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November 23, 2007

Update: Central Falls celebration turns into arrest fest

CENTRAL FALLS -- On Thursday, friends and family gathered in the three-family house at 161 Lincoln Ave. for what was supposed to be a combined Thanksgiving feast and celebration of Yahaira Ramos’s 18th birthday.

Before it was over, officers from five different police departments had to be called, and one teenager and six adults were arrested, including the young woman marking her birthday, on charges ranging from disorderly conduct to simple assault.

Police Chief Col. Joseph P. Moran III said the celebration turned into a disturbance when partygoers defied police, spilling out into the street and refusing to disperse when they were told the party as over.

No one was seriously hurt, Moran said, but one man was taken to the hospital after being subdued with pepper spray. No shots were fired, but a police officer pulled his firearm after a pit bull was unleashed, Moran said.

“The pit bull (came) out of a room, I guess, and one of the officers took his weapon out to… provide safety for himself and the other officers,” Moran told reporters. “And (he) ended up putting his gun back in his holster once the pit bull was restrained.”

A crowd of about 40 people gathered at the party, which took place in the third-floor apartment and drew people from all three floors.

Police said that, when they asked the party’s organizers around 9:20 p.m. to keep the noise down, Maritza Sierra, 20, and Luis Rodriguez, 19, agreed.

But things got ugly 30 minutes later, when the police returned to 161 Lincoln Ave. after complaints that the party had gotten noisier and people were spilling out into the street.

-- Journal staff writer John Castellucci

At that point, the police said, Sierra and Rodriguez agreed to end the party, but the partygoers refused to leave.

As police were trying to disperse the crowd, a teenage boy began shouting profanities and confronting one of the officers. The officers tried to arrest the boy. He shouted an obscenity and ran into the second-floor apartment.

Three officers followed the boy inside, where about 20 angry partygoers gathered and two men, Juan Ramos, 59, and Victor Medina, 27, tried to block the police from making the arrest. Another man, Luis Ramos, 19, shoved one of the police officers. Harold Diaz, 22, stormed into living room shouting and charged the police officers. He was pepper-sprayed, the police said.

At that point, the pit bull was let loose, the gun was drawn, and the police radioed for assistance. Another burst of pepper spray was unleashed so they could get out of the apartment, the police said.

Outside, Yahaira Ramos struck a police officer in the chest and tried to flee, the police said, when they tried to arrest her.

Ramon Lopez, 24, tried to stop police from putting Yahaira Ramos in a police cruiser and struck the police officer who tried to restrain him, the police said.

Diaz, who was pepper-sprayed, was taken to Memorial Hospital after being issued a summons for disorderly conducted. The teenage boy, who was released in the custody of his mother, was also charged with disorderly conduct.

Everyone else was arrested: Juan Ramos and Victor Medina on charges of obstructing a police officer and disorderly conduct; Luis Ramos on charges of obstructing a police officer and assault; Ramon Lopez and Yahaira Ramos on charges of assaulting a police officer, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest.

Posted by Mike McKinney at 6:52 PM | Comment

Tonight: From Christmas carols to rock and blues

There are still some tickets available to tonight's 8 p.m. performance of A Christmas Carol at Trinity Rep. in Providence. The production runs through Dec. 30. Check the schedule of performances.

For sports fans, the Boston Celtics play tonight. The Baby Bruins play Portland tonight in Providence, at 7:05 p.m. (The Big B's already took to the ice today, beating the Islanders 2-1.)

And for others, there are the staples of any Friday evening: Tunes.

Black & White featuring Gary "Guitar" Gramolini play rhythm and blues at American Legion Post 10, 830 Willett Ave., Riverside. Call 433-9859. 9 p.m.

Steve Burke plays jazz at Li'l Bear Lounge, 983 Main Rd., Tiverton. Call 624-9164. 5 to 9 p.m.

Mary Ellen Casey plays folk at Christmas in the Barn, 30 Middle Rd., East Greenwich. 6 to 9 pm. It's a benefit for the Tomorrow Fund.

