Crime

McElhattan waives arraignment in Jefferson Street shooting
Crime, Local News
By MARCIE SCHELLHAMMER marcie@bradfordera.com 
Sep 12, 2025
SMETHPORT — The Bradford man charged with gunning down a woman in her Jefferson Street home earlier this year has waived arraignment in McKean County ...
Read More...
Buterbaugh charged in Potter County drug arrests
Crime, Local News
Sep 11, 2025
COUDERSPORT — A Johnsonburg man who served federal time for drug dealing in New York state was nabbed earlier this month in Potter County by the East ...
Read More...
Prescott’s hearing moved to October
Crime, Local News
By MARCIE SCHELLHAMMER marcie@bradfordera.com 
Sep 11, 2025
The preliminary hearing originally set for Friday for Tyler Prescott has been postponed until next month. Prescott, 32, who has been incarcerated on $...
Read More...
Kuchinka pleads guilty to homicide
Crime, Local News
Sep 10, 2025
SMETHPORT — Brian Kuchinka of Port Allegany has pleaded guilty to homicide for the death of K-Leigh Hill-Nelson in February. District Attorney Stephan...
Read More...
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....
Read More...
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...
Read More...
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...
Read More...
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...
Read More...
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...
Read More...
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...
Read More...
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...
Read More...
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...
Read More...
Local & Social