Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

As you probably know, the Owls are hosting Brookville tonight. Well, anyone going to the game is being asked to wear yellow – a shirt, a scarf, a hat, anything – to support Aiden Davis, a little Bradford boy who is battling cancer. City of Bradford Police will be presenting Aiden with a few things during halftime, and Aiden is expected to say a few words to the crowd as well. So, again, if you’re headed to the Owls Nest tonight – help turn it yellow for Aiden. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

We won’t have to cross the border anymore to eat at Taco Bell. The restaurant chain is moving to Bradford next year. They hope to start construction near the Walmart entrance on East Main Street in the spring, and we’ll be able to “live mas” close to home two or three months after that. We’re still waiting to hear from the company on whether a KFC or Pizza Hut will be connected to the Taco Bell. Currently, the closest Taco Bells are in Olean and Warren. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Several pre-schoolers suffered minor injuries, and a St. Marys man is dead after his car hit a school bus Thursday afternoon in Clearfield County. Police say 33-year-old Jason Trask was on Bennetts Valley Highway when his car went to the path of the school bus in the opposite lane. The bus driver, 37-year-old Chrystal Miller of Curwensville, tried to avoid the crash, but the vehicles collided in the middle of the road. Trask was pronounced dead at the scene. Miller was taken to Penn Highlands DuBois for treatment of unspecified injuries. 12 pre-schoolers were on the bus, but only a few suffered minor injuries. Police are waiting for toxicology reports before concluding their investigation. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A West Virginia man is dead following a two-vehicle crash Thursday afternoon on Route 120 in Cameron County. State police say a car driven by 61-year-old James Burgeson of Allegany, New York, crossed into the lane of a pickup truck driven by 51-year-old Phillip Wagner of Phillipi, West Virginia. Wagner was taken to Penn Highlands Elk, where he was pronounced dead. Burgeson was flown to UPMC Altoona, where he is in critical condition. Route 120 in Portage Township was closed for about four hours after the accident. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Three of four people involved in a fight that started at the Port Allegany Sheetz in September have entered pleas in McKean County Court. 25-year-old Kyle Bonneau of Roulette, who was stabbed in the fight, pleaded no contest to simple assault and disorderly conduct. 27-year-old Christopher Taylor of Port Allegany pleaded guilty to DUI. 18-year-old Triston Duell of Coudersport pleaded guilty to harassment. Duell was fined $100 and ordered to have no contact with Bonneau. Taylor and Bonneau are both scheduled for sentencing in March. A hearing for the fourth man, 36-year-old Antwan Cunningham of Coudersport, who is accused of stabbing Bonneau, has been moved to February 19. The fight started at about 4:30 a.m. on September 21 in the Sheetz parking lot, and later continued at the intersection of Arnold Avenue and North Main Street. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A person died in a house fire in Cattaraugus County Thursday morning. The county fire investigation team and state police say the person was found on the ground by the door of the house on Potter Road in Machias. They have not identified the person yet. Firefighters got the call at just before noon and say the house was fully engulfed in flames when they arrived. Investigators have not determined the cause of the fire yet, but say there is nothing to indicate foul play was involved. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Some moms will do anything for their kids, but one Pittsburgh mother is facing up to 20 years in prison for helping her son. The thing is, 45-year-old Carrie Robinson decided that while her son was in jail for selling heroin, she’d keep his business going and sell what he had left. She pleaded guilty, and will be sentenced in federal court on May 26. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

The University of Pittsburgh is creating the Live Like Lou Center for ALS Research to study a cure for ALS, the degenerative nerve disease named for baseball player Lou Gehrig. The center is named after a charity founded by Neil and Suzanne Alexander, a Pittsburgh couple who started the fund at The Pittsburgh Foundation after Neil Alexander was diagnosed with ALS three years ago. Read more at UPMC.com . The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