Roger Ceresi's All Starz play rhythm and blues at Narragansett Cafe, 25 Narragansett Ave., Jamestown. Call 423-2150. 9 p.m. to 1 am. No cover.

Deer Tick, Wrong Reasons, Brown Bird and Chris Fullerton play rock at AS220, 115 Empire St., Providence. Call 831-9327. 9 p.m. $6. All ages.

Hollywood U2 plays a tribute to Irish rockers U2 at Twin River, Lighthouse Bar, 100 Twin River Rd., Lincoln. 723-3200, Call (800) 720-7275, www.twinriver.com. 9 p.m. No cover. 18+.

In the Groove plays rhythm and blues at Newport Blues Cafe, 286 Thames St., Newport. 841-5510, www.newportblues.com. 9 pm. $10.

Check out the Journal's club listings for more shows tonight.

And find more events and movie listings for the weekend on our calendar.

Posted by Mike McKinney at 6:40 PM | Comment

Photo: Scooping up scones at Block Island stroll

Journal photo / Bill Murphy
Block Island resident Pat Doyle, left, sells scones to Linda Kulick of Collinsville, Conn., today during the annual Christmas Shopping Stoll on Block Island. The stroll, though chilly, is seen as a quiet alternative to the frenzy of Black Friday at the malls. The stroll continues through Sunday. More tomorrow in The Providence Journal and on projo.com...

Posted by Andrea Panciera at 5:10 PM | Comment

Update: Buying local could make or break the tree

AP photo
Workers prepare a balsam fir for transport to Washington, D.C., after it was cut down in the Green Mountain National Forest in Somerset, Vt., a week ago. The tree will serve as the official Christmas tree at the U.S. Capitol.

The cost of a Christmas tree this season might depend on where it's coming from.

Higher gas prices are leading to costlier Christmas trees, and weather changes may affect their needles, the Associated Press reported today.

But a Rhode Island Christmas tree farm co-owner who heads the state Christmas tree growers association said if people buy trees grown locally, they shouldn't be much affected by higher prices and shedding predicted for trees from out of state.

Instead, Jane Durning said Rhode Island's wet spring should have a positive effect.

"The wet spring we had ... was actually very good for the Christmas trees that are saleable this year," said Durning, president of the Rhode Island Christmas Tree Growers Association.

She added: "If consumers go out [to buy trees grown locally] they are going to find gorgeous Christmas trees now. If they go to some place where they bought those trees from out of state, those are going to be dry and suffer some issues from the drought season."

By buying locally, she added, "It's going to save the farm and you know you are getting the freshest product you can possibly get."

The manager of the self-proclaimed biggest Christmas tree auction in the country, in Pennsylvania, says buyers should prepare to pay a bit more this year. Fuel costs drove prices up about 10 percent over last year for the nearly 40,000 trees sold Tuesday at the auction.

The trees may cost more, but auction officials say you can also expect more shedding of needles due to the extended and dry fall season.

The National Christmas Tree Association says Americans purchased nearly 29 million Christmas trees last year. That's down from about 33 million in 2005.

For a look at some of the Christmas tree farms in Rhode Island, visit the Rhode Island Christmas Tree Growers Association Web site.

You'll also find tips there for selecting and caring for a tree, plus a history of Christmas trees. (And see if you can guess the name of the song that plays when you open the Web site's home page.)

-- projo.com staff writer Michael P. McKinney and The Associated Press

Posted by Mike McKinney at 3:57 PM | Comment

Barry official as QDC's director of finance

NORTH KINGSTOWN -- The major changes in leadership at the agency that runs the state-owned Quonset Business Park are continuing.

At its last meeting, on Nov. 19, the Quonset Development Corporation board appointed Kevin M. Barry as director of finance. Barry, an 11-year employee, most recently held the title of controller.

Barry is replacing Mary Lake, who resigned on Sept. 1, according to QDC spokeswoman Dyana Koelsch. He has been serving as Lake's interim replacement.

