« May 19, 2006 | Today | May 23, 2006 »

May 22, 2006

Pell awards being handed out tonight

PROVIDENCE -- Chita Rivera, a actress, singer and dancer, who starred in the original West Side Story, will receive a lifetime achievement award tonight when the annual Pell Awards for Excellence in the Arts are given out.

Glass artist Toots Zynsky and conductor George Kent will also be honored this evening at the event being held at the Rhode Island Convention Center.

Kent serves as the music director of the Chorus of Westerly, which he founded in 1959. The 200-voice choir is one of the few choruses in the nation which has children singing alongside adults. Its members' ages range from eight to 94.

Zynsky, a Rhode Island School of Design graduate, is among the group of glass artists who founded the world-renowned Pilchuck Glass School. She is known for her distinctively unique sculptural vessels she creates using her “filet de verre” technique.

The Pell Awards, hosted by the Trinity Repertory Company, honor excellence in the artist’s chosen field, work that significantly advances the art form, and contribution to the betterment of the community and the world at large through artistic presence and community service. They are named after former U.S. Sen. Claiborne Pell of Rhode Island.

Posted by Steve Peoples at 6:49 PM | Comment

Interim leader named new president of CCRI

PROVIDENCE -- The Board of Governors for Higher Education voted this afternoon to appoint Ray M. DiPasquale as the new president of the Community College of Rhode Island.

DiPasquale, 56, has served as interim president since January. His permanent position pays about $180,000 a year.

DiPasquale is expected to sign a three-year contract within the next few days.

“To know I had the support of faculty and staff and now the search committee -- it’s a great feeling to know the last four months have really made a difference,” DiPasquale said.

-- With reports from Journal education writer Jennifer D. Jordan

Posted by Steve Peoples at 5:53 PM | Comment

Update: House panel OK's vote on casino-enabling change

PROVIDENCE – The House Finance Committee voted this afternoon, 14-5, to approve a measure that would ask voters in November to amend the state Constitution to allow a casino in West Warwick.

The measure applies only to the proposal by Harrah's, in conjunction with the Narragansett Indians.

The measure did not mention a competing proposal by Donald Trump for a site in Johnston – that would require a separate amendment to the state Constitution.

In a last-minute change, the bill was stripped of any specific tax rate that would be applied to the casino. If voters approved it, the rate would be set by the General Assembly in the next session.

-- With reports from projo.com staff writer Steve Peoples

With the vote today, the measure passed an important hurdle, but it next it moves to the full House. If it passes there, it goes to the Senate.

Governor Carcieri criticized the panel's vote in a statement issued early this evening, saying:

“Today’s vote to authorize a no-bid casino deal for Harrah’s Entertainment is a black mark on the House Finance Committee. While we don’t have much information about the Harrah’s casino deal, one thing is clear: A bad constitutional amendment just got a lot worse.”

Carcieri's office said he will continue his opposition to a constitutional amendment.

Posted by Andrea Panciera at 5:50 PM | Comment

Judge halts Carcieri's bid to oust Beacon board members

PROVIDENCE – A Superior Court judge today stopped Governor Carcieri's bid to remove two members from the embattled board of the Beacon Mutual Insurance Co.

Judge Stephen Fortunato Jr. did not mince words in granting the preliminary injunction this afternoon, the latest chapter in the saga involving the state's major workers' compensation insurer.

While Carcieri had the authority to remove longtime gubernatorial appointees Henry Boeniger and George Nee, Fortunato said, the governor gave them inadequate notice and, after the two protested, offered them "a sham hearing in a kangaroo court."

He also said the Republican governor had demonstrated his bias against the labor-backed Democrats, in both letters and press releases, and as a result, had no status as a hearing officer.

Fortunato also refused to grant the governor's lawyer an immediate stay pending an appeal to the state Supreme Court, saying there was not enough evidence to show the governor would succeed in the appeal.

