Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

The artwork of an Elk County fifth-grader will be featured in the attorney general’s 16th annual Drug-Free Calendar. Emily, who attends Johnsonburg Elementary School, was one of 13 winners whose work was chosen from more than 1,500 entries from schools throughout the state. The last names of the winners were not released. Emily’s picture is for October. During a ceremony, she and the other winners were presented with certificates of achievement and a monetary prize. To see a list of the other winners, and a picture of the entire calendar, go to the state attorney general's website . The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Harrisburg - It's one of the oldest scams around, and it's costing people thousands of dollars. It's known as the "grandparent scam," and according to Attorney General Linda Kelly, it is being run on Pennsylvanians nearly every day, sometimes with tragic consequences. "We see more of it this time of year," said Kelly. "The holidays are here, and the scammers think that grandparents will be in the right frame of mind to send money to a 'grandchild' who is in trouble." There are many versions of the scam, but they usually involve a desperate call from a person pretending to be a grandchild, in trouble in another country and in urgent need of cash. Very often, the scammer will insist on a wire transfer of money or a pre-paid cash card, and plead with the grandparent "not to tell mom and dad about this." "The scammers are extremely good at gaining your trust," says Kelly. "They play on your feelings of sympathy...

Pennsylvania Attorney General Linda Kelly says former Penn State President Graham Spanier, athletic director Tim Curley and retired vice president for finance and business Gary Schulz were involved in a "conspiracy of silence" regarding the then-allegations against Jerry Sandusky. "This is not a mistake, an oversight or a misjudgment. This was a conspiracy of silence by top officials at Penn State, working to actively conceal the truth, with total disregard to the suffering of children," Kelly said. You can read Kelly's news release and the grand jury presentment here . The university released the following statement on its website: Penn State officials today (Nov. 1) learned of the charges announced at a press conference held by Pennsylvania Attorney General Linda Kelly against former University president Graham Spanier, and of additional charges brought against former Athletic Director Tim Curley and former University administrator Gary Schultz, in rel...

UPDATE: Spanier is charged with felony counts of endangering the welfare of children, perjury and conspiracy. He is also charged with misdemeanour counts of obstructing governmental administration. He is scheduled to be in district court in Harrisburg tomorrow. Spanier Docket Sheet PDF Former Penn State University President Graham Spanier is expected to be charged today with perjury and obstruction of justice in connection to the Jerry Sandusky child sex abuse case. State Attorney General Linda Kelly will hold a news conference this afternoon and is expected to formally announce the charges then. Spanier was forced to resign just days after the charges against Sandusky were filed. Since his resignation, Spanier has become a target of the investigation and the alleged coverup. Spanier denies any knowledge of a 1998 University Police investigation of Sandusky involving a child in a Penn State campus shower, and has always denied any wrongdoing.

An Elk County man has been charged for allowing more than 10 million gallons of wastewater to be discharged into a tributary leading to Wolf Run. 75-year-old Charles Vaughn of James City is a certified sewage treatment plant operator, but Attorney General Linda Kelly said the plant was being operated by someone who was not certified. During this time – between 2007and 2010 – an unauthorized bypass pipe was installed at the headworks of the plant, which allowed raw sewage to be redirected away from the plant and discharged directly into the unnamed tributary. DEP requires certified sewage treatment plant operators to report sewage that it bypassed through a plant, but Vaughn allegedly did not report it. He is charged with two counts of tampering with public records or information, two counts of unsworn falsification to authorities and one count of unlawful conduct pursuant to the Clean Streams Law. Vaughn is free on $5,000 unsecured bail. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... sin...

HARRISBURG - Agents from the Attorney General's Bureau of Narcotics Investigation and Pennsylvania State Police have filed criminal charges against nine individuals linked to an organization allegedly responsible for shipping large quantities of marijuana from Texas to northwestern Pennsylvania. Attorney General Linda Kelly said the grand jury investigation, known as "Operation Texas Twins," identified two brothers - Marcelino Rodriguez, of Eddy, Texas and Miguel Rodriguez, of Corpus Christi - accused of coordinating the transportation and distribution of as much as 20 pounds of marijuana per month, over a two year period of time. According to the grand jury, Miguel Rodriguez operated from Texas, communicating with his brother Marcelino and other associates by telephone in order to arrange the shipment of drugs to Pennsylvania and the transfer of money back to Texas. Kelly said the Rodriguez brothers were allegedly assisted by Robert Karl Conaway, who is accused of assist...

