Visitors from July 2007 through June 2008
VisitErie has released their hotel tax report for June 2008. VisitErie had predicted a 5% increase in hotel tax revenue for fiscal year July 1, 2007 – June 30, 2008 and they ended the fiscal year with a 13% increase from last year, exceeding our expectations. During the 2006-2007 fiscan year, 452,444 people stayed in local hotels. In 2007-2008, the number jumped to 511,734.

The water quality in Lake Erie has improved, and there were less less beach closings last year compared to 2006, when water quality around the world was worse. The results were reported by the Natural Resource Defense Council’s 18th annual beach water quality report.

Marjorie Diehl-Armstrong, who is charged with plotting a bank robbery that left pizza deliveryman Brian Wells dead, was found not mentally competent to stand trial. Federal District Court Judge Sean McLaughlin’s made the ruling based on evidence and testimony presented at a hearing held in May. Diehl-Armstrong was indicted last July on bank robbery and other charges in the August 2003 robbery that left Brian Wells dead.

Judge McLaughlin also ruled in another matter yesterday involving a lawsuit filed in May of last year by Dr. Maryann Anderson, current Director of Personnel at the Millcreek Township School District. Judge McLaughlin ordered Anderson’s lawsuit to continue despite an attempt by the defendants to dismiss her case entirely. The defendants who filed separate motions include the Millcreek Board of School Directors, Superintendent Dr. Dean Maynard, Supervisor of Special Ed Rebecca Mancini, and former board member Susan Sullivan. Anderson claims she was retaliated against by the various defendants for exposing improprieties within the school district’s administration, and is basing her claims (too numerous to list here) on both state and federal laws.

Erie Insurance is being inundated with customers from Canton, Ohio, calling to report claims. A hail storm Saturday evening left property damaged especially car windshields and car exteriors. It could take up to a week before adjusters are able to survey the damaged property.

More grant money is coming from Harrisburg but this time it isn’t for recycling but education. $3 million in grants will go to select school districts across Pennsylvania in order to assist students with academic and career planning. The only area school district to receive funding was the Corry Area School District which will receive $127,174 in grant money.

Niagara Falls, NY mayor Paul Dyster announced he intends to hire Peter F. Kay as the city’s new economic development director. From 2000 to 2003, Kay was the president and CEO of the Greater Erie Industrial Development Corporation. The appointment must still by approved by the city council of Niagara Falls.

An ErieBlogs.com reader wrote in to tell us about racial slurs spray-painted onto the tops of garbage cans in Gridley Park. City Hall – please have this cleaned up. Don’t forget if you’d like to contact local officials, you can use our Government Contacter.

Since it has been over a month since we last gave a polling statistic on the Presidential race, we think it’s safe to report the following. Strategic Vision, a Republican-oriented public affairs firm in Atlanta, will release its most recent Pennsylvania polling information today. With a margin of error +/- 3 points, Obama is leading McCain 49% to 40% in Pennsylvania. National polls have been mixed but generally show McCain with a slight lead among likely voters.

The Obama campaign has opened 24 of a planned 27 regional offices across Pennsylvania in preparation for this fall’s Presidential election, including one in Erie. The McCain campaign currently has 3 dedicated offices in the state.

The AFL-CIO Erie-Crawford Central Labor Council endorsed Congressional Candidate Kathy Dahlkemper at a press conference yesterday.

Centerfielder Casper Wells homered in his final at-bat of the night on Tuesday night as he hit for the cycle in the SeaWolves 11-5 win over the Akron Aeros at Canal Park. The same teams meet tonight in Akron.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration ( NOAA ) has announced that Pennsylvania Sea Grant has been promoted to Institutional Sea Grant Program status. Pennsylvania Sea Grant is administered by Penn State Erie, The Behrend College, and staffs two locations — a Lake Erie Office in the Tom Ridge Environmental Center at Presque Isle State Park and a Delaware Estuary Office in the Delaware County city of Chester. Institutional status designation gives Pennsylvania Sea Grant primary responsibility for statewide oversight of long-term investments consistent with NOAA’s national Sea Grant goal of environmental stewardship and responsible resource use. The announcement was made last week.

The annual Dan Rice Days celebration will be held in Girard, Pa., this Friday and Saturday. A number of events will be held including a parade, live entertainment, 5k race, antique appraisals, civil war reenactments, and art & craft shows. Take the time this weekend to mingle with our friends out in west county. Rich has complete coverage on the Dan Rice Days celebration.