As a result, both Boeniger and Nee say they plan to attend the next Beacon board meeting tomorrow at 5 p.m.

-- With reports from Journal staff writer Lynn Arditi

Posted by Andrea Panciera at 5:12 PM | Comment

2 Great White members subpoenaed in Derderian case

PROVIDENCE -- Two members of the rock band Great White have been subpoenaed as witnesses in the criminal trial of Michael Derderian, co-owner of The Station nightclub, charged with involuntary manslaughter in the deaths of 100 people during a fire started by the band's pyrotechnics.

In court papers, prosecutors said they would call David Filice, Great White's bass player, and Eric Powers, the band's drummer, as material witnesses to testify at the trial.

Three more people were also subpoenaed: two patrons at the West Warwick club who witnessed the fire on the night of the Feb. 20, 2003, and a musician who had previously performed at the club.

The fire began as pyrotechnics were ignited at the start of Great White's set. It ripped through the packed club, spread by flammable foam that lined the club's walls and ceiling and quickly filled the building with toxic smoke.

The filings say the band members witnessed the fire and were familiar with the placement of foam in the club.

-- Associated Press, with projo.com reports

Derderian's trial on 200 counts of manslaughter - two counts for each death under separate legal theories - is scheduled to begin July 31. His brother and club co-owner, Jeffrey Derderian, is also charged with 200 counts of involuntary manslaughter. His trial date has not been set.

Filice and Powers testified before the grand jury that indicted the Derderians and the band's former tour manager, Daniel Biechele, who lit the pyrotechnics.

Biechele pleaded guilty to 100 counts of manslaughter and was sentenced earlier this month to serve four years in prison. Biechele is expected to testify at the trial.

It's not clear whether lead singer Jack Russell and guitarist Mark Kendall will be asked to testify. Michael Healey, a spokesman for the attorney general's office, did not immediately return phone messages seeking comment.

-- Associated Press

Posted by Andrea Panciera at 4:23 PM | Comment

Update: Fire still burning in Downcity building / Photo

Journal photo / Bill Murphy

PROVIDENCE -- A stubborn fire was still burning at mid-afternoon inside a Weybosset Street building that housed a popular dining spot, whose kitchen was apparently the source of the blaze.

A burned brisket apparently started the three-alarm fire inside Downcity Food and Cocktails at 151 Weybosset St. at about 6:30 a.m., sending clouds of smoke billowing across downtown and clogging city streets during rush hour.

Abby Cabral, owner of the restaurant – formerly known as the Downcity Diner – said a chef was cooking a brisket to prepare for a catering job when the meat apparently caught fire. Flames moved behind the stove and into the walls, where the fire spread throughout the three-story, mid-1800s building.

By 2:45 p.m., the fire had not spread to other buildings. But hazy smoke was still coming from the three-story brick structure, with firefighters limited to pouring water on it from the outside because of fears the structure would collapse.

No one else was in the building when the fire started, according to Cabral. The chef got out safely. The building's second floor was vacant, while the third floor housed a dance studio.

Firefighters have been on the scene since about 7 a.m.

Although he said there was fire in the kitchen when crews arrived, Providence Fire Chief David Costa said the official cause will not be determined until after the fire's out. The building will be a total loss, Costa said shortly before noon.

A few firefighters have been taken to the hospital -- one with a strained back and three for observation for "various ailments," Costa said.

Several blocks of Weybosset Street remain closed. A ladder truck continues to pour water in through the second floor. Spectators continued to gather at the scene.

The restaurant was a popular spot for the downtown lunch crowd, as well as theater-goers. It changed hands last year.

-- With reports from Journal staff writer Tom Mooney and projo.com staff writer Kate Bramson

A partial second-floor collapse slowed firefighting efforts earlier today, Costa said. The restaurant's owners have confirmed that heavy steel equipment from a previous business in the building is on the third floor, he said.

