Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

By ANNE HOLLIDAY WESB/WBRR News Director Hundreds of people showed up for a rally in Allegany State Park in an effort to show Governor David Paterson the park shouldn't close. State Senator Cathy Young said the fact that people from Canada, Buffalo and Pennsylvania attended the rally "shows how widespread the support is." She also noted that last week she started the Save Allegany State Park Facebook page. At the time of the rally she said 9,140 people had joined. As of this posting, the number is up to 9,247. Young said volunteers have been going door to door with petitions in favor of keeping the park open and "hundreds and hundreds" of people have signed. Many people at the rally signed a petition that was there. All of this support really helps us when we go to Albany," Young said, "and we'll let the governor know that closing our parks is not the right thing to do." Young told WESB and The HERO that she's cautiously optimistic about ...

Several hundred people, many carrying signs, attended a rally in the Quaker Area of Allegany State Park State afternoon to protest Governor David Paterson's plan to close part of the park and reduce services. State Senator Cathy Young was the keynote speaker at the rally. Below, she listens to State Assemblyman Joe Giglio.

The National Weather Service in State College has expanded the flood Watch to include McKean, Cameron, Elk, Potter and Warren counties. The watch is in effect through through late Saturday night. News 4 Meteorologist Mike Cejka called us just a few minutes ago with this update: Mike Cejka's weather update

Long-time United Way advocate and volunteer, Bob Marasco, will be the recipient of the 2010 Red Feather Award at a dinner scheduled for June 1. “On behalf of myself, Mandi (Wilton Davis, Assistant Director) and the entire Board of Directors, we are very proud to be able to honor Bob in this capacity,” said Executive Director Kelly Case. “He has been an integral part of many of our operations for a decade, and we’re fortunate to have had his involvement. “Bob exemplifies volunteerism for the United Way in a multitude of aspects.” The Red Feather Award was implemented to honor outstanding individuals and groups who have made an impact on the local United Way, and the community as a whole, through their day-to-day selfless attitudes, as well as their commitment to exemplify the organization’s mission of community building and enhancing the quality of life in the Bradford area. For his part, Marasco said, “It is an honor to be associated with this organization, as well as the past Red Fea...

Seneca Nation President Barry Snyder Sr. is blasting lawmakers who voted in favor of the Prevent All Cigarette Trafficking Act. He says if President Obama signs it, and it becomes law, more than 1,000 jobs would be lost in Western New York. The bill bans the US Postal Service from mailing tobacco products. Snyder says the PACT Act is being portrayed as a tool to fight cigarette smuggling, but it's really about big tobacco protecting its market share. He says this is more than just a Seneca issue, it's an economic issue for all of Western New York.

Chris Mackowski, an associate professor of journalism and mass communication at St. Bonaventure University, has published a new book on one of the bloodiest battles of the American Civil War. “The Dark, Close Wood: The Wilderness, Ellwood, and the Battle that Redefined Both” tells the story of the Battle of the Wilderness, which took place May 5-7, 1864, in central Virginia’s Spotsylvania County. The area was known as The Wilderness because it was sparsely settled and largely untamed. “The Battle of the Wilderness was particularly important because it was the first engagement between legendary Confederate General Robert E. Lee and the new commander of all Union armies, Lt. General Ulysses S. Grant,” Mackowski explains. “In the Wilderness, the two armies fought each other to a standstill, but instead of retreating as all of his predecessors did, Grant found a way to push forward. He wanted to turn the Civil War into a war of attrition because he knew the South had fewer men and resource...

Panama, NY -- Chautauqua County Executive Gregory J. Edwards traveled to Panama today for the 5th Annual Chautauqua Maple Promotion Day event. Held this year at Rock Hill Maple, the promotion day serves as a symbolic kick-off for the local maple season. "I was pleased to again be invited to attend this annual event," Edwards said, "and get the chance to see sap being collected and processed into maple syrup. Visitors to Rock Hill Maple were able to sample several items made from maple syrup, including maple candy. Rock Hill Maple is owned and operated by John Goldberg and Roger Roush, and is located at 7256 Clymer Center Road in Panama. "This operation is a blend of old and new, between the long history they've had here in the maple syrup industry, and the new technologies that are being brought to it," Edwards said. Following the kick-off event, those in attendance were invited to the Rowdy Rooster restaurant in Panama for a pancake breakfast. An education...

Work will continue on the Route 219 Bradford Bypass project next week. Access at Hillside Drive in New York is restricted from Route 219 north to Hillsdie Drive, and from Hillside to Route 219 south. Traffic will follow the posted detours. The contractor will be placing pavement at crossovers, installing guiderails and temporary concrete median barriers on teh southbound lanes.

The Allegheny National Forest announced today the closure of the Rocky Gap ATV Trail effective immediately due to deteriorating trail conditions. The Timberline and Marienville ATV trails will remain open for the weekend, but will also close effective Monday, March 15th. Forest personnel will continue to monitor trail conditions to determine if they can be re-opened without risking trail and resource damage prior to the regularly-scheduled end of the winter season on April 1st. All ATV trails are scheduled to re-open for the summer season on May 28th. To obtain the most current trail information, riders are encouraged to call ahead to either the Supervisor’s Office (814-723-5150), the Marienville Ranger District (814-927-5700), or the Bradford Ranger District (814-363-6000), or visit the Forest website at http://www.fs.fed.us/r9/forests/allegheny/ .

