Hackers from China broke into Pennsylvania government web site prompting the decision to take down nearly the entire system. It was back up later in the day after being down for several hours.

Steris Corporation announced they closed on the sale of their 525,000 sq ft manufacturing complex on 25 acres in Erie, PA. Industrial Realty Group (IRG) purchased the property for $5 million. Steris will lease 100,000 sq ft for the administrative and engineering staff it maintains in Erie. The IRG venture in Erie, which is called Erie Commerce LLC, is working on finding tenants for the rest of the property. They said the Erie area has a 9 year inventory of industrial properties based on recent leasing and sales activity.

The Erie PA area, which includes all of Erie County, ranked 57 out of 287 metro areas in percent change of housing prices for the quarter ending September 30, 2007 in data released by the Office of the Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight. For the quarter, home prices were up 2.36 percent. The past 4 quarters saw prices increase 5.46 percent with a 5 year increase of 21.49 percent. The average home price in the Erie area is about $113,000 making it one of the most affordable housing markets in the country.

The Pennsylvania Superior Court ruled that Danielle Bimber of Corry does not have to repay James Flynn of Kirtland, Ohio $48,000 in child support. Bimber was the surrogate mother of three children using Flynn’s sperm and an egg donated by a Texas woman. The multiple states has made the complex case even more complex. In the Pennsylvania courts, it was all about the custody of the children. In Ohio, it’s all about the money. Bimber gave birth and took them from Hamot Hospital in Erie, PA eight days after they were born in November of 2003. Bimber said that she did that because the sperm donor, James Flynn and his fiancee didn’t name the children or visit them for six days after seeing them when they were born. Flynn, a Cleveland State University professor, and his girlfriend have since gained custody of the children.

Illinois-based Chick Packaging has established a new operation in the City of Erie. (OK, how old is this news that that was released yesterday? Chick Packaging upgraded the crane at their facility at 337 W 12th St from one with a 20 ton capacity to a 40 ton crane back in October.) Chick Packaging of Pennsylvania Inc has relocated equipment and completed leasehold improvements to a 75,000 sq ft industrial building that had been vacant for several years. The specialty industrial packaging company will create at least 41 new jobs within three years. Erie’s Department of Economic and Community Development worked with Chick Packaging to obtain $18,450 in customized job training funds from DCED.

Railpower Technologies (TSX: P) announced that it has closed its previously announced $35 Million private placement with Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan (OTPP). The US office of Railpower is located in Erie, Pennsylvania.

Eriez Magnetics new SafeHold EPL Series Permanent Lifting Magnets lift and transfer steel and iron without slings, hooks or cables, and without marring the surface. They are ideal for a variety of machine shop operations including carrying semi-finished products with flat surfaces such as machine parts, press molds for forming, steel plates and more, according to Eriez. SafeHold EPL Series Permanent Lifting Magnets require fewer operators and helpers, and when properly installed and operated, they provide greater safety than other mechanical material handling devices. This line of Lifting Magnets turns on and off manually to provide smooth operation for hundreds of lifting and positioning applications. Since electricity is not needed, power failures don’t interrupt the operation. There is continuous magnet power until the magnet is turned off. There is no need for a costly DC power supply or batteries to recharge or replace. Customers can combine several SafeHold lift magnets to conform to the specific shape and weight of complex work pieces.

Christian soft-rock stars Casting Crowns have added more shows to their upcoming US tour, which now spans 40 dates. Added was a show in Erie PA at the Tullio Arena on Feb 28.

Starting this year the Erie County Public Library will be notifying patrons by email as well as by phone and traditional mail. In order to utilize this new feature they need your help. If you haven’t updated your patron records to include an email address please stop in to Blasco Library or one of the branches to do so and spread the word so your friends and family can too.

Erie PA native Chief Master Sergeant Robert V Glus Sr is retiring on Sunday as command chief of the Air Force Reserve’s 910th Airlift Wing at the Youngstown Air Reserve Station. Glus spent 26 years with the 910th and has 33 years of military service.

Tom Ridge of Erie, the first Secretary of Homeland Security and former Governor of Pennsylvania, will present his views on foreign policy and national security challenges facing the next President and the importance of strengthening America’s non-military tools of global development and diplomacy at Impact ’08. The panel discussion presented by The Center for US Global Engagement and its state partners will be held in Las Vegas on Wednesday Jan 9.

Michelle Henry was appointed Bucks County DA as the former former DA became a judge. She is a graduate of Allegheny College and the Widener University law school.

Dale Mitchell scored four goals to lift the Oshawa Generals to a 6-4 win over the Erie Otters in an Ontario Hockey League game played last night in front of 3,267 at the Tullio Arena. The Otters wrap up a three-game home stand tonight when the Kitchener Rangers visit in a special 6 pm start time. All military personnel who show their Military ID at the Box Office will be admitted free.

The Mercyhurst and Gannon basketball teams paly a doubld header tonight at Mercyhurst Athletic Center. A few tickets are still available. The Gannon women hold a 41-24 series advantage and the Gannon men are up 40-14. Radio coverage can be heard on WMCE 88.5 FM and 104.9 FM, as well as on the Internet at wmce.mercyhurst.edu. The game can be watched locally on Image Sports Network and on the Internet via the B2 Networks.

