Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

Bradford City Council has voted to raise the salaries of the mayor city council members and city controller for 2016. Mayor Tom Riel did not attend the special meeting and, obviously, did not vote on the measure. Councilman Rhett Kennedy was also absent from the meeting. The mayor’s salary would go from $5,000 to $10,000, while the council salaries would go from $3,500 to $5,000 a year. The mayor and council members are on call 24 hours a day. Final reading of the measure is set for the regular council meeting on Tuesday. Riel tells WESB he will not be attending that meeting either because of another engagement. The last time salaries were raised was in 1995. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

BRADFORD, Pa. – Lilly Ledbetter, who inspired the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, will speak at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford later this month about equal pay for women, equal rights in the workplace and leadership. Ledbetter’s talk, which is free and open to the public, will be held at 7:30 p.m. March 19 in Bromeley Family Theater in Blaisdell Hall. The event is part of Pitt-Bradford’s Women’s History Month programming. After Ledbetter discovered that she was making thousands less per year than men in the same management position at Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company, she battled for 10 years to close the gap between women’s and men’s wages, sparring with the U.S. Supreme Court and lobbying Capitol Hill. Although she won a jury verdict of more than $3 million after having filed a gender pay discrimination suit in federal court, the Supreme Court later overturned the lower court’s ruling, arguing that Ledbetter had filed her suit too la...

CareerLink in Bradford is closed for the day. Tonight's Lady Investors of Bradford meeting at the YWCA is cancelled. St. Francis Church has cancelled its 9 a.m. Mass tomorrow (Wednesday). For the latest list of Closings & Cancellations go to http://www.wesb.com/news/closings/ or like our Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/1490wesb . The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A Bradford man has pleaded guilty to a drug charge in Cattaraugus County. Prosecutors say 42-year-old William Cabisca attempted to possess a controlled substance on June 11 in the Town of Cold Spring. He is scheduled for sentencing on May 11. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A Bradford man who lunged at another man’s throat with a knife has been sentenced in Cattaraugus County Court to time served and five years’ probation. 37-year-old Dana Jimerson attacked the man on Thanksgiving Day in Great Valley. He was convicted of attempted assault. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A man accused of driving drunk in a motorcycle crash that killed his wife has pleaded not guilty in Cattaraugus County Court. 51-year-old Michael Baker of Machias, who was critically injured in the crash, is charged with vehicle manslaughter, driving while intoxicated and related offenses in connection to the accident that killed 43-year-old Dianne Baker on August 11, 2013. Police say Michael Baker failed to negotiate a curve on McKinstry Road in Machias and lost control of the motorcycle. Both of the Bakers were thrown from the bike. Dianne was pronounced dead at the scene. Mr. Baker was taken by Mercy Flight to ECMC in Buffalo. His case has been adjourned for motions. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

The Disaster Declaration for the City of Bradford has officially been lifted, but we are still under a Boil Water Advisory until further notice. Kim Benjamin says it's OK for people to go back to "normal" water use. He adds that, "it's always smart to conserve water, that just makes sense. It's good common sense." The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

The Bradford Water Authority’s system is continuing to recover from last Monday’s break and subsequent leakage which drained the entire system. At present, all storage tanks have been stabilized with no alarms. Storage levels are at about 75 to 80 percent of capacity and rising. The system has not yet fully recovered. BWA crew members worked throughout the weekend to continue to resolve problems related to the recent water crisis. Frozen main lines have been reported in the areas of Petrolia, Oxford and Lincolndale. Residents who are still without water due to frozen service lines or lines in their homes need to contact a local plumber. BWA customers are asked to continue to conserve water as much as possible. The “Boil Water Advisory” continues to be in effect. Testing on BWA samples will begin Monday with hopes of lifting the advisory later in the week. A press conference will be held at 11 a.m. Monday in City Council chambers, 3rd floor City Hall, followed by a noon special m...

