Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

Erie police have charged an 83-year-old man with cutting rings around the trunks of two large trees at the foot of Liberty Street. Police say the trees partially obstructed the view of the bayfront from property owned by Paul Brugger. Brugger’s lawyer told investigators her client would turn himself in Wednesday. He is accused of two felony counts of criminal mischief. The walnut trees, which belong to the city, were valued at $15,000. A charge of criminal mischief is elevated to a felony if damage exceeds $5,000. Arborists said the trees will likely die within a few years from the damage, called “girdling.” Slicing a ring around the base of the trees cuts off its nutrients.

NEW YORK (AP) — The NFL hired Pennsylvania's state police chief to make sure there are no more signal-stealing scandals like the one involving the New England Patriots last season. Col. Jeffrey Miller was appointed to the new post of director of strategic security Tuesday and begins work Aug. 18. His job will involve overseeing everything from pregame security screening for people entering stadiums to ensuring that team signals are not intercepted by opponents through electronic bugging or other devices. For more on this story, go to pennlive.com .

The annual Geneseo Air Show, dubbed “The Greatest Show on Turf” for its grass landing strips, will be held July 12–13. This year, the Geneseo Air Show will gather the largest fleet of the iconic World War II Curtiss P-40 Flying Tigers assembled since WWII. For perhaps the last time ever, the Geneseo Air Show will reunite the largest fleet of remaining P-40 pilots and fighters, known as the Flying Tigers. This year marks the 70th anniversary of the P-40’s introduction. This type of reunion has never been done before, and it will be the most talked about aviation event of the year. WHERE: Geneseo Air Show and 1941 Historical Aircraft Group Museum, Inc. 3489 Big Tree Lane Geneseo NY 14454 WHEN: Saturday, July 12, and Sunday, July 13 Gates open at 6 a.m. Air Show performances from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. ADMISSION: $15 for adults $5 for children 6 – 12 Free for children under 6 PARKING: FREE

The Oil Region Alliance of Business, Industry & Tourism is pleased to present an afternoon of Traditional American Roots Music by the Good for Nuthin’ String Band at 2 p.m. on Sunday, July 27. The program will be presented at the Neilltown Church just outside the Borough of Pleasantville. The band is comprised of Susan Beates on mandolin, fiddle and cello; Roger TeWinkle on upright bass; Michael Vickey on the hammered dulcimer, mountain dulcimer and 5-string banjo; and Mark Zimmer on the guitar and Cajun accordion. They play a mix of old-time and mountain traditional tunes as well as original pieces including a fan-favorite, “Fishin’ in the Sink.” They have recorded two CDs; both will be available for sale at the Neilltown Church. The concert site is a wood frame one-story building constructed in 1842. Because there is no heating, guests should dress for the day’s temperatures. During intermission, brief remarks about the former church building and ongoing efforts to preserve...

Everybody loves a parade. And Kane Area Relay organizers are expecting a spirited parade on Fraley Street from Poplar to Chestnut Streets on Thursday, July 10 at 6 p.m. Relay committee organizers hope residents of the area will make it a fun night out while supporting Relay and many local cancer survivors who will walk or ride in the parade. Eighteen teams are expected to participate with their banners. Two floats were decorated Monday night. Several cancer survivors will be riding on the "Colors of Cancer float". Several members of the KAHS marching band will lead the parade. More than a dozen convertibles will carry Miss Relay Contestants, the Kane Prince and Princess and other dignitaries along with many area volunteer fire department vehicles as well as other surprises. Parade participants will gather by 5:30 p.m. at Dangelo building parking Lot (formerly HAMDAM) at Poplar and Wetmore Avenue. Earlier this week, Uptown Kane was dressed with purple bows and purpl...

Hanley Library will be celebrating the 75th anniversary of the founding of the Civilian Conservation Corps (the CCC) with a reception on July 9th from 3 – 5pm in the lobby of the Library on the Bradford campus of the University of Pittsburgh. Light refreshments will be served and talks by Dr. Michael Schultz and Richard Kandare from the Allegheny National Forest will be presented. Following the reception a car caravan will be lead to a nearby CCC camp for those interested. Operating from 1933 to 1942 the Civilian Conservation Corps was part of President’s Roosevelt’s New Deal program. It enrolled unemployed young men into a peacetime army and sent them into battle against destruction and erosion of our natural resources. They planted tress, fought fires, helped with flood and hurricane disasters, built dams, fire towers and roads. They developed recreational facilities in national, state, county and metropolitan parks. In 1935 Pennsylvania had 113 camps with over 194,000 personnel...

