Erie School District Superintendent Jim Barker announced yesterday that Newsweek magazine has named Collegiate Academy as the number one public high school in the state of Pennsylvania. This is the first time a school north of Philadelphia has ever been chosen as best in the state. The magazine ranks schools based on how challenging they are for students, and for the college-level courses the schools offer.

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Events

Summer’s here! And for Erie, that goes hand in hand with music events…

The Sounds of Summer music series at the Mercy Terrace Apartments on East Grandview Boulevard began last night. The concerts are sponsored by the entire Erie banking community, including Citizens Bank, Erie Bank, First National Bank, First Niagara Bank, Huntington Bank, Marquette Savings Bank, National City Bank, Northwest Savings Bank and PNC Bank. Concert locations will rotate throughout the summer. The schedule can be found here.

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The Mid-Day Art Break Wednesdays at the Erie Art Museum will continue this Wednesday. Museum staff will lead free gallery tours at 12 p.m. and 12:30 p.m., or explore the exhibitions on your own. Local musicians will be performing right on the steps of the Museum starting at noon, so grab your lunch and head downtown!

Or check out the group Tri This and musician Nick Marzock at the Sprint Sunset Music Series on Beach 1 at 6:00 pm on Wednesday night.

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This Thursday, the weekly Summer Block Party in downtown Erie will be held at 10th and French streets near Sluggers Sports Bar. The featured band is 60 Inch Slick and Hammered, and the fun begins at 6 pm.

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Like chocolate with your music? The Romolo Chocolates’  Music Series continues this Friday at the Cocoa Cafe at 1525 West 8th Street. The cafe will stay open until 10 pm for the “family friendly” music event.

Annissa Schoolfield, a Pennsylvania prison guard from Millcreek Township, will stand trial on charges that she repeatedly abused her four adopted children by slapping them with belts and, in one case, placing a bag over the oldest daughter’s head until she almost passed out. The children were ages 7 to 12. Schoolfield is being held for trial on Thursday after a preliminary hearing. She has been suspended from her job as a prison guard.

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The Erie County District Attorney’s office is now investigating whether or not faulty work by a forensic nurse, Rhonda Henderson of Saint Vincent Health Center, affected the outcome of sexual assault cases. Eleven local sexual assault cases were reviewed by other experts, who determined Henderson’s findings were erroneous or “overcalled,” which means that the actual injuries sustained were less substantial or non-existent. The biggest legal issue is whether people are wrongfully behind bars because of Henderson’s reports. (Henderson is no longer employed by Saint Vincent.)

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The house that hope built is the latest initiative for Habitat for Humanity. Dozens of volunteers from many local churches started work on a new Habitat for Humanity home at 1270 E 23rd St in Erie. The 4 bedroom home will take just 21 days to complete. The home will house a Sudanese refugee family that settled in Erie in 2000. Asha Herba, husband Ali Mahmud, and their five children will move into their new residence after a dedication ceremony on Sunday June 27.

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The Erie Community Foundation is making a $1 million financial commitment to a fund for a proposed community college in Erie County. The application process for a community college is already underway, and the Erie Community Foundation’s pledge will help take the process to the next step. Scott Enterprises, Custom Engineering and PHB-Reddog Industries will contribute an additional $10,000 each to the fund.

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Between 10,000 and 15,000 fish have been found dead in the water and along the shoreline at Pymatuning Reservoir in the last few weeks. Testing shows that a naturally occurring bacteria, probably triggered by drastic temperatures changes, caused the fish to die. The “Do Not Eat” consumption advisory remains in effect for fish caught in Pymatuning. It may be lifted later this week depending on final lab results.

Events

The new Dinosaurs Alive! film opens on the Big Green Screen at the Tom Ridge Environmental Center this Saturday, June 12. Showtimes are noon, 2 pm, and 4 pm. Check out the trailer here. While you’re there, check out the free dinosaur fossil exhibit on the 2nd floor sponsored by Mercyhurst College! TREC is open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

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Tonight is dollar night at the Erie Seawolves game at Jerry Uht park. $1 hot dogs, drinks, popcorn, and cotton candy. Game starts at 7 pm.

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Villa Maria Elementary School is hosting the Great American Book Sale this week. No admission, cheap books! Call 814-451-6900 for more information.

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The Sprint Sunset Music Series will kick off this Wednesday night on Presque Isle. This free event features local bands every Wednesday night on Beach 1 at 6pm. Hot dogs, drinks, and snack will be available for purchase. You can see a list of upcoming performers here.

Erie Coke has appealed yesterday’s mandate from the DEP that the plant be closed down within 72 hours due to chronic emissions problems. The appeal will buy Erie Coke at least another week while the hearing to determine the validity of DEP’s orders takes place in Pittsburgh. An article in the USA Today cites some interesting information about Erie Coke air quality violations from both the DEP and its own investigations.

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An unidentified 21-year-old man drowned last night at Whitford Park in Harborcreek near the Six Mile Creek. Witness say he was playing basketball only a few minutes before going for a swim in the creek. He suddenly started thrashing his arms. A group of teenagers called 911 for help, but the man did not survive. An autopsy is scheduled to determine the exact cause of death.

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The annual “Click It or Ticket” seatbelt enforcement program is now underway and will continue until June 13. The Pennsylvania State Police and the Department of Transportation will crack down on drivers who do not wear their seatbelts, and will also utilize aircraft to assist in clocking and ticketing speeders.

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Events

This Wednesday, the Mary D’Angelo Performing Arts Center will host its monthly “Brew & View.” Brew & Views start at 6:30 p.m. in the Cummings Art Gallery and take place the last Wednesday of every month. Each Brew & View features a different micro brew sampling along with a food tasting. Space is limited, so be sure to get there early. Event is free and open to the public. Must be 21+ to enter reception. The film will be begin at 7:15 p.m.

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Edinboro University will host two Outdoor Movie nights this week. On Thursday, they will show the animated family film “Planet 51.” On Friday, they will show “Did You Hear About the Morgans?” Both films will begin at 8:30 pm, and are free and open to the public.

It’s Election Day! The primary elections for the senator and representative candidates should be especially interesting to watch, considering the recent controversies over Specter’s party switch and Dahlkemper’s petition signatures.

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Marjorie Diehl-Armstrong, the woman accused of masterminding the pizza delivery collar bomb robbery, wants her father declared incapacitated and an independent guardian appointed to oversee his finances. Ironically, she supposedly planned the collar bomb scheme so she could hire a hit man to kill her father as part of a dispute over her inheritance.

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Eighty-five-year-old Paul Brugger, a retired Erie funeral director, will serve probation for one year in a first-time offenders program for allegedly slicing into two large maple trees that block the view of Presque Isle Bay from a rental property he owns. Brugger was initially scheduled for trial on felony charges because police claimed the trees were valued at $15,000, but Brugger’s attorney claimed that the value of the trees fell under the $5,000 felony threshold. Erie County District Attorney Jack Daneri says he agreed to the deal partly because the trees will apparently survive the cuts.

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Fire crews are trying to determine if lightning sparked a fire that badly damaged the Contemporary Motorcar Mazda of Erie dealership around 9:30 pm last Thursday. Deputy fire chief Mike Fahey says the showroom’s trusses were badly charred in the fire at, making the roof unsafe. George Lyons, who bought the dealership just last month, says that at least four cars were badly damaged.

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The Erie Convention Center Group has plans to buy the former GAF property on Erie’s bayfront, contingent on a $3 million state grant arranged by Senator Jane Earll. The Convention Center Group will work with private developer Renova Partners, a company that’s known nationally for redeveloping environmentally distressed properties.

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Hamot Medical Center President and CEO John Malone says that the hospital is considering a partnership with UPMC Hospital in Pittsburgh or the Cleveland Clinic. There have been no formal talks among the facilities yet, but Hamot officials say an affiliation with either hospital would make it easier for Hamot to attract doctors and maintain the most up-to-date technology.

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Allegheny College recently signed a three year agreement to buy all of it’s electrical power from renewable wind resources. This will reduce the colleges carbon footprint by 50 percent. Starting February of next year, all of the school’s power will come from wind turbines located throughout the United States. According to Allegheny College Vice President of Finance and Planning David McInally, the college expects the transition to cost an additional 25-thousand dollars a year. The school’s overall goal is to be carbon neutral by 2020.

Events

The annual motorcycle cruise-in in Downtown Erie will occur this Thursday on State Street from 12th Street to 4th Street.  Live entertainment and specials throughout local taverns and restaurants up and down State Street from 5 pm-9pm.

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The Erie Seawolves play Friday against the Altoona Curve. It’s Paint the Park Pink weekend—Seawolves players will be wearing pink uniforms to promote Breast Cancer awareness. Also, the first 1000 fans will receive a pink cap!

