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October 17, 2007

Rhode Island Foundation leader resigns

The leader of the Rhode Island Foundation is resigning, the foundation's board announced today.

Ronald V. Gallo, foundation president and chief executive officer, is stepping down after 15 years, according to a news release.

"This was a mutually agreed-upon decision, prompted by Ron's belief that the foundation was ready for new leadership, and by his interest in exploring other career paths," George Graboys, the foundation board chairman, said in the statement. "The board accepted Ron's resignation with great regret. His myriad contributions during the past 15 years have left the foundation in an excellent position to continue the critical work of addressing Rhode Island's most formidable challenges."

The foundation is located in Providence's downtown, between the State House and City Hall.

-- projo.com staff writer Michael P. McKinney

Posted by Mike McKinney at 7:10 PM | Comment

Tonight: Mexican ballet, rock, jazz and soul

There will be people who really know how to dance at Rhode Island College tonight and, in the clubs, a few people who will tap their feet and sway a little to music from rock to jazz.

Ballet Folklorico de Mexico celebrates tradition with a costumed ballet performance at 8 p.m. in Roberts Hall, Rhode Island College, 600 Mount Pleasant Ave., Providence. Call (401) 456-8144 or www.ric.edu/pfa/pas.php.

Brickpark plays rock at Olives, 108 North Main St., Providence. Call 751-1200. 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. No cover. Includes karaoke.

George Leonard plays jazz and pop at The Hi-Hat, 3 Davol Square, Providence. Call 453-6500. 8 p.m. to midnight.

2nd Avenue plays rock at Pitcher's Pub, 80 Manville Hill Rd., Cumberland. Call 658-0058. 9 p.m.

Tribeca plays soul, Motown and disco at Two Jerks Pub and Grill, 446 Waterman Ave., East Providence. Call 434-4111. 7:30 to 11:30 p.m.

Posted by Mike McKinney at 7:10 PM | Comment

Pawtucket officer cleared in shooting

The actions of a Pawtucket police officer who fatally shot an Attleboro woman whose car sped from -- and at -- officers at high speed on Route 95 were "lawful and legally justified," a Providence County Grand Jury has concluded.

The shooting happened on July 26. Investigators said at the time that a Pawtucket officer feared that Bridget DeGrafft, 49, of Attleboro, was about to pin him against his cruiser with the stolen car she was was driving.

No indictment of the officer was returned given the grand jury's finding, Attorney General Patrick C. Lynch's office announced late today.

DeGrafft, who was described as having a history of alcohol and drug abuse, had sped south on Route 95 as officers from at least two police departments pursued. She was twice shot as she allegedly tried to run the officers over.

What began as a carjacking at the junction of Oak Hill Avenue and Locust Street in Attleboro ended in Warwick, about 15 miles south, investigators said.
.
At about 12:50 a.m. on July 26, the Attleboro police got a 9-1-1 call from a man in the intersection who reported that a woman had flagged him down on the side of the road and then stole his black Honda at knifepoint.

Attleboro police asked other departments to look for the Honda.

At 1:10 a.m., Pawtucket police radioed that they were in pursuit of the car on Route 95 near the Lonsdale Avenue exit, heading south at speeds reaching 90 mph.

Rhode Island state troopers pursued as well as the car traveled onto Route 10 southbound in Providence.

The Honda tried to exit at Reservoir Avenue but struck the rear of a state police cruiser and veered onto a grass median and then crossed the ramp from Reservoir Avenue to Route 10.

Eventually, DeGrafft put the car into reverse at high speed and went down the embankment toward officers, who then took cover. One trooper fell to the ground. As he began to get up, DeGrafft drove at him, authorities have said. The trooper fired one shot at her. She then swerved back onto the road and attempted to hit a Pawtucket officer, who fired rounds.

More twists and turns ensued, and eventually a Pawtucket police officer got wedged between his cruiser and the Honda, authorities said, and fired out of fear for his safety.

-- projo.com staff writer Michael P. McKinney, with Journal archival reports

Posted by Mike McKinney at 6:40 PM | Comment

'Virtually embedded' filmmaker joins Brown panel

In 2004, when the New Hampshire National Guard asked documentary filmmaker Deborah Scranton if she wanted to travel to Iraq with one of their units, Scranton wondered how she would take advantage of a chance of a lifetime.

