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August 22, 2006

Serious accident on 146 closes one northbound lane

LINCOLN -- State authorities have closed one lane on Route 146 North following a serious car accident near Interstate 295.

The state Department of Transportation issued an alert at about about 5:10 p.m. with information regarding the lane closure, but the state police could provide further information on the accident.

The DOT is suggesting that commuters avoid 146.

Posted by Steve Peoples at 5:15 PM | Comment

Update: Memorial Hospital prepares for strike

PAWTUCKET -- Preparing for a strike, Memorial Hospital officials this afternoon said it had a plan to reduce the number of patients at the Pawtucket institution from 120 to 40 over the next 10 days.

The union representing hundreds of nurses and health care professionals at Memorial Hospital of Rhode Island issued a 10-day strike notice today, prompting the hospital management to implement the patient-reduction plan.

The management plans to keep the hospital and emergency room open in the event of a strike.

The union has been in negotiations with hospital managment since mid June. The employees' contract expired Aug. 6.

"Based on the positions the hospital is taking at the bargaining table, it is clear to us that the hospital has no respect for the employees, their families, or the patients," said local union president Bill George in a statement.

Memorial president and CEO Francis R. Dietz said there's no need for patients to worry. "Our patients need to know that we remain committed, no matter what the situation, to ensuring they receive quality health care," he said in a statement.

The two sides have clashed over mandatory overtime and domestic partner benefits, among other issues.

Under federal law, the 10-day notice would allow the 400-member union, which includes nurses, technologists, social workers, pharmacists and physical therapists, to strike beginning Saturday, Sept. 2.

-- projo.com staff writer Steve Peoples with reports from Journal staff writer John Castellucci.

Posted by Steve Peoples at 4:29 PM | Comment

Providence woman leaves $10 million to local charities

PROVIDENCE -- A Providence woman has left about $10 million to a host of local charities, including $2.5 million to the Rhode Island Foundation for the preservation of the state's trees and another $3 million for animal care and "no kill" shelters.

Hellen Walker Raleigh, whose father headed the Providence architecture firm William R. Walker & Son, died last August at 87.

She is credited with helping to restore the Benefit Street area on Providence’s East Side in the 1970s, the Rhode Island Foundation said in a statement today announcing the grants.

In addition to the funds for animal care and tree conservation, Raleigh's left $3 million for research and treatment of macular degeneration, from which she suffered; $750,000 for an endowment to benefit the Providence Athenaeum; and $750,000 for an endowment to benefit equally the Boys and Girls Club of Providence, the Boy Scouts of America, Narragansett Council, and the Girl Scouts of Rhode Island.

“The Foundation had a long, wonderful relationship with Mrs. Raleigh,” remarked Foundation President Ronald V. Gallo. “She had a great sense of humor and an equally powerful sense of compassion. We are honored to keep her causes and her legacy alive.”

-- projo.com staff writer Steve Peoples

Posted by Steve Peoples at 3:52 PM | Comment

M.Derderian to claim he can't be tried for overcrowding

PROVIDENCE -- A lawyer for The Station nightclub co-owner Michael A. Derderian will argue tomorrow whether he can be held criminally responsible for overcrowding at his West Warwick club the night of the fire that killed 100 people.

Derderian's lawyers plan to use a multi-strategy defense claiming that he can't be tried for 200 counts of involuntary manslaugher because he wasn't there on the night of the fire.

The lawyers are asking Superior Court Judge Francis J. Darigan Jr. to bar state prosecutors from presenting any testimony or evidence that Derderian had any duty to supervise crowd control.

They are also asking Darigan to instruct the jury that is selected to hear the case "that any person who was not present at the time of the fire cannot be deemed responsible for the occupancy at the time of the fire."

Michael Derderian and his brother, Jeffrey A. Derderian, each face 200 counts of involuntary manslaughter. Eight hundred potential jurors have been summoned to the new Kent County Courthouse for the trial of Michael Derderian -- scheduled to begin Sept. 5 -- who is to be tried separately from his brother.

Tomorrow's hearing is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. at the new Kent County Courthouse in Warwick.

-- projo.com staff writer Steve Peoples

Posted by Steve Peoples at 3:06 PM | Comment

Rhode Island farmers are eligible for federal assistance

PROVIDENCE -- Rhode Island farmers are getting some help from the federal government for crops damaged by rain.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has declared the state a disaster area. That designation qualifies farmers for federal low-interest loans if they've lost a minimum 30 percent of at least one crop.

U.S. Sen. Jack Reed asked for the assistance after heavy spring rains damaged crops including strawberries, pumpkin and corn.

Several other New England states have sought aid as well.

-- The Associated Press

Posted by Steve Peoples at 1:36 PM | Comment

North Providence man died in motorcycle accident

PROVIDENCE – The police today identified the 20-year-old man who died in a motorcycle-car crash last night as Joseph A. Pierno, of North Providence.

Police responded to the accident, which was at the intersection of River Ave. and Sunbury St., at 9:05 p.m. Pierno, of 74 Gaudet St., was taken to Rhode Island Hospital, according to the police accident report. He died at the hospital at 9:15 p.m., spokeswoman Andrea Barbosa said.

