If you’ll allow me, I’m going to start this post by saying I’m a little bummed. We’re selling our house today in Meadville. It’s the end of a fun, exciting journey but at the same time it’s the start of our journey out of the Erie area. It’s weird – this beginning of the end. I’ll always represent the 814 wherever I go, don’t you worry. Besides, this blog keeps me connected and in touch with what’s going on. I now can better appreciate what people meant when they’d email me to tell me they enjoy reading it.

Today is the last day of operations for Pio’s Restaurant on East Ave. If you want one last nom, I suggest you head over there today. Kudos to the staff there for providing Thanksgiving dinners to people in the area that needed a meal.

It seems like just yesterday that Kathy Dahlkemper won her congressional seat, but challengers are lining up on both the Democratic and Republican side. The latest is Democrat Mel Marin. He’s challenging that signatures on Dahlkemper’s nomination petitions are not valid. There’s a hearing on them next week. We’ll keep you posted.

Erie County Councilman Ebert Beeman was convicted for the fifth time for driving without a license. Dude, seriously?

Bret Michaels, he of VH1 and Poison fame, is your concert headliner for the 2010 edition of Roar on the Shore. Molly Hatchet will also play one of the nights. Quick, name a Molly Hatchet song.

Sad story from Meadville. We blogged last year about disappearance in December of Brian Shok. He left his father’s home in Conneaut Lake on December 12, 2009. His body was found in the lake yesterday. Our thoughts go out to his family.

Timothy A. Huber has been named Executive Vice President of Northwest Savings Bank in his position of Chief Lending Officer.

MTR Gaming Group, Inc. announced yesterday that it has entered into a new credit agreement with Aladdin Credit Advisors, L.P., as administrative agent. The new credit agreement provides for a $20 million senior secured delayed-draw term loan credit facility, $10 million of which the Company has drawn on. MTR owns and operates Presque Isle Downs. Part of the funds will aid in the development of Presque Isle Downs for table gaming operations in Erie.

Sports

The top-ranked Mercyhurst College women’s hockey team faces ECAC Hockey opponent Cornell in the semifinal round of the 2010 NCAA Women’s Frozen Four on Friday, March 19 at Ridder Arena.

Baseball season is right around the corner and THIS Saturday (March 20) individual game tickets will go on sale at Jerry Uht Park from 12 p.m. until 4 p.m. Fans will also be able to purchase tickets online at SeaWolves.com beginning Saturday at noon.

The Erie Otters had their hands full with the Windsor Spitfires Thursday night, as the Spitfires picked up a 6-2 victory in Game 1 of the Western Conference Quarterfinals and a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven series. We’d cover their news more but they don’t send us updates and their website stinks. #justsayin.

Edinboro advanced two wrestlers to Friday’s quarterfinals following the first day of competition at the NCAA Division I Wrestling National Championships at the Qwest Center. Five of Edinboro’s six qualifiers moved onto to Friday’s competition.

Fresh of its first-ever NCAA Division II Atlantic Regional championship, the Gannon women’s basketball team kicks off its first-ever NCAA Division II Elite Eight appearance Tuesday, March 23 against Southeast Regional champion Tusculum. Game time is scheduled for 7 p.m. eastern time (6 p.m. Central time). The Lady Knights have been ranked No. 1 in three consecutive USA Today ESPN Top 25 polls. The winner advances to the NCAA Division II Final Four and will play the Michigan Tech-Emporia State winner Wednesday, March 24 in the national semifinals on ESPNU. The NCAA Division II Elite Eight is being played at the St. Joseph Civic Arena in St. Joseph, Missouri.

Head Men’s Basketball Coach Rob Clune will be leaving Allegheny after this season. A national search is currently under way for his replacement, with strong applications already coming in from across the country.

Events

John Oliver, president and CEO of VisitErie, will be the guest speaker at the Manufacturer & Business Association’s March Eggs ’n’ Issues briefing starting at 8 a.m. Thursday, March 25 at the Association’s Conference Center, 2171 West 38th Street at Pittsburgh Avenue.