Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

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

Staff at Bradford Regional Medical Center, along with a city police officer, were threatened last night by a woman whose blood alcohol content was nearly 4 times the legal limit. Police say they went to the Tops parking lot at about 11:45 last night to assist city ambulance personnel and soon determined that Tanya Cornelius of Concord, North Carolina, who will turn 40 on Monday, had been involved in an accident in the Best Western parking lot, where she allegedly hit a parked tractor trailer hauling a car carrier. They say they followed the damage trail to her car in the Tops lot. Police also determined Cornelius was drunk and, when she was in the lab at BRMC for testing, she told police to kill her and attempted to slam her head through a large glass window. She was later taken to the emergency room, where she attempted to kick the nursing supervisor in the head, and made the threats, according to papers filed in District Judge Dominic Cercone’s office. Cornelius is in McKean Cou...

Theresa Tunall of Kane is the winner of free gas and groceries for a year (a $10,000 value) from Tops Friendly Markets. From October 28 through November 10, customers who contributed $1 per entry to the Tops Markets Free Gas and Groceries campaign were automatically entered to win free gas and groceries for a year (a $10,000 value). The drawing of the winner was held on November 17 at the Festival of Trees Gala at the Hyatt Regency Buffalo. This year’s campaign raised more than $113,877 , with proceeds benefiting the Women and Children’s Hospital of Buffalo. Tunall, (pictured left) received her prize today at the Kane Tops, 525 North Fraley Street, from store manager Michele Gangloff. “Annually, the Gas and Groceries campaign raises an abundance of money for our regional children’s hospitals,” said Andrew Brocato, Tops director of community relations. “Through the support of customers like Theresa, we are making a significant contribution to improving the quality of life for c...

A Bradford man has been charged with his third retail theft within a month. City Police arrested 26 -year-old Matthew Louser Wednesday morning for a theft at Tops Market. Because this is the third incident within a month, it’s a felony offense. Louser was jailed on $1,500 bail.

Tops Friendly Markets said today that the company does not carry the potentially affected 12.5-ounce cans of Enfamil Newborn Powder with the lot number ZP1K7G recently recalled by Wal-Mart. Wal-Mart announced that the company pulled the product off of store shelves after a newborn Missouri boy who was fed the formula died from what preliminary tests indicate was a rare bacterial infection. “We want to reassure customers that Tops Markets does not carry the potentially affected Enfamil product,” said James DiMartino, Tops senior manager of regulatory, environmental services and food safety. “We understand that any recall, whether Tops is affected or not, has the potential to cause much concern and we are committed to protecting the health of our customers.” The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Mark J. Cercone, 52, of 181 Williams St., Bradford, passed away Sunday, November 20, 2011 at UPMC Hamot Medical Center. Born April 2, 1959 in Bradford, he was a son of the late Angelo D. Cercone and Joyce I. (Carll) Cercone who survives him of Bradford. On August 4, 2001 in Bradford he married Carolyn A. (Reed) Cercone who survives. He was a 1977 graduate of Bradford High School, and attended St. Bernard Church. He was employed as a non perishable Manger at Tops Friendly Markets in Bradford from 1977 to 2008. He was a member of the LaStella Lodge, and a avid fan of the Boston Bruins, Kansas City Chiefs, Philadelphia Phillies, and fantasy football. Surviving in addition to his mother and wife are two daughters; Amber Reed and Rachel Cercone, and one son Brandon Cercone, all of Bradford; one brother, Michael J. (Nancy) Cercone of Bradford; and several nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins. He was preceded in death by his father who died July 14, 2007. Family will be receiving friend...

The St. Bonaventure baseball team, in coordination with the Southern Tier Child Advocacy Center (STCAC), will assist the Southern Cattaraugus County Toys for Tots Program by collecting new toys for the upcoming holiday season at the men's basketball home game against Arkansas State on Thursday, Dec. 1 at 7 p.m. Baseball players will be on hand to accept new toys for the Toys for Tots program, and boxes will be set up around the Reilly Center for fans to donate throughout the game. Reggie Dallaire, Southern Cattaraugus County Toys for Tots coordinator, said all new toys would be accepted. All toys collected by the baseball program at the RC on Dec. 1 – as well as all those donated throughout the Toys for Tots campaign in the area – will stay in the Southern Cattaraugus County region. According to Dallaire, 2,064 toys were distributed to children in Allegany, Hinsdale, Olean and Portville last holiday season, a record for the program. "It's been growing every year and that...

