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« February 2006 | Today | April 2006 » March 31, 2006Photo: Garden to grow in Chavez' memory
Journal photo / Andrew Dickerman A portrait of workers' rights activist Cesar Chavez looks out at the scene at Smith Hill's Davis Park in Providence after a groundbreaking ceremoney today for a memorial garden to Chavez. Posted by Andrea Panciera at 5:02 PM Daylight Saving Time begins SundayDon't forget to spring your clocks forward this weekend for Daylight Saving Time. Daylight Saving Time begins at 2 a.m. Sunday, and clocks should be turned ahead an hour. That's right. This weekend is an hour shorter, but it means an extra hour of daylight to enjoy spring after work. Posted by Jack Perry at 4:49 PM Expert: Supreme court skeptical of military's system for trying suspected terroristsBRISTOL -- President Bush’s system of military tribunals for suspected terrorists might be in jeopardy, based on questions posed by U.S. Supreme Court justices earlier this week, the president of the National Institute of Military Justice said today at Roger Williams University law school. Eugene R. Fidell gave the keynote address during a law school symposium titled “Challenges and Changes to Military Law from the War on Terror.” Before and after the speech, Fidell talked about Tuesday’s oral arguments before the Supreme Court in a case involving Osama bin Laden’s driver, Salim Ahmed Hamdan. Hamdan’s lawyers are challenging the military commissions set up for terror suspects held at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. And on Tuesday justices seemed skeptical of the administration’s contention that the tribunals can be used without adhering to U.S. military procedures or the Geneva Convention. In 2003, Rhode Island Supreme Court Chief Justice Frank J. Williams was named to the military review panel that would hear appeals from suspected terrorists tried before the military commissions. But, Fidell said, “If I were Judge Williams, I would not have myself measured for a uniform yet. The fate of the military commissions lies in the hands of the justices of the Supreme Court. And while it’s always hazardous to predict the actions based on oral arguments, the government certainly had its work cut out for it at the Hamdan arguments.” -- More to come on projo.com and tomorrow's Journal -- Journal staff writer Edward Fitzpatrick Posted by Jack Perry at 4:41 PM Attorney General questions Judge Yashar's pensionAttorney General Patrick C. Lynch is questioning the legality of the decision that gave retired Traffic Tribunal Judge Marjorie R. Yashar credit for eight months she spent on unpaid leave in 2005 when court officials calculated her pension. Lynch is urging the Rhode Island Supreme Court to examine whether Yashar truly qualified for the $120,310 annual pension she is now receiving. “State law clearly states that former Judge Yashar is not entitled to have the eight months she spent on unpaid leave calculated into her pension benefits,” Lynch said in a statement issued today. “To heap an extra serving of this proportion on a plate that’s fully funded by the taxpayers of Rhode Island is not only costly and offensive, but wrong, under the law. It’s imperative that former Judge Yashar’s pension is adjusted to reflect her actual service to the state during her employment.” Court officials have said that according to their interpretation of state law, they had no choice but to give Yashar credit based solely on when she started and ended her service. Read letters between state officials and Yashar regarding her pension. -- With reports by Journal staff writer Scott Mayerowitz Posted by Kate Bramson at 4:18 PM Much of southern New England under fire warningThe National Weather Service has expanded a red flag warning for potentially dangerous wild fire conditions for southeastern Massachusetts and all of Rhode Island except for Block Island. Dry weather and wind gusts of 25 to 35 mph could spread fire quickly. The warning is in effect until 6 p.m. Posted by Jack Perry at 4:08 PM Photo: Enjoying the highs of a see-saw ride before the rain drops
Sisters Rachel, left, and Sarah Simone of Bristol, ages 3 and 14 months respectively, enjoy today's spring weather by trying out the new see-saw at Burr's Hill Park in Warren. But like the children's ride, southern New England's weather will have its ups and downs this weekend, with rain in the forecast tomorrow, then mostly sunny with a high of 63 degrees Sunday.
Posted by Jack Perry at 3:59 PM National Grid requests an electricity rate decreaseNational Grid said today that a decline in energy prices will allow the company to reduce electricity rates next month by about 3.9 percent. The company, which provides electricity in 38 of the state's 39 communities, filed a proposal with the Public Utilities Commission this afternoon, seeking to lower its rates as of May 1. The proposed rate for "standard offer" service, which most customers receive, would be 9.4 cents per kilowatt-hour, down from the current rate of 10 cents per kilowatt hour. If approved by the PUC, the monthly bill for a customer using 500 kilowatts of electricity would be $77.82, down $3.12, or 3.9 percent. -- Journal staff writer Timothy C. Barmann Posted by Jack Perry at 3:41 PM New general to take over R.I. Guard in ceremony SundayPROVIDENCE -- Governor Carcieri will formally transfer command of the Rhode Island National Guard in a ceremony Sunday on the State House lawn. Although he was hired last month, Brig. Gen. Robert Bray will be officially introduced at 2 p.m. Sunday as the head of the Guard, the head of the state Emergency Management Agency, and Rhode Island's liaison to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. There are 384 Rhode Island Guard troops deployed throughout the United States and in four countries, including Iraq, where 95 troops in the 43rd Military Police Brigade are guarding Abu Ghraib and two other prisons. Posted by Steve Peoples at 3:29 PM Medical marijuana ID cards available with doctor's note, $75PROVIDENCE -- Open registration for medical marijuana begins today. The state Department of Health this afternoon released guidelines regulating Rhode Island's recently passed medical marijuana law that details the application process, fees and special identification cards. Rhode Island residents suffering from a debilitating medical condition may apply for the privilege online or get an application at the Department of Health offices in Providence. Applicants need a doctor's note and an application fee of $75 (or $10 if the applicant is a recipient of SSI or Medicaid). Once the application is approved, an ID card is issued, and the patient or caregiver can possess a limited amount of marijuana without violating state law. But federal law still prohibits use or possession or the drug. Posted by Steve Peoples at 2:41 PM Gorbachev in Portsmouth as club's special guestPORTSMOUTH -- Mikhail Gorbachev is on Aquidneck Island today, a guest of the private sporting club, Carnegie Abbey, where he will hold a question-and-answer session tomorrow evening. The former president of the Soviet Union arrived in Rhode Island last night. He will stay at the Abbey until Sunday, according to a club spokesman. There are no public appearances planned aside from Saturday evening. Gorbachev, 75, will field questions from the media tomorrow from 5 to 6 p.m., following by a question-and-answer session with club members and their guests. The latter session will be closed to the public. Gorbachev, who was leader of the Soviet Union from 1985 until 1991, was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1990. His work as a world leader ended in 1991, on the dissolution of the Soviet Union. Posted by Steve Peoples at 12:00 PM Firefighters respond to Johnston blazeJohnston firefighters responded this morning to a fire near Allendale Avenue and George Waterman Road. Further details were not immediately available. Posted by Kate Bramson at 11:57 AM Landscaper pleads innocent to Warwick murderWARWICK -- A landscaper pleaded innocent today to murder in the November death of his boss's wife. James S. Richardson, 38, of Cranston, was indicted March 20 for the stabbing death of Margaret R. Duffy-Stephenson in her Warwick home. Richardson, who entered his plea this morning in Superior Court, has been held at the Adult Correctional Institutions since Dec. 8, when a genetic test on material found under Duffy-Stephenson's fingernails identified Richardson's DNA. -- Journal staff writer Zachary Mider Posted by Jack Perry at 11:50 AM Groundbreaking today for Chavez memorial in Smith HillPROVIDENCE -- U.S. Sen. Lincoln Chafee will join a host of city and state officials this afternoon for a groundbreaking ceremony for a Cesar Chavez memorial garden at Smith Hill's Davis Park. The 1 p.m. event has been organized by Providence City Councilman Terrance Hassett, who helped secure $50,000 for improvements at the park, including the Chavez garden. Chavez was a worker's rights activists who preached nonviolence. His slogan, "si, se puede" (yes, we can), have become a mantra for today's labor rights movement. Posted by Steve Peoples at 10:52 AM Catch the N.E. Saltwater Fishing Show in Providence this weekendPROVIDENCE -- For those who can't wait to catch that prize-winning striped bass this season, the New England Saltwater Fishing Show begins today and continues through Sunday at the Rhode Island Convention Center, Providence. The show, presented by the Rhode Island Salt Water Anglers Association, features lots of gear, a virtual fishing simulator, fly-casting demonstrations and more than 20 seminars on a variety of topics, including saltwater kayak fishing at 1 p.m. today. The show opens at noon today and continues until 9 p.m. It runs from 9 a.m. until 7 p.m. tomorrow and 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. Sunday. The cost is $10, but a $2 discount is available at the show's Web site. Children 12 and under are free. Posted by Jack Perry at 10:45 AM Water drama ends as boil advisory liftedNORTH SMITHFIELD -- Residents are free to drink their tap water for the first time in more than three days, as state health officials have lifted advisories urging them to boil water before consumption. Earlier in the week, authorities instructed 83 North Smithfield households serviced by the Blackstone, Mass., Water Department not to drink, bathe in, or even touch their water after a security breach at a public water tank. Health officials determined Wednesday that the vandals -- three 15-year-olds broke in to the facility, according to police -- did not contaminate the water supply. But after flushing the system, there were concerns that bacteria might have infected the water. Test results yesterday revealed no evidence of dangerous bacteria. Health officials said that things today are back to normal for the 83 North Smithfield households and 8,800 Blackstone residents. Posted by Steve Peoples at 9:30 AM Temps in 70s, gusty winds and low humidity equal fire warningWe’re in for another beautiful day, with highs expected in the low- to mid-70s, according to the National Weather Service. That’s the warmest weather since the first week of November. However, because those warm temperatures are expected to be ushered in with gusty southwest winds of 20 to 30 miles per hour and low relative humidity, the National Weather Service in Taunton, Mass., has issued a red flag fire warning in parts of southern New England. The warning is in effect from noon to 6 p.m. today. Check for any warnings in your state on the National Weather Service site. Posted by Kate Bramson at 9:00 AM March 30, 2006Photo: Wonderful day, another on the way
With the temperature near 70 degrees, Gerald and Mary Cubelli of Sudbury, Mass., found a quiet spot today to watch the sea and sand at Horseneck Beach State Reservation in Wesport, Mass. Southern New Englanders can enjoy more sunshine and warmth tomorrow with the temperature expected to reach the upper 60s, according to the National Weather Service in Taunton, Mass. Posted by Jack Perry at 5:26 PM Dunkin' Donuts Center to close for renovations this summerPROVIDENCE – The Dunkin' Donuts Center will be closed for the summer. Starting on June 12, the 34-year-old downtown sports and entertainment arena will shut down for the first stages of a major renovation. The Dunk will remain closed until October, for the first Providence Bruins hockey game of the 2006-2007 season, according to the Rhode Island Convention Center Authority, which controls The Dunk and is orchestrating the $60 million overhaul. -- Journal staff writer Andrea Stape Over the summer, the war memorial outside The Dunk will be removed and stored, the utilities around the building relocated, the ice system inside the building replaced, the bowl-like ceiling repainted and a new scoreboard installed. It will be the first public signs of the renovation, which will be funded by state bonds, and began last year. In November, the Convention Center Authority, an arm of state government purchased The Dunk from the city of Providence for $28.5 million and began planning the overhaul. "Disruption,'' is what people will see this summer when they pass by The Dunk, said James McCarvill, executive director of the convention center authority. ``They are going to see things dug up, things that are moved, they are going to see something is happening,'' said McCarvill. It's been a long wait. It took the city and the state more than two years to hammer out a sale of the property, which has been losing money and slowly deteriorating. The state plans to update the building, adding new concessions, seats and bathrooms, expanding the lobby and putting in money-making luxury boxes. As part of the renovation, The Dunk will be connected to the next-door convention center, allowing the state to market both properties as one giant complex for conventions and exhibitions. -- Journal staff writer Andrea Stape Posted by Jack Perry at 4:10 PM Rally planned this afternoon in support of affordable housing billState legislators and supporters of a bill they have introduced in the General Assembly plan to rally today in support of legislation that would provide $75 million to build affordable housing. They will hold a press conference at the State House at 3:30 p.m. today, shortly before the measure is considered by the Senate Finance Committee at 4:30 p.m. in room 211. The bill calls for a bond referendum in November. Also, read the House and Senate versions of the bill.
Posted by Kate Bramson at 3:00 PM R.I. GOP joins federal complaint against Brown campaignPROVIDENCE -- The Rhode Island Republican Party has joined the Hawaii GOP in filing a federal complaint alleging campaign finance violations against U.S. Senate candidate Matthew Brown. Rhode Island Republicans gathered in Providence this afternoon to sign the complaint, initiated last week in Hawaii, that asks the Federal Elections Commission to investigate allegations that Brown and Democratic organizations from three states illegally "laundered" $25,000 in contributions to his campaign. Brown’s campaign has denied any wrongdoing. See a full copy of the complaint here. The federal complaint was signed by Patricia Morgan, chairman of the Rhode Island Republican Party, this afternoon and notarized. Party officials will mail the document to FEC offices in Washington later today, according to spokesman Chuck Newton. “We believe very strongly that filing this complaint is the right thing to do,” Morgan said in a statement. “This has not been a quiet episode. These contributions have received wide coverage already. But this does not detract from that fact that the practice reported is clearly illegal.” Brown and his campaign engineered an arrangement whereby Maine, Massachusetts and Hawaii were induced to give his campaign a total of $25,000, while a handful of wealthy Brown backers agreed to give the state parties a total of $30,000. Because Brown's individual donors had each given him the legal maximum, the episode raised the question of whether Brown -- a self-styled reform candidate for GOP Lincoln D. Chafee's Senate seat -- had created a mechanism for evading the lawful limits on contributions. Brown has said that the maneuver, though legal, created "an appearance problem," and decided to return the money to the three states. The five-page complaint signed today by Rhode Island Republicans relies largely on information in media reports to make its case against Brown. “Federal law prohibits campaign committees from earmarking contributions from maxed out donors through state party committees in an effort to evade the contribution limits. According to recent media reports, Brown campaign and Democratic state party officials have indicated that such a scheme may have been set in motion,” reads the complaint released publicly today for the first time. “Accordingly, the Republican state parties hereby request that the commission undertake an immediate investigation into this matter and, if the alleged scheme violates the … regulations, impose the maximum penalties under law.” A spokesman for the FEC said this afternoon that should the commission decide to investigate, the maximum civil penalties would depend on whether the violations were “knowing and willful.” In the case of a violation that’s not willful, the maximum penalty is the greater of $5,000 or the amount involved, according to FEC spokesman George Smaragdis. Fines increase dramatically to a minimum of 300 percent of the amount involved for willful violations. Posted by Steve Peoples at 2:49 PM Kickboxer held without bail in girlfriend's death at Warwick motelWARWICK -- The Baltimore kickboxer accused of beating his girlfriend to death at a Motel 6 last week appeared in District Court today and waived his right to a bail hearing. Judge Elaine T. Bucci ordered Malbon D. Bolden Jr., 44, held without bail at the Adult Correctional Institutions in Cranston while awaiting grand jury action. Bolden is charged with murdering his girlfriend, Maria Sample, in a motel room while the two were visiting Warwick for a kickboxing tournament. The police said they arrested him as he was fleeing the motel. -- Journal staff writer Zachary R. Mider Posted by Steve Peoples at 1:38 PM Updated: Providence boy, 15, charged in murder over hair braiding / Photo
Phearin Rot, 573 Union Ave., Providence, was 14 when Jamont Richardson, also of Providence, was shot June 28 on Smith Hill. Phearin's case was waived out of the Rhode Island Family Court and into District Court at the request of the Rhode Island Attorney General's office. The attorney general's office cited the severity of the crime in requesting the transfer. Phearin continues to be held without bail. Phearin was charged with murder, conspiracy to murder, using a firearm while committing a crime of violence, and possession of an unlicensed firearm. Phearin's older brother, now 18, also faces charges in connection with the 14-year-old Jamont's death, but his case is still pending in Family Court. -- Journal staff writer Gregory Smith The police say the problems started when a friend of Jamont did not pay for his hair-braiding session. The hairdresser, a 17-year-old, called her cousins, Phearin and his brother, to get the money, according to the police. A fight between several teens ensued on Goddard Street, Smith Hill, and Jamont was shot. An assistant Attorney General during today's arraignment said that Phearin shot Jamont in the face. Phearin did not enter a plea this morning in District Court, Providence, because Superior Court has jurisdiction. Chief Judge Albert E. DeRobbio noted that the case is being sent to the grand jury for consideration. He ordered that Phearin continue to be held. -- Journal staff writer Gregory Smith Posted by Steve Peoples at 1:00 PM Pawtucket water main repairedPAWTUCKET -- The section of water main broken during a construction mishap yesterday has been repaired and is being restored to service. James L. DeCelles, acting chief engineer of the Pawtucket water system, said drinking water began flowing through the 20-inch water main around 11 a.m. He said customers throughout the water system may notice some discoloration as the renewed water flow dislodges rust from the pipes. The 20-inch water main carries drinking water from the Pawtucket Water Supply Board’s Branch Street pumping station to customers in Central Falls and Cumberland. The pipe broke yesterday morning, as a crew from South Shore Utilities was preparing to install a new 36-inch main that will carry untreated water from the Water Supply Board’s network of reservoirs to the new water treatment plant being built between Branch Street and Route 95. -- Journal staff writer John Castellucci
The crew was removing an abandoned 30-inch pipe to make way for the 36-inch water main, DeCelles said, when a section of the adjoining 20-inch water main broke. Water service to Cumberland and Central Falls was interrupted, but only briefly. DeCelles said Water Supply Board engineers and workers devised another way to route water to those communities through the Pawtucket water system’s 240-mile network of pipes. Meanwhile, a South Shore Utility crew worked through the day yesterday to locate the break and fix it. DeCelles said the repair was finished around 7 or 8 p.m. -- Journal staff writer John Castellucci
Posted by Jack Perry at 12:42 PM Health care reps rally before General Assembly hearingPROVIDENCE -- Representatives from 11 health-care groups gathered for a rally this morning, a few hours before the General Assembly will review the governor's controversial plan to cut 3,000 children of illegal immigrants from RIte Care health benefits. The health-care groups, joined by a handful of former state legislators, criticized Carcieri's plan for about an hour this morning at the Rhode Island Medical Society offices on Promenade Street. The House Finance Committee will meet at 2 p.m. today in the State House's Trainor Hearing Room. A spokesman for the medical society said that the hearing would be well attended. "The societies who were represented this morning will be represented later today," said spokesman David Leveillee. "Public spending reflects our social priorities," Kathleen Fitzgerald, president of the Rhode Island Medical Society, said in a statement. "For years, Rhode Island has received a lot of very appropriate credit nationwide for having at least some of our social priorities right, and RIte Care is the prime example." Established in 1994, RIte Care provides Rhode Island families, pregnant women, parents and children up to age 19 with comprehensive health-care coverage. "The budget that is now before the General Assembly proposes cuts that are economically short sighted. It comes down to a question of spending something now, or spending a lot more later," Fitzgerald said. Posted by Steve Peoples at 12:31 PM 4 students hospitalized after chemical sprayed in Central High classroomPROVIDENCE -- Four students, one teacher and a school nurse have been hospitalized this morning after someone released a chemical spray, possibly pepper spray, in a Central High School classroom this morning. "A group of students were complaining that they had irritated throats, they were coughing," said Providence School District spokeswoman Maria Tocco. "They were sent to the hospital to be checked out as a precautionary measure." After the suspicious odor was reported to school leadership this morning, the Westminster Street school of more than 1,500 students was evacuated. A school nurse tripped while attending to students during the evacuation and apparently broke her arm, according to Tocco. Schools officials have ruled out a gas leak as the cause of the suspicious smell, but have not determined the exact cause. "Some kids said it smelled like gas, other said it smelled like pepper spray," Tocco said. "We’re thinking it was a practical joke -- that a student or students sprayed pepper spray." The fire department cleared the building at about 10:30 a.m., and students returned to class. Tocco said school officials are investigating the cause of the incident. The student or students found responsible will be disciplined, pending the outcome of a student disciplinary hearing. Tocco hinted that today's near 70-degree weather may have been a factor. "We're thinking it's spring fever -- any excuse to be outside," she said. Posted by Steve Peoples at 11:27 AM Providence high school temporarily evacuatedPROVIDENCE -- Central High School was evacuated, and several students were treated this morning after a chemical agent was released inside the Westminster Street building. Students and staff filled the street and sidewalks outside the school for about an hour while authorities investigated. At around 10:30 a.m., students were allowed to return to classes. A fire department official could not confirm the source of the disruption, but fire officials suspect that pepper spray may have been sprayed inside the school, according to the Associated Press. -- Journal staff and wire reports Posted by Steve Peoples at 10:43 AM Mass. high court says nonresident gays cannot marry in Mass.BOSTON -- The court that made Massachusetts the first state to legalize gay marriage ruled today that same-sex couples from other states cannot marry here. The Supreme Judicial Court ruled in a challenge to a 1913 state law that forbids nonresidents from marrying in Massachusetts if their marriage would not be recognized in their home state. The eight couples who sued are from Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Vermont, Maine and New York. -- The Associated Press Posted by Jack Perry at 10:27 AM Report: New England fish stocks in bad shapePORTLAND, Maine -- A new report from a Maine environmental group says nearly half of the fish stocks in New England's ocean waters are in jeopardy from overfishing. The report, which was released by Environment Maine on behalf of the Marine Fish Conservation Network, says that only 10 fish stocks were known to be healthy in 2004. That's down from 13 healthy fish stocks in 2001. -- The Associated Press The report also says only 13 percent of the fish populations nationwide are deemed to be healthy. The study blames ineffective management for the poor status of fishery resources. Posted by Kate Bramson at 9:17 AM Blue skies and warm temps expectedToday should be clear and sunny, with highs in the mid-60s. For those of you suffering from springtime allergies, pollen counts are expected to hover at a medium level today and Saturday and climb into the high range on Friday and Sunday. For more information on the local pollen count, check out Pollen.com. Posted by Kate Bramson at 8:57 AM March 29, 20062 teens accused of child pornography for photos posted on myspace.comNorth Smithfield police have arrested a teenager and a 19-year-old woman who posted sexually explicit photos of themselves on the Internet. The police say Elizabeth Muller of 6 Sorel Ave., North Smithfield and a 16-year-old female friend from Lincoln put the pictures on myspace.com, a popular Web site where young people socialize online. During a routine patrol of the site, Lincoln High School Resource Officer David Waycott recognized the teenager from school and alerted the police department’s juvenile division. "They were fully naked and posing together," said Capt. Denis Smith of North Smithfield. Under Rhode Island law, posting naked pictures of an underage person, even one’s self, constitutes child pornography. After further investigation, the police said they learned that the pair photographed themselves and posted the pictures from North Smithfield, putting the case under that town's jurisdiction. North Smithfield police arrested Muller over the weekend at her home. The teenager was taken into custody soon after. Each was charged with one count of child pornography. -- Journal staff writer Cynthia Needham Muller was arraigned on Monday. The girl’s case was referred to Family Court. A second 16-year-old was also arrested in connection with the postings after the police learned that she had helped photograph and post the pictures of her friends. That girl was charged with one count of conspiracy for her involvement. The girls have not been identified because they are minors. Sullivan said the pictures have since been removed from myspace.com. -- Journal staff writer Cynthia Needham Posted by Steve Peoples at 4:35 PM Celtics suspend Orien GreeneThe Boston Celtics have suspended rookie guard Orien Greene indefinitely for conduct detrimental to the team. He will miss at least tonight's game against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. According to the Waltham, Mass., police, an officer spotted Greene's sport-utility vehicle at 3:23 a.m. Monday, traveling at more than 90 miles per hour. Detective Sgt. Tim King said Greene slowed and accelerated several times, "which the officer believed was evasive movements." The police report did not indicate any tests for alcohol or other substances being administered, King said. Charges of failing to stop for a police officer and operating recklessly were dismissed upon payment of $100 fines for each during a court hearing Monday. Charges including speeding and marked lane violation were placed on file, and the case closed. With Associated Press reports Posted by Mike McDermott at 4:17 PM Union rallies to support janitorsPROVIDENCE -- A union representing janitors will hold a dowtown rally this afternoon to protest actions by an East Providence-based maintenance company. The group, Justice for Janitors, has led a series of protests in recent months, including a five-day fast at the Turks Head building, the site of today's rally and also a building serviced by Martins Maintenance Company. Four former employees of the maintenance company have filed charges with the state Department of Labor and Training and National Labor Relations Board, alleging unlawful firing, withholding pay for hours worked and failure to pay for injuries that happened while employed by the company. Today's rally begins at 4:30 p.m. In November, the campaign organized a five-day fast in downtown Providence outside of the Turks Head building. An art exhibit at the Rhode Island School of Design-owned Red Eye Gallery in Providence showcased photos of the fast. Last month, the campaign successfully urged the Providence City Council to deem the maintenance company a "business non grata" in the city. Posted by Steve Peoples at 4:03 PM Foxwoods CEO to retireNEW HAVEN, Conn. -- William Sherlock, who has been engineering Foxwoods Resort Casino's transition into a destination resort with less reliance on gambling revenue, announced today that he will retire at the end of the year. The Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation, which owns the casino, said a national search is underway to find Sherlock's successor. During Sherlock's six-year tenure as chief executive officer, which made him the casino's longest-serving CEO, Foxwoods added new nightclubs and restaurants and opened an $80 million golf course. It also broke ground on a $700 million expansion that will include an 825-room hotel, convention space and more restaurants and nightclubs. -- The Associated Press Posted by Jack Perry at 3:25 PM Mass. health officials: Vandalism did not contaminate water supplyHealth officials confirmed this afternoon that the public water supply in Blackstone, Mass., is not contaminated. Testing from two Massachusetts state agencies revealed today that vandals did not pollute the water when they broke in to a water department facility Monday night, according to Edmund Coletta, spokesman for the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection. Despite today's test results, health officials have ordered the affected residents to boil drinking water until bacteria tests are completed. "There was an extensive flushing regime yesterday and today. This kind of flushing can cause bacteria issue," Coletta said this afternoon. Bacteria testing is expected to be completed tomorrow afternoon. And while consuming non-boiled water is not advised, residents are free to come into contact with the water, Coletta said. More than 8,800 Blackstone residents and 83 households in neighboring North Smithfield, R.I., were ordered not to touch their water yesterday after a security breach was discovered at a public water tank. Two teenagers were arrested this morning on charges stemming from the vandalism. Posted by Steve Peoples at 3:17 PM Mass. House speaker: Slots at racetracks a non-starter this yearBOSTON -- House Speaker Salvatore DiMasi said today that a proposal to install slot machines at the state's four racetracks likely won't pass the House this year. Speaking at the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce, DiMasi said there's no real momentum for the bill, despite being approved overwhelmingly by the state Senate. "My prediction is, I don't think it's going to pass," DiMasi said. "I don't think the support's there that people think there is." Even if the bill does pass, DiMasi said it doesn't have the support of two-thirds of the Legislature, which would be needed to override an expected veto by Gov. Mitt Romney. In Rhode Island, gamblers can play video slots at two locations -- the Lincoln Park dog-racing facility in Lincoln and Newport Grand in Newport. A study issued last week by the University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth's Center for Policy Analysis said the most of the patrons at those two locales are from Massachusetts and Rhode Island. It warned that Bay State gamblers would quickly switch their allegiance to the Massachusetts tracks, if slots were added there. If that happens, Rhode Island could lose much of the $100-million plus that these Massachusetts gamblers contribute annually to Rhode Island's heavily gambling-dependent economy. -- With Journal archival reports Posted by Andrea Panciera at 3:06 PM Rust-colored water could follow Pawtucket water main breakPAWTUCKET -- Pawtucket Water Supply Board customers might notice that their water is discolored after a water main break this morning disrupted service to hundreds of households, most of them in Cumberland and Central Falls, the board's acting chief engineer said. Despite the discoloration, the water is safe to drink; no contaminants have been introduced into the distribution system, according to James DeCelles, acting chief engineer. Workers had to re-route the water through different pipes after the main was broken and that could lead to some discoloration throughout the system, DeCelles said. The discoloration is expected to be temporary, DeCelles said. He advised customers whose water turns a rusty brown to let it flow out of their faucets to clear it up. --- Journal staff writer John Castellucci The water main break was caused by a construction mishap this morning. The break occurred around 8:30 a.m. as South Shore Utilities, a subcontractor on the water treatment plant project, was preparing to install a new 36-inch pipe that will carry untreated water to the plant, DeCelles said. DeCelles said the subcontractor broke a 20-inch transmission main that carries water from the Branch Street pumping station to Central Falls and the Valley Falls section of Cumberland, where the Water Supply Board has thousands of customers. He said service to Cumberland and Central Falls was only temporarily disrupted because Water Supply Board engineers and workers managed to shut down the broken transmission main and re-route water through other pipes. Traffic wasn’t affected. The water main break took place on a section of Branch Street that has been closed for construction. Nevertheless, DeCelles said, systemwide impacts are expected as the change in water flow through the Water Supply Board’s distribution system dislodges mineral deposits and rust. -- Journal staff writer John Castellucci Posted by Jack Perry at 2:15 PM Judiciary proposes changes after judge's pension draws criticismPROVIDENCE -- The head of the Rhode Island court system drafted legislation today that would change the way judge's pensions are determined, a move that comes a few days after The Journal ran a story about retired Traffic Tribunal Associate Judge Marjorie R. Yashar's pension. The calculations used to determine Yashar's retirement included eight months of unpaid leave, pushing her annual pension from $81,650 to $120,310. Governor Carcieri and Lt. Gov. Charles Fogarty, a candidate for governor, both criticized Yashar's pension award this week. Carcieri said Yashar's case showed that the system should be changed. Court Administrator J. Joseph Baxter forwarded a proposal to the General Assembly earlier today that would prevent judicial leave without pay from being counted as service credit time in calculating pensions. But there is no indication that Yashar, who has been receiving her full pension since last December, will be affected. Yashar had been on unpaid leave, beginning in February 2005, at her own request. Chief Judge Albert E. DeRobbio, who presides over the District Court and the Rhode Island Traffic Tribunal, declined to grant Yashar’s request to come back to work last June. Yashar’s arrest on a charge of domestic simple assault, her involvement in an automobile accident that she did not report and her conduct and attendance to her judicial duties were investigated last year by the state Commission on Judicial Tenure and Discipline. The Commission forwarded its report to the state Supreme Court, which publicly censured Yashar on Oct. 5, 2005. While Yashar was on unpaid leave in July, she reached her 65th birthday and her 20th anniversary of employment as a traffic judge. These milestones qualified her for a full pension under state law. Yashar retired from active service on Sept. 27, 2005, after returning to work for one day, following her eight-month unpaid leave. There was no arbitrary decision by any court official to grant Yashar something to which she was not entitled, according to the court. In Yashar’s case, the Judiciary simply applied the statutory language in calculating her time on the bench for pension purposes. Posted by Steve Peoples at 1:53 PM Carcieri to detail 'tax holiday' this afternoonPROVIDENCE -- Governor Carcieri will present his plan for a two-day sales 'tax holiday' to the House Finance Committee this afternoon. Carcieri outlined his plan for the August holiday as part of his fiscal year 2007 budget proposal, saying it would save Rhode Island taxpayers more than $5 million. House members will hear the details at 2 p.m. today. The governor has proposed enacting a sales tax holiday Aug. 12 and 13 of this year. The move would enable Rhode Island retailers to compete with a similar holiday in Massachusetts, according to the governor, while saving Rhode Island taxpayers about $5.3 million. During the Governor’s proposed two-day sales tax holiday, the state would collect no sales tax on most goods costing $2,500 or less. The state would continue to collect sales and use taxes on a limited set of goods and services, including automobiles, telecommunications services, cigarettes, restaurant meals, hotel accommodations, and all business-to-business transactions. In 2004, the following 11 states enacted sales tax holidays: Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Massachusetts, Missouri, New York, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas, and New Mexico. Washington, D.C., also had a tax holiday. During the 2005 and 2006 period, 14 states and two major cities have held or are scheduled to hold sales tax holidays. They are Louisiana, Connecticut, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Massachusetts, Missouri, Iowa, Texas, Florida, New Mexico, New York, Maryland, and Tennessee, as well as New York City and Washington, D.C. Posted by Steve Peoples at 1:10 PM Brown students win prestigious scholarshipsPROVIDENCE -- Two Brown University juniors have received prestigious scholarships for their work in public service. Te-Ping Chen, of California, and Geoffrey Gusoff, of New Jersey, are among 75 students nationwide to earn the Harry S. Truman Scholarship, an honor that gives them up to $30,000 each to pursue graduate degrees and career development opportunities. Independent selection panels choose the scholars on the basis of leadership potential, commitment to public service, intellectual ability, and likelihood of making a difference in the world. Chen, who studies sociology and international relations, founded the on-campus Democracy Matters Rhode Island group, which is working for statewide campaign finance reform. Gusoff, who concentrates on public policy at Brown, worked extensively on issues of housing and homelessness in Providence. He is the co-founder and leader of HOPE (Housing Opportunities for People Everywhere), an organizer with People to End Homelessness, and has co-led the Politics of Homelessness group. Congress established the Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation in 1975 as the federal memorial to the 33rd U.S. President. This year, the scholarship committee selected 75 scholars from a pool of 598 candidates nominated by 311 colleges and universities. There have been 2,480 Truman Scholars elected since the first awards were made in 1977. Three University of Rhode Island students have earned the scholarship in recent years. Posted by Steve Peoples at 12:32 PM Pawtucket water main breaks on Branch Street / Photo
