Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

Several of Norman Rockwell’s iconic covers from The Saturday Evening Post and Look magazine will be on display beginning Friday, Feb. 7, in the KOA Art Gallery in Blaisdell Hall at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford. The exhibition, “Norman Rockwell in the 1960s,” will open at noon Feb. 7 with a reception that will be hosted by Dr. Richard Frederick, professor of history. The exhibition will continue through Friday, March 7. The event, which is free and open to the public, is part of Pitt-Bradford’s continuing 50th anniversary celebration. All of the framed magazine covers that will be displayed are from the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge, Mass. Pitt-Bradford alumnus Jack Campbell ’67-’69, who has his own collection of Rockwell art, sits on the museum’s board and helped to coordinate the exhibition. “With Jack’s support and assistance from the museum, we are able to present this very special exhibit, celebrating the university’s 50th anniversary in a way that gives u...

Richard S. "Rich" LaBrozzi, 60, of Bradford, passed away Thursday, January 30, 2014 at his residence, surrounded by his family. Born December 29, 1953, in St. Mary's he was a son of the late Richard E. and Emma (Gentile) LaBrozzi. On January 29, 1977, in Morgantown, WV, he married Debbie (Galford) LaBrozzi who survives. Rich was a 1971 graduate of Cameron County High School, in Emporium and received his Bachelors of Science in Forestry in 1976 from West Virginia University. His entire career was spent in forest management, working in West Virginia, North Carolina, Kentucky, Indiana, New York and Pennsylvania. Rich was very active in Bradford youth baseball. He served as President for the McKean Little League for nine years, and was an assistant varsity baseball coach at Bradford Area High School for eight years. Rich was Vice President of the Italian Festival Committee. He was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed hunting and fly fishing. Surviving in addition to his wife...

Washington DC- As deadly heroin tainted with fentanyl has claimed the lives of 22 Pennsylvanians, U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) has asked the Drug Enforcement Administration to continue and increase its aid to the state. Even though an arrest has been made, there are new fears that drug dealers in possession of the tainted heroin may rebrand it. “I’m asking the DEA to increase federal coordination on this effort in order to protect Pennsylvanian’s residents from this deadly drug,” Senator Casey said. “Rebranding this fentanyl-laced heroin could endanger more Pennsylvanians. It’s critical that residents remain vigilante and that the DEA work with state and local law enforcement to make every effort to get this drug off the street.” The full text of Senator Casey’s letter is below: Dear Administrator Leonhart: I am writing today with great concern over a recent spread of deadly contaminated heroin in western Pennsylvania. As the Drug Enforcement Administration continu...

An Emporium woman is jail in connection to a bank robbery in Erie on Thursday afternoon. 28-year-old Jessica Grovanz is not charged with the robbery but was with the man who police say did rob the Citizens Bank on Peach Street of more than $1,100. 40-year-old Aaron Carpenter and Grovanz sped away from police after the robbery and took police on a chase for several blocks until their car went through a stop sign and was hit by an SUV. Carpenter and Grovanz ran from the car but were quickly caught by police. Grovanz is charged with receiving stolen property, giving false identification to law enforcement and a number of drug offenses. She’s jailed on $50,000 bond. Carpenter is charged with robbery, theft and receiving stolen property and is jailed on $100,000 bond. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

The Allegheny National Forest has opened up a “tip line” to provide people another opportunity to help fight illegal activity on Pennsylvania’s only national forest. The new number is 814-927-5757 and callers can remain anonymous if they choose. The line is automated, but callers have an option to talk to a receptionist during regular business hours. Some examples of crimes that can be reported include, but are not limited to: marijuana cultivation, methamphetamine production or dump sites, poaching, illegal motor vehicle use, timber or other forest product theft, pollution, vandalism and dumping. The information provided through the tip-line will be referred to federal officers for follow-up and investigation. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

City of Bradford Firefighters said goodbye to their fellow firefighter Scott Plowman this morning. Scott lost his battle with cancer on January 22. He had been a Bradford City Firefighter and Local 655 member since March 2008. Firefighters from across the region participated in procession to honor Plowman. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A former town clerk in the Allegany County Town of Almond is accused of stealing nearly $4,000. 64-year-old Maureen Hayes of Almond is charged with grand larceny and falsifying business records. State Police say their investigation started after the state comptroller’s office performed an audit and discovered that $3,785 was missing. The money was missing during the time Hayes was the town clerk. Hayes was released on her own recognizance and is scheduled to appear in Town of Almond Court on February 10. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

