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October 31, 2006

CDC watching salmonella strain that infected six in RI

A spokeswoman for the state Department of Health said today that six people from Rhode Island have been infected with a recent strain of salmonella that has affected 172 people across the country.

The Rhode Island cases involved only the strain of salmonella of concern to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and they arose separately over several months, according to health department spokeswoman Maria Wah-Fitta.

Salmonella is a fairly prevalent infection; 112 cases were reported in Rhode Island in 2005. The illness typically lasts four to seven days, and most people recover without treatment.

To reduce the risk of infection, Wah-Fitta urged Rhode Islanders to wash their produce and cook their meat thoroughly.

-- Journal staff writer Felice J. Freyer

Posted by Steve Peoples at 5:48 PM | Comment

Man arrested at airport with gun, brass knuckles

WARWICK -- A former reserve police officer was arrested this morning at T.F. Green Airport for trying to bring a gun, ammunition and a set of brass knuckles past security.

Everett Almeida, 64, of Dighton, Mass., had an unloaded .25 caliber handgun stored with ammunition in the same container, alongside a pair of brass knuckles, according to Lt. Kevin Hopkins, Airport Police acting police chief.

As Almeida attempted to check his bags before boarding a flight around 8:30 a.m., the weapons were discovered, and the airport police were notified, Hopkins said. Almeida, a former reserve police officer in Everett, Mass., submitted to Airport Police without incident.

Weapons and ammunition may not be kept in the same container, and any weapons must be declared to the Transportation Security Administration prior to the security screening.

Almeida was charged with felony possession of a pistol without a permit and misdemeanor possession of brass knuckles.

He was arraigned at Kent County Courthouse and released.

-- Journal staff writer Daniel Barbarisi

Posted by Steve Peoples at 5:26 PM | Comment

Verizon cuts down on free 411 calls

Verizon Communications is cutting down on the number of free directory assistance calls its customers can make from home.

As of tomorrow, the company will provide three free 411 calls each month to its residential customers in Rhode Island, instead of the previous limit of five per month.

Customers still can request up to two numbers per call. Calls beyond the free allowance remain 72 cents each.

The company stopped providing free directory assistance calls for its business customers in 2003.

-- Journal staff writer Tim Barmann

Posted by Tim Barmann at 5:12 PM | Comment

DOT workers spend Halloween moving bodies

CRANSTON -- Four bodies were uncovered near a Department of Transportation construction project, the latest of nearly 70 corpses discovered in the former state insane asylum, infirmary and poor house cemetery along Route 37.

Several state workers spent Halloween morning moving the bodies -- three infants and one adult -- which surfaced yesterday in an embankment along a DOT drainage project off Sockanosset Cross Road, after this weekend's heavy rains.

“There were several small pieces of bone showing, so we knew we had to do something quickly,” said Michael Herbert, an archeologist for the DOT.

The first seven bodies surfaced in June. Today’s four brings the total to 69.

Hebert said that moving the bodies isn’t a particularly unnerving task -- even on Halloween -- especially “when you’re used to moving human remains.”

“At least they’ve been dead quite awhile,” he said, noting there’s no skin.

In fact, most of the people were buried in their hospital gowns, Hebert said, leaving behind virtually no remains aside from their bones and buttons from the gowns.

Today's remains include those of a one-month old infant who died in 1890, the youngest corpse to surface so far, Hebert said.

-- Projo.com staff writer Steve Peoples

Posted by Steve Peoples at 5:08 PM | Comment

Update: PUC OKs 5.4 percent natural gas rate decrease

WARWICK -- The Public Utilities Commission today approved a 5.4 percent decrease in natural gas rates charged by National Grid. The new rate goes into effect tomorrow.

The annual bill for a typical heating customer who uses 1,035 therms a year will decrease to $1,609 a year -- down about $92, or 5.4 percent -- from the current bill of $1,701, according to the PUC.

This is the first rate change since the 17.3 percent rate hike one year ago that added $20.83 a month to a typical customer’s bill.

The decrease is more than the 3.9 percent decline originally requested by National Grid on Sept. 1. The PUC asked National Grid to recalculate the rate decrease to take into account more recent figures of its collections from customers and the actual costs it incurred to buy gas.

If the market price of natural gas remains at current levels, there could be another rate decrease this winter, said Steve Frias, an attorney for the PUC.

Posted by Tim Barmann at 4:44 PM | Comment

Laffey blasts Democratic council for 'power grab'

CRANSTON -- Republican Mayor Stephen P. Laffey is opposing proposed changes to the City Charter that he has described as a power grab by the Democrat-dominated City Council.

The proposed amendments would increase the council's ability to appropriate money, limit the mayor's authority to promote employees and make it more difficult for the mayor to dispose of city property.

"The Charter, by its nature, should not be an issue-driven document -- one which is at the whims of City Councilors who are angry that the current language didn’t work in their favor when they wanted to hand away taxpayer money or erode management rights,” Laffey said today in a statement.

-- Journal staff writer Benjamin N. Gedan

Posted by Steve Peoples at 4:31 PM | Comment

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Attorney general profiles and Whitehouse-Chafee debate

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Posted by Peter Phipps at 4:22 PM | Comment

N. Providence newborn death a criminal investigation

NORTH PROVIDENCE -- The police are pursuing a criminal investigation in connection with the death of a baby girl found yesterday in a Lori Drive home.

The newborn was discovered at about 9:30 a.m. Preliminary results from the medical examiner's office indicate the death was not accidental, according to North Providence Police Deputy Chief Paul Marino.

Marino said authorities executed a search warrant at the family's 6 Lori Drive home yesterday. Marino would not release any details regarding the condition of the child or how the police had been alerted.

Local authorities are working with the state attorney general's office on the case, Marino said.

-- Projo.com staff writer Steve Peoples, with reports from Journal staff writer Richard Dujardin

Posted by Steve Peoples at 4:09 PM | Comment

Fundraiser set for tow truck driver killed on Route 4

WARWICK -- A rally has been set to raise money for the children of the Warwick tow truck driver, Daniell Steinberg, who was killed Oct. 16 while assisting a motorist whose vehicle had a flat tire on Route 4 north, near Exit 6 in East Greenwich.

Tow truck drivers from Maine to New York will be invited to bring donations to the Nov. 26 rally at Goddard Memorial State Park in Warwick, Rhode Island Public Towing Association president Jim Robbins said.

The towing association and Herb’s Towing Service Center in Warwick, where Steinberg worked for 5 years, are sponsoring the rally, Robbins said. It will be held from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the pavilion at the park.

All donations will go to the Daniell Steinberg Memorial Fund for Tomorrow, which has been set up by Citizens Bank, Robbins said. The fund will benefit Steinberg’s three daughters.

-- projo.com staff writer Kate Bramson

Posted by Kate Bramson at 4:07 PM | Comment

Update: Driver jailed after Woonsocket fatal crash

Journal photo / Mary Murphy
Patrick G. Coyle, center, the man arrested after Sunday night's accident that killed three Woonsocket men, listens to his lawyer in District Court this morning at his arraignment before Judge Michael Higgins.

PROVIDENCE -- The driver in the crash that killed three Woonsocket men Sunday night agreed this afternoon to be held without bail, awaiting a probation violation hearing next week.

It was Patrick G. Coyle's second court appearance today.

Coyle, 21, of 41 Congress St., Woonsocket, also appeared in the courtroom this morning on charges of driving to endanger, death resulting and driving under the influence, death resulting.

Because Coyle is already on probation -- serving an 8-year
suspended sentence for a 2005 drug charge -- prosecutors charged him in Superior
Court this afternoon with violating the terms of that probation.

Assistant Attorney General Stephen Regine asked that Coyle be held
without bail, a standard request for cases involving violators. Coyle's lawyer,
Mark Smith, reluctantly agreed, given that the court had already agreed to
hold a violation hearing on Nov. 8.

"I don't like it, but I have an objection to the state's request," Smith said.

Coyle's face was badly cut and swollen and he said little in court this morning. His family, including his sister, cried quietly in the audience when they saw him.

The three men killed in Sunday night's crash are brothers Victor and Steven Vasquez, 24, and 21, and Travis Thifault, 20.

Witnesses reported seeing Coyle crawl out of the car. He was taken to Rhode Island Hospital for treatment of his injuries.

He faces three counts each of driving to endanger, death resulting, and driving under the influence, death resulting.

-- Journal staff writer Cynthia Needham

Posted by Steve Peoples at 3:51 PM | Comment

Photo: Shiver me timbers!

Journal photo / Bill Murphy
This pirate seems to have lost his sea legs, and opted for six feet under instead of six fathoms deep, as part of the Halloween decorations lining Sprague Avenue in Cranston today.

Want to share your own spooky decor? Upload photos of your pumpkin carvings and pets in costume, plus find more ways to have fun tonight, at: projo.com/seasonal/halloween/

Posted by Andrea Panciera at 1:18 PM | Comment

N. Kingstown woman, 21, killed in crash on 95

The state police this morning identified a 21-year-old North Kingstown woman who died last evening in a single-car crash on Route 95 North in Warwick.

Sarah Allyn was pronounced dead at the scene after she lost control of the car she was driving and struck a guard rail in the median after the car rolled over several times, State Police Lt. Joseph DelPrete said.

The accident, which happened around 6:15 p.m., is still under investigation, DelPrete said. The police believe that inattention may be the cause, he said.

Allyn was traveling north in the high-speed lane, between exits 9 and 10 in Warwick, when she lost control of the 1996 Saturn about 3,000 feet south of the Cowesset Road overpass, DelPrete said.

According to witnesses, the car swerved to the left, into the breakdown lane. Allyn apparently overcompensated to the right and then overcompensated again, swerving back to the left. The car rolled over several times and then struck the guard rail, DelPrete said.

The evidence does not suggest that “excessive speed” was a factor, and neither alcohol nor narcotics appear to be the cause, DelPrete said.