PAWTUCKET -- City officials reported a water main break this morning on Branch Street. The street -- near the city's Water Supply Board headquarters -- has not been closed, but area residences will notice a reduction in water pressure this morning, according to Vin Scully, battalion chief for the Pawtucket Fire Department. Crews are working to fix the problem, which was caused by nearby road construction, Scully said. Water was not shooting from the exposed main this morning, but the break covered the street with a thin sheet of water that created a muddy mess for construction crews. Posted by Steve Peoples at 12:22 PM Bragging rights at stake today in R.I. water taste test / PollWARWICK -- Water and wastewater personnel from around the state will gather today to determine which community has Rhode Island's best-tasting water. Survey: Tell us about your drinking water. The Atlantic States Rural Water and Wastewater Association will hold its annual conference this afternoon at the Radisson Airport Hotel, which includes speakers, training sessions and awards for wastewater treatment excellence. The annual drinking water taste test begins at 12:45 p.m. This year’s winner will represent Rhode Island in the Great American Taste Test in Washington next month. Last year's winner was North Kingstown. Other recent winners include Glocester and Burrillville. Posted by Steve Peoples at 11:21 AM Celtics to discipline Greene in wake of speeding stopBOSTON -- The Boston Celtics plan to discipline rookie Orien Greene after the backup point guard was caught driving his SUV more than 90 miles per hour on a city street in Waltham. "He will be disciplined by the team, significantly," said Celtics owner Wyc Grousbeck. The team did not immediately return a call for comment today. Waltham Detective Sgt. Tim King said Greene's SUV was spotted by an officer at 3:23 a.m. Monday. He said Greene slowed and accelerated several times, "which the officer believed was evasive movments." The police report did not indicate any tests for alcohol or other substances being administered, King said. Charges of failing to stop for a police officer and operating recklessly were dismissed upon payment of $100 fines for each during a court hearing Monday. Charges including speeding and marked lane violation were placed on file, and the case closed. -- Associated Press Posted by Andrea Panciera at 10:42 AM Police believe Blackstone water is safeBLACKSTONE, Mass. -- A police official says there is no evidence that a public water facility was contaminated during a break-in Monday night at a public water facility. Two 15-year-old boys have been charged in connection with the break-in, and a 15-year old girl may be charged with trespassing. "We’re certain they didn’t dump anything into the water supply," Blackstone Police Lt. Gregory Gilmore said this morning. But out of an abundance of caution, authorities are still urging residents not to touch their tap water until official test results are known later today. But authorities now believe the bucket was simply left over from a construction crew that recently worked on the building. More than 9,000 people in Blackstone and North Smithfield have been affected. Posted by Steve Peoples at 10:24 AM Trinity Rep actor, designer get IRNE awardsTrinity Repertory Company this week received two Independent Reviewers of New England (IRNE) Awards, Trinity announced late yesterday. Resident designer Eugene Lee won the award for Best Set Design for "Topdog/Underdog," and company member Joe Wilson Jr. took home the Best Actor award for his alternating roles of rival siblings Lincoln and Booth in that same production. A co-production with Boston's New Rep, Suzan-Lori Parks’ "Topdog/Underdog" was on Trinity’s stage in January and February of 2005. The Independent Reviewers of New England are a panel of critics from media outlets around Rhode Island and Massachusetts that honor the best of the New England theater season with annual awards. Posted by at 10:07 AM Two teens charged in break-in at Blackstone, Mass., water facilityBLACKSTONE, Mass. -- Police in Blackstone say two 15-year-old boys have been charged in connection with a break-in at the town's water facility that prompted officials to declare a water emergency. The boys were arrested last night after they allegedly made comments about the incident at school. They're charged with trespassing, malicious destruction of property and tampering with a public water supply. A 15-year-old girl may also face a trespassing charge. Meanwhile, the water ban remains in effect in Blackstone and a portion of North Smithfield, Rhode Island. Officials say test results could be available later today on water samples, but residents have been ordered not to drink the water or use it for any other purpose. Police Lieutenant Gregory Gilmore says at this point there is no evidence that anything toxic was introduced into the water. -- The Associated Press Posted by Jack Perry at 8:47 AM Vinatieri to donate Super Bowl cleats for scholarship fund / Photo
Journal file photo
Vinatieri plans to donate the cleats that he wore during Super Bowls XXXVIII and XXXIX to the Arthritis Foundation at a ceremony Friday afternoon at 5 o'clock at the foundation's office, 2348 Post Rd., Suite 104, in Warwick. The Arthritis Foundation will then auction the cleats to endow a new Vinatieri Scholarship Fund, which will assist students who have been diagnosed with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. Vinatieri previously gave the foundation the cleats he wore during Super Bowl XXXVI, against the St. Louis Rams, and during the "Snow Bowl" 2002 playoff game against the Oakland Raiders. The cleats that will be donated Friday were worn during Super Bowl victories against the Carolina Panthers -- a game in which Vinatieri made the decisive kick in overtime -- and the following year against the Philadelphia Eagles. Posted by Mike McDermott at 1:07 AM March 28, 2006Updated: Cicilline asks feds to review cyanide poisoningPROVIDENCE -- Mayor David N. Cicilline has asked the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health to help review the cyanide poisoning recently discovered in several Providence firefighters, Cicilline said at an afternoon press conference. Last Thursday, doctors at Rhode Island Hospital confirmed that several firefighters tested positive for cyanide poisoning after responding to a fire at El Fogon restaurant on Broad Street. Although he had not been at the restaurant fire, Kenneth E. Baker, 50, suffered a heart attack while fighting a house fire several hours later. It was the second fire he had responded to during his shift. He also was found to have high levels of cyanide in his system. It is unclear if the poisoning contributed to the heart attack. But Cicilline called on the federal agency, also known as NIOSH, to assist a newly appointed, five-member task force to review the facts leading up to the cyanide poisoning. NIOSH is the federal agency responsible for conducting research and making recommendations for the prevention of work-related injuries. It will take NIOSH four to six weeks to respond to Cicilline's request, according to the mayor. In the meantime, the fire chief's task force will begin reviewing the poisoning, including an examination of the firefighters' apparatus, equipment and protective clothing. CORRECTION: An earlier version of this item incorrectly indicated that Kenneth Baker had been at the restaurant fire. Posted by Steve Peoples at 6:08 PM R.I. among states to win settlement in Paxil lawsuitPHILADELPHIA -- The maker of the antidepressant Paxil has agreed to pay $14 million to state Medicaid programs in several states, including Rhode Island, to settle allegations about its business practices. The states said the drugmaker blocked generic versions of Paxil with frivolous patent-infringement lawsuits -- causing the states to pay higher prices. The settlement was filed in federal court in Philadelphia today by several attorneys general. Missouri Attorney General Jay Nixon said GlaxoSmithKline used the courts to hold onto a monopoly for a popular drug, hurting consumers and Medicaid programs. -- The Associated Press Posted by Steve Peoples at 3:53 PM Lawmakers celebrate Greek Independence Day at State HousePROVIDENCE -- Rhode Island political leaders have a series of events planned today to honor Greek Independence Day. The events, hosted by Democratic state Sen. Leonidas P. Raptakis, begin at 4 p.m. in the Senate chamber with appearances by Consul General of Greece Constantinos Orphanides and Vice Consul General Katerina Economou. A reception in the governor's State Room will follow at 4:30 p.m. with performances by young parishioners of St. Spyridon Greek Orthodox Church in Newport; Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church in Cranston, and Assumption Greek Orthodox Church in Pawtucket. This will be the 13th consecutive year that festivities have been hosted at the State House by Raptakis, and this year marks the 185th anniversary of Greek Independence, March 25. A reception will also begin at 6 p.m. at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, 175 Oaklawn Ave., Cranston, where refreshments, including Greek foods and pastries, will be served. The events are open to the public. Posted by Steve Peoples at 3:48 PM State's first major wind turbine erected / Photo Journal photo / Bob Thayer Paul Jestings of Bristol directs workers from the top of the new wind turbine
The 241-foot Danish-made Vestas V47 is the first turbine of its size to be erected in Rhode Island. When it begins operating in the next few days, the windmill will be able to convert the steady breeze off the bay into electricity for the Abbey and its 80-year-old parochial school. Parts have been shipped to the Aquidneck Island community from across the world in recent days. The Abbey’s 15 Benedictine monks approved the purchase of the $1.2-million turbine in 2004, seeing it as a way to offset rising energy costs. The town of Portsmouth issued permits for the machine last March. Parts of the machine started arriving last week. The generator was shipped from Italy, the blades came from Denmark, and the tower was brought from North Dakota on a flat-bed truck. Crews placed the base of the tubular tower in a 26-foot deep foundation last Friday. Its top portion was attached over the weekend. The generator and nosecone went up Monday. The turbine stands 241 feet at its highest point. Rising from a hill on the abbey’s 500-acre campus, it can be seen from miles away. -- Journal Staff Writer Alex Kuffner Posted by Steve Peoples at 3:06 PM Afternoon press conference follows water emergencyPROVIDENCE -- State health officials will hold a 4 p.m. press conference today to discuss new developments regarding possible tap water contamination in Blackstone, Mass., that has left 44 North Smithfield households and more than 8,800 Blackstone residents without access to tap water. Health officials have hand-delivered warnings to residents urging them not to drink, bathe in, or even touch their tap water. Blackstone police learned that a 1.3 million-gallon water tank at the town water department was tampered with last night. And they found an empty 5-gallon bucket at the scene. The press conference will be held in the auditorium of the Cannon Building, 3 Capitol Hill, Providence. Massachusetts officials are testing the water to determine if there is any contamination. There have been no reports of health problems related to the water supply. Posted by Steve Peoples at 2:25 PM Cranston woman charged with embezzling from parent-teacher groupCRANSTON -- A local woman has been charged with stealing more than $10,000 from the parent-teacher group serving Gladstone Elementary School. Taralyn Gouveia, 32, of 8 Arlington Ave., has been arraigned on one charge of felony embezzlement. She served as the treasurer of the school's parent-teacher group, which regularly paid for cultural events and classroom supplies, according to school Principal Mark Garceau. Gouveia cooperated with the police investigation, turning herself in last week, according to police Maj. Ronald Blackmar. Gouveia said she had used the money for her family, Blackmar said. She has been released on personal recognizance, awaiting a Superior Court hearing. Gladstone has the highest percentage of low-income students in the city's schools. -- With reports from Barbara Polichetti Parent-teacher group members contacted police earlier in the month after noticing a check drawn from the group's Webster Bank account had bounced. The parent-teacher group, which is not officially connected to the Gladstone Elementary School, has disbanded, according to Garceau. The school will hold a walk-a-thon April 13 to try to recoup some of the funds. Any money raised will be handled by the school administration, Garceau said. -- With reports from Barbara Polichetti Posted by Steve Peoples at 1:42 PM Updated: Security breach at Blackstone facility spurs warning not to use waterNORTH SMITHFIELD -- At least 83 Rhode Island residents and more than 8,800 Massachusetts residents have been urged not to drink, bathe in or even touch their tap water this morning, following a break-in last night at a Blackstone, Mass. water department building. North Smithfield Town Administrator Robert Lowe said that warning notices have been hand-delivered to the local residents living in areas receiving Blackstone water. He said that officials in Massachusetts and Rhode Island are working to investigate a security breach that took place at about 6 p.m.. A 1.3 million-gallon water tank at the water department facility was damaged, according to state Department of Health spokeswoman Maria Wah-Fitta. Authorities also discovered an empty 5-gallon bucket on top of the tank. "We're hoping that it's a bunch of kids as opposed to what we all fear," Lowe said. "Being post-9/11, it's better to be safe than sorry." The warning notice instructs residents to completely avoid contact with tap water "until further notice" and urges them take "extreme care" while exercising a few safety precautions: - Flush all taps (hot and cold) for a minimum of 10 minutes without coming into contact with the water. - Discard ice cubes made yesterday and purge automatic ice dispensers - Discard juices and baby formulas prepared with tap water yesterday The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection has isolated the damaged water tank and is testing Blackstone water for a variety of contaminants. Test results are expected to come by tomorrow morning at the latest, according to DEP spokesman Edmund Coletta. More to come ... Posted by Steve Peoples at 1:19 PM Grand jury indicts British man accused of killing wife and baby in Mass.CAMBRIDGE, Mass. -- A British man accused of killing his wife and infant daughter was indicted by a grand jury today on first-degree murder charges. Neil Entwistle, 27, has been held without bail in a Cambridge jail since he was arraigned Feb. 16 in the death of his wife, Rachel, 27, and their 9-month-old daughter, Lillian Rose. Prosecutors allege that Entwistle shot his wife and daughter in their rented home in Hopkinton on Jan. 20 after becoming despondent over rising debts. The Associated Press Posted by Jack Perry at 12:06 PM Weather service: This March looks to be one of driest on recordThis March will probably wind up as one of southern New England's driest and least snowy in more than 100 years of recording keeping, according to the National Weather Service. With "a fabulous few days ahead," according to the weather service, the region is unlikely to get much, if any, more measurable precipitation. Providence has gotten just 0.57 inches of precipitation so far this month, which is likely to be the third-driest March on record here. The records go back 101 years.
Rain is forecast for Saturday, the first day of April. The storm could get here by Friday night, according to the weather service, but three-quarters of an inch would have to fall for this March to slip to fourth behind March of 1910, when the city had 1.32 inches. "We're locked in to Number 3, by the way I see it," said Walter Drag, a meteorologist for the weather service in Taunton, Mass. March is normally "reasonably wet," with Providence averaging 4.43 inches of rain for the month, Drag said. "It is considered a late winter transition month, so usually we get some pretty big storms up here," he said. Boston, with just 0.56 inches of precipitation, and Worcester with 0.57, are in line for their second-driest months of March on record. The dry weather has meteorologists concerned about an increased chance of brush fires, but for now, the weather service says a red flag warning is not necessary because of light winds. Posted by Jack Perry at 11:46 AM Sovereign Bank moves into CVS with ATMsSovereign Bank will put its brand on nearly 900 ATMs inside CVS pharmacies across the Northeast. Company officials announced the plan this morning, noting that installations will be completed over the next few months, which will allow Sovereign customers to get cash at CVS stores without paying a surcharge. The move will nearly double the number of ATMs carrying the Sovereign brand. Today's announcement is the result of partnerships between Sovereign, Woonsocket-based CVS, and Cardtronics Inc., of Houston, which operates the cash machines inside CVS branches. A Cardtronics executive said in a statement that the move helps Sovereign improve customer service and convenience and drives potential consumers to CVS locations. "For financial institutions, branding an ATM at a merchant loation is similar to adding a mini-branch location -- without the cost and risk associated with brick-and-mortar branches," said Keith Myers, executive vice president of financial services for Cardtronics. "For merchants like CVS pharmacy, their customers receive secure, quick access to cash. This is definitely a win-win situation for all parties involved." Posted by Steve Peoples at 11:31 AM City officials investigate cyanide poisoning of Providence firefightersPROVIDENCE -- City officials are investigating how several firefighters recently tested positive for cyanide poisoning. Mayor David N. Cicilline and Fire Chief David D. Costa will hold a press conference this afternoon at the Public Safety Complex to disclose details of the investigation. Doctors at Rhode Island Hospital confirmed that several firefighters tested positive for cyanide poisoning after responding to a fire at El Fogon restaurant on Broad Street last Thursday. One of the poisoned firefighters, Kenneth E. Baker, suffered a heart attack the next day while battling a house fire. It is unclear if the cyanide poisoning is related to the heart attack. Today's press conference begins at 2:30 p.m. Posted by Steve Peoples at 10:37 AM Providence firefighter's condition upgradedPROVIDENCE -- Firefighter Kenneth E. Baker has been upgraded from critical to serious condition, according to Rhode Island Hospital spokeswoman Andrea Barbosa. Baker, 50, had a heart attack and collapsed without a pulse at a Silver Lake house fire early Friday morning. He regained consciousness and began talking Sunday afternoon in the hospital’s intensive care unit, according to Paul A. Doughty, president of the city’s firefighters union. Posted by Steve Peoples at 10:21 AM Rhode Islanders to rally in Washington on immigration reformPROVIDENCE -- More than 100 Rhode Islanders plan to travel to Washington, D.C., today to encourage "fair immigration reform" as lawmakers consider the issue. Members of the Immigrants in Action Committee plan a joint press conference with other members of the National Coalition of Dignity and Amnesty. They also plan to meet with senators and representatives. The group is scheduled to leave Providence early tonight and return late tomorrow night. Read a story from today's Journal on the issue. Posted by Jack Perry at 9:22 AM State lawmakers to consider proposals on welfare spending todayPROVIDENCE -- A lot of people are expected at the State House this afternoon when the House Finance Committee begins two days of hearings on Governor Carcieri's proposal to rein in the cost of the state's welfare programs. After the House begins its hearing at 2 p.m., the Senate Finance Committee is scheduled to start its own hearing at 3 p.m. to consider Carcieri's proposals on welfare. Posted by Jack Perry at 9:00 AM March 27, 2006Updated: Judge to allow evidence from previous claim in case against anesthesiologist / Photo
Dr. Russel J. Aubin, 40, of Jamestown, had argued that allowing evidence of the previous incident -- he was not charged in that case -- would prejudice the Superior Court jury. But Judge Melanie W. Thunberg ruled it could be allowed. Aubin is charged with second-degree sexual assault, accused of improperly touching a 21-year-old woman during her knee surgery in 2004. -- Journal staff writer Zachary R. Mider In the incident from 2000, at Wing Memorial Hospital in Palmer, Mass., a 23-year-old woman complained that Aubin fondled her during surgery on her wrist. She complained to the local police, but they did not file charges, and an internal hospital investigation found the allegation not to be credible. A pool of jurors answered a questionnaire today, and jury selection is expected to begin tomorrow. The state medical board revoked Aubin's license in December, concluding that he molested the woman during her knee surgery. Posted by Kate Bramson at 4:59 PM Record number of deer struck on R.I. roadsRhode Island drivers hit more deer on the state's roadways last year than ever before. According to statistics released today by the state Department of Environmental Management, drivers reported hitting 1,261 deer in 2005 -- up 22 percent from the previous year's total of 1,032, which was also a record. More than 210 deer were hit in North and South Kingstown alone, the communities with the highest rate of deer collisions. And the DEM noted that more deer are hit in November (238), which is peak mating season, than in any other month. A spokeswoman for DEM said it's difficult to reduce collisions because many occur in urban and suburban areas where hunting can't be used to control deer populations. To see more statistics regarding the 2005-2006 hunting season, click here. Posted by Steve Peoples at 4:41 PM Fists fly at Sox' preseason tilt against TampaContinuing a string of ugly incidents at Red Sox spring-training games, newly acquired relief pitcher Julian Tavares today exchanged blows with outfielder Joey Gathright of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays after a collision on a close play at home plate. The Red Sox and Devil Rays are playing at City of Palms Park in Fort Myers, Fla. Yesterday, the Red Sox nearly got into a scuffle with the Philadelphia Phillies after pitcher Josh Beckett took exception to perceived showboating by Phils slugger Ryan Howard. The Red Sox and Devil Rays have a history of nastiness that goes back to the year 2000, when Tampa Bay's Gerald Williams charged the mound after being plunked by Pedro Martinez, touching off a bench-clearing brawl. The Sox led the Rays, 11-10, in the top of the eighth inning. -- Journal sportswriter Sean McAdam
Posted by Mike McDermott at 4:04 PM Prophet Mohammed cartoon debate reaches BrownPROVIDENCE -- Community leaders will meet with representatives from Rhode Island's Muslim community later this afternoon to debate the Prophet Mohammed cartoon controversy that sparked violent clashes across the Middle East. The 4 p.m. forum is sponsored by the Rhode Island Council for Muslim Advancement. Speakers will include U.S. Attorney Robert Clark Corrente; Rhode Island Attorney General Patrick Lynch; Nihad Awad, head of the Council on American Islamic Relations; Stephen Brown, executive director of the Rhode Island Affiliate of the American Civil Liberties Union; and Toby Ayers, executive director of Rhode Island for Community and Justice. Muslims throughout the Middle East launched violent protests earlier in the year after several European newspapers published cartoon depictions of the Prophet Mohammed with a bomb in his turban. Any depiction of the prophet violates Muslim law, according to some interpretations. This afternoon's forum is free and open to the public. It is scheduled from 4 to 6 p.m. at Brown University's Solomon Conference Room, 114 Doughty St., Providence. Posted by Steve Peoples at 3:19 PM Photo: Waiting for a cue at City Hall
Chris Horta of East Greenwich, a stand-in on the set of the CBS television pilot"The Waterfront, waits for his cue this morning as the filming for the show takes place at Providence City Hall. Posted by Andrea Panciera at 3:03 PM Johnston sex offender classified 6 years after his releaseJOHNSTON -- Police are notifying members of the community that a 35-year-old local man has been classified as the most likely type of sex offender to re-offend. Perfetto was convicted in 1997 of third-degree sexual assault in an incident involving a 14-year-old female victim known to him, according to Paula Kocon, special projects coordinator for the state Parole Board’s sexual offender community notification unit. He had previously been convicted of second-degree sexual assault, Kocon said. Perfetto has been out of prison and in the community since 2000, Bubar said. He has been registered there as a sex offender, but not at any particular level. Police are notifying the community about Perfetto at this time because they have just been notified of his classification, Bubar said. Police are mailing out fliers in the Johnston area where Perfetto lives and to people they believe he will encounter in the community, Bubar said. Information about Perfetto and other Level III offenders in the state is available on the Parole Board’s Web site. Also, Johnston police intend to list information about Perfetto on their site, Bubar said. More to come in tomorrow's Journal and on projo.com ... Posted by Kate Bramson at 2:38 PM Judge's pension spurs Carcieri to call for closing 'loophole'PROVIDENCE -- Governor Carcieri says "an apparent loophole" in the pension system must be closed because a retired judge received a $38,660 annual boost in her pension after she was credited for eight months of unpaid leave. Carcieri was reacting to the pension award for Traffic Tribunal Judge Marjorie R. Yashar, which was the subject of a story in yesterday's Providence Sunday Journal and on projo.com. “It is completely unreasonable that Judge Yashar’s time on unpaid leave will be counted towards the amount of pension benefits she will receive, " Carcieri said in a written statement. "Taking eight months off of work should not translate into an extra $38,000 in pension benefits each year for the rest of your life.” Yashar, who retired in September, receives a $120,310 annual pension, but she would get just $81,650 if she had retired when she first went on leave in February 2005. Yashar took leave after she was charged with assaulting her husband, a charge that was later dropped. She was also censured last year by the state Supreme Court after Chief Traffic Tribunal Judge Albert E. DeRobbio filed a complaint, alleging Yashar had violated judicial ethics rules. During her time on leave, Yashar reached her 20-year anniversary of working for the Traffic Tribunal, moving her from a 75-percent-of-salary pension, to one worth 100 percent. Yashar also turned 65, enabling her to start collecting a pension immediately upon retirement. And her actual salary increased from $108,867 a year to $120,310. Carcieri said, “I can’t see any reason that unpaid leave time should count towards pension benefits. That’s not how the system works for most state employees. And that’s not how it should work for the judiciary.” “Judge Yashar’s case highlights the need to close this apparent loophole in the judiciary pension system,” he said. Posted by Jack Perry at 1:51 PM Appeals court to hear California medical marijuana caseThe debate over medical marijuana comes before a federal appeals court in California today. The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals will hear arguments on whether marijuana should be allowed if it's the only viable option to keep a patient alive or out of excruciating pain. It would apply only to the sickest patients and their suppliers -- regardless of whether they live in one of the 11 states authorizing medical marijuana. Rhode Island in January became the 11th state to legalize the use of medical marijuana for medical reasons. The California case was brought by a 40-year-old mother who suffers from scoliosis, a brain tumor, chronic nausea and other ailments. She uses marijuana every couple of hours. The Bush administration says the lawsuit is without merit. -- The Associated Press Posted by Steve Peoples at 1:00 PM Photo: R.I.'s congressional delegation talks to business community
All four members of Rhode Island's congressional delegation attended the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce's annual congressional breakfast this morning at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Warwick. From left, U.S. Sens. Jack Reed and Lincoln Chafee, and Reps. Patrick Kennedy and James Langevin fielded questions on health care, homeland security, jobs and the economy. About 500 people attended. Posted by Jack Perry at 12:49 PM TV pilot's film crew invades Providence City HallPROVIDENCE -- Film crews took over Mayor David N. Cicilline's office this morning, displacing the city's top official for the day as filming for the CBS pilot Waterfront moves to its eighth day. The second floor of City Hall was jammed with video monitors and boxes of production equipment, production staff with earpieces roamed the stone hallways, and well-dressed extras waited patiently outside the mayor's office as the cameras rolled inside. Cicilline moved to another office for the day to accommodate the filming, which stars Joe Pantoliano (of the Sopranos TV series) as the mayor of Providence and William Baldwin as an ambitious attorney general. Outside City Hall, tractor trailers clogged nearby alleys and a food table for the actors and crew was set up on Washington Street, offering everything from European-style almonds to chili. Posted by Steve Peoples at 12:07 PM R.I. gas prices up again, but only by a pennyPROVIDENCE -- Gasoline prices in Rhode Island increased by a penny over the past week after jumping 18 cents the week before, according to AAA Southern New England. The average price for regular, unleaded gasoline is $2.46 per gallon at the self-service pump, according to AAA's weekly survey. That's 20 cents more than drivers paid at the beginning of the year and 36 cents more than drivers paid at this time last year. Posted by Jack Perry at 11:51 AM High court 'rides the circuit' to WarwickThe state Supreme Court will visit Warwick City Hall next week as part of the court's effort to "ride the circuit," or hear cases in different parts of the state, a court spokesman announced today. Cases on the docket next Tuesday include a medical malpractice suit involving the death of a boy at Kent County Hospital, a convicted murderer seeking a new trial, and an appeal request from someone convicted of taking $300,000 worth of electricity from Narragansett Electric by bypassing the meter. In the days before the automobile, courts would travel throughout their jurisdiction to hear arguments. This practice, called riding the circuit, was eventually dropped as transportation methods made it easier for litigants to travel. The practice has been revived in recent years. Now, twice a year, the Supreme Court moves to a local community and invites students and members of the community to see the process first hand. Among the five justices who will hear the cases next week is Francis X. Flaherty, a former mayor of Warwick. Current Mayor Scott Avedisian is expected to give welcoming remarks. Court will begin at 9 a.m. in the City Council Chamber. It is open to the public. Anyone who wants to attend should get there by 8:30 a.m. Warwick City Hall is at 3275 Post Road in the city’s Apponaug section. The Supreme Court last traveled on Oct. 25, 2005, to the University of Rhode Island in Kingston. Posted by Steve Peoples at 11:37 AM Victim of S. Kingstown one-car crash ID'dSOUTH KINGSTOWN – Police today identified the 22-year-old man who died in a one-car crash on Route 2 as Michael Demarais. The last address that Capt. Jeffrey Allen has for Demarais is at his mother’s house, at 7 Pinecrest Road in Richmond, but Allen said he is unsure if Demarais still lived at that address. The accident early yesterday is still under investigation, but initial reports indicate that speed was a factor, Allen said. The speed limit on the stretch of Route 2 where the accident took place, just south of Great Swamp Monument Road, is 45 mph, Allen said. Demarais was traveling north when he failed to make a curve on Route 2. The 2003 Acura he was driving crossed into the southbound lane, left the roadway and flipped several times into a wooded area, Allen said. He was thrown from the car.
