Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

New York State Police are hoping Erie County Fair-goers can help them connect with their past. As they are looking at revisions to the museum at the State Police Academy in Albany, troopers are inviting people to bring New York State Police memorabilia to their display area at the fair. Everything will be scanned into a computer file. Also, as the 100th anniversary of the New York State Police approaches, troopers are reminding retired members, their family and friends to stop in and tell tales of their days “on the job.” These stories may be used as part of an anniversary celebration. During the fair troopers will be participating in canine and rapelling demonstrations. Photo of 2012 NYS Police rapelling demonstration by Anne Holliday The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

If you’re headed to Watkins Glen this weekend, don’t be surprised if you run into detours because of flooding on popular routes to the raceway. Small stream flooding closed Route 14 near the Horseheads State Police barracks at around noon today. Northbound traffic was being diverted onto Wygant Road in Horseheads. The state Route 414 bridge over Buck Hollow Creek in Hornby was closed late Thursday night after the creek washed over the bridge and left behind debris. The state Department of Transportation put up signs on Interstate 86 advising motorists who would normally take Route 414 to the track to County Road 16 instead. A flash flood watch remains in effect until 7 o’clock tonight for Broome, Chemung, Chenango, Cortland, Schuyler, Steuben, Tioga and Tompkins counties. The Zippo 200 is tomorrow. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A Tioga, PA, assistant fire chief narrowly escaped injury when an explosive doused in gasoline went off only a few feet away from him. Police say a man lit a ¼ stick of an explosive on Main Street in the borough of Tioga at about 9:30 last night and waited for it to go off. When it didn’t explode, he dumped gasoline on it, but it still didn’t go off so he walked away. At some point a neighbor who watched him dumped the gasoline called the fire department because they thought 28-year-old Robert Rooks III had set a nearby utility pole on fire. When assistant chief Duane Marbaker got out of his vehicle the explosive finally exploded. Right after that, Rooks came back and was confronted by fire department personnel, who told him he needed to stick around because the police had been called. He got agitated while waiting, told a member of the fire police he was going to beat him up, and then ran away again, according to a news release. Trooper Daniel Doney found Rooks a short time

PITTSBURGH – Bradford resident Marissa Buchheit has been cast in the Pittsburgh premiere of the Tony Award-winning blockbuster musical In the Heights . Hailed by the New York Times as "the hottest, most street savvy production in years" the show is being produced by Carrnivale Theatrics in conjunction with Front Porch Theatricals at the New Hazlett Theater from August 23 through September 1. This high-energy show features a contemporary Latin-flavored score and Tony-winning hip-hop dance moves. It takes place in the Washington Heights neighborhood of Manhattan, where a young store owner watches the joys and heartbreaks of his tight-knit community as they pass through his bodega. In the Heights was nominated for 13 Tonys in 2008 and won four Tony Awards including Best Musical, Best Original Score,Best Choreography and Best Orchestrations. Buchheit, who will be playing the role of Carla, joins a diverse cast of 24 other performers from Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, New Yo

Recognizing his outstanding record of military service during World War II and his contributions to the liberation of France in 1944-45, United States Army Air Forces Sergeant Herman E. White of Portville has received the honor of appointment to France’s National Order of the Legion of Honor. At a reception held this afternoon in Bradford, Pennsylvania, Senator Catharine Young (R,C,I - Olean) presented Sergeant White with the official medal conferred upon honorees inducted into the Legion of Honor. The National Order of the Legion of Honor is the highest decoration in France. Appointment to the Order is awarded by the President of France for excellent civil or military conduct, as confirmed after official investigation by the French government. Not limited to French citizens alone, appointment may also be conferred upon American World War II veterans who fought to liberate France from the occupation of Nazi Germany. “Herman White put his life on hold and answered the call to serve o

The former Galeton teacher who had sexual contact with two teenage boys has been sentenced to 5 to 23 ½ months, but not all of it in jail. 37-year-old Kimberly Smith will spend the first five months in jail and the rest will be on electronically monitored home confinement. She must also surrender her teaching certificate and is not allowed to be employed at any high school in the future. Smith kissed two 17-year-old boys and allowed them to touch her both over and under her clothes. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A Philadelphia-area man has waived his preliminary hearing on charges related to a break-in and assault in Bradford back in December. 36-year-old Harry Glover III of Wynnewood is accused of breaking into Forman Street apartment at around 5 a.m. on December 15 after a woman there repeatedly told him to leave, according to papers filed in District Judge Dominic Cercone's office. He then forced the door opened, punched a man and hit the woman multiple times in the forehead. Glover is charged with burglary, simple assault and criminal mischief and is free on bail. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A man who apparently couldn’t control his road rage is facing charges in Cattaraugus County. State troopers say on Route 242 in the Town of Machias a driver got cut off by another motorist, causing him to stop abruptly. Gene Tingue of Delevan then got out of the vehicle, approached the driver who was cut off and threatened to punch him. While being processed at the state police barracks, Tingue allegedly damaged some property there. He was charged with menacing, disorderly conduct and criminal mischief, and sent to jail on $2,000 bail. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Even if you don’t like another guy’s trees, you can run them over with any kind of vehicle or equipment. Well, you can, but you might find yourself facing charges like 24-year-old Tyler Chase of Jamestown. He is accused of destroyed trees on property in Sinclairville by running them over with a brush hog. He’s charged with criminal mischief and is scheduled to appear in Town of Charlotte Court. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

