GE Transportation announced yesterday it was laying off 1,550 people with 350 of them being permanent cuts.  GE is the region’s largest employer.  We’re not sure how to take the news in light of GE Transportation’s announcement that it started brand spankin’ new operations in North Las Vegas.  One reader commented that her father who worked at GE for more than 35 years was part of the massive lay off. Local blogger Kitten had this to say about the layoffs:

I just got off the phone with my mother – my father was included in the layoffs. He has been at GE for 36 years. She said she can’t even remember him working anywhere else. He started there just before they got married. It was a real shock to find out about this when I got home tonight.

Hey Lorenzo, where’s the love?

Ohio State University filed an answer this week stating it is not responsible for the death of Andrew Polakowski who was crushed by an university dormitory elevator in 2006. Ohio State says Polakowski helped to overcrowd the elevator, causing it to become stuck between floors, and should not have tried to crawl out when the elevator became stuck. At this point OSU is trying to lower the amount it will surely have to pay out.

With the wild swings in temperature that we have been experiencing, stay on top of the weather by watching the WSEE weather webcast available on the right side.  Where else will you see fun poses by Ray Petelin?  We think he’s doing a Fonzie impression here:

The Subway restaurant on Peninsula Drive was robbed last night. Was the Circle K closed?

Folks, if you aren’t sure about if ice is safe to walk out on, be safe and don’t go out on it. Two young boys were rescued yesterday from Lake Erie near West Lake Road. Coast Guard and other rescue crews were on scene quickly and even got to bust out a hovercraft to safely rescue the kids. Parents – teach your kids to stay off ice unless you are there. Killer W.H.A.L.E. = stunned.

The City of Erie School District will not refile a lawsuit against JPMorgan Chase regarding its interest-rate swap. The lawsuit claimed JPMorgan overcharged fees when it performed the swap in 2003.

Sophia Xu, a student at McDowell High School, has been named a Finalist in the 2009 Competition for National Merit Scholarships. Sophia, along with all other Finalists will be considered for approximately 8,200 National Merit Scholarships to be offered in 2009. Congratulations to Sophia for her distinguished performance!

Sports

The Otters play the Niagara IceDogs tonight, an away game on Friday against the London Knights, and back to Erie to play the Kingston Frontenacs on Saturday. Get your tickets here.

The Ontario Hockey League announced today that Erie Otters defenseman Brett Cook has been selected as one of the League’s Academic Players of the Month for January. Cook was chosen as the Academic Player of the Month for January in the Midwest Division. The 17 year-old native of Washago, Ontario currently is a Grade 12 student at McDowell High School in Erie.

The Erie BayHawks next home game isn’t until February 26. Get your tickets here.

Jill Gregory scored 18 points, leading a quintet of Allegheny scorers in double-figures, as the Gator women’s basketball team defeated Oberlin, 78-61, to claim its third straight win in North Coast Athletic Conference.

The Gannon men’s basketball team improved one spot for the second consecutive week and is ranked fourth in the latest National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC)/Division II Top 25 poll released Tuesday afternoon, extending the streak of consecutive polls in the top 10 to a school-record 11. The latest ranking ties Gannon’s highest of the season.

Gannon University again is asking the community to “Fill the ‘Mill” as the women’s basketball team will host a fundraiser for the Erie chapter of the American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer. The team’s Pink Zone game, scheduled for 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 21 at Gannon’s Hammermill Center, will match the Lady Knights against IUP. Attendance to the women’s game as well as the men’s game to follow, pitting Gannon against IUP, will be free. Organizers are hoping to raise $15,000 for Making Strides Against Breast Cancer. Last year, more than $10,000 was raised.

Edinboro University senior Gregor Gillespie(Webster, NY/Webster Schroeder) has been named the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Wrestler of the Week after picking up a pair of impressive wins against Bloomsburg and Cleveland State last week. He helped the 12th-ranked Fighting Scots to a pair of wins, as Edinboro improved to 11-4 overall and 4-0 in the Eastern Wrestling League.

Events

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, Feb. 11, from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. in the student union. The fair was originally slated for Jan. 28, but was canceled due to inclement weather.

Upcoming Erie Concerts and Shows:

Feb. 13: The Temptations, Warner Theatre (tickets)
Feb. 19: Jerry Seinfeld, Warner Theatre (tickets)
Feb. 22: Rain (Beatles Cover Band), Warner Theatre (tickets)
March 7: Motley Crue w/ Hinder, Last Vegas, Theory of a Deadman, Tullio Arena (tickets)
March 22: New Kids on the Block, Tullio Arena (tickets on sale 1/24)
March 29: Comedian Lewis Black, Warner Theatre (tickets)

View this past Sunday’s comprehensive Erie events list to see what’s coming up for the week and months ahead. If you would like your event posted here, please contact us via our online form.