A Smethport Native has been named as the Pennsylvania House Clerk. Roger
Nick was elected to the post.

The republican aide takes the place of a retiring Ted Mazia.

The Majority and minority leaders and whips nominate candidates for the
post.

Nick was chosen unanimously, and then confirmed by the State house 196 to 0.

A Federal Judge says the US Forest Service has the right to use categorical
expulsion in their effort to take out blow down from the Allegany National
Forest.

The Allegheny Defense Project filed claims in September that the forest
service was using illegal methods of removing lumber, and that they health
of the forest was in jeopardy.

The judge ruled in favor of the forest service.

Just weeks before he was set to take office as Mayor of the Austin Borough,
71-year-old Norman Stuckey died of natural causes. Stuckey ran unopposed for
the position.

He died Wednesday.

Austin Borough Council President Mark Jeffers says he's not sure what the
next step is. Jeffers will be off Borough Council at the end of the year.

A New York state official says the coyotes in Portville are nothing to get
worked up about.

Mark Kandel of the Department of Environmental Conservation says the coyotes
aren't a threat.

He says children who are old enough to play outside unsupervised are not at
risk.

Kandel adds that they're usually looking for rabbits or mice, but have been
known to attack cats and small dogs.

He says the best way to scare off a coyote is to make a loud noise or shout
at it.

Twenty year old, Jonathan Wood was sentenced Thursday in McKean County Court
before Judge John Yoder on charges of indecent assault and corruption of
minors. He was sentenced to 5 years probation, is to continue with mental
health treatment and to register under the Megan's Law for 10 years as a
violent sexual predator and is to have no contact with anyone under the age
of 18 years old.

A woman who took 55 dollars from an SPCA donation can at Orris Jewelers was
sentenced Thursday in McKean County Court.

Bethany Wagner of Bradford will spend 60 days on probation and have to do 80
hours of community service at the SPCA, if they accept her. If they don't,
the probation department will decide on another type of community service.

The State Senate today passed a comprehensive property tax reform plan
that would allow voters to decide in the 2006 primary election whether
to reduce school property taxes by raising local earned income taxes.

Under the bill, the minimum property tax reduction offered would be at
least 35 percent of the maximum homestead exclusion, and homeowners
would see tax relief in 2006. In addition, voters will have the power
to vote "yes" or "no" on tax hikes that go beyond the inflation rate.

State Senator Joe Scarnati says the bill isn't the end, though, it's just
beginning.

Senate Bill 30 would also double the size of the popular Property Tax
and Rent Rebate Program - increasing payments by $131 million and
enabling 281,000 additional low income seniors to receive tax relief.

Potter County Leader Enterprise Managing Editor, (and personal friend of mine) Donald Gilliland, has written an Editorial in this weeks edition of the Potter Leader Enterprise in defense of his use of profanity in headline.

Read his response here.


To be honest, I was waiting on this piece before I passed any judgement. In Bradford, I don't have time to chase down all the court documents, and see exactly how things were worded.

But Gilliland authorized the use of the word for good reason... because Easton and Leber both let it flow freely, according to court documents.

And really, what's so bad about the word in the first place?

Given, I don't want my little ones running around saying it.

But if my kids did not know the word was bad, and as two of them now can use phonics to decipher such words, they would quickly learn the word.

Is it bad for kids to know bad words? no. Gilliland actually gives a great piece of advice for using the headline and the word to prompt discussion..

"God forbid we actually TALK to our kids...."


While I still think I'll pass on pushing my own journalistic envelope quite so far, I certainly do respect Gilliland's gutsy move, even more so since his public explanation.


I will say that I love that many of those offended wrote letters to the editor to display their angst over the word, and Gilliland printed them.

That's the way the freedom of speech works. You say what you want, and you hold each other accountable for what you say.

And if you have a good defense (as in this case), then all's well that ends well.

The Center for Rural Health Practice is still looking for families to take
part in the Dental Study. Each family member will receive a no-cost dental
screening and a $25 Bradford Area Chamber of Commerce gift certificate for
participating. To be eligible, families must reside within McKean County
and have at least one biological child between 1 and 18 in the household.
For more information, please call 362-5048.