We’ve had stories about people riding lawnmowers and bicycles drunk. We’ve even had a story about someone operating an Amish buggy while intoxicated. Here’s a new one: A 22-year-old Sherman, New York, man is accused of driving a go-cart while intoxicated. Police pulled Arthur Reid over for driving an unregistered go-cart, and then gave him some field sobriety tests, which he failed. After being arrested and processed, Reid was released to a sober person. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A 22-year-old man is accused of getting a 14-year-old drunk. Police say at a wedding reception on July 27 22-year-old Cole Booth of Randolph gave the teenager several alcoholic drinks. Booth is charged with unlawfully dealing with a child and endangering the welfare of a child. He’s free on his own recognizance. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Several hundred gallons of fuel spilled after a truck crashed on Route 770 Wednesday morning, injuring the driver and closing the road for several hours. When the truck crashed at just before 11:30 a.m. between Custer City and Songbird Road diesel fuel, motor oil, transmission fluid, gear lube and hydraulic oil spilled onto the road. Emergency crews built overflow dams to contain the fluid. The Dallas-Morris Well Services truck was being driven by 21-year-old Daniel Gerhart of Roulette. He lost control of it while negotiating a curve, and the truck went off the road, where it hit an embankment and some trees. Gerhart was flown to ECMC in Buffalo as a precaution, and was released a few hours later. Dallas-Morris says DEP is satisfied with the cleanup, but will continue monitoring the site. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A jury has found an Emporium man guilty of carjacking a bank employee at gunpoint last August. 49-year-old Thomas Smith was also found guilty of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence and possession of a stolen firearm. In the incident that happened a year ago today Smith asked Kimberlea Whiting for a ride, claiming he had car trouble. He then pulled a gun on her and told her it was going to be the worst day of her life. She managed to escape from the car. Smith then ran away, prompting a 26-day manhunt. Sentencing is tentatively scheduled for November 15. Read more here The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Venango County Pennsylvania Game Commission officials on Aug. 2 released two rehabilitated bald eagles in conjunction with individuals from Skye’s Spirit Wildlife Rehabilitation Center in Harrisville, Pa. On Jan. 9, a downed, mature bald eagle was reported by John Struthers off Turner Station Road in Coolspring Township, Mercer County. Deputy Wildlife Conservation Officers Terry McClelland and Tom Jones, along with Mr. Struthers, captured the bird and transported it to Skye’s Spirit Rehabilitation Center in Harrisville. The second bird, located on Airport Road, Venango County, was a 4-year-old bald eagle. Carol Wilson noticed the bird as she was driving on March 28. The impaired bird took flight, but ended up suspended upside down in a tree. Wildlife Conservation Officers Ronda Bimber and Steve Ace, along with Maryjane Angelo from Skye’s Spirit Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, retrieved the bird and transported it to Skye’s Spirit for evaluation and subsequent rehabilitation. Rehabil

For the 10th consecutive year, the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford has been recognized as one of the best colleges in the Northeast by The Princeton Review. “The selection as one of the best colleges in the Northeast for a 10th consecutive year, just as we’re closing in on our 50th anniversary as a regional college of the University of Pittsburgh, underscores how far we’ve come and how much we’ve accomplished over the years,” said Dr. Livingston Alexander, Pitt-Bradford president. “This recognition is significant because, in selecting institutions for its ‘Best Colleges’ list, it focuses on input from students. The comments from students demonstrate how much they value the academically challenging and personalized environment we create for them at Pitt-Bradford.” The Princeton Review selected Pitt-Bradford as one of 226 institutions in its “Best in the Northeast” section of its website feature “2014 Best Colleges: Region by Region.”

