman, who survives. He attended Derry Schools and completed his professional firefighter training at the Firefighter Academy in Maryland in 1992. He worked in Bladensburg, Montgomery County, and Rockville Fire Department in MD. He was a paid firefighter for companies in South Conway, SC and Washington, DC for ten years with Engine Companies 1, 16, and 32, and was a first responder at the 911 attack on the Pentagon. He worked for a private fire fighting firm in Iraq for a year and then for the City of Bradford Fire Department for the last five years. He was a member of St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church in Derry, the Derry Rod and Gun Club, the Eagle's Club in Bradford and the VFW in Austin. He was an avid gardener with awesome gardens. He...

Kimberly L. Podolski, 43, of 591 Bolivar Drive, Bradford, passed away Wednesday, January 22, 2014 as a result of domestic violence. Born March 24, 1970, in Bradford, she was a daughter of the late Wanda R. (Sweet) Mills and James Griffin. Ms. Podolski attended Bradford schools and graduated from Nurses Training at BOCES. She had worked as a Nurses Aide at Olean General Hospital. She enjoyed cooking, the outdoors, all animals, spending time with her family but most especially spending time with her beloved children. Surviving is one daughter, Kendall Podolski of Limestone, two sons Dylan (Staci) O'Quain, and Mason Podolski, both of Newark NY She was preceded in death by her parents, grandparents and many aunts and uncles. Family will be receiving friends on Wednesday January 29, 2014 from 11:00am to 1:00pm in the Hollenbeck-Cahill Funeral Homes, Inc. 33 South Ave., Bradford, at which time funeral and committal services will be held. Burial will be in Hi...

WESB News Director Anne Holliday displays a plaque presented to her by "Pet Owners of McKean County" (who wish to remain anonymous) in recognition of "her continuing efforts to promote the well-being of animals." WESB photo

Richard J. Clark, 85, of 37 Keating Ave., Bradford, passed away, Friday, January 24, 2014, at The Pavilion at BRMC. Born May 30, 1928, in Bradford he was the son of the late George and Ida (Frutiger) Clark. Mr. Clark attended Bradford Schools. On August 15, 1945 he enlisted in the United States Marine Corp, and served during WW II. He was stationed in Hawaii and was honorably discharge in August of 1946. On September 30, 1949, in the First Presbyterian Church in Bradford, he married JoAnne (Sparks) Clark who died March 3, 2001. He had been employed at Dresser Manufacturing for 48 years. He had been a Little League Coach, a McKean County Boy Scout Leader, which included an expedition to the Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico. He was a member of the Mt. Jewett American Legion, and the Bob Swanson Detachment of the Marine Corps League. Mr. Clark enjoyed his retirement, camping and boating with his friends at the Onoville Marina. He and his wife were members of the Be...

A trophy bull elk was found dead earlier this month on Pennsylvania’s elk range, the apparent victim of winter wildlife feeding, which is illegal for elk. Test results returned last week cited rumen acidosis as causing the death of the 6- by 7-point bull found Jan. 9 in Byrnedale, Elk County. The disorder affects wild deer and elk, as well as domestic animals such as cattle and sheep, and in wild animals often is linked to supplemental feeding by humans. Rumen acidosis is brought on by the sudden introduction of carbohydrates, usually grain and often corn, to an animal’s diet. The diets of wild deer and elk vary by their home ranges, and often change throughout the year. Their bodies adjust to accommodate those changes, but if their diets change suddenly rather than gradually, their bodies are unable to digest the newly introduced food. If they eat enough of that food, it can kill them. That appears to be what happened with the bull elk. An elk’s diet is made up mostly of grasses ...