"I was pleased with what some of the board members had to say," Barry said after the recent board meeting. "I'm able to keep doing what I've been doing."

The EDC hired Barry in 1996 as the facility controller at Quonset, a 3,000-acre former Navy base in North Kingstown that is now used by the state to attract new businesses to Rhode Island and to promote job growth at local companies.

In July, Saul Kaplan, the head of the state Economic Development Corporation and chairman of the Quonset board, dismissed Quonset's chief executive officer, W. Geoffrey Grout. He appointed chief operating officer Steven J. King as the interim CEO.

-- Journal staff writer Benjamin N. Gedan

Posted by Mike McKinney at 3:45 PM | Comment

Central Falls councilor, accused of sex assault, quits

CENTRAL FALLS -- A week after saying he wouldn’t resign, the City Council member accused of sexually assaulting a 15-year-old boy stepped down today, declaring that his presence was distracting the council from important business work.

Ward 4 City Councilor Luis A. Gil, who had adamantly refused to resign, changed his mind after Monday night’s council meeting, where coverage by news media focused on the fact that he didn’t show up, his lawyer, Richard Corley said.

Gil maintains his innocence and his decision to resign no has bearing on the criminal case, Corley said. “He’ll have his day in court and no one should rush to judgment.”

City Council President William Benson Jr. said that Gil is doing the right thing, but should have done it sooner.

When Gil, 45, was arrested two weeks ago on a third-degree sexual assault charge, Mayor Charles Moreau called upon him to resign, and Benson supported the mayor in that call.

As long as Gil remained in office, there was the risk the council would be tarnished by the allegations against him, Benson said.

The allegations arose Nov. 12, when Gil, a well-known Latino radio personality, was found by Providence Police with a 15-year-old boy in his car on lover’s lane near the Henderson Bridge.

-- Journal staff writer John Castellucci

The boy, who had a bruise on his neck he said Gil gave him, was in the back seat buttoning his jeans and trying to put his shirt on, the police said. Gil, who was the boy’s soccer coach, was in the driver’s seat with his pants pulled down below his knees, according to the police.

Gil said in his letter of resignation, “We live in the best country in the world, where those accused of crimes, like myself, have the right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty.”

“I look forward to my day in court,” Gil wrote.

He closed by wishing his colleagues on the council “the very best."

Posted by Mike McKinney at 3:44 PM | Comment

Update: R.I. man., rescued from burning car, critical

A Rhode Island man rescued from a burning car early Thanksgiving morning in Attleboro, Mass., suffered burns and is in critical condition today at Rhode Island Hospital in Providence.

Shortly after 4:40 a.m. yesterday, Dominateur Bernier, 43, was rescued when a man on Carrier Avenue, in the southern section of Attleboro, heard an engine racing. The resident went outside and saw the stationary car smoking from the front, according to the Attleboro police.

The man went back inside, got his uncle, and they worked to extinguish the fire and rescued the man from the car, which was engulfed in flames, according to police reports, Attleboro police Sgt. James Keane said.

The man and his uncle called Attleboro police and firefighters, Keane said.

A check of public records lists Bernier's most recent address as Central Falls, as does a report on the rescue in today's Attleboro Sun Chronicle. Keane said today that a police report listed Bernier as being from Cumberland.

-- projo.com staff writer Michael P. McKinney

Posted by Mike McKinney at 3:23 PM | Comment

Update: Gift of giving warms body and soul / Photo

Journal photo / Gretchen Ertl Al Moquin, 91, of Pawtucket, gets help from volunteers during the Neighborhood Alliance of Pawtucket's Warm a Heart Buy Nothing Coat Day at the Pawtucket Visitor's Center. "If a storm comes up, I am all set," said Al.

PROVIDENCE -- Hundreds of Rhode Islanders celebrated Buy Nothing Day by donating and receiving winter coats at the 11th annual Buy Nothing Coat Exchange held on the day after Thanksgiving.

