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June 27, 2007

Before the prez and ships, catch a comedian

NEWPORT -- Before the Tall Ships thing really gets going here and the leader of the free world rolls into town tomorrow, you can mellow out with some laughs tonight.

Comedian Ron White performs at the Newport Yachting Center. White, known for his “Blue Collar Comedy Tour” with Jeff Foxworthy and Larry the Cable Guy, goes on at 7 p.m.

For tickets, $45, call (401) 331-2211 or go to www.newportcomedy.com. Or go to Ticketmaster.

Posted by Mike McKinney at 7:05 PM | Comment

For Governor Carcieri, a busy day tomorrow

Governor Carcieri has one of those days tomorrow.

He is scheduled to be at Quonset State Airport in North Kingstown from 10:30 to 10:35 a.m. to greet President Bush, who will be making the first visit of his presidency to Rhode Island.

According to the schedule released by the governor's office, from 10:55 a.m. to noon, the governor is scheduled to be at the Naval War College in Newport, where Mr. Bush is expected to speak on the war on terror at 11 a.m.

The president will be there as part of the 50th anniversary celebration of the college’s Naval Command College, a school for military officers from around the world.

But that's not all.

From 12:30 to 5 p.m., Carcieri will host at the Republican Governors Association's Education and Financial Services Forum at the Hyatt Regency on Goat Island, Newport.

And, of course, he may work in a few glimpses of the Tall Ships as they sail around Newport Harbor for the first official day of their visit here.

Posted by Mike McKinney at 7:02 PM | Comment

High court ruling: It started with noises in the attic

PROVIDENCE -- It began with five baby raccoons, spread to rabies vaccinations for dozens of residents, led to firing of an East Providence animal control supervisor and ended with today's state Supreme Court ruling.

The state's highest court upheld that an arbitrator exceeded authority in reassigning John Smith, the former animal control officer, to another position -- police dispatcher -- as a result of a union complaint following the city's firing of Smith from animal control.

Smith was animal control supervisor in May 2004 when he received a call from his father about animal noises apparently coming from the attic of the father's East Providence home, according to the Supreme Court opinion.

Smith removed an adult raccoon from the house, but noises continued. Smith investigated more and found infant raccoons, determined they were too young to survive by themselves and brought them to the animal shelter.

At the arbitration hearing, Smith testified that after trying to place the raccoons with two animal rehabilitators failed, he asked Tracey Blackledge, a part-time animal shelter employee, to care for the raccoons at her home.

Blackledge agreed and about a month later, after animal control officers removed another infant raccoon from a local golf course, she took in a sixth raccoon, according to the court.

"The raccoons, however, did not remain little for long," the court's opinion states, and by July 2004 they were too big for the cage at Blackledge’s house.

-- projo.com staff writer Michael P. McKinney

Smith had them brought to the shelter and put in a kennel. He planned to keep them there until old enough to be released into the forest and fend for themselves, the court said.

"During the raccoons’ stay at the kennel, they apparently became something of an attraction," the court opinion states. People, including employees of the city garage next to the animal shelter, "came into direct, physical contact with the raccoons."

Shelter staff let visitors enters the raccoons’ kennel and "provided virtually no warnings about the potential danger of such interactions," the court said.

When one raccoon started showing signs of rabies, Smith ordered it to be quarantined. Eventually, the animal was euthanized and state lab test results showed it had rabies.

Smith told East Providence Police, filed a written report as requested by the police chief and issued a news release to warn city residents about possible exposure.

Though there were no recorded examples of people getting the disease, 56 people received rabies shots from the state Division of Disease Prevention and Control.

East Providence Police investigated the animal shelter and found "a number of irregularities and violations" under Smith's tenure.

On Aug. 14, 2004, Smith received a letter stating he was being suspended without pay for five days and then being terminated from the job at the end of the suspension. The letter gave three alleged violations of state laws as grounds for firing Smith and "also reprimanded Smith for boarding his own pet dog at the animal shelter and allowing other city employees to do the same," the court said.

The union lodged a grievance, leading to arbitration hearings from which the arbitrator found the city had just cause to terminate Smith but also found it did not give him constitutional due process before the firing. He ordered the city to reinstate Smith to the police dispatcher position, a job Smith had held before.

