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« August 24, 2007 | Today | August 28, 2007 » August 27, 2007Fund invests more in Concordia Fibers' transformationCOVENTRY -- The Slater Technology Fund, a taxpayer-backed source of venture capital, has invested an additional $250,000 in Concordia Fibers. In all, Slater has now invested $500,000 in the 87-year-old company, which has transformed itself from a producer of synthetic yarns and threads for textile plants to a biotechnology firm making material that can be implanted in the human body. Slater first invested in Concordia, based in Coventry, in 2003. Posted by Mike McKinney at 6:22 PM | Comment Update: Fire heavily damages Johnston houseJOHNSTON -- The police blocked off busy Atwood Avenue this morning while firefighters battled a blaze that caused heavy damage to a house at 1056 Atwood. Fire Chief Andrew J. Baynes said the fire broke out around 11 a.m. in the single-family house, which at the time was occupied by two women and a small child. He said the first engine company to arrive found flames erupting from the front of the wood-frame structure and from its roof. He said the engine company, only two firefighters strong, “did a magnificent job” of rescuing the occupants and keeping the fire from spreading while other companies arrived. The names of the occupants were not available. Baynes said he summoned fire equipment from surrounding communities to stand guard in Johnston stations during the operation. He also requested an engine and rescue truck from Cranston, the former to relieve Johnston firefighters laboring on a hot day. The chief said that the cause of the fire had not yet been determined, but that it did not appear suspicious. Police officers blocked Atwood at Morgan Avenue and at Plainfield Street, sending vehicles on a long, winding detour. Atwood Avenue is also state Route 5, a heavily traveled secondary highway. -- Journal staff writer Thomas J. Morgan Posted by Mike McKinney at 6:18 PM | Comment 2 men die in incidents off Narragansett shoreNARRAGANSETT -- Sunday afternoon proved to be a deadly stretch in this seaside town. Evan Davidson, 43, of Brewster, Mass., and another man were in the water off Hazard Avenue preparing to scuba dive. Davidson had not yet dived yet and was apparently looking for a lost fin when something happened to him, according to the police. His friend helped to get him out of the water, and some on shore called for help. The call came in at 1:15 p.m. and Davidson was taken to South County Hospital where he was pronounced dead, the police said. In an unrelated incident reported at 2:48 p.m., Americo Dipetrillo, 53, of Coventry died after he had been seen struggling in waters north of the Town Beach, north of the Dunes Club, according to the police. A surfer helped Dipetrillo get out of the water. Dipetrillo collapsed on the beach, accoring to the police, and a lifeguard and bysander did CPR on him when rescue personnel arrived. Dipetrillo was taken to South County Hospital. -- projo.com staff writer Michael P. McKinney, with reports from Journal staff writer Randal Edgar Posted by Mike McKinney at 5:50 PM | Comment First R.I. mosquitoes test positive for West Nile virusEAST PROVIDENCE -- A pool of mosquitoes in East Providence has tested positive for West Nile Virus. It's the first time this year that scientists detected the mosquito-borne disease in Rhode Island. State environmental authorities say the mosquitoes were taken from a trap set near the border with Seekonk, Mass., early last week. Results from an additional 75 mosquito pools are still pending. The disease, which can be fatal, is spread when mosquitoes bite humans. Symptoms range from mild flu-like illness to inflammation of the brain and coma. The Department of Environmental Management recommends people prevent mosquito bites by using screens in open windows and wearing bug spray, but with no more than 30 percent DEET. Don't use repellant on infants. IThe DEM also advises homeowners to get rid of water puddles so the bugs can't breed there. People should put mosquito netting over playpens and baby carriages when outside. "The positive findings are not unexpected," said Alan Gettman, the DEM mosquito abatement coordinator. "We are at the height of the mosquito-borne diseases transmission season. " So far, no mosquitoes have tested positive for Eastern Equine Encephalitis. -- The Associated Press and projo.com staff writer Michael P. McKinney Meanwhile, in neighboring Connecticut, state health officials have confirmed that a fourth person has come down with the West Nile virus this season. The unidentified resident of Hartford became ill during the first week of August and was likely exposed to infected mosquitoes during the last week of July. The person, who is between 40 and 49 years old, was briefly hospitalized and has recovered. The person's symptoms were fever, headaches, joint and muscle pain, stiff neck and lack of coordination. The three others who contracted the disease this summer were from Danbury, New London and Woodbridge and have recovered. -- Associated Press Posted by Mike McKinney at 5:00 PM | Comment It's back to school in 5 R.I. districts tomorrow / Photo
