Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

UPDATE: Sadie has been reunited with her family. By special request from Solomon's Words: This is Sadie from Emporium. She's been missing since yesterday when she ran off during a visit to her vet in Smethport. Her family is very upset and is offering a cash reward to anyone who finds her. Here are the phone numbers: 814-562-0534, 814-562-0531, 814-260-9498

In observance of the National Day of Prayer, Prayer in the Square will be held on Thursday, May 1, noon in Veterans Square, Bradford. The public is warmly invited to join clergy, public officials, and representatives of the fire and police departments in praying for the city, leaders and the nation. The event is estimated to last 45 minutes to accommodate lunch hour guests. In the event of inclement weather, it will be moved to Grace Lutheran Church, Mechanic Street. The event is in response to an invitation from the National Day of Prayer Task Force. The Task Force is a non-profit organization based in Colorado Springs, CO. There are more than 40,000 prayer gatherings taking place from coast to coast at a variety of venues and locations during the noon hour in each of our countries time zones. This is the 3rd year that the Bradford Ministerium has had this ecumenical gathering. For more information visit www.nationaldayofprayer.org The event is sponsored by the Bradfo...

McKean County Coroner Mike Cahill is looking for information on any known relatives of 79-year-old Baby J. Whatmore of Bradford, who died of natural causes in her home on April 17. She may also be known as Rose Mercer. She may have a twin sister and may have come to the area from the Ohio or Chicago areas. Anyone with information is asked to call McKean County Coroner Michael Cahill at 814-362-6643. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A Forest County man was found with a bug zapper in his pants. No, that’s not the beginning of a joke. A 25-year-old Endeavor man, who police did not name, went into Dave’s Dollar Plus in Tionesta on April 16, put the $5 bug zapper in his pants and then left the store. He was caught, and charged with one summary count of retail theft. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A Derrick City man is facing charges after being stopped on Interstate 80 near DuBois with a load of contaminated food. Police say 19-year-old Ezekeil Groff was driving a commercial vehicle for McKean Transport of Derrick City and transporting seafood, yogurt, and other dairy products. An inspection of the vehicle revealed that the food was not on a shipping order and was being shipped at an unsafe temperature. Police destroyed the food and are continuing their investigation. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Police are investigating an attempted burglary in Coudersport. They say someone tried to get into the front door and window of 46-year-old Jarett Smith's home. The incident happened sometime before 5 and 5:45 Wednesday afternoon. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A 42-year-old Eldred man was attacked early this morning on Main Street in the borough. Police say the man suffered a broken nose in the attack at 1:30 a.m. He was not able to give a description of the two people who attacked him. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A Bradford man who had sexual contact with a 7-year-old will spend the next three to eight years in state prison. 60-year-old George Roach was sentenced Thursday in McKean County Court. He pleaded guilty to indecent assault for having inappropriate contact with the child while he was babysitting her last May. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

The Kane woman accused of driving under the influence of prescription medication in a crash that killed six people – including her daughter and nephew – has pleaded not guilty in McKean County Court. 37-year-old Kathleen Douglas is charged with six counts of homicide by vehicle while driving under the influence of a controlled substance, as well as dozens of related offenses. Police say on August 31 her vehicle crashed into another vehicle at the intersection of Route 219 and Meade Run Road. Her 12-year-old daughter, Olivia Douglas and 6-year-old nephew Jarrett Costanzo were killed. Four St. Marys residents in the other car, Gary Beimel, Elaine Beimel, David Cuneo and Florence Donachy, were also killed. Douglas and her 10-year-old son were seriously injured and she spent several months in a hospital and nursing home. She is now in prison in Cambridge Springs on $750,000 bail. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

City of Bradford Police Chief Chris Lucco, along with Frank Williams and Stoney Greenburg, participated in the Bradford YWCA's inaugural Walk a Mile in Her Shoes event to raise awareness about sexual assault. More than 100 walkers made their way down Main Street to Veterans Square for a recognition ceremony, a proclamation from Mayor Tom Riel and other festivities, includiing a band. You can see more pictures on our Facebook page: http://facebook.com/1490wesb

A man originally charged with nearly 900 offenses related to sexually abusing a girl for 10 years has pleaded no contest to aggravated indecent assault and corruption of minors in McKean County Court. 65-year-old Gordon Link of Port Allegany is accused of sexually assaulting the girl repeatedly from the time she was 5 until she turned 15. Link is scheduled for sentencing on May 22. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Bertha McCarty 104, formerly of Derrick Road, passed away Thursday, April 24, 2014 in the Pavilion at BRMC. Funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by the Hollenbeck-Cahill Funeral Homes Inc. Online condolences may be made at www.hollenbeckcahill.com The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Washington DC- U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) released a statement following steps taken by the Department of Transportation to remove Bradford, Venango and Lancaster from the Essential Air Services Program. “I’m disappointed in that the Department of Transportation (DOT) has taken steps to remove Bradford, Venango and Lancaster from the Essential Air Services Program (EAS). EAS plays an important role in providing air services to communities across Pennsylvania, which in turn has positive impact on our economy. Reliable and effective air transportation is a necessary building block for economic growth. If DOT makes this decision final, I will actively support these communities should they choose to appeal.” The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A former state senator facing public corruption charges has died following a long illness. 85-year-old Raphael Musto died this morning in his Luzerne County home. He had recently been released from a federal medical prison in North Carolina, where he was sent early this year after being declared unfit to stand trial. Musto was charged for accepting cash and other perks for helping obtain taxpayer money for development projects. He had pleaded not guilty. Senate Minority Leader Jay Costa released the following statement: "Our thoughts and prayers go out today to Senator Musto’s family and friends as we mourn his passing. Senator Musto was a champion of the environment, a legislative force and a friend who always had a kind word to help his colleagues during difficult times. “Senator Musto was a lawmaker of depth, substance and compassion. He took time to learn issues and he used his experience and expertise to benefit the citizens of Luzerne County and Northeastern Pennsylvani...

