On the outside, Kim Fabrizio looks like your average woman. She's a professional, Steelers fan, beach bum, and loving stepmother. But spend just a few minutes with her, and you'll likely uncover much more.
Fabrizio says, "I've never been afraid to talk about anything in my life, that's what works for me. It doesn't work for all patients. I know people who haven't even told their extended family."
Kim is no stranger to adversity. She's currently living with Multiple Sclerosis or MS. She was diagnosed with the disease three years ago. Ten years before that she was diagnosed with cervical cancer. But she's not a victim, she has taken her experiences as a cancer survivor and person with MS to help others get through similar situations.
"The way that we learn from one another is to get together and to share our experiences and our stories," says Fabrizio. Kim says her whole life she has been a communicator and talking about life's hardships is how she survives and thrives. Upon being diagnosed with MS, Kim started a blog to reach others.
Now, she has two international blogs that continue to grow. It's an outlet for people living with MS and their families to share stories, and knowledge.
"I still communicate with most of the people that read the blog. It's rewarding for me. It's therapeutic for me but I think first hand stories helps people learn how to live with it if they're diagnosed with MS."
Now Kim spends her time as a full time employee at Edinboro University. She's a motivational speaker and volunteers for MS and cancer societies. She says it's her experiences that have given her the unique opportunity to touch so many other lives.
Reported to you at 9:36 am Thu September 2 2010 by Liz
Repairs Finished on Mill Creek Drift Catcher
Crews have completed a 3-month repair project to a structure at the Erie Zoo that helps to prevent flooding along Mill Creek. The drift catcher was built after the devastating 1915 flood that claimed 35 lives. The price tag for the project to fix the city-owned structure was about $480,000. Crews sealed cracks and repaired crumbling concrete. The structure, which spans more than 200 feet, is also the bridge for the sighting train at the zoo.
Reported to you at 9:10 am Thu September 2 2010 by pwagner
New Home for a Family in Need
It sounded like a celebration, and that's because it is. From the cheering and laughter, to the custom made cake, the Goodwin family cut the ceremonial ribbon to their brand new home.
Catherine Goodwin said, "We're really excited to have our own house. Without this program, we might not be able to own our home so we're just excited and happy, can't wait to move."
This project didn't come easy. It's all thanks to a partnership between Habitat for Humanity and GE Transportation. Between the two local organizations, hundreds of volunteer hours and a $50,000 donation from GE Transportation paved the way for the Goodwin home.
"In this case, people from all over the community, they're linked by GE but it shows that people do want to help and it restores your faith in human nature", says Tom Ne'Castro, Board President for the Erie Chapter of Habitat for Humanity.
GE and Habitat for Humanity call this the opportunity for the American dream...the chance to own a home and not just any home...a four-bedroom house for this six-person family, all of those bedrooms come with a ceiling fans and lighting. They've already got smoke detectors and this house already comes with blinds.
Lorenzo Simonelli, CEO and President of GE Transportation says,"You look at what they say is the American dream, and this is what it's all about, a happy family, Catherine and Brian being able to take possession of their home, They're going to be moving in. You can see the excitement of the kids."
And it was the excitement in the kids' faces that was so contagious.This new home provides a new life for the Goodwin Family and proves that community can make all the difference.
Ne'Castro added, "What it says about the community is that people from the community are willing to help one family."
Reported to you at 3:35 am Thu September 2 2010 by Liz
GE Partnership Could Mean Jobs
General Electric has formed a new partnership, which will get them involved in building high speed rail trains.
The company is partnering with Motive Power, out of Iowa
That company was the winning bidder for a $114 Million dollar contract, for the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority.
GE will supply the company with engines and other parts, for 20 new passenger locomotives.
Officials say the project could either create, or keep, 95 jobs in Erie.
Reported to you at 11:07 pm Wed September 1 2010 by ematson
Wesleyville Police Investigating Stabbing
Police are investigating a stabbing that happened early Thursday morning in Wesleyville.
According to initial reports, a man was stabbed in the stomach.
Erie police had the suspect in custody, very shortly after the incident.
It happened around 3:15 this morning on Rena Drive in Wesleyville.
Wesleyville police are still investigating. Charges are expected.
Reported to you at 10:50 pm Wed September 1 2010 by ematson
Fund to Help Motorcycle Victim
A fund is now set up, for the Erie woman killed in a motorcycle crash earlier this week.