School starts tomorrow in five Rhode Island districts: Cranston, North Smithfield, Portsmouth, Bristol-Warren, and Chariho, which includes elementary schools in Charlestown, Richmond and Hopkinton, as well as the Chariho high and middle schools. None of the districts beginning school tomorrow are among those with teacher unions that have not signed contracts. Many more districts kick off their openings in the coming days or next week, after the Labor Day holiday on Monday. See which district starts when, according to the state Department of Education statewide school calendar for 2006-7. Posted by Mike McKinney at 4:50 PM | Comment Sex offender wanted on Mass. charge found in WarrenAn unregistered sex offender living in Warren was in Taunton District Court today on a charge he exposed himself to a little girl at a Lowe’s home improvement store in Seekonk, Mass., this month. Seekonk police informed Warren police last Friday that Paul Stockford, 40, was living in Warren and that they had a warrant for his arrest on a charge of open and gross lewdness. He had been arrested on the charge in Massachusetts previously, said Seekonk Capt. Craig Mace Stockford had been living for several months at 7 Union St., Warren, said Warren Police Lt. Joseph Loiselle. Early Saturday morning, just after midnight, Officer Christopher Perreault located him in the passenger seat of a car that he pulled over on Main Street. He arrested him without incident. Stockford admitted that he had been arrested previously for indecent exposure and that he had lived in Pawtucket and registered with police there as a sex offender, presumably as a Level 1 offender. Level 1 offenders, deemed a “low risk” to the public, are not identified on the Web site of the Rhode Island Parole Board & Sex Offender Community Notification Unit. The names of Level 2 and Level 3 offenders do appear on the Web site, but Stockford’s name is not among them. Warren police charged Stockford with failing to register as a sex offender, a felony. He was arraigned, released on bail of $2,000 with surety and ordered to return to court on Sept. 10. Then Seekonk police took custody of him. -- Journal staff writer Richard Salit On Aug. 15, Stockford “exposed himself to a 6-year-old girl” in the lighting aisle of the store, said Capt. Mace. He said that the girl told an adult what happened and that store employees were notified of the incident. Employees located the man’s vehicle while he was leaving and were able to give police a description of it, Mace said. The Seekonk charge of open and gross lewdness, subsequent offense, is a felony, Mace said. Posted by Mike McKinney at 4:12 PM | Comment Gas prices keep on droppingRegular, unleaded self-serve gasoline is down about 7 cents to $2.689 according to the American Automobile Association’s weekly gas price survey. That's six straight weeks of lower prices. And it's down from a year ago at this time, too, when the average price for regular gasoline in the Ocean State was $2.96. The national average for regular gasoline is $2.74 Mid-grade gasoline averages $2.82 across the state while premium is selling for $2.94. Posted by Brandie Jefferson at 3:44 PM | Comment Anniversary of women getting the vote to be notedPROVIDENCE – Planned Parenthood is inviting residents to celebrate Women’s Equality Day at the State House today. The rally begins at 4 p.m. The event commemorates the movement that led to the passage of the 19th Amendment in 1920, giving women the right to vote. The ceremony isn’t just for women; Planned Parenthood will be registering people to vote and discussing the history of the women’s suffrage movement. Find out more about how to register to vote in Rhode Island. Read President Bush's proclamation on Women's Equality Day 2007. Posted by Brandie Jefferson at 3:37 PM | Comment Update: Ginaitt quits Assembly, citing job responsibilitiesPROVIDENCE -- State Rep. Peter T. Ginaitt, who led efforts to reform the state's fire code in recent years, is leaving the General Assembly. The Warwick Democrat,46, will resign his post after 15 years in the legislature, effective this Friday, citing increased responsibilities at his job