Allyn was apparently traveling to a class, although DelPrete said he does not know exactly where she was going.

She was wearing her seatbelt, the police said.

-- projo.com staff writer Kate Bramson

Posted by Kate Bramson at 10:43 AM | Comment

Correction: Demolition Thursday for old Jamestown Bridge

NORTH KINGSTOWN -- More demolition of the old Jamestown Bridge will happen Thursday, not today, as the Associated Press previously reported, according to the state Department of Transportation.

Several piers have already been destroyed in previous underwater demolition efforts.

Get more information about the demolition and check out photographs on the DOT's Web site.

Posted by Jack Perry at 9:21 AM | Comment

Police investigate baby's death in North Providence

NORTH PROVIDENCE – The police worked through the night investigating the death of an infant at a home on Lori Drive in the Graystone area of town.

Investigators this morning are waiting for the results of an autopsy, Deputy Chief Paul Marino said. The state medical examiner’s indicated that would be completed sometime today, Marino said.

The police learned yesterday morning of the child’s death, but Marino did not say when the child died.

There have been no arrests in connection with the death, Marino said.

-- projo.com staff writer Kate Bramson

Posted by Kate Bramson at 8:35 AM | Comment

Commuters, watch out for smashed pumpkins

A few smashed pumpkins on Hope Street caused a little swerving this morning – and a sigh of sadness for the children who lost their Halloween decorations overnight.

Hope your commute’s smooth this morning. Before you head out, check the state roadways with help from the Department of Transportation.

You can find any traffic alerts describing accidents here, browse traffic cams to see real-time photos of the highways and check out the DOT’s road construction schedule here.

Also, check out congestion mapping -- i.e., how heavy the traffic is -- here.

To report a traffic incident, call the Transportation Management Center at: (401) 222-5826 and choose option #2.

Posted by Kate Bramson at 7:05 AM | Comment

Trick-or-treating kicks off early in Olneyville

PROVIDENCE -- Some little ones will have plenty of candy to eat at lunch.

The Boys and Girls Clubs of Providence plan to bring pre-school and kindergarteners to trick or treat at the businesses in the Rising Sun Mills Complex this morning in the city's Olneyville section.

The children, ages 3 to 5, will stroll through the complex in costumes between 10 and 11 a.m.

Check projo.com's Halloween page for more information on today's holiday and more events.

Posted by Steve Peoples at 7:01 AM | Comment

Today's forecast: Definitely a treat

We lucked out with the warmest day of the week on Halloween, so get out those costumes and enjoy the late-afternoon trick-or-treating.

We’ll have a high of 68, with winds initially light at 12 to 15 miles per hour.

However, winds could gust as high as 29 miles per hour today. A little blustery atmosphere for the holiday? Fine, we’ll take it. Later on, after midnight, we could get a little rain.

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

Posted by Kate Bramson at 7:00 AM | Comment

October 30, 2006

Traffic alert: 'Serious' accident on Rte 95N at Exit 10

The state Department of Transportation's Traffic Management Center is reporting a "serious accident" on Route 95 north at Exit 10, Route 117, in Warwick.

Multiple lanes are reported closed as of about 6:40 p.m. Motorists in the area can expect heavy delays, the TMC says.

Check the "jam factor" here.

Posted by Andrea Panciera at 6:55 PM | Comment

Will he play? Seymour warming up for Pats

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. -- Injured defensive lineman Richard Seymour is on the field now, warming up for New England, his black brace on his left elbow outside of his long-sleeved shirt.

It may all be a ruse, a clever charade to mislead the Vikings, but time will tell.

Keep checking our Pats Blog for more pre-game reports. And come back projo.com after the game for reaction and more coverage from Minnesota as the Patriots battle the Vikings on Monday Night Football.

-- WIth reports from Journal sportswriter Shalise Manza Young

Posted by Steve Peoples at 6:19 PM | Comment

Haz-mat team responds to suspicious package

PROVIDENCE -- A hazardous materials team responded to a downtown building this afternoon after a security guard called the police about a powdery substance on a suspicious package.

The haz-mat team entered One Citizens Plaza at 3:47 p.m. and "secured the package" by 3:51, according to James Taylor, chief of communications for the Providence Fire Department.

The package, which was discovered in the building's lobby with no return address, will be tested for signs of toxins, Taylor said, adding that a white, powdery substance was seen on the outside of the package. It wasn't opened.

There are no reports of any illnesses related to the package.

-- Projo.com staff writer Steve Peoples

Posted by Steve Peoples at 4:17 PM | Comment

Update: Driver in Woonsocket fatal charged with DUI

Journal photo / Mary Murphy
Woonsocket police Lt. Kenneth Paulhus, left, and Detective Edward Doura investigate the scene of the triple fatal accident at Cold Spring Park. The car went through the park fence and hit the tree, far right, at the bottom of the hill in the park.

WOONSOCKET – Two brothers and a third young man are dead after the car they were traveling in left the road and hit a tree last night.

The driver of the car, Patrick G. Coyle, of 41 Congress St., Woonsocket, was the only one to survive the wreck. He was treated at Rhode Island Hospital and released to the custody of Woonsocket Police.

Coyle has been charged with three counts of driving under the influence, death resulting, and driving to endanger, death resulting.

Late this morning, two of the victims were identified by their mother, Paula Mariano of Woonsocket, as brothers Victor Vasquez, 24, of Northbridge, Mass., and Steven Vasquez, 21, of Woonsocket. The police confirmed the identities and the name of the third victim, Travis Thifault, 20, during a brief afternoon news conference.

The accident occurred at about 10:45 p.m. at the intersection of Winter Street and Harris Avenue, near Cold Spring Park.

Two of the men were dead at the scene, and a third man was pronounced dead at Landmark Medical Center in Woonsocket, Capt. Ronald Landry said. The police said all four men were in their early 20s.

All four men remained in the vehicle during the crash. The police have not determined whether they were wearing seat belts, Landry said.

The accident remains under investigation, Landry said.

The state medical examiner will conduct autopsies to determine the cause of death, Landry said.

-- projo.com staff writer Kate Bramson, with reports from Journal staff writer Cynthia Needham

Posted by Steve Peoples at 4:01 PM | Comment

Providence "heroes" honored tonight

PROVIDENCE -- City officials will honor 100 firefighters for "heroic actions" during a ceremony tonight at Roger Williams Park Casino.

The firefighters being honored were involved in responding to several incidents in recent memory, including an October 2004 fire on Ophelia Street in which a woman barricaded herself inside a burning house with her two daughters.

Tonight's ceremony is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m.

Posted by Steve Peoples at 3:35 PM | Comment

Citizens to buy Chicago bank

Citizens Financial Group Inc. of Providence announced today an agreement to acquire GreatBanc Inc. of Lisle, Ill., for $180 million as it looks to expand in the Chicago area.

GreatBanc will give Citizens' Midwest subsidiary, Charter One Bank, 10 new branches and $1 billion in deposits in metropolitan Chicago.

GreatBanc is a bank holding company with three community banking subsidiaries, GreatBank, GreatBank Chicago and First National Bank. The deal expands Charter One’s presence in Chicago, Skokie and Evanston, Ill., and moves it into several new communities around Chicago.

The deal is the first bank acquisition by Citizens since its breakthrough purchase of Charter One Bank in 2004 that moved Citizens deep into the Midwest.

Citizens Financial Group, the holding company for Citizens Bank, is a subsidiary of The Royal Bank of Scotland Group PLC.

Posted by at 3:17 PM | Comment

Update: Ex-councilman found guilty of 4 sex-assault charges

PROVIDENCE -- A former East Providence city councilman was found guilty today on four of seven counts of first-degree sexual assault against a boy who had worked for him in his flower shop 20 years ago.

Gerald R. Lynch, 62, was found not guilty on the three other counts.

There was some suspense in the courtroom as the Superior Court jury announced it had found Lynch not guilty on the first three counts.

But when the verdicts of guilty came in, the victim, now 37, clasped his fist and said "Got him."

In the courtroom, he was embraced and patted on the arm by his sister and mother. Outside court, he was embraced by other relatives.

After the verdicts, the victim said that trial experience was worthwhile because it gave him a sense of relief and of vindication and because it will "put a pedophile behind bars."

Lawyers in the case argued about whether Lynch should be held pending sentencing or released pending an appeal, which the defense indicated it would do.

Judge Edward C. Clifton denied the prosecution's request that Lynch be jailed immediately. Instead, he ordered that he be placed on home confinement. Lynch was led away in handcuffs by deputy sheriffs for processing.

Each count carries a term of 10 years to life in prison.

The jury reached the verdict late this morning after beginning deliberations late Friday. After having some testimony read back and deliberating about another half hour today, they informed the judge they had made a decision.

-- With reports from Journal staff writer John Castellucci

Posted by Andrea Panciera at 1:37 PM | Comment

Chafee, Whitehouse debate one more time tonight

The candidates for Rhode Island's high-profile U.S. Senate race will go head to head tonight in their last scheduled debate before the election a week from tomorrow.

The meeting will be aired live on Channel 10 at 7 p.m.

It will be the fifth debate between the incumbent Republican Sen. Lincoln Chafee and Democratic challenger Sheldon Whitehouse.

The race has drawn national attention as Democrats seek to regain the Senate majority. They need to pick up six seats. Recent polls show Whitehouse leading.

Posted by Steve Peoples at 1:11 PM | Comment

State trooper sentenced to serve 1 year for assault

PROVIDENCE -- A suspended state trooper has been sentenced to serve one year in prison for beating a handcuffed man in the custody of the South Kingstown police and then lying about it.

Jeffrey L. Clark, a 10-year police veteran, on June 1 was found guilty by a jury of felony assault for punching William Skwirz Jr. as he was handcuffed in the back of a police cruiser on Labor Day weekend 2004.

Clark, who was off duty when the incident occurred, was also convicted of simple assault and filing a false report.

Judge Edward C. Clifton today sentenced Clark to a total of seven years, with one year to serve and six suspended on the felony assault charge.