An Allegany woman is accused of breaking into a home and stealing several firearms. Sheriff’s deputies say 41-year-old Roberta Shawley broke into the Harriet Street home in Allegany at about 10 o’clock Wednesday night. She’s free on bail. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

The Bradford man who kidnapped a Crosby’s employee after robbing the store where she worked will spend the next 3 to 6 years in state prison. 39-year-old Robert Hannon Sr. was charged with robbery and kidnapping to facilitate a felony in connection to the December 12 incident. After taking about $3,000 from the store’s safe he drove the employee in her car to Allegany State Park, took her cell phone and left her there. Hannon’s wife Alice, who drove her husband to the store knowing he was going to rob it, was sentenced last week to 11 ½ to 23 ½ months in McKean County Jail. She told law enforcement officials she didn’t know her husband planned to kidnap the employee. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford Sustainability Committee will sponsor a series of free workshops on indoor gardening with master gardener Bob Harris during January and February. All three workshops will be held beginning at 10 a.m. in the Harriett B. Wick Chapel on campus. The series begins January 25 with terrariums. Participants can bring their own clear glass or plastic containers and purchase plants for the terrarium for $3 each at the workshop, which will also include learning the old art of terrarium sand painting. The second event will be Indoor Gardening for Your Health on Feb. 8. Learn how to use indoor plants to improve your indoor environment, health and well-being. On Feb. 22, Harris will teach another make-and-take workshop on Zen sand gardens. Participants can bring any favorite colored sand or rocks they may have. Harris is a certified master gardener through Penn State Cooperative Extension, the p...

A woman and her boyfriend are dead and the woman’s ex-husband is clinging to life in a hospital after a shooting in Limestone Wednesday afternoon. Cattaraugus County Sheriff Timothy Whitcomb says 38-year-old Daniel Podolski shot 43-year-old Kimberly Podolski and 51-year-old Dennis Larweth at a home the Podolski’s own on Nichols Run Road before turning the on himself. Daniel Podolski is in critical condition at UPMC Hamot.

HARRISBURG -- The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the Environmental Quality Board (EQB) announced today that the public comment period and series of public hearings on the proposed oil and gas surface activities regulation will be extended. "One of the clear messages we’ve been getting through this hearing and comment process, from both industry and environmental groups, is that we should hold additional hearings and extend the comment period," DEP Secretary Chris Abruzzo said. "Public participation is a key component when crafting these regulations, and we are happy to accommodate this extended period." The public comment period, originally scheduled to end on Feb. 12 is extended for 30 days to March 14. Two additional public hearings will also be held, both beginning at 6 p.m. Dates and locations for the additional hearings are as follows: • Feb. 10: Troy High School, 150 High St., Troy, PA 16947 • Feb. 12: Warren County Courthouse, 204 4th Av...

From the information I gathered this is about where the shooting took place. Anyone who has better info can feel free to let me know. UPDATE 5PM: Whitcomb says a man shot his ex-wife and her boyfriend then shot himself. The shooter is in critical condition, and being guarded, at UPMC Hamot in Erie. >{> UPDATE: We've learned that a man and a woman are dead and the person who shot them is being treated for a gunshot wound at UPMC Hamot. Cattaraugus County Sheriff Timothy Whitcomb tells a situation in Limestone is "still developing" at this hour, but he believes they are looking at a murder-suicide. He does say "all the players are accounted for and there is no threat to the community." The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A Derrick City man has pleaded guilty to stealing thousands of dollars from an Olean business while he worked there. 36-year-old Jared Lindstrom took more than $21,000 from Valley Tire Company on North Union Street between October of 2011 and August of last year. He is scheduled for sentencing on May 12 in Cattaraugus County Court. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A woman who was seemingly making herself at home is facing charges – because she was making herself comfy in someone else’s home after breaking in. Sheriff’s deputies say 33-year-old Elaine Monnin of West Valley broke a window at a house on Gooseneck Road in Ashford, damaged two doors, brought numerous possessions, including a large dog, into the house and “created a large mess.” Deputies were able to track Monnin down by using numerous papers and pay stubs she left inside the house. She was charged with burglary, criminal trespass and criminal mischief and sent to Cattaraugus County Jail on $5,000 bail. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A 49-year-old woman from Australia is dead following a three-vehicle crash Monday afternoon in the Town of Pomfret. State police say Carolanne Boulionis was driving a pickup truck on Route 60 when it went out of control, crossed the road and hit a truck driven by 50-year-old Matthew Wick of Cattaraugus. A third vehicle, driven by 32-year-old Alexander Thurston of Silver Creek, was also damaged but Thursston was not hurt. Boulionis was taken to Brooks Memorial Hospital in Dunkirk, where she died. Wick was taken to Brooks Memorial with a complaint of chest pain. Boulionis has been visiting the U.S. for the past four to five weeks and had been living in Jamestown. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Police picked up a Peeping Tom at a trailer park last weekend. Troopers got a report of the peeper in Twin Lakes Trailer Park in Yorkshire and when they went to investigate, they followed footprints in the snow to the home of 27-year-old William Church. Church is charged with trespass and harassment and an order of protection was issued. He’ll answer the charges in Town of Yorkshire Court. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

