In a story that just tears your heart out, Robert Riddle went into the ICU at UPMC Northwest in Cranberry Township on Friday. He took his wife’s life and then his own. Shirley Riddle had Alzheimer’s and was being treated for internal bleeding.
John Gillette, a science teacher at James W Parker Middle School in Edinboro, was shot and killed at a school dance in April 1998 by 14 year old Andrew Wurst. Wurst also shot another student, Jacob Tury. Wurst is spending 30-60 years in prison for the shooting spree. Debbie Gillette and the family of Tury settled for $300,000, the limit of the Wursts’ homeowners insurance, as Andrew Wurst got the handgun and ammo used in the shooting from an unlocked dresser drawer in the family home. Mrs Gillette received $288,000 and the Tury family $12,000. If the Pennsylvania intestacy scheme would have been used, Mrs Gillette would have received $109,493 and the other family children $26,497. However, $12,000 was used for funeral expenses and daughter Abby Gillette received $146,987 and the two sons received $15,000. Utica National Insurance Group, the school district’s workers compensation insurer, which paid $167,000 in death benefits, didn’t like the settlement and sued. Utica National claims they have the right to recover some of the death benefits money from the settlement Debbie Gillette receives.
On Friday the Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled that an Erie County judge must take another look at the settlement in the case of Debbie Gillette, et al v Catherine Wurst, et al, No 9 WAP 2006.
Summit Township filed a lawsuit on Friday for a share of the gaming funds. Erie County was so busy with plans for spending the money they forgot the casino is in Summit Township. Now the money is going to be tied up with a court fight and by the time it’s finished a whole bunch of the money is going to be going to attorneys.
Excellent job by Jack at Erie Media-Go-Round breaking the story that Captain Dan Geary quit WJET radio and is going over to Mercyhurst North East owned WYNE 1530 AM where he will be sales manager and morning show host.
On this date in 1933, Norman Morrison was born in Erie, PA. A Baltimore Quaker, Morrison protested the Vietnam War by committing suicide outside the Pentagon on November 2, 1965 by dousing himself with kerosene and setting himself on fire. Communist North Vietnam named a Hanoi street after him and issued a postage stamp in his honor.
Jesse Brown had two goals and an assist to lead the Kingston Frontenacs to a 6-3 win over the Erie Otters in an Ontario Hockey League game played last night at the Kingston Memorial Centre. Luke Gazdic, Sean Jones and Justin Hodgman scored for the Otters while Zack Torquato collected an assist in the game to extend his point-scoring streak to 12 games (8-10-18). Erie dropped to 8-23-2-1 with the loss. The Otters continue their three game road trip tonight when they travel to Belleville to meet the Bulls in a 7:15 pm start. A live webcast of the game will be available online for FREE.
Coming off its most successful season in program history, the Mercyhurst men’s water polo team had three athletes earn Association of Collegiate Water Polo Coaches Division II All-America First Team honors. Andrew Schonhoff, a first-team pick in 2006 and Mercyhurst’s career leader in goals scored, became Mercyhurst’s first two-time All-America selection. Joining Schonhoff was the team’s leading goal scorer Alex Perry and freshman goalkeeper Andy Sekulski.
Mercyhurst College men’s golf coach John Marchetti will be inducted into the Providence College Hall in February. Marchetti went 262-69-15 as the head coach of the women’s hockey team at Providence from 1980 to 1994. He also played men’s hockey at the school.
Indianapolis Colts safety Bob Sanders (Erie Cathedral Prep) has a nice new, fat contract. Sanders gets $20 million in guaranteed money in his new 5 year, $37.5 million contract. Other 5′ 8″ guys are happy to see Sanders excel.
“Pop” in the New Years together (just a few days early) today from 10 am to 1 pm while the kids are still awake. The Experience Erie Children’s Museum “New Year’s at Noon” celebration will include make-your-own noisemakers, party hats, a countdown at noon, an “Auld Lang Syne” parent sing along and more. This event is free with Museum admission of $4.50 per person, free to members and children under two.
Join your friends at the Watson-Curtze Mansion for the 28th annual Victorian Holidays program Whimsical Wonderland. Included in this exhibit are professionally decorated evergreens, fireplace mantles, doorways, windows and other displays that will be open to the community. Whimsical Wonderland features more than ten different themed rooms; including a Seussical room decorated in all things Dr Seuss, a wintertime teddy bear picnic, a Victorian garden and much more. Participating decorators includes Traditions, the Carrie T Watson Garden Club and Melody Potratz of Potratz Garden Shop. Try you luck with the annual Chinese auction and win gift certificates from local eateries and specialty shops, or a holiday wreath. Victorian Holidays will run until December 30. Wednesday – Saturday 11 am – 4 pm, Sunday 1 pm – 4 pm. Museum Admission: $4 Adults, $3 Seniors, $2 Children.
The 34th annual Porreco Cup (tournament notes) takes place at the Gannon University Hammermill Center Sat Dec 29 and Sun Dec 30. Today at 6 pm Edinboro faces Bowie State and at 8 pm Gannon takes on Seton Hill.
