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July 5, 2007

Photo: Two rides for the price of one

Journal photo / Bill Murphy
Joe Gincastro, from Pawcatuck, Conn., walks to the Watch Hill carousel with his children, Jacob, 3, left, and Jordan, 5, after getting off Westerly's free beach trolley this morning. The trolley, which will operate on Thursdays throughout the summer, runs from downtown Westerly to Watch Hill and Misquamicut Beach.

Posted by Andrea Panciera at 6:59 PM | Comment

Update: Victim of fatal stabbing at club ID'd / Photo

Journal photo / Mary Murphy
The outside of La Rumba, at 1206 Broad St., today.

PROVIDENCE – An 18-year-old South Providence man has been identified by the police this morning as the victim of a fatal stabbing last night outside La Rumba nightclub on Broad Street.

The police found Darren Reagans outside the club when they were called to the scene because of a stabbing.

Reagans was taken to Rhode Island Hospital, where he was pronounced dead, according to the police report on the incident.

Reagans' brother, Marquis Brooks, was also killed at age 18, the victim of a shooting nine years ago. Brooks was the passenger in a parked car when a man on foot shot a gun at the car, striking Brooks and two others.

Reagans was a student in an alternative education program, according to a spokeswoman for the Providence schools. He played for Central High School's basketball team this past year.

He was the father of one child, and expecting another.

-- Journal staff writer Amanda Milkovits

Posted by Kate Bramson at 6:20 PM | Comment

Update: Severe thunderstorm watch on for region

Severe thunderstorms remain in the forecast for this afternoon.

Whether the storms develop or not depends on how much sunshine breaks through the cloud cover.

The National Weather Service explains it this way: "If breaks of sun can occur, it will allow the airmass to destabilize. Given sufficient destabilization, thunderstorms should develop this afternoon and evening.''

And if all of that happens, the weather service says "the storms could be severe with strong gusty winds and torrential downpours" and lightning.

At this time, a "severe thunderstorm watch" is on for parts of the region until 9 p.m. tonight. They include: northern Rhode Island, much of Connecticut, most of Massachusetts, southwest Maine, southern and central New Hampshire, eastern and southeastern New York and southern Vermont.

See the storm approach on live radar, and get the latest forecasts, at: http://projo.com/weather/

Posted by Peter Phipps at 6:10 PM | Comment

Naked driver indicted on accident-related charges

PROVIDENCE – A man accused of taking a wild, fast ride on North Main Street that injured another driver, himself and a dog – all while the man was naked -- has been indicted by a Providence County grand jury.

John Persico, 31, of 9 Beech St. in Pawtucket, has been indicted on one count of driving to endanger, serious personal injury resulting; one count of leaving the scene of an accident, serious personal injury resulting; and one count of leaving the scene of an accident, property damage resulting.

On Feb. 22, 2006, the Providence police said Persico was driving his car south on North Main Street at about 50 mph, above the posted limit, when he squeezed his car between two other vehicles and sideswiped a southbound pickup truck in front of the Pep Boys automotive store at 1246 North Main St. The driver of that truck was not hurt, the police said.

Then, at the intersection of Rochambeau Avenue and North Main Street, Persico’s sedan struck another pickup truck, spinning it around and causing heavy damage to both vehicles and injuring himself and the other driver, the police said.

Despite his injuries, the police said Persico got out of his car and ran across the intersection in an attempt to get away. He was tackled and arrested by Sgt. Paul Zienowicz.

The police did not know where or why Persico shed his clothes, Maj. Paul Fitzgerald said at the time.

Persico will be arraigned in Providence County Superior Court on July 25.

Posted by Kate Bramson at 5:12 PM | Comment

Pawtucket man indicted for MySpace sexual encounter

A Providence County grand jury has indicted a 21-year-old Pawtucket man on one count of first-degree child molestation for allegedly having sex with an 11-year-old Providence girl he met on MySpace.

Otensi Dekargai, of 10 Anthony Ave., was arrested by Pawtucket Police on June 11. He will be arraigned in Providence County Superior Court July 25.

The alleged encounter happened sometime between March 1 and April 30 of this year, in Pawtucket, according to the attorney general’s office.

The Pawtucket police said last month that both Dekargai and the girl had lied about their ages on MySpace. He told her he was 17, and she told him she was 16, the police said.

-- Journal staff writer Tatiana Pina and projo.com staff writer Kate Bramson

The two communicated via the Internet for a while before agreeing to meet in person on Chalkstone Avenue in Providence in April, Pawtucket Det. Lt. Daniel Mullen said when Dekargai was arrested.

