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« November 2005 | Today | January 2006 » December 30, 20056 nabbed after marijuana raids in PawtucketPAWTUCKET - Six people are in custody after drug raids yesterday afternoon yielded almost 18 pounds of drugs, the police said. The police searched three Pawtucket homes -- 350 Columbus Ave., 122 Carter Ave. and 24 Monroe St. -- and found 17.85 pounds of hydroponically-grown marijuana broken up into packages, said Pawtucket Police Maj. John Whiting. The street value of the confiscated drugs is $71,000. More in tomorrow's Journal and on projo.com ... -- Journal staff writer Talia Buford Posted by Jack Perry at 5:23 PM Tire tracks over Swan Point grave upset familyPROVIDENCE -- On Christmas Day, Patti Benton went to Swan Point Cemetery to place a cross and silk poinsettias beside her mother's grave. She said she was driven to tears by the sight of tire marks that crossed over the flat bronze grave marker and by the crack that had begun to form in the granite base beneath it. Today, she and her husband, Roger Benton, confronted cemetery officials, demanding they fix the granite and stop driving backhoes and dump trucks over the marker in order to dig other graves. The Pawtucket couple said they want to be assured that heavy equipment hasn't crushed her mother's casket, spilling her remains. Officials said that when equipment must cross a grave site, workers usually put down $250 Fiberglass-and-concrete boards to avoid causing damage. But they said that in digging new graves, it's not always possible to avoid crossing other grave sites. Cemetery Vice President Anthony Hollingshead emphasized that the cemetery takes pains to maintain the 200-acre site, and he said the tire marks were an isolated problem. More on this story in tomorrow's Journal and on projo.com... - Journal staff writer Edward Fitzpatrick
Posted by Andrea Panciera at 5:19 PM 2 good reasons to take it easy on New Year's EveA predicted snowstorm and increased police patrols are at least two good reasons to take it easy on New Year's Eve. The National Weather Service is warning that roads could become slippery Saturday night and Sunday morning because of light snow moving into the region, while the Rhode Island State Police say they will increase patrols to target aggressive drivers, speeders and impaired drivers. "We want people to drive safely, and if they're going to drink, drink responsibly and have a designated driver," said State Police Capt. Raymond White. White noted that many cities and towns in Rhode Island will also increase patrols. Get the latest weather forecasts for our area. Posted by Jack Perry at 3:07 PM Hundreds turn out for funeral of Fall River mayor's wifeFALL RIVER, Mass. -- Several hundred people turned out today, traveling in nearly 150 automobiles in a two-mile procession, to bury the city's first lady, Mary E. Lambert. Described as a kind-hearted, sweet, well-known, faithful servant of God, Mary Lambert died Christmas night from diabetes complications, a disease she battled since childhood. She was 46. "She most willingly gave and shared with everyone, imitating the saints that have come before us" said the Rev. Richard Chretien, her church priest. "Mary [Lambert's] life is what it means to accept God completely." She even gave to animals in need, said her brother, Daniel Ciullo. He noted she had a "Dr. Doolittle" spirit about her and was able to talk to and comfort even the smallest creatures. -- Journal staff writer Alisha A. Pina Posted by Andrea Panciera at 1:26 PM Barnes pleads not guilty to disorderly conductWARWICK -- Providence College basketball legend Marvin J. Barnes pleaded not guilty this afternoon to domestic disorderly conduct. Barnes, 53, of 594 Pocasset Court, is due back in District Court for a pretrial conference on Jan. 16. He said the arrest resulted from a "misunderstanding" and he expects to be cleared of wrongdoing.
After stints with the Friars and in the ABA and NBA, Barnes ran into trouble with drugs and the law in the late 1970s, and served several prison sentences. Recently, he has been speaking to groups of at-risk youths in Rhode Island schools, counseling them to stay out of trouble. He was arrested after an incident at his home on Dec. 22, in which the police said they saw him struggling with his girlfriend, a 49-year-old Boston woman, on a second-floor balcony. No one was hurt. Before that incident, Barnes had not been arrested since 1982, said police Lt. Paul L. Andrews. -- Journal staff writer Zachary R. Mider Posted by Andrea Panciera at 1:08 PM Report: R.I. ranks low for economic competitiveness nationwideRhode Island ranks 41st among the 50 states in terms of economic competitiveness, according to a report released by a Massachusetts public policy research group. The Beacon Hill Institute at Suffolk University in Boston defines competitiveness as "the policies and conditions that ensure and sustain a higher level of per capita income and continued growth." The institute ranks states in eight categories -- government and fiscal policy, security, infrastructure, human resources, technology, business incubation, openness and environmental policy -- to produce a competitiveness index. Massachusetts ranked first with an index of 7.13, while Louisiana finished last with an index of 2.60. Rhode Island's index was 4.23. Posted by Jack Perry at 11:52 AM Pats to honor 1985 AFC championship team SundayFOXBORO, Mass. -- The New England Patriots will honor the 20th anniversary of its 1985 AFC championship team on Sunday before the final regular-season game against the Miami Dolphins at Gillette Stadium. The 1985 squad snapped an 18-game losing streak in south Florida during the AFC championship game that season and earned the franchise's first-ever trip to the Super Bowl. The Super Bowl didn't turn out so well, with a 46-10 loss to the Chicago Bears, but the team generated a lot of excitement for its fans by winning three road playoff games to get to the big game. Posted by Jack Perry at 11:37 AM 2 critical after truck accident on Rte. 95 in PawtucketPAWTUCKET - A 27-year-old woman and a 16-year-old girl are in critical condition at Rhode Island Hospital this morning after a fiery crash early today on a section of Route 95 here known as the S-curves, according to the Rhode Island State Police. The state police believe a 2003 Chevrolet pickup truck was traveling at a high rate of speed on Route 95 north at 12:40 a.m. when the operator, Kellie Woodbine, 27, of Cumberland, lost control, and the truck struck a barrier on the right side of the road, said Capt. Raymond White. The truck went into the air, traveled another 50 feet and struck a bridge abutment for the Broadway overpass before coming to rest on the grass shoulder and bursting into flames, White said. Pawtucket fire and rescue workers, on their way to another call, saw the burning truck and pulled out the driver and passenger, White said. Both the driver and passenger suffered serious burns, White said. The state police are continuing their investigation, which includes an accident reconstruction, in an effort to determine the speed of the truck and other factors, White said. The police are also trying to find out where they were coming from and going to, White said. The police would not release the name of the 16-year-old because she is a juvenile. Posted by Jack Perry at 10:02 AM Snow should move in for New Year's EveThe National Weather Service is warning travelers to take it slow on New Year's Eve with snow expected in southern New England. The weather service says accumulating light snow is expected Saturday night across all of southern New England and could cause travel problems, especially after midnight. Accumulation is expected to be one to three inches in most areas. Posted by Jack Perry at 9:00 AM Mickey and Minnie Mouse to visit kids at Hasbro todayPROVIDENCE - Skaters and characters from Disney On Ice, including Mickey and Minnie Mouse, are planning to visit patients at Hasbro Children's Hospital this morning. Disney On Ice is playing until Jan. 2 at the Dunkin' Donuts Center in Providence. Posted by Jack Perry at 9:00 AM December 29, 2005ER doctors at 3 hospitals will stay in Blue Cross networkPROVIDENCE - The doctors who work in the emergency rooms at Miriam Hospital, Rhode Island Hospital and Hasbro Children's Hospital have reached an agreement with Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island and will stay in the Blue Cross network. The 11th-hour agreement means that Blue Cross will cover doctors' services along with other emergency room care at every emergency department in the state. The 50 doctors, previously unhappy with the payments Blue Cross had offered, had planned to drop out of the network on Jan.1, 2006. But the new agreement keeps them in the fold. - Journal medical writer Felice J. Freyer If the doctors had dropped out, patients would have faced additional costs and paperwork, but still would have been able to get emergency care at Miriam and Rhode Island Hospitals. Still, it was a confusing and worrisome situation for patients, and hospital officials feared many would choose other emergency rooms. "It's great news. It's a good way to begin the new year," said John Gillespie, senior vice president of Lifespan, which owns Miriam and Rhode Island. (Hasbro is the children's unit of Rhode Island Hospital.) - Journal medical writer Felice J. Freyer Posted by Jack Perry at 4:53 PM Reed: Deduction change benefits food stamp usersPROVIDENCE - An increase in a utility deduction available to Rhode Island food stamp recipients should help them with food and utility costs this winter, according to U.S. Sen. Jack Reed. The Rhode Island Democrat said the state Department of Human Services told him today that the U.S. Department of Agriculture has approved its request to increase the state's Standard Utility Allowance from $375 to $520. The state uses the allowance in its food stamp program to allow recipients to deduct utility expenses from their total income, enabling recipients to receive more aid to buy food, according to Reed's office. Posted by Jack Perry at 4:47 PM Photo: A view from the top
Nope, they're not blocks. Or little square cars. They're "honor boxes" offering self-service newspaper sales. This bird's-eye view was captured on Weybosset Street in Providence as a passer-by hoisted an umbrella against the rain. Posted by Andrea Panciera at 4:23 PM Letters by Cranston middle-schoolers on same-sex marriage spur concernsCRANSTON – The School Department is concerned about letters written by middle school students to a local newspaper on the subject of same-sex marriage. Asst. Supt. M. Richard Scherza said today that the topic -- which Park View eighth-graders expressed their views on in this week's edition of The Cranston Herald -- was not appropriate for that age group and he will be taking the matter up with administrators and teachers. Mayor Stephen P. Laffey also weighed in, appearing on television and talk radio to say that he did not think that it was appropriate for youngsters at the middle school level to be discussing gay marriage. Scherza said he agrees with the mayor. Elizabeth Seal, editor of The Cranston Herald, said that about three months ago, the weekly paper began running letters to the editor from Cranston school students under the heading of "Shout Out." She said the page appears once a month and that the project was worked out in conjunction with the School Department. More to come on projo.com and in tomorrow's Journal. - Journal staff writer Barbara Polichetti Posted by Jack Perry at 3:46 PM Deadline extended for Hope Award nominationsPROVIDENCE - The governor's office has extended a deadline for nominations for Rhode Island's Hope Award in honor of The Station nightclub fire victims, survivors and family members. The deadline, originally set for tomorrow, has been extended to Friday, Jan. 6, according to Governor Carcieri's office. This year's award will recognize a first responder and caregiver who acted "above and beyond the call of duty" during West Warwick nightclub fire in February 2003 that killed 100 people. In later years, the award will recognize first responders and caregivers who helped with other emergencies. More information and a nomination form is available from the governor's Web site. Posted by Jack Perry at 3:22 PM Brown: R.I. to meet Jan. 1 voting act deadlinePROVIDENCE - Secretary of State Matt Brown announced today that Rhode Island would be one of 23 states nationwide ready to meet the Jan. 1, 2006, deadline for the Help American Vote Act, according to a survey by the National Association of Secretaries of State. The act requires states to develop a computerized statewide voter registration system and purchase voting machines for the disabled. The statewide voter registration system was completed in February, and the secretary of state's office is finalizing the purchase agreement for an elections system for disabled voters, according to Brown's office. Posted by Jack Perry at 2:58 PM Police ID man shot to death in Providence / Photo
PROVIDENCE - The Providence police have released the name of the 34-year-old man shot to death early this morning in the city's 21st murder of the year. The police identified the victim as Tonea A. Sims, 34, whose last known address was 130 Dante St., Providence. His nickname was "Nut," police said. Sims was in the kitchen of a single-family home he was visiting at 444 Cahill St. when several shots were fired through a window on the side of the house, according to Maj. Stephen Campbell, commander of the investigative division. "Clearly he was the target of the shooting, and we are investigating the motive," Campbell said. Sims was struck more than once, according to a department press release, although Campbell would not specify how many times he had been hit. The police were called to the house at 1:26 a.m., and Sims was taken to Rhode Island Hospital, where he later was pronounced dead of his wounds, according to the police. The police had withheld releasing Sims' name until his next of kin could be notified. He has family in Georgia who have been informed of his death, according to the police. - Journal staff writer Gregory Smith Posted by Jack Perry at 1:22 PM Updated: Providence police probing city's 21st murder of year / Photo
PROVIDENCE - A 34-year-old Providence man was shot and killed early this morning on Cahill Street in the city's 21st murder of the year, according to the Providence police. The police were called to 444 Cahill St. at about 1:26 a.m., where they found the man suffering from gunshot wounds, according to a department press release. The man, whose name has not been released, was taken to Rhode Island Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead of his wounds, the police said. Detectives were called in to investigate, and no suspects have been taken into custody, according to the police. Posted by Jack Perry at 12:18 PM Thunderstorms, hail could strike later todayPROVIDENCE - Watch out for thunderstorms and hail today in southern New England. With rain and fog already here and at least one lightning strike in southwest Rhode Island early this morning, scattered thunderstorms should move across eastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island later today, bringing heavy downpours and even hail, according to the National Weather Service in Taunton, Mass. Get the latest conditions and forecasts, sign up for e-mail weather alerts and more here. Posted by Jack Perry at 11:32 AM December 28, 2005Updated: Providence retirement board continues challenge to Cianci pensionPROVIDENCE - The Providence Retirement Board today continued looking into the process of revoking the pensions of former Mayor Vincent A. Cianci Jr. and former city Administration Director Frank E. Corrente because of their convictions three years ago in the Operation Plunder Dome scandal. The board decided to take the step even though Cianci hasn't applied for his pension, estimated at $80,000 per year. Cianci is serving 64 months in federal prison for being the leader of a corrupt enterprise at City Hall. The board heard the opinion of a Roger Williams University law professor, who said there is nothing that prevents them from addressing Cianci's pension even though Cianci has not requested it yet. The board instructed the professor, Larry Ritchie, to conduct a hearing on Cianci's pension. Corrente had started collecting his pension, but the board suspended his $5,881 monthly payments in October 2002 after he was convicted of six crimes related to the FBI probe. He is serving 57 months in federal prison. - Journal staff writer Cathleen Crowley CORRECTION: An earlier version of this item incorrectly indicated the board was beginning the process of contesting the award of Cianci's pension. Posted by Jack Perry at 4:27 PM Garbage trunk plunges into Blackstone; driver slightly hurtBLACKSTONE, Mass. -- A garbage truck tumbled over an embankment and plunged into the Blackstone River near the Woonsocket line this morning, though its driver escaped with only minor injuries. A Blackstone police dispatcher said it was unclear what caused the accident, which occurred at about 9:45 this morning. The driver, who has not been identified, was transported to Landmark Medical Center. "His injuries are minor and he is currently being treated and is scheduled to be released sometime today," a Landmark spokesman reported. By midafternoon, the police dispatcher reported that the entire police force as well as the fire department were still on scene trying to retrieve the garbage truck. According to the police, that truck is owned by Patriot Disposal of Johnston. - Journal staff writer Cynthia Needham Posted by Jack Perry at 3:56 PM Delayed unemployment checks are in the mailPROVIDENCE - A group of unemployed Rhode Islanders who did not receive their unemployment checks in the mail last week should get them tomorrow, according to the state Department of Labor and Training. The checks were cut Dec. 19 and should have arrived Dec. 20 or 21. But they were misdirected by the U.S. Postal Service and were found today in Springfield, Mass., according to Jean Severance, deputy director of the department. Severance could not say exactly how many people missed their weekly check, but she said the department received 60 calls from people who said their check hadn't arrived. She estimated that fewer than 100 of the 6,519 checks sent out last week were misdirected. "Of course, it's very important to those few that didn't get them," she said. Posted by Jack Perry at 3:52 PM Head of state police tapped as interim fire marshalPROVIDENCE - Col. Steven Pare, the superintendent of the state police, will become the interim state fire marshal, temporarily replacing Irving J. Owens, who retired Dec. 23 after 11 years on the job, the governor's office has confirmed. Owens left after facing criticism in the wake of the disastrous February 2003 fire at The Station nightclub, and after Governor Carcieri delayed appointing a marshal for more than a year after Owens' term expired. -- Journal staff writer Mark Arsenault Posted by Jack Perry at 2:51 PM Unseasonally warm, rainy weather heading this wayPROVIDENCE - A stretch of warmer-than-usual weather in southern New England should continue throughout the week and into the New Year's weekend, marked by rain and the possibility of thunderstorms tomorrow, according to the National Weather Service. The temperature reached 44 degrees in Providence yesterday, 5 degrees higher than normal, and should reach 47 degrees today, well below the record for the day of 60 degrees set in 1982, but still 8 degrees above normal, according to the weather service. Tomorrow should bring even warmer weather with a high of 54 degrees, but also a lot of rain and the possibility of thunderstorms late in the day.