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Presque Isle will host its second annual Park Information Meeting this Thursday at 1 pm at the Tom Ridge Environmental Center in room 112. If you have some input on what you like or dislike about the services, programs and facilities at Presque Isle Park, the Tom Ridge Environmental Center, and Erie Bluffs State Park in Girard and Springfield townships, this is the time to voice those opinions or suggestions. The meeting will be held in conjunction with the 1 p.m. Presque Isle Advisory Committee Meeting at the Ridge Center, 301 Peninsula Drive.

An attempted robbery at the General Electric Credit Union yesterday ended with the suspect being tasered by the Erie Police. The suspect fled the scene in a red Ford Taurus, but was chased and apprehended. No employees or bystanders were hurt during the incident.

Erie area grape crops aren’t faring so well in this cool weather. Some local farmers estimate 20% of their crop is ruined until next year.

Erie police are searching for suspects after multiple shots rang out in an east side neighborhood near the five hundred block of East 6th Street. A neighbor reported seeing people in a red truck firing at the occupants of a white car.

Events:

The lineup for 8 Great Tuesdays has been released:

July 6: Rusted Root

July 13: Key West Express

July 20: Jake’s Blues

July 27: Abbey Road (Beatles Tribute Band)

August 3: Katie Armiger (Country singer)

August 10: The Red Elvises (Russian-American surf rockabillies)

August 17: Polka band & Scottish combo

August 24: Chubby Carrier & the Bayou Swamp Band

Also, the Pepsi Amphitheater is looking for a new name. Submit your idea to the ballot boxes in Erie & Crawford county Burger Kings between May 12-20.

The 87^th Annual Spring Show continues at the Erie Art Museum this week, featuring the most current and finest artwork of artisans within a 250 mile radius of Erie.

Eric Borenstein, the executive director of the Erie Philharmonic, will conduct the orchestra one last time before taking a similar position with the Virginia Symphony Orchestra. He has been the Erie orchestra’s director for eight years. On Saturday he’ll conduct one piece, “Les Toreadors,” from Bizet’s “Carmen” at the orchestra’s season closing concert. The search for his replacement has already begun. The orchestra hopes to name a new leader before the 2010-11 season.

A 3-year-old Erie boy is dead after apparently wandering away from his home near the intersection of Haskell Road and Route 20 in North East Township and drowning in a pond in a neigboring tract of land. More information should be released today.

Three Penn State Behrend students, Christopher J. Graves (20), Alexander N. Chadwick (19), and Kevin M. Wolak (21), are accused of damaging property at the Gospel Hill Golf Course and a nearby home over the weekend. They removed several tee markers and a bench at the course, then smashed the windows of a nearby residence. Graves and Chadwick were charged with recklessly endangering another person, criminal mischief, loitering and prowling at nighttime, theft by unlawful taking or disposition and other offenses. Wolak has not been charged.

Yesterday, an arrest was made in the attempted bombing in Times Square case from Saturday evening. You can read the official statement from the Attorney General here.

Another shooting early this morning. Just before 3 a.m. at east 5th and Wallace streets, a man was shot in the knee during an apparent robbery. The robbery/shooting suspect fled the scene.

Sports

Erie Seawolves’s Max St. Pierre hit a walk-off, two-run home run in the bottom of the ninth inning off Duff to give the SeaWolves a 4-3 victory over the Trenton Thunder in front of 1,321 at Jerry Uht Park on Sunday, but lost 5-7 to the Binghamton Mets yesterday.

Events

If you’re ready to ‘go native’ in your garden this year, check out the second annual Native Plant Sale on Saturday, May 8 from 8:00 am to 1:00pm at the Tom Ridge Environmental Center. A variety of native grasses, wildflower seedlings, plant cuttings, and seeds will be available – all culled from the native plant gardens at TREC. For more information about this, or other programs, please call the Tom Ridge Environmental Center (TREC) at (814) 833-7424.

Erie Philharmonic presents ‘Ole! An Ocho de Mayo Celebration’…just 3 days late, but a highly entertaining performance of Latin-inspired music will be right on schedule at the Warner Theater.  Latin jazz ensemble Mambo Kings will bring along their explosive blend of Afro-Cuban rhythms and jazz improvisations. And remember, executive director Eric Borenstein will conduct his final piece before leaving the Erie Philharmonic.

Erie School District Board members Ed Brzezinski and Gary Horton had a dispute last week concerning the appointment of a new football coach at Strong Vincent. Horton claims that rules which eliminated minority candidates were created so that a “pre-selected” candidate would remain eligible for the position. Brzezinski accused of Horton “making everything a black and white issue.”  Horton says a similar process occurred happened during the Superintendent hiring process. The board will hold an emergency meeting Wednesday to decide whether to uphold the new Strong Vincent football coach’s appointment.

Millcreek Township Supervisor Joe Kujawa claims Erie County Controller Sue Weber has abused the power of her office. After a car accident in February 2009, Weber may have inappropriately used her political position to ellict information about the other driver from the insurance company. The District Attorney will review the information today to determine whether or not to investigate the claim.

Twenty-one year old Nathaniel Lemock of Waterford is dead after the car he was driving left the road and slammed into a house. State Police report that Lemock was traveling on Old State Road at a high speed when he lost control of his car , veering more than 180 feet through a yard and into a house. His 17-year-old passenger is in critical condition; the 91-year-old living in the home is uninjured.

The annual sand replenishment at Presque Isle will begin tomorrow. Sand stockpiled along the North Pier will be used first, then shipments will arrive by lake freighter from Canada. Managers hope most of the work can be finished by Memorial Day. The federal and state governments are spending about $1.7 million on sand this year.

Events:

A special Dinosaur Exhibit is on display on the 2^nd floor of the Tom Ridge Environmental Center, in anticipation of the coming Green Screen film “Dinosaur.” The event is sponsored by the Mercyhurst College Archeological Institute. Admission is free!

The John Kanzius Cancer Research Foundation is maintaining 1^st place in the Pepsi Refresh competition to win $250,000. Please continue to vote here everyday; the contest runs until April 30^th.

Sports:

The Buffalo Sabres lost to the Boston Bruins last night, with a score of 3:4, kicking them out of the playoffs for the Stanley Cup this season.

Don’t forget to put in your vote today(and everyday until April 30!) for the John Kanzius Cancer Research Foundation to win $250,000 through the Refresh Everything Pepsi contest. Only ten days left! Click here to vote.

Presque Isle Downs hosted a “job fair” at the Bayfront Covention Center yesterday to fill the 500 positions which will be made available by the addition of table games in July. Over 1,000 people came out to apply, many whom have been laid off or out of work for months. Jobs range from table dealer to housekeeper to bartender.

Interesting testimony came out yesterday in a pre-trail for Larry Lemon, an Erie teenager charged with the shooting death of 19 year old Steven Arrington in January. An Erie County Probation Department supervisor said Lemon had an extensive juvenile record beginning when he was just 11 years old. Sixteen juvenile charges were filed against Lemon beginning in December 2003, ranging from theft and receiving stolen property to assault and loitering and prowling. Lemon spent time in two treatment centers and a reform school. The pre-trial will determine if Lemon is filed as an adult or juvenile, among other motions; the ruling may come as early as today.

SPORTS

The Penn State Behrend men’s tennis team captured the AMCC Tournament championship and six individual titles Sunday at Oxford Athletic Club. Behrend topped second-place finisher Penn State Altoona by three points with 22 team points. Last year’s AMCC Player of the Year, Elliot Blackstone, made a bid to capture the same honor in 2010, as he won both the No. 1 singles and doubles titles. Chris Galvin joined him in doubles. Teammates Kelly Manning and John Michalko earned the No. 3 doubles championship, while Shane Mosier, Peter Bissert and Manning took home the fourth, fifth and sixth singles titles, respectively.

EVENTS

The Guelcher Film Series at the Mary D’Angelo Performing Arts Center will present “Fresh” for Brew & View night tomorrow evening. Brew tasting begins at 6:30 p.m., and the film begins at 7:15 p.m. Tickets are $6 for adults and $5 for seniors and students; patrons must be over 21 years of age. Tickets can be purchased by calling 824-3000 or by visiting pac.mercyhurst.edu.

“Tango Extraordinaire!” will be presented at Mercyhurst North East this Thursday evening. Explore the cultural, historical and social elements of the Argentine tango as professional dancers demonstrate movements. The event starts at 7:30 p.m. at the Alex Theater, admission is free! Contact 725-6277 for more information.

The 54th Annual Spring Clean Up at Presque Isle State Park on Saturday, April 24 from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. Registration will begin at 9:00 am at the Cook House Pavilion located on the bayside of the waterworks area. There will be food provided, sponsored by the SONS of Lake Erie and donations from the community, and door prizes at 12:00 pm at the Cook House Pavilion.  Make sure you are prepared for the weather on that day.  This event is appropriate for all ages and organizations. For more information, please call the Tom Ridge Environmental Center (TREC) at (814) 833-7424.