By ANNE HOLLIDAY WESB/WBRR News Director The state Department of Environmental Protection isn't sure yet exactly how much damage was done by Thursday's oil spill on Hedgehog Lane, but they do know the cleanup will take days. DEP spokeswoman Freda Tarbell tells WESB and The HERO they are monitoring the cleanup effort that will take "a number of days before it's completed." She said today cleanup crews are doing some pumping as well as changing out booms and pads to absorb the crude that was spilled. About 1,400 gallons of crude spilled from an open valve on a tank owned by Schreiner Oil & Gas Company of Massillon, Ohio. At this point, officials are saying it was an accident, but they are still investigating. As for the impact on the environment and how much of the oil was contained, Tarbell said they "don't have a firm handle on that yet." She did say some of the oil did flow to an unnamed tributary and into Marilla Brook. Tarbell said she hasn...

U.S. Representative Glenn `GT’ Thompson, R-Howard, today announced a $53,913 Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) to the Tri-Town volunteer Fire Company. The grant comes under the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Tri-Town Fire Captain Mike Healy said, “We will use the money for personal protective equipment, like turnout gear, for 25 firefighters who are the most active and take part in interior fire attacks.” “It is absolutely crucial that firefighters have the right protective gear,” said Thompson, who is a qualified volunteer firefighter and emergency medical technician. “This grant will make that a reality for Tri-Town.” Since 2001, AFG has helped firefighters and other first responders to obtain critically needed equipment, protective gear, emergency vehicles, training, and other resources needed to protect the public and emergency personnel from fire and related hazards.

The US Senate has unanimously passed a bill that could kill the Seneca Nation's mail-order cigarette business. The Senate's passage of the Prevent All Cigarette Trafficking Act mean the US Postal Service will be banned from mailing tobacco products. The House passed its version of the bill 397-11 last May. The unanimous vote obviously means that New York senators Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand voted for it. The Seneca Nation, which has said the bill could threaten as many as 1,000 jobs in Western New York, haven't commented yet on the passage of the bill.

From the Allegheny National Forest: Due to thawing, the Rocky Gap ATV Trail has CLOSED as of 03-12-10. Marienville and Timberline ATV trails will remain open for the weekend. They will also close on Monday March 15th.

Local writers and potential writers will have the opportunity to share their ideas with a published author later this month. Lenore Hart, the author who wrote this year’s One Book Bradford selection Becky: The Life and Loves of Becky Thatcher, will hold a seminar called “Ten Things Your English Teacher Never Told You About Writing” at 10:30 a.m. March 31 at the Bradford Area Public Library. Hart will speak with those interested in the writing process and give people the opportunity to share ideas. This free seminar is one of the many events sponsored this season by One Book Bradford, a community-wide reading initiative. The culminating event will be a talk given by Hart 7:30 that evening at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford. Those interested in the “Writer to Writer” seminar can call the BAPL to register. Registration by March 18 is mandatory to attend the seminar

Penelec responded to a power outage this morning which affected parts of Bradford, Bradford Township, Gifford and Cyclone. Crews say a bread truck hit a utility pole on Route 219 in Degolier, just south of the city line. Power was out from 5 a.m. until 7:30 this morning.

Mark Havers lost today in the opening round of the PIAA wrestling championships in Hershey. Chichester's Bobby Scheivert scored an overtime takedown over Havers to win 8-6.

Although emergency crews first thought the oil spill on Hedgehog Lane this morning was malicious, police now believe a valve was accidentally opened, according to Bradford Township Supervisor Gayle Bauer. She said the investigation is continuing. Bauer tells WESB and The HERO that up to 1,400 gallons of oil spilled from a Schreiner Oil & Gas Company tank near 158 Hedgehog Lane. The incident was reported at 10:52 a.m. The operation is run by Aiello Brothers. Bauer said three vacuum trucks are still on the scene working on containment, and that another environmental cleanup company is coming in to help. Just over two weeks ago Schreiner was ordered by DEP to provide a permanent solution to water supply issues at two homes the company’s drilling activity impacted near Hedgehog Lane. DEP had previously determined that Schreiner was responsible for affecting water supplies at other homes in the area. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DNSdHdoOWsI

Nobody won last night's Powerball lottery jackpot, but somebody who bought a ticket in McKean County got a pretty decent runner up prize. A ticket purchased in a Sheetz store in Port Allegany was worth $500,000 for matching the first five numbers - 14, 16, 18, 19 and 29 - while having the Megaplier option. Since that multiplier was 2, it doubled the regular $250,000 second-tier prize. The player missed only the Mega Ball, which was 16.

New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo has turned the investigations into some the governor's actions over to another person. Judge Judith Kaye will head investigations into whether Governor David Paterson illegally accepted World Series tickets or if he had anything to do with trying to keep a domestic violence accusation against one of his top aides from going public. Cuomo made the announcement during a conference call with reporters this afternoon. In a prepared statement he said because he's the state's chief law enforcement officer he's required to defend other state employees, including the governor, in numerous litigation so, in the best interests of the state, he's appointed Kaye to take over the investigations. http://www.ag.ny.gov/media_center/2010/mar/mar11a_10.html

The Sherman Street house that was destroyed by fire Wednesday is being demolished today. The house has been vacant for about 5 years and is currently in the county tax repository. The fire is being considered suspicious.