Things that go bump in the night, ghosts and ghouls will be the focal point of messages presented this month at Open Arms Community Church in Bradford.
The church is launching a series called “Supernatural: The DARK SIDE of Spirituality,” touching on a topic rarely discussed in churches.
“I’m really excited about the idea of addressing the issues of ghosts, demons, psychics, mediums, and so on.,” said Pastor Mike McAvoy. “We need to talk openly about these issues without always coming across critical and judgmental. I’m even more excited to discuss the power of God and the spiritual experiences we’re to have with him”
Many people are intrigued by the television shows about the paranormal and supernatural. McAvoy said he hopes to tap into God’s perspective with the messages, subjects ranging from ghosts, psychics, witchcraft, and other paranormal phenomenon.
“So many people have supernatural experiences but question the source and the long term effect,” he said. “We’re looking to see what the Bible says regarding how to discern the source accurately, what are the effects, how to face negative spiritual experiences, and how to experience positive spiritual experiences.”
Church services are held 5:30 p.m. Saturdays, 9:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. Sundays. The message may also be downloaded from the Open Arms Community Church website at openarmsbradford.org.
For more information, or Soundbytes, contact Josh Hatcher:
814-362-2813 cell: 814-331-1721 .
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Many people are starting to notice that TalkAboutBradford.com has been closed (again). The truth is, it’s very difficult to provide a forum for free speech without exposing one’s self to a lot of liability. A lot of patience and work is involved in keeping a virtual community both civil and interesting. Forget about making money, it needs to be a labor of love.
That said, a virtual community is a nice thing to have. Sort of like the old barber shop, or the cracker barrel at the general store. People can gather to gab, say their piece, or just listen to catch up on what’s happening. If you plan to start another Bradford-related forum, please let us know, so we can post it here.
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At Tuesday’s City Council meeting City Clerk John Peterson read the following memo to Mayor Michele Corignani and Bradford City Council.
Following the devastating storm on Saturday evening, August 25, the city’s unofficial motto “Cool Town, Warm Hearts” was never more evident. Scenario after scenario unfolded over the weekend with neighbor helping neighbor, business owners helping city work crews, and the list goes on and on. To try to thank everyone would be virtually impossible, but some deserve special recognition…
Read the rest of this entry
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Bradford City Council members Tom Riel, Dan Costello, and Ross Neidich have backed an unenforceable smoking ban in certain city parks over the objections of Mayor Michelle Corignani and Parks Director Chip Comilla.
The move, led by Riel is actually a back door attempt to move a small group of loiterers from Veteran’s Square. The Bradford Era quoted Riel as saying:
“Part of the reason I’m proposing this ordinance is to clean up the public square,” he said. “The people who hang out there keep the people from Emery Towers from going there. You get riff-raff who hang out all day and throw butts all over the place.”
In passing this measure Riel and the other two council members have shown a complete disdain for the majority of law abiding and considerate smokers. Parents who enjoyed taking their children to the City’s parks. This sort of disdain is nothing new for Riel however. He is perhaps best remembered for holding the City hostage a few years ago by threatening to open a strip club on Main Street until the City payed him off.
Mayor Michelle Corignani voted against the measure over concerns about its enforceability.
By passing this new law Riel and the other two failed to consider how it will be enforced. They ignored existing anti-littering legislation that could be, but is not enforced. They failed to consider the out-of-towners who attend our festivals on Main Street. Will they beautify Veteran’s Square by hanging big “No Smoking” signs? Maybe, but more than likely the law will just be ignored at those times because those are the “right kind of people”. Meanwhile, the group they are targeting are free to move on to Main Street to smoke and loiter in front of our businesses.
No, Riel, Costello, and Niedich can now move on, patting themselves on the back for passing some feel-good legislation, and dumping responsibility for enforcement on the City Police. Now that’s leadership.
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The storm that hit Bradford on Saturday afternoon was quick and powerful. Officials have stated there is no evidence of an actual tornado, but estimate winds in the city reached almost seventy miles per hour. The wind, combined with torrential rainfall knocked down over 100 trees and caused a widespread power outage. Damage was actually light with power being restored to most areas within 24 hours. Bradford seems to have been squarely in the track of the storm with damage being reported from Gates Hollow to Bolivar Drive, West Washington Street to East Main Street including Jerome Avenue, and many other side streets. Several large trees were knocked into Tuna Creek at Hanley Park.
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No injuries or major damage to homes were reported, although a large steel tank under construction inside the American Refining Group refinery collapsed. Ground conditions allowed most of the downpour to be absorbed without flooding. Officials have no plans to seek state or federal disaster aid.
