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November 21, 2006

Update: Portsmouth motorcyclist dies after hitting school bus

PORTSMOUTH -- A Portsmouth man died this afternoon after crashing his motorcycle into a packed school bus on East Main Road.

Police are still investigating what happened, but they say the school bus was turning left onto East Main Road from President Avenue when "it was struck by a motorcycle" going north on East Main Road.

The motorcyclist, identified as Mark Bissonnette, 48, of 24 Valhalla Drive, Portsmouth, was pronounced dead at St. Anne's Hospital in Fall River, Mass., at 3:40 p.m.

None of the 45 children on the bus was injured. The bus driver was taken to the hospital for precautionary measures, the police said.

-- projo.com staff writer Steve Peoples

Posted by Steve Peoples at 7:09 PM | Comment

Bookkeeper accused of embezzling $95,000 from gun shop

SOUTH KINGSTOWN -- The police confirmed today that a Westerly woman has been charged with embezzling more than $95,000 from a local gun dealer.

Alethea J. Reynolds, 32, of 55 Beach St., Apt. 4, was arrested late last week and charged with embezzling $95,337.30 from from Universal Firearms, 265 Main St., Wakefield, over a period of a little more than a year.

Reynolds worked as a bookkeeper for the gun dealer for about two years.

“Some red flags had gone up as far as the profits, so the owner conducted his personal audit of the company,” South Kingstown Detective Jason C. Wheatley said today.

On Nov. 13, Henry “Hank” Almonte, the store owner, filed a complaint with the South Kingstown police and provided police with bookkeeping records. Reynolds was arrested three days later.

She is scheduled to next appear in court Dec. 26.

-- Journal staff writer Maria Armental

Posted by Steve Peoples at 6:58 PM | Comment

Big Papi gets 3rd place in MVP voting

Boston Red Sox slugger David Ortiz failed to win the American League's Most Valuable Player award today, finishing in third place behind the New York Yankees' Derek Jeter and the Minnesota Twins' Justin Morneau.

Morneau received 15 first-place votes, while Jeter earned 12. Ortiz didn't earn any, but he got one second-place vote and 11 third-place votes.

Morneau hit .321 with 34 homers and 130 RBIs last year, helping the Twins win the A.L. Central for the fourth time in five years. Jeter batted .344 with 14 homers and 97 RBIs.

Ortiz, known by Boston fans as "Big Papi" and loved for his late-game heroics, batted .287 with 54 homeruns and 137 RBIs.

He has been in the top five in MVP voting for the past four years.

-- Projo.com staff and wire reports

Posted by Steve Peoples at 6:57 PM | Comment

Motorcyclist dies after hitting school bus in Portsmouth

PORTSMOUTH -- A motorcyclist died today when he collided with a school bus.

Police are still investigating what happened, but they say the victim wasn't wearing a helmet.

None of the 45 children on the bus was injured.

-- The Associated Press

Posted by Steve Peoples at 6:54 PM | Comment

Photo: New surface takes to the field at Gillette

Journal photo / Bob Breidenbach
The days of natural grass at Gillette Stadium are over, as workers put the new FieldTurf surface into place. Above, they paint the New England Patriots log in the north end zone. The new covering is built to have better "bounce back" and last longer than previous yarns. The Pats are also paying to have special brown rubber in its infill, giving the turf an even more natural look. Given the field's area of 94,000 square feet, nearly one million pounds of infill will be used.

Posted by Andrea Panciera at 6:07 PM | Comment

Travel update: Hotlines can help drivers avoid jams / Photo

Journal photo / Mary Murphy
Krislynn Gobeille of Woonsocket, a freshman at Drexel University in Philadelphia, chose to make her way home by train. Above, she calls a friend to pick her up after arriving at the Amtrak station in Providence today just before noon.

Are you driving somewhere for Thanksgiving? Better leave plenty of time to get where you need to go, as this is one of the busiest travel weeks of the year.

