The producers of a reality show that will premiere this fall are considering
Ridgway as the location for one episode. The producers of "Three Wishes",
which will run on NBC, are taking requests for wishes from Ridgway residents
and are hoping to be flooded with requests. The show will focus on three
larger wishes and will also have a wish tent where Ridgway residents will be
able to ask for smaller wishes to be granted. People can submit wishes on
NBC's web site

John and Tim Rigas will remain out of prison until after their appeals. A
Judge Ruled Wednesday the pair would not serve their prison sentence on
charges of bank and securities fraud and conspiracy, until after the appeals
process is complete. The judge said that unique circumstances in the case
called for bail pending the appeal.

Judge Leonard Sand says the defendants were not likely to flee or pose a
danger.

Sand also said he thought the Michael Rigas re-trial should be heard by
another judge.

An Aquatic Menace has been unleashed. The Department of Environmental
Protection says Zebra Mussels have been found in a creek near a boat launch
north of Akely in Warren County in the Conewango Creek.

The colony could have come fro Chautauqua lake. Zebra mussels fowl up the
food chain, by eating up microscopic plants that usually feed fish. The
striped clam like zebra mussels can cause millions of dollars in
environmental property damage.

Charges stemming from a May Suicide attempt are on their way to McKean
County Court. Court records say that City Police were called out on May 8 to
assist with a suicidal male. 22-year-old Jeffrey Day had cuts on his arms.
When police arrived, they grabbed Day's arms to keep him under control.

Days Father, 69 year old George Day got involved, and the police lost their
grip on the younger Day, who then ran into another room and tried to jump
out a window, while his father stood in the way, making it difficult for
police to subdue the younger man.

George Day was charged with aiding a suicide, obstructing law enforcement
and reckless engenderment, along with resisting arrest.

Jeffrey Day was rescued before he was able to carry out his attempt, and
kicked a police officer when subdued He was charged with aggravated assault,
resisting arrest, and reckless endangerment.

Police in Potter County have released the details of a Coudersport Crash
that occurred over the weekend. State Police say Kerry Lease and Michael
Scott were driving motorcycles along Route 6 when 88-year-old Ethel Hoppe of
Galeton collided with both cycles. Lese was thrown from the cycle. Both
motorcycles were operational, and Lease, Scott, and his passenger, Shannon
Scott all received minor injuries in the crash.

A Roulette man was injured in a crash on Tuesday. 47 year old Dale Barney
lost control of hi 76 Corvette, crossed the road and struck an embankment,
and then left the scene. Police arrested Barney later at his residence for
Driving under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance.
No injuries were reported.

A Tuesday Crash on Route 6 in Eulalia Township left two people injured.
Police say a car driven by 76 year old James Cress crashed into a truck
driven by Nicholas Marzo of Coudersport. Cress and his passenger, Ilse Cress
both received minor injuries.

Olean City Police have released the name of the man killed Early Wednesday
morning. They have not released anything about the status of the
investigation of the stabbing death of Kurtis Billingslea.

Billinglea, of 207 North 6th Street was taken to Olean General where he died
at 1:15 in the morning.

The stabbing occurred on West State Street at the intersection of North 5th
Street. Police are still searching for eyewitnesses.

Neighbors in the area reportedly heard noises, possible from at least three
or four people, but did not see the crime.

Hamlin Township Supervisors have been asked to tear down a motel at Lantz
Corners. Contractor Larry Gier told supervisors that someone has been coming
in and out of the abandoned building, and a meth lab could be set up inside.

A Roulette man has been scheduled to be sentenced in September after
pleading guilty in two separate incidents.31 year old Clifford Bowser,
pleaded guilty to indecent assault for an October 15 incident in Roulette
Township when he gave a woman a ride home from the Friendly inn. Bowser also
pleaded guilty to giving his wife a black eye in February.

