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« November 18, 2007 | Today | November 20, 2007 » November 19, 2007Tonight: Beautiful Girls, a Lagoon and the bluesThe Beautiful Girls play rock at The Living Room, 23 Rathbone St., Providence. Call 521-5200. 9 p.m. All ages. Lagoon, Cardboard Fort and Cat/Book/City play rock at AS220, 115 Empire St., Providence. Call 831-9327. 9 p.m. $5. All ages. Mark Taber plays the blues at The Hi-Hat, 3 Davol Square, Providence. Call 453-6500. 7 to 11 p.m. Still not enough ideas for you? See what's happening on projo.com's music page and events calendars around the area. Posted by Mike McKinney at 7:00 PM | Comment Work starts to shore up Route 95 span in PawtucketPAWTUCKET -- The state Department of Transportation started emergency repairs on the Pawtucket River Bridge today and is removing a non-structural part for fear it might fall on someone. The work began following the agency’s announcement Friday that it will post a reduced weight limit and close one entrance ramp permanently because of deterioration of the structure. Late today, workers from Aetna Bridge Co. were using heavy timbers to build the base of a temporary pier that will help support part of a northbound lane of Route 95 where part of the steel supporting structure has rusted away. The work is under way on the east bank of the Seekonk River, to help support the ramp for the School Street exit from the highway Kazem Farhoumand, the DOT’s acting chief engineer, said that while the agency plans to close an adjacent entrance ramp, from George Street, "We have to keep School Street open." He said the School Street exit ramp carries 16,000 vehicles per day and is critical in part because it serves Memorial Hospital of Rhode Island. Read more about the work in tomorrow's Journal and on projo.com. -- Journal stafff writer Bruce Landis Posted by Mike McKinney at 6:55 PM | Comment District Court judge: 'Gap kids' belong in Family CourtPROVIDENCE -- District Court’s top judge this morning ruled that Family Court is the proper place for many of the “gap kids” who were charged with crimes during the 4-1/2-month period when state law treated 17-year-olds as adults. The state’s chief public defender estimated that 100 to 200 of the 500 gap kids would be transferred to Family Court as a result of the decision, but the attorney general’s office vowed to appeal the ruling. District Court Chief Judge Albert E. DeRobbio agreed to transfer misdemeanor cases involving gap kids to Family Court if charges are still pending, and he said gap kids who have entered pleas to misdemeanor charges but have not completed their sentences will have the option of seeking a transfer to Family Court. But it will be up to Superior Court to decide whether to transfer felony cases involving gap kids to Family Court because Superior Court adjudicates felonies, DeRobbio said. In making his ruling, DeRobbio said state law had been applied in an unconstitutional way. Citing the equal protection clause of the U.S. Constitution, he said, “The court is concerned about the various classes that occurred as a result of the legislation that has passed.” Earlier this year, state lawmakers changed the law to treat 17-year-olds as adults in criminal matters, predicting that would save money because the Adult Correctional Institutions would be cheaper than the state Training School. But the savings turned out to be questionable at best, and on Nov. 7 the legislature repealed the law. The change was not retroactive, however, so that left 500 “gap kids” who were charged as adults between July 1 and Nov. 8. That also meant they faced the same penalties as adults. -- Journal staff writer Edward Fitzpatrick “I’m happy,” chief public defender John J. Hardiman said after the hearing. “I think it does justice to what we call ‘gap kids’ who, unfortunately, entered the justice system in that four-month period. They now will get the services and privileges that other 17-year-olds have received in the past and will receive in the future.” Attorney general’s spokesman Michael J. Healey said, “On behalf of the victims of these cases, we are glad that the court agreed there is no reason to dismiss the felonies, because they do belong in Superior Court. We appreciate the fair hearing the court gave to the issue, and with respect to the misdemeanors, we respectfully disagree with the court’s ruling and will appeal to the Supreme Court.” Posted by Andrea Panciera at 5:16 PM | Comment Tiverton teachers picket over newsletter flap / Photo
