Did yesterday seem downright tropical or what? Temperatures in the low 40’s make us long for Spring. The heat wave ends today, with temps not even getting to 20°.

Millcreek police were investigating a robbery at a trailer mobile home and instead of a burglary, they found drug paraphernalia and at least one marijuana plant being grown. Police have identified a suspect but haven’t released a name or when they will file charges. Tip to those of you growing weed at home: don’t. And if you still must, don’t report a robbery at your house to police.

Accuride’s public image has transmogrified, going from employer of the year one day to layoff king the next. The manufacturer has laid off 22 workers, blaming the economy. This is despite the recent news that they would close their Ohio plant and bring 100 jobs here. Lets hope the workers who have recall rights are recalled soon and the rest of the jobs will be created soon.

General Electric gave their quarterly earnings report yesterday and it ain’t pretty – they announced a profit of $3.9 billion but that is a 44% decline from the same quarter a year ago. Good news for us though, GE Transportation had a 20% revenue growth, but profits were $212 million, a 16% decline. GE stock closed at $12.03 on Friday. Full chart here.

More bad local business news – Erie Shipbuilding, following a recent lay off, has completely closed down for the foreseeable future. They are attempting to obtain additional financing as well as promised state money and hope to re-open in February. The company is also behind on its rent to the Erie Port Authority.

If you’ve been looking for a reason to quit, maybe now’s the time. Having solved the financial crisis, the US House of Representatives has approved a large tax hike on cigarettes, and it would double the current tax to $0.61 cents per pack. Loose tobacco would also be taxed – and according to WJET, a bag of tobacco that costs $10 would cost $35 in the future. We don’t really have a problem with it, if the taxes collected are used for something beneficial and in this case it would benefit children’s health insurance. The bill will go to the Senate and if passed, to President Obama.

Wow, we’re still not used to writing President Obama.

In a shock to no one, former Superior Court Judge Michael Joyce has appealed his conviction on mail fraud and money laundering charges. He is scheduled to be sentenced in March. Joyce received an insurance settlement and spent the money on a house, car, surgery for his girlfriend and more. He was convicted in November in Pittsburgh.

Tim Shuttleworth, president and CEO of Eriez Magnetics, was recently appointed to the board of The Erie Community Foundation. Shuttleworth joined Eriez Magnetics in 1994 as vice president of the International Division. In 2004, he was named president and CEO. Before joining Eriez, Shuttleworth was employed by Litton Industries as Director of Sales & Marketing and by Shuttleworth, Inc., where he held positions in the United States, United Kingdom, Ireland and Belgium. A graduate of Indiana University, he earned his master’s degree in Business Administration with honors from the University of Notre Dame. Presently, Shuttleworth serves as chairman of the Manufacturing & Business Association, vice-chairman of the Saint Vincent Health System Board of Trustees and a board member of the International Institute of Erie. The Erie Community Foundation Board of Trustees also recently approved the appointments of B.J. Lechner as Board Chairman; Robert G. Dwyer, Esq. as Secretary; Edward P. Junker, III as Treasurer, and Michael L. Batchelor as President.

Friends of Allegheny Wilderness (FAW), a Warren-based non-profit organization, is announcing that copies of their Citizens’ Wilderness Proposal for Pennsylvania’s Allegheny National Forest are once again available to interested members of the public. A new print run of the document was recently made possible through a generous grant from the Fund for Wild Nature, and an anonymous donation. If you are interested in receiving a copy of the Citizens’ Wilderness Proposal, please contact FAW at 814-723-0620 or info@pawild.org. Charitable donations to FAW will be accepted with your request should you choose to do so.

Editor’s Note: Richard bet me I couldn’t use the word transmogrify in today’s post and I did, so thank you Josh for the advice on how to best use this great word.

Sports

Shawn Szydlowski scored 2:09 into overtime to lift the Erie Otters to a come-from-behind 6-5 win over the Kingston Frontenacs in an Ontario Hockey League game played Friday. Zack Torquato ignited an Otters third-period comeback from three goals down with two goals. Andrew Yogan and Greg McKegg also scored in the rally that put Erie up 5-4 late. Ryan O’Reilly netted the other Otters goal in the game while Mike Cazzola posted two assists. The Otters continue a trip through Eastern Ontario tomorrow (Saturday) in Belleville against the Bulls at 7:15 p.m. and round things up Sunday afternoon at 2 p.m. in Ottawa against 67’s. Both games can be heard live on FOX Sports Radio AM 1330 The FAN and on-line at www.ottershockey.com (presented by the James H. Cross Company) beginning with the pre-game show 15 minutes prior to the opening face-off.

The No. 10 Mercyhurst Lakers split a pair of dual meets on the first day of the East Coast Duals, hosted by St. Andrews Presbyterian College.

A pair of Edinboro University football players were accorded All-American honors today as the 2008 D2Football.com and Football Gazette All-America Teams were announced. Quarterback Trevor Harris (Waldo, OH/Marion Pleasant) was named an honorable mention All-American on both teams, while Josh Bzorek (Saxonburg, PA/Knoch) was selected a Football Gazette honorable mention All-America.

The Gannon men’s basketball team begins a brief two-game road swing Saturday, January 24 at Indiana (Pa.). Game time is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Gannon is ranked No. 8 in NCAA Division II while IUP is among others receiving votes in the latest top 25 poll.

Events

The Erie Kennel Club’s Annual Dog Show will be held this weekend at the Bayfront Convention Center. Tickets are $5 at the door. Things get underway today at 8:30 a.m.

Asteria, winner of Early Music America’s first Unicorn Prize for Medieval and Renaissance Music, will perform at Penn State Erie, The Behrend College, on Thursday, January 29. The performance begins at noon in the McGarvey Commons of the college’s Reed Union Building and is free and open to the public.

Mercyhurst College education students will introduce children from area social service agencies to the joy of reading at the college’s annual Literacy Fair on Wednesday, Jan. 28, from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. in the student union. Approximately 50 children from area agencies, among them the Boys and Girls Club of Erie, the JFK Center and the Trinity Center will experience literature through readings and related activities that add additional meaning to the stories. The children also will be treated to refreshments.

Old Man Winter has once again fallen upon the Erie region, which means it’s time for seasonal traditions such as snowmen, sled rides, hot cocoa by the fire and of course the annual yep! Ski Trip! Please join YEP! on Saturday, February 7th for a day full of skiing, food, and fun. To register and for additional information email Andrew Lincoln.

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.