Congress passed a bill Wednesday to crack down on methampthetamine
manufacturers.

US Representative John Peterson says the legislation is part of the Combat
Methamphetamine Epidemic Act of 2005, that's enveloped in the Patriot Act.

The goal of the legislation is to cinch up on the supply of meth-making
materials, but it raises privacy concerns.

Peterson, who is instrumental in the wording of the at says the legislation
would restrict and record the sale of pseudoephedrine.

Peterson says by watching the cold medication in the store, it will make it
more difficult for mom and pop meth cooks to obtain the product.

Harrisburg is approving funds to help out with the State's Energy Crisis.
Representative Martin Causer announced Wednesday that the State House
approved the Emergency Energy Assistance fund to help seniors and low income
families heat their homes this winter.

Causer says that cold weather can be a threat to the health and well being
for many Pennsylvanian's who can't afford to pay their bills.

21 million dollars in funding will be released if the governor declares that
disasters, or high-energy prices have caused a threat to public health.

The funds will be administered through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance
Program.

Otto Township residents will be paying more out of pocket in the coming
year. Township Supervisors passed a one half mill tax increase Wednesday
night.

The 310 thousand dollars it will take to run the Township next year calls
for a 3.5 mill tax.

Supervisors agreed on the hike because of rising fuel and utility expenses.

Emporium Borough Council is working on ordinances to keep adult business out
of the Borough.

The Monday meeting of council will bring a vote on the proposed ordinance,
that will make it illegal for adult bookstores and clubs from setting up
shop within a residential district, or near churches or schools.

Another ordinance provides stricter wording on public indecency, which
would also affect such establishments.

The request of such an ordinance was suggested by the Cameron County
Ministerial Association several years ago.

Bradford Airport Director Tom Frungillo says the Armory plans are coming
closer.

Frungillo says he hopes that authority can sign off on a land release deal
with the Federal Aviation Administration at the board's January meeting.

That will open up the bid letting process.

Frungillo says it's all just a matter of paperwork at this point.

Officials at the meeting say despite the cold, the water line extension
project from Lafayette Township Is almost complete, and Water tanks will be
added within the month, and the sewer line project will start next week.

North Central Regional Planning and Development Commission Executive
Director Ron Kulek is on administrative leave.

Elk County Commissioner Christine Gavazzi tells local media outlets that
Kulek was placed on leave November 28.

The board says the decision has nothing to do with the inner workings of the
commission.

Kuleck is receiving salary and benefits while on leave. Gavazzi says Deputy
Director Howard Glessner is handling Kuleck's duties.

She would not comment on the circumstances the led up to Kuleck's leave…
though he was at the center of a controversy two years ago, after ten year
contracts were approved for administrators at the non profit organization.

Yesterday at District Judge Barb Boser's office, 40 year old, Jamestown
resident, Jeffery Bloom was recommitted to McKean County Jail after waiving
his arraignment and preliminary hearing on charges of Simple and indecent
assault, indecent exposure, open lewdness and corruption of minors. He had
allegedly approached a 10 year old female at Walmart Supercenter toy
department in November.

Allegany officials want Wal-Mart to answer a few questions before the
planned expansion at the store starts.

The Allegany planning board is concerned about air quality because more
delivery trucks will be coming through the area, drainage into Two Mile
Creek, noise issues and pedestrian safety.

An attorney for the firm that represents Wal-Mart says an impact statement
is not required by state law, but they will analyze the fiscal impact, which
he says includes a bigger tax base and job creation.

Wal-Mart plans turn its current store in Allegany into a Supercenter by
adding a grocery section, garden center and auto services area.

Part of the plans include demolishing part of the Carmike Cinema Plaza,
which would add more parking spaces.

Portville residents are being warned that coyotes have been sighted on
village streets.

People are asked to keep an eye on small children, especially at night,
because the coyotes are showing up on a regular basis.

According to published reports, in 1983, the area was stocked with coyotes
to get rid of diseased rabbits.

The Center for Rural Health Practice at the University of Pittsburgh at
Bradford received two grants to investigate how federal and state funds for
selected chronic disease prevention and health promotion activities are
applied at the local level.