Pierno was riding his 2006 Kawasaki Ninja westbound on Sunbury St. in the wrong lane, according to the accident report. Approaching the intersection with River Ave., Pierno attempted to stop.

Pierno’s motorcycle left about 87 feet of skid marks in the eastbound lane of travel on Sunbury St. It then fell to its right side and slid approximately 38 more feet, at which point it collided with the left front corner of a 1996 Land Rover.

Just before that collision, Pierno fell off the motorcycle. He struck the driver’s side rear door and the rear wheel of the Land Rover and landed on his back in the middle of River Avenue, just south of Sunbury St., according to the police.

Driving the Land Rover was Mary E. Frawley, 36, of 25 College Rd. in Providence, who gave the police a statement about the accident this morning. She had been driving the Land Rover south on River Ave., which does not have stop signs at the intersection of Sunbury St., according to the police.

Posted by Kate Bramson at 1:35 PM | Comment

Delays Wednesday on Jamestown-Verrazzano Bridge

Motorists will be delayed crossing the Jamestown-Verrazzano Bridge Wednesday. Underwater demolition of the old Jamestown Bridge will also close a 3,000-foot safety zone around the bridge.

The delays are expected between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Underwater demolition of the old bridge's piers is also scheduled for Aug. 29 and Aug. 31.

Posted by Peter Phipps at 1:35 PM | Comment

State ethics board to investigate Mollis

PROVIDENCE -- The state Ethics Commission will pursue an investigation into North Providence Mayor A. Ralph Mollis.

Commissioners decided in closed session today that there is sufficient evidence to warrant a full-scale investigation into allegations that Mollis, a Democratic candidate for secretary of state, solicited campaign donations from North Providence town employees.

The commission's next step is to schedule a probable cause hearing.

Earlier in the month, Mollis said he doesn't see anything wrong with taking money from municipal employees, aside from a fundraising letter that went out from Mollis' chief of staff -- who is also his campaign manager -- to a donor list that included many town employees.

Mollis returned some contributions he got as a result of that letter, and said he won't solicit money from town employees anymore. But he intends to keep accepting their contributions, he said in an interview earlier this month.

-- With reports from Journal staff writer Bruce Landis

Posted by Steve Peoples at 1:25 PM | Comment

Judge denies Tiverton motion to block gas co. merger

PROVIDENCE -- A Superior Court judge has denied an attempt by the town of Tiverton to block National Grid's plan to buy the Rhode Island assets of New England Gas Co.

Judge Alice Gibney this morning called Tiverton's effort "a cheap shot," denying its motion to "stay," or set aside, the state's approval of the electric company merger.

Gibney said that Tiverton had ample time to take legal action while the merger was being reviewed by the Rhode Island Division of Public Utilities and Carriers, which ultimately approved the plan.

“Tiverton chose to sit on its hands during the lengthy proceeding,” she said. And the town did so "at its peril."

The town's appeal claimed that the DPUC erred in its decision because it didn't require Southern Union, the parent of New England Gas, to put funds into an escrow account in case Southern Union is found liable for cleaning up a major hazardous waste site in Tiverton.

-- projo.com staff writer Steve Peoples, with reports from Journal staff writer Gina Macris

During the hearing process at the DPUC, Tiverton, as well as the attorney general's office, recommended that the sale be conditioned upon Southern Union establishing an escrow account of between $30 million and $55 million, the anticipated cost of the cleanup.

The DPUC issued its approval without any such condition. The hearing officer, John Spirito, said that Southern Union had demonstrated that it had the means to pay for a cleanup, if the company is found liable.

-- projo.com staff writer Steve Peoples, with reports from Journal staff writer Gina Macris

Posted by Steve Peoples at 12:54 PM | Comment

Examiner: Cause of death could take weeks in TASER case

PROVIDENCE -- It will be "several weeks" before the state Medical Examiner's office determines a cause of death for the Woonsocket man who died this weekend after being shot twice by the police with a TASER gun.

The state Medical Examiner's office released a statement early this afternoon regarding the autopsy of Timothy Picard.

"The cause of death for Timothy Picard... who became unresponsive while in Woonsocket police custody, is pending multiple test results," according to the statement. "Final determination of cause of death is dependent on review of these tests and not expected before several weeks."

-- projo.com staff writer Steve Peoples

Posted by Steve Peoples at 12:51 PM | Comment

Block Island inn loses liquor license

NEW SHOREHAM -- Ballard's Inn won't be serving drinks this weekend.

The Block Island Town Council voted last night to suspend the waterfront inn's liquor license six days after hearing testimony about repeated rescue calls to treat patrons for extreme intoxication. The popular establishment was also fined a total of $2,000 -- $500 for each infraction.

About 140 people attended the hearing at Block Island School, at which past and present managers of the legendary bar testified, as well as emergency medical technicians, Town Clerk Fiona Fitzpatrick said.

"It was disheartening to hear Ballard's take very little responsibility for what's happening down there,'' Town Manager Nancy Dodge said.

