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July 31, 2006

1st winner of new slot game rakes it in at Lincoln Park

LINCOLN -- The first winner of the nation's first multi-state progressive slot jackpot won the prize yesterday at Lincoln Park, it was announced today.

The new Ca$hola game links slot machines at Lincoln, Newport Grand and slot facilities in Delaware and West Virginia. A portion of each dollar gambled at each machine is put toward a jackpot that can be won by gamblers in any state.

The game started on July 18 and is coordinated by the Multi-State Lottery Association, a group of lotteries that runs Powerball. The chance of winning is about 1 in 7 million.

The 20-year annuity was $708,558.20, but the unidentified winner chose to take the cash payout of $454,319.

Higher jackpots are thought to entice more gamblers, creating more money for the slot parlor. The state takes about 60.5 percent of the slot revenues at Lincoln Park, or $205.4 million last year.

-- Journal staff writer Scott Mayerowitz

Posted by Steve Peoples at 6:31 PM | Comment

Chafee, Laffey to engage in series of debates

PROVIDENCE -- Cranston Mayor Stephen P. Laffey and U.S. Sen. Lincoln Chafee will square off in a series of debates next month, according to announcements today from each campaign.

The first debate in the Republican primary race for Chafee's seat is scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 10, from 5 to 6 p.m. , to be broadcast live on WHJJ radio. Three more debates are scheduled in August, at weekly intervals.

The rest of the debate schedule is as follows:

-Thursday, Aug. 16, from 5 to 6 p.m., live on WPRO radio

- Wednesday, Aug. 23, from 7 to 8 p.m., televised live on WPRI Channel 12

- Thursday, Aug. 24, from 7 to 8 p.m., televised live on WJAR Channel 10

-- projo.com staff writer Steve Peoples

Posted by Steve Peoples at 5:56 PM | Comment

National Grid proposes drop in electricity rates

After seven months of record-high electricity rates, Rhode Islanders may soon get a reprieve.

National Grid today proposed reducing its rates on Sept. 1 by about 3.9 percent.
The proposal reflects a projected decline in energy prices over the next few months, the company said in a filing with the Public Utilities Commission late this afternoon.

If the change is approved by the PUC, the monthly bill for a customer who uses 500 kilowatt-hours of electricity would be $77.82, down $3.12, or 3.9 percent, from $80.94 under current rates.

Posted by Tim Barmann at 5:50 PM | Comment

Red Sox fail to make deal prior to baseball's trading deadline

Despite having what he described as ''countless, countless, countless opportunities'' to make a trade prior to today's 4 p.m. trade deadline, Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein said none of the potential deals they could have made would have benefitted the team in the long term. And, thus, the Sox wound up standing pat and not making a trade.

Continue reading more on the Red Sox blog.

Posted by Art at 5:29 PM | Comment

Newport fatal accident under review

NEWPORT -- The police said today they are still reviewing whether to file criminal charges in a motor vehicle accident involving two pedestrians that left one man dead.

William DePaolo, 67, a former chairman of the Southington, Conn. town council, died at Rhode Island Hospital on Sunday morning, according to a hospital spokeswoman.

The driver, Elizabeth Delude-Dix, 54,of 1070 E. Shore Road, Jamestown, told the police that she was using the car's windshield wipers and did not see the pedestrians crossing, said police Lt. Michael Brennan. Brennan said there was no evidence to suggest the driver was speeding, and that she did not run a red light.

"The case is still being reviewed by detectives and the attorney general's office,'' Brennan said. "At this time there are no criminal charges.''

-- Journal staff writer Richard Salit, with reports from the Hartford Courant

DePaolo and his daughter-in-law, Cheryl Moran, 37, were crossing America's Cup Avenue at Bannister's Wharf at about 10:20 p.m. Tuesday when they were hit by the 2001 Volkswagen Delude-Dix was driving north through the intersection. DePaolo and Moran are both from Southington.

Moran was treated for her injuries at Newport Hospital. DePaolo was transferred that day to Newport Hospital.

-- Journal staff writer Richard Salit, with reports from the Hartford Courant

Posted by Steve Peoples at 5:10 PM | Comment

Hearing begins on former parks employee's pension

Journal photo / Mary Murphy
Kathleen M. Parsons listens to lawyer Jennifer Sternick, left, as Sternick questions Parsons about embezzling money to pay her gambling debts.

PROVIDENCE -- The city Retirement Board, as required by law, began the process today of revoking or reducing a city parks employee's $1,895 monthly pension because she rendered dishonorable service by embezzling money.

Kathleen M. Parsons, a former office manager in the superintendent's office of the Providence Parks Department, is fighting to keep her pension. She blames her actions on a gambling problem.

"I knew it was wrong, of course...I couldn't help myself," she testified. Parsons embezzled at least $26,981.