The RockHouse Arts Foundation is having a fundraiser Saturday Dec 29 at 9 pm at the Docksider in Erie at 1015 State St. The Jungle, RockHouse Band, Bill Burke and Colorado Drive will be performing. $5 min donation at the door. Proceeds will be used to purchase instruments and educational materials for The Neighborhood Art House and Sarah Reed Children’s Center of Erie. Silent auction with autographed items from Keller Williams, Maroon 5, Rolling Stones, KORN, Phish and more.
“Around The World with Disney” will be performed at the Erie Playhouse on Monday December 31 at 7:30 and Tuesday January 1 at 2 pm.
Presque Isle Parrothead Club is sponsoring a New Year’s Eve party at the Erie Bayfront Convention Center called ‘Flip Flops to Formal’. The event is open to all 21 years of age and older. Cost is $80 per person which includes drinks, food and music by Key West Express. You can order by phone at (814) 452-4857 or purchase them at the Tullio Arena box office.
The Erie Runners Club New Year’s Day 5M Race takes place Tuesday Jan 1 at 10 am at Presque Isle State Park. Day of race signup and packet pickup for pre-registered runners will begin at 9 am in the Rotary Pavillion near the Waterworks area.
After a two-year hiatus, Vienna in Erie returns to the Mary D’Angelo Performing Arts Center on Tuesday, January 1 at 3 pm. Once again, Maestro Frank Collura will conduct a 65 member Pennsylvania Chamber Symphony in an elegant program of Viennese waltzes, gallops and polkas that have delighted audiences for years. Make this grand and lively concert part of your family tradition. And, of course, enjoy a complimentary glass of champagne at intermission. To order tickets, call the box office at (814) 824-3000.
Cross-Country Skiing 101 will be held Saturday, January 5 at 10 am at Presque Isle State Park. Weather permitting, meet at the cross-country ski concession to check out cross-country skiing. Get basic technique and skills for this exhilarating sport. Bring your own skis or rent. FREE. Rental fee only. Registration appreciated, (814) 833-7424.
For beginners and more experienced skiers wanting to know more about the winter world around them, enjoy Guided Cross-Country Skiing on Saturday, January 5 at 1 pm at Presque Isle State Park. If there is no sufficient snow, a hike will take place instead. Bring your own skis or rent. FREE, rental fee only. Meet at the cross-country ski concession.
There will be a Snowshoe Building Workshop on Saturday, January 5 at 9 am to 3 pm at the Tom Ridge Environmental Center at Presque Isle. Build your own snowshoes – great to use, hang on the wall, or pass along for generations. $155 fee, registration required, call (814) 833-7424.
The 25th annual McDonald’s High School Basketball Classic will be held in Erie PA on Friday, January 18 and Saturday January 18, 2008 at the Gannon University Hammermill Center. St Edward of Lakewood Ohio, Rice High School of NYC, Saint Patrick of Elizabeth NJ and Erie Cathedral Prep are in the powerful field. Adult General Admission tickets are $7 and Student General Admission are tickets are $5. Reserved tickets are $12.50.
Daniel S Mead, president of Verizon Services Corp, will discuss how creation of a centralized business services unit saved the telecommunications giant $562 million in one year during an upcoming presentation for the Sam and Irene Black School of Business at Penn State Erie, The Behrend College. Mead, a Warren native and member of the college’s Council of Fellows, will speak at 6 pm on Tuesday, January 22, in the Samuel P “Pat” Black III Conference Center in the college’s Research and Economic Development Center. Admission to his talk is free and open to the public.
The 14th annual Sarah Backstrom Memorial Women’s and Girl’s Hockey Tournament will be held in Erie February 8-10, 2008. Admission is FREE to all games. About 1,000 young ladies plus family and friends will be in town for the weekend. Hotel rooms will be hard to come by and expect delays at restaurants. Who was Sarah Backstrom? She was a feisty red headed defensewoman who gave all off her love of the game and passion to play it to the Erie Lady Lions. Sarah fought every battle to the end, with passion and determination. The Erie Lady Lions lost Sarah to Leukemia but have never lost her spirit.
The Association of Program Members (APM) of General Electric Transportation in Erie PA announced that it will be sponsoring the 13th Annual Winter Wishes Benefit Gala for the Foundation of Western Pennsylvania on February 16, 2008. Each year, the members of APM reach out to the community to collect donations for the silent auctions, live auctions and raffles that are held at the event. They also solicit “table sponsors” from local businesses. As a table sponsor, the business’ name appears on the centerpiece showing their support for this wonderful event as well as in any promotional materials that they put together for the function. The money raised with the auctioned items donated by local businesses will help provide funding for Make-A-Wish Foundation, which grants wishes for children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength, and joy. Community support of this event is recognition of the importance of this cause are greatly appreciated. Along with your assistance, GE will be able to make an impact on the day-to-day life of children whose lives are threatened.
The GE (NYSE: GE) 2008 Annual Meeting of Shareholders will be held on April 23, 2008 in Erie, Pennsylvania at the Erie Bayfront Convention Center.