A Superior Court judge last year sided with the city's motion to vacate the arbitator's reinstatement of Smith to dispatcher.

"Because we concur with the hearing justice that the arbitrator exceeded his authority by reinstating Mr. Smith to the position of police dispatcher, we affirm the judgments," the Supreme Court stated in its ruling today.

Posted by Mike McKinney at 6:01 PM | Comment

Ex-Providence officer linked to cheating gets pension

PROVIDENCE -- The city Retirement Board today approved a pension for former police Detective Sgt. Tonya King Harris although she was implicated in a long-running scandal over cheating on promotional tests.

Harris was fired after being accused of cheating on a promotional test to achieve sergeant’s rank, but she won reinstatement in a settlement of a lawsuit against the city on condition that she retire.

As part of the same settlement, her husband, former Sgt. Michael M. Harris, who was accused of cheating on the same test to win sergeant’s stripes, agreed to retire, too. Michael Harris retired last year and is receiving a $2,606-a-month pension.

As a result of the settlement terms, Tonya King Harris now qualifies for a $2,768-a-month pension.

Both Harrises, who live in Woonsocket, were implicated in cheating in investigations done by the FBI and the Police Department. Neither Harris admits wrongdoing in the settlement, and the city has promised not to say otherwise.

Tonya King Harris always has maintained that she did not cheat and Michael Harris never has had to confront the issue publicly.

-- Journal staff writer Gregory Smith

Posted by Andrea Panciera at 5:48 PM | Comment

Update: Richardson murder trial ends in hung jury

WARWICK -- The murder trial of James Richardson, accused of killing Margaret Duffy Stephenson of Warwick in 2005, ended in a hung jury this afternoon.

Jurors could not reach consensus in the case in Kent County Superior Court today, the fourth day of deliberation.

Richardson, 40, was accused of murdering Duffy-Stephenson, 37. She was found stabbed to death on Nov. 18, 2005, days after she returned from a family vacation in Florida. She was a teacher’s aide for special-needs students in East Greenwich.

Yesterday, the jurors told the judge they had deadlocked, but Judge Francis J. Darigan urged them to continue deliberating.

Ealier today, the jury asked to have more of the court record read back this morning.

This time, the portions of testimony read to jurors were from cross examination of Dr. Dorota Latuszynski, a physician with the state medical examiner’s office. Jurors also heard testimony from the direct, the cross examination and the redirect questioning of Sharon E. Mallard, a state Health Department forensic scientist.

Over several weeks, the jury heard more than 20 witnesses testify and saw 171 pieces of evidence. Much of it focused on Richardson's DNA.

“DNA is the final piece of the puzzle,” Special Assistant Attorney General Thomas O’Brien told jurors at one point.

Darigan told the jurors that to find Richardson guilty, they had to decide whether the state met its burden and proved, beyond a reasonable doubt, each of the components of the charges have been satisfied.

-- projo.com staff writer Michael P. McKinney, with reports from Journal staff writer Talia Buford

After the jurors reported they were deadlocked today, Judge Darigan then denied a motion by defense counsel to release Richardson on bail.

He has been held at the Adult Correctional Institutions since his arrest.

The decision to retry Richardson is up to the attorney general, according to a spokesman for the court system.

Posted by Mike McKinney at 5:39 PM | Comment

Woonsocket firefighters at Parker Street blaze

WOONSOCKET -- Firefighters are at the scene of a structure fire at 48 Parker St., off South Main Street.

No other details are yet available.

Posted by Mike McKinney at 5:21 PM | Comment

Jamestown councilwoman arrested on fraud warrant

JAMESTOWN -- Town Councilwoman Barbara A. Szepatowski was arrested today as a fugitive from justice in connection with a Massachusetts warrant for fraud, the state police said.

State Police Capt. Stephen J. Lynch said Szepatowski turned herself in this morning at the Jamestown Police Station, where she was arrested and taken to Sixth District Court, in Providence.

Szepatowski was arraigned as a fugitive and turned over to the Massachusetts State Police, Lynch said.

