Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

The Senate approved legislation on Thursday to protect Pennsylvanians’ Second Amendment rights by preventing local jurisdictions from imposing firearms ordinances that are more restrictive than state laws, according to Senator Joe Scarnati (R-25). Scarnati, who strongly supported the measure, explained that the amended version of House Bill 80 would prohibit local laws or ordinances attempting to regulate firearms or ammunition. The bill would allow an individual or organization to sue to block or overturn a local ordinance. If successful, the individual would be able to recover all expenses, including attorney fees, costs, expenses, and lost income from employment. “This legislation is a commonsense measure to not change, but simply clarify current law,” Scarnati said. “Senate Bill 80 clarifies existing law to ensure that firearms and ammunition laws are consistent across Pennsylvania.” “Unfortunately, anti-gun advocates are now pressuring local governments to enact ...

Sherry Tune has been selected as the new forest supervisor of the Allegheny National Forest, according to Kathleen Atkinson, U.S. Forest Service Eastern Regional Forester. Atkinson said, “I am delighted that Sherry has accepted the position of Allegheny Forest Supervisor. Her excellent leadership and collaboration skills will help strengthen the Allegheny's ties with the public.” Tune is currently the forest supervisor on the Mendocino National Forest Supervisor in northern California, a position she’s held since February 2012. “I am looking forward to joining the Allegheny National Forest and engaging in great dialogue and connecting with the employees, communities and partners who enjoy the many benefits from this remarkable forest,” Tune said. I am excited for this new challenge and experiencing a different environment, ecosystem and climate.” Prior to arriving on the Mendocino, Tune served as district ranger on the Los Padres National Forest in southern California, follo...

A “known male juvenile” is facing charges for riding his bike while under the influence. Police say he was riding his bike on the wrong side of Route 6 near Jenigens Body Shop in Coudersport at 1:46 this morning. They later learned he was DUI and had a small amount of marijuana and paraphernalia with him. The charges were filed through Potter County Juvenile Probation. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A pickup truck hit – and went into – a house this morning in Wilcox. Police say the truck driven by 22-year-old Kelsey Bowley of Wilcox was on Route 219 when it went out of control on a curve, went off the road and hit a utility pole. The truck then hit a parked pickup and car before hitting Dawn Sandy’s house, coming to rest partially inside of it. Bowley suffered minor injuries and was charged with careless driving. Her truck and Sandy’s car were severely damaged. The other pickup, owned by Jon Maletto of Kane, was moderately damaged. Route 219 in that area was closed from about 8 a.m. until about 1:30 p.m. Police were assisted by PennDOT, the Wilcox Fire & Rescue Department and Wilcox Ambulance, West Penn Power, Windstream Communications and National Fuel. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Three Pennsylvanians who were on a flight from Cleveland to Dallas with a nurse who tested positive for Ebola are being monitored in Texas. Governor Tom Corbett said today that the three people are not showing symptoms of Ebola and aren't being quarantined. He says the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention interviewed them and they are free to return to Pennsylvania. The state's isn't disclosing personal information about them. State health secretary Michael Wolf says state epidemiologists are in contact with the three residents and will know if they return to Pennsylvania. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

City of Bradford Police on Thursday got calls about harassment and criminal mischief to automobiles, both from the same East Main Street address. They were also called to a disturbance on Main Street. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A tractor trailer carrying a load of sand rolled over near the intersection of routes 146 and 6 this morning. State police say 63-year-old Lyman Guss Jr. of McClure was traveling east on 146 at just before 11:30 a.m. when the passenger side tires of the truck went onto the soft berm of the road, causing Guss to lose control. The tractor and trailer slid down a steep embankment and rolled onto the passenger side. Guss was treated at the scene by Mount Jewett Ambulance personnel for minor injuries. State police were assisted at the scene by the Hamlin Township Fire Department, PennDOT and Big Dog Heavy Duty Recovery & Repair. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

