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November 30, 2007

Tonight: Memory House opens at Trinity Rep.

Opening tonight at Trinity Repertory Company in Providence is a production of Memory House. The play starts at 8 p.m. It is a pay-what-you-can night before regular prices kick in. The tickets tonight go on sale at 7 p.m.

A blurb on the Trinity Rep. Web site describes it this way:

"Maggie’s always tried to do the right things. But her dance career has been replaced by the grind of office-work, her ex-husband has found a younger model, and now her 18-year-old daughter Katia is questioning everything as her college application deadline looms -- especially her adoption from Russia."

Read a preview of the show from Journal arts writer Channing Gray.

The play runs through Jan. 6.

Posted by Mike McKinney at 7:00 PM | Comment

FCC OKs TV stations' sale to investors group with R.I. ties

WASHINGTON -- The Federal Communications Commission has approved the $1.3 billion sale of 35 television stations owned by Clear Channel Communication Inc. to Newport Television LLC, a private equity group, subject to certain conditions.

Newport is an investment group controlled by Rhode Island-based Providence Equity Partners. The sale will result in a violation of FCC ownership rules in nine markets and will require the divestiture of several stations. The agency announced the decision Thursday night.

The sale was conducted within the context of a much larger plan that will take Clear Channel private. The San Antonio, Texas-based company is the nation’s largest operator of radio stations. Last month, shareholders approved the $19.5 billion sale of the company to a private equity group led by Thomas H. Lee Partners LP and Bain Capital Partners LLC for $39.20 per share.

The sale of the 35 television stations will mean the new owner will be out of compliance with FCC rules that limit the number of stations one company may own in a single market. The market areas include Bakersfield, San Francisco, Santa Barbara, Fresno and Monterey in California; Salt Lake City; Albany, New York; Jacksonville, Fla., and San Antonio, Texas.

The companies asked the FCC for waivers to operate the stations for six months until it comes into compliance with the rules. The FCC granted waivers in eight of the nine markets, denying the request for Albany.

Providence also owns a stake in Spanish language network Univision Communications Inc. and Freedom Communications Holdings Inc. and is in violation of the newspaper-broadcast station cross-ownership rule in five markets. Providence has said it would divest properties in those markets but has yet to do so, blaming “volatile conditions” in the credit markets.

As part of its reasoning for granting the waivers, the agency in its decision noted the larger sale, which will result in Clear Channel spinning off a number of radio stations.

-- The Associated Press

When Clear Channel announced the buyout in November 2006, it said it would sell 448 of its 1,150 radio stations, all located in smaller markets, in deals separate from the larger transaction.

Democratic FCC commissioner Michael Copps, an outspoken opponent of the consolidation of ownership in the media, filed the lone dissent to the transaction.

“No one should be under any illusion that Clear Channel’s sale of its 35 full-power stations strikes a blow for de-consolidation,” he wrote. After the deal closes, Providence will have “attributable interests in a whopping 86 television stations and 99 radio stations in the United States” among other media properties, he added.

Copps questioned the recent trend of public media companies being taken private, and asked whether the FCC has enough information about the ownership and control of such groups to determine whether such transactions are in the public interest.

Posted by Mike McKinney at 6:35 PM | Comment

Pop Warner team gets money to play in championship

PROVIDENCE -- The Mount Hope Cowboys Pop Warner football team has gotten the financial help it needs to get to the national Pop Warner championship in Florida, Mayor David N. Cicilline and City Councilman Kevin Jackson announced today.

Cicilline and Jackson said they raised $12,000 to send the team -- Northeast champions -- to the national tournament in Orlando. The release says the team enlisted the mayor's help to lead the money-raising effort.

A boost came from "a major contribution" from the New England Patriots, which Cicilline's office said responded to the mayor's request.

Players ages 11 to 13 play on the Mount Hope football team. They won the regional title on Sunday over the Millbury-Sutton Raiders of Massachusetts. They previously defeated teams from New Hampshire and Connecticut.