Senator Rick Santorum and his wife will not have to repay the Penn Hills
school district for their children's enrollment in the Pennsylvania Cyber
Charter School. A ruling issued last Friday by the Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania's office of general counsel stated school officials missed the
deadline to file an objection and therefore the money does not need to be
repaid. According to Santorum, the objection was coincidentally brought up
around the time of his campaign for re-election.

The Lt. Colonel talked about various topics from How the Training facilities
work that our troops are currently going to before deployment to how the
support from home helps the troops. During Lt. Colonel Rauhut's
presentation there was a short question and answer session on what he
observed in Iraq. One of the points that was brought up about enlistment
was about where we would be if everyone discouraged it.

Lt. Col. Felt that everyone should get behind the nation and serve, but it
doesn't have to be the military.

Jay Tennies, the museum curator felt that The Lt. Col. Was a good person to
have to talk about the war in Iraq so this was a good time to have him back
for his second visit.

An audit from the Attorney Generals office say the Hilltop Volunteer
Firefighters' relief Association in McKean County is in compliance with
regulation. Attorney General Jack Wagner says the Firefighters support
organization has properly managed funds. The organization is meant to afford
financial protection to volunteer firefighters who could be injured or
killed as a result of their participation in the fire service.

A Pennsylvania man faces charges after a traffic stop in Ulysses. 37 year
old Michael Clark of Avis, PA was pulled over July 8, and found to be in
possession of more than 200 cigarettes, without a tax stamp. Clark was
issued a non traffic citation for the offense.

Convicted McKean County Murderer James McMahon has more time to work out the
details in his attempt to get a new trial. A petition for a new trial was
scheduled for Tuesday, but Judge John Cleland granted McMahon more time.
The 2001 murder of Link Dowell occurred at the Bradford Hotel, while McMahon
was drunk.
McMahon says he did not know he could use his intoxication as a defense. He
has 30 days to prepare petitions and arguments, and District Attorney John
Pavlok has 20 days to respond. At that time, a hearing to determine if
McMahon gets a new trial will be set.

The Potter County Coroner reports that a Kirkwood man died while riding an
ATV in Hector Township. 70-year-old Wayne Clendenin had a heart attack while
riding a 4 wheeler. Clendenin brought his four-wheeler to a stop and fell to
the ground. Family members attempted CPR but were unsuccessful. State Police
assisted in the investigation.

Pennsylvania's Elk herd is overflowing out of Elk and Cameron Counties and
into McKean and Potter. Elk sightings in the Hazel Hurst area confirm that
the herd range is expanding. The Game Commission estimates 600 elk in the
state.

An Emporium man has been charged with harassment following an incident
earlier this month. Emporium-based State Police charged 23-year old Adam
Weston after an argument between Weston and 18-year old Crystal Leydig
turned into a physical altercation.

An Emporium man stopped to take a swim off Route 46 in Shippen Township, and
left the water 500 dollars poorer. According to Emporium-based state police,
28-year old Joshua Patton had his wallet stolen on Sunday while he was
swimming. The wallet contained $500 in cash.

Pennsylvania State Police have released reminders for all ATV riders.
Troopers wish to remind riders that all ATVs must have a valid DCNR
registration plate displayed on the vehicle and the vehicle must be covered
by insurance. Also, no one under the age of 16 should operate an ATV on any
road, street or highway and no one under 10 should operate an ATV on
state-owned land. When traveling in a group on a highway, ATVs should travel
in single file and no one should operate an ATV while under the influence of
drugs, alcohol or medication.

Monday's Fire on Derrick Road has been ruled as accidental. The State Police
Fire Marshall was called to assist the Derrick City Volunteer Fire
Department in their investigation of a fire yesterday at 32 Derrick Road
owned by Claire Pusateri. The fire originated and the kitchen, presumably
the result of a malfunctioning toaster. Thirty thousand dollars in damage
was reported.

The new target date for the sale of the McKean County Landfill has been set.
Attorney Ken Joel from Rhoads and Simon, the Harrisburg Law Firm handling
the sale, says the deal will hopefully continue as planned the first week in
august. If the sale goes through at the August target date, it would mark
the dissolution of the Solid Waste Authority.