Hiel “Butch” Bartlett, a local police officer with more than 19 years of experience in law enforcement, has thrown his hat in the ring for McKean County sheriff. Bartlett is seeking the Republican nod in the upcoming May Primary Election.. “With your support, I look forward to having the opportunity to make the McKean County Sheriff's Department into a public serving agency which will strive to ensure the safety and protection of the residents of our great county,” he said. Bartlett has spent the last 15 years as a police officer with the City of Bradford Police Department. While employed at the City of Bradford Police Department he held the position of Detective and now serves as a School Resource Officer in the Bradford Area School District. “In my time working as a School Resource Officer I have had many opportunities to work with our students and see firsthand how amazing these students truly are,” he said. “In my first year as School Resource Officer I started a Criminal ...

As expected, the last 24 hours pushed the water system closer to normal operational levels. Overnight, the authority had several new reports of minor line breaks that are considered normal for this time of year. If you are you are a residential water customer and still do not have water, you probably have a frozen pipe in your home or frozen service line from the main line to your home. You will need to call a private plumber or contractor to resolve frozen pipes of any sort. Additionally we are still under the emergency declaration with anticipation of that declaration being lifted at a special council meeting scheduled for noon on Monday. All residents and commercial customers are reminded to continue to follow the strict water conservation request The emergency operations center is being moved to the central fire station at 25 Chestnut Street with operating hours of 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Central Fire Station is also the sole location for drinking water distribution. To contact the...

The Red Cross has set up a shelter at the Sawyer Evangelical Church at the intersection of South Kendall Avenue and Looker Mountain Trail. Water is also available at the church if you bring your own containers. The First Wesleyan Church of Bradford has a well, so if anyone need water, they are welcome to go to the church and get as much as they need. Everyone is welcome. The Church of the Ascension on Chautauqua Place is hosting a free soup lunch on Thursday. The lunch is being made in Warren and will be serve in Bradford from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. They are offering soup, bread, fruit and drinks, but no restroom facilities. Everyone is welcome. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

(HARRISBURG) – Senator Joe Scarnati (R-25) has issued the following statement regarding Monday’s water main break in the City of Bradford in McKean County: “The water main break on Monday in the City of Bradford has necessitated that local officials declare a State of Emergency. The next week will certainly be challenging for the community, as work is underway to restore the water supply to the City and surrounding areas that have been affected. “I have spoken with Mayor Riel and will continue to work with the Governor’s Office, Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) and state and local officials to ensure that the community has assistance with this emergency situation HARRISBURG – Rep. Martin Causer (R-Turtlepoint) issued the following statement regarding the ongoing emergency water situation in the Bradford area: “This obviously is a difficult and potentially dangerous situation for all involved. With an estimated 18,000 customers without water service, it i...

The City of Bradford Water Authority is anticipating the present condition to extend for several days, the following advisory is being issued to assist the community: -Obviously a major concern of this issue is the health and sanitation of the citizens, with that being said the disposal of waste in your toilets can be done by melting snow and putting it into your toilet tank and flushing in this manner. -If your heating system is dependant on water pressure from the Bradford Water Authority you should be prepared to be without heat for the duration of this emergency. Take necessary safety precautions. -The Red Cross will have some shelter space available to those in need at the Sawyer Evangelical Church, located at the intersection of South Kendall Ave and Looker Mountain Trail. -If persons are in need of water, the City of Bradford had secured bottled water that will be available to area residents upon request. If you have an immediate need of drinking water tonight and do...