The Mercyhurst men’s hockey team gave 20th ranked Michigan Tech all it could handle before bowing 3-2 to the Huskies Friday night at the Ice Center. Although Tech never trailed, the Huskies (8-9-2) could never shake the Lakers (5-12-2) who got 35 saves from junior netminder Matt Lundin. The loss snapped a three-game winning streak for Mercyhurst. The two teams will conclude the weekend set tonight at 7:05.

The Gannon University wrestling team concluded day one at the Midwest Classic, hosted by the University of Indianapolis, Friday evening. The 20th ranked Golden Knights sit third among 21 teams competing at the event.

Cross-Country Skiing 101 will be held today, 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 24th annual Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Quad Games 5-mile Cross-Country Ski Race or 2.5-mile Snowshoe is scheduled to take place Jan 6, 2008, at 1 pm at the Peek n’ Peak Upper Golf Course, in Clymer, NY. Nearly every year this race has to be postponed due to lack of snow.

The next Erie Bloggers Get Together will be held at 7 pm on Tuesday, Jan 8 at Patrick’s Family Restaurant on Buffalo Rd. This is not a meeting, just a social gathering and everyone is invited.

Enjoy great food and friendship at the annual Radio Association of Erie Holiday Party which will be held on Friday January 11 at the Zem Zem Shrine Club at W 38th and Zuck Roads. Social Hour will start at 6 pm with dinner at 6:30 pm. The cost for the buffet dinner is $15 per person. The menu will consist of: Sausage with peppers and onions, Rigatoni with meat, Breaded Chicken, Garden Salad, Relish Tray, Green Beans, Scalloped Potato, Rolls and Butter, Cake and Coffee and Tea. For reservations contact Neil Shea (N3ZNP), (814) 474-2346.

Erie native Joe Zentis is having a signing at The Erie Book Store, 137 E 13th St, for his first book, “Lives of Quiet Inspiration: Volume 1″ on Saturday Jan 12. Zentis, a Cathedral Prep grad, was born in Erie and lived in McKean.

The Erie Playhouse Youtheatre presents “Narnia” Fri Jan 11 at 7 pm, Sat Jan 12 at 2 pm and 7 pm, Sun Jan 13 at 2 pm, Fri Jan 18 at 7 pm, Sat Jan 19 at 2 pm and 7 pm and Sun Jan 20 at 2 pm. From the excitement of the opening song to the soaring finale, the unique enchanted world of Narnia comes alive in an astonishing production filled with creatures and spirits of myth and fable.

Gannon University will host a Financial Aid Workshop on Wednesday, January 16. The workshop will cover the entire financial aid process as well as a step-by-step review of the questions on the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). The workshop also will cover definitions of terms that parents and students should know and the various aid programs available. The workshop is free and open to the public and will begin at 6:30 pm in room 1200 of the university’s Palumbo Academic Center, 824 Peach Street. For more information, contact the Financial Aid Office at (814) 871-7337 or 1-800-GANNON-U (1-800-426-6668).

Mercyhurst North East is holding two orientation sessions for individuals interested in The Municipal Police Training Academy on Wednesday, Jan 16, from 2-4 pm, and Thursday, Jan 17, from 6-8 pm, both at the Michele and Tom Ridge Health and Safety Building on the campus of Mercyhurst North East, 16 West Division Street, North East, PA. MNE’s Police Training Academy, which begins March 3, is one of only sixteen certified academies in the state where individuals can earn Act 120 certification, required for many law enforcement jobs, including municipal police work.

As part of its series of Pink Ribbon Educational Events for breast cancer survivors and to promote breast cancer awareness, Saint Vincent will present a program on Thursday, January 17, from 6 to 8 pm at the McGarvey Learning Center at Saint Vincent Health Center, 232 West 25th Street, Erie, Pa. The event will feature music, heavy hors d’oeuvres, refreshments, and a brief talk on “Fact vs Fiction: Nutrition for Breast Cancer Survivors,” presented by Sandra Luthringer, RD, owner of Super Suppers. The event is supported by a grant from The Pittsburgh Affiliate of Susan G Komen for the Cure. Komen awarded a $75,000 grant to Saint Vincent Health Center to support a program offering restorative health services, education, support and specialized products for breast cancer survivors, particularly those who cannot afford it. Cost is $6. Reservations are required and can be made by calling (814) 866-4817.

The Erie Chamber Orchestra In residence at Gannon University will perform their annual ‘Tribute to Dr Martin Luther King, Jr’ on Friday, January 18 at 7:30 pm at St Patrick Church, 130 East Fourth Street in Erie. It will will feature the Shiloh Baptist Church Choir and Evangelist D M Jamerson, minister of music. The concert is FREE and open to the public.

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.

Your Day In Court: An Internet Security Workshop features William Shore of the Pittsburgh FBI office. The workshop will be held Noon-3 pm on Thursday, Jan 31 at the Ambassador Hotel and Conference Center; 7792 Peach Street in Erie. After a security breach, it is often too late to back track, recreate and document the environment in which the security breach occurred. From a strategic management viewpoint, this pitfall is often fatal. In court proceedings, the lack of defendable evidence can impact the success of litigation and create liability issues for your organization. This workshop is specifically designed to explain what steps should be taken following a security breach. Click here to register. This event is sponsored by: Software Technology Concepts, eBizITPA, the FBI and the Technology Council of Northwestern Pennsylvania.

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 10th annual MECA Bar Stool Open will be held on Saturday February 23, 2008 in downtown Erie, PA. Entry fee is $100 per team of 4 golfers, $25 per person. Must be 21 years of age or older to participate. Click here to for the registration form.

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.