Lawyer Jennifer Sternick was appointed earlier by the board to conduct hearings and then recommend what the board should do with the pension.

Another hearing session has been scheduled for September.

-- With reports from Journal staff writer Gregory Smith

Posted by Jack Perry at 4:39 PM | Comment

Mayor to meet with residents tonight on Federal Hill

PROVIDENCE -- Mayor David N. Cicilline will meet one-on-one with city residents tonight on Federal Hill as part of his "Mayor's Night Out" initiative.

Beginning at 5:30 at the Federal Hill House on Courtland Street, Cicilline will meet privately with residents for 10 minutes each on a first-come, first-served basis. There is no set agenda, and residents are free to discuss whatever they want.

Cicilline's next "night out" will take place Aug. 23.

Posted by Steve Peoples at 4:34 PM | Comment

Judge to hear 8 Derderian trial motions Wednesday

PROVIDENCE -- With the trial about a month away, lawyers for Station nightclub co-owner Michael Derderian plan to ask a Superior Court judge to ban witnesses from talking about the official capacity of the club, where 100 people died in a 2003 fire.

That's one of the eight motions filed by Derderian's attorneys scheduled to be discussed Wednesday morning before Judge Francis J. Darigan Jr.

The motion is "seeking to preclude testimony by any official of the town of West Warwick regarding 'official' capacity of the Station nightclub as of February 20, 2003."

Another motion by the defense team will ask the judge to preclude amateur opinion regarding the capacity of the club -- presumably from people who were inside the Station the night of the fire.

Prosecutors have subpoenaed more than 250 potential witnesses for the trial, which is scheduled to begin Sept. 5.

Derderian and his brother Jeffrey Derderian, the nightclub's other owner, each are charged with 200 counts of involuntary manslaughter, 2 for each of the 100 people who died in the fire. Jeffrey Derderian's trial date has not yet been set.

Posted by Steve Peoples at 3:51 PM | Comment

Update on Red Sox trade rumors, as deadline nears

With the 4 p.m. trade deadline looming, some quick hits on Red Sox trade rumors . . .

-- In the last 90 minutes, a Kip Wells-to-Boston rumor took fire in virtually every corner of the Internet. However, a baseball source says the deal is ''not close.''

-- A high-ranked baseball insider said the Sox were negotiating a contract extension with the agents for Julio Lugo, indicating a deal with the Devil Rays might be close.

For the latest, click over to projo.com's Sox Blog. And check back soon for updates.

-- Journal sports writer Sean McAdam

Posted by Steve Peoples at 3:32 PM | Comment

Ways to cool off in Providence

PROVIDENCE – With an excessive heat watch on for tomorrow afternoon through Wednesday evening, the capital city is urging people without access to air-conditioning to take advantage of some cool city spots.

As a precaution, the Providence Emergency Management Agency is opening a shelter at Springfield Middle School, 152 Springfield St., from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. tomorrow and Wednesday, Alderson said.

People can also head to the Providence Public Library branches and the city’s senior centers, which are open their regular hours, according to Rhoades Alderson, communications director for the city.

The city’s public pools and water parks will stay open until 7 p.m. the next two days, instead of closing at 5 p.m., Alderson said.

In addition, Providence Community Action will be giving out free fans, beginning tomorrow, Alderson said. More details on that program were not immediately available.

And Mayor David N. Cicilline is encouraging people to check in on neighbors and relatives who they think may be vulnerable to heat illness.

“That’s the best way to ensure safety, is for neighbors to go in and help each other out,” Alderson said.

Posted by Kate Bramson at 2:59 PM | Comment

Update: Toddler found in pool remains critical

WARWICK – A 2-year-old girl remains in critical condition today at Hasbro Children’s Hospital after she was found yesterday morning in the family inground pool at 90 Burbank Drive.

The incident is under police investigation, in coordination with the state Department of Children, Youth & Families, Police Lt. Raymond Gallucci said this morning. The police are not releasing the family’s name.

DCYF, which typically steps in for such investigations, is providing support to the family at this time, said Stephanie Perry, the department's assistant director of child protective services.

"There's no evidence at this point that this is anything but a tragic accident," Perry said. "However, we’re continuing to investigate."

Yesterday, Lt. Michael J. Higgins said the police did not suspect foul play.

The girl was in the intensive care unit yesterday after the police were called around 8:30 a.m. Preliminary reports from the scene indicate that the pool has a fence around it, Higgins said yesterday.

Posted by Kate Bramson at 2:52 PM | Comment

Photo: Juice in the park

Journal photo / Steve Szydlowski
Julio Giron, 4, of Providence, drinks orange juice that came today in his lunch, one of thousands served to youngsters every summer by the Providence Department of Recreation.

Posted by Andrea Panciera at 2:26 PM | Comment

SUV crashes into Warren Convenience Store

WARREN -- Two men were inside the Warren Convenience Store at 10 a.m. today when a gray Mercury Mountaineer crashed though the store’s front window and nearly hit one of the men.

