We caught a late night showing of the Watchmen last night. That movie was great but thanks to its length of 2 hours and 40 minutes, we’re a bit groggy this morning. We’ll be brief – go outside and enjoy the great weather. Erie DA Brad Foulk has reviewed the medical files in the case [...]

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Bill Sesler, the Erie attorney and developer, announced he has given up on taking over the Parade Street grocery store project. Can’t blame him. Invest Erie Community Development Corporation filed a law suit against the city because the city wouldn’t sell them the land. The city says Invest Erie doesn’t have the financing to get [...]

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  Presque Isle Downs slots casino will open on February 28. The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board announced Friday that it will hold a board meeting at 3 pm on Tuesday, February 27, 2007. The meeting, which is open to the public, will be held in the State Museum Auditorium located at the corner of Third [...]

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  Erie County Council voted last evening to delay the smoking ban from going into effect by one month until March 15. Judge John Bozza in his written decision not to impose a temporary injunction on the county wide smoking ban, strongly suggested council delay the ban. Why? Because the taxpayers of Erie County would [...]

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Former Erie Mayor Rick Filippi, his former campaign manager, Eric Purchase; and law partner, Rolf Patberg were found not guilty of all charges in their public corruption case. The case did what it intended to do. It got Filippi out of office. The charges were filed two months before the primary in which Filippi finished [...]

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Former Erie Mayor Rick Filippi was found not guilty on all charges.

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Judge Ernie DiSantis dismissed the bribery charges against former Erie Mayor Rick Filippi and his business partners Rolf Patberg and Eric Purchase. The group who still has a bundle of charges facing them including conspiracy, conflict of interest and using inside information. Filippi, Patberg and Purchase formed a partnership called Aiko Acquisitions which bought properties [...]

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From the Pittsburgh Post Gazette: A judge today acquitted former Erie Mayor Rick Filippi of a felony bribery charge. Washington County Judge Ernest DiSantis let conspiracy charges stand, saying they deserve to be heard by the jury. The judge also dismissed bribery charges against codefendants Rolf Patberg, Mr. Filippi’s law partner, and Eric Purchase, who [...]

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Jury selection begins today in the trial of former Erie Mayor Rick Filippi. The trial will be held in Washington County, 130 miles south of Erie. Filippi and two friends are accused of using inside info to profit on a land deal. The company the three formed, Aiko Acquisition, purchased parcels near the former IP/Hammermill [...]

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David Gonzalez, director of Latino services for the Hispanic American Council of Erie, was elected to fill the position on Erie City Council when Joe Sinnott resigned to become mayor. The voting done by council members took ten ballots. Saint Andrew Elementary School, 606 Raspberry Street, could be closing next year as enrollment continues to [...]

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Two Erie School District teachers were reportly suspended for having downloaded porn onto district owned computers. Note to other Erie teachers – after deleting the images you have downloaded, empty the recycle bin. The District blocks sites such as Xanga and MySpace but teachers can download porn. Sounds about right. Former Erie mayor Rick Filippi [...]

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Therapeutic Riding of Erie County promotes the benefit of the horse for individuals with physical, emotional and learning disabilities. They are raising money to offset medical care costs for Archie, a quarter horse. If you wish to make a donation to help defray medical costs, checks can be sent to: Therapeutic Riding of Erie County, [...]

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Mayor Rick Filippi will present his proposed 2006 budget to Erie City Council this morning at 9 am. Most of the budget work is the responsibility of council. The mayor proposes numbers, council decides on the budget. By state law, council must pass a balanced budget by December 31. The estimated city revenue for 2006 [...]

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The Erie Management Group is in talks with Erie Sand and Gravel, and the Erie-Western Pennsylvania Port Authority about leasing the Mountfort Terminal for a shipping container business. Erie Sand and Gravel currently leases the entire facility from the port authority. EMG is also looking to purchase a ship and a large crain. The terminal [...]

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As expected, the Baylor University Board of Regents named Baylor Distinguished Alumnus and University of Nevada, Reno President Dr John M Lilley as the University’s 13th president. The son of a Louisiana Baptist pastor, Dr Lilley, 66, majored in music at Baylor, earning bachelor’s degrees in 1961 and 1962 and a master of music degree [...]

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