Ground was officially broken today on the new Roulette skate park. Taking part in the groundbreaking were Senator Joe Scarnati, Representative Martin Causer, and County Commissioner Cathy Bowers. Also on hand were Roulette Township Supervisors and a good number of town residents.

After nearly two years of fundraisers and a DCNR grant of $20,000, the skate park is finally about to become a reality. The 100'x60' skate park will be located within the existing playground at North & School St., and is anticipated to be open for use by the end of August or early September. The DCNR grant is a matching funds grant and about $11,500 is still needed in cash, materials & labor. Anyone interested in donating money, materials or labor may contact Don or Beth Sigafoes at 544-4082.

More photos of the groundbreaking and park plans can be seen HERE

By Paul Heimel
This weekend's third annual "Dam Show," a music festival
commemorating the ruins of the historic Austin Dam, is being shifted to a
new location.
Deteriorating road conditions and other issues at the Austin Dam
Memorial Park have prompted the Potter County Fine Arts Council to switch
this year's show to another venue: the Genesee Environmental Center near
Genesee in the northern part of the county.
That temporary site, known in prior years as Penn Valley Resort
and the Riverbend Inn, actually has some advantages over the usual festival
site at the foot of the tall concrete dam ruins.
Stars such as Chubby Checker and Charley Pride have performed there. There
is more parking space, better accessibility and ample level ground for those
who wish to enjoy primitive camping and make a weekend out of it.
Some nationally known musical performers will be appearing at
the Dam Show.
The only thing missing will be the dam itself, but the organizers are
bringing the next best thing.
Groovin' Lumens, which has presented the colorful light show on
the face of the dam in past years, will be back this year with their
"virtual dam." It's a backdrop of the dam ruins themselves, on which
colorful lights will play during some of the musical performances.

Talented lineup
There will be music, often simultaneously, on both an outdoor
stage and an indoor stage.
Among the features on Friday night will be the music of Larry Herbstritt.
Although he's better known for writing a string of contemporary and country
chart-toppers and movie scores, Herbstritt is a talented guitarist and
vocalist in his own right.
His "I Just Fall in Love Again" skyrocketed to the top of the charts after
Anne Murray released it and, soon afterwards, Herbstritt's "Cowboys and
Clowns" became a number one country hit by Ronnie Milsap.
Herbstritt's set starts at about 9:30 p.m. He has assembled
several area musicians, including some members of the 1960s pop band Ollie
and the Go Gos, to provide instrumental accompaniment and background vocals.
Emporium's Tim Wright will also appear as part of the Herbstritt set.
Mike Agranoff, an entertaining singer, songwriter and storyteller with a
wide following, is coming to the Dam Show on Saturday.
Also booked are Kate McDonnell, the Original Jazz Band, Red Headed
Stepchild, Hickory Project, a reunion appearance by the popular bluegrass
band Enchanted Mountain Green (with fiddler Spike Ludwig), Ska Na Na, Jack's
Little Big Band and Hazy Blue. The latter group includes former
Philadelphian Steve Quelet, a professional songwriter, guitarist and
vocalist now living in Potter County.
There will be a wide variety of refreshments on sale and other
vendors set up on the grounds.
"This is going to be an outstanding Dam Show and we're pleased to be able to
keep the tradition alive, even though we can't hold it at the dam itself,"
said Arthur Metzger, one of the driving forces behind this Arts Council
project. "The musicians may not be household names to many people, but they
are highly regarded on the bluegrass and eclectic music scenes."
Metzger added that the Dam Show will feature a wide variety of music, from
jazz, contemporary and bluegrass, to country, folk, gospel and a big band
dance set.
"We're expecting sort of a 'folk festival' atmosphere, with
music lovers coming from a wide area," he added. "We're encouraging people
to come for the weekend, camp out under the stars, and enjoy a wonderful
musical experience and summertime tradition."
One-day and two-day tickets are available at the entrance for
$10 a day, $15 for both days, or $25 for family (one day or both days).
Additional details on the Dam Show can be obtained by calling
814-274-8004 or 814-647-3318. For camping information and directions to the
Genesee Environmental Center, call the center at 814-228-3574 or
814-228-3200. There's also a website with more information.:
http://sunnyhill.biz