It's not clear at this time what the fraud charge entails.

-- Journal staff writer Randal Edgar

Posted by Mike McKinney at 5:13 PM | Comment

Update: Keep a weather eye on thunderstorms

You already know it's hot.

You may also know that thunderstorms could pop up at any time. (You can see a few scattered storms on the radar for southern New England now.)

And, in fact, the National Weather Service has just sent out a "severe thunderstorm watch" for northern Rhode Island, eastern Connecticut, much of Massachusetts, southern New Hampshire and coastal waters. It's effective until 10 o'clock tonight.

Hail, with wind gusts up to 70 mph and dangerous lightning are possible, the weather service advises.

Persons in these areas should be on the lookout for threatening weather conditions and listen for later statements and possible warnings, the service says.

A heat advisory for our region is in effect until 6 p.m. Heat advisories are issued when high humidities are expected to combine with hot temperatures, resulting in heat indices of 100 degrees or greater.

And in Boston, the temperature tied a record for the day --96 at Logan International Airport. The last time it was that hot in this date was in 1941.

Relief is on the way -- but we may have to face more thunderstorms first.

The National Weather Service expects numerous thunderstorms to develop tomorrow from the late morning into the afternoon, and some of them could be become severe.

The main threat: Damaging straight-line wind gusts, but large hail is also possible.

Thinking of heading out to the Tall Ships festival in Newport tomorrow? Get the latest conditions and forecasts at: http://projo.com/weather

But after that, it could be clear sailing for the ships and their visitors through Sunday, when the cold front helps cool down the temps and leaves behind dry and sunny skies.

Posted by Jack Perry at 5:08 PM | Comment

Update: Cicilline considering tax increase and cuts

PROVIDENCE -- Providence Mayor David N. Cicilline is proposing a property-tax increase of just over 4 percent and major cuts to balance the city’s budget.

The city faces a budget deficit in excess of $27.5 million, when the city factors in an accounting error in the school budget and the loss of several additional revenue streams.

Even if Cicilline gets his proposed tax increase through the City Council, it would only amount to $10 million. The city would then have to make $17 million in cuts or tap one-time revenues.

Cicilline announced today that to fill that gap, he will look to eliminate any unfilled city positions -- believed to be several dozen. He said he would also cut the school department, and introduce mandatory four-day furloughs and increase health care costs for the few non-union city employees.

More details will be available when he presents the completed package to the City Council on Monday.

Cicilline blamed the city’s financial situation on the state for shifting the tax burden from the state to local property taxpayers, and, in the short term, for failing to fund education and for rejecting his package of proposals to increase targeted fees.

“The state budget passed last week will have serious consequences for every city and town in Rhode Island,” Cicilline said.

“I put forward legitimate legislative options that would have eliminated costly mandates and moved certain costs away from property tax payers to a pay-for-service model,” Cicilline said.

“The state has consistently decreased its share of school costs over the past five years, leaving local property tax payers to make up the difference.

Instead of providing some measure of property tax relief, state leaders have placed us on an unsustainable path that guarantees growing state deficits and threaten our quality of life,” Cicilline said.

-- Journal staff writer Daniel Barbarisi

Posted by Mike McKinney at 3:32 PM | Comment

President to meet with family of fallen Newport soldier

President Bush is set to meet tomorrow with the family of the late Sgt. Michael R. Weidemann, a 23-year-old Newport soldier who was killed in Iraq last October.

Weidemann’s grandmother, Gertrude K.C. Miller, and his four siblings have been invited to meet with Mr. Bush, according to Ambrose C. Miller, of South Kingstown, Weidemann’s uncle.

A White House spokesman would not confirm or deny whether the president will meet with Weidemann’s family as part of his trip, which includes a speech on the war on terror at the Naval War College, in Newport.

Miller said he was working with the governor's office to discuss which of the soldier's relatives meet The President. A spokesman for the Governor confirmed that his office had been in touch with Miller.

-- Journal staff writer Alex Kuffner

“I cannot comment on President Bush’s schedule or any potential meetings he may or may not be having,” Jeff Neal said. “ However, this office did receive a call from Mr. Miller, and we have relayed his information to the White House.”