Posted by Jack Perry at 10:02 AM Disney skaters visiting Hasbro Children's HospitalPROVIDENCE - Skaters and characters from Disney On Ice, including Mickey and Minnie Mouse, are planning to visit patients at Hasbro Children's Hospital Friday morning. Disney On Ice is playing from today until Jan. 2 at the Dunkin' Donuts Center in Providence. (Correction: an earlier version said the visit would be this morning.) Posted by Jack Perry at 9:20 AM St. Michael's Church to hold Kwanzaa celebrationPROVIDENCE - The Office of Black Catholic Ministry and the parishoners of St. Michael's Church in Providence willl sponsor an African American Kwanzaa celebration at 7 tonight at St. Michael's Church, 239 Oxford St., Providence. The general public is invited to the celebration of family, life and also pay tribute to civil rights leader Rosa Parks. Posted by Jack Perry at 9:00 AM December 27, 2005Off-duty Providence officer drove car in fatal pedestrian accidentPROVIDENCE - An off-duty Providence police officer was driving the car that struck and killed a South Kingstown woman on Atwells Avenue early yesterday morning, according to the Providence police. The car that struck Bailey O. Leonard Fritzmeier, 23, of 1220 Curtis Corner Road, was driven by patrol Officer Leonel A. Pichs, 29, of Providence, according to the police. Pichs has not been charged, and a reconstruction of the accident indicates that speed was not a factor, according to Maj. Paul Fitzgerald, commander of the Providence police uniformed division. It was rainy and foggy when Fritzmeier was struck around 2 a.m. near 422 Atwells Ave., according to a police report. Fritzmeier suffered a head injury and died at 10:21 last night at Rhode Island Hospital, according to the police. -- Journal staff writer Gregory Smith Posted by Jack Perry at 3:41 PM Providence police seek suspect in Citizens Bank robbery / Photo
This photo of the suspect, taken by a Citizens Bank camera, was provided by Providence police. PROVIDENCE - The Providence police are looking for a man who robbed a Citizens Bank branch on Westminster Street this morning. The suspect, described as a white male about 5 feet 8 inches tall, walked into the bank at 9:20 a.m. and handed a teller a note that indicated he had a weapon, according to the police. He fled with an undetermined amount of money and was last seen walking down Westminster Street toward Canal Street, the police said. Posted by Jack Perry at 3:17 PM Pedestrian hit by car in Providence diesPROVIDENCE - A woman struck by a car on Atwells Avenue early yesterday has died, according to a spokeswoman at Rhode Island Hospital. Bailey Leonard Fritzmeier, 23, no address available, was crossing the street near 422 Atwells Ave. around 2 a.m. when she was struck. She died later at Rhode Island Hospital, according to a hospital spokeswoman. Posted by Jack Perry at 3:11 PM Mary Lambert, wife of Fall River mayor, dies at 46FALL RIVER, Mass. -- Mary E. (Ciullo) Lambert, the wife of Mayor Edward M. Lambert Jr., died Christmas Day at the age of 46 after a long battle with type 1 diabetes. City leaders and friends remember her as caring woman who loved children. One city councilman called her an inspiration because she never gave up hope. Mrs. Lambert, a lifelong resident of Fall River, worked as a child care worker for Head Start and the Community Development Center. Besides her husband, she leaves a son, James E. Lambert, a sister and four brothers. - Journal staff writer Alisha A. Pina Posted by Jack Perry at 1:36 PM R.I. gas price inches up by 1 centPROVIDENCE - Gasoline prices in Rhode Island rose again this week, but only by a penny, according to AAA Southern New England. The average price for a gallon of regular, unleaded gasoline is $2.22 at the self-service pump, according to AAA's weekly survey. That's 31 cents more than drivers were paying at this time last year. Posted by Jack Perry at 12:26 PM Reed to present medals to WW II vet's sonPROVIDENCE - U.S. Sen. Jack Reed this morning is scheduled to present the Bronze Star and other service medals posthumously to Loring A. Wennberg, who served as a combat infantryman with the 753rd Tank Battalion in the Rhineland and Ardennes campaigns during World War II. Reed, a graduate of West Point and a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, will present the medals to Wennberg's son, Kenneth Wennberg of Providence. Loring Wennberg died in 1999. Posted by Jack Perry at 9:17 AM Former Sox pitcher Reardon arrested on robbery chargesPALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. -- Former Boston Red Sox reliever Jeff Reardon was arrested on charges he robbed a jewelry store in Florida. Reardon, 50, a native of Dalton, Mass., walked into Hamilton Jewelers at the Gardens Mall about 11:50 a.m. yesterday and handed an employee a note that said he had a gun and the store was being robbed, according to the Palm Beach Gardens Police Department. Reardon fled the store with an undisclosed amount of cash. Police found him at a nearby restaurant, recovered the stolen money and charged him with armed robbery. The Associated Press Reardon was in the Palm Beach County jail early today awaiting a bond hearing. The four-time All-Star was 73-77 with 367 saves and a 3.16 ERA in 16 seasons with the Montreal Expos, Cincinnati Reds, New York Yankees and Minnesota Twins, as well as Boston from 1990-1992. A star at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst, he was signed by the New York Mets as an amateur free agent in 1977. Posted by Jack Perry at 9:10 AM Carcieri to participate in menorah lightingPROVIDENCE - Governor Carcieri will participate in the lighting of a menorah in honor of Hanukkah at 6:30 tonight in the second-floor rotunda at the State House. The ceremony, promoting "A World of Good," will offer prayers for soldiers in Iraq and include a presentation of songs for peace and hope by students and children. Posted by Jack Perry at 9:00 AM December 23, 2005Providence shooting victim, 16, identifiedPROVIDENCE - Police have identified a 16-year-old boy who was shot and killed early this morning as he walked to his girlfriend's house on Salina Street. The police identified the victim as Dennis Hayes, a ninth grader at Mount Pleasant High School. He lived in the city's Chad Brown housing complex, just a few blocks away from where he was shot. Dennis is the city's 20th homicide victim this year, and the sixth victim under the age of 19. Dennis was shot just outside of his girlfriend's house at 84 Salina St. around 1 a.m. Witnesses said the shooter drove off in a car. The Providence police are searching for his killer. Friends today said Dennis was charming, friendly and kind-hearted. They were shocked that anybody would want to hurt him. - Journal staff writer Amanda Milkovits Posted by Jack Perry at 4:46 PM Warwick man sentenced in Citizens Bank robberyPROVIDENCE - A 27-year-old Warwick man was sentenced to 46 months in federal prison today for robbing a Citizens Bank branch in Warwick last February, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office. John Choiniere went into the Citizens Bank at 278 Strawberry Fields Road on Feb. 3, 2004, and handed a teller a note demanding money, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office. Choiniere claimed he had a bomb. He fled after the teller gave him $1,002. Choiniere pleaded guilty to bank robbery in May. Posted by Jack Perry at 4:40 PM Fla. man gets 16 years for heroin arrest in ProvidencePROVIDENCE - A Florida man was sentenced to 16 years in federal prison today following his arrest a year ago after the Providence police found six one-kilogram bags of heroin in a hydraulically-operated compartment under the rear seats of his van, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office. Jacinto Garcia, 36, of Pembroke Pines, Florida, was arrested after police received a tip that he would be driving a large amount of heroin from Florida to Providence. Garcia admitted that the heroin was his and said that it was his third trip to Providence transporting heroin, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office. He pleaded guilty in July to possession with intent to distribute a kilogram or more of heroin. Posted by Jack Perry at 3:52 PM Updated: Fire destroys vacant home in Newport's Point section / Photo
Journal photo / Frieda Squires Newport Fire Prevention Capt. Pat Carney and state fire marshals look over what remains of the home at 108 Washington St., Newport. The Claiborne Pell Bridge is in the background.
Neighbors called 911 after the smell of smoke alerted them to the burning house at 108 Washington St. By the time police and firefighters reached the scene just after 1 a.m., the waterfront house near the Claiborne Pell Bridge was engulfed in flames, and burning embers whipped up by winds off the Bay were threatening surrounding residences. The fire was brought under control at about 2:30 a.m. by the 23 firefighters on scene, and no evacuation was necessary. No one was injured. The cause is being investigated, but arson is not suspected, said police Lt. Michael Brennan. - Journal staff writer Alex Kuffner Police prepared to evacuate residents of Harbor House, an assisted-living complex for the elderly on the other side of Washington Street, and were called on to extinguish small fires on porches and in trees and yards around the burning house. The fire was brought under control at about 2:30 a.m. by the 23 firefighters on scene, and no evacuation was necessary. Two vehicles were also badly damaged. The Newport fire marshal and investigators from the state Fire Marshal’s office were at the property late this morning trying to determine the cause. The property is owned by Joseph Shattuck, of Belmont, Mass, according to a police report. It was appraised at $943,000 in 2001, but was sold at auction for $1.6 million in 2003, according to city records. The house, which was built in 1906, had been undergoing renovations by the Damon Company, a Newport general contractor, over the past year. - Journal staff writer Alex Kuffner Posted by Jack Perry at 3:34 PM Sovereign's shareholder battle escalatesSovereign Bancorp struck back today against the latest move by Relational Investors LLC with a lawsuit seeking to block the rebellious shareholder's bid to remove the entire Sovereign board of directors. The suit filed in federal court in New York seeks a declaratory judgment against Relational's claim that it can wage a proxy campaign to remove all of the Sovereign directors without cause and replace them with its own designees. "We believe that Relational does not have the right under either Pennsylvania law of Sovereign's Restated Articles of Incorporation to propose a shareholder vote to remove, simultaneously and without cause, all members of the Sovereign board of directors," the company said in a statement announcing the lawsuit. The legal action came a day after Relational announced it will seek removal of the full Sovereign board at the company's annual meeting next year. Posted by at 3:17 PM Man found dead in Blackstone identifiedCUMBERLAND - The police have released the name of the Cumberland man whose body was pulled from the Blackstone River yesterday afternoon. He was identified as Matthew Bourassa, 20, of 31 Chestnut Grove Ave. The police said Bourassa had been partying with two friends in the wooded area next to the river Tuesday night, when he was separated from the others. His family reported him missing yesterday morning. Find more background in today's Journal story. - Journal staff writer John Hill Posted by Jack Perry at 2:02 PM Judge allows 81-year-old Providence woman to return homePROVIDENCE - A Superior Court judge has issued a temporary order that will enable an 81-year-old Providence woman to return to the home she lost because of liens and unpaid bills. Judge Daniel A. Procaccini issued the preliminary injunction this morning, saying that Madeline Walker can return to 122 Chester Ave. and that the home can't be sold again before a Jan. 12 hearing. Walker was evicted from her home of 53 years earlier this month, after she lost it due to a series of events that started with an unpaid sewer bill. Joseph J. Rodio, a Providence lawyer acting on Walker's behalf at the request of Governor Carcieri, filed a lawsuit yesterday, requesting the injunction and asking the court to void the sales of her home. Rodio argues that Walker wasn't mentally competent to understand the legal proceedings resulting in the loss of her home. He filed the suit after one of the three parties involved in three successive sales of the house wouldn't agree to give it back. For more background, read today's Journal story. Posted by Jack Perry at 11:10 AM Fire damages Newport homeNEWPORT - A fire that broke out overnight caused extensive damage to a private home on Washington Street, the Fire Department said. Fire fighters were still on the scene this morning.
Posted by Jack Perry at 10:17 AM It's looking a lot like a wet Christmas for southern New EnglandPROVIDENCE - It looks like a wet Christmas, not a white Christmas, for southern New England. Heavy rain is expected to spread through the Route 95 corridor, including Providence and Boston, on Christmas night, according to a special weather statement issued this morning by the National Weather Service in Taunton, Mass. The rain could cause street flooding, and, if the precipitation lingers long enough, it could change to snow Monday as colder air moves in from Canada, the weather service says. Posted by Jack Perry at 9:28 AM Teen shot to death in Providence this morningPROVIDENCE - City police are investigating the shooting death of a 16-year-old boy early this morning as a homicide. At about 1 a.m., the police were called to 84 Salina St., where they found the teenager with a gunshot wound, according to the police. The police have not released the name of the boy, who was pronounced dead a short time after being taken to Rhode Island Hospital. Posted by Jack Perry at 9:05 AM December 22, 2005Missing Cumberland man's body found in BlackstoneCUMBERLAND -- The body of a 20-year-old Cumberland man, who had been reported missing yesterday morning, was found at the Pratt Dam on the Blackstone River this afternoon. The man's father had reported his son missing at about 9 a.m. yesterday. Police said they learned the missing man and two other men had been out Tuesday night "partying in the wooded area" next to the Blackstone, according to a police statement released late this afternoon. At some point in the evening, the man became separated from the two others, who left the area and did not see him again. After searching the wooded area today, aided by family members, the man's body was found a short time later in the water, caught at the dam, which is near the Lincoln border. No foul play is suspected at this time, police said. The man's identity was being withheld pending notification of more family members. -- With reports from Journal staff writer John Hill Posted by Andrea Panciera at 5:46 PM Walsh firm hired for $64M expansion of Women & InfantsPROVIDENCE - Walsh Brothers Inc. has been hired as construction manager for the $64-million expansion at Women & Infants Hospital, the hospital announced today. The Boston-based construction firm also has an office in Providence. Posted by Jack Perry at 5:00 PM Census: R.I. one of 3 states to lose population in 2004-5BOSTON - Rhode Island, Massachusetts and New York were the only states to lose population from 2004 to 2005, according to estimates released today by the U.S. Census Bureau. Rhode Island lost more than 3,000 residents, down 0.3 percent, the Census Bureau estimated. Massachusetts lost more than 8,000 residents between July 2004 and July 2005, a decrease of 0.1 percent. It was the only state last year to lose population. Experts attribute the trend to soaring housing costs, a stagnant job market and the arrival of fewer immigrants. "There are reasons for concern here," said Marc Draisen, executive director of the Metropolitan Area Planning Council. "Housing costs are a dramatic driver when it comes to people making decisions to move to other states."
-- Associated Press Posted by Andrea Panciera at 4:45 PM Updated: State House has fresh tree -- decorated, too / Photo
Journal photo / Andrew Dickerman Farm Bureau volunteer Justin Stamp places ornaments on the new tree in the rotunda of the State House this afternoon. PROVIDENCE - A new Christmas tree now stands in the State House rotunda, replacing a tree removed yesterday because it had turned brown and lost its needles. About 10 members of the Rhode Island Farm Bureau delivered the tree -- and even stayed around long enough to decorate it, according to Mike Maynard, a spokesman for Governor Carcieri. The original tree, a Colorado blue spruce erected on Nov. 29, apparently turned brown and lost its needles because it was sprayed with a fire retardant. This tree, a 16-foot Fraser fir, wasn't sprayed with a flame retardant. But it will be on a regular watering schedule to make sure it doesn't become a fire hazard, according to Maynard. John Leyden, owner of Big John's Christmas Tree Farm in West Greenwich, donated both trees. Posted by Jack Perry at 4:14 PM 70 more R.I. Guard members to return from Iraq SaturdayCRANSTON - Seventy more Rhode Island National Guard members who have been serving in Iraq for nearly a year will return to the Ocean State on Christmas Eve, the Rhode Island National Guard announced today. The men and women from A Company and the Command Group of the 1st Battalion, 126th Aviation Regiment are scheduled to return to Quonset Air National Guard Base, Quonset Point, at 2:15 p.m. Saturday, the Guard said. Last Sunday, 100 members of the same regiment returned to Rhode Island. Its members flew UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters in Iraq for the past 11 months. Posted by Jack Perry at 3:28 PM Updated: Community turns out for former Journal publisher's memorial service / Photo
Governor Carcieri, center, First Lady Sue Carcieri, and Providence Mayor David N. Cicilline were among the dignitaries at Grace Episcopal Church for the memorial service. Journal photo / Mary Murphy PROVIDENCE -- Several hundred members of the community, colleagues, family and friends turned out today for a memorial service celebrating the life of Stephen Hamblett, the former chairman, chief executive officer and publisher of The Providence Journal Co., who died last week. Mounted city police greeted those who attended the hour-long service at Grace Episcopal Church. They included Governor and Mrs. Carcieri, U.S. Sens. Jack Reed and Lincoln D. Chafee, Providence Mayor David N. Cicilline, and former Gov. Bruce Sundlun. Hamblett, 71, was remembered today for his quiet, but forceful, presence, both in support of the community and in his personal life. Speakers told of his attentive listening style, ability to give advice in a few well-chosen words and his love of sailing and relaxing with wine and a cigar. They included his brother-in-law, Anthony Maione, head of United Way of Rhode Island, and his sons Topher, Mark and Adam Hamblett.
Posted by Andrea Panciera at 12:41 PM New Christmas tree on its way to State HousePROVIDENCE - The Rhode Island Farm Bureau plans to deliver another Christmas tree to the State House today after an 18-foot Colorado blue spruce was taken down when its needles fell off apparently because of a fire retardant sprayed on the tree. Al Bettencourt, executive director of the bureau, said Governor Carcieri's office called him this morning to request another tree, and that tree grower John Leyden has agreed to donate another tree. Bettencourt said the bureau hoped to deliver the 12- to 18-foot tree by this afternoon.
Erected in all its grand and leafy glory in the rotunda on Tuesday, November 29, the 18-foot tall Colorado Blue Spruce, donated by Big John Leyden's Tree Farm in West Greenwich was taken down for safety and aesthetic reasons - at the urging of the building superintendent Sam DeVincenzo - after it started to turn brown and lost most of its lower-tier pine needles. Mike Maynard, a spokesman for Carcieri, said "the tree-growers' association warned us'' that spraying a tree with (No-Burn) fire retardant dries it out more quickly,'' but the decision was made to spray the tree anyway because it was going up in "a place of public access.'' A possible contributing factor: the tree was blow-dried when it was first brought in from the rain. "The fire retardant dried it right out," Bettencourt said. - Journal staff writer Katherine Gregg Posted by Jack Perry at 10:44 AM CVS confirms talks about buying Albertson's drugstoresWOONSOCKET - Drugstore chain CVS Corp. said today it has been in discussions with Albertson's Inc. regarding the purchase of the supermarket chain's standalone Sav-on and Osco drugstores. CVS said no agreement on any transaction between the company and Albertson's has been reached. Albertson's, based in Boise, Idaho, is the nation's second-largest supermarket chain with about 2,500 stores. The company has reportedly ended talks to be acquired by a group of investors including CVS for $9.6 billion in cash and stock, The New York Times said today. CVS, based in Woonsocket, operates more than 5,400 retail and specialty pharmacy stores nationwide. - The Associated Press Posted by Jack Perry at 10:21 AM Water main break restricts travel on Airport RoadWARWICK - A water main break on Airport Road has restricted travel on the four-lane route to one lane in each direction, according to city police Capt. Matthew Costello. Repair crews trying to fix the break near the 600 block, and traffic is flowing better now that rush hour has passed, according to Costello. Posted by Jack Perry at 9:22 AM Providence police to promote 13 todayPROVIDENCE - The Providence Police Department is scheduled to hold a promotional ceremony at 12:30 p.m. today in the Providence Public Safety Building on Washington Street. Eleven department members are to be promoted to sergeant and two are to be promoted to captain. Posted by Jack Perry at 9:01 AM State's open meetings Web site adds featuresPROVIDENCE - Rhode Island residents should find it easier to keep track of local and state government, thanks to new features on the open meetings Web site created by the Secretary of State's Office. The site, E-Town Crier, now allows users to search by date, entity or subject, and also allows them so sign up for e-mail notices on upcoming meetings to interested citizens, according to Secretary of State Matthew A. Brown. Posted by Jack Perry at 9:00 AM December 21, 2005Tentative pact reached to return evicted woman to Providence homePROVIDENCE -- A tentative agreement has been struck to allow an 81-year-old city woman back into the house she lost at public auction due to unpaid bills. A hearing to finalize the deal on the behalf of Madeline Walker has been scheduled for Friday in Superior Court. Governor Carcieri announced the agreement at a press conference late this afternoon. Walker's case attracted statewide attention when television stations filmed her being evicted from her house at 122 Chester Ave. on a bitterly cold day. Posted by Andrea Panciera at 5:00 PM Mass. auditor: No audit just because Fall River voters want oneFALL RIVER, Mass. -- The Massachusetts state auditor says his agency will not do an audit of Fall River's books just because voters want one. A. Joseph DeNucci, auditor of the commonwealth, has advised that local government audits are only done if a city or town needs assistance ``concerning issues related to irregularities, suspected fraud or other illegal acts.''
Lambert opposed the measure, saying that the city's books are audited each year and that DeNucci's agency doesn't intervene unless there's a problem. -- Journal staff writer C. Eugene Emery Jr. Posted by Andrea Panciera at 4:55 PM Carpio lawyers seek to suppress statements to policePROVIDENCE -- Lawyers for Esteban Carpio, the man accused of killing a Providence police detective at headquarters last spring, are trying to suppress statements Carpio made to police after his arrest. In a court filing today, the lawyers seek to suppress what Carpio said to the police at the hospital, where he was brought for treatment after his arrest, which followed his escape from the Public Safety Complex by jumping out a third-floor window. They are also trying to suppress follow-up interviews at the Providence police station. A trial date was also tentatively set for Jan. 17, according to the Superior Court clerk's office. -- Journal staff writer Amanda Milkovits Posted by Andrea Panciera at 4:48 PM Updated: Hatch loses bid to continue tax casePROVIDENCE -- Richard Hatch didn't win any immunity challenge in court today. Chief U.S. District Court Judge Ernest C. Torres denied three motions filed on behalf of the 44-year-old Newport man, whose sometimes-naked television performance on the first Survivor reality show won him a $1million -- and tax troubles. Hatch was named in a 10-count indictment in September charging him with failing to pay taxes on his innings, as well as income from a radio program, rental income and charitable donations he allegedly used for himself. Torres denied Hatch's motions to continue his court case, to separate some of the counts against him and to specify the exact amount of taxes owed. Jury selection in the case is now scheduled to begin Jan. 10, a court spokesman said. Hatch has pleaded innocent to the charge of two counts of tax evasion, one count of filing a false income tax return, two counts of wire fraud, four counts of mail fraud and one count of bank fraud. -- Journal staff writer Tom Mooney CORRECTION: An earlier version of this item incorrectly reported the date for the start of jury selection. It also incorrectly reported that one of the Hatch motions referred to legal fees. Posted by Andrea Panciera at 4:30 PM Lucchino: We tried hard to re-sign DamonBOSTON -- Red Sox President Larry Lucchino thinks Boston made a "strong and concerted" effort to re-sign Johnny Damon and spoke to the center fielder's agent as recently as yesterday, when he agreed to a preliminary deal with the rival New York Yankees. Lucchino and co-general managers Jed Hoyer and Ben Cherington declined during a Fenway Partk news conference this afternoon to discuss details of their offer to Damon, but conceded that the negotiations ended abruptly with the news Damon agreed to a $52-million, four-year deal with New York. More to come on projo.com... -- Associated Press Posted by Andrea Panciera at 3:05 PM Fire at National Chain quickly contained but sends workers homeWARWICK - A fire broke out in a chemical plant near near Route 95 at 1:06 p.m. today, sending trace amounts of ammonia into the air and damaging one room before it was quickly extinguished. No injuries were reported. About 100 workers were evacuated from National Chain Co., at 55 Access Rd. next to the New England Institute of Technology. They were not expected to return to work today. The fire was contained to the room where ammonia is pumped from tanks and heated to be used in metal-working processes. The cause may have been electrical, the Fire Department said. It is the second emergency response at a chemical plant in Warwick in as many days. Yesterday, about 300 gallons of potassium cyanide spilled from a tank at Advance Chemical Co., at 105 Bellows St. No one was injured in that incident either. - Journal staff writer Zachary Mider Posted by at 3:00 PM 'Super Donuts' on Woonsocket schools menu? Taste-test to help decideWOONSOCKET -- A taste-test is on the menu tonight as the School Committee tries to decide whether to serve vitamin-fortified "Super Donuts" in the district's schools. The committee will be taste testing these and other breakfast treats at 5:30 p.m. today, before its bi-weekly meeting. The question has also touched off a larger debate over how nutritious school food really needs to be. Some worry that as cafeteria food statewide becomes more healthy, there's a risk that kids won't eat it. Tonight's event will take place at the Woonsocket Area Career & Technical Center, 400 Aylsworth Ave. -- Journal staff writer Cynthia Needham Posted by Andrea Panciera at 2:19 PM Conn. man pleads innocent in jogger's deathDANIELSON, Conn. -- A Plainfield man pleaded innocent today to charges of murder, felony murder and capital felony in connection with the death of a female jogger whose battered body ws found in a shed on the Massachusetts state line. Scott Deojay, 36, told police he struck Judith Nilan with his car on Dec. 12, but his lawyer said the death was accidental. An affidavit filed today indicates that officials believe Nilan died of head and neck injuries inconsistent with being hit by a car. Deojay told police he panicked, dragged the body into his car and took her to a picnic area on the property of Caroll Spinney, who portrays "Big Bird" on the Sesame Street TV show. Deojay worked as a caretaker on the property. Posted by Andrea Panciera at 12:33 PM Carcieri to announce pact to return elderly Providence woman to her homePROVIDENCE -- Governor Carcieri is expected to announce this afternoon that a tentative agreement has been reached to allow an 81-year-old Providence woman to return to her home after she was evicted last week for failure to pay a sewer bill. Carcieri will be joined by Joseph Rodio of Providence, the lawyer who has been helping Madeline Walker gain back possession of her home. The announcement follows a meeting with two of the three parties in the case, according to a media advisory this morning from the governor's office. A hearing has been scheduled before Superior Judge Daniel A. Procaccini Friday in Superior Court to finalize the agreement. Walker's case attracted statewide attention when television stations filmed the elderly woman being evicted from her house at 122 Chester Ave. on a bitterly cold day. Carcieri called it "an outrage" and contacted Rodio to work pro bono to help save Walker's home. Posted by Andrea Panciera at 11:54 AM Citigroup pays $1M penalty to state DBRPROVIDENCE -- Securities broker-dealer Citigroup Global Markets, Inc. has paid a $1 million civil penalty for failing to supervise its Newport office, the director of the state Department of Business Regulation announced today.