(News Release) HARRISBURG – Rep. Martin Causer (R-Turtlepoint) today announced approval of a $4.8 million loan by the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority (PENNVEST) for the Foster Township Sanitary Sewer Extension Project. The project will extend public sewer to 335 structures in the township and eliminate malfunctioning on-lot sewer systems in the area. “A safe and reliable infrastructure is vital to efforts to facilitate growth and improve quality of life in our community,” Causer said. “This is an important investment in our future.” The project includes the installation of 100,000 linear feet of low-pressure gravity collection main, 2,100 linear feet of gravity sewer, two pump stations, 335 individual grinder pumps and all related equipment. The term of the loan is 20 years with an interest rate of 1 percent for the first five years and a rate of 1.743 percent beginning in the sixth year through maturity. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since ...

A teacher from Chautauqua County has received the first-ever music educator Grammy Award. Kent Knappenberger, who has been a music teacher and choir director at Westfield Academy and Central School for 25 years, was chosen from among 30,000 nominees. He will be flown to Los Angeles to receive his award on Saturday and will be a guest at the televised Grammy Awards show on Sunday. The Grammy Foundation and The Recording Academy created the award to highlight the influence music teachers have on their students. Neil Portnow, president of the Grammy Foundation and The Recording Academy, says “Many musicians would not be expressing their gift for creativity had it not been for the dedication and encouragement of a music teacher who inspired them to pursue a professional career.” Read more at Grammy.com . The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A Bradford man died in a one-vehicle crash Monday morning on Congress Street in Bradford Township. Police say an SUV driven by 29-year-old Cody Frantz slid off the road and hit a tree. Frantz was pronounced dead at the scene by McKean County Coroner Mike Cahill. Frantz’s passenger, 23-year-old Kyle Dewyer of Bradford, was flown to UPMC Hamot in Erie for treatment. Police are continuing their investigation. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Four fatal house fires happened over the weekend. A fire in Allegany on Sunday claimed the life one man. No other details have been released. The Cattaraugus County Sheriff’s Office is investigating. One man died in an overnight blaze in Warren County. The fire started at just before midnight in Pittsfield. Firefighters were on the scene until 7:15 this morning. Two other people were able to escape the house uninjured. A St. Marys man died and his wife was severely burned in a Saturday morning fire on Brussells Street in St. Marys. 77-year-old James Robbins was not able to get out of the house and died of smoke inhalation. 69-year-old Joan Robbins was flown to UPMC Mercy in Pittsburgh for treatment of severe burns and smoke inhalation. The house was destroyed. The fire remains under investigation. Careless smoking is believed to be the cause of a fire that killed a Tionesta woman on Saturday. 50-year-old Diana Clark was rescued from her burning apartment and resuscitated. She w...

Because I have so many author interviews already this year I have decided to move and expand Book Talk to Anne's Book Club . Now it includes not only author interviews but reviews, special book offers and more. Tomorrow I will be adding an interview with Jim Pransky, a scout with the Tampa Bay Rays who has written a book about Josh Rabe and Port Allegany/Potter County's Josh Kinney. He'll be my guest on WESB's LiveLine and I'm looking forward to speaking with him. Also tomorrow I'll be speaking with Chang-rae Lee, author of "On Such a Full Sea." So, check out Anne's Book Club . It's free and easy to use, just like radio.