The Brown University graduate (1984) went to sleep knowing she couldn’t leave her New Hampshire home for 11 months. Then an outlandish idea woke her: What if she “virtually embedded’’ with the unit?

It meant equipping the unit with 21 small video cameras — some mounted inside the unit’s Humvees and on their gun turrets — and allowing the soldiers to tell their own stories of war from the ground, beside the exploded car, the charred corpse and in the frightening uncertainty of the Iraqi night.

The soldiers’ raw footage — along with Scranton’s daily iInternet communications and interviews later with the soldiers returned home — became The War Tapes, which won best documentary feature at the 2006 Tribeca Film Festival.

With new technology has come new ways of telling stories, of practicing journalism.
And Friday and Saturday, Scranton, filmmakers, Internet bloggers, war reporters, authors and magazine editors will meet at Brown University’s Watson Institute for International Studies to analyze these new media and the impact, if any, they are having on current affairs.

The conference, titled: “Front Line, First Person: Iraq War Stories,” begins with a panel discussion at 2 p.m. Friday at the Watson Institute, 111 Thayer St.

-- Journal staff writer Tom Mooney

The panelists will include Colby Buzzell, an Army veteran who started a blog while serving in Iraq in 2003-2004 and published a book on about his experiences titled: "My War: Killing Time in Iraq"; and Matthew Burden, a veteran blogger and author of: "The Blog of War: Front-Line Dispatches from Soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan.’’

Scranton said hearing these ground-level, often first-person stories, “force you to listen to other points of view because right now we are so polarized in this country [about the war] that we’re not having conversations anymore.’’

“What really frightens me is with less than 1 percent of the population directly involved with this war …. You can go for days in this country and not know we are a country at war.’’

The unfairness of that reality, she said, is that “there is a military class in our society and they are bearing the brunt” of the war’s cost.

Scranton says if more people knew about the realities on the ground — heard U.S. soldiers in their own words “still twitching’’ in the hot wash of emotion following a firefight — more people might care. If nothing else, she said, “I’m sure they would have better protection for their Humvees and the flack jackets they need.’’

Posted by Karen Bordeleau at 6:30 PM | Comment

Three-car accident sends seven to hospitals

CRANSTON -- Paramedics transported six adults and a 13-year-old girl to area hospitals last night after a three-car accident at the intersection of Wellington Avenue and Milford Street, according to the police.

Col. Stephen McGrath, the chief of police, said today that investigators with the Traffic Unit are still reconstructing the accident. Authorities have not ruled out excessive speed and alcohol as contributing factors.

“Some of the injuries were very serious -- life-threatening,” said McGrath, adding that the department was withholding the names of the operators and the injured pending notification of their families.

McGrath said a 19-year-old Cranston man, with an 18-year-old woman as a passenger, was turning northbound onto Wellington Avenue in a 1997 Nissan sedan when he collided with a 2005 Saturn sport utility vehicle, operated by a 40-year-old Cranston man, heading south.

The Saturn, which also carried a 33-year-old man and a 35-year-old man, then collided head-on with a northbound 1998 Toyota sport utility vehicle.

A 62-year-old woman was driving the Toyota, with the 13-year-old girl as a passenger.

The six adults were taken to Rhode Island Hospital, McGrath said. The child was taken to Hasbro Children’s Hospital.

-- Journal staff writer David Scharfenberg

Posted by Mike McKinney at 5:32 PM | Comment

Providence fire victim taken to hospital

PROVIDENCE -- A male occupant of a one-and-a-half story residence at 23 Baxter St. was taken to Rhode Island Hospital after he suffered burns on his stomach from a fire this afternoon.

The call came in at 3:42 p.m. and Providence firefighters brought the fire at the wood-frame building under control at 3:55 p.m., said James Taylor, chief of communications for the department.

The fire happened in the rear of the building, Taylor said.

The cause of the fire has not been determined.

-- projo.com staff writer Michael P. McKinney

Posted by Mike McKinney at 4:30 PM | Comment

Coventry man, 79, indicted on molestation charges

A 79-year-old Coventry man has been indicted on seven counts of first-degree child molestation and four counts of second-degree child molestation -- crimes allegedly committed against a child who was 14 years old or younger.

The indictment naming James Day, of 28 Myra Road, was handed up Monday, Attorney General Patrick C. Lynch's office announced today. It is a secret indictment, meaning that neither an arrest nor a District Court complaint generated the indictment.