GE Transportation has a deal to sell 150 locomotives to Kazakhstan’s state-run railroad, most of which will be kits that are assembled in that country. Five prototypes of shunter locomotives will be built at its plant in Erie and shipped to Kazakhstan, while the remaining 145 will be assembly kits. The locomotives are scheduled to be delivered in 2012. This is part of the 15-year, $500 million service contract with Kazakhstan’s state-owned railroad that GE Transportation announced last May.

North East District Judge Gerard Alonge faced a disciplinary hearing in Harrisburg yesterday. The 51-year-old district judge denies the claims of nine women, who say he harassed or had unwelcome contact with them since he took office in January 2006. Alonge is accused of calling the women and/or stopping at their homes and workplaces. Five of Alonge’s accusers are attorneys. Good luck with that, buddy.

Erie County Executive Barry Grossman was admitted to Hamot Medical Center last Friday with cellulitis, a strep infection of his leg. He was kept over the weekend for observation, but is expected to be discharged today.

An autopsy has shown that 44 year old Laurie Prenatt, found dead in her Crawford County home on Sunday, died of multiple gunshots. The autopsy on her husband, 51 year old Tod Prenatt, has not yet been completed but he suffered at least one gunshot wound. Police suspect a double homicide but have not yet made a public statement about the investigation.

Yesterday morning, two men forced a woman to withdraw money from her bank while a third associate held her husband hostage at the couple’s home with an ice pick. And that’s not the strangest part: the couple had been partying at their home with the three suspects since Saturday night. Talk about a rough hangover. The women alerted tellers at the bank, who contacted the police. They were able to apprehend all three suspect, who have been charged with theft by extortion, unlawful restraint, and conspiracy.

Sports

Erie BayHawks guard Mike Gansey is part of a contingent of NBA Legends and NBA Development League players headed to the Sichuan Province to participate in NBA Cares events and play two games in support of Beijing Aoshen basketball team charity efforts April 16-18. The activities are part of the NBA’s continued commitment to support rebuilding efforts in the earthquake stricken Sichuan Province.

Events

Make sure you vote for the Kanzius Cancer Research Foundation to win $250,000 in the Pepsi “Refresh Everything” contest. You can vote every day until April 30^th.

The Erie SeaWolves home opener is this Thursday night against the Altoona Curve at 6:35 pm. Great way to relax after finishing up your taxes!

And Duke takes the title…what a game. That last-minute shot from Butler just didn’t quite cut it. But both teams brought their all. Anyone remotely close on that bracket?

Gov. Ed Rendell was in Erie on Monday to promote $354.8 millions in increased funding for the state’s public schools. This would mean about $3.3 million for Erie School District. Rendell addressed the projected $800 million state budget deficit as well, stated that he would not “shortchange education” because of the deficit. Rendell spoke at Irving Elementary School, pushing for new taxes on natural-gas drilling, cigar and smokeless tobacco sales, and many other currently exempt goods and services. The budget plan does, however, call for a 2% decrease in state sales tax. The new tax measures would raised $2.3 billion to replace federal stimulus funding which ends next year.

The annual Waste Management “large item pick-up” for city residents started Sunday night, and runs through the end of April. One large item can be put out on your regular garbage night, but appliances and any hazardous or dangerous materials will not be taken. Follow the rules, folks, or you could get cited.

Visitors from Erie’s sister city of Dungarvan, Ireland will be spending a week around our great city. The group arrived Friday night, and yesterday they toured the Maritime Museum. I had no idea where Dungarvan was, so I looked it up. Here’s a nifty map if you’re wondering:

I guess its not that nifty because it doesn’t show where any other cities are. But I enjoyed the purple arrow.

Possible thundershowers today, but still in the 70′s…bring your umbrella.

Events

March 31, 2010 – The Penn State Behrend Alumni Society will host an evening at Jr.’s Last Laugh Comedy Club on Thursday, April 15. Dr. Jim Kurre, director of the Economic Research Institute of Erie and associate professor of economics at Penn State Behrend, will serve as the evening’s guest emcee. Erin Jackson will be the headliner. Proceeds from the event benefit the Penn State Behrend Alumni Society Scholarship. Tickets are $13. Call Jr.’s at 814-461-0911 for individual tickets or table reservations.

The Arts and Drafts Festival will take place at the Brewerie at Union Station from Thursday to Saturday. Three days, thirty local artists, twenty local bands, and Brewerie drafts…what’s not to enjoy? $1 donation after 9pm.

The Maple Festival will also be going on this Saturday and Sunday at the Asbury Woods Nature Center. Pancakes, demonstrations, and all things maple-icious :) $6 for adults and $4 for kids.

Only two days of March left…where’d the month go? Thankfully, it looks like spring’s here to stay.

Jordan Brown, the 12-year-old who shot his father’s pregnant fiancé last year, will stand trial as an adult after a Lawrence County Court hearing. Brown’s continued denial of the crime, along with the execution-style shooting, were factors in determining that he will be tried as an adult. If found guilty, Brown will most likely spend the rest of his life in jail with no possibility of parole.

It looks like Erie Coke will stay up and running. The Erie City Council says there’s nothing more they can do to shut down the plant, and the Department of Environmental Protection has given up on seeking an injunction to close the plant after deciding they don’t have a strong enough case. Erie Coke’s standing $6 million dollar fine for previous pollution violations will be discussed in a settlement hearing in federal court on Wednesday.

Dr. Stephen Chu, the U.S. Secretary of Energy, toured the local Seaway Manufacturing plant with Congresswoman Kathy Dahlkemper yesterday. The company, which specializes in energy efficient windows, benefits from recently passed energy tax credits. Chu praised these credits, saying they benefit both energy-aware companies and consumers.

Seventy students in the McDowell High School Orchestra are set to perform at the famed Carnegie Concert Hall on Saturday afternoon as part of the National Invitational Band and Orchestra Festival. They are one of 14 high schools throughout the nation invited to perform at the two-day event. A panel of four judges will evaluate the orchestra’s performance of five songs: the first movement of Schubert’s “Unfinished Symphony,” “Russian Sailor’s Dance” by Gliere, “Elegy” by Bottesini, the overture to Mozart’s “The Magic Flute,” and “American Salute” by Morton Gould.

The Community Blood Bank is experiencing an unexpected drop in supply. The blood bank, 2646 Peach St., is open Mondays through Fridays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. with extended hours Tuesdays until 7:30 p.m. Please take a half hour of your time to donate; it will save a life.

Events

The Second Harvest Food Bank of NWPA is participating in the Feeding America Pound for Pound Challenge. Local residents pledge their weight-loss goals at www.pfpchallenge.com, and for every pound pledged General Mills and partners will donate 14 cents to Feeding America (up to a maximum of $800,000). Feeding America will then distribute the money to local food banks, based on the ZIP codes of consumers who take part. An easy way to help our local food bank!

For helping shedding those pledged pounds, check out these awareness walks:

A 5K walk to help fight pancreatic cancer will be held Sunday, June 20, 9 to 11 a.m., at Presque Isle State Park. To register or donate, visit www.Active.com, keyword “Pancreatic Cancer.”

The Western PA Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Society Erie Branch will hold its Walk MS at Presque Isle State Park on Sunday, May 16. People can participate in Walk MS individually or as a team, and in 1-mile or 3-mile options. Volunteers are also needed to help at the event. For more information or to register, visit www.nationalMSsociety.org/PAX, call 464-2901 or send e-mail to colleen.szymczak@nmss.org.

The Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation will hold its annual Take Steps Walk on Sunday, June 27, at Presque Isle State Park. For more information, visit www.cctakesteps.org or contact Jamie Rhoades at (412) 823-8272 or jrhoades@ccfa.org.

The American Shakespeare Company will perform “Romeo & Juliet” at Penn State Behrend’s Junker Center this Thursday, April 1^st at 7:30 pm. This non-traditional performance seeks to create a sense of community between the audience and actors; actors are surrounded by the audience on three sides, and perform with house lights on at all times – actors can see the audience, and the audience can see the actors. This inclusive arrangement recreates the festive sense of community experienced by Renaissance-era patrons of Shakespeare’s own Blackfriars in London. Admission is free and open to the public, so check it out.

Penn State Behrend will also host the annual Breastival/Testival Tuesday. Clever name. The event, sponsored by Hamot, is designed to raise awareness of both breast and testicle cancers. The Breastival/Testival will be held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at McGarvey Commons at the college’s Reed Union Building and is open to the public. The free event will include games, prizes and informational booths.

Governor Edward G. Rendell announced today an investment of $13.8 million in funding to update 32 Pennsylvania airports. The funding comes primarily from Federal Aviation Administration grants, although $886,765 comes from state funds resulting from the state’s jet fuel tax & matching funds. The money will be used to improve airport safety and service, as well as sustain jobs. Unfortunately, the Erie airport is not designated to receive any of these funds, although the Titusville and Corry-Lawrence Airports will each receive about $150,000 for improvements.

