Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

We had a very special visitor at our studios today: Former news director/program director (and a whole lot more) Bill Winn. And, yes, I figured as long as I had him here I'd put him to work ;) The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Police are investigating the indecent assault of a 15-year-old boy that happened in Potter County. They say a 61-year-old man from Manheim touched the boy’s genitals between April and May on Crowell Hollow Lane in Ulysses. Police didn't release the man's name. The boy lives in East Earl, Pa. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

The official fireworks at Bemus Point apparently weren’t enough for these guys – they were both charged for unlawfully dealing with fireworks last night. 51-year-old Bruce Stockton was allegedly setting off fireworks at about 9:40 p.m. on South Everett Avenue. 19-year-old Peter Trathen of Lakewood was allegedly setting them off at about 11:50 p.m. on South Oriental Avenue. Sheriff’s deputies issued both of them appearance tickets for Town of Ellery Court. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Barbara A. Lechiara Seeker, 72, of Warren, and formerly of Bradford, died Friday morning, July 4, 2014,in the Warren Manor Nursing Home. She was born June 4, 1942, in Bradford, to Anthony and Catherine Ross Lechiara. In 1952, she married Carl L. Seeker Sr. He who died in 1971. Mrs. Seeker was a 1961 graduate of St. Bernard High School. She earned her Licensed Practical Nursing degree in 1962 from the Bradford School of Nursing. She was employed as a nurse with the Bradford Nursing Pavillion for 10 years retiring in 1989. She had been a longtime Bradford resident, moving to Warren in 1992 to be closer to her son and grandchildren. She was a member of Holy Redeemer Church and a former member of St. Bernard Church in Bradford. She had served on the Board of Directors for the Bradford Y.W.C.A., Marching Owls Boosters Club, was active with Girl Scouts, Cub and Boy Scout programs, Bradford Community Outreach program, TOPS, and the NRA, where she held a teaching certificate. She also s...

After firing a gun at a pickup truck early Friday morning, a Smethport man is spending the rest of his holiday weekend in McKean County Jail. Police say 40-year-old Damin Parris was drunk when he shot the truck in the yard of a West Valley Road home at around 2 a.m. The victims, a Smethport woman and Emporium man, left the scene and called police about an hour later. Parris is charged with a felony count of aggravated assault, along with simple assault, terroristic threats, recklessly endangering another person and criminal mischief. District Judge Bill Todd set his bail at $100,000. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A deer hit a passenger on a motorcycle this morning, causing injuries to both her and the driver. Sheriff’s deputies say 62-year-old Robert Stickner of Cranesville was on West Mina Road in French Creek at 8:40 this morning when the deer jumped across the road, hitting the motorcycle and 47-year-old Suzanne Dingle, also of Cranesville. The collision caused the bike to go off the road and flip over. Stickner and Dingle were both taken to Corry Hospital for treatment of minor injuries. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Two people were hurt in a crash Thursday afternoon in Cameron County. Police say 52-year-old John Vanini of Olean was traveling west on Route 120 when his car drifted across the center line while rounding a curve and hit the front end of an eastbound pickup truck driven by 48-year-old Charles Lamenia of Warminster. Lamenia was taken by Emporium ambulance to Penn Highlands Elk for treatment of moderate injuries. Vanini suffered minor injuries, and was issued a traffic citation. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Image Courtesy of ZingerBug.com To find what's going on this weekend go to WESB.com/news/comcal The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

What does an elk eat? With footage captured by a tiny video camera placed on a Pennsylvania elk this week, researchers soon will find out. The research initiative is a product of a partnership between the Pennsylvania Game Commission and the Keystone Elk Country Alliance, a Pennsylvania-based nonprofit organization headquartered at the Elk Country Visitor Center in Benezette, Pa. The Game Commission actively manages wildlife habitat throughout Pennsylvania, and within the state’s 3,500-square-mile elk-management area. Habitat quality directly influences elk pregnancy rates, survival, calf recruitment and the distribution of elk. Projects to improve or create high-quality habitat also are used to mitigate elk-human conflicts and hunter-related elk mortality. By making lands more inviting to elk, elk aren’t as likely to turn up in less ideal areas. Traditional studies on the types of habitat elk prefer have provided both biologists and land managers with information needed to cr...

