In case you lost track of time, today is October 1st. Where did this year go?

Shana Tova! Rosh Hashanah concludes today. Happy New Year to our Jewish readers!

This past weekend we mentioned that there hasn’t been a poll conducted for the Dahlkemper-English race for Congress for a few months now. Roll Call has a fresh poll out this morning showing that Phil English (R) is trailing Kathy Dahlkemper (D). Dahlkemper is leading English 49% to 45%, and with 6% undecided. The poll was conducted with 618 likely voters and was taken September 26-28. With a margin of error of 4 points, it’s still a very close race but one in which English has never seen since he’s been in Congress.

Just last week, Erie Plastics was planning a sale and asking its employees for concessions on wages and other benefits. Now, the company has filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The company claims this was needed to protect the business from creditors while they restructure and hopefully continue with their sale to Crawford Group, an Ohio company. One former Erieite speculates the company may have overextended itself in research and development.

The 26th Street interchange work has finally completed and everything is back to normal. Mike took the exit of I-79 and it was as nice as a new interchange can be.

From the “You’re doing it wrong” department comes news that Ralph “Bucky” Phillips plans on appealing his murder conviction. This is the same man that escaped from a Buffalo jail in 2006 and during his time on the lam, he shot several state police officers, killing Trooper Joseph Longobardo. Phillips is currently serving a life sentence without possibility of parole, but claims received bad advice from a court-appointed attorney. He will have a hearing on Oct. 20 in Rochester, NY.

Charles Baxter, 44, tried to buy a gun at Gander Mountain. He allegedly lied on his state and federal forms, and was convicted for leaving off information about mental health issues and his criminal record. A local judge ruled he could be prosecuted for the omission on the state form but not the federal form. The PA Superior Court overturned the decision, saying he could be prosecuted by the state for the federal form. Baxter is now appealing to the PA Supreme Court. The key takeaway here is don’t lie when applying for a firearm. Ever.

Michael Joyce of Millcreek will stand trial in October in federal court for exaggerating insurance loss claims after a 2001 car accident to the tune of $440,000. The former superior court judge spent the money on a house, hot tub, motorcycle, jewelry and plastic surgery for his girlfriend. In other words, every man’s dream. Joyce’s lawyers say the expenses are an attack on Joyce’s character. Um, ok.

Justin McDowell and Steven Colley of Buffalo, NY have been accused with robbing people in a parked car on East 11th and Parade Streets. They are being held in Erie County Prison.

Mercyhurst College has kicked off a yearlong observance called “Beyond the Dream,” an initiative designed to examine the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on the occasion of what would have been his 80th birthday.

Millcreek residents will have an opportunity to meet candidates for superintendent. Meetings will be held at J.S. Wilson Middle School on W. 54th Street on October 1, 9 and 16 at 7 p.m. The candidate will make remarks and then take questions.

Are you or do you know a political blogger in the Buffalo, NY region? If so, can you have them get in touch with Mike. You can email him or use our contact form.

Sports

Some local college teams have moved up in national rankings. Edinboro is now ranked 21st in Division II football and Mercyhurst College soccer has been ranked #7 in Division II.

Tickets are now available for the Harlem Globetrotters game at Tullio Arena on February 3, 2009. Presale tickets are available through October 7. The password is GLOBIE.

Rashard Mendenhall and Kendall Simmons were placed on injured reserve yesterday by the Pittsburgh Steelers, ending their seasons. Najeh Davenport was resigned, though there are rumors floating around the team may also bring in Shawn Alexander, formerly of Seattle.

Cliff Lee of the Cleveland Indians was named American League Comeback Player of the Year yesterday. He had a 22-3 record and it pretty much a lock to win the Cy Young Award. CC Sabathia of the Indians won it last year and has a good chance to pick up one in the National League this year.

Josh Kidd is expected to sign a contract with the LA Kings and will play in Manchester, New Hampshire at the Kings’ farm team there. Kidd played defense with the Otters.

Speaking of hockey, bad news, Penguins fans. Sergei Gonchar’s shoulder injury is worse then expected and he will have surgery and miss 4 to 6 months. The Penguins are currently in Sweden where they will play an exhibition game and then open the regular season in Sweden.

Events

Rocky Horror Auditions will be held tonight at 7:00 p.m. If you enjoy dancing, singing, and having a great time, come out and be a part of the next Rocky Horror Show at Theatre 145. We need people who can get the crowd dancing in the aisles, singing at the top of their lungs and having the greatest time ever. More information please call (814) 873-5069 or visit the Theatre 145 website. The Rocky Horror Picture Show will be held October 31st with doors opening at 7:30 p.m.

The Girard-Lake City Chamber of Commerce will hold “Meet the Candidate” luncheons with 3rd District Congressional candidates Kathy Dahlkemper and incumbent Representative Phil English. The first luncheon will be held today with Dahlkemper, and on Wednesday, October 15th with Representative English. Both events will be held at Hunter Jacks Restaurant with a buffet style lunch will be served promptly at noon for both meeting, cost is $8.00 per person. Reservations are required and can be made by calling (814) 774-3535.

Mercyhurst West invites high school students to attend the Great High School Cookout at Mercyhurst West, 824 Main Street East, Girard, on Wednesday, October 8, from 6 – 8 p.m. There will be free hamburgers and hot dogs and a chance to win prizes, including an iPod Shuffle. Tours of the West facility and a Q&A session about programs and financial aid will also be offered. Reservations are required. Call (814) 774-0704 for more information.

Sarah A. Reed Retirement Center is holding it’s 14th Annual Sarah’s Fall Fling on Saturday October 25 starting at 10 a.m. at the Ambassador Banquet and Conference Center. The event benefits The Retirement Center and is open to the public but reservations are required and can be made by calling (814) 878-2600. Seats are available for $20 per person. The event will include a luncheon, a Chinese auction, and various prizes including a Splash Lagoon package and a year of car washes by Leo’s Car Wash.

View this past Sunday’s comprehensive events list to see a list of events for the week and months ahead. If you would like your event posted here, please contact us via our online form.