We blogged yesterday that fired EMTA bus driver David Justka’s union is fighting his firing. He has struck three people in the last few years, killing a local surgeon. He should never drive a bus again.

The Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency will provide more then a million dollars to a program to develop housing in the Union Square project at 13th and Peach. Plans include townhomes and commercial space. The Visiting Nurses’ Association has sold their property and will relocate.

To save money, the Erie County library system is planning to close the Presque Isle branch. Closing this West Erie Plaza location will save $300,000 annually. A new branch is being built in Fairview.

Authorities believe a couple found dead in their east side home were part of a murder-suicide. No names have been released pending notification of families. Both parties had gunshot wounds.

While the Value City stores in Erie have closed, the Meadville store remained open, until now. The company recently filed for bankrupcy, and employees at the store are saying the store is scheduled to close November 25, just in time to miss the holiday season.

Testimony has concluded in the Michael Joyce trial and closing arguments will be held Monday.

Samantha Bennett of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette recounts her election night journey with foreign journalists and the “climatological whiplash” that was suffered during their visit to Erie. One journalist quipped in response to the weather, “Is there a high suicide rate?”

Two northwestern Pennsylvania soldiers–Army Spec. Ross A. McGinnis, a former resident of Clarion County, who was killed in Iraq in 2006, and Army Staff Sgt. John G. Gertsch, former resident Warren County, who was killed in Vietnam in 1969–were awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously for giving their lives while in the line of service. Both men were inducted into the Pennsylvania Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Home Hall of Fame.

John Melody has sold his share in the Molly Brannigans bar and restaurant to business partner Colm McWilliams. Melody plans to spend time with his family and newborn daughter. We’ll have a pint of Guinness this weekend in his honor. There are 5 Molly Brannigans now across the country.

The City of Bethlehem, Pa. is experiencing some problems booking its convention center.  Ever since the Sands Casino Resort stopped work on building a hotel in the city, a number of organizations have decided not to hold their events in Bethlehem.  The League of Cities convention that is scheduled to be held in Bethlehem in 2010 may be moved to Erie which is scheduled to hold the convention in 2011.

After debuting his new single, “She’s Country,” on Wednesday night’s CMA Awards in Nashville, Jason Aldean is providing his fan club members with a free download of the song on his official Web site. The entire track is also available for free streaming on his Web site and at CMT.com. It’s the first single from his third album which will be released next year. Aldean will be in Erie Saturday night.

Movies opening this weekend: Quantum of Solace (despite the weird name, this is a James Bond movie), Slumdog Millionaire, A Christmas Tale. Check out the new Watchmen trailer while you’re at it.

Sports

The Erie Otters will play the Owen Sound Attack concluding their 5 game home stand.  The Otters play  at the Tullio tonight and tomorrow, with both games begining at 7 p.m.

Erie Otters forward Greg McKegg will be one of 22 players that will represent Ontario, Canada at the 2009 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge being held from December 29th, 2008 through January 4th, 2009.

Michael Machuga of Erie, is ranked #2 in the PBA-Chameleon Standings.

Prep golfer Gregor Orlando will play next year for the University of Virginia. He was the 2007 PIAA champion.

Cleveland Indians pitcher Cliff Lee has won the American League Cy Young Award in a landslide. He is the second Indian in consecutive years to win the award, following C.C. Sabathia in 2007. Lee was 22-3 this past season with a 2.54 ERA and was one of the lone bright spots in an otherwise disappointing season for Cleveland.

Former SeaWolves starting pitcher Jair Jurrjens recently finished third in the National League Rookie of the Year voting. The Atlanta Bravers starter made his Major League debut with the Tigers at the end of the 2007 season and was traded following the season to Atlanta with Gorkys Hernandez in exchange for shortstop Edgar Renteria.

The Mercyhurst men’s soccer team has placed six players on the All-PSAC West teams. Forward Billy Colton and midfielder David Miller were named to the first team, while Michael De Rose, Danny Mudd, Marty Powell and Nicholas Thompson were voted to the second team. The Lakers led all PSAC schools with six All-PSAC West selections.