They picketed in shifts after schools closed, maintaining a presence of about 50 to 60 teachers across more than an hour outside Supt. William J. Rearick's office. Today's actions came as school district/committee and the teachers union attempt to reach a contract agreement amid acrimony. The School Committee is seeking non-binding arbitration. The letter was published in the local teachers union newsletter "Voice of Reason" and described as "from a group of parents and students from THS." It states "it is about time we do something about the behavior of our school committee officers." The letter adds specific criticism of School Committee Chairwoman Denise deMedeiros, who "most of all" is the one who "angers us." One of the issues the letter focuses is on is a dispute over when some teachers wrote recommendations for students -- deMedeiros' suggestion at a recent committee meeting that the teachers might have stopped writing recommendation letters for high school seniors amid contractual negotiations, which the union disputes. The union has said teachers' recommendation letter writing is at a normal pace and accused deMedeiros of misleading statements. The NEA-RI news release identifies the two teachers who were put on administrative leave as Chris Fielding and Christina Hallman. Rearick declined to comment today about the teachers because there is an "ongoing investigation." -- projo.com staff writer Michael P. McKinney, with reports from Journal staff writer Gina Macris Posted by Mike McKinney at 4:51 PM | Comment Providence chamber giving out awards tonightPROVIDENCE -- The Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce has named Summer Infant Inc. its Small Business Leader of the Year. The company is to receive the award tonight at the chamber’s annual meeting, the largest gathering of business leaders of the year. Summer Infant, a manufacturer of children’s care products in Woonsocket, was founded in 1984. The chamber awards businesses with 100 employees or fewer for creating original products or services and for job growth, profitability and community involvement, according to chamber spokeswoman Bethany E. Costello. Last year, Stephen Lane and Aidan Petrie, co-founders of Item Group, a product development firm in Providence, received the chamber’s small business award. Tonight's event, at the Rhode Island Convention Center, is expected to draw at least 700 people. Joseph Quinlan, the chief market strategist for Bank of America, Global Wealth and Investment Management, is scheduled to deliver the keynote address at 8:10 p.m. Also at tonight’s ceremony, the chamber plans to name Concordia Manufacturing as the Manufacturer of the Year. Concordia, based in Coventry, is growing its staff at a time when many manufacturers in the state are shrinking or closing their local operations. -- Journal staff writer Benjamin N. Gedan Last year’s honoree was Hexagon Metrology Inc., a global supplier of metrology equipment and software in North Kingstown. The chamber is also honoring Jeannine Dugas, a senior account executive for Cox Media, as its Ambassador of the Year. She was chosen by a committee of 70 people who “provide critical membership liaison services between the chamber and its member businesses.” Last year, Ralph Coppola, of Providence-based Meridien Benefits Group Inc., an executive benefits firm, received the recognition. Posted by Mike McKinney at 4:31 PM | Comment Update: Mercury spill in E. Providence High cleaned upEAST PROVIDENCE -- A mercury spill, described as the size of a half-dollar, has been cleaned up after being found in the East Providence High School boiler room this morning. The spill, which came out of a boiler switch, was contained immediately in an area that only certified maintenance staff are allowed access to, said Robert Rodericks, a school district spokesman, after he spoke with Assistant Schools Supt. Edward Daft. School is going on as scheduled. The school district said no students or teachers were exposed to the substance. Mercury is a hazardous heavy metal that can cause concerns if someone is exposed to it as a vapor. Rodericks said the spill was discovered between 10 and 10:30 a.m. He said the district would not have hesitated to evacuate the school had officials deemed it necessary. Work has been wrapping up on a major replacement of what was a 50-plus-year-old boiler/heating system in the school. Clean Harbors Environmental Services, which cleans up hazardous material spills, cleaned up the spill.