“I am incredibly proud of the Mount Hope Cowboys and I wanted to make sure that limited resources did not prevent the team from competing in the national championships,” Cicilline said in the statement. “I want to thank these generous organizations for answering the call. Their quick show of support speaks volumes about the spirit of community among businesses and other organizations in Providence.”

Along with the Patriots' contribution, "gifts" came from the city Department of Recreation, the Vincent Brown Recreation Center Support Fund, Ocean State Job Lot, Dunkin’ Donuts, Sodexho, Aramark, and Walgreens, which will also provide travel bags to the players.

-- projo.com staff writer Michael P. McKinney

Posted by Mike McKinney at 6:20 PM | Comment

In W. Greenwich, it's lights, cameras and family barn

WEST GREENWICH -- A local movie crew is expected to wrap up filming in West Greenwich of “Tanner Hall,” an independent film created by two Brown University graduates Tatiana von Fustenberg and Francesca Gregorini.

Filming began on Tuesday at Mishnock Barn, adjacent to Lake Mishnock near the Coventry line, town officials confirmed.

Danny Albro, whose family owns the barn and some of the land around the lake, leased the grounds for the film’s parking lot and club scenes, he said. Albro said the intent was to make the area look like a fall festival. The crew has been going around shooting in various locations around the state.

According to town officials, the entire area is set up like a carnival, complete with a merry-go-round, a Ferris wheel, a cotton-candy machine, and other arcade-style equipment and games.

“When I was down there Wednesday night, it looked like Washington County Fair,’’ said Town Manager Kevin A. Breene. “It’s well off the road. It’s quite impressive.”

The area is zoned commercial and film crews don’t need local permits to go on the land. Albro said the intent was to make the area look like a fall festival. The crew has been going around shooting in various locations around the state.

-- Journal staff writer Lisa Vernon-Sparks

Posted by Mike McKinney at 5:57 PM | Comment

Photo: He wants Christmas in Cranston display

Journal photo/Andrew Dickerman
Cranston resident Jack Larney, 66, carries a poster of the Nativity in front of Cranston City Hall today to protest Mayor Michael T. Napolitano's decision to exclude religious symbols from this year's City Hall holiday display. Four years after former Mayor Stephen P. Laffey made national headlines with a garish holiday display that sparked a debate over the separation of church and state — and the boundaries of good taste — the city’s new chief is taking a more restrained approach. But Larney objects to the change, saying it represents the loss of the true meaning of Christmas, the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ.

-- With reports from Journal staff writer David Scharfenberg

Posted by Andrea Panciera at 5:15 PM | Comment

R.I. Guardsmen head to Fort Benning, then Iraq

Six Rhode Island Army National Guard members will leave for Fort Benning, Ga., tomorrow ahead of deployment to Iraq.

The six members are from Company D, 126th Theater Aviation, and will take their C-23 Sherpa transport aircraft to Iraq for the unit's second deployment since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. The unit's headquarters is Quonset National Guard Base.

The unit was last in Iraq from December 2005 to November 2006. The unit won recognition as the Army’s Fixed Wing Unit of the Year in 2006. Most members being deployed were deployed with the unit in 2005-2006.

A departure ceremony is tomorrow at 9 a.m. at the Army Aviation Support Facility, Hangar 2, 104 Airport St., North Kingstown. The public is invited.

-- projo.com staff writer Michael P. McKinney

Posted by Mike McKinney at 4:35 PM | Comment

Two Mass. men arrested on crack cocaine charges

Two Massachusetts men were arrested on crack cocaine charges last night after a motor vehicle stop on Route 95 in Richmond.

Paul A. Pitts, 39, of 204 Sycamore St., Holbrook, and John F. Burke Jr., 38, of 62 Constitution Ave., Abington, were each charged with possession of crash cocaine, a state police news release said today.

Pitts was also charged with driving under the influence-narcotics, refusal to submit to a chemical test-blood, and driving while in possession of a controlled substance.

The men, who were arrested at 8:50 p.m., were held at the state police Hope Valley barracks pending District Court arraignment, the police said.