The center received grants totaling 62 thousand dollars from the Walsh
Center for Rural Health Research and the National Association of County and
City Health Officials with funding originating from the Office of Rural
Health Policy within the Department of Health and Human Services.

The funding will be used for the project titled “Financing Rural Public
Health Activities in Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion.”

The project is part of a collaborative effort with the Walsh Center for
Rural Health Research in Bethesda, Maryland, and the National Association of
County and City Health Officials in Washington, D.C

Bids were opened last night for the Old City Hall project. Mystic
Construction of Pittsburgh had the lowest cost on the general construction
project at 1 million, three hundred ninety eight thousand dollars.

Bradford based Pure Tech incorporated is the only company to bid on the
electric work, at 217 thousand.

Allied Fire Protection came in with the lowest bid for the alarm and
sprinkler contract, at 122 thousand.

A 183 thousand dollar bid was the lowest on the Plumbing contract, from
Anderson Shortell out of Olean.

And MAZZA had the lowest heating and air conditioning bid at 158 thousand
dollars.

State Police report an accident on Route 6 just east of Roulette Tuesday.
Police say Melvin Wackwitz collided hi truck into a Ford Taurus driven by
Sharon Ludwig.

Not injuries were reported.

State Police have determined the identity of the third man that fled a state
trooper after an incident Sunday.

Originally, Eric Quinn and Jason wade were arrested for public drunkenness
after taking off when confronted.

The third party in the incident has been identified as Eric's Twin brother
Aaron Quinn.
He's been charged with disorderly conduct.

Lewis Run Borough Council president Frank Langianese said Mel and Michelle
BIzzarro have done something he’s never seen in the 50-some years he’s been
on borough council – they gave something to help the taxpayers.

The Bizarros gave the borough 25 hundred dollars to pay for the first year
of ambulance service from the city of Bradford.

Bizzaro says he and his wife recently moved to Lewis Run and wanted to give
something back to the community.

Langianese added that the borough appreciates it 100 percent.

Lewis Run Borough Council president Frank Langianese has been elected
president of the Pennsylvania Borough Councils Association.

Borough solicitor Dan Hartle said that, with more than 900 boroughs in the
state, this is quite an honor for Langianese and the borough.

Langianese said one of the goals of the association is get younger people
involved and “enhance more people to run” for borough offices.

An apartment complex will not be part of a planned development at the former
Castle site in Allegany.

During a meeting last night, COR development told the Allegany Planning
board that they’ve scrapped the plan because of concerns from the board and
the community.

Also during the meeting, board members told Wal-Mart representatives they’re
concerned about the stores expansion project, and the affect it will have
on the economy and other grocery stores in the area.

The board wants an impact statement, but a Wal-Mart attorney says that’s not
necessary.

Also last night, the approved St. Bonaventure Universitiy’s plans to expalnd
De La Roche Hall.

The project will be funded by two grants from NASA.

That new owner at the landfill isn't saving Bradford any money.

Bradford City Council approved an ordinance last night to use the Chautauqua
County Landfill in Elery NY, because of their lower tipping fees. City Clerk
John Peterson says it will cost 21.50 a ton to ship to NY State. The McKean
County Landfill, currently owned by Rustick LLC charges over 48 dollars a
ton. Whether or not the savings will be passed on to City residents has yet
to be seen.

A Pennsylvania soldier died Sunday in Ar Ramadi, Iraq as a result of a
vehicle explosion.

32-year-old Keith A. Bennett of Holtwood, Pa., was a Staff Sgt.
assigned to the Army National Guard's 28th Military Police
Company, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, Johnstown, Pa.

Lafayette Township Supervisor, Tom O'Connell is going to retire after
serving as township supervisor for eighteen years.

Supervisor John Ryan commended O'Connel at last night's meeting.
Supervisors also announced that Burdick's Disposal permit ran out in March
to collect refuse within the township. The supervisor's have been
unsuccessful in reaching Burdick's and need a deadline for a commitment and
will wait to see to determined their response.

One person was hurt in when a train hit a car on the railroad crossing an
ensign hollow road in Shippen Township Monday afternoon.