The man picked the girl up and drove her to Pawtucket, where they allegedly had sex, Mullen said. Later, he gave the girl cab fare to go home, Mullen said.

Both have said the sex was consensual. However, because she is only 11, it does not matter if she consented to sex or that there is no allegation that force was used, the police said. At her age she cannot consent. It also doesn’t matter that the girl lied about her age, the police said. It is a crime to have sexual relations with an 11-year-old child.

Pawtucket Police were contacted after the girl’s mother became concerned for her daughter’s medical welfare and took her to Women & Infants Hospital on June 4. The hospital notified the police.

The girl identified the man through his posting on MySpace.Com, the police said.

Posted by Kate Bramson at 3:59 PM | Comment

All-State high school athletes on deck

The Providence Journal announces its choice for Rhode Island’s best high school athletes for the 2007 spring season in tomorrow’s newspaper and tonight on projo.com.

More than 80 high school athletes from 11 spring sports teams will be profiled in a special keepsake Sports section. The section also includes second-team All-State selections along with the Coaches' Association All-Division selections for every spring sport. The Dick Reynolds Girls/Boys Team Sportsmanship Awards for the spring season also will be announced.

You can also view the Spring All-State selections online at http://projo.com/highschool, where you’ll also find extra All-State excitement including 50 photo galleries of the spring sports teams in action and a chance to vote on player of the year.

Since 1945, The Providence Journal has been recognizing high school students who excel at athletics with the All-State Awards.

Posted by Andrea Panciera at 2:31 PM | Comment

Man charged with biting child held without bail / Photo

Associated Press photo/ Peter Pereira
Bryan M. James, 34, and Jessica L. Silveira, 26, of New Bedford, Mass. are arraigned and ordered held without bail in New Bedford District Court today.

NEW BEDFORD, Mass. -- A New Bedford man accused of biting off the lip and ear of his girlfriend's 3-year-old daughter was ordered held without bail after pleading not guilty at his arraignment today.

Police said the attack by Bryan James, 34, left the girl so mutilated doctors could not fully repair the damage.

James, 34, pleaded not guilty at his arraignment in New Bedford District Court to a charge of assault and battery upon a child causing substantial bodily injuries.

The child's mother, Jessica Silveria, 26, of New Bedford, pleaded not guilty today to permitting substantial injuries to a child under 14 and intimidation of a witness. She was also ordered held without bail.

-- The Associated Press

A dangerousness hearing for the two suspects in scheduled for Wednesday, said Lisa Rowell, a spokeswoman for Bristol County District Attorney Sam Sutter's office.

Sutter will handle the case himself "because of the egregious facts of the case," said Gregg Miliote, the office's director of communications.

The girl suffered bites to the face in which she lost the upper part of her lip. Her ear was so mutilated that surgery could not return it to its natural state. The child also suffered other human bites on her body, said New Bedford police Capt. Richard Spirlet.

Police think the biting attacks began in January, and continued until April.

New Bedford police began investigating in mid-May after the girl was taken to Children's Hospital in Boston.

The girl and her older brother have been taken into state custody.

Posted by Jack Perry at 2:02 PM | Comment

Carcieri vetoes bill easing drug sentences

Governor Carcieri has vetoed a bill to eliminate mandatory minimum sentences for drug offenses.

The General Assembly passed the bill in the last week of this year’s legislative session, hoping to help ease overcrowding at the Adult Correctional Institutions and to give judges discretion to sentence offenders to drug treatment, rather than prison time, where appropriate.

Carcieri said he believes the law, as it stands, gives judges so much discretion that the minimums “exist more in theory than reality.”

-- Journal staff writer Elizabeth Gudrais

Currently, a conviction for possessing more than one ounce of heroin or cocaine, or more than one kilogram of marijuana, carries a mandatory minimum prison sentence of 10 years. For possessing larger quantities -- more than one kilogram of heroin or cocaine, or more than five kilograms of marijuana -- the mandatory minimum is 20 years.

But the law allows judges to make exceptions based on several factors, including "the character and background of the defendant" or the defendant's cooperation with law enforcement.

“Current law avails to the third branch of government any and all means to render the punishment they deem most appropriate in light of the circumstances of a particular case,” Carcieri wrote in his veto message.

The state police opposed the bill because in addition to eliminating mandatory minimum sentences, it would have substantially shortened the maximum sentences for serious drug offenses. Carcieri wrote that he shares those concerns.

