Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

A Rossiter man died in an accident at the Rosebud Mining Compny in Brockport. At about 1:30 Friday afternoon 43-year-old Randy Huey got between between the mine equipment he was operating and the mine wall. The accident happened about 2 miles into the mine. Elk County Deputy Coroner Robert Sorg pronounced Huey dead at the scene. The investigation is continuing.

This is just a small group representing the hundreds of people who auditioned for the movie 'Little Chicago' Saturday at the Bradford Mall. People came from as far away as Pittsburgh to try to get a part in the film. Writer and producer Carl Veno says he couldn't be more happy with how people in Bradford have embraced the project. Audition will be held again from 10 to 5 May 3 at the Cutco Theater at JCC in Olean. Veno says shooting is expected to resume next month.

Eleven men are facing harboring charges in connection with the smuggling of Mexican citizens into Western New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia. The defendants appeared in U.S. Court in downtown Buffalo on Friday afternoon for the purpose of assigning counsel to each. They'll be back in court Tuesday for a detention hearing. Simon Banda, an illegal immigrant who also goes by the name Jorge Delarco, owns La Herradura in Bradford and a handful of other restaurants. Banda was one of the 11 men arrested in the Wednesday morning raid. Officials say the other defendants were managers in Banda's restaurants. Immigration officers turned up 45 Mexicans here illegally during that Wednesday raid. They face possible deportation back to Mexico. For now the defendants are only charged with harboring, but they may face more charges by the time this investigation is complete. La Herradura is re-opening Monday.

Malcolm Kysor is on his way back to Pennsylvania. The 53-year-old escapee was released today from a prison in Bakersfield, Calif., to the custody of Pennsylvania State Police. Kysor, who escaped from the State Correctional Institution at Albion on Nov. 25, was captured in a park in Bakersfield on April 5. He was placed in Kern County Prison while awaiting extradition to Pennsylvania. Kysor, who escaped by hiding in a garbage can, could be returned to SCI Albion or any other state correctional institution in Pennsylvania.

Statement from Kathleen Ferry regarding charges: "Derek Walker and I dated for seven years. As with many long-term relationships, our breakup was very difficult and emotional. However rumors are being circulated about what happened between Derek Walker and me and are now being used for political gain. Derek Walker and I ended our relationship in June. My family and I wish Derek the best on Election Day. Anyone who would spread such blatantly false rumors five days before an election is clearly politically motivated. Not only should they immediately stop spreading these rumors but they should also step forward and offer Derek Walker and me a public apology.” Statement from Derek Walker regarding charges: "These charges are false. The entire matter is politically motivated --- any thinking citizen in our area understands that charges of this nature brought 5 days before an election are clearly motivated by politics. I have never had a conversation or been questioned by the DA o...

Danny Federici, the keyboardist for Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band, died Thursday in New York, following a long battle with melanoma. He was 58. Federici was integral to Springsteen's career — he, original E Street drummer Vini Lopez, and Bruce played in various Jersey bands together from the in the late '60s. Affectionately called ''Phantom Dan'' by Springsteen, he also helped shape the sound of Springsteen staples like ''Hungry Heart'' and ''The Rising,'' and last played with the Boss in March. ''Danny and I worked together for 40 years — he was the most wonderfully fluid keyboard player and a pure natural musician. I loved him very much...we grew up together,'' Springsteen said in a statement on his website. Springsteen has postponed shows scheduled for Friday and Saturday in Florida

The Lake Erie Chapter of the Blue Star Mothers accomplished another successful donation drive with the help of Chautauqua County. The Blue Star Mothers is an organization with many chapters across the country of mothers and stepmothers who have a son or daughter in active duty military. They unite to help support them in their service to this country. The organization also "promotes patriotism, assists many Veteran organizations, and are available to assist in homeland volunteer efforts to help our country remain strong," according to the groups website. Pam Torres, a member of the Lake Erie Chapter, said, "The donations we collected enabled the Blue Star Mothers Lake Erie Chapter, to send Christmas boxes, Valentine cards, and Easter packages." Torres' son, Aaron Torres, who is currently serving the United States Military in South Korea, expressed his gratitude for the donations, "The guys really appreciate the cards and Easter goodies. Thank you so much fo...

