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May 23, 2006

James W. Carey, journalism scholar, teacher, dies at 71

SOUTH KINGSTOWN -- James W. Carey, a nationally-known scholar and teacher of journalism, died of complications from emphysema last night at the family's home on South Road in Wakefield. He was 71.

A former dean of the University of Illinois College of Communications, Carey was most recently the CBS professor of international journalism at the prestigious Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism in New York City.

He also served on the National Advisory Board for the Poynter Institute, a respected school for journalists in Florida.

Carey was a graduate of Mount Pleasant High School in Providence, the University of Rhode Island and the University of Ilinois.

Nicholas Lemann, dean of Columbia's journalism school, announced Carey's death in a letter to faculty that was also posted on Poynter's Web site:

"There is so much to say about Jim that I can't do anything but scratch the surface now. Suffice it to say that he was a figure of world renown in the field of communications scholarship, the founder of our Ph.D. program...and a man with a rare gift for touching practically everybody he met."

"He was a magical teacher," Lemann added.

Roy Peter Clark, senior scholar at Poynter, called Carey "one of the truly great scholars on journalism and democracy."

"Our debt to Jim is profound," Clark wrote in an e-mail. "The only way we can repay it is to follow in his footsteps: to study the deep significance of journalism as a practice, to honor its best practitioners and examples, and to remember that journalism means little for its own sake, but means everything in the struggle for freedom, justice, and self-government."

Calling hours for Carey will be held this Friday from 7 to 9 p.m., at Nardolillo's Funeral Home, at 1111 Boston Neck Rd. in Narragansett. A funeral Mass has been set for Saturday at 10 a.m. at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Wakefield, followed by an 11:30 a.m. reception at the University Club at URI's Kingston campus.

He survived by his wife, Elizabeth, and sons J. William Carey, of Santa Fe, New Mexico; Timothy J. Carey, of Denver; Matthew F. Carey of Los Angeles, and Daniel R. Carey of Galway, Ireland.

Posted by Steve Peoples at 7:05 PM | Comment

Senate leaders open citizenship door to Liberians

WASHINGTON -- Senate leaders have accepted a provision in a landmark immigration bill that would put most Liberians in this country on a pathway to U.S. citizenship.

"It's long overdue,'' U.S. Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I., said of the mechanism that Republican and Democratic leaders have agreed to open to Liberian immigrants.

If it becomes law, the measure secured by Reed would be a dramatic step for Rhode Island's 10,000 to 15,000 Liberian immigrants -- proportionately the largest Liberian population in any state.

Reed's office estimates that the vast majority of those Liberians would meet the immigration bill's criteria for securing full citizenship over the course of several years.

-- Journal Washington bureau writer John E. Mulligan

Large numbers of Liberians have sought refuge in the United States since the late 1980s, when civil war broke out in the West African nation founded in the late 19th century by former American slaves.

Since then, Liberians here have clung to a tenuous legal status that has generally been extended year by year -- amid much anxiety for the immigrants and their employers.

Under the provision that Reed secured, qualified Liberian immigrants would essentially seek citizenship under the same ground rules that the bill has created for some of the more than 11 million undocumented aliens now estimated to live in the United States.

The immigrants would have to be able to show that they have been in the United States continuously -- except for brief visits home -- since April 5, 2001, have worked for three of the past five years and expect to work for the coming six years. They would have to meet other criteria, such a knowledge of English and of American history and civics.

The immigrants would obtain green cards and then have a wait of several years -- depending on the number of prospective citizens in line ahead of them -- before securing full citizenship.

-- Journal Washington bureau writer John E. Mulligan

Posted by Andrea Panciera at 6:39 PM | Comment

House delays vote on casino-enabling bill

PROVIDENCE -- House leaders have delayed a vote on a bill that would ask Rhode Islanders to amend the state Constitution to allow the Narragansetts to operate a casino in West Warwick.

The high-profile vote was originally scheduled for tomorrow, but was moved to Thursday, according to an announcement released this afternoon.

