Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

A man on a riding lawn mower is dead after an accident at about 2 o'clock Saturday afternoon on Spring Creek Road in Elk County. State police say 55-year-old Roger Davis was riding the lawn mower on Spring Creek Road when it was hit from behind by a pickup truck driven by 38-year-old Paul McConville of Sigel. Davis was pronounced dead at the scene. Police are continuing their investigation.

The Interfaith Thanksgiving Service will be held on Wednesday, November 18th at 7:00 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church, 54 East Corydon St. This year’s theme is “A Feast of Faith”, and will feature speakers from area churches. Participating speakers will include Gautam Mukerjee, Javed Ahktar, Rick Weinberg and Lee Beckes, all representing various faiths. Churches participating will be Emanuel Lutheran, Church of the Ascension, First Presbyterian Church, and Temple Beth El. This annual event has become an inspirational service during the approaching Thanksgiving time of year with significant messages being shared. A special choir presentation, directed by Bill Howe, will be performed by members of area churches. Mac Sue, director of music and organist of the First Presbyterian Church, will be the organist. Child care will be available for small children. A reception will be held following the service with ethnic desserts being served. The public is welcome to attend. For more in...

"Legally Kapers" was a huge success and a lot of fun. Congratuations! And thanks to the great audiences all three nights.

The Pitt-Bradford swim team set five school records in a 252-125 non-conference loss to Buffalo State at the Duke Aquatic Center on Friday. Allison Beyerl broke the old record in the 1650 Freestyle by over four minutes with a time of 19:49.83. Other school record-setters were David Taylor in the men's 200 Freestyle (1:54.30) and the 100 Fly (59.55), Rachel Davis in the women's 100 Fly (1:07.94) and Morgan Kinville in the women's 100 Breaststroke (1:19.05). The Pitt-Bradford women also won the 200 Medley Relay (Rebecca Carlson, Anne Morgan, Rachel Davis and Kinville) with a time of 2:07.92 and the 200 Freestyle Relay (Beyerl, Carlson, Sarah Mihalko and Davis), and Cameron Lanich captured the men's 1650 Freestyle (17:56.66) and the 100 Backstroke (58.89). Buffalo State won the women's events 122-71 and the men's races 130-54. Pitt-Bradford will travel to Notre Dame College next Saturday.

BINGHAMTON, N.Y. – The St. Bonaventure women’s basketball team started its season off right shutting down Binghamton in a 63-42 victory in the Events Center on Friday night. With the victory, the Bonnies earned their fifth straight win to start the new season and their seventh opening day victory overall under head coach Jim Crowley. Tonight's win is also the Bonnies fourth in four tries against America East member Binghamton, all of which have come in the past three seasons. “It was a good start to the season. We defended well, but our offensive isn’t where it needs to be,” said head coach Jim Crowley. “We did get the contributions from people like Jess Jenkins and Alaina Walker that we needed today.” The Brown and White return home on Sunday to face Akron on Bob Lanier Court at the Reilly Center. Tip-off against the Zips is scheduled for 1 p.m.

The St. Bonaventure men’s basketball team jumped out to a 19-point halftime lead and never looked back as it cruised to a 72-62 wire-to-wire season-opening win over defending Horizon League Tournament champ Cleveland State on Friday night at the Reilly Center. The opening 20 minutes looked like anything but the Brown and White’s first half of the season, as their 41-22 advantage at the half brought the crowd of 4,860 fans to their feet. St. Bonaventure was sharp on the offensive end, shooting an unheard-of 77 percent from the floor over the opening 20 minutes. “I thought we played a terrific first half and got out to a great start shooting 77 percent from the field,” said head coach Mark Schmidt. “That was the best half of basketball from both an offensive and defensive standpoint that we’ve had in a long time.” The Bonnies received a trio of big performances, led by senior Jonathan Hall’s (Miami, Fla./South Plains CC) game-high 20 points...

With your help, your animal shelter could win $10,000. Tell your friends, family and neighbors about this contest and ask them to vote for the McKean County SPCA! Click the link to vote http://www.care2.com/animalsheltercontest/77612?refer=19937.05.1258167325.198869

American Refining Group LLC in McKean County has been awarded a $609,422 state grant to reduce energy costs and promote alternative and clean energy production, Senator Joe Scarnati said the grant was awarded through the Commonwealth Financing Authority, which administers the state’s $650 million Alternative Energy Investment Fund. “American Refining Group is extremely pleased to be the recipient of this CFA grant. We are faced with many large expenditures to comply with both state and federal mandates for biofuels and emissions controls,” said Harvey L. Golubock, President & COO of American Refining Group, Inc. “We are particularly appreciative of Senator Scarnati’s understanding of our plight and of his assistance in receiving these funds. It would not have happened without the Senator’s personal intervention on our behalf.” American Refining Group LLC will use the grant to build and install two above-ground biofuels storage tanks in Bradford -- one 65,800-gallon biodiesel ta...

