Former state Superior Court Judge Michael T. Joyce has requested that he remain free on bond while working on an appeal of his 46-month sentence for insurance fraud. He is currently waiting for assignment to a federal prison, but in a motion filed yesterday he asked for more time to continue working toward an appeal or possibly a new trial.

Erie County is set to receive $22 million for road and construction projects thanks to federal stimulus funds. The bulk of the funds will go to repaving I-79 in Franklin, Summit and McKean townships. 2 bridges, one in Harborcreek and one in Fairview will be replaced.

Yesterday we posted a video of the Jacobs family interview on the CBS Early Show.  Today we’re posting the complaint filed with the U.S. District Court located in Pittsburgh, Pa.  The Jacobs family are from Bellevue, Ohio, and are suing Hamot Hospital, doctors, Emergycare and the organ harvesting organization for the death of their son who was severely injured in a skiing accident at Peek N’ Peak in March of 2007 (original article from the Sandusky Register).  The very first paragraph of the complaint sets the tone: “This case involves 18 year old Gregory Jacobs who was intentionally killed at Hamot Hospital so that his organs could be harvested.”  We didn’t know until we read it that Emergycare was included in the suit. Hamot has a bit of a P.R. nightmare with this case and it will be interesting to see how the hospital responds (other than blanket denials).  The Jacobs family also sued the Monroeville school district in March of 2008 for the wrongful death of their son.  A jury trial in that matter is set for October of this year.

PA Attorney General Tom Corbett has launched his gubernatorial campaign website. The only content on the page says “Tom Corbett files paperwork to explore a campaign for governor.” The governor’s position will be open in 2010.

An ErieBlogs reader wrote in this morning telling us he’s seeing faster broadband connection on his Verizon cell phone, claiming he’s getting EVDO service. Is anyone else seeing this today, especially you Blackberry users?

You will remember that last summer Erie Coke was fined millions of dollars for polluting.  Now the company must install pollution monitors in its smoke stacks which will report pollution levels back to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Resources.  Erie Coke has six months to complete the installation.

GE Transportation announced that they signed a contract worth $60 million with Trenitalia, the company which operates the Italian State Railways. The contract is for the design and installation of 400 on board Sistema di Supporto alla Condotta (SSC) train protection systems for diesel locomotives in Trenitalia’s passenger and cargo fleet. The SSC system monitors a train’s speed and can enforce braking systems if needed so that a maximum speed is not exceeded. This should allow the trains maintain higher speeds without compromising safety.

Johnny Ray Roberts, also known as Tennessee Tuxedo, was sentenced yesterday to 28 1/2 to 57 years in prison for attempted homicide and eluding police. Roberts was convicted of shooting a woman last summer outside the Steppin’ Out Lounge on Buffalo Road. He was captured after he ran away from police following a traffic stop a week after the shooting. Roberts is also awaiting trial on a separate federal gun charge. Chumley was unavailable for comment.

Sports

The Gannon men’s basketball team won the NCAA Division II Atlantic Regional Championship last night with an 84-73 victory over Kutztown University of Pennsylvania. This is Gannon’s first championship win since 1990–congratulations to the Golden Knights!

The Erie Seawolves are holding tryouts this Saturday, March 21st, for anyone interested in singing the national anthem at this season’s home games. Tryouts will be held at the Erie Playhouse with registration beginning at 11:30 am and tryouts beginning at noon. For more information, contact Carol Trumbo at (814) 456-1300 or ctrumbo@seawolves.com.

The Seawolves also will be holding their opening day of ticket sales this Saturday at the Uht from 12 to 4 pm. This will be the first chance that fans will get to purchase individual game tickets for the 2009 season, and fans can enjoy free Smith’s hot dogs, Pepsi, hot chocolate and coffee while meeting team mascot C. Wolf. In addition, fans who donate two unopened boxes of cereal to the Erie City Mission will receive a free ticket to opening day, April 8th against Altoona.

Here is the Erie Otters schedule for the rest of March:

3/20 @ London Knights
3/21 @ London Knights
3/25 vs London Knights; Get tickets
3/26 vs London Knights; Get tickets
3/28 @ London Knights

Here is the Erie BayHawks schedule for the rest of March:

3/18 vs Austin; Get tickets
3/20 @ Utah
3/21 @ Albuquerque
3/27 vs Colorado; Get tickets
3/29 vs Los Angeles; Get tickets

Events

Learn how to create Old World Easter eggs at “Easter Eggstravaganza!” a hands-on workshop hosted by Larry Kozlowski, director of student life at Mercyhurst North East, on Thursday, April 2, at 7:30 p.m. in Miller Hall at Mercyhurst North East, 16 West Division Street, North East. Free and open to the public. Call (814) 725-6277.

Prospective students can meet with faculty and administrators, tour the campus, and even qualify for scholarship money when Gannon University on Sunday, April 5 hosts its annual Spring Open House. For more information on any aspect of Gannon University’s Spring Open House, contact the Office of Admissions at 1-800-GANNON-U or 814-871-7240 or send e-mail to admissions@gannon.edu.

Local landscape artist Brett Maloney will use his more than 35 years of professional experience to explore color theory, plant combinations and how to use seasonal color in spring gardens at a workshop on Monday, April 20, at 7:30 p.m., in Alex Theater at Mercyhurst North East, 16 West Division Street, North East. Free and open to the public. Call (814) 725-6277.

Join us to see Avery’s new line of EcoFriendly office products-products that work for you and the environment. Also learn about tools to better organize your work environment, discover tips that save time and money, and see business solutions and materials that leave a powerful, lasting impression. Tuesday, April 21, 2009 at 9:00am. At WQLN Public Media 8425 Peach Street, Erie Its $15 per person. RSVP TO: Karen Jenruczak CPS/CAP-814-347-1102 kljendruczak@ridgurak.com

Students from the Mercyhurst North East Dance Institute, along with Mercyhurst musicians, will combine their talents for an afternoon of entertainment on Sunday, April 26, at 2 p.m., in St. Mary’s Chapel at Mercyhurst North East, 16 West Division Street, North East. Free and open to the public. Call (814) 725-6277.

Upcoming Erie Concerts and Shows:

March 22: New Kids on the Block, Tullio Arena (tickets on sale 1/24)
March 29: Comedian Lewis Black, Warner Theatre (tickets)
April 3-5: Sesame Stree Live: Elmo Makes Musice, Warner Theater (tickets)
April 24 & 25: Monster Truck Nationals, Tullio Arena (tickets)
May 4: Spelling Bee, Warner Theatre (tickets)

If you would like your event posted here, please contact us via our online form.