What in the wide, wide world of sports is going on here?  The word volatile doesn’t seem to adequately describe the markets.

ErieBlogs received a report that a teenage girl was shot in the face last night with what is believed to be a pellet gun. The crime occurred at 7th and Wayne at around 9 p.m., and the assailant is unknown. This shooting is just 3 blocks away from where 15 year old DaQuan Crosby was killed a few weeks ago.

The City of Erie denied the zoning certificate needed to build the tires-to-energy plant on the former International Paper property. After a previous denial, Erie Renewable Energy made changes, and have challenged the ruling in court.

In more surprise news, Erie City Council decided not to apply for state funds for the downtown improvements along 12th and State streets and around Griswold Plaza. Council said by turning down this opportunity, it opens up the opportunity to focus on Parade Street. City Economic Development Director Kim Green was surprised, saying the Parade Street project is planned and out for bid, and that project would not interfere with the 12th Street project. City Council may take the issue back in up in a few weeks.

The final presidential debate was held last night. We’re kind of glad they’re done but the politics continue…

The Obama campaign’s “PA Daily Talking Points” email which is intended only for staffers, went out to every media outlet in the state yesterday morning.

Someone has stolen a giant Obama banner from Democratic Headquarters in downtown Warren. Warren Police do not yet have a motive and are not sure if it was an enthusiastic democrat who wanted a large yard sign or a rival republican who couldn’t stand the sight of the sign. In light of recent events in Warren, we’re suspecting the later.

James H. Mullen Jr. will be installed as the 21st president of Allegheny College on Friday, Oct. 17. The installation ceremony will begin at 4:30 p.m. in Shafer Auditorium of the Henderson Campus Center and is open to the public. Because the academic procession will begin at 4:10 p.m., the audience should be seated by 4 p.m. Immediately following the ceremony, all are invited to the president’s reception in the Campus Center lobby. Mullen took office on Aug. 1, succeeding Richard Cook, who retired on July 31. Mike works directly upstairs from Dr. Mullen and says you’ll never meet a more down-to-earth college president yet someone who’s an effective and inspiring leader.

The Pennsylvania Small Business Advantage Grant Program will help 92 companies reduce energy consumption and waste output to lower their expenses by giving $553,000 to various participating businesses. The Small Business Advantage Grant Program provides a 50-percent match of up to $7,500 for equipment or processes that reduce energy consumption, promote pollution prevention and increase profitability. The following Erie businesses qualified for the program:  American Tinning & Galvanizing Co., Kubinski Business Machines,and Girard Coin Laundry will each receive $7,500 for installing energy efficient appliances and electronics.

Portfolio.com speculates as to who is behind the mystery donation of $100 million to the Erie Community Foundation.  H.O. Hirt, the founder of Erie Indemnity, is believed to be the benefactor.  The secrecy is supposedly because the heirs to the Hirt fortune are fighting over the money and identifying Hirt would only add to the existing drama.

Sports

The Erie Bayhawks have revealed their new home and away uniforms. We dig the black one with the word Erie on them. The Bayhawks play their first game at home on December 11. The BayHawks also announced a partnership with Family First Sports Park to be the team’s official practice facility. Attention team owners – send us a black jersey.

The Erie Otters finally caught a break beating the Niagara IceDogs 4-2 last night.  The Otters are now 3-6-1-0 for the season.

Willie Parker tweaked his knee and it’s not known if he’ll play Sunday against the Bengals. The Bengals, 0-5, will be without Carson Palmer for the game.

The Gannon women’s soccer team is ranked 10th in the initial NCAA Division II Atlantic regional rankings released Wednesday afternoon.

The Mercyhurst Lakers conceded two goals off of set pieces to Lock Haven, falling 2-1 in overtime Wednesday. The loss snapped a 22-match home unbeaten streak.

The Philadelphia Phillies beat the LA Dodgers for the National League Championship and will either play Boston or Tampa in the World Series.

Events

Election 2008: Is the economy still the essential issue for the candidates and the voters? with Jack Speer will be held tonight at 7:30 p.m. in the Frank G. Pogue Student Center at Edinboro University.  Jack Speer, newscaster with NPR, will identify and explain the major business and economic issues influencing the current U.S. presidential election. Admission is free and open to the public. For more information, call (814) 732-2193.

Author Ann Pancake will be the next speaker in the Penn State Behrend Creative Writer’s Speaker Series scheduled for today.  Ann Pancake’s collection of short stories, Given Ground, won the 2000 Bakeless Award and was published in 2001. Her novel, Strange as This Weather Has Been, was published in 2007.

The next exhibit at Cummings Gallery brings together works by three professional artists who work with two-dimensional surfaces. Titled “Defining Edge: Kerr + Bush + Stunden,” the show opens with a reception Thursday, Oct. 23, from 7 to 9 p.m.

The Allegheny College Humanities Lecture Series continues on Monday, Oct. 20 with a presentation by Professor of Political Science Bruce Smith titled “The Critical Election of 2008: Reagan Democrats and the Politics of Hope” at 6:30 p.m. in Room 301 of the Campus Center.

The country-rock band Sugarland plays this Saturday at the Civic Center (tickets).  Their single All I Want To Do was #1 on iTunes for three weeks.

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.