The Bradford woman accused of making counterfeit $20 bills has waived her preliminary hearing. 38-year-old Elizabeth Skok and 30-year-old Shad Gutshall were arrested on forgery and related charges after police found the counterfeiting operation in their South Center Street home while looking for evidence related to the double homicide and suicide in Limestone last week. They are also facing drug charges. Gutshall’s hearing has been continued to next Thursday. Skok is jailed on $30,000 bail. Gutshall’s bail is $50,000. He is also facing charges in Cattaraugus County related to a domestic incident. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Congressman Tom Reed will be coming to Limestone next week. Reed will hold a Town Hall meeting at 1 p.m. on February 8 at the Limestone Fireman’s Community Center on Main Street. Also that Saturday, he will be at the Charlotte Town Hall in Sinclairville at 8 a.m., the Persia Town Hall in Gowanda at 10 a.m. and the Friendship Town Hall in Friendship at 3:30 p.m. “The conversations we have at these public town halls are absolutely essential to representing our area and I always welcome the conversation – the topics are up to the residents,” Reed said. “I hope to hear many voices join the discussion and share their thoughts so we can take their input to Washington. The more local voices we can bring down to Washington, the better.” The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

One person is dead following an explosion at a St. Marys factory this morning. The explosion happened at the Mersen USA facility on Trout Run Road at just after 9 a.m. St. Marys Mersen USA General Manager Noah Nichelson said in a news release that one employee was killed and two were injured following "an equipment related accident" at the plant. Nichelson said one of the employees was hospitalized with serious injuries and the other was expected to recover. The names of the employees have not been released yet. The company "will continue to cooperate with the appropriate officials with our immediate focus on the three employees and their families who have been impacted by this accident as well as supporting the rest of our workforce," the new release said. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A 62-year-old Frewsburg, New York, man is accused of spying on and eavesdropping on people. State police charged Carl Johnson Sr. with felony counts of unlawful surveillance and eavesdropping following an investigation into a report that he installed an imaging device to view a person without that person’s consent. Johnson was issued appearance tickets for Town of Carroll Court. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

City of Bradford Police on Wednesday investigated a sex offense that was reported on Boylston Street, a motor vehicle accident at Jackson and Seaward avenues and a disturbance on Lincoln Avenue. They were called to a domestic incident on South Avenue and were asked to look into harassment on Kiwanis Court and Pleasant Street. Officers were also called about a public drunk on Main Street and suspicious activity on Petrolia Street and on Bailey Drive in Limestone. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

The man who shot a snow plow driver in the head with a BB gun last winter will spend the next five years on probation. 41-year-old Thomas Barone of Gowanda shot at the village sidewalk plow and hit the window back on February 20, 2013. Besides hitting the driver in the head, the shot broke the window, which covered the driver with glass, causing cuts to his face. The driver was taken to Lake Shore Hospital for observation. Barone must also pay more than $600 in restitution. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A 69-year-old man whose purported child pornography collection was discovered when he took his computer to a shop for repairs has pleaded not guilty to nearly 100 charges. Larry Westfall of Olean is charged with 49 counts each of promoting sexual performance by a child and possession of a sexual performance by a child. Last summer, he took his computer to Champion Rent-to-Own, where employees discovered the child porn and contacted police. His case has been adjourned for motions. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A woman accused of trying to steal items from the Bradford Regional Medical Center emergency room has waived her preliminary hearing. 21-year-old Ariel Penn was being treated for an alleged assault when hospital staff believed she and 22-year-old Paige Osborne were stealing items and called police. According to court papers, Penn had hidden a plastic oxygen mask with the hose attached in her underwear. Osborne had 30 packets of triple antibiotic ointment. Both women are free on unsecured bail. Osborne is scheduled to appear in McKean County Central Court next Thursday. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Assault and harassment charges against a Bradford man have been bound to court following a preliminary hearing in front of District Judge Dominic Cercone. Police say they were called to Mill Street on December 23 and found 26-year-oldTracy Holley Jr, a woman, two young children and a CYS worker in the home. The woman had red marks on her neck and told police Holley grabbed her by the neck. Holley is jailed on $5,000 bail. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A Geneva, Ohio, man is charged with criminal homicide for killing his girlfriend’s 6-month-old nephew in Clarion County. 22-year-old Chad Chadwick allegedly injured the little boy while he and 23-year-old Kelly Hemminger, also of Geneva, were babysitting him at a camp in Washington Township back in August. Zeke Hamilton was in critical condition at Children’s Hospital in Pittsburgh until being moved to hospice shortly before his death on November 15. The Medical Examiner’s Report says Zeke sustained “non-accidental blunt force trauma to the head.” Hemminger is charged with conspiracy. Chadwick and Hemminger are expected to be extradited within the week. Photo of Zeke Hamilton from Guerriero Funeral Home, Ashtabula; photo of Hemminger and Chadwick from state police The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

