Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

Arson has been determined as the cause of the fire that damaged buildings in the Ridgway Borough Maintenance facility last Friday. State Police fire marshal Greg Agosti says because people were in the area at the time it’s likely there are witnesses who may have seen someone start the fire. The fire was reported at just after 6 o’clock last Friday evening. Anyone who may have seen someone walking along South Street at around the that time is asked to contact Agosti at 776-6136 or Ridgway Borough Police at 773-5125. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

City of Bradford Police on Wednesday investigated thefts on West Washing and Boylston streets, criminal mischief to automobiles on High Street and a disturbance on Main Street. They checked out a possible drunk driver on Barbour Street, reports of harassment on East Main and South Avenue and an animal complaint on St. James Place. Officers also received a report of suspicious activity on Homestead Avenue. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Congressman Tom Reed of New York and the Ways and Means Subcommittee on Human Resources continued its welfare reform hearing series Wednesday, gathering feedback from public assistance directors on how states’ flexibility to test various welfare programs leads to improved success rates in helping low-income individuals and families out of the welfare system and toward self sufficiency. “(The) hearing was an opportunity to engage face-to-face with those who administer welfare programs and solicit input on how we can improve the programs to better care for the working poor,” Reed said. “Welfare assistance programs are not required, nor designed, to work with one another and this presents a burden on the whole system and is not fair to recipients or taxpayers. With over 80 federal programs working independently from one another, there is a clear need to communicate and coordinate among programs.” The hearing, titled “Improving the Safety Net: Better Coordinating Today’s Maze of P

By SANDRA RHODES Marty Gregoire has taken life one step at a time, but his steps are not like most. The Western New York native was born with cerebral palsy and has not let this slow him down. One big step will be done this week. On Saturday, Gregoire will compete in his first outdoor triathlon. He chose the Willow Creek Triathlon. “My sister Eileen told me about the Willow Creek Triathlon. She competed in her 100th Triathlon last summer and encouraged me to challenge myself as she often does,” Gregoire said. “Once read about the event and its support for disabled veterans, I knew it was an event I wanted to do.” The Willow Creek Triathlon is a sprint triathlon that starts in Quaker Lake in Allegany State Park in New York State. Following a 300-yard swim in the lake, participants will bicycle 15 miles to the Corydon Hotel then run three miles to the finish line at the Willows Restaurant. In the past, Gregoire has done indoor triathlons or “try a tri” which are 15-minute timed

James V. Nuzzo, 87, of Bradford, passed away on Tuesday, July 30, 2013 at the Bradford Manor. He was born on September 7, 1925 in Salamanca, NY, a son of the late Andrew and Marie Revetti Nuzzo. On May 25, 1954, in Bradford he married Eileen A. Means who preceded him in death on August 3, 2008. He was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II; while serving in the Navy Mr. Nuzzo was a chef. He owned and operated a tavern on East Corydon Street in Bradford for a number of years until Urban Renewal purchased his building; at that point he was employed by the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford as their chef and finally he worked as a chef for the former Holiday Inn/Howard Johnsons in Bradford. He is survived by one step-daughter, Cassandra (Robert) Gill, Olean, NY and one daughter-in-law, Margaret Terrell, Butler, PA. In addition to his parents and his wife; he was also preceded in death by one sister, Mary Cleveland and one brother, Anthony Nuzzo. At the family’s

Bradford Regional Airport is getting a $197,500 grant from the Federal Aviation Administration to help pay for terminal and runway safety enhancements. “These investments will help Bradford Regional Airport continue offering safe and reliable transportation services to the residents of McKean County and the broader region,” said Congressman Glenn “GT “ Thompson. “These projects benefit the local economy and businesses alike, and will provide all traveling custumers with greater safety.” “These funds will make considerable improvements to the terminal apron, replacing damaged and crumbling concrete, which has been in place since the 1950s,” said airport manager Thomas Frungillo. “The funds will also help improve airfield safety and complete the third and final phase to remove trees and brush from Runway 14/32’s primary surface areas.” “On behalf of the Bradford Regional Airport Authority, we certainly appreciate the Congressman's assistance and support in the release of these f

