It was a busy day yesterday in the court system. Teri Rhodes was sentenced 9 to 18 years in a state correctional facility for the murder of her newborn child.  Rhodes’ lawyer, Philip Friedman, does not agree with the length sentence and plans to appeal.  Judge William Cunningham made a just and sound decision under the circumstances especially since Rhodes planned the murder of her baby (36 page opinion [PDF]).  District Attorney Brad Foulk and Friedman both wanted a sentence under two years.  More at GoErie and discussion here.

Paul Sweetapple had a somewhat better day in court when the jury came back hung 11-1 on five counts, acquitted on two other, but was convicted on one count of indecent assault.  Sweetapple was accused of raping a woman.

When will the madness end.  Former EMTA employee David Justka was before Judge Paul Manzi fighting a $25 traffic ticket for striking a 16 year old girl with the bus he was driving.  Unfortunately for Justka, a video recording from inside the bus he was driving provided proof that he indeed crossed the white line. Hint for the union and Justka: drop it and find a new line of work that doesn’t involve driving.

The PNC Bank located on Interstate Road was robbed around 11:50 Friday morning.   Police are still searching for the suspect described as a six-foot tall white man, red-blond hair, and wearing a tan/camel-colored coat.  Almost two hours later the National City Bank in Fairview was also robbed there is conflicting reports whether the two robberies are related.

Paul Gornall from the blog Erie Real Estate, mentions how the Kohler building was sold off in a sheriff’s sale for the cost of $7,440.  Paul is right when he asked “What do the taxpayers get?”.  The answer of course, is nothing.

MTR Gaming Group laid off 93 employees at its Mountaineer Casino located in West Virginia. All employees affected by the layoffs worked in the company’s gaming division. MTR also owns Presque Isle Downs here in Erie which doesn’t seem to be having the same revenue problems as many of the other MTR properties.

John Oshei of Buffalo, New York, died after his car hit another vehicle on Route 8 Thursday. Oshei was just south of Union City and the road conditions apparently were horrible. Oshei was not wearing a seat belt. No seat belt = no excuse.

Room and board at Penn State Behrend apartments will increase by $165 to a rate of $2,645 per person each semester for four-person garden units.

Accuweather reported some interesting weather phenomenons over Northwest Pennsylvania (which includes video) over the last few days including snow bands and a mesoscale convective vortex.  The model prediction for snow doesn’t look good for the weekend. 

A historical note: Today in 1963, President John F. Kennedy was assasinated in Dallas, Texas.

Sports

High school football:
#2 McDowell will play #1 State College (11-0) today at 1 p.m. at the Mansell Stadium in DuBois

College football:
#15 Michigan State plays at #8 Penn State, Saturday at 3:30 on ABC/WJET
#20 Pittsburgh plays at #19 Cincinnati, Saturday at 7:15 on ESPN 2 

NFL schedule:
Pittsburgh already played this week on Thursday, and beat Cincinatti  27-10
Buffalo plays at Kansas City, Sunday at 1 p.m., CBS/WSEE
Houston plays at Cleveland, Sunday at 1 p.m. CBS Affiliates

The Erie SeaWolves will hold its first ever “FILL A TRUCK AT THE UHT” Toys for Tots event to be held on Saturday, December 13 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.  New (unwrapped) toys can be dropped off at the main plaza in front of the Jerry Uht Park. Other promotions and events will be held that same day.  More information.

Events

Opening this weekend in theaters and they all consist of just one word: Bolt, Twilight, and Special.

Peek N’ Peak will hold a Bourbon Tasting event today from 6 – 9 p.m. in the Crown Room, second floor of the Inn. The cost is $35 with a selectionof bourbons and hors d’oeurves to accompany each taste. Reservations required (716) 355-4141 x7155. That same day the Peek will hold a Couples Cooking Class for $199 per coule which includes a night lodging, cooking class and wine. Same number to make reservations but use extenstion x7154.

Victorian Holidays will be on display in the Watson-Curtze Mansion at 356 West Sixth Street, and will include traditionally decorated trees, seasonal workshops for children and adults, lectures, and elegant Victorian teas. Victorian Holidays will run from today through December 28 on Wednesdays through Saturday from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. and Sundays 1 – 4:00 p.m. The cost of museum admission is $4 for adults, $3 for seniors, and a whopping $2 for children.

Ozark Jubilee–Direct from Branson, will be performing at the Warner Theatre on Sunday, November 23, 2008 at  p.m.  Performance will feature world class fiddle & violin player and comedian Randy Newman, vocalists, as well as the the renowned Ozark Band.  For tickets call (814) 864-5681.

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.