City of Bradford Police are investigating a report sexual assault on East Avenue. They also looked into a possible drug act violation on Marion Avenue. Police were called to a domestic incident on Main Street, a disturbance on Pearl Street and a fight on Barbour Street. Officers also got an animal complaint from Jackson Avenue, and were asked to looked into suspicious activity on Barbour and Mills streets. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A man who stole checks he and his co-defendants cashed has been sentenced in Cattaraugus County Court. 22-year-old Stephen Frank IV will spend the next five years on probation for his conviction on forgery charges. Frank stole the checks from a Freedom woman in January. They were later cashed at the Fresh Market in Franklinville. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A woman has pleaded guilty to setting a garage on fire this past summer. 21-year-old Crystal Lore of Little Valley set the fire at a residential garage on Second Street in Little Valley on July 23. Lore is scheduled for sentencing in Cattaraugus County Court on December 8. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A third man has pleaded not guilty to taking part in a gang assault in Salamanca this past winter. William Larkin of Steamburg is also charged with assault and felony reckless endangerment in connection to the January 25 incident. Cattaraugus County prosecutors say the victim suffered head injuries. Two of his co-defendants, Yancey Dowdy and Jacob White, both of Salamanca, are facing the same charges, and pleaded not guilty last week. They are in Cattaraugus County Jail. All three cases have been adjourned for motions. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A man who had been banned from attending Otto-Eldred school activities but was arrested after attending two sporting events earlier this month has waived his preliminary hearing. 50-year-old Scott Porter of Rixford also allegedly threatened representatives of the school district and their families on Facebook. Court records say Porter had been issued notices from the school district banning him from school activities four different times in 2012 and 2013. Then on October 2 he attended junior varsity and varsity games. Porter is charged with making terroristic threats, harassment and criminal trespass. He had been in McKean County Jail but was released after this morning’s hearing on $30,000 unsecured bail. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A Bradford man has pleaded guilty to drug charges in Cattaraugus County Court. 31-year-old Phillip Haight sold a narcotic substance in Salamanca on June 13 of last year. Haight is scheduled for sentencing on December 15. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Presented by the Bradford Area Chamber of Commerce and Signature Sponsor American Refining Group, Inc, the BACC Oktoberfest/22nd Annual Public Auction will be held on Thursday, October 30th at The Bradford Club, 32 Boylston Street, Bradford. This community event, open to local businesses, organizations, and the public, is the Chamber’s primary fundraiser, with proceeds supporting the many services provided by the Chamber. The doors open to the public at 5:30 pm; with the live auction beginning at 6:30pm. Through the generous donation of products, services, and more, an exciting variety of items has been put together for the event, which will feature approximately 30 fantastic live auction packages, as well as silent auctions, pretzel drawings, and a 50/50 card drawing. The live auction will be conducted by Lloyd Burkhouse of Lloyd Burkhouse Auctions as well as local celebrity auctioneer Tim Asinger of Kessel Contruction. Included in this year’s festivities is a delicious menu of Ge...

A member of the state Supreme Court is caught up in the email pornography scandal in the attorney general’s office. Pennsylvania chief justice Ronald Castille issued a news release today saying Justice Seamus McCaffrey was the sender or recipient of 234 emails with sexually explicit material or pornography in them. Castille says McCaffrey sent most of the emails to a now-retired agent with the AG’s office, who then forwarded them to other. The circulation of porn in the attorney general’s office happened from late 2008 until early 2012, and has led to the resignation of several people, including now-former DEP Secretary Chris Abruzzo. The emails surfaced during a review of how the Jerry Sandusky case at Penn State was handled by the attorney general's office. Castille says the attorney general’s office told him the 234 emails involving McCaffrey contained 1,502 sexually explicit images and 60 sexually explicit video files, some of which were duplicates. He estimated the number...

Bellefonte, PA – The National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) has awarded U.S. Representative Glenn 'GT' Thompson (PA-5) the NAM Award for Manufacturing Legislative Excellence for votes supporting American manufacturing during the 113th Congress. “Manufacturers in Pennsylvania and throughout the United States are making a comeback, creating jobs, making more products and making them better than ever before,” said NAM Senior Vice President of Policy and Government Relations Aric Newhouse. “However, manufacturers are often disproportionately impacted by decisions made by policymakers in Washington. The NAM is proud to stand with lawmakers like Rep. Thompson who understand what is at stake and seek to implement policies that will foster innovation, growth and competitiveness.” “It’s an honor to receive this award. It has always been a priority of mine to support legislation that is good for American manufacturing and American jobs,” stated Rep. Thompson. “Be assured th...

Expands Newborn Screening Requirements in PA Harrisburg – Governor Tom Corbett signed House Bill 1654 into law at an event in the Capitol today, expanding newborn screening requirements to assist in early detection measures that will help to improve care for children diagnosed with certain rare disorders. Corbett was joined by prime sponsor of the bill, Rep. Angel Cruz (D-Philadelphia); other members of the General Assembly; Secretary of Health Michael Wolf; and Physician General Dr. Carrie DeLone. “It is an honor to sign this bill, which will help to improve and hopefully save the lives of some of Pennsylvania’s most vulnerable population – our children,” Gov. Corbett said. Currently, Pennsylvania’s birthing facilities test for 6 mandated conditions and 23 follow-up conditions – everything from cystic fibrosis to congenital heart disease. The new law will require physicians, hospitals and other institutions to add certain lysosomal storage dis...

