Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

The Asbury United Methodist Church on East Main Street is getting decorated for Easter Sunday. ( Photo by Anne Holliday )

Someone stole a 2006 Yamaha ATV from Mefferts Run Road in Jones Township. In a fax sent to WESB and The HERO, state police say the vehicle was stolen sometime between midnight and 8:45 a.m. Friday. The owner is 25-year-old Brandon Malinky of Wilcox. The value of the vehicle is $5,000.

While Bradford City firefighters were battling the stubborn blaze on School Street, other firefighters were dealing with wildfires on Saturday. Fires were reported at the Bradford Gun Club as well as on Sartwell Creek Road in Pleasant Valley Township and on Stamp Brooke Road in Hamlin Township. Port Allegany, Kane, Mount Jewett, Roulette and Austin fire departments were among those that responded. In Clarion County, the forestry department used air tankers to help fire a large wild fire.

By ANNE HOLLIDAY WESB/WBRR News Director No people were hurt, but at least one dog died in stubborn apartment house fire on the corner of School and North Center streets Saturday morning. The building is owned by Bradford Rentals LLC and had four apartments. The residents were Marcus Edward Vance; Samantha Silvis; Latdior "Lamar" Williams; and Curtis Glenn, 6-year-old Shelby Nelson, 9-year-old Brent Nelson, 12-year-old Jesse Renner and 16-year-old Kenny Parris. The American Red Cross is assisting them. Bradford City Fire Department Lt. Mike Cleveland said at least one dog, possibly more, died in the blaze. He said two cats were also missing, but one was found alive later. The first call went to the fire station at about 10:55 a.m., and the building was fully engulfed in flames when they arrived. They got called back twice for re-kindles, and got back to the station the third time at 7:10 p.m. At around 11:15 a.m. as firefighters were shooting water at the flames, thick smoke ...

At around 4 p.m. Bradford City firefighters were still putting out hot spots at what's left of the building at the corner of School and North Center streets. The fire was reported at just before 11 a.m. Firefighters were back at the central station at around 5 p.m. Update: Firefighters were back on the scene at about 6:45 p.m. ( Photo by Anne Holliday )

Bradford City and Bradford Township firefighters are still at the scene of a fire across the street from School Street Elementary School. Smoke was still coming from the buildng at the corner of School and North Center streets as of 1:30 p.m. Flames were coming from the building when firefighters got the call at about 10:55 a.m. We have unconfirmed reports that the fire started in the kitchen of one of the apartments. Bradford Township firefighters protect the house next door to the fire site. Former Bradford City Fire Chief Bill McCormack and former city councilman Tom Shay were on the scene, as was Mayor Tom Riel. Bradford City Police and Special Police controlled traffic. ( Photos by Anne Holliday )

( Photos by Anne Holliday )

Bradford City firefighter Butch Kreiner shoots water onto flames shooting from the roof and back of a multi-family apartment building on the corner of School Street across the street from the elementary school. Below, other firefighters try to douse the flames coming from the front of the building. A neighbor tells us the building has four apartments in it, but she believes everyone got out safely. A friend of one of the residents tells us that at least one family pet died in the blaze. The fire was reported at about 10:55 a.m. Flames and thick smoke were still billowing from the building at 11:30 a.m. We'll have more information as it becomes available. ( Photos by Anne Holliday )

Bradford City Police started the holiday weekend by answering a variety of calls throughout the city. They responded to a vehicle complaint on Cornen Streete, a juvenile complaint at a West Washington Street restaurant, and noise complaints on Charlotte Avenue and Summer Street. Officers also responded to disturbances on South Avenue and Interstate Parkway, a fight on Main Street and a report of a suspicious person on Lorana Avenue. They also responded to motor vehicle accidents on Forman, Main and East Main streets. Police also received reports of illegal dumping on Bedford Street and a disabled vehicle on Jackson Avenue, according to news releases sent by the police department.

John Forsythe, probably best known for his portrayal of Blake Carrington onTV's "Dynasty" and the voice of Charlie on "Charlie's Angels," died Thursday at his Santa Ynez home after a year-long battle with cancer. He was 92. Read more here .

A firefighter suffered a minor injury while battling a blaze in Corsica Wednesday morning. A fax sent to WESB and The HERO by State Police Fire Marshal Greg Agosti of the Ridgway barracks says he and the Corsica Fire Department investigated the origin and cause of a fire that damaged a two-story house at 3395 Asbury Road. The owner, 38-year-old John Glenn, was not home when the fire started. When he returned home at around 8:30 a.m. he found the kitchen on fire. He fought the fire with a garden hose until Corsica and Strattenville firefighters arrived. The injured firefighter was treated at Brookville Hospital, then released. The fire, which was determined to be accidental, was contained to the kitchen area and did about $25,000 worth of damage.