at Rhode Island Hospital. As a Fire Department captain, Ginaitt had been one of the first responders at the disastrous Station nightclub fire in 2003, which spurred efforts to strengthen the state's fire code. He was co-chair of the House Oversight Commission to Study the Ramifications of the Fire Safety Code, an advisory committee also chaired by Rep. Joseph Trillo, R-Warwick. -- Steve Peoples, Journal State House Bureau "I am shocked and disappointed. It’s like a kick in the stomach, to be honest," Trillo said when notified of Ginaitt's departure this afternoon. "Peter brought a unique aspect to the fire issue – he was a fireman, a first responder, in a leadership position. He brought a unique set of skills to the table." The commission produced a package of legislation, backed by the state fire marshal, that cleared the House but failed to win Senate approval in the session's final hours in June. Ginaitt was recently promoted from his position at Rhode Island Hospital, where he had served as director of emergency preparedness. He will now assume the position of director of emergency preparedness for the entire Lifespan hospital network, which includes Hasbro Children's Hospital, Miriam Hospital, Newport Hospital and Bradley Hospital. Ginaitt won his eighth consecutive election in November, running unopposed. There will be a special election to fill his post within the next three months. Ginaitt, first elected to the Assembly in 1992, also chairs the Environment and Natural Resources Committee and is the vice chair of the Health, Education and Welfare Committee. Ginaitt's absence isn't expected to have an immediate impact on the Assembly, which isn't expected to reconvene until January. While in session from January to June, the Assembly generally conducts business starting at 3 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday. State law requires a special election to be held between 70 and 90 days from the date of Ginaitt's departure from the Assembly. Trillo continued: "He was the kind of guy who had a pretty good relationship with everybody. You could argue with him – and I had some heated arguments with him – but you could move past it and work together," he said. "Sometimes you get the most accomplished when you don’t see eye to eye. Especially when you keep and open mind. And Peter always had an open mind."
He added, "Chairmen Ginaitt was a true environmental champion working both in public and behind the scenes to protect Rhode Island’s air, water and open spaces. As a member of the House leadership team, he was a key player in moving pro-environmental legislation forward, including bills to promote renewable energy, phase-out mercury from household and commercial products and to reduce global warming pollution. " Posted by Steve Peoples at 3:16 PM | Comment Update: Foster man killed in motorcycle crash ID'dThe police this afternoon identified the Foster man killed in a motorcycle accident in Glocester this morning as James R. Wilson, 61, of 191 Hartford Pike. He was driving a 2005 Harley Davidson south on Reynolds Road just north of Route 101 at about 1:20 a.m. The police say he was riding around a slight curve when he lost control, driving off the right side of the road and hitting several trees. The police are investigating. So far, they say, there is no obvious reason for the crash. -- projo.com staff writers Brandie Jefferson and Michael P. McKinney, with reports from Journal staff writer John Hill Posted by Mike McKinney at 3:12 PM | Comment R.I. among states doing best keeping obesity at bayPROVIDENCE -- New England residents are faring well in the battle of the bulge. A survey released today by a national health advocacy group shows that Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Connecticut and Vermont have among the lowest adult obesity rates in the country. The report was issued by Trust for America's Health. It measured obesity rates for adults in all 50 states, and the District of Columbia. It also looked at overweight rates of children ages 10 to 17. Experts say there are multiple reasons for the report's findings. They say the New England population on the whole tends to be higher-earning and better-educated than people in other parts of the country. They also say the cities are more walkable and the approach to eating is different. -- The Associated Press Posted by Mike McKinney at 1:41 PM | Comment $200,000 Powerball win waits to be claimedA $200,000 ticket was sold in Providence during the national drawing for the $314.3 million Powerball jackpot on Saturday. The Providence prize has not yet been claimed. The jackpot was drawn in Indiana, but someone bought a ticket at El Bombazo