A woman suffered minor injuries when her van hit two trees Monday afternoon on Route 46 in Keating Township. Police say 44-year-old Heather Peterson of Smethport was traveling north at just after 3 p.m. when the van went off the road and into a grassy field, and then hit an embankment. The van went about 300 feet, where the passenger side mirror hit a tree. It went another 30 feet where it hit a tree limb, and then another 78 feet, where it hit a tree. She was cited for not driving on roadways laned for traffic. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

For the second time in a little over a month, a Bradford woman has been charged for assaulting a police officer. City police say 47-year-old Nora Buterbaugh hit a man in the Country Fair parking lot Saturday night and, when officers tried to arrest her near Bushnell Street, she punched one officer in the face and kicked another in the knee. While she was being put in a patrol car she fought with officers, who had to use a Taser on her. For this incident, Buterbaugh is charged with aggravated assault and disorderly conduct. Those are two of the charges she is facing in connection to a September 4 incident when she allegedly tried to punch a police officer, and threw a large, heavy handbag at him after he told her she may be charged with theft for taking another person’s cell phone. She said she took the phone because it had images of her on it that she wanted to delete. Buterbaugh is in McKean County Jail on $50,000 bail. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

City of Bradford Police on Tuesday investigated a fraud reported from Amm Street, as well as an assault on South Kendall Avenue. Officers also looked into disturbances on South Center, East Main, Williams and Chestnut streets. They go animal complaints from Avenue B and Welch Avenue and a report of suspicious activity on Constitution Avenue. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A New Jersey man is facing drug charges in Cattaraugus County. State police say they stopped 23-year-old Sebastian Campuzano of Bergenfield at about 1:40 a.m. on Sugartown Road in Great Valley for a traffic violation. That’s when they found he was driving while intoxicated and had cocaine with him. He is charged with DWI and criminal possession of a controlled substance, and will face the charges in Town of Great Valley Court. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A Port Allegany man is accused of threatening police after being arrested for DUI last Friday morning. Police say 48-yea-rold Daniel Vidonish Jr. was pulled over fro multiple traffic violations on Route 6 in Eulalia Township in Potter County. That’s when police determined he was driving under the influence. They also found marijuana and paraphernalia in his car. They say he made numerous threats, saying he was going to harm law enforcement officers. He is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on November 6. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

An elk caused an accident in Driftwood Monday evening. Police say 26-year-old Joshua Boone of Port Royal was on Route 120 at about 6:30 p.m. and, when he went around a curve, saw an elk standing in the road. He put on his brakes and swerved but, because of the wet road from a recent rain, the back of the car slid, and the car went into a ditch and hit a culvert. Boone wasn’t hurt, but the car had to be towed from the scene. No charges will be filed. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

HARRISBURG – The state House today declared October as “Down Syndrome Awareness Month” in Pennsylvania with unanimous passage of a resolution authored by Rep. Martin Causer (R-Turtlepoint). “It is important to bring awareness to this condition to help ensure it is properly diagnosed and that early intervention and treatment are administered,” Causer said. “It is equally important to help educate the public at large about what Down Syndrome really is and how much people living with the condition can and do contribute to our society.” Due to advances in medicine, the average life expectancy for a person living with Down syndrome has increased from just 25 years of age in 1983 to 60 years of age today. It is estimated that this genetic condition occurs in approximately one in every 800 births. The population of people living with Down syndrome in the United States is estimated at more than 400,000. House Resolution 1078 passed the House unanimously. More information about Dow...

A woman who tried to cash in a voucher that wasn’t hers is now facing charges. Sheriff’s deputies say 67-year-old Deborah Brogdon of Pittsburgh tried to cash in the voucher Saturday evening at the Seneca Allegany Casino. Brogdon is charged with petit larceny and is scheduled to appear in City of Salamanca Court on October 29. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Three people are accused of trespassing on railroad property and trying to interfere with railroad employees. Cattaraugus County Sheriff’s deputies say 54-year-old Molly Griner, 57-year-old David Case Sr. and 29-year-old Claude Case III were on Western New York-Pennsylvania Railroad property on School Street in Kill Buck at around 10:30 p.m. on October 2, and tried to interfere with the employees who were doing maintenance on the tracks. All three are charged with criminal trespass and are scheduled to appear in Town of Great Valley Court tomorrow. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A Bradford bar has been cited for violations of the state’s liquor laws. Police say The Lighter Side on Mechanic Street did not notify the Liquor Control Board within 15 days of a change in management; allowed smoking on May 16 and June 14; didn’t have “no smoking” signs posted on those dates and on July 24; and allowed their sound system to be heard beyond their property line on June 14. Also, Warren’s Holiday Inn on Ludlow Street was cited for failing to notify the board of a management change; and sold alcoholic beverages four times in July and August after their hotel liquor license expired. Charges against both establishments will be brought before an administrative law judge. The West Side Grill of Kane has been ordered to pay a $600 fine for state liquor law violation. Police say they gave alcohol to a visibly intoxicated person on January 11. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947