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October 17, 2006

Update: South County Hospital fire closes ER

Journal file photo
The main entrance of South County Hospital last year, after a $21-million renovation and expansion to the facility was completed. It included a new lobby and private treatment rooms in the emergency room.

WAKEFIELD -- Fire crews from several communities battled a small fire at South County Hospital late today, confining the smoky blaze to the emergency room area.

Hospital staff moved patients out of the emergency room -- which has been shut down this evening -- in wheelchairs and on gurneys, even while at least one was still attached to an oxygen tank. The group was moved to the hospital cafeteria as fire crews worked to clear the smoke and test the air quality in the emergency room.

No one was injured in the fire, according to a hospital spokeswoman. About 80 patients housed in other parts of the hospital weren't affected.

It's still unclear exactly what caused the fire and what burned. The state fire marshal is at the scene investigating.

But officials believe the fire started in an area on the roof in back of the emergency room. Heavy smoke was later detected in the basement, a result of the fire traveling down the elevator shaft.

Firefighters first arrived at the hospital at about 6 p.m. They fought the fire largely from the roof, putting it out by about 6:30.

Crews from various South County communities, and even as far Providence, responded to the three-alarm blaze.

Hospital officials expect the emergency room to re-open later tonight.

Police temporarily closed Kenyon Avenue, which borders the hospital, but have since opened it.

-- With reports from Journal staff writer Maria Armental

Posted by Steve Peoples at 7:47 PM | Comment

Update: Opponent files complaint against AG Lynch

PROVIDENCE -- The man looking to unseat Attorney General Patrick Lynch has sent a letter to the state Board of Elections accusing Lynch of "grossly ignoring Rhode Island campaign finance laws."

In a letter dated Oct. 16, Republican candidate for attorney general J. William W. Harsch asked the state board to investigate allegations that Lynch's political action committee, Friends of Patrick Lynch, has failed since 2003 to complete reports listing the name, address and place of employment of hundreds of contributors whose contributions exceeded $100.

Harsch acknowledged the reporting requirements are "cumbersome." But Harsch said that Lynch omitted information about donors with ties to large tobacco and beverage companies.

Harsch said he did not know if the omissions were intentional.

"Either way, as chief law enforcement officer, the attorney general cannot afford to either undermine or ignore the law,” Harsch said.

In a statement released this afternoon, Lynch denied the allegations.

"We’ve recorded every contribution that we’ve received, and comply with every applicable campaign-finance law. My opponent’s latest attack is just a desperate attempt to bring life to his stagnant campaign in the last 21 days," he said.

Posted by Steve Peoples at 6:37 PM | Comment

Common Cause chastises legislators on separation of powers

PROVIDENCE -- Common Cause Rhode Island, a government watchdog group, says that support among public officials is waning for the separation of powers amendment that was overwhelmingly approved by voters in 2004.

Common Cause today asked incumbent lawmakers and candidates for General Assembly seats to make a "high priority" pledge regarding the reorganization of four powerful public groups, including the Coastal Resources Marine Council and the Rhode Island Ethics Commission.

Common Cause found that many lawmakers would not commit to the effort.

For a full list of which lawmakers or challengers agreed to make the pledge, click here.

Posted by Steve Peoples at 3:52 PM | Comment

Mosquitoes down, but not out

PROVIDENCE -- The state Department of Environmental Management issued a warning this afternoon that although mosquito numbers in Rhode Island are "way down" because of colder weather, the pesky disease carriers are still around.

"The mosquito population has declined significantly, biting activity is much lower, and no new mosquitoes are being produced," the DEM says. "However, there will be some mosquito activity, particularly during periods of warmer daytime temperatures."

DEM warns Rhode Islanders to protect themselves by wearing protective clothes and using bug spray, especially when in wooded areas.

So far this year, 10 mosquito samples have tested positive for West Nile Virus, and Eastern Equine Encephalitis was detected in three samples. No human cases have been reported in Rhode Island.

Posted by Steve Peoples at 3:41 PM | Comment

Secretary of State candidates to debate on live radio

EAST PROVIDENCE -- The candidates in the race to become Rhode Island's next secretary of state are scheduled to meet this afternoon for a live radio debate.