This year, the coat exchange was held in four venues around the state, in Newport, Wakefield, Pawtucket and in downtown Providence on the South Lawn of the State House in the shadow of the Providence Place mall, which was filled with holiday shoppers.

The coat exchange was the largest in the 11 years it has been run at the State House lawn, said Greg Gerritt, co-founder and organizer of the event. This year more than 60 community organizations, churches, and other agencies, including the state police contributed coats and volunteered to help distribute them.

Well over 1,000 coats were given to the needy by volunteers who dropped off coats. Some people stopped in their cars and handed coats out car windows to waiting volunteers.

Hundreds who cannot afford winter coats lined up for them. Particularly popular were coats for children.

"Thank God for places like this," said Heather Vieira, who is unemployed, said she is living in an East Providence shelter, with two children ages 5 and 3.

Buy Nothing Day is recognized by community and activist groups around the world. The Rhode Island Green Party sponsored the first observance in the Ocean State.

-- Journal staff writer Scott MacKay

Posted by Brandie Jefferson at 1:35 PM | Comment

A few mountains get early start on ski season

Although mild weather ushered in Thanksgiving, many New Englanders may have colder climes on their minds.

Ski enthusiasts know that some of the region's resorts are already open this weekend.

While they are largely dependent on snowmaking this time of year, a few mountains from Maine to Massachusetts say they have slopes open for business.

Take a look at projo.com's ski conditions report to see who's open, what they've got on the ground, and when other mountains around New England, and the country will open this year.

Posted by Andrea Panciera at 1:15 PM | Comment

Cyber Monday: The next big thing?

Shoppers looking for bargains beat the sun this morning, heading to malls as early as midnight to ring in the unofficial start of the holiday shopping season.

But as Black Friday winds down, shoppers may be looking for the next shopping-themed day to spend.

Cyber Monday is the phrase coined in 2005 by the National Retail Federation to describe the Monday after Thanksgiving, and it’s being touted as the official start of the online shopping season.

But while Black Friday is often the busiest day of the year for stores, Cyber Monday doesn’t even make the top 10, according to the ShopperTrak Retail Traffic Index.

ShopperTrak, a Chicago-based firm that conducts market research for the retail industry, predicts that this year Black Friday will be the busiest shopping day, followed by “Super Saturday,” Dec. 22.

After that, the top shopping days work backwards from late December, with tomorrow rounding out the list at number 10.

Kathy Grannis at NRSF, said the organization doesn’t keep tabs on Cyber Monday sales, which “don’t have anything to do” with Black Friday sales.

According to a press release, the organization coined the term after noticing a trend in online shopping that begins the Monday after Thanksgiving.

Click below to see the Traffic Index's predictions for the top shopping days this year.

-- projo.com staff writer Brandie M. Jefferson

1 -- Black Friday Nov. 23
2 -- Super Saturday Dec. 22
3 -- Saturday Dec. 15
4 -- Friday Dec. 21
5 -- Sunday Dec. 23
6 -- Wednesday Dec. 26
7 -- Saturday Dec. 8
8 -- Saturday Dec. 1
9 -- Thursday Dec. 20
10 -- Saturday Nov. 24

These results come from a survey of more than 50,000 retail and enclosed malls throughout the country.

Posted by Brandie Jefferson at 12:54 PM | Comment

'Midnight madness' at Wrentham stores comes true

WRENTHAM, Mass. -- "Midnight Madness" lived up to its billing at the Wrentham Village Premium Outlets.

Most of the 170 stores in the mall opened their doors at midnight, and motorists trying to reach the outlets reportedly created a four-hour traffic jam on Routes 1A and 495 in the area near Rhode Island's northern border.

When they finally arrived, many shoppers found the parking lot full and had to leave their cars on the grass, creating further chaos.

Long lines were also reported outside other stores in Massachusetts that opened their doors to shoppers at 5 a.m. on so-called "Black Friday," the morning after Thanksgiving.