The House Finance Committee voted yesterday to approve the amendment -- subject to a vote by the full House. If passed on Thursday and later in the Senate, Rhode Island voters will decide the issue in November.

According to the bill, the issue would appear at the top of the list of ballot questions.

To review the proposed amendment, click here.

Posted by Steve Peoples at 6:24 PM | Comment

Biotech tax-credit bill heading to govenor

PROVIDENCE -- Biotechnology companies that pay above-average wages would benefit from an expanded tax credit program under a bill passed by the General Assembly today.

Governor Carcieri plans to sign the bill tomorrow, his spokesman Jeff Neal said. The House approved it 63-0. The Senate passed it previously.

The bill extends existing tax credits for biotechnology companies from seven to 15 years. Its supporters say that will help make Rhode Island competitive with Connecticut, Massachusetts and other states offering similar tax incentives.

The biotechnology tax credits mimic those offered for television and film companies doing production work in Rhode Island. Four major productions - two films and two televisions series - have brought $105 million worth of business and more than 700 jobs to Rhode Island since the General Assembly created those tax credits last year, said Steven Feinberg, director of the Rhode Island Film and Television Office.

-- Associated Press

Posted by Andrea Panciera at 5:03 PM | Comment

Photo: The retiring of a household name

Journal photo / Andrew Dickerman
George M. Sage, founder of Bonanza Bus Lines, was honored today at a ceremony officially retiring the brand of the company, which was was bought by Peter Pan Bus Lines in 2003. The Bonanza name has remained on buses and above its terminal off North Main Street in Providence. And now, the terminal itself will be called after Sage, who named his bus line after his favorite 1970s TV cowboy show.

-- With reports from Journal staff writer Lynn Arditi

Posted by Andrea Panciera at 4:40 PM | Comment

State objects to work release for Biechele

PROVIDENCE -- State prosecutors today filed an objection in Superior Court to Daniel Biechele's request for work release.

Biechele, the tour manager for Great White, is serving a four-year prison term for igniting The Station nightclub fire.

Biechele's attorneys last week asked Superior Court Judge Francis J. Darigan Jr. to allow Biechele to leave prison during the day to work as an accountant or bookkeeper.

In objecting to Biechele's request, the attorney general argued that the Department of Corrections, not Darigan, should make the determination.

Darigan has yet to schedule a hearing on the matter.

Posted by Steve Peoples at 4:06 PM | Comment

Providence man gets 30 months for gun possession

PROVIDENCE -- A Providence man has been sentenced to 30 months in federal prison for being a felon in possession of a gun, according to an announcement by the U.S. Attorney's Office today.

John Polanco, 22, previously convicted of assault with a dangerous weapon, pleaded guilty to the gun charge stemming from an arrest last September when he fled Providence police officers during a routine traffic stop.

Polanco sped away, crashed into a parked car, and then ran from his car. He admitted tossing a .40 caliber pistol from his waistband on the ground during a subsequent foot chase.

Polanco was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Court Judge William E. Smith.

Since 2001, federal firearms prosecutions in Rhode Island have more than doubled and gun offenders have been sentenced to a total of more than 700 years in federal prison, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.

Posted by Steve Peoples at 3:42 PM | Comment

Republican candidate to challege Carcieri

PROVIDENCE -- It appears that Gov. Carcieri will face an opponent in the Republican primary this fall, as an adjunct economics professor at Brown University announced his candidacy for governor this afternoon.

Dennis W. Michaud, 55, of Providence, held a press conference today at the Old State House on Benefit Street to announce his intention to challenge the governor for the Republican nomination in the general election.

Michaud, a former consultant for the embattled Beacon Mutual Insurance Co., has said he decided to challenge Carcieri because of the incumbent's "failed economic performance" and "failed performance to deliver on jobs."

Posted by Steve Peoples at 3:36 PM | Comment

House committee to hear energy-related bills

PROVIDENCE -- The House Corporations Committee is expected to hear bills today or tomorrow that are aimed at keeping utility costs down through energy efficiency programs and stronger regulations for utility company mergers.