The mandatory-minimum bill was one among 36 veto messages the governor’s office transmitted today. Among other things, the governor vetoed bills that would have:

-- allowed youths to “pre register” to vote upon turning 16, with their registration automatically becoming active when they turn 18;

-- repealed the so-called “civil death” statute that restricts marriage rights, property rights and other rights of convicted criminals who receive a life sentence;

-- set forth criteria for Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island to resume compensating its board members;

-- made it optional, rather than mandatory, for many categories of political candidates and officeholders to file their campaign finance reports electronically; and

-- allowed certain state and municipal employees, including judges, to designate a domestic partner as the beneficiary of their pension, death and other retirement benefits.

Assembly leaders have not yet indicated whether they intend to return to override vetoes before the new legislative session begins in January.

Read more about these bills, and find out what else the governor vetoed, in Friday’s Providence Journal.

Posted by Kate Bramson at 1:27 PM | Comment

Update: R.I. Guard MP unit going to Iraq / Photo

Journal photo / Frieda Squires
Army Spec. Bethany Burdick, 22, Westerly, gets a hug from her nephew, Carter Postma, and a kiss from her sister, Amy Postma, Westerly, at the send-off for the 169th Military Police Company at Kickemuit Middle School, Warren, today.

A father and his son are among 135 members of the Rhode Island Army National Guard heading out today for deployment to Iraq.

A send-off ceremony is planned this morning in the town of Warren. The town is hosting a community cookout after the ceremony.

The Guardsmen are members of the 169th Military Police Company. They leave tomorrow for Fort Dix, N.J., for several weeks of training before going to Iraq.

The deployment will bring the total number of Rhode Island National Guardsmen deployed to 480.

-- The Associated Press

Posted by Jack Perry at 1:22 PM | Comment

State, Providence police join forces on weekend nights

PROVIDENCE – Starting tonight, the Rhode Island State Police again team up with the Providence Police Department to patrol the capital city’s streets on weekend nights in the summer.

This is the third year that Rhode Island State Police Neighborhood Response Teams will patrol the city on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights, according to Governor Carcieri’s office.

The state police will assign five troopers to Providence on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings from tonight through Sept. 1. They will ride with Providence officers. The pairs will patrol on Thursdays from 6 p.m. to 2a.m., and on Fridays and Saturdays from 7 p.m. to 3 a.m. The program should cost about $49,680, mostly for overtime for troopers.

Since the initiative began, the police have arrested more than 1,100 people and have issued more than 1,900 summonses, according to the governor’s office.

Read more about the stepped-up patrols.

-- projo.com staff writer Kate Bramson

Posted by Kate Bramson at 1:12 PM | Comment

R.I. Hospital, nurses' union agree on 4-year pact

Rhode Island Hospital and the union representing its nurses and technologists have reached a tentative agreement on a new four-year contract, the union announced today.

Under the agreement between the hospital and United Nurses and Allied Professionals Local 5098, pay increases will range from 16.5 percent to 33 percent over four years, according to the union.

By the end of the contract, top pay rates will be $48.74 per hour for registered nurses, $39.14 per hour for respiratory therapists and $45.14 per hour for radiologic technologists.

The union's approximately 2,200 members are scheduled to vote on the contract July 17. If it's approved, the contract will replace the current contract, which isn't due to expire until June of next year.

Linda McDonald, president of the union, said in a statement that the new contract provides "important economic security to our members during what is likely to be a time of economic insecurity in health care over the next four years."

In an interview, she added, "We really hope this will make recruitment and retention easier for Rhode Island Hospital."

The agreement was reached on Monday after nine bargaining sessions.

Posted by Jack Perry at 1:00 PM | Comment

Coventry police ID man accused of shooting wife

COVENTRY – The Connecticut State Police have in custody a Coventry man who allegedly shot his wife in the shoulder during a Fourth of July domestic dispute.

Michael T. Burke, 47, is being held at the Department of Corrections pending an arraignment this morning, according to Coventry Police Capt. James Rickard. His wife, Deborah Burke, 45, was taken yesterday to Rhode Island Hospital to be treated with non-life threatening injuries.

Burke is now being held on fugitive charges. He is expected to be extradited later today, when he will be charged with assault with a dangerous weapon in a dwelling, Rickard said.

-- Journal staff writer Lisa Vernon-Sparks

Burke was arrested yesterday morning by Connecticut authorities shortly after he crashed his vehicle into a tree in Sterling, Conn.

He had been traveling north on Route 49 when his vehicle veered off the road. The car burst into flames upon impact with the tree; Burke sustained serious injuries to his head and back. He was first taken to a hospital in Norwich for treatment before he was moved to the correction facility.