-- projo.com staff writer Michael P. McKinney

Posted by Mike McKinney at 4:21 PM | Comment

Narragansetts' Brown protests Treaty Rock Farm deal

LITTLE COMPTON -- Not everyone was happy with the recent deal to protect Treaty Rock Farm.

John Brown, historic preservation officer for the Narragansett Indian tribe, attended today’s news conference announcing the deal and declared the land arrangement “illegal, suspicious and sneaky.”

He said usually when federal funds are used to purchase development rights for land that has Native American history, the associating tribe is contacted. Brown said the Narragansett tribe should have been consulted on this venture and wasn’t.

“We have a serious problem here,” he said. “What they’ve done they cannot do.”

The tribe member said three federal acts require tribes to be notified when such deals are made. His tribe wasn’t aware of the pact, however, until a National Conservation Resource Service official called them this morning. Brown said he immediately called U.S. Sen. Jack Reed -- who was supposed to appear at today’s affair, but had a last-minute change of plans -- and didn’t get a response. He believes Reed didn’t come primarily because of Narragansetts’ complaints.

The Journal could not reach Reed.

The tribe is asking the federal funds be withdrawn and suspend the deal until the tribe is included, Brown said. He said there isn’t any way for those involved to fully know what is sacred, historical and important to the tribe without their input.

-- Journal staff writer Alisha A. Pina

At the news conference he confronted representatives of the conservation agencies and state officials, including Michael Sullivan, director of the state Department of Environmental Management.

“There is tribal history on this farm, it’s called Treaty Rock Farm for a reason,” Brown said to those within earshot. Pointing toward Sullivan, he continued, “This gentleman told me it’s a done deal and it’s not a done deal without me. I am the tribe in these matters. With this [alleged illegal deal], I wonder what else the tribe is being left out of.”

“For us not to know about this is unheard-of.”

Few commented publicly on Brown’s concerns. John Berg, of The Nature Conservancy, said he has questions about Brown’s objections, especially because the tribe historically connected to Little Compton is the Wampanoag tribe and not the Narragansett tribe.

Published town history says Little Compton originally belonged to the Wampanoag tribe, who were led by Awashonks, the sister of Metacom (commonly known as King Philip). They called the area Sakonnet. Treaty Rock Farm is the site on which she signed a 1676 peace pact with colonist Benjamin Church.

“Our goal was to protect the place for everyone,” Berg said. “That’s what we did.”

Posted by Mike McKinney at 4:13 PM | Comment

OSHA may fine Smithfield contractor $116,200

The federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration announced it is proposing $116,200 in fines against a Smithfield contractor -- with a history of violations -- for failing to provide cave-in protection for employees at three Rhode Island job sites.

OSHA said in a news release it has cited John Rocchio Corp. for alleged "willful and serious violations of safety standards" after inspecting East Greenwich and North Kingstown work sites.

"On all three occasions, the company was reminded of its responsibility to provide cave-in protection, yet we repeatedly found employees working in imminent danger situations," Patrick Griffin, OSHA area director in Providence, said in the statement. "Equally disturbing is the fact that we have cited this employer six times in the past 10 years for this same type of hazard, and this behavior has not changed."

The company has 15 days from receipt of its citations to ask for and participate in an informal cofnerencw with OSHA or to contest the citations before the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

All digs of 5 feet or deeper must be guarded because walls in such excavations can collapse suddenly, "burying employees beneath tons of soil and debris before they have a chance to react or escape," OSHA said.

-- projo.com staff writer Michael P. McKinney

For the lack of cave protection, OSHA said it gave two "willful citations" and one "serious citation," which carry a total of $109,200 in proposed fines. OSHA said it also issued three serious citations, with $7,000 in fines, for there being more than 2 feet of a trench's sidewall explosed below the trench box; letting an empoyee in a dig to work without a hardhat; and "not properly shoring a telephone pole adjacent to an excavation."

OSHA said a willful violation is committed with "plain indifference to or intentional disregard for employee safety and health.' A serious citation is given when a death or serious physical harm is likely to result "from a hazard about which the employer knew or should have known."

