Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

(CNN) -- Nick Charles, who started off as a taxi driver and later became the first sports anchor at CNN, died Saturday after battling bladder cancer since 2009. He was 64. For the full story go to CNN.com .

Bradford City Police answered the usual nuisance calls on Friday, according to the complaint report and request sheet. They got calls about harassment on South Avenue, a disturbance on Walker Avenue and a fight on Main Street. Officers also got calls about noise on Elm Street, a barking dog on North Center Street and a suspicious person on Hilton Street.

The Buffalo Bills unveiled their new uniforms last night at Ralph Wilson stadium. Hall of Fame quarterback Jim Kelly says he likes them because they're similar to the uniforms the team wore when he played. He said he especially likes the fact that they kept the charging buffalo on the helmets. For more on this story, go to BuffaloBills.com And remember, 100.1 The HERO is your home for the Buffalo Bills in the Twin Tiers. Pictured, Bills Alumni and local military prepare for Uniform Launch Event. Standing (L to R) – Steve Tasker, Charlie Ferguson, Greg Price, Nick Stone, Anthony Kuhn, Russ Brandon, James McLendon, Booker Edgerson, Jim Kelly. Kneeling (L to R) – Robert Smith and Kevin Reynolds. Provided by the Buffalo Bills

By SANDRA RHODES Allegheny National Forest Visitors Bureau A local tourist attraction is getting attention nationwide by way of an article in USA Today. The Longhouse National Scenic Drive was recently listed in the nationwide newspaper as one of the “51 Great Scenic Drives.” The list includes one drive in each state plus the District of Columbia to promote summer road tripping in the U.S. Local experts in each state were asked to nominate their favorite scenic drive. The byway is a 36-mile loop that circles the Kinzua Creek Arm of the Allegheny Reservoir and takes people some of the most beautiful scenery in the Allegheny National Forest. The drive “offers breathtaking views of the hardwood forests and water from the high plateau. Don't miss Rimrock, a rock outcrop and overlook above the Kinzua Creek Arm of the Allegheny Reservoir,” wrote Cara O’Donnell, a consultant with the Pennsylvania Tourism Office, who recommended the drive. People throughout the United States have taken not...

SALAMANCA, NY – Seneca Allegany Casino will host this year’s annual Seneca Allegany Casino Veterans Pow Wow on Saturday, July 30, and Sunday, July 31, 2011. The event, which begins each day at 10 a.m., celebrates the culture and heritage of the Seneca Nation and features dance and drum competitions, arts and crafts, and food. The Seneca Allegany Casino Veterans Pow Wow is an alcohol-free event and is open to all ages. Admission prices are $10 for adults, $5 for children ages 5 to 17 and for elders 60 years and older, and free for children ages 4 and younger. Veterans and active service members with identification will receive free admission. Hundreds of participants from throughout the country will vie for prize money during dance, smoke dance, and drum competitions. For more information, visit www.senecapowwow.org or call 716-945-1254. Photos courtesy of Seneca Gaming and Entertainment

The Buffalo Sabres have signed a purchase agreement with the Rochester Americans hockey club. The AHL Board of Governors unanimously approved the transaction, Friday, according to the Sabres website. The Sabres also announced their affiliation agreement with the Portland Pirates has ended. The Sabres expect to hold a news conference in Rochester next week to talk about their plans for the franchise.

Emmy- and Tony-winning actor Peter Falk, best-known for his role as Lt. Columbo on the TV show "Columbo," has passed away. He was 83. Falk had been suffering from Alzheimer's since at least 2007. He died Thursday in his Beverly Hills home. Falk won five Emmy Awards, four for Columbo, and was also nominated for two Oscars. For more go to CNN.com .

