The Fox television series America’s Most Wanted posted a bulletin on its website regarding a recent string of robberies in the Erie area by the same man.  Two different PNC Banks were robbed; one on October 27, 2008 and another on November 21, 2008. The robber has made no attempt to conceal his identity which has led police to believe he is from out of state and may return to the area for another robbery.

BBC News is featuring an interview with Lt. Col. Darrel Vandeveld of Erie, who resigned from his military position as a prosecutor at Guantanemo Bay, Cuba. Col. Vandeveld speaks about how his Catholic faith led him to his resignation, and what he experienced while stationed in Cuba.

James K. Frey of Albion pleaded guilty yesterday to four charges, including the first-degree felony of being part of a corrupt organization. He was charged in March with operating the oldest known meth ring in northwestern Pennsylvania along with more than twenty other people, including his brother and sister-in-law. He will be sentenced January 13 by Erie County Judge Shad Connelly.

A Millcreek Township task force, Cheaper Cleaner Water, has been working toward a merger of Erie Water Works and Millcreek Township Water Authority. Currently, MTWA receives most of its water from Erie Water Works and resells it to its customers, sometimes at rates 50 to 70% higher than Erie Water Works charges. Cheaper Cleaner Water co-founder Sue Weber says the MTWA is standing in the way of a merger that would lower water rates for Millcreek customers. Township supervisors would like more time to study the issue before making plans for a merger. The MTWA has commissioned its own study to look at the possibility of building its own water treatment plant and water intake facility.

Ed Zieralski of the San Diego Union-Tribune continues his series about hunting in northwestern Pennsylvania.

Taxpayers in Harborcreek should be happy–the 2009 township budget is about $697,000 lower than 2008′s. Supervisors will vote December 17 on the $5.1 million budget that includes money to buy the vacant Harborcreek Mall. The mall will be razed, though it’s not yet clear what will be done with the land. The mall has been an eyesore for years, so this can’t happen soon enough.

The Erie Art Museum will receive $50,000 through the Kresge Foundation. The money will go toward the museum’s $9 million building expansion project and “green” improvements. The renovation project includes the improvement of an existing 15,000 square feet of building space and the addition of 10,000 square feet of space. There will be a link between the Art Museum’s main building on State Street and the Museum’s Annex, which fronts on both State and Fifth Streets. The project will include four major galleries, several smaller galleries, a 250-person performance space, and a public meeting space at a unified entrance.

Sports

The Erie Otters play the Kitchener Rangers tonight in an away game.  The game can be heard live on AM radio 1330 and online. This weekend they return to the Tullio for two nights: Friday vs. the Windsor Spitfires, and Saturday vs. the Sarnia Sting.

The Altoona Curve minor league baseball team is being sold back to the Lozinak family who were the original owners of the franchise. The Lozinak’s sold the team in 2001 to Curve Baseball LP. The Curve often play the SeaWolves in AA baseball.

The Gannon men’s basketball team, ranked No. 6 in the latest National Basketball Coaches Association Division II Top 25, faces Allegheny College tonight at the Hammermill Center. Game time is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

Events

Open House Night in Astronomy at Penn State Behrend will be held this Thursday. Dr. Darren Williams will present “Cosmic Cataclysm: Why Do Stars Explode?” on December 4 at 7:30 p.m. in 101 Otto Behrend Science Building. His non-technical lecture is free, open to the public, and suitable for children ages 8 and up. Astronomical viewing from the college’s Mehalso Observatory will follow, weather permitting.

Erie’s downtown d’Lights will be held Friday, December 5th beginning at 6 p.m. The annual lighting of downtown Erie kicks of the Christmas Season with a number of events.

Gannon University’s Schuster Theatre will present “A Tuna Christmas.” Ridiculous characters from the insane town of Tuna, Texas compete in an over-the-top seasonal decorating contest. The production does include some mature language. All performances will begin at 8 p.m.; Sunday matinees are at 2 p.m. Gannon University’s Schuster Theatre is located at 620 Sassafras St. Ticket prices for the general public are $5. For more information, contact the Theatre at 814-871-7493 or at 814-871-7720. Shows run December 4, 5, 6, and December 11, 12, 13, 14.

Gannon University’s Erie Chamber Orchestra: This concert will be the annual Christmas Concert Sing-Along with the St. Paul Episcopal Cathedral Children’s Choir and choral director Sharon Downey on Friday, December 5. The performance is free and open to the public and will begin at 7:30 p.m. at St. Patrick Church, 130 East 4th St. Gannon University’s Erie Chamber Orchestra is conducted and directed by Bruce Morton Wright. For more information call 814-871-7755.

Galleries downtown and throughout Erie will host a holiday-themed Gallery Night on Friday, December 5th, from 7-10 pm. Participating galleries include Accents By The Bay, Allen Stoneware Gallery, Artworks, Bayfront Gallery, Cummings Gallery at Mercyhurst College, Geary’s Studio 7 Gallery, Glass Growers Gallery, Kada Gallery, Ralph Miller Jewelers & Gallery, Urraro Gallery and the galleries at the Erie Art Museum. Visitors will have a chance to get a start on their holiday shopping, and may even win a $50 gift certificate.

Erie Dance Conservatory presents “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” which runs from December 5 – 7 and will be held in the Hirt Auditorium at the Blasco Library. For more information call (814) 476-7123.

The Allegheny College Choirs will present their annual Christmas concert on Saturday, Dec. 6 at 4 p.m. in Shafer Auditorium on the Allegheny campus. The concert is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Ward Jamison, Allegheny’s director of choral activities, at (814) 332-3305.

The choirs at Penn State Erie, The Behrend College, will hold their annual holiday concert on Saturday, December 6, at 8 pm and on Sunday, December 7 at 4 pm. Jason Bishop, director of choral activities at the college, will direct the concert choir, chamber singers, and selections for men’s and women’s voices. Both performances will take place in the Larry and Kathryn Smith Chapel at Penn State Behrend. Tickets cost $5 and can be reserved at the Reed Union Building information desk or by calling 814-898-6242.

Start your holiday season with learning how to dance the Argentine Tango and enjoy a Milonga (Argentine dance party) immediately thereafter. Lessons and Milonga are free and light snacks and refreshments will be provided. Join your hosts Katherine and Cliff Dahl for an enjoyable evening just in time for the holidays. Reservations are required by call Katherine Dahl at 716-720-0509 or email at katherine.dahl@att.net Call today. Reservations are limited. December 6, 2008 8:30 pm to 11:30pm LDS Church at 1101 S. Hill Rd., Erie, 16509

Jr’s Last Laugh Comedy Club will host a breakfast with Santa on Saturday, December 6th from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. The event is free with cookies and donuts from Jack Frost Donuts, and juice, milk, and coffee. There will also be face painting, coloring, and crafts.

The School House Craft Festival will be held at McDowell Intermediate High School on Saturday, December 6th from 10 am to 5 pm and on Sunday, December 7th from 10 am to 4 pm. Admission is $4 for adults, $3 for those over age 65, $2 for children 11 and over, and free for children under 10. The festival will feature over 100 crafters, and auction, refreshments, and appearances by Santa each day.

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.