State police say a car driven by 18-year-old Autumn Lukaskoonis of Emporium
was came to an icy patch, couldn't stop and entered the path of a train
Norfolk Southern Train.

The train moved the car about 10 feet, but only did moderate damage.

Police say Lukaskoonis sustained minor injuries, but her passengers,
including an 11-month-old baby were not hurt.

An Olean man accused of murdering another Olean man in July is going to
trial February 15th.

30-year-old Tyrone Malone is charged with second-degree murder in the death
of 30-year-old Kurtis D. Billingslea.

Olean police allege that Malone stabbed Billingslea in the chest during an
argument in a parking lot.

Malone is free on 25 thousand dollars bail while awaiting trial.

Navy Chief Petty Officer Michael A. Schillinger,
and his fellow shipmates entered the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations to
conduct maritime security operations (MSO) in the Suez Canal.

Maritime security operations sets the conditions for security and stability
in the maritime environment and denies international terrorists use of the
maritime environment as a venue for attack or to transport personnel,
weapons or other materials.

Schillinger joined the Navy in August 1987. He is the son of Ronald
Schillinger of Bradford and Betty Whiteman of Shinglehouse.

Kane area residents are being encouraged to attended a meeting Wednesday
scheduled by the county planning commission to provide input for the county
comprehensive plan.

The meeting will include brainstorming sessions to develop ideas to improve
Kane and surrounding communities.

A similar meeting was held last month in Mount Jewett.

Suggestions made at the community meetings will be given to a consultant who
will prepare the comprehensive plan.

The county is seeking a 55 thousand dollar state grant to pay for half the
cost of the project.

A woman was arraigned by District Judge Barbara Boser today for allegedly
taking money from Auto Zone on Bolivar Drive.

19-year-old Jessica Lynn Yohe is charged with theft by unlawful taking and
receiving stolen property.

On November 11th, there was about 560 dollars missing from a drawer at Auto
Zone. Yohe admitted to taking it, according to a spokeswoman in Boser's
office.

State police say someone drove a vehicle through the Driftwood Borough
playground on Route 55, and ran into a chain link fence.

They are still investigating the incident.

A 24-year-old Bradford man was arrested on drug charges in three different
cases.

Court documents say that Daryl Robinson sold marijuana in the city of
Bradford three times.

He was arraigned by District Judge Chris Hauser, who set bail at 10 thousand
dollars.

Cable Rates are going up for Erie and Niagara County NY.

270 thousand customers will see Adelphia bills go up by 6 percent on
February First.

The seventh rate increase in five years comes on the heels of higher
programming, and higher costs associated with fuel.

Atlantic Broadband has announce d a similar increase could happen on their
programming lines in NY, PA, and WV

No word from Zito Media whether or not their rates will increase.

A Niagara County student is accused of trying to poison a School official.
Billie Jacobs has been charged with second-degree assault after pouring
perfume into the assistant Principal' s soda Thursday in Lewiston, NY.

James Campbell became extremely ill after drinking the soda. When he
confronted the girl about the incident, she punched and slapped him.

Campbell is recovering at home.

Editor's Note:
I know this isn't exactly local, but it was interesting. Sounds like some
one needs some "tough love."

A Lewis Run Incident brought the State Police in to investigate. Troopers
report that someone broke the windows out of a mini van owned b Charles
Thomas and Helen Frederick of Lewis Run sometime Friday night or early
Saturday morning. At least 1 thousand dollars in damage was reported.

700 feet of Copper wire was stolen from the Railroad.

Police say the suspects made off with the wire. It had been located on the
tracks near Bingham Road and Lafayette Township.

An Austin woman has been charged in a Potter County Crash. State Police say
31-year-old Tonia Butler lost control on Route 872 near Sunny Hill Pipe
Supply in Keating Township.

According to the police report, Butler lost control, going over an
embankment.

Charges of driving too fast have been filed against Butler.

Work is underway at the former H-O Oats Grain Elevator on Buffalo’s Water
Front. Thursday marked the groundbreaking of the Seneca Buffalo Creek
Casino.

The newly Indian owned nine acre plot of land allows the tribe to reclaim a
chunk of land originally forfeited in the Buffalo Creek Treaty.