There’s a disturbing story out of Wyoming County, New York, involving sexual abuse of children and cruelty to animals. State police say 23-year-old Robert DeCarr of Gainesville sexually abused a 9-year-old in girl 2006 and a 13-year-old girl in May of this year. Also in May he allegedly tried to inappropriately touch an 11-year-old girl. When troopers went to his home on Saturday to arrest him they found a cage on the porch with three emaciated puppies and one dead puppy in it. They say the living puppies were infested with fleas, and possible had other diseases. The three puppies were taken to a vet clinic but troopers say it’s unclear yet if they will survive. DeCarr is charged with sexual abuse, endangering the welfare of a child, cruelty to animals and neglect of an animal. He’s jailed on $50,000 bail. Another person in the house, 20-year-old Thomas Hyde is also charged with cruelty to animals and neglect of an animal. He was released with an appearance ticket for Gainesville T

State police are looking into the theft of a dirt bike in Crosby that they believe may be in the Bradford area. The bike is a Yamaha 2000 TTR90 and is blue and white. It was taken from Rhonda Green’s home on Route 46 sometime between Tuesday night and Wednesday morning. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Theft and forgery charges against a Bradford woman accused of stealing nearly $42,000 from McKean Memorial Park have been dismissed. 55-year-old Jeanne Haynes paid restitution. She took the money between 2003 and 2009 when she was employed by the cemetery. The thefts were discovered when she was out sick. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Two women are facing drug charges following separate incidents in Salamanca. 34-year-old April Kuhn of Salamanca allegedly had cocaine with her during a traffic stop in the city. She is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance. 30-year-old Janine Heitzinger Olean was charged with criminal possession of and criminal sale of a controlled substance following an investigation by the Southern Tier Regional Drug Task Force. The charges stem from two separate incidents where she allegedly sold cocaine in Salamanca. Heitzinter is in Cattaraugus County Jail. Kuhn was released on her own recognizance and is due back in court tomorrow. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A car hit a house and sheared off a utility pole during a crash Monday in Clarendon. Police say 24-year-old David Littlefield III was going around a curve on Route 6 when the car went out of control, went off the road and hit the utility pole. The car continudc spinning until it hit the front of a house on South Main Street. Littlefield and his passenger, 19-year-old Harry Lyon Jr. of Clarendon then allegedly ran away. Littlefield will be charged with driving at an unsafe speed and leaving the scene of an accident. No one in the house was hurt. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

The 59-year-old Bradford man accused of sexually assaulting a 7-year-old girl has waived his preliminary hearing. George “Jack” Roach subjected the child to oral sex while he was babysitting her on May 28, according to papers filed in District Judge Dominic Cercone’s office. Police say he confessed to the crime. Roach is charged with felony counts of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse and aggravated assault, along with indecent assault, endangering the welfare of children and corruption of minors. He’s jailed on $300,000 cash bail. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A husband and wife facing hundreds of charges related to sexual assault of children have waived their preliminary hearings. 51-year-old Warren Yerger and 34-year-old Leslie Yerger of Phoenixville, PA, are accused of abusing a 5-year-old boy and his 3-year-old sister starting back in 1989. When they all moved to McKean County the siblings were forced to have sex with each other, according to court records. Police started their investigation in December after they got information about the abuse. Warren Yerger’s ex-girlfriend 47-year-old year-old Deborah Keeley is also charged in the case. The three face more than 1,000 counts of child endangerment, rape, sexual assault, incest and conspiracy to commit involuntary deviate sexual intercourse with a child and related offenses. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

City of Bradford Police on Tuesday were called to domestic disputes on Kennedy and Pearl streets, and disturbances on Jackson Avenue and Congress Street. They issued a number of traffic citations, looked into an animal complaint on Chautauqua Place and reports of disorderly contact on Osborne Place and harassment on Interstate Parkway. They also dealt with a public drunk on Poplin Avenue. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A 49-year-old Delevan woman has pleaded not guilty to sexually abusing a child. Prosecutors say Diana Bradley had sexual contact with a child younger than 15 in February in the Town of Yorkshire. She’s charged with criminal sexual act, sexual abuse and endangering the welfare of a child. The case has been adjourned for motions. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