Maria D'Alessandro, associate director and superintendent of securities, said that the violations of the Securities Act occurred over three to four years and involved "a disregard for and lack of supervision over the sale of unsuitable investments to elderly clients; unauthorized trading; complaints relating to the inappropriate replacement and sale of variable annuity contracts, which saddled the clients with unnecessary and inappropriate sales charges; and the misappropriation of client funds." The Securities Division previously barred the key individual, who was not identified in the press release, conducting the unlawful activity from the securities industry in this state. Posted by Andrea Panciera at 11:41 AM Carpio case due in court for status conference todayPROVIDENCE -- The case of Esteban Carpio, accused of killing a Providence police detective at police headquarters last spring, is due in court this afternoon for a status conference. Lawyers for Carpio are expected to appear before Superior Court Judge William A. Dimitri Jr. It is not known whether Carpio, some of whose previous court appearances have been by videoconference from the state prison, will take part. Carpio is accused of fatally shooting Detective Sgt. James L. Allen during an interview in a third-floor room at the Public Safety Complex on April 17. Posted by Andrea Panciera at 11:25 AM Hatch tax case back in federal court todayPROVIDENCE -- Reality TV star Richard Hatch is scheduled to continue his fight against federal tax charges today in U.S. District Court. A 2 p.m. hearing before Chief U.S. District Judge Ernest C. Torres has been set on Hatch's motion to sever fraud charges from tax charges brought against him by a grand jury earlier this year. It is due to be preceded by a meeting this morning in chambers. It's not known whether Hatch will appear in person, according to U.S. Attorney's Office spokesman Thomas Connell. Hatch, of Newport, is charged with two counts of tax evasion, one count of filing a false income tax return, two counts of wire fraud, four counts of mail fraud and one count of bank fraud. He gained fame as the winner of the first season of the popular reality TV show, Survivor, for which he received a $1 million prize. Hatch was named in a 10-count federal indictment Sept. 8 charging him with failing to pay taxes on the money he won, as well as income from a radio program, rental income and charitable donations he allegedly used for himself. He pleaded innocent to the charges. His case was brought to the grand jury after he walked away from an agreement with the U.S. Attorney's Office in March to plead guilty to two counts of tax evasion. Posted by at 9:37 AM Former commanding general of R.I. National Guard dies Major General John W. Kiely, former adjutant general of Rhode Island and commanding general of the Rhode Island National Guard from 1983 to 1990, and a veteran of the Second World War, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War, died early Monday, the RI National Guard announced yesterday. He was 80. Posted by at 8:40 AM December 20, 2005Updated: Lux gets 13 years for drunk-driving fatality / Photo
Journal photo / Andrew Dickerman Pedro Lux was sentenced today in Superior Court, Providence.
Pedro Lux, 34, was sentenced in Superior Court today for his conviction of driving under the influence of alcohol, death resulting, and related charges in the Providence crash that killed Rosario Rodriguez, 45, in October 2001. Lux, who failed to show for his scheduled sentencing Nov. 30, was captured earlier this month in Everett, Wash., by a fugitive task force. He also pleaded innocent today to bail jumping. - Journal staff writer Gregory Smith Posted by Jack Perry at 4:55 PM Photo: PETA protesters bare the stares
Journal photo / Andrew Dickerman Brandi Valladolid, left, from Norfolk, Virginia, and Michelle Cho, from Los Angeles, are PETA volunteers who brought the animal-rights group's anti-fur message to Providence City Hall. Clad in their banner, bikini bottoms with tails attached and spots, the so-called "Leopard Ladies" drew a crowd in the frigid temperatures. Posted by Andrea Panciera at 4:35 PM Child-care providers seek restoration of health benefitsPROVIDENCE - More than 100 child-care providers, parents and religious leaders are planning a candelight vigil and wreath-laying ceremony at the State House tonight to ask the General Assembly to restore health-care benefits cut in the last session. About half of the 518 child-care providers who qualified for health insurance lost that benefit when the state changed requirements earlier this year, according to Chas Walker, a spokesman for the New England Health Care Employees Union, District 1199. Walker called the change a "disincentive to succeed." Posted by Jack Perry at 3:18 PM Red Sox sign reliever Rudy SeanezThe Red Sox this afternoon finalized their long-rumored deal with veteran reliever Rudy Seanez, signing the 37-year-old right-hander to a one-year contract with a club option for 2007. Read the full story here. Posted by Art at 3:15 PM Diocese to consolidate 2 church sites in Fall RiverFALL RIVER, Mass. - The Diocese of Fall River announced today that St. Michael Parish, which has been using two sites for worship, will consolidate its Masses and activities into one site and become St. Francis of Assisi Parish. Our Lady of Fatima Church, on Gardner's Neck Road, will become the parish's worship site. St. Michael Church in Ocean Grove will no longer be used. Our Lady of Fatima Church was recommended to become the parish's sole worship site primarily because it offers a recently refurbished religious education center in the basement. The change will go into effect Jan. 2. - Journal staffer Helen Arruda As of that day, the Mass schedule at St. Francis of Assisi Church will be as follows: daily Mass at 9 a.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday; and weekend Masses (beginning Jan. 6/7) on Saturday at 4 p.m. and on Sunday at 8, 9:30 and 11 a.m. Posted by Jack Perry at 2:21 PM Report: Pandemic flu could strike one-third of Rhode IslandersPROVIDENCE -- Responding to a flu pandemic in Rhode Island would cost $643 million, chiefly for hospital care of the sick. In a worst-case-scenario projection, with a statewide population of just over 1 million, 300,000 Rhode Islanders would fall ill. Of those, 35,000 would be sick enough to require hospital care, and 5,200 would need intensive care. As many as half of all workers would be either out sick or caring for sick relatives, crippling the ability of government and business to function -- and further straining the health-care work force. Those chilling numbers are contained in the state's pandemic flu emergency response plan, which a working group led by Health Director David R. Gifford and Emergency Management Director Robert J. Warren being presented to the governor late this morning at the State House. The plan calls for dividing the state into 10 regions, with each of the state's 10 acute-care hospitals taking responsibility for coordinating health care in each region, pooling the resources of clinics, doctors' offices, pharmacies, nursing homes and others. To slow the spread of disease, schools would probably be closed, and converted into temporary hospitals. -- Journal medical writer Felice J. Freyer Posted by Andrea Panciera at 12:39 PM Chemical leak at Warwick facility contained / Photo
Journal photo / Mary Murphy Haz-mat and fire trucks line Bellows Street in Warwick, where a leak occurred earlier this morning at Advanced Chemical.
Fire officials are also confident that an air scrubber system at Advanced Chemical Co., on Bellows Street, prevented any harmful vapors from leaving the building, Chartier said. The building was evacuated this morning, and no injuries were reported among workers or firefighters, Chartier said. Firefighters and members of a state hazardous materials team were still at the building this afternoon trying to neutralize the potassium cyanide before turning the building back over to Advance Chemical for a final cleanup, he said. - Journal staff writer Tony DePaul Posted by Jack Perry at 12:09 PM Fall River mayor objects to EIS for LNG facilityFALL RIVER, Mass. - Fall River Mayor Edward M. Lambert says he disagrees with a Massachusetts Executive Office of Environmental Affairs decision yesterday allowing Weaver's Cove Energy to begin a final environmental impact report on its proposed liquefied natural gas facility in Fall River. But Lambert, in a statement released yesterday, says he's pleased to a degree that the state will require Weaver's Cove to answer in its final report many of the questions raised by the city in its comments on the company's second supplemental draft environmental impact report. Posted by Jack Perry at 11:32 AM PETA to show its spots at anti-fur protest todayPROVIDENCE - PETA's "Leopard Ladies," wearing little but painted leopard spots in the 27-degree cold, plan to prowl near Kennedy Plaza at noon today to protest the killing of animals for fur. The "Leopard Ladies," who will carry signs that say, "Happy Fur-Free Holidays," want to encourage shoppers to "go faux" and make the wearing of real fur a thing of "Christmas past," the animal rights group says. Posted by Jack Perry at 11:02 AM Diocese plans TV ads aimed at candidates for priesthoodPROVIDENCE - Starting next week, Bishop Thomas J. Tobin of the Diocese of Providence will appear in television advertisements to encourage new candidates for the priesthood. The 30-second television spot, considered the centerpiece of the diocese's annual vocations awareness campaign, will run locally more than 500 times on different cable networks, including ESPN, Comedy Central and the Discovery Channel. The ads will run Dec. 26 through Jan. 26, 2006. Posted by Jack Perry at 10:44 AM Haz-mat team responding to Warwick metals refinerWARWICK - The Warwick and Cranston fire departments, along with a state Department of Environmental Management hazardous materials team, were responding to a Bellows Street business this morning. The crews were preparing to go inside a building housing Advanced Chemical Company, which recycles and refines precious metals for both the electronics and jewelry industries, according to the company's Web site. No more information was yet available on why the departments were responding. - Journal photographer Mary Murphy Posted by Jack Perry at 10:14 AM Fugitive driver in fatal accident to be sentenced this morningPROVIDENCE - A Cranston man who jumped bail and fled to Washington state to avoid sentencing last month for an October 2001 fatal accident in Providence is scheduled for sentencing this morning in Providence Superior Court. Pedro Lux, convicted of one count of driving under the influence of alcohol, death resulting, in the crash that killed Rosario Rodriguez, 45, is scheduled for sentencing at 9:30 a.m. before Judge Mark Pfeiffer. Lux, 34, was captured earlier this month in Everett, Wash., by a fugitive task force. Posted by Jack Perry at 9:00 AM December 19, 2005Bright Night back for 3rd year in ProvidencePROVIDENCE -- Bright Night Providence will return to the capital city for the third year on Dec. 31 with live performances and fireworks. This year's show will include a performance by a Chainsaw Juggling Ballet at the Providence Performing Arts Center. There will also be a New Year's presentation of WaterFire in the city's rivers and fireworks at 5:30 p.m. and midnight. Tickets are sold as bracelets costing $10 if purchased in advance. For more infomation, go to brightnight.org or call (401) 351-2596. Beforeto 2003, the New Year's celebration was called First Night Providence but that organization lacked funding to continue.
Posted by Journal Staff at 5:10 PM Carcieri to unveil report on pandemic flu preparationsPROVIDENCE - Governor Carcieri has scheduled a press conference for 11:30 a.m. tomorrow to unveil a report on the state's preparations for a potential outbreak of pandemic flu. The report will include strategies for educating the public, slowing and preventing disease transmission, providing medical care and continuing the operation of essential government and private sector services. On Nov. 1, Carcieri ordered an update of the state's plan and requested a report by Dec. 20. Posted by Jack Perry at 4:39 PM Rockefeller pledges $1M to RISD Museum for Asian art renovationsPROVIDENCE - Philanthropist David Rockefeller has pledged $1 million to the Rhode Island School of Design Museum to renovate the Asian art galleries named for his mother and aunt. Rockefeller's mother, Abby Aldrich Rockefeller, and her sister, Lucy Truman Aldrich, were the daughters of Nelson Aldrich, who represented Rhode Island in the U.S. Senate from 1881 to 1911. Both women collected Asian art. - The Associated Press Posted by Jack Perry at 4:17 PM Guardians named for woman, 81, evicted from homePROVIDENCE - A lawyer appointed temporary guardian for an 81-year-old Providence woman evicted from her home last week says he will try to return ownership to the woman. Joseph Rodio, one of three people appointed guardian for Madeline Walker today, said Walker may have unfairly lost her home because she was unable to understand what was happening. Walker lost her home of 50 years after a lien was placed on the property over a $500 unpaid sewer bill. Rodio, who stepped into the case at the request of Governor Carcieri, was appointed a guardian this afternoon by Probate Judge John E. Martinelli to examine real estate issues. Lawyer Gary Davis was also appointed a guardian today to handle other financial issues, and Walker's son, Derrill Isom, will watch out for his mother's health care. - Journal staff writer Amanda Milkovits Posted by Jack Perry at 4:14 PM Updated: Holiday hustle and bustle at post office todayIf you're heading for the post office today to mail those holiday cards and packages, expect plenty of company. Today marks the busiest mailing day of the year for the U.S. Postal Service, which expects to cancel 280 million cards and letters, nearly three times more than an average day. Christine Dugas, a spokeswoman, notes that many post offices in Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts will have extended hours this week. Customers can get details and also carry out many tasks online at usps.com, from finding zip codes to buying stamps to checking on the location of post offices nearest you. Posted by Jack Perry at 12:21 PM Photo: Small Providence house fire calls for pet removal
Journal photo / Mary Murphy Hamlet Lopez, left, and Stephen Cianci carry Lopez's dogs back into Lopez's home at 39-41 Bellevue Ave. in Providence after a small fire confined to a front room there this morning. Cianci, a contractor, was at the scene to see what could be done to repair the home in time for Christmas. While the dogs were in hand, a parakeet got loose and was last seen sitting in a tree next to the house. Posted by Andrea Panciera at 12:20 PM AAA: More Americans traveling farther for holidaysPROVIDENCE - Car club AAA estimates that 63.5 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more from home this Christmas-New Year's holiday, a 1.7 percent increase from last year's 62.4 million. “Increases from last year in hotel rates, air fares, and gas prices won’t keep Americans from traveling in record numbers over the holidays,” said Robert P. Murray, AAA Southern New England senior vice president of corporate affairs. Posted by Jack Perry at 11:11 AM R.I. gas prices up again, by 6 centsPROVIDENCE - Gasoline prices in Rhode Island climbed 6 cents this week, the second week in a row that prices have increased, according to AAA Southern New England, after several weeks of decline. The average price for a gallon of regular, unleaded gasoline is $2.21 per gallon at the self-service pump, according to AAA's weekly survey. That's 16 cents higher than prices were two weeks ago and 30 cents higher than this time last year. Posted by Jack Perry at 11:04 AM Updated: Truck fire snarls commute on Route 95Traffic was snarled for commuters heading north on Route 95 this morning after a tractor-trailer carrying cars caught fire. The fire, near exit 102 in West Greenwich, temporarily closed that section of highway, and travel was later reduced to one lane, according to the Rhode Island Department of Transportation's Web site and DOT officials. The fire was reported at about 6:20 a.m., and workers removed the tractor-trailer from the highway around 10 a.m. Posted by Jack Perry at 9:20 AM Mayor, organizers to announce Bright Night detailsPROVIDENCE - Mayor David N. Cicilline will join Bright Night organizers and sponsors at a 1 p.m. press conference today at the Providence Children's Museum to announce details of the Bright Night New Year's Eve celebration in Providence. The festivities will include two sets of fireworks, a special edition of WaterFire and 140 artists performing downtown. Posted by Jack Perry at 9:00 AM December 16, 2005R.I. Guard helicopter unit to return home SundayThis Sunday afternoon, just a week before Christmas, 100 Rhode Island National Guard soldiers are scheduled to return after serving nearly a year in Iraq, according to the Rhode Island National Guard. Members of Headquarters Company and Delta Company of the 1st Battalion, 126th Aviation Regiment are scheduled to fly into the Quonset Air National Guard Base, Quonset Point, North Kingstown, at 2:30 p.m. Sunday. The regiment, which has been deployed a total of 14 months, flies UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters and moved 66,000 passengers, including U.S. Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I., and Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice, during its 11 months in Iraq. The regiment's aircraft came under fire 22 times, but none of its solders was killed or seriously injured. Posted by Jack Perry at 4:57 PM RFK Elementary School principal dies after long illnessPROVIDENCE - The principal of the Robert F. Kennedy Elementary School, Mary Kay Schnare, died last night after a long illness, the Providence School Department announced today. "Mrs. Schnare was a devoted teacher and well-loved colleague who had been with the district for 17 years," Supt. Donnie Evans said in in a statement. "The School Department will be forever grateful for her service to our students, her camaraderie among colleagues and her leadership in the district. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends, her staff and students during this sorrowful time." In 1996, Schnare was named Rhode Island Teacher of the Year. -- Journal staff writer Gregory Smith Posted by Jack Perry at 4:55 PM Radio veteran David Jones to replace DeGraidePROVIDENCE -- Seventeen-year radio veteran David Jones will be introduced Monday as the replacement for Gary DeGraide as morning host on Lite Rock 105, the station announced this afternoon. DeGraide is stepping down Friday, Dec. 23, after hosting the station's morning show for over 22 years. Jones, who formerly was paired with WSNE's Joannie Edwardsen as "Jones and Joan," will team with DeGraide's co-host, Heather Gersten. DeGraide and Gersten will welcome Jones on the air Monday, and the new pairing makes its debut Monday, Jan. 9, 2006. Posted by Journal Staff at 4:53 PM GTECH gives little detail on possible saleWEST GREENWICH -- Investors wondering whether GTECH Holdings Corp. is likely to be sold found themselves disappointed today as the lottery giant announced its third quarter earnings. Chief executive W. Bruce Turner acknowledged the interest in the issue in a conference call today, but offered little detail on a possible deal. "There is no news to report on that front except to say that the GTECH board of directors is continuing to review its operations," Turner told stock analysts. GTECH announced in September it had received an unsolicited offer to sell the company and was reviewing its options. Shares of GTECH were down 36 cents today at $30.93 in late-day trading. Posted by at 4:29 PM Winds tear off roof of N. Kingstown buildingNORTH KINGSTOWN - Heavy winds tore off the roof of Tucker Food Service Equipment's building on Oak Hill Road late this morning, according to police. The National Weather Service had earlier issued strong wind advisories for the coastal areas and gale warnings for waters south of Rhode Island with winds of 25 to 35 knots and gusts of 45 knots. A small-craft advisory is in effect until 5 a.m. tomorrow. - Journal staff writer Randal Edgar Posted by Jack Perry at 3:55 PM 2-week recess called in lead-paint trialPROVIDENCE - The judge has scheduled a two-week recess in the trial for the state's lawsuit against lead paint manufacturers. The trial is scheduled to resume Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2006, with the state expected to call more witnesses in attempting to prove that several former makers of lead paint and pigment created a hazard that continues to poison children in Rhode island. - Journal staff writer Brandie Jefferson Posted by Jack Perry at 3:49 PM Updated: Johnston man accused of child pornography / Photo
George Madancy, of 351 Simmonsville Ave, was taken into custody at around noon yesterday, after police searched his apartment and found computer files and printed pictures of girls, some of which showed children under the age of 10 in sexually suggestive poses or performing sexual acts, according to police Maj. Ralph Bubar III. Bubar said the investigating detectives were given permission by Madancy to search three computers he had connected to the Internet, where they found a large number of files containing pictures of girls well under the age of 18. After Madancy's arrest the apartment was searched further, revealing altogether nine computer hard drives, hundreds of floppy disks and between 40 and 50 video tapes -- all containing pornography, Bubar said. Madancy was ordered held at the Adult Correctional Institutions after he failed to post bail of $25,000.
