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April 26, 2006

Carcieri offers to meet with Beacon board members

PROVIDENCE -- Governor Carcieri has offered George Nee and Henry Boeniger "an opportunity to be heard" regarding their dismissal from the Beacon Mutual Insurance Co.'s board of directors.

According to a statement released this evening, the governor has responded to calls from the two long-time board members for impartial hearings to review their termination by Carcieri.

He's offered to meet with the men on Thursday, May 4, at 3 p.m. in his State House office.

Carcieri's executive counsel, Andrew Hodgkin, has written to Nee and Boeniger, saying that board members do not have a constitutionally protected guarantee of continued employment, or a right to the type of hearing that may be accorded a state employee.

Carcieri moved last week to fire Nee and Boeniger in the wake of allegations of mismanagement at the state's largest workers' compensation insurer.

The Beacon board is holding a regularly-scheduled meeting tonight, at which they planned to continue discussing the critical audit of the company, which spurred the removal of its CEO.

The meeting was continuing at 7 o'clock. Both Nee and Boeniger were attending.

Posted by Steve Peoples at 7:17 PM | Comment

Campus police probe stolen URI student newspapers / Photo

Journal photo / Frieda Squires

Shaun Boutwell, managing editor for The Good 5 Cent Cigar, the University of Rhode Island's student newspaper, looks over the week's story budget board in the newspaper's office on the Kingston campus.

Last Friday, roughly 5,000 newspapers -- the entire press run -- were stolen less than an hour after being distributed. The papers included a front-page article about Phi Gamma Delta fraternity, which was expelled from Greek Week for alcohol violations.

The campus police are investigating the thefts.

More tomorrow on projo.com and in The Journal ...

Posted by Andrea Panciera at 6:07 PM | Comment

Planned drop in electricity rates evaporates

National Grid's shrinking rate reduction appears to have disappeared altogether.

Last month, the electric distribution company proposed lowering electricity rates by 3.9 percent, citing a drop in energy prices. Last week, it cut the proposed reduction in half to 1.9 percent.

This afternoon, the state Public Utilities Commission voted unanimously to hold off on any rate reduction, for at least 30 days, because of wide swings in the energy markets.

The decision leaves the current rate for "standard offer" service, which most customers receive, at 10 cents per kilowatt-hour. A typical customer who uses 500 kilowatt-hours of electricity pays $80.94 each month.

"Prices have been so volatile, we want to have a better handle" on the energy market, said Elia Germani, chairman of the PUC, in an interview after the vote.

"If we drop the rates today, and the price increase continues, then in a very short period of time, we'd have to raise rates," Germani said.

National Grid raised electricity rates in October and January. Together, those increases added $18.18 a month to the bill of a 500-kilowatt-hour customer, a 29-percent hike.

Posted by Tim Barmann at 5:38 PM | Comment

Beacon Mutual board meeting again tonight

WARWICK -- The board of directors for Beacon Mutual Insurance Co. is due to meet today at 5:30 p.m. -- this time, as regularly scheduled.

Embattled board member George H. Nee said yesterday he planned to attend the meeting, despite a move by Governor Carcieri last week to fire Nee and board member Henry R. Boeniger. Boeniger could not be reached for comment yesterday.

An attorney for both men asked Carcieri for a hearing to review their termination -- a move that prompted Carcieri to extend their termination date for one week.

It is unclear if Nee and Boeniger will participate in tonight's meeting, where the board is expected to continue discussing a recently-released report that revealed evidence of abuse within Beacon, the state's largest workers' compensation insurer.

Posted by Steve Peoples at 5:25 PM | Comment

Tortola taking 'fresh look' at Swain case

Law enforcement officials in Tortola said today they have requested certified transcripts and other evidence used in the civil wrongful death case against Jamestown scuba shop owner David Swain.

The Tortola officials said the move was part of their "fresh look" into the 1999 death of Swain's wife, Shelley Tyre.

Tyre, 46, drowned during a scuba diving vacation with Swain and another couple during a vacation off the Caribbean Island. In February, following a nine-day trial, a Providence jury determined that Swain acted with "malice aforethought" in killing his wife of 51/2 years.

Tyre's parents, Richard and Lisa Tyre of Jamestown, brought the wrongful-death suit against Swain alleging he killed their daughter for money at a time when he was pursuing a relationship with another woman and knowing that a prenuptial agreement would leave him none of his wife's assets if the two divorced.

Swain is appealing the jury's finding.

-- Journal staff writer Tom Mooney

Posted by Steve Peoples at 4:49 PM | Comment

Directory assistance calls to cost more

The Public Utilities Commission this afternoon gave Verizon Communications permission to raise the price of directory assistance calls and increase the monthly charge for an unlisted phone number.

Residential customers receive up to five free 411 calls each month. The new rate for calls beyond that allowance will be 72 cents per call, up 9 cents from the current rate of 63 cents.

The new rates will go into effect on May 1.

"It's a discretionary service. We want to encourage customers to use the telephone book," said Lillian McGee, a spokeswoman for Verizon.