Minneapolis based duo Beatrix JAR returns to the Erie Art Museum,offering interactive events throughout the week beginning July 29, 2008 thru August 2, 2008. At each event, Beatrix JAR will present their unique stylings, including their most noted use of circuit bending verse traditional instrumental usage.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Area artists, hoteliers, and other tourism-based businesses are invited to participate in a free workshop that will stimulate ideas for partnerships along the PA Route 6 Artisan Trail. The Art and Tourism: Partnering for Success Workshops will be three-hours long and held in two locations in western Pennsylvania in at the end of July. The workshops will take place on July 30 from 8-11 a.m. in Erie at the Erie Art Museum and from 2 to 5p.m. in Meadville at the Days Inn. There is no fee for the workshops, but participants must register by contacting Jen Swain, the PA Route 6 Artisan Trail Coordinator at 570-265-7455 or by e-mail at jen.paroute6@penn.com.

The Lake Erie Arboretum at Frontier Park (LEAF) has a number of events and movies planned for the summer running now to August 15. Thursdays, starting at 7 p.m., music will be played at the Amphitheater located at 6th Street and Frontier Drive. Friday nights at dusk, a family friendly movie will be played. LEAF’s mission is to expand the Arboretum at Frontier Park, as well as provided related recreational and educational programs for the community.

Every Friday at 8 p.m., now until September 26 (exception: September 5th) the Erie County Historical Society will hold a Ghosts and Legends Tour. Discover the mysteries of downtown Erie through a 1 1/2 hour walking tour. Since size of group tour is limited, reservations required; call (814) 454-1813, ext 0. Cost: $8 Adult, $4 Child.

The 5th Annual Erie SeaWolves Fun Run/Walk (5k Run/2 mile Walk) will be held August 2nd, with registration at 8:30 a.m. and the race beginning at 9:30 a.m. Proceeds to benefit the Epilepsy Foundation Western/Central PA. For more information visit the event website or contact the Erie Office at 814-451-1135 or via email at staff@efwp.

Young Erie Professionals (yep!) will hold its 5th Annual Kickball Tournament on Saturday, Aug. 2 at 8:00 a.m. at Community Park in Harborcreek. Yep! will also host an Executive Coffee Talk on Wednesday, August 6 at 5:30 p.m. at the Brewerie at Union Station (123 W 14th St., Erie). Jim Berlin, local entrepreneur and CEO of Logistics Plus, will be the speaker.

The next 8 Great Tuesdays concert series will feature the performer Leon Russell. Leon will play next Tuesday, August 5 from 6:30 – 9:30 at the Liberty Park, Pepsi Amphitheater. The event is free and shuttles to the park will be provided.

The next Erie Philharmonic’s Get Your Phil At Noon Summer Music Series concert will be held August 12 at noon in front of the Warner Theater on State Street. The free lunch-hour ensemble concerts, designed to provide “music while you munch,” will feature a Philharmonic string quartet fully amplified and seating for the outdoor event. WQLN radio will broadcast live from the event this year.

A fundraising event for the Lindsay Graygo Empowerment Scholarship Fund will be held Wednesday, August 13 from 5-8 p.m. at Molly Brannigans. Celebrity bartenders will serve up your favorite drinks and a Chinese auction will be held. Bartender tips and auction proceeds will go to directly to the fund. If you would like to make a donation, please visit the Scholarship’s donation page.

The 2008 City of Erie Recreation Tennis Tournaments will be held once again at
Frontier Park. Adults: August 13-17 (session for juniors has passed). Applications are available at: PennBriar Health and Tennis Club, Westwood Racquet Club, Lake Shore Country Club, Kahkwa Club and Erie Sport Store’s downtown location. For more information contact Richard Beck at 835-5452.

The Erie Art Museum opens Art from the Dr. Gertrude A. Barber National Institute in the Erie Art Museum’s Annex Gallery, 423 State Street, now through October 4. A public opening reception is scheduled for Gallery Night on Friday, Aug. 22, 2008 from 6-10 p.m.

Erie to host young professionals from across the state at Pennsylvania Young Professionals 2008 ImPAct Conference ERIE, PA — Young professionals, business executives and civic leaders from across the state are invited to take part the Pennsylvania Young Professionals 2008 ImPAct Conference, being held Sept. 12-14 at Erie’s Bayfront Convention Center, 1 Sassafras Pier. This marks the first year the ImPAct Conference (Innovative Minds Creating Pennsylvania’s Tomorrow) will be held in northwestern Pennsylvania.1