- Journal staff writer Arthur Kimball-Stanley Posted by Jack Perry at 2:46 PM Updated: Owens to retire as state fire marshal
PROVIDENCE - State Fire Marshal Irving J. Owens will retire next Friday, Governor Carcieri announced this morning. Owens had come under fire after The Station nightclub blaze, which killed 100 people in February 2003. He has been working under an expired appointment and had sought reappointment. A number of survivors had urged Carcieri not to reappoint Owens. Carcieri said in a statement, "Irving Owens has had a distinguished career in the field of fire safety, having spent 28 years with the City of Warwick before being appointed State Fire Marshal by Governor Almond in 1995. Irving has dedicated his life to fire safety and his tireless efforts to improve the prevention and investigation of fires has contributed to making Rhode Island one of the leaders in fire safety." Owens was also recently dropped as a defendant in civil lawsuits stemming from The Station fire. Three employees of the state fire marshal's office had also sued Owens and two of his top deputies, alleging under the Whistleblowers' Protection Act that they had been harassed and denied civil rights.
Posted by Jack Perry at 12:15 PM Damon says 3 teams vying for him, including SoxBOSTON -- Free agent center fielder Johnny Damon said three teams are vying for his services, including Boston, but he hasn't heard back from the Red Sox since they offered him a four-year, $40-million deal last week. Damon told WBZ-TV in Boston yesterday that he could be playing in either New York or Los Angeles next season. "There's a good chance," he said. "We're still talking. I should know in the next couple of days." Damon's agent, Scott Boras, has been seeking a seven-year contract for Damon, who was part of the Red Sox World Series team, averaging about $12 million. - The Associated Press Posted by Jack Perry at 10:46 AM Jamestown chorus first to join "R.I. sings"The Jamestown Community Chorus is the first local choir to take up projo.com on its invitation to send in a holiday song as part of the "Rhode Island sings" feature. Click here to hear the chorus's version of "Noel Benedictus." And, oh yes, the early staff reviews are positive. Here's how to send us your group's holiday song ... Posted by Jack Perry at 10:41 AM Photo: Slip-sliding downtown
Journal photo / Steve Szydlowski Posted by Mary Murphy at 10:32 AM Rain slows commute, leaves some surfaces slickPROVIDENCE - The commute in Rhode Island was slow this morning, but an early change in precipitation from snow to rain apparently helped prevent major problems. The Rhode Island State Police reported few problems despite wet roads throughout the state and icy conditions in northwest Rhode Island. As of about 9 a.m. the state Department of Transportation reported no traffic alerts. In anticipation of the storm, however, several area schools were closed today, while others posted delays. And while South County experienced wind-driven rain, leftover ice in the metropolitan area from last Friday's storm turned slick, making streets and sidewalks treacherous.
Posted by Jack Perry at 9:33 AM Gingrich in Providence to speak on health carePROVIDENCE - Former House Speaker New Gingrich is scheduled to speak this morning on health care system transformation in a forum with Governor Carcieri, U.S. Rep. Patrick Kennedy and business leaders from around the state. The forum is scheduled for 10 a.m. at the Rhode Island School of Design Museum of Art, 224 Benefit St., Providence. Posted by Jack Perry at 9:00 AM December 15, 2005Updated: Audubon's Birds folio sells for $5M in less than 5 minutesNEW YORK -- The Providence Athenaeum's rare copy of John James Audubon's "The Birds of America" sold at auction this afternoon for $5 million, the low end of the pre-auction estimate. No records were broken. In an auction that lasted less than five minutes, the work was sold at Christie's auction house to a bidder whose name was not released and who bid over the telephone. However, Christie's says it's an American buyer and the work is staying in the country. Although the auction took little time, bidding was relatively slow, with 10- to 15-second gaps between bids, which were made by phone and in the auction room. The engravings were expected to bring $5 million to $10 million. Representatives of the Athenaeum at the sale said they were pleased with the amount -- and pleased that the controversial sale was over. The Athenaeum's copy of Birds was expected to draw a lot of interest because it is in excellent condition and the library had been the sole owner of the set of 435 hand-colored engravings since its publication in the late 1820s and 1830s. Today's sale also capped a nearly three-year legal battle that rocked the Athenaeum, a private, member-supported institution that traces its roots back to the Colonial era. Outraged by the decision to sell the library's most valuable asset, a group of dissident members filed suit to block the sale. The case eventually landed in the state Supreme Court, which upheld the Athenaeum's right to sell its Audubon engravings last summer. That decision cleared the way for today's auction in New York City. -- Journal arts writer Bill Van Siclen Posted by Jack Perry at 5:20 PM PawSox get game at Fenway next yearThe Pawtucket Red Sox will play a regular season game at Fenway Park next year as part of a minor league doubleheader. The PawSox will play the Rochester Red Wings on Saturday, Aug. 26, as part of the "Futures at Fenway" doubleheader. The twinbill in Boston will get under way at 2 p.m., when the Lowell Spinners, the Red Sox’ short-season Single-A affiliate, take on the Oneonta Tigers in a regular season New York-Penn League contest. Pawtucket and Rochester will play after a brief intermission that will include player-fan interaction. Ticket prices and other details will be announced shortly. Posted by Jack Perry at 4:52 PM Suspicious fire at old Providence food terminal started in debrisPROVIDENCE -- Accumulated debris, including wood pallets, was the fuel for a fire of suspicious origin that flared up last night at the long-vacant Providence Wholesale Produce Terminal on Harris Avenue, a fire official said today. The cause of the fire, which was reported at 6:12 p.m. yesterday and confined to the second floor of the long, narrow concrete-and-brick structure, is suspicious because there is no electrical power, heat or any other source of accidental ignition in the building, city Fire Marshal George S. Farrell said. The terminal, closed in 1998, has been scorched repeatedly by fires. Posted by Andrea Panciera at 4:50 PM Zoo offering free holiday admission, starting tomorrowPROVIDENCE --Roger Williams Park Zoo is thanking supporters with free admission for all visitors from tomorrow through New Year’s Day, Jan. 1, 2006. For visitors who wish to do so, the zoo, at 1000 Elmwood Ave., will accept free-will donations of any amount in lieu of the normal admission price, to be directed towards its efforts to provide free or reduced zoo admission throughout the year for children and community organizations in need. Posted by Journal Staff at 4:33 PM Powerball ticket bought in Warwick nets $200,000A pair of Powerball players who bought tickets in Rhode Island came oh-so-close yesterday -- but didn't win the $113,200,000 jackpot, according to the Rhode Island Lottery. A ticket sold at Haxton's West Bay Liquors, 2430 Warwick Ave., in Warwick is worth $200,000 because it matched all five white numbered balls, according to the Lottery. That player missed the jackpot because the ticket didn't match the red PowerBall. And a ticket sold at Cumberland Farms, 823 Smithfield Ave. in Lincoln is worth $10,000 because it matched four white numbered balls plus the red PowerBall. A lucky player or players who bought a ticket in Iowa won the $113,200,000 jackpot. Eric Dickervitz, a Rhode Island Lottery spokesman, said he didn't believe the local winners had come forward as of late this afternoon. Posted by Jack Perry at 4:01 PM Narragansetts get HUD funds for new health centerWASHINGTON, D.C. - The Narragansett Indian Department of Housing will receive another $500,000 in federal funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for the construction of a new Indian Health Center, Sen. Jack Reed said today. The existing Narragansett Indian Health Center in Charlestown has become too small to provide necessary services, according to Reed. The Rhode Island Democrat says he has supported funding for the project in the past. In 2003, the tribe received $1.3 million for the facility from another HUD program. Posted by Jack Perry at 3:33 PM Report: R.I. hospitals provided $21.5M in charity care in 2004PROVIDENCE - Rhode Island hospitals provided $21.5 million in free care to people who couldn't pay for their services last year, an increase from $15.7 million in 2003, according an annual report by the Rhode Island Health Department called “Hospital Community Benefits Report (2004) ”. The $21.5 million in charity care, charges for services billed but not booked as receivable because the patient was medically indigent, amounted to 1 percent of total patient revenues at the 14 hospitals, according to the report released today. The report also shows that the hospitals incurred $52.2 million in bad debt, a separate category that measures charges that were billed but written off because the money couldn't be collected. That amounted to 2.5 percent of patient revenues. For the five years 2000-2004, the highest charity care burdens were incurred at Butler Hospital (2.2%), Memorial Hospital (1.5%), Newport Hospital (1.0%), and Rhode Island Hospital (1.0%). Posted by Jack Perry at 3:12 PM Providence, Narragansett fire depts. get Homeland Security fundsWASHINGTON, D.C. - The Providence and Narragansett Fire Departments have received funds for training and equipment from the Department of Homeland Security, Sen. Jack Reed announced today. The Providence Fire Department will get $560,000 and the Narragansett Fire Department will get $50,533, according to the Rhode Island Democrat. The departments will use the money to improve firefighting operations, fund firefighter health and safety programs, buy fire apparatus, enhance EMS programs, and conduct fire prevention and safety programs. Posted by Jack Perry at 2:45 PM AG's office: New database aiding stolen jewelry arrestsPROVIDENCE - The state Attorney General's Office credits a new, Internet-based monitoring system with leading to more than 25 arrests for breaking and entering, embezzlement and other crimes involving stolen jewelry since it went into effect in July. All pawnshops and other dealers of precious metals are required under law to file a form with the Attorney General's Office that provides information on the seller as well as a description of precious metals that are purchased or pawned, according to the attorney general's office. Members of the attorney general's Bureau of Criminal Identification enter the information into the Rhode Island Precious Metals and Pawn Database, which links to police departments throughout Rhode Island and nearby parts of Massachusetts, according to the attorney general. Posted by Jack Perry at 2:31 PM Brown's Hartigan makes AP's All-America team
The senior ran for 1,727 yards, tops in the nation, and scored 21 touchdowns in helping Brown win its first outright league title. He also set the Ivy League mark for career touchdowns with 52. Two of Hartigan's teammates made the third-team defense, linebacker Zak DeOssie and defensive back James Gasparella. -- Associated Press with Journal reports Posted by Jack Perry at 1:51 PM Auction of Kennedy memorabilia opensNEW YORK -- John F. Kennedy's 1951 passport sold for $54,000 and Jacqueline Kennedy's 1953 passport for $56,500 today, the opening day of an auction of Kennedy memorabilia that offers a glimpse into their daily lives. The sale of 1,500 lots by Guernsey's auction house also included the Omega watch Kennedy wore at his presidential inauguration, a sailboat and rocking chairs. The sale prices included a 20 percent commission. Only a few dozen bidders showed up in person today, with most bids offered by telephone or through the Internet. The auction, which concludes Saturday, offered lots for as little as $100 - from restaurant bills and a packet of crayons used by young Caroline Kennedy to campaign posters and buttons. Posted by Andrea Panciera at 1:35 PM Suspect in Conn. jogger's death charged with kidnappingDANIELSON, Conn. -- A Plainfield man told authorities he accidentally struck a jogger with his car, panicked and then hid her body - which was found tied with rope - on property owned by the performer who portrays Big Bird on "Sesame Street," state prosecutors said yesterday. Scott Deojay, 36, was arraigned on kidnapping and other charges at Danielson Superior Court yesterday and ordered held on $510,000 bond with a suicide watch. Forty-four-year-old Judith Nilan's body was found just over the Connecticut line in Worcester County in Massachusetts. Her hands were tied behind her back and "the rope was passed across the front of her body and then wrapped around her neck and her ankles," a state police affidavit supporting Deojay's arrest said. The affidavit also said Nilan appeared to have been beaten about the head and her running pants were pulled down to her knees.
That decision is expected at another court hearing scheduled for Friday.
Posted by Andrea Panciera at 1:26 PM R.I. puts off agreeing to greenhouse pactPROVIDENCE - As of today, Rhode Island has not agreed to participate in a multi-state effort to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from power plants, according to Governor Carcieri's spokesmanl. Carcieri will continue talks with other states, but, spokesman Jeff Neal said, "The governor just doesn't think that we need to rush into a plan without knowledge of what the impact will be." Nine states have been involved in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative since 2003. Governors of Delaware, New Jersey, New York and the New England states had agreed to sign a memorandum of understanding by Dec. 1. Citing economic concerns, Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney postponed the deadline until today. As of today, Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island are not participants. - Journal staff writer Brandie Jefferson Posted by Jack Perry at 10:53 AM Auction of Providence Athenaeum's Audubon prints on for todayNEW YORK -- Christie's auction house is scheduled at 4 p.m. today to sell a rare copy of John James Audubon's The Birds of America, owned by the Providence Athenaeum. The so-called "double elephant" edition of Birds is expected to bring $5 million to $10 million, and the Providence Athenaeum plans to use the money to boost its endowment and help pay for repairs to its Benefit Street headquarters. For more on the prints, what they look like, and the controversial sale, view a multimedia report by Journal arts writer Bill Van Siclen. Posted by Jack Perry at 10:47 AM Wintry mix may cause problems for commuters tomorrow morningPROVIDENCE - A wintry storm mix mayl create problems for commuters tomorrow morning, the National Weather Service says. A developing coastal storm should bring snow, sleet, freezing rain and rain to southern New England tomorrow, the weather service says in a special weather statement. The storm will begin as snow, but change to rain from the coast to the Route 95 corridor early tomorrow morning, the weather service says. A period of icing will precede the change in interior locations. Check projo.com's weather page for the latest conditions and forecasts. Posted by Jack Perry at 9:57 AM Business council to discuss sales tax holidayPROVIDENCE - The Rhode Island Small Business Advocacy Council, chaired by Lt. Gov. Charles J. Fogarty, is scheduled to meet at 9 a.m. today in the State House to discuss a resolution in support of a sales tax holiday, among other things. Scott Wolf, executive director of Grow Smart Rhode Island, will also give a presentation on smart growth and Grow Smart's strategy to prevent sprawl and urban decay in the state. Posted by Jack Perry at 9:00 AM December 14, 2005Ex-McDonald's worker gets 42 months for break-time robberyPROVIDENCE - A former McDonald's restaurant employee was sentenced to 42 months in federal prison today for robbing a nearby credit union during a break from his job, the U.S. Attorney's Office announced today. Robert A. Salisbury, 22, of Foster, pleaded guilty in June to robbing a federally insured financial institution, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office. On April 13, Salisbury took a break from his job at a McDonald's in Scituate Plaza, walked over to the Dexter Credit Union in the same plaza and handed a teller a note demanding money, the U.S. Attorney's Office said. The teller handed him $4,620 and he fled, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office. Posted by Jack Perry at 4:46 PM Reed: Venezuelan oil deal could be ready by holidaysWASHINGTON - There may be a deal ``by the holidays'' to get some discount-price heating oil to needy Rhode Islanders through the Venezuelan-controlled Citgo, U.S. Sen. Jack Reed said today. The Rhode Island Democrat spoke after a meeting at his office with the Venezuelan ambassador, Bernardo Alvarez Herrera, and Citgo's chief lobbyist, Rafael Gomez. Along with the state energy office and the industry-affiliated Rhode Island Heat Oil Institute, the parties have been talking for several weeks about a possible agreement to distribute Venezuelan-subsidized fuel to poor households. Such agreements are already in place for Boston and for the Bronx in New York City, with Citgo oil flowing at as much as 40 percent below market price. In a conference telephone call with reporters, Reed sidestepped a question about U.S. relations with the Chavez government, stressing the number of U.S. jobs and businesses tied to the Houston-based Citgo, which is controlled by Venezuela's state oil company. ``We're actually trying to help people and we're not doing it in a way that compromises'' the foreign policy of the United State, Reed said. Sen. Lincoln Chafee, who had a separate meeting with Venezuelan and Citgo officials, said he appreciated Citgo's availability. "I hope we can work together to provide relief for low-income households and people struggling to meet their energy needs in Rhode Island," the Rhode Island Republican said. -- Journal Washington bureau writer John E. Mulligan, with projo.com reports For more background, read today's related Journal story. Posted by Andrea Panciera at 4:29 PM Elmwood Community Center holding 'toy-gun buy back' todayPROVIDENCE - Asking children to take a stand against gun violence, the Elmwood Community Center, at 155 Niagara St., is holding a "toy gun buy back" from 5 to 6 p.m. today. The center is asking children to turn in their toy guns in exchange for non-violent toys. Posted by Jack Perry at 4:23 PM Burst pipe cancels Nepenthe Cafe show FridayEAST GREENWICH -- A burst water pipe at Nepenthe Cafe has canceled Friday's planned show by Jacqueline Bartlett, Lucy Martinez and Shayna Gonsalves, Bartlett said in an e-mail this afternoon. "And just in case you already have a babysitter or a night off," she added, "there's some great music happening at the Peeptoad Coffeehouse in Foster, RI ... Definitely worth the trip! (That's where I'll be.)" The Atwater Donnelly Trio will be performing. Posted by Journal Staff at 3:57 PM Man charged in death of Conn. joggerDANIELSON, Conn. -- A man told authorities his car accidentally hit a jogger found dead yesterday on property in Woodstock owned by the actor who plays Big Bird, prosecutors said. They said today they plan to pursue homicide charges. Scott Deojay, 36, of Plainfield said nothing during a brief appearance in Danielson Superior Court today. He is charged with kidnapping in connection with the disappearance of 44-year-old social worker Judith Nilan, who never returned from her regular afternoon jog Monday. -- Associated Press Deojay is scheduled to return to court Friday, which will give authorities in Connecticut and Massachusetts time to decide who has jurisdiction in the case. Nilan's body was found yesterday morning in a shed on the Massachusetts border. State police said Caroll Spinney, who plays Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch on the TV show "Sesame Street, had nothing to do with the woman's death. They said Deojay had done work on Spinney's sprawling property in the past. Today, Windham State's Attorney Patricia Froehlich asked Superior Court Judge Michael Riley to set Deojay's bond at $1 million, but Riley set it at $500,000. Froehlich said investigators plan to seek homicide charges. Riley said things would have been different had Deojay called 911. Deojay was arrested yesterday after he was discharged from a hospital where he underwent a medical evaluation. Authorities would not say why he went to the hospital. Nilan was abducted along her jogging route in Woodstock, Vance said. State police are still trying to determine whether Deojay knew she jogged there regularly. Nilan's body was sent to the Massachusetts medical examiner's office for an autopsy, and calls seeking comment were placed to Massachusetts authorities. Police said that among other evidence, they found an invoice at the scene of the abduction that led them to Deojay. Woodstock, home to about 8,000 people, is about 40 miles northeast of Hartford and 30 miles southwest of Worcester, Mass. Posted by Jack Perry at 3:19 PM Airport shuttle van burns after dropping off passengersWARWICK - No one was hurt when a 21-passenger airport shuttle van caught fire and sustained heavy damage on Route 95 at about 2 p.m. today. Just after the driver had dropped off all 21 passengers at T.F. Green Airport and was traveling south on the highway near exit 12, other drivers motioned for the driver to pull over, said state police Lt. David S. Neill. The van quickly became engulfed in flames. The driver, from Liberty Limousine, was unharmed. The cause of the fire was unknown. All four southbound lanes were closed briefly, while the accident was cleared, Neill said. Posted by Jack Perry at 2:44 PM Photo: Lining up against the cold
Journal photo / Bob Breidenbach Tom Handfield of West Warwick explains how he dresses for work on frigid days like today, for his job at the GTECH construction site in downtown Providence. Check for the latest weather conditions and area forecasts. More on the weather to come later on projo.com and in tomorrow's Journal... Posted by Andrea Panciera at 1:58 PM 'A Kwanzaa Song' starts tomorrow in PawtucketPAWTUCKET - The Mixed Magic Theatre will present the 7th annual production of A Kwanzaa Song starting tomorrow at 7 p.m. The musical will also show at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and at 3 p.m. Sunday, at the 171 Main St. location. General admission is $18, $10 for seniors. Posted by Jack Perry at 1:24 PM Former Providence man sentenced in crack-trafficking casePROVIDENCE - A 25-year-old former Providence man is the latest defendant sentenced to prison as a result of Operation Royal Flush, a multi-agency investigation into drug trafficking by members and associates of the Almighty Latin King Nation, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office. Juan Guerrero, one of a dozen defendants charged federally as a result of the investigation, was sentenced yesterday to 188 months in federal prison for engaging in a crack-trafficking conspiracy, the U.S. Attorney's Office announced. In September, Guerrero, also known as "Pawtucket," pleaded guilty to conspiring to distribute crack cocaine. He was arrested in February by a police SWAT team in Denver after fleeing the state following his November 2004 indictment, the U.S. Attorney's Office said. Posted by Jack Perry at 1:17 PM Providence library to hold reception tomorrow for Lincoln exhibitPROVIDENCE -- Beginning this week, the Providence Public Library's central branch will celebrate the 16th president's life and legacy in a traveling exhibit entitled "Forever Free: Abraham Lincoln's Journey to Emancipation." The series opens with a reception at 6 p.m. tomorrow featuring remarks by state Supreme Court Chief Justice Frank J. Williams, a national Lincoln expert and scholar. The reception also includes a 7 p.m. Providence Brigade Band concert in the auditorium. The Artillery Company of Newport, a reenactment group, will greet guests in full uniform, library officials said. A caption in the Metro section of today's Journal incorrectly reported the date of the reception. Posted by Andrea Panciera at 12:00 PM Hearing in Fall River tonight on dredging for LNG proposalFALL RIVER, Mass. - The Army Corps of Engineers is planning to hold a public hearing tonight on Weaver's Cove Energy's plan to dredge the Mount Hope Bay shipping channel as part of its proposed liquefied natural gas facility in Fall River. To allow passage of LNG supertankers, Weaver's Cove must remove roughly 2.5 million cubic yards of sediment across seven miles of Mount Hope Bay. The company hopes to dump the material 6.5 miles east of Block Island in Rhode Island Sound. The hearing is planned for 5 p.m. tonight at Durfee High School in Fall River.