The town has accused the bar of serving customers alcoholic drinks until they were incapacitated and vomiting.

A spokesperson for the establishment has said there is a misperception that Ballard's was over-serving people who, in fact, were drinking to excess on a nearby breakwall and docks.

The bar was also accused of serving a minor on July 29.

Though the sanctions are slated to take effect Thursday through Tuesday, the owners were expected to file for a restraining order.

-- Journal staff writer Katie Mulvaney

Posted by Steve Peoples at 12:51 PM | Comment

Ethics Commission declines to investigate Lynch

PROVIDENCE -- The state Ethics Commission today declined to launch a full-scale investigation into Attorney General Patrick Lynch's acceptance of campaign money from a lawyer for DuPont Co. when he was negotiating to drop DuPont from a lawsuit potentially worth billions.

Commissioners dismissed a complaint brought by Lynch's challenger in the November election, Commission Chairman James Lynch said. He did not discuss the commissioners' reasoning. Lynch is not related to the attorney general.

Patrick Lynch, a Democrat, has said he did nothing wrong and the complaint was politically motivated. The complaint alleging conflict of interest and influence peddling was filed by Bill Harsch, a Republican.

Lynch praised today's decision.

"I firmly believe that, in time, this agreement will be seen as what it truly is -- a historic jumpstart toward abating all of Rhode Island’s existing and potential lead hazards."

-- The Associated Press

Posted by Steve Peoples at 11:37 AM | Comment

ACLU urges TASER moratorium

PROVIDENCE -- The head of Rhode Island's ACLU sent a letter to police chiefs across the state today, urging them to stop using TASER guns on suspects in light of the weekend death of a 41-year-old Woonsocket man.

Timothy R. Picard died Sunday morning after being shot twice with a TASER gun while in police custody. The medical examiner has yet to release autopsy results detailing the cause of death.

But in his letter, ACLU executive director Steven Brown blames the TASER for contributing to Picard's death.

"Unfortunately, this death was in some sense inevitable in light of the continually-growing evidence that stun guns are not the non-lethal device that proponents purport them to be," Brown wrote. "At the very least, however, in light of the evidence that is already available, this death should serve as a wake-up call that the Taser’s use is potentially lethal and should only be employed as an alternative to deadly force."

The Rhode Island ACLU sent a similar letter to police chiefs in 2004, urging department's to "carefully examine" their decision to use TASER guns.

In today's letter, Brown called on police chief to implement a moratorium on TASER use "until additional information can be gathered on this tragic incident, until the safety of the weapon has been independently and more thoroughly scrutinized by your department, and until your department has had a chance to carefully review both its policies and training procedures governing the weapon’s use."

Brown also requested copies of any policies, procedures and training materials police departments have regarding TASER use.

-- projo.com staff writer Steve Peoples

Posted by Steve Peoples at 11:20 AM | Comment

Central Falls: Second shooting victim dies

The second of three people shot in a Central Falls home early Friday has died at Rhode Island Hospital.

Kristal L. Duarte, 23, died last night at 6 p.m., hospital spokeswoman Andrea Barbosa said this morning.

Duarte, her mother and a man in the apartment where the two women live at 712 High St. were all shot below the ear Friday morning, according to Central Falls police.

The alleged shooter, Adelino Duarte, 38, was arraigned yesterday in Sixth District Court, Providence.

-- projo.com staff writer Kate Bramson

Posted by Kate Bramson at 11:03 AM | Comment

Six-hour standoff in Silver Lake

PROVIDENCE -- The Providence police today arrested a man who they say had threatened a person with a gun and then locked himself in an apartment for six hours.

Deputy Chief Paul J. Kennedy said the threatened person called police at about 2 a.m. this morning after the man locked himself into a third-floor apartment at 554 Union Avenue.

The department's SWAT team surrounded the building and waited. Then at around 8:30, the man spoke to police through the apartment door. He later opened the door and was taken into custody.

Evelina Cordero, who lives at 552 Union Ave., said the trouble started when one neighbor came home late and rammed into the suspect's car. She said the suspect lives in the third-floor apartment.

No shots were fired, Kennedy said. He said a hand gun was confiscated.

Posted by Peter Phipps at 8:57 AM | Comment

Moped driver hospitalized in Warwick

WARWICK – One man has been transported to Kent Hospital this morning after an accident involving a moped and a car near the intersection of Main and Groveland avenues, just outside the southern edge of T.F. Green Airport.

His name, condition and more details about the 7:15 a.m. accident are not yet available but should be later today, Warwick Police Lt. Thomas C. Snow said.

Posted by Kate Bramson at 7:46 AM | Comment

Relish these end-of-summer days

PROVIDENCE – It’s rather cool early this morning, but these late-August days are shaping up into some beautiful summer days, aren’t they?

We should see more of what we saw yesterday – mostly sunny weather with a high near 84 today and then a low around 61 tonight.

There’s a 20 percent chance of some rain showers, but that shouldn’t overshadow our mostly sunny forecast.

Check back with us for the latest conditions and forecasts throughout the day.

Posted by Kate Bramson at 7:03 AM | Comment