Congresswoman-elect Kathy Dahlkemper at a press conference held at her future office at the Intermodal Transportation Center Rotunda located on the East Bayfront Parkway, announced  plans to provide consitutuent services across the district.  Although the main office will be located in Erie at the Intermodal Transportation Center, a regional representative will travel and set up guest offices in all seven counties in the district.  Dahlkemper also announced her office staff, most notably (and not surprisingly) Tina Mengine will be her Chief of Staff.  Here is a list of Dahlkempers staff:

Washington office staff:
Tina Mengine, Chief of Staff.
Ivana Alexander, Deputy Chief of Staff and Legislative Director.
Dan Hill, Senior Policy Advisor and Counselor.
Steve Soltesz, Legislative Correspondent.
Ben Storms, Legislative Correspondent.
Sean Gallagher, Staff Assistant.

PA-3 District office staff:
John Hall, Director of Economic Development/ District Director.
Amy Cuzzola-Kern, Director of Health, Human Services and Education.
Simone Baer, Regional Representative.
Bill Fox, Community Service Representative.
Anne Rahner, Scheduler.
Kate Regan, Office Manager.

You can read the entire press release here.

34-year-old Rubin Swift will stand trial on charges he raped an 11-year-old girl on multiple occassions. He will also stand trial for two separate insurance fraud matters. You may remember the name Rubin Swift since he ran for Erie mayor in 2004 but eventually dropped out of the race.  Swift has been staying at a mental health institution in Ohio for last couple of months.

Dr. Steven Curley released a study that is very promising for John Kanzius and his search for a cancer cure. Part of Kanzuis’ approach is injecting cancer will nanoparticles which are turn exposed to radiowaves, destroying the cancer. Curley has discovered that he could bond certain nanoparticles to an antibody, and the particles would naturally seek out cancer cells and bond with them. The study, as well as much of Kanzius research, is in preliminary stages.

For the past six weeks Star 104 has been trying to uncover the identity of the man who has been frequenting numerous Country Fair Stores throughout the Erie Area giving out $50 Cash Cards. The man, dressed in a black trench coat, hat & sunglasses has been going up to random people and handing them a business sized envelope with a note that reads “Enclosed you will find a $50 gas card. I hope it helps makes your Holidays a little easier!” Star 104 will be revealing the identity of the benevolent man next week at the Country Fair Convenience Store on the corner of West 8th & the Bayfront Parkway, Tuesday, December 23 at 10 a.m. Our guess is that it is the ghost of former Erie mayor Lou Tullio.

You’ll notice that smokers are allowed in more areas at Presque Isle Downs and other Pennsylvania casinos.  The state authorized the expansion of smoking areas from 25% to 50% of floor area.

Governor Rendell announced a number of new appointments including Darlene A. Bielecki of Erie as part of the Advisory Council for the Pennsylvania Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Home.

Congratulations to Gannon University’s Villa Maria School of Nursing. The last two classes taking the national licensing exam scored the highest percentage of first-try passers in Pennsylvania. The university also received a special letter of commendation from the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing for the achievement.

Pennsylvania State Police have determined that the death of Michael Frye on December 6 was an accident. Frye was out hunting but later found dead by his mother. State Police determined that another hunter more than 500 yards away from Frye was responsible for the death. Since it was determined to be accidental, police will not release the name of the man who fired the lethal bullet.

Sports

The Erie BayHawks lost last night on the road playing the Fort Wayne Mad Ants 96-87.  The BayHawks are now 6-4.

The Otters beat the Guelph Storm last night at the Tullio 4-2.  Tonight they play the Sudbury Wolves in another home game.

NFL games of local interest:

Cincinnati Bengals play the Cleveland Browns in Cleveland with a 1 p.m. game time on CBS (no local broadcast).

Pittsburgh Steelers play the Tennessee Titans at 1 p.m. NO LOCAL COVERAGE

Buffalo Bills play the Denver Broncos at 4:05 p.m. on CBS/WSEE.

Events

Gannon University will commemorate the 40th anniversary of the death of one of the most influential Catholic writers of the 20th century with a four-part Advent Lecture Series. The series will focus on Thomas Merton, a Trappist monk, prolific poet, social activist, and acclaimed author on the subject of spirituality. Merton, a Catholic convert, became a pioneer in interreligious dialogue and one of the seminal figures of 20th century American Christianity. The series, being held on the four Sundays of Advent, will begin at 7 p.m. on Nov. 30 with a lecture by Canadian poet and essayist J.S. Porter. Porter’s lecture is titled, “Bonding with Readers: Merton’s Voice of Friendship & Intimacy.”

The Nunsense Christmas Musical is the first “TV Special” taped by the sisters in their convent basement studio for Cable Access. It stars the nuns you love plus Father Virgil and some of Mt. Saint Helen’s most talented students. It features all new songs including: “Twelve Days Prior to Christmas,” ” Santa Ain’t Comin’ To Our House,” ” We Three Kings of Orient Are Us,” and “It’s Better to Give Than To Receive.” This show is filled with “Nunsense” humor, some of your favorite carols, a “Secret Santa,” and an uproarious take on Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Ballet. Nuncrackers will make you laugh and maybe tug at your heartstrings. It’s the perfect way to insure your holiday season is merry and bright. The show runs through December 21.

A Battles Family Holiday at the Battles Museums of Rural Life will be held December 20th in Girard. Guests will have the opportunity to visit both the R.S. Battles Farmhouse and the Charlotte Elizabeth Battles Memorial Museum during the holidays. You will also learn to Cook Christmas Dinner on a wood-burning stove, make traditional tree ornaments, all the while enjoying civil war era dances and music. The cost of admission is $4 for adults, $3 for seniors, and a whopping $2 for children or bring a new or slightly used toy to donate.

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.