He also imposed two one-year suspended sentences to run concurrently for the charges of simple assault and filing a false report.

Clifton spoke sternly to Clark during today's sentencing in Superior Court, Providence, about trying to circumvent the law and enlisting help from others. Clark expressed sorrow to his family.

-- Journal staff writer Katie Mulvaney.

Skwirz, of Narragansett, had been celebrating his stepbrother's return from Iraq at his father's house at 274 Laurel Lane early Sept. 5 when Clark, of 254 Laurel Lane, returned home from a wedding and began yelling about a barking dog.

An argument ensued and punches were thrown. Witnesses testified during the trial that Clark threw the first punch. Clark said he acted in self-defense.

Clark moved to press charges against Skwirz. South Kingstown Patrolman Robert F. Costantino II responded.

Skwirz and Costantino, and others, told jurors that Clark repeatedly punched Skwirz as he sat handcuffed in the back of the cruiser. Clark testified he did not know how Skwirz had suffered a gash to the back of his head that required eight staples.

Clark then tried to enlist South Kingstown officers to cover the incident up, prosecutors said -- a claim Clark denied.

Clark has been suspended without pay from the state police since he was arrested Feb. 9, 2005.

Posted by Jack Perry at 12:33 PM | Comment

R.I. gas prices steady after falling for 12 weeks

Gasoline prices in the state have held steady this week, at the lowest they’ve been at any point this year, after falling for 12 consecutive weeks.

Self-serve, regular unleaded gasoline is averaging $2.18 per gallon, according to AAA Southern New England’s weekly survey of gas prices.

At this time a year ago, the average price of gas per gallon was $2.38.

Now, unleaded regular gasoline prices are varying 11 cents, from a low of $2.13 to a high of $2.24. For those of you who don’t pump your own gas, full-serve prices for regular unleaded gasoline average $2.30, with a low of $2.19 and a high of $2.39.

Posted by Kate Bramson at 10:21 AM | Comment

Two sides working the casino debate today

Opposing sides in the casino debate will host events today to build support for their arguments.

At 11 a.m., Rhode Islanders for Jobs and Tax Relief, supporters of the proposed casino, promises to "connect the dots" for the media and unveil the "insidious relationships" between the anti-casino group Save Our State and Rhode Island "insiders," according to a media alert.

Later today, Save our State will co-host a Rhode Island Leadership Rally, where speakers, including Governor Carcieri, Lt. Governor Charles Fogarty and Providence Mayor David N. Cicilline, are expected to speak against amending the state Constitution to allow Harrah's Entertainment and the Narrgansett Indian Tribe to build a casino in West Warwick.

Rhode Islanders for Jobs and Tax relief will host its event at McCormick & Schmick's, 11 Dorrance Street, Providence.

Save our State's rally, co-hosted by We the People, will be from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Airport Sheraton, Post Road, Warwick.

Posted by Jack Perry at 10:07 AM | Comment

Download today's front page

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Posted by Peter Phipps at 8:07 AM | Comment

Traffic: Sun glare this early?

PROVIDENCE – When the radio traffic reporter is advising commuters to watch out for the sun glare, we’ll take it at 6:30 in the morning. It’s a nice change, and the early morning sunlight should be with us for about a month or more before the darkness of winter settles in.

So if you’re heading east, bring your sunglasses.

For other traffic needs, check out the state roadways, via the Department of Transportation's online traffic offerings.

You can find any traffic alerts describing accidents here, browse traffic cams to see real-time photos of the highways and check out the DOT’s road construction schedule here.

Also, check out congestion mapping -- i.e., how heavy the traffic is -- here.

To report a traffic incident, call the Transportation Management Center at: (401) 222-5826 and choose option #2.

Posted by Kate Bramson at 7:14 AM | Comment

French company to purchase West Kingston's APC

Schneider Electric SA, a French company that is the world's biggest supplier of circuit breakers, is buying American Power Conversion Corp. for $6.1 billion.

Schneider, based near Paris, offered $31 a share for APC, 30 percent more than last week's close, the French company said in a statement today. It will fund the deal with a $5.7 billion loan and $1.4 billion of new stock.

In September, APC, based in West Kingston, began cutting about 7 percent of its work force to save as much as $32 million. Its second-quarter earnings fell 41 percent to $24.71 million.

APC's board backs the transaction and will recommend it to shareholders, who will vote early next year, the companies said. Approval from Schneider's investors isn't required.

``This transaction provides APC stockholders with an immediate and substantial cash premium for their investment in the company,'' APC Chief Executive Rob Johnson said.

Rodger B. Dowdell Jr., APC's former chief executive, and Neil Rasmussen, the company's chief technical officer, own 9.6 percent of the company and agreed to sell their shares.

Founded in 1981, APC had sales of about $2 billion last year, compared with 11.7 billion euros at Schneider.

Buying APC will double Schneider's sales in a secured-power market that's expected to grow 8 percent a year as clients -- including Microsoft Corp., Boeing Co. and AT&T Inc. -- seek to guard against blackouts and electrical surges.

Shares of Schneider, which makes Square D-brand circuit breakers and automation controls that help bottle Veuve Clicquot champagne, have gained 17 percent this year, giving the company a market value of 20 billion euros. The stock was suspended from trading until noon in Paris.

Read APC's press release.

-- Bloomberg

Posted by Jack Perry at 7:10 AM | Comment

Sunny and breezy today

PROVIDENCE -- At 39 degrees this morning, it’s crisp and invigorating out there.

At least it’s light out, given that we’re back to Eastern Standard Time. What a nice change to step outside and be able to see well enough to put the house key in the lock, huh?

Today should be sunny, and temps are expected to rise to about 58, but it will be breezy. West winds could be between 14 and 21 miles per hour, and gusts could be as high as 31 miles per hour.

Tomorrow, Halloween, is still slated to be the warmest day of the week.

Get the latest conditions and forecasts from projo.com.

Posted by Kate Bramson at 7:04 AM | Comment

October 27, 2006

Cranston contractor arrested for scamming homeowners

Robert Vaughn, a Cranston contractor who has allegedly scammed 20 homeowners of up to $200,000, has been arrested and charged with multiple counts of fraud.

He is being held on $22,000 cash bail at the Adult Correctional Institutions.

Attorney General Patrick C. Lynch today said that the Connecticut State Police arrested Vaughn yesteday at the Mohegan Sun casino in Uncasville.

"By allegedly taking money for work that he either did not complete or did not perform at all, Mr. Vaughn has harmed homeowners all over the state of Rhode Island," said Lynch.

"Unfortunately, we expect more criminal complaints to emerge from his arrest. My office will prosecute him to the fullest extent of the law."

Vaughn, of Reservoir Ave., was arraigned today before Kent County District Court Judge William C. Clifton on 12 counts of obtaining money under false pretenses. He was also arraigned on various other charges.

Detective Michael Casey of the Rhode Island State Police Financial Crimes Unit led the investigation into Vaughn's work.

Posted by Peter Phipps at 6:46 PM | Comment

Car falls off jack; a 46-year-old is seriously injured

PROVIDENCE – Two men were injured this evening while changing a car tire near500 Valley St.

They were taken to Rhode Island Hospital, one of them with “serious head injuries.”

James Taylor, chief of communications for the Providence Fire Department, said a
46-year-old man was unconscious with head and face injuries after the jack the men were using gave out.

The other man involved in the accident, which occurred about 5:30 p.m., was not as badly injured, he said.

-- projo.com staff writers Kate Bramson and Steve Peoples

Posted by Kate Bramson at 6:09 PM | Comment

Wet forecast results in Saturday sports postponements

Tomorrow's menacing forecast has already resulted in a number of postponements, including the RIIL cross-country class meets, which will now take place Sunday at noon.
Several of Saturday's football games have also been rescheduled.
Click below for tomorrow's rescheduled football games, so far.

The makeup dates, when known, are listed in parentheses.
Football
Central Falls vs. Hope (today, 4 p.m.)
East Providence vs. St. Raphael
Narragansett vs. Central (Monday, 6 p.m.)
Tiverton vs. Mount Pleasant (Monday, 4 p.m.)

Tonight's game between Classical and Scituate was rescheduled to 4:15 this afternoon.

For updates tomorrow, go to the Interscholastic League Web site.

Posted by Mike McDermott at 5:41 PM | Comment

Carcieri, Fogarty duel over spending, jobs, ads

PROVIDENCE -- At their second-to-last debate, Rhode Island's candidates for governor fought this afternoon over spending, jobs and negative ads.

Republican Governor Carcieri faces Democratic challenger and Lt. Gov. Charles Fogarty, in next month's election. Taped today, their one-hour debate on Channel 6 (WLNE) TV will air Sunday at 7 a.m. and at 1 p.m.

Fogarty criticized Carcieri for agreeing to increase the number of slot machines in the state. He also said state spending and the unemployment rate have remained chronically high.

Carcieri said he agreed to increase the number of slot machines at Lincoln Park only because the facility had to be sold. The former owner had been indicted, and Carcieri said the state risked losing revenue.

The Republican incumbent also said he has forced decreases in state spending.

The debate was sponsored by Channel 6 and AARP.

-- The Associated Press

Posted by Kate Bramson at 4:55 PM | Comment

Coast Guard will be on alert this weekend

BOSTON - The Coast Guard urges mariners to closely monitor weather information and take early action to keep safe this weekend.

Thursday and Friday Coast Guard jets flew three off-shore flights warning mariners at sea of the approaching storm.

The Coast Guard anticipates winds ranging from 20-60 knots some small boat stations have called in their heavy-weather boat operators and cutters have been put on the alert to respond to problems off of the Maine coast.

Posted by Peter Phipps at 4:49 PM | Comment

Immigration officials bust fake marriage scam in R.I.

PROVIDENCE -- A New Bedford man was ordered held today after being charged with arranging "fraudulent marriages" in Rhode Island for undocumented immigrants seeking permanent resident cards.