For the first time in history, two medical helicopters landed in Norwich
Township after an ATV crash injured two people in the Robbins Brook Area.
Police have not released a report yet, but emergency radio repots indicated
a woman and a boy, both from Ohio were injured in the crash.

Another traffic fatality occurred in Potter County over the weekend. Austin
Borough Police say 21-year-old Nathan Setzer died in a dirt bike crash early
Sunday morning. Setzer lost control of a dirt bike, apparently because of
alcohol, and struck a guardrail. He was pronounced dead on the scene.

A Fatal car accident has been reported by Ridgway State troopers last night.
A Motorcycle driven by Robert Larkin was headed east in State Route 555 when
Larkin crossed into the West Bound lane in taking a corner. Larkin was the
struck by a Chevy Avalanche throwing him from his motorcycle. Larkin was
pronounced dead at the scene and was not wearing a helmet. All five
passengers of the car were not injured and they were wearing their
seatbelts.

State Police in Emporium are reporting that a person has stolen a gas
container from a shed earlier this month. Richard McKenny says that someone
had broken into his shed at his camp and stole a 5 gallon gas container with
approximately two and a half gallons of gas.

A man is being charged with Criminal Mischief and Trespass by a motor
vehicle according to the Pennsylvania State Police in Coudersport. The
actor reportedly drove through Sheri Linden's yard and damaged a gas valve
located on the property. Both the yard and the PPL Gas valve sustained
substantial damage. Charges are still pending.

State Police in Kane are reporting that they had responded to a suspicious
vehicle at the Anderson Saw Mill in Wetmore Township last night. Police
found three persons in the vehicle. One of the passengers was charged with
underage drinking and the Driver was arrested as well. The driver, Jared
Smith, was determined to be intoxicated. Smith was transported to Kane
Hospital and charged with three charges including a DUI. Upon releasing
Smith to an Adult he began acting in a chaotic manor inside the hospital and
would end up with a separate charge of Disorderly Conduct.

Pennsylvania state police in Coudersport are reporting that a man has had
his credit card stolen and used on the popular online shopping service
E-Bay. Henry Cusumano Jr of Galeton PA said that someone used his visa card
to make several purchases on the web sight. Cusumano Jr reports that he has
never purchased anything from the sight and is not even a member. Police
are still investigating the case.

PennDOT has announced their weekly road work schedule for McKean County.
Ditching work on State Route 6 west of Smethport
Manual Pavement Patching on State route 59 from Track's Inn to Mt. Alton
Pipe work on State Route 346 Derrick Road.
Line Painting on state route 219 from Elk County to the NY State line and on
State route 6 from Warren to Potter Counties and State Route 59 Warren
County to Smethport.
Construction work involving scratch and wearing will be done on State route
646 Ormsby to Rew and on State Route 770 from State Route 646 to State Route
219.

The organization Project ChildSafe visits McKean county and is partnering
itself with local law enforcment to raise safety awareness for firearms.
Local Law Enforcement will be distributing hundreds of thousands of free gun
locks throughout Pennsylvania in the effort to help prevent gun accidents in
children. The Law Enforcement agencies in McKean County will be
distributing the locks on Monday July 18 and on Tuesday July 19.

A bill that would allow New York hunters to use rifles instead of shotguns
to hunt deer and bear in Allegany and Cattaraugus Counties has been approved
by the state legislature. The bill was passed in June but has not been sent
to Governor George Pataki for his approval. The bill would allow hunters in
parts of Western New York and the Southern and Central tiers to use rifles.
It is currently legal to use rifles in six of the nine regions of the state.