See other reports in the Bradford Era.
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The main Bradford, PA area got caught in a fast, powerful thunderstorm this afternoon that brought high winds and torrential rain for a brief period. The storm was part of a fast-moving line of storms that extended from Canada to northern Pennsylvania. High winds downed many trees and power lines, resulting in blocked streets and power outages. As of 9pm many city areas are still without electricity as city crews work to clear downed trees and Penelec works to clear downed lines and restore power.
The storm, which only lasted 15-20 minutes was accompanied by lightning, house-shaking peals of thunder, and sheets of water. High winds and falling trees are apparently the main cause of the damage. No major damage from lightning or flooding have been reported. Bradford City Special Police have been called out to direct traffic as many traffic lights around the city were without power. Because the windstorm was isolated there was no damage reported from surrounding areas, although it was clearly visible to travelers along route 86.
Observers at Bradford Regional Airport recorded wind speeds of 17mph with gusts to 41mph around 6pm. Gusts in the city were probably much higher during the storm.
The McKean County 9-1-1 Center states there was no tornado in the area despite some reported sightings. It may be several days before power is restored to some neighborhoods.
If more details become available they will be posted here. You can also check WESB.com for updates.
If you have eyewitness reports, photos, or video of the storm send us a link using the Comments link below.
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Talk about a good deal. Restaurant.com normally sells $25.00 gift certificates for $10, and includes local restaurants. Currently in Bradford their list includes the Abbasso. You can search for local eateries by zipcode or state. Until the end of August you can get a $25.00 certificate for $4.00 and they’ll throw in an additional $10 gift certificate too. Click the link, place your order, and print your certificate.
60% Off Sale! Use code COAST at checkout. Plus get a FREE $10 gift certificate with every order. Offer expires August 31st!
For the remainder of the month, 22nd - 31st of August, any Restaurant.com dining gift certificate has been discounted by 60% off the already-low price.
Our $25 value dining certificates that normally sell for $10 are now just $4. Use the discount code COAST at checkout and hit “recalculate total.”
Plus, with every order, we’ll include an extra $10 gift certificate for free!
Please note: the $10 gift certificate requires no promo code, it will be added to the final order during the checkout process. The $10 gift is per single order, not per single certificate purchase. If an order contains a single certificate, one $10 gift is issued. If an order contains multiple certificates, one $10 gift is issued.
This weekend is the 28th Annual Crook Farm Country Fair.
WESB is looking for a Full Time Radio Personality.
The Allgheny National Forest was host to the Rainbow Family Gathering. Unfortunately, an Olean woman died during the event.
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In a previous post we mentioned the controversy surrounding Bradford Forest Products decision to use a temporary employment agency that specializes in Hispanic workers from outside the U.S.
Reportedly, while BFP is giving the temporary workers overtime, they are cutting the hours of their permanent employees. Apparently they’re having a problem retaining their temporary employees too. You can read the first-hand report and comments at TalkAbout Bradford.com.
Original post:
It was reported this week that Bradford Forest is using a temporary employment agency that specializes in employing Hispanic workers. According to the company’s president, they are not able to fill the positions locally “due to the lack of committed unskilled laborers available here”. While BFP tries this new hiring practice other area businesses find the labor pool satisfactory. This also sparked a lively discussion on TalkAboutBradford.com.
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BRADFORD, Pa. – Students looking to transfer or adults looking to continue their education are welcome to attend an information session next week at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford.
The session, which is open to the public, will take place from 5 to 7 p.m. on Monday, August 20, in the Admissions Office located in Hanley Library.
A member of the admissions staff will be on hand to provide information about programs of study and application procedures at Pitt-Bradford.
“The fall term begins Aug, 27, but we are still working with qualified applicants to help them enroll this fall,” said Bob Dilks Jr., director of transfer and nontraditional student recruitment.
Dilks added, “It’s never too early to be planning for next spring, summer or even fall 2008 semesters. People are welcome to drop in and find out about our university and the 40 different majors available in their back yards.”
No appointments are needed. For more information about the information session, contact the Pitt-Bradford Office of Admissions at 1-800-872-1787.
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According to an article in the Bradford Era, City Councilman Tom Riel is floating a proposal to ban smoking in Bradford, PA’s city parks.
