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December 5, 2007

Update: Offley found guilty in murder of Imran

PROVIDENCE -- After deliberating for two hours, a Superior Court jury today found Barry Offley guilty on all counts related to the murder of 24-year-old Jessica Imran last year at her Pawtucket apartment, where he went with his uncle, who is now behind bars for the same crime.

The jury of five men and seven women late this afternoon returned guilty verdicts against Offley, 20, on the following counts:

* The murder of Imran.

* Conspiracy to murder Imran.

* Assault with intent to commit murder, pertaining to the shooting of Julia Lang, who survived and testified against Offley at trial.

* Discharge of a firearm, death resulting.

* Discharge of a firearm, injury resulting.

* Illegally carrying a firearm.

* Conspiracy to murder Lang.

Imran’s mother and other family members hugged prosecutors and police after the verdict was announced in court.

Offley faces two consecutive life sentences for the murder and for discharging a firearm in a crime of violence, death resulting.

Attorney General Patrick C. Lynch said in an evening statement that the "execution-style murder of Jessica Imran and attempted murder of Julie Lang are about as brutal as crimes can be, and I am grateful for the jury’s swift finding of guilt on all counts. We will now focus our attention on making our sentencing recommendation to Judge Krause in the hope that he will impose a penalty that is commensurate with the level of barbarity this defendant displayed on July 27, 2006.”

Authorities have alleged that in the early morning of July 27, 2006, Offley went with uncle Alonzo P. Shelton, 29, to Imran's apartment at 88 Lawn Ave., Pawtucket.

Lang, who was Shelton’s estranged girlfriend, was shot but survived, and Imran was shot to death.

Shelton last spring was found guilty of murder, conspiracy to murder and assault with intent to murder. He was sentenced in July to serve a minimum of 72 years in prison.

-- projo.com staff writer Michael P. McKinney, with reports from Journal staff writer John Castellucci

Posted by Mike McKinney at 7:05 PM | Comment

Tonight: The meanings of birds

Brown University professor Shepard Krech III will lecture tonight about birds and their relationships with Native people of New England.

The presentation is at 7:30 in the Kirk Engineering Building at University of Rhode Island, Upper College Road in South Kingstown.

Krech is an ethnologist, environmental historian and birdwatcher.

Posted by Mike McKinney at 7:00 PM | Comment

Nathan Bishop Middle School to be renovated

PROVIDENCE -- Providence has gotten the green light to renovate Nathan Bishop Middle School on the city’s East Side and an expanded career and technical center next to Central High School on Westminster Street. Together, both projects will cost $75.8 million, of which the state will pay $60.6 million.

The Rhode Island Board of Regents for Elementary and Secondary Education approved the school construction projects at a special meeting this afternoon. These are the first two school projects to be approved under the state’s stringent new school construction regulations passed by the General Assembly last spring.

The $35-million Nathan Bishop renovation will completely remodel the building’s interior while preserving the brick exterior. The school will have the capacity to accommodate 750 students, who will grouped into clusters of four classrooms per floor.

In April, Providence Supt. Donnie Evans stunned parents when he decided to close Nathan Bishop for one year over the strong objections of everyone except the school’s neighbors. When the community complained about the lack of public input, Evans appointed a study committee to come up with recommendations to re-open Bishop as a model middle school that would attract East Side families, many of whom have fled the public schools.

The committee recommended renovating, rather than rebuilding, the existing middle school, which is considered a landmark in the Elmgrove neighborhood.

Last night, members of the study committee expressed relief that Nathan Bishop would re-open.

“I’m extraordinarily encouraged and thrilled that the regents approved this,” said Tom Schmeling, a member of the East Side Public Education Coalition. “But we’ve got quite a ways to go.”

The new career & technical center will cost $40.8 million and involve building an addition to the existing Hanley Career & Technical Center, which has already undergone extensive renovations. The career center will feature a state-of-the-art construction trades program and will accommodate 800 students.

-- Journal staff writer Linda Borg

Posted by Mike McKinney at 6:35 PM | Comment

Burrillville teachers demand contract

BURRILLVILLE -- Hundreds of teachers from Burrillville and elsewhere in the state gathered outside the school department here this evening to demand a contract.

"What do we want!" yelled a union leader.

"A contract!" the teachers shouted back.

"When do we want it?" the union leader asked.

"Now!" the teachers replied.

