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December 30, 2005

6 nabbed after marijuana raids in Pawtucket

PAWTUCKET - 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 05:23 PM

Tire tracks over Swan Point grave upset family

PROVIDENCE -- 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 05:19 PM

2 good reasons to take it easy on New Year's Eve

A 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 03:07 PM

Hundreds turn out for funeral of Fall River mayor's wife

FALL 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.

Notre Dame Church was full, with attendees including Bishop George W. Coleman, the leader of the city's Catholic diocese, pews and pews of state and city representatives, Lamberts siblings, neighbors, friends and residents who said Mayor Edward Lambert Jr.'s wife made them feel special even at their first meeting with her.

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 01:26 PM

Barnes pleads not guilty to disorderly conduct

WARWICK -- 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.

-- Journal staff writer Zachary R. Mider

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 01:08 PM | Comment

Report: R.I. ranks low for economic competitiveness nationwide

Rhode 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 Sunday

FOXBORO, 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 Pawtucket

PAWTUCKET - 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

Mickey and Minnie Mouse to visit kids at Hasbro today

PROVIDENCE - 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 09:00 AM

Snow should move in for New Year's Eve

The 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 09:00 AM

December 29, 2005

ER doctors at 3 hospitals will stay in Blue Cross network

PROVIDENCE - 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 04:53 PM | Comment

Reed: Deduction change benefits food stamp users

PROVIDENCE - 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 04:47 PM

Photo: A view from the top

Journal photo / Kris Craig

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 04:23 PM

Letters by Cranston middle-schoolers on same-sex marriage spur concerns

CRANSTON – 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 03:46 PM

Deadline extended for Hope Award nominations

PROVIDENCE - 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 03:22 PM

Brown: R.I. to meet Jan. 1 voting act deadline

PROVIDENCE - 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 02:58 PM

Police ID man shot to death in Providence / Photo

Journal photo/Bill Murphy
The Providence police say several shots were fired through the window of this house at 444 Cahill St.

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 01:22 PM

Updated: Providence police probing city's 21st murder of year / Photo

Journal photo/Bill Murphy
This house at 444 Cahill St., Providence, was the scene of the murder.

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 today

PROVIDENCE - 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, 2005

Updated: Providence retirement board continues challenge to Cianci pension

PROVIDENCE - 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 04:27 PM

Garbage trunk plunges into Blackstone; driver slightly hurt

BLACKSTONE, 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 03:56 PM

Delayed unemployment checks are in the mail

PROVIDENCE - 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 03:52 PM

Head of state police tapped as interim fire marshal

PROVIDENCE - 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 02:51 PM

Unseasonally warm, rainy weather heading this way

PROVIDENCE - 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.

Get the latest conditions and forecasts here.

Posted by Jack Perry at 10:02 AM

Disney skaters visiting Hasbro Children's Hospital

PROVIDENCE - 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 09:20 AM

St. Michael's Church to hold Kwanzaa celebration

PROVIDENCE - 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 09:00 AM

December 27, 2005

Off-duty Providence officer drove car in fatal pedestrian accident

PROVIDENCE - 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 03:41 PM | Comment

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 03:17 PM

Pedestrian hit by car in Providence dies

PROVIDENCE - 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 03:11 PM

Mary Lambert, wife of Fall River mayor, dies at 46

FALL 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 01:36 PM

R.I. gas price inches up by 1 cent

PROVIDENCE - 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 son

PROVIDENCE - 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 09:17 AM

Former Sox pitcher Reardon arrested on robbery charges

PALM 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 09:10 AM

Carcieri to participate in menorah lighting

PROVIDENCE - 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 09:00 AM

December 23, 2005

Providence shooting victim, 16, identified

PROVIDENCE - 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 04:46 PM

Warwick man sentenced in Citizens Bank robbery

PROVIDENCE - 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 04:40 PM

Fla. man gets 16 years for heroin arrest in Providence

PROVIDENCE - 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 03:52 PM | Comment

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.

NEWPORT - A vacant house worth nearly $2 million in the historic Point section of the city burned to the ground today after a fire started in the early morning hours and tore through the two-story colonial overlooking Narragansett Bay.

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 03:34 PM

Sovereign's shareholder battle escalates

Sovereign 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 03:17 PM

Man found dead in Blackstone identified

CUMBERLAND - 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 02:02 PM

Judge allows 81-year-old Providence woman to return home

PROVIDENCE - 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.
- Journal staff writer Mark Arsenault

Posted by Jack Perry at 11:10 AM

Fire damages Newport home

NEWPORT - 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.