Posted by Kate Bramson at 11:08 AM Analysis reveals downward shift in R.I.'s share of federal revenueThe Rhode Island Public Expenditure Council released an analysis this morning that reveals an upcoming shift in how much money the state's residents pay to the federal government and how much they receive. For decades, state residents have received more in federal spending than they have paid in federal taxes. But that is on the verge of ending, according to today's report. The data analysis by the business-backed organization found that in the 2000 federal budget year, Rhode Island received $1.15 in federal spending for every $1 Rhode Islanders paid in federal taxes, such as income, excise, estate, gift and customs taxes. By the 2004 budget year, that had dropped to $1.02. Read more about the report's findings in today's Journal story. Posted by Steve Peoples at 10:45 AM Two fishermen swim to shore after boat runs aground off Cape CodEASTHAM, Mass. -- Two fishermen and a dog managed to swim to safety this morning after their Maine-based fishing vessel ran aground off Coast Guard Beach in Eastham. One fisherman, Michael Darragh, was taken to Cape Cod Hospital for treatment of severe hypothermia. A second fisherman, Ian Orchard, was found huddled in an unused Coast Guard station several hours after a call for help, said Coast Guard spokeswoman Kelly Turner. -- The Associated Press Darragh and Orchard were aboard the Stonington, Maine-based fishing vessel Josephine. Someone aboard called at 4:40 a.m. to report it was taking on water. When he was rescued, Darragh told officials he thought his crewmate had also managed to swim ashore, prompting a land search while the Coast Guard searched the water by helicopter and vessel. Orchard was found by fire officials around 8 a.m. The Coast Guard did not release the hometowns or ages of the fishermen. Posted by Jack Perry at 10:18 AM Providence firefighter still critical at Rhode Island HospitalPROVIDENCE – Firefighter Kenneth E. Baker, who suffered a heart attack and collapsed without a pulse at a Silver Lake house fire early Friday morning, remains in critical condition this morning at Rhode Island Hospital, spokeswoman Andrea Barbosa said. Baker regained consciousness and began talking yesterday afternoon in the hospital’s intensive care unit, according to Paul A. Doughty, president of the city’s firefighters union. This morning, Baker was sleeping, with no real change in condition from overnight, Doughty said shortly after 9. Posted by Kate Bramson at 9:29 AM Sunny spring day on the wayPROVIDENCE -- We’re in for a nice spring day and what looks to be a nice week. With temps already in the mid- to high-40s this morning, expect a high around 56 today and sunny skies. Highs this week are expected to range from the mid-50s to 65 on Friday. Posted by Kate Bramson at 9:03 AM March 24, 2006Cicilline asks school department to delay decision on Bishop Middle SchoolPROVIDENCE -- Mayor David N. Cicilline has asked the city's school department to postpone making any decisions involving Nathan Bishop Middle School until the court rules on the fate of a new high school. Cicilline said today that it looks like Superior Court Judge Daniel A. Procaccini may allow construction of a new high school on Adelaide Avenue to go forward. The city and the YMCA, which wants to build on an adjacent site, are supposed to meet with the judge Tuesday. The Providence School Board was supposed to vote on whether to close the middle school on Monday. But Schools Supt. Donnie Evans said that he has taken the item off the agenda until additional options can be explroed. Evans, in a series of public forms this week, had said that the school department had little choice other than to transform Nathan Bishop, set in a bucolic East Side neighborhood, into a temporary high school. -- Journal education writer Linda Borg Posted by Andrea Panciera at 5:04 PM R.I. Minority Caucus to hold summit tomorrowPROVIDENCE -- The Rhode Island Minority Leadership/Legislative Caucus will sponsor a summit tomorrow to gather information on concerns of Rhode Island's minority community and generate ideas to bring to the General Assembly. The summit, free and open to anyone, will be from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. in the atrium at the Liston Campus of the Community College of Rhode Island, 1 Hilton St., Providence. Lunch will be provided. Posted by Jack Perry at 4:48 PM Parenting tips available at conference tomorrow in WarwickWARWICK -- Bradley Hospital will sponsor a conference on parenting tomorrow at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, 801 Greenwich Avenue, Warwick. Parenting Matters 2006 will, among other things, offer advice on discipline, rewarding children, treating illnesses, communication and techniques for relaxing as a parent. The program will run from 8 a.m. until 3:15 p.m. with a 9 a.m. keynote presentation by author Howard Glasser, who will discuss the "nurtured heart approach" to raising children. The cost is $30, but attendees can receive a $5 discount tomorrow by providing the code PM2006. Posted by Jack Perry at 4:38 PM R. I. teens to perform in all-state music fest SundayPROVIDENCE — From “It Takes a Village” to selections from “West Side Story,” music fans will be treated to a variety of numbers Sunday afternoon by high school students performing in the senior division all-state music festival at the VMA Arts & Cultural Center, Avenue of the Arts in downtown Providence. More than 320 high school students in the senior division all-state orchestra, all-state band and all-state choir will participate in Sunday’s program, sponsored by The Providence Journal in conjunction with the Rhode Island Music Educators Association. Admission for the 2 p.m. concert is $10. See a list of Sunday’s performing students, and view a photo slide show of the students rehearsing for the show. Posted by Kate Bramson at 3:49 PM Hearing today on Providence club's futurePROVIDENCE – Club Diesel, a popular downtown nightclub, is the subject of more debate today. The city’s Board of Licenses is holding its second in a series of public hearings on whether to close the Washington Street club. The 1 p.m. hearing is in City Hall in Room 112. Last week, at the first hearing, about 30 Club Diesel supporters, downtown residents, lawyers and observers jammed into a tiny hearing room for the trial-like proceedings. The Providence police have asked the board to close the club, saying that in recent months, club patrons have been involved in violent confrontations, including two stabbings, after leaving the club. Posted by Kate Bramson at 1:21 PM Man, 32, gets life plus 30 years for execution-style murderPROVIDENCE -- A Superior Court judge this morning sentenced a convicted murderer to life in prison plus 30 years for what he said was "nothing more than a cold-blooded execution." David Rios, 32, of Puerto Rico, was convicted in January of kidnapping and murdering 24-year-old William Sanchez in Providence in February 2000. Rios and two other men were arrested days after Sanchez was kidnapped, handcuffed and killed over a drug-dealing dispute, but Rios was not indicted until July 2003. On Jan. 27 of this year, Rios was convicted of first-degree murder, kidnapping with intent to extort, conspiracy to commit kidnapping and commission of a crime of violence when armed with a firearm. Prosecutors say Rios, who is also known as Johnny Colon Masso, killed Sanchez with two shots to the back of the head. Judge Robert D. Krause said Rios inflicted "excrutiating terror, pain and suffering" on Sanchez. Krause ordered that Rios serve the sentences consecutively, meaning the 30-year sentence would only start if he makes parole on the life sentence. -- Journal staff writer Gregory Smith Posted by Jack Perry at 11:56 AM Gas main damage spurs brief evacuation of Central, Classical High SchoolsPROVIDENCE -- Central and Classical High Schools were among several buildings were briefly evacuated in Providence this morning when a contractor damaged a natural gas pipe, sending natural gas into the air. Students at the neighboring schools, along with workers in two nearby school administration buildings, were allowed to return within about 10 minutes, after workers from New England Gas Co. checked the buildings for gas, said Maria Tocco, a spokeswoman for Providence schools. A contractor working at Crary Street, near Route 95, damaged the gas main at about 10:15 a.m., according to Jim Caroselli, chief civil engineer for the Rhode Island Department of Transportation. Christopher Medici, a spokesman for New England Gas, said company technicians checked area buildings and a crew was repairing the damaged main. Posted by Jack Perry at 11:21 AM Providence firefighters being screened for cyanide poisoningPROVIDENCE -- Ten Providence firefighters were tested throughout the night for cyanide poisoning after responding to a fire yesterday morning at El Fogon restaurant, 1197 Broad St., and two had high enough levels of the poison in their blood that they needed a chemical antidote to neutralize it, Fire Chief David Costa said this morning. Those firefighters are Edward Donahue of Providence and Anthony Toro of Lincoln. They are on medical leave for a few days, but doctors have said they should be OK with a couple days of rest, Costa said. Another Providence firefighter, Kenneth Baker of Pawtucket, also tested positive for cyanide poisoning at Rhode Island Hospital after he suffered a heart attack this morning while outside controlling the pump at a house fire on Ralph Street, Costa said. He also needed the chemical antidote and is in critical condition, Costa said. Because Baker was not at the El Fogon fire but had responded last night to a fire at 127 Knight St. before the Ralph Street fire, firefighters from both house fires to which Baker responded have been alerted, Costa said. Some firefighters from the Ralph Street fire have already been tested for cyanide poisoning and two must be re-tested before doctors determine if they need to receive the chemical antidote, Costa said. This morning, the department is contacting the firefighters who responded to the Knight Street fire to see if any are experiencing symptoms of cyanide poisioning, Costa said. During a fire, a number of regular household products and plastics can give off cyanide with the right combination of heat and oxygen, Costa said. However, this is an unusual situation, he said. “We’ve never even had an incident like this, and to have this many people that have been experiencing some symptoms and actually having three people who had to have the antidote, we’ve never experienced this before,” Costa said. Posted by Kate Bramson at 11:14 AM Firefighter on respirator after suffering heart attack at Providence blaze / VideoPROVIDENCE -- Providence firefighter Kenneth Baker suffered a heart attack early this morning while controlling the pump on a fire truck that had responded to a house fire at 70 Ralph St., according to Fire Chief David Costa. Baker, 50, was on a respirator and in critical condition this morning at Rhode Island Hospital, Costa said. Baker, of Pawtucket, fell to the ground outside the single-family home. He had not gone inside the house, but it was the second fire he had responded to last night, Costa said. “Luckily, we had other firefighters right there who witnessed him collapse,” Costa said. “I believe that’s the only reason he’s still alive.” The department had a rescue truck on scene, and firefighters immediately performed CPR and shocked Baker’s heart a couple of times with a defibrillator, Costa said. Baker had a high level of cyanide in his blood, but doctors do not know if that triggered the heart attack, Costa said. During a fire, a number of regular household products and plastics can give off cyanide with the right combination of heat and oxygen, Costa said. View a video report from the scene, from wpri.com. Posted by Kate Bramson at 10:47 AM Providence firefighter critical after collapsing at firePROVIDENCE -- A Providence firefighter was sent to the hospital after collapsing at a house fire early this morning. Two people in the home also received medical attention after the fire, which was reported at around 2 a.m. The firefighter was listed in critical condition this morning at Rhode Island Hospital. View video from the scene of the fire, by wpri.com. -- The Associated Press Posted by Jack Perry at 10:06 AM Sentencing this morning for man convicted of kidnapping and murderPROVIDENCE -- A man convicted in January of kidnapping and murdering 24-year-old William Sanchez in Providence in February 2000 will be sentenced in Superior Court this morning, according to the state Attorney General’s Office. David Rios will be sentenced at 9:30 a.m. by Judge Robert D. Krause in Providence County Superior Court. Rios and two other men were arrested days after Sanchez was kidnapped, handcuffed and killed over a drug-dealing dispute. However, Rios was not initially indicted in the case, and he was released from the Adult Correctional Institutions in Cranston after more than 6 months. In July 2003, a grand jury indicted Rios for murder and related charges, according to the Attorney General's Office. On Jan. 27 of this year, Rios was convicted of first-degree murder, kidnapping with intent to extort, conspiracy to commit kidnapping and commission of a crime of violence when armed with a firearm, according to the Attorney General's Office. Posted by Kate Bramson at 9:20 AM Boston Archbishop O'Malley made a 'prince of the Church' / Photo
VATICAN CITY -- Boston Archbishop Sean O'Malley was among 15 prelates elevated to cardinal at a ceremony today in St. Peter's Square in Rome. O'Malley, bishop of the Diocese of Fall River in Massachusetts from 1992 to 2002, became a prince of the church at 5:35 a.m. EST in the outdoor ceremony at the Vatican. He was one of only two Americans to join the elite College of Cardinals. The traditional red clothes of the cardinal are a significant departure for O'Malley, who has clung to wearing the simple brown robe of his Capuchin Franciscan order. Cardinals serve as advisers to the pope, and one day will elect the successor to Pope Benedict the 16th. -- The Associated Press Posted by Jack Perry at 9:09 AM Weather service: Cloudy with a chance of showers todayPROVIDENCE -- The National Weather Service forecasts a mostly cloudy day with a slight chance of showers after noon. The temperature should reach 49 degrees. There's also a slight chance of rain showers before midnight and then a slight chance of snow showers after that, the weather service says. Posted by Jack Perry at 9:00 AM March 23, 2006Judge rejects Swain's appeal of ruling in wife's deathPROVIDENCE -- A Superior Court judge this afternoon denied the appeal of David Swain, the Jamestown scuba shop owner recently found to have drowned his wife Shelley Tyre during a 1999 Caribbean vacation. At a hearing earlier today, Judge Patricia A. Hurst said there was overwhelming evidence to support the jury's verdict following last month's civil trial. As he had in the previous court proceedings, Swain represented himself today in arguing for an appeal. He accused Hurst of several missteps, including denying his motion for a continuance after one of his lawyers fell ill with cancer, and blocking another lawyer from entering the case late on his behalf. -- With reports from Journal staff writer W. Zachary Malinowski Swain and Tyre were scuba diving with friends for a week on a chartered sailboat off Tortola. On March 12, 1999, the last vacation day for diving, Swain and Tyre entered the water together while their friends and their friends' young son waited on the boat. Swain surfaced alone about 35 minutes later. Their friend Christian Thwaites found Tyre's body minutes later after he entered the water. Swain was never charged criminally with his wife's death, though Tortola police said they may consider charges in light of findings in the civil trial. The jury in the recent civil trial deliberated less than three hours before finding the former Jamestown Town Council member liable for Tyre's death. It awarded her parents more than $3.5 million in compensatory and punitive damages, which with interest since the time of Tyre's death raises the total award to more than $6 million. Posted by Steve Peoples at 5:32 PM 3 cameras on duty to catch red-light violators in ProvidencePROVIDENCE -- Watch your foot, if you're driving in Providence. The city's Police Department has started a new, red-light camera enforcement system at three intersections. The system will photograph cars and trucks that run red lights. The police will eventually use the information, including a photograph of the vehicle's license plate, to send $75 citations to the offending drivers, but they're starting with a 30-day warning period. The police plan to expand the program to intersections across the city. The three intersections included in the initial phase are Raymond Street and Chalkstone Avenue, Oakland Avenue and Chalkstone, and Eaton Street and Huxley Avenue.
Posted by Jack Perry at 4:51 PM 3 teens charged with breaking into Johnston home, stealing handgunJOHNSTON -- Three Providence teens were arrested earlier today after a break-in on White Drive. The police allege that they stole a handgun and alcohol from a White Drive home. The police went to the area at about 10 a.m. after a neighbor complained of three teens acting suspiciously at 11 White Drive, the home of Renato Yee. The teens, two 15-year-old boys and a 14-year-old girl, led Patrolmen Richard Norato and Joseph Razza on a brief foot chase through the neighborhood before they were arrested. According to police reports, the Johnston police later determined the teens had taken several bottles of alcohol and a silver handgun from the home, where one of the teen's uncles lived. Yee, the homeowner, told the police he wants to press charges. The police charged each teen with four criminal counts: breaking and entering a house without consent, larceny of a firearm, resisting arrest and conspiracy. Posted by Steve Peoples at 4:50 PM Top high school musicians to present free jazz concert tonightPROVIDENCE -- Members of the Rhode Island high school All-State Jazz Ensemble and the All-State Jazz Choir will perform a free concert at 7 tonight at Rhode Island College's Roberts Hall Auditorium. The program is sponsored by The Providence Journal with the Rhode Island Music Educators Association. For a list of tonight’s performing students go online to: projo.com/allstatemusic. Posted by Jack Perry at 4:38 PM Shooting rumor spurs police presence at Pawtucket schoolPAWTUCKET-- Police officers were at Tolman High School today to assure students that a rumored Columbine-style incident would not happen. The police started getting calls in early March about rumors of a possible school shooting in the style of the 1999 massacre that left 13 people dead at Columbine High School in Colorado, said Pawtucket Police Det. Sgt. Roberto DaSilva. By Tuesday, the police found the source of the rumors, a 15-year-old boy and his 16-year-old friend, charged them both with disorderly conduct and released them to the custody of their parents. The rumor was started by a group of friends as a joke during lunch one day, DaSilva said. Read more tomorrow in The Journal and on projo.com. -- Journal staff writer Talia Buford Posted by Jack Perry at 4:22 PM Last hearing tonight on changes eyed at Bishop Middle SchoolPROVIDENCE -- Tonight is the third and final in a series of meetings that Schools Supt. Donnie Evans is holding to gather community feedback on his proposal to turn Nathan Bishop Middle School on the East Side into a temporary high school for ninth- and 10th-graders. Tonight’s meeting is from 6 to 8 at the Adelaide Avenue High School, located at 155 Harrison St. For background, read more in today's Journal story. Posted by Kate Bramson at 2:51 PM Judge Torres to retire, opening vacancy on U.S. District CourtPROVIDENCE -- Chief Judge Ernest C. Torres will retire from active service on the state's U.S. District Court, largely ending a storied 18-year career in which he presided over multiple high-profile cases, including Operation Plunder Dome, the corruption scandal at Providence City Hall that led to the conviction of former Mayor Vincent A. Cianci Jr. Torres, 64, has served as the chief judge in Rhode Island’s federal court since 1999. He was appointed to the court by former President Reagan in 1987. According to today’s announcement, Torres will retire effective Dec. 1 of this year, at which time he will serve on a part-time basis, also known as senior status. Torres’ move opens a seat on the U.S. District Court that will be filled in virtually the same way as the vacancy recently created when Judge Bruce Selya, of the 1st U.S. District Court in Boston, moved to senior status. By tradition, U.S. Sen. Lincoln Chafee – the state’s U.S. senator from the president’s party – has the authority to nominate Torres’ replacement, subject to President Bush’s approval and Senate confirmation hearings. The son of a firefighter and a homemaker, Torres attended public schools in New Bedford and worked summers as a janitor, carpenter and garbage collector. He became the first in his family to attend college when he won a full academic scholarship to Dartmouth College, where he majored in government and played football and baseball. (He was a fullback, linebacker, pitcher and outfielder.) After college, he taught chemistry for several years at two Connecticut preparatory schools, then attended Duke University Law School. He and his wife, Jan Torres, settled in East Greenwich, and Torres worked in private practice, including as an associate at Hinckley, Allen, Salisbury & Parsons. He was appointed a Superior Court judge in 1980, but resigned five years later so he could make more money to send his three children to college. He worked as assistant vice president in charge of national staff counsel at Aetna Life Insurance Co., and then as a partner at the Providence firm of Tillinghast, Collins & Graham. During his early law career, Torres, a Republican, also started dabbling in politics in his hometown of East Greenwich, which eventually led to a six-year term in the House of Representatives, where he served as deputy minority leader for four years. Over the last decade, Torres has presided over numerous high-profile cases, including Operation Plunder Dome and the extortion case in the early 1990s involving former Pawtucket Mayor Brian J. Sarault and other city officials. He presided over the 1993 trial of precious-metals dealer Stephen Saccoccia, who was convicted of 54 charges in a conspiracy to launder millions of dollars for Colombian drug lords. Saccoccia's wife, Donna, and seven other defendants were convicted of conspiracy in the drug ring in an earlier trial, also before Torres. In one of his tougher punishments, Torres sentenced mob enforcer Gerard T. Ouimette to life imprisonment without parole, making him the first criminal in New England to be sentenced under the "three-strikes-and-you're-out" provision of the 1994 federal anticrime bill. The legislation requires such a sentence for people convicted of three or more violent crimes. Posted by Steve Peoples at 2:48 PM First multicultural night at Cooley High in ProvidencePROVIDENCE – The William B. Cooley Sr. Health and Science Technology High School celebrates its first multicultural night tonight from 5 to 7:30. The free event, which is open to the public, includes music, live performances, educational and cultural story telling and cultural cuisine. The school is located at 182 Thurbers Ave. Posted by Kate Bramson at 2:42 PM Warwick husband who appeared on Wife Swap charged with fraudA Warwick insurance broker who flaunted his family's lavish lifestyle on a reality TV show last year has been arrested on felony charges of fraud and identity theft. The state police claim Edward Heiss Jr. illegally used his father's identity to secure loans, credit cards, and a $77,000 BMW. Heiss, 50, of 331 Larchwood Drive, appeared on ABC's Wife Swap last November, when his wife, Susan, traded places with a wife from Virginia. Heiss' father, Edward Heiss Sr., 72, of Johnston, complained to the police in November after he discovered a credit problem, said state police Capt. Stephen J. Lynch. -- Journal staff writer Zachary Mider Posted by Andrea Panciera at 1:08 PM Electric Boat may get boost from LiebermanGROTON, Conn. -- A prominent lawmaker from Connecticut says he's asking for new funding in next year's federal budget for submarine design work for the Electric Boat shipyard in Groton, Conn., just over the Rhode Island border. Sen. Joe Lieberman says he's working with other senators to add hundreds of millions of dollars in work for the shipyard to help offset cuts to the company's work force. Electric Boat plans to cut as many as 2,400 jobs from its work force this year because of a lack of design work and a likely drop-off in submarine maintenance work. Electric Boat employs more than 11,000 workers in Connecticut and Rhode Island. -- The Associated Press Posted by Steve Peoples at 12:35 PM Providence man indicted on federal tax evasionPROVIDENCE -- A local man allegedly created a dummy business and used fake names to avoid paying federal income taxes for at least four years, according to an indictment returned by a grand jury. The indictment filed in U.S. District Court, Providence, charges Neil Stierhoff, of Providence, with four counts of federal tax evasion, according to an announcement today by the U.S. Attorney's Office in Providence. The indictment alleges that Stierhoff failed to file individual income tax returns reflecting the following taxable income: $193,246 for 1999; $422,620 for 2000; $345,967 for 2001; and $145,006 for 2002. The indictment also alleges that Stierhoff attempted to disguise his income by conducting business under the name of Joseph Adams, using a post office box in the name of Universal Audio to receive business receipts, utilizing a bank account in the name of Joseph Adams in which to deposit his business receipts, and by extensively conducting business in cash. A summons will be issued for him to appear in U.S. District Court, Providence, for arraignment. Each count of tax evasion carries a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine. Posted by Steve Peoples at 11:43 AM Lost student's band to play tribute show tonightOrange Jam Conspiracy will play a special concert tonight to honor Geoffrey M. Wilkes, one of three University of Rhode Island students believed to have drowned last week. Wilkes, 18, who played guitar and bass for the jam band, has been missing since friends saw him board a small rowboat in the wee hours of March 13 with two friends, Daniel P. Donahue, 20, and Fandia M. Sod Shloul, 21. His bandmates will hold a "tribute show for those lost at sea, but not in our hearts," tonight at The Rain Desert, a club in Danielson, Conn. According to the band's Web site, Wilkes had booked tonight's show a few days before his disappearance. Orange Jam Conspiracy played shows around the country, gaining notoriety for using alternative fuel sources to power its equipment. Tonight's show begins at 8 p.m. Posted by Steve Peoples at 11:15 AM R.I. test scores show urban students still laggingPROVIDENCE -- The results of the new tests given to elementary and middle school students in Rhode Island tell an old story: about half are proficient in math and writing and almost 60 percent are proficient in reading. But behind the statewide numbers are three more that reveal the inequities of "The Three Rhode Islands," according to state education officials and Governor Carcieri, who released the results at 11 a.m. today at a State House press conference. In the urban districts -- Providence, Pawtucket, Central Falls and Woonsocket -- just 28 percent of students were proficient in math; 35 percent in reading; and 33 percent in writing. Students in Cranston, East Providence, Johnston, Newport, North Providence, Warwick and West Warwick, the so-called urban ring communities, demonstrated far higher rates of proficiency; 50 percent in math; 62 percent in reading; and 55 percent in writing. And students in suburban and rural communities scored the highest rates: 65 percent in math; 72 percent in reading; and 61 percent in writing. "These scores just confirm for us what we have known for a long time, and what every piece of data we see tells us," said Mary Ann Snider, director of assessment and accountability at the Rhode Island Department of Education, at a media briefing yesterday. "Kids in our urban districts are performing at much lower levels than students in the urban ring or suburban districts." Other statewide and national tests have shown the same, troubling pattern, Snider said. But the new tests, the New England Common Assessment Program which students in grades 3 through 8 took for the first time in the fall, offer educators and parents more insight into where a student is struggling, or where a teacher or a school needs to improve. For the first time, the test provides a detailed report card for each student and also allows teachers to analyze their students' answers on each question. "We have a lot more information than we ever had, and we have a lot more grades being tested each year," Snider said. Officials hope that the additional data will help schools and districts identify problem areas and help more students reach proficiency. The federal education law, No Child Left Behind, requires that all children reach proficiency by 2014. States across the country have been working to establish grade-level expectations and tests that conform to the new standards. Rhode Island teamed with New Hampshire and Vermont to design the new tests for grades 3 through 8, in part to save money and in part to draw on a deeper pool of expertise, Snider said. Rhode Island's portion will cost $12.9 million over six years. The new tests were administered last fall to 72,000 Rhode Island students. This month, Rhode Island's 11th graders are taking the New Standards test. The state is already working on a new high school test that will have a trial run next fall. It will be administered for the first time in the fall of 2008, Snider said. Posted by Jack Perry at 11:02 AM Cloudy today with snow possible tonightIf you don’t want to get caught in the rain, take an umbrella if you head outside this afternoon. There’s a chance of sprinkles after 3 p.m. in Providence. Today will be mostly cloudy, with a high near 48. There’s more chance of rain showers early tonight and then a chance of snow showers as the low drops to around 34 or so. Posted by Kate Bramson at 10:58 AM Student test scores to be released this morningPROVIDENCE -- Governor Carcieri plans to release student test results this morning at 11 in the State Room at the State House. The new reading, math and writing tests were taken in October by 72,000 elementary and middle school students. Results of the New England Common Assessment Program tests will be used to determine school-performance classifications, which the state Department of Education will release later in the spring. Check back here at projo.com later this morning for an update on how Rhode Island students fared on the tests. You can also read more about the tests in a Tuesday Journal story. Posted by Kate Bramson at 9:44 AM Holocaust survivor to speak this morning in ProvidencePROVIDENCE -- One of the few Jews who survived Treblinka will speak about his escape from the Nazi death camp this morning at 10 at the Laurelmead retirement community at 355 Blackstone Blvd. There is no charge for the program hosted by the Rhode Island Holocaust Memorial Museum. This is the first time Eddie Weinstein of New York has spoken publicly in Rhode Island. Nearly all of the approximately 800,000 Nazi victims transported to Treblinka died within hours of their arrival, according to the Holocaust Museum. Fewer than 100 people are estimated to have survived Treblinka. Posted by Kate Bramson at 9:38 AM Carcieri calls on National Grid to lower electricity ratesPROVIDENCE -- Noting that National Grid plans to lower electricity rates for its Massachusetts customers, Governor Carcieri has asked the company to do the same for its 477,000 customers in Rhode Island. In a letter yesterday to Michael F. Ryan, executive vice president for National Grid, Carcieri wrote, "It is my hope that National Grid will move quickly to similarly lower its rates in Rhode Island." The governor wrote that "rising energy costs have put unnecessary strains on Rhode Island families and on Rhode Island businesses, many of which are forced to choose between creating jobs and paying their energy bills." National Grid announced yesterday that it has filed a request with the Massachusetts Department of Telecommunications and Energy to lower its basic rate. Posted by Jack Perry at 9:19 AM Pawtucket teens charged after spreading school shooting rumorPAWTUCKET -- The police say they have arrested two Tolman High School students in Pawtucket for allegedly starting a rumor that a Columbine-style shooting was going to take place today at the school. The rumor had parents and students on edge for a week. The police say they took the rumors seriously and will maintain a presence in the school. But the police say there is no cause for alarm because the teenagers have confessed to the rumors being a prank. -- The Associated Press It started when one of the boys was upset by a teacher three weeks ago and told his friends he wanted to ``go Columbine.'' By the next morning, word had spread. The police have charged the students, ages 15 and 16, with disorderly conduct. The two students and a third face disciplinary action. Posted by Kate Bramson at 9:00 AM March 22, 2006Photo: Coventry duplex damaged by fire
Firefighters work on the roof of this duplex house at 75 Mapledale St., Coventry. About 24 firefighters helped extinguish the fire late this morning. Neighbors say a resident was in the other half of the duplex but got out safely. Posted by Jack Perry at 5:07 PM Former leader in Patriarca crime family makes paroleOnetime high-ranking mobster Bobby DeLuca has gotten his parole – but he’ll have to wait six months, and wear an ankle bracelet. The Rhode Island Parole Board decided today to grant parole in September to DeLuca, 60, who has been imprisoned for the past 11 years on a variety of state and federal convictions. DeLuca has been on work-release at the Adult Correctional Institutions. Since last year, he has worked for Sidebar & Grille, a downtown Providence restaurant owned by his lawyer, Artin H. Coloian, former top aide to ex-mayor Vincent A. Cianci Jr. -- Journal staff writer Mike Stanton DeLuca, who is scheduled to complete his prison term in 2009, must submit to electronic monitoring for at least one year from the time his parole begins in September, said Lisa Holley, board chairwoman. Holley said that the board weighed DeLuca’s once lofty status in the Mafia, a violent criminal organization, against his good prison record, his age and the amount of time that he has already spent behind bars. Deputy Atty. Gen. Gerald Coyne told the board that since DeLuca’s release was inevitable at some point, the main concern of prosecutors was that he be closely monitored, to ensure that he doesn’t return to his past criminal ways. Coloian said that he was "obviously pleased that (DeLuca’s) parole was granted.’" As one of the conditions of his parole, Holley said, he must maintain employment, and indicated that he would continue to work at Sidebar. Because of today’s hearing, however, DeLuca had the day off. -- Journal staff writer Mike Stanton Posted by Jack Perry at 4:48 PM Lawmakers unveil casino legislationPROVIDENCE -- Lawmakers this afternoon unveiled legislation that would amend the state Constitution to allow a casino in West Warwick. The legislation, introduced at a State House press conference, would create section 23 in Article VI of the Constitution, allowing a resort casino to be privately owned and operated by the Narragansett Indian Tribe and its "chosen partner," which is not named in the amendment, but known to be Harrah's, the Las Vegas-based casino titan that would finance and build the casino. The amendment would set the tax rate on Harrah's net casino income at between 25 and 40 percent, "with all of such tax proceeds to be dedicated to property-tax relief." If approved first by the General Assembly, the amendment would be placed on the ballot this November. In short, the legislation would exempt the proposed West Warwick casino from what the Rhode Island Supreme Court has twice, in the last two years, interpreted as a constitutional ban on any new privately operated gambling. The high court's ruling was based on the 1973 repeal of a 130-year-old ban on lotteries and the adoption in its place of the current provision in the state Constitution that allows "lotteries," but only state-operated ones. Adopted years after Lincoln Park and Newport Grand opened their doors, that 1973 amendment paved the way for the legislature's creation of the state Lottery a year later. That state-only proviso has since emerged as a legal obstacle to the casino. The high court ruled then -- in response to an advisory opinion request from the governor, and again last year in response to a request from the House -- that a privately operated casino was the equivalent of a "lottery" and thus banned under the state Constitution. Posted by Steve Peoples at 4:44 PM ACLU praises state for banning disputed abstinence program in schoolsThe Rhode Island affiliate of the American Civil Liberties Union is hailing a decision by the state Department of Education advising public schools to stop using a federally funded curriculum that teaches abstinence until marriage. The ACLU filed a complaint with the Education Department in September about the curriculum created by an organization called Heritage of Rhode Island. The “Heritage Keepers Abstinence Education” curriculum, also known as “Heritage Keepers” or “Right Time, Right Place,” was offered in Pawtucket and Woonsocket schools in the past year. The ACLU was concerned that the curriculum surveyed students about intimate subjects, including the last time they had sex, and asked for identifying information about the students. “Even a limited examination shows that it promotes inappropriate and sexist stereotypes,” the ACLU wrote about the curriculum. Education Commissioner Peter McWalters, in a March 15 letter to all superintendents, says the program should not be offered “as part of the public school health curriculum in RI schools.” “The Heritage of Rhode Island curriculum has been reviewed by RIDE and has been determined to be NOT consistent with the Rhode Island Health Education Standards,” McWalters wrote.
Posted by Kate Bramson at 4:39 PM Hawaii GOP to file federal complaint on Brown fundraisingThe Hawaii Republican Party plans to file a federal complaint accusing Democrats in Hawaii, Maine and Massachusetts of illegally laundering campaign money for U.S. Senate candidate Matt Brown. The executive director of the Rhode Island GOP, Mary Diamond, said the local party may join Hawaii Republicans in the complaint to the Federal Election Commission. While the Hawaii Republicans have yet to submit the complaint, Hawaii GOP chairman Sam Aiona said today that his party will file something soon, the details of which will be discussed at a 7 p.m. (eastern standard time) press conference in Hawaii later today. Brown and his campaign engineered an arrangement whereby Maine, Massachusetts and Hawaii were induced to give his campaign a total of $25,000, while a handful of wealthy Brown backers agreed to give the state parties a total of $30,000. Because Brown's individual donors had each given him the legal maximum, the episode raised the question of whether Brown -- a self-styled reform candidate for Sen. Lincoln D. Chafee's Senate seat -- had created a mechanism for evading the lawful limits on contributions. Brown has said that the maneuver, though legal, created "an appearance problem," hence his decision to return the money to the three states. Earlier in the month, Maine State Democratic chairman James Colwell, who signed a $10,000 party check to Brown's campaign at the end of last year, surprised the party by resigning after less than 18 months on the job. Federal election laws prohibit organizations from passing on contributions in someone else's name. They also bar money exchanges that are made in order to avoid campaign donation limits on individuals. The Hawaii Republicans issued a press release earlier in the month hinting that it might file a complaint. "The Hawaii Democratic Party earns the distinction for one of the most convoluted campaign contribution deals in recent memory," the press release reads. "And it smells enough to demand an investigation by the Federal Elections Commission." -- Journal Staff Writer John Mulligan contributed to this report Posted by Steve Peoples at 3:42 PM Marchers in downtown Providence seek immigration reformPROVIDENCE -- A march was expected to kick off at 3:30 p.m. today in support of comprehensive immigration reform. A group called “Immigrants United” planned to start at the YMCA on Broad Street and march to Sen. Lincoln D. Chafee’s office at 170 Westminster St. Organizers said they wanted to send a message to Chafee that they want him to take a stronger and clearer position in favor of Rhode Island’s immigrants and to oppose punitive anti-immigrant measures that have been proposed. Posted by Kate Bramson at 3:41 PM URI holds somber service for missing studentsJAMESTOWN -- Roughly 250 University of Rhode Island students crowded into St. Augustine's Church this afternoon to pray for the three students believed to have drowned last week. While roughly the same number of students gathered at a separate meeting earlier in the week, today's ceremony featured an interfaith prayer service. Friends and family, while in attendance today, did not speak about their lost loved ones. Instead, university chaplains representing Buddhists, Muslims, Christians and Jews addressed the packed church, urging those who squeezed into pews and lined the walls to rely on their inner strength to get through the tragedy. While the mood at the service was somber, most of the crowd held back feelings until leaving the Lower College Road church. Once outside, students tried to console each other, though many were crying. -- With reports from Katie Mulvaney University President Robert L. Carothers issued a letter earlier in the week to inform returning students about the tragedy. The students, Geoffrey M. Wilkes, 18, and Daniel P. Donahue, 20, both of Glocester, and Fandia M. Shloul, 21, of Pawtucket, were last seen early on the morning of March 13 getting into a rowboat on Narragansett Bay from the Bonnet Shores neighborhood. Authorities spent much of last week searching Narragansett Bay to no avail. Their search turned up only the submerged rowboat, the oars, a baseball cap and a sandal. -- With reports from Katie Mulvaney Posted by Steve Peoples at 3:17 PM Prosecutors ID some evidence, witnesses in Derderians' trialPROVIDENCE -- State prosecutors filed documents in Providence County Superior Court today listing some evidence and witnesses to be used in the criminal trials of Jeffrey and Michael Derderian, owners of The Station nightclub in which 100 people were killed in a 2003 fire. As part of the pretrial discovery process, prosecutors informed the defense that they planned to use a news segment entitled, "Getting Out Alive," reported by Jeffrey Derderian for a Boston television station in 2001. They may also use a videotape filmed by the musical group, "Hotter Than Hell," a Kiss tribute band that played at The Station nightclub in 2001. The prosecution also listed several witnesses, including a West Warwick policeman and a special agent for the U.S. Department of Treasury. As a result of a gag order issued by Superior Court Judge Francis J. Darigan Jr. , much of the pretrial discovery -- which is usually open to public viewing -- has been shrouded in secrecy.