Edinboro University quarterback Trevor Harris (Waldo, OH/Marion Pleasant) has repeated as the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Western Division Athlete of the Year after previously winning the award in 2007. Branden Williams (Lakewood, OH/St. Edward), a freshman cornerback, was recognized as the PSAC West Rookie of the Year.

The Gannon women’s basketball team opens its 2008-09 regular season this weekend with pre-determined match-ups at the Lady Lion Classic, hosted by Concord (W.Va.) University. The Lady Knights open the classic Saturday, November 15 against Concord at 3 p.m. The squad then plays WVIAC preseason favorite Fairmont State Sunday, November 16 at 1 p.m.

Events

Ridgefield Elementary is having their annual Turkey Bowl at Rolling Meadows Lane on November 16th from 2 to 4 p.m. to benefit the Second Harvest Food Bank. We will be collecting non-perishable items during the Turkey Bowl. Cost is $5.50 and non-perishable food item per person. Public is welcome to join this event.

Penn State Behrend’s fall theatre production–The Dispute–will run from November 13-20 at the Studio Theatre. This new translation of the play by British director and playwright Neil Bartlet, uses a modern genetic testing laboratory as its backdrop and questions the ethical treatment of human subjects for scientific purposes. Tickets are $7 for the public and available at the Reed Union Building Information Desk on campus. This fast-paced, dark comedy is suitable for adults and children over the age of 13.

The Erie Chamber Orchestra will hold a concert tonight at 7:30 p.m. in the Central Tech Auditorium located at 3325 Cherry St. The concert is free and open to the public and will feature the Edinboro University Singers. For more information call (814) 871-7755.

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.

The Brewerie located at Union Station will hold an International Beer Festival tomorrow, November 15. Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door with two 3 hour sessions (12 – 3 and 4 – 7 p.m.).  For more information call (814) 454-2200.

A benefit will be held for “Baby Barry” who was born May 5, 2008 with heart defects: Coarctation of the Aorta and a faulty valve. The Aorta has been patched (the surgery at 10 weeks old) and the valve is to be replaced this December. The benefit will be held November 15, from 2 – 6 p.m. at the Greene Township Municiple Building, 9333 Tate Road, with food, music, and other events to help raise money. $10.00 donation and kids 5 and under are free. Call (814) 873-1111 or email herrings@plastekgroup.com for more information. A donation account is set up at all North West Saving Banks for little Barry.

The Lake Erie Ballet’s Annual Fundraiser Gala, celebrating 50 years of The Nutcracker Suite production, will be held this Saturday November 15, 2008 from 6 – 10 p.m. at Matthew’s Trattoria & Martini Lounge. There will be a formal cocktail dinner party and libations to honor Del Sheaffer,for her 22 years of service to the ballet as well as past and present Directors and Board Members of the Lake Erie Ballet. MC Tom Atkins, WJET and FOX Meteorologist will preside over our Silent and Live Auctions. Tickets are $80 or $150 per couple. Call (814) 71-4356 for more information.

The Northwestern (Albion) Music Boosters will be having their 3rd annual Holiday Craft Show and Cookie Sale on Saturday, November 15. We will have a chinese auction, lots of different cookies for sale, unique crafters, and a great concession area. It is free admission, but we are asking for canned good and non-perishable donations as we are going to give the donations to the Albion Food Pantry. If you are a crafter and would like to purchase a space ($15 for 1 table, $25 for 2), please call Brandy Vadney 403-3848 or Jody Ford 814-922-7185. Thanks and we hope to see you there!

For you 80′s heavy metal music fans out there, this one’s for you.  Motley Crue will play at the Erie Civic Center on Saturday, March 7, 2009 with doors opening at 6:30 p.m. Hinder & Theory of a Deadman will open for the Crue.  Purchase tickets beginning next Friday, November 21 (members of the Crue fan club can purchase tickets now).

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.