By ANNE HOLLIDAY WESB/WBRR News Director At least one Foster Township resident is concerned about how the increased oil drilling in the area will affect her well water. Lori Vickery of Interstate Parkway told Foster Township supervisors during their meeting Monday night that "at least 150 wells" are going in on the hill behind her house. She said "it's already really noisy (and) we're all concerned about contamination of our water wells because there's no city water hook-ups up there." When Supervisor Chairman Bob Slike asked if anyone had tested her water, Vickery said "I don't' trust any of them. I don't trust the DEP; I don't trust the oil drillers, none of them." Supervisor Chris Wolcott said in the current issue of the township supervisors magazine there's an article that says "drillers have all the rights." "There's very little municipalities can do," he said, "but storm water runoff is o...

The political maneuvering that led to last week's confirmation of four state judges -- including Judge John Cleland -- has prompted a renewed call for a change in the way Pennsylvania fills its appellate court vacancies. A six-month stalemate between the governor and Senate Republicans has just ended with confirmation of a second slate of judicial nominees. While Pennsylvanians for Modern Courts likes the judges -- it doesn't agree with the system. Shira Goodman says they endorse "merit selection," which starts with an independent commission recommending judicial candidates; and culminates in a retention vote on the interim judges. Legislation is in the works, but this requires a constitutional amendment.

Western New York is receiving $2.8 million from the state Division of Criminal Justice Services to help reduce violent crime. Today's announcement said the money will be shared by the Buffalo, Niagara Falls and Jamestown police departments as well as Erie County Central Police Services and the district attorney, probation and sheriff's departments in Erie, Niagara and Chautauqua counties. The grants are awarded through Operation IMPACT, the state program tackling violent and gun crime through intelligence-based policing, partnerships among law enforcement and community organizations as well as timely use of crime data.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — U.S. Attorney Patrick L. Meehan announced his resignation on Monday, and a state GOP leader said the prosecutor is preparing to run for governor in 2010. Meehan, who as chief federal prosecutor for southeastern Pennsylvania cracked down on government corruption, was named by President Bush to the federal post nearly seven years ago. He said at a Monday afternoon news conference that he plans to go into private practice after his last day, July 15. Meehan is preparing to run for governor and Monday's announcement capped months of debate among his advisers over the timing of his resignation, said an influential state Republican leader familiar with the discussions. The official spoke on the condition of anonymity because he has not publicly taken sides in what could be a competitive race. For more on this story, go to pennlive.com .

Penn State University will receive a 1.2 percent increase in state funding as a result of the new state budget approved by the state Legislature. The university's state appropriation this fiscal year will be $338.4 million, up $4.1 million from last year. State funding typically makes up less than 10 percent of Penn State's total budget. University trustees are scheduled to meet this weekend in Erie. Items on the agenda include a vote on Penn State's latest budget as well as tuition rates and fees.

Governor Ed Rendell has promoted Pennsylvania's chief financial officer to serve as budget secretary. Rendell announced the appointment of Mary Soderberg today. Soderberg replaces Michael Masch, who left state government to become chief business officer for the Philadelphia School District. Soderberg had also been executive deputy secretary of the budget since she joined the budget office in August 2005. She was previously vice chancellor for finance and administration of the State System of Higher Education and served as the Democratic executive director of the House Appropriations Committee.

A Bradford man has been arrested for allegedly kicking a Bradford City Police Officer. 22-year-old Brian Rose allegedly provided alcohol to minors and when police officers went to the Center Street house to investigate, Rose allegedly began fighting with them and kicked one of the officers in the knee, causing bruising and swelling. Rose also allegedly kicked a door and window in the police car, causing damage. He was charged with aggravated assault, institutional vandalism, corruption of minors and related offenses. He was sent to McKean County Jail in lieu of $50,000 bail.

