St. Vincent Hospital has settled with the federal government, agreeing to pay $1.9 million in order to settle a whistleblower lawsuit. Anthony Kite, an independent hospital consultant in New Jersey, alleged the hospital defrauded the medicare system by submitting inflated reimbursement claims over actual costs.

Phil Friedman, the attorney representing Teri Rhodes, has filed a motion asking Judge William Cunningham to reconsider her sentence. Rhodes was sentenced to 9 to 18 years in prison this past Friday for murdering her newborn daughter in August of 2007. Judge Cunningham has up to 60 days to approve or deny Friedman’s request.

Tickets are available for President-elect Barack Obama’s inauguration through Congresswoman-elect Kathy Dahlkemper’s office. Ticket requests can be made by email to info@kathydahlkemperforcongress.com or by phone at (814) 456-0987, and must be made by November 30th. A lottery will be held December 5th for the limited number of tickets available.

The zebra mussel is moving into new and uncharted waters.  The PA Department of Environmental Protection along with the PA Fish and Boat Commission confirmed the discovery of a zebra mussel at a Hydroelectric Dam in Maryland, the first time it has been found in the lower Susquehanna River.  Since the zebra mussels were first discovered in the Great Lakes in 1988, it has cost more than $1 billion in attempt to control and eradicate the species.

Erie Insurance announced that is now offering pre-paid emergency cash cards to policyholders who have made a claim on their policy. The card which operates just like a debit/credit card can be used to purchase essentials needed after an emergency (such as food, clothing, and other personal items). The cash cards are handy since previously a claimant would need to wait to cash a check or seek a cash advance to cover expenses.

Kentucky is considering allowing the installation of slot machines at their horse tracks. This alternative form of gambling has brought in more paying customers to states with both slot and horse betting.  Pennsylvania tracks nearly doubled their income from $63 million to $121 million between 2006 and 2007.  TheHorse.com has more on the predicament Kentucky is facing.

If you’re looking for some time to kill, check out this Erie resident’s Flickr page by Igor Borisenko.  Here’s a photo by Igor that was just uploaded yesterday:

Speaking of snow, it appears the weather for the next few days won’t be so great for traveling.  Make sure you give your friends and family a heads up if they plan on coming in to Erie for Thanksgiving.

Sports

For those fans of Joe Paterno and Penn State football, JoPa will be back in time for the Rose Bowl after having a successful hip replacement surgery performed Sunday — the day after Penn State beat up Michigan State — at the Mount Nittany Medical Center. Amazingly enough, Paterno is expected to resume a coaching regimen next Monday, December 1.

The Toronto Maple Leafs traded former Erie Otter Carlo Colaiacovo yesterday to the St. Louis Blues. The trade will reunite Colaiacovo with another former otter, Brad Boyes. The two led the Otters to an OHL Championship in 2002, so maybe they can work some magic together in St. Louis.

Seton Hall freshman Kaitlyn Karl, originally from Erie, recorded sixth and seventh place finishes in various events at the the Patriot Invitational.

The Erie Otters will hold a Thanksgiving Day hockey game against Belleville at 7:00 p.m., at the Erie Civic Center.

Events

Thinking of going out to the Black Friday sales? Kohl’s opens at 4 am, the big deals start at Walmart at 5 am, and the Millcreek Mall opens at 6 am with free goody bags for the first 500 customers. Enjoy that, while we’ll be at home in bed.

Victorian Holidays will be on display in the Watson-Curtze Mansion at 356 West Sixth Street, and will include traditionally decorated trees, seasonal workshops for children and adults, lectures, and elegant Victorian teas. Victorian Holidays will run from November 22 – December 28 on Wednesdays through Saturday from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. and Sundays 1 – 4:00 p.m. The cost of museum admission is $4 for adults, $3 for seniors, and $2 for children.

The Erie Runners Club will hold their annual Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving Day, November 27 at 9 a.m. at Presque Isle. There will be a 10k run, 5k run and a 5k walk.

View this past Sunday’s comprehensive events list to see a list of events for the week and months ahead. If you would like your event posted here, please contact us via our online form.