Posted by Jack Perry at 11:50 AM Shellfish areas re-opened to meet holiday demandPROVIDENCE - Noting that the winter holiday season is important for commercial fishermen because of high demand for traditional shellfish meals, the state Department of Environmental Management has re-opened several shellfish management areas today to commercial harvest. Re-opened are the Bissel Cove/Fox Island Management Area and High Banks Management Area, both in North Kingstown, Bristol Management Area and Mill Gut Management Area, both in Bristol, and Potowomut Management Area A in Warwick and North Kingstown. For more information, check the DEM's Web site. Posted by Jack Perry at 10:02 AM URI chemistry prof to testify before House security panelA University of Rhode Island professor will testify about bomb-making materials today at a hearing of the House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Prevention of Nuclear and Biological Attack in Washington, D.C. As part of her testimony, Dr. Jimmie C. Oxley, a chemistry professor, will lay the foundation for a discussion of the risks of ammonium nitrate if obtained by terrorists. Her field of research is the study of explosives and other energetic materials. Oxley will be one of five witnesses at the hearing on possible legislation to regulate the sale of ammonium nitrate to keep it out of the hands of terrorists. U.S. Rep. James Langevin, D-R.I., is a member of the subcommittee and will be attending the hearing. Posted by Jack Perry at 9:59 AM Snow, sleet, rain heading for region late tomorrowPROVIDENCE - The National Weather Service warns that a storm will bring a mix of snow, sleet, freezing rain and rain to southern New England from around midnight tomorrow through Friday evening. The storm will also cause strong, gusty winds along coastal sections of Massachusetts and Rhode Island, the weather service says in a special weather statement. Posted by Jack Perry at 9:04 AM Health Department schedules more flu clinicsThe Rhode Island Department of Health has scheduled four more flu clinics open to all Rhode Islanders, including one from 10 a.m. to noon todayat the Silver Lake Senior Center, Providence. The others are 9 a.m. to noon tomorrow at the Tiverton Senior Center, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday at the East Providence Senior Center, and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at the Wakefield Mall. For more information, check out the Health Department's Web site. Posted by Jack Perry at 8:56 AM December 13, 20053 men sought in Pawtucket home break-inPAWTUCKET - Police are looking for three men who broke into an elderly man’s home last night and robbed the residence. Around 5:40 p.m., police say three men, two of them wearing ski masks, broke into a house on Ferncrest Drive and held the owner, at gunpoint, demanding money. The man handed over the cash in his wallet – less than Two of the men then held the man’s daughter, described by police as in her mid-50s, at knifepoint and demanded money. She didn’t have any, so instead, they took jewelry, said police, who described it as mostly costume jewelry pieces not of great value. - Journal staff writer Talia Buford The three men ran from the house on foot. Neither the homeowner or his daughter was hurt. Police are still investigating why the house was targeted, Major John J. Whiting said. “There was no indication that he had money in the house – it was just two people living together,” he said. “As far as we can tell, there weren’t any deliveries of furniture or appliances; nothing that would raise suspicion. Anyone with information is being asked to contact police Det. William Magill at 727-9100 ext. 724. Posted by Jack Perry at 4:01 PM Conn. woman found dead after going for a runWOODSTOCK, Conn. -- The body of a 44-year-old woman who disappeared while jogging was found today in a building near her home, state police said. Judith Nilan, a social worker at a local school, was last seen alive about 4:30 p.m. yesterday, when she went out for a daily run wearing a yellow windbreaker, ear warmers, running pants and white sneakers, state police said. Nilan's husband searched her normal jogging route after she failed to return home three hours later, and called state police after failing to find her, said Sgt. J. Paul Vance, a state police spokesman. - The Associated Press. The state police used tracking dogs, a helicopter and volunteers to search for Nilan. The body, tentatively identified as Nilan's, was found at about 11 a.m. this morning, Vance said. It was sent to the medical examiner's office in Farmington for an autopsy. Temperatures in the area dipped into the teens overnight. Posted by Jack Perry at 3:06 PM Report: R.I. 8th costliest state for rentersRhode Island ranks as the eighth-most expensive state in the country for renters, according to a report released today by a national group that advocates for affordable housing. A worker would have to earn $18.42 per hour for a 40-hour work week to afford the fair market monthly rent and utilities of $958 for a two-bedroom apartment here, according to the report by the National Low Income Housing Coalition. The estimated average wage for a renter here is $10.34 per hour, according to the report, called "Out of Reach 2005." Nationally, households must earn an average of $15.78 per hour to afford rent and utilities on a two-bedroom fair market rental. That's 41 cents more per hour than renters needed last year, an increase the report attributes in large part to a 13-percent jump in housing-related fuel and utilities costs. The most expensive state is Hawaii, where a renter would have to earn $22.30 per hour. Housing is considered affordable, according to the report, if it costs no more than 30 percent of the renter's income. Posted by Jack Perry at 2:58 PM Updated: Stephen Hamblett, former Journal publisher, community leader, dies at 71
 Journal file photo STEPHEN HAMBLETT PROVIDENCE -- Stephen Hamblett, former chairman, publisher and chief executive officer of The Providence Journal Co., relentless supporter of community improvements and a quiet but forceful presence in the rebirth of downtown Providence, died this morning at Rhode Island Hospital after a battle against cancer. He was 71. Funeral arrangements were incomplete this morning. Guestbook: Sign an online sympathy book for Stephen Hamblett.
Posted by Andrea Panciera at 12:54 PM New federal tax forms now onlineLooking to start your tax return early? The Internal Revenue Service said today it has posted on its Web site all the forms you'd need to prepare your 2005 return. The IRS also said that about 63 percent of Rhode Islanders claim the standard deduction; the remaining 37 percent itemize deductions. Posted by Neil Downing at 10:32 AM Elections board votes no confidence in its chairmanPROVIDENCE - The state Board of Elections this morning took a 4-1 no confidence against its chairman, former Democratic Lt. Gov. Roger N. Begin. The issue was put on the board's agenda today at the request of vice chairman Thomas Iannitti. Iannitti said today he hoped Begin would resign for the overall benefit of the board and the public's perception of it. Begin, who was at the meeting, did not comment. Begin has previously said he has no intention of resigning before his term ends in 2007. - Journal staff writer Scott Mayerowitz. Iannitti was also behind a movement to oust Begin last year. That effort resulted in a November 2004 no-confidence vote, but Begin refused to resign. In an e-mail that Begin made public recently, Iannitti chided Begin for his public explanation of why he had removed himself from any further involvement in the board's handling of a case sparked by Democratic party chief William Lynch's allegation that Governor Carcieri and the state GOP had violated campaign-spending laws in 2002. Iannitti said today he wanted to send a message that "when Roger Begin speaks, he only speaks as an individual." The only person to side with Begin was board member John A. Daluz. Daluz said the blame for the board's problems goes all around. "I think the vice chairman wants the chairman's job," he said. In response, Iannitti said he has recently purchased a home in Florida, and he plans to move there sometime in 2007. "I have no desire to become the chairman of the Rhode Island Board of Elections," he said. In seeking the earlier vote, Iannitti alleged "foot-dragging" on the issues that forced the board's former director, Robert Fontaine, to resign and ultimately plead guilty to obtaining money under false pretenses. Read Journal reporter Katherine Gregg's Saturday story. - Journal staff writer Scott Mayerowitz.
Posted by Jack Perry at 10:05 AM The "Dancing Cop" entertains today at Thayer and WatermanPROVIDENCE - Continuing his holiday tradition, the "Dancing Cop" is scheduled to direct traffic from noon to 1:30 p.m. today at Thayer Street and Waterman Avenue. Retired Providence Police Officer Tony Lepore first started entertaining pedestrians and drivers in 1987, and he's once again dancing and directing traffic at a variety of city intersections this season. Posted by Jack Perry at 9:09 AM "Dragon Tales" canceled at PPACDragon Tales Live "Missing Music Mystery," scheduled to play the Providence Performing Arts Center from May 19 to 21, has been canceled because the tour closed, PPAC announced today. Full refunds for tickets to all performances are available at the point of purchase; tickets purchased at the PPAC box office by charge have already been refunded, while tickets purchased by cash or check can be mailed with the return address or brought in person. For more information, call (401) 421-2787. Posted by Journal Staff at 8:57 AM Carcieri renews call for increased home energy fundingPROVIDENCE - Governor Carcieri has renewed his request for Congress to approve increased funding for the federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program before it adjourns for the year, according to the governor's office. In December 9th letters to House and Senate leaders, Carcieri and Maine Governor John Baldacci, respectively chairman and vice chairman of the Coalition of Northeastern Governors, asked Congress to approve a total of $3.183 billion in new LIHEAP funding. "Persistent record high prices for energy, and the prospect of energy shortages in some areas, are creating a home energy crisis for millions of low-income Americans this winter," the governors wrote. Posted by Jack Perry at 8:52 AM December 12, 2005Two to share Red Sox GM jobBOSTON (AP) -- Instead of hiring a new general manager, the Boston Red Sox decided assistant general manager Jed Hoyer and director of player development Ben Cherington will share the job.
Posted by at 4:26 PM Woonsocket man held without bail after arrest in stabbingWOONSOCKET - A city man facing an attempted murder charge after police said he stabbed a neighbor during an argument over loud music was ordered held without bail today because the incident occurred while he was out on bail on a previous assault charge. Robert Douangmala, 19, of 12 Buxton St., had been ordered held on a $100,000 surety bond Saturday after being arraigned on the attempted murder charge. Michael Healey, spokesman for Atty. Gen Patrick Lynch, said because Douangmala was already awaiting trial on an August felony assault charge, Douangmala’s arrest this weekend was sufficient reason to review Douangmala’s bail status on the other charge, and a hearing was set for Dec. 22. The state asked that he be held without bail at least until then. A standard condition of bail is that the defendant keep the peace, including not getting arrested on other charges. Because Douangmala was ordered held on a $100,00 surety bond for the Saturday charge, that meant he could be released if he posted 10 percent of total value, or $10,000. But Healey said because the state had subsequently asked he be held as a bail violator, even if he posted bail on the Rondeau assault, he would still be ordered held as a bail violator, at least pending the Dec. 22 hearing. Posted by Jack Perry at 3:17 PM Red Sox to announce front office restructuringBOSTON - The Red Sox have scheduled a 3:30 p.m. press conference to announce a restructuring of their front office, which has been without a general manager since Theo Epstein resigned Oct. 31. Posted by Jack Perry at 2:35 PM Judge sets one trial date in nightclub fire casePROVIDENCE - A judge set a May 1 trial date for one of three men charged in the 2003 nightclub fire that killed 100 people. Daniel Biechele, the former tour manager for the rock band Great White, faces 200 counts of involuntary manslaughter. He lit the pyrotechnics display that ignited flammable foam lining the ceiling and walls of The Station nightclub in West Warwick. Biechele is being tried separately from club owners Jeffrey and Michael Derderian, who are also each charged with 200 counts of manslaughter. No trial date has been set yet for the brothers, but they are scheduled to have a pretrial conference on Jan. 27. - The Associated Press Posted by Jack Perry at 2:28 PM Gas prices climb 10 centsPROVIDENCE - Gasoline prices in Rhode Island jumped 10 cents this week, the first increase in prices since Labor Day, according to AAA Southern New England. The average price for a gallon of regular, unleaded gasoline is $2.15 at the self-service pump, according to AAA's weekly survey. AAA blames the increase on colder weather and its impact on crude oil prices. Posted by Jack Perry at 11:56 AM Judge drops proposed rule restricting court informationPROVIDENCE - The U.S. District Court in Rhode Island eliminated a proposed rule today that would have banned lawyers or court workers from releasing information that was not part of a case's public record. Lawyers, civil rights advocates and journalists had argued against the rule, saying it amounted to a blanket gag order on free speech. - The Associated Press Posted by Jack Perry at 11:29 AM Derderians' bankruptcy hearing continues todayPROVIDENCE - A hearing into the bankruptcy filing of The Station nightclub owners is continuing this morning in the U.S. Trustees Office in Providence. The hearing provides a chance for those who may be owed money to question Jeffrey and Michael Derderian, owners of the West Warwick club where a February 2003 fire killed 100 people. The hearing started Nov. 9, with the Derderians answering questions for several hours before the trustee continued it until today. Posted by Jack Perry at 10:37 AM Conservative group endorses Laffey for SenateWASHINGTON -- Calling Stephen P. Laffey ``a pro-growth, Reagan Republican,'' the president of the conservative Club for Growth today announced his endorsement of the Cranston mayor's campaign to unseat Sen. Lincoln D. Chafee. Pat Toomey, a former congressman who now runs the Washington-based advocacy group, called the 2006 Laffey-Chafee primary contest ``the first skirmish in a very important battle'' to rededicate the GOP to the limited-government principles of the late President Ronald Reagan. Toomey aired his long-anticipated endorsement in an essay on the Wall Street Journal's editorial page, a favorite organ of conservative opinion. -- John Mulligan, Journal Washington Bureau Posted by Jack Perry at 10:04 AM R.I. child struck by car in Mass.ROCKLAND, Mass. -- A toddler was seriously injured yesterday afternoon when he was struck by a car after running onto a Rockland street, police said. Police identified the 2-year-old boy as Bartek Chimielinski of Pawtucket. He suffered serious head injuries when he was hit by a Nissan Maxima at 1:15 p.m. The child initially was in serious condition, but was downgraded to critical condition by Sunday night, Children's Hospital spokeswoman Anna Gonski said. - The Associated Press Posted by Jack Perry at 9:01 AM R.I. small businesses to create jobs with Sovereign Bank loansThree R.I. businesses - Gamer Graffix, of Cranston, Tango Pix, of Providence, and Helen's Bakery, of North Providence - will be granted a total of $3.3 million in small business loans from Sovereign Bank's new Job Foundation Program. The companies will use the loans to create 60 jobs. Sovereign scheduled ceremonies at the three small businesses today to announce the loans. Posted by at 8:00 AM December 9, 2005Fast-moving storm leaves traffic jam behind / Photo
PROVIDENCE -- Major traffic arteries around the city were blocked late this afternoon, with reports of motorists stalled in place for more than an hour, in the wake of a fast-moving snowstorm. State traffic cam views showed bumper-to-bumper red lights on Route 95 at Kinsley Avenue, Orms Street, Route 10 and Elmwood Avenue. And one caller to the Dan Yorke show on WPRO-AM radio said she had been stuck in her car for more than an hour, trying to get out of the Providence Place mall parking garage.
Posted by Andrea Panciera at 4:57 PM Ann Hill, advocate for elderly and minorities, dies at 77PROVIDENCE -- Ann D. Hill, former longtime director of the St. Martin de Porres Center and executive director of the John Hope Settlement House, advocate for the elderly and minorities, and a central figure in her West End neighborhood, died yesterday at Bannister House nursing home. Ill for more than a year, she was 77. Feisty, funny and direct, Mrs. Hill devoted herself to social causes ranging from education, housing and health care, to advancements for African-Americans and other minorities, and helping the elderly maintain independence. She served on innumerable boards and committees, including the Providence School Committee, the Governor’s and Mayor’s Advisory Committees on Aging, the Rhode Island Committee on the Humanities, the Bannister Nursing Home, the West Side Neighborhood Council, the Rhode Island Arthritis Foundation, and the Rhode Island Hospital Board of Trustees. Two years ago, she was made one of the few honorary hospital board trustees in recent history. -- Journal staff writer Karen Lee Ziner Posted by Andrea Panciera at 4:49 PM Blanket of white gives way to clear gray skiesPROVIDENCE -- As the evening began to fall, it looked as if the weather service's prediction has come true. Skies were turning a clear gray instead of the snowy white that dominated for hours this afternoon. Local radar showed the brief, but intense, storm that struck the area moving out of the region with its back end touching the outer edge of Cape Cod. But that didn't mean that problems wrought by the storm were over. Reports of stalled traffic, delayed school buses, slippery roads, motor vehicle accidents, downed trees and power lines, and electric outages were still coming in from around Rhode Island. Check the full 9to5 blog for more reports and find a continuing roundup here ...
Posted by Andrea Panciera at 4:39 PM Photo: Snow puts cross-country contenders on the run
Journal photo / Kris Craig Young athletes from around the country who will compete tomorrow the National Junior Olympics cross-country event at Bryant University in Smithfield were just in time today to face a winter squall, whose high winds and stinging snow forced them out of their event tent. Posted by Andrea Panciera at 4:16 PM Update: Poor conditions shut Green Airport runwaysWARWICK -- Icy runways and poor visibility have closed the runways at T.F. Green Airport this afternoon, a spokeswoman said. The airport took the unusual step at about 2:30 p.m. as snow blanketed the area. Flights have been cancelled, delayed or diverted to other airports, including Bradley in Hartford, Conn., and the New York airports, as the storm continues its track east. The terminal, however, is still open, and passengers are being asked to check with their carriers about the status of flights later today. No incidents or accidents occurred at Green. Spokeswoman Patti Goldstein said flights were not being diverted to Logan International Airport in Boston, which was also disrupted by the storm. Goldstein said conditions looked as if they were improving at 3:30 p.m. Runways were being cleared at about 4 p.m. and Goldstein expected they would re-open. Check for flight status at Green.
Posted by Andrea Panciera at 4:07 PM No one hurt as Middletown school bus hits power linesMIDDLETOWN – A school bus delivering nine middle school students drove into power lines hanging across Paradise Avenue after a tree fell into a yard. No one was hurt in the incident. Due to widespread power outages, it is unclear whether the lines that fell on the bus transporting the students from the Valley Community School were live, said Capt. Robert Faria of the Fire Department, who responded along with the police and National Grid utility workers. The bus driver stopped the vehicle, and students remained on the bus while the lines were removed, and the bus continued on its route. - Journal staff writer Kia Hall Hayes Posted by Jack Perry at 4:03 PM Band of snow creating near-blizzard conditionsPROVIDENCE -- Glimpses of sun blended surrealistically with winter white late this afternoon, as a band of heavy snow moved through the area. The snow, accompanied by blustery winds, was expected to create near-blizzard conditions in eastern Rhode Snowfall rates of 1 to 3 inches per hour are expected as this band pushes through the area. The back edge of it will move east of all but Plymouth County and Cape Cod by 5 p.m. Away from the coast, blustery northwest winds of 15 to 25 mph with gusts to 35 mph will accompany the snow. Until the snow ends, visibility will be as low as one quarter mile or less at times. See the storm move through via a live radar loop.
