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November 24, 2006

Update: Police ID man found dead in Warwick motel

WARWICK -- The Warwick police have released the name of a man found dead yesterday in a motel room.

His name is Frank Decorpo, 28, of 597 Union Ave., Providence, Warwick Police Detective Lt. Michael Higgins said this morning.

The man’s girlfriend, who was staying with him at Motel 6, 20 Jefferson Blvd., called the police around 4 p.m. yesterday, according to Capt. Matthew Costello.

Decorpo's death doesn't appear criminal in nature, according to Higgins, but the police are continuing their investigation while they await an autopsy report from the state Medical Examiner's Office.

-- projo.com staff writer Jack Perry and Journal staff writer Talia Buford

Posted by Kate Bramson at 2:35 PM | Comment

Coats donated, given away today at State House

PROVIDENCE -- Across from Providence Place Mall on one of the busiest shopping days of the year, a group is purposely avoiding stores and giving away winter coats for those in need.

The annual Buy Nothing Day is between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. today on the State House lawn. Coats are collected and given away at the event and also distributed to other organizations around the state.

The event was already in full swing early this morning with about 100 people gathered on the lawn.

Posted by Jack Perry at 10:57 AM | Comment

Early birds get to shop

Sisters Ann Boxler, 37, and Beth McDermott, 35, sat drinking coffee at 8:30 this morning with their mom and Ann's 8 year-old daughter, Catie.

With full shopping bags at their feet, they were taking a break after a shopping spree that began when they left home in Westport, Mass., at 5 a.m.

At Providence Place Mall by 6 a.m., they said just a few shops were open when they arrived -- Ann Taylor, Ann Taylor Loft, Sharper Image and the Ipod Store.

The rest of the stores opened soon after, except Nordstrom's, which opened at 8 a.m. and beckoned to the family to keep shopping.

They had come here for clothes and, although they bought some gifts, they were really shopping for themselves, the sisters said.

At the stores this morning, the salespeople were great, said McDermott, who is in Westport for Thanksgiving from her home in Arlington, Va.

"They were incredibly chipper, happy, not exhausted," McDermott said.

Catie was sleepy at the table as her family drank coffee. She even fell asleep on the dressing room floor, but just for a minute, her aunt said.

The mall, fully decorated, certainly looks a lot like Christmas on what's considered one of the busiest shopping days of the year. Many of the stores are advertising sales. Santa Claus sits in the middle of the mall, on the first floor.

"It hasn't been as busy today as I thought it would be," he said, noting that the early crowd consisted primarily of adults, who apparently left the children at home to sleep in.

Still, Santa, who's been at the mall since Nov. 13, is popular with more than just kids. A couple celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary had their photos taken with him, and so did a 4-day-old baby.

Santa's sources tell him electronic games are popular this year.

The mall is slated to stay open until 10 p.m. and open again at 6 tomorrow morning. Sunday shoppers have to wait until 9 a.m.

-- projo.com staff writer Kate Bramson

Posted by Jack Perry at 9:32 AM | Comment

Traffic: It's smooth sailing to the stores

Whether you’re unlucky and heading to work this morning or lucky and heading out shopping, it’s smooth sailing on Rhode Island’s roads.

Route 195 is moving along nicely, and Route 95 appears clear in both directions, according to a Transportation Management Center operator with the state Department of Transportation.

For other traffic needs throughout the day, 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 7:38 AM | Comment

Free holiday parking starts in Providence

PROVIDENCE -- It's that time of year again.

Mayor Cicilline announced the return of the relaxed parking program.

Starting today, you won't have to pay for parking at metered spaces, or move your car at timed spaces in downtown Providence, Wayland Square and on Thayer Street.

The relaxed parking is also in effect on South Main Street from Wickenden to Packet Street and on North Main Street from Thomas Street to Park Row.

The program ends January 1.

Police will still give out tickets for cars parked in crosswalks, tow zones and other illegal spots.

-- The Associated Press

Posted by Kate Bramson at 7:36 AM | Comment

Minor flooding in Warwick, Cranston

PROVIDENCE – By 4 a.m. today, the Pawtuxet River in Cranston had risen above flood stage, to 9.6 feet. Minor flooding has occurred in low-lying areas of Warwick and Cranston, according to the National Weather Service.

The Pawtuxet River is expected to fall below flood stage, which is 9 feet, by this afternoon.

The National Weather Service reports that 3.31 inches of rain fell yesterday in Providence, which is just short of the record of 3.38 inches for the day set in 1953.

The storm also brought a gust of 53 mph.

By 5:30 this morning, rain had ended across Rhode Island, as the Thanksgiving coastal storm moved out to sea. It could rain again this morning, probably before 9 a.m. if it does.

Posted by Kate Bramson at 7:20 AM | Comment

Thanksgiving storm out to sea

PROVIDENCE -- By 5:30 this morning, rain had ended across Rhode Island, as the Thanksgiving coastal storm moved out to sea. It could rain again this morning, probably before 9 a.m. if it does.

Today should be partly cloudy with a high near 57. Tonight will be clear with a low around 32.

The weekend looks sunny and nice, with temps ranging from low- to high-50s.

Get the latest conditions and forecasts from projo.com.

-- projo.com staff writer Kate Bramson

Posted by Jack Perry at 7:15 AM | Comment