Bradford resident Linda Miller, center, was presented with $500 worth of gifts cards from Tops Friendly Markets this afternoon at the Davis Street store. From August 28 through September 17 customers at Tops' western Pennsylvania stores who contributed to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation paper sneaker campaign were automatically entered to win the $500. Miller simply said, "Wow! I can't believe I did this!" Tops hosts the JDRF paper sneaker campaign every year in all of its 133 stores. Also pictured are store manager Steve Peroski and Tops representative Jessica Deeth.

WILLIAMSVILLE, NY – Tops Friendly Markets announced today it is not affected by Cargill Added Value Meats Retail voluntary recall of 36 million pounds of its fresh and frozen ground turkey products. On Wednesday, August 3, Cargill Value Added Meats Retail, a business unit of Wichita-based Cargill Meat Solutions Corporation announced a voluntary recall of 36 million pounds of fresh and frozen turkey products produced at its Springdale, AK facility from February 20, 2011 through August 2, 2011. The recall is a result of internal investigation and investigations of the Center for Disease Control and United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service. The Arkansas Cargill meat production facility has been identified as the potential source of a strand of salmonella, Heidelberg, which has affected 26 consumers nationwide since March 2011. “Tops Markets does not receive ground turkey products, fresh or frozen from any of Cargill’s four meat manufacturing facili...

The United Way of the Bradford Area held its second annual Grocery Grab Wednesday evening at Tops Friendly Market, which donated $425 worth of grocery and gas cards to the three contestants. The women had 3 minutes to race through the store and fill their carts with the most expensive items. In all they got more than $3,000 worth of groceries in those 3 minutes. (All the groceries went back on the shelves. The women can go back to Tops later and shop for what they really want -- not just expensive dog food and "Shake Weights.") ... and their off! Brenda and Mary Lou try to maneuver their full carts without hitting customers. Kelly Case lets the shoppers know how much time they have left. Heading for the checkout ... and checking out ... Megan Minich announces the winner ... ... Deb!

The Chautauqua Sheriff’s Office is investigating a possible quick change scam that occurred at the Tops Market in Frewsburg around 5:23pm on Sunday. They are looking for 2 black men. One appears to be in his 40s, about 5’10” with facial hair and a skinny to average build. The second man appears to be in his 60s with grey hair, grey facial hair and a slender build. Anyone who can identify either of the men is asked to contact the sheriff’s department at 716- 753-4232, or (800)78-CRIME, (800)782-7463. Or, go to Wetip.com . Any information received could be used for an award for the provider through the We-Tip program. Leads which are received that result in conviction could result in a $1,000 reward for the provider. Photos provided by the Chautauqua County Sheriff's Office.

WILLIAMSVILLE, N.Y. – Tops Friendly Markets and its long-standing partner, Smithfield, are proud to bring Paula Deen Live! to Buffalo, NY on April 20, 2011. Paula Deen will host a two-hour interactive cooking show, live on-stage at Shea’s Performing Arts Center. From February 6 through March 5, Tops shoppers can register their BonusCards at www.topsmarkets.com, and every time they check out at any Tops store they’re automatically entered for a chance to win a Paula Deen Live! VIP package, including a meet-and-greet with Paula Deen, an autographed cookbook and two tickets to see Paula Deen Live! on April 20, 2011. Each time Tops shoppers purchase any Smithfield product using their registered Tops BonusCard, they are automatically given 10 extra chances to win. “We’re very excited to be part of the team that’s bringing Paula Deen to Buffalo,” said Frank Curci, Tops’ president and CEO. “I’d like to thank our partners at Smithfield for presenting this opportunity to Tops, and for helping u...

A cashier at Tops Market in Bradford has been fired and charged with theft for stealing from a cash drawer. 19-year-old Tyler Thomas confessed to stealing $550 since April, according to papers filed in District Judge Dom Cercone’s office. The Tops Loss Prevention Team started investigating after shortages in Thomas’ cash drawer “sparked the attention of all managers.” He confessed during a meeting with managers and a union representative. He told police he thought he was being discreet, that the video surveillance camera wouldn’t see him, and that he wouldn’t get caught. He added that he is remorseful. He waived his preliminary hearing and is free on his own recognizance.