The Rhode Island Department of Transportation urges motorists to use its resources when planning a road trip. From the road, drivers can always call 511 and use the automated voice-recognition system to check the status of roadways and weather. If you’re out of state, you can check Rhode Island’s roads by dialing (888) 401-4511. Alternatively, before leaving home, you can check the 511 system online.

People traveling south for the holiday may want to check out Trips 123 online for Connecticut, New York and New Jersey road conditions. The Connecticut Department of Transportation’s Traveler Information Gateway also provides motorists with traffic cams and information about traffic incidents.

If you’re heading north, try these numbers: (800) ICY-ROAD (429-7623) for Vermont road and tourist information and (866) 282-7579 for New Hampshire travel news.

For expanded traffic resources -- air, land or water -- browse projo.com's collection of online resources for travelers.

For other local traffic needs, check out the Rhode Island 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 5:57 PM | Comment

Health and Human Services head to retire

PROVIDENCE — Ronald A. Lebel announced this afternoon that he will retire at the end of the year from his job as director of the state Department of Health and Human Services.

Lebel, 56, has led the department since August of 2003, when he first took over in as acting director. He was confirmed by the Senate in as permanent director in April.
Governor Carcieri does not yet have a replacement lined up to fill the cabinet-level position.

The department oversees the state’s Family Independence Program, Rhode Island’s version of welfare, as well as RIte Care, the state’s health-insurance program for the poor. It also has a hand in dealing with foster children and the state’s elderly and disabled, military veterans, and hospitals.

It has an annual budget of $1.7 billion and the director oversees more than 1,000 employees.

A lawyer, Lebel has been a state employee since 1978, when he became special counsel to the director of the Department of Business Regulation. He joined the Department of Human Services later that year as legal counsel.

Lebel took over the department when Carcieri named Jane Hayward, the previous director, to head the new state Office of Health and Human Services, which oversees the Department of Human Services and four other state departments.

-- Journal staff writer Scott Mayerowitz

Posted by Steve Peoples at 3:56 PM | Comment

Update: Woman shot to death in Pawtucket

PAWTUCKET – Police have identified the woman shot to death early this morning in Pawtucket.

Jennifer Duarte, 24, of Atlantic Ave., was found at the intersection of Hurley and Grotto avenues sometime after 1 a.m.. She had been shot several times, according to the police.

Authorities responded to the scene after receiving phone calls about a shooting in the vicinity of Hurley Avenue. Duarte was pronounced dead at the scene.

Anyone who may have information about the shooting should contact the police at (401)727-9100, extension 777.

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

Posted by Steve Peoples at 3:36 PM | Comment

Not guilty pleas entered for Beagle Club

PROVIDENCE -- The Little Rhody Beagle Club and its former president appeared in federal court today to answer charges of killing federally-protected birds of prey to protect the club's stock of rabbits.

While a plea bargain had been reached between prosecutors and club officials, a federal magistrate continued the matter today to determine which court official would rule on the deal.

The magistrate entered not guilty pleas on behalf of former club president William Forward and the club. The next hearing has not yet been scheduled.

The government contends that the Warwick dog club, which trains beagles to flush rabbits out of cover, killed birds such as red-tailed hawks and great-horned owls, using guns, steel leg-hold traps, and by setting out as bait, eggs and animal carcasses seeded with insecticides.

Posted by Steve Peoples at 3:18 PM | Comment

More than 100 implicated in drug, gun investigation

PROVIDENCE -- Nearly 100 people in Providence have either been arrested or are still being sought as part of a major drugs and firearms investigation.

Mayor David Cicilline and local police officials announced the arrests today.

They say roughly 70 people were arrested last week, and arrest warrants are outstanding for about 25 others. The multi-agency investigation began in January.

In addition, Providence Police Chief Dean Esserman says Providence was selected by the National Urban League to replicate a program begun several years ago in a North Carolina city.

The program offers offenders substance-abuse counseling, job training and other assistance in exchange for not arresting them. The police say they've identified seven people eligible for the program.

