In case you missed it yesterday, the Peach Street Wegmans is now selling take-out beer. The west side location should follow suit in the next few days. It’s cool because sometimes you don’t want a whole case of beer, you want a few, or maybe you want to try something new. Sure, there are a few six-pack shops, but having beer in groceries stores is awfully convenient. Hopefully, more stores will follow Wegmans’ lead and sell six packs.You can read about customer reactions here.

Dan Desrochers, Director of Marketing and Community Relations for the Community Blood Bank, has announced he will be running for Erie County Council, District 4, as a Republican. You can check out his website here. He says:

I realize the pay raise that County Council voted for itself in February is insignificant compared to the total county budget, but it’s the mentality that bothers me. Unemployment is rising so Erie will have fewer tax payers able to pay but County Council continues to vote for new spending and ultimately, new taxes.I plan on voting to control costs and spending.

Hamot has released a statement responding to the lawsuit filed this week by the Jacobs family, who claim their son was intentionally killed so his organs could be harvested. The statement:

Proper consent was received in order for his organs to be donated, and the protocols that were followed were consistent with all established donation procedures. Any claims otherwise are completely baseless.

Two men were arrested in the parking lot of the Burger King on upper Peach yesterday on charges they were transporting heroin. Note to dealers: drive through to get some burgers, don’t stop and go in.

Carolyn Gold is expected to announce next week that she will join the royal rumble that is the race for Erie County Judge. She recently because the person responsible for managing the county’s gaming revenue.

In 2002, Brenda Pundt worked for 7 days as the city of Erie’s pension coordinator. She was fired by Rick Filippi, and for seven years she has been fighting in the courts to get a lifelong pension and an increase in the pension she was already receiving for serving as the city’s controller of $300 a month. She will appeal the ruling again. 7 days.

For the week of February 23 – March 1, gamblers wagered $46.9 million at Presque Isle Downs. They won $42.7 million. The difference is shared between the state and the casino.

Walnut Creek Middle School has been awarded a Highmark Healthy High 5 School Challenge grant totaling $10,000.00 to implement a “Live Well, Live Long” program aimed to promote health lifestyles choices. Studies illustrate that the health habits children develop at a young age will continue with them through adulthood and the grant will support Walnut Creek’s efforts in introducing programs that will ultimately create healthier, more successful students.

Even in a challenging economy and with unemployment rates steadily rising, nearly 100 percent of recent Gannon University graduates are moving on to rewarding careers. Gannon graduates, for example, are finding work with sought-after employers like Disney, Northrop Grumman, UPMC, and GE Transportation. In addition, they are pursuing advanced degrees at schools like Carnegie Mellon, Purdue University, and Case Western Reserve University.

Sports

The Erie Otters of the Ontario Hockey League announced today that they have agreed to tape delay their game Friday night in Sarnia against the Sting in order to allow live coverage of the Gannon Golden Knights PSAC Semifinal Basketball Game on FOX Sports Radio AM 1330 The FAN. The Otters game will be available live on-line by visiting www.ottershockey.com (presented by the James H. Cross Company) beginning with the pre-game show at 7:15 p.m. The game can also be heard tape delayed in its entirety immediately following the Golden Knights game on FOX Sports Radio AM 1330 The FAN.

The NBA Development League Erie BayHawks (20-16) hosted their first ever School Kid’s Jam yesterday and rolled to a 108 – 92 victory over the Tulsa 66ers (7-25) before a crowd of 3560. Erik Daniels capped a monster performance by notching a triple-double with a dominating 30 points, 23 rebounds and 10 assists on the day. Maureece Rice continued his steady play scoring 21, with Ivan Harris adding 17.

On Monday, March 9th at 5:30pm, the Erie RiverRats coaches and players will be making an appearance at CiCi’s Pizza for a “Meet and Eat” at the Eastway Plaza on Buffalo Road in Erie. Approximately 15 players and coaches from the 2009 football team will be present to take pictures with fans and sign autographs.

The Allegheny women’s track and field team is seeking its first North Coast Athletic Conference Indoor Track and Field title since 2006 as it competes this weekend at the 2009 edition at Denison.

The Gannon softball team posted two victories Thursday afternoon at the Rebel Games in Orlando, Florida, including a 5-3 victory over 20th-ranked Georgian Court. The Lady Knights opened the day with a 4-3 win over former Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) rival Northwood (Mich.).

Events

Paul Vojtek, the chief executive officer of Erie Water Works, will be the guest speaker at the Manufacturer & Business Association’s March Eggs ‘n’ Issues briefing starting at 8 a.m. Thursday, March 19 at the Association’s Conference Center, 2171 West 38th Street at Pittsburgh Avenue. Mr. Vojtek’s presentation will provide an overview of the ways Erie Water Works (EWW) is tapping in to new business with water. With an anticipated $65 million flowing into capital improvement projects over the next several years, EWW hopes to attract new businesses to the region while preparing for future economic development. To register for this briefing, contact Tracy Shepard at 814/833-3200 or 800/815-2660. Cost is $30 for members, $60 for nonmembers.