HARRISBURG – Pennsylvania Game Commission Executive Director Carl G. Roe today praised Gov. Tom Corbett for signing into law a bill that allows adult mentors to transfer one antlerless deer license per license year to a youth participating in the Mentored Youth Hunting Program. The bill sponsored by Senator Richard Alloway II, was unanimously approved by the Senate on May 2, and was unanimously approved in the House on June 15. “This new opportunity will expand an already popular program, which was created by legislation authored by Senator Bob Robbins, back in 2006,” said Carl G. Roe, Game Commission executive director. “We also want to offer our thanks to Senator Alloway for championing this bill, as well as House Game and Fisheries Committee Chairman John Evans for guiding this measure through the House.” "Pennsylvania has a rich hunting tradition, and this legislation will make it easier for experienced sportsmen to pass down their knowledge to the next generation of hunters...

Bradford City Police on Thursday dealt with several people harassing each other. They received calls about harassment from High Street, Williams Street and South Avenue, according to the complaint report and request sheet. Officers also looked into reports of criminal mischief on Pike Street and an erratic driver at Mechanic and East Washington streets. They were also called to complaints about an animal and open lewdness, both on East Main Street.

The Downtown Bradford Farmer’s Market will be held on Saturday from 8 a.m. to Noon in the Old City Hall parking lot located on Boylston Street in Bradford. The Farmer’s Market will be held every Saturday through mid-October. Items this week include locally grown fresh produce from Canticle Farms in Allegany, NY, vegetable plants, herbs, trees, shrubs, flowers, baked goods ( awesome pies! ), canned goods, honey, honey products. Other vendors include Herbalife Distributors. New vendors are welcome. Vendor set up will be from 7 – 7:45 a.m. Reservations are not required. For more information contact the Main Street Manager at 598-3865.

The new website Look Out for Child Abuse is designed to be a one stop resource for completing Pennsylvania’s official form for reporting suspected abuse ... and more. RadioPA's Cathy Clark reports at PAMatters.com .

McKean County’s Economic Development Director says a daylong meeting hosted by the Seneca Nation could be the beginning of looking at this part of the Twin Tiers as a “Mega Region.” Mike Roche and Commissioner Joe DeMott represented McKean County. Other counties represented were Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Warren, Erie (New York), Allegany and Niagara. Roche said the representatives gave a 20-minute overview of their county. He and DeMott focused on how McKean County’s partnerships are essential to the success of economic development. He mentioned the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford, the Bradford Area Chamber of Commerce, various municipalities and other entities. “Today was about those partnerships and how they yield the best possible outcomes for the future of our county and region,” Roche said in an e-mail. “It was nice to tear down the borders and talk about the difficulties in attracting new business as well as the difficulties in growing our existing industries. “ He added that...

Three Pennsylvania counties will be part of a federal study looking into the impact of fracking on drinking water. The Environmental Protection Agency has chosen Bradford, Susquehanna and Washington counties in Pennsylvania, as well as sites in Louisiana, North Dakota, Texas and Colorado. All three Pennsylvania counties are in the Marcellus Shale region. The congressionally mandated study will start this summer. For more information go to the EPA's website From Senator Bob Casey's office: WASHINGTON, DC— Following a request by U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today chose several sites in Pennsylvania to examine as part of an assessment of potential impacts of hydraulic fracturing on drinking water. “These studies will help provide the science needed to assure that natural gas drilling is conducted in a safe and responsible manner,” said Senator Casey. “Natural gas drilling offers Pennsylvania tremendous economic opportunities if we do it ...

WARREN – The Allegheny National Forest announces the Decision Notice and Finding of No Significant Impact for the Upper Kinzua project. On June 17, 2011, Deputy District Ranger Anthony C. Martoglio signed the Decision Notice and Finding of No Significant Impact to implement Alternative 2 of the Upper Kinzua Environmental Assessment. The selected alternative will implement improvements to 9 access points along Kinzua Creek, as well as, rehabilitating 11 existing sites. Two Campsites will be hardened. Thirty acres and 27 miles of stream water quality improvements will be implemented within the project area. A variety of tree harvesting techniques will also be implemented on 2,212 acres with associated reforestation treatments. Also, treatments to be implemented will include 30 acres of invasive plant treatments and restoration, 1,280 acres of wildlife habitat improvements, 0.3 mile of new road construction, 8 miles of road reconstruction, and 6 miles of road decommissioning. A new vista ...