No one was hurt in the crash at 630 Metacom Ave., Sgt. Joe DaSilva Jr. said.

When the driver, a 17-year-old Bristol boy, pulled into the store parking lot, he stepped on the brake, but it didn't work, according Lt. Joseph Loiselle.

Kiran D’souza, the nephew of store owner Nalin Patel, was working when the SUV came rolling through the front window.

“I was behind the counter, and there was a customer in the store,” he said. "[The SUV] just missed the customer by a couple of inches."

The building sustained no major structural damage, according to town building official William J. Nash Jr.

The police are still investigating.

-- Journal Staff Writer Justin Amoah

Posted by Kate Bramson at 2:07 PM | Comment

R.I. to get $1.65M to repair flood-damaged roads

Rhode Island will receive $1.65 million in federal funding to help repair roads and bridges damaged during last fall’s flooding.

The funding is part of an emergency appropriation passed by Congress in June that went to the Federal Highway Administration’s emergency relief program.

Several rivers flooded last October when 7 inches of rain fell in 24 hours on the heels of a week of steady rain. Among them was the Pocasset, which flooded Cranston streets, filling area basements with sewage and stormwater.

“With the allocation of these federal dollars, Rhode Island can recoup many of the expenses incurred in the wake of last October’s flooding,” U.S. Sen. Lincoln Chafee, R-R.I., said in the announcement. “Now, those costs associated with repairing damaged roads and bridges will not be paid for by the local taxpayer.”

-- projo.com staff writer Steve Peoples

Posted by Kate Bramson at 2:02 PM | Comment

Will Sox make a move before today's trade deadline?

The Boston Red Sox will make news this afternoon, whether they do or do not make a trade by the 4 p.m. deadline.

The Sox are rumored to be interested in a host of players, including Roger Clemens, Mark Buehrle and Julio Lugo. And Boston may be willing to move Coco Crisp and Mike Lowell, just to name a few big name starters.

Check back for trade news as Journal reporters Sean McAdam and Steven Krasner monitor the situation.

Posted by Steve Peoples at 11:40 AM | Comment

Gas prices increase for 5th straight week

Gasoline prices in Rhode Island have increased another two cents, the fifth straight week prices have risen, according to AAA Southern New England.

The average price for regular, unleaded gasoline is $3.11 per gallon at self-service pump, according to the car club's weekly survey.

The price has increased 15 cents over the past five weeks, AAA said.

Check on Providence gas prices.

Posted by Jack Perry at 11:07 AM | Comment

Pawtucket rail layover station holds grand opening today

PAWTUCKET -- Today's the grand opening for a new commuter rail layover station in Pawtucket.

Deputy Federal Transit Administrator Sandy Bushue will join a host of political leaders this morning to dedicate the new rail yard.

Relocating the layover station from Attleboro to Pawtucket is part of a deal between Rhode Island officials and the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority. The agreement will allow expanded commuter rail service to Providence.

Starting this month, the MBTA is increasing the number of weekday trips from Boston to Providence from 11 to 15. It's also introducing weekend service.

MBTA officials say more than 1,000 people board the commuter rail daily in Providence.

Read more about the Pawtucket station.

-- The Associated Press

Posted by Kate Bramson at 7:22 AM | Comment

R.I. Guard to help patrol nation's border

PROVIDENCE -- Governor Carcieri is expected to attend a farewell ceremony for Rhode Island Air National Guard troops this morning at T.F. Green Airport.

About 40 members of the 281st Combat Communications Group are scheduled to leave today for New Mexico to help patrol the nation's border. They will be deployed for three weeks.

The Rhode Island Air National Guard will help develop a communications plan for New Mexico that fits into a national plan linking the four states on the nation's border with Mexico.

It is the Rhode Island Guard's first assignment on the southwest border.

-- The Associated Press

Posted by Jack Perry at 7:09 AM | Comment

Dangerously hot weather predicted for this week

PROVIDENCE – If you’ve been thinking about getting an air conditioner but keep putting it off, today’s forecast could be your motivation to go get it and install it.

The National Weather Service has issued an excessive heat watch for almost all of southern New England, in effect from Tuesday afternoon through Wednesday evening. The watch doesn’t include Block Island, Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket.

With temperatures expected to soar well into the 90s Tuesday afternoon and approach 100 degrees in western Massachusetts, the combination of heat and humidity will result in heat indices of up to 105 degrees. With temperatures topping out at 100 degrees over most of southern New England on Wednesday, the hottest day of the week, heat indices are expected to reach around 110 degrees that afternoon.

Such weather is extreme for southern New England and can be life-threatening if precautions are not taken, especially for the elderly, children and people who work outside.

Keep up with the latest conditions and forecasts on our website.

Posted by Kate Bramson at 7:08 AM | Comment