Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

A fallen tree outside a First Energy substation caused a brief power outage in Bradford and Lewis Run this afternoon. Penelec’s Linda Routzhan says the switching process to get the power back on caused some of the flickering lights. The outage started at about 1:45 and most people had their power restored by 2:30. She said about 600 customers had to wait a little longer, but all power has been restored. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A 20-year-old Jamestown man is accused of shaking and hitting his baby on Thursday. The six-month-old is in critical condition at Women and Children’s Hospital in Buffalo. Steven Spencer is in Chautauqua County Jail, charged with assault and reckless assault of a child. While police say Spencer hit the child with an unspecified object, Spencer claims he tripped and fell while he was holding the baby, who was knocked unconscious. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A state judge has dismissed two lawsuits challenging New York’s delay in finishing its health and environmental analysis of the potential impact of fracking in the state. Supreme Court Justice Roger McDonough dismissed both lawsuits, a move state attorney general Eric Schneiderman says is “an important victory in our effort to ensure all New Yorkers have safe water to drink and a clean, healthy environment.” The lawsuits claimed the Department of Environmental Conservation had abused its discretion in delaying completion of its environmental review, which began in July 2008. The suits were filed on behalf of the Joint Landowners Coalition of New York. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

The Southern Tier Regional Drug Task Force found crack cocaine, powder cocaine, marijuana and several painkiller pills while executing a search warrant at a Hinsdale home. 40-year-old Patti Brooks is now charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell. Brooks was sent to Cattaraugus County Jail on $5,000 bail and scheduled to appear in Town of Allegany Court. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Charges against a Turtlepoint man accused of failing to register with Megan’s Law have been bound to court. 61-year-old Gregory Koons failed to re-register in January. He also failed to re-register last October. He’s in McKean County Jail on $50,000 bail. In 1991 he was convicted for the attempted rape of a 15-year-old girl in Chemung County, New York. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Four men who had been accused of killing a man involved with the Q-Dog drug ring in Western New York have been acquitted in federal court. The men were charged with shooting and killing Quincy Turner in May of 2008 near the Chautauqua County airport because they believed he was an informant snitching on the drug ring run by Quinton Leeper. Prosecutors alleged that Jose Martinez learned Turner was informant and put out a $20,000 hit on him. They believe Felix Vasquez pulled the trigger in the presence of Martinez, Angel Luis Marcial and Carlos Jorge Canales. A fifth man, Juan DeJesus Santiago, made a plea deal and testified for the prosecution. He’s awaiting sentencing. Leeper was sentenced in 2011 to 11 years in prison on drug charges. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A Bradford man is in jail for allegedly assaulting his ex-girlfriend at her home and in the Hotel Holley parking lot Friday night. Dennis Fuino was in the parking lot between 10 and 11 o’clock Friday night in an agitated state, according to court papers, and slapped his ex-girlfriend and displayed a knife while yelling and screaming. When the woman got to her home Fuino was already there and grabbed her by the neck to force her into the house, where he slapped her, and threw her onto to her bed during her attempts to leave. He also told her if he ever caught her in the bar again he would break her neck. He’s charged with harassment, disorderly conduct, false imprisonment and simple assault. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A Bradford County man has been charged with assaulting a Game Commission Wildlife Conservation Officer. After the officer came upon several ATVs, UTVs and dirt bikes on a game lands road posted closed to motor vehicles he was able to stop one UTV and was interviewing the driver when 43-year-old Steven Neilson returned and drove in circles near the officer while threatening him, according to court papers. He left and then came back with his daughter in the passenger seat and accelerated toward the officer and hit him in the left arm. Neilson is free on bail. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Wednesday. A game commission spokesman said assaulting an officer with a motor vehicle is a serious offense that will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Casella Waste Systems has agreed to a list of reforms after the company was found to be in violation of New York State’s antitrust laws. State attorney General Eric Schneiderman says Casella unlawfully restrained competition through its restrictive contracting practices. The contracts under question involved the collection and disposal of solid waste from dumpsters. The Vermont-based waste management company does business across New York State, but is especially prevalent in Cattaraugus Chautauqua and Allegany counties. The company also operates in several places in Pennsylvania, including McKean County. One of the instances Schneiderman pointed out was that contracts required that the company serve as the exclusive provider to all customers’ waste hauling services for five years. Early termination of the contracts would result in customers paying up to six times the amount of their monthly bill. Besides the reforms, Casella also has to pay a $100,000 penalty to the state. The...

A woman who was pulled over for a traffic stop over the weekend is now facing drug charges. Police say they pulled over 28-year-old Christina Uber of St. Marys Friday night near the Emporium Borough Building on East Second Street for a summary vehicle code violation. They soon learned she had bath salts and drug paraphernalia with her. Uber is charged with possession of a controlled substance and possession of paraphernalia. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

If you’re wearing a Guy Fawkes V for Vendetta mask while walking through backyards and taking your pants off it’s probably a safe bet to say you’re going to be charged with something. State police say 23-year-old Luke Mattson of Arcade was doing just that on the night of the 4th of July in Yorkshire. By the time police caught up with Mattson, the mask was hidden in his backpack but, also in the backpack was oxycodone that wasn’t prescribed to him. He was charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance but police say – quote – There was no evidence he committed any other crimes during his masked travels. Photo of mask from Wikipedia The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