Federal immigration officials arrested Carlos Alberto Da Veiga earlier this week following a five-month investigation, according to an announcement from the U.S. Attorney's Office.

Employees from various Rhode Island towns had notified Immigration and Customs Enforcement about marriage license applicants "who behaved suspiciously." Some couples couldn't speak the same language, and others were accompanied by a third person.

Federal agents began monitoring Da Veiga and learned that he facilitated at least 15 such fraudulent marriages between American citizens and undocumented immigrants between May 2005 and this month, according to the U.S. Atttorney's Office.

Prosecutors say that Da Veiga charged between $3,000 and $9,000 to
arrange a marriage and paid a U.S. citizen $1,500 to participate. The immigrant also had to pay the U.S. citizen $200 per month while the immigration application was pending.

The U.S. Attorney's Office believes that Da Veiga brought couples to Rhode Island to get married because there is no waiting period or blood test requirement.

Cumberland and East Providence Police assisted ICE in the investigation.

-- projo.com staff writer Steve Peoples

Posted by Steve Peoples at 4:30 PM | Comment

Lynch sexual assault case headed to jury

PROVIDENCE --The case of a former East Providence City Councilman accused of sexually assaulting a boy who worked in his flower shop is expected to go to the jury today after the judge instructs jurors on the law.

Judge Edward C. Clifton is expected to tell jurors that they can find 62-year-old Gerald R. Lynch guilty of sexual assault only if they determine that force or coercion was used in the sexual encounters, which the prosecution says took place between 1982 and 1985 at Blease Florists and Greenhouses on Newport Avenue in Pawtucket.

Lynch owned the store at the time and employed the alleged victim, a boy from his council district in East Providence who was in his early teens.

In closing statements this morning, lawyers for the defense and prosecution painted starkly different scenarios of the sexual encounters that took place between the alleged victim and Lynch.

Special Assistant Attorney General Maureen Keough reminded jurors of testimony that Lynch grabbed and held the victim forcefully whenever he performed oral sex.

Defense lawyer Lise J. Gescheidt said that Lynch himself insisted the sex was consensual and that any sexual acivity that took place was after the alleged victim was over 16.

The alleged victim, now a 37-year-old man, testified for three days, providing most of the incriminating evidence in the case.

Keough and Gescheidt disagreed vehemently his credibility as a witness.

``I suggest to you that (the alleged victim) is not a reliable witness,’’ Gescheidt said. ``He has been smoking marijuana regularly and frequently for half his entire life.’’

Keough urged jurors to focus on the witness’ demeanor, pointing out that he had described what had happened to him in a way that was dispassionate and matter-of-fact.

``There was nothing about his testimony that was rehearsed. He was honest. He was candid. He was forthcoming,’’ Keough said.

``He talked about things that he had kept from his entire family for 20 years.’’

-- John Castellucci, Journal Staff Writer

Posted by Peter Phipps at 1:43 PM | Comment

Update: Former U.S. Attorney Curran endorses Chafee

PROVIDENCE -- Former U.S. Attorney Margaret Curran, whose office prosecuted former Providence Mayor Vincent A. Cianci Jr., today endorsed incumbent Lincoln Chafee for the U.S. Senate.

With the election less than two weeks away, Chafee, a Republican trailing in the polls, has stepped up his criticism of his Democratic opponent, Sheldon Whitehouse, charging that Whitehouse failed to address public corruption during his terms as U.S. attorney and state attorney general.

But at a press conference this afternoon at the Federal Reserve restaurant, Curran refused to criticize Whitehouse's performance. "I am supporting Senator Chafee. I'm not campaigning against Sheldon Whitehouse," she said in the face of repeated questions from reporters.

Chafee, too, refused to comment on his criticisms of Whitehouse. He did, however, repeat that it was Curran who secured the Operation Plunder Dome corruption convictions, which included Cianci's.

Chafee said today's event was simply about the decision of Curran -- appointed by former Democratic President Bill Clinton and who said she generally registers as an unaffiliated voter -- to endorse him.

"I think we are all losers if we lose Senator Chafee," said Curran, who acknowledged she voted as a Republican in the September primary in which Chafee beat Cranston Mayor Stephen Laffey to run again for his seat.

Meanwhile, on the Whitehouse side, U.S. Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton is scheduled to visit Rhode Island today to stump for her fellow Democrat. The former first lady will be at the 1025 Club in Johnston tonight.

--- Steve Peoples, projo.com staff writer

Posted by Peter Phipps at 1:25 PM | Comment

Cordiality rules at today's Chafee-Whitehouse debate / Photo

Journal photo / Mary Murphy
Sheldon Whitehouse, left, and U.S. Sen. Lincoln Chafee talk with members of the Northern Rhode Island Chamber of Commerce this morning before their debate.

LINCOLN -- In contrast to the vicious campaign barbs they’ve traded in recent days, Republican U.S. Sen. Lincoln D. Chafee and Democratic challenger Sheldon Whitehouse sat down this morning for what was a surprisingly cordial debate, sponsored by the Northern Rhode Island Chamber of Commerce.

Held at the Kirkbrae Country Club, the 30-minute forum centered on core campaign issues such as health care and education, with questions submitted by the Chamber’s members.

There was no mention of former Providence Mayor Vincent A. Cianci Jr., or the FBI’s former Operation Plunder Dome probe into corruption at Providence City Hall-- topics which have heated up the high-profile Senate race this week.

Following the debate, Whitehouse said he was content to get back to the central issues. “I think that Senator Chafee was right back in his first race when he said negative campaigning is a disservice to voters, so I think that to be involved in talking about the issues that people care about is the right place to be,” Whitehouse said.

But Chafee said he sees the recent disputes differently. “I don’t consider looking at someone’s record as negative, I consider that as legitimate campaigning activity,” the senator said. “If the facts are there such as I am pointing out on Plunder Dome and Roger Williams Hospital than that’s what I think the voters want to hear. I’m not doing my job as a candidate if I’m not looking at critical shortcomings in my opponent’s record.”

-- Journal staff writer Cynthia Needham

Posted by Andrea Panciera at 12:08 PM | Comment

Garbage truck knocks out power in East Greenwich

A garbage truck backed into an electric power pole on Water Street in East Greenwich just after 10 a.m., knocking out power for a number of homes near the waterfront.

The East Greenwich Police say service has been restored and there were no injuries, fire, or other damage as a result of the accident.

-- Journal staff writer Daniel Barbarisi

Posted by Peter Phipps at 12:04 PM | Comment

Closed-door hearing set on Station fire jury testimony

PROVIDENCE -- Superior Court Presiding Justice Joseph F. Rodgers Jr. has scheduled a closed-door hearing for 9:30 a.m. on Dec. 13 on the state attorney general's petition to release grand jury testimony in The Station nightclub fire case.

Before then, the Attorney General's Office is required to send notices to the people who were indicted in the case, people who were targeted for prosecution but not indicted, the Rhode Island Bar Association, the Rhode Island Criminal Defense Association and lawyers involved in civil litigation.

Anyone who wants to file a memo on the petition must file it with the judge by 4 p.m. Dec. 1.

A Roger Williams University law professor who is defending the secrecy of grand juries has until Dec. 11 to respond to anything filed.

Rodgers held an open hearing this morning on Attorney General Patrick C. Lynch's petition for the release. The request came after the trial for three defendants was averted by their decisions to enter pleas.

-- Journal staff writer Paul Edward Parker

Posted by Jack Perry at 11:58 AM | Comment

Young Pawtucket woman killed in one-car crash

PAWTUCKET -- A 22-year-old woman was killed in a one-car crash early this morning on George Bennett Highway, the Pawtucket police said.

Haley Raworth, whose last known address was 242 Walcott St., Pawtucket, was alone in the car, according to Maj. John J. Whiting.

A driver heading to work came across the accident near Campbell Street at about 1:17 a.m. and contacted the police, according to Whiting.

The cause of the accident hasn't been determined. The police are awating a report from the department's accident reconstruction team and the state Medical Examiner's Office.

Posted by Jack Perry at 11:51 AM | Comment

RIC announces largest gift to R.I. public college

Rhode Island College says it has received the largest single gift ever donated to a Rhode Island public college.

Helen Ginsberg Forman, a special education teacher who graduated in 1934 from what was then Rhode Island College of Education, now Rhode Island College, has left $5.1 million to the college, the college has announced.

Forman died August 14, 2005 at the age of 93.

An official announcement of the gift will be made on November 4 in a tribute to Forman in RIC’s Nazarian Center.

Forman wanted the money be used to endow scholarships for students of music, theatre and dance, and special education. She also designated a portion of her bequest to support an endowment for the James P. Adams Library and the President’s Music Series. A theatre in the Nazarian Center was named in her honor in 2000.

RIC describes Forman was "a middle-class woman with no inherited wealth." She and her husband, Sylvan, a railway and postal worker, lived modestly and invested wisely in the stock market, according to RIC.

Posted by Jack Perry at 11:22 AM | Comment

Daylight Saving a good time to tend smoke detectors

Public safety officials say the end of Daylight Saving Time this weekend is also a good time to change batteries in home smoke detectors.

James Taylor, chief of communications for the Providence Fire Department, says more than 6,000 deaths occur annually in house fires, and most deaths are preventable.

Smoke detectors, available in stores for about $10, are among the most effective ways for homeowners to protect themselves and their families, according to Taylor.

He says there should be at least one smoke detector on each floor.

Daylight Saving Time ends at 2 a.m. Sunday, so homeowners should turn back their clocks an hour.

Taylor reminds homeowners to also change their smoke detector batteries.

Posted by Jack Perry at 11:04 AM | Comment

Photo: An effort to increase Latino job opportunities

Journal photo / Kathy Borchers

Ramon Borges-Mendez, an assistant professor at UMass, Boston, speaks this morning at the Center for Hispanic Policy and Advocacy's first-ever Latino Workforce Development Conference at the Providence Westin Hotel. Rhode Island political candidates also spoke during this morning's breakfast session, which is being followed by seminars aimed at helping Latinos increase job opportunities.