Weidemann was born in Canada and came to Rhode Island at age 7 when his mother moved here. Susanna Weidemann, a single parent, raised him and his four siblings in her mother’s house in Middletown. But Susanna Weidemann died a victim of cancer in 1999 at age 40, and Michael, her second eldest, was placed in a group home.

He attended the Newport Area Career and Technical Center, part of Rogers High School, and got involved in the school’s ROTC program.

He rose to the rank of senior noncommissioned officer in the program.

In 2001, the month after his graduation, he enlisted in the Army as an auto mechanic, his area of study at the technical school. He joined the 1st Battalion, 36th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 1st Armored Division, stationed in Glessen, Germany.

He served a tour in Iraq and re-enlisted for another four years. He was nearing the end of his second tour when he died Oct. 31 while on patrol in an armored vehicle near Hit, a town west of Baghdad in Anbar province. He was the 11th Rhode Islander to die in Iraq since 2003.

Posted by Kate Bramson at 2:36 PM | Comment

With heat advisory, National Grid stops shut-offs

With a National Weather Service heat advisory issued at 10:20 a.m. today, National Grid stopped shut offs of power to customers who haven't kept up with bills.

Spokesman David Graves said that comes under a moratorium approved last year for times of excessive heat, which includes heat advisories and warnings. Advisories are issued when a figure, known as the heat index, is forecast to be at least 100 degrees, and a warning is given when the index is forecast to be at least 105 degrees.

In December, the state Public Utilities Commission agreed to put in place a heat-related moratorium on shutoffs, making Rhode Island the seventh state to do so at the time.

No heat warning or advisory was issued for yesterday. Graves said that before this morning's advisory there could have been some shutoffs.

Graves said the company has had people going out to contact customers in danger of losing service because of not paying bills.

Posted by Mike McKinney at 2:26 PM | Comment

President Bush to honor Tiverton volunteer

Tiverton resident Sherrill Estes has logged more than 1,800 hours volunteering to stock shelves and package boxes of food for local people in need.

Now, the volunteer with the East Bay Community Action Program and Meals on Wheels of Rhode Island will be honored by President Bush when he arrives in North Kingstown tomorrow. He will present her with the President’s Volunteer Service Award, which he awards to children 14 or younger who have completed 50 hours or more of volunteer service and to people 15 and older who have completed 100 or more hours of volunteer service, according to a statement issued by the White House.

Mr. Bush honors local volunteers as he travels throughout the country and thanks them for making a difference in the lives of others. He has met with more than 575 volunteers like Estes since March 2002, according to the White House.

The White House release about Estes’ award encourages people to check online or call (877) USA-CORPS to find volunteer opportunities in their area.

-- projo.com staff writer Kate Bramson

Estes volunteers in the social services department of the East Bay Community Action Program, a nonprofit organization that provides health and human service programs to East Bay residents. She has also volunteered for six years with Meals on Wheels of Rhode Island, where each week she delivers meals to the homebound.

In his January 2002 State of the Union address, Mr. Bush called on all Americans to make a difference in their communities by volunteering.

“My call tonight is for every American to commit at least two years -- 4,000 hours over the rest of your lifetime -- to the service of your neighbors and your nation,” Mr. Bush said, according to the text of that address posted on the Web site of the White House. “Many are already serving, and I thank you. If you aren't sure how to help, I've got a good place to start. To sustain and extend the best that has emerged in America, I invite you to join the new USA Freedom Corps. The Freedom Corps will focus on three areas of need: responding in case of crisis at home; rebuilding our communities; and extending American compassion throughout the world.”

Posted by Kate Bramson at 2:23 PM | Comment

Jury in Warwick murder trial has more testimony read

WARWICK -- As the jury entered a fourth day deliberating the fate of James Richardson, who is accused of killing Margaret Duffy-Stephenson in 2005, it asked to have more of the court record read back this morning.

This time, the portions of testimony read to jurors were from cross examination of Dr. Dorota Latuszynski, a physician with the state medical examiner’s office. Jurors also heard testimony from the direct, the cross examination and the redirect questioning of Sharon E. Mallard, a state Health Department forensic scientist.