Day is accused of committing one crime of first-degree child molestation and two crimes of second-degree child molestation in Coventry and committing six crimes of first-degree child molestation and two crimes of second-degree child molestation in South Kingstown.

The news release provides no other information about the allegations.

Washington County Superior Court Judge Stephen P. Nugent yesterday granted the prosecutor's request that Day be ordered held without bail at the Adult Correctional Institutions in Cranston. Nugent also imposed a no contact order against Day with the victim.

A determination of attorney hearing is slated for Oct. 23 and a bail hearing is set for Oct. 30.

-- projo.com staff writer Michael P. McKinney

Posted by Mike McKinney at 4:20 PM | Comment

Brown medical student's program featured in Yankee

A 24-year-old Brown University medical student who cofounded a financial aid program for doctors in four of the world's poorest countries is featured in the November/December issue of Yankee Magazine, the magazine announced today.

Rajiv Kumar and his nonprofit Adopt a Doctor program are the subjects of a story titled “Angels Among Us, 2007." Kumar's program enables doctors to stay in home countries and save thousands of lives, according to a Yankee Magazine news release.

“I’m giving people the opportunity to do good in the world and giving them my word that I will help steward it,” Kumar said in the article. “Most potential donors aren’t as concerned with the actual dollar amount as with how much good it can do, how much value there is.”

Yankee Magazine last year ran its first “Angels Among Us” article.Kumar is one of five New Englanders in this year's article. The other New Englanders include:

* Patricia Franchi Flaherty of Natick, Mass., founder of Ovations for the Cure, which pays for research to develop new treatments, preventions, technologies, and awareness programs to combat ovarian cancer;

* Gwen Fletcher and Dottie Volosin of Guilford, Conn., volunteers with Charlie’s Closet, an organization that distributes donated medical equipment to those in need;

* Robert Chambers of Lebanon, N.H., cofounder of Bonnie CLAC, a program that offers low-interest car loans and counseling to those in need.

-- projo.com staff writer Michael P. McKinney

Posted by Mike McKinney at 3:55 PM | Comment

Providence man arraigned on robbery charge

PROVIDENCE -- A Providence man was arraigned in District Court today on felony charges after approaching a car yesterday and allegedly trying to rob two people at knifepoint.

Jacque Lawson, 33, of 19 Fairview St., was charged by the state police with one count of first-degree robbery and one count of weapons other than firearms prohibited -- which refers to possession of a knife with a blade longer than three inches, according to a news release.

A male and female were driving into Wanskuck Park, off Woodward Road, shortly after noon yesterday. When they parked their car, Lawson allegedly approached the passenger window and asked the male passenger if he had a cigarette.

The male said he did not, Lawson demanded money and both people in the car said they did not have any, according to the police. Lawson leaned into the window, pulled out a knife and ordered them to empty their pockets.

The male in the car again said he did not have money and handed the suspect an open pack of cigarettes. As the suspect tried to remove the cigarettes from the pack, the male climbed out of the open sun roof, ran from the car and yelled for help.

A state trooper from Lincoln Woods Barracks who was patrolling Woodward Road saw the male running and waving his arms to get the officer's attention. The trooper then noticed the car with the female sitting in the driver's seat, crying, and the suspect leaning into the passenger window, the police said.

The trooper did a pat-down search of the suspect and found a large, black-handled knife in the right front pocket of his sweatshirt.

-- projo.com staff writer Michael P. McKinney

Posted by Mike McKinney at 3:45 PM | Comment

Whitehouse joins in national hearing on lead paint

In Rhode Island, the harmful effects of lead exposure has played out in the state’s suit against companies that made and sold lead paint.

But the high number of recent toy recalls due to lead contamination is bringing the issue into the national dialogue when, tomorrow, the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works convenes a hearing on Lead and Children’s Health.

Two panels of health, industry and government representatives will testify before the committee, of which Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse is a member.

Among the scheduled witnesses is Bruce Lanphear, the director of the Cincinnati Children’s Environmental Health Center, who testified on behalf of Rhode Island in both of the state’s trials against lead paint companies.

The hearing, set to begin at 10 a.m. tomorrow, will be web cast live on the Committee's Web site.

For more information on witnesses, click below.