This is only a thinly veiled attempt to drive a small group of loiterers out of Veteran’s Square on Main street. Granted, this group is generally loud, crude, and considered undesirable. Mr. Riel is trying to find a solution to the problem. However, since he can’t find other legal means to accomplish his goal, he has taken the next easiest way, target a minority. In this case, smokers. Smokers are an easy and popular target for politicians. This proposal will only place an additional burden on law-abiding citizens and law enforcement.
A smoking ban would require the city’s police force to patrol our parks in the same way high school teachers patrol the schools’ restrooms. That is, uless City Council decides to hire a Smoking Enforcement Officer. In order to beautify our city parks would the ordinance mandate prominent “NO SMOKING” signs in the Square and other parks? Of course littering by inconsiderate smokers is a problem, so why not enforce the littering laws? Does it justify criminalizing another class of otherwise law-abiding citizens?
The article quotes Mr. Riel:
“Part of the reason I’m proposing this ordinance is to clean up the public square,” he said. “The people who hang out there keep the people from Emery Towers from going there. The purpose of the city parks is not to be a smoking lounge,” he said. “Let them sit on their front porches and flick the butts in their own yards.”
Again, we all know who the proposal is targeting, and they don’t have yards. If the attempt is made to enforce the ban, this group will simply move on to our sidewalks and the benches in front of businesses. Can we expect an ordinance to ban smoking on sidewalks next? Why not enforce the loitering / vagrancy / littering laws? Will a smoking ban be any easier to enforce?
“People say ‘why don’t you just put up ash trays?’ We’ve tried. They get destroyed, and people use them for projectiles,” Riel explained.
That’s true if you use ashtrays created for indoor use. What about the black tower-style ashtrays businesses put in front of their stores? They are practically indestructible and when they are chained down make poor projectiles. While not everyone would use them, many would. This seems a much more reasonable, and cost-effective approach if the problem is discarded cigarette butts.
“It’s a health and safety issue. The public square is the centerpiece of downtown Bradford. When you are stopped at the light there, you can see the square is riddled with cigarette butts. Something has to be done.”
Yes, littering is a health and safety issue, but we already have laws on the books if they were enforced. I’m surprised Mr. Riel didn’t add, “It’s for the children!”. If he proposed a solution to the problem of illegal immigration, would it be to ban Latin music?
What’s your opinion? Please let us know in the comment form below.
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It was reported this week that Bradford Forest is using a temporary employment agency that specializes in employing Hispanic workers. According to the company’s president, they are not able to fill the positions locally “due to the lack of committed unskilled laborers available here”. While BFP tries this new hiring practice other area businesses find the labor pool satisfactory. This also sparked a lively discussion on TalkAboutBradford.com.
Zippo’s 75th anniversary produced some lucky winners. Their first public auction saw Frenchman Didier Karoubi pay $37,000 for an original 1933 Zippo lighter, the most ever paid for an original Zippo. Mr. George Duke won a Harley-Davidson Street Bob with a separate tank honoring Zippo’s 75th anniversary, raffled by the Kids and Cancer Foundation. Mr. Duke announced that he would offer $50,000 to anyone who won the bike. However, he bought 100 tickets, at $20 each, a substantial savings.
In other news, the Knox & Kane Railroad excursion, a popular area attraction, may resume service next year. The train has been idle since the destruction of the Kinzua Viaduct in 2003. A permit from the US Army Corps of Engineers is holding up the first phase of an improvement project at Kinzua Bridge State Park.
Attorney General Corbett kicked-off a statewide campaign to remind residents of the five-year expiration deadline for Pennsylvania’s Do Not Call list. Consumers who first signed-up for the program in 2002 must re-register by Sept. 15, 2007, or their number will be removed from the list.
U.S. Senator Arlen Specter will hold a town meeting - Wednesday August 8, 2007 - 8am to 9am at the Courtyard Family Restaurant in Smethport, PA
New York rallied for a 22-21 victory over Pennsylvania in the 34th annual Don Raabe Big 30 Charities Classic football game.
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Google has announced TiSP a new free in-home wireless broadband service (beta). Already having the necessary infrastructure in place, towns like Bradford, PA are excellent candidates for the new service.
The “Dark porcelain” project offers self-installed plumbing-based Internet access. Press Release.
Sign up today and they’ll send you your TiSP self-installation kit, which includes setup guide, fiber-optic cable, spindle, wireless router and installation CD. To be one of the first you can get started today.
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If you own a business here in northwestern Pennsylvania, or have been thinking of starting one, you’ve probably thought about finding financing to help your business grow. You probably know the first step in the process is developing a viable business plan. That’s usually a show-stopper for a lot of small businesses owners who don’t have the time or knowledge to develop a good business plan. That’s where Pitt-Bradford’s Business Resource Center can be your best friend.