Posted by Mike McKinney at 4:24 PM | Comment Blue Bug goes green for the holidaysThis holiday season the Big Blue Bug is going green. For 15 years Nibbles Woodaway – better known as the Big Blue Bug – has been fitted with a festive holiday outfit, adorned with lights, a red Rudolph-esqe nose, and antlers. This year there’s an added adornment: efficiency. The bug, which overlooks Route 95 from atop the New England Pest Control building, will be wrapped in 5,200 LED holiday lights. Michael Ryan, the president of R.I. Electric Distribution for National Grid, will flip the switch tomorrow at 4:30 p.m. "This lighting display will remind the thousands of drivers who pass the Big Blue Bug every day that they can easily do their part to reduce energy use and carbon emissions this holiday season," he said. Posted by Brandie Jefferson at 2:37 PM | Comment URI fires football coach Tim StowersBY MIKE SZOSTAK The University of Rhode Island has fired football coach Tim Stowers after an eight-year tenure that produced one winning season in 2001. His overall record at URI was 33-57. His last game was a 35-30 victory over Northeastern last Saturday. Stowers has one year remaining on his contract. He earned $196,027 in 2006. "I have been informed that I will no longer be the coach of the University of Rhode Island football team," Stowers said early this afternoon. The director of athletics, Thorr Bjorn, was in a meeting, and other administrators were unavailable for comment. Stowers received the word this morning. Several weeks ago, Bjorn said he would discuss Stowers' fate after the season. The Rams lost six of their first seven games this year but won two of their last four, including a 12-6 upset of third-ranked Massachusetts on Nov. 3. "Obviously, we had one winning season," Stowers said. "Even though we had a difficult schedule -- we played six playoffs teams and one I-A team -- you never know. They just wanted to ake a decision for the future of the program, and I respect their opinion." Stowers came to URI in 2000 after two years as an assistant coach at Temple. He was head coach at Georgia Southern for six years, winning the NCAA Division I-AA national championship in 1990. His career record as a head coach is 84-80. Posted by Art Martone at 2:35 PM | Comment LNG company vows new push for Fall River plantBOSTON -- The company hoping to build a liquefied natural gas terminal in Fall River is forging ahead even after the Coast Guard rejected the proposal last month. Opponents called the Coast Guard's decision a near death blow for the Weaver's Cove Energy terminal, but Hess LNG President Gordon Shearer said today the company will appeal the ruling as early as Wednesday. At the same time, Shearer said the company will submit a new proposal designed to address the concerns raised by the Coast Guard, a move that would automatically trigger a new review. "It's fair to say that the project is by no means dead," Shearer said today. A revised proposal will be submitted to the Coast Guard in the next few months, he said. The proposal can be filed even if the Coast Guard hasn't yet ruled on the appeal. The Coast Guard said if the company submits a new proposal, it's prepared to completely reanalyze it. "Weaver's Cove could present an entirely new proposal, which would require the Coast Guard to conduct an entirely new analysis," Coast Guard Senior Chief Richard Uronis said. -- The Associated Press Opponents have fought against the proposed LNG terminal saying a terrorist attack or accident would be devastating to residents in the densely populated area. The Coast Guard on Oct. 24 rejected plans for the terminal, ruling tankers would not be able to safely negotiate between two bridges on the river leading to the site. Opponents celebrated the decision, which they hoped spelled the end for the project. Then-Fall River mayor Edward Lambert said the decision delivered a "near death blow, if not a fatal blow" to the project. Shearer said the decision was more of a setback than a death blow. He faulted local Coast Guard officials, saying they failed to base their decision on marine simulations and the judgment of pilots - both of which Shearer said would have worked in the project's favor. If local Coast Guard officials uphold their earlier decision, Shearer plans to appeal up through the chain of command. "As you go up the appeals process, it ceases to become a local Coast Guard issue and less susceptible to local pressure," he said. At the same time the company will submit an entirely revised proposal. Shearer said that proposal would try to address some of the concerns raised by the Coast Guard, including the size of the ships and their ability to navigate through two bridges. The Coast Guard based its decision to reject Weaver's Cove initial proposal in part because it determined the tankers wouldn't have sufficient space to safely navigate to the LNG site between two bridges that are about 1,100 feet apart on the Taunton River. The bridges became obstacles to the project after maneuvering by opponents. The old Brightman Street Bridge was slated for demolition, but was preserved as a