Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

Steven E. Kriz, 60 of Homestead Ave., Bradford, formerly of Limestone, passed away ,Friday, September 12, 2014, in the Bradford Regional Medical Center. 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

SALAMANCA, NY – Seneca Resorts & Casinos will get in the holiday spirit with five days of holiday concerts. And with tickets starting at just $10, the performances will not only be festive but also very affordable. Lorrie Morgan will take the stage at Seneca Allegany Events Center in Salamanca, N.Y. from December 3 through 7. Celebrating her 30th anniversary as a member of the Grand Ole Opry this year, country sensation Lorrie Morgan will share the spirit of the holiday season with “Lorrie Morgan: An Enchanted Christmas.” One show will take place each day at Seneca Allegany Events Center – with 2 p.m. matinee shows on December 3, 4 and 7, and 8 p.m. evening shows on December 5 and 6. Tickets start at $10 and are on sale now. In addition to holiday favorites, Morgan will perform many of her hits from the past 25 years, such as “Five Minutes,” “I Didn’t Know My Own Strength,” “Watch Me” and “What Part of No.” A singer, songwriter, worldwide entertainer on the performing and theat...

A Bradford man is accused of assaulting a woman this morning and choking her until she lost consciousness. 50-year-old James Dunshie is charged with simple assault and harassment in connection to the incident at around 7:30 this morning on Orchard Place. Police say when they arrived on the scene they saw multiple contusions on the victim’s face and arms, including a large one around her left eye. She was taken by ambulance to BRMC. Dunshie was sent to McKean County Jail on $10,000 bail. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Domestic violence has led to charges against two Cattaraugus County men. State police say on September 2 25-year-old Terry Brown of Olean hit a woman in the face in the Town of Yorkshire. He was charged with assault and sent to jail on $1,500 cash bail. On August 31 22-year-old Kenneth Shafer of Yorkshire was involved in a domestic dispute in the Town of Yorkshire, and was charged with criminal obstruction of breathing, criminal mischief and harassment. A temporary order of protection was ordered. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A man is accused of forcing a toddler’s face into a bed because he was crying. State police arrested Nicholas Sikes of Allegany for being abusive to the two-year-old, and charged him with criminal obstruction of breathing and endangering the welfare of a child. Sikes was sent to Cattaraugus County Jail on $1,000 bail. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A Kane woman has admitted to being at fault in a crash that killed six people – including her daughter and nephew – last August. 38-year-old Kathleen Douglas was driving a car that crashed on Route 219 and Meade Run Road. Killed in the crash were 12-year-old Olivia Douglas, 6-year-old Jarett Costanzo and four St. Marys residents, 62-year-old Gary Beimel, 55-year-old Elaine Beimel, 54-year-old David Cuneo and 81-year-old Florence Donachy. Douglas is scheduled for sentencing Tuesday morning in McKean County Court. If Judge William Morgan accepts a plea deal, she would serve 11 years and three months to 22 ½ years in state prison on charges of homicide by vehicle and recklessly endangering another person. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A propane truck rolled over in Potter County late this morning, closing Route 49 from the Gold intersection to Ulysses. The road is expected to be closed for a couple more hours. The driver was reportedly trapped inside the truck, and the crash did cause a propane leak. We’ll have more information as it becomes available. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

People have been sharing on our Facebook page about what they were doing on this day 13 years ago. Ellen Bunnell of Bradford had relatives both in New York City and near Shanksville. One of her sons was on an ambulance crew in New York. Another son’s fiancé was a nurse in Johnstown, and was placed on a medical crew to head for Shanksville. If you would like to share your stories and memories you can go to facebook.com/1490wesb . On this day St. Bonaventure University remembers its three alumni who were killed that day. Among those was Father Mychael Judge, the first official emergency responder fatality. Then-New York City Mayor Rudy Gulliani said of him, "He embodied the ideal blend of spirituality and public service." A memorial service was held on campus at noon. In Bradford, city firefighters placed a memorial outside the Central fire station on Chestnut Street. In Shanksville, ceremonies were held at the Flight 93 National Memorial. Pictured, top, St. Bonaventure ...