In a state police internal investigation on the slaying of Cindy Jo Coleman, on March 13. Police are trying to find out why it took more than an hour for officers to act on a tip that Coleman's son was talking about killing her. Jesse James Campbell of Clearfield County was arrested the day of the slaying, and charged with killing his mother. A friend of Campbell told police that he was talking about killing her just hours before she died. More than an hour after receiving that tip, state police called Cindy Jo Coleman's parents, asking them to check on their daughter. When her parents went to her apartment just after 5 a.m., they found her dead. State police arrived at the scene at 5:30 a.m. Police said that Coleman wanted Campbell to return her computer. They said Campbell went to his mother's apartment, hit her with a plastic weight, and then cut her neck with a kitchen knife. Police said Campbell then read her the Bible as she died.

State senators Joe Scarnati and Dominic Pileggi are telling Governor Rendell that his nominees to fill temporary opening's on the state's appellate courts are not acceptable. In a letter Thursday, the Senate's top two Republicans recommended that Rendell consider withdrawing the four nominees. The GOP leaders were not satisfied with Rendell's picks when he made them in January, and complained that he had not taken their advice on whom to nominate. Scarnati and Pileggi say Rendell's nominations of four white men, including three from Rendell's home city of Philadelphia, are not diverse enough. They also pointed out that one Superior Court nominee, Robert Daniels, recently turned 70, the court's mandatory retirement age.

Pennsylvania State Police say an e-mail circulating throughout the state warning of a "speeding ticket frenzy" is a hoax. They say the misinformation in the e-mail is an urban legend that originated in New Jersey in May of 2005. Since then, the hoax has targeted police in several other states. State police suggest that anyone who receives an e-mail about massive speed enforcement details by police simply delete it and not forward it. They add that troopers never issue traffic citations as a way of raising money for the state, as the e-mail claims.

President Bill Clinton campaigned Thursday afternoon in Warren but, before talking about his wife Senator Hillary Clinton, he talked about the support he received in the 5th Congressional District during his run for president. Clinton also talked about his wife's plans for universal health care and education, among other issues. Clinton was nearly 90 minutes late for the stop at Warren High School's gymnasium. And, several hundred elementary school students and their teachers had been waiting for more than two hours outside the school to get a glimpse of the former president. After his speech, Clinton left the school and walked across a street to greet the crowd, which started to sing "God Bless America." Many of the students held handmade signs, colored with crayons, that read "Welcome President Clinton."

Criminal charges have been filed against one of the candidates for the 5th District Congressional seat. District Attorney Bill Shaw today filed charges of burglary, criminal trespass, disorderly conduct, stalking and criminal attempt/invasion of privacy against Derek Walker of Clearfield County. Walker says he believes another Republican candidate, Matt Shaner, pressured the district attorney into filing the charges. Shaner denies that accusation. The complaint, filed by Clearfield police Chief Jeffrey Rhone and signed by Shaw, accuses Walker of using his cell phone to videotape a former girlfriend in an intimate moment with another man on Aug. 25, 2007. The complaint also alleges that he had contact with her on two other occasions, despite being told by a police officer on Aug. 25 that he should avoid further contact and that charges were pending. The charges came just as state Senator Joe Scarnati endorsed Walker.

... It's Kind of Political ... and Very Cute My 2 nephews -- 7-year-old Alex and 5-year-old Aaryn -- thought it was "cool" that Bill Clinton was going to be at their big brother's school. So, as my sister and the boys were talking politics, Aaryn saw a "Hillary" sign in someone's yard and asked why it was there. My sister explained that they think Hillary would make the best president and they want everyone to know it. Alex said "We should have an Obama sign in our yard." (No comment from my sister because she doesn't want to influence their opinions) So, since they thought it was "cool" about Bill being in Kittanning, my sister asked if they knew who Bill Clinton is. Aaryn said "He's the president," then he got confused because he knows Bush is the president. But Alex said "I know! He's Hillary's husband!"

