We blogged back on Sep. 27 that former mayor of New York City and presidential candidate Rudy Guliani will be in town to campaign with Rep. Phil English. We now have a date: October 20 at a $100 per ticket fundraiser at the Manufacturer & Business Association.  We’ll post other appearances when they become available.

Presque Isle Downs and Casino is down $8 million in wagers from September, 2007 and statewide, slot machine revenues dropped 15% from August.  CEO Richard Knight blames the downturn on the new PA smoking ban in concjunction with the downturn in the economy.  

WQLN is back on the air with a temporary antanae broadcasting the signal in HD only.  More work is planned.

The United Electrical, Radio & Machine Workers of America Local 506, the union representing over 3800 Erie General Electric workers has endorsed congressional candidate Kathy Dahlkemper. We’d blog any endorsements Phil English gets, but his campaign continues to not send us any news.

Warren County was blogged about by Dan Rodrick of the Baltimore Sun. The blog title was “roadside racist,” and talks about a resident in Warren County who has a lawn sign that says “vote right, vote white” next to a McCain/Palin yard sign.  If you want to vote for or against Obama for his position on the issues, that’s fine. But blatant racism? Not cool.  This McCain supporter, author Frank Schaeffer, is calling for the campaign to think about its tactics because of the overt hatred being displayed by some.

We reported a few days ago that on the heels of the McCain camp pulling out of Michgian, that Pennsylvania could be next.  Not so.  McCain has reassured supporters that he will stay in PA, and considers it a swing state despite Obama having a 10+ point lead.

The Erie Police Department will be purchasing new motorcycles to use by its officers.  The money to buy the motorcylces comes from both the city and the state, and will at least help save on gas which is a major cost to police departments everywhere.  Some departments are even driving 4-cylinder and hybrid vehicles.

If you’re in Pittsburgh, stop by the Mon and watch as divers try to find a B-25 bomber that crashed in the river in 1956. WPXI has more on the search. You can learn more about the crash and other theories here.

Take a ride and check out the fall foliage, then catch a movie. Opening this weekend: Body of Lies, City of Ember, The Express, and Quarantine.

Sports

Oshawa Generals beat the Erie Otters 6-1 last night in front of 3,772 at General Motors Centre.  Erie sank to 2-5-1-0, with three straight losses.  The next Otters home game takes place tonight against the Barrie Colts in Barrie at 7:30 p.m.

This coming Monday night, the Erie Riverrats will again bring on Monday Night Football with a tailgate at Quaker Steak and Lube on Peach Street in Erie.

NFL: Slow weekend for area football fans.  Buffalo and Pittsburgh both have a bye week while Cleveland plays the NY Giants at Cleveland on Monday night (ESPN).  Buffalo and Pittsburgh both lead their divisions, while Cleveland can at least boast they are not last (but second to last).

High School Football Scores:
Mcdowell 18, Gateway 30.  This was the first time a nationally-ranked Pennsylvania team (Gateway) played a game in Erie County since 2000.  The game was also being filmed for a documentary as part of the 5 days 2 Friday project.
DeSales 41, Erie Prep 21 
East 21, Warren 10, 
Maplewood 13, Fairview 42
General Mclane 41, Central Tech 16
Northwestern 6, Girard 28
Harborcreek 21, Grove City 29
Iroquois 24, Youngsville 13
Meadville 14, Slippery Rock 24
Strong Vincent 62, Bradford 0 (ouch)
North East 35, Fort LeBoeuf 7
Mercyhurst Prep 13, Eisenhower 16 

MLB: The division championships are in full swing with the Phillies leading the Dodgers 2-0, and the Red Sox leading the Rays 1-0.  Could it be an East Coast World Series?

College Football: #6 ranked Penn State plays Wisconsin tonight at 8 on ESPN.  Pitt has the weekend off.

Events

St. Peter’s Episcopal Church will hold a spaghetti dinner and a chinese auction today from 12 – 6 p.m. to raise money for Hurricane Ike victims.  Suggested donation is $10 a couple, $7 single, and kids 12 and under free.  St. Peter’s is located at East 3rd & Cherry Street in Waterford.  More information contact (814) 397-4035.

St. Joseph Church Bread of Life Community presents its 2008 Oktoberfest October 10, 2008 – October 12, 2008.  Today festivities run from 12 – 11p.m. and tomorrow Sunday 12 – 6 p.m.  There will be authentic German food,  live music, and activities for the kids.  St. Joe’s is located at 147 West 24th Street, Erie.  For more information contact (814) 452-2982.  Free Admission!

Belle Valley Fire Department will present their annual haunted house Valley of the Ghouls. The haunted house is open on October 11, 17, 18, 24, 25, and 31 from 7:30-11 pm and admission is $5.

The 7th Annual Great Lakes Open Tae Kwon Do Championships will be held today beginning at 10 a.m.  The event will be held at the Junker Athletic Center at Penn State Behrend.

The Peek N’ Peak Resort and Spa will hold its 21st annual Fall Fest on October 11, 12, 18, & 19 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Free admission with kid’s activities of pumpin decorating, face painting, petting zoo, pony rides, bounce house, rock wall, and more. For adults there will crafters, a farmers market, snow sports equipment sale, ski and boarding demonstrations and more.

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.  Tomorrow we will publish a new list of events for the week and months ahead.