The teachers greeted School Committee members as they arrived to enter into contract negotiations with leaders of their union.

The union and the school system have been at an impasse for more than a year as they try to come to agreement.

-- Journal staff writer Mark Reynolds

Posted by Mike McKinney at 6:35 PM | Comment

Medicine/bio-sciences dean at Brown to step down

PROVIDENCE -- Dr. Eli Y. Adashi, dean of medicine and biological sciences at Brown University, announced he will step down at the close of the academic year after serving as dean since 2004.

Adashi is a "noted physician and an internationally renowned reproductive biologist and endocrinologist," said a Brown University news release.

Next July, Adashi will be "considering a sabbatic leave and a possible return to full-time teaching and research" for the 2009-2010 academic year.

"These last few years have witnessed great progress and remarkable achievements for Brown's programs in the life and health sciences," Adashi said in the statement. "To all those who have played such an important role in advancing this enterprise of ours, especially the divisional leadership team, I express my deepest gratitude and appreciation."

-- projo.com staff writer Michael P. McKinney

Posted by Mike McKinney at 6:19 PM | Comment

Judge refuses to halt prison time for debtor

A Supreme Court justice today refused to halt a 30-day prison sentence that a Barrington man is to begin serving tomorrow for failing make court-ordered payments to a Warwick man whose skull he fractured in 1988.

Paul D. Grieder, 42, who lives with his parents on Linden Road, is scheduled to report to Superior Court Judge Daniel A. Procaccini’s courtroom at 9:30 tomorrow morning to surrender to sheriff’s deputies and go to the Adult Correctional Institutions.

Grieder’s lawyer, J. Ronald Fishbein, today asked Justice Francis X. Flaherty to stay the prison sentence, arguing that Grieder had not been served with required legal papers more than a decade ago. But Flaherty refused, saying in essence that Grieder had waived the requirement to be served with those papers because he continued to participate in court hearings.

“The defendant argues that the execution issued in this case in 1993 was void because it was never served on the defendant,” Flaherty wrote in a two-page order. “However, it was acknowledged by counsel that the defendant had participated in a number of hearings related to this case since 1993, including a successful appeal to this court.”

On Oct. 4, Procaccini told Grieder he would send him to the ACI for 30 days unless he paid $3,000 to Trainor and $1,000 to Trainor’s lawyer within 60 days, and Grieder has not made those payments. Since a 1992 civil judgment, Grieder has paid about $21,000 toward the $1.5 million he owes Michael P. Trainor for an assault outside a Providence nightclub. With interest, the debt now totals nearly $5 million.

-- Journal staff writer Edward Fitzpatrick

Posted by Mike McKinney at 5:52 PM | Comment

Alert: Jury reports verdict reached in Offley murder trial

PROVIDENCE -- After two hours of deliberations today, the jury in the murder trial of Barry Offley reports this afternoon it has reached a verdict.

The verdict has not yet been announced in Providence County Superior Court.

Offley, 20, is charged with murder, conspiracy to murder and assault with intent to murder in the July 27, 2006, death of 24-year-old Jessica Imran. Authorities have alleged that Offley went with his uncle, Alonzo P. Shelton, 29, to Imran's apartment at 88 Lawn Ave., Pawtucket.

Shelton last spring was found guilty of murder, conspiracy to murder and assault with intent to murder. He was sentenced in July to serve at least 72 years in prison.

Offley, who is being tried separately, is accused of murdering Imran and wounding another woman.

-- projo.com staff writer Michael P. McKinney, with reports from Journal staff writer John Castellucci

Posted by Mike McKinney at 4:05 PM | Comment

Photo: Walk for impeachment

Journal Photo/ Bill Murphy
John Nirenberg of Brattleboro, Vt., leaves the State House on his walk to Washington D.C. this morning. Nirenberg is walking from Vermont to D.C. to raise awareness for his call for the impeachment of President Bush.

Posted by Brandie Jefferson at 2:45 PM | Comment

New building planned for Quonset

The Quonset Development Corporation’s board has authorized an Atlanta-based development company to buy 10 acres at the Quonset Business Park for $1.75 million.

In the QDC newsletter, Quonset Points, Board Chair Saul Kaplan called the decision to allow Nickol Commercial Industries to build a 150,000 square-foot, mixed-use facility a “tremendous vote of confidence in the ongoing development in the Quonset Business Park.”