A Lycoming County man was charged today by agents from the Attorney General's Environmental Crimes Protection Section with illegally dumping well production water - commonly known as brine. Attorney General Linda Kelly identified the defendant as John Elwood Marsh, 47, 6 Drake Lane, Jersey Shore, Lycoming County. Marsh is a tanker truck driver for Gas Field Specialists, Inc., which is a subcontractor to Anadarko Petroleum Corporation. Kelly said that Marsh is responsible for hauling "gas buster tanks," which are tanks used to hold gas well production water (brine) after it is extracted from wells. According to the criminal complaint, on Feb. 1, 2012 Marsh's truck became caught in the mud along a rural road in Clinton County causing his gas buster tank to become stuck in a ditch. In order to lighten the tanks and try and move the trailer from the ditch Marsh allegedly opened a discharge valve on the back of the trailer. The charges state that the valve, which was open ...

One of the largest drug seizures in Warren County has led to charges against three men are accused of conspiring to distribute and sell cocaine in northwestern Pennsylvania. Attorney General Linda Kelly says the arrests of 54-year-old Richard Cieslak Sr. of Pittsfield (pictured); along with 42-year-old Timothy Soliwoda and 56-year-old Thomas Lindstrom Sr., both of Spartansburg, are the result of an extensive grand jury investigation focusing on drug trafficking in the region. According to the criminal charges, Cieslak coordinated the sale of large quantities of cocaine to drug dealers and users throughout the region, including sales to Soliwoda and Lindstrom - who allegedly resold smaller quantities to other users. An August 2011 search of Cieslak's home, authorized by the grand jury, resulted in the seizure of about one kilo of cocaine - one of the largest drug seizures in Warren County. Agents also seized real estate belonging to Cieslak along with more than $8,000 in cash, three...

HARRISBURG - Pennsylvania today joined Attorneys General from 14 states and Puerto Rico in a lawsuit charging three of the nation's largest book publishers and Apple Inc. with colluding to fix the sales prices of electronic books. Attorney General Linda Kelly said that the antitrust action is the result of a two-year investigation into allegations that publishers Penguin, Simon & Schuster and Macmillan conspired with other publishers and Apple to artificially raise e-book prices. Kelly said that for years, retailers sold e-books through a traditional wholesale distribution model, under which retailers ?-not publishers - set e-books' sales prices. The states allege that the defendants colluded to use a different distribution model to eliminate free market competition and allow publishers, not the marketplace set the price of e-books. According to the lawsuit, the cost of New York Times Bestselling e-books rose from $9.99 to as much as $14.99 per book once Apple and the publi...

Lawyers in the Jerry Sandusky child sex abuse case will be in court next week to present arguments on how much information prosecutors should have to turn over to the defense before the trial. Judge John Cleland scheduled the hearing for Monday in Centre County. Sandusky’s lawyer Joe Amendola says he wants the attorney general's office to provide more details about the allegations to help him prepare possible defenses. Prosecutors said they’ve turned over as much information as they can. The 68-year-old former Penn State assistant football coach denies allegations that he sexually abused 10 boys over a 15-year period. Cleland has scheduled jury selection in the trial for May 14. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

The state attorney’s general’s office says they will turn over some of information Jerry Sandusky's defense team is asking for, but that other information doesn’t have to be released. Today, prosecutors filed a response that says they shouldn't have to give the former Penn State assistant football coach records that consist of grand jury matters, pertain to ongoing investigations or anything that relates private personal information. Jury selection in Sandusky’s trial is tentatively scheduled for May 14. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

HARRISBURG - Attorney General Linda Kelly and Blair County District Attorney Richard Consiglio today announced the filing of criminal charges against fourteen suspected cocaine suppliers, distributors and dealers identified during an extensive grand jury investigation into drug trafficking between Maryland and Central Pennsylvania. Kelly noted that this drug network allegedly distributed approximately 2.5 kilos of cocaine per week in and around Altoona, including an estimated $2 million worth of drugs sold during the past year - the largest drug distribution network ever identified in Blair County. Kelly identified the principal figure in the organization as Damion Floyd, age 33, formerly of Baltimore and currently incarcerated at the State Correctional Institution Pine Grove. "Floyd is accused of obtaining bulk quantities of cocaine from sources in Maryland, coordinating the transport of drugs back to Altoona and then supervising the sale and delivery of smaller quantities to loc...