North Providence Mayor Ralph Mollis will battle his Republican opponent, Warwick City Councilwoman Sue Stenhouse live at 4:30 p.m. on WPRO 630 AM. Radio host Dan Yorke will moderate the debate.

Posted by Steve Peoples at 3:37 PM | Comment

Carcieri unveils plan to combat online predators

PROVIDENCE – The recent arrest of an Exeter man accused of using his MySpace.com Web site to lure teenage girls into his trailer to smoke marijuana with him crystallized for Governor Carcieri the need to do more to combat online predators.

An incident like that “drives home even more” the need for the state to expand how it protects children, the governor said today as he unveiled a multi-pronged approach for the state police and the state Department of Education to work together more closely.

“I have 13 grandchildren,” the governor said at a press conference today. “The last thing we want to see is our children being preyed upon.”

Carcieri unveiled what he’s calling his Combating Online Predators (COP) plan today at the Wanskuck branch of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Providence, which already requires all children who use the clubs’ computers to complete an online safety program.

Much of the governor’s plan requires legislative approval, either to change laws or to pay more for additional state police. Approval would come next year at the earliest for some of the governor’s suggestions.

Carcieri has asked state departments to report by the end of the year how much money they’ll need in next year’s budget to implement various parts of his plan, Commissioner of Education Peter McWalters said today.

-- projo.com staff writer Kate Bramson

Posted by Kate Bramson at 3:07 PM | Comment

Hood recalls Apple Juice

Hood 100 percent Apple Juice is being recalled today because it may contain undeclared milk.

The juice produced by HP Hood LLC of Chelsea, Mass., has been distributed throughout New England to retail locations, distributors and institutions.

People with allergies or severe sensitivities to milk run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reactions if they consume this product, according to a statement from the company distributed today by the Rhode Island Department of Health.

No related illnesses have been reported to date, according to the company.

The recall includes plastic half-gallon and pint containers with a code date of NOV 14/06 and a plant code of 2508.

The company initiated the recall after a discovery that milk was contained in packaging that did not indicate the presence of milk on the label.

The company is urging anyone who has purchased such apple juice with the sell-by date of Nov. 14 and the plant code of 2508 to return it to the place of purchase for a refund. Consumers with questions may contact HP Hood at (800) 242-2423.

Posted by Kate Bramson at 12:05 PM | Comment

Investigators dig into wreckage of Rocky Point fire

WARWICK – It could be a week or two before investigators determine the cause of yesterday’s fire that destroyed the Cliff House at the former Rocky Point Amusement Park.

Investigators this morning are digging through the wreckage with heavy equipment to determine the cause of the spectacular blaze, Warwick Fire Battalion Chief Robert Letourneau said. The team includes members of the state fire marshal’s office, including its arson squad, and the Warwick police and fire departments, Letourneau said.

Any evidence of foul play would be sent to the state police lab for examination before conclusions about the fire’s cause could be drawn, Letourneau said.

Although Letourneau spoke from the fire department’s offices this morning, he said he doesn’t believe any part of the structure remains standing. Anything that is still standing would be demolished for safety reasons, he said.

Fire crews began battling the blaze at 11 a.m. yesterday. It was contained within an hour, but the crews stayed there until about 5 p.m., Letourneau said. Then, an overnight crew remained on scene putting out hot spots throughout the night, he said.

The investigative team began examining the wreckage around 10 a.m. today and should be there throughout the day, Letourneau said.

-- projo.com staff writer Kate Bramson

Posted by Kate Bramson at 11:34 AM | Comment

Students to put Bay water under the microscope

Students are expected to join efforts today by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to celebrate World Water Monitoring Day, a day that is officially celebrated tomorrow.

Over at the Taft Street Pier in Pawtucket, students will learn about the restoration of fish passage and fish habitat on the Blackstone River. They’ll also demonstrate the use of monitoring instruments at the 1 p.m. event that’s expected to draw EPA and state Department of Environmental Management folks, as well as representatives from the Blackstone River Coalition and the Blackstone River Watershed Council.

