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November 27, 2006

Old Jamestown bridge blasts to wrap up Wednesday

The bridge blasts are nearly finished.

The state Department of Transportation today said that the final underwater explosion on the old Jamestown bridge is planned for Wednesday morning.

The detonation will be similar to the previous 10 blasts that crews have used to destroy underwater piers. Just two piers remain, according to the state. And after Wednesday's explosions, there should be none -- if the weather cooperates.

The detonations are planned for 9 a.m. There are no major traffic delays expected.

The conclusion of the underwater demolition is among the last elements of the $19.5-million project, according to the state. Crews will be in the area to clear underwater debris through February.

Posted by Steve Peoples at 6:53 PM | Comment

Lawsuit over emissions testing contract delayed again

Once again, the trial of a contractor’s lawsuit over the state’s decision to switch companies that run the state's auto emissions testing program was postponed – in part because the Thanksgiving holiday delayed an exchange of information.

Judge Michael A. Silverstein today set a week-long schedule for both sides to complete discovery and exchange legal briefs. He then directed them to return to his courtroom next Monday for oral arguments on various legal motions.

Applus, which has run the emissions program for the last seven years, argues that a state review team gave its bid the high score, so it should have been awarded the contract.

The state, in a countersuit, argues that SysTech’s bid was lower, allowing the state to reduce the overall fee it charges for each inspection from $47 to $39. Governor Carcieri announced in a news conference that the overall savings to Rhode Islanders would total $15 million.

Silverstein has offered a speedy trial so the dispute could be settled before Applus’ contract expires at the end of next month.

-- Journal environment writer Peter B. Lord

Posted by Steve Peoples at 6:48 PM | Comment

Mobster and son going to prison after plea deal

PROVIDENCE -- Mobster Joseph F. Achille and his son are on their way to prison.

The Achilles, after months of plea negotiations, appeared in Superior Court today and pleaded no contest to a variety of felony and misdemeanor charges stemming from the breakup of a gambling ring in Johnston two years ago.

The most significant charge, conspiracy to commit assault with a dangerous weapon, resulted in Achille, 70, and his son, David Achille, 39, being sentenced to seven years in the ACI, with one year to serve. The remaining six years of the sentence was suspended. They were both ordered to surrender to the court on Jan. 2 to begin serving the sentence in the prison’s work-release program.

The conspiracy charge dates to Jan. 28, 2005, when David Achille had an argument with two members of the Laborers’ International Union of North America at the Interstate 195 job site at India Point Park in Providence.

To settle the score, the police said, Joseph Achille gave his son a handgun and instructed him to shoot the two laborers — Bobby Allen and David DiSpirito — in the kneecaps. The state police, who were monitoring phone conversations through court-ordered wiretaps, arrested the younger Achille as he drove to the job site with a loaded .22-caliber handgun in his car.

The authorities say that the elder Achille, of 75 Windmill St., Providence, is a capo regime in the Patriarca crime family.

-- Journal staff writer W. Zachary Malinowski

Posted by Steve Peoples at 6:34 PM | Comment

Update: Napolitano officially Cranston mayor-elect / Photo

Journal photo / Frieda Squires
Michael Napolitano reacts after it was announced today that he led the recount vote for the Cranston mayoral race.

PROVIDENCE -- A recount of more than 32,000 ballots has determined that Democratic candidate Michael T. Napolitano defeated his Republican challenger Allan W. Fung in Cranston's mayoral race by 79 votes.

Before the ballots were hand fed through voting machines for much of today, Napolitano's lead was 71 votes.

Shortly after, the Cranston Board of Canvassers voted to certify the election results. "I just signed the papers," said board chairman Joseph A. Delorenzo Jr. "He's now the mayor-elect."

Even before the results were certified, Napolitano had declared victory.

"My father would have been proud. Words can’t describe my joy," he said with tears in his eyes in the basement of the Board of Elections this afternoon after the recount figures were announced. "This is over, enough is enough.”

Today's recount -- held nearly three weeks after Election Day -- determined that Napolitano won 16,116 votes to 16,037. It's unclear how many ballots couldn't be read by the machines and were excluded from the final talley. The state Supreme Court ruled last week that such ballots must be photocopied and set aside for potential public viewing.

But before Fung concedes, it looks like the courts will weigh in on the issue once again.

Fung’s lawyer said this afternoon that Fung would continue his lawsuit asking for access to photocopies. A court hearing is scheduled for Wednesday.

-- With reports from Journal staff writer Benjamin N. Gedan

Posted by Steve Peoples at 5:09 PM | Comment

ACLU countersues on behalf of S. Kingstown activist

The Rhode Island affiliate of the American Civil Liberties Union has filed a counterclaim on behalf of a South Kingstown political activist who was sued for defamation by failed Republican Town Council candidate Andrew Bilodeau.