This will be the third increase over the past four years. The price for assistance calls beyond the free ones was 50 cents in 2003.

Business customers stopped receiving free directory assistance calls in 2003. The rate for each 411 call for those customers remains at $1.25.

The monthly charge for a non-published number for both businesses and residences will rise to $4 per line, up from the current rate of $3.50.

Posted by Tim Barmann at 4:23 PM | Comment

Carcieri picks Kaplan as new EDC director

Governor Carcieri has moved to promote the current deputy director of the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation, Saul Kaplan, to head of the agency.

Michael McMahon, the EDC's previous executive director, resigned to return to private industry as a partner in an investment firm.

Kaplan, a former senior partner in the health and life sciences practice at consulting firm Accenture, was hired by McMahon in 2003, because of his biotechnology background.

Kaplan’s nomination is subject to advice and consent by the state Senate.

McMahon said his resignation from his $99,700 position was voluntary. The former venture capitalist said he was asked by a business colleague, Howard Newman, to be a partner in an investment firm Newman is forming in New York City.

“When you’re 58, good opportunities don’t come around everyday,” said McMahon, in an interview at the EDC’s offices yesterday afternoon. “This is a very unique opportunity.”

Kaplan said there will be no immediate personnel or strategy changes at the EDC. He plans to continue moving forward with the plan McMahon has set out to attract more businesses, improve the state’s workforce, revamp the tax code, foster innovation and entrepreneurship and make government more cost effective.

--Journal staff writer Andrea L. Stape

Posted by at 4:05 PM | Comment

Block Island airport to close temporarily after summer

NEW SHOREHAM -- The Block Island Airport will be closed for six weeks for improvements after the peak summer season, airport officials said today.

The Rhode Island Airport Corporation has decided to close the small airport from between Oct. 11 and Nov. 21 to repave the runway and taxiways as part of larger plan to upgrade airport facilities. A new terminal will be constructed next year.

Some island residents expressed concern about the decision because there is no pharmacy on the island. Some residents depend on the airport to fly in drugs and medical equipment.

-- With reports from Journal staff writer Katie Mulvaney

Posted by Steve Peoples at 4:00 PM | Comment

Brown withdraws from U.S. Senate race / Photo

Journal photo / Kris Craig
Brown, at podium, throws his support to fellow Democratic candidate Sheldon Whitehouse, at Brown's side, during his press conference today off Manton Avenue in Providence.

PROVIDENCE -- Secretary of State Matt Brown, dogged by questions about his fundraising practices in the campaign for U.S. Senate, dropped out of the race this afternoon, citing money problems.

Brown threw his support behind fellow Democrat and former state Attorney General Sheldon Whitehouse.

They were both vying for the seat held by Republican Sen. Lincoln Chafee. Chafee faces his own opponent in the Republican primary, Cranston Mayor Stephen Laffey.

Brown had a strong showing in an independent poll by Brown University early this year, but in recent months, he has struggled with dwindling funds and persistent questions about a series of donations made to his campaign by Democratic parties in three other states.

-- The Associated Press

Posted by Steve Peoples at 3:55 PM | Comment

Body found off Point Judith ID'd as URI student

The state medical examiner's office has identified the body found floating off Point Judith this morning as Daniel Donahue, 20, of Glocester, one of three University of Rhode Island students believed to have drowned last month.

The two other students, Geoffrey M. Wilkes, 18, of Glocester, and Fandia M. Sod Shloul, 21, of Pawtucket, have not been seen since 2:30 a.m. on March 13 when they took a small boat into the foggy, near-freezing waters after attending a small party in the Bonnet Shores area of Narragansett.

Posted by Steve Peoples at 3:39 PM | Comment

J&W students silently oppose gay harassment

Silence is loud! That’s the message some 500,000 students throughout the nation – including Johnson & Wales University students here in Rhode Island -- are trying to get across today as they participate in the 10th annual Day of Silence.

The day is an effort for students to send the message that bullying, violence and harassment toward the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender population is unacceptable. Organizers say that 4,000 schools in the country are taking part in the Day of Silence.

In Providence, Johnson & Wales students plan to hold a candlelight vigil tonight from 8 to 9 at Gaebe Commons on the Downcity campus. Students have kept silent throughout the day, and some professors even planned to hold class in silence by giving students notes to follow instead of lecturing, said student organizer Darin Wildenstein Jr., who is the public relations director for e3, the JWU CommUNITY Alliance.

Students and university administrators plan to give empowerment speeches at tonight’s vigil, which will be the first time some of them have spoken all day, Wildenstein said.

Talking today about the event with projo.com, Wildenstein said it was the first time he had broken his own silence all day. He had expected about 100 students to keep the silence, but he said he has given out 600 silence pledge cards. Students then show those cards to teachers or anyone else who tries to talk to them today.

Wildenstein said the cards read: “Please understand my reason for not speaking today. I support lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender rights. People who are silent today believe that laws and attitudes should be inclusive of people of all sexual orientations and gender identities. The Day of Silence is to draw attention to those who have been silenced by hatred, oppression and prejudice. Think about the voices you are not hearing. What can you do to end the silence?”