Since firefighters suffered from cyanide poisoning at a downtown restaurant fire earlier this year, Costa said the department has been much more aggressive rotating crews in and out of burning buildings.

At one point this morning, all the firefighters outside the building on the Eddy Street side, where the smoke was quite thick, had their air packs on as a precautionary measure against dangerous burning gases, Costa said.

Many people stopped to watch the fire, including some children and members of the crew from Underdog, the Disney movie shooting nearby. The Underdog crew is set up in an empty lot on Union Street, between Weybosset and Westminster, about a block away from the fire.

Earlier this morning, heavy brown smoke poured out of the second floor of the 3 1/2-story brick building. About 10 fire trucks and ambulances were parked on the street, which was closed for about three blocks. Empty stretchers were out near ambulances.

Underdog publicist Scott Levine had just arrived on scene around 8 a.m. and said filming was expected to be done on Westminster Street today. He didn't know yet what impact the fire could have.

-- With reports from Journal staff writer Tom Mooney and projo.com staff writer Kate Bramson

Posted by Jack Perry at 3:30 PM | Comment

Update: Suspect in girl's murder waives bail hearing / Photo

Journal photo / Andrew Dickerman
Suspect Joshua Davis stands between Public Defender Anthony Capraro, right, and Assistant Attorney General Patrick Youngs during the hearing today. Davis was handcuffed, and a chain ran from his hands to his left foot, which was also cuffed.

PROVIDENCE -- The man charged with killing a Woonsocket girl earlier this month has waived his right to a bail hearing.

Joshua Davis, 20, of 564 Coe St., Woonsocket, will continue to be held at the Adult Correctional Institutions, a judge ordered this morning after a brief session in District Court.

The case will be presented to a grand jury after police have completed their investigations, according to state Attorney General's Office spokesman Michael Healeyl.

The state has until Nov. 7 – six months after the arrest of Davis – to present its case to a grand jury and secure an indictment, Healey said.

Davis’s next scheduled court date is a pre-trial conference set for July 10.

Davis has been held without bail since he was charged May 8 with the murder of Savannah Smith, a second grader who lived across the street from Davis.

Prosecutors say Davis picked up Savannah at a park in her neighborhood May 7 and took her to Cranston, where her body was found.

-- projo.com staff writer Kate Bramson

Posted by Jack Perry at 3:06 PM | Comment

Sox and Yankees to begin series at Fenway

First place in the American League East will be on the line when the Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees renew hostilities tonight at Fenway Park. The first pitch will be just after 7 o'clock. The Red Sox enter the series ahead of New York by a game and a half. Unlike the last time the Yankees came to town, the forecast is for calm, though cool, weather tonight. The struggling Curt Schilling will take the mound for the Red Sox, while Chien-Ming Wang starts for the Yankees.

The Yanks enter Fenway a banged up squad, with seven players on the disabled list. Starting pitcher Shawn Chacon became the seventh when the team put him on the disabled list, effective Sunday. The Yankees called up veteran outfielder Terrence Long from Triple-A Columbus to take Chacon's roster spot. In the meantime, the Bronx Bombers signed a veteran free agent, Erubiel Durazo, to bolster their ailing offense. Durazo signed a minor-league contract and will be assigned to one of the team's farm squads.

General manager Brian Cashman says more signings could be coming, including possibly free agent outfielder Richard Hidalgo.

But the real story for the Yankees, aside from tonight's game, will be Gary Sheffield, who will make a rehab appearance tonight in New Britain, Conn., for Double-A Trenton. Nothing in the short term could help New York's outfield more than a healthy return by Sheffield, who injured his wrist on April 29. If all goes well for Sheffield tonight, he could be ready to play in Boston tomorrow.

Posted by Mike McDermott at 3:03 PM | Comment

Godspeed tour to visit Newport

A replica of one of the three ships that carried the founders of America's first permanent English settlement in 1607 embarked this morning on an East Coast tour that will eventually bring it to Newport.