Bilodeau’s lawsuit, filed in Washington County Superior Court the day before the Nov. 7 election, accuses Jonathan Daly-LaBelle of circulating false information in pamphlets handed out in Wakefield the weekend before the election.

The ACLU is asking that that lawsuit be dismissed under the state’s SLAPP suit statute, arguing that it was “brought with an intent to harass Daly-LaBelle and otherwise inhibit his exercise” of First Amendment rights. SLAPP is an acronym for Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation. The counterclaim was filed today in Washington County Superior Court.

“Mr. Bilodeau’s lawsuit was a clear effort to deter Mr. Daly-LaBelle from engaging in constitutionally protected political speech in a hotly contested election,” ACLU volunteer attorney Karen Davidson said in a statement issued today. “The SLAPP suit statute was enacted to prohibit precisely this type of litigation, and we are hopeful for a quick dismissal of the suit.”

Posted by Kate Bramson at 5:00 PM | Comment

Bomb scare evacuates Fall River Government Center

FALL RIVER, Mass. -- A black plastic container resembling a briefcase forced the evacuation of about 100 city employees from the building that houses the mayor’s office this afternoon.

A state police bomb squad later opened the case and determined it was not suspicious.

Shortly after 1 p.m., Jim Smith, the city director of municipal services, noticed the case on the steps of the Government Center, outside the building entrance across from the post office, he said. No one claimed ownership, and Smith informed a police officer stationed at the center, who alerted Fall River police. The police called in a bomb squad.

Smith said city employees evacuated from an exit on the opposite side of where the bag had been found. The area was cordoned off, and employees gathered in a bank parking lot at the corner of Third Street and Sullivan Drive, roughly 100 feet from the Government Center.

The building remained empty for about one hour and 20 minutes, Smith said, noting that police have not determined who owns the case.

Smith said he believed investigators found video camera equipment inside the case.

“It looked more like a case that would hold a drill or tools rather than paper and stuff,” Smith said.

-- Journal staff writer Michael P. McKinney

Posted by Steve Peoples at 4:21 PM | Comment

Providence kitchen fire under control

PROVIDENCE – Firefighters have a kitchen fire under control at 72-74 Burnside St.

Called to the 2 ½ -story woodframe building at 1:42 p.m. for a fire on the first floor, crews had the blaze under control by 1:56 p.m., according to James Taylor, chief of communications for the Providence Fire Department.

No one has been injured, Taylor said. Firefighters remain at the scene.

The electric company, National Grid, has been called to shut off service to the building, Taylor said.

Posted by Kate Bramson at 2:30 PM | Comment

Patriots place Seau on injured reserve

As reported just a while ago, the Patriots have placed Junior Seau on injured reserve with what is believed to be a broken right arm, ending his season.

Seau was hurt in the second quarter of yesterday's game with the Bears, making his first tackle of the night, dropping Chicago running back Cedric Benson for no gain on second down.

Bill Belichick obviously isn't glad to see any of his players get hurt, but since bringing Seau to New England just days after the veteran linebacker announced his "graduation", the coach has made no secret of his feelings for the potential Hall of Fame linebacker.

"Junior was real good," Belichick said when asked about Seau's performance this season. "Ironically, he gave an emotional speech before the game. He was always here early, stayed late, wanted to be in for every play. I really enjoyed coaching him; he's fun to coach, loves football. Unfortunately his season ended last night."

It is not known whether the injury will force the 37-year old Seau into retirement. He recorded 70 tackles through 10-plus games this year.

-- Shalise Manza Young

Posted by Shalise Manza Young at 12:55 PM | Comment

R.I. gas prices continue upward climb

PROVIDENCE -- Rhode Island gas prices increased another two cents last week, the third straight week of increases, according to AAA Southern New England.

The average price for regular unleaded gasoline is $2.26 per gallon at the self-service pump, according to AAA's weekly survey.

That's 21 cents more than Rhode Island drivers were paying at this time last year.

The survey found a low of $2.16 per gallon and a high of $2.36.

Posted by Jack Perry at 11:09 AM | Comment

Supreme Court won't review Narragansett smoke-shop ruling

WASHINGTON -- The Supreme Court today declined to review whether Rhode Island authorities can enforce state law on the Narragansett Indian tribal lands, a dispute triggered by a state police raid on the tribe's smoke shop.

Cigarettes sold for less at the shop because the tribe didn't pay for state-mandated tax stamps and it didn't collect a sales tax from customers who purchased cigarettes.

The tribe argued that it is immune from state authority because it is recognized by the federal government. State police, however, obtained a search warrant from a Rhode Island court and raided the store in July 2003, leading to a violent clash with tribal leaders.