The Derderians owned The Station and have been criminally charged because prosecutors allege that they installed highly flammable polyurethane foam as soundproofing material in their nightclub, that they allowed overcrowding of the club and that they failed to provide adequate exits. They face 200 counts each of involuntary manslaughter and will be tried separately. Michael Derderian's trial is set to begin July 31. Posted by Steve Peoples at 2:03 PM Meeting tonight over plans for Nathan Bishop Middle SchoolPROVIDENCE -- Schools Supt. Donnie W. Evans plans to meet with community members tonight to discuss the proposed closing of Nathan Bishop Middle School, which Evans hopes to reopen in the fall as a high school for ninth and 10th graders who currently attend Adelaide Avenue High School at Harrison Street. The meeting will be at Hope High School, 324 Hope St., from 6 to 8 p.m. It is the second in a series of three meetings on the issue. Last night’s meeting was targeted toward parents of Nathan Bishop students. Tonight’s meeting is for members of the surrounding community. Tomorrow, a meeting will be held for the parents of students from Adelaide Avenue High School at Harrison Street. Meanwhile, unsigned fliers were circulating in the Elmgrove Avenue neighborhood urging residents to oppose Evans' proposed changes, citing concerns about South Side/East Side gang violence, an influx of students driving around the neighborhood and loitering after school. School Department spokeswoman Maria Tocco said school officials have fielded a number of calls from residents asking questions about issues addressed in the flier. At last week’s School Committee meeting, the superintendent withdrew a recommendation for the board to approve closing Nathan Bishop. He said he would make his final recommendation to the board at next Monday’s committee meeting. The agenda for that meeting should be posted on the district’s Web site by tomorrow, Tocco said. Posted by Kate Bramson at 1:55 PM Details of old Jamestown bridge demolition to be disclosed tonightJAMESTOWN -- Residents tonight will learn just when state officials will blow up the old Jamestown Bridge. The state Department of Transportation will hold a special informational meeting tonight to disclose details of the demolition plan -- which actually includes a series of small explosions -- that will affect traffic on the nearby new Jamestown-Verrazzano Bridge and marine traffic below. Tonight's meeting begins at 7 p.m. at Jamestown's Melrose School, 76 Melrose Ave. Find out more from today's Journal story. Posted by Steve Peoples at 11:41 AM N. Providence police sergeant pleads not guilty to several chargesPROVIDENCE -- A veteran North Providence police sergeant pleaded not guilty in Superior Court this morning to charges that include attempted larceny from a bank ATM, harboring a criminal and obstructing justice. Michael Ciresi, 38, a police officer for more than 17 years, appeared in the courtroom this morning dressed in black. His attorney entered the not guilty pleas on his behalf. A six-count indictment, handed up March 6, charges Ciresi with three counts of receiving stolen goods worth more than $500, one count of attempted larceny, one count of harboring a criminal and one count of obstructing police. Ciresi, who has been suspended without pay, became the focus of a wide-ranging police investigation after a gun belonging to him was found at the scene of a home invasion in Pawtucket in December 2004. -- Journal staff writer Gregory Smith Judge Jeffrey Lanphear set bail at $10,000 personal recognizance. At the request of Ciresi's attorney, Lanphear gave Ciresi permission to take a planned trip to Florida. A pretrial conference has been scheduled for June 22. -- Journal staff writer Gregory Smith Posted by Jack Perry at 11:36 AM Brown's Simmons a guest today on 'Satellite Sisters' radio showBrown University President Ruth Simmons will be a guest on a nationally syndicated radio show, “The Satellite Sisters,” today around 12:30 p.m. The show airs on ABC Radio Networks and on XM Satellite Radio. It will also be streamed on ABC Radio’s Web site. Simmons was selected as a guest during Women’s History Month in part because she is the first African-American to lead an Ivy League institution, according to the Brown University News Service. The Satellite Sisters are five real sisters, two of whom have Brown connections. Liz Dolan is a Brown grad, and Julie Dolan is the parent of a Brown grad. Posted by Kate Bramson at 11:15 AM URI holding service today for 3 students presumed drownedKINGSTON -- University of Rhode Island students and faculty will gather at 1 p.m. today to honor the three students believed to have drowned last week in a boating accident. About 350 students, faculty and staff attended a gathering Monday to discuss the tragedy, which happened while the majority of the university community was on spring break. Today's gathering is open to the public, and will be held at St. Augustine’s Church on 35 Lower College Road. University officials are defining today's event as "a multi-faith service of prayer in this time of sadness." Several university chaplains are expected to make remarks. University President Robert L. Carothers issued a letter earlier in the week to inform returning students about the tragedy. The students, Geoffrey M. Wilkes, 18, and Daniel P. Donahue, 20, both of Glocester, and Fandia M. Shloul, 21, of Pawtucket, were last seen early on the morning of March 13 getting into a rowboat on Narragansett Bay from the Bonnet Shores neighborhood. Authorities spent much of last week searching Narragansett Bay to no avail. Their search turned up only the submerged rowboat, the oars, a baseball cap and a sandal. Posted by Steve Peoples at 10:56 AM Snow still? Maybe tonightExpect mostly cloudy weather today, with a high around 49 degrees. But if you were thinking that spring had already arrived, watch out. There’s a chance of snow flurries tonight in Providence after 9 p.m. Low temps tonight are expected to hover around 30. Posted by Kate Bramson at 9:21 AM Public hearing tonight on T.F. Green runway expansion planWARWICK -- The Federal Aviation Administration has scheduled public meetings tonight and tomorrow to discuss its plans for extending the main runway at T.F. Green Airport in Warwick. Tonight’s hearing will be in Warwick at the Buttonwoods Community Center, 3027 West Shore Rd., from 5 to 8 p.m. Tomorrow’s hearing will be in Cranston at the William Hall Library, 1825 Broad St., from 5 to 8 p.m. Read more in today’s Journal. Posted by Kate Bramson at 9:00 AM March 21, 2006Derderian lawyers to subpoena town recordsPROVIDENCE -- Attorneys for the owners of The Station nightclub plan to subpoena records from the town of West Warwick regarding three town employees who played key roles in fire prevention and inspection in February of 2003, when a fire at the club killed 100 people. Lawyers for the Jeffrey and Michael Derderian and state prosecutors met with Superior Court Judge Francis J. Darigan Jr. behind closed doors for about an hour this afternoon before discussing the subpoenas in open court. The defense will seek copies of "any and all documents reflecting any training or education received or attended relative to the employment of" former Fire Inspector Denis Larocque, Building Inspector Steven Murray, and firefighter John Peiczarek. The prosecution team did not object to the subpoena. Darigan agreed to the order, giving West Warwick officials and the state Fire Marshal's office 10 days to comply with the request. Michael Derderian's attorney, Kathleen Haggerty, would not say why she wanted those specific documents. The Derderian brothers are each charged with 200 counts of involuntary manslaughter, two for each of the people who died. Though they were charged under two separate legal theories for each death, they can only be sentenced once because of the constitutional prohibition against being punished twice for the same crime, known as double jeopardy. The brothers will be tried separately. Darigan last week scheduled the first, for Michael Derderian, to start July 31 of this year. Posted by Steve Peoples at 4:55 PM Cranston landscaper indicted in slaying of teacher's aide in WarwickA statewide grand jury yesterday handed up an indictment charging a landscaper with the brutal stabbing of his boss's wife, Margaret R. Duffy-Stephenson, in November. James S. Richardson, 38, of Cranston, has been held at the Adult Correctional Institutions since Dec. 8, when a genetic test on material found under Duffy-Stephenson's fingernails identified Richardson's DNA. Duffy-Stephenson, a teacher's aide at an East Greenwich middle school, was found dead Nov. 19 in her Warwick home. During a bail hearing in December, Duffy-Stephenson's husband, James, testified that he had $10,660 in cash in a basement safe. The safe was later found open and empty. Posted by Jack Perry at 2:25 PM Middletown police warn residents after turkey kicks manMIDDLETOWN -- A wild turkey roaming in a flock yesterday afternoon struck back when a car owner tried shooing it away. A 50-year-old man told the police that he was sitting in his car on Russett Road near Bartlett Road when a group of large, wild turkeys approached his car. When one of the turkeys climbed onto the driver's side door, the man opened the door to scare it away, and the turkey kicked his leg. The incident prompted the police to warn residents that wild turkeys can be aggressive. -- Journal Staff Writer Kia Hayes The man in the car told the police that the turkeys are becoming a nuisance in the area, and he was concerned about children’s safety, Middletown Police Capt. David Leonard said. "There appears to be an abundance of wild turkeys at this development," Leonard said of the nearby Wapping Road housing development. The police have contacted the state Department of Environmental Management and animal control to devise a plan to minimize contact with the turkeys, or to relocate or capture the animals. Leonard said that male turkeys are often aggressive birds, and while this is the only reported incident of an attack in Middletown, they are not uncommon. Residents should contact the police or animal control should an incident occur. "The important thing is not to antagonize them, and just walk away," he said. -- Journal Staff Writer Kia Hayes Posted by Steve Peoples at 2:06 PM Providence toddler survives 30-foot fall out windowPROVIDENCE -- Despite suffering serious injuries, a 2-year boy who fell from a third-floor window this morning should survive, according to local police. "He has lacerations on his face, possibly a collapsed lung," said Paul Kennedy, deputy chief for the Providence Police Department. "But the injuries are not believed to be life threatening." Both parents were home at 9 a.m. when the child managed to open the window in his parent's three-story Dudley Street building. "It was one of those windows that opens side to side, not up and down. The screen had been blown off during a previous storm," Kennedy said. "Somehow the toddler was able to open window himself and fell out." The child fell about 30 feet to the concrete sidewalk. "The parents didn’t even know it. A neighbor went over and said, 'I think your child just fell out the window,'" Kennedy said. The police have contacted the state Department of Children, Youth and Families to look into the matter, but Kennedy said there was no evidence of intentional wrongdoing. The police would not release the name of the parents or the child, who is being treated at Hasbro Children's Hospital. "There’s nothing to indicate at this point that there’s anything of a criminal nature," Kennedy said, noting that he's seen several similar incidents in the past. "I have seen dozens of these cases over the years and I’ve never seen a child die," he said. "It’s really incredible." Posted by Steve Peoples at 1:45 PM High court upholds verdict, sentence in Little Compton murder casePROVIDENCE -- The state Supreme Court this morning upheld the 2001 conviction of Jeremy M. Motyka, a Fall River man sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for raping and murdering a Little Compton woman. In asking for a new trial, Motyka argued that the Superior Court Judge O. Rogeriee Thompson improperly denied the defense access to DNA evidence. He also asked the state's highest court to overturn Thompson's decision to issue the sentence of life without parole -- the harshest sentence possible in Rhode Island. "After reviewing the record, it is our opinion that the evidence in this case overwhelmingly supports the jury’s conclusion that defendant committed the murder intentionally while engaged in the commission of first-degree sexual assault and that he committed the murder in a manner involving both torture and an aggravated battery," Supreme Court Justice William P. Robinson III wrote in the court opinion. A Superior Court jury declared Motyka guilty of the murder and rape of 66-year-old Angela Spence-Shaw, who was found beaten to death in the upstairs bathtub of her Little Compton home on May 30, 1999. Judge Thompson sentenced Motyka, then 23, of life in prison without the possibility of parole. Posted by Steve Peoples at 1:26 PM Suspicious package not a bomb, just trash
CRANSTON -- The state bomb squad has determined that a suspicious package left in a trash bin inside a Broad Street Sovereign Bank is not a bomb. Police officials evacuated the 1750 Broad St. building and blocked traffic from entering the area for about two hours this morning. A bank employee called the police at about 9:30 this morning, according to Cranston Police Major Ronald Blackmar. "A subject entered the bank, and placed a package into the trash bin and then exited the bulding in a quick manner after telling one of the employees, 'Sorry,'" Blackmar said. "Someone else said they saw a car take off quickly." That was enough for bank employees to become worried. They called the police, who then called the bomb squad as a precaution. "It wasn't anything," Blackmar said of the package, which turned out to be a plastic shopping bag filled with trash. Bank employees are now back to work and the area has been opened to traffic. Posted by Steve Peoples at 12:49 PM Former Cianci lawyer joins Urciuoli defense teamPROVIDENCE -- Richard M. Egbert has joined the defense team of Robert A. Urciuoli, the former Roger Williams Medical Center president facing federal corruption charges Egbert entered his appearance in federal court in Providence today, attending a chambers conference with chief U.S. District Judge Ernest Torres. He joins lawyers Robert G. Flanders and Michael Connelly, both of the law firm of Hinckley Allen. Flanders isn’t sure what his role in the case will be, as he was nominated Friday to a seat on the U.S. 1st Circuit Court of Appeals in Boston. Egbert, a prominent criminal-defense lawyer from Boston, has handled other high-profile cases in Rhode Island, most notably the corruption case against former Providence Mayor Vincent A. Cianci Jr. -- Journal staff writer Mike Stanton Egbert also represents one of the owners of The Station nightclub, Michael Derderian, who faces 200 counts of involuntary manslaughter in the tragic West Warwick fire that claimed 100 lives. Urciuoli and two others – former Roger Williams executive Frances Driscoll and former assisted-living center administrator Peter Sangermano – are charged with stealing the ``honest services’’ of a state senator, John A. Celona, by putting him on the Roger Williams payroll to do their bidding at the State House. The hospital was also indicted in January, but subsequently cut a deal with federal prosecutors in which it admitted ``criminal misconduct’’ in its hiring of Celona. Urciuoli, Driscoll and Sangermano have denied the charges and vowed to go to trial. Egbert said that the case could go to trial as early as June. Another prominent Boston lawyer also attended today’s chambers conference. John Pappalardo, who served as U.S. attorney in Boston in 1992-93, has joined the case as a lawyer for Sangermano. Sangermano’s Providence lawyer, Thomas Briody, and Driscoll’s lawyer, Kevin Bristow, also attended today’s conference. -- Journal staff writer Mike Stanton Posted by Jack Perry at 12:33 PM Carcieri drops plan to close DMV offices / UpdatedGovernor Carcieri has reversed his plan to close all seven Registry of Motor Vehicles satellite branches. At a State House news conference earlier this morning, the governor said he would not push to close any of the offices this year. He attributed the change of heart to the widespread negative reaction to the proposal -- a reaction he blamed on confusion. The governor also highlighted plans for a new Registry headquarters in Cranston, to replace its current makeshift offices in Apex Department Store building in Pawtucket The new headquarters, on the first floor of a 200,000-square-foot office building on the former site of the Trolley Barn on Cranston Street, is expected to be open for business in about a year, Carcieri said. -- With reports from Journal staff writer Zachary Mider Carcieri continued to defend the idea of closing at least some of the branches, but said he would ``let all of the dust settle’’ before reconsidering the proposal next year. Even then, he said, he would probably preserve three satellites -- one in northern Rhode Island, one in Washington County, and one in the East Bay. Carcieri outlined an agenda of more modest changes at the Registry, and said he would look elsewhere to find the $1.4 million the proposal would have saved. The governor unveiled the following proposals: -- Keep the Woonsocket branch open four evenings a week, beginning in May -- Allow drivers to renew their licenses online. They would still have to appear in person for a new photo every 10 years. -- Push back the age, from 68 to 80, at which drivers must begin renewing their licenses every two years. -- Begin registering pickup trucks for two years, rather than one. --Expand the number of AAA branches that offer Registry services. -- Expand the number of auto dealers allowed to register cars online. Posted by Steve Peoples at 12:00 PM Hearing planned today for Station nightclub co-ownerPROVIDENCE -- The lawyer for Station nightclub co-owner Michael A. Derderian will appear this afternoon in Providence County Superior Court. Last week Judge Francis J. Darigan Jr. set Derderian's trial date for July 31. He and his brother, Jeffrey A. Derderian, have been charged with 200 counts of involuntary manslaughter in the deaths of 100 people in the 2003 fire at their nightclub. They will be tried separately. It is unclear what may come out of today's 2 p.m. pretrial conference, which may be held privately in the judge's chambers. Posted by Steve Peoples at 11:18 AM Cranston bank evacuated after suspicious package foundCRANSTON -- The state bomb squad has joined local police and fire officials in responding to a suspicious package at the Sovereign Bank at 1750 Broad St. this morning. The building has been evacuated since about 9:30 a.m., when the fire department was called. Authorities would not immediately release details about the package, nor would they say whether area streets have been blocked. A hazardous materials team was not brought in, but the bomb squad was as a precautionary measure, according to the fire department. Posted by Steve Peoples at 10:57 AM Coast Guard Academy opens hearing for cadet facing sex assault chargesNEW LONDON, Conn. -- A U.S. Naval Academy cadet testified today about a night of heavy drinking with two Coast Guard cadets that ended with one accusing the other of rape. Midshipman Kristin Strizki was a witness at a hearing that will help determine whether Coast Guard Cadet Webster M. Smith, 22, a member of the academy football team, will be court-martialed. Seven female cadets have accused Smith of assaulting them between May and November 2005. One of the cadets, a friend of Strizki's, said she was raped. -- The Associated Press Posted by Jack Perry at 9:59 AM Cool but clear todayBlue skies ushered in the first full day of spring, but it’s still chilly enough to don those driving gloves. Temps in Providence should rise to about 46 degrees today, but it was only about 32 degrees at 9:35 a.m. The warnings for elevated fire potential issued yesterday by the National Weather Service for parts of Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island are no longer in effect today. Posted by Kate Bramson at 9:50 AM projo.com blog celebrates a birthdayProjo.com’s own Sheila Lennon celebrated a milestone yesterday, when her blog turned 4 years old. Known as the Subterranean Homepage News, with a tagline of “`Bottom-up’ journalism from the pros,” Lennon’s page is located on projo.com’s main page, under the heading, “The Blog Squad.” It’s a mixture of news, music, games and musings by Lennon, the features and interactive producer of projo.com. In recent days, Lennon has worked with Danielle Ameden of Roger Williams University in Bristol, who is studying in France and has been updating projo.com readers with video, photos and written reports about the ongoing labor protests in the streets of Paris. Posted by Kate Bramson at 9:19 AM Clerk, customers foil attempted store robberyPAWTUCKET -- Police say a store clerk threatened at gunpoint refused to give money to an alleged robber and detained her with the help of customers until police arrived. Policy say 43-year-old Lisa Angelo walked into a U-Save Market Sunday evening, grabbed some items and demanded money from the clerk, a 28-year-old Fall River man. When the clerk refused to hand over any cash, Angelo left. The clerk followed her, and customers helped pin her against the wall until police arrived. -- The Associated Press Angelo was charged Monday with robbery and held at the Adult Correctional Institutions in Cranston until a hearing. Police say she was also charged with possession of a stolen car and with possession of heroin. Posted by Kate Bramson at 9:00 AM March 20, 2006Gorbachev to speak in Rhode IslandFormer Soviet Union President and Nobel Peace Prize winner Mikhail Gorbachev will visit Rhode Island in less than two weeks. The former world leader will attend a members-only question and answer session at The Carnegie Abbey Club on Saturday, April 1. The appearance is part of The Carnegie Abbey Club’s World Leadership Guest Series, in which thought and opinion leaders from around the globe are invited to discuss international events with Club members and their guests. Last year, the elite sporting estate in Portsmouth hosted former presidents William Jefferson Clinton and George H.W. Bush. Posted by Steve Peoples at 4:44 PM Microsoft gives Brown $1.2 million to develop softwarePROVIDENCE -- Microsoft Research announced today that it will give Brown University more than $1 million to develop software that will recognize complex handwriting and gestures. Computers already recognize basic handwriting, such as signatures that credit card users write on an electronic pad. Brown is developing programs that recognize and interpret more complex symbols and text used in fields such as mathematics, chemistry, music and art. That can be useful since it sometimes feels more natural to write or draw than use a mouse and keyboard to enter information into a computer. -- The Associated Press Posted by Jack Perry at 4:12 PM New DMV plan to to be announcedGov. Carcieri will hold a press conference tomorrow morning to outline "a new reform plan" for the state's Department of Motor Vehicles. Last month the governor proposed closing seven of DMV's eight branches -- leaving just the Pawtucket office -- to help save money. The new plan would "provide improved service for Rhode Island consumers across the state," according to a press release. When reached this afternoon, the governor's spokesman would not clarify what the "new reform plan" might entail. "That's as far as I'm willing to go today," Carcieri spokesman Jeff Neal said. Tomorrow's press conference -- planned for the State House 11 a.m. -- will also feature details on the new central registry office to be built in Cranston. Posted by Steve Peoples at 3:39 PM Swain appeals wrongful death verdictFormer Jamestown Town Council member David Swain has appealed a jury's civil judgment which last month found he had drowned his wife Shelley Tyre in 1999 during a Caribbean scuba diving vacation. His appeal accused Superior Court Judge Patricia A. Hurst of several missteps, including denying his motion for a continuance after one of his lawyers fell ill with cancer and blocking another lawyer from entering the case late. "Obviously I'm not happy with how I was treated," Swain said today in an interview. "From the various proceedings it was clearly looking like this judge wasn't being impartial." -- With reports from Journal Staff Writer Tom Mooney
After deliberating for less than three hours, a jury last month awarded Tyre's family more than $3.5 million in compensatory and punitive damages for the wrongful death that had occurred seven years earlier. The police on the Caribbean island of Tortola, where Tyre's death took place, have not charged Swain with a crime. But they said earlier in the month that the criminal investigation into the scuba-diving death remains open, and they will consider the Rhode Island jury's civil decision. Tortola police ruled Tyre's death an accident in 1999 "unless proven otherwise." Swain has never been charged criminally and insists he is innocent, despite the jury's finding Friday that he drowned Tyre, 46, with malice and forethought. -- With reports from Journal Staff Writer Tom Mooney Posted by Steve Peoples at 3:09 PM Governor's fire safety report raises alarmPROVIDENCE – More than 50 nightclubs in Rhode Island have not complied with the state's updated sprinkler and fire alarm laws. The governor’s office released a report today showing that 99 out of 155 clubs are in compliance with the laws, enacted soon after a 2003 fire at The Station nightclub in West Warwick killed 100 people. Twenty-four clubs currently not in compliance have variances pending with the state Fire Marshal’s Office, but others, including some large clubs, have simply not made the costly upgrades. The report found that two nightclubs that can hold more than 300 people don’t have sprinklers or alarms as required by law. An additional four clubs that can accommodate more than customers 300 don’t have sprinklers. “This report makes it clear that we have made significant progress in improving the safety of nightclubs throughout the state,” Governor Carcieri said in a statement. “But it also shows that we have more work to do.” The fire code requires all nightclubs with a capacity of 150 or more people to install municipally connected alarm systems by July 1, 2004. And clubs with occupancy of 300 were also required to install sprinklers by July 1, 2005. Nightclubs with a capacity of 150 to 299 will be required to install sprinklers by July 1, 2006. -- projo.com staff writer Steve Peoples. Posted by Steve Peoples at 2:59 PM Spring has sprung -- sort ofPROVIDENCE – Spring has technically arrived. At exactly 1:26 p.m. today the sun crossed the earth’s equator – an event known as the vernal equinox. It is officially spring, a season traditionally marked in New England by rain and warmer weather. But this year, there’s no rush to break out the shorts and tee-shirts. It feels more like December outside. “Last time we checked we were at 33 [degrees], and we’re expecting a high today of around 38,” National Weather Service meteorologist Frank Nocera said at around 11 a.m. “We’re a good 10 degrees below normal.” It could be worse. The all-time low for the first day of spring is 8 degrees, recorded in 1949, Nocera said. But the record high is 83, set in 1945. “March is the transition month. This is the time of year you could get either extreme,” Nocera said. Rhode Island will not set any record highs this month, but temperatures will rise to the mid 40s for the rest of the week. And next week’s outlook might be even warmer. Temperatures could hit the 50s. Today is not typical, but Nocera said there’s plenty of time for things to turn around. “Today’s just the first day of spring,” he said. “We have a long way to go.” Posted by Steve Peoples at 1:26 PM Lincoln Park partner agrees to $3.6 billion saleKerzner International Ltd., the Bahamas-based casino company that owns a piece of Lincoln Park, announced today it has agreed to be sold to an investor group led by company chairman Sol Kerzner and his son, chief executive officer Butch Kerzner. The proposed deal is worth $3.6 billion, including the assumption of $599 million in debt. The terms of the deal call for current Kerzner stockholders to receive $76 in cash per share, 8 percent above the stock’s closing price on Friday. The investors joining in the Kerzner buyout include Providence Equity Partners, the Providence-based private equity firm. Kerzner owns 37.5 percent of BLB Investors LLC, the group that owns the Lincoln Park video slots venue in Lincoln. The deal includes a provision that would allow other prospective bidders to make a higher offer over the next 45 days ”We believe that the acquisition by the investor group represents an excellent opportunity for the company’s shareholders, and in addition, we will be actively soliciting other offers to ensure that value is maximized for all of our shareholders,” said Eric Siegel, chairman of a special committee of company directors formed to evaluate the deal. Posted by at 1:17 PM Gas prices jump 18 centsPROVIDENCE -- Gas prices in Rhode Island jumped 18 cents last week, the biggest one-week increase ever recorded by AAA in Rhode Island with the exception of the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, AAA Southern New England said. The average price for regular, unleaded gasoline is $2.45 per gallon at the self-service pump, according to AAA's weekly survey. The price has increased 25 cents over the last three weeks. AAA blames the increase on "somewhat tight reserve supplies," an earlier than usual switch by refineries to summer fuel blends and global unrest. Posted by Jack Perry at 12:52 PM Judge orders hit-and-run suspect held on $100,000 bail
PROVIDENCE -- The 39-year-old North Smithfield woman facing charges in the fatal hit-and-run accident in Glocester early Saturday morning was arraigned in District Court this morning and ordered held on $100,000 bail. Lori J. Benoit, of 220 Woonsocket Hill Rd., was also ordered to report to Superior Court at 2 p.m. to determine whether she violated a Superior Court sentence for an earlier narcotics offense. Benoit appeared before Judge Michael A. Higgins shortly after 10 a.m. She is charged with two counts of leaving the scene of an accident, death resulting, and two counts of leaving the scene of an accident, with personal injury resulting. She is expected to appear before Superior Court Judge William J. McAtee this afternoon. -- projo.com staff writer Kate Bramson Around 1 a.m. Saturday, two men died when Benoit's car crossed the center line of Route 44 and crashed into a group of five people standing along the side of the road, according to police. Robert George, 36, of 1259 Putnam Pike, Glocester, and Jason Roy, 36, of Reservoir Ave., Rehoboth, both died at the scene, according to police. Three hours after the accident a North Smithfield police officer spotted a Dodge sedan that matched the description of the car that struck the pedestrians. Police responded to the scene, 220 Woonsocket Hill Rd., the home of Benoit. She was arrested and held over the weekend. Benoit had been held without bail this weekend at the request of Special Asst. Attorney General Dawn Huntley, who said that Benoit is on probation for a 2005 drug-possession charge. Benoit has been held at the Adult Correctional Institutions in Cranston. Her lawyer, Paul Baillargeon, of North Smithfield, spoke with her parents and stepmother after the court appearance. Through Baillargeon, Benoit’s family declined comment. Family and friends of the two men killed also sat in courtroom 4C for Benoit’s arraignment. After the proceedings, George's former wife, Pamela Riel, of East Providence, said the focus should be on a little girl who lost her father. George left an 8-year-old daughter whom he loved dearly, Riel said. "Our only concern is that this woman doesn’t walk…," Riel said. "She needs to pay for this. They [Robert and Jason] were just beginning to live their lives." -- projo.com staff writer Kate Bramson Posted by Jack Perry at 11:38 AM URI holds gathering for missing studentsStudents returning from spring break and University of Rhode Island officials will meet at noon today to discuss last week's tragedy that resulted in the presumed deaths of three students. Geoffrey M. Wilkes, 18, and Daniel P. Donahue, 20, both of Glocester, and Fandia M. Shloul, 21, of Pawtucket, have been missing since they boarded a small rowboat near the Bonnet Shores in Narragansett last Monday. A massive coastal search produced the submerged rowboat, a baseball cap and a sandal. The search has since been suspended, and the students are now presumed dead. The majority of the university community was away last week because of spring break. Today's "community support and informational gathering" will be held in the Memorial Union Ballroom on the Kingston campus. The URI Chaplain's Association will also hold an interfaith prayer service on Wednesday at 1 p.m. at St. Augustine’s 35 Lower College Rd. Posted by Steve Peoples at 11:28 AM Sox trade Bronson ArroyoThe Associated Press has reported that the Boston Red Sox have traded pitcher Bronson Arroyo and cash to the Cincinnati Reds for outfielder Wily Mo Pena. Arroyo, who pitched poorly for much of the spring, had his best outing against the Baltimore Orioles yesterday. Cincinnati is a team in desperate need of starting pitching, while the Sox have had an excess of starters available. Arroyo has been a fan favorite in Boston since making his Red Sox debut as a reliever late in the 2003 season. Last year he was 14-10 with a 4.51 E.R.A. For his career, he is 33-33 with a 4.59 E.R.A. He pitched for Pittsburgh before coming to the Red Sox. Pena is a right-handed hitting outfielder with power. He hit 19 home runs last year in 99 games, but has a low career batting average of .248 over parts of four seasons, all with the Reds. Posted by Mike McDermott at 11:24 AM 13 horses die in weekend blazeCHARLESTOWN -- A weekend fire killed 13 horses living at Old Coach Farm, a popular facility that offered riding lessons and boarding. The local fire department responded to the blaze at 11:40 p.m. Saturday. By that time, it was too late to save the horses, according to Donald Rathbone, chief of the Charlestown Fire District. "The roof had collapsed. Most of the walls had collapsed," Rathbone said of the barn where the horses were kept. "It was just a ball of fire." Five of the horses belonged to the farm at 410 Old Coach Road, while the others were being boarded there, according to Rathbone. The cause of the fire has not been determined, but fire officials do not believe it to be suspicious. Posted by Steve Peoples at 11:04 AM Fire destroys abandoned state hospital in TauntonTAUNTON, Mass. -- A fire destroyed what had remained of the former Taunton State Hospital, which had been closed for decades. The five-alarm fire started last night and burned out of control for a few hours. Two ladder trucks remained on the scene this morning, although the flames had been extinguished, Taunton fire Capt. Scott Dexter said. One Taunton firefighter suffered what officials described as a minor injury. The hospital building has been closed for decades, and it was not believed that anyone was inside. -- The Associated Press Posted by Jack Perry at 10:47 AM Baltimore man held without bail in girlfriend's death
