Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

Police have arrested the man who they believe robbed the Kwik Fill on routes 5 and 20 in Hanover Friday night. 44-year-old Daniel Mniszewski of Cherry Creek is charged with robbery and petit larceny. He’s also being investigated in connection to a burglary in Hamburg, New York. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A Smethport man is accusing of raping a woman last month. 33-year-old John Brown Jr. allegedly showed up uninvited at a woman’s home on June 20, dragged her through the house in front of her three young children, choked her and raped her. Brown is jailed on $200,000 bail. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

The former Galeton teacher accused of having inappropriate relationships with students has pleaded no contest. 37-year-old Kimberly Smith of Wellsboro is accused of kissing two 17-year-old boys and allowing them to touch her while they were on school grounds. Smith will be sentenced on August 7 in Potter County Court. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A fight at a party put one woman in the hospital and another in court. State police say 36-year-old Leanna Vanevery of Irving attacked the woman, causing injuries to her face, on Saturday. The victim also blacked out after being hit several times. Troopers and Seneca Nation Marshals found Vanevery at her home and charged her with assault. She’ll be in Brant Court at a later date. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Work to replace the Columbia Hill Bridge in Keating Township will start Monday. A six-week detour will be in place to guide drivers around the work zone. The 20-foot long bridge was built in 1941 and carries about 300 vehicles over Baker Hollow Run every day. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

William F. Neatrour Sr., 83, formerly of 460 Interstate Parkway, passed away, Tuesday, July 30, 2013, surrounded by his loving family, in the Bradford Ecumenical Home. Born November 9, 192,9 in Apollo, he was a son of the late Victor and Beatrice (Saxon) Neatrour. On April 17, 1948, in Apollo he married Harriet J. (Burns) Neatrour, who died on August 21, 2012. Mr. Neatrour attended Apollo Schools. He enlisted in the United States Air Force on November 11, 1947 served with the 18th Air Police Squad APO 74. He was station in the Philippines and was honorably discharged on February 1, 1950. He moved to Bradford and worked at the Northeast Container, and Dresser Manufacturing. He was Chief of Police for Bradford Township for ten years and later worked for the McKean County Sheriff's Department for 20 years. He attended First United Methodist Church, and was a member of the Police Chief's Association, Seneca Law Enforcement Agency, Bradford Township Volunteer Fire Department, a...

Mary E. Viola, 89, formerly of 16 Brennan Street, passed away Sunday, July 28, 2013, in The Bradford Ecumenical Home. Born November 19, 1923, in Bradford, she was a daughter of Michael and Terezina (Pacini) Viola. She was a 1943 graduate of St. Bernard High School. After high school, Ms. Viola went to work for the Dipson Theater in Bradford and sold movie tickets in the kiosk. After she left Dipson’s, she went to work for Bradford National Bank as a receptionist. She retired from Pennbank in 1989 as the switchboard operator. She was a member of St. Bernard Church and The Catholic Women’s Club. She was also a member of the LaStella Lodge Auxiliary. She is survived by 16 nieces and nephews, Sr. Josette Marie Gocella, SSJ, Dolores Kase, William ‘Gus’ Gocella, Anthony Pascale, Louis Pascale, Judy Brown, Linda Sheridan, Nancy Smarcz, David Viola, Mark Viola, Alfred Viola, Patricia Kimball, Michael Viola, Kimberly Ditz, Christine Szczesny and Catherine Murphy; two sisters i...

City of Bradford Police over the weekend answered calls reporting disturbances on Linwood and Walker avenues as well as Jefferson, Main, Mechanic and Bushnell streets. They got reports of harassment on West Corydon Street and Gates Hollow as well as Chautauqua and Orchard places. They looked into reports of disorderly conduct on East Main, West Washington, Bushnell and Jefferson streets. Officers also investigation a possible DUI on Davis Street, thefts on Forman Street and Belleview Avenue and criminal mischief to automobiles on Jackson Avenue. They also received an animal complaint from Park Street and reports of suspicious activity on Oxford and Pleasant streets. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A Kersey man has pleaded guilty in federal court to his part in a drug ring that operated in Jefferson and surrounding counties in 2010 and 2011. 26-year-old Joe Cesa sold oxycodone provided to him by 35-year-old Joshua Shaffer of Iowa, who also pleaded guilty, or one of the other co-defendants. The drug ring also sold methamphetamine. Prosecutors say the street value of the drugs was more than half a million dollars. Cesa and Shaffer are scheduled for sentencing on December 13. Seven of the nine defendants charged in the indictment have now pleaded guilty, with the two remaining defendants scheduled to go to trial in November. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A police officer and a probation officer had to be treated at a hospital after being exposed to fumes during a meth lab bust in Wellsville. The officers were released from Jones Memorial Hospital after being treated. 33-year-old Terrah Budinger, 31-year-old Mark Smallwood, 30-year-old Nathan Mattison and 28-year-old James Scothmer are all charged with unlawful manufacturing of methamphetamine, assault and unlawful disposal of methamphetamine materials. Authorities discovered the meth lab while conducting a routine search of the house because one of the men is on probation. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Former Pennsylvania Governor William Scranton died Sunday of a brain hemorrhage. He was 96. Scranton served as from 1963 to 1967 implemented major reforms in the state’s educational system. The state community college system, the state board of education, and the state’s Higher Education Assistance Agency were all created during his term. Governor Tom Corbett today ordered all Pennsylvania flags lowered to half-staff immediately in honor of Scranton. “Governor Scranton was a world-class leader in government. He will be remembered as a man of humility, honesty, dignity and integrity,’’ Corbett said. “Susan and I mourn the passing of this distinguished man and offer our sincerest condolences to his wife, Mary, and his family. We will always be grateful for Governor Scranton’s service and the legacy he left our great commonwealth,’’ Corbett said. Flags will remain at half-staff until sunset on the day of his funeral. Service arrangements for the former governor are pending. All Penn...