New traffic patterns on the Route 219 Bradford Bypass Project are expected to start Monday. PennDOT says southbound traffic will be moved back to the newly constructed southbound lanes. After those lanes are opened, any work will be done under daylight signing. Northbound traffic will remain restricted to one lane during the removal of the temporary concrete barrier. Motorists are asked to watch for workers close to the travel lanes while this is being done. The Foster Brook ramps will open sometime next week. The Kendall Avenue southbound on ramps will have new southbound approaching traffic. Access at Hillside Drive remains restricted, but should be opened by the end of next week.

Former state House Speaker John Perzel is one of 10 people connected to the House Republican caucus who are being charged in a new phase of the investigation into misuse of money by the Legislature, known as Bonusgate. Perzel, his former chief of staff Brian Preski and former House GOP counsel Brett Feese are among those charged with misuse of public resources and employees for campaign purposes, according to Attorney General Tom Corbett. Corbett announced the latest charges in the ongoing grand jury investigation during a news conference today in Harrisburg. These charges come 16 months after Corbett's office charged 12 people connected to the House Democratic caucus, including former Democratic Whip Mike Veon, with similar offenses. To see a list of the defendants and the charges against them, go to the attorney general's Web site .

American Refining Group will receive a $609,422 alternative and clean energy program grant from the state to build and install two above-ground biofuels storage tanks in Bradford. One will be 65,800-gallon biodiesel tank; the other will be a 237,930-gallon ethanol tank. The total project cost is $1.5 million and American Refining will provide $914,035 in matching funds. In Potter County, Charles Cole Memorial Hospital will receive a $1 million alternative and clean energy program loan toward a biomass combustion unit and boiler unit to provide heat for the hospital. Projected energy cost savings are $385,000 per year. The total project cost is $2.7 million, with the hospital providing $1.7 in matching funds from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. These were among the projects announced today by Governor Ed Rendell. In all, more than $23 million was approved for 36 new solar and other alternative and clean energy projects that Rendell says will help maintain Pennsylvania’s status as a ...

Harrisburg – Governor Edward G. Rendell today released the following statement recognizing the first anniversary of the death of Lt. Governor Catherine Baker Knoll: “One year ago today, Pennsylvania lost one of its most beloved daughters, a trailblazer who inspired other women to pursue elected office, my friend Catherine Baker Knoll. “She fought for all Pennsylvanians throughout her decades of public service, as she fought her illness to the very end. Her partnership was invaluable, and she is deeply missed. “When Pennsylvania finally elects its first female Governor, she will owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to the women who paved the way – chief among them, Catherine Baker Knoll.”

The Pitt Improvers, a student improvisational club, will perform a comedy show from 8 to 9:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 19, in the Mukaiyama University Room of the Frame-Westerberg Commons. The all-ages show is free and open to the public. The group also plans to reprise its appearance at Kiwanis Kapers at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 12, 13 and 14 at Bradford Area High School. Kristin Asinger, visiting instructor of sports medicine, and her husband, Tim, are advisers for the student group. This is the Improvers second year on campus. During the performances, members of the cast play a variety of improv games and perform them based on suggestions given by the audience. Additional shows will take place from 8 to 9:30 p.m. Jan. 28, Feb. 25 and April 1 in the Mukaiyama University Room. Also planned are an improv workshop for teens and adults Feb. 6 and special charity show from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Feb. 12 in the Bromeley Family Theater in Blaisdell Hall. The Improvers recently attended an improv workshop in Chic...

The 19th annual Bradford Businessmen’s Chess League competition is underway. There are a total of 18 teams in two divisions. There are 8 teams in the varsity section and 10 teams in the junior varsity. Each team will face every other team in its division during the season, which runs through March 17th and pits the best players against each other. At the end of first round action at School Street Elementary, the Wal-Mart Supercenter Team is in first place in the varsity division. In the junior varsity division, Lang Surveying is in first. Judging from the first round results, the teams appear to be very evenly matched. Time will tell which teams have the most competitive drive. For information about the league, contact Robert Ferguson at excedir@amchess.org or visit the club's website at www.bradfordchessclub.com/ . Standings after round 1: Varsity Division Wal-Mart Supercenter 1.5 Dexter’s Service Center 1 Dr. Gonzalez 1 Dr. Laroche 1 Parkview Super Market 1 Pharmacy at Union Squa...

