Shriners reject suggestion to close hospitals

The Shriners organization has "overwhelmingly" rejected a recommendation by its corporate board to close the Shriners Hospital for Children in Erie, PA, and five other hospitals, according to Erie Shriners spokesman Bob Howden. The Shriners' corporate board had recommended the closures after the national economic downturn cut into the endowment that helps fund the hospitals. But the Shriners delegates have to approve any decision to close a hospital and, while another vote could come up later this week, Howden described that possibility as "very remote."