The staff at the BRC specializes in helping the area’s business owners and entrepreneurs turn their ideas into reality. Help in developing that business plan, applying for loans or grants, and offering business related training are some of the services available. They are specialists who know where to find the opportunities and can put the University of Pittsburgh’s considerable know-how to work for you.
Senator Joe Scarnati has been a big supporter of the BRC:
GRANT AWARDED TO INCREASE SERVICES OFFERED AT PITT-BRADFORD’S BUSINESS RESOURCE CENTER
BRADFORD, Pa. - A $100,000 state grant awarded to the Bradford Economic Development Corp. will increase the development services offered to area entrepreneurs and small businesses through the Business Resource Center at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford.
The grant, awarded by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, will assist the BRC in offering business-related educational workshops, advanced business planning services based on need for both profit and non-profit clients, training assessments for industry, and customized training programs for all types of businesses.
“I am pleased to have been able to secure funding to assist in the revitalization of the McKean County area,” said State Sen. Joseph Scarnati, R-Brockway, who helped to secure the funding. “It is essential that state government work closely with the economic engines of a community to fully support their mission of bettering the lives of the citizens in our rural region.”
Don Fredeen, president of the BEDC, said, “Once again, the senator has come through for the Bradford community by securing this $100,000 state grant to provide business planning and technical assistance to encourage the development of new small businesses and promote entrepreneurship in the Bradford area. The Business Resource Center is a vital asset in our efforts to promote economic development in the Bradford area.”
The funding will be used in a variety of ways, including hiring a director for the Business Resource Center and providing training and technical assistance for current staff members.
“The BRC serves as a bridge between the needs of regional businesses - from start-ups to large industry - and the considerable resources of Pitt-Bradford,” said Ann Robinson, interim director of the BRC. “From providing assistance with writing business plans, to administering the Commonwealth WEDnet program, to providing linkage to Pitt-Bradford’s entrepreneurship program, the BRC is a versatile organization. I’m looking forward to the expansion that the funds secured by Sen. Scarnati will enable.”
The BRC serves northwestern and north central Pennsylvania with economic development services, including business planning, financial analysis, loan application assistance, marketing assistance and other consulting.
For more information about the services the BRC offers, call 814-362-5078 or visit
http://www.upb.pitt.edu/interior2Default.aspx?menu_id=254&id=560.
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PennDOT has announced Mill Street, that runs between Jackson Avenue and East Main Street will be closed until further notice. Work will continue on the Rt. 219 bridge that runs over Mill Street. PennDOT officials stressed to the public to avoid making their way through the construction zone because of safety concerns. Due to ongoing road construction in and around Bradford, motorists should expect delays and traffic congestion this coming week.
Two stars from “The Sopranos” made an appearance Saturday afternoon in Bradford at Old City Hall. Vincent Pastore and John Fiore were here, along with screenwriter Carl Veno, to promote the upcoming movie, “Little Chicago”. The movie, based on the Olean / Bradford area during prohibition will be partially filmed here starting in the fall.According to the Bradford Era:
Growing up in North Olean in the 1940s and ’50s Mr. Veno often heard tales of the Prohibition-era gangsters who ran Olean and Bradford. The region was a manufacturing and distribution center for illegal liquor. He left Olean for a career as a newspaper reporter and editor but never forgot the stories from his youth.
He said he decided to write “Little Chicago” because it captures how Prohibition affected small towns across the country. Before now all movies about the era that gave rise to murderous thugs like Capone have focused on large cities like Chicago and New York.
On Wednesday 7/25/07 Bradford’s Summerfest begins and runs through Sunday. There will be food vendors on Chambers Street and live performances around town. The fest begins Wednesday with Lunch In The Square. one of Thursday’s highlights will be the Street Dreams Car Show on Main Street. Friday evening downtown there will be a “Light The Night” parade and fireworks. Old City Hall will be a showpiece of the festival this year. Newly renovated, Old City Hall will become a work of art with “Light The Night Art Show”. Many of the artists from the show will be on hand on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.
This year Zippo celebrates it’s 75th anniversary and will hold additional events of its own.
For this event and others, check Bradford-Online.com’s Events Calendar. You can also check for more information on the websites for the Bradford Era and WESB
The weather this week will mainly be partly cloudy with a chance of thunderstorms Wednesday evening. Temperatures will be in the mid-70’s early in the week, rising into the 80’s on Thursday and Friday.
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