Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

Hope will be the message from a mental health professional – and former state hospital patient – who will be speaking in Bradford next week. Gina Calhoun is the national director of Wellness and Recovery Education at the Copeland Center for Wellness and Recovery and she says she’s going to try to be a stigma-buster during her talk. She says even some mental health workers need to abandon their way of thinking about people with mental illnesses. “We don’t know how far people are going to go. We don’t have a crystal ball, so our job is not to categorize those who are going to make it and those who are not,” she said. “Our job is to believe all people can learn and grow, and all people can be active community citizens.” Calhoun will be speaking at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday in the Harriet B. Wick Chapel at Pitt-Bradford as part of a program presented by Rays of Hope. It’s free and open to the public. You can hear my conversation with Gina by going to WESB.com/listen , going to the ...

Police in Cameron County are investigating a report of sexual contact between a man and a child. They say the aggravated indecent assaults happened at a season residence in Shippen Township on various dates between 2009 and 2011. Police did not release the name of suspect, although their news release says he is a “known adult male.” The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A couple from Buffalo is facing charges in Cattaraugus County after drugs were found in their vehicle during a traffic stop last night in Salamanca. 27-year-old Otis Williams Jr. and 24-year-old Brittany Copeland are each charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance. The Southern Tier Regional Drug Task Force charged them after a small amount of crack cocaine was found in their vehicle. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A Jeep hit a house, a parked car and a tree last night near Kane. Police say 31-year-old Brent Haines of Kane was on Route 6 at about 9:45 p.m. when his Jeep went off the road and hit the tree, the car, the house and a carport. He was treated for minor injuries and charged with not staying in his lane. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

HARRISBURG – The Bradford Family YMCA has been awarded a $386,429 grant for after-school programs for students in the Bradford Area School District, Rep. Martin Causer (R-Turtlepoint) announced today. The three-year grant was awarded by the state Department of Education through the federal 21st Century Community Learning Center Grant Program. It is a three-year grant. “This is another great example of what can be accomplished when people and organizations work together,” Causer said. “I commend and congratulate the leaders at the Y and the school district for taking the initiative to offer programs that will better prepare our students and ensure their academic success.” More than $23 million was awarded to 64 school districts and community-based organizations in 29 counties across the state. The funding supports educational resources to help increase student academic achievement. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

One of the men who broke into a gatehouse at the Kiasutha Campground over 4th of July weekend has pleaded guilty to that crime, and another, in McKean County Court. 18-year-old Taylor Dyne of Kane and his co-defendant broke a window to get into the campground gatehouse, where they stole several items, which were later recovered at a fire pit the men used. In a separate incident in February, Dyne went to a Kane home where he was not wanted, pushed a man into the garage, punched him and kicked him. Dyne is scheduled for sentencing on October 30. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Charges related to a stabbing against a Bradford woman have been withdrawn, but she will spend some time in McKean County Jail for tampering with evidence. 35-year-old Cristy Duane Curtis has already spent 24 days in jail, and could be there for up to 24 more. She has also been sentenced to a year-and-a-half of probation for hiding a knife after a stabbing on Rockland Avenue last spring. After the fight between four people she hid the bloody knife in a bush near her Fisher Court home. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A motorcycle crash that critically injured an Olean man has led to charges of vehicular assault and driving while intoxicated. Police say 36-year-old Scott Matya crashed the bike on the afternoon of June 17 on Route 16 near Godfrey Hollow. He was thrown from the motorcycle, suffered severe head trauma and was sent to ECMC in Buffalo for treatment. His passenger, 22-year-old Salena Hare of Randolph suffered non-threatening internal injuries and was also treated at ECMC. He is being held in Cattaraugus County Jail on cash bail. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A mailbox was blown up last night in Elk County. State police say someone detonated an explosive device in a mailbox on Mefferts Run Road in Jones Township at about 7 p.m. Anyone with information on this incident should contact Ridgway-based state police. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