Posted by Mike McKinney at 3:43 PM | Comment

Alert: 2 Clinton volunteers held hostage in N.H.

ROCHESTER, N.H. - A man claiming to have a bomb was holding one or more hostages at Hillary Clinton's campaign office today, police said. The man had what appeared to be a bomb strapped to himself, said Bill Shaheen, a top state campaign official. The two hostages were volunteers, Shaheen said.

"We are in close contact with state and local authorities and are acting at their direction," Clinton said in a statement. "We will release additional details as appropriate."

The man ordered the hostages onto the floor and then released a mother and her baby, said State Police Maj. Michael Hambrook. Two campaign volunteers were still being held, said Bill Shaheen, a top state campaign official.

Witness Lettie Tzizik told television station WMUR of Manchester that she spoke to the woman shortly after she was released and that she was crying, holding the infant.

"She said, 'You need to call 911. A man has just walked into the Clinton office, opened his coat and showed us a bomb strapped to his chest with duct tape," Tzizik said.

Clinton was scheduled to give an address at the Democratic National Committee meeting in Vienna, Va., Friday afternoon, but DNC Chairman Howard Dean announced from the podium that Clinton would not speak.

Get the latest from the Associated Press ...

Posted by Andrea Panciera at 3:04 PM | Comment

Status of state worker layoffs' today unclear

PROVIDENCE – Today is supposed to be D-Day for the dozens of state employees who received layoffs notices two weeks ago.

By mid-day today, however, it remained unclear how many were, in fact, packing up to leave and how many had initiated a months-long process that would allow them to “bump’’ into a job held by another less senior employee.

No immediate answers were available this morning on the status of Governor Carcieri’s vow to eliminate 1,000-plus jobs to save $100 million to help stave off a projected deficit of up to $450 million during the year that begins on July 1.

And the numbers on how many people had received layoff notices dropped slightly from where they were at last report by the administration.

But Carcieri spokesman Jeff Neal said as of today 154 layoff notices have gone out; another 330 state workers have been notified their jobs may be abolished or “privatized’’ in the future.

In addition, the administration says it has put 168 temporary workers – also known as contract employees – on notice that, in the event they are still here, their jobs will end on June 30.

Rounding out the administration’s count are reported plans to leave vacant the jobs of a presumed 487 state employees who leave voluntarily by June 30. If all of those assumptions pan out, the state will have eliminated 1,139 of the 15,000-plus state employees and 660 contractors who, at last report, were working for state government.

-- Journal staff writer Katherine Gregg

Neal confirmed the administration has offered state employees whose positions are being eliminated “the opportunity to remain in state service until the end of the current fiscal year if they agree to retire by June 30.

“Governor Carcieri’s plan to reduce the size of the state workforce has always been designed to save money in the fiscal year that begins on July 1, 2008…Allowing people to retire by the end of this fiscal year would still enable the state to achieve this goal. It would also allow the state to avoid the expenses associated with bumping, unemployment costs, and 90 days of health care coverage for employees who choose to retire,’’ he said.

But, “that said, only four affected employees have chosen to take that option.’’

At this point, Neal said, “we currently expect that the majority of state employees with statutory status will bump into filled positions. As a result, while that employee may still be employed by the state at the end of this process, another currently unidentified employee will not.’’

In the end, he said, the administration expects the process "will result in savings.''

Read the full story ...

Posted by Andrea Panciera at 2:44 PM | Comment

World AIDS Day: Fundraising dance, dinner

Feel like dancing? Well then you’re in luck.

Youth United for Global Action (YUGA) is hosting a 5-hour dance-a-thon tomorrow, World AIDS Day.

The event, sponsored by Plan USA, will raise money for the group’s HIV/AIDS program in Uganda. Dancers need to register, but anyone can come and sponsor a dancer, make a donation or just pay the $10 cover.

According to YUGA, 100 percent of donations will be used to help fund secondary education, AIDS-related workshops, vocational training and other support programs for young people affected by AIDS.

