Crime

Two months out, Hvizdzak trial may include 33 victims’ testimony
Crime, Local News
By MARCIE SCHELLHAMMER marcie@bradfordera.com 
Sep 01, 2025
The federal trial for the Hvizdzak brothers for allegations of fraud and wire tapping is two months away, and 33 investors may be called as witnesses....
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Three charged in McKean Co. deaths this year
Crime, Local News
By MARCIE SCHELLHAMMER marcie@bradfordera.com 
Aug 26, 2025
Three people so far this year have been charged in McKean County with causing the death of another person — Brian Kuchinka, Thomas McElhattan and Tyle...
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Q&A with the DA: Changes of venue or venire
Crime, Local News
By STEPHANIE VETTENBURG-SHAFFER  McKean County District Attorney  
Aug 23, 2025
(Editor’s note: The information in this special series is for educational purposes only and is not intended to address any particular case, nor should...
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Public urged to share info related to boy’s death
Crime, Local News
Aug 20, 2025
SMETHPORT — To assist in the investigation of the Aug. 14 death of 2-year-old Oakley Hedlund of Bradford, members of the public are asked to provide a...
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Community outraged after young child’s death
Crime, Local News
By MARCIE SCHELLHAMMER marcie@bradfordera.com 
Aug 18, 2025
There is a photo circulating on social media of murder victim Oakley Hedlund at a birthday party in the weeks before his death. Oakley, 2 ½, was alleg...
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What should the jury see in Hvizdzak trial?
Crime, Local News
Judge has motions to consider
By MARCIE SCHELLHAMMER marcie@bradfordera.com 
Aug 15, 2025
Preparations for the upcoming trial of brothers Shane and Sean Hvizdzak are well underway, including motions asking a federal judge to keep specific t...
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Bradford man jailed on $1 million bail for fatal assault on 2-year-old
Crime, Local News
By MARCIE SCHELLHAMMER marcie@bradfordera.com 
Aug 15, 2025
A Bradford man, two months out of state prison for a near-fatal assault on an 18-month-old, is in McKean County Jail on $1 million bail on allegations...
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Court beat
Crime, Local News
By MARCIE SCHELLHAMMER marcie@bradfordera.com 
Aug 12, 2025
Custer City man jailed for alleged assault A Custer City man was sent to McKean County Jail for allegedly pushing a 7-year-old child off her bicycle F...
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Merrick sent to state prison for child pornography
Crime, Local News
By MARCIE SCHELLHAMMER marcie@bradfordera.com 
Aug 12, 2025
SMETHPORT — Daniel Merrick's claims that he was downloading child pornography for an investigation into the abuses of Ukrainian children were rejected...
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Court beat
Crime, Local News
By MARCIE SCHELLHAMMER marcie@bradfordera.com 
Aug 08, 2025
Former Bradford man jailed on gun allegations A former Bradford man in state prison for a parole violation has been charged with having  stolen guns a...
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Suspect who ‘ambushed’ two troopers is dead, official says
Crime, PA State News
By MARK SCOLFORO and MARC LEVY - Associated Press 
Aug 07, 2025
A suspect who ambushed and shot two Pennsylvania state troopers Thursday died and the troopers were hospitalized, officials said. The attack took plac...
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Appeals court denies Oaks appeal
Crime, Local News
By MARCIE SCHELLHAMMER marcie@bradfordera.com 
Aug 07, 2025
Despite claims of double jeopardy and insufficient evidence, the state Superior Court has upheld the conviction of Daniel Oaks II for the 2018 fatal c...
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