WARWICK -- A Baltimore man charged with killing his girlfriend this weekend in a Warwick motel was ordered held without bail at his arraignment this morning. Malbon D. Bolden Jr., who was in Rhode Island this weekend for a kickboxing tournament, was charged with murder in the beating death of Maria Sample. Bolden, 44, of 6903 Lachland Circle, Baltimore, did not enter a plea during the arraignment in District Court, Warwick, because Superior Court has jurisdiction in murder cases. -- Journal staff writer Zachary Mider On Saturday night, Bolden fought in the Superbouts -- Winter Smash kickboxing tournament at the Rhode Island Indoor Sports Complex on Jefferson Boulevard, according to the police. At about 10:30 a.m. yesterday, the police went to the Motel 6 on Jefferson Boulevard after a guest called the front desk to report yelling and fighting in the next room. The police say they arrested Bolden when he tried to flee, and after obtaining a search warrant, found Sample's body in the room. Judge William C. Clifton scheduled a March 30 bail hearing after ordering Bolden held without bail. -- Journal staff writer Zachary Mider Posted by Jack Perry at 10:39 AM Hit-and-run suspect to be arraigned this morningPROVIDENCE -- A North Smithfield woman charged in a fatal hit-and-run is scheduled to appear in District Court this morning. Lori Benoit, 39, is charged with two counts of leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death and two counts of leaving the scene of an accident resulting in serious bodily injury. Police say she struck a group of pedestrians early Saturday morning who were standing outside a car parked in the breakdown lane of Route 44. Two people -- Jason Roy, 36, of Rehoboth, Massachusetts, and Robert George, 36, of Glocester -- were killed and two others were injured. Three hours after the accident a North Smithfield police officer spotted a Dodge sedan that matched the description of the car that struck the pedestrians. Police responded to the scene, 220 Woonsocket Hill Rd., the home of Benoit. She was arrested and held without bail over the weekend. Benoit was on probation for a 2005 drug prosecution charge. -- The Associated Press contributed to this report Posted by Steve Peoples at 10:06 AM Weather Service issues fire warningThe National Weather Service has issued a warning for elevated fire potential today across northern Connecticut, northern Rhode Island and south central Massachusetts. The warning is in effect from noon until 6 p.m. Cold weather may work against the fire, but high winds and low relative humidity could create fire growth potential. Posted by Kate Bramson at 9:16 AM RI man charged after car chase in Maine and NHHAMPTON, N.H. -- A Rhode Island man is charged with leading police in Maine and New Hampshire on a chase that reached speeds of more than 100 miles an hour. Police say 20-year-old Andrew Renaud of Coventry was arrested last night in Hampton Beach after running over spikes police had put on the road. Police say the chase began when a Maine state trooper tried to stop Renaud after clocking his car going more than 100 miles an hour on Interstate 95 around 9 p.m. Renaud is charged in New Hampshire with drunken driving, disobeying an officer and reckless driving. He faces more charges in Maine. -- The Associated Press Posted by Kate Bramson at 9:00 AM March 17, 2006Journal again named New England newspaper of yearBOSTON -- For the third year in a row, The Providence Journal has been honored as "Newspaper of the Year" in its circulation category by the New England Newspaper Association. It was among 11 publications so honored today during NENA's Spring Publishers Conference. The Journal competed in the category of daily newspapers with circulations of 150,000 and above. Also recognized in that category as distinguished newspapers were the Boston Herald and The Hartford Courant. The other newspapers of the year include the following dailies: Gloucester (Mass.) Daily Times; Portsmouth (N.H.) Herald; The Telegraph of Nashua, N.H., Republican-American of Waterbury, Conn.; Portland (Maine) Press Herald; The Sunday Telegraph of Nashua, N.H.; The Sunday MetroWest Daily News of Framingham, Mass., and Maine Sunday Telegram. Two weeklies, the Roslindale (Mass.) Transcript and the Cambridge (Mass.) Chronicle, were awarded newspaper of the year status. Providence Journal photographer John Freidah also won one of 10 Publick Occurrences Awards for photojournalism, for his work in the series "Saving Block Island." Posted by Andrea Panciera at 4:59 PM DEM to scale back search for missing URI studentsNARRAGANSETT -- The state Department of Environmental Management expects at sunset today to scale back its search and recovery efforts for the three missing University of Rhode Island students. The DEM has worked with a number of other agencies since the U.S. Coast Guard suspended its search for the students shortly before sunset Tuesday. Now, the DEM and Narragansett Police instead expect to conduct random daily patrols on Narragansett Bay, DEM spokeswoman Gail Mastrati said. DEM will continue its normal daily patrols in that area. The department reported that it made the decision to scale back the search after consulting with the families of the missing students: Daniel P. Donahue, 20, of Glocester; Geoffrey M. Wilkes, 18, of Glocester; and Fandia M. Sod Shloul, 21, of Pawtucket. The students haven’t been seen since around 2:30 a.m. Monday, when they left a small party in the Bonnet Shores neighborhood and took a small rowboat out onto the bay. DEM encourages the public to report any new information about the missing students to its Division of Law Enforcement at (401) 222-2284. The DEM has worked throughout its search with Narragansett, Providence and state police as well as fire departments from Narragansett, North Kingstown and Jamestown. The patrols have covered all waters south of the Jamestown Bridge to Beavertail Point in Jamestown and westerly to Varnum Point in the town of Narragansett. Dive teams also searched the waters around the students’ last known location and in areas of the Bay as determined with sonar equipment. Posted by Kate Bramson at 4:48 PM Rhode Island-backed lawsuit blocks EPA clean-air changesA federal appeals court today stopped the Environmental Protection Agency from relaxing pollution requirements for power plants, refineries and manufacturers. A group of 14 states, including Rhode Island, sued the EPA in 2003, seeking to block a Bush administration policy shift that would make it easier for older plants to make upgrades without having to install more pollution controls. The U.S. Court of Appeals in Washington ruled that the EPA change violated the language of the federal Clean Air Act, and that any such change can only be authorized by Congress. Industry groups say the decision will do little to help air quality. -- The Associated Press contributed to this report Posted by Steve Peoples at 4:24 PM Trump's Johnston casino plans subject of meetingCasino plans in Johnston will be the subject of a public meeting Monday organized by Trump Entertainment Resorts, whose president and CEO James B. Perry surprised the community and the state when he acknowledged last month that Donald Trump had his gaze set on Johnston. The Johnston Town Council has discussed the possibility of a casino in several closed sessions. Now, Trump Entertainment has invited the public to a 7 p.m. Monday meeting to discuss the proposed project. The meeting will be at Lombardi’s 1025 Club, located at 1025 Plainfield St. in Johnston. A developer working with Trump first came before the Town Council in a closed session on Feb. 2 to pitch his ideas for a casino in town and to discuss the results of a survey conducted that week. Posted by Kate Bramson at 4:20 PM 6th-grader suspended in wake of allegation of inappropriate touchingWEST WARWICK -- A sixth-grader at Deering Middle School has been suspended indefinitely after two female students alleged he touched them inappropriately, School Committee Chairman Daniel T. Burns Jr. said. One incident allegedly took place in the school library on Thursday of last week, Burns said. After the girl made the allegation, the boy was suspended, he said. A second girl came forward today with another allegation against the same boy, Burns said. -- Journal staff writer Zachary Mider Posted by Andrea Panciera at 4:10 PM Chafee picks Flanders for federal appeals court seat
Journal file photoFLANDERS PROVIDENCE -- U.S. Sen. Lincoln Chafee has selected former state Supreme Court justice Robert G. Flanders Jr. to fill a vacancy on the 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Boston. At a press conference this afternoon at Chafee's downtown office, the Republican senator said part of the reason he liked Flanders as Rhode Island's representative on the federal court is because he was a frequent dissenter on the state's high court. "I'm sometimes a frequent dissenter in my party," Chafee said, "and that shows a lot of courage, and I like that." Flanders, 56, stepped down from the state Supreme Court in 2004 after serving there for nine years. He has since worked for the law firm of Hinckley, Allen and Snyder of Providence, most recently representing Robert A. Urcioli, the embattled former president of Roger Williams Hospital. Flanders said at the press conference that he plans to keep working on the Urcioli case until his confirmation process was complete. A vacancy on the federal court was created after the current -- and only -- Rhode Island judge, Bruce M. Selya, announced earlier this week he would become a senior judge to lighten his workload. The 1st Circuit, based in Boston, hears appeals from Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine and Puerto Rico. It has six active judges. A federal statute requires that, to the extent possible, every state should have one resident on a federal appeals court. The court also has four senior judges, but one, Frank M. Coffin, of Maine, plans to retire after hearing his last cases in May. Selya became eligible for senior status about six years ago. Circuit judges receive lifetime appointments and annual salaries of $171,800. In appointing federal judges, the president often follows the recommendation of the senator in that state from his party. So in this case, the recommendation comes from Chafee, who is running for reelection in one of the nation's most closely watched races. President Bush's nominee would then face Senate confirmation, where it can take a year or two to confirm a controversial nominee. Posted by Steve Peoples at 2:28 PM Waterfront filming begins tomorrowPROVIDENCE -- Filming will begin tomorrow for the CBS pilot Waterfront, a prospective television series set in Providence about a charming but ethically challenged mayor. The filming will span three weeks. CBS officials will not say exactly when or where it will take place, but Providence residents shouldn't be surprised to see film crews in popular public spots like the State House and City Hall. Actor Joe Pantoliano, who has appeared on The Sopranos, plays the mayor, while William Baldwin plays an ambitious attorney general. Larenz Tate, of the hit movie Crash, also stars in Waterfront. The show's creator said the character is not modeled after former Providence Mayor Vincent A. Cianci Jr., now in prison on a corruption conviction. The show's future is uncertain. CBS officials will decide whether to pick up the series once the pilot is finished later in the spring. -- With reports from Journal TV writer Andy Smith More on the filming in tomorrow's Journal and on projo.com... Posted by Steve Peoples at 2:22 PM Photo: Cleanup time at site of Central Falls building collapse
Posted by Andrea Panciera at 1:18 PM Chafee to name choice for federal appeals courtPROVIDENCE -- In a special announcement planned for 3 p.m. today, U.S. Sen. Lincoln Chafee will recommend a Rhode Island resident to serve on the 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Boston. Rhode Island's current representative on the federal court, Judge Bruce M. Selya, recently decided to assume senior status, lightening his caseload and opening the opportunity for a Rhode Island resident to take his place. When such vacancies arise, tradition gives a senator from the president's party the opportunity to recommend a nominee. The president's pick is then subject to confirmation by the Senate Judiciary Committee. Those expected to receive consideration include former state Supreme Court Justice Robert G. Flanders Jr., U.S. District Judge William E. Smith, state Superior Court Judge Robert D. Krause, U.S. Attorney Robert Clark Corrente and state Supreme Court Justice Paul A. Suttell. Today's announcement will take place at the Rhode Island Republican senator's Providence office, 170 Westminster St. Posted by Steve Peoples at 12:10 PM Residents urged to vent with Kennedy aideCitizens will have a chance to vent about personal and national concerns early next week when a representative from Congressman Patrick Kennedy's office visits three Rhode Island communities. Residents are encouraged to attend the informal meetings in Woonsocket, East Providence and Portsmouth with Kennedy aide Paula Bradley; no appointment is necessary. The visits are part of an outreach program "designed to assist individuals with federal concerns," according to a Kennedy press release. The meeting schedule is as follows: - Monday: 9 to 11 a.m. at the Woonsocket Elks Club, 380 Social St. - Tuesday: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the East Providence Senior Center, 610 Waterman Ave. - Thursday: All day at the Portsmouth Senior Center, 110 Bristol Ferry Road Posted by Steve Peoples at 11:52 AM Downtown ice rink to close for seasonPROVIDENCE -- Winter sports lovers have three more days to enjoy skating at the Bank of America City Center -- the popular Downcity ice rink in Kennedy Plaza. Although cold temperatures are expected into next week, Sunday will be the last day of skating for the season. The rink closes at 10 p.m. tonight through Sunday. Adults pay $6, while seniors and children 12 and under pay $3. Rentals are $5. Posted by Steve Peoples at 11:21 AM First national autism conference kicks offPROVIDENCE -- The country's first National Autism Symposium starts this morning at the Rhode Island Convention Center. Educators, psychologists, social workers and family members are invited to attend the two-day forum, which will feature keynote addresses from accomplished people with autism and workshops led by experts. In conjuction with the conference, there will be an exhibit of art by people with autism and a special performance by 13-year-old piano progidy Matt Savage. Click here for more information about the conference. Posted by Steve Peoples at 11:15 AM Cicilline: Come celebrate St. Patrick's Day at City HallPROVIDENCE -- Mayor David N. Cicilline (Or is it O'Cicilline today?) is inviting the public to enjoy traditional Irish music and an Irish step dancing performance today at City Hall. The celebration starts at noon, and refreshments will be served. Rev. Thomas J. Tobin, bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Providence, is among the featured speakers. Tomorrow Cicilline will serve as honorary grand marshal at the annual St. Patrick's Day Parade, which kicks off at noon at the corner of Elmhurst Avenue and Smith Street. The parade will include several marching bands, clowns, local students, floats, Irish dance groups, pipe bands, Clydesdale horses and the New England Patriots Cheerleaders, according to the mayor's office. Posted by Jack Perry at 8:59 AM Local church rocks out for the poorPROVIDENCE -- Grace Church will hold a Eucharist Service later today featuring the rock music of Irish band U2. The St. Patrick's Day service will be held to support U2 frontman Bono's mission to help the world's poor. The church will play the politically-charged music for one hour with an accompanying video beginning at 7 p.m. Church officials say the service will help local charities. Grace Church, an Episcopal Church, is on the corner of Westminster and Mathewson Streets. Posted by Steve Peoples at 8:48 AM March 16, 2006Health Dept.: 6-month-old boy dies from flu complicationsA 6-month-old Central Falls boy has died of complications from the flu, according to state officials. Kevin Garcia died March 9 at Memorial Hospital in Pawtucket from pneumonia caused by the flu, the state Department of Public Health said in a press release today. The flu season started late this year in Rhode Island, and the flu is currently widespread, the Health Department said. Kevin suffered from "regular, seasonal influenza," according to the Health Department. Children are especially vulnerable to the flu, and children across the nation are killed by the flu every year, according to the Health Department. Last year, the flu killed 24 people under the age of 18 nationwide. Fourteen have died so far this year. A flu shot is the best way to protect against the flu, although the shots aren't available to children 6 months and younger, according to Dr. David Gifford, director of health. Gifford said, "Our hearts go out to the family of this very young baby who died of the seasonal flu. This untimely death must remind us that we are lucky to have a vaccine that is effective in protecting Rhode Islanders older than 6 months of age." Posted by Jack Perry at 6:03 PM 4th day of searching for URI students endsNARRAGANSETT -- The state Department of Environmental Management called off its search in Narragansett Bay for the three missing University of Rhode Island students at 5 p.m. today but expects to head back onto the water tomorrow morning. Three boats and two dive teams searched the waters but found nothing in the fourth day of the search for the students who took a rowboat into the bay at 2:30 a.m. Monday, DEM spokeswoman Gail Mastrati said. The dive teams concentrated their search in the last known area where the students were, around the docks at URI’s Narragansett Bay Campus, Mastrati said. They also searched a bit further north and south, and they again searched areas that were investigated yesterday, she said. The search team also maintained a presence on the shoreline, Mastrati said. The students left a small party at the beginning of URI’s spring break and haven’t been seen since. They are Daniel P. Donahue, 20, of Glocester; Geoffrey M. Wilkes, 18, of Glocester; and Fandia M. Sod Shloul, 21, of Pawtucket. Posted by Kate Bramson at 5:06 PM WaterFire will kick off season May 13PROVIDENCE -- WaterFire Providence has released its schedule of 16 WaterFires this year, with the season starting on May 13 and ending Oct. 21. The displays, which feature bonfires accompanied by music on the three rivers running through downtown, have drawn thousands of people since the first lighting in 1994. Fans can expect to see all 100 of WaterFire's floating braziers in action this year. Last year, the number dipped to 75 after vandals damaged some of the buoys that help hold the braziers in place. The schedule includes a partial WaterFire, on Sept. 26, and more shows could be added. Posted by Jack Perry at 4:59 PM Healey's platform: Life's a beach for Ocean State's No. 2Talk about phoning it in. From a beach, in another time zone on another continent, Robert J. Healey Jr. announced today that he is once again running for lieutenant governor. Most politicians rent ballrooms or large halls to declare their candidacy, but Healey chose a beach in Uruguay to launch his platform: Rhode Island doesn't need a lieutenant governor. "I have chosen this location because I think that it demonstrates that no matter where you are in the world, and no matter what you are doing, you can also be serving as Rhode Island's lieutenant governor,'' Healey said in his announcement speech, which he e-mailed to news organizations. "Waiting for the demise of the governor can be accomplished just about anywhere, any time, and by just about anyone with a pulse. I probably would do it here on the beach.'' Healey, of Barrington, has run unsuccessfully for governor three times and once before for lieutenant governor. He pledged again not to take a salary or hire a staff if elected. "I could not justify such a boondoggle being hoisted upon the backs of the hard working taxpayers of Rhode Island. If I wish to advance my political career, I will do it without using a taxpayer-subsidized soapbox," he said. More in tomorrow's Journal and on projo.com ... Healey, 48, will run under the Cool Moose banner that he founded. He will face state Sen. Elizabeth H. Roberts, a Democrat, and Republican Kernan "Kerry'' King. Lt. Gov. Charles J. Fogarty has to leave office at the end of the year because of term limits and is running for governor. -- State House bureau writer Scott Mayerowitz Posted by Andrea Panciera at 4:48 PM Gallery Night starts up for 10th seasonPROVIDENCE -- It’s opening night of Gallery Night Providence’s 10th season. The popular monthly art tour offers visitors free access to nearly two dozen art galleries and cultural sites throughout the city, from 5 to 9 p.m. Except during winter months, Gallery Night is held on the third Thursday of each month. Tonight’s theme is "Creative Genius." A free shuttle service begins at the Citizens Plaza at 6 p.m. and loops around the city. People can catch up with the bus at any one of the galleries. For more information, read today's Journal story. Posted by Kate Bramson at 4:36 PM Senate passes Reed amendment to increase heating help for poorThe U.S. Senate this afternoon narrowly approved an amendment, The Senate voted 51-49 to pass Reed's amendment, which would The amendment was made to the fiscal year 2007 budget. -- Journal Staff Writer Timothy C. Barmann. LIHEAP is a federal program that provides grants to states in The program also funds energy crisis grants, as well as Reed has introduced or supported several measures in the ``I am overjoyed that the Senate has voted to support full ``This vote signals real help for families and seniors -- Journal Staff Writer Timothy C. Barmann. Posted by Jack Perry at 4:35 PM Providence man accused of stabbing womanPROVIDENCE -- Police allege that a 57-year-old Providence man stabbed a 49-year-old woman in a domestic incident last night. Robert Angell, of 584 Smith St., had begun to flee the apartment when police arrived shortly after 7 p.m. in response to a report of a domestic disturbance, according to the department’s incident report. However, police apprehended the man in a parking lot behind the apartment building. They also seized three knives. Melanie Burge, of the same address, was taken to Rhode Island Hospital with two stab wounds to her upper chest and neck, according to the report. She was in fair condition, the hospital said this afternoon. Angell has been charged with felony assault. Posted by Kate Bramson at 4:17 PM Survey: Teen smoking in R.I. drops to all-time lowPROVIDENCE – Teen smoking in Rhode Island is at an all-time low, according to survey results released today by the state Department of Health. Less than 16 percent of Rhode Island high school students who responded to the national Youth Risk Behavior Survey said they were smokers. That compares to 35 percent in 1997. “The numbers are hopeful. I think Rhode Island has been doing what works,” said Betty Harvey, manager of the state Department of Health's Tobacco Control Program, in referring to anti-smoking media campaigns, legislative changes, and school educational campaigns. The percentage of Rhode Island high school students who smoke has dropped steadily in each of the last eight years, since 1997 when the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention first distributed the youth surveys. In 1997, 35 percent of Rhode Island high school students said they were current smokers, or had smoked at least one cigarrette in the previous 30 days. In 2001 the number dropped to 25 percent, slipping again to 19 percent in 2003. Last year, the number fell to 15.9 percent, meeting the CDC’s Healthy People 2010 goal for adolescent smoking of 16 percent. “We’re five years ahead of time,” Harvey said. “That’s happened faster than anybody anticipated. The question in my mind is what’s next.” Noting that more than 8,000 high school students still smoke, according to the data, Harvey warned against relaxing prevention programs and criticized efforts by some lawmakers to weaken the state’s tobacco laws. About 2,250 students from 24 Rhode Island high schools responded to the survey between January and May 2005. The full results of the Youth Risk Behavior Surveys -- which include data regarding drug and alcohol use, physical activity, nutrition and suicide -- will be released in the coming weeks. Posted by Steve Peoples at 3:42 PM Area bishops: Corned beef OK for St. Pat's menu
Journal file photoCorned beef, as made at Pot au Feu in Providence.
It’s OK for area Roman Catholics to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with a traditional corned beef and cabbage meal, even though the popular observance falls on a Friday in Lent. Bishop Thomas J. Tobin has dispensed Catholics in the Diocese of Providence from their Lenten obligation to abstain from meat on Fridays for tomorrow. His fellow bishops in the neighboring Dioceses of Boston and Fall River in Massachusetts have done the same. The Providence diocese encompasses the entire state of Rhode Island, where 679,000 Roman Catholics worship in 152 parishes and shrines. Bishop Tobin reminded church members that if they make use of this dispensation they should practice an alternate act of penance, charity or prayer. Posted by Kate Bramson at 1:25 PM 4 undocumented workers nabbed at Newport Naval baseNEWPORT -- Federal agents arrested four undocumented foreign workers, employed by a maintenance contractor, when they arrived for work at Naval Station Newport on Monday wearing security badges. The Guatemalan and Columbian immigrants worked for AID Maintenance Co., of Pawtucket, and now face deportation proceedings initiated by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). They are scheduled to appear before a federal immigration judge. “One of our highest work site enforcement priorities is safeguarding critical infrastructure and sensitive security from the presence of unauthorized individuals,’’ Matthew J. Etre, acting special agent-in-charge for ICE in New England, said in a statement. “Working hand in hand with these facilities, ICE agents are able to identify gaps in security and shut down potential vulnerabilities to our national security.’’ Prior to Monday's arrests, federal agents determined that 140 of the Pawtucket company's 250 employees were working illegally. It is unclear how many worked at Naval Station Newport and if more arrests are expected. The Naval Criminal Investigative Service, the Social Security Administration and the Office of the Inspector General assisted in the investigation. -- Journal Staff Writer Richard Salit Posted by Steve Peoples at 1:02 PM March Madness online: A slam dunk for workers?Add another voice to the water-cooler conversations about March Madness. New upgrades in technology make it even easier this year for employees to follow the NCAA basketball tournament online during the workday. While the Internet has previously offered little more than updated game scores, this year, CBS Sportsline.com offers free, live Webcasts of all 56 NCAA men’s basketball games in the first three rounds. Some consultants estimate that employers will lose $237 million in wages for every 13.5 minutes workers spend on-line tracking games. CBS Sportsline’s Webcasts allow as many as 200,000 people to simultaneously watch the games on their computers. While no Rhode Island teams are in the playoffs this year, Boston College does play the University of the Pacific at 12:40 p.m. today Luckily for many employers, another regional team, the University of Connecticut, plays tomorrow at 7:25 p.m., after the traditional workday ends. Posted by Steve Peoples at 11:53 AM Brown student injured in 30-foot fall from dorm windowPROVIDENCE -- An unidentified female student fell from an open, third-floor window in a residence hall at Brown University this morning and suffered apparent minor injuries, a university spokeswoman said. The 21-year-old student was conscious and alert after the fall, which occurred at about 3 a.m. She told Brown police that she fell accidentally. She fell about 30 feet from Buxton House, a residence hall on Wriston Quad, at 27 Brown St., and landed on the grass about 3 feet away from the building's foundation, according to spokeswoman Molly DeRamel. The student was taken to Rhode Island Hospital for treatment. DeRamel, who declined to identify the student, said she does not know anything more about the circumstances. -- Journal staff writer Gregory Smith Posted by Jack Perry at 11:09 AM 3 boats back in water searching for URI students in Narragansett BayNARRAGANSETT -- Three boats are again searching the waters of Narragansett Bay for the bodies of the three University of Rhode Island students who have been missing since early Monday, when the students took a rowboat into the near-freezing water around 2:30 a.m. Nothing new has been located since Monday, when search crews recovered the boat, two oars, a baseball cap and a sandal, said Steven Hall, chief of the Department of Environmental Management's Division of Law Enforcement. The Narragansett and state police departments and DEM each have had boats on the water since early this morning, Hall said. Weather permitting, those boats are expected to search for most of the day, he said. Posted by Kate Bramson at 10:50 AM Beloved Del Sesto principal returns to warm welcome, less payPROVIDENCE -- John Craig returned to Del Sesto High School this morning and was mobbed by adoring students who had protested his departure the day before. Students cried and hugged the beloved Del Sesto principal as he walked into the Springfield Avenue public school. Yesterday, Providence schools Supt. Donnie Evans reversed his decision to transfer Craig to another school after 200 ninth grade students staged mass protests, refusing to go to class. At 8:45 this morning, Craig called an impromptu assembly for the entire ninth grade. “Thank you all for your show of support,” he said, standing in the same cafeteria where angry students confronted Evans yesterday. “I’m very proud of you…My job is to pull us back together and keep doing positive things.” And while Craig said he was thrilled to be back, he acknowledged that it came at a cost. School officials changed his job title from director to assistant principal. And they cut his salary from between $9,000 and $10,000. -- With reports from Journal staff writer Linda Borg Posted by Steve Peoples at 10:36 AM Hillary Rodham Clinton to help launch Brown forumPROVIDENCE -- U.S. Sen Hillary Rodham Clinton will speak to the Brown University community on Saturday, April 8. Tickets are available online at 6 a.m. tomorrow -- but only to those with valid Brown IDs. The New York Democrat and former first lady is helping to launch Brown’s new forum on women and leadership, the Doherty-Granoff Forum. She is the only first lady to serve in Congress and is mentioned frequently as a possible presidential candidate. For tickets, go to Brown's Web site here. -- With reports from projo.com and the Associated Press Posted by Kate Bramson at 9:56 AM The saints -- and celebs -- be with us at State House partiesPROVIDENCE -- Political leaders will join the stars of a CBS pilot at State House parties later today to mark St. Patrick's Day and St. Joseph's Day. Actor William Baldwin will join Providence Mayor David N. Cicilline as special guests at a shindig in the Senate chamber, while actor Joe Pantoliano and Mayor Tony Sheary, of Nenagh, Ireland, will attend a separate party in the House chamber. Balwin and Pantoliano star in CBS' new drama, Waterfront, a show to be filmed in Providence about a charismatic, but ethically-challenged mayor. Incidentially, the program's creator said that former Providence mayor, Vincent A. Cianci Jr., now in prison on a corruption conviction, was not the inspiration of the character. Both parties begin at 4 p.m. at the State House and are open to the public. Posted by Steve Peoples at 9:37 AM Search to resume today for bodies of missing studentsNARRAGANSETT -- Boat crews plan to search Narragansett Bay this morning for the bodies of three University of Rhode Island students who disappeared after taking a rowboat onto the water Monday. According to the Department of Environmental Management, three boat crews spent yesterday scanning the bay without success. The missing students, Daniel Donahue, 20, Geoffrey Wilkes, 18, and Fandia Shloul, 21, were on spring break. Police say they left a small off-campus party early Monday morning and launched a borrowed rowboat in heavy fog. Coast Guard officials called off a rescue effort Tuesday, saying the students' chances of survival are slim if they never left the 40-degree water. -- The Associated Press Posted by Jack Perry at 8:59 AM March 15, 2006Hearing on future of Club Diesel to continue / Photo
Chris Bissanti, far right, the manager of Club Diesel, is among those who attended a hearing today before the Providence Board of Licenses on a city police request to shut down the popular downtown club. The small meeting room at City Hall was crowded with lawyers, those who gave testimony to the board and some club supporters. No decision was made on the request, which is expected to be the subject of several more hearings.