Market, 981, Broad St., Providence, entitling him or her to the $200,000 prize, the Rhode Island Lottery announced today. The $200,000 ticket matched the first five numbers but not the Powerball number. The winning numbers are: 2 8 23 29 35 and Powerball 19. There were also four $10,000 tickets sold in Rhode Island. They were purchased at: Stop & Shop, 300 Quaker Lane, Warwick; Colbea Enterprises, 7025 Post Road, North Kingstown; Diamond Hill General, 3782 Diamond Hill Road, Cumberland; and North Tiverton News, 15 Main Road, Tiverton. The one at Diamond Hill General has been claimed but the others have not, Rhode Island Lottery said in a news release this morning. The Rhode Island Lottery is at 1425 Pontiac Ave., Cranston, (401) 463-6500 or at www.rilot.com. -- projo.com staff writer Michael P. McKinney Posted by Mike McKinney at 1:20 PM | Comment Dunkin' D's: Coffee, doughnuts but hold the trans fatThose who troop into a Dunkin' Donuts every morning on, well, every corner in Rhode Island use words like "coffee," "bacon," "egg" and, for the daring, "chocolate frosted." Now Dunkin' Donuts is adding to the vocabulary list "zero grams trans fat." If that doesn't quite slide off the tongue, it may keep more of the pounds sliding off you. Your Turn:How will this change your morning routine? All new menu offerings nationwide will be zero grams trans fat by Oct. 15, the popular chain announced today. "This includes the brand's signature doughnuts," a news release says. The zero-trans fat doughnuts are already being served in New York City and Philadelphia. They've been served in about 400 restaurants around the country as part of a "nationwide blind test" over a four-month period. The news may be of special importance in Rhode Island, where the trip-over-each-franchise proximity of the doughnut shops is legendary. Dunkin Brands Inc.'s chief told the Journal last summer that a goal was to have one store for every 12,000 people in a given market. There were 6,500 shops in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states at the time; a goal was to have 15,000 east of the Mississippi. -- projo.com staff writer Michael P. McKinney Posted by Mike McKinney at 12:04 PM | Comment R.I. delegation welcomes Gonzales's resignationRhode Island's two senators and one of its congressmen, all Democrats, issued statements this morning, indicating that Attorney General Alberto Gonzales's resignation was overdue and necessary to restore confidence in the office. U.S. Sen. Jack Reed said, "This departure is long overdue. During his tenure in the Bush Administration, Alberto Gonzales has been involved in policies that have undermined our standing in the world and our historic commitment to the rule of law. Although he plans to leave office, the investigations into his stewardship of the Department of Justice should continue. The next Attorney General needs to be someone who is competent and can restore credibility to the Department of Justice,” said Reed, a member of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, and Science (CJS) which oversees federal spending of the Department of Justice.
“I hope that whoever the President nominates to be the new Attorney General at this critical time will put the interests of the Department, its employees, and the American people foremost – before partisanship, and before politics.”
Langevin's statement also noted that the Rhode Island congressman had joined his colleagues this summer in cosponsoring a no-confidence resolution, which urged President Bush to request that the attorney general step down.
Posted by Jack Perry at 12:01 PM | Comment Pats' Samuel rejoins teammates in FoxboroAsante Samuel is indeed here at Gillette Stadium and has re-joined his Patriots teammates. You can read more about this story on the projo PatsBlog. -- Journal sports writer Shalise Manza Young Posted by Jack Perry at 10:52 AM | Comment Foster man, 61, killed in Glocester motorcycle crashThe Glocester police say a 61-year-old Foster man was killed in a motorcycle accident on Reynolds Road early this morning. The police are withholding his name until all family members are notified. The man was driving a 2005 Harley Davidson south on Reynolds Road just north of Route 101 at about 1:20 a.m. The police say he was driving around a slight curve when he lost control, driving off the right side of the road and hitting several trees. The police are investigating. So far, they say, there is no obvious reason for the crash. Posted by Brandie Jefferson at 10:37 AM | Comment Divers begin assessing sunken Russian sub
Journal photo / Bill Murphy
Navy diver Max Yeager emerges after a dive to examine the sunken sub this morning.
