Donna Reese, local business woman and entrepreneur, has announced her intent to enter the primary campaign for the Congressional Seat now held by first term Congresswoman, Kathleen Dahlkemper.  Ms. Reese is a co-partner in General Exterminating, and has just purchased a small-business consulting  firm.

Entering the political arena in quest of the Lieutenant Governorship is Jean Craige Pepper.  You may recall Ms. Pepper from her campaign against Bob Casey Jr. for State Treasurer in 2004.

Former Erie County Executive Rick Schenker has withdrawn from the Lieutenant Governor race due to a career change.

There may be some more bad news in the job market in Erie.  The owner of Plastek Industries revealed that the company is looking into moving 20% of their jobs to North Carolina.  Moving the 200 jobs would help to improve service to their customers in that area.  A final decision has not yet been announced.

Firefighters in Erie are taking the City to court over what they say is non-compliance with an arbitrator’s ruling that required the city to hire several additional firefighters.  The union is asking the court to order the city to comply with the ruling.

Several former Chrysler dealers have filed for arbitration to appeal the forced closure of their dealerships by Chrysler Corporation last May.  Owners of Cunningham Chrysler, Fairview Chrysler-Plymouth, and Gary Miller Dodge were among nearly 2000 dealers entering into the appeal.

Hamot Medical Center has again been recognized for its low complications and death rates, one of 269 facilities nationwide to earn the designation as a Distinguished Hospital for Clinical Excellence.  This year’s honor is the seventh time in eight years that Hamot has won the honor.

If you usually take East 12th Street to work, you might want to leave a little early this morning in case the water main break at 12th and Downing has not been repaired.  The intersection was closed all day yesterday.  Thanks to those who work in the freezing water to maintain and repair the lines.

We’re both happy and a little sad to see Erie Blogs owner Mike Richwalsky as he begins a new chapter in his career.  Mike is leaving his position at Allegheny College to become Director of Marketing at John Carroll University.  His new job begins on Monday.  We wish Mike great success in his new position.  Erie Blogs will continue to be a major player in the Erie on-line community under Mike’s dedicated leadership.

Sports

Gannon Women over Edinboro 79-67, maintaining their unbeaten streak of 21 games overall.

Gannon Men also picked up a close victory over the Scots by a score of 61-60.

The Mercyhurst Lady Lakers earned a hard-fought 61-58 win over Clarion

Mercyhurst men lost an equally close game to Clarion by a score of 77-75.

Allegheny teams swept Oberlin, Gator Men 85-66, and the Lady Gators 70-49

The Erie Bayhawks ended their losing streak with a 95-94 victory over the Springfield Armor.