An Olean man indicted on drug and other charges in connection to a number of incidents has pleaded not guilty. 22-year-old Leshawn Kimbrough was allegedly caught with heroin and prescription medication with intent to sell it on January 26. On April 20 he was caught with heroin again. On May 27 he allegedly attacked a person and endangering the welfare of children. Kimbrough is the same man who crashed into and damaged the Lucy-Desi Museum in Jamestown and then spit in the face of a guard at the Chautauqua County Jail. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo was in Salamanca today present a check for $34.5 million as part of the agreement that resolved a multi-year dispute between the state and the Seneca Nation of Indians over casinos. Seneca President Barry Snyder Sr. said the nation appreciates that Cuomo understands the importance of Seneca Gaming to the region, and continued to work on a compromise. As part of the agreement reached in June, the state recognized and reconfirmed the compact that gives the Seneca Nation exclusive rights to operate casinos in Western New York, while the nation agreed to resume payments, and make up for payments, that they stopped when then-Governor David Paterson allowed non-Indian gaming in the region. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Police say two disgruntled customers threw a bowling ball through the front window of a business and then went inside to try and cause more damage. Jamestown Police were called to Aaron’s Rental at 5:15 this morning for a commercial burglar alarm and, on their way there, they saw 23-year-old David Henn and 20-year-old Shane McDaniel walking in the area. Police learned that their goal was to get inside and cause as much damage as possible. They say the damage could exceed thousands of dollars, but an exact amount hasn’t been determined yet. Both men are charged with burglary and criminal mischief.

The 20-year-old St. Marys man accused of placing pipe bombs in two places in Elk County is headed to trial. Charges against Kelly Shaffer were bound to court following a preliminary hearing. A state trooper testified during the hearing that the pipe bombs found in Fox Township and the City of St. Marys were almost identical. Shaffer admitted to police that he made the pipe bombs and tried to detonate them but, after they didn’t go off, he didn’t pick them up because it was too dark outside to see them. Shaffer is free on bail. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A Jamestown man is facing charges for breaking his girlfriend’s Kindle Fire during a fight about Facebook. Police say 33-year-old Daniel Scroggins threw the Kindle on the floor – twice – after getting upset with her over something on Facebook at 6:30 this morning. He’s charged with felony criminal mischief. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Vandals did thousands of dollars’ worth of damage to message boards in a construction zone over the weekend. Police say between Friday evening and Monday morning someone threw “hard objects” at two message boards and an arrow board in the construction zone on Route 255 near St. Marys. Damage to the boards is estimated at more than $26,000. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A Marienville man was hurt when his car left the road and h it a tree Tuesday afternoon in Elk County. Police say 28-year-old Jonathan Doud was on Route 948 when the car left the road. He was taken to Kane Community Hospital for treatment of minor injuries. The police report indicates that he was charged but doesn’t say what the charge is. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

National Fuel has announced that it’s raising its rates. The 7.5 percent increase goes into effect tomorrow. The monthly bill of a typical residential customer will from $74 to $80. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A Port Allegany woman is facing charges in connection to the assault of her baby daughter. Police say 25-year-old Kristen Kirkman saw 29-year-old Timothy Maben assault the 11-month-old girl on different occasions and never sought medical treatment for the baby. After being taken to Charles Cole Memorial Hospital on July 20 with various injuries to her head and body, the baby was flown to Children’s Hospital in Pittsburgh. Maben is jailed for assaulting the little girl. Kirkman is charged with reckless endangerment, endangering the welfare of a child and neglecting to care for a dependent person. She’s jailed on $100,000 bail. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

As if fighting in a church isn’t bad enough, a 24-year-old man is also accused of stealing prescription pills from a Chautauqua County home. Sheriff’s deputies say 24-year-old Joshua Huntress went into a Town of Chautauqua home without permission Monday night and stole the pills. He then went to a nearby church and got into a fight with a person there. Huntress was charged with burglary, petit larceny, harassment and trespassing, and then sent to jail. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

By SANDRA RHODES Most people can’t imagine life without the slightest of conveniences – the smartphone, a television or car. Just think of what your life would be like without your limbs. But that is life day in and day out for David W. Riley, National 4th Jr. vice commander of the 1.2 million-member Disabled American Veterans. Riley will speak about his abilities, as well as his disability, at the Eighth Annual Willow Creek Triathlon set for Saturday. Proceeds from the triathlon benefit the Disabled American Veterans of McKean and Warren counties. The day is set to begin at 7 a.m. with day-of registrations, if spots are available, at Quaker Lake in Allegany State Park in New York State. Registration has been capped at 400 participants. A rules meeting will take place at 9 a.m. with the start of the competition at 9:30 a.m. Competitors swim 300 yards in Quaker Lake, followed by a 15-mile bicycle ride to the Corydon Hotel, then a three-mile run to the Willows. The fastest compe

A Bemus Point woman is accused of throwing things at a child and trying to hit her with a car. 37-year-old Wendy Seastrum is charged with menacing and endangering the welfare of a child. Seastrum was arraigned in Town of Ellery Court and then sent to Chautauqua County Jail. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947