As many of you know, this will be my last term in Congress. It has been an honor and a privilege to serve you as your Representative, and while I am proud of the work we have done in Washington, I am still saddened that personal responsibilities have led me to the decision to retire. My deepest concern now is to see that the work we have begun here on behalf of the people of the Fifth District does not come to a stop. I have been inclined to remain an observer in this race, but after talking with all the candidates, some several times, it became obvious to me that I could not stay mute. While there are fine candidates in the field, only one stood out for his ability, his dedication to his community over a long period of time, and for his understanding of our critical issues. That is why I am endorsing Glenn Thompson as the best person to take my seat in the next session of Congress. Glenn Thompson has the commitment to be your Congressman. Instead of spending large amounts of money...

Former President Bill Clinton says his wife will be the best president for small western Pennsylvania towns like Indiana and Kittanning, where he was greeted by hundreds of residents in separate campaign stops. He said at both stops that his wife's campaign has focused on small towns and rural areas because that is America. Tomorrow, Clinton will be in Warren and St. Marys. ( Photo Courtesy of Adam Moyer, Kittanning High School Class of 2008 )

Following yesterday's record-high price, American Refining Group has again raised the price it pays for a barrel of Penn Grade crude oil. Today's price is 108-50 a barrel. That's up 2 dollars from yesterday's price. And, after less than one day of having gasoline prices right at the national average, Bradford motorists are now looking at a price of 3-45 a gallon.

La Herradura, pictured with a "closed" sign on the front door, is one of the restaurants targeted by law enforcement in five states today in effort to break up an alleged scheme that involved smuggling workers from Mexico to work for low wages. Simon Bandes, a Mexican who came to this country illegally and has passed himself off as a Honduran was accused of being the ringleader after his arrest early this morning in Depew. Immigration and Customs Enforcement also raided other restaurants Bandes owns, including Don Larenzo's in Allegany. Agents also raided apartment houses where the illegal aliens lived and the Marietta, Ga. home of Bandes' sister. So far, 11 restaurant managers and 45 illegal aliens have been picked up.

04/15/08 - Fishing Items Stolen in Potter County State Police are investigating the theft of fishing items from an SUV parked in the Cross Fork Inn parking lot in Stewardson Friday night. Police say someone stole several fly rod fishing poles and reels from a vehicle owned by David Kephart of Portage. The value of the stolen fishing items were listed at $2,663 dollars. There was also $800 dollars damage to Kephart’s SUV. 04/15/08 - Pony Believed Poisoned in Potter County State Police are investigating an act of poisoning near Coudersport on April 5th. Police say a pony owned by Kimberly Kightlinger became ill and later died two days later. The Pony’s death has been ruled suspicious and resembles a poisoning. The investigation continues. 04/15/08 - Kinzua Point Info Center Could Reopen Warren County commissioners are hoping to work with the US Forest Service to open the Kinzua Point Information Center. A lack of federal funding to make renovations has kept both the information center an...

Today is the 96th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic. Tonight at the Bradford Area Public Library, Titanic historian Diana Hatch gave a talk on the sinking of the ship and its aftermath. One of the conclusions after the tragedy was that the Atlantic Ice Patrol had to be better. This eventually led to the formation of the US Coast Guard. Hatch said every year the Coast Guard coommemorates the sinking of the ship by dropping three wreaths -- one for the people who died, one for the survivors and one with a promise that it'll never happen again. For more information on Titanic, you can visit The Titanic Historical Society . This is Diana's mini-recreation of the sinking of the ship.

U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) released the following statement today after learning that U.S. Senator Arlen Specter (R-PA) has been diagnosed with an early recurrence of Hodgkin’s disease: “I was surprised and sorry to hear that Arlen has had a recurrence of Hodgkin’s disease. As always, he and I have been working together on numerous matters affecting the people of Pennsylvania and Arlen has demonstrated his usual energy and passion. I look forward to continuing our joint efforts across a wide variety of issues in the Senate. “I have no doubt that Arlen will confront his health challenge with the same courage and determination that has marked his previous battles. My thoughts and prayers are with Arlen and his family.”