The Army and Navy are hoping to rescue a bit of history while sharpening their skills. Begining today, 30 Army and Navy divers began studying Juliette 484 -- known to many simply as the Russian Sub -- which sank in Providence Harbor after a heavy storm in April. Frank Lennon, head of the Russian Submarine Museum, says the plan is to stabilize the submarine by rotating it with cables into a more upright position. Right now it's settled into river mud, listing away from the pier at about 48 degrees. Studying and securing the submarine at the bottom of the Bay is expected to cost the military more than $1 million. They'll require budgetary approval to move on to the next phase: actually raising the submarine. What do you think should be done to the submarine? Posted by Brandie Jefferson at 10:33 AM | Comment Driver shot by Attleboro police to be arraignedJohn Peters is scheduled for arraignment in Attleboro District Court today. An Attleboro police officer shot the 44-year-old Milford, Mass., man in the arm Friday after he allegedly tried to run them down in what the police said was a stolen car. He'll be charged with assault with a deadly weapon, possession of stolen property, and a host of driving violations, the Attleboro police say. The police say 45-year-old Joyce Sumpter, also of Milford, was in the car with Peters. She was arraigned and released on personal recognizance Friday. She faces stolen vehicle charges. The officer who shot Peters, Gilbert Bechtel, 37, is on paid leave while the shooting is investigated. Posted by Brandie Jefferson at 9:29 AM | Comment Get up early tomorrow to see the lunar eclipseHere's a reason to roll out of bed at 4:30 in the morning: Total lunar eclipse. For the second time this year, the Earth will be positioned between the sun and the full moon, blocking the direct sunlight that usually reflects off the moon's surface. See a video explaining the phenomenon here. The eclipse will begin at 4:51 a.m. when the moon begins to make its way into the Earth's shadow. The moon will take on a copper-red glow once it is fully eclipsed, at about 5:52 a.m.; it will be fully engulfed in shadow for about one and a half hours. The sun will begin to rise as the moon sets. And for East Coasters, the moon will still be in the sun’s shadow as it sets. North America can see up to three total lunar eclipses a year. This is the second this year, but the first that will be visible throughout the continental United States. If you can’t pry yourself out of bed at 4:30 a.m. you’re in luck. The next total lunar eclipse -- visible to the entire continent -- will be February 21, starting at 7:30 p.m. See the schedule for upcoming eclipses -- through the year 2100 – on NASA's lunar eclipse Web site. Posted by Brandie Jefferson at 9:19 AM | Comment Victim's parents support parole for BiecheleDave Kane and Joanne O’Neil say Daniel Biechele should be considered for parole. Although Biechele lit the pyrotechnics that started the fire at the Station Nightclub that killed 100 people – including the their son, Nicholas O’Neill -- the two say he is the only person involved in the fire who has accepted responsibility. In a letter to the Rhode Island Parole Board, they say “Biechele’s honest and straight forward acknowledgement of his guilt and his remorse” was the only justice to come out of the Station Fire aftermath. Biechele, the former tour manager for the rock band Great White, pleaded guilty to 100 counts of involuntary manslaughter for the 2003 nightclub fire. He began serving a four-year prison sentence last summer. He will be considered for parole on Sept. 19. Click below to read the entire text of the letter. Ms. Lisa S. Holley Dear Ms. Holley, We, the parents of Nicholas P. O’Neill, the youngest victim of the Station Nightclub fire, are writing to you to express our feelings regarding the possible parole of Daniel M. Biechele. In the period following this tragedy, it was Mr. Biechele, alone, who stood up and admitted responsibility for his part in this horrible event. He apologized to the families of the victims and made no attempt to mitigate his guilt. Although, Mr. Biechele was the person who lit the fuse, there are still many more people who had a huge part in this tragedy that may never be brought before the court. When you add to this the abysmal actions and misdeeds of both the Trial Judge and the prosecution team, you will find that we were left with only one scintilla of justice. That came with Mr. Biechele’s honest and straight forward acknowledgement of his guilt and his remorse. Although, we are sure that there are victim’s families who feel that Daniel Biechele should have received a life sentence, our family members feel that enough lives have been damaged and destroyed by this fire. It is, therefore, our belief that Mr. Biechele should be seriously considered for parole at this time.