The trial of the Erie pizza delivery collar bomber will be postponed until August. Marjorie Diehl-Armstrong is now scheduled for trial on August 30 instead of May 3, to give the defense more time to review evidence and allow reconsideration of the location of the trial and jury selection. The defense is requesting a jury from northern West Virginia or a central PA federal court district, and a location move to West Virginia, Central PA or Pittsburgh, due to the large amount of publicity about the case in this area.

Presque Isle Downs General Manager Richard Knight has mysterious resigned for personal reasons, after running the casino for the first three years of its operation. A committee of executives is currently managing the casino while a suitable replacement is found.

A half mile section of the Presque Isle trail is currently closed to roller bladers, due to holes, cracks, and buckling that could cause major falls. Officials hope to have the damaged concrete repaired by this summer, and have plans to eventually resurface the trail to smoother asphalt. The section off limits for roller-blading is located between East Pier and Perry Monument along Presque Isle Bay. Walkers and bicyclists can still utilize the trail with caution.

Events

Part Two of John Scott Senior’s “Living Bayfront” exhibit is now showing at the Erie Maritime Museum. Photos taking aerially and on the ground, beginning in the 1930’s, will show the nostalgia of downtown Erie and its progression to its current state. The exhibit runs at the Maritime Museum through June.

It’s free pasty day at Starbucks! Stop by today before 10:30 a.m. to pick up a free pasty with the purchase of a beverage. Print the coupon, or access it on a mobile device and show it to the cashier.

Gannon University’s annual International Night will be held Saturday, March 27 at the Hammermill Center, 620 Peach St. The event will feature a dinner buffet with culinary delights from countries around the world, beginning at 6 p.m. Entertainment and cultural performances, including Chinese dance and song, Filipino folk dance, Scottish dance, and many others, will begin at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for senior citizens and active military, and $5 for college students. Children will be admitted free. Tickets can be purchased at Gannon’s Waldron Campus Center, 124 West 7th St., and through the University’s International Student Office by calling 814-871-7030.

For those of you who have been following the Erie Coke plant mess, experts say the emissions typically contain benzene and PAH’s, which have been linked to breast cancer in women. PA’s Department of Environmental Protection is considering what actions should be taken, possibly even shutting down Erie Coke until it can clean up its operations.

Penn State Erie has finally chosen the replacement chancellor for retiring John D. “Jack” Burke. Donald L. Birx is currently the vice president of research at the University of Houston System. He has also taught at New Mexico State University and work with multiple research and development facilities. Looks pretty amiable to me.

Paul Polacci, who attempted to shoot two sheriff’s deputies last November, has been sentenced to serve 10-20 years in state prison with 20 years probation to follow. Polacci, who claimed to be suicidal when the incident occurred, pointed a loaded handgun at the officers in front of the Domestic Relations Office, then located at 155 W. 8^th. Fortunately, it failed to go off, and Polacci was apprehended shortly thereafter.

As a result of the recent legal battle between the city and the firefighter’s union, one of the six local firehouses will be closed by the end of the month. Ironically, the firefighter’s union won the case, which argued that the stations were understaffed. The union hoped the result would be more hires, but the city says the $1.7 million to hire 24 new firefighters is money they don’t have. Instead, the Mayor Joe Sinnott plans to close one station and spread the firefighters around the remaining stations. The union is trying to work with the mayor to come up with a section option that would not require the closing of a station.

Police have arrested a third suspect in the robbery of Luigi’s Bar and Grill on West 18^th Street, which occurred early Friday morning. 18-year-old Scott Beatman has been charged with robbery and disorderly conduct, as were the two suspects arrested on shortly after the crime on Friday.

Events

The Pennsylvania Cyber Charter School will hold a free Information Expo in Erie on March 30^th from 5-8 pm. The expo, to be hosted at the Ambassador Banquet Center, will explain how the schools work: the curriculum, materials, and technical and instructional support. Teachers, administrators, admissions counselors and technical support staff will be present to answer any questions. Interested families may register at www.pacyber.org.

You know you’re thinking it…there’s the slightest chance that with all this warmer weather and sunshine, spring might just be on its way (knock on wood and anti-jinx it!). But the bay’s still frozen over, and its beautiful for a walk if you have the time. I took a stroll across it over the weekend and captured some great shots:

Disbarred Erie attorney J. Gregory Moore has been sentenced to 21 months in federal prison for embezzlement. He pleaded guilty to stealing nearly $200,000 from estate clients.

The Erie County Coroner is still investigating the death of 39-year-old Daniel Ellis, who was killed by a freight train. Ellis was walking on a set of tracks when he was struck from behind by an eastbound train. Investigators believe Ellis may not have heard the train coming because of noise from a nearby passing westbound train.

A federal judge has overturned a $5,000 verdict awarded to Dan Galena, who claimed Erie County Councilman Fiore Leone violated his free speech rights. Galena, who is now running for council himself, sued Councilman Fiore Leone for having a sheriff’s deputy escort him from a 2007 meeting when Galena continued speaking after a public comment period had ended. U.S. District Judge Sean McLaughlin overturned the August jury verdict on Friday, finding that Councilman Leone had acted properly.

Freshmen college students need to start adding a new item to their dorm room shopping lists: fire extinguisher. A fire broke out on the roof of Edinboro’s science building on Sunday night, possibly caused by a HVAC unit. The blaze was controlled within an hour and no injuries were reported. This comes shortly after last week’s fire at the Dobbin’s cafeteria at Penn State Behrend, reportedly caused by a faulty electrical wire in a cash register.

Events

This Sunday is Pennsylvania’s annual Charter Day celebration, and two local sites will be offering free public tours. Visitors will be asked to vote on the provisions to the “PA History Bill of Rights” that are most important to them, which include ensuring that students learn and understand state history, preserving state history for current and future generations, maintaining access to historical records and documents, and helping communities retain their historic character.  The Erie Maritime Museum will be open for free tours Sunday, March 14 from noon to 5 p.m. Drake Well Museum in Titusville will mark Charter Day with free visits from noon to 4 p.m.

If the warmer, spring-ish weather is urging you to get outdoors, you might be interested in the St. Patrick’s Day Run/Walk at Presque Isle on Saturday, March 13, 2010. The 5K is scheduled to start at 9 a.m. and the 10K at 10 a.m. For information, call Jim Lang at 882-9587 or e-mail him at jim.lang@adelphia.net.

This spring the Lupus Foundation of Pennsylvania is proud to partner with Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield as one of many organizations participating in the Highmark Walk for a Healthy Community. The walk will be held June 5, 2010 in Erie, PA at the Presque Isle State Park. You can register at Walk for a Healthy Community or by calling 1-866-292-1472.

The Erie area’s doing a lot for Haiti Relief: the Greater Erie County Chapter of the American Red Cross has collected $308,000, Erie Insurance & its employees have raised $220,000, and the Catholic Dioceses collected nearly $480,000 through fundraisers and their parishioners. Many other local organizations have donated or are running fundraisers. It’s great to see everyone come together to help those in a crisis situation.

Yesterday morning, an EMTA Lift shuttle, apparently slipping on the slushy/icy road conditions, drifted out of its lane and hit a parked car before knocking over a light pole. Fortunately the van was empty and there were no major injuries.

North East District Judge Gerard Alonge will be going to court for “violating standards of judicial conduct.” Charges assert that Alonge harassed nine women between 2006 and 2009. Alonge could be removed from office if he is found guilty.

You’ve probably seen the star-studded 2010 Census commercials on television recently…well, we may not have the stars, but Erie community leaders came together at Blasco Library to share how important the census will be for the Erie area. The census helps to determine public funding, legislative districts, school districts, and House representatives, among other task. Expect your census form in mid-March. Check out the 2010 Census website here and the “Snapshot of America” commercials here.

Mercyhurst College has teamed up with the St. Martin Center to create a culinary job training program for Erie area individuals. Senior Mercyhurst students formed a feasibility study and business plan to upgrade St. Martin’s kitchen and establish a culinary training class designed to provide entry-level job skills. The classes are taught by local chef Joe Fontecchio. Seven individuals, including some international refugees, will be the first to graduate from the program this week. The self-sufficient program is intended to provide a path from “welfare to work” for needy individuals. Future plans include a catering business and a hospitality training program.

Sports

The Mercyhurst College men’s lacrosse team moved up a spot to No. 3 in the latest United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association Coaches’ Poll, released Monday by USILA officials.

Mercyhurst College junior Josh Shields  has been tabbed the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Wrestler of the Week for the period ending Feb. 28. Shields put forth an impressive effort and was crowned the champion of the 165-pound bracket at the 2010 NCAA Super Region I Tournament, successfully defending his title from a year ago.

The Gannon women’s basketball team is officially the top-ranked team in the country. The Lady Knights moved up one spot to be ranked No. 1 in the latest USA Today ESPN Division II Top 25 Coaches Poll released Tuesday afternoon. The Lady Knights own the second-longest winning streak at any level of the NCAA. The squad is the lone undefeated team left in NCAA Division II.

