Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

The Potter County Natural Gas Resource Center has arranged for an award-winning geoscientist as guest speaker for its next meeting. Dr. Terry Engelder’s presentation, “Utica Shale: Digging Deeper,” is especially timely, with large Utica Shale drilling projects on the drawing board in at least three sections of Potter County and in other parts of Pennsylvania. Marcellus Shale has been in the headlines for the past several years, but industry leaders say the Utica layer that’s beneath it -- more than two miles underground -- could be where the more intense local gas production takes place. Dr. Engelder will speak at 7 pm Tuesday, Feb. 17, at the Gunzburger Building on Main Street in Coudersport. “There are many things we do not know about the Utica Shale, but there are signs that it’s going to be a very productive source of natural gas in our region, so the more we know, the better prepared we can be,” said Natural Gas Resource Center Director Bob Veilleux. Engelder is a geosci...

A corrections officer found himself behind bars for stealing debit cards from an inmate and trying to use them at a store. State police say 28-year-old Benjamin Grover of Scio, New York, tried to use the stolen card at the Tractor Supply Store in Wellsville Sunday afternoon. Store personnel kept the stolen card and then contacted state police. Grover, who works at the Allegany County Jail, is now charged with two counts of grand larceny, and is jailed on $5,000 bail. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A fight in Coudersport has led to charges against a Wellsville, New York, man. Police say 35-year-old Michael Knight assaulted 27-year-old Donald Wright of Coudersport at a home in the borough. Besides simple assault, Knight is charged with harassment and disorderly conduct. He is free on $2,500 unsecured bail. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

An early morning stabbing has landed one man in jail and another person in the hospital. Police say 58-year-old Robert Stanek of Wellsville stabbed the other person at least five times at around 2:30 this morning. He is charged with felony assault and criminal possession of a weapon. He is in Allegany County Jail on $20,000 bail. Police say the victim is in stable condition at Jones Memorial Hospital. They are continuing their investigation. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

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

Two people are in jail for robbing the Wellsville McDonald’s and several other businesses. State police say 32-year-old Ryan Schrader and 32-year-old Rebecca Baker, both of Wellsville, went into the back door of the restaurant in the early morning hours of August 11, displayed what appeared to be a handgun, and made off with about $357 in cash. During their investigation state police learned that the pair also burglarized the Just One More bar in Shongo and stole cash from Short’s Gas Station in Stannards, and village police learned they had broken into a Main Street establishment multiple times. Schrader and Baker are each charged with robbery, burglary and grand larceny. Schrader is also charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance because he had crack cocaine with him when he was arrested. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

More than 100 marijuana plants were found growing in various places in Allegany County this week, and two men have been arrested for illegally growing them. State police, the Southern Tier Regional Drug Task Force, NY State Forest Rangers and a couple of local police departments found the plants in the towns of Alfred, Wellsville and Willing, and the Village of Wellsville. 25-year-old Stephen Rainelli of Alfred and 51-year-old Desmond McDowell of Wellsville are each charged with unlawfully growing cannabis, and have been scheduled for court appearances. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Mark Zucerberg is expected to be the star witness in the government’s case against Paul Ceglia. The trial against Ceglia, who is from Wellsville, New York, is scheduled for November 17. He is charged with forgery and a number of other offenses, stemming from a 2010 civil lawsuit Ceglia filed against Zuckerberg and Facebook. Ceglia claims he had a contract with the Facebook founder that entitles him to half of the multi-billion dollar social media company. Zuckerberg has said from the beginning that he did have a contract with Ceglia, but it had nothing to do with Facebook. Assistant US Attorney Christopher Frey said in a court hearing that Zuckerberg is, “a witness that the government 100 percent knows it will be calling at trial.” The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Two convicted sex offenders from Wellsville have been charged for not registering with state police. 28-year-old Timothy Lewis was convicted of rape for having sex with a 15-year-old girl in 2008. 55-year-old Richard Foster was convicted of sodomy for having sexual contact with a 14-year-old in May of 2000. Both men are awaiting further court action. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Work to replace two bridges on Route 770 in Bradford Township is continuing, with temporary traffic signals scheduled for installation next Wednesday, May 7. The bridges span Minard Run about a half-mile apart near the village of Aiken. They carry an average of more than 3,000 vehicles daily. Originally built in 1927, the bridges will be replaced one side at a time. Beginning Wednesday, May 7, temporary traffic signals will be in place, enforcing an alternating traffic pattern at each bridge. Traffic will be controlled in this manner until the completion of the new structures sometime this fall. Under the traffic signal control, work to build the new bridges will continue one side at a time. Overall work includes replacement of the bridges, roadway and approach paving, guide rail updates, pavement markings, and miscellaneous items. The contractor for this $2.5 million job is L. C. Whitford of Wellsville, New York. All work is weather and schedule dependent. Drivers are rem...