Sponsored by House Majority Leader Gordon D. Fox and others, the bills are posted on the committee’s schedule for both days in case the committee does not get to them during today’s meeting, which is set to start in Room 203 at the rise of the House session around 5 p.m.

House bill 8025 would create a public corporation to develop and fund energy efficiency and weatherization programs for electricity, gas and oil that would help commercial, industrial and residential customers, according to the legislative press bureau. House bill 8116 is written to protect ratepayers from bearing the costs or losing previous investments in a utility in the case of a merger.

Posted by Kate Bramson at 3:33 PM | Comment

State unveils help hotline for seniors, disabled

CRANSTON --The Point Resource Call Center, a new state hotline aimed at assisting seniors and those with disabilities, marked its grand opening this morning.

The hotline, dubbed "The Point," gives guidance to callers on topics ranging from changes to Medicare Part D to chronic care services.

While today marked the ceremonial opening of the service, the resource center has been taking calls since last November and has already logged around 20,000 phone calls, according to Governor Carcieri's office.

"This is the first time Rhode Island has offered a one-stop shopping assistance call center to help the elderly and disabled of our state and it is already proving successful," Carcieri said in a statement. The governor was among those attending the opening.

The hotline number is (401) 462-4444. Its hours are Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m., additional evening hours Tuesday and Thursday until 8 p.m., and Saturday, 8:30 a.m. to noon.

More information is available online at www.ThePointRI.org.

Posted by Steve Peoples at 1:13 PM | Comment

Child molester gets life for assault on toddler

SOUTH KINGSTOWN -- A convicted child molester was sentenced this morning to life plus one year in prison for sexually assaulting his neighbor's 17-month-old daughter.

A jury convicted John Bergevine, formerly of 795 Tower Hill Rd., North Kingstown, of first-degree child molestation in March. He was babysitting the toddler when the girl's father returned home unexpectedly and walked in as the molestation was taking place.

Bergevine was talking to his attorney through much of this morning's hearing and vowed to appeal the sentence immediately after it was ordered by Superior Court Judge Edward C. Clifton.

Clifton gave Bergevine the maximum sentence, adding an extra year in prison because of a courtroom outburst last October.

In 1994, Bergevine admitted to kidnapping a minor and was given a 10-year suspended sentence, with probation. He had been held in prison since his latest arrest.

-- With reports from Journal staff writer Katie Mulvaney

Posted by Steve Peoples at 12:47 PM | Comment

Update: Fire crews still on scene at Downcity building / Photo

Journal photo / Kris Craig
Fire damage can be seen this morning at the 151 Weybosset St. building, where nearby streets are still closed.

PROVIDENCE – About 30 firefighters and 10 trucks remain at the Downcity Food and Cocktails restaurant at 151 Weybosset St., which was destroyed by fire yesterday, to ensure the safety of the demolition crew, Fire Lt. Kevin Gomes said this morning.

They’re there to prevent anyone on scene from being injured by sparks and smoldering as crews dismantle the remains of the three-story building, Gomes said.

“They want to make sure the building’s sound and make sure nobody’s hurt,” he said.
The fire is under control, Gomes said, but there are probably still some hot spots. The stubborn blaze burned all day yesterday, beginning at about 6:30 a.m. when a chef was cooking a brisket for a catering job.

Hot spots in such a fire can last for days and could re-kindle if the appropriate precautions aren’t taken, Gomes said.

“That’s why the demolition is quick,” he said. “They want to get it all down and get rid of those hot spots so they don’t go up again.”

At about 6:30 a.m. today, the top portion of the red brick building that housed Downcity Food and Cocktails was gone. Fire hoses were still attached to the hydrant at the corner of Weybosset and Dorrance Streets.

Weybosset remains closed for a few blocks.

The restaurant’s Web site says the restaurant will be closed indefinitely because of the fire.

Posted by Kate Bramson at 12:05 PM | Comment

Update: Tiverton police say armed men robbed couple

TIVERTON – The police are investigating a home invasion where two armed men wearing ski masks forced a man and his fiancée into theirRiverscape Drive home last night and robbed them, police Chief Thomas Blakey said this morning.

