Former Villa Maria Academy English teacher Megan Fecko was arrested for having relations with a female student of hers. The charges included involuntary deviate sexual intercourse and indecent assault.

Cost zero, the buzz it’s created priceless. Tom Kennedy, president of Professional Development Associates of Erie and Prudential Advantage Realty, has placed the former Franklin Hospital for sale on eBay. Over 490 people have viewed the eBay listing in the past 6 days. (note – I’m a real estate agent for Prudential Advantage Realty.)

Erie native and Popular Chicagoland Jazz singer Jen Zias has just released her first sold CD titled Take Me With You. There are a number of audio clips on her site. Take a listen. She’s got style and a great voice. Jen did an interview on Feast of Fools, a Chicago gay podcast. One of the guys from Feast of Fools, Marc Felion, is also from Erie. Marc and Jen went to high school together at Mercyhurst Prep.

Rochester is selling their $52 million fast ferry. They are hoping to get $18 million for it. I wonder if they have contacted the Erie-Western Pennsylvania Port Authority.

Web-based eSourcing service provider eDynaQuote.com announced that their customers now have the ability to publicly post reverse auctions and eRFQs for potential suppliers to view. Buyers will now be able to post eRFPs, eRFQs and reverse auctions to gain market perspective and information, reduce search time for new vendors, and satisfy advertising requirements for public entities. “Our customers are always looking for new, qualified sources of supply. Having the ability to easily post their bids in a public forum will expand our customers sourcing efforts to a nationwide reach,” said Marty Barclay, eDynaQuote General Manager. eDynaQuote has their headquarters in Knowledge Park on the campus of Penn State Behrend in Erie PA.

Erie PA based Thefastmall.com announced Thursday on its site that it is restructuring its eBay consignment fees and honoring all national competitors’ coupons to better compete for eBay consignment business on a national level. “We changed our eBay consignment strategy to better compete on a national level,” said Thefastmall’s owner, Doug Luthringer. “We began a national advertising campaign this week, so we need stay on top of the competition by offering better, faster and more reliable service to all our customers,” said Luthringer.

The Verizon Plus retail store in downtown Erie recently joined forces with Verizon Wireless in an effort to put used wireless phones to good use in helping victims of domestic violence. The store, located at 20 E 10th St., now is a collection point for individuals and businesses to drop off the phones, which will be recycled through the Verizon Wireless HopeLine Program, with proceeds going to support domestic violence awareness and prevention programs.

OfficeMax is closing 110 stores. No idea if the store by the mall will be closing or staying open.

Two local schools are Keystone Innovation Starter Kit Grant recipients. The Pennsylvania State University at Erie, The Behrend College received $231,300 and Mercyhurst College received $75,000.

Pat Kelley will be leaving the Athens district to become superintendent of the Northwestern School District in Erie County. His first day on the job is Jan 30.

If you are one of the millions giving or attending a Super Bowl Party this year, remember to play it safe when it comes to drinking and driving. Super Bowl Sunday is one of the deadliest days for drunk driving. The Insurance Information Institute reports that nearly 60 percent of traffic deaths on Super Bowl Sunday involve alcohol. Only New Year’s Eve is higher with 70 percent of traffic deaths involving alcohol.

Ticketmaster finally released details on the sale of tickets for the Nine Inch Nails March 7th concert in Erie. Tickets will go on sale Saturday morning at 10 am. Cost is $34.50 so with taxes and fees figure about $40 per ticket.

Tickets are still available for the 23rd edition of the McDonald’s High School Basketball Classic which will be held in Erie PA on Friday, January 13 and Saturday, January 14, 2006 at Gannon University’s Hammermill Center, 6th and Peach Streets. General Admission tickets at $7 per night in advance for adults and $5 in advance for students are available at Cathedral Prep, the Erie Sport Stores, the Avalon Hotel, Dee’s News, and Erie area McDonald’s Restaurants while they last. Reserved tickets are sold out. Milwaukee Rufus King High, New York’s Mount Vernon High, Chester (PA) High and the host team Cathedral Prep make up the field.

The Erie Playhouse Youtheatre presents a production of The Wizard of Oz, with David Matthews directing his final Youtheatre show before his retirement. Performances will be held January 13-15 and 20-22. For information and tickets, call 814-454-2952.

The most talked about play in the world over the last five years has certainly been The Vagina Monologues. Described as an exploration of that part of a woman that people usually don’t want to talk about, The Vagina Monologues is a sold out sensation everywhere it plays. The Vagina Monologues opened last weekend at the Roadhouse Theatre, and will be performed Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm. A special Valentine’s Day performance will be held Tuesday, February 14th, with an art sale to benefit SafeNet of Erie and the Roadhouse Theatre. For reservations and information, phone the Roadhouse Theatre box office at 814-456-5656.

The 2006 Bridal Showcase and Expo will be held at the Erie Civic Center Tullio Arena on Jan 15, 2006 at 11 am and 3 pm.

The World Famous Harlem Globetrotters will perform at the Erie Civic Center Tullio Arena on February 5th. Tickets run from $15 to $61.

The American Pride Ride 2006 will be held July 15. This ride is to raise money for the Vietnam Veterans who gave their time and lives for our freedom. You can take either a bicycle or a motorcycle on the ride from Warren PA to Erie PA. The cost is a donation of $25.

Chris Lawrence scored what turned out to be the game-winning goal on a power play midway through the third period to lift the Mississauga IceDogs to a narrow 3-2 win over the Erie Otters in an Ontario Hockey League game played last night in front of 3,437 at the Tullio Arena. Jake Heller and Chris Greene scored for the Otters. The Otters return to action Friday night at the Tullio Arena when the Toronto St Michael’s Majors arrive for a 7:30 pm start.

The Erie Gulls Women’s Ice Hockey Team in Erie, PA is seeking members. Ladies 18 and over are encouraged to join the travel team.

The Illinois women’s basketball team (10-4) hosts Penn State (7-8) Thursday night. This will be the first meeting between Chelsea Gordon (Illinois) and Mashea Williams (Penn State) since they were teammates at Mercyhurst Prep High School winning back to back state championships.