Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

Governor Tom Corbett and First Lady Susan Corbett (top) light the capitol tree on the front steps of the capitol building in Harrisburg on Thursday. Also pictured, a spectator participating in the ceremony; and Central Dauphin high school singers, who provided the musical selections at the capitol tree lighting ceremony. Photos provided by Commonwealth Media Service The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Nursing students from the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford took time off from their nursing studies this week to make fleece blankets for Project Linus, a non-profit organization that delivers blankets to children in need. The Student Nurse Organization held a fall fundraiser to purchase materials for 22 blankets, which will be sent to seriously ill children at Pittsburgh Children’s hospital. Shown here, from left, are Mary Boser, assistant professor of nursing and SNO advisor, Amber Steward of Bradford, Chris Augustine and Francine Augustine of Custer City, and Laura Morris of Sheffield. Pitt-Bradford photo The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

First Night Bradford has been cancelled for this year. The organization’s status as a non-profit is in on hold because paperwork wasn’t filed correctly in the past, so they can’t get the corporate donations that are necessary to pay for entertainers and other costs. This year, the committee raised about $6,800. They were hoping for $20,000. The committee is in the process of reorganizing for next year. This is the second time since 1998 the event has had to be cancelled. The City of Bradford does not run First Night, although the city did help with certain aspects of the event. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A Port Allegany man is facing child pornography charges in Potter County. 26-year-old Christopher Mitchell is accused of having inappropriate contact with a child younger than 16 in August of 2011 in Ulysses. He is facing five felony child pornography and child sex charges. Mitchell is in Potter County jail on $75,000 bail. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A hunter was hit in the leg by a bullet Thursday morning after getting into a fight with another hunter on state game lands in Potter County. Police say 28-year-old Jarrett Rapp of Marietta was leaving a wooded area of Pike Township when he got into an argument with another hunter, who fired a bullet that grazed Rapp’s leg, causing a minor injury. The unidentified man then hit Rapp, who then hit him in the face with his rifle. The man is white and is in his 40s. He drove away in a light blue pickup truck. Anyone with information on this incident is asked to contact Coudersport-based state police. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

State police are investigating an attempted homicide and suicide in Warren County. They say Charles Williams stabbed 42-year-old Angel McShane in her Garland home, then fatally shot himself Thursday morning. McShane was able to call 911. She is in critical condition at UPMC Hamot. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A fight in Coudersport has led to charges against a Wellsville, New York, man. Police say 35-year-old Michael Knight assaulted 27-year-old Donald Wright of Coudersport at a home in the borough. Besides simple assault, Knight is charged with harassment and disorderly conduct. He is free on $2,500 unsecured bail. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

UPDATE 1/15/15: Herbstitt was sentenced to 1 to 2 years in McKean County Jail. The man who was driving nearly 70 mph on Euclid Avenue when his car crashed into a tree, seriously injuring two of his five passengers, has pleaded guilty in McKean County Court. 23-year-old Matthew Herbstritt was charged with aggravated assault by vehicle while driving under the influence, recklessly endangering another person, corruption of minors, DUI and possession of drug paraphernalia. The crash happened on the afternoon of March 9. Herbstritt will be sentenced January 15. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

City of Bradford Police are investigating a sexual assault that was reported Wednesday from Main Street. They are also looking into a theft on West Corydon Street. Officers were called to disturbances on Forman and High streets, and were asked to look into suspicious circumstances on West Washington Street and Lincoln Avenue. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

State police are warning people of a new scam. They say people identifying themselves as local water authority employees are contacting people by phone and telling them that their water bill is past due, and unless they pay it in full immediately, service will be shut off. The caller then tells the victim they can pay by phone by providing a credit card number or bank account number. State police say water authority employees – and employees of other utilities – do not contact customers by phone asking for payment information. This is an attempt to steal your personal information. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A pedestrian attempting to beat a car that had a green light on Main Street ran into the car, and was hurt. City police say at just after 11:30 this morning William Higie was driving his car on Main Street and approaching the intersection with Congress Street when the traffic light turned green. 40-year-old William Thomas was trying to cross the street and, in an attempt to beat the car through the intersection, ran into the driver’s side mirror. Police say the investigation is still open until they know the extent of Thomas’s injuries. Higie will not be charged. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

The man found with a machete and a knife while Bradford police were at a home checking on the welfare of children has waived his preliminary hearing. Court records say police noticed through a window at 169 Elm Street that 25-year-old Michael Salmonson had the machete and also had blood on his face. They found the fixed blade knife under shirt while arresting him. As for the children – the 1-year-old girl had a large bruise on her head and couldn’t keep her balance. She was taken to BRMC for treatment of significant injuries. The other child is a 10-year-old boy. McKean County Children and Youth Services is handling their cases. Salmonson’s co-defendant, 31-year-old Kristen Moore, remains in McKean County Jail on $40,000 bail. Her hearing is scheduled for December 17. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