- Journal staffer Christine MacDonald

Posted by Jack Perry at 10:17 AM

It's looking a lot like a wet Christmas for southern New England

PROVIDENCE - 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.

Check projo.com's weather page for the latest conditions and forecasts, locally and around the country.

Posted by Jack Perry at 09:28 AM

Teen shot to death in Providence this morning

PROVIDENCE - 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 09:05 AM

December 22, 2005

Missing Cumberland man's body found in Blackstone

CUMBERLAND -- 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 05:46 PM

Walsh firm hired for $64M expansion of Women & Infants

PROVIDENCE - Walsh Brothers Inc. has been hired as construction manager for the $64-million expansion at Women & Infants Hospital, the hospital announced today.

The project will add 150,000 square feet to the Dudley Street campus of Women & Infants. Included in the plans is a two-floor, 80-bed neonatal intensive care unit with individual patient rooms, and 30 new obstetrical rooms, which are necessary to meet current demand, according to the hospital.

The Boston-based construction firm also has an office in Providence.

Posted by Jack Perry at 05:00 PM

Census: R.I. one of 3 states to lose population in 2004-5

BOSTON - 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."

Most of the states with the largest population growth are in the South and West. Nevada, with an estimated population increase of 3.5 percent, was the fastest growing state for the 19th consecutive year. The nation's population increased by 2.8 million, or 0.9 percent, to 296.4 million, according to the Census Bureau.

-- Associated Press

Posted by Andrea Panciera at 04:45 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 04:14 PM

70 more R.I. Guard members to return from Iraq Saturday

CRANSTON - 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 03:28 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 House

PROVIDENCE - 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 drugstores

WOONSOCKET - 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 Road

WARWICK - 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 09:22 AM

Providence police to promote 13 today

PROVIDENCE - 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 09:01 AM

State's open meetings Web site adds features

PROVIDENCE - 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 09:00 AM

December 21, 2005

Tentative pact reached to return evicted woman to Providence home

PROVIDENCE -- 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 05:00 PM

Mass. auditor: No audit just because Fall River voters want one

FALL 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.''

Fall River's request to DeNucci was sent from Mayor Edward M. Lambert Jr. after voters overwhelming approved a non-binding referendum on Nov. 8 asking the state to conduct an independent comprehensive audit.

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 04:55 PM

Carpio lawyers seek to suppress statements to police

PROVIDENCE -- 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 04:48 PM

Updated: Hatch loses bid to continue tax case

PROVIDENCE -- 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 04:30 PM

Lucchino: We tried hard to re-sign Damon

BOSTON -- 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 03:05 PM

Fire at National Chain quickly contained but sends workers home

WARWICK - 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 03:00 PM

'Super Donuts' on Woonsocket schools menu? Taste-test to help decide

WOONSOCKET -- 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 02:19 PM

Conn. man pleads innocent in jogger's death

DANIELSON, 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 home

PROVIDENCE -- 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 DBR

PROVIDENCE -- 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.

Specifically, the penalty stems from Citigroup's failure to supervise two sales representatives who engaged in unethical and dishonest practices in the sale of stocks and mutual funds, Director A. Michael Marques said in a press release.

Citigroup has also agreed to investigate the alleged improper and unsuitable sales of variable annuities over a four-year period by one of its representatives, and to report its findings to the DBR's Securities Division.

After a lengthy investigation by the Securities Division, Marques said, Citigroup agreed to cease and desist from further violations of the State Securities Act. The broker-dealer is also required to retain the services of an outside consultant to review the sales practices and supervisory procedures of their Rhode Island offices.

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 today

PROVIDENCE -- 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 today

PROVIDENCE -- 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 09:37 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 08:40 AM

December 20, 2005

Updated: Lux gets 13 years for drunk-driving fatality / Photo

Journal photo / Andrew Dickerman

Pedro Lux was sentenced today in Superior Court, Providence.

PROVIDENCE - A Cranston man who disappeared before his scheduled sentencing last month for a drunk-driving fatality now faces 13 years in prison.

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 04:55 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 04:35 PM

Child-care providers seek restoration of health benefits

PROVIDENCE - 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 03:18 PM

Red Sox sign reliever Rudy Seanez

The 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 03:15 PM

Diocese to consolidate 2 church sites in Fall River

FALL 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 02:21 PM | Comment

Report: Pandemic flu could strike one-third of Rhode Islanders

PROVIDENCE -- 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.

WARWICK - A spill of up to 300 gallons of potassium cyanide at a precious-metals recycling facility was contained by concrete containment berms inside the building, according to city Fire Chief Jack Chartier.