The police allege that Burke shot his wife sometime around 9 a.m. at the couple’s home at 437 Town Farm Rd. Another adult, Tara Burke, 22, was in the house at the time.

The police are not releasing information on what type of weapon they believe was used, nor have they given any reason for the dispute.

Posted by Kate Bramson at 12:02 PM | Comment

State hopes smokers quit at the beach

Please, don’t smoke on Rhode Island’s state beaches.

That’s the message from the state Departments of Environmental Management and Health, who expect to announce the start of a voluntary no-smoking initiative at all state beaches this afternoon at Misquamicut State Beach in Westerly.

Cigarettes are the No. 1 source of litter on beaches, according to the DEM. They can also sicken children and wildlife who may ingest cigarette butts left in the sand. Still-smoldering butts can burn those who step on them.

The idea for a voluntary no-smoking initiative began when legislative proposals came before the General Assembly this year. Rather than pursue a statutory ban on smoking at state beaches, a number of parties agreed to pursue a voluntary initiative.

-- projo.com staff writer Kate Bramson

Posted by Kate Bramson at 11:46 AM | Comment

Brown U. crew team has success in England

HENLEY-ON-THAMES, England -- The Henley Royal Regatta continues in England today.

American crews had mixed results yesterday on the first day of racing, although Brown University was a bright spot.

In the Temple Cup for student eights, Brown downed Jesus College of Cambridge, England, while Cal-Berkeley defeated First and Third Trinity, also of Cambridge, England.

In the same event, Cornell won by two lengths over Durham University, England, and Colgate beat England's Oxford Brookes University.

The Henley Royal Regatta is one of the world's oldest rowing events.

-- The Associated Press

Posted by Kate Bramson at 11:44 AM | Comment

Fire still smoldering at Portsmouth pier

PORTSMOUTH – A fire that severely damaged the Mount Hope Marine Terminal Tuesday evening is still smoldering this morning and remains under investigation.

A fire team is at the terminal 24 hours a day, ready in case hot spots flare up in the dry, old wooden structure, firefighter Kevin Jenks said this morning.

It’s not uncommon for a fire at such a structure – made from heavy timber – to smolder for some time after a fire, Jenks said.

The cause has not been determined yet, Jenks said.

Reported at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, the fire engulfed several fishing boats and sent a column of dark smoke skyward, visible across Narragansett Bay.

-- projo.com staff writer Kate Bramson

Posted by Kate Bramson at 10:31 AM | Comment

Providence police still investigating fatal stabbing

PROVIDENCE -- The Providence police are still investigating a fatal stabbing last night outside a nightclub on Broad Street, a police spokesman said.

“Information will probably be forthcoming later on today – if not today, later on in the week,” police spokesman Gene Riccio said at 10 a.m.

The police are not yet identifying the man who was killed. When asked if any suspects are in custody, Riccio only said the fatal stabbing is “still under investigation.”

Earlier this morning, the police had said a press conference would be held at 11 a.m., but Riccio said that information was incorrect. He said no press conference is planned.

The man was fatally stabbed while waiting to enter La Rumba nightclub on Broad Street around 11 last night, the police reported.

He was identified in early reports as a male in his early 20s and was pronounced dead last night at Rhode Island Hospital, the police said.

The nightclub was hosting a Fourth of July party for more than 100 partygoers.

This was the city's seventh homicide this year.

Read more.

Posted by Jack Perry at 10:17 AM | Comment

Download today's front page

The Bristol parade and a story on bias suits lead today's Journal.

Download file

Posted by Peter Phipps at 8:44 AM | Comment

Dangerous rip tide threatens swimmers today

The National Weather Service has issued a rip-tide alert for today for all Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts ocean beaches.

The high risk of rip currents, the weather service says, means that "dangerous and potentially life-threatening conditions" exist for anyone entering the water.

The warning is in effect until 8 p.m.

The weather service has also issued a small-craft and a high-surf warnings for the southern New England coast.

Posted by Peter Phipps at 7:05 AM | Comment

Showers likely, thunderstorms possible

Showers are likely today in the Providence area, with thunderstorms possible after 3 p.m., the National Weather Service says.

It will be a cloudy day with a high temperature around 78 degrees.

Showers and thunderstorms are likely tonight, the weather service says. Some of the storms could produce gusty winds and heavy rain.

Get more weather information and updates at projo.com/weather.

Posted by Jack Perry at 7:00 AM | Comment