One of the people accused of staging a robbery to get $200 from a Bradford man was in McKean County Central Court this morning. 21-year-old Breanna Miller of Bradford waived her preliminary hearing. The hearing for her co-defendant, Timothy Wright, has been moved to next Thursday. According to court papers, Wright tried to get money from the victim while he was in the shower with Miller. Next, Wright tried to get the money while Miller and the victim were having sex. They finally got it by staging a robbery in June, when Wright held a knife to Miller’s neck and threatened to kill her if the victim didn’t hand over the money. Wright and Miller are both in McKean County Jail on $25,000 bail each. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Child pornography charges have been filed against a Limestone man. 34-year-old Billy Dixon was arrested following a month-long state police investigation. Dixon is charged with felony unlawful surveillance for sexual arousal, two counts each of felony possession of a child sexual performance and promoting a sexual performance by a child, two misdemeanor counts of endangering the welfare of a child and unlawful possession of marijuana. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

City of Bradford Police on Tuesday investigated thefts on York and Forman streets, motor vehicle accidents on West Washington and Amm streets, and a disturbance on Interstate Parkway. They also got calls about harassment on Lincoln Avenue and suspicious activity on Brookline Court. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

The mayor of St. Marys was cited for disorderly conduct after an incident last week in Ridgway. Police say Bob Howard went into the Hello Beautiful salon on November 24 and yelled obscenities at the owner, Michelle Howard in the presence of customers. Bob Howard was issued a summary citation in district court and released. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A Roulette man is accusing of endangering the welfare of a child. Police charged 41-year-old Marvin Caskey III on Tuesday in connection to an incident that happened August 1 in Roulette. He is also charged with simple assault and harassment with physical contact. A preliminary hearing has been scheduled for December 22. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

More than $1,400 has been stolen from a Ulysses home. Police say the cash was taken between November 22 and Thanksgiving Day from the Center Street home of Phillip Thompson. Anyone with information on this incident is asked to contact Coudersport-based state police. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Charges against a Bradford man found with a gun stolen from Johnsonburg have been bound to McKean County Court following a preliminary hearing this morning. 25-year-old Gene Meacham had the Browning .22 caliber handgun at his Jefferson Street home early last month. Police verified with the Johnsonburg resident who owns the gun, and the Johnsonburg Police Department, that it had been stolen. Meacham is free on unsecured bail. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

HARRISBURG – Rep. Martin Causer (R-Turtlepoint) is encouraging the Department of Education and the Corbett Administration to immediately release $1.2 million designated in the state budget for the establishment of a rural community college. “The money was appropriated this year for the sole purpose of helping to establish the college. I am at a loss as to why the administration is interpreting the law in such a way as to deny the board of trustees the money they need to get this important initiative off the ground,” Causer said. “Under the law, the board has just one year to put together a comprehensive plan to outline the formation and operation of the college. Assembling such a plan will require a great deal of time and expertise and would be extremely difficult to accomplish without the state funding promised to them.” Act 126 of 2014 authorized the creation of the community college and was based on legislation sponsored by Causer in the House and by Sen. Joe Scarnati (R-B...

Conewango Creek in Warren County is in the running for River of the Year in Pennsylvania. It is currently in second place in the voting, which ends December 15. You can cast your vote at http://pariveroftheyear.org/2015-river-of-the-year-nominees-3/ And you can hear members of the Conewango Creek Watershed Association on Monday’s LiveLine to learn about what’s been done to get such notoriety for Conewango Creek. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

The Cameron County High School Red Raiders marching band left today for Honolulu, where they will participate in Sunday’s Pearl Harbor Remembrance Parade. The Red Raiders were chosen to represent Pennsylvania in the annual parade. The 56 students raised more than $1,200 to be able to make the trip. They’ll spend four days in Hawaii. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Eddie Money and Jeff Foxworthy will be at the Seneca Allegany Events Center in March. Money, whose hits include “Baby Hold On,” “Two Tickets to Paradise” and “Think I’m in Love” will perform at 7 p.m. March 6. Foxworthy, known for his redneck humor and as host of the television show "Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader," takes the stage March 28 at 7 p.m. Tickets for both shows go on sale at noon Friday. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A Cattaraugus County man has pleaded not guilty to having sexual contact with a child, starting when the child was 8 or 9 years old. Prosecutors say 27-year-old Traven Holmes of Delevan had inappropriate contact with the child between 2006 and earlier this year in the Town of Machias. He is charged with sexual conduct against a child, criminal sex act, sex abuse, forcible touching and related offenses. The case has been adjourned for motions. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947