Posted by Andrea Panciera at 5:28 PM State suspends search for bodies of missing studentsNARRAGANSETT -- Local officials have ended their search today for the bodies of three University of Rhode Island students who disappeared after taking a rowboat out onto Narragansett Bay two days ago. According to the Department of Environmental Management, boat crews from the Narragansett and state police departments and DEM spent the day searching the bay's western passage. Nothing was found, according to dispatcher Michael Mahoney, in the DEM's law enforcement division. All three agencies plan to search again tomorrow morning, Mahoney said. The missing students -- Daniel Donahue, 20; Geoffrey Wilkes, 18; and Fandia Shloul, 21; were on spring break. Police say they left a small off-campus party early Monday and launched a rowboat in heavy fog. Coast Guard officials called off a rescue effort yesterday, saying the students' chances of survival are slim if they never left the 40-degree water. -- The Associated Press and projo.com reports Posted by Jack Perry at 5:18 PM Student protest prompts return of popular Providence principalIn an unexpected reversal prompted by student protests, Providence schools Supt. Donnie Evans will allow a popular principal to stay at Del Sesto High School. About 200 ninth graders walked out of classes early this morning and later protested in a hallway for hours after learning principal John Craig had been transferred to another school. Craig had initially requested the transfer, but changed his mind about a week and a half ago. Evans initially said despite the change of heart, Craig would have to go. But after visiting Del Sesto this morning, Evans said he was moved by the students' passion. The superintendent announced his reversal over the intercom this afternoon. Students were ecstatic. Craig will be back at the Springfield Avenue school tomorrow. -- With reports from Journal staff writer Linda Borg
Posted by Steve Peoples at 4:07 PM Supporters plan rally today to keep Brown Bookstore independentPROVIDENCE -- A newly formed coalition is hoping that a rally tonight will help convince Brown University not to lease its $12-million-a-year bookstore to a national retailer such as Barnes & Noble’s college division or Follett Higher Education Group. The rally is at 5:30 p.m. in front of the bookstore at 244 Thayer St. The Save the Bookstore coalition sprouted quickly in the wake of news early this month that the majority of a university review committee favored leasing the bookstore, coalition spokesman Brian Sweeney said. “We really have faith that the university, after seeing the kind of support there is for the bookstore, will actually make the right decision for Brown and the community and agree to keep the bookstore independent,” Sweeney said. More than 175 people have signed on as supporters and allowed the coalition to post their names on its website. One of the group’s main concerns is that a three-story chain bookstore, opposed to some of the more modest chains that exist on Thayer Street, would drive up rents and put enormous pressure on independent businesses along the trendy stretch of Thayer, Sweeney said. The new group is led by fewer than 10 people, but it already has well over 200 people on its e-mail list, Sweeney said. He doesn’t know how many of those people support the organization’s cause or are just interested in the group’s actions. The bookstore has been a staple of College Hill on Providence’s East Side since 1970. Posted by Kate Bramson at 3:52 PM Magistrate opposes Price's request to return to R.I. prisonPROVIDENCE -- A federal court magistrate recommends that convicted murderer Craig Price not be transferred back to a Rhode Island prison. Price, who as a Warwick teenager confessed to killing four people, sought to be transferred from a Florida prison to the Adult Correctional Institutions in Cranston. Federal Magistrate Jacob Hagopian yesterday recomended that Price's request be denied. A federal judge will soon act on the recomendation. Such recommendations are generally not overturned. Price, locked up in 1989, was transferred to a Florida prison in December 2004. Posted by Steve Peoples at 3:29 PM Quaker Fabric strikes deal on second buildingQuaker Fabric Corp. of Fall River announced today it has signed a deal to sell a second building as it continues to consolidate manufacturing operations in a bid to cut expenses. The fabric maker has signed a purchase and sale agreement to sell its former Somerset plant at 3129 County Street to Fred Smith of Cumberland for $1.75 million, the company disclosed in a regulatory filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The company said it expects to close on the sale no later than July 14. Last week, Quaker Fabric announced it had reached an agreement to sell a former Fall River manufacturing plant, Plant D on Quequechan Street, for $1.4 million. Shares of Quaker Fabric were down 2 cents at $2.44 in midday trading on the Nasdaq Stock Exchange. Posted by at 3:27 PM NCAA denies URI's bid to extend Robinson's eligibilityDawan Robinson's basketball career at the University of Rhode Island is over. Robinson had to ask for an exemption because it would have been a sixth year at URI. He could not play his first year for academic reasons and missed the 2004-05 season with a broken bone in his foot. Rules dictate athletes must complete their eligibility in five years. URI officials said committee members understood the reasoning behind Robinson's request. But they said under current rules, Robinson's request did not meet the need for extraordinary hardship. Changes in the rule would have to be made legislatively, not by a subcommittee, URI officials were told. ''We are very disappointed that the spirit and intent of the legislation that governs these kinds of circumstances, while not lost, was certainly not fulfilled in the committee’s decision,'' said Director of Athletics Tom McElroy. ''The committee is charged to act on behalf of the membership when the timing of legislative process does not permit adoption of a by-law to close loopholes or unintended consequences.'' Robinson was named an Atlantic 10 First-Team All-Conference selection this year after finishing ninth in scoring (15.7), fifth in steals (1.85) and sixth in assists (4.31) in the league. -- Journal sportswriter Paul Kenyon Posted by Art at 3:23 PM Twin Oaks waiter accused of stealing from charity golf tourneyCRANSTON -- The state police have charged a waiter at the Twin Oaks Restaurant with stealing more than $9,000 from a charity golf tournament he organized last year in memory of a co-worker who died of cancer. Michael Monroe, 39, is accused of stealing nearly every dollar of profit raised by the Denis Cushing Memorial Golf Tournament, money that was supposed to go toward two scholarships at Cranston High School East and to the Tomorrow Fund, which helps children with cancer, said state police Capt. Stephen J. Lynch. The state police Financial Crimes Unit found just $7.07 in the golf tournament’s bank account when they searched it in January, Lynch said. They learned that some of the money had been withdrawn from ATMs at the Newport Grand and Lincoln Park gambling parlors and at Foxwoods Resort Casino, Lynch said. Monroe was arrested at his home, at 1574 Cranston St., yesterday at about 4 p.m., and faces one count of unlawful appropriation. A bail commissioner released him later last night on his own recognizance. Cushing, 53, a lifelong Cranston resident and a waiter at Twin Oaks for 22 years, died in July 2004. The fundraiser, which included a tournament and a dinner, took place last August at Cranston Country Club, Lynch said. The event took in about $19,300, but it cost about $10,000 to put on, Lynch said. The rest was kept in a bank account controlled by Monroe, who organized the event, he said. --Journal staff writer Zachary B. Mider Michael Regine, manager at Twin Oaks, said at about noon today that he had just learned of Monroe’s arrest and had suspended him until he learned more. He said Monroe has worked as a waiter and at other jobs at the restaurant. "As far as I know, Mike has always been a good guy, never any problems,’’ Regine said. "But obviously, if somebody does something like that, they won’t be working here.’’ --Journal staff writer Zachary B. Mider Posted by Jack Perry at 2:15 PM GTECH to air plan to carve up West Greenwich propertyWith a move into its new Providence headquarters scheduled for Nov. 1, GTECH Holdings Corp. is making plans to carve up and sell most of the acreage making up its current corporate headquarters in West Greenwich. GTECH expects to present a plan to the West Greenwich Town Council tonight, for turning its property into a Special Management District, or a corporate campus, according to Robert Vincent, spokesman for GTECH. The company would like to split the roughly 70-acre property into eight separate parcels and sell it off to developers to build office buildings, manufacturing space, and possibly a hotel and restaurant. GTECH currently has two buildings on the West Greenwich property -- its corporate headquarters and a manufacturing facility. The company will keep the manufacturing facility and sell off the headquarters building, according to Vincent. GTECH plans to move 500 people into its new Providence headquarters at the end of the year and keep about 500 people in the West Greenwich manufacturing and assembly facility, said Vincent. Vincent estimates that the sale and development of its property in West Greenwich could result in about $100 million worth of investment. -- Journal business writer Andrea Stape Posted by Jack Perry at 12:00 PM Wind, dry weather combine to generate brush-fire warningDry weather and strong winds have prompted the National Weather Service to issue a red flag warning todaybecause of the increased potential for brush fires. With less than a quarter-inch of precipitation over the past five days, soil is dry in Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts, according to Neal Strauss, a meteorologist for the weather service bureau in Taunton, Mass. That combined with relative humidity dropping below 30 percent and wind gusts pushing 50 mph creates dangerous conditions, Strauss said. "For those people smoking, you want to make sure you extinguish your cigarettes," Strauss said. The warning is in effect for Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts until 6 p.m. The strong winds have also prompted the weather service to issue a wind advisory for much of southern New England and gale warnings off shore. Strauss said, "We could see wind gusts up to 50 mph and winds that strong can down some small tree limbs and branches which could cause some isolated power outages." Posted by Jack Perry at 11:47 AM 9th graders at Del Sesto High students protest principal's transferPROVIDENCE -- Upset that their principal has been transferred, about 200 ninth graders at Del Sesto High School have left their classrooms today. City Schools Supt. Donnie Evans met with students this morning, but they weren't satisfied when he told them he would consider returning Principal John Craig to the school next year, but not this year. The school got off to a poor start this year, opening without textbooks and supplies, which forced teachers to borrow books from other schools and copy lessons and homework assignments. Another principal started the year but stepped down a couple of days after school began. Others filled the role before Craig came on board in October. Teachers say Craig returned stability to the school. Students were crying in the hallways this morning. One student told Evans that Craig had been like a father to him. The school building on Springfield Avenue houses ninth graders, who comprise the high school, and middle schoolers. The ninth grade classrooms are located on the building's third floor. Lower floors in the building serve the middle school. After meeting with Evans, the students have refused to return to their classrooms on the third floor and instead are in the hallways. Some students are holding signs. One says, "We're nothing without Mr. Craig." Oscar Paz, an assistant principal, said he hopes the students return to class later today. "We're taking it slow," he said. "I understand they're very emotional." -- With reports from Journal staff photographer Andrew Dickerman and projo.com staff writer Steve Peoples Posted by Jack Perry at 11:16 AM Pats' Vinatieri expected to visit Green Bay
Vinatieri was paid a base salary of $2.5 million for last season, higher than the $2-million average annual value of Longwell's contract with Minnesota. Considered one of the best cold-weather kickers in NFL history, Vinatieri would figure to be a good fit at frigid Lambeau Field. He and Mike Vanderjagt of the Colts are the biggest-name kickers available on the free-agent market, as several teams look to upgrade at the position. Posted by Mike McDermott at 11:09 AM Cranston apartment fire sends 6 to hospitals / Photo
Delgado believes the fire broke out in the lower level of the three-story building, but he said it took about two hours to get the fire under control. That's because the fire traveled quickly to the upper floors, hidden from sight in the utility chases where the electrical wires and plumbing run, he said. "It was a tough fire to put out because it was concealed," he said. Firefighters were on scene one minute after a 1:30 a.m. call about the fire at 947 Dyer Ave., an apartment building with about 24 units, he said. Of the four firefighters transported to Rhode Island Hospital, one remains under observation for smoke inhalation, two have been treated and released after being electrically shocked by some of the wires in the apartment walls and one was treated and released for smoke inhalation, Delgado said. A Cranston police officer remained in Kent County Hospital and one resident of the apartment building was taken to Rhode Island Hospital, both for smoke inhalation, Delgado said. The chief declined to release the names of the injured, citing federal health privacy regulations. An investigative team was on scene digging through the rubble, he said. The Red Cross was helping those displaced by the fire. Posted by Kate Bramson at 10:41 AM City board to consider closing Club DieselPROVIDENCE -- The city Board of Licenses will hear testimony this afternoon about whether to close a popular downtown nightclub. Providence police have asked the board to close Club Diesel, the scene of a series of violent confrontation in recent months, including two stabbings. The Washington Street venue shares space with the music club, Lupo's Heartbreak Hotel. The Board of Licenses meeting begins at 1 p.m. inside City Hall. Club supporters have encouraged community members to turn out in large numbers to protest the possible closure. The board may make a decision today, though it is not required to do so. See a detailed agenda here. Posted by Steve Peoples at 10:17 AM Search for URI students dwindles to dive teamTwo days after the three University of Rhode Island students disappeared in Narragansett Bay, the water search for them is down to a small dive team from the Narragansett Police and some patrol boats from the Department of Environmental Management, according to DEM spokeswoman Gail Mastrati. After the U.S. Coast Guard suspended its massive search shortly before sunset yesterday, DEM assumed the lead for the recovery effort. Strong winds had been predicted for this morning, but the weather is appropriate for the patrol efforts, Mastrati said. For more on yesterday's search efforts, read today's Journal story. -- projo.com staff writer Kate Bramson Posted by Kate Bramson at 10:13 AM Overnight fire displaces 20 at Cranston apartment buildingCRANSTON -- A fire broke out overnight in a Cranston apartment building, displacing 20 residents. The fire at the Dyer Avenue complex began around 1:30 a.m. The blaze displaced residents from their homes and caused some injuries. The Red Cross says it's currently assisting 20 people affected by the fire. The cause of the fire is under investigation. -- The Associated Press Posted by Jack Perry at 8:42 AM March 14, 2006Coast Guard to suspend search for students at sundownNARRAGANSETT -- The U.S. Coast Guard will formally suspend search and rescue operations for the three missing University of Rhode Island students at sunset today, URI said in a press release this afternoon. The students have been missing since taking a rowboat into Narragansett Bay early Monday morning. The state Department of Environmental Management has assumed the lead for the recovery effort, with support from the Rhode Island State Police, the Narragansett Police and the Coast Guard, URI said. DEM and other public safety agencies will resume patrols tomorrow morning at reduced intensity, URI said. Read more about today's search efforts ... Posted by Jack Perry at 5:19 PM Bill would legalize sports betting at R.I. venuesPROVIDENCE -- A North Providence lawmaker has introduced a bill that would legalize sports betting at the state’s two gambling venues, Lincoln Park and the Newport Grand. Rep. William San Bento Jr. says that House bill 7741 would bring much-needed revenue to the state. "I know that you have to go to Nevada if you want to engage in sports betting that is legal and sanctioned by our federal government," he said in a statement. "I have introduced this legislation because I want to start talking about making Rhode Island an exempt state and get a cut of this gambling money -- not to make bookies rich, but to support the government programs and services that our citizens rely upon." The bill has been referred to the House Committee on Finance. Co-sponsors include Rep. Arthur J. Corvese, of North Providence, and Rep. Peter L. Lewiss, of Westerly. Successful passage of the law would require federal officials to amend the Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992, a move that San Bento acknowledged would be difficult. "And while it is just commonly accepted that sports betting is legal only in Nevada, my question is why should that state have the chance to reap enormous benefits from legalized sports gaming when Rhode Island can't," San Bento said. Posted by Steve Peoples at 5:01 PM Bills would close loopholes in sex offender registryPROVIDENCE -- Lawmakers are expected to debate several bills today that would close what law enforcement officials call loopholes in the state's sex offender registry laws. A bill proposed by Attorney General Patrick C. Lynch would require all Rhode Island convicted sex offenders to register with the state. Currently, offenders convicted before July 1, 1992, are not required to register. A second bill would force sex offenders required to register in other states to also register in Rhode Island if they move here. The hearing by the House Judiciary Committee was scheduled to begin today at 4:30 p.m. -- The Associated Press Posted by Steve Peoples at 4:53 PM Michael Derderian's trial in Station fire case to start July 31A trial date for Station fire defendant Michael Derderian has been set for July 31, with the case to be heard at the new Kent County courthouse in Warwick. Some preliminary selection of jurors will be conducted the week before, with individual questioning of potential jurors to start, if needed, on July 31. Derderian is one of three men, including his brother, Jeffrey, who had been charged with manslaughter in the aftermath of the February 2003 fire at the West Warwick nightclub that killed 100 people. The Derderians were co-owners of the club. No trial date has yet been set for Jeffrey Derderian, who will be tried separately. The third defendant, Daniel Biechele, pleaded guilty to 100 counts of involuntary manslaughter last month. As tour manager for the band Great White, Biechele set off the pyrotechnics that ignited the fire. -- Journal staff writer Paul Edward Parker
Posted by Andrea Panciera at 3:17 PM Sox' manager Francona returning for 2 yearsFORT MYERS, Fla. -- Boston Red Sox manager Terry Francona agreed today to a two-year contract extension that runs through the 2008 season. In his first season with Boston in 2004, Francona managed the Red Sox to their first World Series title in 86 years. They won AL wild card again last season but were swept by the Chicago White Sox in the first round of the playoffs. Francona, who managed the Philadelphia Phillies from 1997-2000, replaced Grady Little on Dec. 4, 2003. His previous deal was guaranteed only through this year, and Boston had a club option for 2007. -- Associated Press Posted by Andrea Panciera at 1:51 PM Pats' Givens heading to TitansNew England Patriots' free agent wide receiver David Givens has agreed to a multi-year contract with the Tennessee Titans, according to a report on the Titans' Web site. The report quotes Titans' General Manager Floyd Reese, saying, “David is a proven winner that will provide experience to a young receiving corps. He has a great upside being only 25-years old and he will add another dimension to our receiver group.” In four seasons with the Patriots, Givens played in 53 games, catching 158 passes for 2,214 yards. He played on two Super Bowl winners. Posted by Jack Perry at 12:35 PM Hope fades in search for missing URI studentsNARRAGANSETT -- Hope is dwindling in the search for the three University of Rhode Island students missing since early yesterday, even though the U.S. Coast Guard is continuing its efforts in Narragansett Bay. Peter Martin, a commander with the Coast Guard in Woods Hole, Mass., stressed at a press conference this morning that survival in waters hovering around 40 degrees Fahrenheit is limited to about 20 minutes without lifejackets, which the students did not have. The three apparently went for a ride in a rowboat after a small party at a home in Bonnet Shores. The Coast Guard’s discussions with the students’ family members this morning have not been optimistic, he said. “We’re very careful not to give them any sense of false hope,” he said. Although the Coast Guard does not perform “search and recovery” missions, the agency is “transiting” away from a rescue mission, he said. -- With reports from Journal staff writer Arthur Gregg Sulzberger Posted by Jack Perry at 12:01 PM Roe v. Wade lawyer to speak at Brown tonightPROVIDENCE -- The lawyer who argued and won the Roe v. Wade decision before the U.S. Supreme Court will appear at Brown University this evening. Sarah Weddington, who argued the landmark abortion rights case in 1973, will deliver a lecture entitled, “The Future of Choice in America,” at an event hosted by the Brown Democrats. The 7 p.m. lecture, to be held at the Salomon Center for Teaching, is free and open to the public. Tickets will be distributed at the door beginning at 6 p.m. Read more on the Brown Democrats' site. -- projo.com staff writer Steve Peoples Posted by Jack Perry at 11:28 AM Fog stalls use of helicopter in search for studentsNARRAGANSETT -- The Coast Guard plans to use a helicopter to help with the search for three missing URI students once the morning fog lifts, a spokesman said. The search continues this morning with boats, including one with an underwater camera, in Narragansett Bay, but the fog was too heavy early to send out a helicopter, according to the Coast Guard. As of 10 a.m., visibility was about one-quarter mile, but searchers expect the fog to lift shortly, according to Coast Guard spokesman Ensign Nicholas M. Anderson. The team plans to continue searching through the daylight hours today, he said. -- By projo.com staff writer Kate Bramson and Journal staff writer Arthur Gregg Sulzberger Searchers this morning are using a U.S. Coast Guard boat, two Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management boats, one of which has an underwater camera on board, according to Anderson. A Rhode Island State Police dive team is also searching, he said. Moderate winds at this time are southwesterly, about 10 to 15 knots, and they’re expected to shift to westerly winds as the day progresses, Anderson said. Waves are about 1 to 2 feet. Also this morning, university officials reported that one of the students, Daniel P. Donahue, 20, is from Glocester, not Smithfield as was reported yesterday. The other missing students are Geoffrey M. Wilkes, 18, also of Glocester, and Fandia M. Sod Shloul, 21, of Pawtucket. The three students attended a small party at a Bonnet Shores home in Narragansett Sunday night before heading out on the bay early yesterday morning in a small rowboat equipped with two oars but no lifejackets.
Posted by Jack Perry at 11:16 AM Convicted murderer Hazard's quest for new trial continuesNEWPORT -- Convicted murderer Derick Hazard’s quest for a new trial continues as lawyers for both sides submitted briefs late yesterday to Superior Court Judge Edwin Gale. In the court documents filed in Newport County Superior Court, Hazard’s defense argues that his former attorney failed to present evidence during the trial related to a traffic stop in New Jersey hours before the Providence murder that would have likely changed the outcome. The Attorney General’s Office says the new evidence isn’t enough to warrant a new trial. For more background, read the most recent Journal story on the case. -- projo.com staff writer Steve Peoples Posted by Jack Perry at 10:50 AM Coast Guard continues search for 3 missing URI studentsNARRAGANSETT -- Coast Guard crews are continuing their search for 3 University of Rhode Island students who disappeared on a row boat on Narragansett Bay. Coast Guard spokeswoman Kelly Turner says the search will last through dusk if necessary. Police have identified the students as 20-year-old Daniel Donahue, 18-year-old Geoffrey Wilkes and 21-year-old Fandia Shloul. A helicopter and 41-foot utility boat are among the rescue craft participating in the search, which began yesterday and went through the night. Police say the missing students were at a small, off-campus party before they launched the boat early yesterday morning. -- The Associated Press Posted by Jack Perry at 9:14 AM Pretrial conference today in Station casePROVIDENCE - A pretrial conference is scheduled today in Superior Court for Jeffrey and Michael Derderian, owners of The Station nightclub. The Derderians have been charged with 200 counts of manslaughter each for the Feb. 20, 2003 fire at the nightclub, which killed 100 and injured more than 200 others. Posted by Jack Perry at 8:54 AM March 13, 2006Carcieri to pitch education reforms to Regents tomorrowPROVIDENCE -- Governor Carcieri will appear before the state Board of Regents tomorrow afternoon to push sweeping education reforms. The governor has planned to hold a special meeting with the board since unveiling his education agenda last month. His initiatives include adding millions of dollars to improve the quality of math and science education, extending the school day in urban districts and creating a new system for evaluating teachers. Tomorrow’s meeting begins at 4 p.m. at the state Department of Education’s Shepard Building, 255 Westminster St. Posted by Andrea Panciera at 5:15 PM Police chief: 3 missing URI students all from Rhode IslandNARRAGANSETT -- Narragansett Police Chief J. David Smith has identified the three University of Rhode Island students who disappeared early today after getting in a row boat in Narragansett Bay. They are: Daniel P. Donahue, 20, of Smithfield, a junior in the College of Environment and Life Sciences; Geoffrey M. Wilkes, 18, of the Harmony section of Glocester, a sophomore in the College of Environmental and Life Sciences; and Fandia M. Shloul, 21, of Pawtucket, a sophomore in the College of Nursing. The chief identified the students at a media briefing being held late this afternoon on the search for the students. The search will continue all night, if needed, officials said at the briefing. -- With reports from Journal staff writer Randal Edgar More to come ... Posted by Andrea Panciera at 5:10 PM Missing URI students ID'd as 2 men and 1 woman / Photo
One is a nursing student, and the two others are in the university’s environmental life science program, Carothers said. Their names have not been released. Police are in the process of contacting families of the missing students, Smith said. A Coast Guard search for the three is continuing, and a press briefing was being held by the Coast Guard late this afternoon. -- Journal staff writer Arthur Gregg Sulzberger Posted by Andrea Panciera at 4:39 PM Coast Guard holding briefing on search for 3 URI studentsNARRAGANSETT --The U.S. Coast Guard plans to hold a press briefing at 4 p.m. today on the University of Rhode Island’s Bay campus to provide an update on the search in Narragansett Bay for three missing URI students. No one has yet been found, according to a Coast Guard spokesman Earlier reports had only confirmed that two of the three were URI students. According to a press release issued late this afternoon by URI, the students attended a small party at a Bonnet Shores home and left in a small boat around 2:30 a.m. They had two oars but no lifejackets in the boat. Police said friends tried to prevent the students from leaving in the boat, according to URI’s director of communications, Linda A. Acciardo. The press conference will be at the Coastal Institute on South Ferry Road on the university’s Narragansett Bay campus. The search for the students continues with boats from the Coast Guard, Narragansett police, state police and the state Department of Environmental Management, according to Acciardo. Posted by Andrea Panciera at 4:02 PM Judge: Carpio's statements to police can be heard at trialPROVIDENCE -- A Superior Court judge has ruled that a jury can hear statements a man accused of killing a Providence police detective made to the police. Judge William A. Dimitri Jr. has denied a motion to suppress statements made by Esteban Carpio after Providence Police Det. James Allen was shot and killed at police headquarters last April. Dimitri heard arguments on the motion in January and issued his ruling today. Carpio's trial is scheduled to start April 24. Posted by Jack Perry at 2:32 PM Green Airport feeling slight impact from Midwest stormsSevere storms in the Midwest have caused a smattering of delays at T.F. Green Airport, according to an airport spokeswoman. “Weather conditions elsewhere do impact us,” said Patti Goldstein, the airport’s vice president of public affairs. “People should check with their carriers.” There are no arrival delays, Goldstein said at around noon. But there are a handful of delays and cancellations for departures, primarily involving flights heading to the New York region. Check the airport’s Web site for updates on flights' status. --projo.com staff writer Steve Peoples Posted by Jack Perry at 12:55 PM Boat recovered as search continues for missing 3The U.S. Coast Guard has recovered a boat in Narragansett Bay in its search for three people, at least two of whom are University of Rhode Island students. URI President Robert Carothers says a boat was found around 5:30 a.m. floating in the water. The Coast Guard says an oar, ball cap and sandal also have been found. Carothers says he is not certain that the missing students were in the boat, but he is concerned. He says he hopes that whoever was in the water made it safely to shore. -- With reports from projo.com staff writer Kate Bramson and the Associated Press Posted by Jack Perry at 12:27 PM Gasoline prices in R.I. rise againPROVIDENCE -- Gasoline prices in Rhode Island have increased for the second straight week, according to AAA Southern New England. The average price for a gallon of regular, unleaded gasoline is $2.27 at the self-service pump, up 4 cents from last week, according to AAA's weekly survey. After peaking at $2.41 on Jan. 30, the price dropped every week last month before increasing 3 cents last week, according to AAA. Posted by Jack Perry at 11:25 AM 4 animals suspected of having rabies killed in PawtucketPAWTUCKET -- Authorities have killed four animals in the last few days that were suspected of having rabies. A police officer on Saturday morning destroyed a raccoon that was roaming behind a Boys & Girls Club in the city. The raccoon was seen dragging its hindquarters -- typically a sign of rabies. A sick skunk was killed Friday by an animal control officer, and two other skunks were destroyed on Saturday. Posted by Jack Perry at 11:17 AM Coast Guard searching Bay for three URI studentsBOSTON -- The Coast Guard is searching Narragansett Bay for three University of Rhode Island students. The students took a row boat from a pier at URI's Narragansett Bay campus early this morning. A security guard heard yelling and screaming from the water about 4 a.m. and called the Coast Guard. Coast Guard spokeswoman Kelly Turner said several boats and a helicopter have been searching for the students since about 5:30. They have found an oar, ball cap and sandal. University spokeswoman Linda Acciardo referred questions to the Coast Guard. View a map of the campus. Posted by Jack Perry at 10:55 AM Woonsocket woman charged with embezzling from Catholic nonprofitWOONSOCKET -- Police say a Woonsocket woman faces embezzlement charges for allegedly stealing $61,000 from her employer, a company associated with the Catholic Church. Police say 50-year-old Sharon Lanois wrote checks to herself and forged the company's authorization. She worked as an agent liaison and an accountant for Catholic Family Life Insurance, a Catholic fraternal society and nonprofit. The company's chief executive officer reported Lanois on Thursday after an internal audit discovered the missing money. Lanois turned herself in on Saturday and is facing 42 counts of embezzlement. -- The Associated Press Posted by Jack Perry at 10:51 AM Carcieri to address group trying to limit state spendingPROVIDENCE -- Governor Carcieri this morning is scheduled to address a new group calling itself the Affordable Rhode Island Coaltion. The group says it will draw on bipartisan political support, citizen, taxpayer and business groups in an effort to limit state spending and provide tax relief for property owners. The coalition will meet at 11 a.m. today at the Old State House on Benefit Street. Posted by Jack Perry at 9:00 AM March 10, 2006New pub in Smithfield causes controversyThe chatter in Smithfield these days is about Effin's Pub n' Grill, a restaurant that obtained the necessary food, beverage and entertainment licenses on Tuesday to open soon. The owner of the new venture, William Gowen, used to own a place in San Diego that still operates under the same name, which advertises as having the "best effin' food in town." That phrase just doesn't cut it for state Sen. John J. Tassoni Jr., who has launched a challenge against the restaurant along with some legislative colleagues. Tassoni is calling for the Town Council, which approved the licenses at a meeting Tuesday, to reconsider whether the restaurant can come to town. "The council has to look at how they're going to advertise," Tassoni said. "Do we want: 'Come and get the best effin' deal' on the front page of The Observer, the local paper? With the young kids we have, I don’t think we need to see that." After the issue hit the radio airwaves today, Town Council President Richard Poirier took Tassoni to task, saying the senator was well aware that the council had a public hearing scheduled this Tuesday about the restaurant’s requested liquor license. "He didn't show up at the hearing to address any concerns at that time," Poirier said. "He didn't even bother to e-mail the council or send any written comments. I think this is just another case of fishing for free publicity." Tassoni said he's pretty sure the American Civil Liberties Union will be "all over" him for his opposition to the restaurant's name. He said he just doesn't think the council had enough information about the type of restaurant Gowen operates before they cast their votes. Poirier said he asked Gowen where the name came from, and Gowen said he and his father named the place after a small town in Ireland where their ancestors lived. "It was a reflection of their Irish-American heritage," Poirier said. "To read any more into that, I think, is political correctness gone amuck." -- Journal staff writer Kate Bramson Posted by Kate Bramson at 5:23 PM Central Falls police investigate baby's deathCENTRAL FALLS -- Police are investigating the death of a 6-month-old boy who was fatally stricken while in the care of a babysitter. Police Chief Joseph P. Moran III said that, despite the investigation, the death doesn’t appear suspicious. He said police are awaiting the outcome of an autopsy before making a determination in the case. The boy was taken by ambulance to Memorial Hospital in Pawtucket around 4 p.m. Thursday. Rene Coutu, the Central Falls fire chief, said rescue workers received two calls from the babysitter, the first saying that the baby was ill, the second saying that he had stopped breathing. -- Journal staff writer John Castellucci The boy’s mother was at work when the baby was stricken, Coutu said. The boy had been sick and was receiving medication, Coutu said, before the babysitter called. Police have not released the baby's name. Thomas Dwyer, associate director of the Department of Children, Youth and Families, said that DCYF is also conducting an investigation. He said the boy’s sister has been placed in DCYF custody as a precautionary measure while the investigation is under way. A spokeswoman for the Rhode Island Medical Examiner’s Office said the autopsy results probably won’t be available until Monday. Dwyer said that, like the police, DCYF is awaiting the autopsy results before making a determination about whether the case involved abuse or neglect. -- Journal staff writer John Castellucci Posted by Jack Perry at 4:45 PM R.I. Press Association seeks scholarship applicantsThe Rhode Island Press Association is seeking applications for its annual $1,000 scholarship, which is awarded to an outstanding college student preparing for a career in print journalism. Applications must be received by April 15. Students need not be majoring in journalism to be eligible. Instead, judges are looking for academic achievement and a demonstrated interest in print journalism, such as work on school or community newspapers. Nominees must be residents of Rhode Island attending any four-year college or nonresidents enrolled at a Rhode Island college or university who are entering the 2006-07 academic year as juniors or seniors or those who are enrolled as full-time graduate students. The scholarship money is paid directly to the student. Interested students should send a letter of nomination from a college official or instructor detailing the student’s accomplishments along with a cover letter, résumé and samples of work, including newspaper stories, classroom assignments or any other supporting material, to Betty Cotter, managing editor, South County Independent, P.O. Box 5679, Wakefield, R.I. 02879. A panel of editors will judge the nominations. The press association will award the scholarship at its annual banquet in May. Posted by Jack Perry at 4:11 PM Carcieri urges Rhode Islanders to observe Sunshine WeekPROVIDENCE -- Governor Carcieri has signed a proclamation recognizing next week as Sunshine Week in the Ocean State and saying that Rhode Islanders are entitled to the "greatest possible information" about their government. Sunshine Week is observed nationally by news organizations and advocates to emphasize the importance of the public's right of access to government information. The proclamation quotes James Madison, one of the framers of the U.S. Constitution, saying, "Knowledge will forever govern ignorance, and a people who mean to be their own Governors, must arm themselves with the power knowledge gives." The proclamation encourages all Rhode Islanders to join in the observance. Posted by Jack Perry at 3:39 PM Teen released from hospital after Cranston accidentA 16-year-old West Warwick girl who was injured late last night when her car rolled over on Hope Road in Cranston was released from Hasbro Children's Hospital today, the police said. A passerby notified the authorities about the collision, not far from the intersection of Hope and Burlingame Roads, at 10:37 p.m., the Cranston police said. Her car, headed east, left the road and rolled at least once, coming to rest on its roof. The girl suffered moderate injuries and spent the night in the hospital, said police Maj. Ronald T. Blackmar. The police did not identify her. The cause of the accident is still under investigation today. -- Journal staff writer Zachary R. Mider Posted by Jack Perry at 2:58 PM Temperature climbs, weather service lifts wind warningPROVIDENCE -- Businesses have opened their doors to let in the fresh air, and workers on break are basking in the sunshine in downtown Providence. The sun has broken through the clouds, pushing the temperature to 66 degrees, and the National Weather Service has lifted its wind advisory for all but south coastal Massachusetts, saying the strongest winds have already moved off shore. Showers could move through the area, but should be brief, according to the weather service. Posted by Jack Perry at 2:48 PM Block Island Times soldNEW SHOREHAM -- The Block Island Times has been sold to new owners. According to the weekly newspaper, Publisher Bruce Montgomery agreed to a deal Wednesday with Betty and Fraser Lang, the founders of Manisses Communications Group. The newspaper did not disclose the terms of the sale. Fraser Lang once worked for the Block Island Hooter, a mimeographed sheet that preceded the Times. He and his wife said they approached Montgomery to talk about the newspaper and they learned Montgomery was interested in selling it. The newspaper's staff members are expected to keep their jobs. One of the Langs' sons works as a campaign manager for U.S. Sen. Lincoln Chafee. Another works as Chafee's deputy communications director. -- The Associated Press Posted by Jack Perry at 2:29 PM State targets dirt bike, ATV use in management areasPROVIDENCE -- The state Department of Environmental Management says it will increase patrols in state management areas to prevent the illegal use of all-terrain vehicles. State regulations prohibit the use of ATVs and dirt bikes in state management areas, but the DEM says it receives "numerous complaints" about ATVs and dirt bikes being used in those areas. The DEM says it will increase patrols primarily on weekends, paying special attention to the Big River Management Area in West Greenwich and George Washington Management Area in Glocester. Penalties may include fines of up to $100 for each violation, according to the DEM. Posted by Jack Perry at 12:45 PM More Rhode Islanders file tax returns electronicallyAbout 133,400 taxpayers from Rhode Island have filed their federal income-tax returns electronically so far this season, the Internal Revenue Service said today. That's a 2.5 percent increase over the same point last year, when about 130,100 e-filed, according to IRS figures. About 71 percent of all returns filed from Rhode Island so far this season were e-filed, up from about 69 percent at the same point last year, the IRS said. Most have been e-filed by paid preparers, though there's an increase this year in the number of people who've e-filed via home computer. Posted by Neil Downing at 12:15 PM Weather service: High winds today, sunshine tomorrowPROVIDENCE -- Tomorrow should feel like a beautiful spring day with sunshine and the temperature reaching 60 degrees, but southern New Englanders must first get through today. Today's forecast brings warm weather, but also a chance of showers, and the National Weather Service has issued a wind advisory for northwest Rhode Island, northeast Connecticut and most of Massachusetts, including Greater Boston. Southwest winds should increase to 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 50 mph by the middle of today, the weather service says. The winds will diminish by late tonight. Posted by Jack Perry at 9:18 AM Mass. singer eliminated from American IdolLOS ANGELES -- Ayla Brown, the 17-year-old singer from Wrentham, Mass., was eliminated from the competition on the popular Fox TV talent show American Idol. Survey: Should Ayla Brown have survived the cut last night? Brown fought back tears as host Ryan Seacrest announced she would be leaving the show. "It's OK to cry," Seacrest told her. "It's because you care." After she performed Natasha Bedingfield's "Unwritten," judges told the high school senior she needed to "be younger" on stage. Three other singers were also eliminated, leaving 12 in the competition. Read the full story from the Associated Press. Posted by Jack Perry at 9:00 AM U.S. Energy official to speak at Brown todayPROVIDENCE -- An official with the U.S. Department of Energy is scheduled to speak at Brown University this afternoon. Raymond Orbach is director of the Energy Department's Office of Science. He's expected to discuss how developing technologies are affecting the Rhode Island and U.S. economies. He'll also join Governor Carcieri in touring technologies that are being developed by Brown researchers. Posted by Jack Perry at 8:57 AM March 9, 2006Judge denies state bid to review Beacon e-mailsA Kent County Superior Court judge directed the state Department of Business Regulation this afternoon to return to Beacon Mutual Insurance Co. a tape containing company e-mails from the last 14 months. Judge Melanie Wilk Thunberg denied the department's request to allow state examiners to review the tape, which was inadvertently given by Beacon to forensic auditors last Friday. "The production of this information would display to the world a host of highly personal matters ranging from individuals undergoing psychiatric treatment to those making loan and hardship requests," the judge wrote in her decision released this afternoon. The subpoena served upon Beacon by the DBR on March 3 sought production of the computer hard drives of 22 Beacon employees, including Michael D. Lynch, vice president of legal services, and Pamela Lee Alarie, director of human resources. The judge granted Beacon's motion to quash that subpoena, saying, "this subpoena is overbroad, overreaching, unduly burdensome and entirely unreasonable." The e-mails were the latest source of contention in a state investigation of Rhode Island's dominant workers' compensation insurer into allegations of favoritism in rate setting for certain Beacon policyholders, including the insurers' longtime board chairman. -- Journal Staff Writer Kate Bramson Posted by Kate Bramson at 5:06 PM Winter was warm for U.S., but not a recordWASHINGTON -- Record warmth in January helped boost the winter of 2005-2006 to the fifth warmest on record. For all the states except Alaska and Hawaii, the average winter temperature was 36.29 degrees Fahrenheit, 1.2 degrees above average. The three months, December through February, are considered meteorological winter. The warmest winter on record was 1999-2000 at 36.95 degrees. Others warmer than this year were 1998-1999, 1991-1992 and 1997-1998. Posted by Jack Perry at 3:25 PM Kenny Chesney to headline Gillette Stadium country showGillette Stadium announced today that it will host the New England Country Music Festival on July 16, featuring Kenny Chesney, Gretchen Wilson, Big & Rich, American Idol winner Carrie Underwood and Dierks Bentley. Tickets for the Third Annual New England Country Music Festival go on sale Saturday at 10 a.m. Fans may purchase tickets at www.ticketmaster.com or by calling either Last year, more than 50,000 country music fans attended the festival. It was the biggest country music show ever held in New England, stadium officials said, and the biggest one-day concert event in the region in 2005. Posted by at 3:12 PM Jury finds Custer Battles liableA federal jury today found that Rhode Island-based Custer Battles LLC and its officers defrauded the government of millions of dollars while working on reconstruction projects in Iraq after the U.S. invasion. The jury ordered former Rhode Islander Michael J. Battles, his partner, Scott Custer, of Virginia, and employee Joseph Morris, along with several related companies, to pay damages and penalties approaching $10 million. After hearing testimony for three weeks in the civil lawsuit, the jury deliberated two and a half days before delivering its verdict. The jury listed dozens of violations of the Federal False Claims Act, such as billing the government $1.3 million on a forged invoice from a Cayman Islands subsidiary for a laundry list of equipment and services, including used forklifts stolen from Baghdad International Airport. U.S. District Court Judge T. S. Ellis III is considering the verdict and has told lawyers for both sides that he may ask the jury to reallocate the damages among the defendants. Ellis has also indicated that he may deal later today with defense motions to throw out some or all of the verdict. Battles, formerly of Barrington, had returned home to Florida several days ago. The jury found Battles personally responsible for more than 40 of the violations alleged by two former company employees who filed the civil lawsuit under a Civil War-era war profiteering law. The jury’s formal verdict assessed $2.9 million in damages to Custer and Battles. But under the law, according to lawyers on both sides, the award is automatically tripled. The jury, in addition, assessed penalties for each of the dozens of violations and awarded back pay and damages to one of the whistleblowers, finding that Custer Battles forced him out of the company after he balked at the scheme. Posted by at 2:25 PM Rhode Island Supreme Court Chief Justice honoredSTARKVILLE, Miss. -- Rhode Island Supreme Court Chief Justice Frank J. Williams will be honored March 21 at Mississippi State University with the 2006 Distinguished Jurist Award from the school’s Pre-Law Society. Williams has led Rhode Island's highest court since 2001. For six years prior to that, he was an associate justice with the Superior Court. In addition to earning bachelor’s and law degrees from Boston University, Williams holds a master’s in taxation from Bryant College (now University) in Smithfield. -- The Associated Press Posted by Kate Bramson at 11:46 AM Pats cut Willie McGinest in salary cap move
