Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

A former Ridgway man has pleaded not guilty to sexually abusing a 9-year-old Cattaraugus County girl back in 2007. 38-year-old Harold Hunt is charged with predatory sexual assault against a child, criminal sexual act, incest and endangering the welfare of a child. State police say he abused the girl in the Village of Delevan between October and December of 2007. Hunt is in Cattaraugus County Jail on $150,000 cash bail. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A former employee of the Yellow Goose store in Yorkshire has been sentenced to five years’ probation for stealing more than $50,000 worth of scratch-off lottery tickets. 50-year-old Kimberly Woolston of Delevan pleaded guilty to grand larceny for stealing the tickets between April 1 and September 30 of last year. She must also pay restitution. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A Youngsville man is dead following a head-on collision this morning on Route 27 in Sugar Grove Township. Police say 26-year-old Melvin Murvine was traveling north at 8:35 a.m. and, while cresting a hill, his pickup truck went into the southbound lane and hit a Pepsi truck head-on. Murvine was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the Pepsi truck, 48-year-old Scott Williams of Sugar Grove, complained of back pain and was taken to Warren General Hospital, where he was treated and released. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

City of Bradford Police had to deal with public drunks on Forman, West Washington, Kennedy and Boylston Street. They were called to disturbances on Bushnell, Main and Rochester streets, and on Avenue B. Officers investigated a theft on West Washington Street and criminal mischief to automobiles on Amm, North Center and School streets. They received reports about harassment on Kiwanis Court, Burke Avenue and East Corydon Street, and disorderly conduct on East Main Street. Officers were got complaints about animals on Cornen and Williams streets and suspicious activity at Congress and Elm streets. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A house exploded in Chautauqua County this morning after gas leaked into the basement. The Fire Investigation Team says the explosion started a fire at just before 11 o’clock this morning on McKinley Road in Westfield. Investigators say the home was supplied with non-odorized natural gas from an old private gas well on the property. The house was destroyed. No one was home at the time of the explosion. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Someone broke into a Rixford garage this morning and stole three dirt bikes, and police are looking for a suspicious pickup truck that was in the area at the time. The break-in happened between 12:30 and 10 a.m. on Route 246. The bikes taken were two 2008 red Hondas and a 2005 yellow Suzuki. They are valued at about $3,400. The suspicious vehicle is a red, regular cab, full size Chevy pickup that was headed toward Eldred after the burglary. Anyone with information on this incident is asked to contact Kane-based state police. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

One man had to be flown to ECMC after another man fell asleep at the wheel of his vehicle and hit the other man’s pickup truck. Cattaraugus County Sheriff’s Deputies say 33-year-old Ryan Bradley of Jamestown was traveling south on Route 353 in the Town of New Albion when a northbound vehicle driven by 25-year-old Brian Snyder of Cattaraugus hit the pickup, causing it to flip over. Bradley was taken by StarFlight the Buffalo hospital for treatment of chest injuries. Snyder wasn’t hurt but is charged with failure to keep right and will appear in New Albion Town Court at a later date. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A man accused of assaulting a family member, and then hiding from police, is facing a number of charges. Police say they were called to a Jamestown house late Thursday night for a domestic incident and, when they got there, 23-year-old Joshua Whalen ran back into the house to hide. Police found him in the attic, but he refused to leave, so they had to drag him out. But he continued to be uncooperative and was spitting at officers. Whalen is accused of assaulting a family member and damaging property inside the house. He’s charged with assault, criminal mischief, harassment and obstructing governmental administration. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A parent is accused of being disorderly and combative inside Southwestern Central Middle School. Police say 43-year-old Gary Rasmussen of Celoron was agitated and distraught when they arrived. They say once he got into the school he started yelling profanities and threatening the staff, and refused to leave the property when the staff asked him to. Rasmussen was charged with criminal trespass, endangering the welfare of a child and harassment, and was then sent to Chautauqua County Jail. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A woman is accused of beating another person with a dog leash, and later threatening the person with a knife. Police say 20-year-old Megan Howell of Jamestown beat the person with a belt, as well as the dog leash, and also choked the victim with the belt. At one point, Howell left the home, then came back with a knife and allegedly threatened to stab the victim. Police say the victim was able to disarm Howell and, eventually, hid in the bathroom and called 911. Howell is charged with assault, menacing, and criminal obstruction of breathing or blood circulation. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A flat-screen TV and a number of electronic items were taken from a Russell man’s home Friday morning. Police say someone broke into the home of 42-year-old Edward Thompson sometime between 7:45 a.m. and noon and took a 36-inch tel4evision, a DVD player, an Xbox 360 with controllers and games, a laptop with an external hard drive, a Yamaha keyboard and a chop saw. The total value of the items hasn’t been determined yet. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A traffic stop led to the arrest of one of Cattaraugus County’s Top Ten Most Wanted fugitives, as well as the seizure of $11,000 worth of cocaine and more than 8 grams of heroin. The Southern Tier Regional Drug Task Force says 30-year-old Alexis Erickson of Allegany was stopped in Ellicottville and, when her vehicle was searched, police found the cocaine. This led police to search the apartment complex on Route 417 where Erickson lives. There, they found 26-year-old Jerome “B-Boy” Hayes, who had been on the most wanted list for assault and theft. They say he had 8.6 grams of heroin and 16 oxycodone pills. Police also arrested 24-year-old Justin Erickson of Allegany and 26-year-old Timothy Good of Buffalo for unlawful possession of marijuana. Alexis Erickson and Hayes are both jailed in lieu of bail. Justin Erickson and Good were issued appearance tickets for Town of Allegany Court on June 3. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Seneca Nation President Barry Snyder Sr. says Governor Andrew Cuomo is a bully. Snyder released a statement today saying Cuomo is engaging in playground bully tactics regarding the stalemate over revenue sharing from the nation’s casinos. After signing an agreement with the Oneida Indian Nation on Thursday, Cuomo said the state could force the Senecas to stop operating their casinos after their compact expires in 2016. At issue is the more than $500 million in payments the Senecas have withheld from the state because they say New York violated a contract by allowing gambling in the nation’s exclusive territory. Cuomo wants to expand gambling in New York and said last week that unless the Seneca, Oneida and Mohawk nations came to agreements with the state, new casinos could possibly be built in their territory. You can read Snyder's news release here . The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Jaden and Tayga Griffin, with help from their grandfather Greg Booth, cut the ribbon on the Ashley Booth Griffin CARE for Children Center this afternoon. Looking on are CARE Executive Director Tina Martin, Zippo owner George Duke, Aaron Griffin, Cherie Booth and CARE board president Mick Marshall. Duke donated $1 million to CARE, which expedited the building project, which had been in the works for several years. Booth is president and CEO of Zippo and W.R. Case & Sons Cutlery. It was Duke's idea to name the building in honor of Booth's daughter, who died in a car accident in 2008. In his remarks today, Booth said although his daughter was physically at the dedication, she was there in spirit. You can see more pictures of today's dedication on WESB's Facebook page . The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Cayuga Lake Scenic Byway announces the launch of its new website www.cayugalake.com , ,an excellent resource that connects you with local area businesses and beautiful scenic venues surrounding Cayuga Lake. www.cayugalake.com   on its home page starts you out on a journey emphasizing numerous great reasons to visit the area, geo-cacheing, wineries, bird watching and natural wonders. "Geo-cacheing along the scenic byway is our newest venture", says Cathy Millspaugh the chair of the Cayuga Lake Scenic Byway. " A modern-day treasure hunt. We are just a few months into the program and have had numerous visitors take part and experience what this beautiful area has to offer. The byway is divided into two regions with 10 caches on each side of the lake. If a visitor finds at least 15 caches they will receive one of our commemorative 10 year anniversary coins". Dave Kellar, one of the first to collect a coin shared, "I completed the Cayuga Lake Scenic ...