An Olean native who was reported missing last month has been found safe in Arizona. 30-year-old St. Bonaventure University graduate Kyle Driscoll had been missing since March 20. University President Sister Margaret Carney sent an email to the university community saying Driscoll had contacted his family. The family is arranging for his transportation back to Western New York. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

An Emporium man is accused of stealing cable TV service from Zito Media, but the cable company doesn’t want him prosecuted. Police didn’t released the man’s name, but say he tampered with Zito’s junction box to an East 4th Street apartment building and ran television cable from the box into the building. The state police criminal investigation unit looked into the situation, but no charges will be filed. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

The Bradford man accused of pointing a 12-guage shotgun at two people because he didn’t like the way a 13-year-old boy was looking at him has waived his preliminary hearing. Back on April 9, 29-year-old Eric Travis pointed the gun at a woman and the boy while they were in the Dairy Queen Drive-Thru and pumped it as if he was loading it. Travis told police he pointed the gun because the teenager stared at him in an odd way, but he wasn’t going to shoot them, according to court papers. Travis remains McKean County Jail on $25,000 bail. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

State police are investigating acts of vandalism that happened Monday afternoon in Cameron County. They say that at 318 Arch Drive in Shippen Township several garage windows were shot out with BB guns. Also, vandals shot out windows on an SUV and pickup trucks. A damage estimate wasn't listed. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A Bradford man accused of selling prescription painkillers to an informant with the McKean County Drug Task Force has waived his preliminary hearing. 52-year-old Daniel Kloss tried to sell 292 pills for $1,550, according to court papers. He’s charged with felony possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance and is free on bail. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Fire damaged an abandoned house in Kane early Wednesday morning. Kane firefighters were called at about 4:15 a.m. to Jo Jo Road, and saw smoke and flames showing. They had the fire under control in about half an hour, but were on the scene until about 8:30. The house is owned by Larry Johnson of Kane. A state police fire marshal is investigating. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Work will start next week on a section of Interstate 86 in Erie County about a mile west of the state line. The work to correct embankment erosion will involve installing a rock embankment and guiderail updates, according to PennDOT. Traffic may be restricted to a single lane during daylight hours when work is going on. The project is expected to be finished by July 1. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A Shinglehouse woman is jailed on assault charges. Police charged 35-year-old Charleen Brabham with felony counts of aggravated assault and terroristic threats for incidents that happened Sunday in the borough. She is also charged with misdemeanor counts of simple assault, recklessly endangering another person and criminal mischief. Her bail is set at $35,000 and a preliminary hearing is scheduled for May 23. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Dye the Hub, a 5k fun run/walk, will be held at 1 p.m., May 10 in Smethport. The event, which will begin and end at Hamlin Lake Park, will be held to raise funds for Smethport High School students Ryan Davis and Brittany Szarowicz's student ambassador trip to Europe this summer with the People to People program. Participants will be doused with color during the event, similar to color events held around the country. It will be held rain or shine and all ages are welcome. Those who do not want to walk or run can help by volunteering the day of the event. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

The McKean County Historical Society will hold a pig roast and arts and crafts fair at the McKean County Fairgrounds on October 4, and the committee is looking for "period" vendors. If you can complete a simple, old time art or craft that you would like to display, sell or demonstrate, please contact the McKean County Historical Society at the Old Jail Museum, 814-887-5142. We are looking for quality vendors. Please call for details. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A man is accused of menacing a state trooper with a billy club. State troopers say they were called to the Kennedy, New York, home of 58-year-old William Swanson by people complaining of a man driving on Poland Center Road and yelling at residents. When Swanson answered the door of his house he menaced the trooper with the billy club. Troopers later learned Swanson had a blood alcohol content more than 3 times the legal limit. He is charged with menacing a police officer, criminal possession of a weapon, disorderly conduct and driving while intoxicated. He was sent to Chautauqua County Jail. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A Sherman, New York, man is facing charges for stealing scrap metal and then selling it. 44-year-old Daryl Freeman is charged with criminal possession of stolen property and trespassing following a state police investigation into the incidents in the Town of Sherman. Freeman was issued appearance tickets for Town of Sherman Court. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

HARRISBURG -- Senator Randy Vulakovich today introduced Senate Bill 1340, legislation that would allow Pennsylvania’s municipal police departments to use radar as a means of speed enforcement. “Every state but Pennsylvania permits their local police to use radar for monitoring traffic speed. In Pennsylvania, only the State Police are authorized to use radar,” said Sen. Vulakovich, a former municipal police officer. “We often talk about equipping our officers with the latest and best in technology; however, for some reason Pennsylvania has not yet provided its law enforcement officers with radar technology that has been around since World War II. It is well past time we provide our officers with this speed enforcement mechanism.” SB 1340, which has been referred to the Senate Transportation Committee, is supported by the Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Association, the Pennsylvania Municipal League, the Pennsylvania State Association of Boroughs, the Pennsylvania Association of Townsh...