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- The New England Patriots have released defensive lineman Willie McGinest, ending a 12-year relationship with the NFL's all-time postseason sack leader in a salary cap move. The release of the two-time Pro Bowler was announced today, the day after the NFL owners voted 30-2 at their meeting in Grapevine, Texas, to extend their collective bargaining agreement with the players for six more years, resulting in a new salary cap figure of $102 million. -- The Associated Press Posted by Jack Perry at 11:24 AM Rhode Island slips in publisher's livability rankingRhode Island ranks as the least livable state in New England, according to a new poll by a Kansas publisher. The list by Morgan Quitno Press ranks the states in 44 categories such as crime, population, poverty, high school graduation rate, median household income and home ownership. Rhode Island ranks 26th among all 50 states, a drop from last year's 23rd ranking. New Hampshire ranks first in New England and first overall. The other New England states had the following overall rankings: Vermont, 4th; Massachusetts, 7th; Connecticut, 10th; and Maine, 17th. Louisiana ranked last out of all the states. Posted by Jack Perry at 9:40 AM Flood summit scheduled in LincolnLINCOLN - - Government officials and business leaders are expected to meet today to discuss the flooding that damaged parts of Rhode Island last fall. The summit in Lincoln this morning will focus on ways to address river flooding and lessen the impact of any future natural disaster. The flooding caused millions of dollars in damages to businesses, homes and government properties in the Blackstone Valley. The meeting is scheduled to take place at the Kirkbrae Country Club in Lincoln. Posted by Jack Perry at 8:57 AM March 8, 2006R.I. considered for $660 million Bristol-Myers plantRhode Island is among four states being considered as locations for a new plant for Bristol-Myers Squibb Company. The drug maker says its board has approved a plan to build a $660 million dollar plant to make biologic products in the United States. Other locations under consideration are Massachusetts, New York and North Carolina. The Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation has been in talks with Bristol-Myers since September. The state is offering the Quonset Business Park as a location for the drug manufacturing facility, which will be built in two phases, according to Michael McMahon, executive director of the EDC. The total project will require 100 acres and a $900 million to $1 billion investment, said McMahon. The plant would employ about 500 workers, said McMahon. As of now, the state is not offering any specific tax breaks or tax incentives to get the company to choose Rhode Island, said McMahon. But he said once the company commits to Rhode Island, the EDC would be willing to ``negotiate.'' The company expects to make a decision on the plant's location by July, according to McMahon. A company spokesman says the final choice will depend on several factors, including the available work force and economic incentives. Foreign sites such as Ireland are also under consideration -- The Associated Press and Journal staff writer Andrea Stape Posted by Jack Perry at 4:33 PM Proposed school closing topic of meeting tonight in JohnstonJohnston parents have a chance to weigh in tonight on the School Department’s proposal to close Graniteville Elementary School and reconfigure the town’s other elementary schools. The first of a series of district Parent-Teacher-Organization meetings will be at 6:30 p.m. at the Sarah Dyer Barnes Elementary School, 24 Barnes Ave. -- Journal staff writer Kate Bramson Facing an anticipated $8 million budget deficit, Supt. Margaret A. Iacovelli unveiled a proposal at last week’s School Committee meeting that would rejigger the town’s middle and elementary schools. Iacovelli proposed creating separate schools for kindergarten and first grades, second and third grades, and fourth and fifth grades, rather than the more traditional elementary schools for grades one to five. Posted by Jack Perry at 4:21 PM Rhode Island College students protest after signs taken downPROVIDENCE -- A group of students at Rhode Island College says the school violated their free speech rights by taking down signs that said ``Take your rosaries off my ovaries.'' The Rhode Island College Women's Studies Organization says it followed the proper procedures when it put the signs up in December. But campus police took them down after getting a call from University President John Nazarian. Junior Nichole Aguiar says the group tried getting permission to put the signs up again for an event this week -- but the college declined, saying it was against the rules to put signs along College Avenue. University spokeswoman Jane Fusco says the school is committed to free speech but has rules about where signs are permitted. Aguiar says students have seen other signs in the same spot. The ACLU has agreed to represent the students. -- The Associated Press Posted by Jack Perry at 4:01 PM Wicked heads PPAC 2006-2007 lineupThree weeks of the Broadway hit "Wicked" are the highlight of the 2006-2007 season announced today by the Providence Performing Arts Center. The show, which won three Tony awards, will come to PPAC Jan. 3-21. The rest of the lineup includes "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels;" "Chita Rivera: The Dancer's LIfe;" "On Golden Pond" with Richard Chamberlain and Hayley Mills; "Hairspray;" "Movin' Out;" "Man of La Mancha;" "Mamma Mia!"; and "Disney's Beauty and the Beast." Family shows and special engagements will be announced later. For more information, call (401) 421-2787. Posted by at 3:36 PM Carcieri won't pursue proposed cut in adult day servicesPROVIDENCE -- Gov. Carcieri says he won't pursue a $5.8 million reduction in funding for adult day services after fielding complaints about the cut, which he proposed in his budget for the next fiscal year. But Carcieri says the state still faces a $300 million budget deficit next year, and he's asking for help in finding ways to save the money elsewhere in the state Department of Mental Health, Retardation and Hospital's budget. "I am inviting the developmental disabilities community to meet with my new nominee to the post of Director of MHRH, Ellen Nelson, to explore other options for saving a similar amount inside the department’s $246 million budget for developmental disabilities programs," Carcieri said in a statement issued today. Posted by Jack Perry at 3:34 PM Hasidic reggae star Matisyahu coming to Ryan CenterHasidic reggae singer Matisyahu will perform at the Ryan Center in Kingston on April 10 at 8 p.m., the venue announced today. Tickets go on sale to URI students tomorrow and to the public on Friday. Born in West Chester, Pa., and raised in White Plains, N.Y., Matisyahu has combined Orthodox Judaism with classic reggae to produce a unique sound. He and his band released their sophomore album, "Youth," yesterday. Tickets are $30 for the public and $15 for URI students with ID. There will be a special pre-sale for URI students tomorrow starting at 10 a.m. at the Ryan Center box office only. Tickets for the public go on sale Friday at 10 a.m., and can be purchased at the Ryan Center box office, at all Ticketmaster outlets, online at Ticketmaster.com, or by calling (401) 331-2211. Posted by at 3:16 PM New Chief Medical Examiner has been appointedA medical examiner from New York City has been appointed chief medical examiner for the state of Rhode Island, according to the state Department of Health. Dr. Thomas P. Gilson has worked in New York City’s Office of the Chief Medical Examiner since November 2002, and he currently works in the borough of Manhattan, according to Ellen Borakove, director of public affairs in the New York City office. Gilson has also worked as deputy chief medical examiner for the state of New Hampshire, acting deputy chief medical examiner in Staten Island, N.Y., and city medical examiner for Kings County in Brooklyn, N.Y. The Rhode Island post has been open since former chief medical examiner Elizabeth A. Laposata resigned June 3 after health officials discovered that hundreds of autopsy reports had not been written. The current salary for the position is $151,257. -- Journal staff writer Kate Bramson Posted by Kate Bramson at 2:52 PM Former PC hoop player sentenced in cocaine caseHARTFORD, Conn. -- A former basketball player at Providence College has been sentenced to six months of house arrest in a crack cocaine case. Allan Baker, 54, of Glastonbury, Conn., was sentenced in federal court in Hartford yesterday for using a telephone to buy large quantities of crack cocaine from a major distributor. Baker, a member of the 1973 Friars' team that made it to the NCCA Final Four, had pleaded guilty in October to a charge of using a cell phone to arrange a crack cocaine purchase. He was a former senior vice president at ING U.S. Financial Services. He had been a prominent Hartford businessman and also served as a Providence College trustee. Baker was among 18 people indicted in 2004 after a six-month federal investigation. -- The Associated Press Posted by Jack Perry at 2:30 PM Rams eliminated from the Atlantic 10 tournamentThe URI Rams lost in lopsided fashion in the first round, 74-45, to John Chaney's Temple Owls, in Cincinnati. Temple sank a season-high 13 three-pointers to overwhelm eighth-seeded Rhode Island. Temple's Antywane Robinson scored 23 points in today's game in Cincinnati. That was one shy of his career high. Sophomore Mark Tyndale added 19 points and senior Dustin Salisbery chipped in with 15 to lead Temple into a second-round matchup tomorrow against top-seeded George Washington. -- projo.com staff and the Associated Press Posted by at 1:53 PM Passenger in fatal crash arrested; police search for handgunSMITHFIELD -- A North Providence police supervisor ordered Officer Michael Tavarozzi not to pursue a Nissan Maxima that fled a traffic stop last night shortly after 7 p.m., according to the police department. The vehicle later crashed in Smithfield, and the driver, 21-year-old Christopher P. Baptista, of 3 Foxwood Drive in Lincoln, was pronounced dead at Rhode Island Hospital. Police began searching for a handgun after recovering a holster for a firearm at the scene of the accident, according to North Providence police. After the accident, North Providence police arrested a 19-year-old passenger on an outstanding bench warrant out of District Court, Smithfield Police Capt. Robert W. VanNieuwenhuyze said this morning. Anderson J. Ramos, of 48 Fairview Ave. in Pawtucket, had failed to appear in court on a marijuana possession charge from the Pawtucket Police Department. He was treated at Our Lady of Fatima Hospital in North Providence and then arrested by North Providence police, VanNieuwenhuyze said. Baptista had sped off after North Providence police pulled him over for speeding on Waterman Avenue shortly after 7 p.m. The chase began, but North Providence soon reported to Smithfield police that they'd stopped pursuing the car and it had crossed into Smithfield, VanNieuwenhuyze said. When Smithfield police responded to the accident on Waterman Avenue near Esmond Street, they found that Baptista's car, which he was driving north on Waterman, had crossed the center line, jumped the sidewalk and struck a low stone wall on the west side of the road. Police are investigating whether another passenger fled before police arrived, VanNieuwenhuyze said. -- Journal staff writer Kate Bramson Posted by Kate Bramson at 1:03 PM Trial delayed in alleged school plot so teens can seek immunityBROCKTON, Mass. -- A judge today delayed the start of the trial of a teenager accused of plotting a Columbine-like massacre at Marshfield High School to give prosecutors more time to seek immunity for two witnesses in the case. The trial of Tobin Kearns, 17, of Marshfield was to begin yesterday, but two prosecution witnesses said through their attorneys that they would invoke their Fifth Amendment privileges against self-incrimination unless they received immunity from prosecution. -- The Associated Press Posted by Jack Perry at 12:42 PM Newly elected Liberian president to visit ProvidenceThe newly elected Liberian president, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, plans to visit Providence March 19, according to U.S. Sen. Lincoln D. Chafee, R-RI. Chafee recently invited President Johnson-Sirleaf to visit the large Liberian Diaspora community within the state. The senator helped oversee Liberia’s first election, held October 11, 2005, after two decades of civil war. A number of local Liberian women who spoke with the Journal before Johnson-Sirleaf’s Jan. 16 inauguration predicted that the Harvard-trained economist would spur a women’s movement in their homeland. An estimated 15,000 Liberians live in Rhode Island. Posted by Kate Bramson at 10:27 AM Lincoln man killed in crash after fleeing North Providence policeSMITHFIELD -- A 21-year-old Lincoln man died last night after fleeing from North Providence police, who had stopped the Nissan Maxima he was driving on Waterman Avenue, according to Smithfield Police Capt. Robert W. VanNieuwenhuyze. Christopher P. Baptista, of 3 Foxwood Drive in Lincoln, allegedly fled into Smithfield at a high rate of speed shortly after 7 p.m. Moments after North Providence police lost sight of the vehicle, Smithfield police received a report that a car had gone off the road in the area of Esmond Park. The car struck a stone wall. Baptista was pronounced dead at Rhode Island Hospital. A male passenger, whom police have not identified, was taken to Fatima Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Police are investigating whether another passenger fled before police arrived, according to VanNieuwenhuyze. Both departments are still investigating. -- Journal staff writer Kate Bramson Posted by Kate Bramson at 9:30 AM Warmer weather on the wayPROVIDENCE -- Get out the shorts and sandals. The National Weather Service says southern New Englanders should enjoy spring-like weather Friday and Saturday. The weather service calls for temperatures in the 40s today and tomorrow, with rain likely tomorrow, and then temperatures approaching 60 degrees Friday and Saturday. Friday brings a chance of rain, but sunny skies should prevail Saturday, according to the weather service. Posted by Jack Perry at 8:57 AM March 7, 2006Famous Newport sculptor's work sold at auctionCRANSTON -- The remnants of a sculptor's extraordinary career were laid out on warehouse folding tables today and sold at auction for about $32,000. Newport artist Felix de Weldon's pieces grace parks and museums around the world, but he died broke in 2003. More than 80 prospective buyers -- some dressed in camel hair, others wearing John Deere tractor caps and cowboy hats -- clamored up the metal stairs of the warehouse, where for me than 11 years, a dozen or more of the artist's plaster busts and clay models had collected dust and unpaid storage fees totaling $8,772. In about an hour, all of the pieces were claimed. Read more in tomorrow's Journal. Read yesterday's Journal story. -- Journal staff writer Tom Mooney. Posted by Jack Perry at 5:12 PM Delta announces T.F. Green service to New YorkDelta Air Lines today announced a major expansion of its Northeast service that will make it easier for Rhode Islanders to reach New York City. The Atlanta-based airline in August will begin offering four flights daily to New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport from T.F. Green in Warwick. The new service will enable Rhode Island residents headed overseas to fly from T.F. Green by providing a link to JFK’s roster of international flights. Currently, flights on United Airlines and U.S. Airways Express from T.F. Green head only to LaGuardia Airport. LaGuardia flights are limited to the United States and Canada. The Delta Connection service from T.F. Green to JFK will be on 37-seat Dash-8 turboprops flown by Freedom Airlines for Delta. Freedom Airlines is an independent airline owned by Mesa Air Group Inc., which signed a partnership agreement with Delta last year. -- Journal staff writer David McPherson Posted by at 4:12 PM West Warwick man charged in Cranston fatalityCRANSTON -- The police have charged a West Warwick man in connection with a fatal hit-and-run collision on Thursday that killed a pedestrian in Cranston’s Oaklawn section. An auto part found at the scene helped point the police to Phanara ``Pete’’ Chai, 22, of 24 Sunset Ave., the police said. Chai agreed to go to police headquarters for questioning last night and was charged in District Court, Providence today with one count of leaving the scene of an accident, death resulting. Chai was released after posting bail, according to court records. City firefighters found Ronald Dandeneau, 61, lying on Wilbur Avenue on Thursday at about 3 a.m. His funeral was today. -- Journal staff writer Zachary R. Mider Posted by Jack Perry at 4:04 PM Carcieri picks Mass. official for Mental Health postPROVIDENCE -- Governor Carcieri has tapped Ellen R. Nelson, a Massachusetts public-health official and the former head of Bradley Hospital in East Providence, to head the Rhode Island Department of Mental Health, Retardation and Hospitals. Carcieri made the announcement at a State House news conference this afternoon. The department has been without a permanent director since August 2003. The Senate committee declined to hold a vote on the governor’s last nominee, Kathleen M. Spangler, a veteran of Rhode Island state government. -- Journal staff writer Zachary R. Mider Posted by Jack Perry at 3:05 PM Developer plans $333 million rehab project in ProvidencePROVIDENCE -- Struever Bros. Eccles & Rouse will make a major announcement tomorrow about a project to develop a stretch of land along the Valley and Promenade streets. Dubbed American Locomotive Works (ALCO), the $333 million project will be the largest single capital investment in Providence since the Providence Place Mall. The project spans 22.5 acres and will transform two dozen historic properties on the former U.S. Rubber, American Locomotive Works, and Nicholson File Company sites into 600 new condominiums, town houses, and loft apartments, as well as office and retail space. Also planned are hotel accommodations, structured parking, and a river walk along the Woonasquatucket River. The ALCO project, a partnership with the Licht family, will begin this year and continue through 2008. When fully developed, the project will encompass nearly two million square feet. Struever Brothers specializes in urban adaptive re-use and rehabilitation of historic structures. They have overseen the rehabilitation of the Rising Sun Mills, also on Valley Street, and have projects at The Royal Mills in West Warwick and The Plant in Providence’s Olneyville section. Posted by Jack Perry at 12:53 PM Warwick man convicted of rapeWARWICK -- A Kent County Superior Court jury today found a Warwick man guilty of raping a 48-year-old West Warwick woman at her home in November 2003. Shane M. Gaspar, 36, of Arlington Avenue, Warwick, was ordered held without bail at the Adult Correctional Institutions after the jury found him guilty of five counts of rape. The verdict was returned at 11 a.m. after less than a day of deliberation. A previous trial ended without a verdict last April, with the jury evenly split over whether he raped the 48-year-old woman. -- Journal staff writer Zachary R. Mider Posted by Jack Perry at 12:30 PM Family, friends urge Coast Guard to continue search for missing fishermen
BRISTOL -- Upset by the Coast Guard's decision last night to stop searching for the missing fishing vessel Min-Flicka, family and friends gathered on the Bristol waterfront today and called for the search to be resumed immediately. They said they believe that the 52-foot wooden trawler, built in 1946, is still afloat because no debris has been spotted since the search began on Friday. Also, its emergency beacon, which emits a signal when immersed in salt water, has not been activated. The family also maintains that the Coast Guard should have been searching an area much further south than the waters its aircraft and boats have been combing off Nantucket. "We know he's out there and he's alive,'' said Michael Cabral, brother of Ray Cabral, who was aboard the Min-Flicka with Joseph Machado. The family, he said, was anguished yesterday afternoon when the Coast Guard reported that some debris, including a life boat, had been spotted by a Coast Guard jet. But within an hour, a closer flying helicopter was able to determine it was only styrofoam of unknown origin, said Cabral. The news, he said, "brought the whole family to tears.'' The announcement that the search was being suspended only worsened matters. "We can't stop searching for a man who is alive,'' he said. -- Journal staff writer Richard Salit Posted by Jack Perry at 12:11 PM Want to sing the national anthem at Fenway?Here's your chance. If you can survive several rounds of auditions, you'll belt The Star Spangled Banner on Saturday, June 24, before the Red Sox play the Philadelphia Phillies. Posted by Sheila Lennon at 11:36 AM Carcieri to announce nominee for Mental Health postPROVIDENCE -- Governor Carcieri plans to announce his new nominee for director of the Department of Mental Health, Retardation and Hospitals in a 1 p.m. State House news conference. Carcieri recently withdrew the name of his previous nominee, Kathleen M. Spangler, after a Senate committee failed to call a vote on her confirmation. The department has been without a permanent director since August 2003. -- Journal staff writer Zachary R. Mider Posted by Jack Perry at 10:19 AM Coast Guard suspends search for missing fishermenPROVIDENCE -- The Coast Guard is suspending its search for two fishermen who were supposed to return to port last week. Joseph Machado and Ray Cabral were supposed to return to Nordstrom Seafood Traders in Tiverton by Friday morning. They went out Wednesday on the 53-foot Min Flicka. The search was launched Friday. The Coast Guard says four aircraft and three cutters have searched a 73,000-square-mile area of the ocean with no luck. The boat's emergency beacon has not been activated. Machado is from Bristol, while Cabral lives in Warren. -- The Associated Press Posted by Jack Perry at 8:59 AM Improv Jones starting new group in Mass.Improv Jones, a 15-year-old Rhode Island improvisational theater company, is starting an offshoot group in the new Arsenal Center for the Arts in Watertown, Mass. Performances will take place every Friday at 8 p.m. starting March 24 in the Black Box Theatre. Tickets are $10. Free parking in the Arsenal Arts Center lot. This sister group has been formed by Improv Jones founding member Christa Crewdson, who will serve as director. Crewdson said in a press release, “I recently moved to Boston from Providence and ... this area has no real offerings for improv comedy except Cambridge. There were other Improv Jones alumni in the Boston area that were interested in forming a Boston branch, so we started rehearsing. We added other local improvisers and now we have a great troupe.” For more information, contact Christa Crewdson at (617) 926-1770. Posted by at 8:57 AM March 6, 2006Fogarty launches campaign for governorJOHNSTON -- Saying that he will bring results, not just rhetoric, Lt. Gov. Charles J. Fogarty today started his campaign to unseat Donald L. Carcieri as governor. In a speech that quickly took the offensive, Democrat Fogarty repeatedly attacked the Republican governor for failing to follow through on his promises. ``For Governor Carcieri, good jobs and a growing economy have been nothing but talking points," Fogarty said. "Four years ago, he told us he was a corporate executive who would deliver on both, but he has delivered on neither." Fogarty said that during Carcieri’s four years in office, the state has lost 6,200 manufacturing jobs and now has the highest unemployment rate in New England. (The state however does have 11,600 more nonfarm jobs since Carcieri took office, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.) -- Journal State House Bureau Scott Mayerowitz "And even those struggling to hold on to their jobs haven't gotten any help from Don Carcieri," Fogarty said, noting that the governor last year vetoed a minimum wage hike and this year let it become law without his signature. He continued to attack Carcieri for plans to close Registry of Motor Vehicles offices and for reducing the budget for Meals on Wheels and day programs for the developmentally disabled. Fogarty, 50, must leave the lieutenant governor's office because of term limits. He was elected in 1998, ousting Republican Bernard A. Jackvony. Before that, Fogarty served as a state senator for eight years. His brother Paul W. Fogarty took over the senate seat and still holds it today. Fogarty, a Glocester native, has essentially spent his entire career in public service. He started as a policy aide to Gov. J. Joseph Garrahy and worked for Roger N. Begin, when the Woonsocket Democrat was general treasurer and lieutenant governor. While working for Begin, he served on the Glocester Town Council, until his election in 1990 to the Senate. That victory forced him to quit his state job with Begin for an elected post that then paid $300 a year. He did some communications consulting on the side. His late father was a state senator and director of the Rhode Island Small Business Administration. He is the nephew of the late U.S. Rep. John E. Fogarty, who represented Rhode Island's 2nd Congressional District for more than 25 years. Fogarty, a man who spent his whole life in Rhode Island's political world, spent a good part of his speech attacking the system for being filled with corruption. "We will no longer watch insiders play the system for their own benefit, while disregarding the real needs and interests of the people. Special interests are immune from accountability, while health care is becoming a luxury even for the middle class," Fogarty said. "Public education is neglected, while private deals are made. Thousands of good paying jobs are lost while backroom deals continue and lobbyists flourish." Fogarty pledged to make Rhode Island "this country’s leader for clean, honest, effective government." He plans to call for term limits in the General Assembly -- which he served for eight years -- saying it would eliminate the ability of officials `` to build backroom networks for their own gain." Other proposals include requiring the disclosure of every meeting between public officials and lobbyists, requiring candidates, elected officials and key staff to disclose their personal assets and any outside sources of income and extending the length of time that officials must wait before working for businesses that are regulated or controlled by the state. "When I see Rhode Island still under the cloud of corruption, when I see the confidence of our people shattered, I know it’s time for a fundamental change in the way our state does business," Fogarty said. "It is a great honor to hold public office and our elected officials must start treating it that way." -- Journal State House Bureau Scott Mayerowitz Posted by Jack Perry at 5:09 PM Channel 12 alleges copyright infringement in Station video lawsuitChannel 12 filed a federal lawsuit today against the Discovery Channel and a documentary production company, alleging the cable network used copyrighted video footage last month in a program about The Station nightclub fire. TVL Broadcasting Inc., which owns Channel 12, seeks unspecified damages in a nine-page complaint filed in U.S. District Court in Providence. On the night of the Feb. 20, 2003, fire, Channel 12 had a camera operator at The Station, shooting footage for use in a story about public building safety in the wake of a deadly stampede a few days earlier in Chicago. One of The Station’s owners, Jeffrey A. Derderian, was a Channel 12 reporter at the time. The footage shot that night includes shots of the fireworks that touched off the fire, people trying to flee, a pile of concertgoers who tripped trying to exit the club’s front door and the outside of the burning building. -- Journal staff writer Paul Edward Parker The complaint says that, in October, Channel 12 received a request for permission to use the footage from Charles Tremayne. The lawsuit identifies him as executive vice president of Granada America, the company that produced the documentary that aired on the Discovery Times Channel. On Oct. 19, Channel 12, whose call letters are WPRI-TV, denied permission in writing, according to the suit. “WPRI-TV has restricted use of the footage out of respect for families and friends of those who lost their lives or were injured in the fire that evening,” Channel 12 said in a statement this afternoon. Matt Katzive, a spokesman for Discovery, declined to discuss the lawsuit. “We do not comment on ongoing legal matters.” -- Journal staff writer Paul Edward Parker Posted by Jack Perry at 4:59 PM North Providence police sergeant indictedNORTH PROVIDENCE -- A six-count grand jury indictment charges a North Providence police sergeant with trying to steal money from an ATM bank machine, harboring a criminal, receiving stolen jewelry and equipment, and obstructing North Providence police. The indictment of Michael Ciresi was returned today following a proceeding that lasted two to three weeks, according to the attorney general’s spokesman, Michael Healey. Ciresi, 38, became the focus of a wide-ranging police investigation after a gun belonging to him was found at the scene of a home invasion in Pawtucket, back in December of 2004. In September, he was arrested and charged with two counts, as opposed to six. At that point, he was accused of receiving a stolen electric generator and obstructing the judicial system. He has been suspended without pay. -- Journal staff writer Mark Reynolds Today's indictment introduces other criminal charges, including a count that undercuts the story that Ciresi told after one of his most celebrated arrests. The indictment charges Ciresi with attempted larceny and trying to steal money from the Atlas ATM Company on Dec. 17, 2004. The allegation is that Ciresi tried to take money out of a stolen bank machine, according to Healey. Previously, Ciresi reported that he had foiled the attempted larceny of the same machine. Early in the morning on Dec. 17, Ciresi arrested 38-year-old Dennis Bautista. In an interview with The Journal, Ciresi accused Bautista of ramming a stolen van through a plate glass window at the Mobil gas station at 1155 Smith St., Providence, hoisting the 150-pound machine into the van and driving away. Ciresi said that a "confidential informant" had warned him of the incident shortly before it happened. He said he drove to the gas station, just across the North Providence line, but Bautista had already left. Ciresi said he had gone to Bautista’s home at 4 Grover St. and found the man in the basement trying to open the ATM machine. The machine only had $100 in it, Ciresi said. A little less than a week later, a .32-caliber semiautomatic gun belonging to Ciresi was discovered at the scene of a home invasion in Pawtucket. After being arrested by Pawtucket police, the accused burglar, Mark W. Pine, told authorities that Ciresi had put him up to the crime. The subsequent investigation led police to Bautista. Bautista told them he had helped steal a generator and deliver it to Ciresi’s home, according to a North Providence police affidavit. Two other men, Darryl and Dean Streeper, also were charged in the case. The new indictment charges Ciresi with helping Darryl Streeper avoid detection, arrest, trial or punishment for the offense of operating with a suspended license. The offense allegedly occurred between Jan. 22 and Feb. 4, 2004. The first count of the indictment accuses Ciresi of receiving a stolen Coleman Powermate generator that belonged to Joseph Brillon of Eagle Cornice Co. of Cranston. The second count charges him with receiving a stolen gold and diamond bracelet. The third count charges him with receiving two stolen watches. The fourth count charges him with trying to steal money from Atlas ATM Company and the fifth count charges him with harboring a criminal. The sixth count charges him with obstructing two police officers, North Providence Patrolman Robert Tella and Capt. Donald Sousa, from carrying out their duties as police officers. Ciresi's arraignment is scheduled for March 22 in Superior Court, Providence. Posted by Jack Perry at 4:15 PM Providence Country Day School receives $1.4 million bequestEAST PROVIDENCE -- Providence Country Day School received the largest bequest in the school's 83-year history today, a $1.4 million gift from a 1940 graduate and his wife. The donation from John A. and Mildred Kydd will establish a scholarship fund in the Kydds’ name and provide financial assistance to students in need. Because the Kydds had no children, they chose to make "a big splash in a small pond" with money accumulated through modest living, said their lawyer, Nate Chace. John Kydd "was always grateful for the educational experience he had at Providence Country Day," a college preparatory school Kydd attended for one year, Chace said. The Kydds were both born in Providence, were married for 43 years and lived in Warwick for most of their lives. Mr. Kydd worked as an installer for the phone company for 45 years. Mrs. Kydd, a graduate of the Rhode Island Schol of Design, worked as an interior decorator for the former Sheperd's Department Store. Read the press release on the school's site. -- With reports from Journal staff writer Karen Lee Ziner Posted by Jack Perry at 3:24 PM Businessman accused of fraud cites chaos in IraqALEXANDRIA, Va. -- The co-founder of a Rhode Island-based contractor accused of defrauding the government testified today that his firm faced enormous challenges in Iraq. Scott Custer told the jury he was frequently shot at and that Iraq lacked basic infrastructure. He's expected to continue testifying this afternoon. He and company co-founder Michael Battles are accused of inflating their profits by using sham companies and submitting false invoices. The whistleblowers could win a portion of any reimbursements made to the government. Custer and Battles have denied the allegations, calling their accusers disgruntled former employees who stand to profit from the lawsuit. Battles ran unsuccessfully for Congress in Rhode Island in 2002 as a Republican. -- The Associated Press Posted by Jack Perry at 2:49 PM Correction: Woonsocket firefighters check out smoke near condominiumWOONSOCKET -- An earlier report from information obtained from Woonsocket Police Capt. Luke Gallant incorrectly said that Woonsocket firefighters were on scene investigating a 10:25 a.m. report of smoke at the Pothier condominiums, located at 1079 Social St. -- Journal staff writer Kate Bramson Posted by Jack Perry at 12:45 PM Coast Guard expanding search for missing fishermenThe Coast Guard is expanding its search for two fishermen missing out of Rhode Island since Friday morning. Ray Cabral, 46, of Warren, and Joseph Machado, 48, of Bristol, haven't been seen since their 53-foot fishing boat, the Min Flicka, left Bristol Harbor on Wednesday. It was due at Nordstrom Seafood Traders in Tiverton early Friday morning. The Coast Guard has spent the past two days searching an area of about 9,000 square miles between Block Island and Nantucket, but the agency expected to broaden that search today, said Petty Officer Luke Pinneo, a Coast Guard spokesman. -- With reports from Journal staff writer Gina Macris Posted by Jack Perry at 12:25 PM R.I. gas prices increasePROVIDENCE -- Gasoline prices in Rhode Island have increased for the first time in more than a month, according to AAA Southern New England. The average price for a gallon of regular, unleaded gasoline is $2.23 at the self-service pump, up three cents from last week, according to AAA's weekly survey. Prices this year had peaked at $2.41 on Jan. 30 and had dropped every week until today, AAA says. Posted by Jack Perry at 11:44 AM Journal's Patinkin discusses book on Today showJournal columnist Mark Patinkin appeared this morning on NBC's Today show with the subject of his new book, Andrew Bateson, a Rhode Islander who caught bacterial meningitis when he was 6 years old. Andrew's case was so severe that both of his legs had to be amputated just below the knee. Now a teenager, Andrew attends high school and plays roller hockey and ice hockey, rides a dirt bike and snowboards. Patinkin writes about the plight of Andrew and his family in Up and Running, published by Time Warner's Central Street imprint. He introduced readers to the family in a series of Journal columns in 2001. Today's Matt Lauer, a former news personality in Rhode Island, interviewed Patinkin and Andrew. Read a Journal story on Patinkin's book. Read Patinkin's six-part series on the Bateson family's fight against bacterial meningitis. Posted by Jack Perry at 11:40 AM Brave boy, subject of Kerr column, dies of cancerZachary Dauphinee, the 10-year-old boy battling cancer who was the subject of Bob Kerr's column in yesterday's Sunday Journal, died yesterday morning at Hasbro Children's Hospital. Marc Dauphinee, Zachary's father, said that his son suffered massive seizures Saturday night, was taken to the hospital and died about 10 hours later. Zachary had been battling liver and lung cancer for two years and had surpassed doctors' predictions for his survival. His parents had given up their jobs to stay at home and care for him. A fundraiser scheduled for this Sunday at the Young Italians Imperial Club at 459 Broadway in Providence will still be held. The family plans to donate half the proceeds to the Tomorrow Fund. Posted by Jack Perry at 10:36 AM Police investigating death of a foster care infantWOONSOCKET -- Woonsocket police and state officials are investigating the death of a 13-month-old infant who was in foster care. Police say they believe the baby girl died this weekend of medical reasons, but say they are not ruling out other possibilities. They say they do not know when the medical examiner would have results to the cause of death. Police have declined to name the infant or the foster parents. They say her parents found the child unresponsive when they tried to wake her up on Saturday morning. She was pronounced dead at a hospital. The state Department of Children Youth & Families are also involved in the investigation because of their role with foster care children. -- The Associated Press Posted by Jack Perry at 9:01 AM Fogarty to announce run for governorPROVIDENCE -- Lt. Gov. Charles Fogarty is scheduled to announce today that he is running for governor. Fogarty, a Democrat, will face Gov. Carcieri, a Republican, in the November election. Fogarty is a former state senator who has served two terms as lieutenant governor. He is expected to make his announcement at 5 p.m. at Lombardi's restaurant in Johnston. Posted by Jack Perry at 9:00 AM March 3, 2006Photo: Inside look at the burned-out Salve dorm
Newport Fire Chief James McIntosh reviews the aftermath of the Salve Regina University dormitory fire in Newport yesterday, saying, "You only see a fire of this intensity three to four times in your career." But while the 8-unit building was destroyed, no one was injured in the blaze. Posted by Andrea Panciera at 5:18 PM Coast Guard searching for fishing boatPROVIDENCE -- Coast Guard crews are searching for a commercial fishing boat that failed to return to port today. A fish house in Tiverton warned Coast Guard officials this afternoon that the Min Flicka didn't return to shore this morning as scheduled. Coast Guard officials say they didn't get a distress call from the boat, and they are unsure how many people are aboard. Two Coast Guard boats, a helicopter and a jet are now looking for the Min Flicka. Posted by Jack Perry at 5:08 PM Brown will return $25,000 in questionable donationsPROVIDENCE -- Secretary of State Matt Brown plans to return $25,000 in questionable donations that three state Democratic parties made to his Senate campaign fund, he said in a statement today. Brown, who is running on a clean government platform, said the contributions from the parties in Hawaii, Massachusetts and Maine were legal, but he still decided to return them. "Clearly, questions have been raised about this situation in some people's minds. I don't want to do anything that raises any questions at all," he said. The contributions could be illegal if they were given as a way to skirt campaign finance law. Under the law, donors are not allowed to contribute more than a certain amount to a political candidate, and donors who have given the maximum amount to a candidate are not allowed to give more by earmarking it and funneling it through a third party, according to the Center for Responsive Politics, which monitors fundraising and spending in political races. On Wednesday, Jane Sugimura, the treasurer of the Hawaii Democratic Party told The Associated Press in two separate telephone interviews that a Brown campaign staffer arranged a tit-for-tat deal in which the party gave a $5,000 donation to Brown in exchange for money to be received from Brown supporters. On Thursday, she said there was no such deal. The Democratic Party of Hawaii said yesterday it planned to give back a $6,000 donation made to it by a Brown supporter. The party has not released the name of the donor. The parties in Massachusetts and Maine each gave $10,000 to Brown. Posted by Jack Perry at 4:56 PM Monster trucks, RVs roll into Providence for weekend showsPROVIDENCE -- Monster trucks and recreational vehicles of all sizes have rumbled into downtown Providence for shows this weekend. The trucks will roar through the Dunkin' Donuts Center tonight and tomorrow, while hundreds of RVs are on display next door at the Rhode Island Convention Center today through Sunday. The United States Hot Rod Association's Monster Jam is billed as a "a thrill-a-second four-wheel drive extravaganza" with shows at 8 tonight, 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. tomorrow. Admission is $20 for adults and $10 for children. The Rhode Island RV and Camping Show runs from 1 to 9 p.m. today, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. tomorrow and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $9 for adults, $6 for children 12 to 17, and free for those 11 and under. Seniors can get in for $7 today only. A discount ticket is available online. Posted by Jack Perry at 4:25 PM Prosecution wants more on Derderian fire safety TV reportPROVIDENCE -- State prosecutors are asking for more information about a television news story that was reported in 2001 by one of the owners of The Station nightclub. The television news segment is called "Getting Out Alive'' and focuses on emergency evacuations. It aired in November 2001 on WHDH-TV in Boston and was reported by Jeffrey Derderian, who had worked for the station as a reporter. Derderian also owned The Station, along with his brother, Michael. A February 2003 fire at the West Warwick club killed 100 people and injured more than 200 others. In the report, Derderian offers advice on safely escaping from an office building during an emergency such as a fire. The Derderians now face criminal manslaughter charges stemming from the club fire and are awaiting trial. The Attorney General's Office says it wants to subpoena any documents related to the production of the story. -- Associated Press and staff reports Posted by Jack Perry at 3:41 PM R.I. Guard unit to receive award for Iraq servicePROVIDENCE -- A Rhode Island National Guard unit will receive a prestigious Department of Defense citation tomorrow for its service in Iraq, the Guard announced. B Battery of the 1st Battalion, 103rd Field Artillery will receive the Meritorious Unit Citation for its combat actions in Iraq from May 2004 until May 2005, according to the Guard. The ceremony will be at 3 p.m. at the Armory of Mounted Commands, 1051 North Main St., Providence. Members of the battery served in Iraq as military police officers, which required patrolling, "a lot of chasing insurgents" and looking for weapons caches, said Lt. Col. Michael McNamara, a Guard spokesman. The 120 Guard members secured and guarded the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad until the U.S. Marine Corps could take over, according to McNamara. "They did it all and did it well," McNamara said. The battery is the second unit in the Rhode Island National Guard to earn the award for service in Iraq. The other was the 115th Military Police Company. Sixteen Rhode Island National Guard units have served or are serving in Iraq. Posted by Jack Perry at 3:08 PM 37 spellers to be there for R.I. contestPROVIDENCE -- Thirty-seven Rhode Island students in grades four through eight will be hoping to get the last word in tomorrow at the annual Providence Journal Rhode Island Statewide Spelling Bee. The competition, by invitation only, gets under way at 10 a.m. at the University of Rhode Island's Feinstein Providence campus. The state bee is sponsored by The Providence Journal, community partner Cardi’s Furniture, and in cooperation with the Rhode Island Association of School Principals. The winner of the State Bee advances to the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C., in May.