An accused drunk driver hit a culvert and a mailbox after his car left the road early Sunday morning in the Town of New Albion. Sheriff’s deputies say 21-year-old Steven Borkowski of Little Valley was on Route 353 at about 5:30 a.m. when he crashed, heavily damaging his vehicle. He did leave the scene, though, but was picked up a short time later and charged with DWI and leaving the scene of a property damage accident. He’ll appear in Town of New Albion Court at a later date. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A Port Allegany man is accused of forging a prescription to get drugs from Ott & McHenry Pharmacy last month. 25-year-old Colt Ayers passed an altered prescription to get Subutex tablets and later lied to city police, telling them he got the prescription from another person, according to papers filed in District Judge Dominic Cercone's office. He also had a prescription that was taken from an encrypted, numbered prescription pad of Dr. Martin Jacobs. Ayers was sent to jail on $25,000 bail. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

One of the Bradford men charged for breaking into a woman’s home and stealing a Fentanyl patch off her arm has been found guilty. 40-year-old Richard Cavallero II was charged with conspiracy to commit robbery, burglary, criminal trespass and simple assault, as well as solicitation of robbery. In July of last year Cavallero and 28-year-old Tyler Sherman went to the woman’s home, knocked on the door and said they were “Bradford Police.” Court records say the woman was suspicious so she went to the door to peek out and see who was outside, when Sherman broke the door open, pushed his way in, grabbed the woman, put a knife to her throat and screamed at her, telling her to hand over her prescription for morphine patches. The woman said she didn’t have a prescription, and only had the patch on her arm. Sherman ripped the patch from her arm, took her phone and ran away. No sentencing date has been set yet for Cavallero. Sherman pleaded guilty to robbery and is serving 5 to 10 years in stat

At about 11:30 Saturday night at the Cattaraugus County Fair, 23-year-old Jeremy Green of Cattaraugus was arrested for disorderly conduct after getting into a fight with the amusement game staff. Sheriff’s deputies say he used extremely vulgar language in their presence, as well as the presence of several small children. Green is scheduled to appear in Village of Little Valley Court. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

First he attempted to strangle someone, then he was allegedly found growing marijuana. Now a Little Valley man is accused of assaulting another man in his home, and damaging the man’s vehicle. 28-year-old Brian Blasdell is charged with assault and criminal mischief in connection to the third alleged incident, which happened at 10:30 Thursday night in Little Valley. He was sent to jail in lieu of $6,000 bail. He’s scheduled for sentencing on August 26 for attempting to strangle another person late last year. Police say they found marijuana growing in Blasdell’s home when they responded to that call. Blasdell pleaded not guilty to that charge and the case has been adjourned for motions. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Four people were arrested in Salamanca after an investigation by the Southern Tier Regional Drug Task Force. Task force agents executed a search warrant at 7:20 last night at a home on Newton Farm Road. 27-year-old Christine White, 32-year-old Samuel McKenney and 24-year-old Carmen Williams, all of Salamanca, were each charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance and criminal use of drug paraphernalia. 21-year-old Ricky “Skipper” Perry of Lackawanna is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance. Police say more charges are pending the completion of the investigation. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

UPDATE: The incident commander at the scene says he has no idea when the road will re-open. As we've been telling you on Facebook and Twitter: Route 770 between Route 219 in Custer City and Songbird Road has been closed since about 11:30 this morning when a truck crashed and rolled over. The driver was taken by Mercy Flight to an out-of-town hospital. Some liquid did spill out of the truck. It’s being contained by dams and sand brought in by PennDOT. DEP and the McKean County Emergency Management Agency have been called. At one point 770 was closed all the way to Route 59, but that has been re-opened to all traffic except heavy trucks. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A trial date has been scheduled for the four men charged in the deaths of a Town of Carroll couple back in April. 34-year-old Davide Coggins and 21-year-old Joshua McCormick, both of Elmira, are each charged with two counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of Gordon and Joyce Skinner, whose bodies were discovered by first responders after their house had been set on fire. 18-year-old Ricky Knickerbocker and 18-year-old Steven Todd, also of Elmira, are charged with second-degree murder. All four men are also charged with burglary and arson. The trial is scheduled for March 11. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

SALAMANCA, N.Y. – Cheryl Burke and Val Chmerkovskiy, two of the most dynamic professional dancers on the ABC hit TV show “Dancing with the Stars,” waltz into southwestern New York this August to meet adoring fans and sign autographs. The fun takes place at Seneca Allegany Casino & Hotel from 3 to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, August 10. The autograph session takes place in the Pre-Function Area outside Seneca Allegany Events Center, located on the east end of the casino property near Thunder Mountain Buffet and the Bus Lobby. The event is free, but fans are encouraged to arrive early to gain a closer spot in line. “Dancing with the Stars” first premiered in the United States in 2005 and has since become one of ABC’s most popular shows. Each season, a cast of celebrities from a variety of careers – acting, singing, sports and more – are paired with professional dancers and perform choreographed dance routines. A panel of judges critique and score the performances, and TV viewers