City of Bradford Police over the weekend investigated a motor vehicle accident on Bolivar Drive, a person driving under the influence of drugs on Potter Street, and a fight on Mechanic Street. Police were called to disturbances on Florence, Mechanic and Davis streets as well as South and Cole avenues. Police were called to a domestic incident on South Avenue, a report of a public drunk on Main Street and traffic issues on Route 219 and East Main Street. They were notified about young people – one girl and two boys, in separate incidents – violating the city’s curfew law. Officers also got reports of animal problems on High and Park streets, and suspicious activity on Chautauqua Place, Brookline Court and Bedford Street. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A tip from a Facebook follower led Olean-based state police to the woman they say hit and Amish horse and buggy last week on Route 16 near Ishua, and then drove away. Troopers say someone saw their press release on Facebook and called in a tip saying he knew who the driver of the minivan was, and where to find her. 31-year-old Tiffany Armstrong of Cuba, New York, is now charged with leaving the scene of a personal injury accident, leaving the scene of an accident involving an animal, and a number of traffic violations. The horse, who was seriously hurt, and the three people involved in the crash are recovering from their injuries. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

The orange bell-bottomed jump suit is gone, but the moves and the music are the same. KC and the Sunshine Band turned the Seneca Allegany Event Center into a giant ‘70s dance party Saturday night, playing all the band’s biggest hits, plus covering some other songs from that era – “Brick House” and “Play That Funky Music” to name a couple. After making sure the crowd had its boogie shoes on, Harry Wayne “KC” Casey made some endearingly self-deprecating jokes about his age (63. Can you believe it?) He then tried to explain to some of the younger people in the audience who he is. “I was your mom’s NSYNC,” he said. Then he made a couple more jokes about his age and weight, before bringing everything about the aging process into perspective. “In 40 years,” he said, “Justin Timberlake will look like this.” The Sunshine Band – minus KC – took center stage a few times, too, with the drummer making an especially big impression. Disco ball, platform shoes (worn by “party” guests) and ...

The United Way of the Bradford Area, Inc. is pleased to announce the hiring of Sonja Bacha as Administrative Assistant. Sonja began her position at the office on Monday. “I am proud to welcome Sonja to our office,” said Executive Director Mandi Wilton Davis. “I know she has a strong passion for our local community, having grown up here and raising her family here, and I feel this is the perfect fit for both sides. “She’s already presented a great deal of knowledge and enthusiasm, and we’re excited to get Campaign 2014 off and running!” In the newly-created position, Bacha will be responsible for helping to maintain the business and financial affairs of the office, as well as preparations for the annual campaign and fundraising efforts. She was previously the Office Manager for SuperUser Technologies in Bradford. Sonja lives in Bradford with her husband, Barry, and children Erika and Andrew. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

The McKean County Republican Committee has unanimously elected Stacy Wallace of Bradford as chairman of the McKean County Republican Committee. Wallace succeeds state Rep. Martin Causer of Turtlepoint, who has served as chairman for the last four years. He chose not to run for re-election because he felt the goals he set when he was elected had been reached. Upon her election as chairman, Wallace resigned her position on the Republican State Committee. Lyle Stewart of Bradford was appointed to replace her. The committee also re-elected Ken Kane of Kane as vice chairman and Gayle Bauer of Bradford as treasurer. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

City of Bradford Police on Friday investigated an assault on Pike Street, a motor vehicle accident on Davis Street, vandalism on Congress Street and criminal mischief on Laurel Drive and Main Street. Officers were called to domestic disturbances on York Street and Harding Avenue and other disturbances on West Corydon and Summer streets, Belleview Avenue and Walker Place. They were called about fraud on Constitution Avenue and harassment on Hobson Place. Police also dealt with traffic issues and East Corydon and Elm streets, at Williams Street and Rosedale Avenue and on Route 219. Officers also arrested one person for driving under the influence of drugs and another for driving under the influence of alcohol. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

The search is continuing today for a black man and white woman who tried to rob and a man carjack a vehicle early Thursday morning near Randolph. State police say a man came upon the scene of what appeared to be a disabled van on near the intersection of Cold Spring and Ireland roads at just after 6 a.m. When he asked if the people needed help, the man pulled a knife on him and demanded his wallet and car keys. The victim fought back and was able to get away with only a couple of minor abrasions. The suspects are both believed to be in their mid-30s. The man is thin and was wearing a New York Yankees cap. The woman is heavy set with long brown hair. The van they were driving is a fairly new Dodge with a red “peace” sign on the back. It has a Pennsylvania license plate. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Designed Kendall, Zippo, Fretz buildings Preston Roger Abbey, 90, of 670 East Main St, passed away July 10, 2014 at the Bradford Ecumenical Home following a brief illness. Born on Easter Sunday, April 20, 1924 in Smethport, he was a son of William Hugh and Geneva Belle (Owens) Abbey. On June 24 1950 in Port Allegany, he married Lois A. (Hanna) Abbey. Preston graduated from Port Allegany High School and entered the U.S. Marine Corps where he served on the USS Guam during WW2. Upon returning from the War, he studied architecture at Williamsport Community College for two years. After completion, he did an internship with Raymond Hall Archetects. Once Preston passed his architectural boards, he decided to move to Bradford with his young family and worked for Earl Wheeler. He later established Abbey, Hemingway and Coatsworth and in 1980 renamed the firm Preston R. Abbey and Associates Inc. He designed numerous banks, schools, churches, and hospitals. Among his accomplishmen...

City of Bradford Police on Thursday stopped someone who was driving under the influence of drugs on North Center Street, dealt with traffic/parking problems on Seaward and Euclid avenues and looked into reports of suspicious activity on Chambers and Barbour streets. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947