🌱 Patch AM: Were your medical records hit in East Providence’s recent ransomware attack?

Good morning East Providence! We're back in your inbox this morning to keep you in the loop with what's happening in and around town. Grab a cup of coffee and read on. ☀️

Before we get to what's happening, a big thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making East Providence PatchAM possible. Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

• Constantin Floors corp — (401) 999-0199
  Holiday Flooring Special! This Christmas season, Constantin

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In today's newsletter:

• Were your medical records hit in East Providence’s recent ransomware attack?
• How a new court ruling could reshape Medicare fraud cases.
• Are your holiday gadgets hiding a dangerous fire risk at home?

Today's riddle: What did one magnet say to the other magnet? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Tuesday: Cloudy with a bit of snow, with a high of 35 and low of 32 degrees.
• Wednesday: Breezy with periods of sun, temps: high: 39, low: 23.
• Thursday: Variable cloudiness, with a high of 42 and low of 17 degrees. ⛄️ Brr!

📰 News we're reading

• Data breach exposes patient information of closed E.P. sports medicine practice (pbn.com subscription) — Patients of a closed East Providence sports medicine practice may have had personal information exposed after ransomware encrypted its medical record system in October. The former Sports Medicine & Orthopaedics office on Massasoit Avenue says names and addresses were compromised, but not Social Security or financial data, and reports that its systems have since been secured to prevent future incidents.
   

• 1st Circuit tosses FCA claim against medical lab (masslawyersweekly.com) — An East Providence attorney weighs in on a major 1st Circuit ruling that shields clinical labs that reasonably rely on doctors’ orders from certain False Claims Act liability. The decision, centered on Medicare-billed lab tests, clarifies how whistleblowers must prove labs knew tests were unnecessary, potentially shaping future healthcare fraud cases across the region.
   

• How to prevent fires when using rechargeable lithium-ion batteries (wpri.com) — Fire officials are warning East Providence–area residents to handle rechargeable lithium‑ion batteries carefully this holiday season, after investigators linked a recent Taunton apartment fire to an overheating e‑bike battery. The Rhode Island state fire marshal urges people to use manufacturer-approved chargers, look for UL safety labels, avoid overcharging, and recognize that battery fires, especially in electric vehicles, can spread rapidly and be difficult to extinguish.
   

📸 Around East Providence

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📣 East Providence Shout Outs!

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🗓 Events Nearby

Wednesday December 24

• Christmas Eve - Town Offices Close at Noon
  Bristol, RI Calendar Bristol, RI 02809
• CHRISTMAS EVE UNAVAILABLE
  Music Mansion , 88 Meeting St , Providence
• Library closes at 1 o'clock
  Marian J. Mohr Memorial Library , 1 Memorial Avenue , Johnston
• Planning Board
  Lincoln, RI Calendar , 100 Old River Road , Lincoln
  7:00 pm

Thursday December 25

• Library Closed
  Marian J. Mohr Memorial Library , 1 Memorial Avenue , Johnston
• Christmas Day UNAVAILABLE
  Music Mansion , 88 Meeting St , Providence
• Christmas Day - Town Offices Closed
  Bristol, RI Calendar Bristol, RI 02809
• Lincoln Housing Authority
  Lincoln, RI Calendar Lincoln, RI 02865
  6:30 pm

Friday December 26

• Friday Night House Party
  Kismet Improv , 1005 Main St Suite 2205 , Pawtucket
  8:00 pm

Saturday December 27

• Yoga for Everybody
  Gateway Center at Roger Williams Park , 1197 Broad Street , Providence
  9:00 am
• Bachata/Merengue Dance
  Gateway Center at Roger Williams Park , 1197 Broad Street , Providence
  11:00 am
• Alex Cohen Acoustic: Angelo's Palace Pizza
  Angelo's Palace Pizza , 133 Mendon Rd , Cumberland
  7:30 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• Nate Chace Honored as Keeper of the Light —Louise Paiva Read on Patch

• Robins are still plotting.
  The tree has berries, but they don't seem to be eating them. They're just sitting up there putting together a plan. (Nextdoor Kettle Point)

• Merry Maids posted a job opening for Full Time House Cleaner in East Providence. Apply here.
• Burger King posted a job opening for Team Member in East Providence. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near East Providence here.

🗞 Nearby News

Pawtucket

• Columbus woman suspected of identity theft (norfolkdailynews.com)

Warwick

Ok East Providence! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I find you very attractive!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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