Olean may have a new police chief, two months after the former chief retired. Mayor Bill Aiello has nominated Captain Jeff Rowley to replace Terry Schnell who stepped down on July 12. Common Council will vote on the nomination during its September 23 meeting. Rowley, who is a 24-year veteran of the department, would take over day-to-day operations if council votes him in, but he would still have to take, and pass, the Civil Service promotional exam. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

UPDATE: Due to the death of Cpl. Bryon Dickson II during an ambush-style attack at the Blooming Grove station on Friday, the Purple Heart Ceremony for Trooper Bradley Wilson has been postponed. The state trooper who was shot and critically injured while serving a search warrant on a suspected meth lab near Brockway last year will be awarded a Pennsylvania State Police Purple Heart Award. Trooper Bradley Wilson will receive the award Wednesday in Punxsutawney. The incident happened on September 26 when the father of the suspect shot Wilson in the chest and neck. Trooper Bruce Morris says the gunshots resulted in significant paralysis, and Wilson’s recovery has been long and difficult, and is ongoing. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

The man who tried to hide from police in a small wooded area off Seaward Avenue because he didn’t like the state parole program he was in has waived his preliminary hearing. Earlier this month on Seaward Avenue near 6V Sales and Service 55-year-old John Crocker got into a fight with his daughter after she told him she was going to take him back to Erie so he could turn himself in. He got out of the car and hid from police for about half an hour, until Bradford Township Police Officer Jeff Shade found him and took him into custody. City and Foster Township Police were also searching. Crocker told police later that he would rather be in jail than in the parole program. He is on parole after serving time for drug charges. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

City police have received several calls reporting a phone scam. The caller identifies himself as being employed by a local utility company, and tells the people their last check bounced and they have 15 to 20 minutes to pay a certain amount of money, or the utility will be shut off. Police say this is a scam, and are encouraging people to just hang up and to not send any money. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A tractor trailer crashed and turned over Tuesday morning on Route 6 but the driver from Kane was not hurt. Police say the tractor trailer was on a curve in Glade Township, Warren County, at just after 6 a.m. when it went off the berm and hit a guard rail. 36-year-old Scott Meeks over-corrected to get the rig back onto the road, but that’s when the truck and trailer turned over their sides. Meeks was issued a traffic citation. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A Bradford man is facing charges for saying his handgun had been stolen when, in fact, he sold it to a known drug dealer. Vincent Santiago reported the gun stolen in January of last year. In February a state parole agent conducting a routine check of Demario Watts found the gun under a mattress in Watts’ apartment. Subsequent to the investigation Sgt. Jason Daugherty says he learned that the gun was not stolen, and that Santiago sold the gun to Watts for $285, according to court papers. Santiago is in McKean County Jail on $10,000 bail. Watts was sentenced a year ago to 4 to 6 years at SCI-Somerset on a drug charge and for being a convicted felon with a gun. He was originally charged with receiving stolen property, but that was dismissed. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

The improvements to Downtown Bradford keep on coming, and plans are in the works to step up the fight against blight in residential areas as well. City Council on Tuesday authorized loans to Rookies to building a deck and pave two parking lots; Shelley Wright to fix the roof on 80-82 Main Street (Wright’s Music Shed); and The Aud to buy the Boylston Street building the restaurant currently occupies. Even City Hall is getting a face lift. Council approved a payment to Shembeda Floor Covering to install carpeting on the front steps of the building and Room 103. They also awarded a bid to Hennard Construction for renovations to the third floor, including city council chambers. While the focus in recent months has been the revitalization and restoration Fifth Ward resident Pat Girard told council she believes the city is ignoring neighborhoods. She said she thinks code enforcement should be working to make sure the outsides of properties are maintained better, and that landlords are li...

Harrisburg – PennDOT announced today that streaming video from its more than 700 traffic cameras is now available on 511PA. PennDOT recently upgraded its 511PA website and mobile application to allow for the continuously streaming footage. Previously, the site and mobile application were limited to providing real-time conditions using still images that were refreshed every five seconds. “Our 511 system puts travel information at drivers’ fingertips and helps them make travel decisions before and during their trip,” PennDOT Secretary Barry J. Schoch said. “The new streaming video shows real-time traffic flow to help give motorists an even better idea of what to expect on our roadways.” The streaming video is the latest improvement to the 511PA service. In May, PennDOT announced a 511PA smartphone application for iPhone and Android devices that provides hands-free and eyes-free travel alerts for the nearly 40,000 miles of road that PennDOT maintains as well as the Pennsylvan...