-- projo.com staff writer Brandie M. Jefferson

Posted by Brandie Jefferson at 2:38 PM | Comment

Future of the Woonasquatucket on tap for meeting

Residents of Olneyville, Valley and Smith Hill can meet today with city planners to discuss the future of the Woonasquatucket River, which runs through the neighborhoods.

The meeting this afternoon will be a chance to discuss how to maintain and incorporate the river into the neighborhoods as the city updates its Comprehensive Plan.

The two-hour meeting begins at 2:30 p.m.

At 6 p.m., the city will host a workshop focusing on housing, jobs, transportation and recreation.

The workshops wrap up tomorrow from 5:30 p.m. until 8 p.m. with a presentation of the priorities for all three neighborhoods.

Each of the events takes place at the Eagle Square Shopping Center, 579 Atwells Avenue.

Posted by Brandie Jefferson at 2:20 PM | Comment

Photo: Trimming a tree in the State House

Megan Heath, of Pawtucket, an intern with the Governor's constituent office, hangs lights on the state Christmas tree, a 17-foot Colorado spruce, in the rotunda of the State House this morning.

Governor and Mrs. Carcieri will light the State House Christmas trees at 6 p.m. Friday. The public is invited to gather at 5:30 p.m.

Weather permitting, the event will be held outside on the State House steps, on the city side of the building.

After the simultaneous lightings of the outdoor and rotunda trees, everyone is invited inside for the lighting of the "Our Heroes' Tree" in the State Room. Part of a national effort, the tree is a way for Rhode Islanders to honor those who serve in the military. Rhode Islanders are invited to bring or send an item to decorate the tree before Friday.

The Rhode Island Children’s Chorus will perform. Refreshments will be served and crafts tables will be available for children.

Posted by Jack Perry at 2:03 PM | Comment

Rocky Point auction back on

Federal District Court Judge Ronald Lagueux this morning authorized a telephone auction to determine who will purchase 83 acres at the former Rocky Point amusement part to be redeveloped as a residential community.

In an auction to be held sometime next week, Providence-based Leach Family Holdings and Nicholas E. Cambio of Universal Properties Group will compete for the rights to develop the former park, now in receivership through the U.S. Small Business Administration.

Lawyers for the SBA, which had previously regarded Cambio as unable to come up with the money to close the Rocky Point deal, said this morning that his development consortium has provided substantial evidence of its ability to meet finance obligations and is considered a qualified bidder.

Lagueux also okayed the sale of the remaining 41 acres to the city of Warwick to be used as open space. Warwick will buy the land using a combination of federal and local money and plans to create a waterfront park.

Until now, the SBA had refused to sign off on the city’s portion of the sale until Lagueux approved a sale for the rest of the property. But with federal money earmarked for the purchase set to run out by year’s end, the agency agreed today to support the city sale on its own.

SBA lawyers told the judge they expected to submit the purchase-and-sale agreement for his authorization sometime later today.

-- Journal staff writer Cynthia Needham

Posted by Brandie Jefferson at 1:43 PM | Comment

Collecting and replanting 1 million oysters

Researchers at Roger Williams University are collecting shellfish from nearly 20 oyster farms along the shores of Narragansett Bay in one of the last steps of a replanting program.

The aim of the program, according to coordinator Steve Patterson, “is to create a few strongholds” for the otherwise declining oyster populations.

After collecting the more than one million oysters, researchers from Roger Williams and volunteers will count, measure and compare the animals, then on Saturday, replant them in Jenny’s Creek on Prudence Island and on an oyster reef in Bristol Harbor.

“At RWU, we’re doing what we can to return the oyster to Rhode Island’s waters,” Timothy Scott said in a press release.

Scott, a biology professor and director of the school’s Center for Economic and Environmental Development, points to the the importance of the animals, which siphon large amounts of water every day, trapping nutrients and pollutants.

“The oysters act as natural filters and help to improve water quality," he said. And as a commodity, "they have a positive economic impact on the state as well."

Posted by Brandie Jefferson at 1:18 PM | Comment

Mass. program would save energy at treatment plants

BOSTON -- State officials have unveiled a program to make plants that produce drinking water and process wastewater in Massachusetts more energy efficient.

Thirteen cities and towns will participate in the program designed to save money and reduce emissions of greenhouse gases and other pollutants.

Cities and towns spend about $150 million a year for electricity to treat 662 billion gallons of wastewater and drinking water. The goal of the program is to reduce the cost by 20 percent.