Posted by Jack Perry at 9:57 AM | Comment

Traffic: A cool ride for this commuter; check yours now

It's not often this writer leaves the house with the stars on one side of the sky, and a pinkish glow in the other.

But she did it today, and the early ride into Providence from South County was both smooth and pretty. Despite the fact the car thermometer read 32 degrees.

Heading out now yourself? Check out the state roadways, via the Department of Transportation's online traffic offerings.

You can find any traffic alerts describing accidents here. Or browse traffic cams to see real-time photos of the highways. Check out congestion mapping -- i.e., how heavy the traffic is -- here.

Need updates in the car? Call the DOT's phone line, at 511 in state and out of state, 1-888-401-4511.

To report a traffic incident, call the Transportation Management Center at: (401) 222-5826 and choose option #2.

Posted by Andrea Panciera at 8:00 AM | Comment

Hearing today on releasing Station grand jury testimony

PROVIDENCE -- Superior Court Presiding Justice Joseph F. Rodgers Jr. is scheduled to begin a hearing at 11 a.m. on whether to release secret grand jury testimony in The Station nightclub fire case.

Judge Rodgers is not expected to rule on a petition by Attorney General Patrick C. Lynch to release the information, but will outline how he plans to proceed.

The hearing will be at 11 a.m. in courtroom 12 on the fifth floor of the Licht Judicial Complex, 250 Benefit St., Providence.

A statewide grand jury was impaneled within days of the February 2003 fire at the West Warwick nightclub that killed 100 people.

The grand jury conducted a 10-month investigation before indicting Daniel Biechele, the band manager who set off the pyrotechnics that ignited the blaze, and club co-owners Jeffrey and Michael Derderian on involuntary manslaughter charges.

All three pleaded to charges, averting any disclosure of the testimony during a trial.

The attorney general filed a four-page petition and a 61-page supporting memorandum Wednesday seeking the release of the grand jury testimony.

The hearing is open to the public.

Posted by Jack Perry at 7:50 AM | Comment

Chafee, Whitehouse back at it in another debate

LINCOLN -- Republican U.S. Sen. Lincoln D. Chafee and Democratic challenger Sheldon Whitehouse will square off again this morning in a debate sponsored by the Northern Rhode Island Chamber of Commerce.

Part of the chamber's Eggs and Issues breakfasts, the debate between the Senate candidates will begin at 8 a.m. in the main ballroom at the Kirkbrae Country Club in Lincoln.

Debate questions will be based on issues important to the Rhode Island business community, Rhode Island residents and the nation as a whole, according to the chamber.

Posted by Jack Perry at 7:23 AM | Comment

Watch out for flying witches, windy weekend on the way

After today's mostly sunny weather with a high near 54 degrees, southern New Englanders will want to secure their outdoor Halloween decorations this weekend as a powerful storm moves into the region.

The National Weather Service has issued a high wind watch for tomorrow morning through tomorrow afternoon as sustained winds could reach 30 to 40 mph by noon and gusts could hit 60 mph.

Strong wind and heavy rain, including potential thunderstorms, could knock down power lines Saturday, the weather service says.

Another round of strong winds could affect the region Sunday. The weather service is monitoring conditions and could issue another high wind watch for Sunday.

For more weather and regular updates, see projo.com/weather.

Posted by Jack Perry at 7:00 AM | Comment

October 26, 2006

RIC poll: Whitehouse, Carcieri leading; many still undecided

PROVIDENCE -- Democratic Senate challenger Sheldon Whitehouse and the incumbent Governor Carcieri have double-digit leads over their opponents in a poll released today by Rhode Island College's Bureau of Government Research and Services.

With the election just 12 days away, Whitehouse leads Republican incumbent U.S. Sen. Lincoln Chafee by 10 points -- 43 percent to 33 percent, with 24 percent undecided.

GOP Carcieri leads his Democratic challenger, Lt. Gov. Charles Fogarty, 49 percent to 35 percent with 16 percent undecided.

And voters continue to oppose the proposal to amend the state Constitution to bring a Narragansett Indian casino to West Warwick; 55 percent oppose the measure, while 36 support it. Another 8 percent are undecided.

The survey of 408 registered voters was conducted Oct. 23-25 and has a margin of error of 5 percent. It seems to confirm recent polling trends that show Carcieri and Whitehouse increasing their leads and casino opposition holding steady.

-- projo.com staff writer Steve Peoples

Posted by Steve Peoples at 6:19 PM | Comment

Chafee, Whitehouse tussle over GOP in 2nd TV debate / Photo

Journal photo / Kris Craig
U.S. Sen. Lincoln Chafee, left, and Sheldon Whitehouse may have hit hard at each other over the subject of President Bush, but the tone was mostly cordial and they shook hands with a smile at the end of the debate.

PROVIDENCE -- Democratic Senate candidate Sheldon Whitehouse continued today to hammer the Republican Party in his second TV debate with incumbent Sen. Lincoln Chafee, often invoking the name of President Bush and saying it would have been "gutsy" if Chafee had left the party.

Chafee fired back with his own record of disagreement with his party, including his vote against authorizing war in Iraq and his dislike of President Bush.

"I didn't vote for him. Rhode Island didn't vote for him," Chafee said. "This is a race between Lincoln Chafee and Sheldon Whitehouse."

The candidates met in an hour-long debate taped at WLNE-TV and co-sponsored by the Rhode Island chapter of AARP. The debate was scheduled to air on Sunday.

-- Associated Press

Whitehouse has run his campaign around one central theme: there are serious problems in Washington, most due to the Republican Party, and Democrats must take back the Senate to change things.

He rarely deviated from that message today. At one point, when asked to say why he should replace Chafee without using the words "Republicans" and "George Bush," he referred to "you know who" and "you know which party."

Chafee said Rhode Island benefits from having members of both parties represent them in the Senate.

When asked what he would do if he wins the seat but Republicans keep control of the Senate, Whitehouse did not answer directly.

"Democrats can take control of the Senate in this election," he said. "It will never happen if we don't win in Rhode Island."

The debate was largely cordial, even though it comes at a time when the race has become increasingly nasty.

The campaign is one of the most closely watched across the country as Democrats seek to win a majority in the Senate. Recent polls have shown Whitehouse with an apparently widening lead, although the results are still within the margin of error and many of those polled say they're undecided.

-- The Associated Press

Posted by Steve Peoples at 4:58 PM | Comment

Derderian working at Warwick auto body shop

Station nightclub co-owner Michael Derderian went to work this morning at a Warwick auto body shop for his fourth day of a work-release job from the Adult Correctional Institutions.

Derderian was sentenced last month to serve four years in the ACI's minimum-security work-release program after he pleaded no contest to involuntary manslaughter charges related to the 100 deaths from The Station nightclub fire.

Today, ACI spokeswoman Tracey Poole said the state prison is not allowed to disclose the name of Derderian’s employer. But The Journal learned that Derderian is working at Allendale Auto Body and Sales, located at 2058 Elmwood Ave., in Warwick.

The business owner, James Buckley Jr., confirmed that he and Derderian have been friends for a long time. The auto body shop arranges for Derderian's transportation to and from work each day.

Poole initially said Derderian is working from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on a Monday-Friday schedule. However, early this afternoon she said he’s being picked up at the ACI at around 7:15 a.m. by one of four people at his new workplace. They bring him back to the ACI around 6:30 p.m. each day.

He is in the ACI evenings, weekends and any days off from the job, which Poole described as “office-type work” and “some light bookkeeping.” In addition, he is working an occasional Saturday.

-- projo.com staff writer Kate Bramson, with reports from Journal staff writers Tracy Breton and Tom Mooney

The work-release program at the ACI requires inmates to find and convince an employer to hire them, Poole said. So inmates in the program often work for someone they know or have some connection to.

Derderian is earning $10 an hour, Poole said. Thirty percent of his salary goes to the state Department of Corrections, Poole said. From what is left after taxes, 15 percent will be applied to fines and costs assessed by the court. Twenty-five percent of the salary, up to $500, goes into an account that is frozen and held for the inmate until his release.

Derderian, like the ACI’s other 36 work-release inmates, will receive $35 a week for job-related expenses such as bus fare, gasoline or lunches. Any money remaining after that can be put into an account that he can use in the ACI commissary or transfer to his relatives, Poole said.

Posted by Steve Peoples at 3:14 PM | Comment

Bilodeau waives motion for new trial; sentencing in Dec.

PROVIDENCE -- A Providence man convicted last week of two felonies related to the death of a 17-year-old North Providence high school student today waived his motion for a new trial.

Jacob D. Bilodeau, of 16 Vinton St., 25, faces up to 25 years in prison after being convicted of driving to endanger, death resulting, and leaving the scene of an accident, death resulting.

Superior Court Judge Robert D. Krause today scheduled his sentencing for Dec. 4.
He is being held at the Adult Correctional Institutions in Cranston.

The motion for a new trial is relatively standard after serious criminal convictions.

Louis J. Salvatore, 17, suffered severe head injuries and died after a car crash July 19, 2004.

Posted by Steve Peoples at 2:58 PM | Comment

Hearing set on release of Station fire grand jury testimony

The judge weighing whether to release secret grand jury testimony in The Station nightclub fire case – at Attorney General Patrick C. Lynch’s request – has set a hearing for tomorrow on the matter.

However, the judge will not rule on Lynch’s petition tomorrow, according to courts spokesman Craig N. Berke.

Superior Court Presiding Justice Joseph F. Rodgers Jr. will address Lynch’s request at 11 a.m. tomorrow in courtroom 12 on the fifth floor of the Licht Judicial Complex, 250 Benefit St., Providence.

Rodgers said today that he will outline how he intends to proceed with the petition.

A statewide grand jury was impaneled within days of the February 2003 fire at the West Warwick nightclub that killed 100 people.

