Ken Barnes was sentenced to 45 years in prison for the murder of Brian Wells by placing a collar-bomb on him which eventually exploded. Somehow the length of the sentence seems inadequate due to the total disregard for human life and being such a heinous crime.  Although Barnes claims he was forced to place the bomb on Wells, he ultimately has to take responsibility for going through with it.

The estate of Kevin R. Imler is suing the Erie Coke plant as well as the Huzars Club on the 1100th block of East 10th Street. Imler was killed this past August in a drunk driving accident. The suit claims that Martin P. Allen was driving an Erie Coke-owned SUV when his BAC was .248. The legal limit in Pennsylvania is .08. As for the Huzars, the suit says they served Allen despite him being “highly and visibly intoxicated.” The Dram Shop Act in PA allows for bars to be sued if they serve alcohol to a clearly intoxicated individual and something bad happens as a result.

The Property Casualty Insurers Association of America added seven new members to its Board of Governors including Terrence Cavanaugh, president and CEO of Erie Insurance.

VisitErie is looking for event submission for its 2009 online calendar. If you have a tourism-related event you can complete this form and email it to Chris Pennsy. Deadline for the submission of events is December 19th.  Remember, you can also submit your events to ErieBlogs via our online form.

The Pennsylvania Bureau of State Parks is selling a 2009 16-month calendar featuring scenic images of Pennsylvania state parks including Erie Bluffs. The calendar also contains information related to events and information about PA parks. The calendar costs about $11 and can be ordered by calling 888-PA-PARKS.

If you haven’t gotten snow tires for your car yet this year, you may be out of luck. Most garages in Erie are reporting a shortage of available tires, especially in the most popular sizes. It could be up to two months before more shipments arrive, which is fine because we’ll still have about three more months of winter to go at that point anyway.

Pennsylvania Governor Rendell announced a plan to cut-back state spending by $128 million in order to address the existing $658 million deficit that continues to grow. These cuts are mostly centered around employment matters including a hiring freeze and a promise to return an automatic cost of living adjustment the state administration will receive. The state legislature is also considering giving back their wage increases as well.

Sports

The Erie Otters topped the Kitchener Rangers 4-2 yesterday evening in Kitchener. The Otters take the ice at home again Friday night against Windsor.

The Erie BayHawks handled the Rio Grande Valley Vipers last night, 101-87. They’ll be in action again Friday night at Sioux Falls.

The Pittsburgh Pirates announced the hiring of Marc DelPiano as a Special Assistant to General Manager Neal Huntington. For the last three years DelPiano worked as a special assignment scout with the Boston Red Sox and also as a coach for Erie’s own minor league baseball team.

The SeaWolves announced the winner of the 2008 Holiday Card Contest. Kids from around the Erie area submitted over 100 entries for the SeaWolves annual holiday card. The winner is Gina Ghamo, a fifth grader from Wattsburg Middle School. Gina and her class will be treated to a pizza party courtesy of the Erie SeaWolves.

Events

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.

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.

All An Act Theatre Productions Presents “Caught in The Net.” Plot: It seems taxi driver John Smith is still successfully managing his 2 wives and 2 lives. However, his teenage children, a girl from one wife and a boy from the other, have met on the Internet and are anxious to meet in person since they have so much in common, particularly a taxi driving dad named John Smith.  The play runs Fridays & Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. from November 14th – December 6th (No show Nov 28 black Friday); Sundays at 3:00 p.m., November 23rd, 30th & December 7th.  The play will be held at  652 West 17th Street; Adult ticket price $8, and students and seniors $5.00.  For more information or on-line tickets visit www.allanact.net.

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.