State environmental officials say a 20 percent drop also would cut emissions of approximately 200,000 tons of carbon dioxide, 760,000 pounds of sulfur dioxide and 250,000 pounds of nitrous oxides.

Environmental Affairs Secretary Ian Bowles says the program could be expanded to other municipalities.

-- The Associated Press

Posted by Brandie Jefferson at 1:13 PM | Comment

R.I. senators co-sponsor call for aid for fishermen

The U.S. Senate has passed a resolution calling on the commerce secretary to reconsider a decision not to declare a commercial fishery failure in Rhode Island and other New England states.

Co-sponsors Sens. Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse, both R.I. Democrats, urged reconsideration for Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Maine and New Hampshire in what they say would provide immediate disaster assistance, according to a news release.

Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., sponsored the resolution. Other co-sponsore were Sens. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., Olympia Snowe, R-Maine, Susan Collins, R-Maine, Judd Gregg, R-New Hampshire, and John Sununu, R-New Hampshire.

It was not clear whether the resolution has much chance of reversing the secretary of commerce's decision.

The Journal reported on problems facing fishermen in a recent five-part series "Rough Seas."

-- projo.com staff writer Michael P. McKinney

The resolution states that the commerce secretary should:

* Reconsider the Oct. 22 decision to deny the requests of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the State of Maine, and the State of Rhode Island for a groundfish fishery failure declaration.

* Look favorably upon the request of the State of New Hampshire for a groundfish fishery failure declaration.

* Immediately propose regulations to implement section 312(a) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act.

“The fishing industry is vital to Rhode Island’s economy, and I am pleased that the Senate has passed this important resolution. At a time when it is costing our fishermen more to fuel up their boats and regulations are limiting their catches, we need to provide our fisherman with some measure of relief,” Reed said in the statement. “The Bush administration should reverse course and provide federal assistance to Rhode Island fishermen.”

Whitehouse said he's talked with Rhode Island fishermen "working hard to sustain their livelihoods and provide for their families" and strongly urges the secretary to to "reconsider his decision to deny them this critical aid.”

Posted by Mike McKinney at 1:05 PM | Comment

New lights await Elmwood Little League season

It may be a little cold to think about playing baseball.

But the vice president of Elmwood Little League was out on the diamond last night, taking pictures of the near-empty field, illuminated by the park’s lights.

It was the lights that made it was worth it to VP James Taylor to brave the cold and get a few pictures.

They mean no more rushing to beat sunset, and the addition of night games – like so many other teams play – to the schedule, which should allow for about 30 more children to join the league.

After a two-year push, the lights were turned on for the first time last night. They were paid for with a $38,000 grant from the Baseball Tomorrow Fund and a $50,000 Community Development Block Grant through the city of Providence.

Taylor and the team will wait until it warms up a big for an official lighting ceremony.

-- projo.com staff writer Brandie M. Jefferson

Posted by Brandie Jefferson at 12:14 PM | Comment

Dermatologist Kpea put on probation

Dr. Nomate Toate Kpea, who runs five dermatology practices around the state, has had his medical license placed on probation for three years and has been required to undergo a competency evaluation.

The state Board of Medical Licensure and Discipline found that Kpea wasn’t doing a good job diagnosing and removing skin cancer, wasn’t properly supervising his nurse practitioners and physician assistants, advertised “with a tendency to deceive,” and used human growth hormone without proper evaluation.

Probation is a level of discipline that is stronger than a reprimand but less severe than a license suspension. Kpea can continue to practice, but he has agreed not to perform a method of skin-cancer removal known as Mohs surgery until he has completed his competency evaluation and any training the evaluators recommend.

Kpea’s practice, called Skin Medicine USA or Skin Medicine and Cosmetic Surgery Centers, included offices in Warwick, Providence, North Smithfield, Newport and Narragansett.

Kpea, 54, is well known in the community. According to a recent news report, he is also the “paramount chief” of a town in Nigeria that was founded and ruled by his family.

Dr. Robert S. Crausman, the medical board’s chief administrative officer, said that the board had complaints against Kpea dating to 2000, but only the more recent clearly violated medical standards.

-- Journal medical writer Felice J. Freyer

Posted by Mike McKinney at 11:59 AM | Comment

Video: Aftermath gas tanker explodes near Boston

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EVERETT, Mass. — A tanker carrying about 9,400 gallons of gasoline overturned in a traffic circle and exploded early Wednesday, sending forth a torrent of fire that ignited at least two multifamily homes and as many as 40 cars.