Posted by Andrea Panciera at 3:46 PM DOT asks motorists to stay off the roadsPROVIDENCE - With a return of snow creating whiteout conditions around the region, the state Department of Transportation is asking travelers to stay at their present locations and off the highways so it can treat and clear the roads. Travel on Route 95 was crawling in the Providence-Pawtucket area, with about 6 inches of snow on the roadway. Some cars are off the road. View conditions via DOT's traffic cams. -- With reports from Journal staff writer Cynthia Needham Posted by Jack Perry at 3:24 PM Providence man sentenced in cocaine delivery casePROVIDENCE - A Providence man was sentenced to 15 years in prison today after he admitted this summer to providing security for two large shipments of cocaine that were supposed to have been distributed throughout the Northeast. Robert A. Nardolillo, 48, of 28 Delmar Road, didn't know he was talking to an undercover FBI agent when he agreed to protect the shipment in the spring and summer of 2001. Nardolillo pleaded guilty in August to two counts of possession with intent to distribute more than 5 kilograms of cocaine, attempting to possess with intent to distribute more than 5 kilograms of cocaine and possessing a firearm during a drug-trafficking crime.
Posted by Jack Perry at 2:57 PM Updated: High winds strike South CountyVery strong winds hit southern Rhode Island coastal communities this afternoon, including gusts as high as 75 miles an hour on Block Island. Trees and power lines are down throughout the region. An intense burst of wind knocked down trees in Wakefield in South Kingstown, closing at least one road and leaving trees and branches scattered throughout the town The wind roared in about 1:30 p.m., sounding like "a freight train," according to a witness, who estimated gusts of 50 to 55 mph for about five minutes. Traffic lights are out at the major intersection of Routes 138 and 1 in South Kingstown, with police reporting they have no cars available to dispatch there. A tree in the road has closed Curtis Corner Road near South Road, and a downed tree has Green Hill Beach Road shut down. Hot wires are reported on the ground along Silver Lake and a utility pole is down on Matunuck Beach Road in South Kingstown. In Narragansett, residents along Spring Cove Road have been told by police to stay in their homes; a tree has take down a primary electric wire there. Wires are also down at the Great Island Bridge in Narragansett. The high wind has been followed by heavy snow. Before that, it had been raining, and there was just about an inch of slush on the ground.
Posted by Jack Perry at 2:38 PM Mass. high court denies new trial in Newport sailing instructor's murderBOSTON - The state's highest court refused today to order a new trial for a sex offender convicted of fatally stabbing a 30-year-old Newport sailing instructor in the bathroom of a highway rest stop. Alexandra Zapp's July 2002 murder inspired a new law designed to make it easier to keep sex offenders behind bars. The Supreme Judicial Court concluded that Paul Leahy, who had served a 13-year prison sentence for rape in the 1980s, got a fair trial before he was convicted of first-degree murder in Zapp's slaying. Zapp, a sailing instructor and charity fundraiser from Newport, had stopped at a rest area along Route 24 in Bridgewater on her way home from a Boston Harbor cruise. - Associated Press Posted by Jack Perry at 2:31 PM Updated: Pell Bridge has re-opened.NEWPORT -- The Pell Bridge between Newport and Jamestown was re-opened at about 3:30 this afternoon, after high winds had closed the bridge at 2 p.m. -- Journal South County bureau Posted by Andrea Panciera at 2:21 PM Pona gets 10 years for killing friend with carPROVIDENCE - A Providence woman was sentenced to 10 years in prison today following her conviction last month for leaving the scene of an accident after she ran down and killed a longtime friend with her car. In an emotional scene in Superior Court, Carol A. Pona, 46, apologized for the April 7, 2001, accident that killed Sarah L. Brown, 66, in South Providence. Pona today also pleaded guilty to a charge that deadlocked the jury during her November trial. On that charge - driving to endanger, death resulting - Pona was given a 10-year suspended sentence to begin after she completes her 10-year prison sentence. Pona will be given credit for time already served, estimated to be 10 months to a year. The incident happened outside the Public Street Market, at Public Street and Gordon Avenue, after Pona had a prolonged and profane argument with Vickey Brown Symonds, a daughter of the victim. - Journal staff writer Gregory Smith Posted by Jack Perry at 2:15 PM Jury finds city of Providence not liable in Young's deathPROVIDENCE -- The jury has found the city of Providence was not liable in the shooting death of Sgt. Cornel Young Jr. by two fellow officers. The verdict was announced at about 1:30 p.m., followingd a month-long trial and deliberations that began Wednesday afternoon. The civil rights lawsuit in U.S. District Court had been brought by Young's mother, Leisa Young. -- Journal political columnist M. Charles Bakst Posted by Andrea Panciera at 1:38 PM Verdict to be announced in Young casePROVIDENCE -- The jury has reached a verdict in the civil rights lawsuit brought by the mother of a black Providence police officer accidentally shot to death by two white colleagues who mistook him for a suspect. The verdict was expected to be announced shortly. -- Journal staff writer Edward Fitzpatrick Posted by Andrea Panciera at 1:21 PM Rain mixing with snow at middayPROVIDENCE - The heavy snow that was falling in Providence this morning has changed to a mix of snow and rain, but it's likely to change back to snow this afternoon, according to the National Weather Service. Much of southern New England is now seeing a mixture, but inland areas have seen 5 to 8 inches of snow, according to Charles Foley, a weather service metorologist in Taunton, Mass. Warwick had 4 inches late this morning, Woonsocket had 3 inches and downtown Providence had 2.5 inches. Cranston had 3.5 inches as of about 11:15 a.m., with most of it falling in the previous 1.5 hours, according to a weather watcher. In South Kingstown, however, the snow only lasted about an hour before shifting to rain, clearing roads and leaving only remnants of the white stuff behind. After the precipitation moves out this afternoon, strong winds should move in over South County and Cape Cod, Foley said. -- With reports from Journal staff writers Paul Davis and Eugene C. Emery Posted by Jack Perry at 11:56 AM Lloyd's dropped from Station fire civil suitPROVIDENCE - A federal judge has dropped an international insurance market as a defendant in the civil lawsuit stemming from The Station nightclub fire that killed 100 people and injured another 200. The plaintiffs complained that "certain underwriters at Lloyd's London" had inadequately inspected The Station nightclub, missing safety hazards, but U.S. District Judge Ronald R. Lagueux ruled that Lloyd's "owes no duty of due care to plaintiffs in inspecting The Station premises." Lagueux also noted that the liability policy Lloyd's issued to Station co-owner Michael Derderian was not in effect when The Station burned in February 2003. Posted by Jack Perry at 11:45 AM Billboard to urge override of medical marijuana vetoAdvocates for the legalization of marijuana today announced a press conference on Monday to unveil a billboard urging the House of Representatives to override Governor Carcieri's veto of legislation allowing medical use of the drug. -- Journal staff writer Katherine Gregg Posted by Andrea Panciera at 11:06 AM Shellfishing ban in upper Bay extended to MondayThe Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management will extend a shellfishing ban in upper Narragansett Bay after 1.2 million gallons of partially treated sewage was discharged into the bay Sunday from an East Providence treatment plant. The ban for Conditional Area A, about 6,000 acres north of a line from Rocky Point Pier in Warwick to Colt State Park in Bristol, will continue until Monday. The area, which is popular with shellfishermen, had been closed anyway for the past seven days because of rainfall, but was expected to reopen today. A malfunction in the chlorination system at the East Providence Wastewater Facility resulted in indadequate disinfection of sewage before its release into the bay, according DEM. More about shellfish closure areas in the Bay ... Posted by Jack Perry at 10:58 AM Flakes to switch to raindrops later this morningPROVIDENCE - Moderate to heavy snow will fall before changing to rain late this morning across Providence, Warwick, West Greenwich, neighboring towns and into southeastern Massachusetts, according to the National Weather Service. Two to four inches is expected in that region before the changeover, reducing visibility and causing difficult driving conditions, the weather service said. Air traffic also appeared to be disrupted by the storm, which came in from the west. Several flights -- ranging from those with connections in Chicago to New York and New Jersey -- were reported either delayed or cancelled this morning at T.F. Green Airport in Warwick.
Posted by Jack Perry at 9:22 AM Photo: Snow removal
Posted by Andrea Panciera at 9:14 AM Cranston man arrested in teacher's aide slayingWARWICK - The police last night arrested a Cranston man on a murder charge in the death of Margaret R. Duffy-Stephenson, who was found dead in her Blackmore Street home on Nov. 18. -- Journal staff writer Zachary Mider Posted by Jack Perry at 8:56 AM December 8, 2005Heavy snow for area tomorrow, shifting to rainPROVIDENCE - The National Weather Service has issued a winter weather advisory for 7 a.m. until 5 p.m. tomorrow for an area that includes the Providence to Boston corridor. A storm moving into the area early tomorrow is expected to drop 3 to 6 inches of snow in the region. Snow will begin just after sunrise and become heavy at times, falling at rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour before mixing with rain or changing to rain from late morning into the afternoon, the weather service says. Get the latest weather, parking banks, storm closings and more ... Posted by Jack Perry at 4:58 PM Elkhay gears up to open wine bistro downtownPROVIDENCE -- Local restaurateur John Elkhay is gearing up to open a wine bar and bistro in the Union Station plaza next to Waterplace Park. Elkhay, who is co-owner of three popular city restaurants -- Big Fish, XO Steak House and Ten Steak & Sushi -- received approval today from the Capital Center Commission for the exterior design of the new eatery, called Citron Bistro. The restaurant will be in the space that formerly housed the Brewed Awakenings coffee shop and is due to open April 3, 2006. Elkhay will operate the bistro with business partners Rick and Cheryl Braedy. -- Journal business writer Andrea Stape More to come in tomorrow's Journal and on projo.com... Posted by Andrea Panciera at 4:35 PM Parking bans being put in place as snow nearsParking bans are already being put in place by some area communities, as they prepare for the expected snowstorm tomorrow. As of 3:45 p.m., according to wpri.com, bans have been posted for Woonsocket, Coventry, Cumberland and Smithfield.
Posted by Andrea Panciera at 3:48 PM Malfunction at Cranston waste treatment plant sends smoke signalCRANSTON - The black smoke visible from Interstate 95 in the West Bay area today was caused by a malfunction at the wastewater treatment plant in Cranston, a city official said. A scrubber that removes large particles from the incinerated sludge malfunctioned around 12:30 p.m., leaving untreated smoke billowing above the facility for half an hour, according to Dan Gorka, a project manager for Veolia Water, which operates the plant for the city. The Cranston Fire Department did not respond to the incident, and Gorka said there were no serious environmental implications. - Journal staff writer Benjamin Gedan Posted by Jack Perry at 3:38 PM 4 students arrested in Cranston East bomb threatCRANSTON - The police arrested four Cranston High School East students today in connection with a bomb threat that disrupted classes for nearly two hours on Tuesday. Police allege that the group conspired to make the threat in a phone call from a nearby pay phone to the principal's office. The police also determined that one of the accused students is a Providence resident who was in the Cranston school system illegally, using a relative's address, the police said. --Journal staff writer Zachary R. Mider Posted by Jack Perry at 3:32 PM Pawtucket Mutual Insurance sale completedThe state Department of Business Regulation announced today completion of the long-awaited sale of Pawtucket Mutual Insurance Co. to an outside investment group that will try to resurrect the business. Blackstone Financial Group Inc. had agreed to invest $5 million to acquire the financially strapped Pawtucket Mutual and its Narragansett Bay Insurance Co. subsidiary. The Department of Business Regulation took control of the insurers in May 2003 after five years of mounting losses left in precarious financial shape. Blackstone will operate the business under the name Pawtucket Insurance Co. Posted by at 2:58 PM Reed, Cicilline to air emergency prep shortcomingsPROVIDENCE - U.S. Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I., and Providence Mayor David N. Cicilline today will discuss what they consider shortcomings in federal coordination and support for state and local agencies responsible for emergency preparedness. The discussion is scheduled for 2 p.m. at the Amtrak train station in Providence. Posted by Jack Perry at 12:44 PM Sox trade Renteria to Atlanta for prospectDALLAS - The Boston Red Sox gave up on Edgar Renteria just one year after lavishing a four-year, $40 million contract on him, trading the shortstop to the Atlanta Braves today for third base prospect Andy Marte. The move left Boston without a shortstop amid speculation that it will trade Marte to the Tampa Bay Devil Rays for Julio Lugo. The Braves needed a shortstop after Rafael Furcal signed a three-year, $39 million free agent contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers. -- The Associated Press Check for updates from The Journal's Sean McAdams on projo.com's SoxBlog Posted by Jack Perry at 12:13 PM Northwest R.I. expected to take brunt of snow tomorrowA winter storm watch will be in effect starting late tonight through tomorrow afternoon for the northwest part of Rhode Island, western and central Massachusetts and far southwest New Hampshire, the National Weather Service said this morning. Snow is expected to start falling toward sunrise tomorrow, and may quickly become heavy during the morning rush hour and last into early afternoon. It could accumulate at the rate of 1 to 2 inches per hour, with a total accumulation of 4 to 8 inches by the time it sends tomorrow afternoon. Travelers are advised to monitor forecasts. Posted by Andrea Panciera at 12:05 PM Providence lights up holiday tree tonightPROVIDENCE - The city of Providence will hold its annual holiday tree lighting tonight with events at the Bank of America City Center skating rink and City Hall. The event will begin at 4:30 p.m. at the rink with figure skating demonstrations by the Providence-Pawtucket Skating Club before moving to the steps of City Hall for the lighting at 5:30 p.m. Activities will continue after the lighting with free skating and actors from Trinity Rep's A Christmas Carol strolling along Westminster Street singing holiday songs. Posted by Jack Perry at 11:46 AM Updated: Sepe stepping down as CCRI presidentThomas D. Sepe will step down as president of the Community College of Rhode Island, effective Dec. 31, it was announced today. Sepe's decision was announced in a joint statement released today by Sepe, 64, and the chairman of the Rhode Island Board of Governors for Higher Education, Municipal Court Judge Frank Caprio. Sepe, who has come under heavy criticism from school faculty, said, "I arrived at this decision only after much consideration of the college and considerable introspection about my own professional needs and interests." Sepe, who will stay on as a professor earning 60 percent of his current $170,000 president's salary, said he is "extremely proud of all that we have accomplished, in so many areas of the college." (Editor's note: An earlier report gave the salary figure for Sepe's first contract year.) More to come on projo.com and in tomorrow's Journal. For more background, read today's Journal story. Posted by Jack Perry at 10:30 AM Updated: Rte. 95 accident at Atwells Ave. stalling trafficPROVIDENCE -- Two people who complained of injuries were taken to the hospital this morning after an accident on Route 95 South near the Atwell's Avenue exit, according to the Rhode Island State Police. The accident, at about 9:15 a.m., involved three cars near the Atwells Avenue exit, said Lt. Glenn Skalubinski. The accident closed two lanes of the highway, backing up traffic north of the site. Posted by Andrea Panciera at 9:37 AM Open house tonight at Quonset Business ParkNORTH KINGSTOWN -- Managers of the Quonset Business Park will hold an open house from 5:30 to 7:30 tonight at their offices here to display plans for renovations to the buildings and roads in the Quonset Business Park. Posted by at 9:28 AM Group to urge Chafee to oppose Alito nominationPROVIDENCE - A coalition of organizations and individuals plans to deliver a message to U.S. Sen. Lincoln Chafee this morning urging him to oppose the nomination of Judge Samuel A. Alito Jr. to the U.S. Supreme Court. Rhode Islanders for a Fair Judiciary , which identifies itself as a coalition of 19 organizations and allied individuals, says it has collected 650 postcards from people around the state who oppose Alito's nomination. They paln to will deliver the postcards to the Rhode Island Republican's Providence office on Westminster Street at 12:15 p.m. today. Posted by Jack Perry at 9:12 AM Chafee to speak on Homeland SecurityNEWPORT - U.S. Sen. Lincoln Chafee, R-RI, is scheduled to speak at noon today on key Homeland Security issues being considered by Congress. Chafee will deliver his address at the Insitute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers - Oceanic Engineering Society Homeland Security Conference at the Newport Marriott. Posted by Jack Perry at 9:00 AM December 7, 2005Judge denies Hatch request in tax-evasion casePROVIDENCE - U.S. Magistrate Judge Lincoln D. Almond this afternoon denied a defense request to force the prosecution to produce some documents in reality TV star Richard Hatch's tax evasion case. The government opposed the defendant's request for Hatch's IRS Individual Master File and a witness statement by Hatch's accountant at a hearing this morning. Almond issued his decision this afternoon after taking the issue under advisement. Hatch, of Newport, was the first winner of the popular series, Survivor, which awarded a $1 million prize. He was in the courtroom for part of the hearing today. Posted by Jack Perry at 5:08 PM Jury in Sgt. Young civil case begins deliberationsPROVIDENCE -- A federal jury began deliberating this afternoon in the civil case stemming from the death of Sgt. Cornel Young Jr. At 1:50 p.m., the jury walked out of the courtroom after hearing a total of three hours of closing arguments from lawyer Barry C. Scheck, representing Young's mother, and lawyer Michael J. Colucci, who is defending the City of Providence. Young was the black off-duty officer killed by two white on-duty officers in January 2000 as he drew his gun to try to break up a fight outside Fidas restaurant. Officers Michael Solitro III and Carlos A. Saraiva mistook him for an armed suspect and shot him. His mother, Leisa Young, sued the city, and the second phase of the trial began exactly one month ago. More to come on projo.com and in tomorrow's Journal ... Posted by Edward Fitzpatrick at 4:51 PM Reed: Bush again short on detailsWASHINGTON - For the second week in a row, U.S. Sen. Jack Reed charged today that a major presidential speech was a "missed opportunity to be candid with the American public'' on Iraq. "What's the plan?'' Reed demanded at a news conference in the Capitol. The Rhode Island senator was tapped by the Senate Democratic leadership to give his party's response to President Bush's speech this morning. Once again, Reed, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, acknowledged some of the successes that Bush described in the latest of a series of speeches on the war - this one devoted largely to describing the work of economic reconstruction needed to build a stable Iraq. But Reed said Bush's presentation was short on specific details about the cost in money, military effort and other national resources. -- Journal Washington bureau writer John E. Mulligan Reed also declared that Democrats believe the ``the U.S. can and must succeed'' in Iraq, a remark that contrasted with Democratic National Chairman Howard Dean statement yesterday that the idea of a U.S. victory is ``just plain wrong.'' U.S. Rep. James Langevin, a member of the House Armed Services Committee, issued a statement saying, "The president's latest speech did little to assuage my growing concerns about the track we are on in Iraq, however, it is a comfort to hear him admit that reconstruction has not gone as well as he had hoped. "I have long recognized that we cannot achieve success in Iraq through military might alone, and strategies need to be developed for non-military action as well. The president noted some successes, but it is unfortunate that, more than two-and-a-half years after Saddam Hussein was removed from power, the Iraqi people still have insufficient access to basic services such as electricity and clean water." He added that the administration needs to outline plans for fostering political and economic stability along with strategies for bringing home the troops. -- Journal Washington bureau writer John E. Mulligan and projo.com reports Posted by Jack Perry at 4:40 PM Langevin to push for more sub work at EBU.S. Rep. James Langevin has also expressed his disappointment in Electric Boat's plans to cut as many as 2,400 jobs, and says he plans to encourage the Navy to produce more submarines. "I look forward to working with Electric Boat and my colleagues on the House Armed Services Committee to minimize the impact of these cuts on Rhode Islanders and to ensure that our state and region enjoy a robust shipbuilding industry far into the future," the Rhode Island Democrat said in a statement yesterday. Langevin said he would "continue to argue for sending more work to Electric Boat" in part by "promoting the construction of two Virginia-class submarines per year." For more, read today's earlier Journal story. Posted by Jack Perry at 4:35 PM Newport man nabbed in theft at Salvation Army drop-offNEWPORT - A Newport man was arrested yesterday and charged with trying to steal stereo equipment from a Salvation Army drop-off site, according to the police. Officers observed Patrick M. O'Donnell, 45, of 19 Old Beach Road, leave a parking lot near the site with a stereo receiver and two speakers strapped to his bike, said Lt. Michael Brennan. He was arrested and charged with misdemeanor larceny. Residents have reported seeing people pull up to the Newport location and load donated furniture and other large items onto pickup trucks.