The dance-a-thon is at the Loom Studio, 69 Eagle St, Providence. It starts at 7 p.m. and goes until midnight – so wear comfortable shoes.

The fundraising begins tonight, though, at a sold-out dinner sponsored by AIDS Project RI where the Red Ribbon Community Service Awards will be presented.

Honorees include David Abbott, Dr. Anne DeGroot, Sen. Rhoda Perry and Rep. Thomas Slater, among others.

There will also be a silent auction and a performance by the Providence Gay Men's Chorus.

-- projo.com staff writer Brandie M. Jefferson

Posted by Brandie Jefferson at 2:30 PM | Comment

Farmers' market moves inside as winter's bite arrives

With winter air pretty much upon us, an every-Saturday indoor farmer’s market kicks off tomorrow from noon to 3 p.m. at AS220, 115 Empire St., Providence.

At farmfresh.org, it says the Providence Wintertime Farmers Market promises winter-long "lettuces, arugula, bok choi, kale, collards, cabbage, chard, apples, cider, potatoes, sweet potatoes, onions, leeks, garlic, radishes, chilis, fresh herbs, beets, carrots, parsnips, turnips, winter squash, oysters, beef, pork, Narragansett Creamery cheese, eggs, honey, maple syrup."

This month, too, there will be wreaths, trees, cauliflower, and broccoli. Come March, there will be maple syrup.

Good timing. The high temperature in the area tomorrow is forecast to be 31 degrees. The low: 12 degrees. But it will be a clear day, though that's, um, cold comfort.

Posted by Mike McKinney at 12:47 PM | Comment

Appeals court to hear Urciuoli, Driscoll arguments

Oral arguments are scheduled for Monday in the First Circuit Court of Appeals, Boston, in the case of two former top Roger Williams Medical Center officials convicted of paying a state senator to carry out the hospital's agenda at the State House.

Robert Urciuoli, who was medical center president, and Frances P. Driscoll, who was a senior vice president, were convicted in October 2006. They're both arguing that instructions U.S. District Court Judge Ernest C. Torres gave to jurors before deliberations prejudiced the case.

Former state Sen. John A. Celona, a North Providence Democrat, was hired to a supposed job at an assisted living center and nursing home linked to the medical center. Prosecutors alleged that Celona's $700 to $1,000 weekly salary was payment to stop legislation that ran against the hospital's interests.

Arguments will be heard at about 10:15 a.m.

In September, prosecutors told the appeals court that the trial judge gave correct jury instructions.

Federal prosecutors have been conducting a broad probe of alleged State House corruption. Most recently, Gerard M. Martineau, the former house majority leader, pleaded guilty to two felony charges.

-- projo.com staff writer Michael P. McKinney

Posted by Mike McKinney at 12:11 PM | Comment

Calif. man gets 5 1/2 years in bank-card scam

A California man faces deportation after agreeing to plead guilty to taking part in a scheme to steal bank-card information from supermarket customers in Rhode Island.

Arutyun Shatarevyan, 21, of Los Angeles, was sentenced yesterday in federal court to 66 months in prison for his role in the scheme earlier this year that siphoned $132,000 from the accounts of Stop & Shop customers in Rhode Island.

He will have to serve at least 85 percent of that sentence, or roughly 56 months, before he’s eligible for release, according to his lawyer Alex R. Kessel.

The chance that Shatarevyan will be deported is “very high,” Kessel said, after a hearing this morning in U.S. District Court. Shatarevyan emigrated from Armenia to the U.S. as a boy.

In sentencing Shatarevyan, U.S. District Court Judge William E. Smith noted the Californian “didn’t appear to be the ringleader of the operation,” which played out at Stop & Shop supermarkets in Rhode Island and Massachusetts.

Shatavyan and three other Californians were arrested by state and Coventry police Feb. 26 at the Stop & Shop on Tiogue Avenue in Coventry where, federal and state authorities said, the four had gone to retrieve a checkout lane PIN pad rigged to capture shoppers' financial-account information.

