Frequent ErieBlogs commenter Jesse posted some great shots today of the latest rendition of “Smoke Gets in Your Eyes” over the lower east side of Erie yesterday morning. According to an ETN update, a power outage, followed by equipment failure, was the cause of the heavy flow of finely ground coke particles from the stacks at Erie Coke. EPA spokesperson Freda Tarbell could not or would not say if the particulate matter posed a health risk. Let’s get real, people. The chunks of powdered coal sure aren’t going to do anyone’s lungs a whole lot of good, now are they? The firm is still fighting a 6.1 million dollar fine levied by the EPA for major disrespect for environmental law. The owner of Erie Coke is also having problems with another plant near Buffalo. It’s not just the discharge that smells.
It seems to me that the rash of shootings, stabbings, rapes and armed robberies, lumped together into the ‘violent crime’ category, are growing more frequent in local crime reports. Chances are that the soon-to-come warmer temperatures will only lead to an even greater increase in these incidents. It is usually the police who get the bulk of the blame for not controlling the street crime, but given the perpetual lack of manpower in the EPD, they are doing as good a job as they can. Maybe more parental oversight would go a lot further toward curbing the problems.
GE is hiring 50 new temporary and permanent workers to fill some gaps in the workforce. Some time-sensitive orders and several vacancies which resulted from the massive layoff last year are being cited as the reason for new hiring, rather than any new orders.
Good news from Grove City. The historic Wendel August Forge, destroyed in a fire last week, will be rebuilt in the same location, according to the owner. Many locals are dedicated fans of the forge and the items that are created there.
The upswing in temperature and the sunny skies are contributing to a similar improvement in the moods of almost everyone we’ve met. How can we not be happy to see the huge snow piles disappear? I don’t think that even the rain that is forcast for the remainder of the week will dampen the good feelings.
Remember, you read it here first! Daylight Savings Time returns Sunday, March 14. The whole concept is rather outdated, and many people would rather the bi-annual shuffle would just go away.
Sports
If you really want to feel like Spring is in the air, Erie SeaWolves individual game tickets tickets will go on sale March 20th from 9am until noon at Jerry Uht Park.
Nice to see the Erie Storm indoor football team win big with a 41-28 victory over the Reading Express in their opener last Sunday.
The Erie BayHawks crushed Sioux Falls 116-93 on Tuesday. Sioux falls came into the game on a 9 game win streak.
Gannon officials have announced that tickets still remain available for this weekend’s NCAA Division II Women’s Basketball Atlantic Subregional at the Hammermill Center. Approximately 30 reserved seats still remain available to any season ticket holder who has not picked up a reserved seat. Season ticket holders who have not obtained a reserved seat have until the end of Thursday’s business day to pick up their all-subregional reserved seat at a cost of $16.
Gannon’s Cleve Wright has been named Russell Athletic/Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) NCAA Division II Atlantic Region Coach of the Year.
Mercyhurst officials have announced a ticket pre-sale for this weekend’s Atlantic Hockey Association men’s hockey quarterfinal series between Canisius and Mercyhurst at the Mercyhurst Ice Center. The teams will play Friday, March 12 and Saturday, March 13, with each game facing off at 7:05 p.m. If the teams split the first two games, they will meet Sunday, March 14 at 7:05 p.m.
Mercyhurst officials have also announced a ticket pre-sale for this Saturday’s NCAA women’s hockey quarterfinal contest between the top-ranked Lakers and Boston University. Tickets will go on sale Tuesday, March 9. Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for children/students
Events
The Erie County Historical Society and the Erie Zoo are partnering to present “Animals in the Night Sky” on Saturday, March 13, from 9:30 am until 2:30 pm, at the Curtze Mansion and Planetarium, 356 W. 6th Street. Activities include a star show highlighting animal constellations, a chance to meet some of the Erie Zoo’s favorite animals up close and personal, tours of the historic Curtze Mansion and the Planetarium, an opportunity to create a craft, and a snack. Tickets are $12 for children, $10 for Historical Society members, and $4 for adults.
Erie’s Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade takes place Saturday, March 13, stepping off at 2 pm. The parade will travel north on State Street from 11th to 3rd. If you watch closely, you might even spy the old leprechaun himself, Cap’t. Dan Geary, doin’ the jig down State Street.
“Pride and Prejudice” continues at the Erie Playhouse, Thursday through Sunday, at 7:30 pm (2:00 pm Sunday)