Congressman Glenn "GT" Thompson spoke with RadioPA's Brad Christman the day before the Congressional Natural Gas Caucus hearing in Williamsport Friday. You can listen here Read about the hearing here . Note: NY Congressman is also a chair of the caucus. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Gov. Tom Corbett has asked the federal government for money to help the state and local governments and nonprofit groups recover from the severe storms that hit several counties – including Clearfield and Jefferson – late last month. Preliminary estimates put the total damage at about $20 million. In a letter to the White House, Corbett says he expects that figure to grow as more claims come in and repair work begins. Corbett, who visited DuBois the day after the flooding, said in his letter that he witnessed the devastation left behind and it’s evident that the communities will need federal assistance to recover. If approved, federal funds could cover 75 percent of the cost of debris removal, emergency services and repairs to public facilities, such as roads, buildings and utilities. Read more here . The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

The CEO of Pennsylvania’s Marcellus Shale Coalition says she’ll be stepping down this fall. Kathryn Klaber says she is proud of what the group has accomplished over the past four years, and she will represent the group at upcoming meetings in Australia and London. She will also host the coalition’s Shale Insight Conference in Philadelphia this September. The group plans a nationwide search for its next leader, according to a news release. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Several area state troopers have been promoted to corporal, and most are changing assignments. Kane-based troopers transferring are Douglas Kramer to Belle Vernon; Frank Milliard to Mansfield; Lance Schimp to Marienville; and David Surra to Emporium. James Weaver of Clarion will transfer to Kane. Christopher Bock of Emporium, William Chase of Ridgway and Robert Podbielski of Erie will transfer to Coudersport. Eric Farabaugh of Emporium will transfer to Hollidaysburg. Michael Smith will remain in Emporium. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

An Emporium man who was recently honored during an event that recognized the 60th anniversary of the start of the Korean War has won a photo contest about the war and is headed to Washington, DC, to accept the award. Ken Ostrum served in Korea in 1953 and 1954 as a combat engineer advisor at a training camp. After the war, he stayed in Korea to help build orphanages and schools. For the contest – Remembered Moments in the Korean War – he submitted pictures with the orphans. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A Bradford man accused of downloading sexually graphic images of children as young as four years old has waived his preliminary hearing. 28-year-old Christopher Abrams was arrested in June by city police and agents from the attorney general’s child predator unit for distribution and possession of child pornography as well as criminal use of a communication facility. According to the criminal complaint, agents conducting an online investigation noticed multiple downloads of suspected child pornography on Abrams’ computer. He allegedly downloaded images of children as young as four to eight years old. He is free on $50,000 bail. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Dr. Livingston Alexander, president of the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford, second from right, chats with, from left, state Rep. Marty Causer, R-Turtlepoint; state Sen. Joe Scarnati, R-Brockway, and Dr. K. James Evans, deputy mayor of Bradford, before taking the field for the rededication of the Kessel Athletic Complex. The complex was rededicated following a $2.68 million renovation that occurred during the summers of 2011 and 2012 and made significant improvements to the baseball, soccer and softball fields. The rededication was held prior to the first semi-final game between Keystone and Lionsville in the Pennsylvania Little League Championship being held at the complex this week. Alan Hancock photo The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Besides chasing down a shoplifter on Wednesday City of Bradford Police also investigated a theft on Main Street, disturbances on Chautauqua Place and South Center Street and criminal mischief on West Washington. Officers also issued several traffic citations and got a complaint about barking dogs on Hobson Place. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A Sherman, New York, man is accused of pointing a loaded gun at someone while making threats. 37-year-old James Linger allegedly pointed the gun at the victim at 10 o’clock Sunday night on Route 76 in the Town of Sherman. Sheriff’s deputies charged Linger with menacing. He is due back in court at a later date. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947