Williamsville, NY – Tops Friendly Markets announced today that shell eggs sold at all Tops, P&C and BiLo locations remain unaffected by the recent nation recall of millions of shell eggs. Eggs sold at Tops are locally sourced from Kreher’s Farm, located in western New York. On August 13, 2010, Wright County Egg of Galt, Iowa, conducted a nationwide voluntary recall of shell eggs that it had shipped since May 19, 2010 to food wholesalers, distribution centers and foodservice companies in California, Illinois, Missouri, Colorado, Nebraska, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Iowa because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. These foodservice companies do not ship eggs to Tops Markets and Tops has confirmed that this recall does not apply to any shell eggs carried at Tops Markets stores, including P&C and BiLo locations. State and local partners are also investigating human Salmonella infections in Arizona, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maryland, North Carolina, Neva...

Bradford City Fire Department Lt. Matt Rettger confirms that the person who set the fire at Tops Market this morning is in custody. He said Tops employees apprehended the suspect after he went back into he store after it re-opened at around 1 p.m. Rettger said “it was an intentionally set fire – without a doubt.” The fire was started at around 10 a.m. in a rack of uninflated Mylar balloons, and the store had to be closed because of the smoke and the chemicals in the air from the Mylar. Representatives from the State Department of Agriculture and Tops corporate office were called to the scene. Damage is estimated at $10,000. We’re waiting for a call from Bradford City Police to be returned so we can pass along more information.

A fire in a rack of uninflated Mylar balloons at Tops Market caused at least $10,000 worth of damage and has temporarily closed the store. Bradford City Fire Department Lieutenant Matt Rettger says the assistant store manager put the fire out with a fire extinguisher before firefighters arrived. Firefighters assisted with smoke removal and are continuing their investigation. The store had to be closed because of the smoke, and because of the chemicals in the air from the Mylar. Representatives from the State Department of Agriculture and Tops corporate office have also been called to the scene. The store is expected to re-open this afternoon.

WILLIAMSVILLE, N.Y. – Tops Friendly Market announced that it has awarded $876,200 dollars to 772 Tops first-year and matriculated college associates, associate dependents and associate grandchildren for the 2010-2011 academic year. Since the start of the scholarship program in 1989, Tops has awarded $12,585,050 dollars to over 10,000 recipients. “Each year, we are pleased to work with our Union partners to award Tops associates, their dependents and their grandchildren with college scholarships” said Frank Curci, president and CEO of Tops Markets. “We proudly support all associates and associates’ family members who choose to further their education by providing funding toward all four years of their educational journey.” All Tops associates, union and non-union, their dependents and grandchildren are eligible to apply for scholarship awards ranging from $1,000 to $1,500 annually over the course of four academic years. Through partnership with the United Food and Commercial Workers ...

Inaugural UWBA/Tops Grocery Grab Jessie Skillman, Brenda Laird and Brian Abers get an introduction to the United Way of the Bradford Area “Grocery Grab” from Michelle Gangloff, manager of Tops Market. She then took them on a tour of the store and showed them areas that were off limits for the contest. Igor chats with the United Way's Mandi Wilton Davis and the contestants during his live broadcast from the event on 100.1 The HERO. Brenda takes her cart on a practice spin. Later, during the three minutes they had to fill their carts, Jessie loads up on coffee and Brian tries to maneuver his cart around a corner. Michelle rings up everything Brenda gathered while Tyler Clark and Heather Behan do the same for Jessie and Brian. The United Way's Kelly Case (with Mandi and Igor) announces the winner ... Brian Abers! Brian won a $350 Tops grocery card, $75 Tops gas card; Brenda won a $150 Tops grocery card, $25 Tops gas card; Jessie won a $75 Tops grocery card, $25 Tops gas card. And ...

Go here for the details.

WILLIAMSVILLE, NY – Tops Friendly Markets today announced the promotion of Andrew Brocato to director of community relations and special events. In his new, expanded role, Brocato will oversee all community relations activities for the company as well as manage all charitable donations under Tops’ “Living here, Giving here” commitment to local, non-profit organizations. “Andy brings to Tops over 20 years of experience in the field of community relations and his hard work and tireless dedication to the communities we serve is the reason he was chosen for this much-deserved promotion,” said Diane Colgan, Tops Markets vice president of sales and marketing. “Andy manages over $10 million annually in charitable donations from Tops to the hundreds of deserving organizations we partner with,” said Colgan. Brocato has been a part of the Tops team for 13 years in various capacities, including senior manager of community relations, manager of promotions/sports marketing, and media communi...