The Retailers Association of Massachusetts forecasts a 2.2 percent increase in holiday sales compared with last year. The state forecast is more pessimistic than the National Retail Federation's projection of a four percent increase nationwide.

-- Associated Press

Posted by Andrea Panciera at 12:39 PM | Comment

There's another way: Buy nothing, give instead

There may be sales at Providence Place mall today, but across the street, volunteers have coats on hand for a better price -- free.

The 11th annual Buy Nothing Day Coat Exchange takes place this morning -- as it has for 11 years -- on Black Friday, one of the two busiest shopping days of the year for American retailers.

In the shadow of the mall, the event stands in sharp contrast to Black Friday by giving away coats, sweaters, hats, books and other used good for free to anyone who stops by.

Buy Nothing Day is recognized by community and activist groups around the world. The Rhode Island Green Party sponsored the first observance in the Ocean State.

Since then, more than 60 community groups have pitched in, donating supplies and clothes, and spreading the word about the event which takes place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the State House lawn.

Posted by Brandie Jefferson at 10:02 AM | Comment

Birthday party goes bad; 5 arrested in Central Falls

Five adults were arrested last night at what police say was a birthday party that turned violent.

Central Falls police arrived at 161 Lincoln Ave. at about 10 p.m. last night where a young woman was having an 18th birthday party.

Five adults were arrested, including the guest of honor, and they face several charges, including disorderly conduct, assault, and resisting arrest, according to Sgt. James Mendonca.

Police will not release the suspects' names, but say that the five are due in court this morning.

Posted by Brandie Jefferson at 8:51 AM | Comment

Weekend forecast: Cold and windy

It's almost like it was planned.

Yesterday, the clouds parted for a few hours, and we had spring-like weather as if just for the holiday.

The holiday has passed, and so has the weather. The National Weather Service is forecasting a high temperature just in the mid 40s today. The skies should be sunny, but cold, northwest winds could gust up to 25 mph.

The winds persist tonight, when the temperature drops to about 20 degrees.

Tomorrow should be sunny again, but colder, with the temperature just reaching 40. Saturday night the temperature should drop to the mid 20s.

Sunday looks a bit warmer than Saturday, with highs in the upper 40s, sunny skies, and a return of the wind gusts, up to 25 mph.

Saturday-night skies will be partly cloudy, with temperatures around 30.

And those returning from a long weekend Monday will be met with clouds, possible rain, and a high temperature in the high 40s.

Posted by Brandie Jefferson at 8:30 AM | Comment

Black Friday starts when it's still dark

PROVIDENCE -- For some, it was done by 6 a.m

As the sun rose, a few shoppers dotted the streets with brightly colored bags from stores at Providence Place mall.

One shopper, who asked to remain nameless out of guilt for shopping on Black Friday-- so-called because it can be the day when heavy shopping puts retailers' accounts in the black -- said she couldn't sleep, so at 4 a.m., she hit the stores.

And workers who prepared for the early-morning openings were met with a small crowd. The mall never shuts its doors, allowing about 100 shoppers to start buying the moment the stores opened.

But Kelly Allard was one of the luckier employees.

Her store isn't set to open until 8 a.m. She and a co-worker were unusually bubbly for 7 a.m., chatting and laughing as they rode an escalator to the top floor.

"This is one of the funnest days to work," she said to a reporters amazement.

"You've got mothers, 10 sisters, nephews, brothers ... it's a family day."

By 7 a.m. there were more than 500 people looking for sales on goods for the holidays and, no doubt, for themselves. It's 50-50, her co-worker said, taking on the voice of a Black Friday shopper. "One for you, one for me."

"It's not like Christmas Eve," Allard said, when the pressure is on to find something -- anything.

But working on Dec. 24 does have advantage over today, she said.

"We know, after that, it's all over."

-- projo.com staff writer Brandie M. Jefferson

Posted by Brandie Jefferson at 7:38 AM | Comment

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A high school football photo and a story about the Route 95 bridge in Pawtucket lead today's Journal.
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Posted by Peter Phipps at 6:45 AM | Comment