ErieBlogs.com: Erie PA News and Events for Thursday February 23, 2006

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Erie PA News and Events for Thursday February 23, 2006

Posted by Dennis on February 23, 2006

Anthony Mills robbed the Erie Community Credit Union at 12th and State yesterday afternoon. Police had him in custody in less than 15 minutes. He was wearing a bright yellow jacket when he robbed the place and had the jacket on his arm when police picked him up 5 blocks away.

At its regularly scheduled meeting held on February 21, 2006, the Board of Directors of Erie Indemnity Company (NASDAQ: ERIE) approved reauthorization of a $250 million stock repurchase program. The reauthorized stock repurchase program becomes effective immediately after the available funds from the current repurchase program are expended. As of the date of this release, approximately $56 million of the original $250 million remains from the current repurchase program, which was scheduled to conclude December 31, 2006. Under the newly-approved program, the Company may repurchase up to $250 million of its outstanding Class A common stock through December 31, 2009.

Locomotive producer Railpower Technologies named a new chief financial officer on Wednesday as its management operations continue to move from Canada to Erie PA. Railpower Technologies Corp (TSX:P) announced that Lorraine Potvin, a former corporate financial executive of two leading Canadian manufacturing companies, has been appointed Chief Financial Officer, effective March 15, 2006. Railpower President and CEO, Jose Mathieu said, “Lorraine has a strong background in financial analysis, systems and controls and as Railpower moves into full-scale volume production, Lorraine’s extensive experience in the manufacturing industries will be invaluable. “Given the expansion of our business in the US, a number of positions have been relocated to our Erie, Pennsylvania office. Current CFO, Peter Ballachey, has chosen to remain in Vancouver. He will continue in his role until March 30, to supervise the year end accounting procedures and to ensure an orderly transition.”

Perry N Wood, former Executive Director of the Downtown Improvement District will become the new Chief Executive Officer of the Technology Council of Northwest PA. On Thursday, February 23 at Noon, Chairman of the Board and local entrepreneur Chuck Peters will make the announcement at the Intermodal Transportation Center in downtown Erie. “The potential to grow our technology base is very strong in Erie County and Northwest Pennsylvania,” said Peters, “I believe Perry Wood is the person to lead that effort.” Wood will outline a four-point approach to making Erie and Northwest Pennsylvania a leader in technology-based economic development. Joining Peters in the announcement is Dr Thomas Wortman, Senior Project Associate for Research at Penn State Behrend. Wortman led the team to recruit Wood. Wortman said, “The Technology Council has come of age with the appointment of a new CEO. His vision for partnering local universityresearch with the economic development community is the vision we want.” The Technology Council of Northwest PA is a regional resource designed to stimulate development and growth of technology based innovation. As CEO of the Technology Council, Wood is responsible for creating business advantages in the technology community of Northwest PA through public policy, workforce development assistance, entrepreneurial capital networks, and increased technology deployment. Since its inception, the Technology Council has been a key player in public policy advocacy of broadband deployment in Erie County, the creation and support of the Young Erie Professionals, the Crawford Areas Peer Professionals, and the coordinating agency for the Governor’s new Keystone Innovation Zone program in Erie.

The local supply of type O blood fell rapidly due to very heavy use of blood for several seriously ill patients. The blood supply had never fully recovered from January’s shortage. The type O supply was hit the hardest but all types are still needed. This unexpected shortage comes as the CBB was recovering from a blood shortage that started in the third week of January. The Community Blood Bank needs several hundred donors to bring the levels back up. The Blood Bank is open Monday through Fridays 9am to 6pm, Tuesdays until 7:30pm and Saturdays from 9am to 12:30pm. No appointment is needed to save a life. All donors are strongly encouraged to donate at the Community Blood Bank, 2646 Peach Street. Photo ID required.

Erie native Jaimie Caltabellata is a finalist in this year’s Pillsbury Bake-Off. Caltabellata married a New Jersey native so she relocated. Poor girl. Feel sorry for her that she forced to live in NJ and vote for her recipe. Rebecca Nurse of Waterford PA is also a finalist, here is her recipe.

Gannon University recently welcomed back to campus two alumni and prominent political office holders locally: Erie Mayor Joseph Sinnott and Erie County Executive Mark DiVecchio. Sinnott and DiVecchio were on hand to speak to the Gannon University Business Ambassadors Group at its regularly scheduled quarterly meeting. Sinnott is a 1988 graduate of Gannon; DiVecchio graduated from the university in 1981. Their presentation at Gannon, The Next Four Years, focused on a number of key issues for the local business community, including economic development initiatives, employer attraction and retention efforts, and an update on the regional economy. They also presented their respective business outlooks, implementation plans, and unified efforts going forward for the region.

Gary Robertson of Erie was a motorcross racer who was ready to retire when he made the switch to IFMA Freestyle Motocross. Freestyle Motocross is aerial stunts on with ramps and jumps are not made of dirt but metal and concrete.

The Highmark Quad Games Cross County Ski and Snowshoe Race scheduled for Sunday Feb 26 at Peek’n Peak has been cancelled due to lack of snow. The event was originally scheduled for Jan 8, then pushed back to Jan 15, then Jan 22, then Jan 29, and then Feb 5, etc.

The Erie Engineering Societies Council (EESC) will sponsor its 42st annual Engineering Exposition, Expo Erie 2006 today at the Erie Civic Center Tullio Arena on French Street between 8th and 9th Streets. The show hours are 11 am to 4 pm. Admission is free. You do not to need to register in advance to attend.

The Allegheny College Playshop Theatre will present “The Caucasian Chalk Circle” written by Bertolt Brecht and directed by David Jortner, visiting assistant professor of communication arts and theatre. The play will be performed on Feb 23, 24 and 25 at 8 pm and Feb 26 at 2:30 pm in Arter Hall on the Allegheny College campus.

Erie Youth Hockey Association Joe McCallion House Select Tourney will take place in Erie PA February 24- 26, 2006.

The theater group All An Act Productions is performing the comedy “The Middle Ages” by AR Gurney. The show will run Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 pm and Sundays at 3 pm through March 5th at East High School, located at 1001 Atkins Street, Erie, Pa 16503. General Admission is $5.

Jayson Nickson, a Junior at Erie Mercyhurst Prep, is being recruited as a defensive back and safety by the Division I big boys including Notre Dame, Penn State and Iowa.

Greenville Grrrowl announced that the Grrrowl have acquired the ECHL rights to Toledo Storm forward Brad Bonello. Bonello is under contract with the Grand Rapids Griffins of the American Hockey League, where he has played eight games this season. Bonello played for the Erie Otters from 2001-04.