The school’s CommUNITY Alliance is organizing the day’s event.

Posted by Kate Bramson at 3:26 PM | Comment

Brother, sister arrested after beating

CHARLESTOWN -- The State Police announced this afternoon that a brother and sister have been arrested for conspiring to beat the woman's estranged husband with a 5-foot stick.

Early last Thursday, Darryl Fry, 42, of Connecticut, was found outside of a Charlestown home. He was hospitalized with head and facial injuries. The state police said he was attacked at a nearby Indian burial ground.

Fry's estranged wife, Sandy Spears, age 36, of 59 Coachman Pike, Ledyard, Conn., was charged Friday with conspiracy to commit assault with a dangerous weapon. Her brother, Shane Spears, 38, of 47A King’s Factory Road, Charlestown, was charged with assault with a dangerous weapon and conspiracy to commit the assault.

Shane Spears was ordered held without bail at the Adult Correctional Institutions in Cranston as a probation violator. Sandy Spears was released on $35,000 surety bail.

Posted by Steve Peoples at 2:27 PM | Comment

Updated: Body found off Point Judith, spurring search

NARRAGANSETT -- Authorities this morning discovered a body floating about 100 yards off Point Judith.

The male body has yet to be identified.

But the Narragansett police and the state Department of Environmental Management were searching the area for other bodies, as officials wondered whether it may be one of the three University of Rhode Island students who disappeared last month in a small rowboat.

"That's the million-dollar question," Narragansett Police Chief J. David Smith said this morning. "Given the physical evidence available at this time, we can’t make any positive identification."

The body was noticed by a fishing boat at about 8:30 a.m., which contacted the Coast Guard. The body has since been transferred to the medical examiner's office for identification.

There were two boats and a helicopter searching the area this morning. An earlier report incorrectly indicated the Coast Guard was part of the search today.

Daniel P. Donahue, 20, of Glocester; Geoffrey M. Wilkes, 18, of Glocester, and Fandia M. Sod Shloul, 21, of Pawtucket, haven't been seen since 2:30 a.m. on March 13 when they took a small boat into the foggy, near-freezing waters after attending a small party in the Bonnet Shores area of Narragansett.

-- With reports from Journal staff writer Randal Edgar

Posted by Steve Peoples at 11:41 AM | Comment

Updated: Woman out of hospital after Rt. 95 crash

PROVIDENCE -- A city woman thrown from a car when it flipped on a Route 95 northbound off-ramp last night has been treated and released from Rhode Island Hospital, spokeswoman Andrea Barbosa said this morning.

Anna Vasquez, 21, had been sitting in the back seat of the Honda when the driver, her husband, Juan Roman, struck a Jersey barrier around 11:20 p.m. on the Thurbers Avenue off-ramp, state police Cpl. Kevin O’Brien said.

The state police have charged Roman, 24, no address available, with reckless driving and driving under the influence in the wake of the accident. Cpl. Kevin O’Brien said Roman was driving “at a high rate of speed,” perhaps 100 mph.

Roman was expected to be arraigned this morning in Sixth District Court. He was being held overnight in state police barracks after being treated at Rhode Island Hospital, O'Brien said.

A third person in the vehicle, Hommy Acevedo, 26, of Providence, was in the front passenger seat, and was the only one wearing a seat belt, O’Brien said. He was treated at Rhode Island Hospital and released, hospital spokeswoman Barbosa said.

Posted by Kate Bramson at 10:41 AM | Comment

Governor to honor "older Americans"

Governor Carcieri planned to honor the elderly this morning at 8:30 a.m. at the Warwick Mall food court.

He expected to proclaim next month “Older Americans Month” in Rhode Island and announced a theme for this year’s celebration: choices for independence.

The governor’s office expects about 175 Rhode Islanders from the state’s 45 senior centers to attend the celebration.

Posted by Kate Bramson at 8:59 AM | Comment

Providence street closures for "Underdog" filming

PROVIDENCE -- Don’t forget that “Underdog” is here!

More street closings to keep in mind as production continues on the Disney movie: Westminster Street is closed today from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. between Dorrance Street and Memorial Boulevard along the river. Tomorrow and Friday, Westminster is closed from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. between Dorrance and Mathewson streets.

Pedestrians will have some access to Westminster Street during the filming.

Posted by Kate Bramson at 8:10 AM | Comment

Sunny weather expected today and this weekend

If you woke up sneezing with itchy, watery eyes today, chances are good that your springtime allergies are kicking in. Today’s pollen count in Providence is high, and levels are expected to remain high through at least Saturday.

But don’t let that stop you. Today should be a nice one. This morning’s blue skies are expected to remain throughout the day. Highs should be around 60.

But even better news: Looks like this weekend should bring us sunny, clear weather both Saturday and Sunday. Now when was the last time we had that?

Get the latest conditions and forecasts from projo.com.

Posted by Kate Bramson at 6:56 AM | Comment