It’s really spring now, folks. Sara’s is open at Presque Isle, and Hank’s is up and running again in Conneaut Lake. Make time this weekend to stop for some ice cream or custard, even if the weather isn’t as great as it was yesterday.

Yesterday was perfect for a walk at the beach though, and that’s just what Presque Isle officials were doing. They spent the day trying to determine which areas were hardest hit with erosion over the winter months, and where sand replenishment needs to occur. Though it was a rough year for the beaches, they should be back in good shape by the summer months. The state and federal governments plan to spend nearly $1.9 million on the replenishment effort this summer. Work should begin in May and will continue through the beginning of the summer.

After a few months of declining figures, February hotel tax revenues came in higher than anticipated at $35,181–$3,747 higher than February 2008 figures. VisitErie speculates that the increase is due to a combination of several factors including:

– People are opting to take shorter, more economical trips closer to home rather than flying to Florida, North Carolina, Jersey Shore, etc.
– New York schools were off for a week in February for break
– VisitErie and other local tourism businesses continue to advertise in key markets, promoting Erie during the shoulder season months and encouraging overnight stays. Key markets include Buffalo, Cleveland, Pittsburgh and Southern Ontario.

Damere Talmadge has been convicted of third-degree murder in the death of 3-month-old Tah-Meere Talmadge. Erie County prosecutors originally sought a first-degree murder conviction with a mandatory sentence of life in prison, but instead Talmadge faces a sentence of 20 to 40 years behind bars. Damere Talmadge was not the baby’s biological father, testimony stated that he considered the boy as his son. Talmadge’s sentencing is scheduled for June 1.

The Dan Brabender campaign will officially open its campaign office this Saturday at 9 a.m. The office is located at 929 State Street.

Distributed Network Software, LLC has announced that it has attained Microsoft Gold Certified Partner status, the highest level of certification available from Microsoft Corporation. Gold Certified Partners have passed Microsoft‟s stringent requirements and have demonstrated the highest levels of knowledge, skill and technical ability, as well as the commitment to implement of Microsoft technologies.

Sports

Erie City Council honored the Mercyhurst College men’s and women’s hockey programs for their excellent seasons on Wednesday morning at the Municipal Building. The women’s team finished the season with a record of 31-6-0. They reached the NCAA Division I Women’s Frozen Four for the first time in program history. The men’s team finished the year with a record of 22-15-3 and made it all the way to the Atlantic Hockey Championship game.

The Allegheny baseball team split a double-header with LaRoche yesterday, with the Gators winning game one, 15-12. But the big news of the game wasn’t the score–Allegheny had 11 beaned batters in the opener, and this may have set a new NCAA Division III record. The previous record of 10 beaned batters was set by Neumann in 1998, and confirmation of the potential new record is pending until word is received from the NCAA.

Events