Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

Kimberly Marcott Weinberg Assistant Director of Communications and Marketing University of Pittsburgh at Bradford When Shane Close of Bradford decided to leave home for the first time, he really went for it, spending 16 weeks in Russia, Europe and the United Arab Emirates. Close, 21, a junior history/political science major at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford, traveled to St. Petersburg and Veliky Novgorod, Russia; London; Moscow; Helsinki, Finland; Tallinn, Republic of Estonia; and Dubai, United Arab Emirates; bringing back worldly experiences from each courtesy of the Pitt-approved study-abroad program and the American Institute for Foreign Study. While studying at the St. Petersburg State Polytechnical University along with nearly 21,000 other students from all over the world, he attended a rock concert at the Lensovieta Palace of Culture and a ballet performance at the Mariinsky Theatre. In England he visited Buckingham Palace, the Tower ...

By Bryan Jackson, ’12 Dr. Mary Hamilton, namesake of the Dr. Mary Hamilton Woman of Promise Award, was recognized at the 2012 ceremony on March 20 for distinguished involvement with the Russell J. Jandoli School of Journalism and Mass Communication at St. Bonaventure University. Hamilton, of Duke Center, Pa., a retired associate professor of journalism and mass communication and 1959 Bona graduate, was honored on the Wall of Distinguished Graduates for her years of service and work within and outside of the St. Bonaventure community. An expert in media law and women’s contributions to the media, Hamilton worked as a reporter and editor in New York City, Washington D.C., and York, Pa., and helped develop a public relations program for the Center for Constitutional Rights prior to joining the St. Bonaventure faculty in 1982. She holds a Ph.D. from Michigan State University. The J/MC Wall of Distinguished Graduates represents journalism and mass communication graduates who have outstandi...

HARRISBURG – Rep. Kathy Rapp (R-Warren/Forest/McKean) announced today that she has been appointed to serve as the House Republican representative to the Interagency Coordinating Council by Speaker of the Pennsylvania House Sam Smith (R-Jefferson/Indiana/Armstrong). The Interagency Coordinating Council was established to advise on basic adult education and literacy services and to promote public awareness of literacy. “As a long-time advocate on the Pennsylvania House Education Committee for early intervention to make sure all our students know how to read at the earliest grade level possible, I am thrilled to accept this appointment, and I look forward to working with the council to promote literacy and adult education,” said Rapp. “No matter how much taxpayer money is thrown at the educational system, too many students are continuing to fall through the cracks. With that said, we must do all that we can to reach out to adults who have not mastered their essential reading skills and...

Work on the West Five Mile Road bridge over Interstate 86 in the Town of Allegany is scheduled to start Thursday. Interstate 86 near Exit 24 will have daily lane closures during the maintenance work, which is expected to take about two weeks. The New York State Department of Transportation says the work is weather sensitive, and may be delayed in the event of inclement weather. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

GOP Presidential Candidate Rick Santorum announced he's suspending his presidential campaign. He made the announcement at a press conference in Gettysburg. Santorum is a former U.S. Senator from the Pennsylvania. Mitt Romney issued this statement: "Senator Santorum is an able and worthy competitor, and I congratulate him on the campaign he ran. He has proven himself to be an important voice in our party and in the nation. We both recognize that what is most important is putting the failures of the last three years behind us and setting America back on the path to prosperity.” The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

