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Erie PA News and Events for Tuesday December 18, 2007

The Department of Environmental Protection has ordered First Alliance Church in Millcreek Township, Erie County, to plug a recently drilled gas well on its property that is believed to be the source of migrating gas that has kept five area families out of their homes since Nov 20. The natural gas levels in and around the homes on Head Drive have been found at explosive levels. Procedures that stopped the well from making gas have caused the levels to fall dramatically. “We have conducted numerous tests and taken daily samples,” said DEP Regional Director Kelly Burch. “Those efforts have confirmed our suspicions that this suspect well is the source. Meanwhile, the five families that were evacuated on Nov 20 have watched as the temperatures have dropped and worried about the security of their abandoned homes.” Burch added that further tests to save the well will not be considered, and that the well must be plugged by Dec 20. As a result of the evacuation four weeks ago, electrical power, gas and phone service was stopped. First Alliance has taken actions at the well, known as Well Number 4, to try and stop the flow of gas, without success. All of the displaced residents are living in Erie hotels with support from the Red Cross. The order was issued under the authority of Pennsylvania’s Oil and Gas Act. Plugging a well takes it out of service permanently by filling it with cement.

Erie Times-News reporter Sarah Weber had a nice article in Monday’s paper about the snow storm the area received. The story mentioned that some people were stuck at the Greyhound bus station for nearly 10 hours. Ms Weber didn’t give you the whole story. She and other reporters chipped in and bought pizza for the stranded passengers. Classy move. The Mother of a college student stuck at the bus station left a thank you comment.

The Municipality of Bayham, Ontario Council requested a feasibility and impact study be completed for the proposed cross Lake Erie ferry service between Port Burwell and Fairport Harbor, Ohio. The cost of such a study is estimated at (Canadian) $375,000. The Erie-Western Pennsylvania Port Authority has talked about fast ferry service between Erie and Port Dover, Ontario as well as cargo ferry service between Erie and Nanticoke, Ontario. Willard Marine was contracted to build a 65 foot boat able to carry 46 passengers at a cost of $700,000. No idea what ever happened to that grant money or the boat.

University of Iowa Football Coach Kirk Ferentz announced that freshman CB Abe Satterfield (Erie Cathedral Prep) has withdrawn from the school and decided to transfer. Satterfield was suspended from the Iowa football team after police began an investigation of an alleged sexual assault in October at a campus dorm.

The Gannon men’s basketball team (7-1) shook off a sluggish offensive performance after a nine day lay-off for final exams and secured a hard-fought 61-51 victory at Indiana (Pa) Monday evening. The match up was a preview of future conference foes as Gannon enters the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) in 2008-09. The Golden Knights return to action Saturday, December 22 against future GLIAC member Tiffin at the Hammermill Center. The non-conference contest is scheduled for 7:30 pm.

The Mercyhurst men’s basketball team had its best shooting night in three years, erupting for a season-high 92 points against Ohio Valley in the Mercyhurst Classic finale Monday afternoon with a 92-61 win, extending its winning streak to a season best three games and improving to 7-5 on the season.

Paris Pugliese scored five of her career high 21 points during a critical stretch late in the second half and the Mercyhurst women’s basketball team defeated West Virginia Wesleyan 76-72 Monday night.

Despite a split last weekend at No 8 Dartmouth, Mercyhurst moved from No 6 to No 5 in the latest USCHO.com Division I Women’s Poll released Monday.

James McNeil (Northwest PA Collegiate Academy) was named Men’s Athlete of the Week at Medaille College. McNeil had 27 points and 4 rebound in the Mavs only game of the week. He currently has 1,213 points and is only 67 away from owning the school’s all-time scoring mark.

Jordan Shields of Burrell has signed a letter of intent with Mercyhurst College. Lat year Shields won the PIAA Class AA wrestling championship at 130 pounds. His brother Josh is a 174 pound red shirt freshman at Mercyhurst.

Enjoy a meal and support the Erie United Methodist Alliance at the same time. Eat at Chick-Fil-A at the Summit Towne Centre on the following dates and 20 percent of the proceeds benefit EUMA (when coupons are presented): today, Dec 18 from 5-8 pm and Saturday, Dec 22 from 7-10 am. Download and print your coupons here.