The Port Allegany High School Chamber Singers have been invited to perform at Carnegie Hall. They will be singing during the 9th Annual Performing Arts Educators Invitational in New York on January 17. The concert will feature invited choirs in representative performances as well as a combined finale under the direction of Dr. Peggy Dettwiler of Mansfield University. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Yesterday we told you on the air that the United Way of the Bradford Area was at 53 percent of its campaign goal. Well, that news is outdated already. Bradford Area School District, Zippo Manufacturing Co., American Refining Group Inc. and Northwest Savings Bank have so far been the champions of the United Way of the Bradford Area’s latest campaign. Officials announced Friday that, just more than a month into its 2014 Be a Champion campaign, they have already raised 60 percent of the $345,000 goal. School district staff members increased their contributions by nearly 50 percent, while both Zippo and ARG also recorded significant increases in their employee campaigns. The campaign has been structured differently this year under the leadership of co-chairs Lisa Minich and Jeannine Schoenecker, who have stressed the importance of having plenty of volunteers and making more-personal appeals. “Our goal with this year’s campaign was to re-energize the volunteer base and bring bac...

City of Bradford Police are investigating a rape that was reported Thursday afternoon on East Main Street. (No further information is available yet.) Officers were also called to a domestic incident on Congress Street a disturbance on South Center Street and disorderly conduct on Mill Street. They also checked out suspicious activity on West Washington Street. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Sam Zalutsky, screenwriter and filmmaker, will visit the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford next week to talk about his work, which includes short films, web series and the psychological horror film “You Belong to Me.” Zalutsky will speak at noon Oct. 9 in the Mukaiyama University Room in the Frame-Westerberg Commons. His presentation is part of the Spectrum Series that is free and open to the public. During his presentation Zalutsky will showcase some of his works including video clips, art pieces and writing examples. Zalutsky has screened films at the Palm Springs International Film Festival as well as 15 LGBT festivals on four continents, and his previous short films “Silver Bell” and “Smear” screened at various film festivals worldwide. In addition, he is also the creator, director and producer of the comedy web-series “The Go-Getters,” which can be viewed online at thegogetters.net. “You Belong to Me, ” his first feature film, was shortlisted for the Independent Spirit ...

An early morning stabbing has landed one man in jail and another person in the hospital. Police say 58-year-old Robert Stanek of Wellsville stabbed the other person at least five times at around 2:30 this morning. He is charged with felony assault and criminal possession of a weapon. He is in Allegany County Jail on $20,000 bail. Police say the victim is in stable condition at Jones Memorial Hospital. They are continuing their investigation. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A contractor hit and ruptured a natural gas line in Bemus Point this morning, igniting the line, sending flames shooting into the air, damaging utility poles and leaving parts of the village without power. Sheriff’s deputies say a vehicle was destroyed but no homes were damaged and no people were hurt. The fire started at about 8:45 a.m. and last for about 45 minutes. About 200 people were without power at one point. Most of it was restored at about 4 p.m. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

HARRISBURG – Legislation to further address substance abuse problems within communities across Pennsylvania will soon be introduced in the Pennsylvania Senate, according to Senator Joe Scarnati (R-25). Scarnati, who circulated a co-sponsorship memo today, explained that he intends to introduce legislation to provide for better utilization of FDA-approved medications for the prevention of relapse for individuals with an opioid dependence. “Unfortunately the drug epidemic is becoming more widespread in all parts of Pennsylvania, particularly in our rural areas of the state,” Scarnati said. “We must make sure that we are doing all that we can to combat this growing problem and protect our communities.” According to Scarnati, his legislation will be a continuation of efforts to prevent and treat drug abuse. Currently, Pennsylvania ranks third in the nation behind California and Illinois for heroin use, the most commonly cited drug among drug treatment admissions in Pennsylv...

