Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

Three people have been arrested in Salamanca on drug charges following a six-month investigation by the Southern Tier Regional Drug Task Force. Rik Rinehart, Travis Pritt and Katie Ventimiglia are each charged with a felony count of conspiracy. Rinehart and Pratt are also each charged with criminal possession and sale of a controlled substance. Rinehart and Pratt are jailed on $5,000 bail. Ventimiglia’s bail is $1,000. The investigation centered on distribution of prescription drugs. Additional arrests are pending. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Building on the success of the Elm Street Neighborhood project, the Office of Economic and Community Development is hoping to receive a Keystone Communities Development Grant. OECD Executive Director Sara Andrews and Elm Street manager Lisa Keck said they have accomplished most of their goals in that section of town, but have about another years’ worth of work to do. During a public hearing prior to Tuesday’s city council meeting they talked about what’s been accomplished and what they’re still looking to do. Keck said they would like to continue infrastructure improvements to complement what has already been done in the area of School, Pearl, Bank and Howard streets and Merrow Avenue. She said they are also looking to continue the façade improvement and housing rehabilitation assistance programs, saying they have more engagement now with people willing to do that. “Working with code enforcement department, we have been able to engage a lot of landlords who hadn’t been interested in pa...

Harrisburg – The arena floor was filled with a flourish of colors and patterns as dancers, young and old, took to 58 squares during the Square Dancing Competition Monday, Jan. 9, at the 2012 Pennsylvania Farm Show. Dance caller Dan Prosser of Dillsburg, York County, said the event is “truly a family activity.” Square dancers have been part of the Pennsylvania Farm Show since the mid-1950s. The Farm Show competition has three different classes of dancers: 16 years old and under, 16 to 25 years old, and an open class where dancers of any age could strut their stuff in western square dancing. Prosser said there are two different types of square dancing. In traditional square dancing, moves are dictated by the music and about 25 different calls. Western square dancing has about 100 different calls and moves are dictated by the caller. With western square dancing, the caller can make any variation of call order they would like. Candice Miller from Chest Springs, Cambria County, has been dan...

Harrisburg – The Pennsylvania Farm Show Scholarship Foundation presented more than two dozen students -- including a Potter County resident -- with $3,500 scholarships on Tuesday, Jan. 10, at the 2012 Pennsylvania Farm Show in Harrisburg. Kristen Hayman of Genesee was one of 26 students who received a scholarship. Agriculture Secretary George Greig presented the scholarship awards, recognizing the integral contributions youth make in keeping Pennsylvania growing. “Each year, the Pennsylvania Farm Show celebrates the best of agriculture – and you are the best,” said Greig. “I thank the scholarship foundation, its members, contributors and buyers for their hard work. You are making a difference in the lives of these students.” The foundation has awarded $977,250 to 370 junior Farm Show exhibitors since the program began in 1993. In addition, Delaware Valley College provides matching grants to its recipients, and Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences offers $2,000 to its full-time...

Bradford County Man Killed Two Sheriff's Deputies Harrisburg – Governor Tom Corbett has signed an execution warrant for Dustin Ford Briggs, who was sentenced to death for killing two Bradford County sheriff’s deputies in March 2004. Briggs was convicted of two counts of first-degree murder and sentenced to death for shooting Deputies Christopher Burgert and Michael VanKuren. Burgert and VanKuren were attempting to serve a warrant on Briggs for nonpayment of fines, costs and restitution. Briggs shot the two deputies when they confronted him outside his home, according to court records. After fleeing into a wooded area, Briggs was the subject of a massive manhunt until he was captured by State Police. Briggs, now 34, is held at the State Correctional Institution at Greene. His execution by lethal injection is scheduled for March 8. This warrant, signed Jan. 9, is Corbett’s 11th execution warrant. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Students, staff and teachers in the Bradford Area School District gave their annual show of appreciation to school board members during Monday’s meeting. Along with gifts and cards, students performed musical selections and gave brief speeches – some from children of school board members. Also Monday, the board approved the LERTA ordinance passed by Foster Township supervisors in November. LERTA (Local Economic Revitalization Tax Abatement) is a five-year program authorizing local taxing authorities to provide for partial abatement for taxes in order to encourage economic development. The exemption rate will be 100 percent in year one; 80 percent in year two; 60 percent in year three; 40 percent in year four; and 20 percent in year five. Also Monday, the board accepted a $85,910 bid from Blue Bid Bus Sales of Pittsburgh for a 72-pasenger school bus. The other bids were for $86,500 and $89,335. The board approved the employment of Mike Leet to be the fitness center monitor for the new c...