pedestrian walkway when opponents realized they could use it to stop the project. The old bridge has a narrow, 98-foot-wide opening that is not aligned with the opening on the new Brightman Street Bridge, which is just 1,100 feet away. That leaves too little room for the tankers to maneuver between them. Shearer said the tankers used on the project would be specially designed and those designs could be modified to allow them to make the trip safely. The Weaver's Cove LNG terminal was approved by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission in 2005 and has the support of various local unions. Company officials argued the project was badly needed to meet the region's growing energy demands. It met fierce opposition in Massachusetts and Rhode Island, which borders the route the tankers would have taken to reach the Fall River site. They vowed to kill the proposal any way possible, and have tried various approaches, including a current fight to have the heavily industrialized former Shell Oil site protected under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. Posted by Jack Perry at 2:02 PM | Comment Red Sox re-sign Mike LowellBY SEAN McADAM BOSTON -- The Red Sox finished their holiday shopping early, re-signing free agent third baseman Mike Lowell today to a three-year deal worth $37.5 million according to someone with direct knowledge of the negotiations. The salary will be $12 million for each of the next three years, with a $1.5 million signing bonus. Lowell's signing means the Sox will return the 2007 team almost in its entirety. Earlier this month, the Sox also re-signed pitcher Curt Schilling to a one-year deal. The Sox had made it clear from the beginning that they were not willing to give Lowell a four-year deal, an approach they had previously taken with Pedro Martinez and Johnny Damon. Lowell attracted various levels of interest from the New York Yankees, Philadelphia Phillies, Los Angeles Dodgers and Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, and at least some of those clubs were apparently willing to go to a fourth year. But Lowell made clear that he would prefer to remain with the Sox. His long-term contract, which paid him $9 million annually, expired after the season. With the 2007 World Series MVP back under contract, the Sox' off-season wish list has shrunk to the depth positions. The Sox could still use a veteran outfielder, a corner infielder and perhaps an upgrade over Doug Mirabelli at the backup catcher position. Posted by Art Martone at 1:58 PM | Comment Update: Man gets 18 years for shaking baby to deathPROVIDENCE – A man accused of shaking his girlfriend’s baby so violently that the child died of internal head injuries was sentenced this morning to 18 years in prison.
-- Journal staff writer John Castellucci Posted by Andrea Panciera at 1:35 PM | Comment Update: Humpback whale freed / Photo, video
A humpback whale has been freed from fishing nets, but may be slightly injured after spending days anchored off the coast of a Westerly beach. After getting loose after 10 o'clock this morning, the whale still had some yellow fishing line or netting wrapped around it and over its back just behind the blowhole. But in a statement from Mystic Aquarium, observers in a helicopter said the whale had already traveled east from Weekapaug to near Blue Shutters Beach, in Charlestown, by about 10:45 a.m. “Once freed," the release read, "he seemed to be swimming fairly well despite the problem.” Representatives from the Mass. -based Center for Coastal Studies said the 30-foot animal seemed a little thin, but would probably be fine after feeding. Scott Landry was out on the water, about a quarter mile off Weekapaug Beach, for more than two hours, working to disentangle the animal, thought to be a juvenile. “He’s a sick little whale,” said Landry, who works with the center on whale rescues. The center worked alongside employees from the state Department of Environmental Management and Mystic Aquarium in nearby Connecticut to free the whale, which was first spotted on Friday, according to Cindy Davis, stranding assistant at the aquarium. “People initially thought it was feeding,” she said. “But we knew something was wrong because the animal was staying in the same place for a long time.” -- projo.com staff writer Brandie M. Jefferson, with reports from Journal staff writer Arline Fleming Posted by Brandie Jefferson at 1:26 PM | Comment Cumberland man is sentenced to eight years in prisonA Cumberland man has been sentenced to eight years in federal prison for illegally having three rifles. A jury in July found him guilty of being a felon in possession of fire arms. Richard Ribeiro, 59, was sentenced Friday by U.S. District Court Judge William E. Smith, according to a news release today from U.S. Attorney Robert Clark Corrente's office. Ribeiro has a past felony narcotics conviction. During the July trial, prosecutor Zechariah Chafee presented evidence that on May 1, 2006, Cumberland police and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives agents used a search warrant to go into Ribeiro’s Macondary Street home. They