Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

By withholding car registration renewal until all court fees are paid, state Sen. Mike Stack today said he has found a way to bring significant money back into the state and cut the budget deficit. He has introduced Senate Bill 836, which would require individuals to pay all outstanding fees and fines owed to the Court of Common Pleas before they can have their car registration renewed. Once an individual pays their fines, surcharges, fees, or penalties, the court would provide PennDOT with authorization to renew the person’s vehicle registration. “We’re in a crisis in Pennsylvania,” Stack said. “We are facing a $4 billion deficit and a governor who believes the only answer is to cut and slash our way to a balanced budget. Pennsylvanians can’t afford more cuts right now, so we must find creative ways to bring in revenue. Senate Bill 836 is a real solution.” Stack joined state Rep. John Sabatina (D-Phila.), Pennsylvania Supreme Court Justice Seamus McCaffery and Philadelphia Common Plea...

HARRISBURG - Agents from the Attorney General's Child Predator Unit have arrested a substitute teacher and retired state police officer from western Pennsylvania accused of using the Internet to sexually proposition what he believed was a 13-year girl, transmitting a nude webcam video and then traveling to the Pittsburgh area in order to meet the girl for sex. The "girl" was actually an undercover agent who was using the online profiles of young teens. Acting Attorney General Bill Ryan identified the defendant as Lawrence W. McElroy, age 61, of Tologo Road, Cooperstown, Venango County. McElroy is a substitute high school teacher in Franklin County and retired sergeant from the Pennsylvania State Police. Ryan said that McElroy was arrested on Monday, April 25th, when he arrived at a predetermined location in Canonsburg, Washington County, where he had allegedly arranged to meet a 13-year old girl for sex - believing that the "girl" did not have school because of...

A Glen Campbell teenager died in a two vehicle accident Monday morning on Route 219 in Jones Township. State Police say an SUV driven by 19-year-old Jordan Johnston crossed the center line and hit another SUV driven by 54-year-old Craig Stanley of Wilcox. Johnston was pronounced dead at Elk Regional Health Center. Stanley and a passenger, 21-year-old Michael Sanders of Marion Center, both suffered major injuries and were taken to Elk Regional Health Center for treatment. Route 219 between Johnsonburg and Wilcox was closed for a time follownig the crash.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is investigating the spill of fracking fluids at a Chesapeake Energy site in Bradford County last week. “We want a complete accounting of operations at the site to determine our next steps in this incident and to help prevent future releases of this kind,” EPA Regional Administrator Shawn Garvin said in a news release. EPA wants to know: substances placed into or returned to the surface from the wells at the site; whether radiological compounds are or were present in the fluids; effects on any drinking water supplies; and a listing of each chemical brought to the site, including type and quantities and storage, management and handling practices. Chesapeake has voluntarily suspended all completion operations in the Marcellus Shale as it conducts an investigation into the spill. The company said it was caused by “equipment failure,” but has not elaborated. Chesapeake did replace a damaged well head late Monday. http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress...

Bradford City Police have been kept busy. Late Sunday and today they received complaints about juveniles from Hanley Park, Main and School streets and Belleview Avenue. They also investigated a bicycle accident on School Street, a theft on West Corydon Street and a report of underage drinking on Maplewood Avenue, according to the complaint report and request sheet. Officers were called to a disturbance on West Washington Street, complaints of harassment by text on Walker Avenue and an unwanted person on Elm Street and a a report of “found materials” in Hanley Park.

The fire near the Elk and Jefferson County line this morning is being investigated as a suicide. State police say they believe a 56-year-old Brockport man started a fire in his Rattlesnake Road home then shot himself. Firefighters were called to the scene at about 6 o’clock this morning. State police say no one else was hurt and damage is estimated at $50,000.

The 9th annual Bradford Area Town Wide Garage Sale will be held on Saturday, May 28, 2011 starting at 9 a.m. in the Bradford area. Registration forms are available at the Main Street Mercantile, 96 Main Street, Bradford and the Bradford Area Chamber of Commerce office located at 121 Main Street. Individuals or organizations can register. There is a fee to participate. The deadline to register is Friday, May 13. Participants will receive a yard sale sign and their location will be included in the Bradford Area Town Wide Garage Sale map which will be distributed throughout the community the week prior to the event. All registrants will be responsible for their own set up at their location, as well as the placement and removal of yard signs. The event is sponsored by the Downtown Bradford Business District Authority. For more information contact the Main Street Manager’s office.

Philadelphia – "We have a crisis on our hands," warned Dr. Poune Saberi, a Philadelphia family physician, speaking at Love Park during a rally Saturday, part of the "River to River" march against fracking. She continued, "Three days ago a fracking well in Canton, Pennsylvania [Bradford County] blew out, spilling thousands of gallons of toxic chemicals over farms, fields, the private property of local families, and into a creek that flows into the Susquehanna River..." She listed some of the chemicals and flowback contaminants involved in fracking, and their impact on human health. Saberi asked, "shouldn't the EPA study of fracking impacts on drinking water -- to be released in 2014 -- precede [the onset of] this cancerous industry?" She concluded, "We must demand the government... enforce a moratorium on all Marcellus Shale hydrofracking in Pennsylvania. Otherwise the tide of gas drilling will wash us all into a river of chemical wast...

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This young lady gets ready to hunt for some Easter eggs at the Callahan Park ice rink Saturday morning. The Bradford City Firefighters Local 655 annual egg hunt had to be held inside because of the weather, but no one seemed to mind.

