Local News
UPDATE: 3 Republican contenders aim to unseat Dahlkemper
3RD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT — The field of potential Republican challengers intent on taking on incumbent U.S. Rep. Kathy Dahlkemper, Erie, D-3rd District, next November is filling out.
A Cochranton-based insurance agent, Steven M. Fisher, 51, says he plans on seeking the Republican nod in next spring’s primary.
Fisher would face off with retired businessman Paul Huber, 65, from Vernon Township in Crawford County, and state Attorney General agent Elaine Surma, 53, of Edinboro.
All three candidates listed the economy and jobs at the top of their priorities list, attacking the Democratic-controlled Congress for stimulus spending and anticipated tax increases.
Fisher said many people figure health care is at the top of his list of issues, since he sells health insurance. He said the issue is important, but jobs and overspending by government are his first concerns.
He and Huber both talked about trying to spur economic growth through tax breaks for small businesses.
“We need to remove some of the burdens and the regulations that are putting handcuffs on businesses,” Huber said.
Fisher said if the government raises taxes on employers to cover some of its projects, businesses would raise prices of their products.
Fisher and Huber also both said health care reform is their No. 3 priority. Huber said the bill going through Congress will kill jobs by taxing businesses and the consumers who buy their products. He said he would work on protecting consumers from having insurance taken away for illnesses, make insurance more portable, and reform insurance markets and medical liability for doctors.
Fisher criticized the “public option” of the current bill. He said the public option will compete with private insurers with an unfair advantage that some fear could drive them under.
Ms. Surma also said the economy is her top priority. National security was second and she put concerns over big government in third place.
On the economy, she boosted job-creating legislation, particularly investments in high-tech businesses.
Speaking on national security, Ms. Surma criticized a recent move that shifted trials for terrorism suspects from military to civilian courts.
Ms. Surma has not formally announced her campaign, and said she would wait until January to avoid any conflicts of interest with her current job at the Attorney General’s office in Erie.
Mrs. Dahlkemper is a freshman congresswoman who defeated Republican Phil English in 2008.
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League sets debate date; Dahlkemper ad questioned
Local political junkies, mark your calendars.
Third District Congressional rivals Kathy Dahlkemper and Mike Kelly will face off at a League of Woman Voters of Mercer County forum from 7 to 9 p.m. on Oct. 26 at the Sharon City Building.
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Are you going to Stoneboro Fair?
“I want some fries, straight off the bat,” a teen said as she strolled amid a seemingly endless stream of people running from the parking lot to the midway Saturday at the Stoneboro Fairgrounds.
The aroma of scrumptious fair food wafted through the fairgrounds on a cool afternoon that felt more like autumn than the waning days of summer.
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Court backs warrantless search that turned up gun
Superior Court issued a ruling recently that the Mercer County District Attorney believes will enhance the safety of policemen and women.
The court ruled Aug. 26 in a Mercer County Juvenile Court case that stemmed from an arrest made by Southwest Mercer County Regional police. -
Hood surfer back home, recovering
Natalie Huff, the 17-year-old girl critically hurt in a hood-surfing accident, made it home Friday for the first time since she was run over by a friend’s car last month.
David Huff, Natalie’s father, said she was in excellent spirits.
“She just wants to come home,” he said. “She wants out of the hospital. She’s doing really well.”
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Kelly: Jobs are the key to restoring economy
When businesses are healthy, they hire people, and everyone wins, according to Congressional candidate Mike Kelly
The Republican challenger announced his “Pathways to Prosperity” job plan Friday in time for Labor Day weekend at JFS Wealth Advisors in Hermitage. He also made stops in Butler, Crawford, and Erie counties.
Kelly, who faces U.S. Rep. Kathy Dahlkemper, Erie, D-3rd District in November, said he’s been up and down the county and hears about two concerns: jobs and the economy.
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Couple restoring a local landmark
The gardens were renowned and the house was a resting stop for future presidents.
Now, Dan Briceland and his wife Kristin are restoring the structure at 379 state Route 7 in Brookfield to its original glory.
Built in 1816 by Navy Capt. James Christy, the dilapidated house went up for sale this spring. The Bricelands, who have always wanted to restore an historic house, put in a bid and won.
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Cleanup planned for 2nd city neighborhood
The Irvine Avenue cleanup in Sharon was so successful that similar efforts are being planned for another part of the city.
The Sharon Beautification Commission is organizing a cleanup for 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 2 for Meek Street and several surroundings streets, Sharon City Manager Tom Lavorini told council Thursday.
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Lock up vehicles, police urge
Residents should be alert for suspicious activity and keep their cars and homes locked in the wake of a recent rash of thefts from cars — some of which were left unlocked, Southwest Mercer County Regional Police Chief Riley Smoot said.
The most recent thefts were reported Wednesday in the Dogwood Lane, Oak Hill Drive and Kiwanis Road area of West Middlesex.
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Blue Streak thrills again
“It was great. What else can I say?” Dave Hahner said Thursday, just moments after taking his second ride on the Blue Streak.
That’s right. For the first time since 2006, Conneaut Lake Park’s historic roller coaster is back up and running. Once again ready, as Jack Moyers, chairman of the board of trustees of Conneaut Lake Park, put it, “to bring thrills and chills to children of all ages.”
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3 Ohio men in county jail accused of Walmart theft ring
Three Ohio men are in Mercer County Jail for allegedly running a theft ring that stole video games and systems from Walmart stores and then sold them for cash.
Thomas “Tommy” Hamilton, 42, of Ashtabula; Alex Plitt, 34, of Jefferson; and Christopher Patton, 25, address unknown, were caught Aug. 25 after hitting up Walmart stores in Ohio and Pennsylvania for at least several months, Hempfield Township patrolman Daniel McCloskey said Wednesday.
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League sets debate date; Dahlkemper ad questioned
