The Pennsylvania Supreme Court suspended Superior Court Judge Michael Joyce of Erie, who was indicted on federal charges of defrauding two insurance companies out of $440,000. Joyce was ‘injured’ in a 2001 car accident and said he had so much pain he couldn’t hold a cup of coffee. Joyce had been seen playing golf, scuba diving, inline skating, riding a motorcycle and he even obtained a pilots license. Joyce has a retention vote in the November election.

Kimberly Wheeler has been arrested for stealing $50,000 from the Windward Unity Church in Hawaii. Wheeler also took out a credit card in her daughters name and racked up $18,000 in debt and ruined her credit. Wheeler left her children in Hawaii when she moved a couple months ago to Erie, Pa. She is in the Millcreek jail awaiting extradition.

A 2 car head-on crash on Route 72 In New Jersey claimed the life of a man, and seriously injured four others Friday night. Steven Sterrett and Shiela Sterrett, and their two sons, ages 5 and 7, of Erie Pa, were all hurt in the crash. Steven Sterrett suffered multiple injuries and was flown to a hospital by helicopter. He was listed in serious to critical condition. Shiela Sterrett was listed in serious to critical condition. The 7 year old child suffered a broken foot and the 5 year old a bruised lung and a lacerated spleen.

And what did you do on Summer vacation? While on a trip to Italy with their family, 8 year old Sophia Izzo and her sister, 13 year old Mia Izzo of Erie PA took part in the Gladiator School of Rome. Children and adults dress in heavy metal replicas of helmets and tunics, get information on Roman history and learn some basic training and sword fighting techniques for 20 euros each.

Teri Rhodes, the Mercyhurst College student whose baby died minutes after giving birth, still hasn’t been charged with a crime. Erie County Coroner Lyell Cook declared the death a homicide. Cook said the baby was suffocated to death. Police found the baby in a plastic bag.

There is a still a serious blood shortage in our region and across much of the United States. The shortage has lessened just a bit from the critical lows of last week, but a serious shortage still exists. Officials at the Community Blood Bank are hoping to limp through Labor Day without another crisis. Once schools are back in session and vacations end the blood supply will rebound. The Preseason Reason to Give Blood promotion will reward one lucky donor in Erie County with a 40″ LCD High Definition Television from the Peach Street Wal-Mart just in time for football season. The winner also receives a football party with pizza and wings for 20 people donated by On Deck Bar and Grill. This contest runs through August 31st and is intended to help the blood bank maintain a safe blood supply during the month of August, which is usually the single worst month of the year for the blood supply. All donors are strongly encouraged to donate at the Community Blood Bank, 2646 Peach Street. Community Blood Bank is open from 9-6 Monday through Friday and until 7:30 pm. Tuesday and Saturday 9 am-12:30 pm. Photo ID is required to give blood.

The following is a list of Erie County communities which were awarded recycling performance grants: Girard Township – $4,655; Greene Township – $1,811; Harborcreek Township – $32,300; Lake City – $1,838; Lawrence Park Township – $4,072; North East – $8,060; North East Township – $1,978; Summit Township – $33,914; and Union City – $2,774.

Thanks to a $65,000 grant from the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), the Erie Art Museum is able to continue one of the Museum’s education programs, Kids As Curators, through 2010. Currently in its third year, this innovative program targets middle school teachers and students and teaches them about the Museum process- selecting, evaluating, interpreting and presenting objects in exhibitions. In the 2006-07 school year, students from Wayne, St. Boniface and Walnut Creek schools worked on creating a mini-exhibit. After initial display at each school, all exhibits were mounted at the Museum in February 2007 for the public to enjoy. Past Kids as Curators exhibits featured clocks, clothing, toys, tools, photography and other pre-teen relics. The Kids as Curators exhibition is scheduled for February 2008.

Marine Corps Colonel Medio Monti is the new commander of the Joint Systems Integration Command. Monti received his commission in June 1979 after graduating from Allegheny College with a bachelor of science degree in chemistry. He received a masters degree in computer science from the Naval Postgraduate School, and a second masters degree in national resource strategy from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces.

US News and World Report released its annual rankings of America’s top colleges. Allegheny College was ranked at 85th in the Liberal Arts Colleges category. Gannon University was ranked 45th in Universities-Master’s (North). Mercyhurst College was ranked 85th in Universities-Master’s (North). Edinboro University of Pennsylvania placed in the third tier in Universities-Master’s (North) for schools 129th to 174th. Gannon was again named Universities-Master’s (North): Best Values placing 9th. Last year Allegheny was 82nd in the Top National Liberal Arts Colleges, Gannon was 40th in Universities-Master’s (North), Mercyhurst College was ranked 14th in the Comprehensive Colleges Bachelor’s North category

The Manufacturers’ Association and Erie-Western Pennsylvania Port Authority wrapped up the first annual Roar on the Shore motorcycle rally that took place August 10 and 11 at Liberty Park-Pepsi Amphitheater along Presque Isle Bay. All proceeds for the event support the John Kanzius Cancer Research Fund. The organizers are proud to announce the following results from the event: More then 2,500 riders participated in the Bringin’ in the Roar bike parade led by Academy Award nominee Peter Fonda from Presque Isle Downs and Casino to Liberty Park. A total of more than 6,000 bikes participated in Roar on the Shore events. More than 10,000 bikers, music fans and fun-seekers attended the weekend’s festivities. Roar on the Shore raised a total of $52,000 for the John Kanzius Cancer Research Fund.