(News Release) HARRISBURG – A bill sponsored by Sen. Daylin Leach (D-Montgomery/Delaware) and Sen. Mike Folmer (R-Dauphin/Lebanon/York) that would legalize medical cannabis today received a hearing in the Senate Law and Justice Committee as advocates and families gathered at the Capitol to urge their lawmakers to support the bill. S.B. 1182, the Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Act, would legalize the use of medical cannabis by patients as recommended by attending physicians. The introduction of this bill marks the first time in Senate history that a medical cannabis bill has been drafted with bipartisan support. “I am thankful that my colleagues decided to consider this bill today, as it is of critical importance,” Leach said. “The longer we wait to pass this legislation, the more children we will put at risk. I hope that we can advance S.B. 1182 expeditiously for the sake of the thousands of Pennsylvanians who need it.” Christine Brann, the mother of a son with Dravet Syn...

Malcolm W. "Mack" McMillan, 96, formerly of 566 S. Kendall Ave., passed away, Saturday, January 25, 2014 at the Bradford Ecumenical Home. Born December 2, 1917, in Warsaw NY, he was a son of the late Malcolm H. and Rosetta (Yanke) McMillan. On October 23, 1939, in Port Allegany, he married Marion (Herrington) McMillan, who died August 7, 2009. He was a 1937 graduate of Salamanca High School. In January of 1944 he enlisted in the US Army Air Corps. He served in Pacific and was honorably discharged May 7, 1946. Mr. McMillan was a member of the Rew United Methodist Church and the former Sawyer United Methodist Church. Mack was employed by Pennzoil as a Pumper, served as president of the union and retired 1982 after 40 years of service. Along with his wife, he also owned and operated McMillan's Store on South Kendall Avenue for 15 years. He was a member of the IOOF #333 in Rew and was Past Noble Grand Past Patriot of the Encampment of the Odd Fellows. He was also a ...

City of Bradford Police on Monday investigated a report of drug possession on East Main Street, a disturbance on King Street, a theft on Chautauqua Place and a motor vehicle accident on Williams Street. Officers also received an animal complaint from Florence Street. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Already a highly anticipated game on the schedule, the St. Bonaventure men's basketball game against Rhode Island at the Reilly Center on Saturday, Feb. 22, now is a "can't miss." Prior to the start of the game, St. Bonaventure University will retire the uniform number 44 worn by Andrew Nicholson, class of 2012. Nicholson's will become the ninth number retired in the program's history. Now a member of the NBA's Orlando Magic, Nicholson will attend the Bonnies game in between Magic games; Orlando plays at home on Friday and then plays the Toronto Raptors in Nicholson's hometown on Sunday, Feb. 23. The ceremony to retire Nicholson's number 44 will be held at 3:45 p.m. — 15 minutes prior to the scheduled 4 p.m. tipoff time. Nicholson, a 6-foot-9 forward, is the second-leading scorer in St. Bonaventure history with 2,103 points. As a senior in 2011-12, he led the Bonnies to their first Atlantic 10 Conference tournament title and a berth in the NC...

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson, R-Howard, today announced that Pennsylvania State University Football Coach James Franklin will be his guest for the President’s State of the Union Address Tuesday night. “With the beginning of a new year, we are filled with a sense of optimism and possibility. The State of the Union offers us the chance to reflect upon the previous year and provides us with a preview of the challenges and opportunities that we face together,” stated Thompson. “Given these sentiments, it’s an honor to have Coach Franklin as my guest for this occasion.” “I am grateful and very appreciative of Rep. Glenn Thompson's invitation to attend the President’s State of the Union Address,” said Franklin, who was named Penn State’s 16th head football coach on Jan. 11. “I look forward to hearing the President’s vision for 2014 and beyond and what we, as citizens of the greatest union in the world, can do to help move our nation forward.” “As a...

Message from Foster Township Supervisors: Anyone in the Looker Mountain Trail/South Kendall Avenue area whose power is not back on yet can go to the Foster Township Municipal Building to keep warm. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

The members of the Zonta Club of Bradford have a few cards up their sleeves for an enjoyable afternoon of fun, food and fellowship. The fourth annual Queen of Hearts Card Party will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday at the St. Francis Church Social Hall. Participants are asked to bring their own cards or board games. For $10 per ticket, the club provides tea sandwiches, desserts and much more. Tickets are available from any Zonta Club member or at Tina's Hallmark. Proceeds from the day, including the Chinese auction and raffle, benefit the club's local scholarship fund. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947