A Mount Jewett resident is in jail on rape charges after allegedly having sex with a girl younger than 13. 43-year-old Johnnie Lee allegedly had sex with the girl between June of 2002 and this year. In addition to rape, Lee is charged with involuntary deviate sexual intercourse and indecent assault. Lee is in McKean County Jail in lieu of $300,000 bail.

Cherry Springs State Park has been designated as the second International Dark Sky Park by the International Dark-Sky Association. This certification recognizes Cherry Springs State Park's exceptional commitment to dark sky protection and restoration on public lands. "The leadership demonstrated by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and Cherry Springs shows that protecting the view of the cosmos also makes economic sense, preserves ecosystems, and maintains quality of life," says Elizabeth Hospodarsky, executive director of the Tucson-based, non-profit International Dark-Sky Association, or IDA. Cherry Springs has retrofitted all of their outdoor lights to be night sky friendly. Some areas of the park are even designated as no-light zones to protect owls, bats, and a host of indigenous mammals. "This designation is continued validation that this region has something special to offer to our visitors," said DCNR Secretary Michael DiB...

A new transportation investment -- signed into law today by Governor Rendell -- will clear the way for 411 bridge repair projects this year. These are the bridges in our area on the list: McKean County – Route 219 Bradford Bypass over the Buffalo and Pittsburgh Railroad in Foster Township; Route 219 Bradford Bypass over Foster Brook; Bradford Bypass over Route 369 in Foster Township; Bradford Bypass over the Tuna Creek in the City; Bradford Bypass over Tuna Creek in the city and Bradford Township; the Kendall Creek Bridge on Route 46 in Foster Township; Kinzua Creek Bridge in Hamilton Township Cameron County – Sinnemahoning Creek Bridge in Grove Township Elk County – Irwin Run Bridge in Spring Township; Elk Creek Bridge in Ridgway Township; bridge over Mead Run in Horton Township; and the Sinnemahoning Creek Bridge over the Bennett Branch of the creek in Benezette Township Potter County – Route 872 over the Sinnemahoning Creek in Portage and Sylvania townships; Oswayo Creek Bridge ...

The Waterford-area baby sitter accused in the accidental drownings of two toddlers plans to enter a plea rather than stand trial. Brittany Steward’s trial was supposed to begin with jury selection next Monday, but now court records show that she's scheduled to enter a plea next Tuesday. Steward faces two counts each of involuntary manslaughter, endangering the welfare of children and recklessly endangering another person in connection with the May 30, 2007, deaths of Jenna Walker, who was Steward’s 20-month-old half sister, and 2-year-old Maggie Kovski.

A South Buffalo man has been charged with a hate crime after he allegedly burned a cross on the lawn of one his neighbors. 40-year-old Donald Napierala is accused of targeting a house that is occupied by four people – Hispanic and white. Police say Napierala placed a burning wooden cross two feet from the home around 1:30 a.m. The cross had been draped in a gasoline soaked rag and set on fire. The family inside was sleeping, but a neighbor witnessed the action and called the fire department. Napierala is charged with arson, reckless endangerment, and criminal mischief.

Charles Cole Memorial Hospital has announced the addition Tammy Huey, MSN, CRNP, NP-C, to its staff at the Patterson Cancer Care Center. Huey will be working with medical oncologists, Dr. William Muuse and Dr. Serge Dauphin. Huey has 19 years of healthcare experience, most recently at Health Services of Clarion, an outpatient cancer care center. She brings years of nursing experience, working at an inpatient cancer unit and also with clinical cancer trials before completing her advanced degree. She earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Clarion University of Pennsylvania where she graduated from the family nurse practitioner program. Huey is a member of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners and Oncology Nursing Society. “I am excited about joining this team of committed and caring people,” she said. “My work as a registered nurse provided me with many opportunities to learn about the disease process. I feel at home with oncology and this feels like a nice fit,” she said. For ...

Four 18-year-old Philadelphia-area men were arrested after a riot Saturday night that left three people injured at the Abraxas unit in Forest County. State Police say the four damaged property and incited the riot which broke out around 10:26 p.m. Saturday night. Three buildings at the facility were damaged. The four men were sent to Warren County jail on $25,000 dollars bail. A juvenile resident and two employees were hospitalized with injuries. State Troopers from Kane, Ridgway and Clarion responded to the riot and took control of the Abraxas facility.