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 facility

FALL 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 today

PROVIDENCE - 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 priesthood

PROVIDENCE - 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 refiner

WARWICK - 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 morning

PROVIDENCE - 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 09:00 AM

December 19, 2005

Bright Night back for 3rd year in Providence

PROVIDENCE -- 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 05:10 PM

Carcieri to unveil report on pandemic flu preparations

PROVIDENCE - 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 04:39 PM

Rockefeller pledges $1M to RISD Museum for Asian art renovations

PROVIDENCE - 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 04:17 PM

Guardians named for woman, 81, evicted from home

PROVIDENCE - 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 04:14 PM

Updated: Holiday hustle and bustle at post office today

If 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 holidays

PROVIDENCE - 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 cents

PROVIDENCE - 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 95

Traffic 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 09:20 AM

Mayor, organizers to announce Bright Night details

PROVIDENCE - 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 09:00 AM

December 16, 2005

R.I. Guard helicopter unit to return home Sunday

This 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 04:57 PM

RFK Elementary School principal dies after long illness

PROVIDENCE - 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 04:55 PM

Radio veteran David Jones to replace DeGraide

PROVIDENCE -- 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 04:53 PM

GTECH gives little detail on possible sale

WEST 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 04:29 PM

Winds tear off roof of N. Kingstown building

NORTH 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 03:55 PM

2-week recess called in lead-paint trial

PROVIDENCE - 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 03:49 PM

Updated: Johnston man accused of child pornography / Photo

JOHNSTON - A 58-year-old man has been arrested on charges he illegally had hundreds of pornographic images of children in his possession.

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.

More to come on projo.com and in tomorrow's Journal.

- Journal staff writer Arthur Kimball-Stanley

Posted by Jack Perry at 02:46 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 Sox

BOSTON -- 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

It was rather tricky walking along Fountain Street in Providence this morning, as leftover ice from the storm a week ago and rain this morning made for messy walking and driving.

Journal photo / Steve Szydlowski

Posted by at 10:32 AM

Rain slows commute, leaves some surfaces slick

PROVIDENCE - 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 09:33 AM

Gingrich in Providence to speak on health care

PROVIDENCE - 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 09:00 AM

December 15, 2005

Updated: Audubon's Birds folio sells for $5M in less than 5 minutes

NEW 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 05:20 PM

PawSox get game at Fenway next year

The 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 04:52 PM

Suspicious fire at old Providence food terminal started in debris

PROVIDENCE -- 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 04:50 PM

Zoo offering free holiday admission, starting tomorrow

PROVIDENCE --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 04:33 PM

Powerball ticket bought in Warwick nets $200,000

A 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.

See the winning numbers.

Posted by Jack Perry at 04:01 PM

Narragansetts get HUD funds for new health center

WASHINGTON, 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 03:33 PM

Report: R.I. hospitals provided $21.5M in charity care in 2004

PROVIDENCE - 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 03:12 PM

Providence, Narragansett fire depts. get Homeland Security funds

WASHINGTON, 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 02:45 PM

AG's office: New database aiding stolen jewelry arrests

PROVIDENCE - 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 02:31 PM

Brown's Hartigan makes AP's All-America team

PROVIDENCE - Brown University tailback Nick Hartigan has been named to The Associated Press Division I-AA 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.
Hartigan will learn today whether he is the recipient of the Walter Payton Award as the I-AA player of the year.

-- Associated Press with Journal reports

Posted by Jack Perry at 01:51 PM

Auction of Kennedy memorabilia opens

NEW 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.

More ...

Posted by Andrea Panciera at 01:35 PM

Suspect in Conn. jogger's death charged with kidnapping

DANIELSON, 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.

Windham County State's Attorney Patricia Froehlich said Deojay will eventually be charged with homicide, but Connecticut and Massachusetts authorities must decide which state will issue the arrest warrant because the woman's body was found near the state line.

That decision is expected at another court hearing scheduled for Friday.

-- Associated Press

Posted by Andrea Panciera at 01:26 PM

R.I. puts off agreeing to greenhouse pact

PROVIDENCE - 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 today

NEW 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 morning

PROVIDENCE - 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 09:57 AM

Business council to discuss sales tax holiday

PROVIDENCE - 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 09:00 AM

December 14, 2005

Ex-McDonald's worker gets 42 months for break-time robbery

PROVIDENCE - 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 04:46 PM

Reed: Venezuelan oil deal could be ready by holidays

WASHINGTON - 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. rel