The third and final congressional debate was held last night. The debate was broadcast on WQLN TV and radio as well as WJET Channel 24. You know what, we thought long and hard about how to make a funny here, but we failed. So, let’s play some Match Game. Post the completion of this thought in the comments:

“This race is so negative,                                                .”

Best one wins a prize of our choosing. Maybe this $5 off coupon at Walgreens.

According to Politico, a document making the rounds of House Republicans lists 11 races where Republicans are considered “good as gone.”

The operative also said the GOP is all but writing off the seats of Reps. Marilyn Musgrave (R-Colo.), Joseph Knollenberg (R-Mich.), Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.), Phil English (R-Pa.), and the open New Mexico House seat of retiring Rep. Steve Pearce (R-N.M.), who is running for the Senate.

Similar reports are coming out from Rollcall and a few other political publications. 

If you’re looking to be injured, might we recommend riding an EMTA bus? if the bad drivers don’t hurt you, a passenger might. A 16-year-old boy stabbed another kid in the mouth on a bus yesterday. The stabber has been arrested. But seriously, in the mouth?

The union representing the former EMTA bus driver David Justka is upset he was not paid for the time he was on suspension.  Justka was suspended while an investigation was conducted regarding the striking of a young girl with the bus he was driving.

Erica Baker, 25, of Erie was sentenced to three months to one year in jail for having sex with a female student.  Baker was a substitute teacher in the City of Erie school district.  She pleaded guilty to corruption of a minor due to having a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old female student.

Jack Burke, chancellor of Penn State Erie, has changed his retirement date, pushing it back a year. He says it will allow for a more orderly transition. Don’t be surprised to see more and more people push back retirement, especially considering the beatings their 401k’s have taken.  We hear Wal-Mart is hiring door greeters.

Good news and bad news for our Meadville readers. The bad news is that the City of Meadville’s budget is a mess, and even after cutting three jobs is still $600,00 in the hole. Prepare for a tax increase. The good news–you’re getting a second Tim Hortons location in downtown Meadville. The first location in Vernon Township just opened.

The Department of Labor & Industry today announced the investment of $235,000 in a project that will help to expand the food processing industry and support regional processors’ efforts to remain competitive with national food suppliers. The Food Processing Partnership of Northwestern PA is a consortium of 10 employers that reaches Cameron, Clarion, Clearfield, Crawford, Elk, Erie, Forest, Jefferson, Lawrence, McKean, Mercer, Potter, Venango and Warren counties.

The Sassafras Street Hair Company, on, um, Sassafras Street, held a benefit yesterday for the John Kanzius Cancer Research Foundation.  This Saturday the Otters are holding a benefit for the foundation.  We fully support Kanzius research, but it’s become a bit of a cause célèbre. This one is important, but there are many, many other organizations that also need help.

Rick Diz, associate professor and chair of the Department of Environmental Science and Engineering at Gannon University, will present a lecture titled “Water Quality in Presque Isle: Contaminants in the Bay and an Assessment of Health Hazards” on Wednesday, Oct. 29 from 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. in Room 200 of Carr Hall at Allegheny College.

Sports

Game 2 of the baseball World Series was last night.  The Tampa Bay Rays tied up the series by beating the Phillies 4-2 last night.  The next game will be played tomorrow night in Philidelphia. Our colleagues at Philly Future must be stoked their team has made it this far.  Best of luck guys.

Nick Palmieri scored a pair of goals to lead the Erie Otters to a 5-1 win over the Niagara IceDogs in an Ontario Hockey League game played last night at the Gatorade Garden City Complex. The Otters return to Erie to play the Saginaw Spirit tonight, and the Kitchener Rangers on Saturday.

Senior Jennifer Coleman of the Mercyhurst College field hockey team has been named the Womensfieldhockey.com Player of the Week, announced Wednesday evening by Womensfieldhockey.com representatives.

The Gannon men’s water polo team is among others receiving votes in the latest Collegiate Water Polo Association (CWPA) Top 10 poll released Wednesday afternoon.

Events

For a complete list of area Halloween and Fall events, see our special coverage.

The Halls of Fear, a haunted house attraction located in Wesleyville, is gearing up for another year of Halloween fun. The event is a fundraising project for the Wesleyville Hose Company, and is one of the areas best haunted house events.   Unlike previous years, the Halls will be open for Halloween night.   Open this weekend 7 – 11 p.m. Parking is located at the corner of Shannon & Station roads in Wesleyville.

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

The Bob and Tom Radio Show comedy tour hits the Warner tonight. Get tickets here. We’re more Opie and Anthony guys ourselves.

The CMT on Tour 2008 hits the Warner Theatre on November 15. This year’s tour features Jason Aldean, Lady Antebellum and Eric Durance. Tickets are on sale today. Buy them here.

Comedian Rodney Carrington will also be at the Warner Theatre on January 15. Tickets go on sale October 31.

The Temptations will be at the Warner Theatre on February 13. Tickets are sale at noon today. Buy them here.

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.