Blakey said the men, armed with a hand gun and a stun gun, had staked out the home and were waiting outside when the couple drove into the garage attached to the house.

“The point I want to stress on this is that all the evidence and indications are that this was not a random act or a crime of opportunity,” the chief said in an interview. “The victims had been targeted by the perpetrators. This was something that was planned, and these victims had been targeted.”

The homeowner called the police around 8:30 p.m., and he reported that the armed men bound the couple with plastic flex cuffs, grabbed a large kitchen knife, led the couple into the basement, stunned them with the stun gun and demanded cash and jewelry, Blakey said.

The men fled in one of the victim’s cars, a 2001 silver Audi with Rhode Island plates, Blakey said. They stole an undetermined amount of jewelry and cash, both from the home and from the couple, he said.

The police do not have any suspects at this time, Blakey said.

Blakey asked anyone with information about the robbery to contact the department, at (401)625-6716.

Det. Michael Miguel and Officers James McGuinness-Rossi and John Miranda are conducting the investigation.

Posted by Kate Bramson at 11:41 AM | Comment

Developer proposes wind farm for Buzzards Bay

NEW BEDFORD, Mass. -- A Boston developer wants to build a $750 million offshore wind farm with 90 to 120 turbines in Buzzards Bay, a proposal that would dramatically alter the appearance of the ecologically sensitive waterway, The Standard-Times reported today.

Windmills 407 feet high would be planted 3 to 4 miles off the coast of Sconticut Neck in Fairhaven, Barneys Joy in Dartmouth and Naushon Island, one of the Elizabeth Islands. An estimated 30 to 40 turbines would be built at each of the three sites under the plan.

Patriot Renewables LLC, a renewable energy subsidiary of Jay Cashman Inc., must win numerous regulatory approvals for mega-project.

Read the full Associated Press story.

Posted by Jack Perry at 9:15 AM | Comment

Burnt breakfast no problem this time in Providence

PROVIDENCE -- The sight of four fire trucks, their lights flashing, and an ambulance outside the Rhode Island Convention Center early this morning might have caught more attention than usual after a smoky blaze yesterday destroyed a building and disrupted traffic just a few blocks away.

Firefighters went to the convention center for a report of burnt toast, but big problems can result from such seemingly minor incidents. It was, after all, a burning brisket that started the fire early yesterday at Downcity Food and Cocktails restaurant, 151 Weybosset Street.

No such problems resulted from the convention fire call at 7:30 a.m., which drew about a dozen firefighters. The incident, in an eastern office on the second floor of the convention center, was so minor that it really wasn’t even considered a fire, Lt. Kevin Gomes said.

Firefighters cleared the scene after about 20 minutes.

Posted by Kate Bramson at 8:23 AM | Comment

DEM bans goldfish as fishing bait

PROVIDENCE -- Goldfish can make good pets, but they shouldn't be used as bait.

That's according to the Department of Environmental Management. It has issued emergency regulations banning the use of goldfish as fresh water bait.

DEM says goldfish are an invasive species that can destroy the state's fresh water habitats. They eat plants that provide food and cover for native fish, carry disease and push out native fish with aggressive behavior and breeding.

Rhode Island's ban applies to all goldfish varieties. Neighboring Massachusetts has banned "Black Salty" goldfish.

Goldfish can be used as bait in salt water. They also can be kept in enclosed goldfish ponds.

The emergency ban lasts for 120 days. The DEM says it expects to issue permanent rules after that.

-- The Associated Press

Posted by Steve Peoples at 7:25 AM | Comment

Partly cloudy, highs in the mid-60s

This morning’s clouds should stick around, but the sun is out and we should see temps in the mid-60s today.

Our days are getting longer, as the sun is rising earlier every day. Sunrise today was 5:18 a.m., and sunset will be at 8:06 p.m.

Get the latest conditions and forecasts from projo.com.

Posted by Kate Bramson at 7:05 AM | Comment