Read about some of what they had to say during testimony.

-- projo.com staff writer Michael P. McKinney, with reports from Journal staff writer Talia Buford

It wasn't the first time during deliberating that the jury has asked to have portions of testimony read. On Monday, the jury asked to hear part of the court record from Mallard. Read about that day in court here.

Mallard testified on June 19 about DNA found beneath Duffy-Stephenson’s fingernails and how DNA is transferred.

Yesterday, the jury told the judge they had deadlocked, but Judge Francis J. Darigan jurors a talk and urged them to continue deliberating. Read about that here.

Richardson, 40, is accused of murdering Duffy-Stephenson, 37, of Warwick. She was found stabbed to death on Nov. 18, 2005, days after she returned from a family vacation in Florida. She was a teacher’s aide for special-needs students in East Greenwich.

Posted by Mike McKinney at 2:05 PM | Comment

Providence porch fire contained, injuries avoided

PROVIDENCE – A small fire on the balcony of a three-story woodframe house in Fox Point has been confined to the porch.

Everyone in the building has gotten out, and no injuries have been reported, according to James Taylor, chief of communications for the Providence Fire Department.

The fire at 9 Preston St. was reported around 1:35 p.m. and was under control by 1:50 p.m., Taylor said.

-- projo.com staff writer Kate Bramson

Posted by Kate Bramson at 1:58 PM | Comment

Navigating Newport for visits by a president, Tall Ships

NEWPORT -- With the double whammy of Tall Ships festivities and President Bush's visit tomorrow, people heading to events or just trying to get around the City by the Sea through the weekend should be prepared for big changes.

Remember, first of all, that Newport is on an island and accessible to most by bridges -- the Pell Bridge connecting it with Jamestown and the Mount Hope Bridge linking it to Bristol. Traffic may back up at either point.

If you're thinking of going by boat, you might want to weigh anchor first at the Newport harbormaster's site.

"All visitors" to Newport are urged to park outside of the city and to use a bus-shuttle system, which will be in place tomorrow through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., according to the Tall Ships Web site.

The cost to park in any of the lots to take the shuttle is $15 per car. The shuttle bus to downtown Newport is free. Admission to Tall Ships is free.

Here are the places to park and from there take the shuttle, and click here for a map to help orient yourself:

-- For visitors coming from places south or west, lot one is at the bridge interchange from the Pell Bridge. Shuttles will run every 20 minutes to the Gateway Visitors Center on America's Cup Avenue in downtown Newport.

-- Lot two is at Middletown High School -- in Middletown, immediately north of Newport -- for people arriving from places north and east. Middletown High School is on Valley Road between East Main Road -- Route 138 -- and Green End Avenue.

-- Also for people arriving from places north and east, lot three is at Gaudet Middle School in Middletown. Gaudet Middle School is on Turner Road, south of where the road meets East Main Road (Route 138).

Signs will direct traffic to lots, and the state traffic radio station AM 1630 will have updates.

Read on for more ways to get around in the next few days.

-- projo.com staff writer Michael P. McKinney

Parking meters will be posted “No Parking” in the Long Wharf area to accommodate vendors’ tents from today through Sunday, the polcie said.

On Saturday, there is a ship crew parade from 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. that begins at the Old Colony House on Washington Square, marching down to Thames Street and onto America's Cup Avenue, then to Thames Street to King Park on Wellington Avenue.

As a result, according to the police, parking will be restricted from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the metered spaces on the south side of Washington Square and on Thames Street from the Red Parrot restaurant to Lee Avenue.

The police said all businesses should ask their regular delivery companies to complete their deliveries prior to 9 a.m. for their convenience.

A free bus shuttle will run between the corner of America's Cup Avenue and Thames Street -- the Red Parrot Jug Handle -- to Fort Adams State Park every 20 minutes for those visiting ships, the Fort Adams Tall Ships Fair, and to view crew and cadet sports activities from this scenic harbor vista.

There is also a harbor shuttle connecting the downtown and Fort Adams locations via Perrotti Park. Perrotti Park is one block south of the Gateway Center, overlooking the harbor.

Handicapped accessible shuttle buses will be available from all three Tall Ships parking lots. Handicapped accessible parking spaces are also available at the Gateway Center and Fort Adams. Tall Ships organizers recommend people needing handicapped accessibility and who plan to visit Fort Adams drive directly to Fort Adams and park there.

The Tall Ship Friendship is the only one with handicapped accessibility and is berthed at Fort Adams.

Visitors who want to view the Tall Ships berthed along America’s Cup Avenue may find convenient parking at the Gateway Center and use a handicapped-accessible shuttle service, which will run along America’s Cup between Gateway Center and the Post Office -- the corner of America’s Cup and Memorial Boulevard.

-- Traveling by water? The Rhode Island Public Transit Authority -- RIPTA -- has a Providence to Newport ferry boat. It has stops at Conley's Wharf -- Providence Piers located at 180 Allens Ave. -- and Newport's Perrotti Park. Reservations are recommended. Call (401) 453-6800 or reserve seats at www.nefastferry.com.

And there's a Jamestown to Newport ferry, which makes stops at Jamestown, Rose Island, Fort Adams, Bowen's Landing and Perotti Park. Two boats will run during the Tall Ships period due to more visitors. Go to www.conanicutmarina.com. Parking is available to customers, which is part of the ticket price.

-- Traveling by bus? Rhode Island Public Transit Authority runs from Kennedy Plaza in downtown Providence to various routes. Check out RIPTA information by clicking here.

There's also a Peter Pan Bonanza bus terminal in Providence

By train, there's the Amtrak Kingston Station off Route 138 in West Kingston, which is 18 miles -- about 30 minutes -- from Newport. And there's the Amtrak Providence Station in Providence, which is 34 miles, or 45 minutes, from Newport.

There are also car rental agencies in the region.

Posted by Mike McKinney at 1:20 PM | Comment

Newport preparing for Bush's first visit to R.I.

NEWPORT – The city’s gearing up for an even busier day than normal tomorrow as a visit by President Bush coincides with this year’s Tall Ships festival

In his first presidential visit to Rhode Island, Mr. Bush is expected to speak tomorrow on the war on terror at the Naval War College at 11 a.m. He is here as part of the 50th anniversary celebration of the college’s Naval Command College, a school for military officers from around the world.

Mark Stahl, coordinator for the Rhode Island Community Coalition for Peace, sent out e-mails last week announcing plans for a demonstration. He has said that protesters plan to be outside the college during the president's speech.

-- projo.com staff writer Kate Bramson

Posted by Kate Bramson at 11:54 AM | Comment

Record travel predicted for July 4th

Have you started packing your bags for the July Fourth holiday week?

With the summer holiday falling on a Wednesday this year, AAA Southern New England reports today that many who want to maintain their traditional celebrations with family and friends are making a week out of it rather than a long weekend.

Extra: Where are you going for the July 4th holiday?

Nationally, AAA expects the largest percentage of travelers – almost 38 percent – to leave on or before this Friday. Only 8.6 percent plan to leave on the Fourth for their destinations.

AAA estimates that a record 41.1 million Americans will leave home during the holiday week, stretching from this Friday through Sunday, July 8. That’s .8 percent more than the 40.8 million who traveled last year.

If you’re driving to your holiday destination, you’re in good company. AAA estimates that 84 percent of all holiday travelers – 34.7 million people – expect to go by motor vehicle, while 11 percent (4.7 million people) plan to fly and 5 percent (1.7 million people) will travel by train, bus or other mode of transportation.

-- projo.com staff writer Kate Bramson

Posted by Kate Bramson at 11:06 AM | Comment

Another perfect day for the beach

It’s another good day to hit the beach.

It appears as if all beaches monitored by the state Department of Health are open and ready for sunbathers, swimmers, boaters, etc. To check the status of any beach for swimming, go to the state Department of Health’s beach-monitoring siteor call (401) 222-2751 for recorded information.

If you’re looking for marine weather information, check out the National Weather Service’s interactive coastal marine map for this region.

Also, for all your nautical needs, boaters love the Maine Harbors site, which is packed with tide charts, marine weather news, information on fishing tournaments and links to local boat builders, charter operators, lighthouses and publications. The tide charts on this site are so well done that boaters rave about them. Check out Rhode Island’s chart.

Posted by Kate Bramson at 9:16 AM | Comment

Traffic: Flowing again after accident on Pell Bridge

A minor accident this morning on Newport’s Claiborne Pell Bridge has been cleared and traffic is flowing again, according to the state police. So if you’re heading to Newport for the Tall Ships activities, you should be OK and dealing with just ordinary Tall Ships traffic and not extra post-accident congestion.

For a schedule of Tall Ships events, click here.

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

You can find 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 and listen to or read the radio reports for the week about traffic and construction on specific roadways.

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

Posted by Kate Bramson at 9:01 AM | Comment

Photo: Hazy days of summer

Journal photo / Bill Murphy
A hazy start to the day in downtown Providence. Unhealthy ozone levels are expected across southern New England today as the temperature in Providence is forecast to reach the low 90s.

Posted by Jack Perry at 8:32 AM | Comment

Deliberations to resume in Warwick murder trial

WARWICK -- A jury is set to continue deliberating today to decide whether a landscaper killed his boss's wife in 2005.

Jurors yesterday told Superior Court Judge Francis J. Darigan Jr. they were deadlocked, but the judge urged them to continue deliberating.

"It's an inexact science," Darigan told the jurors. "Don't get discouraged."

Deliberations began Friday afternoon and were suspended for the weekend. They will resume today at 9:30 a.m.

Richardson, 40, is accused of murdering Margaret Duffy-Stephenson, 37, of Warwick. She was found stabbed to death on Nov. 18, 2005, days after she returned from a family vacation to Florida. She worked as a teacher’s aide for special-education students in East Greenwich.

Read more on the trial.

Posted by Jack Perry at 8:06 AM | Comment

Road closure tonight for Route 195 relocation project

PROVIDENCE – Nighttime drivers, beware a road closing scheduled for tonight.

The split taking traffic from Route 195 west to Route 95 south will be closed for work on the highway relocation project, according to the state Department of Transportation.

DOT said it's closing the connection for driver and highway worker safety. All lanes will reopen for tomorrow morning's commute, the DOT promised.

There will be detour signs and some other related closings.

Here's tonight's closure schedule:

-- Route 95 north: One lane closed 8 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., between exit 18 (Thurbers Avenue) and Exit 20 (Route 195).

-- Route 195 west ramp to Route 95 south: closed 11 p.m. to 5 a.m.

-- Route 95 south: Three left lanes closed 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. between exits 18 and 20.

Drivers on Route 195 west who want to go south on Route 95 will be directed to take Route 95 north to Exit 22B to Routes 6/10 south. That road rejoins Route 95 south at Exit 16, south of the work zone.

Traffic going to the Rhode Island/Women & Infants/Hasbro Hospital campus should use exit 2 from Route 195 west and follow signs to the hospitals. The DOT encourages through traffic on Route 95 south to use Route 295 or the Routes 6/10 detour to avoid delays.

The DOT said the closings are needed so workers can adjust the steel beam assembly put in place in late April and May when parts of the highway were closed.

Future lane and highway closures may be needed over the summer, as well as a series of highway closures beginning in late July or early August when workers will begin setting steel beams for a new ramp from Route 95 south to Route 195 east.

Posted by Kate Bramson at 7:13 AM | Comment

Sticky, hot and humid -- and highs in the 90s

PROVIDENCE – At 76 degrees already, it’s hot and sticky – and only expected to get worse.

Expect widespread haze before noon, patchy fog before 9 a.m. and a high near 91 on this mostly sunny day.

With unhealthy ozone levels expected across all of southern New England today, this is the second ozone alert day in a row. That means free bus rides from the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority – except for special services. So if you can, take a bus and leave the car at home.

Do what you can to stay cool, and come back later to check the latest conditions and forecasts from projo.com.

Posted by Kate Bramson at 7:06 AM | Comment

Today's front page

Today's front page features photographs and a story about life aboard a tall ship.

Download a copy of today's front page.

Posted by Jack Perry at 7:00 AM | Comment