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May 30, 2006

Astros owner hopeful Clemens will return

The Houston Astros owner is denying media reports that Roger Clemens has signed a one-year deal with his team.

Some news agencies, including ESPN.com and Newsday, are reporting this afternoon that Clemens has chosen the Houston Astros over other suitors, who include the Boston Red Sox.

Projo.com's sister site, khou.com in Houston, spoke to the Astros' owner, Drayton McLane, who would not confirm this afternoon that a deal exists.

McLane said he's waiting to hear back from the former Red Sox pitching ace and his agents regarding a return to the Astros.

Listen to the full audio report from khou.com ...

Posted by Steve Peoples at 6:35 PM | Comment

Senate panel taking testimony on casino bill

PROVIDENCE -- The Senate Committee on Constitutional and Gaming Issues is hearing testimony this afternoon on a bill that would allow voters to decide whether to change the state Constitution to accommodate a casino in West Warwick.

The Senate committee is expected to hear testimony from a variety of people, including representatives of Donald Trump, who wants to build a resort casino in Johnston.

The bill under review specifically refers to a casino proposed by the Narragansett Indians in conjunction with Harrah's on non-Indian land. The House approved the measure last week.

The Senate panel hearing is expected to stretch into the evening. A vote is possible, but isn't expected today.

-- With reports from Journal staff writer Katherine Gregg

Posted by Steve Peoples at 5:51 PM | Comment

Study: More education needed on cyanide dangers

PROVIDENCE -- Firefighters, medical personnel, and the general public need more education on the dangers of cyanide poisoning, according to the results of a 90-page study released this afternoon by a Providence Fire Department task force.

The group investigated the issue for two months, finding that "overwhelming evidence exists that cyanide is present in fire smoke more commonly and in greater quantities than previously believed," according to the report.

The task force was formed in March days after nearly two dozen city firefighters, including one who suffered a heart attack, were tested for cyanide poisoning at building fires.

Aside from training, other task force recommendations include the acquisition of cyanide detection equipment. City officials plan to work with a Connecticut company to devise better testing protocols.

-- With reports from Journal staff writer Amanda Milkovits

Cyanide is present in smoke produced by the burning of plastic, rubber, asphalt, and many synthetic materials. Symptoms of cyanide poisoning are often confused with carbon monoxide poisoning, according to the study, which also found the blood test for cyanide poisoning isn't readily available in most Rhode Island hospitals.

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health is also reviewing the cyanide poisoning.

-- With reports from Journal staff writer Amanda Milkovits

Posted by Steve Peoples at 5:25 PM | Comment

Update: 3 killed in Providence car crash ID'd / Photo

Journal photo / John Freidah
Jesse Couto, cousin of one of three victims, Marco Coutu, visits the crash scene at the intersection of Ernest and Johnston streets today with friends April Goncalves and Matthew Ferreiro. The building has become an informal memorial to the victims.

PROVIDENCE – The driver of a car that crashed here Sunday night, killing three passengers, has been charged with three felony counts of driving to endanger with death resulting.

The driver, Jose Baret, 24, of 137 Whittier Ave., Providence, was the only one to survive. He was also issued summonses for failure to maintain control, presence of alcohol beverage while operating a motor vehicle and for neither himself or his passengers wearing seatbelts.

Police recovered a half-full bottle of Cognac, an empty beer bottle, and an empty cup that smelled of alcohol from the car, a 2000 Mercedes-Benz, according to the police report of the accident.

The deceased passengers were identified this morning. They are: Marco Couto, 27; Carlos Polanco, 27; and Christopher Verissimo, 23; all of Providence, according to police spokesman Gene D. Riccio.

The police had refused Monday to identify anyone in the accident.

Sgt. Paul Zienowicz said the car was traveling on Ernest Street "at a high rate of speed" at 10:20 p.m. and went out of control when the driver attempted to turn left onto Johnston Street.

The car struck Ferguson Perforating & Wire Co. at 130 Ernest St.

The building, in an industrial section of the city, has become an informal memorial to the three crash victims, tagged with their names and decorated with flowers. Friends and family members gathered there today.

Posted by Kate Bramson at 5:11 PM | Comment

Carcieri to veto nonbinding ballot question bill

PROVIDENCE -- Governor Carcieri is scheduled to hold a special ceremony this afternoon to veto a bill that would strip the governor of the authority to place nonbinding questions on the ballot.

Despite today's 5 p.m. ceremony inside the State House, the General Assembly is expected to override Carcieri's veto, making the bill law.

Carcieri previously announced that he would seek voter approval this November for two constitutional amendments designed to limit the growth of state government spending and local property taxes.

Rhode Island is the only state that allows the governor to place such nonbinding items on the ballot without lawmakers' approval.

Posted by Steve Peoples at 3:58 PM | Comment

$200k federal grant will help families hurt by violence

PROVIDENCE -- A nonprofit agency that works with victims of violent crime has received a $200,000 grant from the federal government to build a family trauma center.

U.S. Sen. Lincoln Chafee met with officials from Family Service of Rhode Island this morning to announce the grant, which was included as an earmark in the 2006 transportation and housing bill.

Family Service will use the money to transform a house into a center with rooms designed for family therapy, play therapy and normal family activities like preparing meals together.

“We believe healing is more likely in a non-institutional setting. Using that simple inter-active experience can be a way to rebuild relationships severed by trauma,” Family Service CEO Margaret Holland McDuff said in a statement.

Family Service received $420,000 in federal funding last year to establish the Providence Safe Start program with the Providence Police Department.

Posted by Steve Peoples at 2:42 PM | Comment

Faxon, Andrade announce CVS golf pairings

Golfers Chris DiMarco and Fred Funk will have the chance to defend their 2005 CVS/pharmacy Charity Classic title next month at the Rhode Island Country Club in Barrington.