Police and fire officials say there are no serious injuries in the accident. Everett's fire chief calls that "a miracle."

The accident occurred shortly after 1:30 a.m. at the rotary connecting Routes 16 and 99, Everett Fire Chief DavidButler said.

See video of the aftermath here.

Residents of the neighborhood near the crash site, including a number of elderly people, were hastily evacuated from their homes. Some were taken to a nearby armory for shelter.

One resident, Chris Barrows, tells WBZ-AM he got into his car and began driving away after the explosion, but then had to jump out of the car when it caught fire.

The driver of the tanker, Chad LaFrance, 30, of Dover, N.H., was cited for speeding and for not carrying his medical certificate, which verifies his health. The tanker was destroyed in the crash, but LaFrance was uninjured.

-- The Associated Press

Posted by Brandie Jefferson at 10:40 AM | Comment

Rocky Point sale back in court

A developer who was once the front runner to buy the former Rocky Point Amusement Park may be back in the race.

A hearing is scheduled today in U.S. District Court to determine if Nicholas E. Cambio and a Florida-based investment consortium have the financial qualifications to follow through on a $17.1 million offer for the 83-acre property.

The hearing is scheduled for 11 a.m. with Judge Ronald Lagueux.

Cambio's original plans to convert the area into a residential development fell apart this fall when he and the park's receiver were unable to agree on a payment schedule.

Weeks later the Providence-based Leach Family Holdings signed a purchase-and-sale agreement, but federal rules give other prospective bidders an opportunity to submit proposals as long as they are willing and able to pay 10 percent more.

Posted by Brandie Jefferson at 9:16 AM | Comment

Two accused in fake ID ring in court today

Two former clerks for the Division of Motor Vehicles in Pawtucket are scheduled for a conference today in District Court, Providence, for allegedly falsifying dozens of Rhode Island driver's licenses for illegal immigrants and drug dealers.

Prosecutors say Dolores Rodriguez-LaFlamme, 40, of Providence and Soraya Santiago, 42, of Pawtucket, worked with others to provide fake licenses for about $2,500 to $3,000 each.

LaFlamme and Santiago are among 11 people who have been charged so far. State Police Capt. Stephen Lynch said there are 32 more arrest warrants in connection wiht the scheme.

LaFlamme is charged with 17 counts of conspiracy to commit identity fraud for making 17 licenses, and Santiago faces 11 charges. Identity fraud is a felony offense carrying a sentence of up to three years in prison and up to a $5,000 fine for a first conviction.

-- with Journal archive reports

Posted by Brandie Jefferson at 9:12 AM | Comment

R.I. Guard Unit deploying Saturday to the Middle East

A National Guard unit that has continuously deployed member since September 2001 will be honored at a ceremony tomorrow for the nearly 30 men and women who will leave Saturday for the Middle East.

A group from the 143rd Security Forces Squadron, Quonset Air National Guard Base, will work in law enforcement and personal protection for six months at an “undisclosed location in the Middle East,” according to a statement sent by Major General Robert T. Bay.

Over the past six years, the unit has carried out missions in Afghanistan, Kuwait, Germany, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Guantanamo Bay. With their departure, 366 Rhode Island National Guard members will be deployed.

-- projo.com Brandie M. Jefferson

Posted by Brandie Jefferson at 8:05 AM | Comment

Carcieri to help light Hanukkah menorah

PROVIDENCE -- Governor Carcieri helps light a Hanukkah menorah tonight at the State House.

He's scheduled to join a local rabbi for the ceremony.

Jews celebrate the eight-day Festival of Lights to commemorate the rededication of the Jerusalem temple after an ancient revolt against Syrian occupiers.

-- The Associated Press

Posted by Jack Perry at 7:02 AM | Comment

Partly sunny with a high near 33

Today is looking partly sunny with calm, west winds. The National Weather Service is forecasting a high temperature near 33 degrees.

Tonight the temperature will drop to the high teens, with a few early clouds parting later in the night.

Expect tomorrow to look just like today.

For more weather, see projo.com/weather.

Posted by Brandie Jefferson at 7:01 AM | Comment

Today's front page

Today's front page features a story about Rhode Island's effort to harness wave power to produce electricity.

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

Posted by Jack Perry at 7:00 AM | Comment