As many of you probably know, April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. In collaboration with the YWCA Victims Resource Center, WESB's LiveLine is doing a series on sexual assault awareness, and we will be covering a number of issues related to the topic. Today we talked about consent issues. For example: A 15-year-old girl can't "consent" to having sex with a man in his 20s. Even if she says "yes," or is the aggressor, he is still the adult and has the responsibility to say "no." We also talked about parents who allow boyfriends of their teenage daughters to live with them, and several other issues. You can listen to the show here . The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A Fredonia woman allegedly passed out after drinking too much – while she was babysitting an infant. Sheriff’s deputies say they got a call Friday night about a highly intoxicated woman pushing a stroller on Route 5. 46-year-old Marcia Fedyszyn was unconscious by the time police arrived. They called Child Protective Services to check the baby. They also found the infant's mother. Fedyszyn was taken to Brooks Memorial Hospital, and is charged with endangering the welfare of a child. CPS is investigating, and more charges may be pending. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A nursing supervisor at a health care center in Chautauqua County is accused of stealing prescription pad pages. Sheriff’s deputies say 41-year-old Dawn Smith of Sugar Grove, PA, stole and forged the pages belonging to a health care provider at Heritage Green Health Care Center in the Town of Ellery. They say after they identified Smith as the suspect she cooperated and turned herself in. She’s free on bail pending further court proceedings. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Area firefighters have been called to yet another wildfire in McKean County. At around 5:30 a fire was reported on Bells Camp Road, off Olean Road. Firefighters are still on the scenes of blazes on Shep Run Road and Dallas Road. Those fires were reported at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., respectively. From the Eldred Borough Volunteer Fire Department Facebook page regarding the Dallas Road fire: An estimated 30+ acre wildfire is being fought up Dallas Road. Units on scene are: Rew (STN8), Smethport (STN2), Port Allegany (STN3), Eldred Boro (STN4), Hilltop (STN7), Otto Twp (STN9), Eldred Twp (STN18), Lafayette Twp (STN21), Derrick City (STN11), Limestone and Knapps Creek, NY, McKean County Emergency Management, District 15 Wildfire Suppression Crew and the Pennsylvania DCNR. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Firefighters have their hands full Monday with fires from Shep Run Road to Dallas Road. The Dallas Road fire that was called in at just after 1 p.m. has burned more than six acres. It was apparently started by sparks from a welding torch. The Shep Run Road fire was called in at about 11 a.m. There’s no word yet on what started that fire. Officials say that fire is mostly contained, but crews will probably be on the scene throughout the night. Firefighters were also called to South Kendall Avenue, where a transformer sparked a small brush fire and a very brief power outage; and to Minard Run Road for a grass fire. Crews from Bradford Township, Lewis Run, Rew, Derrick City, Otto Township, Corydon Township , Limestone, Knapp Creek and Bradford City have all been called out. Crews from the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources are at the Dallas Road fire. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Governor Tom Corbett today took part in a signing of a new juvenile justice reform package designed to protect children within Pennsylvania's criminal court system. Senate Bills 815 and 818 were created in response to the 2008 "Cash for Kids" scandal that resulted in the wrongful incarceration of numerous juveniles and, ultimately, the imprisonment of two former Luzerne County judges. Pictured, Corbett speaks with Laurene and Hillary Transue of White Haven, Luzerne County. Hillary has become an advocate for juvenile justice after being wrongly incarcerated in the 'Cash for Kids' scandal. Provided by Commonwealth Media Services

A Kane man is facing a number of charges after allegedly stealing car, getting into a fight with a number of family members, and then taking police on a high-speed chase. Police say 25-year-old Jared Smith took a car from the driveway of a house on Chase Street, and drove it to his home on Poplar Street, where he allegedly got into a fight with five people. He then fled the scene. Kane Police Chief Brian Hillard caught up with him, but then Smith sped off. He eventually abandoned the car and ran into the woods. After a foot chase he was arrested behind a house on Lamont Street. Smith is charged with terroristic threats, theft by unlawful taking or disposition, simple assault, harassment and DUI. He’s in jail on $30,000 bail. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