The Supreme Court today included the Rhode Island decision among a list of more than 200 that it refused to act on.

The 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Boston ruled that Rhode Island authorities can enforce state law on the Narragansett land, which is in the town of Charlestown.

The case is Narragansett Indian Tribe v. Rhode Island, et al, 06-414.

-- Associated Press

Posted by Andrea Panciera at 10:42 AM | Comment

Mass. to sue Big Dig companies, alleging negligence in death

BOSTON -- The state attorney general will file a multimillion dollar lawsuit against the companies that worked on the Big Dig, alleging their negligence led to a tunnel ceiling collapse that killed a woman, according to a spokesman for Attorney General Tom Reilly.

Reilly is seeking unspecified damages for repairs, loss of tunnel use and toll revenue and other economic factors, spokesman David Guarino said today. The lawsuit will be filed either today or tomorrow, he said.

"This lawsuit is more than just about money, although we will be seeking monetary damages," Reilly told WBZ-AM today. "What this case is has always been about is the tragic death of Milena Del Valle. That could have been any one of us."

Read the full Associated Press story.

Posted by Jack Perry at 10:04 AM | Comment

Commission considers combining school functions

A commission that meets today for the first time will examine the potential impact of combining certain functions of the Newport, Portsmouth and Middletown school districts.

The nine-member commission meets at 7 p.m. at the Newport Colony House.

The commission consists of legislators and leaders of statewide organizations that represent teachers, school committees and cities and towns. It was created by a House resolution introduced by state Rep. Amy G. Rice, D-Portsmouth, Middletown and Newport.

The commission will consider the impact of combining district functions such as administration, transportation, purchasing and insurance, as well as dental and medical coverage.

In other local school news, the Middletown School District today launches its efforts to develop a master plan for the town’s public schools.

A core committee of about 40 volunteers meets at 4:30 p.m. at the Middletown Public Schools Administration Building, 26 Oliphant Lane. They’ll work with a consultant hired to help the district determine its vision for the future.

Then, the public is invited to learn more about the district’s initiative at a 6:30 p.m. meeting, also in the administration building.

Both meetings are open to the public, Supt. Rosemarie K. Kraeger said this morning.

Posted by Kate Bramson at 9:48 AM | Comment

Could you be a PowerBall winner?

Haven’t checked your PowerBall tickets from this weekend yet to see if you’ve won?

Well, pull them out and doublecheck the numbers. Someone bought a $10,000 winning ticket at a Stop & Shop in North Providence. The ticket purchased at the supermarket at 1128 Mineral Spring Ave. was for Saturday night’s $64.4 million PowerBall drawing.

The prize money has yet to be claimed, according to the Rhode Island Lottery.

The winning ticket matched four numbers and the PowerBall number.

The winning numbers on Saturday night, according to the lottery’s Web site, were: 5, 18, 28, 49 and 55, with a PowerBall number of 38 and a PowerPlay number of 5.

Posted by Kate Bramson at 9:17 AM | Comment

Cyber shoppers hit the computers today

It's back to work -- and back to Christmas shopping today for many Americans.

After retailers reported long lines and brisk sales on Black Friday, one of the busiest shopping days of the season at brick-and-mortar stores, online retailers anticipate big sales today, as the online shopping season kicks into high gear on so-called Cyber Monday.

Online retailers can expect $599 million in sales today, a 24-percent increase over the $484 million spent on Cyber Monday last year, according to comScore Networks, a company that tracks online spending.

Online spending is already 23 percent ahead of the last holiday shopping season. During the first 19 days of November, online retail spending reached $6.35 billion. Last year, consumers spent $5.18 billion during the same period, according to comScore.

Posted by Jack Perry at 8:21 AM | Comment

Traffic: Accident slows traffic on 95N in Providence

An accident earlier this morning on Route 95 North has slowed traffic slightly in the area of exit 22.

Other than that “little bottleneck,” though, traffic is pretty stable this morning – normal for a Monday morning, according to Robert Miller, a Transportation Management Center operator for the state Department of Transportation.

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 7:27 AM | Comment

Warming up to 61 today

PROVIDENCE – You might want to wait a few minutes to warm up your car and let the dew on your windshield melt before venturing out today.

And you might even want to put the heater on in your car, but dress in layers because it’s going to warm up today. We should see a high of 61 degrees today. It will be partly cloudy.

Tonight, we’ll have a low around 42. There’s a slight chance of showers after 3 a.m.

The rest of this week, a slight chance of rain tomorrow and Wednesday turns to a 60 percent chance of rain by Friday. Thursday should be foggy.

Posted by Kate Bramson at 7:00 AM | Comment