Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

A Scio couple who had been married for 50 years died within one day of each other of separate illnesses. Nathala Pitts passed away Tuesday in Jones Memorial Hospital in Wellsville. Her husband Milton died on Wednesday. Mr. Pitts had worked for Miles Bradford in Bradford. He and his wife enjoyed gardening together. A combined funeral service will be held Saturday. You can find their obituaries at http://www.Baker-Swan.com/ .] The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

The US Marine Corps this morning named a building at the Marine Corps Ground Training Center in Twentynine Palms, California, the Corporal Jason L. Dunham Memorial Mess Hall, for the Scio, New York, native who died after saving the lives of his fellow Marines in Iraq back in 2004. Dunham was on patrol when his unit was attacked by insurgents, one of whom released a hand grenade. Dunham covered the grenade with his helmet and body, saving several other men. He died eight days later. A post office and a guided missile destroyer have also been named for Dunham and, in 2007, his number was retired by the Don Raabe Big 30 All-Star Charities Classic Committee. He played in the game after his senior year of high school. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Four people are facing charges after a trailer that housed a meth lab exploded Saturday night in Allegany County. The explosion and fire on County Road 22, in the Town of Andover, was reported at 9:18 p.m. 26-year-old Michael Baum of Scio, along with 22-year-old Steven Weiss, 21-year-old Elizabeth Martin and 34-year-old Angie Matison, all of Andover, are charged with unlawful manufacture of meth and related offenses. Baum had been sent to Jones Memorial Hospital in Wellsville for treatment of burns and smoke inhalation, but has been released. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A Scio, New York, man is dead following a crash early this morning in the Town of Amity. State Police say 49-year-old James Scotchmer was driving on Back River Road when his vehicle went off the road and hit a tree stump. Scotchmer was taken to Jones Memorial Hospital in Wellsville, where he later died from his injuries. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A Scio, New York, Marine and star athlete who was killed in the line of duty will be recognized again – this time as an outstanding basketball player. Corporal Jason Dunham died in 2004 while shielding his comrades from a bomb blast in Iraq. He received the Medal of Honor for his heroism, and a warship has been named for him. Now Dunham will be inducted into the Section 5 basketball hall of fame. In 2007, Dunham's jersey number was retired during halftime ceremonies at the annual Don Raabe Big 30 Charities Classic All-Star Game, in which he played following his senior year of high school.

A 15-year-old Scio, New York, boy is facing a rape charge in connection with an incident on the morning of April 14 in Scio. Amity-based police are continuing their investigation and didn’t release any further information. A Wellsville, New York, man is in jail after being accused of selling Oxycontin pills from his home at the Level Acres Trailer Park. Allegany County Sheriff’s deputies say 32-year-old Rodger Howell sold the pills twice. He’s charged with two counts each of sale or and possession of a controlled substance. A Buffalo man is in jail for selling drugs on a Jamestown street. Agents with the Southern Tier Regional Drug Task Force say they saw 22-year-old Levelle Jones selling crack cocaine to another person. The agents confiscated the crack and some money. They say they expect to make additional arrests. A Roulette man is accused of going into a Coudersport home uninvited Wednesday night and making threats against the resident. Police say 28-year-old Michael Gallina entere...