The grand jury conducted an independent, 10-month-long investigation before indicting Daniel Biechele, the band manager who set off the pyrotechnics that ignited the blaze, and club co-owners Jeffrey and Michael Derderian on involuntary manslaughter charges.

All three pleaded out, averting any disclosure of the testimony during a trial.

The attorney general filed a four-page petition and a 61-page supporting memorandum yesterday seeking the release of the grand jury testimony.

Tomorrow’s hearing is open to the public.

-- projo.com staff writer Kate Bramson

Posted by Kate Bramson at 1:39 PM | Comment

Fogarty, Carcieri clash on jobs in morning debate

Governor Carcieri and Democratic challenger Lt. Gov. Charles Fogarty laid out their views of the state's economy this morning at a breakfast forum sponsored by the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce at the Providence Westin.

Carcieri, who is running for his second term, pointed to the construction in downtown Providence and Fidelity Investments plans to bring 1,000 new workers to the state as evidence that the state's economy has grown during his first four years in office.

"When people are investing in the state it means they are positive about its future," said Carcieri, who also highlighted his efforts to cut taxes for businesses and improve education.

Fogarty, however, attacked Carcieri on his job creation record, saying Carcieri has not delivered the 20,000 jobs he promised to create at the beginning of his first term and questioned Carcieri's track record on health care affordability.

Fogarty called himself a true advocate for the state's small businesses.

"The state has to improve its business climate, business taxes have to be fair," said Fogarty. "Taxes must help, not hinder growth."

-- Journal staff writer Andrea Stape

Posted by Steve Peoples at 11:57 AM | Comment

Autism experts to gather in North Kingstown

NORTH KINGSTOWN – The Autism Project of Rhode Island has gathered about 150 speech and language pathologists, teachers, social workers and parents today and tomorrow for a conference on developing children’s social skills.

Michelle Garcia Winner, who operates the Center for Social Thinking in San Jose, Calif., teaches children with autism how to understand the nuances of interpersonal communications that their peers take for granted. Winner, an author and speech pathologist known for her “I Laugh” approach will speak and lead group workshops.

The challenges for children with many forms of autism include dealing with a lack of social skills, problems making friends, getting along in groups or just “getting” the joke, which contribute to academic struggles as well, according to Joanne Quinn, director of the Autism Project of Rhode Island.

Although people have pre-registered for the conference, which is at the Quidnessett Country Club in North Kingstown, there is an opportunity for parents of autistic children to attend tomorrow’s sessions, according to spokesman Mike Dawson. The fee is $69.
-- projo.com staff writer Kate Bramson

Posted by Kate Bramson at 8:44 AM | Comment

Apartment fire at Charlesgate chases resident

PROVIDENCE – One person is living in temporary quarters today after a fire last night at the Charlesgate East Apartments at 50 Randall St.

Firefighters were called to the scene at 9:47 p.m. for a kitchen fire and heavy smoke on the third floor, according to James Taylor, chief of communications for the Providence Fire Department. No one was injured.

Although some residents of the large apartment complex were evacuated, all were able to return to the building by 10:09 p.m., except for the resident of Apartment 3C, the location of the fire, Taylor said.

The Red Cross was called to assist that resident, Taylor said.

-- projo.com staff writer Kate Bramson

Posted by Kate Bramson at 8:33 AM | Comment

Mild today, but a storm is brewing for the weekend

PROVIDENCE – A significant coastal storm is predicted to bring heavy rainfall to southern New England on Saturday as well as wind gusts up to 50 knots over coastal waters.

East to southeast winds are forecast to shift to the west by Saturday night, but winds may still gust to 40 knots through Sunday.

With a small craft advisory in effect, the National Weather Service warns mariners to consider postponing travel until after the storm passes and winds and seas subside.

As for today, we’ve got something more mild in hand. It should be partly cloudy with a high around 52 and a low tonight of 32.

Keep an eye on the forecast for the next few days at projo.com.

Posted by Kate Bramson at 7:15 AM | Comment

October 25, 2006

House fire displaces 7 in Providence

PROVIDENCE -- A minor house fire broke out this afternoon at a three-story wood-frame house at 131 Wadsworth St.

The fire started at 4:43 p.m. and was under control 20 minutes later, according to the Providence Fire Department. There were no injuries.

Four adults and three children who live at the house are being dislocated for a few days, according to the American Red Cross, Rhode Island Chapter. They are all staying with family and friends, but the Red Cross is helping with food and providing financial assistance.

-- Journal staff writer Scott Mayerowitz

Posted by Steve Peoples at 6:54 PM | Comment

Update: Plunder Dome witness shows up in Senate race

PROVIDENCE -- U.S. Sen. Lincoln Chafee continued criticizing his Democratic opponent Sheldon Whitehouse today, charging the former attorney general with incompetence and a "continuing pattern of putting his ambition over duty."

The press conference late this morning was the second called by the Chafee campaign to attack his opponent in the last seven days. Two separate polls released yesterday showed Chafee trailing his opponent by at least 5 percentage points, with the election less than two weeks away.

At last week's event -- held on the federal courthouse steps -- Chafee claimed that Whitehouse failed to pursue criminal charges in the Roger Williams Medical Center corruption case.

Today's press conference was held outside the Providence office of JKL Engineering, owned by Antonio Freitas, undercover informant and star witness in the FBI's Plunder Dome case that targeted City Hall corruption.

Journal photo / Kathy Borchers
Chafee, at a press conference outside JKL Engineering, owned by Plunder Dome star witness Antonio Freitas, displays a 2002 Providence Journal photo of Whitehouse and former Providence Mayor Vincent A. Cianci Jr. at the dedication of an assisted-living facility.

Chafee said that Whitehouse has improperly taken credit for the Plunder Dome prosecutions that really came under the watch of Whitehouse's successor, U.S. Attorney Margaret Curran.

Chafee's campaign displayed a 2002 Journal photo showing a smiling Whitehouse next to former Providence Mayor Vincent "Buddy" Cianci Jr., who is now serving time in prison for corruption. In the picture, Whitehouse points to an old Cianci campaign button similar to his own.

Later, Freitas told reporters that he distrusted Whitehouse, and only agreed to work undercover for the FBI in 1998 if his identity was kept a secret from Whitehouse to avoid leaks to Cianci.

But Freitas’s news conference veered off into his domestic-abuse convictions in 2000-01, including unsubstantiated allegations that his subsequent imprisonment was the result of a political deal between Whitehouse and Cianci.

Journal photo / Kathy Borchers
Sheldon Whitehouse holds a press conference outside the Coalition Against Domestic Violence in Warwick after the Chafee press conference.

After the Democratic party operative filming the Chafee news conference told the Whitehouse camp what was said, Whitehouse held his own hastily called news conference outside the Warwick offices of the Coalition Against Domestic Violence.

“For Senator Chafee to minimize this man’s criminal record, this man’s record of violence against women, is truly atrocious," Whitehouse said. "It is a measure of how desperate Senator Chafee has become and how low he and his campaign will stoop to execute the Republican smear strategy that we are seeing across the country.’’

-- projo.com staff writer Steve Peoples with reports from Journal staff writers Katherine Gregg and Mike Stanton

Posted by Steve Peoples at 6:51 PM | Comment

AG asks for release of Station fire grand jury testimony

PROVIDENCE -- Attorney General Patrick Lynch has asked the head of the state Superior Court to make public testimony presented to the grand jury that eventually indicted Daniel Biechele and Jeffrey and Michael Derderian for manslaughter in The Station fire case.

A statewide grand jury was impaneled within days of the February 2003 fire at the West Warwick nightclub that killed 100 people. The grand jury conducted an independent, 10-month-long investigation before charging the three. All three pleaded out, averting any disclosure of the testimony during a trial.

Normally, grand jury materials are secret. But in rare circumstances, they can be released with the permission of the presiding judge of the Superior Court, in this case, Joseph F. Rodgers.

Lynch promised to release evidence pertaining to the high-profile case after he announced the plea bargain involving the Derderians.

"Disclosure of the grand jury testimony will serve the public interest because it will provide insight as to the scope and nature of the investigation," Lynch said today in a statement. "This case has generated more public comment and scrutiny than any other case in our state's recent history. If and when the court decides to release this information, the people of Rhode Island can make their own decisions about how and why this tragedy occurred."

Rodgers plans to announce a procedure tomorrow for reviewing Lynch's petition. It's unclear how soon the grand jury testimony could be released if Rodgers agrees with Lynch.

-- projo.com staff writer Steve Peoples with reports from Journal staff writer Paul Edward Parker

Posted by Steve Peoples at 5:44 PM | Comment

Photo: A wolf in the hand ...

Journal photo / Bob Breidenbach

Magpie, a 4-year-old wolf, visited Archie R. Cole Middle School in East Greenwich today to educate students and teachers about the role wolves play in the environment. Above, the wolf meets Kelly Grennan, a seventh-grade science teacher at Cole.

Magpie, who was born in captivity, traveled with Kent Weber and Tracy Brooks, co-founders of Mission: Wolf, a Colorado sanctuary and education center. They had visited East Greenwich High School the night before, and the wolf met students at schools in Smithfield and Pawtucket yesterday.

-- Journal environmental writer Michelle J. Lee

Posted by Peter Phipps at 5:40 PM | Comment

Harrah's third-quarter profits up on Vegas results

LAS VEGAS -- Harrah's Entertainment says its third-quarter profit rose 5 percent.

Harrah's says an incentives program drove players to its properties in Las Vegas during the third quarter. But it missed analysts' expectations because of poor performance in Atlantic City.

In Rhode Island, the world's largest casino company is looking to operate a casino in West Warwick in partnership with the Narragansett Indian Tribe.

State voters will decide next month whether to approve a proposed constitutional amendment allowing the casino to be built, and Harrah's is spending millions of dollars on its campaign.

Harrah's officials did not make any comments about a buyout bid by two private equity firms. But it did say a special committee of non-management directors continued to appraise the offer.