-- projo.com staff writer Brandie M. Jefferson

James Gulliford, assistant administrator for pesticides, prevention and toxic substances, U.S Environmental Protection Agency

Bruce Lanphear, director of the Cincinnati Children's Environmental Health Center and professor of pediatrics and environmental health

Tom Neltner, on behalf of Improving Kids' Environment, Sierra Club, and Concerned Clergy of Greater Indianapolis

Mike Nagel, RemodelOne -- Design/Build Construction, on behalf of the National Association of Homebuilders, Remodeler's Council

David Jacobs, director of research, National Center for Healthy Housing

Olivia Farrow, assistant commissioner, City of Baltimore Department of Health

**On Monday, Mattel, Inc. withdrew its agreement to testify at the hearing.

Posted by Brandie Jefferson at 3:20 PM | Comment

2 children injured in Fall River accident

FALL RIVER -- A 6-year-old girl and her 11-year-old brother were injured early this morning when a van involved in a collision at Morgan and Fourth Streets was pushed up onto the sidewalk and struck the children as they were waiting for a school bus.

The girl suffered a head injury and was taken to Hasbro Children’s Hospital in Providence, the police said. Her brother, whose leg was injured, was taken to St. Anne’s Hospital, where he was reported in good condition this afternoon, according to Sgt. Thomas Mauretti.

A man who had been waiting with the children was arrested for assaulting the driver of the van.

John Dorvil, 27, of 22 Lyon St., was charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, a pipe that was knocked loose from a nearby fence that was also struck by the van, Mauretti said.

The driver of the van, Sean Leitao, 23, of New Bedford, Mass., was charged with reckless operation of a motor vehicle and failure to stop at a stop sign, Mauretti said. Leitao also was taken to St. Anne’s Hospital for treatment of a head injury he suffered when he was hit by the pipe.

The collision occurred about 7:15 a.m., when the van, going west on Morgan Street, failed to stop at a stop sign at Fourth Street, the police said.

The van collided with a pick-up truck going south on Fourth Street before it mounted the sidewalk on the southwest corner of the intersection, Mauretti said.

He said the driver of the pick-up truck fled the accident scene.

-- Journal staff writer Gina Macris

Posted by Mike McKinney at 2:45 PM | Comment

Good green ranking

The Biggest Little hasn’t done so well in the last few national rankings we’ve heard about:

It’s apparently not the place to look for love; not municipally Web-savvy; has just about the least cost effective roads in the nation; and even though we’re not the country’s worst drivers (anymore), we still have a long way to go.

Now for some good news: Forbes magazine has ranked Rhode Island eighth on its list of America’s Greenest States -- that’s eighth best.

States were ranked in six categories: carbon footprint; air quality; water quality; hazardous waste management; policy initiatives; and energy consumption.

Rhode Island residents are the most efficient users of energy in the country, according to information from a number of different federal and non-government sources.

And although the state gets slightly low marks for water quality and lack of “green” technology in new buildings, our clean air and energy efficiency policies are comprehensive enough to keep us in the top ten.

Something to shoot for? Beating Vermont, Oregon, Washington, Hawaii, Maryland, Connecticut and New Jersey, the top seven scorers.

The bottom five states listed are Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, Indiana and, in last place, West Virginia.

To find out about the state's energy efficient programs, visit the state's Office of Energy Resources.

See where, exactly, the data come from and a slide show of each state by ranking.

-- projo.com staff writer Brandie M. Jefferson

Posted by Brandie Jefferson at 2:15 PM | Comment

Doctors testify in trial of mother charged with murder

WARWICK -- Within five minutes of learning her 19-month-old daughter Jade's injuries were life threatening, Kimberly A. Mawson asked about donating the child's organs, a hospital doctor who initially treated the child testified in court today.

Dr. Arlet Kurkchubasche, who was Hasbro Children's Hospital attending trauma surgeon, was one of three witnesses to testify for the prosecution so far today in Mawson's murder trial. Mawson is a former Warwick resident accused of killing her daughter in 2002.
Testimony is slated to resume at 2 p.m. The prosecution's witness list numbers 33 people.

Kurkchubasche said in Kent County Superior Court that she spoke to Mawson about different treatment options. She described Mawson as seeming very composed.

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

John Duncan II, a Hasbro neurosurgeon who performed a craniotomy on Jade, testified that the child had a lot of swelling in her brain and hemorrhaging. Physicians performed the procedure to try to remove pressure from the brain and halt the bleeding. Duncan said that once into the procedure, he noted a recent hematoma in the child's head.