Juveniles kept Bradford City Police busy Thursday evening and into Friday. They received complaints about kids from Congress, East Main, Davis and Jefferson Streets, according to the complaint report and request sheet. Officers also looked into a theft at a High Street business and a theft of medication, a disturbance on Bushnell Street and criminal mischief at Davis and Main streets. They were also called about a motor vehicle accident on Euclid Avenue and an unwanted person on Belleview Avenue.

Investigators are still trying to determine what caused a fire in a DuBois strip mall Friday that did three-quarters of a million dollars worth of damage. The fire started at about 10:45 a.m. in the Beaver Grove Plaza, according to a news release sent to WESB and The HERO by State Police Fire Marshal Greg Agosti. Commercial Radio Systems was severely damaged while Flatirons Development, Gruda Chiropractic and the Punxsutawney Sleep Center were moderately damaged. Stellabuto's Everything Under Roof had smoke damage. James and Bernice Stellabuto of DuBois own the building. Agosti says no one was hurt.

A representative from Emporium’s Emmanuel Episcopal Church visited Charles Cole Memorial Hospital’s Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation residents to deliver Easter cards this week. Program organizer Sissy Miller delivers the “sunshine cards” throughout the year and also visit residents at the Guy and Mary Felt Manor and Grove House. Pictured, from left, are Eva Connors and Sissy Miller. Courtesy of CCMH

Bill Sallade presents a check to Marcia Austin, Theresa Robinson and Kari Karpinski at Charles Cole Memorial Hospital’s Patterson Cancer Care Center. The funds will benefit patients at the PCCC and were raised during the fourth annual Kathy Sallade Memorial 9-ball Pool Tournament in February. Mrs. Sallade loved pool and always thought of others before herself, even while undergoing cancer treatment. The annual tournament will continue to benefit PCCC patients. To donate toward the fund, contact CCMH’s fund development at 274-5204. Courtesy of CCMH

The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford Alumni Association will honor Dr. Lee Colosimo with its PBAA Alumni Award of Distinction for outstanding professional achievement and exemplary service to the community. The award will be presented by Dr. Livingston Alexander, university president, and Chris Luke, PBAA president and 1995 graduate, during commencement exercises on Sunday, May 1. “I’m thrilled to join the PBAA in presenting the Alumni Award of Distinction to Dr. Colosimo, one of the most accomplished and decorated physicians in the country,” Alexander said. “That Dr. Colosimo received his educational foundation at Pitt-Bradford and Bradford Area High School speaks volumes about the longstanding quality of those local educational institutions.” Colosimo, a cardiovascular, thoracic and endovascular surgeon in Houston, Texas, was nominated by Beverly and Fred Gallup. A Bradford native, Colosimo attended Pitt-Bradford from 19...

McKean County Commissioner Joe DeMott has been named to the newly created Transportation Funding Advisory Commission. Governor Corbett announced the formation of the commission today. Its goal is to develop innovative solutions to Pennsylvania’s mounting transportation funding challenges. “We need a comprehensive, strategic blueprint for how we pay for years of underinvestment in our roads, bridges, and mass transit systems, and I have directed PennDOT Secretary Barry Schoch to lead the commission to explore our financial options,” Corbett said. “Pennsylvanians expect and deserve to have a transportation system that improves not just their safety, but their overall quality of life. The time has come to put a financial plan in place that not only addresses our transportation needs but also takes into account our nation’s energy objectives and realities.” The governor tasked the group to make its recommendations by Aug. 1. The panel’s first meeting will be on April 25. Named to the commi...

Speaker of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives Sam Smith (second from right) was the keynote speaker at the McKean County Republican Party Annual Spring Dinner Thursday night. Among the issues Smith addressed was the state budget. He said the Rendell administration left the state with many budget problems, making this budget difficult. He said, when the process is finished, most people probably won't be happy "but the bottom line is: We have an opportunity to get Pennsylvania back on the right track by putting a budget into place (that has) our spending in line with our revenues. That's the first real step to getting this Commonwealth back on track. Hopefully, we won't be left sloshing around in the wake of the Rendell administration for much longer. Listen here . Also pictured, from left, state representatives Kathy Rapp, Matt Gabler and Marty Causer. Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati also attended the event as did representatives for US Senator Pat Toom...

Seneca Casinos will deliver an unprecedented level of excitement this summer to the Western New York, Southern Ontario, and Northern Pennsylvania and Ohio regions with “Summer Rush” – a package of world-class entertainment, promotions and special events during June through August. Summer Rush takes place at the Seneca Niagara Casino & Hotel in Niagara Falls, Seneca Allegany Casino & Hotel in Salamanca, Seneca Buffalo Creek Casino in Buffalo and the new Seneca Hickory Stick Golf Course in Lewiston. Just some of the many offerings include blockbuster concerts by Daughtry, Steve Miller Band, Melissa Etheridge, Martina McBride and more; expanded hours at the casino restaurants; and eye-opening promotions such as a cruise-a-day giveaway in August. “The phrase ‘Summer Rush’ captures the compelling combination of activities throughout the Seneca properties,” said Jim Wise, senior vice president of marketing, Seneca Gaming Corporation. “We are the place to be for entertainment, act...

The state attorney general’s office has broken up a cocaine distribution ring they say was operated from two strip clubs in Erie and Crawford counties. Acting Attorney General Bill Ryan says the 14-month long investigation, known as "Operation Stripped Down," focused on the trafficking and distribution of cocaine in northwestern Pennsylvania, much of which appears to have originated from sources in eastern Ohio, but that part of the investigation is continuing. The two strips involved are the Velvet Strip Club in West Springfield and Club Paradise in Linesville. Six people have been arrested so far. http://attorneygeneral.gov/press.aspx?id=6075

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