A new educational program focused on preventing prescription drug abuse among middle and high school students was launched today during two assemblies in the Mechanicsburg School District, Cumberland County. Attorney General Linda Kelly (pictured) said the program, known as "Consequences: Rx Abuse," will educate students, parents and teachers across the state about the dangers of prescription drugs and the lasting consequences it can have on teens and kids. Provided by Commonwealth Media Services The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A district judge in Lancaster, PA, is accused of dismissing her own traffic citations. Attorney General Linda Kelley says 43-year-old Kelly is charged with conflict of interest, tampering with public records and obstructing the administration of law or other governmental function. The AG’s office says Lancaster police cited Ballentine's car three times in November 2010 for parking violations and expired registration, and summonses were later issued. They allege that Ballentine accessed the judicial system and dismissed the summonses. Officials say there is no record of fines having been paid. Ballentine was arraigned Monday and released on $25,000 unsecured bail. Her preliminary hearing is scheduled for February 23. http://www.attorneygeneral.gov/press.aspx?id=6437 The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

HARRISBURG -- Attorney General Linda Kelly today announced the filing of a series of felony charges against a Butler County man accused of using Facebook to operate an elaborate and disturbing false identity scheme that was used to solicit young girls for explicit photos or meetings for sex. Kelly identified the defendant as William R. Ainsworth, 53, 110 Raupp Lane, Mars. Kelly explained that the investigation by the Attorney General's Child Predator Unit began in September 2011, after agents received information that Ainsworth had traveled to the home of a 14-year old girl in Butler County in order to engage in various sex acts. For more on this story go here . The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Jerry Sandusky wants copies of secret grand jury testimony to help him prepare for trial on charges he sexually abused 10 boys. Sandusky’s lawyer Joe Amendola has filed a court motion seeking transcripts of testimony by any witness the attorney general intends to call to testify. This hearing will be added to Friday’s scheduled hearings on the Commonwealth’s request to bring in a jury from outside Centre County and the request for bail modification so Sandusky can see his grandchildren. In a response filed this morning Attorney General Linda Kelly says Sandusky was fortunate to have been granted house arrest because the Commonwealth believes he should be in jail. The response adds that “house arrest is not meant to be a house party.” Sandusky is facing 52 criminal counts and denies the allegations. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

State prosecutors are asking Judge John Cleland to bring in a jury from another county in the Jerry Sandusky sex abuse case, saying pretrial publicity and the role Penn State plays in the community would affect potential jurors. A motion filed today by the attorney general's office says coverage of the case has been "spectacular in its breadth and intensity." Prosecutors say it wouldn't be fair or practical to ask people in Centre County to insulate themselves from Penn State. Cleland has not said yet when he will hear arguments on the motion. Sandusky denies the allegations he abused 10 boys over 15 years. Read the motion here . PDF The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

HARRISBURG - Agents from the Attorney General?s Bureau of Narcotics Investigation and police from the City of Corry have arrested an Erie County man following the discovery of a suspected indoor marijuana growing lab and hallucinogenic mushroom operation inside his trailer home. Attorney General Linda Kelly identified the defendant as Mark Michael Varasso, age 62, of 13695 West Washington St., Lot 27, Corry. According to the criminal complaint, Varasso was arrested today as agents and local police officers executed a search warrant on his Corry home. Investigators located 24 suspected marijuana plants, along with "grow lights" and hydroponic plant growing materials in the bedroom and closest of his residence. Agents also located three plastic bins in the kitchen area of the home which contained suspected Psilocybin mushrooms. Kelly noted that this is an ongoing investigation involving the Attorney General?s Bureau of Narcotics Investigation along with police departments from...

HARRISBURG - Attorney General Linda Kelly today announced the arrest of an Erie County man suspected of manufacturing and selling "DMT," a psychedelic drug often produced using the root of a plant from South America. Kelly identified the defendant as Lucas Andrew Youngs, age 28, of 11390 Cross Station Road, Lot 35, Girard. Kelly said that agents from the Attorney General's Bureau of Narcotics Investigation, Pennsylvania State Police, members of the Northwestern Pennsylvania Meth Task Force and Edinboro Police participated in a coordinated investigation to locate a DMT lab allegedly operated by Youngs. "Our joint investigations have been very effective in shutting down meth labs and cutting off the supply of synthetic drugs like 'bath salts,' forcing drug dealers and users to search for other alternatives, including DMT," Kelly said. "Today's arrest marks the first seizure of a suspected DMT lab in northwestern Pennsylvania." Kelly explained...

HARRISBURG - Attorney General Linda Kelly today cautioned schools and school districts of scam artists, who promise schools that they can have celebrities or sports starts present assemblies on popular topics such as cyberbullying. Kelly said these scam artists accept payment for the assemblies and then cancel at the last minute and fail to provide refunds. "It is especially important that our schools, which may already be experiencing budgetary constraints, be cognizant of who they entrust their money and with whom they do business," Kelly said. The specific details of the assembly scams can vary, but nearly every one promises celebrities, well-known to children, who appear on popular children's networks such as Nickelodeon, or professional athletes to appear at the school for anti-bullying programs. The scammers will promise schools at least an hour with the celebrity as well as opportunity for students to have pictures taken and autographs signed. "The expensive r...