Part of the skull was left off in an effort to reduce brain swelling.

Dr. Elizabeth A. Laposata, the former state medical examiner, spoke about the autopsy results. She said Jade had a vaginal injury, a one-eighth-inch tear at the opening of her hymen.

Laposata said Jade also had bruises all in a line on both sides of her chest, consistent with being grabbed by someone. Jade also had hemorrhaging behind an eye, consistent with either blunt-force head trauma or shaking.

The cause of death was determined to be a brain injury due to blunt-force trauma to the head.

Posted by Mike McKinney at 1:32 PM | Comment

Accreditation warning withdrawn from Burrillville High

BURRILLVILLE -- New England accreditation authorities have withdrawn a warning that has marked the credentials of the town’s high school for the past 15 years, the schools superintendent said today.

This is the first time the school has had full accreditation, with no deficiencies, since the New England Association of Schools and Colleges put the institution on warning back in 1992, according to a news release.

In 2001, a visiting commission from NEASC found the high school deficient in its curriculum, instruction, resources for learning, and assessment.

NEASC’s decision is the direct result of a process that culminated this past July when local educators filed a report on their progress in addressing the reported deficiencies.

-- Journal staff writer Mark Reynolds

Posted by Mike McKinney at 11:55 AM | Comment

Revised Naval strategy unveiled today in Newport

WASHINGTON -- In the first major revision of U.S. naval strategy in 25 years, maritime officials said today they plan to focus more on humanitarian missions and improving international cooperation as a way to prevent conflicts.

"We believe that preventing wars is as important as winning wars," said the new strategy announced by the Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard.

The strategy reflects a broader Defense Department effort to use aid, training and other cooperative efforts to encourage stability in fledgling democracies and create relationships around the globe that can be leveraged if a crisis does break out in a region.

"Although our forces can surge when necessary to respond to crises, trust and cooperation cannot be surged," says the 16-page document entitled "A Cooperative Strategy for 21st Century Seapower."

It also says forces will be concentrated "where tensions are high or where we wish to demonstrate to our friends and allies our commitment to security" -- something the United States did earlier this year in sending an additional aircraft carrier to the Persian Gulf region as a show of force toward Iran.

"Credible combat power will be continuously posted in the Western Pacific and the Arabian Gulf/Indian Ocean to protect our vital interests, assure our friends ... and deter and dissuade potential adversaries," the strategy document said.

The strategy was unveiled before naval representatives of 100 countries who are attending an international symposium on the seas at the Naval War College in Rhode Island. It was described to them by Navy Adm. Gary Roughead, chief of naval operations; Gen. James T. Conway, commandant of the Marine Corps, and Adm. Thad W. Allen, commandant of the Coast Guard.

-- The Associated Press

Roughead said the Navy completed a two-year study to create the new strategy.

"What came through was that our security and our prosperity is completely linked to the security and prosperity of other nations throughout the world," he said.

It represents the first time the Navy, the Marine Corps and the Coast Guard have collaborated on a single, common strategy for defending the U.S. homeland and protecting U.S. interests overseas.

Defense Secretary Robert Gates hinted at the cooperative strategy during his recent five-country swing through Central and South America. Pointing to the recent tour of the Navy hospital ship, the USNS Comfort, which delivered medical care to people in 12 Latin American countries, Gates said such aid is critical to solidifying U.S. bonds with other nations. The USS Peleliu amphibious ship recently returned from a four-month tour in the Pacific and the USS Fort McHenry is heading this week for a seven-month mission along the west coast of Africa.

Conway said the Marine Corps supported the strategy, but was more focused on the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The Marines now most closely resemble the Army, he said.

"We are an expeditionary force by our nature. We go down to the sea in ships, but right now, we are very much taking on a profile as a second land army," Conway said.

Adm. Mike Mullen -- who just left his job as head of the Navy to become chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff -- has said he sees the Navy's humanitarian work as key to the effort to defeat terrorism by winning hearts and minds.

When Roughead succeeded Mullen at the Navy last week, he called in a speech for more international partnerships to make the Navy a "force for good" around the globe.

Posted by Mike McKinney at 11:50 AM | Comment

Is this your lucky day?