Events

The 54th annual spring cleanup at Presque Isle State Park will be held April 24 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Volunteers are needed to remove debris deposited on the peninsula’s beaches during storms. All ages and organizations can participate. Registration will take place at 9 a.m. at the Cookhouse Pavilion at the Waterworks area. Food and prizes will be provided at noon.

YMCA of Greater Erie has kicked off its annual scholarship campaign, “We Build People.” Donations help the YMCA provide memberships to low-income children, adults and families. More than $400,000 in financial assistance was given in 2009 to about 5,000 members. To make a donation, visit the YMCA of Greater Erie Web site.

Just flew home from a convention in Miami last night…nothing like sleet and snow to welcome you back from palm trees and sunshine. It’s supposed to continue on through today as well.

The Conneaut Port Authority and the Economic Development Corp. of Erie have signed a memorandum of understanding for the Inland Port Project. The project would create a network of business parks and logistics centers to distribute, transport and warehouse goods, using rail lines, interstate highways and the Lake Erie ports of Conneaut and Erie. Between Pennsylvania and New York, as much as $50 million in funds could be secured for the project.

The federal government will provide $475 million dollars for projects to assist the Great Lakes, including Lake Erie. Pennsylvania is seeking funding for 20 different projects. The top local priorities include more research into bacteria that causes swimming advisories and beach closings at Presque Isle, as well as increased efforts against invasive species like the Asian carp and zebra mussels.

An Erie city employee was suspended, without pay, for bringing a gun to work. Diane McCoy purchased the weapon for her home and brought it into work, believing that she could learn how to use it at the shooting range. But civilians are not permitted to use the city’s shooting range, and therefore disciplinary action was taken.

Furhman’s Cider Mill will officially be rebuilt in Summit Township. Local investors stepped forward with over $1 million to assist in rebuilding costs, which will help the local legend reopen by late summer. I can taste the deliciousness already. The last three autumns just haven’t been the same without it.

The Shriners Hospital will recieve a $250,000 grant from the Federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which will be invested in efforts to make the hospital more energy efficient. Once implemented, those measures will save the facility about $63,000 a year—money which will then be used to help more children.

A two-person maintenance crew was working on Tullio Arena’s ice rink when a fire broke out at about 9:45 p.m. The full extent of the damage us not yet known. Water flooded much of the second floor, and the entranceway is heavily damaged. Official say the damage will not affect upcoming events at the arena.

Sports

The Mercyhurst College women’s hockey team gathered 150 points and all 15 first-place votes to retain its No. 1-ranking for the third-straight week in the USCHO.com Women’s Division I Poll, released Monday by USCHO.com officials.

Mercyhurst College women’s hockey forward Meghan Agosta is part of the Canadian National Women’s Hockey Team, which defeated Finland last night at the Vancouver Winter Olympics to advance to the gold medal game. The Canadians will play Team USA on Thursday for the gold medal.

Events

This week, the Erie City Mission is hosting “Help the Homeless” Week. Dozens of community leaders and organizations have committed to the cause throughout the week. Check out http://www.eriecitymission.org/ to see what you can do to help.

An arrest was made in Erie yesterday as a result of a tip on Facebook. A tip on a Facebook page has led to the arrest of a southern Oregon man trying to escape charges of felony sexual assault. Laramie Torres, 35, was arrested in Erie, Pa and charged with 10 counts of first-degree rape and 10 counts of first-degree sodomy for abuse of a girl that started when she was 11 and continued until she was 15. Friends and family of the victim in the case started a Facebook page dedicated to collecting tips about where Torres was. A tip in Michigan eventually led police to Pennsylvania, where a Pennsylvania State Police trooper was able to track Torres to an apartment in Erie.

Ted Arneault, the man who helped bring Presque Isle Downs and Casino to the Erie area, is fighting to keep his state gambling license. Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board investigators are opposing Ted Arneault’s application to renew his license due to “inaccuracies or inconsistencies” in Arneault’s statements to investigators. A public hearing on the matter is scheduled in March.

A southern tier tubing tragedy has claimed the life of a Pennsylvania mother at Allegheny State Park. 33-year-old Tricia Lewis of Erie Pennsylvania was tubing with her 3-year-old son Sunday afternoon when she struck a tree. Parks Police say that the 3-year-old was not injured. They’re still trying to figure out if she threw him off the tube before she crashed, knowing she was in danger. Parks Police have closed the summit area hill while they investigate what exactly happened there.

Lake Erie is currently 90-95% frozen over, and with a forecast of more cold temperatures, the National Weather Service predicts that the lake may completely freeze over for the first time in 14 years. This could mean less snow for the Erie area, as the layer of ice would lock in moisture and greatly reduce the amount of lake effect snow. Sounds good for all the drivers out there, but it could cause delays in the shipping industry.

Longtime Erie civil rights activist Howard Horton and Cambridge Springs educator Cathy Hutchison will be honored Wednesday during Edinboro University of Pennsylvania’s 14th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Awards Luncheon, which celebrates social equality, community activism and education, and the ideals of the late civil rights leader King. Horton, the father of 13 and a court-appointed foster parent for many other Erie children, became a community activist and civil rights leader during the 1960s. Hutchison, who earned multiple education degrees from Edinboro, was selected because of her educational service at Hermitage House Youth Services Inc. in Cambridge Springs.

An Erie church was vandalized yesterday by 25-year-old Chad M. Walburn. He broke into Holy Trinity Luthern Church at 643 W 17^th St and caused some serious damage to the altar area and pews. When church members arrived around 8:30 a.m., he was sitting in the pastor’s office drinking coffee and listening to music. Seriously? Walburn was charged with burglary and institutional vandalism. He told police that he attended a narcotics anonymous meeting at the church on Sunday.

An Erie youth hockey team narrowly escaped injury when a Pittsburgh area ice arena roof collapsed on Sunday. The Erie Lions team of 6-8 year olds was on the ice for a trophy ceremony just minutes before the domed roof of the Rostraver Gardens Arena came crashing down, likely weighed down by heavy snow from a storm last weekend. They had just won the Championship game of the Three Rivers Tournament and had headed to the locker room when families were warned to get their kids and get out of the building. Only the Zamboni driver was on the ice and he reportedly was not hurt.

Events

The Erie Pennsylvania Sports Fishing Association will host a Tackle Swap and Meet on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Lincoln School, 831 E. 31st. Cost is $3 for adults, $1 for ages 13-18, and children 12 and younger are free. There will be contests for kids, and various seminars for all anglers. All proceeds benefit EPSFA programs for youngsters. For information go to www.epsfa.com.

For those of you who are Beatles fans (which should be everyone), today marks the 46th anniversary of the Fab Four’s  first appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show and subsequent invasion of the States. What’s your favorite Beatles song? I’d have to go with “Here Comes the Sun.” George gets me every time.

Here’s a clip from the famous performance:

The Coast Guard searched Lake Erie near the OH/PA border for quite some time yesterday afternoon looking for plane crash wreckage, due to reports of a plane going down. They apparently found no evidence of a crash.

Representative John Hornaman finally has a challenger: Regina Smith, a Millcreek resident with experience at several levels of government, will run as the Republican candidate against the Democratic incumbent. Unfortunately the situation is a little sticky—Smith’s husband is the Erie County Clerk of Elections. The Democratic Party has already jumped on the possibility of “improprieties.” The Smiths say they will seek the opinion of the County Election Board on the issue.

Ron Komorek, the City of Erie’s Finance Director, passed away Saturday after a 2-month battle with cancer. The city’s assistant finance director, Paul Lichtenwalter, has stepped in as acting  finance director.

Another shooting occurred Sunday night at the 300 block of East 6^th street. A 33-year-old man was shot in the abdomen and foot shortly after midnight. Two young men were seen running from the scene.

The carbon monoxide poisoning at Hessel Valley Lutheran Church in Warren County has been traced to a partially blocked chimney, which inhibited ventilation. Most of nearly 3 dozen victims have already recovered from the incident.

Sports

After spending a week at No. 2, the Mercyhurst College women’s hockey team bounced back with three-straight wins to reclaim the top spot in the USCHO.com Women’s Division I Poll. Mercyhurst returns to action in two weeks with a pair of games against College Hockey America rival Wayne State, beginning on Friday, Feb. 19 at 4 p.m. at the Mercyhurst Ice Center.

Brittany Bell, a senior guard on the Allegheny women’s basketball team, has been named the North Coast Athletic Conference Player of the Week. On the season, she ranks second on the team with 9.8 points per game. Bell is second in the NCAC in three-point field-goal percentage (.385) and is fourth in three-pointer per game (2.24).

Allegheny women’s track and field thrower Lauren Butler was honored by the North Coast Athletic Conference as its Women’s Field Athlete of the Week. Butler, a sophomore, won the shot put event at Mount Union’s Jim Wuske Invitational. Her winning attempt traveled 11.84 meters (38 feet, 10 1/2 inches).