DiMarco and Funk will again play together in this year's charity classic, which is scheduled for June 19 and 20.

Twenty golf professionals, in two-player teams, will compete for $1.35 million.

Here are the rest of the pairings and tee times, announced today by hosts Brad Faxon and Billy Andrade:

• 10:30 a.m.: Bubba Watson / JB Holmes; Nick Price / Tim Clark
• 10:40 a.m.: Brett Quigley/Dana Quigley; Peter Jacobsen/Hale Irwin
• 10:50 a.m.: Tom Lehman/Tim Herron; Stewart Cink/David Toms
• 11:00 a.m.: Andrade/Jose Maria Olazabal; Davis Love/Lucas Glover
• 11:10 a.m.; Faxon/Mike Weir; Dimarco/Funk

Posted by Jack Perry at 2:09 PM | Comment

Fairhaven teen held in classmate's stabbing death

FAIRHAVEN, Mass. -- The Fairhaven high school senior who police say stabbed his classmate to death during an argument after the two and another friend broke into a house was ordered held without bail today.

The police found Thomas Reynolds, 18, of Acushnet, slumped over the wheel of a Jeep Cherokee early Sunday with multiple stab wounds. He was pronounced dead at a hospital.

His friend, John Blomgren, 19, was ordered held without bail today at his arraignment in New Bedford District Court on a murder charge.

Read the full Associated Press story.

Posted by Jack Perry at 1:47 PM | Comment

Pro-casino business group launched / Photo

Journal photo / Kathy Borchers
Bob Vincent, vice president of communications for GTECH Holdings Corp., talks about CompeteRI, a group formed by business owners to support the $1 billion Narragansett Indian-Harrah's Entertainment Casino proposed for West Warwick.

PROVIDENCE -- More than two dozen business people gathered on Federal Hill this morning to announce formation of a group dedicated to drumming up support for the proposed West Warwick casino.

CompeteRI is made up of mostly small businesses ranging from hotels and restaurants to construction firms and auto dealers.

The biggest company in the group is GTECH Holdings Corp., the West Greenwich-based gambling systems provider that stands to secure a share of the casino if the Narragansett Indians and Harrah's Entertainment are succesful in winning approval for the project. The group said it has 50 members in all.

"We want to educate others about the benefits of this project," restaurant owner Rick Simone declared at a press conference at DePasquale Square on Federal Hill.

Contrary to some in the hospitality industry who say a casino would drain away customers from existing businesses, Simone said a casino would strengthen the Rhode Island tourism industry's ability to compete with Connecticut and its two casinos.

Glenn Ahlborg, president of TPG Construction, pointed to the benefits of the $1 billion Harrah's says would be spent building the proposed "destination casino" in West Warwick.

The House last week passed a bill allowing the casino issue to be put before voters in a referendum question. The bill now stands before the Senate. Governor Carcieri is opposed to the proposed casino.

Posted by at 11:49 AM | Comment

Update: Biechele can participate in work-release program

PROVIDENCE – Daniel M. Biechele can participate in the state's work-release program, but must go through the state Department of Corrections process first, Superior Court Judge Francis J. Darigan Jr. ruled this morning.

Biechele filed a request to be put into the work-release program, shortly after he was sentenced to four years in prison for his role in sparking the disastrous Station night club fire.

Biechele has been offered a job as a bookkeeper at The Arc of Northern Rhode Island, his attorneys told the court today.

Arc CEO Robert L. Carl Jr., who has offered Biechele the job, was former Gov. Lincoln Almond’s director of administration and former chief of the state Department of Mental Health, Retardation and Hospitals.

Biechele was not in court today. He is being held in minimum security at the Adult Correctional Institutions in Cranston. Earlier this month, Biechele was sentenced to four years in prison after he pleaded guilty to 100 counts of involuntary manslaughter, one for each of the people who died in the 2003 nightclub fire.

Posted by Kate Bramson at 11:09 AM | Comment

Gasoline prices drop 4 cents

Gasoline prices in Rhode Island have dropped another four cents this week, the second consecutive week that prices have fallen, according to AAA Southern New England.

Your Turn: Has the cost of gasoline affected your vacation plans?

The average price for a gallon of regular, unleaded gasoline is $2.94 at the self-service pump, according to AAA's weekly survey.

The price has dropped six cents in the past two weeks, but drivers are still paying 68 cents more than they were at the beginning of the year, according to AAA.

Posted by Jack Perry at 10:27 AM | Comment

Westport, Mass., man charged with attempted murder of police officer

WESTPORT, Mass. -- A 24-year-old Westport man will face attempted murder charges today at Fall River Second District Court for allegedly trying to run down a police officer who responded to a call that he'd been fighting with his brother.

George Stowell Jr. allegedly got in his car when Officer Bob Thatcher arrived Saturday, put it in reverse and turned it around to face the cruiser.

The police said he was ordered to stop but that Stowell sped up and drove the car toward the cruiser. The impact knocked the cruiser back five feet.

Read the full Associated Press Story.

Posted by Jack Perry at 9:55 AM | Comment

High around 77, potential thunderstorms

After the beautiful holiday weekend, temperatures have dropped today, and the National Weather Service has issued a hazardous weather outlook for parts of northern Connecticut and Massachusetts and most of Rhode Island.

There’s a slight chance of showers, and we could see patchy fog before 9 a.m. today. Highs should hover around 77, and the nighttime low should be about 55.

The hazardous weather outlook calls for a slight chance of thunderstorms and a risk of lightning. For tomorrow and into the rest of the week, an approaching cold front could bring thunderstorms, strong wind gusts and large hail on Thursday.

Get the latest conditions and forecasts from projo.com.

Posted by Kate Bramson at 7:01 AM | Comment