Someone is $51,650.40 richer this morning, after purchasing a winning ticket in Rhode Island's Wild Money progressive jackpot game.

The winning ticket was bought last night from the Cumberland Farms at 261 South Main St. in Woonsocket, but the ticket holder has yet to come forward and claim the prize.

Wild Money Drawings take place three times a week: Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday nights live on WPRI-TV at 7:29pm. Thursday’s estimated Wild Money jackpot is $20,000.

Posted by Karen Bordeleau at 11:19 AM | Comment

Social Security going up by 2.3 percent

WASHINGTON -- Come January, Social Security benefits for nearly 50 million Americans are going up 2.3 percent, the smallest increase in four years. It will mean an extra $24 per month in the average check, the government announced today.

The cost of living adjustment means that the monthly benefit for the typical retired worker in 2008 will go from $1,055 currently to $1,079 next year.

The adjustment, announced by the Social Security Administration, will go to more than 54 million Americans. Nearly 50 million receive Social Security benefits and the rest get Supplemental Security Income payments aimed at helping the poor.

-- Read the full Associated Press story

Posted by Jack Perry at 11:11 AM | Comment

Bristol Warren school board to vote on spending cut

The Bristol Warren Regional School Committee will vote today on several potentially cost-cutting measures including one plan, submitted by a subcommittee, to close two schools.

The public hearing and vote will be tonight at 7 p.m. at the Mt. Hope High School auditorium.

The four proposals are as follows:

A budget/facilities subcommittee's recommendation to close Byfield and Reynolds schools in Sept. 2008, saving, by the subcommittee’s estimate, an estimated $500,000 over two years. The committee can accept, reject or table the proposal.

A task force's recommendation not to commit to closing any schools at this time. The committee can accept, reject or table the proposal.

The superintendent’s recommendation to close Main Street and Byfield schools by July 2008 and Reynolds by July 2009. The committee has the authority to accept, reject, table or amend the proposition as it sees fit.

The committee also has to vote on the new curriculum, which is handed down by the state.

“Whatever happens we have a year to prepare,” School Committee Chairman William Estrella said this morning. “Any impact of any vote we take will not take effect until, earliest, 2008.”

Posted by Brandie Jefferson at 10:51 AM | Comment

Federal Hill man expected to admit drug charges

A drug dealer arrested with the help of an informant is expected to plead to two drug counts in U.S. District Court at 10:30 this morning.

The police say in July 2005 they confiscated about $20,000 worth of crack and powder cocaine after raiding Manuel Coradin's Federal Hill apartment. They also say they found $24,000 in cash.

Earlier this month, Coradin agreed to plead guilty to possessing 50 grams or more of cocaine with intent to distribute, and possessing 5 grams or more with intent to distribute.

As part of the agreement, Coradin will agree not to try to vacate three previous drug-related felony convictions, and the U.S. Attorney’s office agreed to recommend a lower sentence than the maximum for the two charges: life in prison and $5 million fine.

Click below to read a story about Coradin's arrest.

-- with archive reports from Journal staff writer Gregory Smith

PROVIDENCE - With the help of an informant, the police have arrested an alleged drug dealer on Federal Hill and seized five bags of cocaine and more than $25,000 in cash.

Police Lt. Thomas A. Verdi, commander of the Narcotics and Organized Crime Division, said yesterday that a combination of crack and powder cocaine weighing 262 grams was confiscated.

The drugs, if cut up for sale on the street, would be worth about $20,000, so the haul constitutes "a sizeable seizure," Verdi said.

The police moved in on Manuel Coradin, 25, of 25 Marshall St., Federal Hill, after a tip led them to put his apartment under surveillance.

Coradin left his apartment shortly after 5 p.m. Friday and climbed into a white Ford Expedition, but he managed to drive only a few blocks before detectives stopped him on Almy Street.

During the arrest, the police said they found a small bag of marijuana in his pants pocket. They took $1,262 in cash from a pocket, too. After obtaining Coradin's consent, the police said, they searched his apartment.

They collected five bags of cocaine and, from the bottom drawer of a locked file cabinet, $24,000 cash.

They also confiscated items described as being used in the drug trade: ledgers used to record transactions, two digital scales, a box of plastic bags and a box of glassine bags. Also seized, from the kitchen, were a knife and two pans allegedly used to cook crack.