U.S. Representative Glenn 'GT' Thompson (PA-5) issued the following statement in celebration of Independence Day: "On Independence Day we honor a group of early revolutionaries, including our Founding Fathers, for pledging their lives and fortunes in the name of liberty. We also give praise to the generations of Americans who have made our country what it is today and most especially the countless men and women of our military who sacrifice on our nation’s behalf. Today as we celebrate with picnics, parades and fireworks, let’s always give thanks for the cherished blessings bestowed upon us by our forefathers. My wife, Penny, and I wish all Americans a happy and safe July 4th.” Thompson will attend the annual 4th of July Parade in Warren (along with State Rep. Kathy Rapp), the Lawrence Park Township Independence Day Parade in Erie, and the Central Pennsylvania 4th Fest in Centre County. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

An Allegany woman is accused of stealing from her employer. Ellicottville Police say while 53-year-old Patricia Wesley was working as a store manager for the Ellicottville Kwik Fill she stole merchandise on June 23. She was arrested Thursday morning, and is scheduled to appear in Village of Ellicottville Court. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

After finding $500 worth of crack cocaine in a Salamanca home, the Southern Tier Regional Drug Task Force arrested a man who lives there and a Limestone resident. The task force says the warrant executed at 12:30 this morning on Quilter Avenue netted about 5 grams of crack and about $600 in cash, along with scales and paraphernalia. 32-year-old Cain McKnight of Salamanca is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance. 28-year-old Dusti Ginnery is charged with criminal sale and possession of a controlled substance, as well as criminal sale of marijuana. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A West Virginia man is dead after the driver of the minivan he was in fell asleep at the wheel Thursday afternoon in Elk County. State police say 73-year-old Mary Grogg of Anmoore, West Virginia, was driving on Route 66 in Highland Township when she fell asleep, causing the van to leave the road and hit a tree. 67-year-old Glenn Grogg was pronounced dead at the scene. Mary was flown to UPMC Hamot by Stat 14 helicopter for treatment of moderate injuries. She was also cited for careless driving. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

As you watch fireworks this July 4th, remember that the colors that are splashed across the sky are the direct result of mined minerals and metals. The components of fireworks—when heated to specific temperatures—give off a colorful glow. Metals like aluminum, magnesium, and titanium burn very brightly—and are useful for increasing a firework’s temperature. Barium is combined to create green colors. Copper is used at lower temperatures to create blue colors. Red colors are created with either lithium or strontium. White colors are made from either magnesium or aluminum. Yellow colors require sodium. Other colors—such as orange, silver, and lavender—can be created by mixing compounds. And, special effects are created by yet other mineral products. The American Pyrotechnics Association reports that more than 186-million pounds of fireworks were consumed in the U.S. last year—with more than 163-million pounds of that figure involving consumer fireworks. More ...

A Little Valley woman is accused of supplying several Salamanca residents with controlled substances. The Southern Tier Regional Drug Task Force says the arrest of 25-year-old Amanda Calkins was the result of a transaction they saw, which led to a traffic stop in the Town of Ellicottville, where she had several hydrocodone pills. Calkins is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance. She was sent to Cattaraugus County Jail on $750 cash bail. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

We all know – or should know – that speeding can get you into trouble. But driving too slow isn’t any better. Chautauqua County Sheriff’s deputies say they saw a vehicle going 5 mph in a 35 mph zone on Route 394 in Mayville at around 11:30 Tuesday night, and several cars were behind it. They pulled the car over and soon learned that 60-year-old June Smith was driving while ability impaired by drugs. They say she also had a police-style billy club near the driver’s seat. She is charged with DWAI by drugs, criminal possession of a weapon, and driving too slowly. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A Kersey man is accused of taking police on a little chase after he was seen running behind houses and garages in the 200 block of South Michael Street in St. Marys. Police say they confronted 37-year-old Christophr Pesce in the 300 block of South Michael, and he ran away, but was caught a short time later and resisted arrest by not letting police handcuff him. When he was finally in custody, police found controlled substances and drug paraphernalia. He’s charged with loitering and prowling at night time, resisting arrest and possess of drugs and paraphernalia. He’s in Elk County Jail, unable to post bail. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A Bradford woman was seriously hurt when she was hit by a man police say was driving drunk while she was getting into her parked car on Euclid Avenue. City police say Roy Lawrence of Bradford hit the woman at just before 7 o’clock in front of 27 Euclid. She had to be taken by Mercy Flight to ECMC in Buffalo. After being detained by witnesses, Lawrence was taken into custody and charged with one felony count of aggravated assault by motor vehicle while driving under the influence, and related offenses. He was sent to McKean County Jail in lieu of $10,000 cash bail. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