Work to replace two bridges on Route 770 in Bradford Township starts on Monday. The work on the bridges near the village of Aiken will start with sign setting, erosion and sedimentation controls and utility works. PennDOT says flaggers will be in place. In early May, temporary traffic signals will be in place to enforce an alternating traffic pattern at each bridge. The bridges will be replaced one side at a time. L.C. Whitford of Wellsville is the contractor for the $2.5 million project, which is expected to be finished next summer. All work is weather dependent. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A federal judge has dismissed a Wellsville man’s claims that he owns half of Facebook. Late last week Judge Richard Arcara granted the motions of Facebook and its founder Mark Zuckerberg to dismiss claims by Paul Ceglia. In 2010 Ceglia claimed he had a contract with Zuckerberg that gave him half ownership in the multi-billion dollar company. Zuckerberg had said all along he had a contract with Ceglia but it had nothing to do with Facebook. Two years ago federal authorities charged Ceglia for altering and fabricating documents, and destroying evidence, in an attempt to defraud Facebook and Zuckerberg. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A burglary investigation spanning two counties has led to weapons charges against seven people. State police say they recovered seven guns that were stolen as part of this investigation that started after a burglar in the Town of Alma is September. They also found two more guns from other crimes. They also recovered some electronics that were stolen. The total value of the stolen property is estimated at $3,000. 26-year-old Jamie Clark and 19-year-old Bryent Scotchmer, both of Wellsville, and 18-year-old Sara Morse of Andover, are each charged with burglary and criminal possession of stolen property for breaking into a house and stealing the guns and electronics. Clark is also charged with criminal possession of a weapon because a previous conviction precludes him from having a weapon. 25-year-old Casey Reynolds is charged with criminal possession of stolen property for selling a stolen gun to another person. 38-year-old Russell Irvin of Alma is charged with criminal possession of s...

A Bradford man’s pickup truck was disabled after being hit by a box truck this morning on Route 59 just north of Patton Drive in Lafayette Township. State police say the box truck driven by 60-year-old Arthur Willard Jr. of Wellsville crossed the double yellow line and hit the pickup driven by 34-year-old Jason Steis. Willard left the scene but returned later and reported hitting an unknown object. No one was hurt but the pickup had to be towed from the scene. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

The physician’s assistant accused of sexually harassing and having sex with female patients has surrendered his medical license to the New York State Board for Professional Medical Misconduct. Scott Piatt, who had practiced in Salamanca, Olean and Wellsville, admitted that he willfully harassed, abused or intimidated his patients. He had inappropriate contact with a 16-year-old girl and at least seven women between the ages of 21 and 43. He is also accused of saying a male patient was able to drive a commercial vehicle when, in fact, he was on medications that made him unfit for that type of job. You can find more details about the allegations here . PDF The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

An Eldred man was hurt in a two-vehicle crash at just before 8 o’clock this morning at the intersection of Route 446 and McCrea Brook Road in Eldred Township. Police say a pickup truck driven by 50-year-old Vincent Bock of Wellsville was traveling south on Route 446 when an SUV driven by 59-year-old William Morrison pulled out in front it. The pickup then hit the driver’s side of the SUV. Morrison was taken to Olean General Hospital for treatment of moderate injuries. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A Wellsville woman is dead following a multi-vehicle accident in south-central Pennsylvania Sunday morning. 77-year-old Beverly Grantier died at about 10 a.m. after the crash that shut down Interstate 81 in both directions near the Maryland border. Another passenger in the mini-van, 79-year-old Gordon Grantier was critically injured. State police say a tractor trailer jack knifed, blocking both northbound lanes, and causing nine other vehicles to crash. Investigators blame the crash on the sudden onset of snowy conditions. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

The Cattaraugus and Allegany county district attorney’s offices are among 29 in New York State getting grant money to buy or upgrade video interrogation systems. Cattaraugus County will get nearly $40,000 to be divided between the Allegany, Ellicottville, Franklinville, Gowanda, Portville and Salamanca police departments, as well the DA’s and sheriff’s office. Allegany County’s $25,000 will be divided between the Alfred, Andover, Angelica, Friendship, Independence and Wellsville police departments. “With these grants, New York State is giving local law enforcement the resources they need to enhance the integrity, fairness and effectiveness of our criminal justice system,” Governor Cuomo said in a news release. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A man is accused of stealing a John Deere utility vehicle and then leaving it in a ditch. State police say they believe 22-year-old Patrick Gallagher of Wellsville stole the 2008 John Deere Gator from Otis Eastern Service early Thursday morning and then traveled into Steuben County before abandoning it in a ditch in the Town of Howard. Gallagher is charged with grand larceny and is in Allegany County Jail in lieu of bail. Pictured, a John Deere similar to the one that was stolen. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A settlement has been reached in the case of the man who practiced medicine without a license in Wellsville, and illegally billed Medicaid for his services. 53-year-old Anthony Hudson of Dearborn, Michigan, was sentenced earlier this week to a year in jail and was ordered to pay more than $20,000 in restitution. Today’s settlement says he must repay $300,000 for the Medicaid payments made to him and other healthcare providers for services he provided and ordered between December 1, 2009, and May 7, 2010. A wrongful death civil lawsuit is still going on regarding the case of a 5-year-old Wellsville girl who died shortly after being treated by Hudson. “No matter how elaborate the lie or cunning the criminal, those who attempt to defraud the healthcare system in our state will be brought to justice,” said Attorney General Eric Schneiderman. “Misrepresentation of one’s credentials as a medical professional to make money is a detriment to taxpayers and dangerous to patients. My offic...