Join your friends at the Watson-Curtze Mansion for the 28th annual Victorian Holidays program Whimsical Wonderland. Included in this exhibit are professionally decorated evergreens, fireplace mantles, doorways, windows and other displays that will be open to the community. Whimsical Wonderland features more than ten different themed rooms; including a Seussical room decorated in all things Dr Seuss, a wintertime teddy bear picnic, a Victorian garden and much more. Participating decorators includes Traditions, the Carrie T Watson Garden Club and Melody Potratz of Potratz Garden Shop. Try you luck with the annual Chinese auction and win gift certificates from local eateries and specialty shops, or a holiday wreath. Victorian Holidays will run until December 30. Wednesday - Saturday 11 am - 4 pm, Sunday 1 pm - 4 pm. Museum Admission: $4 Adults, $3 Seniors, $2 Children.

Designed especially for 3-5 year olds and an accompanying adult, Outside the Window: Nature for you and your little one will be held Friday, December 21 and each Friday at 10 am. These interactive programs get kids in touch with all of the nature of Presque Isle State Park. Meet at the Stull Interpretive Center. $2 donation, registration required beginning Monday prior to program. Call (814) 835-4550.

While you are finishing your last minute shopping at the Millcreek Mall on Saturday, December 22, stop by the Center Stage located by Burlington Coat Factory between noon and 1:30 pm. The 20-member Gem City Jazz Ensemble will be filling the halls with Christmas carols and other jazz selections. Join the band for the entire show or just a couple songs to keep you in the holiday spirit!

After a two-year hiatus, Vienna in Erie returns to the Mary D’Angelo Performing Arts Center on Tuesday, January 1 at 3 pm. Once again, Maestro Frank Collura will conduct a 65 member Pennsylvania Chamber Symphony in an elegant program of Viennese waltzes, gallops and polkas that have delighted audiences for years. Make this grand and lively concert part of your family tradition. And, of course, enjoy a complimentary glass of champagne at intermission. To order tickets, call the box office at (814) 824-3000.

Cross-Country Skiing 101 will be held Saturday, January 5 at 10 am at Presque Isle State Park. Weather permitting, meet at the cross-country ski concession to check out cross-country skiing. Get basic technique and skills for this exhilarating sport. Bring your own skis or rent. FREE. Rental fee only. Registration appreciated, (814) 833-7424.

For beginners and more experienced skiers wanting to know more about the winter world around them, enjoy Guided Cross-Country Skiing on Saturday, January 5 at 1 pm at Presque Isle State Park. If there is no sufficient snow, a hike will take place instead. Bring your own skis or rent. FREE, rental fee only. Meet at the cross-country ski concession.

There will be a Snowshoe Building Workshop on Saturday, January 5 at 9 am to 3 pm at the Tom Ridge Environmental Center at Presque Isle. Build your own snowshoes - great to use, hang on the wall, or pass along for generations. $155 fee, registration required, call (814) 833-7424.

The 25th annual McDonald’s High School Basketball Classic will be held in Erie PA on Friday, January 18 and Saturday January 18, 2008 at the Gannon University Hammermill Center. St Edward of Lakewood Ohio, Rice High School of NYC, Saint Patrick of Elizabeth NJ and Erie Cathedral Prep are in the powerful field. Adult General Admission tickets are $7 and Student General Admission are tickets are $5. Reserved tickets are $12.50.

The Association of Program Members (APM) of General Electric Transportation in Erie PA announced that it will be sponsoring the 13th Annual Winter Wishes Benefit Gala for the Foundation of Western Pennsylvania on February 16, 2008. Each year, the members of APM reach out to the community to collect donations for the silent auctions, live auctions and raffles that are held at the event. They also solicit “table sponsors” from local businesses. As a table sponsor, the business’ name appears on the centerpiece showing their support for this wonderful event as well as in any promotional materials that they put together for the function. The money raised with the auctioned items donated by local businesses will help provide funding for Make-A-Wish Foundation, which grants wishes for children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength, and joy. Community support of this event is recognition of the importance of this cause are greatly appreciated. Along with your assistance, GE will be able to make an impact on the day-to-day life of children whose lives are threatened.

Dennis Weed

Posted by Dennis at December 18, 2007 7:09 AM

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