"Those items are for people in need, not for people to be coming in and shopping there," Brennan said. - Journal staff writer Kia Hall Hayes Posted by Jack Perry at 3:45 PM New name, owner for Goat Island banquet club / Photo
Journal photo / Bob Breidenbach NEWPORT - The Newport Regatta Club has a new name: Belle Mer. The facility on Goat Island in Narragansett Bay, which recently emerged from a bankruptcy battle, also has a new operator: Longwood Events, a Boston-based management and event planning company. The facility's owner, the Goat Island South Condominium Association, announced the developments today. Belle Mer is scheduled to open in the spring after some renovations. Posted by Jack Perry at 3:10 PM Landlords ask judge to strike down R.I. lead paint lawPROVIDENCE - A group of landlords went to court today to ask a judge to strike down the state's new lead paint law, saying it unfairly exempts certain property owners from following the regulations. Superior Court Judge Stephen J. Fortunato Jr. was hearing arguments for and against the law, which is designed to protect renters from being exposed to the toxic paint. The law, which took effect on Nov. 1, requires owners of properties built before 1978 - when lead paint was banned nationwide - to take a lead awareness class, have their properties inspected and correct any hazards. But it also exempts owner-occupied properties with three or fewer rental units from following the law. Opponents say those exemptions mean the law is unevenly applied. -- Associated Press Posted by Andrea Panciera at 2:30 PM Judge to mull Hatch request in tax evasion casePROVIDENCE - U.S. Magistrate Judge Lincoln D. Almond took under advisement the defense's request for witness statements and IRS files in reality TV star Richard Hatch's tax evasion case, according to a spokesman for the U.S. Attorney's Office. The government opposed the request at a hearing this morning, according to spokesman Thomas Connell. Hatch, of Newport, was the first winner of the popular series, Survivor, which awarded a $1 million prize. Posted by Jack Perry at 1:01 PM Chafee to encourage Navy to build more subsReacting to the announcement yesterday of proposed layoffs at Electric Boat, U.S. Sen. Lincoln Chafee says he will encourage the Navy to build more submarines and send maintenance work to the company's Rhode Island facility. "I will continue working with my colleagues to push for increasing the Navy's procurement of submarines from one to two per year, which is important for our force structure and national security," the Rhode Island Republican said in a statement yesterday. "I will also push for maintenance work to be completed in Rhode Island by Electric Boat, and to explore all avenues to benefit both national security and Electric Boat's work force." For more on the layoffs, read today's Journal story. Posted by Jack Perry at 12:57 PM Closing arguments today in Young trialPROVIDENCE - Closing arguments and jury instructions are scheduled today in the civil rights trial stemming from the January 2000 shooting death of Providence police Sgt. Cornel Young Jr. After listening to lawyers' arguments and instructions from the judge, jurors are to decide whether Young's civil rights were violated when two white fellow officers mistook the black off-duty officer for an armed suspect and shot him. Posted by Jack Perry at 10:13 AM Court hearing today in Richard Hatch tax casePROVIDENCE - Reality TV star Richard Hatch's tax evasion case is supposed to be back in U.S. District Court this morning. U.S. Magistrate Judge Lincoln D. Almond is scheduled to hear arguments on Hatch's motion to compel the prosecution to produce statements and IRS files. Posted by Jack Perry at 9:15 AM Dancing cop boogies back for the holidays
 Journal file photo / Mary Murphy Tony Lepore, the "Dancing Cop", directing traffic and pedestrians at the corner of Westminster and Dorrance Streets in downtown Providence in 2002. PROVIDENCE - Tony the Dancing Cop will return to the streets of Providence Friday as part of a holiday tradition that has entertained pedestrians and motorists for years. Tony Lepore, a retired Providence police officer known for his stylish moves, will direct traffic from noon to 1:30 p.m. Friday and Monday at Weybosset and Dorrance Streets, according to the mayor's office. He will direct traffic at other intersections later this month. Posted by Jack Perry at 9:03 AM Panel to continue probe of income taxPROVIDENCE - The Permanent Joint Committee on Economic Development will meet at 4:30 p.m. today at the State House to continue its analysis of the state's personal income tax and its impact on business and residents. Posted by at 9:00 AM Newport Regatta Club to get new name and operatorNEWPORT - The Goat Island South Condominium Association, the new owner of the Newport Regatta Club, in Newport, plans to announce this morning a new operator and new name for the waterfront property. Posted by at 9:00 AM December 6, 2005Another snowstorm on the way for Friday?PROVIDENCE - Another coastal storm could affect southern New England on Friday, the National Weather Service in Taunton, Mass., says in a special weather statement. The latest forecasts indicate that an intensifying coastal storm will track northeast from the North Carolina coast on Friday, passing about 200 miles southeast of Nantucket, the weather service says. The storm's track is still uncertain, but it could bring accumulating snow to southern New England, the weather service says. Get the latest local weather conditions and forecasts ... Posted by Jack Perry at 4:45 PM State asks court to reconsider smoke-shop rulingBOSTON - The state of Rhode Island asked a federal appeals court today to reconsider its ruling that the state violated the sovereignty of the Narragansett Indian Tribe when it raided a tax-free smoke shop in July 2003. Rhode Island Assistant Attorney General Neil Kelly told the judges that a 1978 agreement between the tribe and the state that gave the tribe its land establishes that the tribe is subject to the civil and criminal laws of the state of Rhode Island. But Douglas Luckerman, an attorney for the tribe, said that while the state has authority over individual members of the tribe, it does not have authority over the tribal government, which was running the smoke shop. Find more background on the dispute and the raid ... - The Associated Press Posted by Jack Perry at 4:18 PM Judge hears arguments in Sunday auto sales casePROVIDENCE - A state Superior Court judge heard arguments today in a case that could overturn a state law prohibiting auto sales on Sundays. Lawyers for five auto dealers contended that revisions made this spring to the state's blue laws had the practical effect of doing away with the long-standing prohibition on Sunday auto sales. A lawyer for the state argued that legislators clearly intended to maintain the prohibition even as they loosened permitting requirements for other retailers. - Journal business writer Paul Grimaldi The state is seeking guidance on a conflict that erupted July 31 when five dealers openly challenged the Sunday sales ban. The dealers contend that a law passed May 26, coupled with another recent law that permits Sunday liquor sales, trump a 1950 statute banning car sales. Judge Susan McGuirl continued the hearing until Jan. 6 to give lawyers time to file additional information in the case. -Journal business writer Paul Grimaldi Posted by Jack Perry at 3:46 PM Charlie Brown and pals mark Christmas tonightAnother Christmas classic airs tonight for those looking to get into the spirit -- and perhaps discover the true meaning of Christmas along the way. A Charlie Brown Christmas, featuring old Peanuts friend Charlie Brown, his dog Snoopy and friends Lucy and Linus, airs at 8 p.m. tonight on ABC, Channel 6. The show first aired in 1965, a year after Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, which was on CBS last week. ABC marks the Charlie Brown special's 40th anniversary by also showing a series of animated Christmas stories based on Peanuts creator Charles M. Schulz's work. Posted by Jack Perry at 3:05 PM Testimony ends in Young trialPROVIDENCE -- Testimony concluded today in the civil trial stemming from the death of Sgt. Cornel Young Jr., the off-duty Providence policeman killed by two on-duty officers who mistook him for an armed suspect. Lawyers will make their closing arguments tomorrow morning in U.S. District Court. The jury then will begin deliberating on whether Young's constitutional rights were violated because the city failed to adequately train Officer Michael Solitro III, one of the patrolmen who shot Young. Today marked the trial's 18th day. Testimony wrapped up with a defense witness, Sgt. Robert K. Boehm, and a rebuttal witness, Officer Freddy E. Rocha. Posted by Edward Fitzpatrick at 2:29 PM Man arraigned in Conn. courthouse bomb threatsDANIELSON, Conn. -- A Willimantic man told police he phone in four bomb threats that closed all of Connecticut's courthouses last week because he couldn't get a ride to court to face motor vehicle charges, according to arrest warrant affidavit released today. Javier Rodriguez, 28, was arraigned in Danielson Superior Court this afternoon on 17 charges, including four counts of terrorism, that could send him to prison for 80 years. -- Associated Press Posted by Andrea Panciera at 1:39 PM Providence man gets 11 years for heroin traffickingPROVIDENCE - A Providence man was sentenced yesterday to 11 years in federal prison for heroin trafficking, the U.S. Attorney's Office announced today. Steven Batista, 30, admitted in April that he sold heroin to an undercover Providence police detective on nine occasions last year, the U.S. Attorney's Office said. Because he has two prior felony drug offenses, Batista was sentenced as a career offender, subjecting him to a harsher penalty under federal sentencing law. Posted by Jack Perry at 12:27 PM EB to cut up to 2,400 jobs at Groton and QuonsetNEW HAVEN, Conn. - Submarine builder Electric Boat says it will eliminate up to 2,400 jobs by the end of next year, citing the declining size of the submarine fleet and an expected decrease in repair work. Company spokesman Bob Hamilton says between 1,900 and 2,400 jobs would be eliminated. He says no decision has been made on the number of layoffs. Most of the jobs will be cut in Connecticut, but between 500 and 600 will be eliminated from the company's Rhode Island facility at Quonset Point. -- Associated Press Posted by Jack Perry at 11:38 AM R.I. Supreme Court upholds 2001 murder convictionPROVIDENCE - The state Supreme Court has upheld the murder conviction of a man sentenced to life in prison for killing a friend who demanded that he return thousands of dollars he'd helped her hide from creditors. Chester Briggs, a former telephone company worker from New Hampshire, fatally shot Patricia Jacques in 1997 in Tiverton. A jury convicted Briggs in 2001 of first-degree murder, and he was sentenced to life in prison. The court rejected Briggs' argument that, among other things, the judge who handled his murder trial had limited his right to cross-examine witnesses and erred in deciding what evidence could not be admitted. - The Associated Press Posted by Jack Perry at 11:01 AM Appeals court to hear smoke shop case todayThe U.S. Court of Appeals this afternoon will hear arguments between the State of Rhode Island and the Narragansett Indian tribe over the July 2003 state police raid of the tribe's smoke shop. In May, a three-judge panel from the 1st Circuit found that the state violated the tribe's sovereignty when troopers executed a state search warrant on the shop, arrested tribal leaders, and seized cigarettes and cash. The judges concluded that the state could collect taxes on the tribe's cigarette sales to non-Indians, but that it must find other ways to enforce its laws. The state asked the full court to reconsider the case, claiming the ruling would dramatically limit its ability to enforce laws on the tribal land in Charlestown. The full court is scheduled to begin hearing arguments on the enforcement issues at 2 p.m. Posted by Jack Perry at 10:41 AM Wanted R.I. man arrested in WashingtonThe United States marshals in Washington state yesterday arrested a Cranston man wanted in Rhode Island for failing to show up at his sentencing last month for a fatal car crash. Pedro Lux, 35, missed his scheduled sentencing Nov. 30 in Providence Superior Court for driving under the influence of alcohol, death resulting, and other charges related to the Oct. 7, 2001, crash that killed Rosario Rodriguez, 45, in Providence. Lux was arrested early yesterday afternoon at an apartment complex in Everett, Wash. After local investigators learned that Lux could be staying at the Washington apartment, the U.S. marshals in Providence contacted their colleagues in Seattle, who staked out the building last weekend and found Lux, according to the police. Lux is being held at the King County Jail, Seattle, Wash., as a fugitive from justice and is awaiting extradition. Posted by Jack Perry at 10:12 AM Special showings next week for King KongKing Kong, director Peter Jackson's remake of the 1933 classic movie, will open locally Wednesday, Dec. 14, with special showings at 12:05 a.m. at the Providence Place Cinemas and the Showcase Cinemas in Warwick, and in Seekonk and North Attleboro, Mass. The movie stars Naomi Watts, Jack Black and Adrian Brody. Tickets for opening week are on sale now. Posted by Journal Staff at 10:00 AM Snowstorm tracks south, leaves little behindPROVIDENCE - Dry air and a shift in the storm track saved much of southern New England from heavy snow today, according to the National Weather Service in Taunton, Mass. This morning, Providence has little more than a dusting. In South County, barely two inches hit the ground.
The prediction for what would have been the area's first significant snowfall of the season sent many scrambling for shovels and rock salt yesterday. Posted by Jack Perry at 9:37 AM Mosquito magnet presentation in AtlantaDevin Hosea, CEO of American Biophysics Corp., in North Kingstown, this morning will discuss his company's mosquito magnet technology as a way to combat malaria in Third World countries at the "Hedge Funds vs. Malaria" Business Leadership Conference at Emory University's Law School in Atlanta. Posted by at 9:00 AM Business leaders gather to collect toysSeveral business groups have scheduled a Toys for Tots breakfast at the Metacomet Country Club in East Providence this morning to organize a plan to distribute toys collected during the last three months for needy children. The sponsors are Credit Executives Association of Southeastern New England, Rhode Island Mortgage Bankers and Nationwide Title & Escrow Co. Posted by at 8:11 AM December 5, 2005Judge denies request to drop Station chargesPROVIDENCE - A Superior Court judge has denied a request to drop half of the manslaughter charges pending in The Station nightclub case. Club owners Jeffrey and Michael Derderian along with Daniel M. Biechele, former tour manager for the club playing on the night of the fatal fire, asked the judge to drop 100 of the 200 counts pending against each of them. One hundred people died in the February 2003 fire at the West Warweick Club. The Derderians and Biechele were charged with two counts of involuntary manslaughter for each death under two separate legal definitions of manslaughter. Judge Francis Darigan issued his decision today. Posted by Jack Perry at 4:52 PM Prignano tells jury he received no complaints about trainingPROVIDENCE - Retired Police Chief Urbano Prignano Jr. today told jurors that qualified people ran the police academy and none complained to him about the training provided before two officers mistakenly killed an off-duty colleague. Lawyers defending the city called Prignano back to the stand on the 17th day of the civil trial stemming from the death of Sgt. Cornel Young Jr., who was shot by uniformed officers outside Fidas restaurant in January 2000. Young's mother sued the city in U.S. District Court. Prignano said the training program was overseen by former Capt. John J. Ryan, who has a law degree, and firearms instruction was provided by Capt. Steven M. Melaragno, an expert marksman. “People who taught at that academy were either lawyers or had master’s degrees,” he said. Prignano said he didn’t believe in “micromanaging the department.” He said he had daily meetings with his command staff, and none of them ever complained about the training provided at the firing range or the police academy. Under cross-examination, plaintiff’s lawyer Nick Brustin said, “Now, your job as chief was much more than to just field complaints, wasn’t it?” Prignano said, “Right.” Brustin said, “You understood you had an affirmative obligation to make sure you provided was adequate and would keep them safe?” Prignano said, “Yes.” Brustin asked, “During command staff meetings, do you remember discussing problems of off-duty misidentifications?” Prignano said, “That would never be brought up at a command staff meeting unless there was an issue - unless something went wrong or we were going to do a specific thing." Posted by Edward Fitzpatrick at 4:22 PM Providence amphitheatre named for Rosa ParksPROVIDENCE – Mayor David N. Cicilline today announced the designation of Waterplace Park Amphitheatre as the Rosa Parks Amphitheatre. After Parks' death in October, the mayor appointed a commission to recommend the most appropriate way to honor the civil rights leader. Cicilline also announced the honorary naming of Prairie Avenue as Rosa Parks Drive in fulfillment of a recent executive order and an unadopted 1984 city council resolution. Posted by Jack Perry at 3:45 PM Pats' Brady named SI's Sportsman of the YearNEW YORK - New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady was named Sports Illustrated's Sportsman of the Year today, a year after the Boston Red Sox became the first major pro sports team to receive the award.
