Bradford News

Glenn Thompson prides his life on his history of service to others, and, come November, the Republican candidate for the 5th Congressional District hopes he can continue that history.

Jerry and Jeanie Anderson of Bradford, Pa., decided to install a wood burning stove in their home a couple of years ago to counter their rising gas bills.

The Andersons are among a growing number of area and regional residents who are switching to alternative fuel sources such as wood and coal after gas prices began rising several years ago.

For the third year in a row, the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford has broken enrollment records, recruiting its largest freshman class and closing in on its long-term goal of 1,500 full-time equivalent students.

Pitt-Bradford's 2008-09 Season Subscription Series will feature world-renowned musicians, a full-scale ballet and the traveling production of a beloved musical.

Buyers from at least 11 different states showed up to bid Friday at the Knox and Kane Railroad liquidation auction in Kane.

Some of the area's top names spoke to a packed house Friday, asking for support in efforts to save the area's only Catholic high school.

Dresser-Rand President and CEO Vince Volpe Jr., who is a member of the Archbishop Walsh Board of Trustees, and the Most Rev. Edward U. Kmiec, bishop of the Buffalo Diocese of the Catholic church, were among the speakers addressing the crowd at a newly renovated Archbishop Walsh. Others attending were state Assemblyman Joe Giglio and Olean Mayor David Carucci.

The Friends of Allegheny Wilderness organization has rounded up support towards its effort to further protect certain areas of the Allegheny National Forest.

With events scheduled from Houston, Texas, to Titusville, the Oil 150, a celebration of the history of oil production, grows larger everyday, and organizers met Thursday at the Bradford Area Chamber of Commerce to decide how Bradford can join in celebrating the historic anniversary of the “black gold” that put Bradford on the map.

“We’ve had a surprising number of people contact us that want to be involved,” said Betsy Aiello, a representative from Aiello Brothers Oil and Gas Inc., and organizer of the Oil 150 events here in Bradford.

DuBOIS - Although the three candidates for the 5th Congressional District often agreed to disagree throughout the debate Thursday night, all three bluntly said, "No, they would not have voted in favor of the $770 billion bailout."

The candidates met in a debate at Penn State DuBois. They are seeking to succeed Rep. John Peterson, R-Pleasantville, who is retiring after his term ends in December.

Privately-owned camps on the Allegheny National Forest are gradually becoming things of the past.

HARRISBURG - The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission has approved a program to award grants of up to $100,000 to projects to restore the Sinnemahoning Creek Watershed, which was damaged in a June 30, 2006, train derailment in rural Norwich Township, McKean County.

The Pennsylvania Crime Stoppers are searching for two people, one known and the other unknown.

Michael Raymond Butters, 23, is being sought by police after a warrant was issued on Sept. 10 for a burglary, theft and receiving stolen property.

Mr. Butters is wanted in connection with several burglaries that have occurred in the McKean County area. His last known address was 6100 state Route 321, Kane, McKean County. He is also known to frequent the Bradford area.

On the first play from scrimmage, the state's No. 1 Class AAA football team was already in the end zone. That was the first shovel of dirt that Strong Vincent threw on Bradford in a 62-0 rout Friday night, and everybody hand a hand in the digging.

It now appears likely that a tourist train never will run again between Kane and the Kinzua Bridge State Park near Mt. Jewett.

Joe Kovalchick, the owner of a scrap company that has purchased the Knox and Kane Railroad tracks, said the chances of resuming the once-popular tourist train are “slim to none.”

Dick Danielson has resigned as a member and president of a divisive Mt. Jewett Borough Council that recently has been laced with internal squabbles and name-calling.

"I recognize turmoil to continue to proliferate with little I can do to curtail it," Danielson said in his letter of resignation.

This is the second time Danielson has resigned from council and council president in the past 10 months. He resigned at the end of 2007. He returned to council in July to fill a vacancy on the seven-member board. He was again elected council president in September after Ben Bartlein resigned.

Sheriff’s investigators say a man armed with a handgun robbed Domino’s on West State Road in Allegany Thursday at 11:34 p.m.

Police said the robber matches the description of a man who robbed the North Union Street Sugarcreek store in Olean Sept. 23 and a man who has robbed convenience stores in Bradford, Pa., and Foster Township, Pa., in the last several weeks.

A cantankerous Mt. Jewett Borough Council appears to have fallen into dire straits with a division that shows no signs of waning.

The council met Monday to conduct borough business, but instead spent much of the time hung up on its own divisive issues.

Looking to trim an already lean recreation budget and facing $5.4 million in needed maintenance, the U.S. Forest Service approved its Recreation Facility Analysis for developed recreation sites in the Allegheny National Forest last week.

The five-year work program calls for reducing services at 14 recreation sites, seeking partnerships at 13 and closing four.

The case of a Bradford man, who along with his son is accused of intentionally causing an oil spill on the Allegheny National Forest, is now headed for McKean County Court.

Head swim coach Ed Bahan has announced Pamela Digel is the new assistant swim coach at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford.