Many thanks to the Conneaut, Ohio officer Tim Rose who conducted a seemingly routine traffic stop on I-90 yesterday morning. Cornelio Ramon of Erie and Moises Pena of Oxnard, California were caught bringing in two packages of cocaine that was meant for sale in Erie measured at 2 lbs and with a street value of almost $200k. Both men face first-degree felony charges and are in city jail in lieu of a half million dollar bail.
It appears that the U.S. Congress has reached an agreement on a $786 billion dollar stimulus package and will vote to approve it soon. But instead of the U.S. stimulus, Slate.com has an article that talks about how U.S. businesses should take advantage of China’s stimulus package. China budgeted over $500 billion for transportation needs this past November. The article goes on to show how money can be made with the example of how GE Transportation recently sold 300 locomotives to the Chinese with future exports expected to double. We think it’s a great idea especially if it gets back the over 1,500 jobs that were cut this week at GE.
It’s not just employees losing their jobs at GE, they will also be letting go interns and co-op placements. Interns at GE are paid between $14 and $18.25 an hour. That must be nice – when Mike interned at TAL Advertising back in the day he got paid nothing.
Judge Sue Mack has recused herself from the Felix Velasquez case. He is the person police believe was the shooter during the East High basketball game. Mack was at the game when the shooting happened.
Larry Meredith has joined the group of people seeking the Erie County Judge position. If you’re keeping score at home, Meredith is the 6th candidate for that position.
Gannon University has raised its largest amount ever in a fundraising drive – more than $39 million. In July, 2001 when Gannon President Antoine M. Garibaldi, Ph.D., was selected to lead the University, one of his four goals was to begin a comprehensive campaign and raise a substantial amount of money for several strategic priorities. After a feasibility study was conducted in 2002 to determine the financial goal of the campaign, $30 million was recommended for The Power To Transform Comprehensive Campaign. Despite the regional economic challenges in the area at the beginning of the campaign and the national and global economic conditions now, Gannon University’s Trustees, alumni, friends, employees, and others clearly demonstrated that they Believe in the Possibilities. In fact, Gannon surpassed the Campaign’s initial goal of $30 million four months early, in August, 2008. Building on the momentum of so many generous donors, a new goal of $31 million was established to be reached by the Campaign’s end on Dec. 31. The $31 million goal was surpassed by another half a million dollars. The total contributions to the Campaign at the end of December, 2008 were $31,505,122.
The McDowell News out of North Carolina has an interesting ghost tale that involves Erie, Pa.:
In April 1937, the O.M. McFarland was traveling back from Erie, Pa. where the ship had picked up 9,800 tons of coal. The westward journey through the Great Lakes was slow because of late spring-ice flows but the O.M. McFarland continued on toward its final destination, Port Washington, Wis.
On the night of April 28, 1937, Capt. Donner retired to his cabin. He left instructions for his crew to wake him up when the ship got close to Port Washington. About three hours later, with Port Washington getting closer, the second mate went to the captain’s cabin to awaken him. However, Capt. Donner was missing.
The second mate and the crew searched the ship but Capt. Donner could not be found. The crew reported that the cabin door was locked from the inside. The McFarland was supposedly only 30 miles northwest of Ludington, Mich. when the captain vanished. Ludington is considered to be the center of the Michigan Triangle.
We think the story was made up by some Michigander who was jealous of the much more dangerous Lake Erie Quadrangle. Lake Michigan is like a dip in the backyard pool compared to the choppy waters of Lake Erie.
Yesterday, Congresswoman Kathy Dahlkemper, a member of the House Committee on Science and Technology, spoke on the House Floor in support of H.R. 554, the National Nanotechnology Initiative Amendments Act of 2009, which passed the U.S. House of Representatives by voice vote yesterday.
The state of the economy did not deter the trustees of The Kresge Foundation from awarding $63.6 million in grants at its fourth-quarter board meeting in December, making the quarter, together with the $181 million in grants for 2008 as a whole, the most generous in the foundation’s 85-year history. The Erie Art Museum received $50,000 as part of this program.
Two teenagers have been arrested for vandalizing stores in the West Erie Plaza. They tagged the area on January 18.
Sports
Erie BayHawks forward Erik Daniels has been named as a replacement for the injured Chris Richard for the 2009 NBA development League All-Star Game. Iowa’s Othyus Jeffers and Austin’s Marcus Williams were also selected to replace Iowa’s Cartier Martin (GATORADE Call-Up to the Charlotte Bobcats) and Austin’s Malik Hairston (recalled by the San Antonio Spurs) in the 2009 NBA D-League All-Star Game. Daniels, who will also participate in the NBA D-League’s Dream Factory Friday Night skills competition in a game of H.O.R.S.E., is averaging 21.3 points (5th in the NBA D-League) and 10.1 rebounds (4th in the NBA D-League) in 31 games for the BayHawks while Jeffers is averaging 19.9 points, 8.9 rebounds and 2.6 assists in 24 games for the Energy and Williams is averaging 20.9 points, 7.3 rebounds and 4.6 assists in 26 games for the Toros.
The Erie BayHawks defeated the Iowa Energy 125-115 Wednesday night at Wells Fargo Arena. The BayHawks led 36-24 after the first half and the Energy was never able to regain a lead.
Jaroslav Janus turned aside four of the five chances he faced in the shootout and Greg McKegg potted the winner as the Erie Otters topped the Niagara IceDogs 3-2 in an Ontario Hockey League game played last night in front of 2,663 at the Tullio Arena. The Otters play an away game on Friday against the London Knights, and are back in Erie to host the Kingston Frontenacs on Saturday. Get your tickets here.
Edinboro hit 6-of-8 free throws in the final 37 seconds to hold off a rallying Mercyhurst squad and avoid the season sweep with a 72-68 victory at the Mercyhurst Athletic Center. The Mercyhurst women’s basketball team held tough against Edinboro in the first half, but the Fighting Scots pulled away in the second half, claiming a 67-52 road victory over the Lakers Wednesday at the Mercyhurst Athletic Center.
The Allegheny men’s basketball team earned its biggest win of the season as it climbed back from a 19-point deficit to stun Hiram, 77-72, on Wednesday in North Coast Athletic Conference action.
Events
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)
Gannon University’s Schuster Theatre’s next show, “The Trachinae,” a fiery Greek tragedy, will be shown Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, Feb. 12-14, and Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, Feb. 19-22. All Thursday-Saturday performances begin at 8 p.m., Sunday matinees are at 2 p.m. Gannon’s Schuster Theatre is located at 620 Sassafras Street. Ticket prices for the general public are $5. For more information, contact the Theatre at 814-871-7493 or 814-871-7720.
The McDowell Center for Performing Arts will present Arthur Miller’s Tony Award winning play The Crucible on February 12-13-14, 2009 in the Little Theatre (3320 Caughey Road). The play, praised as “A Powerful Drama” by the New York Times, deals with the Puritan purge of witchcraft in old Salem. Yet, the play is more then a story of witchcraft. It is really a statement of bigotry and deceit, which can cripple society and cause chaos among citizens. Directed by Ken Falkenhagen and assisted by Michael Malthaner, The Crucible stars Marie Glaser, Dominic Barbaro, Kristie Bauman, Ryley Nesbella, Alexandra Schwartz, Sean Weese, and Brett Niethamer. Tickets are just $5.00 and will be sold at the door prior to each performance.
If you’re looking for something different to do in celebration of Valentine’s day, you should consider the Erie Planetarium’s Valentines Dinner Under the Stars. There will be two shows with dinner from 6:30 – 9 p.m. on February 12 & 13. and 5 – 9 on February 14. For more information call (814) 454-1813, ext. 0.
Erie Celebrates the 200th Anniversary of President Lincolns Birth at the Battles Museum of Rural Life in Girard on Saturday, February 14, 2009 from 12 – 2 p.m. The Erie County Historical Society, Girard Borough and the Civil War Consortium present a rededication of the Civil War Monument in downtown Girard. Dedicated on November 25, 1865, the monument is considered one of the first to honor fallen Civil War soldiers. President and Mrs. Lincoln, Dan Rice and members of the 11th, 83rd and 145th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry are included in the rededication ceremony at the monument site in downtown Girard. Three students from the Girard Elementary School will be selected to read their winning essays about why President Lincoln is one of our country\’s most memorable presidents. A reception at the Girard Methodist Church will immediately follow the ceremony.
Spend the evening with The Temptations live in concert & spend the night at the new Sheraton Bayfront Hotel! Your package includes: 2 tickets to see the legendary Motown group The Temptations, an overnight stay at the brand new Sheraton Erie Bayfront Hotel that overlooks beautiful Presque Isle bay, 2 complimentary beverages at the Warner Theatre & shuttle service between the hotel and Warner from 7:00pm-11:00pm. It’s a sweet deal for only $169.00!!. To order the hotel package, please call the Sheraton Hotel at (814) 454-2005 and ask for The Temptations Valentine’s Day package.
The Erie Philharmonic presents The Piano Man – A Tribute to Billy Joel on February 14, at 8 p.m. For more information call (814) 455-1375 or visit the website.
The SeaWolves are looking for enthusiastic, outgoing individuals of ALL ages to join their team. The ‘Wolves will be hosting their second annual Job Expo on Saturday, February 14, 2009 at the Erie Civic Center from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. We are filling positions for our “Wolf Pack” promotional team, ushers, concession stands, mascots and other exciting game day jobs. The job expo will be located in the Civic Center suites and interested parties can enter at entrance B near the southeast corner of the arena. Perspective game day employees will fill out applications and interview for positions on the spot. For more information about the 2009 Erie SeaWolves Job Expo, contact (814) 456-1300 or visit www.seawolves.com.
Science journalist Dava Sobel, the award-winning author of the best-sellers Galileo’s Daughter and Longitude, will speak at Penn State Erie, The Behrend College, this month. Sobel’s appearance is jointly sponsored by the college’s annual Speaker Series and the School of Science’s Open House Nights in Astronomy outreach program. Her presentation, titled “The Planets,” will take place at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, February 26, in the Samuel P. “Pat” Black III Conference Center in the college’s Research and Economic Development Center (REDC). Admission is free and open to the public; parking will be available in the REDC deck located on Technology Drive, off Jordan Road.
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.