24 year old Magen Porter was killed, when an alleged drunk driver's SUV hit a motorcycle she was riding on.
Her family has set up a fund with Northwest Savings Bank.
Anyone who would like to make donations can do so at any branch under the Magen Porter Clowser fund.
The man who was driving the SUV, 53 year old Eugene Metzger, is in the Erie county prison. He's facing several charges including driving while drunk, and homicide by vehicle.
Reported to you at 10:50 pm Wed September 1 2010 by ematson
Benefit to Raise Money for Injured Bikers
Monday night's deadly motorcycle accident, is just the latest in a string of motorcycle crashes.
With Magen Porter's death this week, that makes 13 motorcycle riders, who've been killed on our roads this year.
That's three times the number of motorcycle fatalities, than in 2009.
But there's a local group is stepping up, to help out accident victims.
This weekend, September 4th and 5th, the Injured Motorcycle Riders Foundation is hosting a wing cook-off music festival.
It'll be held this weekend and North East's Gravel Pit Park.
All of the proceeds will go the foundation, to help with the medical expenses of injured bikers.
"Hopefully we can keep this thing going for along time to come. That's our goal, and pass it on from generation to generation, and let people know that there is someone out there that actually cares. And goes out on the fence for people who ride and that's what we do." Said event organizer, Steve Weston.
The event is Saturday and Sunday. It runs from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. each day, at Gravel Pit Park.
Reported to you at 10:50 pm Wed September 1 2010 by ematson
DEP Aiming to Clean Aging Millcreek Landfill
The Department of Environmental Protection has unveiled plans to clean up the Currie Landfill in Millcreek. After years of investigations, they've concluded that the area is contaminated with hazardous waste. "Our goals are to reduce the contamination that's going into the environment," said DEP Spokesperson Freda Tarbell. "Also, to cut off any pathways to human exposure." The 32 acre site is made up of three parcels. The area use to be a wetland, until the 1950's, when it began to be filled with waste. According to the DEP, over the years the groundwater became contaminated, along with the west branch of Cascade Creek that runs through the site. The overall goal is to move the waste into one area, and cap it off with two feet of dirt. In doing this, the DEP hopes to reduce any waste that would flow into the creek. It's not set in stone, but if the project takes place, it will take 18 months to complete. The expected cost...$8.8 million dollars.
Reported to you at 5:26 pm Wed September 1 2010 by jhixenbaugh
Woman Who Died in Crash Identified
The driver of the SUV involved in a fatal crash with a motorcycle, is behind bars.
He's identified, as 53 year old Eugene Metzgar, from Erie.
Police now say Metzger was drunk, when he pulled his SUV into the path of an oncoming motorcycle, driven by Jamie Wilt.
A passenger on Wilt's bike, identified as 24 year old Meghan Porter of Erie, died in the crash.
It happened around 7:30 Monday night, on East 38th, near Nancy Avenue.
Wilt wound up in the hospital.
Metzgar is charged with homicide by vehicle while driving under the influence, aggravated assault by vehicle while DUI, and involuntary manslaughter.
Reported to you at 12:42 am Wed September 1 2010 by ematson
Rally to Save Closed Bridge
A big crowd on hand, to save the McBride Viaduct, concerned citizens gathered at a rally Tuesday night, to keep it open.
Members of local government met with concerned citizens at the bridge, to sound off over the city's decision to shut it down.
It's been closed for nearly three months, while city engineers try to decide whether it should be fixed, or torn down.
Those who want it re-opened say, it's a crucial roadway for the Erie community.
"Oh, you gotta have that bridge because it will go back to the old style, people will be getting killed with those cars. And getting hurt, people walking are going to get hurt." Said Frank Bohun, an Erie resident, who helped build the bridge.
"There's always federal money that's available, state money that's available, and local money that's available for any bridge in America, that needs to be rehabilitated or rebuilt. What's required is that government officials take these things seriously enough, to focus on fixing or rebuilding the bridge, rather than spending money on foolish projects that are very little importance to the community." Said bridge supporter, Father Jerry Priscaro.
Repairs to the bridge are expected to cost an estimated $3 Million dollars.
Reported to you at 10:51 pm Tue August 31 2010 by ematson
