First on the docket today, several local companies announced earnings reports yesterday. Here’s a brief recap:

Erie Indemnity Company, parent company of Erie Insurance, released their quarterly earnings report yesterday. Net income per share was $0.71, down from $1.11 compared to the second quarter of last year. ERIE shares closed yesterday at $45.14. If you want more numbers, you can read this press release. Basically everything is down compared to the same time last year.

MTR Gaming reported a loss of $2.3 million, or 8 cents per share, in the quarter, compared with a loss of $502,000, or 3 cents per share, in the same period last year. Presque Isle Downs & Casino, which is owned by MTR, was one of the highlights of the report released. Net revenue at Presque Isle Downs rose to $48.9 million, from $43.9 million in the same period in 2007.

Steris reported first quarter income of $25.5 million, up from $13.2 last year. Quarterly profit almost doubled, beating market expectations and sending its shares to an all-time high.Steris shares closed yesterday up $3.32 to $35.07.

Eriez Magnetics has announced the appointment of Andy Lewis to the newly created position of Vice-President – International. Andy joined Eriez in 1976 and has served as Managing Director of Eriez-Europe since 1995, during which time the Company experienced significant growth and profitability.

More than 30 representatives of local, state and federal agencies and community groups boarded boats and headed for Erie’s Presque Isle Bay yesterday to measure their response capabilities should an aquatic, non-native species invade the Great Lakes. The Fail Whale was not amused.

From the “we’re not exactly shocked” department, Erie City Council is looking for ways to increase revenue for the city, and this includes raising taxes, including raising the amusement tax from 3% to 5% and leasing the JC Martin Golf Course to the Erie Zoo. The 2% increase in the amusement tax could raise $150,000 for the city.

Drum corps and marching band enthusiasts will appreciate this news. Drum Corps International (DCI) will be broadcasting this years DCI World Championship Quarterfinals in more than 340 movie theaters. One of those theaters is Erie’s own Cinemark Tinseltown USA. You can pre-order your tickets to the Thursday, August 7th show online. The event begins at 6 p.m and will go until 11:30. Tickets are $19.00 for 5 hours of live entertainment.

The House Judiciary Committee for the U.S. House of Representatives approved the Great Lakes Compact with a voice vote yesterday. Members of Congress, especially those from the Great Lakes regions, are working to get the Compact before the entire house and senate for final votes before taking a month-long recess. President Bush has also recently expressed his support of the Compact as well.

Lisa Thompson of the Times-News has an interesting story about the Kovski family. Their daughter, Maggie, drowned earlier this year. Their babysitter, Brittany Steward, found Maggie and 20-month-old Jenna Walker in a nearby pond. Steward recently pled guilty to two charges of endangering the welfare of children. The story talks about the Kovski family, who are using a surrogate mother to have another child, and the foundation they have created to help other couples fund fertility treatments.

We blogged awhile back about how many state parks, excluding Presque Isle, will not have lifeguards on duty as a cost-savings measure. Unfortunately, a 17-year-old drowned at Pine Grove Furnace State Park, which does not have lifeguards.

“Arise and Conquer”, the new album from the Erie-based Christian metalcore band WAR OF AGES, sold around 2600 copies in the United States in its first week of release, according to Nielsen SoundScan. You can get the album at Amazon.com.

Dusty Ryan’s 10th inning solo home run put the SeaWolves ahead en route to a 4-3 win over the Akron Aeros on Wednesday night at Canal Park. The teams end the series tonight in Akron.

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