Videotape evidence linked the men to 1,100 account thefts at Stop & Shops in Providence, Cranston and Coventry, and ultimately, to ATM withdrawals made in California, according to federal officials. The men removed or tried to remove original PIN pads from at least six stores in Rhode Island and Massachusetts.

The men were living in California before they flew to Rhode Island in early February.

Two of the men, Arman Ter-Esayan, and Gevork Baltadjian, have already been sentenced in the case.

Ter-Esayan, 22, of Valley Glen, was sentenced to six years in federal prison for conspiracy to commit fraud and aggravated identity theft.

Baltadjian, 20, of Winnetka, was sentenced to 61 months in prison for playing a "minor" role in the scheme that siphoned $132,000 from the accounts of Stop & Shop customers in Rhode Island.

Sentencing for Mikael Stepanian, 28, of Studio City, is set for Dec. 6.

-- Journal staff writer Paul Grimaldi

Posted by Jack Perry at 12:05 PM | Comment

Craftland show: Where function meets fantasy

PROVIDENCE -- Feeling crafty?

Even if you’re not up to the task of sewing, gluing, screen printing or welding, you can still send out homemade holiday cards and stock your closet with crocheted goods.

Crafts galore can be found at Craftland, which kicks off this evening with an opening party and a chance to score some free goodies if you get there early.

The 6th annual craft fair will feature doo-dads, tchochkes and nick-knacks from more than 150 artists in Rhode Island and beyond. Practical and whimsical, the fair is self-described as a place “Where Function Meets Fantasy.”

The window at 235 Westminster St. is already offering a glimpse not only into what crafts will be available, but the ethos behind them.

A dedication to the former Lupo’s nightclub, which used to occupy the space and featured murals of dead rock stars, adorns the wall. The current window display references the spirit with paintings and photographs different music icons, including Wendy O. Williams of Plasmatics fame and Lee Hazlewood – country and pop-music songwriter-musician-singer.

See what DIY artists of a different type can do at Craftland, today through Dec. 22, Wed. – Sun., 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.; Th. and Sat., 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.

Can't wait or can't make it? Visit projo.com's new Holidays blog, where projo.com staffer Donna McGarry, an avid crafter, will be offerings tips on decorating for the holidays and more.

-- projo.com staff writer Brandie M. Jefferson

Posted by Brandie Jefferson at 11:57 AM | Comment

Former Mass. selectman sentenced to five years

A former Massachusetts selectman who attempted to lure a 15-year-old girl over the Internet to meet for sex was sentenced today in U.S. District Court to serve 5 years in federal prison.

William Christensen, 61, of Southborough, Mass., pleaded guilty in August to using the internet to entice a minor for sex and interstate travel for sexual conduct with a minor.

At the plea hearing, Assistant U.S. Attorney Terrence P. Donnelly said if there had been a trial, prosecutors would have proved that in May 2006 a parent told Rhode Island state police that she had seen inappropriate sexual overtures in an online chat room.

A detective posed as a 15-year-old girl and, prosecutors said, became involved in conversations with Christensen, who arranged a meeting for sex at an East Providence apartment complex.

When Christensen, a former Southborough selectman, arrived at the complex, he was arrested by state police detectives.

He was ordered to report to prison on Dec. 28; until then, Christensen in on home confinement.

-- projo.com staff writer Brandie M. Jefferson

Posted by Brandie Jefferson at 10:27 AM | Comment

Ex-C. Falls councilman faces new sex abuse charges

A former Central Falls councilman who was arrested when the police found him partially dressed with a 15-year-old boy in his back seat faces new charges of sexual abuse brought yesterday by the state police.

Capt. Stephen Lynch said Luis Gil, 45, turned himself in to the state police yesterday at 11 a.m. and was arraigned on three additional charges of sexual assault involving the same 15-year-old boy whom Gil was found with on Nov. 12.

Gil was arrested and charged with one count of third degree sexual assault after Providence police found him and a 15-year-old boy both partially dressed, parked in Gil's car near the Henderson Bridge , both partially dressed.