A 12-year-old was rescued and a firefighter was hurt during a fire in Strattenville early Wednesday morning. A fax sent to WESB and The HERO by State Police Fire Marshal Greg Agosti of the Ridgway barracks says he and the Srattenville Fire Department investigated the origin and cause of the blaze that damaged the two-story home at 510 Main Street at 12:25 a.m. Andrew and Lori Rawson are the owners of the house. The fire broke out while the family was asleep. The 12-year-old was rescued from a second floor window. The child and one adult were taken to Clarion Hospital for treatment of smoke inhalation. One firefighter was treated for a minor arm injury, then released. The fire, which was determined to be accidental, damaged about 35 percent of the house. The entire house had smoke, water and heat damage. Damage is estimated at $120,000.

16-year-old Joe Frederick carries the cross from the First United Methodist Church to the First Presbyterian Church during the annual Good Friday Cross Walk. More than 300 people participated in the event. Other churches along the walk were St. Bernard, the First Baptist, Church of the Ascension, Grace Lutheran and the First Free Methodist. Ministers speaking on the topic "Transformed by the Cross" during the stops at the churches were the Rev. Lee Beckes, Father Leo Gallina, the Rev. Mary Houck, the Rev. Phil Palutro, the Rev. Dennis Swineford, the Rev. Mike McAvoy and the Rev. Dave Bunnell. ( Photo by Anne Holliday )

Police are looking for the woman who stole a vacuum cleaner from a St. Marys store. In a fax sent to WESB and The HERO, state police say that at about 9:50 a.m. a woman went into Burkes True Value store on Million Dollar Highway, removed a Hoover Wind Tunnel Self-Propelled Vacuum from its display and put it in her cart. She then left the store without paying for the vacuum cleaner and left the scene in a blue two-door car. The cost of the vacuum cleaner is $240.

A Milton, PA, man suffered neck injuries in a crash at 11:30 Friday morning on Route 144 in Abbott Township. In a fax to WESB and The HERO, state Police say a motorcycle operated by 47-year-old Bryon Anspach was going around a curve when it went toward the shoulder of the road that had silt and gravel on it. The bike went out of control and slid about 30 feet before the front tire hit a ditch. Anspach was thrown from the bike and rolled about 18 feet past it. He was flown to Geisinger Medical Center in Danville. Police note that he was wearing a helmet.

An Elk County Bank is being cited for having more than 3 false alarms in a 12-month period. In a fax sent to WESB and The HERO, state police say First Commonwealth Bank on Route 255 has been charged with Control and Automatic Dialing Devices. The last incident happened at 2:08 a.m. Thursday.

A Dunkirk man is facing charges following a road rage incident Friday night. In an e-mail to WESB and The HERO, sheriff's deputies say that at 11:20 p.m. they received a road rage complaint that allegedly happened on Route 5 between Dunkirk and Sheridan. Sheriff's deputies say they were able to locate the vehicle and made a traffic stop. During the course of the investigation, they discovered that 32-year-old Dennis Wallace was driving while his driving privileges in New York state were suspended. Wallace was taken into custody and then later released with appearance tickets.

Sheriff's deputies are investigating a death of a Brocton woman who was found inside her home Friday afternoon. They were called from inside the house about the death of the woman who is in 40s. They didn't release any further information about the woman. Sheriff Joe Gerace says there were no obvious indications as to the cause of death, and an autopsy will be performed as soon as possible.

A Clarendon man escaped injury, but he's facing charges following an accident at just before 5 o'clock this morning on Route 59, about a mile west of Route 219 in Lafayette Township. In a fax sent to WESB and The HERO, state police say the car driven by 21-year-old David Littlefield traveled off the road, went off the berm and down a steep embankment. The car then traveled about 120 feet through a brush field before coming to rest. Police say Littlefield and his passenger, 40-year-old Wendy Littlefield of Clarendon, were attempting to leave the scene. After further investigation, they determined that David Littlefield was driving under the influence and arrested him. The car was towed from the scene.

Apparently closing some state parks and cutting back services and hours at others isn't enough for New York State. The Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation has announced fee increases. They include raising the price for vehicles to enter about half of the state's parks, including Letchworth; raising fees at golf courses; and a new surcharge to campers who come from out of state. Parks officials estimate the new fee structure will bring in an additional $4 million to the state, but say that's not enough to offset the previously announced cutbacks. http://www.nysparks.com/newsroom/press-releases/release.aspx?r=781