City Police are investigating an assault that happened Tuesday afternoon on Main Street. Also Tuesday, officers investigated a theft on West Washington Street, a motor vehicle accident on Interstate Parkway and harassment at two schools and on Boylston Street. Police were called to domestic incidents on Elm and Main streets as well as a disturbance on High Street. They also got a report of suspicious activity on Hillside Avenue. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Bradford’s resurfacing project will start at 7 o’clock tomorrow morning, weather permitting. The affected streets will be Pearl, Bennett, Center, Davis and Chestnut. Residents in these areas are asked to comply with door knockers that will be placed at their homes today, and to refrain from parking in these areas until the resurfacing is finished. Flaggers will be in place to direct traffic. Expect delays. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Charges against the man involved in a fatal Memorial Day weekend crash near Port Allegany have been bound to McKean County Court. 31-year-old Jerver Fernandez of Luzerne County appeared for a preliminary hearing in front of District Judge Bill Todd today. Fernandez is charged with homicide by vehicle and homicide by vehicle while DUI in connection to the May 24 crash on Route 6 that killed 27-year-old Robert Bowes. Fernandez is free on $25,000 unsecured bail. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A gambling addiction caused a man to steal nearly $4,000 from Advance Auto Parts in Bradford. According to court papers 43-year-old Michael Griffin of Limestone told police he was in financial trouble and has a gambling addiction, which led to the thefts. The store’s loss prevention specialists did an investigation of the thefts, which happened between February 11 and July 29, and took a statement from Griffin saying he stole as much as $7,000. Loss Prevention was able to give police documentation showing that Griffin stole $3,727. Griffin is charged with felony counts of theft by unlawful taking, theft by deception and receiving stolen property. He’s free on unsecured bail. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Youngsville schools were on alert, but not on lockdown, after sounds resembling gunshots were reported this morning in the area of the elementary/middle school. The school district and police later learned that a training/qualifying event was being held at the Brokenstraw Fish and Game Club, and the noises most likely came from there. All schools were operating normally by the end of the day, and after school activities will continue as usual. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

State police are investigating several attempted burglaries in Mount Jewett. The latest happened at 10:30 this morning at 62 East Main Street in the borough at the home of Leann McAndrew. Troopers are reminding residents to be on the lookout for any suspicious activity, and to report it if they see it. Anyone with information regarding the attempted burglaries is asked to contact Kane-based state police. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

The process for the sale of the Buffalo Bills has taken a significant step forward today as a definitive agreement has been reached between the trust of the late Pro Football Hall of Famer Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. and the Pegula family, owners of the Buffalo Sabres and lead developers of Buffalo’s HarborCenter. Subject to the approval of the NFL owners and the satisfaction of customary closing conditions, the definitive agreement calls for the Pegula family to acquire all of the interest in the Buffalo Bills franchise from the Wilson trust. The parties intend to submit the agreement for approval by the NFL owners at their meeting in New York City on October 8. Buffalo Bills Controlling Owner Mary Wilson said, “This is a very important day in the history of the Buffalo Bills franchise. Ralph brought professional football to Buffalo in 1959 and it was his life’s passion. He loved his team and he cherished the fans and his legacy will remain for all-time. Ralph would have been pleased with...

HARRISBURG – The Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA) has approved a total of $2,594,832 for eight energy, transportation and water and sewer projects in the 25th Senatorial District, announced Senator Joe Scarnati (R-Jefferson). The projects approved for funding are a part of three different programs that are administered by the CFA, including the Alternative and Clean Energy Program, Multimodal Transportation Fund Program and PA Small Water & Sewer Program. “I am pleased that eight projects in our region have received state funding for important public improvements to better serve area residents and businesses,” Scarnati said. “These investments will provide needed growth and updates while also helping to generate local economic development.” Scarnati explained that in the 25th Senatorial District the following projects were approved across five different counties: Cameron County Mid Cameron Authority - $40,000 grant (PA Small Water & Sewer Program) The...

Harrisburg -- The House Natural Resources Committee held a field oversight hearing on “The Northern Long Eared Bat: The Federal Endangered Species Act (ESA) and the Impacts of a Listing on Pennsylvania and 37 Other States.” This hearing examined questions regarding bat data and non-human-caused disease, as well as the likely negative impacts that a federal endangered listing of the Northern Long Eared Bat under the ESA would have on important activities such as farming, mining, timbering, and agricultural activities. In 2011, settlement agreements between two environmental groups and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) resulted in a deal that requires the Obama Administration to decide by 2016 whether to list 757 species as threatened or endangered and to list critical habitats for these species under the ESA. The proposed endangered listing of the Northern Long Eared Bat is part of the 2011 settlement. A final decision for the Northern Long Eared Bat listing could be made withi...