The Allegheny men’s and women’s swimming and diving team will compete at the 26th annual North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) Championships this weekend. The three-day event will be held from Thursday through Saturday at the C.T. Branin Natatorium in Canton, Ohio.

Events

The Gannon Lady’s basketball team is shooting to raise $13,000 during their third annual Pink Zone game, to be played at 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 13. Admission is free to both the women’s game and the men’s basketball game to follow. Throughout the women’s game, the names of cancer survivors will be announced. In addition, the Lady Knights will commemorate the occasion by wearing special pink uniforms. The team will raise money partially through the sale of pink, tie-dyed T-shirts. The shirts are $13 each and can be purchased:

• On the first floor of the University’s Waldron Campus Center, 124 West 7th St., from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feb. 1-4 and from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feb. 8-11.
• During the Lady Knights’ next game at Hammermill Center, to be played at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 10
• By contacting the Gannon University women’s basketball office at 814-871-7419.
• At Hammermill Center during the Feb. 13 Pink Zone game.

Gift baskets and other items, including a pink basketball autographed by the members of the team, also will be sold and auctioned off. All proceeds raised from the sales and from the Pink Zone game will benefit the Erie chapter of the American Cancer Society – Making Strides Against Breast Cancer.

Today’s the day: the infamous fat and furry little rodent will let us know how much longer we’ll be shoveling snow off our cars. And for the first time ever, you can get the groundhog’s weather-predicting results via text message (text “groundhog” to 247365 to sign up) or his Facebook status. What a tech savvy furball. If this keeps up, maybe PETA will get their wish for an electronic groundhog. Wait…I bet the iPad has an app for that.

Saint Vincent is one of eleven Pennsylvania hospitals which will accept wounded Haitian earthquake victims. The wounded will be transported to Philadelphia and Pittsburgh via  U.S. military medical evacuation flights.

The driver of a pickup truck crashed into Springfield Township home this weekend when he lost control of his vehicle due to an uncontrollable coughing fit. No one was injured. Someone please get this guy some Halls.

John Hornaman announced yesterday that he’ll run for a third term as state representative. A Republican competitor for the seat has not yet been announced. The primary will take place on May 18th.

The Erie Disaster Medical Assistance team headed for Haiti yesterday afternoon. The ten-member team will spend a month in Haiti assisting at a field medical and surgical hospital.

Due to a freeze in $750,000 worth of state funding, Erie County Executive Barry Grossman has announced freezes on new hires, travel, and big purchases like furniture and computers. The freezes will last all year, and will be waived only for law and union contract requirements and public safety issues.

Sports

Erie’s Indoor Football team, the Erie Storm, has announced that Rod Rutherford will return to the team. The former Pitt quarterback and AIFA All-Star Rod Rutherford has signed a contract to lead the Storm offense for the upcoming 2010 season.

Tryouts to sing the National Anthem for Erie SeaWolves’ games will be held Saturday, March 13 at the Erie Playhouse. Registration begins at 9:30 a.m.; tryouts run from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Auditions must be a capella and will be judged by a panel of local celebrities. More info: Chris Norris at (814) 456-1300 or cnorris@seawolves.com

Come on, you can’t be any worse than this:

Juniors Alex Moggridge, Andy Sekulski and Kane Ashton of the  Mercyhurst College men’s water polo team have been named All-Americans by the Association of Collegiate Water Polo Coaches. Also, Brandon Intrieri, a freshman on Alleghany’s men’s swimming and diving team, was names the North Coast Athletic Conference Swimmer of the Week. Congratulations, guys.

Events

The 2010 Auto Show will take place this weekend at the Bayfront Convention Center. Admission is $3, with free parking and shuttles. The event will run Thursday and Friday from noon to 8 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The Young People’s Chorus of Erie will be joined by international pop duo The Green Children for a special performance to benefit Haitian earthquake relief. The joint concert will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 20, in the Little Theatre at McDowell Intermediate High School, 3320 Caughey Road. Tickets may be purchased in advance or at the door for $20 for adults, $15 for senior citizens and students, and $10 for children under 12. Contact 814-868-6789 for more information.

Sen. Jane Earll and Rep. Dante Santoni (of Berks County) will hold a hearing on the Pennsylvania Casino Association next week. The Feb. 2nd hearing will determine if the casino association’s attempts to influence legislations fall under the definition of lobbying, and whether the association should have registered under PA’s new lobby-disclosure law.

The quarterly meeting of the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission this Wednesday and Thursday will address the possibility of a public access lease agreement with Lawrence Park Golf Club along Four Mile Creek, among other issues. The agreement would provide for construction of two fish passage structures to enable greater steelhead movement, public fishing, riparian and fishery management, pathways to the waterway, and public access.

With the purchase of a classroom set of laptop computers, the Holy Family School has increased its computer ratio to 75% of the student body. This is one of the highest percentages in the region, including both public and private elementary schools. Also, every teacher has both a desktop in his/her room and a netbook for home grading and lesson planning. The school’s annual open house on Sunday January 31st from 1-2 p.m. will showcase this new technology. The school is located at 1153 East Ninth Street. For more information, click here.

(Lucky kids. Man, when I was in kindergarten we had one old-school black screen, green type computer. In fourth grade we got one color computer for the whole class to share, and in fifth grade we each had a Macintosh at our desks. Remember those things? The screens were literally the size of a notecard. And now we have iPhones…with screens the size of a notecard. Hmm. Full circle on that one.)

Beware of invading fish! The aggressive Asian carp may be slowly moving into the Great Lakes and eventually Lake Erie, due to a recent Supreme Court ruling. The ruling does not require the state of Illinois to prevent to movement of these fish from the Mississippi watershed into the Great Lakes. Scientists fear these voracious eaters will crowd out native fish species, and are hoping to get President Obama’s attention on the issue.

Mercyhurst College is considering the possibility of a change from college to university status, due to its diverse academic offerings. The publicly recognized graduate, pre-professional and online programs Mercyhurst offers are typically associated with universities. Mercyhurst President Dr. Thomas Gamble has stressed that the year-long decision-making process will be thorough and all-inclusive, with surveys of staff, students, and alumni.

Governor Edward G. Rendell announced the confirmations, nominations, and appointments he has made for various Pennsylvania positions. A complete list can be found here.

Mercyhurst College intelligence studies students have won two of five scholarships from the Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association (AFCEA) intended for students who have distinguished themselves in pursuit of academic degrees in global security, intelligence studies and/or foreign languages. Sophomore JoEllen Marsh won in the undergraduate category and will receive $2,250. Sandra Larson won in the graduate category and will receive $5,000.

The West Erie Plaza Marquette Savings Bank was robbed shortly before 11 am yesterday by a possibly armed 6” tall black male with a scruffy beard and a brown hoodie in his 20′s. Anyone with information is asked to call Millcreek Police at 833-7777.

On that note, the Erie Police force has been cracking down on gun crimes. In a little over a week, the police force, with the help of the SWAT team, Vice narcotics unit, Patrol division and Quebec unit, has recovered 12 illegal handguns and one rifle. The police have also made multiple arrests and given out violations…and they’re not done yet. So look out, illegal gun owners.

Lakeshore Towing won the bid to replace an aging dock at Perry’s Landing Marina. The Erie Port Authority awarded the company a $372,000 contract to replace the dock and ramps this spring.

The Erie City Mission has purchased the property of the old Bethany Luthern Church at 10th and German, and is planning for construction of a women & children’s warming center and food pantry. The City Mission has seen a dramatic spike in numbers for every service and program they provide, and say this demonstrate the need for a new facility. The estimated cost is around $4 million.

$3.75 million dollars has been awarded to the Enterprise Development Fund of Erie County to support struggling local businesses finding it hard to get loans in the tight economy. $3 million of that comes from the state of Pennsylvania, while Northwest Savings Bank has contributed $750,000.

Sports

The Mercyhurst College women’s hockey team retained its No. 1 ranking for the 15th-straight week in the USCHO.com Women’s Division I Poll. The Lakers, who improved to 19-1-3 on the season after a two-game sweep of Syracuse last weekend, earned 149 points and 14 first-place votes. Mercyhurst returns to action this weekend with a two-game series against Niagara on Friday, Jan. 29 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, Jan. 30 at 2 p.m. at the Mercyhurst Ice Center.

Penn State Behrend student Anne Lawrence has been named the Enterprise Rent-A Car Athlete of the Week for the week of January 25, 2010. Lawrence won the 200 yard individual medley with a time of 2:24:68 at Saturday’s non-conference meet. Lawrence went on to finish second in the 200 yard backstroke and in the 100 yard butterfly. The sophomore also was part of a third place 200 yard medley relay team. On Saturday, January 30 the blue and white will be at the Junker Center Pool for a meet against Mount Union.

Events

The American rock trio Chevelle will be starting their tour on February 4 in Erie, Pennsylvania at the Tullio Arena. Three Days Grace and Flyleaf will also be performing.