With the summer season approaching, your local State Parks are gearing up for another great season of fun. Chapman State Park’s swimming beach will officially open to the public Saturday May 25, 2013 at 8:00 a.m. Swimming hours are 8 a.m. to sunset. In addition to the beach opening, our concessionaire, BEI, will be opening Friday May, 24th at 1 pm. The concession provides canoes, kayaks and paddle boats for rent as well as food, snacks and firewood for sale. Contact BEI or the park office for concession hours. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Shinglehouse – Work to replace two pipes in Potter County will require a closure on State Route 4014 (Plank Road) May 28 and 29. The road will be closed between Wheeler Hill Road and Honeoye each day from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. This two-day closure in Sharon Township will feature an official PennDOT detour. Drivers will use Routes 4023 (Eleven Mile Road), 44, and 4021 (Honeoye Road) to get around the work zone. The work will be performed by PennDOT Potter County Maintenance, with the detour lifted overnight, once work is complete on May 28. The road will be fully opened on May 29, as soon as possible – once the pipe work is finished. All work is weather dependent. Drivers are reminded to obey posted speed limits, follow detour signs, and always buckle up. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Representative Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson today voted to advance legislation to address the student loan interest rate increase scheduled for July 1, 2013, and create a long-term student loan system that is predictable and affordable. The Smarter Solutions for Students Act, H.R. 1991, today passed out of the U.S. House Education Committee. “For too long, Congress has kicked the can down the road and avoided putting forward a long term plan for college affordability,” stated Rep. Thompson. “Today, the House Education Committee took a strong step by strengthening our student loan programs by moving to a rate system that is more reliable and sustainable.” Under H.R. 1911, student loan interest rates would reset once a year and move with the market. Both subsidized and unsubsidized Stafford loan interest rates would be calculated based on the 10 year Treasury note plus 2.5 percent. President Obama’s Fiscal Year 2014 budget included a similar proposal to mov...

A speeding motorcyclist lost control of his bike, crashed and is now in critical condition at UPMC Hamot. Sheriff’s deputies say 24-year-old David Baum of Ripley was on Route 76 in the Town of Ripley at just after midnight Thursday when the bike went out of control on a curve and hit the guard rail. He was flown to Hamot, where a blood test was taken. Deputies say they expect to file charges against Baum. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A Shinglehouse man is accused of having sex with a 15-year-old girl. 54-year-old Brian McMullen is charged with indecent assault, endangering the welfare of a child and corruption of minors in connection to alleged incidents that happened at two houses in Shinglehouse between June of 2011 and Thursday. He is in Potter County Jail in lieu of $75,000 bail. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947