Sandra Romanowski is retiring as superintendent of the Bradford Area School District effective June 29, and current assistant superindentent Katy Pude will take over on July 1. Sam Johnson will be the new assistant superintendent. After reading Romanowski’s resignation letter to the Bradford Area School Board during its meeting Monday night, board member Tim Bean said, “Sandy took over the district at a time of turmoil, to say the least. “But with that, she embraced the position. She embraced the challenges and she embraced the difficult decisions,” Bean said. “Under her decisive leadership, she led the district to not only a position of stability but as a recognized leader among districts in financial strength and student achievement.” In her letter Romanowski said, together we have be able to make this district a better place for our children.” She said she is sure Pude will have the same devotion and “I am confident that the best is yet to come for the Bradford Area School District...

The new Kohl’s department store in Olean is looking to fill about 130 positions, and the company is holding a job fair for interested people. The job fair goes from Sunday through January 19 at the Jamestown Community College campus on North Union Street. You can sign up for the job fair at KohlsCareers.com . Kohl’s is scheduled to open in Olean this spring. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A woman has pleaded guilty to attempted burglary and a man has pleaded guilty to attempted robbery in connection to separate incidents. Barbara Dexter of Salamanca attempted to enter or remain in a Salamanca building on June 23 of last year with the intent to commit a crime, according to the Cattaraugus County district attorney’s office. She will be sentenced on May 14. Michael Lathrop of Delevan attempted to forcibly steal property in the Town of Yorkshire on September 16, according to the DA’s office. He will be sentenced March 12. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Four people were in Cattaraugus County Court today on drug charges. Christopher LaBarge of Olean was sentenced to 5 years’ probation for attempting to sell Tylenol with codeine on January 14, 2011, in Olean. His driver’s license has also been suspended for one year. Sandra Parente of Little Valley has been sentenced to 5 years’ probation for attempting to sell Alprozolam pills on February 5 in Olean. Her license has been suspended for six months. Gary Miller of Salamanca pleaded not guilty to selling a narcotic preparation on October 21, 2010 in Salamanca. His case has been adjourned for motions. Lacy Davis of Olean pleaded not guilty in connection to incidents on November 4 and October 28 of 2010 in Olean when she allegedly tried to sell narcotic preparations. Her cases have also been adjourned for motions. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A Bradford man has pleaded guilty to robbing the Sugar Creek store in Olean in September of 2008 and Domino’s Pizza in Allegany in October of 2008. 21-year-old James Baribeau robbed Domino’s with Douglas Carnahan and James Munday, who have already been sentenced. He used an unloaded .357 Magnum supplied by Kyle Grandientti in the Sugar Creek robbery. Grandinetti has already been sentenced for his part in that crime. Baribeau is scheduled for sentencing on March 12 in Cattaraugus County Court. Baribeau and co-conspirators also robbed the Chestnut Street Uni-Mart and Mastercraft on East Main Street in Bradford and the Hilltop Baptist Church back in 2008. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Chautauqua County fire investigators say blazes that were called in within a minute of each other this morning were both accidental, but one of those fires destroyed a house. The fire at 9 a.m. in a Fredonia apartment started when bedding material was placed too close to an electric baseboard heater and ignited. No one was hurt, and the fire was contained to a bedroom of the apartment. The house fire on Marvin Road in French Creek started when a gas-fueled water boiler used to heat the house ignited the flooring underneath it. One resident was home at the time of the fire but was able to escape. Investigators say the house is a total loss. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Harrisburg – Michael Zaffuto, the Sykesville Ag and Youth Fair finalist, was the first male ever to best entries from across the state in the Hershey’s® Cocoa Classic Cookie, Brownie or Bar Contest held Saturday, Jan. 7, at the 2012 Pennsylvania Farm Show in Harrisburg. Zaffuto’s Strawberry Shortcake Brownies recipe topped 79 entries and won him a $250 prize. As the first male to win the grand prize, the 13-year-old said, “I made it up. I wanted to do something different.” Second place and $100 prize was awarded to Dannah Robosson of Fulton County. Matthew Brown of Elizabeth, Lancaster County took third place and $50 prize. Fourth place went to Jada Yanek of Allentown, and fifth place went to Marlana Knab from the Claysburg Farm Show, Blair County. A panel of five judges sifted through entries scoring them on flavor, texture, creativity and inside and outside characteristics. Winning Recipe: Strawberry Shortcake Brownies Ingredients: Bottom Layer: 1 cup butter, softened 2 cups sugar 4 ...