-- The Associated Press

Posted by Steve Peoples at 3:17 PM | Comment

R.I. Senate Dems meet to choose new leadership

PROVIDENCE -- Senate Democrats will gather on Smith Hill to select their leadership team for the next session of the General Assembly, which opens in January.

The 5 p.m. caucus will be in the Senate Lounge and is open to the public.

There aren't any surprises expected. Senate Majority Leader M. Teresa Paiva-Weed, D-Newport, among others, will look to retain her leadership role.

And while the Senate president selection requires the vote of the full Senate, the caucus plans to endorse a candidate at today's meeting. Current Senate President Joseph A. Montalbano, D-North Providence, is the leading contender, despite the recent disclosure of an FBI investigation into his legal work for the Town of West Warwick.

-- With reports from Journal staff writer Katherine Gregg

Posted by Steve Peoples at 2:54 PM | Comment

Providence skating rink opens today

PROVIDENCE -- Another sign the holiday season is upon us...

The Bank of America skating center in Providence's Kennedy Plaza opens for the first time this winter season today at 4 p.m.

The 14,000 sq. ft. facility, which the mayor's office notes "is twice the size of Rockefeller Plaza’s ice rink in New York City," allows Providence residents to skate for free on the first Saturday of each month.

“The Bank of America City Center offers the perfect way to spend a winter day or evening for our residents and visitors alike,” Mayor David N. Cicilline said in a statement.“

Last year more than 60,000 skaters experienced the thrill of gliding across the ice and this year promises to be just as exciting.”

General admission is $6 and $3 for seniors and children (under 12). Skate rental is $4. The rink is open Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. until 10 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays 11 a.m. until 10 p.m.

It's even open on Thanksgiving Day from 4 p.m. until 10 p.m.

Posted by Steve Peoples at 2:39 PM | Comment

Tips for a safe Thanksgiving

Whether you’re hosting people for Thanksgiving in two days or you’re cooking a dish and taking it home to Mom’s, it doesn’t hurt to brush up on food-preparation safety tips. You certainly don’t want anyone getting sick because they ate your stuffing!

The state Department of Health has issued tips for preventing foodborne illnesses during the holiday:

Stay clean: Wash hands and food-contact surfaces often, since bacteria can spread throughout the kitchen and contaminate cutting boards, kitchen utensils, sponges and countertops.

Avoid cross-contamination: Don't let bacteria spread from one food product to another. This is especially true for raw meat, poultry and seafood. Experts caution that you should keep these foods and their juices away from ready-to-eat foods.

Cook foods to proper temperatures: Foods are properly cooked when they are heated for a long enough time and at a high enough temperature to kill the bacteria that cause foodborne illnesses.

Chill: Public health officials advise consumers to refrigerate foods quickly because cold temperatures keep most harmful bacteria from growing and multiplying. Refrigerators should be set at 40 degrees Fahrenheit and freezers at zero. Occasionally check the accuracy of the settings with a thermometer.

Other food safety tips:

Thaw turkeys in the refrigerator (40 degrees Fahrenheit or below) and allow approximately 24 hours for every 4 to 5 pounds.

Cook whole turkeys – and the stuffing inside the turkey -- to a minimum of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

Check whether the turkey is done by inserting a food thermometer into the inner thigh area near the breast of the turkey, but not touching the bone.

See additional information from the U.S. Department of Agriculture on safely roasting a turkey.

Use pasteurized eggs to prepare eggnog, since unpasteurized eggs may contain bacteria that can cause illness.

Ensure adequate refrigerator space for storage of planned menu items both before and after dinner is served.

Do not leave perishable foods at room temperature for more than two hours.

Keep hot foods hot and cold foods cold.

Posted by Kate Bramson at 2:33 PM | Comment

Fire in Olneyville building under control / Photo

Journal photo / Steve Szydlowski
Providence firefighters this morning contain a fire at an abandoned warehouse for the former Colonial Knife at Agnes and Oak in Providence.

PROVIDENCE – A fire in a vacant commercial building in Olneyville this morning has been brought under control.