CASA of McKean County Executive Director Kristen Tim and Board President Bob Esch show that the organization has reached 80 percent of its $150,000 goal so far. The funds have come from private and corporate donations, as well as a grant from the United Way of the Bradford Area. The money will be used for the next three years to operate the program, which provides much-needed stability and support for neglected and abused children in McKean County. To make a tax-deductible contribution to the campaign, contact Tim at 887-4020 or casa@mckeancountypa.org or visit CASA’s website at www.mckeancountypa.org/casa.aspx. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Bradford, PA—To help alleviate any parking concerns at this year’s 3rd Annual Bradford Brewfest, organizers at the Bradford Area Chamber of Commerce have announced that a bus shuttle service will be available. The shuttle, provided by JRS Transportation, will begin at 6pm at Java Dave’s parking lot (224 West Washington Street) and take passengers to the 3rd Annual Bradford Brewfest at St. Bernard School (450 West Washington Street). The bus will then return to Java Dave’s and pick up and drop off passengers approximately every twenty minutes until 9pm. The last return shuttle from the Bradford Brewfest to Java Dave’s will depart the school at approximately 9:20pm. “Parking is always one of the challenges faced when planning an event, especially in the winter,” said Kara Kennedy, Bradford Area Chamber of Commerce Event Coordinator. “We found last year that, despite the heavy snowfall, people were still determined to get to the event and had a great time. But our hope is that p...

Monday, February 9th: Pride UK gay activists work to help miners during their lengthy strike of the National Union of Mineworkers. Starring: Bill Nighy, Imelda Staunton & Dominic West The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

The Senate State Government Committee today approved legislation sponsored by Senator Pat Stefano (R-32) that would ensure illegal immigrants living in Pennsylvania do not receive public benefits, such as Medicaid, welfare, and unemployment. Senate Bill 9 passed the panel by a bipartisan vote of 9-2. “In order to combat welfare fraud in Pennsylvania and ensure that state government is efficiently providing assistance to its most vulnerable citizens, we must ensure public benefits are going to those who are truly deserving of the assistance,” Stefano said. “Pennsylvania citizens, who are struggling to make ends meet, should not have their hard-earned dollars go towards benefits for illegal immigrants.” Federal law prohibits illegal immigrants from receiving state or local public benefits. However, Stefano said Pennsylvania is simply too lenient in enforcing the federal provisions. “The Federation for Immigration Reform (FAIR) estimates the current local annual costs of illegal im...

A man is in jail for a home invasion late last month in Chautauqua County. Sheriff’s deputies say that around 8:20 p.m. on January 24 26-year-old Alex Tye of Fredonia broke into a Forestville home and demanded money from the people inside. An arrest warrant was issued for Tye on Monday and deputies found him at about 4:45 p.m. in the Town of Pomfret. Tye is charged with attempted robbery, burglary and a number of other offenses. His bail is set at $20,000 cash. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A man scheduled to go on trial next week for running a meth lab in a public housing unit is missing, and is now at the top of Warren County’s “Most Wanted” list. A warrant was issued for 28-year-old Matthew Esterbrook after he didn’t show up for a court appearance last week. Jury selection for his trial is scheduled to start Monday. Police say Esterbrook could be in Elk County. One of his co-defendants, George Heatherdale, is from Brookville. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

The Arlington Hotel’s hotel liquor license has been revoked. State police say the business at 15 Fraley Street in Kane is not a bona fide hotel because there aren’t enough rooms for guests, and they are inadequately equipped. The date of the violations was from September 1 through 20. An administrative law judge ordered the revocation on Thursday. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A Bradford woman who drove her car into a lake Tuesday afternoon is facing charges. Cattaraugus County Sheriff’s deputies say 55-year-old Kathleen Poland was traveling south on Route 353 when her car went out of control, traveled onto a guard rail and then into Linlyco Lake in the Town of New Albion. She was charged with improperly using a lane. They did not say if Poland was injured. Image from Google Earth © The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Besides the burglaries on Mechanic and Main streets and accidents on Route 219, City of Bradford Police on Tuesday investigated motor vehicle accidents on Pleasant Street and Euclid and Lorana avenues. They looked into harassment on Lorana as well and disturbances on Congress and Main streets. Officers also received a report about suspicious activity on Lowell Avenue. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