The West Valley Clean Up plan is generating some heat as locals express
concerns about the adequacy of the project.

The West Valley Citizens Task Force says they think the West Valley
Demonstration Project cleanup is not enough to remove the radiation left
over from the Nuclear plant that existed on the site until 1972.

Citizens have expressed concern about a radioactive underground plume of
strontium that they think could reach local creeks, and eventually lake
Erie.

State Police are reporting a Harassment case against a Roulette man last
night. Michael Milliron is being charged with an incident in which he and
Laurie Milliron became involved in a verbal altercation that turned into a
physical one. No injuries were reported. Mr. Milliron was cited for the
offense in District court of Coudersport.

A Smethport family is asking for assistance in their effort to pay for
Leukemia treatment of their three-year-old daughter. Nathan and Jayme
Williams of Smethport have been taking their child to Pittsburgh for
treatment of their Daughter, Salena, which will place a large financial
burden on the family. Her Treatment involves traveling to the Children's
Hospital of Pittsburgh once a week for four to six weeks along with her
ongoing treatment that will continue for the next two years. Salena had
also been diagnosed with an arachnoid cyst on her brain earlier this year.
That condition is also being watched and has been since the earlier part of
this year. Donations can be made to the family from any branch of the
Hamlin Bank to an account that has been set up for Salena Williams.

State Police are releasing information on a one-vehicle accident involving a
Bradford woman. Trisia Hammond was traveling west on State Route 59 on
Wednesday when her vehicle left the roadway and struck a ditch wall. Her
vehicle was disabled in the incident and Hammond suffered only minor
injuries in the incident.

Bradford's Hometown Holidays celebration will be in full swing next weekend.

Santa will kick off the activities when he arrives downtown in the city
police DARE car at 6 o'clock next Friday night.

Children will be able to have their pictures taken with him for free at JD
Novelities on Main Street.

During Hometown Holidays, most stores will be opened until 9 p.m.

All activities are presented by the Bradford Area Small Business
Association, the East Bradford Business Association, and the Bradford Area
Small Business Group.

A Bradford man is dead after a Saturday night crash along Route 219 near
the Cow Palace.

NY State Police say 75 year old Jack Ault died after he failed to stop at a
stop sign while heading on to Route 219 from Hillside Drive.

His SUV was struck by a vehicle driven by 52 year old Karen Lewis of
Shippensburg.

The Bradford Regional Medical center expansion project is on track,
according to Senior Vice President of operations Glen Washington.

Washington told local media outlets that Kessel Construction and Bisett
Building Center have poured the cement for the new foundation.

Washington says the winter weather has not slowed down building contractor
BBL Medical Facilities.

And an increase in raw material costs hasn't offset the 15 million dollar
budget either.

Several Crashes occurred across McKean County on Sunday night's slippery
roads. Foster Township Police report an accident on Derrick Road Sunday
afternoon. A Tractor Trailer got stuck on top of Rew hill, blocking the
roadway.

Police have not released further details in either crash.

A Pennsylvania man died in a construction accident in Olean yesterday
afternoon.

36-year-old Jason Robinson of New Brighton fell 40 feet from a steel
building and landed between a piece of metal and a 3-foot-high concrete
wall.

Cattaraugus County sheriff's deputies say Robinson was rushed to Olean
General Hospital, but was pronounced dead on arrival due to massive internal
injuries.

He was working on the Dominion Transmission Pipeline project off Hostahgeh
Road.

The Seneca Nation broke ground at the site of their new casino in Buffalo,
the former HO Oates grain elevator.
Seneca officials say they hope construction will start in the spring, and
are looking toward a casino opening next New Year's Eve.

Seneca Nation President Barry Snyder, Sr. says he believes the casino will
add five to seven million dollars to the economies of Buffalo and Erie
County.

A Fund has been established in honor of the late Melissa Price. Officials at
the Bradford Hospital Foundation have announced the Melissa Price McKean
County VNA Bereavement Camp Named Fund.

Price's family established the fund to pay provide support for a new
bereavement retreat held for children at Camp Penuel in Eldred each year.

Price, died of heart disease on Dec. 11, 2004.