A new Energy Roundtable has formed to help business and industry in northwest Pennsylvania reduce energy costs through improved energy management, energy efficiency and cutting edge technology. The Energy Roundtable is being initiated through a collaborative effort of the Manufacturers’ Association, the NW PA Industrial Resource Center, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PA DEP), National Fuel Gas Distribution Corporation, Penelec and the NW Rural Electric Cooperative. The roundtable was created to provide a forum for large energy users to share information and attract experts on various energy topics, from energy policy to energy efficient technologies. The next quarterly meeting is scheduled for Thursday, August 30, 2007 at the Tom Ridge Environmental Center at 301 Peninsula Drive in Erie. Registration is at 8:45 am, with the program running from 9 am to noon. Topic for the meeting is “Electric Utility Rates Caps – Avoiding the Shock!”

Cameron Maybin played 6 games in Erie after being promoted from Single A. He hit four homers, knocked in eight runs and batted .400 in his six games with the SeaWolves. Maybin was called up by the Detroit Tigers and started in left field Friday against the Yankees.

It took the Erie SeaWolves 10 innings, but they prevailed with a 5-4 thriller over the Altoona Curve on Friday night at Blair County Ballpark. SeaWolves closer Alan Mills came into the ballgame in the bottom of the 10th. He is a perfect 20 for 20 in save opportunities. The win, coupled with an Akron loss, puts the ‘Wolves back in a first place tie with the Aeros atop the Southern Division. The SeaWolves and Curve meet in doubleheader action on Saturday night at Blair County Ballpark…5:35 First Pitch. In game one, the SeaWolves sent RHP Burke Badenhop to the hill making his Double-A debut against RHP Yoslan Herrera (6-6, 4.43 ERA). Game two features RHP Randor Bierd (2-1, 3.48 ERA for Erie against RHP Todd Redmond (1-0, 2.38 ERA).

Scott Cooper has been appointed head coach of the men’s and women’s tennis teams at Alfred University. He earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Allegheny College in Meadville, PA.

The Cincinnati Cyclones, ECHL affiliate of the NHL’s Montreal Canadiens and Nashville Predators, announced they have agreed to terms with second-year defenseman Conrad Martin. Martin played collegiately at Mercyhurst College.

Penn State Behrend Athletics has announced the appointments of three assistants and one athletics trainer in the department for the 2007-08 year.
Deanna Brink, a Harborcreek High School graduate and former graduate assistant athletic trainer at Edinboro University, will serve all 21 Behrend Lions sports and join Angela Meserole and Jeff Webster on the Behrend training staff. Brink earned a baccalaureate degree from Lock Haven University and a master’s from California of Pennsylvania.
Heather Crawford will join the sports information staff as an assistant. Crawford will cover all sports for the blue and white. She was a four-year starter for the women’s soccer program and three-time all-conference player. Crawford earned a business degree and is completing her master’s of business administration from Behrend.
Alanna Daniels will assistant head women’s basketball coach Roz Fornari in 2007-08. Daniels was a four-year starter and two-year captain at Seton Hill University. Daniels is a graduate of Tyrone Area High School and is pursuing an Behrend MBA.
Karla Murray will be serving as an assistant softball and volleyball coach for the Behrend Lions. Murray just finished her playing career on the court last fall and spent last season as an assistant in the softball program. Murray will also be working on her MBA at Behrend.

Come celebrate Erie’s own community jazz band, Gem City Jazz Ensemble, on Saturday August 18 at Celebrate Erie 2007. The 20-member, all-volunteer group will perform on the Taste of Erie gazebo stage in Perry Square from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. and feature some of the band’s favorite charts, including Hayburner, Summertime, Jump Jive an’ Wail, In the Mood, A String of Pearls, and In the Stone. Of course the show is free and open to the public – bring the family, sample the fantastic food and enjoy the show – it promises to be one of the best! For more information, visit www.gemcitybands.org or call 825-4705.

Celebrate Erie 2007 takes place August 16-19. The FREE festival takes place along 8 blocks in downtown Erie. CelebrateErie will once again provide a marketplace for interesting and diverse art, musical entertainment, theatrical performance, dance, food, spectacle, children’s activities, and oddities. Last century the festival was know as We Love Erie Days.