-- The Associated Press

Posted by Steve Peoples at 5:07 PM | Comment

Langevin, Driver will debate tonight

U.S. Rep. James R. Langevin, a Democrat, faces off against his independent challenger, Rod Driver, in a live debate tonight to be televised on Channel 36, Rhode Island PBS.

Sponsored by the League of Women Voters, the debate is at 7:30 p.m. It will be re-broadcast on Sunday at 1:30 p.m.

Read more about Driver and Langevin in Journal profiles.

Posted by Kate Bramson at 2:37 PM | Comment

Carcieri files complaint against labor's Working RI

PROVIDENCE -- Governor Carcieri's campaign filed a complaint with the state Board of Elections today, accusing the union-backed group Working Rhode Island of illegally funneling hundreds of thousands of dollars into this year's election.

Carcieri has requested a temporary restraining order to bar Working Rhode Island from contributing to any campaign that opposes Carcieri or promotes the ballot question involving the West Warwick casino.

Working Rhode Island is not registered as a political action committee with the state Board of Elections, although any group that accepts contributions for advocating the election of any candidate or ballot question must do so.

The group received $200,000 in September from the Harrah's-backed Rhode Islanders for Jobs and Tax Relief, according to a Board of Elections filing. In the past, Working Rhode Island has run television ads criticizing Carcieri, though it's unclear what the group did with the latest contribution.

The group did not immediately return a message requesting comment.

“Working R.I. has repeatedly broken Rhode Island election laws by laundering union money to fund political advertisements against Governor Carcieri," said Carcieri campaign manager Kenneth K. McKay in a statement.

"Not only did they produce and send out flyers advocating that Governor Carcieri be fired, but they even ran television ads against the Governor during the last election cycle. The facts are clear: Working RI has been operating as an illegal PAC.”

-- Projo.com staff writer Steve Peoples

Posted by Steve Peoples at 2:22 PM | Comment

Globe says former GE CEO is looking to buy the paper

BOSTON -- In a story that runs across the top of today's Globe, the newspaper writes that retired General Electric Co. chief executive Jack Welch and advertising executive Jack Connors have been exploring the possibility of making an offer to buy the paper from The New York Times Co.

The Globe story, which called Welch and Connors "two of Boston's best-known businessmen," cited several unnamed executives who have participated in the discussions.

The Globe said neither Welch nor Connors would comment and said its sources have cautioned that the plans are preliminary.

The newspaper said the executives are working with investment bank JPMorgan Chase & Co. to evaluate a potential deal, and that JPMorgan has valued the Globe at $550 to $600 million, below the $1.1 billion the Times Co. paid in 1993. A JPMorgan spokesman declined to comment to the Globe.

The Times Co. has said the Globe, despite its continued weak financial results, is not for sale.

Posted by Peter Phipps at 9:13 AM | Comment

It's going to warm up

PROVIDENCE – It’s just 37 degrees out there at this hour, but temps should climb to the low 50s today.

That’s about the sum of it this week, lows in the mid- to upper-30s and highs in the low 50s.

Looking ahead to this weekend, the National Weather Service is predicting a 70 percent chance of rain on Saturday and a mostly sunny day on Sunday.

Get the latest conditions and forecasts from projo.com.

Posted by Kate Bramson at 7:00 AM | Comment

October 24, 2006

Poll: Whitehouse holds edge over Chafee

Democrat Sheldon Whitehouse continues to hold a slight lead over U.S. Sen. Lincoln Chafee in the race for the Rhode Island Republican's seat, according to a poll released today by a national pollster.

MSNBC-McClatchy released a survey conducted by Mason-Dixon Polling and Research, Inc. that gives Whitehouse a 5 percent lead -- 48 percent to 43 percent, with 12 percent undecided.

The poll of 625 registered voters was conducted Oct. 18 to Oct. 20. It has a margin of error of 4 percentage points.

Mason-Dixon's last poll showed the candidates locked in a virtual tie; Whitehouse led 42 percent to 41 percent.

The election in the nationally-watched campaign is two weeks away.

Mason-Dixon also found that Governor Carcieri enjoys a more comfortable 10-point lead over Lt. Gov. Charles Fogarty -- 49 percent to 39 percent, with 12 percent undecided.

Posted by Steve Peoples at 6:30 PM | Comment

New trial denied for man convicted in toddler's death

PROVIDENCE -- A Superior Court judge today refused to grant a new trial to a Providence man convicted of beating a 2-year-old child to death.

Akeem King, 21, was convicted of second-degree murder earlier in the month after a jury found him responsible for the death of Marquel Davis, whom King was babysitting one night in August 2005.

Sentencing is scheduled for Nov. 30, according to the Attorney General's Office. King has been held without bail at the ACI since his arrest.

Attorney General Patrick Lynch said in statement that according to trial testimony, Marquel Davis's 19-year-old mother, Michelle Thurmon, worked as a prostitute for Troy Figgs, King's roommate.

She left the child with King and Figgs in their third-floor apartment on Erastus Street on the afternoon of Sunday, July 31, while she went to Boston to work, and said her son was healthy when she left.

When she returned at about 11 that night, she gave Figgs money she made had made in Boston and was sent back to work in Providence. She said she saw her son lying face-down on King's bed and thought he was asleep.

He was found dead the next morning.

An autopsy showed the that the child died of acute subdural hemorrhage -- a bleeding under a membrane that covers the brain -- and brain injury caused by blunt force trauma. He also suffered contusions to his scalp, face and body.

Posted by Steve Peoples at 6:00 PM | Comment

UMass casino-impact researcher arrested for assault

The researcher behind University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth studies supportive of the proposed Harrah's-Narragansett Indian casino faces charges of assault and battery, intimidating a witness and marijuana possession after being arrested in Fall River over the weekend.

Clyde W. Barrow, 50, director of the UMass Center for Policy Analysis, pleaded not guilty in Fall River District Court today.

Barrow was arrested after police were called to his apartment at 3865 North St. just before midnight on Saturday, where they found Nancy Dececco, 52, of Robeson Street, outside. She was bleeding lightly from a small scratch, with redness and swelling around the bridge of her nose, according the police report.

She told officers that she and Barrow had been drinking and gotten into an argument. She alleged Barrow knocked her to the floor and began to hit and strangle her. When she tried to phone for help, the police report quotes her as saying, Barrow "smashed my cell phone and threw it in the toilet.'' She was treated and released from St. Anne's Hospital.

According to the report, Barrow, who is divorced, said the fight was over the issue of marriage. He repeatedly told police the dispute had not become physical, and he said he went to bed after she left the house, noting at one point, "She falls down all the time.''

Barrow was mentioned in a Political Scene blog item yesterday regarding his plans to speak at a Harrah's-backed conference in Las Vegas next month.

-- Journal staff writer C. Eugene Emery Jr.

Posted by Steve Peoples at 5:16 PM | Comment

Brown buys 7 buildings in Jewelry District

PROVIDENCE -- Brown University announced today that it has signed an agreement to purchase seven buildings in the city's Jewelry District, one of the largest purchases in the school's history and a major step in Brown's plan to expand from College Hill.

The purchase comprises 232,000 rentable square feet in seven buildings, as well as a 400-car parking garage and other parking areas. The school has not yet released the purchase price.

Last year, Brown bought an 11-story building -- the home of Hemenway's seafood restaurant -- on South Main Street for $31.5 million.

The university says it has not determined how to use the new space and that it will honor existing leases on the buildings, which largely consist of office space and limited retail space. Should Brown eventually convert the space into university use, the property would eventually become tax exempt.

The properties aquired by the university include:

- 196, 222 and 233 Richmond Street
- 1 and 10 Davol Square
- 339 and 349 Eddy Street

Posted by Steve Peoples at 3:57 PM | Comment

Lawyer questions man who says he was raped as a boy

PROVIDENCE _ For three days, a short, stocky man with a goatee and his hair in a ponytail has taken the witness stand and testified that former East Providence City Councilman Gerald R. Lynch raped him as a boy.

This morning, for practically the first time at Lynch’s trial on first-degree sexual assault charges, that testimony was contested, with C. Leonard O’Brien, a defense lawyer for Lynch, hammering away at what he said were inconsistent statements the witness gave Pawtucket police.

The first time the witness went to the police, on Jan. 5, 2004, he told Detective William Magill that Lynch forced him to have oral sex when he was a 13 to 15-year-old boy working in the flower shop Lynch owned on Newport Avenue.

But it wasn’t until a week later, on Jan. 12, 2004, that the witness told Magill he had told Lynch no.

In between, the witness had made two calls to Lynch that police tape-recorded, the first on Jan. 7, 2004 the second on Jan. 9.

During both calls, Lynch had denied forcing the witness to have sex.

The tapes of the two calls were introduced by the prosecution and played in court yesterday.

``During this tape recording on the 7th and on the 9th, you heard Mr. Lynch say that he had not forced you, and it was after that that you went back into the police department and said you recall saying no several times, ’’ O’Brien asked the witness during cross-examination this morning.

The witness started to argue: ``Well, the first …’’

``That is a fact, is it not,’’ O’Brien demanded.

``Yes,’’ the witness replied.

On direct examination by Special Assistant Attorney General Maureen Keough, the witness explained that his statement had changed between Jan. 5 and Jan. 12, 2004 because he had had time to develop a detailed recollection of a 20-year-old set of events.

O’Brien used the Jan. 7 and Jan. 9, 2004 tape recordings to impeach that testimony, contending that Lynch’s adamant denial he had forced the witness to have sex had caused the witness to hype his testimony to incriminate Lynch.

The name of the witness is being withheld because of the nature of the crime. For the most part, he remained self-possessed during the cross-examination, giving O’Brien answers that were brief and to the point.

But every now and then, the witness became argumentative, prompting Judge Edward C. Clifton to intervene.

--- John Castellucci, Journal Staff Writer

Posted by Peter Phipps at 2:38 PM | Comment

Cranston custodian charged with 2 molestation counts

A Cranston custodian was charged today with molesting a student at the Hugh B. Bain Middle School.