A Fire Thursday in Roulette damaged a home on Fishing Creek Road. The blaze
at Rayburn Weimer's home went from the chimney to the wall. Firefighters
from Roulette, Port Allegany and Coudersport responded to the scene.
Some structural damage was reported, but the Weimer's were able to get out
safely.
WFRM in Coudersport reports that the house used to serve as a post office
the community of Durward during the logging boom.

Otto Eldred Students received a visit from State Rep Martin Causer as he
came to be a judge in their Pennsylvania Landmarks model contest.

Fourth Grade students made display models of Pennsylvania Landmarks,
factories, and historical places.

The contest was the brainchild of Otto Eldred Teacher Heather Freeman, who
adapted the contest from a project she had done in fourth grade in Emporium.

Fourth grader, Kyleigh Anderson won first place in the Factory, and Overall
competition for her model of the Hershey's Chocolate Factory.

A Bradford woman pleaded guilty Thursday to stealing Moose Club Money.

29 year old Melissa Hannon appeared in McKean County court Thursday and
admitted to collecting weekly entry fees for players in the pool league.

Hannon did not return the 12 hundred dollars to the Moose club.

Sentencing is set for January 12.

*****

A Bradford man pleaded guilty in court Thursday to charges of theft.

40 year old Calvin Teeter appeared before Judge John Yoder to enter his plea
for the theft of Water and Sewer services from Bradford Township a at
Susquehanna Road residence.

An East Smethport man pleaded guilty to indecent assault charges.
88-year-old John Rose told the judge that he was guilty of having indecent
contact with an 11 year old girl between January of 1998 and November of
2003.

Rose will be sentenced December 29.

*****

A Kane man admitted to stealing CD's. 18-year-old John Sclopy stole 86 CD's
and money from a car on August 31. Schlopy also pleaded guilty in court to a
September 11 incident of trespassing.

*****

Two Pitt Bradford Students appeared in McKean County Court were accepted
into the Accelerated Rehabilitation Program after a prank went bad.
18-year-old Adelaja Adelugba and 19 year old Yungmahn Moon were facing
charges of arson, criminal conspiracy and disorderly conduct.

The pair started a fire outside of a campus residence, distressing other
students.

The judicial allegations in Potter County aren't all cleared up yet, but
District Judge Annette Easton will not be barred from prosecuting cases.

District Attorney Jeff Leber accuses Easton of keeping a list of disfavoured
law enforcement officers.

Judge John Leete threw out Leber's request to unseat Easton, but said he may
take an administrative action against her over the list.

Negotiators working on the Defense Appropriations bill say they're working
on an exemption that would allow Jamie Himes Dana to keep her dog.

US Senator John Warner says an exemption to the statute that prohibited dog
adoptions for military canines that still have usefulness left.

That wording will allow for the unprecedented adoption of Rex the german
shepherd by his Hazel Hurst handler.

Dana was injured when a bomb blast rocked her vehicle in Iraq.

A Bradford man was arrested for allegedly scamming an insurance company out
of one hundred and 23 thousand dollars.

71-year-old Lauren Dart of Seaward Avenue allegedly submitted about 28
hundred claims for prescription drug reimbursements for more than 117
thousand dollars.

The claims were sent to the insurance company Dart was covered by while
working as a consultant for Herzog Fuel Oil Service.

Attorney General Tom Corbett says that he also submitted 156 claims for
medical treatment that he or his wife purportedly received from 11 different
doctors or clinics.

Dart was charged with insurance fraud and theft by deception, then arraigned
by District Judge Barbara Boser. He was released on 10 thousand dollars
unsecured bail.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for December 19th.

An Austin woman has been charged in a Potter County Crash. State Police say
31-year-old Tonia Butler lost control on Route 872 near Sunny Hill Pipe
Supply in Keating Township.

According to the police report, Butler lost control, going over an
embankment.

Charges of driving too fast have been filed against Butler.

A Lewis Run Incident brought the State Police in to investigate. Troopers
report that someone broke the windows out of a mini van owned b Charles
Thomas and Helen Frederick of Lewis Run sometime Friday night or early
Saturday morning. At least 1 thousand dollars in damage was reported.