The Mercyhurst College Dance Department will celebrate 35 years with performances of “35 Years: Raw Edges,” a program of diverse dance genres, collaborations with visual artists, poets, musicians, composers and designers. Choreographers are exploring themes such as “living art,” self-discovery, stress and its effect on the human psyche, and the 1742 Scottish Act of Proscription. Performances are scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 6 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. and Sunday, Feb. 7 at 2 p.m. at the Mary D’Angelo Performing Arts Center. Tickets are $15.50 for adults, $12.50 for seniors and students, $7.50 for President’s Cardholders, $5 for youths under 15, and $1 for Mercyhurst students. Tickets can be purchased at the door or by calling 824-3000.

Members of Erie County Council will address area business and community leaders during a legislative luncheon starting at noon Thursday, January 28, at the Manufacturer & Business Association’s Conference Center, 2171 West 38th Street in Erie. Registration begins at 11:45 a.m. To register for this briefing, contact Tracy Shepard at 814/833-3200 or 800/815-2660. Cost is $30 for members; $60 for nonmembers and includes lunch.

Bowl with the Otters at Greengarden Lanes on January 31st! The cost is $20 for adults, $15 for children ages 12 and under, including two games. Call 455-7779 to reserve a lane.

Souper Bowl XII will slurp off on the 31st of January at the Zem Zem Shrine Club from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., featuring chilis and chowders from twenty great restaurants. Tickets are $10 each and proceeds will benefit the Sarah Reed Center for children with emotional and behavioral problems.

News

Mercyhurst College has received a $20,000 grant from the Pennsylvania Coastal Zone Management Program to further research of contaminants in the waters at Presque Isle State Park. Dr. Steven Mauro, assistant professor of biology at Mercyhurst, has led this research effort for the past 3 years. Last summer, Mauro’s team identified a number of chemicals in the water, from antibacterial agents to herbicides to synthetic hormones, but were unable to ascertain whether they posed a human health hazard. The new funding will allow the research team, in collaboration with the Regional Science Consortium, to identify chemicals and their prevalence in the beach waters. The goal is to be proactive in analyzing beach waters and working with local officials to inform the community and provide the highest level of beach safety.

A locally headquartered concept will be featured in the IBM/Cisco Systems Innovation Station at the National Retail Federation Show in NYC this week. The Innovation Station features hand-picked leading edge solutions to current retail challenges. “M-Dot Network” enables retailers to redeem coupons from multiple coupon issuers in real-time. Shoppers receive digital coupons based on their preferences from the retailer or third party issuers via the retailer’s website or a mobile phone. Coupons are then redeemed by swiping a shopper’s card or providing a phone number. Coupons are cleared and reimbursed in real time, lessening the burden of coupon validation at check-out, speeding up check-out and improving mis-redemption rates. The company is headquartered here in Erie with engineering operations in Tampa, FL. For more information, visit www.mdotnetwork.com.

Tops Friendly Markets announced that they have acquired Quality Markets after Quality’s parent company filed for chapter eleven bankruptcy. According to Tops representatives, most stores will remain open, excepting those which are not “financially prudent.”

A worker trapped under heavy machinery lost his life yesterday afternoon at Erie General Electric. It has been deemed an accident, but GE and several outside agencies are continuing to investigate. Our condolences are with his family.

Seven officers joined the Erie Police Department yesterday. The additional manpower was possible thanks to a $1.5 million federal stimulus grant. The force is especially excited to increase its diversity with the addition of a Hispanic officer. The officers will begin training this month and hit the streets by late April or early May.

Two incoming freighters will be breaking up the ice on the bay beginning today, so ice fishermen are out of luck for a while.

Sports

The Mercyhurst College women’s hockey team holds the No. 1 ranking in the country for the 13th-straight week, according to the Women’s Division I Poll released Monday by USCHO.com officials. The Lakers return to action this weekend with a two-game series against No. 4 Clarkson on Friday, Jan. 15 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, Jan. 16 at 2 p.m. at the Mercyhurst Ice Center.

Events

The state-wide tour of “Making It Better: Folk Arts in Pennsylvania Today” will make its first stop at the Erie Art Museum. The exhibition will run from January 15th to April 11th. Works from over 30 Pennsylvanian artists will be featured, including a handful of local Erie artists. A variety of traditions, including African dance, clay instruments, photography, and contemporary blacksmith work will be featured. Interactive stations will allow visitors to truly experience the artwork. More information can be found at www.erieartmuseum.org or www.folkartpa.org.

Erie’s new professional football team is looking for your vote to choose their team name. The four nominated names are: Erie Storm, Erie Blizzard, the Pulse of Erie, and the Erie Punishers. Check out erieprofessionalfootball.com to cast your vote by January 13!

College has its perks…I still have one more week of freedom while most of you were back to the grindstone yesterday. Woot woot.

The big news for today is all about swearing…in, that is.

Barry Grossman was sworn in as Erie County Executive yesterday and Erie Mayor Joe Sinnott began his second term. Joe Schember, Curtis Jones Jr., Jim Thompson, and Jim Winarski were sworn onto the Erie City Council, while Joe Giles, Whitey Cleaver, and the infamous Ebert Beeman were sworn in as Erie County Council members. Rick Figaski already addressed the Water Authority issue, a major part of his campaign platform, as he was sworn onto the Millcreek Township Board of Supervisors last evening. That’s all, folks.

Sports

Three Mercyhurst women’s hockey players will have the opportunity to suit up this weekend as part of the Canadian National Under-22 Team at the 2010 MLP Cup in Ravensburg, Germany. Juniors Vicki Bendus and Jesse Scanzano, and sophomore Bailey Bram will join 18 other players against the Switzerland team tonight. Updates on the teams progress can be found here.

In lieu of any other enticing news, here’s a video of a dog who hates snow. Good thing he’s not living in Erie.

Have a laugh and make it a great Tuesday.

Looks like we’ll be getting our white Christmas…I don’t care what the complainers say, I’m happy with it.

The Lord Corp. will receive $2.4 million from the 2010 Defense Appropriations Act to develop an active vibration control system for CH-47 Chinook helicopters. Economy boost= win 1.

The New Jersey shipping company Donjon Marine has officially acquired Erie Shipbuilding, and plans to open a shipbuilding and ship repair facility by the end of 2010 which will create 150-160 jobs. Hiring back the 100 employees laid off last year= win 2.

Citadel Broadcasting Corporation has filed for bankruptcy, reporting a debt amount nearly double its total assets. Citadel owns several local radio stations, including Country 98, Classy 100, and Z 102.3. No word yet if this will have an affect on our local stations…as of right now, Classy’s still playing Christmas music. Just hold out for the next four days and we’ll all be happy.

Continuing the Country Fair thread from yesterday, Ray L. McGarvey, the founder of said convenience store chain, passed away Saturday at age 77. Our condolences to the family. And Mike forgives you for the extra charge on cheese, don’t you Mike?

Events

The Erie Sport & Travel Expo is scheduled for March 5-7 at the Erie Bayfront Convention Center…so mark the date, outdoorsmen (and women).

If somehow you have free time in the next few days, I strongly urge you to bundle up and enjoy the holiday. Build a snow fort. Go caroling (it’s a lost tradition…and incredibly fun). Eat a meal entirely made up of Christmas cookies. Visit someone who’s alone this holiday. It might be cold outside, but you’ll have a warm heart inside…

(Okay, that was a little cheesy. But it’s almost Christmas, give me a break. Have a merry one!)

News

The Erie Philharmonic’s conductor and music director Daniel Meyer has been contracted to stay on board for another four years. He says his top priorities are the financial situation of the Phil, and outreach programs.

In the post-Extreme Makeover Home Edition buzz, the Maleno Family (the construction group which built the Makeover house) set up the Maleno Family to Family Fund in conjunction with the Erie Community Foundation and Saint Martin Center. This fund is being used to change lives by making over local homes; the Maleno Family hopes to renovate one home every four months. In a special drive which occurred while the Erie Extreme Makeover episode aired, the Maleno Family to Family Fund has already raised over $16,000. Major props to the Malenos for helping others and improving the community.

A $500,000 state grant will help provide funding for the late John Kanzius’s cancer fighting device. The money will be used to develop a full-sized scanning bed for the device, which treats cancer cells in humans with radio waves. The bed should be completed in 8-12 months in hopes that human trials will soon be underway.

Events

This week is Smith’s Provision week at the Community Blood Bank–today, the first 60 donors get to choose from Smith’s Provision wonderful Kielbasa or Italian Sausage. Free sausage–who can turn that down?! Donors all week long can enter to win a Smith’s Provisions gift basket. So go do good, and get thee some free sausage.

It looks like we’re getting a white Christmas this year…if you’d prefer a different color, check out this week’s video from a recent performance by the BluesBeaters at Peek’n Peak Resort. For a list of upcoming events at the Peek, click here. For more information on the band, go here.