For the latest list of closings and cancellations due to the State of Emergency/Water Crisis in Bradford, go to http://www.wesb.com/news/closings/ . The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Bradford businessman Steve Stidd started the day in McKean County Jail charged with criminal homicide. He’ll end the day a free man. Stidd was charged after shooting his son-in-law Mel Bizzarro on January 16 in the parking lot behind Togi’s Family Restaurant on East Main Street. The homicide charge – along with charges of involuntary manslaughter and voluntary manslaughter that were added this morning – were dismissed following a hearing in front of District Judge Dominic Cercone. Stidd’s attorney Greg Henry made a motion after district attorney Ray Learn presented the state’s case, saying that Learn did not prove Stidd did not act in self-defense. In fact, Henry argued, two of the state’s witnesses made Stidd’s case for self-defense. In an emotionally wrenching 9-1-1 call played by Learn, Stidd’s wife Barbara can be heard telling the 9-11 operator, “(Bizzarro) attacked my husband” and her husband shot him. Kevin Rhebergen, a truck driver who was delivering food to Togi’s that m...

The Bradford City Water Authority is now advising residents to boil water, or use bottled water, because of the water main break near Campus Drive. You should use boiled or bottled water for drinking, making ice, washing dishes, brushing teeth and food preparation until further notice. Inadequately treated water may contain disease-causing organisms. These organisms include bacteria, viruses, and parasites, which can cause symptoms such as nausea, cramps, diarrhea, and associated headaches. The water authority will let us know when we no longer need to boil our water. Also, classes at Pitt-Bradford are cancelled for tonight because of the break. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

UPDATE: Bradford Township Fire Chief Dan Burkhouse says people who still have water should limit their use of it, just in case. A break in a 24-inch water main has forced access roads to Pitt-Bradford to be closed, and may affect much of the Tuna Valley. Water Authority Director Kim Benjamin tells WESB they are currently assessing the situation, but "a boil water advisory may be forthcoming." Benjamin will keep us updated on the situation, and we'll pass that on to you. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

No one was hurt but a house is destroyed after a fire that started when a resident was thawing frozen pipes. City Fire Captain J.D. Tehle tells WESB the owner was using a heat gun to thaw the pipes at 11 Pearl Street, and thought everything was fine but there was a spark in the blown-in insulation, and the fire quickly spread throughout the house. He explained that blow-in insulation is like “finely ground paper. It gets a spark and just takes off.” He added that while they were looking in the crawl space, smoke was coming from the eaves. “It just travels that fast," Tehle said. The fire eventually spread to an apartment at 9 Pearl Street, which ended up with minimal damage. Anita Hubbart and her three children were able to get out of 11 Pearl Street safely. The Red Cross is helping them and the resident of 9 Pearl Street. Taylor Roofing owns the buildings, which are insured. Tehle said there were no problems with the cold – it was 5 degrees when they were called out at ...

Four people, including an Olean man, have been arrested by the Pennsylvania attorney general’s office for trafficking a quarter of a million dollars’ worth of marijuana. The AG’s office says 33-year-old Andrew Kubiak of Olean, 31-year-old John Nelson and Meadville, 39-year-old Jessica Clark of Erie and 29-year-old Nicole Nelson of Santa Rosa California, conspired to buy bulk quantities of marijuana and take it to Meadville. According to the grand jury’s presentment, Nicole Nelson bought a car in Erie that she and Clark drove to Santa Rosa, where it was packed with 85 pounds of marijuana. Kubiak met the women in Sacramento. He and Clark were going to deliver the marijuana to Nelson’s brother, John, but they were picked up by police in Kansas. John Nelson is in Crawford County Jail in lieu of $100,000 bail. Kubiak and Clark were released on $25,000 unsecured bond. A warrant has been issued for the arrest of Nicole Nelson. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Two people had to be freed from their vehicles and then be flown to an out-of-town hospital following a head-on crash in St. Marys this morning. City police say a car driven by Brenda Placer of Ridgway and a pickup truck driven by Anthony Gerg of St. Marys were on State Street near the Laurel Run Reservoir when they collided at around 6:20 a.m. Crystal Fire Department personnel freed them from their vehicles. They were first taken to Penn Highlands Elk, but then flown by Stat Medevac helicopter to another hospital. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947