The Presque Isle
The Edgar B. Speer
Jeff Thoreson, author of the Erie Shipping News blogpost, mentioned that the Presque Isle and the Edgar B. Speer are scheduled to leave Erie Harbor sometime Friday morning. The ships arrived in mid-January for their annual winter lay over and maintenance visit. Each of the ore carriers is one thousand feet long, longer that three football fields. It should be interesting to spend some time by the south pier watching them maneuver before exiting through the channel. And to think that some people have problems driving a 17 foot car.
The discussion over staffing issues of the Erie Fire Department is still in the news. In conversations with several firefighters I know (who by the way, are not from Erie, and some are actually volunteers) the general consensus is that in this case the union is correct in trying to maintain a safe staffing level for the city. Obviously the Arbiter and the Judge who ruled in this case feel the same way. The city can’t afford to hire more firefighters, according to Mayor Joe Sinnott. I’m sure Sinnott does not want to close down a company, either.
If you want to see a cross section of a day in the life of an Erie Police Officer, check out the ErieAlerts entries on Twitter. It doesn’t seem near as exciting as one would imagine.
It was mentioned on local TV this morning that the CEO of Presque Isle Downs and Casino has left his position. No other information was forthcoming. Can’t wait to hear the rest of the story!
We saw plenty of green yesterday as Erie turned out to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. From the pictures we’ve seen and stories we’ve heard, there will be a lot of headaches and tired revellers this morning, too. We hope everyone had a great time and managed to get home safely.
It’s been almost tempting during the very spring-like weather we’ve been having this week to forget that it is only March, and there is still plenty of time for more cold and wintery weather to return. Honestly? We hope we don’t see any more snow ’til NEXT winter.
Sports
The No. 1 Gannon women’s basketball team will get a championship send-off Friday afternoon at the Hammermill Center. Gannon has announced a Pep Rally for this Friday, March 19 at 3:15 p.m. The Pep Rally is open to the public. Everyone is encouraged to come out and give the Lady Knights a proper send-off to the NCAA Division II Elite Eight in St. Joseph, Missouri.
Best of luck to all the local high school basketball teams who are still in the races for the PIAA state championships.
It’s kinda hard for me to believe that the area college baseball teams are already playing. I just heard that Allegheny College was scheduled to play both Washington and Jefferson, and John Carroll on Saturday, but the games have been postponed due to inclement weather. Get real, people, it’s March.
Events
The weekend of March 20 & 21 is the Art & Wine Trail Show featuring 21 regional wineries in PA and NY here along the Lake Erie shore and each winery will be hosting area artists for the weekend. Click here for ticket information. This should be a wonderful weekend tasting our regions wine and viewing excellent art for sale.