The Erie County Health Department announced the first swine flu fatality in Erie County. Retired 64-year-old Erie School District teacher Marcia Grode died on November 10 from swine flu complications. Reported cases of swine flu in the county, however, have diminished in the past few weeks. The worst may be yet to come, so please continue washing your hands, covering your sneezes, and staying home if you are sick.

The debate over the banning of cell phone use while driving continues as the topic is currently being considered by the Erie City Council. Fines for the offense could run up to $300, but would be classified as a “secondary” offense. This would mean that a driver couldn’t be stopped for cell phone use alone, but could be cited if using a cell phone during another traffic offense.

Two men who allegedly set their home on fire in order to collect insurance money have gotten lucky- Erie County prosecutors were forced to drop the arson and fraud charges due to the fact that Erie Insurance Co. has approved the claim. I wouldn’t advise trying this one yourself.

The episode of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition filmed in Erie this past June will air on Sunday, December 13 at 8 p.m on ABC. The team, including special guest Mary J. Blige, rebuilt a home for Clara Ward who helps disadvantaged children and suffers from a degenerative muscular disease. If not for the hometown connection, watch it just to see if you got caught in any background scenes!

Collegiate Academy unveiled their new solar panels, expected to reduce the electric bill by 1%, which seems a bit trifling to me. The project was funded by a grant from the State Department of Environmental Protection, awarded to the Erie School District for their self-initiated energy audit. The audit led to an energy savings of about 10%. Kudos to you guys for making Erie greener.

Mercyhurst students are taking part in a national contest to track down 10 red weather balloons positioned across the U.S. The challenge has been set up by the Defense Advanced Research Project Agency and is designed to test how social-networking and internet sites can be mobilized in a time-critical problem solving situation.  The first team to locate all 10 balloons wins a cash prize of $40,000. The strategy of the Mercyhurst team is to reward each confirmed report of a balloon with a $1000 prize to the reporter if the team ultimately wins the challenge.

To report a sighting:

E-mail: mciisballoons@gmail.com

Text: (440) 503-8089 or (814) 527-0654

Call: (737) 657-3265 or (814) 746-2477

Sports

The Penn State Behrend Men’s Swimming team took first place at the Fredonia State Invitational, while the Women’s team took fifth.

The Gannon women’s basketball team will play its second home game of the season tonight at 6 p.m. The team is currently ranked ninth, and won 19 consecutive regular-season games dating back to last season.

Events

The Erie School District will hold free swine flu vaccination clinics in the next few weeks:

December 8th at Wilson School

December 9th at Wayne School

December 10th at Harding School

December 14th at Wilson School

December 15th at Glenwood

The “Season of Giving” continues at the Community Blood Bank. Week 2 has Tops Friendly Markets generously donating a $5 gift card to the first 50 donors on Tuesday and donors all week are entered to win a $100 gift card. There is a shortage of just one blood type; O Negative, the Universal Donor, a blood type that anyone regardless of their own blood type, can receive. It’s used in emergencies when there is no time to determine the blood type of the patient. The LifeStar helicopter flies every mission with O Neg on board, but only 8% of the population is O Negative. If you’re in that 8%, get to the Blood Bank and do good!

In an annual crime report conducted by CG Press using 2008 FBI crime statistics, Erie ranked as the second safest city in Pennsylvania. The Erie community has retained this position for the past two years. Woot woot.

GE Drivetain Technologies, a unit of GE Transportation, has received the industry’s first electrical safety certification of a large wind turbine gearbox in North America from global inspection leader Intertek. This certification will ensure that the equipment will be accepted by safety inspectors throughout North America. Industry advancements of this kind will hopefully lead to the increased usage of alternative energy sources in the U.S.

An Edinboro man, Chad Zachary Hower, who kidnapped his 13-year-old son and fled to Bulgaria will not be extradited by the Bulgarian government. The boy’s mother claims her parental rights were violated when Hower left the country with her son. Hower claims he has a valid court order giving him custody of the boy and permission to travel abroad. The Federal prosecutors don’t know what to do. If I was the kid, I’d want to stay in Bulgaria with my wicked cool outlaw father. But that’s just me.

Rain, wind, and lack of snow have made for a tough start to deer hunting season. No tears tonight; Bambi lives another day.

Mercyhurst College will celebrate “Christmas on Campus” on Saturday, December 12 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Carolyn Hermann Student Union. Over 100 children from nine Erie area social service agencies will be invited to participate in many activities such as singing, dancing, story-time, and a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus. The event is hosted by student volunteers and made possible by donations from faculty, staff, and administrators.

Sports

Mercyhurst College men’s hockey junior goaltender Ryan Zapolski has been named Atlantic Hockey Association Goaltender of the Week. Zapolski, a native of Erie, Pa., made 33 saves in an 8-2 decision on Friday and 36 saves to earn his fifth-career shutout in a 2-0 victory on Saturday. Mercyhurst returns to action with a two-game series against Connecticut on Friday, Dec. 4 and Saturday, Dec. 5 at the Mercyhurst Ice Center.

Junior guard Kelly Nowacinski of the Behrend Women’s basketball team has been named the ENTERPRISE RENT-A-CAR Athlete of the Week for the week of November 30, 2009. In the three games so far this season, Nowacinski has averaged 12 points per game, 2.7 rebounds per game, and has made nine assists. The blue and white are on the road again tonight against Medaille and return to the Junker Center on Saturday, December 5 to face Mt. Aloysius.

Edinboro University freshman Chris Klimchock was named the PSAC West Freshman of the Week for his performance in three contests last week. A 5’9” point guard, Klimchock has started the first four games, averaging 6.5 ppg. and 2.3 rpg.  He leads the team with 16 assists and just seven turnovers.  Edinboro returns to action on Saturday, December 5 at Lake Erie.

The final Golf World/National Golf Coaches Association (NGCA) Division III Coaches’ Poll has the Allegheny women’s golf team ranked ninth to end the fall season. Allegheny won five out of the six Invitationals they competed in and placing seventh at the O’Brien National Invitational that featured the top 10 squads from last year’s NCAA Championships.

The Alleghany Gators’ cross country team placed third at Nationals with 195 points. Jeramie Parker and Chris Marker placed 8th and 11th, respectively, to earn All-America honors at Highland Park Golf Course. The team accomplishment matches Allegheny’s previous best finish in 2006 when the Blue and Gold placed third at the National Championship meet.

Events

On Wednesday, November 25, President Obama, along with his daughters Malia and Sasha, pardoned a turkey in the annual White House Thanksgiving tradition. The President gave an inspiring yet comical speech, specifically mentioning those in the armed forces. The fortunate turkey was a 45 lb bird named Courage.

Personally, I would have eaten him.

In lieu of the news of GE’s recent order for 300 Evolution locomotive assemblies, here’s a promotional video for the engines, which are made here in Erie at GE Transportation.

For a video with more detailed information on how they work, click here. The official GE Transportation site can be found here.

Good morning and happy Tuesday :)

News

If you didn’t stay up until 4 a.m. last night (or, better said, this morning), you missed out on a fantastic spectacle. The Leonid meteoroid shower was visible in our sky, producing up to 500 meteors an hour during its peak time. (Don’t worry, I didn’t stay up either.)

GE Transportation announced yesterday that it will be manufacturing 300 locomotives assemblies for the CSR Qishuyan Locomotive Co., Ltd. in China. The Evolution engines, “greener” and more fuel efficient with low emissions, will be built here in Erie and shipped to China, and will help sustain over 1,200 high-tech jobs in the U.S.

The two vacant buildings located near the Tinseltown movie theather complex, formerly Erie Sports Store and Wilds Cards Restaurant, are under renovations to house two new businesses: S&S, a Chinese-American buffet to open in December and Planet Fitness, a franchise fitness center (open date yet to be determined).

Sports

The Mercyhurst College women’s hockey team topped the USCHO.com Division I Women’s Hockey Poll for the seventh-consecutive week. The USCHO.com Poll is compiled weekly and consists of 15 voters, including 12 Division I coaches and three women’s hockey writers. Mercyhurst returns to action this weekend with a two-game set at Niagara on Friday and Saturday.

The Penn State Behrend women’s soccer team ended their season as the AMCC regular season champions, earning nine All-Conference selections and a Coach of the Year honor for Head Coach Patrick O’Driscooll. The Behrend Lions advanced to the championship game of the ECAC tournament before losing to Swarthmore by a score of 1-0.  The blue and white ended their season with an overall record of 15-4-3.

The Edinboro women’s basketball team opens the 2009-10 season on Tuesday, November 17, hosting Daemen.

Events

The northwestern PA chapter of Sigma Xi is hosting the second Science Café this Wednesday, November 18 at the Brewerie. Discussions will start at 6:30 pm; the topic will be stem cell research and anyone interested is welcome to attend.

Gannon University’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) will host a student-led Talent Show fundraiser for Sandy Zirkle-Trocki, a Gannon coach and alumnus whose husband recently died. The event will begin at 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 22 in the University’s Hammermill Center, 620 Peach St., and is open to the general public for a $2 admission. Donations will also be collected during the event.