News
Mercyhurst College has received a $20,000 grant from the Pennsylvania Coastal Zone Management Program to further research of contaminants in the waters at Presque Isle State Park. Dr. Steven Mauro, assistant professor of biology at Mercyhurst, has led this research effort for the past 3 years. Last summer, Mauro’s team identified a number of chemicals in the water, from antibacterial agents to herbicides to synthetic hormones, but were unable to ascertain whether they posed a human health hazard. The new funding will allow the research team, in collaboration with the Regional Science Consortium, to identify chemicals and their prevalence in the beach waters. The goal is to be proactive in analyzing beach waters and working with local officials to inform the community and provide the highest level of beach safety.
A locally headquartered concept will be featured in the IBM/Cisco Systems Innovation Station at the National Retail Federation Show in NYC this week. The Innovation Station features hand-picked leading edge solutions to current retail challenges. “M-Dot Network” enables retailers to redeem coupons from multiple coupon issuers in real-time. Shoppers receive digital coupons based on their preferences from the retailer or third party issuers via the retailer’s website or a mobile phone. Coupons are then redeemed by swiping a shopper’s card or providing a phone number. Coupons are cleared and reimbursed in real time, lessening the burden of coupon validation at check-out, speeding up check-out and improving mis-redemption rates. The company is headquartered here in Erie with engineering operations in Tampa, FL. For more information, visit www.mdotnetwork.com.
Tops Friendly Markets announced that they have acquired Quality Markets after Quality’s parent company filed for chapter eleven bankruptcy. According to Tops representatives, most stores will remain open, excepting those which are not “financially prudent.”
A worker trapped under heavy machinery lost his life yesterday afternoon at Erie General Electric. It has been deemed an accident, but GE and several outside agencies are continuing to investigate. Our condolences are with his family.
Seven officers joined the Erie Police Department yesterday. The additional manpower was possible thanks to a $1.5 million federal stimulus grant. The force is especially excited to increase its diversity with the addition of a Hispanic officer. The officers will begin training this month and hit the streets by late April or early May.
Two incoming freighters will be breaking up the ice on the bay beginning today, so ice fishermen are out of luck for a while.
Sports
The Mercyhurst College women’s hockey team holds the No. 1 ranking in the country for the 13th-straight week, according to the Women’s Division I Poll released Monday by USCHO.com officials. The Lakers return to action this weekend with a two-game series against No. 4 Clarkson on Friday, Jan. 15 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, Jan. 16 at 2 p.m. at the Mercyhurst Ice Center.
Events
The state-wide tour of “Making It Better: Folk Arts in Pennsylvania Today” will make its first stop at the Erie Art Museum. The exhibition will run from January 15th to April 11th. Works from over 30 Pennsylvanian artists will be featured, including a handful of local Erie artists. A variety of traditions, including African dance, clay instruments, photography, and contemporary blacksmith work will be featured. Interactive stations will allow visitors to truly experience the artwork. More information can be found at www.erieartmuseum.org or www.folkartpa.org.
Erie’s new professional football team is looking for your vote to choose their team name. The four nominated names are: Erie Storm, Erie Blizzard, the Pulse of Erie, and the Erie Punishers. Check out erieprofessionalfootball.com to cast your vote by January 13!