The $2.6 million Godspeed left Jamestown, Va. and will make its first stop during the 80-day tour in Alexandria, Va. It will then head to Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York, Boston, and Newport.

The ship will be accompanied at each port by a free "Landing Party," with live performances, historical exhibits and cultural displays.

At each stop, the Godspeed's crew of paid staff and volunteers will be dressed in costume as visitors come on board. While the ship is in "museum mode," modern navigational equipment and amenities such as a shower and small kitchen will be hidden to preserve the 17th-century atmosphere.

The ship will be in Newport July 25.

-- The Associated Press

Posted by Steve Peoples at 12:27 PM | Comment

Potholes slow traffic on Route 195

PROVIDENCE -- Traffic was slowed, and tires went flat, as motorists this morning hit potholes on Route 195 carved out by heavy rain on a surface in the midst of being repaved.

Crews were out repairing the potholes today, according to the state Department of Transportation.

Rain over the weekend had delayed the completion of paving on both sides of Route 195 near the Broadway Bridge and spawned potholes on the busy road, said Frank Carrao, deputy chief engineer.

Workers had removed the top 1 1/2 to 2 inches of pavement on a section near the Broadway Bridge Thursday night, but they weren't able to repave over the weekend because of wet weather, Carrao said.

Potholes occur when the rain "gets under and pops the pavement," Carrao said.

Traffic was unusually slow on Route 195 west heading into Providence at 6:30 this morning, apparently because drivers were slowing before passing the uneven pavement. A couple of hubcaps were off to the left side of the road, and one car was pulled off on the right side with a flat tire.

Carrao said the DOT had received reports of flat tires from some drivers who had passed over the rough pavement.

Posted by Jack Perry at 12:25 PM | Comment

Gas prices drop 2 cents in R.I.

Gasoline prices in Rhode Island have dropped an average of 2 cents per gallon, according to AAA Southern New England.

The average price for a gallon of regular, unleaded gasoline is $2.98 per gallon at the self-service pump, according to AAA's survey. That's still 82 cents more than drivers were paying at this time last year.

A similar survey by the state Energy Office found the average at $2.99.

Nationally, the price has dropped about 2 cents per gallon over the past two weeks to $2.93.

Posted by Jack Perry at 11:05 AM | Comment

Hearing in lead-paint contempt case against Lynch

PROVIDENCE -- Lawyers in the lead paint case will be back in court today to argue over possible sanctions for Attorney General Patrick Lynch.

Lynch was held in contempt for comments he made in February after a jury found three former lead paint manufacturers liable for creating a public nuisance.

Lynch was quoted as saying the companies had refused to clean up lead paint contamination and that the verdict could spawn additional lawsuits.

It was the second contempt order imposed against Lynch in the lead paint case.

Superior Court Judge Michael Silverstein fined Lynch $5,000 in December and held him in contempt after the attorney general publicly accused the companies of spinning and twisting the facts.

The state has appealed that fine.

-- The Associated Press

Posted by Jack Perry at 9:30 AM | Comment

Sen. Roberts to announce run for lt. governor

State Sen. Elizabeth Roberts, D-Cranston, plans to officially launch her campaign as a candidate for lieutenant governor this morning.

Roberts will be joined by U.S. Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I., and U.S. Rep. James Langevin, D-R.I., when she kicks off her campaign at 10:15 a.m. at the Aspray Boathouse in Pawtuxet Village.

Posted by Jack Perry at 9:00 AM | Comment

Brisk morning but sunny skies

It’s a bit nippy, but with this morning’s sunlight streaming down, we’ll take it, right?

We'll have partly cloudy skies today with a high around 68. Northwest winds should be between 16 and 20 miles per hour, but some gusts could be as high as 34 miles per hour.

Get the latest weather conditions and forecasts from projo.com.

And for those of you who are allergy sufferers, the pollen count will be high today and is expected to remain so through Thursday.

Posted by Kate Bramson at 7:00 AM | Comment