Good morning, Erie.

On Erie Answers, Allison Byrnes said she would use one wish to increase funding for programs already working in Erie County & urged leaders to invest in proven local initiatives.

St. Paul's Neighborhood Center is being created to fight hunger and connect residents to social services in the former school building in Little Italy.

BJ's Restaurants is not moving forward with a planned Millcreek Mall location after failing to file a required stormwater plan, Cafaro Co. says; the former Sears Auto Center site next to Sonic Drive-In is now for lease and has attracted developer interest.

Schuster Theatre at Gannon will close Scottino Hall following the 2026-27 academic year because the 100+-year-old building needs costly repairs and has water damage, and Schuster will stage shows at alternate locations for the next two years (a farewell event and campus storage of items will follow).

Mercyhurst earned the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge's Highly Established Action Plan Seal for the 2026 election cycle after scoring 29 of 32 points and joining 272 recognized campuses.

Its Lakers for Democracy program will help students on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 3, with Lyft ride codes and a 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Student Union gathering offering free coffee, cider, and donuts.

Burning leaves and grass clippings is illegal in Erie under ordinance 1129, and residents must place compostable yard waste at the curb on their regular collection day in approved containers or brown paper bags labeled lawn and leaf.

Recreational fires may burn dry, seasoned firewood only in approved metal or masonry fire rings, portable outdoor fireplaces, or chimineas from 5 p.m. to midnight and must be 15 feet from structures, constantly attended, with extinguishing equipment on hand.

The U.S. Postal Service says the South Erie Post Office (3607 Poplar St.) is expected to reopen by mid-Dec., and a local resident has gathered 3,061 petition signatures after the branch closed Oct.

31, 2025 for repairs.

Erie County residents who buy insurance through Pennie will likely pay at least 10% more for 2027 coverage, officials say.

Open enrollment for Pennie's 2027 plans begins Nov. 1 for people without other insurance options.

Pennsylvania high school football completed Week 10 on Thursday, Oct.

29 and Friday, Oct. 30, ending the regular season and sending teams into playoffs next week. Local McDowell beat Erie 55-21, and full state scores listed results from across the state.

McDowell beat Erie 55-21 to win the District 10 Class 6A football championship, and Seneca crushed Franklin as several players posted big offensive nights.

Fifteen games were on Friday's schedule, and the District 10 playoff committee will meet Sunday to set the playoff brackets.

Corry beat Harbor Creek 55-49 on Oct.

30 at Paul J. Weitz Stadium after converting a fourth down near midfield, and Lamech Albers scored six touchdowns; Corry is 8-2 (Harbor Creek 5-5) and both teams are likely to appear in district playoff brackets released Nov. 1.

McDowell swept Erie High in District 10 soccer finals on Oct.

29, with the girls winning 10-2 and the boys 4-0 at Cathedral Prep’s Dollinger Field, and both Trojans teams advanced to the PIAA 4A subregion.