“Miss Saigon” is being performed at the Erie Playhouse this evening and Aug17-19, 23-26.

The Director’s Circle Theater is presenting “Drama Queens”. The show will run Thurs, Fri, and Sat nights through August 25. Tickets can be reserved by calling: 451-1153.

On August 21 from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm, the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine and the Millcreek Community Hospital Orthopedic Surgery Residency Program will present a total joint replacement workshop at the LECOM campus on West Grandview Boulevard. Patients can learn about the signs that indicate when joints need replacement. If you are interested in attending contact LECOM at (814) 866-6641 or Email: communications@lecom.edu.

Holy Trinity Catholic Church located at 2220 Reed Street in Erie will host the Zabawa Polish Summer Festival August 24-26. Polish foods, polka music, and traditional dancing. Hours are: Friday, 5 to 10 pm; Saturday, 2 to 10 pm; Sunday, noon to 6 pm. For more information, call 814-456-0671.

The Fuller Hose Company of North East will sponsor the annual North East National Rib Festival at Gravel Pit Park August 24-26. Automobile shows, crafters, petting zoo, live entertainment, and plenty of food. For more details, call (814) 725-9211.

Winds on the Lake, a professional wind and percussion ensemble, will present a FREE outdoor concert titled “Salute to America” at 3 pm on Sunday, Aug 26. Fittingly, the performance will take place in the gazebo of the Pennsylvania Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Home, which is located on Erie’s bayfront at 560 E Third St. In the event of rain, the concert will be held inside the facility. Winds on the Lake performs under the direction of Gary Viebranz, director of instrumental ensembles at Penn State Erie, The Behrend College, and Matthew Inkster, director of bands at West Virginia’s West Liberty State College. In addition to patriotic favorites, “Salute to America” will include a performance of Aaron Copland’s “Fanfare for the Common Man” and a special tribute to the armed forces.

The 2007 Erie County Fair will be held August 26 to September 2.

The 11th annual Erie German Heritage Festival will be held at the Shriner Club, 38th and Zuck, September 1-2.

Family First Sports Park is hosting the Challenge Cup soccer tournament September 1-2. The National Premier High School Challenge Cup will feature some of the top high school boys and girls teams in the nation. Every hotel room within 50 miles of Erie is booked that weekend.

The 7th annual triathlon on Presque Isle State Park will take place Saturday, September 8, 2007, the first Saturday after Labor Day. All segments of the triathlon…the swim, the bike and the run…will start, transition and finish at Beach 6. PI TRI 07 is open to individuals and 2-3 person relay teams.

Where economic freedom rings, political freedom is sure to follow, says an economist who will speak next month at Penn State Erie, The Behrend College. The Sam and Irene Black School of Business will host Robert Lawson PhD, co-author of the annual Economic Freedom of the World report, for a lecture and question and answer session on Monday, Sept 10. Lawson’s presentation will take place at 5 pm in the lecture hall of the Research and Economic Development Center (REDC). It is free and open to the public.

The Northwest Regional Planning and Development Commission is sponsoring meetings with18 overseas trade representatives September 12-13 in Erie. One-on-one appointments on September 13 will run from 8 am – 11:30 am and 12:30 pm – 3 pm. The following overseas trade representatives will be available: Australia / New Zealand, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China-Beijing, China-Shanghai, Czech Republic, Germany, India, Japan, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, Singapore/ASEAN, South Africa, South Korea, Taiwan, United Kingdom, Vietnam. Click here for the registration form.

The Scions of Britain (the SOB’s), The British Motoring Group of Northwestern Pennsylvania, proudly presents the 15th annual All British Car Gathering, Sunday September 16, 2007 at the Waterford Square, Waterford, PA. 12 Noon to 4 PM. For more information contact Tom Lee – (814) 725-5992 or rthomaslee@aol.com.

The famed Cavani String Quartet returns to Erie in September to open the 18th season of Music at Noon: The Logan Series. Cavani String Quartet will present its free Logan Series public performance at noon on Wednesday, Sept 19, in the McGarvey Commons of the college’s Reed Union Building.

Mercyhurst Men’s Basketball Alumni are organizing an Alumni Basketball game for charity. The event is scheduled for September 29, 2007 at 7pm at the MAC. Come See some of your favorite Mercyhurst players from the past and some of the Mercyhurst stars of the future compete in 3-point contests and a dunk contest. All proceeds from the gate will benefit the Alheimer’s Association of Erie.

There will also be a 50/50 raffle. Players include Brent Swain, Keith Nies, Matt Thielker, Gerry Battle, and Dion Brown, Jason Ioppolo, and Jody Crymes.

The 2007 Wine Country Harvest Festival will be held in North East, PA September 28, 29 and 30.