seized a rifle in a crawl space. After interviewing Ribeiro at the Cumberland police station, an ATF agent went back to Ribeiro’s home and seized a 12-gauge shotgun and a .357 Magnum rifle in another area of crawl space, the news release said. The agent also found .357-caliber ammunition in a dresser drawer. -- projo.com staff writer Michael P. McKinney Posted by Mike McKinney at 1:26 PM | Comment Reporter's query: Seeking Thanksgiving horror storiesHave relatives or friends subjected you to scorched turnips, green beans and Velveeta or burnt turkey at Thanksgiving? Please share your worst Thanksgiving holiday food experiences for publication. Please contact reporter Karen Lee Ziner at kziner@projo.com. Posted by Jack Perry at 11:33 AM | Comment Gas prices up for 5th straight weekThe average price for a gallon of gasoline in Rhode Island has increased for the fifth straight week and is just one cent below the high for the year, according to AAA Southern New England. The average price for a gallon of regular, unleaded gasoline has increased four cents to $3.079 at the self-service pump, according to AAA's weekly survey. The high for the year is $3.089, reached on May 28. The price has climbed 40 cents in the past five weeks. A year ago the price here was $2.239. The average price for gasoline in Rhode Island is two cents below the national average of $3.099. Still, AAA says the high prices aren't expected to deter Thanksgiving travel acrosss the country. AAA estimates that 38.7 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more from home this holiday, a 1.5 percent increase over last year. About 31.2 million are expected to travel by motor vehicle, a 1.3 percent increase over last year. Posted by Jack Perry at 10:56 AM | Comment Police issue warning after Cape Cod heroin deathsFALMOUTH -- Police on upper Cape Cod are warning the public after two deaths linked to what they believe is a lethal mixture of heroin. Within a roughly three-hour span yesterday, police in Falmouth responded to two deaths believed to have been caused by heroin use. Autopsies are planned on the men, aged 38 and 40. Falmouth police say they're unsure whether the deaths are connected to a high-potency drug that led federal authorities to issue a heroin alert last year. That warning involved a powerful version of heroin cut with the painkiller Fentanyl. -- The Associated Press Posted by Jack Perry at 9:56 AM | Comment Reminder: Allens Avenue detour
Don't forget, more Iway construction means more detours. Today, through Wednesday, northbound traffic on Allens Avenue will share one lane of alternating traffic with construction crews as. Southbound traffic on Allens Avenue will follow a detour to Eddy Street and return to Allens at Public Street. The detour will remain through the weekend, and the work will continue today, Tuesday and Wednesday from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Construction crews will be on the street, lowering the grade on Allens Avenue in preparation for placing steel along the avenue as part of the Iway “superstructure” that will bring traffic from Route 195 west to Route 95 north. The steel installation should begin early next year. Posted by Brandie Jefferson at 9:35 AM | Comment 2 firefighters hurt, 5 people displaced by Providence fireTwo firefighters went to the hospital, and five residents were displaced by a fire this morning on Orms Street, Providence, according to the Providence Fire Department. The fire at 421 Orms St was reported at 6:45 a.m. and brought under control around 7:53 a.m., according to James Taylor, chief of communications for the Fire Department. The fire, which is under investigation, caused extensive damage to all three floors of the wood-frame building, Taylor said. Firefighters were evacuated from the building because of the fire's intensity and fought it from outside, he said. One firefighter was taken to Rhode Island Hospital with a burned hand, and another was taken to Roger Williams Hospital with an unknown but apparently minor injury, Taylor said. The Red Cross was called to help the five people, all adults, displaced by the fire, according to Taylor. Everyone was out of the building when firefighters arrived. Posted by Jack Perry at 9:01 AM | Comment Cloudy and a chance of rainThe early morning sun may just be a tease. The National Weather Service is forecasting a cloudy day with a chance of rain this afternoon and a high temperature of 42 degrees. Clouds are expected to stick around overnight, when the temperature drops to 28 degrees. Tomorrow is looking grim, with a slight chance of snow early in the morning, turning to mixed rain and sleet, and then just rain. Clouds all day with a high temperature of about 43. For more weather and regular updates, see projo.com/weather. Posted by Brandie Jefferson at 7:01 AM | Comment Today's front pageToday's front page features a photograph and headline about the Patriots' blowout win in Buffalo and the epilogue to staff writer G. Wayne Miller's series on Bishop Thomas J. Tobin. |
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ProJo 9 to 5 News Blog
Oct 2005 - March 2006