During the investigation that followed the arrest, Lynch said the Providence police learned Gil had sexually abused the 15-year-old at the former rectory of the Notre Dame Church, now privately owned, and in Lincoln Woods. The latest charges stem from those allegations.

Police say in August 2007, Gil propositioned the 15-year-old while the teenager was waiting for a bus. The boy refused and, according to police, when he got on the bus, Gil followed him.

When the 15-year got off the bus, according to Lynch, Gil propositioned him again and the two went to to Lincoln Woods.

Gil was arraigned in District Court, Providence, and released on $10,000 personal recognizance in front of Judge Michael Higgins. He is scheduled to return to court on Jan. 15.

Gil did not run for reelection this year. He initially rebuffed calls to resign, but stepped down after a week of media coverage.

-- projo.com staff writer Brandie M. Jefferson

Posted by Brandie Jefferson at 9:47 AM | Comment

Symposium to address 'valuable menhaden fishery'

Wildlife in Providence, it’s not an everyday sight.

But last month, thousands of fish found their way into the Providence River, slowly swimming in front of the Rhode Island School of Design and some making their way to Waterplace Park.

The surge of fish, adult menhaden, was unexpected. But their appearance came as recreational and commercial fishermen have been at odds over who is catching them and if they are being over fished.

To address some of the issues surrounding the allocation of menhaden, the Rhode Island Sea Grant and the state Department of Environmental Management are hosting a daylong “Menhaden Science and Policy Symposium” today.

Biology, feeding practices, stock assessment and other scientific information about the fish are on the agenda of the symposium, which will include panels hosted by state legislators, commercial and recreational fisheries, Save the Bay and other stakeholders.

The event starts at 8 a.m. at the Village Inn on Beach Street in Narragansett.

“Menhaden are an important contributor to the health of Narragansett Bay and the ecosystem, as well as the economy,” DEM Director W. Michael Sullivan said in a statement.

“This symposium presents a forum for scientists, policy makers and stakeholders to discuss a wide range of issues and share information concerning this valuable fishery.”

-- projo.com staff writer Brandie M. Jefferson, with Journal archive reports

Posted by Brandie Jefferson at 8:15 AM | Comment

Historic spot in Little Compton to remain working farm

LITTLE COMPTON -- Preservation groups and state and federal agencies have contributed $3.6 million to protect a historic farm in Little Compton.

Treaty Rock Farm will remain a working farm.

The coastal farm has been in continuous agricultural use since colonial times and was the site where a Sakonnet sachem and a colonist became allies during King Philip's War.

The three sisters who own the farm will retain private ownership of it. The women sell beef locally through a program called RI Beef Co-Op, and that will continue.

The conservation of the land will be announced at a news conference today with Senator Jack Reed among the officials expected in attendance.

-- The Associated Press

Posted by Jack Perry at 7:02 AM | Comment

Sunny, but windy and chilly

It's going to be sunny, but don't let that fool you. The National Weather Service is forecasting a high temperature of 43 with gusty west winds as high as 22 mph.

The temperature should drop to 25 overnight. The winds should keep up, gusting as high as 28 mph.

Saturday's looking even colder, with a high temperature near 32 and more wind from the northwest, gusting as high as 34 mph.

Saturday night the clouds and the cold make comeback with a low temperature of just 13 degrees and mild northwest winds.

Now for the big news: A 40 percent chance of snow Sunday afternoon, when the temperature should just break through the 30s.

Sunday night the precipitation continues, but whether it's rain, sleet or snow, we'll just have to wait and see. The temperature will hit the high 20s.

Rain should welcome us back to the work week Monday. Again, it could turn to sleet or snow in the afternoon. The temperature should reach the mid-to-high 30s.

Posted by Brandie Jefferson at 7:01 AM | Comment

Today's front page

Today's front page features a story on the big question in Warren. Who won the $151-million Powerball jackpot?

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

Posted by Jack Perry at 7:00 AM | Comment