After a one-week absence from the national polls, the St. Bonaventure women's basketball team is Receiving Votes in the Associated Press Poll released Monday afternoon. The Bonnies are off to a program-best 14-2 start following a 61-53 conference-opening victory over rival Duquesne Saturday afternoon. Bonaventure is the only team in the Atlantic 10 with 14 victories, two more than its next-closest competitor. This is the latest in a season that the Bonnies have ever Received Votes in the national polls, and is just the seventh time in program history. The club Received Votes in the AP Poll on Dec. 19 and Dec. 26. The Brown and White ranks second in the nation in fewest turnovers per game (12.8), 11th in the nation in free-throw shooting (77.6 percent) and 18th in the country in scoring defense (51.5 points per game). Bona is 6-0 on the road, just one of six teams in the nation with an unblemished road mark. However, it is one of only two squads in the country with an undefeated rec...

Zippo is Example of PA Company Being Hurt Washington DC- Today, U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) called on Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner to use an upcoming trip to China to confront the country over its abuse of international trade laws and specifically its efforts to manipulate its currency, all practices that cost jobs in Pennsylvania. This week, U.S. Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner is set to travel to China to meet with Chinese Vice Premier Wang Qishan, which represents a key opportunity to finally press China on its disregard for international trade law. “For too long, China has ignored international trade law and manipulated its currency all to the detriment of Pennsylvania workers, it’s time for the Administration to step up and confront China,” Casey said. “Secretary Geithner should use his upcoming trip to tell China ‘enough is enough,’ the U.S. will no longer tolerate their cheating.” China continues to push to become the world’s manufacturer, using currency manipulation, rampa...

Luella C. "Lolly" Osgood, 73, of 5843 Church Street, Limestone, passed away Friday, January 6th, 2012 at the Bradford Regional Medical Center, surrounded by her loving family. Born March 6, 1938, in Howe Twp., Forest County, she was a daughter of the late Daniel and Luella (Ernst) Neal. She was a member of the Bradford High School Class of 1956. On June 10, 1961 in Allegany, NY, she married William A. Osgood, who died on August 15, 2004. Mrs. Osgood was formerly employed at Zippo Manufacturing, retiring in 1996 . She was a past member of the Rainbow Girls of McKean County and past member of the Humane Society. She enjoyed crossword puzzles, reading, her beloved dog "Molly", but especially loved spending time with her family. Surviving are four daughters, Kimberly (Dave DeFrank) Holleran of Bradford, Jill (Timothy) Yohe of Bradford, Kelly Ruffner of Bradford and Richele Osgood of Limestone, four brothers: Kenneth Neal of Pittsburgh, Bill (Ruth) Neal of OH, Leonard Ne...

The First Lady Susan Corbett prepares her family's corn pudding recipe using PA Preferred products at the 2012 Pennsylvania Farm Show. The 2012 Pennsylvania Farm Show is the largest indoor agricultural event in the nation, featuring more than 6,000 animals, 10,000 competitive exhibits and 300 commercial exhibitors. The show runs through Saturday at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex and Expo Center in Harrisburg. Admission is free and parking is $10. Photo provided by Commonwealth Media Services The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

COUDERSPORT -- Ed Pitchford, president and CEO of Charles Cole Memorial Hospital, (CCMH) is the recipient of the 2012 American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) Advocate Award for Excellence for providing leadership and advocacy for nurse practitioners in Pennsylvania. Each year, the AANP recognizes a nurse practitioner (NP) and a nurse practitioner advocate in each state. The advocacy award recognizes the efforts of individuals, other than nurse practitioners, who have made a significant contribution toward increasing the awareness and acceptance of the nurse practitioner profession. Patti Thum, CRNP at Charles Cole Memorial’s Northern Potter Health Center in Ulysses, stated that the 2012 State Award for Excellence nomination noted that Mr. Pitchford is supportive of independent Nurse Practioners’ practices and he values their ability as primary care providers, as demonstrated by his recent development of an institutional policy change at CCMH. Additionally, Mr. Pitchford assisted...

A Megan’s Law offender who left the Just for Jesus shelter in Brockway last month but didn’t register his new address with state police has been picked up in Missouri. 58-year-old Daniel Moore was picked up over the weekend by Missouri Highway Patrol and sent to jail while awaiting extradition to Pennsylvania. Moore left the Just for Jesus Shelter between December 21 and 29, and didn’t register his new address within 48 hours, which he is required to do. Moore was charged with involuntary sexual intercourse back in November of 1987 and is considered a lifetime sex offender. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

State Rep. Scott Hutchinson of Oil City has announced that he will run this year for the state Senate seat now held by Mary Jo White. White has announced that she would not seek re-election to another term. Her district includes Venango and Forest counties and part of Warren and Butler counties. Hutchinson said he is committed to conservative, pro-growth, smaller government principles that allow working families and the small businesses that create jobs to keep more of their income. The Pennsylvania primary is April 24 and the general election is Nov. 6. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947