Posted by Brandie Jefferson at 8:22 AM | Comment Farmer's Almanac predicts rough winter in EastLEWISTON, Maine -- Keep your boots, long johns and snow shovels handy this winter if you live in the East, the Farmers' Almanac's forecast suggests. Residents of the West, however, can look forward to a milder winter this time around. "Mother Nature is going to be sort of two-faced," almanac editor Peter Geiger said. The almanac's 2008 edition, which goes on sale tomorrow, foresees plenty of snow across the Northeast, temperatures averaging as much as 3 degrees below normal along most of the Atlantic Coast, and four major frosts as far south as Florida. The Great Lakes region will also take a pounding. The outlook is tamer for the Great Plains, the Rocky Mountains, the desert Southwest and the Pacific Coast, but Geiger said snow in Colorado will be more than adequate for skiing. Read the full Associated Press story. Posted by Jack Perry at 7:50 AM | Comment Pats' Samuel expected in camp this morningAsante Samuel will report to Gillette Stadium this morning, ending his de facto holdout, a source close to the cornerback confirmed last night. When Samuel arrives, expected to be prior to the team's 8 a.m. meeting, he will sign the one-year, $7.79 million franchise tender and prepare for his fifth NFL season. The 26-year old left his Florida home last night to fly to the area. He has missed 31 days of training camp, though he has not amassed any fines because he was not under contract. New England designated Samuel as its franchise player in February, after the corner had a career-high and league-best 10 interceptions last year. He added two more picks in the playoffs, both of which he returned for touchdowns. Samuel has three career postseason interception returns for touchdowns, tying an NFL record. Samuel's representatives and Patriots' brass tried to work out a long-term deal for several months, but an agreement could not be reached before the July deadline. The two sides cannot resume talks until after the conclusion of the regular season; the option also exists for the Patriots to franchise Samuel again for the 2008 season. If that happens, he will receive an estimated $9.5 million - the average of the top five salaries at his position plus 20 percent. It will be interesting to see when Samuel gets on the field. Though he has been working out in Florida throughout the offseason, he is probably not game-ready. Without him during training camp, third-year corner Ellis Hobbs has slid into the number one role. After veteran Chad Scott suffered a season-ending injury on the first day of camp, Randall Gay has performed well opposite Hobbs. While Samuel's return likely means Gay will be coming off the bench, it also gives New England good depth at the position. -- Journal sports writer Shalise Manza Young Posted by Jack Perry at 7:09 AM | Comment Revelations about chairman fueling rift within tribeBOSTON -- The revelation that Mashpee Wampanoag tribal Chairman Glenn Marshall lied about his military service and was convicted of rape in 1981 is fueling a rift within the tribe as they seek to build a $1 billion casino in Massachusetts. One of five members of the tribe shunned by the tribal council in December is calling for an emergency meeting of the tribe today to discuss the situation. "Our people understand that we have been called to action and plan to follow up with Mr. Marshall's announcement," Michelle Fernandes, one of five members shunned by the council, told the Cape Cod Times. "We're looking to prevent Glenn Marshall from returning to the tribal council." Read the full Associated Press story. Posted by Jack Perry at 7:02 AM | Comment Sunny with a high near 80 todayIt should be sunny and warm today with a high of 80 degrees. The National Weather Service is also predicting an East wind of about 9 mph. The overnight low should be about 60 degrees. Tomorrow, look for more of the same: sunny and warm. For more weather and updates, see projo.com/weather. Posted by Brandie Jefferson at 7:01 AM | Comment Today's front pageToday's front page features photographs and a story about yesterday's rally to protest alleged brutality by North Providence police officers. |
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ProJo 9 to 5 News Blog
Oct 2005 - March 2006