Crews were called to the scene of the Old Colonial Knife building, at 40 Agnes St., around 9:30 a.m., and the fire was under control by 10:05 a.m., according to James Taylor, chief of communications for the Providence Fire Department.

No one was injured in the fire, Taylor said.

-- projo.com staff writer Kate Bramson

Posted by Kate Bramson at 10:26 AM | Comment

Travel: Packing right will help make a smooth flight

We’ve heard many of you out there haven’t flown since last Thanksgiving and are wondering just how the world of air travel has changed. What you really want to know is how to pack appropriately so you’re following the latest travel restrictions, right?

The U.S. Transportation Security Administration has plenty of information on its Web site about what you can and cannot bring aboard an airplane.

For starters, you must pack any liquids, aerosols and gels you’re carrying on the plane in small containers and in a clear plastic bag. The TSA is promoting this as the 3-1-1 rule. Your items must be in containers that are 3 ounces or smaller. You must use a one-quart-size clear plastic, zip-top bag. Each passenger can travel with only one such bag, which must be carried separately and sent through the security checkpoints by itself.

The TSA also provides tips about traveling with baby formula and breast milk and how to protect your laptop computers.

Larger containers of liquids, aerosols and gels can be carried on planes as long as they’re in checked bags, according to Joseph S. Salter, federal security director at T.F. Green Airport and a Transportation Security Administration employee

Other travel trips from the TSA include:

Do not wrap gifts: If security officers must inspect the package, they may have to unwrap the gift.

Pack smart: Bringing prohibited items just delays the screening process for you and others. Check the rules before packing your bags.

Arrive on time: Check with your individual airline on its preference for how early you should be at the terminal. You must have a boarding pass and valid government photo ID to enter the security checkpoint.

Dress the part: Metal in your clothing may set off the walk-through metal detectors. Pack coins, keys, jewelry, belt buckles and other metal items in your carry-on bags. Remember that all shoes must be removed and screened by TSA. Passengers also need to remove blazers, suit coats and bulky sweaters in addition to outer garments.

Pack undeveloped film in your carry-on bags. Give film that is faster than 800-speed to a security officer for physical inspection to avoid an X-ray.

Think: Belligerent behavior, inappropriate jokes and threats will not be tolerated. Such incidents will result in delays and possibly missing your flight. Local law enforcement may be called as necessary.

Posted by Kate Bramson at 8:30 AM | Comment

Big Blue Bug lighting today

PROVIDENCE -- Nibbles Woodaway will become a shining star today.

Woodaway, better known as the Big Blue Bug of Interstate 95, has been adorned with more than 5,000 holiday lights. This afternoon, the bug will shine.

The head of Opera Providence, which recently performed "The Bug Opera," will flick the switch at 4:30 p.m., marking the 14th annual lighting of the Big Blue Bug.

The bug, owned by New England Pest Control, will also don a red nose and antlers.

Your turn: Is it OK to put up Christmas lights and play Christmas music before Thanksgiving?

Posted by Steve Peoples at 7:26 AM | Comment

Download today's front page

Today's top stories: Soldiers return from Iraq, Election Day recounts, and a fractured GOP.

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Posted by Peter Phipps at 7:09 AM | Comment

Grab the hat, it's chilly

PROVIDENCE – At a cool 28 degrees this morning, November has shown its true colors.

Let’s consider ourselves lucky for all the warm weather we’ve had lately. Now, it appears as if it’s time for winter to settle in.

The National Weather Service has issued a hazardous weather outlook for the region, with a freeze warning for Suffolk County (Boston and beyond) this morning, and a warning of a coastal storm with wind and rain that should spread out over southern New England late on Thanksgiving.

We’ll see a high of 48 today and high daytime temps hovering around there for the rest of the week.

During the day, Thanksgiving Day should be mostly cloudy with a high of 47.

Get the latest conditions and forecasts from projo.com.

Posted by Kate Bramson at 7:00 AM | Comment