A West Valley man is facing charges for trying to shoot a turtle. Sheriff’s deputies say they were questioning 51-year-old John Kiouses about a menacing complaint when he admitted to trying to shoot the reptile . He’s charged with Taking Small Game Out of Season. Kiouses was issued an appearance ticket and the case was turned over to the New York State Department of Conservation Police. Deputies didn’t say how big the turtle was.

Learn: Police Will Have Authority to Get This Junk Off the Street Harrisburg – Governor Tom Corbett today signed into law Senate Bill 1006, legislation that bans the possession, use and sale of synthetic designer drugs including the dangerous substance known as “bath salts.’’ The General Assembly last week unanimously approved the measure to expand the state’s list of controlled substances. The new law prohibits all chemical substances contained in bath salts, as well as synthetic marijuana and other synthetic drugs, including 2C-E, which is similar to LSD or Ecstasy, and salvia, which causes hallucinations. Bath salts, which have nothing to do with baths or spas, are designer drugs with an effect on users comparable to cocaine or methamphetamine. The substance had been legally sold in some tobacco shops and other specialty stores. Users sometimes experience agitation, paranoia, hallucinations and often commit violent acts. “Sadly, we have had far too many tragic examples in Pennsylva...

A benefit for the family of the Eldred teenager who was shot to death earlier this month will be held July 2 at the Eldred Borough Fire department. Sam Miller was 18 years old and had just graduated from high school three days before the shooting. The benefit will help with the costs that have occurred since then. The benefit includes a yard sale, bake sale, raffles, auctions and dance featuring music by DJs Brian and Paul. The fire department building is on Platt Street in Eldred. Sam was the son of Deana Brown Miller at the late Mark Miller. He wasthe grandson of Fred and Linda Brown of Eldred and the brother of Ashton and Zach Miller. The three people charged with murdering Miller are jailed without bail.

The Seneca Nation of Indians is meeting with economic development officials from New York and Pennsylvania today to discuss a number of issues affecting the Twin Tiers. Today’s daylong meeting is focusing on collaboration between the tribe, area businesses and industrial development agencies. They are expected to talk about the Seneca’s plans to diversfy by seeking a license to operate the Seneca Pumped Storage Project at Kinzua Dam, and the nation’s acquistion of a controlling interest in wireless and telecommunications provider CT COMM.

Sheriff’s deputies have released a sketch of the man who posed as a police officer and tried to kidnap a woman earlier this month in the Town of Coldspring. On June 9 a man driving a car that had a flashing blue light on its dashboard pulled the woman over along Route 394. When she wouldn’t get out of her car, he tried to pull her out. She fought him off and contacted police. Anyone with information about the suspect is asked to contact the Cattaraugus County Sheriff's Department.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Sen. Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) introduced three nominees for the federal bench in Pennsylvania today at their Senate Judiciary Committee confirmation hearing. Sen. Toomey was joined by Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa.) in welcoming Robert D. Mariani, nominee for U.S. district judge for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, and Cathy Bissoon and Mark R. Hornack, nominees for U.S. district judges for the Western District of Pennsylvania. A full transcript of the senator’s remarks is below. “Mr. Chairman and Mr. Ranking Member Grassley, let me thank each of you, and Sen. Leahy as well, for the courtesies you’ve extended to me as we’ve gone through this process. Thanks also for giving me this chance to help to welcome Judge Cathy Bissoon, Mark Hornak and Robert Mariani before the committee. “The president first nominated these really outstanding individuals for the federal bench in Pennsylvania last year, before I was sworn in to the Senate, as Sen. Grassley observed. They were renominated...