Rep. Martin Causer (R-Turtlepoint) today announced the Greater Bradford Senior Activity Center was awarded a $28,375 grant through the state Department of Aging’s Senior Community Center Grants Program. “The Bradford Senior Center provides a great service to the senior citizens in our community by offering meals, activities and the opportunity to socialize with their peers,” Causer said. “I was pleased to support the center’s grant request and encourage more area seniors to take advantage of this service.” The grant funds will be used for a new furnace and air conditioning system, as well as new carpeting. In Elk County, the Jones Township Senior Center will receive $44,000 for capital improvements and the Bennetts Valley Senior Center will receive $3,700 for computer upgrades and a sound system. Grants totaling $2 million were awarded to 67 senior centers statewide. The grants, which are supported by state lottery funds, will be used to modernize, encourage technology ...

The Seneca Nation of Indians has confirmed it will be demolishing the fire-ravaged former Erie Rail Depot in Salamanca by the end of the year. The building is on 3.1 acres of Seneca land between Atlantic Street and the railroad tracks. A 14-year-old Salamanca boy set the building on fire in late July. He is going through the Cattaraugus County Family Court system. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A Bradford man who illegally sold guns to a Buffalo criminal won’t spend any more time in jail, but he will be on parole for two years. 49-year-old Robert Reed was one of several Bradford residents who bought guns for convicted felon Juan Lopez in exchange for cocaine and money. The US Attorney’s Office says Lopez took Reed and the others to stores and told them which guns to buy for him. He then took the guns to Buffalo where he used them in drug deals and other crimes. Six of Reed’s co-defendants have already been sentenced. Lopez is scheduled to be sentenced in federal court in Buffalo on November 5. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A hearing for the accused child pornographer who was picked up in Bradford by the state attorney general’s office last week has been moved to later this month. 36-year-old Steven Hurd was scheduled to be in McKean County Central Court this morning, but his hearing date has been moved to October 22. Court papers say Hurd had dozens of sexually graphic images of children on his computer, some of pre-pubescent girls with their genitals exposed. Special Agent Matthew Zahm of the Computer Forensics Unit removed 42 images from Hurd’s computer but noted that was just a sampling of what was there. Hurd remains in McKean County Jail. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

The man charged with trying to rob the Chestnut Street Uni-Mart last week waived his preliminary hearing, but his co-defendant’s hearing has been moved to next week. 54-year-old James Munson of Bradford went into the store at around 1:40 last Wednesday morning and tried to get the clerk to give him money from the cash register. When she wouldn’t, he left. Munson remains in McKean County Jail on $50,000 bail. 35-year-old Jennifer Tessena, also of Bradford is accused of going into the store before Munson did to scope it out. She turned herself in later that day, and also identified Munson. She remains jailed on $10,000 bail. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

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

You may remember a few years ago that a man walked along Route 6 from Cape Cod to Long Beach California. Well, Joe Hurley is making another trip another the historic highway, and this time he’ll be stopping at libraries along the way. Among the places he’ll be stopping are Bradford, Smethport and Port Allegany in McKean County and Coudersport and Galeton in Potter County. We’ll be talking with Hurley on an upcoming LiveLine about his trek, and the book he wrote following his last journey – “Ten Million Steps on Route 6.” The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Try one of the 650 tasty dessert recipes printed in the “DELICIOUS DESSERTS COOKBOOK” published by Cole Memorial’s rehabilitation services department. The 438-page cookbooks are available for $20 each to benefit the Teacher’s Pet Rescue program in Potter County. When the rehab services team decided on a community charity project, they compiled all their favorite recipes and published a cookbook to support Teacher’s Pet Rescue. The rescue center is a non-profit, volunteer-operated organization that is challenged by the many financial burdens required for the care of lost or abused dogs. Adoption opportunities are coordinated once the dogs are ready for a new family. To purchase a cookbook, stop by the Falling Leaves Festival tables located near the Coudersport Ambulance Hall on Saturday, October 4 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. or the Courthouse Square, all day, Friday and Saturday. Orders are also being accepted by calling Kathy at 814-558-4728, Aleisha at 814-558-2332 or emailing del...