An Olean man already serving time in prison on drug charges has been sentenced to nine more years in prison. Elliott “Pig” James had more than a quarter of an ounce of cocaine on March 13, 2008, in Olean. On February 25, 2008, in Olean, he sold crack cocaine to a police informant. He was convicted of attempted criminal possession of a controlled substance. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Two St. Marys residents are facing charges after running from police on their ATVs. State Police say Russell Stewart was in a marked patrol car and attempted to stop ATVS operated by Jason Detsch and Joshua Detsch at just after midnight on East Branch Dam Road back on March 18. The ATV operated by Jason collided with the police car, and that’s when the chase started. At one point, Detsch intentionally applied the brakes directly in front of the patrol car, causing another crash. Police say Joshua drove away when the pursuit started with Jason. Jason is charged with aggravated assault, fleeing or attempting to elude police while intoxicated, felony criminal mischief, DUI and a number misdemeanors and traffic violations. Joshua is charged with a misdemeanor count of fleeing or attempting to elude police. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Coming off the most successful season in St. Bonaventure women's basketball history, Athletic Director Steve Watson announced on Monday that head coach Jim Crowley has signed a long-term extension to remain at St. Bonaventure. Specifics of the deal will not be disclosed, but the latest extension secures Crowley through the end of the 2018-19 season. Last June, Crowley signed an extension through the end of the 2016-17 campaign. Crowley guided the Bonnies to the program's first NCAA Tournament berth this past year, advancing to the Sweet Sixteen before losing to eventual national runner-up Notre Dame. "We are pleased to have Jim remain at St. Bonaventure," Watson said. "This extension represents our commitment to him and likewise him to us. Jim has built a program which represents our University well on the court, on campus, in the classroom and in the community. We anticipate continued success under his guidance and leadership." A Binghamton-area native, Cro...

3:12 p.m. -- DCNR en route to Dallas Road fire 2:58 p.m. -- Fourth fire reported; this one on Minard Run Road 2:54 p.m. -- transformer down on South Kendall Avenue; started another wildfire 2:49 p.m. -- A request for additional manpower at the Dallas Road fire. Several fire companies are battling two wildfires – one in Bradford Township, one in Foster Township. The fire on Shep Run Road was reported at just before 11 a.m. At just after 1 p.m., the second fire was reported at the end of Dallas Road. Crews from the Rew and Derrick City volunteer fire departments were on the scene of the Shep Run Road fire when the second fire was reported. Officials believe the second fire started when people were cutting scrap metal. So far, it has consumed 5 to 6 acres of land. Crews from Bradford Township, Lewis Run,Otto Township and Corydon Township and Bradford City have all been called out. There is an elevated threat for wildfires until 8 o’clock tonight. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... sin...

By Bill Deger, meteorologist for www.AccuWeather.com State College, Pa. -- After a snowy Easter Sunday across Maine, other parts of the Northeast and Great Lakes will see snowflakes fly as this week progresses. A repeat of March's unusual and record warmth is not on tap to follow Easter Sunday across the Great Lakes and Northeast. Instead, a stubborn storm will make cooler temperatures, brisk winds and spotty showers the norm through Tuesday across the Great Lakes. The Northeast will have to deal with the unsettled weather into at least Thursday. With enough cold air in place, some areas will see the rain showers mix with or fall as snow on one or even several occasions. Residents of northern Maine may feel like they have already seen their fair share of snow this week. This Easter Sunday started with 3 to 6 inches of snow whitening many communities. A little of this snow will persist across the interior of northern New England and upstate New York today. Also today, lake-effect sn...

Judge John Cleland has issued an order limiting what can be said about the child sex abuse case against former Penn State assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky. The two-page order issued this morning also applies to investigators who have ever worked on the case and tells attorneys to limit statements by witnesses. Cleland says he's issuing the new rules to help ensure a fair, impartial and orderly trial. Sandusky is charged with sexually abusing 10 boys over a 15-year period. He denies the allegations. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

By Gael Fashingbauer Cooper Mike Wallace interviewed hundreds of people and reported on many issues over the 65 years of his journalism career. But the "60 Minutes" legend, who died Sunday at age 93, is best remembered for certain stories. See five of them here . The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Wildfire danger is elevated until 8 o’clock tonight, according to the National Weather Service. The Red Flag Warning is for all of Central Pennsylvania, as well as Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Allegany and Southern Erie counties in New York. With low humidity and high winds, the potential exists for rapid spread if a fire gets out of control. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947