Brady has led the Patriots to three Super Bowl championships in four years and was named MVP of the first two victories. "Tom Brady is the consummate winner," Sports Illustrated managing editor Terry McDonell said. (Read Tom Curran's Saturday notebook item on Brady and the award.) - The Associated Press Posted by Jack Perry at 3:32 PM Nestor likely to restate financial resultsNestor Inc., the Providence-based maker of traffic surveillance systems, announced this morning it is likely to restate financial results dating back to 2003. Today's announcement is a result of concerns about the company's accounting raised by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The issues raised by the SEC include questions about how the company treated convertible debt it issued and how it accounted for revenue, according to the disclosure to investors. Shares of Nestor stock were down 8.5 percent in midday trading on the Nasdaq Stock Exchange. Posted by at 1:40 PM Belo enters advertising deal with Yahoo! HotJobsDALLAS, TX. -- Belo Corp., owner of The Providence Journal, announced today that it has signed a distribution agreement with Yahoo! HotJobs, a leader in online recruiting. Beginning early next year, employers who advertise in The Providence Journal and The Dallas Morning News or on their respective Web sites -- www.projo.com or www.dallasnews.com - can automatically have those jobs posted on Yahoo! HotJobs. Belo will be Yahoo! HotJobs' exclusive newspaper partner in both markets. Posted by Jack Perry at 12:46 PM Gary DeGraide leaving Lite Rock 105Morning broadcaster Gary DeGraide will leave Lite Rock 105 at the end of this month, the station announced today. "After 22 years of waking up Southern New Englanders," the station said in a statement, "Gary will be spending more time with family, friends and his faith." The station also promised an announcement "soon" as to who will co-host mornings with Heather Gersten. Posted by Journal Staff at 12:41 PM Larry the Cable Guy coming to PPACComedian Larry the Cable Guy will do two shows at PPAC April 29. Tickets are on sale for $44.75. Posted by Journal Staff at 11:41 AM Gasoline prices stop fallingPROVIDENCE - After falling each week since Labor Day, gasoline prices in Rhode Island are unchanged this week, AAA Southern New England says. The average price for a gallon of unleaded, regular gasoline at the self-service pump remains at $2.05 per gallon, according to AAA's weekly survey. Posted by Jack Perry at 11:13 AM Benefit art auction tonightA benefit art auction for All Children's Theater will be held this evening from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Feinstein-Gamm Theatre, in Pawtucket. The set of Twelfth Night will be the background for the auction. Tickets are $10. For more information and tickets, call 401-728-1222 Posted by at 10:52 AM Cicilline to announce plans for honoring Rosa ParksPROVIDENCE - Mayor David N. Cicilline today is scheduled to announce plans to honor civil rights leader Rosa Parks. Cicilline, during a 1 p.m. press conference at the Waterplace Park ampitheatre, is planning to announce recommendations of the Rosa Parks Committee. He is also scheduled to announce plans for naming a section of Prairie Avenue the honorary Rosa Parks Drive, according to the mayor's office. Posted by Jack Perry at 9:16 AM Snow forecast for tonight and tomorrowPROVIDENCE - The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning for coastal areas for a storm expected to reach Rhode Island and eastern Massachusetts tonight and continuing until tomorrow afternoon. The warning includes the south coasts of Massachusetts and Rhode Island, including Cape Cod, Nantucket, Martha's Vineyard and Block Island. The weather service says snowfall of four to 10 inches is possible in the warning area, with the highest amounts expected toward Cape Cod, Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard. A storm watch has been issued for inland areas such as Providence, where four to eight inches is possible. Posted by Jack Perry at 9:00 AM AG launches program to reduce underage drinkingCRANSTON - Attorney General Patrick Lynch is scheduled to visit the Hugh B. Bain Middle School in Cranston this morning to launch a new initiative to discourage underage drinking in Rhode Island. Ask, Listen, Learn: Kids and Alcohol Don't Mix is a multimedia program developed through a partnership between The Century Council and Nickelodeon to encourage conversations between parents and kids, according to the attorney general's office. Posted by Jack Perry at 8:54 AM December 2, 2005Judge Selya's portrait unveiled in ProvidencePROVIDENCE -- Everyone from the governor to the latest law clerk was there today for the unveiling of a portrait of Judge Bruce M. Selya, one of five Rhode Islanders who have served on the 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. After 19 years on the Boston-based appeals court, Selya has served longer than all but one of the Rhode Islanders -- Lebaron P. Colt, who was on the court from 1891-1913. Selya noted Colt had served for 21 years, 6 months, 3 weeks and 2 days, saying, "I'm not sure where Lebaron P. Colt is today, but he better be looking over his shoulder." U.S. Sen. Jack Reed praised Selya as "a true giant in our legal community and our civic community." And U.S. Sen. Lincoln D. Chafee cited Selya's ability to provide "hard practical guidance" to lawyers and judges in his written opinions. The portrait will hang in Courtroom 1 of the federal courthouse in downtown Providence. -- Journal staff writer Edward Fitzpatrick Posted by Edward Fitzpatrick at 5:01 PM Light snow on the way for SundaySouthern New England could see a light snowfall of 1 to 3 inches Sunday, and a "more significant winter storm" with snow and high winds Monday night into Tuesday, the National Weather Service predicted today in a special weather statement. Forecasters are still uncertain of the second storm's track, and there's a possibility it will stay so far away from New England that it won't have a significant impact. Got weekend outdoor work to do? Don't despair. Tomorrow should be mostly sunny with highs around 40 degrees. Posted by Jack Perry at 4:31 PM 'Stomach flu' on the rise in R.I.PROVIDENCE -- The state Department of Health says the state has recently seen an increase in Norovirus infection, a gastro-intestinal illness sometimes called the "stomach flu" that includes nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. The Health Department can't provide an exact count, but it says health care providers are reporting the illness. Such increases are common this time of year. Rhode Islanders should take special precautions such as frequent hand washing, the Health Department says. Sick children and adults should stay out of school or work. Posted by Jack Perry at 4:04 PM Gates Foundation AIDS researcher to speak at Brown todayPROVIDENCE -- Dr. Jose Esparza, senior scientific director at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, is scheduled to deliver the keynote address at 4:30 p.m. today at the Global Alliance to Immunize Against AIDS HIV Vaccine Symposium at Brown University. Esparza will also be honored for his leadership at the Gates Foundation Global HIV/AIDS Vaccine Enterprise, and he will receive the Hope Is a Vaccine award for 2005. The event, part of a symposium from 3 to 7 p.m., is open to the public in the Smith-Buonanno Auditorium. Posted by Jack Perry at 3:19 PM Cause of Providence house fire being probedPROVIDENCE - The city Fire Department is investigating the cause of a fire in a two-story home at 23 Bancroft St. that displaced two families early this morning, Assistant Fire Chief Mark Pare said. Nobody was injured in the fire, reported at 3:38 a.m., Pare said. The fire caused started on the second floor and caused moderate damage, Pare said. The Rhode Island chapter of the American Red Cross is helping a family of nine who lived on the second floor with food and lodging. The family on the first floor is staying with relatives, the Red Cross said. Posted by Jack Perry at 3:05 PM Roger Williams Medical Center president put on leavePROVIDENCE -- Robert A. Urciuoli, the embattled president of Roger Williams Medical Center, has been placed on paid administrative leave, the hospital announced today. Urciuoli is the target of a federal influence-peddling investigation into his hiring of a Rhode Island state senator, John A. Celona, as a consultant. The move comes several months after a federal grand jury was convened in Providence and after a rash of negative publicity over the hospital's role in the Celona case. Urciuoli's leave becomes effective on Monday, Dec. 5. In a statement, the hospital called the decision a mutual one between Urciuoli and the hospital's board of directors. -- Journal staff writer Mike Stanton Kenneth H. Belcher has been named to serve as the hospital's interim president and CEO, the hospital said. Belcher comes from Boston Medical Center, where he served as vice president of ancillary services. He will take over the post on Monday, Dec. 12. For more background on the federal investigation, read the last Sunday's Journal story by staff writer Mike Stanton, Hospital is offered deal to avoid prosecution. Posted by Andrea Panciera at 2:06 PM Bomb threat empties Conn. court buildingsHARTFORD, Conn. -- A bomb threat prompted police to evacuate the state's court buildings today, abruptly interrupting trials while sending judges, lawyers and people with routine court business into the streets. Police and court officials wouldn't say how many of the state's 45 judicial court buildings were evacuated. "All we know right now is there was a bomb threat," said Wayne Sandford, deputy homeland security commissioner. "We're trying to get information on it as we speak." The telephone threat was made about 10 a.m. on a constituent phone line answered by a staff member in Gov. M. Jodi Rell's office, gubernatorial spokesman David Dearborn said. "They were very nonchalant, very smooth," said Madeline Hunt, who was in the Hartford Superior Court building. "'OK,' they said. `Everyone's got to leave.' There was no panic, no nothing." U.S. Marshal John Bardelli said bomb squads were sweeping federal courts in Bridgeport, New Haven and Hartford but that those courthouses remained open. -- Associated Press Posted by Andrea Panciera at 1:50 PM Pedro fan gets 70 months for bank robberyPROVIDENCE - A Bristol man was sentenced to 70 months in prison today after a Pedro Martinez jersey linked him to the robbery of a Sovereign bank in February, the U.S. Attorney's Office said. Wearing a jersey featuring the former Red Sox, and now New York Mets, pitcher, William DeLuca, 45, went into the bank branch on Smith Street, Providence, on Feb. 15 and asked about bank services, then he returned a half-hour later, wearing the same jersey, and robbed the bank, the U.S. Attorney's office said. After news reports were broadcast describing the robber and the jersey, an ambulance company notified Providence Police that DeLuca, wearing a Martinez jersey, had applied for a job that day. Ambulance company employees identified DeLuca from a bank surveillance photo, the U.S. Attorney's Office said. He pleaded guilty in September to robbing a federally-insured bank. Posted by Jack Perry at 12:34 PM Local stores among targets of jewel thieves sought by FBIWASHINGTON - Jewel thieves in hooded sweat shirts have knocked over nearly five dozen stores from New Hampshire to North Carolina-- including stores in Providence and North Attleboro, Mass. -- in the past 2-1/2 years, eluding capture with an efficient operation that has netted $5.1 million in men's watches, chains, bracelets and rings, the FBI said yesterday. Targeting jewelers in malls and passing up high-end merchandise, the thieves cut through security gates and clean out display cases filled with men's gold jewelry and watches - especially Movado watches, FBI officials said at a news conference in Washington intended to enlist the public's help in dismantling a group informally labeled the gate-cutters crew. - The Associated Press Posted by Jack Perry at 12:30 PM N.Y. philanthropist's plane missing off NantucketBOSTON -- The Coast Guard searched through the night for a plane piloted by a New York philanthropist that went missing off Nantucket. George F. Baker III was believed to be the only person on board the plane yesterday afternoon, a Federal Aviation Administration spokesman said. Baker, 66, is an experienced pilot who had been flying since he was 18, said his wife, Sarah Baker, reached by The Associated Press at the family's Nantucket home. Baker is the senior trustee for the George F. Baker Trust, established through the will of his grandfather in 1937. The trust gives charitable gifts to medical and educational organizations, according to Rocio Suarez, executive director of the trust. His great-grandfather, banker George F. Baker, donated money to build Harvard Business School. The twin-engine Beechcraft was flying at 200 feet and was about 2 1/2 miles from Nantucket Memorial Airport when it disappeared from radar around 4:45 p.m., said Jim Peters, an FAA spokesman. The plan was en route from Teterboro Airport in New Jersey, Peters said. Baker filed a flight plan through the Islip Flight Service Station on Long Island, Peters said He said the pilot spoke to FAA air traffic controllers at Otis Air Force Base on Cape Cod shortly before the plane disappeared. The plane already had been cleared to land at Nantucket airport, and the pilot did not issue a distress signal. The Coast Guard dispatched a helicopter and cutter to search for the plane. Coast Guard spokeswoman Kelly Newlin said there was no immediate sign of any wreckage in the water or on land, although police told the Coast Guard they saw a red light in the water near the airport's runway. "We still haven't found anything - no debris," she said this morning. -- Associated Press Posted by Andrea Panciera at 12:12 PM N. Smithfield homeowner bound, robbedNORTH SMITHFIELD - Detectives are investigating an armed robbery last night where the homeowner was bound while a man looted the home. Police say a man armed with a shotgun entered a home around 7:30 in the 190 block of Sayles Hill Road. After tying up the homeowner, the man stole an undetermined amount of cash and jewelry, police say. The homeowner was not injured. Police are looking for the robber, described as a white male, about 5 feet, 10 inches tall, of medium build wearing a ski mask and a gray, long-sleeved shirt. -- Journal staff writer Talia Buford Posted by Jack Perry at 10:31 AM Providence family of 9 homeless after firePROVIDENCE - The Rhode Island chapter of the American Red Cross is helping a family of nine left homeless after a fire early this morning on Bancroft Street, according to Angie Moncada, a Red Cross spokeswoman. Of the two families affected, the one on the second floor was given food and lodging courtesy of the Red Cross, Moncada said. The first-floor family is staying with friends and family members, she said. Posted by Jack Perry at 10:27 AM Local NAACP honoring 8 tonightPROVIDENCE - The Providence branch of the NAACP will honor eight people at a dinner tonight in a tribute to civil-rights groundbreaker Rosa Parks. The event will begin with cocktails at 5:30 p.m. at the Marriott Hotel, Orms Street, Providence. Tickets are still available. For more information, call 401-521-6222. Posted by Jack Perry at 10:26 AM "O.C." characters applying to colleges in ProvidenceCould "The O.C." become "The PC"? Two characters on FOX's Thursday dramedy decided last night to apply to colleges in Providence. Brainy Seth Cohen wants Brown; his less academically inclined girlfriend, Summer Roberts, set her sights on Providence College, described by her sometimes-friend, Taylor Townsend, as "more in your wheelhouse." Posted by Journal Staff at 9:46 AM Santa and helpers kick off Festival of Trees todayPROVIDENCE - Santa Claus and the "Little Apostles," a group of children from Holy Apostles Church in Cranston, are expected to open the doors of the 2005 Rhode Island Festival of Trees at 10 this morning at the Rhode Island Convention Center. Santa will greet the children at the entrance and encourage them to yell, "Ho!, Ho!, Ho!," which will be a cue for the Christmas lights to be turned on. Proceeds from the festival, which runs through Sunday, will benefit Roger Williams Park Zoo. Posted by Jack Perry at 9:29 AM Sen. Reed to present medals to Vietnam veteranCRANSTON - U.S. Sen. Jack Reed, a graduate of West Point and member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, will present the National Defense Medal and other medals to Patrick T. Bonanno of Warwick this afternoon. Bonanno, a U.S. Marine Corps. veteran of Vietnam, will receive a citation saying in part, Lance Corporal Bonanno "distinguished himself in combat and in his nation's defense against hostile enemy forces of the Republic of Vietnam." Posted by Jack Perry at 8:56 AM Mrs. Carcieri to promote readingPROVIDENCE - First Lady Suzanne Carcieri will read to a group of Providence kindergarteners this morning at Providence Health Centers, Candace Street, to promote reading here and around the world. Mrs. Carcieri, a reading ambassador for Scholastic’s 7th Annual Read for 2006 Day global reading initiative, is encouraging all Rhode Island parents, teachers, and children to join young people throughout the world in reading for at least 2006 seconds, or about 33.5 minutes today - and every other day, according to the governor's office.
Posted by Jack Perry at 8:44 AM December 1, 2005Baby girl killed in N. Kingstown crash identifiedNORTH KINGSTOWN - The 10-month-old girl who died late last night in a car accident on Devils Foot Road was traveling with her parents near her North Kingstown home. The baby was identified this afternoon as Alexandera Diaz, of Crossroads Apartments. She was riding in a child-safety seat in the back seat when the car went off the road and struck a tree near Union Drive, according to the police. Her father, Orlando Torres, 28, was driving and her mother, Rebecca Diaz, 23, was in the front passenger seat. Both were injured and taken to the hospital, according to the police. - Journal staff writer Arthur Gregg Sulzberger Posted by Jack Perry at 4:49 PM Cicilline testifies in lead-paint trialPROVIDENCE - Providence Mayor David N. Cicilline, testifying today in the state's lead-paint lawsuit trial, said more than 43,000 residences in Providence have hazardous lead-paint conditions. Cicilline's testimony was based on the 2005 edition of the Providence Consolidated Plan, a document published by city government with input from advocacy and community groups. A lawyer for one of the paint companies on trial cross-examined Cicilline about his involvement with the document's production and the reliability of its sources. - Journal staff writer Brandie Jefferson Posted by Jack Perry at 3:27 PM Nominees sought for first Anchor of Hope AwardGovernor Carcieri today announced the establishment of Rhode Island’s Anchor of Hope Award in honor of the Station nightclub fire victims, survivors and family members. This year's award, to be announced in February, will recognize a first responder and a caregiver who acted above and beyond the call of duty during The Station nightclub fire in West Warwick in February 2003. After that, the award will annually recognize people who responded to other emergencies. Nominations for the 2006 winner will be accepted through Dec. 30. For more information and a nomination form, go to the governor's Web site, or call Carcieri’s Community Relations office at 222-2389. Posted by Jack Perry at 3:23 PM R.I. economic scorecard on the risePROVIDENCE -- The state's latest economic scorecard rates Rhode Island as "good" in all four performance categories: real median household income, job growth, jobs in high wage industry, and balance between jobs and resident labor force. The rankings are an improvement from a year ago, according to a press release today, when performance indicators measuring jobs and resident labor force balance and real median income were “red flagged.” Median household income is also on the rise after four years of decline. The state Economic Policy Council's scorecard is one of four annual scorecards designed to keep civic leaders and citizens informed about Rhode Island’s overall performance. Posted by Andrea Panciera at 1:55 PM Updated: CSO project tunnels connectPROVIDENCE - Rocks fell away and a spinning silver-colored disc emerged as a 3-mile-long tunnel being bored 250 feet underground connected early this afternoon with a shaft near the Foundry. About 30 people had gathered under a tent to witness -- by television monitor -- a major breakthrough in the city's Combined Sewer Overflow tunnel project. As expected, the horizontal tunnel and vertical shaft connected at about 1 p.m. as the boring mechanism finished its journey to the site. The Narragansett Bay Commission is drilling the tunnel, part of a $318-million project, to capture sewage and water runoff that now flows into Narragansett Bay after significant rainstorms. -- Journal staff writer Mark Arsenault Posted by Jack Perry at 12:54 PM Joan Kennedy sells Cape Cod homeBARNSTABLE, Mass. - Joan Kennedy, the former wife of U.S. Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, has sold her 13-room waterfront home on Cape Cod, according to her son's congressional office. A spokeswoman for U.S. Rep. Patrick Kennedy, D-R.I., confirmed that the home had been sold, but she did not know the price. Kennedy and his two siblings are court-appointed guardians for their mother, 68, who has battled alcoholism. They had contested her previous attempts to sell the house. "He doesn't have any details of the sale," Robin Costello said of Patrick Kennedy, "(and) he does not know who the (new) owners are." Barnstable County property tax records show the property, on Squaw Island near the Kennedy compound in Hyannis Port, has six bedrooms, sits on 1.18 acres and is assessed at $3.7 million. -- Associated Press Posted by Andrea Panciera at 12:49 PM Officials probing death of Wal-Mart forklift operator in Cranston
CRANSTON - A forklift operator in his late 20s was killed in an industrial accident at Wal-Mart on Plainfield Pike this morning, the police said. The police have not yet released the man's name. They say there were no witnesses to the accident, which occurred between 6 and 6:30 a.m. The police are trying to reconstruct how the accident happened and have released no other details. -- Journal staff writer Zachary Mider OSHA has joined the investigation. A Wal-Mart spokeswoman in Arkansas said the employee who died had worked for Wal-Mart for six years and was the department manager in the store's land and garden area.
The spokeswoman said the store will remain closed the rest of the day. Grief counseling will be available to employees for several days. -- Journal staff writer Zachary Mider Posted by Jack Perry at 12:42 PM Providence IMAX ranks 3rd in Polar Express 3-D box officePROVIDENCE -- The Feinstein IMAX Theatre was the third highest-grossing theater in the world for the opening weekend of The Polar Express: An IMAX 3D Experience, the theater announced today. The re-release of the film, shown on 77 screens, generated $1.22 million in its opening weekend. The Feinstein IMAX Theatre, which did not show the film last year, ranked behind Tempe, Ariz., and Sacramento, Calif. The film is based on the book by Providence author Chris Van Allsburg. Posted by Journal Staff at 12:13 PM State police release results of holiday patrolsSCITUATE - The Rhode Island State Police today released statistics from the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, a five-day period during which it beefed up patrols as part of a national effort to reduce drunk driving and enforce other highway safety rules. The state police investigated 66 motor vehicle accidents, none of which were fatal during the time period, from Nov. 23-27. The state police arrested three people for drunken driving, issued 502 speeding citations and 33 summonses for failure to wear a seatbelt or child restraint. Posted by Jack Perry at 11:51 AM Update: Forklift operator dies in accident at Cranston Wal-MartCRANSTON - Police officers and firefighters are investigating a fatal industrial accident involving a forklift operator at the Wal-Mart on Plainfield Pike this morning. The store is closed, and a state medical examiner's truck is at the scene. Police have been there since around 6 a.m. No other information was available at this time. -- Journal staff writer Zachary Mider
Posted by Jack Perry at 11:00 AM Janitors to rally in Providence in support of their rightsPROVIDENCE - Janitors and supporters will rally and march through downtown Providence at 5:15 p.m. today to advocate for janitors' rights on the 50th anniversary of the day Rosa Parks refused to give up her bus seat to a white man in Montgomery, Ala. Organizers say they are marching to uphold the rights that Parks won through nonviolent protest and speak out against what they say is mistreatment of janitors working for Martins Maintence of East Providence at the Turks Head building in Providence, according to a press release from the Service Employees International Union Local 615. Read an earlier Journal report on the dispute. Posted by Jack Perry at 10:16 AM Infant dies in N. Kingstown crashNORTH KINGSTOWN - A 10-month-old girl died after a motor vehicle crash late last night on Devils Foot Road, police said. The baby and two adults were injured when the vehicle they were traveling in struck a tree near the intersection of Union Drive. The child, whose name was not released, was pronounced dead at 11:35 p.m. at Kent Hospital in Warwick, according to the police. The adults were initially taken to Kent and later transferred to Rhode Island Hospital in Providence. Posted by Jack Perry at 10:07 AM Nominations sought for 2006 Pell arts awardsDec. 31 is the deadline for public nominations of outstanding local artists for the 2006 Rhode Island Pell Awards for Excellence in the Arts. To nominate an artist, submit his or her name, contact information, and a brief description of the work and contributions he or she has made to Rhode Island. Go here to find out more about the award and get a nomination form or or call Tree Callanan at (401) 521-1100, ext. 235. Posted by Journal Staff at 9:34 AM Christmas tree fest opens tomorrow in ProvidencePROVIDENCE -- The Festival of Trees -- 200 Christmas trees decorated by 40 professional designers -- opens tomorrow at the Rhode Island Convention Center. Trees will be available for purchase, with free delivery after the show ends Sunday. For more information, call (401) 459-6014 or check www.rifestivaloftrees.com. Posted by Journal Staff at 9:29 AM Trinity Rep adds "Christmas Carol" showsPROVIDENCE -- Trinity Rep is adding two additional matinees for its 29th annual production of "Dickens’ A Christmas Carol," the theater said in a press release. The added performances will be on Wednesday, Dec. 21, and Friday, Dec. 23, both at 2 p.m. Call (401) 351-4242 or (for adult, non-discounted tickets only) go online at www.trinityrep.com. Posted by Journal Staff at 9:26 AM Chafee to announce Newport area conferenceNEWPORT - Sen. Lincoln Chafee is scheduled to announce this morning at the Rough Point Mansion in Newport that an international conference will be held in the Newport area in April 2006. Gustavo Aaroz, executive director of the U.S. Committee of the International Council on Monuments and Sites will join Chafee, along with local members of the tourism industry. Posted by at 9:01 AM AIDS research lab at Brown open for World AIDS DayPROVIDENCE - Dr. Annie De Groot, chief executive of EpiVAX and a Brown University faculty member, will open her laboratory to the public today to help mark World AIDS Day. De Groot and her researchers are working on an HIV vaccine. Posted by at 9:00 AM |
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