David and Dawn Jardini have established a scholarship at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford that helps them support the institution and give back to the region. David Jardini is the co-founder and president of C/G Electrodes LLC in St. Marys. He’s also a University of Pittsburgh alumnus, as are several members of his family. David Jardini earned his master’s degree in social history at Pitt-Oakland, where his wife, Dawn, earned her master’s of business administration degree. David Jardini’s father was the first generation of his family to attend Pitt-Oakland or college of any kind. After immigrating to the United States from Brazil, he earned his bachelor’s degree and eventually his doctoral degree in Spanish. David Jardini’s mother earned her master’s degree in audiology from Pitt-Oakland, and Jardini’s son will attend Pitt-Oakland beginning in the spring term. David and Dawn Jardini moved to Elk County seven years ago ...

WILLIAMSVILLE, NY – Tops Friendly Markets and Tim Hortons today announced that one million cups of fresh-brewed Tim Hortons coffee have been sold inside of Tops stores during the first year of the Tops and Tim Hortons strategic partnership, which brought full-service Tim Hortons restaurants and self-serve kiosks to all Tops full-service supermarkets and Tops Express locations. Tops today honored Art Steele of Hamburg, NY who purchased the one-millionth cup of coffee inside the Tops Friendly Markets location on S. 6150 South Park Ave. in Hamburg, NY. Mr. Steele was awarded a prize package including Tops and Tim Hortons items, and a Buffalo Sabres Ultimate Fan Pack, including a limo ride, dinner, and tickets to an upcoming game. “We are very pleased with the overwhelming success of this partnership because it has been a real win-win for our customers, Tops and Tim Hortons, as we knew it would be,” said Frank Curci, Tops’ president and CEO. “The joining together of two locally prominent a...

Part of a building at 26 Edwards Street was heavily damaged by fire this afternoon, but no one was hurt. Bradford City Fire Department Lt. Chris Angell tells WESB and The HERO that firefighters received the call at 1:32 p.m. and found heavy smoke and flames coming from the back of the two-story, wood-frame structure and heavy smoke coming from the front door when they arrived. The fire was in the kitchen and on the back porch, which were heavily damaged. Angell said there was some smoke damage throughout the building, but very little water damage. "It went out for us very well," he said. He said one woman was home at the time of the fire. She called 911 and left. The owners of the building are Greg and Susan Hoover of 4 Aspen Way. Martha VanSickle and Tom Leakes are the tenants. Three fire trucks, two ambulances, the chief's car and code enforcement were on the scene, along with 13 firefighters, until 3:05 p.m. Angell noted that at the same time they were on the fire scen...

A Kane man and a Crawford County man are facing charges for allegedly spending money stolen in a McKean County burglary. 19-year-old Shane Hurlburt of Kane and 25-year-old John Hollabaugh of Vernon Township are each charged with receiving stolen property. According to an affidavit of probable cause in District Judge Michael Rossi's office, state police were investigating a burglary that happened July 8 in Wetmore Township, where a large amount of cash and a safe were taken from a bedroom. The investigation led police to Vernon Township, where they found $14,000 of the stolen money and a number of items purchased with the money at Hollabaugh's home. Some of the money was used to buy a television and a video-game system; a dog cage; and trips to Waldameer, Splash Lagoon and Cedar Point. Hurlburt accepted some of the stolen money and used it to pay for car insurance and registration and to buy clothing, a cell phone and jewelry, according to the affidavit. Hurlburt is free on $25...

Bradford City firefighters are currently on the scene of a fire at 26 Edwards Street. The report of the fire was called in at about 1:30. Smoke and flames were showing when firefighters arrived. Everyone in the building got out safely. We'll have more information as it becomes available.

By George Nianiatus, senior writer Communications Department Robert W. Tahara, M.D., director of Bradford Regional Medical Center's (BRMC's) Peripheral Interventions Program and also Allegheny Vein & Vascular, has been named a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. This enables Dr. Tahara to use the credentials F.A.C.S. after his name to indicate his elevation from Associate Fellow to Fellow, says Cynthia Hicks, supervisor of the credentials section of the Division of Member Services at the American College of Surgeons in Chicago. Becoming a Fellow means the surgeon's education and training, professional qualifications, surgical competence and ethical conduct have passed a rigorous evaluation and are consistent with the high standards established by the American College of Surgeons, she says. "I'm very pleased and honored to be named a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons," says Dr. Tahara, who's been with BRMC for the past seven years. The ...