City of Bradford Police are investigating a sexual assault on Fairbanks Avenue. Officers were also called to reports of trespassing on Congress Street, disturbances on West Washington and Bushnell streets, an assault on North Center Street and harassment on State Street. Police also got calls about a public drunk on Main Street and suspicious activity on Jefferson and Bushnell streets. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

The gazebo in Veterans Square was re-dedicated this afternoon after being repainted and refurbished to look more like the original gazebo that was in the town square more than 135 years ago. Chamber of Commerce Director Ron Orris spearheaded the project, and Mayor Tom Riel congratulated Orris on yet another job well done. He added that a lot of people could learn from Orris, a shining example of someone who is dedicated to Bradford. In his remarks, Orris said he wanted to make sure the gazebo was finished for the upcoming Kinzua Walleye Weekend. Later, he decided the days prior to the Fourth of July would be fitting to re-dedicate a structure in a park dedicated to veterans. After the brief ceremony Orris told WESB that the red-white-and-blue bunting on the gazebo was hand-stitched by workers at Quinn Flags in Hanover, Pa. Pictured, Main Street Manager Anita Dolan, Ron Orris, Tom Riel WESB photo The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A Cattaraugus County counterfeiter is now facing charges. State police arrested 24-year-old James Heinaman of Yorkshire for having phony money and buying some merchandise with the counterfeit cash. He was charged with criminal possession of a forged instrument and theft following a three-week investigation. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

After two toddlers wearing only diapers were found outside in the rain last week, a Warren woman is facing charges. Police say last Wednesday the children were found a block away from their home, and they had crossed a street. 20-year-old Katelin Kuzminski is charged with endangering the welfare of children. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Charges of assault and resisting arrest have been dismissed against a Bradford man accused of hitting his girlfriend, but three others have been bound to McKean County Court following a preliminary hearing this morning. 22-year-old Brian Coldren allegedly hit his girlfriend in the head several times during an argument in his vehicle and at her apartment on May 18. He is also accused of threatening to kill the woman and the family of her daughter’s father. The aggravated assault and resisting arrest charges stemmed from allegations that he fought with police and kicked one officer in the groin. Coldren is free on bail. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Charges are pending following three-vehicle crash that seriously injured a Randolph man. Cattaraugus County sheriff’s deputies say 52-year-old Scott Brown was driving his car south on Rock City Street (Route 353) in Little Valley at 7:10 this morning when he rear-ended a pickup truck driven by 18-year-old Brock Doberstein of Little Valley. The then went into the northbound lane and hit another pickup truck, this one driven by William Andrews of Salamanca. Brown, who was not wearing a seatbelt, was taken by Mercy Flight to ECMC in Buffalo for treatment of serious head and chest injuries. The other drivers were not hurt. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A Port Allegany woman is dead after her car collided with a dump truck this morning on Route 6 between Port Allegany and Smethport. 40-year-old Melissa Stilts died in an ambulance that was taking her to a medical helicopter’s landing zone. The crash happened at around 7:15 near Pump Station Road when, for an unknown reason, Stilts’s car crossed the center line and, at a high rate of speed, hit the truck head-on. The dump truck driver, 73-year-old Richard L. McDowell of Smethport, was not hurt. State police were assisted by Port Area Ambulance, Star Hose Co. of Port Allegany, Smethport Fire Department, McKean County Deputy Coroner Robert Hartle, McKeirnan's Towing and Portville Trucking. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947