Posted by Andrea Panciera at 2:49 PM Warwick accountant testifies in war profiteering lawsuitALEXANDRIA, Va. -- A Warwick accountant testified today in a federal whistleblower lawsuit against a Middletown-based military contractor. Kevin Carter says Custer Battles L.L.C. spent $1.2 million dollars more than it received on a key contract in Iraq. Carter is a certified public accountant who set up an accounting system for Custer Battles. Former Army Rangers Michael Battles and Scott Custer are accused of defrauding the U.S. government of millions of dollars in Iraq. Two former Custer Battles employees sued the company. Both men have denied the charges. Carter concluded the company spent $12.8 million dollars on the Iraq currency exchange contract, but only received 11.6 million dollars. -- The Associated Press Posted by Jack Perry at 12:23 PM Burned-out Salve dorm will be demolishedNEWPORT --- Demolition of the dormitory that burned at Salve Regina University could begin today, according to a school spokesman. The building, called New Breakers Apartments, suffered heavy damage in a fire yesterday and is considered a hazard, said spokesman Matt Boxler. "Once investigators finish what they need to do in there, they're going to raze it," Boxler said. Nobody was seriously injured in the fire, which started early yesterday morning. Two students were treated for smoke inhalation, and three firefighters were treated for minor injuries. About 20 students lived in the dormitory and most have already left for spring break, according to Boxler. The university is making arrangements so they have new quarters when they return for classes on March 13, he said. For more about the fire, and photos, read the story from today's Journal. Posted by Jack Perry at 11:57 AM Storms dumps several inches of snow on most R.I. townsPROVIDENCE -- The storm that moved through the region yesterday, snarling traffic and triggering accidents, dropped more than 8 inches of snow in two towns at the state's western and eastern extremes -- Coventry and Tiverton. Several other towns, including Barrington, Warren, West Warwick and Little Compton, had 7 inches or more, while the northern city of Woonsocket had the least, with just 3.6 inches, according to unofficial storm totals on the weather service's Web site. School started late today in some communities, while parking bans remain in effect in others. Today, the weather service calls for a high near 28 degrees with a chance of flurries in the Providence this afternoon area and northwest winds between 17 and 21 mph. A gale warning has been issued for this afternoon for waters off southern New England, except for Narragansett Bay and Boston Harbor, where small craft advisories are in effect. Posted by Jack Perry at 11:54 AM Local conductor, glass artist win Pell arts awardsGlass artist Toots Zynsky and conductor-professor George Kent will be honored as the local winners of The 2006 Pell Awards for Excellence in the Arts. The awards are hosted by Trinity Repertory Company at the Rhode Island Convention Center. Actress-singer-dancer Chita Rivera, as previously announced, will receive the award for Lifetime Achievement. Kent is music director of the Chorus of Westerly and a music professor at URI. Zynsky divides her time between her studios in Providence and Amsterdam. Tickets to the May 22 event are $250 or $500 for patrons. Proceeds benefit artistic programming at Trinity Rep and fund grants to the Pell Award winners. For information and reservations, contact Trinity Rep at (401) 521-1100, x104. Posted by at 11:45 AM E. Providence man accused of trying to dump woman's bodyEAST PROVIDENCE -- An East Providence man has been accused of dragging a woman's corpse outside his house. Police say a patrol officer spotted Paul Zafrides dragging the body to a car last Sunday. Police say the 27-year-old woman -- whose name was not released -- had apparently died of a drug overdose inside the house and that Zafrides planned to dump the body somewhere else. Zafrides was charged with failing to report a death and other offenses. -- The Associated Press Posted by Jack Perry at 11:38 AM New Bedford high-rise fire sends five to hospitalNEW BEDFORD, Mass. -- A three-alarm fire at a high-rise apartment building last night sent five people to the hospital, The Standard-Times of New Bedford reported on it Web site. The extent of their injuries was not immediately known. The fire forced about 100 residents into the street in freezing temperatures. Deputy Chief Paul Corderre told the newspaper that firefighters had to use a ladder to pull a woman out of a fifth-floor window. The fire erupted at about 9:30 p.m. at the Harbor View Towers on East Second Street. Firefighters knocked down the fire after about 40 minutes and then searched the building apartment-by-apartment. -- The Associated Press Posted by Jack Perry at 9:12 AM Reed to lecture on Iraq tonight at BrownPROVIDENCE -- U.S. Senator Jack Reed, D-RI, will deliver a lecture on Iraq tonight at Brown University. Reed's speech, entitled "President Bush and the Long War: Are Slogans Enough?," will focus on challenges the United States faces in Iraq, according to his office. Reed will also discuss his trip to Iraq and Afghanistan during his 6 p.m. presentation of the Stephen A. Ogden Jr. Memorial Lecture on International Affairs. Posted by Jack Perry at 8:56 AM March 2, 2006Snow will keep evening commuters companyPROVIDENCE -- Moderate to heavy snow should continue in Rhode Island until about 6 p.m. before tapering off to flurries, possibly mixing with sleet or freezing rain, according to the National Weather Service. Three to 6 inches of snow is expected across much of Rhode Island except to the north of Providence, where 1 to 2 inches is expected, the weather service says. The weather service says the back edge of the steady snow was across Hartford at 5 p.m. and "racing southeast." Commuters should expect slippery travel and leave extra time, the weather service says. Despite the snow, a Rhode Island School of Design and Providence Preservation Society exhibit of murals rescued from the Providence Bank Building will go on tonight. The murals were removed before the building was demolished to make way for One Ten Westminster, a condominium highrise. Several of the murals were refurbished by RISD students. The viewing is from 5 to 7 p.m. tonight at the RISD Center for Integrative Technologies, 169 Weybosset St. -- With reports from Journal staff writer Cathleen Crowley Posted by Jack Perry at 5:22 PM No anthrax in white powder found in courthousePROVIDENCE -- A preliminary test shows that a white powder found in a courtroom at the Licht Judicial Complex this morning does not contain anthrax, according to Gary P. Dias, the state's executive high sheriff. Discovery of the powder by Deputy Sheriff William LaPierre under a bench caused a stir at the courthouse this morning. The sheriff's department provides courthouse security. The Providence Fire Department responded, and streets around the courthouse were filled with fire trucks. The FBI asked the Providence Fire Department to collect the substance and take it to the Rhode Island Department of Health for testing. Anthrax is an acutely infectious disease that, when caused by inhaling, is usually fatal. A complete field test is to be conducted by the Health Department, with results expected tomorrow, accoding to the FBI. -- Journal staff writer Gregory Smith The third-floor courtroom was evacuated, but business continued in other parts of the courthouse complex. People were not allowed to enter the building for a period of time. Some suspected that the substance could have been baby powder because of reports that a woman with a baby had been sitting in the area. Dias says he checked around but could not confirm that. -- Journal staff writer Gregory Smith Posted by Jack Perry at 5:10 PM Underdog movie seeks local extrasThere's no need to fear. LDI Casting is holding an open call for "background performers," or extras, for the Walt Disney Studios/Spyglass Entertainment film Underdog. The call is Saturday, March 11, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Department of Administration Building, 1 Capitol Hill, Providence. Bring a recent photo of yourself the producers can keep. Visit the Web site for more information -- no phone calls, please. Disney announced previously that it would be shooting the movie here at the end of this month. Posted by at 4:49 PM MTV gives Hope High $5,000 to transform part of schoolMTV: Music Television, in partnership with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and What Kids Can Do, Inc., today announced that Hope High School in Providence was the recipient of a $5,000 Think Over Your School Challenge grant. The challenge, a component of MTV’s think: Education initiative, encouraged high school-age viewers to propose how they would “think over,” or transform, part of their school to expand academic opportunities and better prepare fellow students for college and work. Senior Anita Abotsi, who applied for the grant, wrote that she was distressed about Hope’s reputation for low test scores. In her essay, Anita asked for renovations to the school’s auditorium as an opportunity “to help change my school around, not only by looks, but by attitudes.” think MTV received entries from students in more than 1,000 high schools at think.mtv.com, where teenagers took a 20-question quiz to assess their own education, and submitted a 250-word essay describing how they would make over a small part of their high school to improve their learning community. A $5,000 grant was also awarded to Harrison High School in Colorado Springs, Colo., and a $10,000 grand prize was given to James Madison University High School in Milwaukee. Posted by at 4:02 PM Photo: This job set in concrete
Posted by Andrea Panciera at 3:19 PM Firefighters still battling stubborn fire in Salve dormNEWPORT -- A stubborn fire at a Salve Regina University dormitory was still burning this afternoon some five hours after it started. Fire officials consider the 8,863-square-foot building, called New Breakers residence hall, too unstable to enter, so they're spraying water onto the building from fire trucks. The fire was reported around 9:30 a.m. About 20 students live in the co-ed dormitory. Two students were taken to be treated for minor smoke inhalation at Newport Hospital, but no one was seriously injured, according to a school spokeswoman. Salve Regina has leased the 1.5-story building and used it as a dormitory for 20 years. It was built in 1900, has brick on the first floor and wood shingling on the second. The building and its land is assessed at $1.2 million, according to information from the Newport Assessor's Office. -- With reports from Journal staff writers Kia Hall Hayes, Steve Peoples and the Associated Press. Posted by Jack Perry at 2:50 PM Fall River man, accused of strangling niece, ordered heldFALL RIVER, Mass. -- A 32-year-old Fall River man was ordered held without bail today after his arraignment on a charge that he murdered his 17-year-old niece in a family home. Renee Dupuis, an assistant district attorney, alleged in court that Christopher Banville strangled Krista Lucianno with a dog collar Jan. 14 after he had become upset because she was talking on the telephone to a 20-year-old man. Dupuis said Banville had been watching television with the girl, who was a senior at Joseph Case High School, in the finished basement of his mother's home in Swansea. During the evening, he twice walked upstairs to complain about the girl's telephone conversations, Dupuis said. The girl's grandfather later found her dead in the basement. -- Journal staff writer C. Eugene Emery In the meantime, Banville had allegedly stolen a family car, according to the police. He was later arrested in Maryland and returned to face charges after fighting extradition. At today's arraignment and bail hearing in Fall River District Court, Banville was also charged with larceny of a motor vehicle and ordered held on $10,000 cash bail on that charge. Banville was ordered to undergo a competency hearing. He's due back in court March 21. -- Journal staff writer C. Eugene Emery Posted by Jack Perry at 2:02 PM Snow spurs closings, makes for slippery roadsPROVIDENCE -- A snowstorm that moved into southern New England late this morning has already prompted widespread cancellations and caused slippery roads. The National Weather Service has issued a snow advisory and says the storm could drop 3 to 6 inches of snow on the region before ending tonight. The evening commute will be hampered by limited visibility and slippery roads, according to the weather service. Check the latest conditions and state Department of Transportation traffic cams. Posted by Jack Perry at 1:18 PM 20 students displaced by fire at Salve Regina dormNEWPORT -- A dormitory building at Salve Regina University was still burning more than three hours after a fire broke out there, displacing 20 students. Two of the students were taken to be treated for minor smoke inhalation at Newport Hospital, but no one was seriously injured, according to a school spokeswoman. The fire apparently followed an explosion this morning at the new Breakers residence hall housing upperclassmen at Lawrence and Ruggles avenues. Its cause has not been determined. Students followed previous fire drills by exiting the building quickly and meeting at a large tree -- their pre-arranged meeting place. Communications director Kristine Hendrickson said the 20 students are meeting with Red Cross workers, grief counselors and school officials. "It's actually pretty sad and we're pretty upset by this, but the important thing is that everyone's okay," she said. Because the school's spring break begins tomorrow, Hendricksen said most of the students already had out-of-town plans. School officials are relying on partnerships with local hotels and the Red Cross to house those not leaving town. Others could be housed in vacant dorms. -- Journal staff writer Kia Hall Hayes Posted by Jack Perry at 1:08 PM Police: Cranston man killed by hit-run driverCRANSTON -- A Cranston man was apparently struck and killed by a hit-and-run driver on Wilbur Avenue shortly before 3 this morning, and the police are seeking the public’s help in finding the driver. Cranston firefighters, responding to an alarm at Cranston High School West, found the man lying on Webster Avenue, near the Route 295 overpass, at 2:47 a.m., the police said. Emergency medical technicians took the man to Rhode Island Hospital, where he was pronounced dead minutes later, the police said. The man was not carrying identification, and as of late this morning a formal identification of the body was still under way, said police Maj. Ronald T. Blackmar. The police believe the man was walking home from a house near the site of the collision, and that he was struck moments before the firefighters found him. Based on physical evidence, the police believe the car fled west on Wilbur Avenue, and took a right onto Natick Avenue, which leads to Route 37 and Phenix Avenue. The vehicle involved in the collision probably sustained damage low on its front end, Blackmar said. The police are asking anyone with information about the collision, including auto repair shops, and people in the Wilbur Avenue and Natick Avenue area early this morning, to call police headquarters at 942-2211 and ask for the traffic unit. -- Journal staff writer Zachary Mider Posted by Andrea Panciera at 12:38 PM Officials checking white powder found in Providence courtroom
PROVIDENCE -- Firefighters were at Licht Judicial Complex this morning, checking out a white powder found under a courtroom bench. Officials suspect it could be baby powder, but they're having the state Department of Health test it to make sure it's not hazardous, according to Providence Fire Department Chief David Costa. Discovery of the powder prompted the evacuation of a third-floor courtroom and the surrounding area, but business continued in other parts of the building, according to Craig Berke, a court spokesman. However, the public is not being allowed in at this time. A deputy sheriff said a woman with a baby had been sitting in the area earlier. Streets around the 250 Benefit St. building, which houses Superior Court, have been blocked off by fire and rescue trucks. Firefighters were going in and out. As the request of the FBI, the firefighters in hazardous materials suits were planning to collect the substance and bring it to the state Department of Health for testing, Costa said. -- With reports from Journal staff photographer Andrew Dickerman and Journal staff writer Gregory Smith Everybody wants to be on the safe side, so we're following all the procedures," Costa said. Officials took the names of about 30 people who were in the courtroom so they can be contacted "in the unlikely event" that it tests as a hazardous susbstance, Berke said. "Could it be baby powder?" Berke said. "I suppose it could be." -- With reports from Journal staff photographer Andrew Dickerman and Journal staff writer Gregory Smith Posted by Jack Perry at 12:30 PM Students 'safe' after fire breaks out in Salve Regina dormNEWPORT - Police and fire crews are responding to a three-alarm fire and explosion at a student dorm at Salve Regina University. "All students are safe and have been accounted for," said spokesperson Christina Haskell said. The explosion occurred at the new Breakers residence hall housing upperclassmen at Lawrence and Ruggles avenues. The cause has not been determined. Two students have been transported to Newport Hospital for minor injuries. More than an hour after the fire was called in, flames were visible from the building. -- Journal staff writers Kia Hall Hayes and Steve Peoples Posted by Jack Perry at 12:08 PM Couple, dog escape from house fire in JohnstonJOHNSTON -- A man, his wife and their dog escaped without injury from a fire early this morning at their home on Prescott Avenue, according to the Johnston Fire Department. The fire broke out at about 3 a.m. in the basement of the house at 6 Prescott Ave., causing heavy fire damage to the basement and fire damage to the first floor, according to Assistant Chief Thomas Ucci. Firefighters fought the blaze for about an hour before extinguishing it. The cause is under investigation. -- Journal staff writer Arthur Kimball-Stanley "Cellar fires are always very difficult," Ucci said. "They're very hot. All the heat stays downstairs, and there is only one entrance to get at it." The husband was up at 3 a.m., opened the basement door and saw smoke, according to the fire department. The damage left the house uninhabitable, Ucci said. The names of the home's occupants were not immediately available from the fire department.
Posted by Jack Perry at 10:45 AM Lawyers in Station fire criminal case meet in chambers with judgePROVIDENCE -- State prosecutors and lawyers for Michael and Jeffrey Derderian, the owners of The Station nightclub, met in chambers this morning with the Superior Court judge presiding over the criminal case against the brothers. Nothing was done in open court. The Derderians each face 200 counts of involuntary manslaughter in connection with the deaths of 100 people who died in the fire at their West Warwick nightclub three years ago. After the 30-minute pre-trial conference with Judge Francis J. Darigan Jr., defense lawyers Kathleen Hagerty and Jeffrey B. Pine huddled in a conference room for about 15 minutes with three prosecutors assigned to the case. The next pre-trial conference is scheduled for March 14 at 2 p.m. -- Journal staff writer Tracy Breton Posted by Andrea Panciera at 10:40 AM Pedestrian killed in auto accident in CranstonCRANSTON -- A pedestrian was struck and killed by a vehicle on Wilbur Avenue at about 3 this morning, public safety officials said. No further information was immediately available from the Police Department. -- Journal staff writer Zachary Mider Posted by Andrea Panciera at 10:36 AM Blackstone River Theatre Irish shows are selloutsA pair of Irish-music shows at the Blackstone River Theatre in Cumberland are sold out, theater spokesman Russell Gusetti says. One is a show tomorrow featuring Martin Hayes and Dennis Cahill. The other is March 25, by Lunasa. Tickets still remain for a children's show of traditional music by Aubrey Atwater, Saturday at 11 a.m. For information or tickets, call (401) 725-9278. Posted by at 9:02 AM Snow could hamper the evening commutePROVIDENCE -- The National Weather Service has issued a snow advisory today, warning that a storm moving into the region could bring periods of heavy snow and cause problems during the evening commute. The storm, which will move into the region around noon, could bring 3 to 6 inches of accumulation before tapering off tonight, the weather service says. The snow advisory includes all of Rhode Island, northern Connecticut, southeastern Massachusetts and southern Worcester County. Posted by Jack Perry at 9:02 AM Chief Justice Williams to deliver State of Judiciary addressPROVIDENCE -- Rhode Island Supreme Court Chief Justice Frank J. Williams is scheduled to deliver the annual State of the Judiciary address today to the General Assembly. The address is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. in the House Chamber. Members of the House of Representatives and Senate will attend. Capitol TV will broadcast the address live. Posted by Jack Perry at 9:01 AM March 1, 2006Photo: Making the sign of Ash Wednesday
Posted by Jack Perry at 5:11 PM State's minimum wage bumps up 35 centsPROVIDENCE - About twenty-one thousand workers in Rhode Island received a raise today when the state's minimum wage increased by 35 cents. The wage bumped up to $7.10 from $6.75 as a result of the General Assembly's passing legislation earlier this year. It is scheduled to increase again, to $7.40, on Jan. 1. Saying he agreed with the first raise, but not the second, Governor Carcieri had threatened to veto the bill. But he took no action when it became apparent that he didn't have enough votes to sustain his veto. The bill passed without his signature. Posted by Jack Perry at 4:04 PM Another starring TV role for Providence / Photo
PROVIDENCE -- Shooting for the pilot of a television series set in Providence -- and centered around a charismatic, but challenged mayor -- is scheduled to begin here in the middle of this month. Waterfront will star Joe Pantoliano as the mayor and William "Billy" Baldwin as the attorney general. Pantoliano is probably best known for playing Ralph Cifaretto on The Sopranos, while Baldwin's brother, Alec, starred in a comedy about an FBI sting, The Last Shot, which filmed in Providence in 2003. Pantoliano and Baldwin joined politicians such as Governor Carcieri, Attorney General Patrick C. Lynch, Providence Mayor David N. Cicilline and Speaker of the House William Murphy for a State House press conference at noon announcing the pilot. The Hollywood Reporter, a trade journal, described Pantoliano's Jimmy Centrella as "the wildly charismatic and ethically challenged mayor." But Waterfront creator Jack Orman said the character is not based on former Providence Mayor Vincent A. Cianci Jr., who is serving a prison term for running a criminal enterprise out of City Hall. But, with Lynch in the room, there were smiles and laughter all around when somebody observed that Baldwin plays an ambitious attorney general who wants to be governor. CBS has ordered a pilot of the show. Shooting should continue for three weeks. -- With reports from Journal TV writer Andy Smith Posted by Jack Perry at 3:30 PM Group seeks probe into inmate abuse at ACIPROVIDENCE -- A community group is calling for an independent investigation into physical abuse and violence at the Adult Correctional Institutions in the wake of highly publicized allegations of abuse to an inmate. The community group Direct Action for Rights & Equality claims that inmate abuse is "not an uncommon occurrence." The group says it has over the past five years documented "a legacy of mistreatment and abuse at the ACI." The organization has scheduled a 1 p.m. press conference to discuss its research and its call for an independent investigation and audit of the prison. The lawyer for an ACI inmate last week claimed that ACI staff had forced his client Michael Walsh, 30, of East Providence to put his own fecal matter into his mouth and had also struck him with a telephone book. Lawyer Kenneth A. Schreiber says his client is planning a civil-rights lawsuit. ACI director A.T. Wall had earlier announced the suspension of several staff members pending an investigation into the alleged incident. Posted by Jack Perry at 11:52 AM Citizens sells insurance operationsCitizens Financial Group Inc. announced a deal today to sell its insurance operations for at least $83 million to Hub International Ltd. of Chicago. Under the deal, Citizens will offer insurance coverage to its banking customers through a joint marketing agreement with Hub International, an insurance brokerage firm operating both in the United States and Canada. Citizens will sell to Hub three agencies operating in local markets: Citizens Clair Insurance Group of Norristown, Pa.; Brewer & Lord of Norwell, Mass; and The Feitelberg Co. of Fall River, Mass. The deal is expected to close in April. Posted by at 11:44 AM LA police chief giving talk today on community policingPROVIDENCE -- Los Angeles Police Chief Bill Bratton, a nationally known advocate of community policing, will discuss community policing and safety today at the Providence Public Safety Complex. Mayor David N. Cicilline is scheduled to attend the 4 to 6 p.m. talk, which is open to the public. The Providence Police Department has implemented community policing by opening police substations, adding foot patrols and other community outreach initiatives. Bratton has also served as police commissioner in Boston and New York. Posted by Jack Perry at 11:44 AM Head of Providence-Warwick visitors bureau resignsBrian C. Whiting, the president and CEO of the Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau has resigned, the agency's board of directors announced today. Whiting cited personal reasons, according to Kevin Cameron, chairman of the board. The Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau is a nonprofit organization that promotes the hospitality and visitor industries. Whiting joined the Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau in 2003. Before that, he managed the convention, tourism, and sports consulting practice at PricewaterhouseCoopers, a worldwide accounting and hospitality consulting firm. Cameron and three agency vice presidents will run the agency until a replacement is hired. Posted by Jack Perry at 11:28 AM Ramirez shows up for spring training, with a new doFORT MYERS, Fla. -- Red Sox slugger Manny Ramirez has shown up at the team's spring training site here. Ramirez was given permission by Sox officials to begin his training with the team several days later than the other players, but some questioned whether he would meet today's extended deadline. Ramirez arrived in camp at 9:01 a.m. wearing a Tim Brown Oakland Raiders jersey and sporting a new look -- scruffy beard and orange dreadlocks. -- With reports from Journal sportswriter Steve Krasner Posted by Jack Perry at 9:24 AM Weather service: Storm could bring 5 inches of snow tomorrowA storm moving into the region tomorrow could drop 2 to 5 inches of snow on Rhode Island and other parts of southern New England, according to the National Weather Service. The storm, initially expected to begin late tonight, now looks like it will move into Connecticut late tomorrow morning and spread east into Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts early tomorrow afternoon, according to the weather service. The potential for 2 to 5 inches of accumulation exists south of the Massachusetts Turnpike, but totals could be lower if the storm shifts to the south, the weather service says in a special weather statement. Posted by Jack Perry at 9:00 AM |
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