Coradin is charged with possession of cocaine with intent to sell, possession of cocaine ranging in weight from 1 ounce to 1 kilo, and possession of marijuana. He also was issued a summons for driving without a license.

Detectives said they would seek to keep the $25,262 taken from Coradin's pocket and from his apartment under a law that requires criminals to forfeit the proceeds of illicit drug sales.

Because the Expedition is registered to Coradin's girlfriend, Verdi said, the police were not able to keep the vehicle, too.

Posted by Brandie Jefferson at 9:30 AM | Comment

Photo: Car takes a dunk at Roger Williams Park

Journal photo/ Bill Murphy
Chris Brown, left, of the Providence Fire Department's cold water rescue team tries to secure a car in the pond at Roger Williams Park this morning. No one was in the car. At right is firefighter Bill Higginson.

Posted by Jack Perry at 9:24 AM | Comment

Second gang member expected to plead guilty

A second member of a violent street gang is expected to plead guilty today to charges stemming from a federal sting operation in which a federal agent posed as a drug dealer.

Vixay Phommarath, 21, and three others were arrested at gunpoint in 2007 after prosecutors say the men were planning to rob the fictitious drug dealer.

Earlier this month he agreed to plead guilty to one charge of conspiracy to commit robbery and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime. He's expected to enter that plea in U.S. District Court at 2 p.m.

The maximum combined sentence for the two charges is life in prison, a $500,00 fine and six years probation.

The U.S. Attorney's office has agreed to recommend a reduced sentence in exchange for the plea.

Posted by Brandie Jefferson at 9:14 AM | Comment

Traffic Alert: Accident slows traffic on 95 north

An accident on Interstate 95 northbound in Providence has traffic backed up between Interstate 195 and Route 10 to Cranston.

The left lane is currently closed.

For up to date information on traffic conditions, check the Transportation Management Center's Web site.

Posted by Brandie Jefferson at 8:22 AM | Comment

At Brown, Baby memories, decoded

PROVIDENCE -- A Rutgers University professor will speak at Brown University about her discoveries into how infants learn and remember.

Carolyn Rovee-Collier, a psychology professor, will deliver the Lipsitt-Duchin lecture “the Secret Life of Infants" tomorrow at 4 p.m.in the Salomon Center for Teaching. The lecture is free and open to public.

The audience can ask questions after the lecture.

Rovee-Collier, a professor of psychology at Rutgers, is "recognized as the founder of infant long-term memory research and an innovator in the scientific quest to understand how experience in the first few months of life affects later behavior," a Brown University news release says.

Rovee-Collier developed a procedure in which a ribbon connected an infant’s ankle to a device, allowing her to test learning and long-term memory in babies who have not yet begun speaking.

One discovery was that "infants’ forgotten memories can be completely recovered months later by exposing them to a brief reminder of the original event."

Rovee-Collier has written more than 200 publications on infant learning and memory.

Lewis Lipsitt, professor emeritus of psychology at Brown and founder of the Child Study Center, will introduce her. Other officials are also expected to attend

For information, contact the Center for the Study of Human Development at (401) 863-7515.

-- projo.com staff writer Michael P. McKinney

Posted by Mike McKinney at 8:12 AM | Comment

U.S. to unveil first maritime strategy since Cold War

NEWPORT -- The military plans to unveil its first maritime strategy since the end of the Cold War.

Defense officials say the chiefs of the U.S. Navy, Coast Guard and Marine Corps plan to release the nine-page document during a conference at the Naval War College in Newport.

A Navy spokeswoman says the plan is the result of a year of research between all three services.

The last maritime strategy was primarily focused on containing Soviet military power.

-- The Associated Press

Posted by Jack Perry at 7:02 AM | Comment

A high near 67 with sunshine

We'll see a bit of sunshine today with a high temperature near 67 degrees.

The National Weather Service is forecasting a slight chance of showers tonight with a low temperature in the mid 50s.

There may be more rain late tomorrow morning. We'll have mostly cloudy skies with temperatures reaching the mid 70s.

For more weather and regular updates, see projo.com/weather.

Posted by Brandie Jefferson at 7:01 AM | Comment

Today's front page

Today's front page features more bad news about the Red Sox. And you can read how the state is changing coastal development rules, as scientists predict that climate change will cause ocean waters to rise.

Download a copy of today's front page in .pdf format.

Posted by Jack Perry at 7:00 AM | Comment