Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

Hiel “Butch” Bartlett, a local police officer with more than 19 years of experience in law enforcement, has thrown his hat in the ring for McKean County sheriff. Bartlett is seeking the Republican nod in the upcoming May Primary Election.. “With your support, I look forward to having the opportunity to make the McKean County Sheriff's Department into a public serving agency which will strive to ensure the safety and protection of the residents of our great county,” he said. Bartlett has spent the last 15 years as a police officer with the City of Bradford Police Department. While employed at the City of Bradford Police Department he held the position of Detective and now serves as a School Resource Officer in the Bradford Area School District. “In my time working as a School Resource Officer I have had many opportunities to work with our students and see firsthand how amazing these students truly are,” he said. “In my first year as School Resource Officer I started a Criminal ...

As expected, the last 24 hours pushed the water system closer to normal operational levels. Overnight, the authority had several new reports of minor line breaks that are considered normal for this time of year. If you are you are a residential water customer and still do not have water, you probably have a frozen pipe in your home or frozen service line from the main line to your home. You will need to call a private plumber or contractor to resolve frozen pipes of any sort. Additionally we are still under the emergency declaration with anticipation of that declaration being lifted at a special council meeting scheduled for noon on Monday. All residents and commercial customers are reminded to continue to follow the strict water conservation request The emergency operations center is being moved to the central fire station at 25 Chestnut Street with operating hours of 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Central Fire Station is also the sole location for drinking water distribution. To contact the...

The Red Cross has set up a shelter at the Sawyer Evangelical Church at the intersection of South Kendall Avenue and Looker Mountain Trail. Water is also available at the church if you bring your own containers. The First Wesleyan Church of Bradford has a well, so if anyone need water, they are welcome to go to the church and get as much as they need. Everyone is welcome. The Church of the Ascension on Chautauqua Place is hosting a free soup lunch on Thursday. The lunch is being made in Warren and will be serve in Bradford from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. They are offering soup, bread, fruit and drinks, but no restroom facilities. Everyone is welcome. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

(HARRISBURG) – Senator Joe Scarnati (R-25) has issued the following statement regarding Monday’s water main break in the City of Bradford in McKean County: “The water main break on Monday in the City of Bradford has necessitated that local officials declare a State of Emergency. The next week will certainly be challenging for the community, as work is underway to restore the water supply to the City and surrounding areas that have been affected. “I have spoken with Mayor Riel and will continue to work with the Governor’s Office, Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) and state and local officials to ensure that the community has assistance with this emergency situation HARRISBURG – Rep. Martin Causer (R-Turtlepoint) issued the following statement regarding the ongoing emergency water situation in the Bradford area: “This obviously is a difficult and potentially dangerous situation for all involved. With an estimated 18,000 customers without water service, it i...

The City of Bradford Water Authority is anticipating the present condition to extend for several days, the following advisory is being issued to assist the community: -Obviously a major concern of this issue is the health and sanitation of the citizens, with that being said the disposal of waste in your toilets can be done by melting snow and putting it into your toilet tank and flushing in this manner. -If your heating system is dependant on water pressure from the Bradford Water Authority you should be prepared to be without heat for the duration of this emergency. Take necessary safety precautions. -The Red Cross will have some shelter space available to those in need at the Sawyer Evangelical Church, located at the intersection of South Kendall Ave and Looker Mountain Trail. -If persons are in need of water, the City of Bradford had secured bottled water that will be available to area residents upon request. If you have an immediate need of drinking water tonight and do...

For the latest list of closings and cancellations due to the State of Emergency/Water Crisis in Bradford, go to http://www.wesb.com/news/closings/ . The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Bradford businessman Steve Stidd started the day in McKean County Jail charged with criminal homicide. He’ll end the day a free man. Stidd was charged after shooting his son-in-law Mel Bizzarro on January 16 in the parking lot behind Togi’s Family Restaurant on East Main Street. The homicide charge – along with charges of involuntary manslaughter and voluntary manslaughter that were added this morning – were dismissed following a hearing in front of District Judge Dominic Cercone. Stidd’s attorney Greg Henry made a motion after district attorney Ray Learn presented the state’s case, saying that Learn did not prove Stidd did not act in self-defense. In fact, Henry argued, two of the state’s witnesses made Stidd’s case for self-defense. In an emotionally wrenching 9-1-1 call played by Learn, Stidd’s wife Barbara can be heard telling the 9-11 operator, “(Bizzarro) attacked my husband” and her husband shot him. Kevin Rhebergen, a truck driver who was delivering food to Togi’s that m...

The Bradford City Water Authority is now advising residents to boil water, or use bottled water, because of the water main break near Campus Drive. You should use boiled or bottled water for drinking, making ice, washing dishes, brushing teeth and food preparation until further notice. Inadequately treated water may contain disease-causing organisms. These organisms include bacteria, viruses, and parasites, which can cause symptoms such as nausea, cramps, diarrhea, and associated headaches. The water authority will let us know when we no longer need to boil our water. Also, classes at Pitt-Bradford are cancelled for tonight because of the break. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

UPDATE: Bradford Township Fire Chief Dan Burkhouse says people who still have water should limit their use of it, just in case. A break in a 24-inch water main has forced access roads to Pitt-Bradford to be closed, and may affect much of the Tuna Valley. Water Authority Director Kim Benjamin tells WESB they are currently assessing the situation, but "a boil water advisory may be forthcoming." Benjamin will keep us updated on the situation, and we'll pass that on to you. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947