Then at the Save the Bay facility and dock at Fields Point in Providence at 3:45 p.m., second- and third-graders will learn about bay water-quality and biological monitoring. They’ll drag plankton nets through the water to gather samples to examine back in the classroom under microscopes, according to the EPA.

-- projo.com staff writer Kate Bramson

Posted by Kate Bramson at 11:06 AM | Comment

GTECH cutting ribbon on new building in Providence

PROVIDENCE – GTECH Holdings Corp. executives are cutting the ceremonial ribbon this morning in the company’s new $80-million building at the corner of Francis Street and Memorial Boulevard.

Five hundred employees are expected to start work at their new offices on Nov. 13. For today, Governor Carcieri is expected to join company leaders at the festivities.

Posted by Kate Bramson at 11:00 AM | Comment

EMC plans job cuts

EMC Corp., the computer storage company based in Hopkinton, Mass., said this morning that it will reduce its workforce by 1,250 jobs, or four percent, by the end of 2007.

The job cuts are part of a plan to better integrate the 21 acquisitions EMC has made since 2003, including the purchase of RSA Security earlier this year.

EMC also reported third quarter profits fell to $284 million from $422 million in the comparable year-ago period, largely due to stock option and research costs.
Sales rose 19 percent in the quarter to $2.82 billion.

Posted by at 9:34 AM | Comment

Heating season: Detectors wake up two Burrillville families

BURRILLVILLE – Members of two separate families were taken to Hasbro Children’s Hospital early this morning after carbon monoxide detectors alerted the families to potential leaks in their homes.

The Harrisville Fire Department transported to the hospital a mother and two children from a River Street home around 1 a.m. and a child from a Sherman Farm Road home at about 4 a.m., assistant chief Mike Gingell said this morning.

“When they left us, they were conscious and alert and comfortable – all patients,” Gingell said.

They were lucky, he said. Both families were awakened by their carbon monoxide detectors.

The separate incidents underscore the importance at this time of year of some safety and heating maintenance, Gingell said.

As people are firing up their furnaces with this colder weather, fire officials advise families that it’s wise to have certified technicians check their heating devices annually.

Now’s also a good time to check the batteries in carbon monoxide and smoke detectors, Gingell said. As October is fire prevention month, fire departments throughout the country are reminding people that it’s a good time to check those batteries, Gingell said.

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless gas produced by burning material containing carbon. Carbon monoxide poisoning can cause brain damage and, in severe cases, death.

-- projo.com staff writer Kate Bramson

Posted by Kate Bramson at 8:11 AM | Comment

Rain moving in later today

PROVIDENCE – The rain predicted for this week should set in today, most likely after 3 p.m.

There’s a 30 percent chance of rain this afternoon and a 100 percent chance of it tonight, mainly after 9 p.m., according to the National Weather Service.

Temps should top out near 57 today and fall as low as 51 tonight.

The weather service has issued a hazardous weather outlook in parts of Rhode Island, Connecticut and Massachusetts for the next few days because of the rain. A warm front will produce rain throughout the area tonight, and a strong cold front is expected to move through New England Thursday and Friday, which should bring rain that’s heavy enough in areas to produce large puddles on area roads.

Get the latest conditions and forecasts from projo.com.

Posted by Kate Bramson at 7:11 AM | Comment

Jury being picked in Cape fashion writer murder case

BARNSTABLE, Mass. -- More potential jurors were to be questioned today for the trial of a Cape Cod trash collector accused of killing fashion writer Christa Worthington, whose 2-year-old daughter was found clinging to her lifeless body more than four years ago.

Christopher McCowen, 34, is accused of killing the 46-year-old single mother in her home in Truro, a small community near the tip of Cape Cod about 100 miles from Boston.

Six jurors were selected yesterday, after several were dismissed for admitting prejudices that would influence them, forming an opinion of the case because of press coverage, having trouble remaining impartial or knowing at least potential witness. McCowen is black, while Worthington was white.

Read the full Associated Press story.

Posted by Jack Perry at 7:02 AM | Comment