City Police are looking for a Silver Jeep Commander that was involved in an assault in Tops Parking lot around 10:30 last night. At the time of the assault, two men and a woman were in the Jeep. The men assaulted another man and then left the scene. Anyone who may have witnessed the incident is urged to contact City of Bradford Police. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A woman is in jail after being accused of breaking her infant’s leg and then waiting nearly a week to take him to the hospital. Police say 20-year-old Tiffany Gardner of Warren told them she knew she broke the four-month-old boy’s leg – when she pulled him across a bed and lifted him by the leg – because he was screaming, the leg was swollen, and it buckled when she tried to stand him on it. She told police she didn’t take him to the hospital because she didn’t have a ride or gas money, and didn’t want to get in trouble. When she finally did take him, she told hospital personnel the baby’s two-year-old sibling broke the boy’s leg. She is charged with felony aggravated assault and endangering the welfare of children. The baby is in the custody of Children and Youth Services. A family member is caring for the two-year-old. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A Duke Center man has pleaded guilty to failing to register as a sex offender. Prosecutors say on December 12 38-year-old Walter Randall changed his address and did not notify the state sex offender registry within 10 days. Back in 1995, in Olean, he sexually abused a 12-year-old girl. He is scheduled for sentencing on April 13. ~~~ A Bradford woman has pleaded guilty to a theft charge. 19-year-old Karlie Ryan stole property in Olean on September 13. She is scheduled for sentencing on May 11. ~~~ A 53-year-old man has pleaded guilty to trying to have sexual contact with a child. Prosecutors say Larry Tadder of Olean tried to have inappropriate contact with a child younger than 11 on November 1 in Olean. He’s scheduled for sentencing on April 13. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Senator Joe Scarnati (R-25) has been awarded a “Friend of the Food Industry Award” for 2014 by the Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association. The Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association (PFMA) represents the employers of more than 100,000 individuals across PA. The award recognizes lawmakers whose voting records reflect the importance of fostering a healthy business climate in Pennsylvania to create jobs and spur economic development. “I’m pleased to accept this award and to help support small businesses and encourage economic growth within Pennsylvania,” Scarnati said. “Supermarkets, grocery stores, convenience stores and food vendors within our communities play a central role in providing needed resources as well as good jobs.” Senator Scarnati was one of only 10 members of the Senate to receive the award. “These lawmakers have listened to PFMA members’ concerns during the past year and supported legislation that would have a positive impact on their businesses,” ...

John Williams Pastry Shop and Gabriel’s Bistro were burglarized this morning, and the Falconer, New York, man who admitted to committing the crimes is in McKean County Jail. City Police say they got a call at 4:19 a.m. saying someone wearing a black mask and dark hoodie was inside John Williams. When police got there, they noticed signs of forced entry, and soon saw a man walking a dolly cart and stopped him. After 41-year-old Richard Schultz told police he had a hammer on him, one officer patted him down looking for more weapons and found a bundle of cash in his pocket. Then they saw the business’s safe outside the back of the building, the cash drawer on the ground and damage to doors. Court papers say that while being interviewed by police Schultz confessed to the John Williams burglary, and also admitted to breaking into Gabriel’s Bistro, where he grabbed the dolly cart he used at John Williams. His bail is set at $25,000, and a preliminary hearing is scheduled for February 12...

The First Night Bradford Committee is excited to announce that on Friday, January 16th, the final reinstatement paperwork was sent out for the 501(c)3 and should be returned within 90 days. This process could not have been completed without the assistance of Jim Smith and Sherry Deeter of Smith, Best, and Stoneking CPA. We appreciate the time and effort that went into this progression and look forward to reinstatement of our 501(c)3 tax exempt status. Jim Tingley, newly appointed Chairman of the First Night Bradford Committee, has recently taken over and under his direction and approval of the committee, several modifications have been made to the structure of the organization. Functional Teams have been established to focus on the several different categories of the New Years’ Cultural and Arts Festival. Team categories include Finance, Entertainment, Advertising and Public Relations, Technology, Venues and Vendors, Public Works and City, and the Finale Team. These teams will f...

City firefighters are on the scene of a blaze in the South Avenue area. Elm Street is closed from Congress to South Avenue, and South is closed in the Elm Street area. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947