John Shutt, 64, of Cranston, was arraigned today in Kent County District Court on two felony counts of second-degree child molestation. Shutt, who was arrested yesterday at the police station, was released on a $40,000 bond.

At a news conference after the arraignment, Cranston Police Chief Stephen McGrath and Superintendent M. Richard Scherza said a complaint was filed with the police on Friday. The police then investigated the complaint over the weekend.

Scherza said the school ran a criminal record check before hiring Shutt in 2000.

"We wish that these kind of things would never happen,'' Scherza said. "But we remain vigilant."

The police did not disclose any information about the victim or where the alleged crimes took place.

-- Journal Staff Writer Benjamin N. Gedan

Posted by Peter Phipps at 2:02 PM | Comment

Career fair today in Warwick

WARWICK -- A variety of local companies are at the Crowne Plaza Hotel today to conduct interviews with jobseekers pursuing careers in fields ranging from financial services and manufacturing to technology and retail sales, as part of a projoJobs' Workforce Career Fair.

The free fair, sponsored by The Providence Journal, is open until 5 p.m. It includes on-the-spot interviews and a free résumé critique. Click here for a list of exhibitors.

Posted by Steve Peoples at 12:46 PM | Comment

Conference addresses the city's adult-entertainment industry

PROVIDENCE – City residents seem to be trying to strike a balance between the economics and morality of the adult-entertainment industry.

A clear majority said they believe the industry gives the city a negative reputation and contributes to crime (57 percent and 54 percent, respectively), but on the other hand, more than one-third of residents (34 percent) said adult entertainment clubs make either a very or a somewhat important contribution to the local economy, according to a recent survey conducted by researchers at Brown University.

Public attitudes toward the industry and ways to regulate adult entertainment are on the docket this afternoon in a public affairs conference -- titled “Sex and the City” -- sponsored by the Taubman Center for Public Policy at Brown University.

In preparing for the 7th annual Thomas J. Anton/Frederick Lippitt Urban Affairs conference, the Taubman Center conducted a public opinion survey Oct. 14-17.

It was the response from 46 percent of residents who said they think there are too many adult entertainment clubs in Providence that stood out for Professor Darrell M. West, director of the Taubman Center and the John Hazen White Sr. Public Opinion Laboratory.

In a city West says is now known as “the strip club capital of New England,” the Taubman Center thought it was time to address the economic and moral aspects of the industry.

The industry certainly provides jobs in Providence, “but whether it’s the kind of jobs people want is the debatable question,” West said.

West said the center hopes this year’s conference will focus public attention on the issue and gather expert views on what the city needs to do about the industry.

-- projo.com staff writer Kate Bramson

Past Urban Affairs conferences have centered on schools, the police, homeland security and last year’s – emergency preparedness. The survey in conjunction with that conference showed most people didn’t know what evacuation routes they should follow if there were a natural disaster and that they were poorly prepared for disaster, West said.

“And I think the city and state governments took that seriously and have done a lot of work,” West said. “Most cities now in the state have their emergency routes up.”

Read more about preparations for disaster in a Journal series.

Posted by Kate Bramson at 12:33 PM | Comment

Radio debate between Secretary of State candidates at 11

Dueling candidates for the open Secretary of State seat will debate this morning at 11 on Helen Glover’s radio talk show on WHJJ 920-AM.

Republican Sue A. Stenhouse and Democrat A. Ralph Mollis are vying for the seat vacated by Matthew Brown, who held the post for one term and unsuccessfully ran for the U.S. Senate this year. When Brown dropped out of that race in April, he said he wouldn’t seek any other office this year.

Posted by Kate Bramson at 10:49 AM | Comment

North Providence room heater sparks fire

NORTH PROVIDENCE – A fire apparently caused by a malfunctioning gas heater caused just minor damage to the walls of a home at 243 Francis Ave.

Nobody was injured.

The fire was contained to the room where it began, on the first floor of the home that includes an in-law apartment, North Providence Fire Battalion Chief David Charello said this morning.

The heater, attached to the wall, was properly vented, Charello said. Some type of mechanical malfunction appears to have caused the fire, he said.

Firefighters were dispatched to the scene at 7:13 a.m. and had the fire under control by about 7:30 a.m., Charello said.

-- projo.com staff writer Kate Bramson

Posted by Kate Bramson at 8:38 AM | Comment

Update: Man escapes crash on 295, with minor injuries

JOHNSTON – The driver of a 1999 Jeep Wrangler that went off the road today in an early-morning crash on Route 295 south escaped with minor injuries.

The man was traveling alone and told the police that a truck cut him off, causing the crash that occurred about a half mile north of Plainfield Pike on the Johnston-Cranston town line, state police Lt. Thomas Underhill said.

The accident was reported to the state police at about 7 a.m. The driver was transported to Rhode Island Hospital, Underhill said.

The Jeep was quickly towed, and traffic was not affected much, Underhill said.

-- projo.com staff writer Kate Bramson

Posted by Kate Bramson at 8:16 AM | Comment

Update: Providence home fire injures occupant, firefighter

PROVIDENCE – An early morning fire in a three-story occupied home in the Valley neighborhood injured one resident and sent a firefighter to an area hospital.

The 30 Linton St. fire was reported at 3:58 a.m., according to James Taylor, chief of communications for the Providence Fire Department. Heavy fire was reported on the third floor.

One man in the building was found unconscious from smoke inhalation on the second floor, Taylor said. His condition at Rhode Island Hospital cannot be determined at this time.

The Red Cross was called in to assist two families in addition to the third-floor resident who was hospitalized, Red Cross spokeswoman Angie Moncada said. Two adults and two children from the second-floor unit, and three adults and one child from the first-floor unit were allowed back in to the building to gather some of their belongings, but they cannot stay in the home, Moncada said.

Both families are staying with neighbors and relatives, she said. The Red Cross provided food and other supplies for the children.

A firefighter, who injured his shoulder, was taken to Roger Williams Hospital, Taylor said.

The fire was under control at 4:34 a.m., Taylor said.

-- projo.com staff writer Kate Bramson

Posted by Kate Bramson at 7:52 AM | Comment

Rhode Islanders apparently escape Triple-E threat

PROVIDENCE -- Cool weather has probably killed Rhode Island's remaining mosquitoes, largely ending the threat of mosquito-borne illness, according to the state Department of Environmental Management.

The DEM say 13 pools of mosquitoes tested positive this year for West Nile Virus or Eastern Equine Encephalitis, also called Triple-E.

But there are no reported cases here of either virus spreading to humans.

Both diseases are transmitted through mosquito bites.

Triple-E killed two people in neighboring Massachusetts this year and several more became ill, primarily in southeastern Massachusetts.

-- The Associated Press

Posted by Jack Perry at 7:47 AM | Comment

Mostly cloudy with a high of 52 degrees

PROVIDENCE -- The National Weather Service forecasts a mostly cloudy day today with a high near 52 degrees and northwest winds of 7 to 15 miles per hour.

The temperature should drop to 37 degrees tonight, and partly cloudy skies will obscure the stars.

For more information and updates, check projo.com/weather.

Posted by Jack Perry at 7:00 AM | Comment

October 23, 2006

Court hears tape of call to accused in sex-assault case

PROVIDENCE -- The first indication Gerald R. Lynch got that he was going to be charged with sexually assaulting a teenager was a telephone call he received 20 years after the incidents allegedly occurred.

Details regarding the phone call took center stage in court today as Lynch's trial spanned into its third day.

It was Jan. 7, 2004, and Lynch, who was director of the East Providence Boys & Girls Club at the time, took a call there from a man he had employed at the flower shop he had once owned in Pawtucket.

"I’ve been going to counseling for a while now, Gerry -- for a few years -- and I need to talk to you about some things that are bothering me, that you did to me when I was a teenager working for you at the flower shop ... Do you know what I’m talking about?’’ the man said.

"Yeah, I think so,’’ Lynch answered. "I … I don’t know.’’

"You might think it was just oral sex, Gerry, but you raped me. I was a little kid. I was young. I was scared. You forced me to do things I didn’t want to do,’’ the caller said.

The caller didn’t say so, but the call was being taped by detectives for the Pawtucket Police Department, where he had gone to accuse Lynch of having sex with him.

Today, the tape was played from beginning to end in Superior Court, where Lynch, now 62, is being tried before Judge Edward C. Clifton on nine counts of sexual assault -- the oral sex that caller alleged Lynch forced on him when he was a boy working at Blease Florists and Greenhouses on Newport Avenue.

-- Journal staff writer John Castellucci

Posted by Steve Peoples at 7:00 PM | Comment

Wife of Warwick council candidate dies in car crash

WARWICK -- Lynn Masterson, 35, wife of Ward 4 City Council candidate Shawn Masterson, died this afternoon in an accident in which her car struck a house on her street, according to city police and municipal officials.

Masterson, of 34 Grace Ave., lost control of her car and hit a house in the area of 21 to 31 Grace Ave. at 2:37 p.m. today, according to police.

Few details were available from police as the accident is under investigation, according to Capt. Robert Nelson. Police would not release the victim’s name, but Warwick Mayor Scott Avedisian confirmed that it was Masterson.

Police would not discuss the cause of death, but Avedisian said it is believed that she passed out behind the wheel, and the car then struck the house. The cause of death is not yet known.

Shawn Masterson, a Republican, is making his first bid for elective office.

-- Journal staff writer Daniel Barbarisi

Posted by Steve Peoples at 6:55 PM | Comment

Update: 19 hurt in train accident in Franklin, Mass. / Photo

Journal photo / Steve Szydlowski
The scene of the accident this morning, showing where the train struck a truck carrying construction equipment.

FRANKLIN, Mass. -- Commuter rail service has resumed along a stretch of tracks where a train carrying more than 250 commuters smashed into a rock crusher that was stuck on the tracks this morning, an incident