Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

County Commissioner Al Pingie confirms to WESB that Brad Mason has resigned as warden at the McKean County Jail. His resignation is effective Thursday, July 10. The commissioners oversee Mason in his role as warden. However his sheriff's position is an elected position. Pingie says he has not seen the resignation letter yet because he and commissioner Cliff Lane were out of town today, but Commissioner Joe DeMott informed them of Mason’s plans to resign. Speculation has been rampant as to why Mason took an extended vacation and leave of absence but Pingie says, as far as he knows, none of that was addressed in the letter. We’ll bring you more on this developing story later this evening.

A fugitive wanted in Bradford, Smethport and West Virginia is in custody after US Marshals picked him up near Towanda. 25-year-old Tony Ray Ford was wanted for allegedly sexually abusing a 4-year-old girl in November of 2009 in West Virginia. The McKean County Sheriff’s Office issued an arrest warrant on November 13, 2008, charging Ford with criminal trespass for breaking into a building. Bradford City Police issued a warrant on December 18, 2008. He was charged with making a false report to law enforcement. Ford was taken to the Bradford County Prison, based upon the felony charges in McKean County. Ford will also be charged as a fugitive-from-justice, and await court proceedings concerning his extradition to West Virginia on the first-degree sexual abuse case.

From the Jeffersonian Democrat: BROOKVILLE - Overcrowding in one county prison may prove to be a boon to the Jefferson County Jail. Monday Jefferson County Jail Warden Tom Elbel said he has been in contact with McKean County about the possibility of housing prisoners for that county. Read the full story here .

State police are investigating the death of an inmate at the McKean County Jail. 20-year-old Robert Hearst V died sometime between 1:20 and 5:08 this morning. A corrections officer discovered him while making rounds. Police say their initial investigation revealed no signs of foul play, but an autopsy is scheduled. Police were assisted by McKean County Coroner Mike Cahill, the McKean County Sheriff's Department and Priority Care EMS.

Brad Mason and the McKean County Sheriff's Department were featured in a recent edition of the National Rifle Association's "The Eagle Eye." The article featured Mason's gun safety programs presented to McKean County school children, with the help of Eddie Eagle. The GunSafe programs have also been presented at the Kinzua Outdoor and Travel Show, McKean County Fair and LEAF Day at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford. Pictured, Eddie Eagle with Smokey Bear at the Kinzua Outdoor and Travel Show.

The 8th Annual Kinzua Outdoor and Travel Show was a huge success again this year. Bradford Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Diane Sheeley says about 7,000 people attended the day-and-a-half long event. More than 100 vendors and exhibitors participated in the show. This year's major sponsors were the Zippo/Case Visitors Center, Edmond Chevrolet and Ed Shults Toyota-Scion, Centro Watt, Z & M Ag and Turf, Custom Turf, Charlie's Cycle Center and R & K Marina of Rushford, New York. John Sullivan was the event chair. Pictured, top, are Smokey the Bear and Eddie the Eagle from the National Rifle Association, who was a guest of the McKean County Sheriff's Department; bottom, State Representative Marty Causer and two of his children, Morgan and Matthew.