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December 27, 2007

Not too late -- or early -- to plan New Year's Eve dining

What to do on New Year's Eve is a dilemma for many of us.

But if you're thinking of dining out, you know a reservation is a good place to start. And the ball is dropping -- it's only four days until Monday night.

Next step?

If you're in a hurry, browse our list of capsule dining reviews published by The Journal this year.

Got more time? Then go back and read the full reviews as well as sample menus for several years back.

Posted by Andrea Panciera at 6:44 PM | Comment

An end to concrete-plant controversy in Cranston?

CRANSTON -- Mayor Michael T. Napolitano is scheduled to announce tomorrow that the city has reached an agreement, in principle, to buy out a controversial, half-built concrete plant in the Eden Park section of the city, according to administration officials.

The plant, which has never actually operated, has sparked concern among neighbors worried about traffic, noise and pollution.

The controversy over the plant has roiled city politics for over a year. Neighborhood opponents have staged press conferences, planted red "Stop the Concrete Plant" signs in dozens of front lawns and pressured politicians to fight Cullion's plans.

-- Journal staff writer David Scharfenberg

Posted by Andrea Panciera at 5:30 PM | Comment

Update: Rep. Kennedy was on way to dinner with Bhutto

Rep. Patrick J. Kennedy was in Pakistan today with a congressional delegation when former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto was assassinated at a campaign rally in Rawalpindi.

The Rhode Island Democrat was leaving his hotel room to go to Bhutto’s house in Islamabad for dinner when someone in his party told him to go back to his room and watch the televised news reports of the attack on Bhutto.

“The country now has obviously become engulfed in flames,” Kennedy said this afternoon from Islamabad, in a telephone interview with The Providence Journal. “It’s clearly an enormous setback for a nation that was seeking to stabilize itself after a very tumultuous time.”

Kennedy said Pakistanis took the death of the opposition leader as a personal loss.

“It’s clear from what’s going on now here in Pakistan that this has definitely touched a deep cord in this society because she was such a symbol of hope for a new democracy. She kind of gave promise to people that there was a new day coming,” he said. “It was more than just her life being taken, but hope for millions of Pakistanis.”

Kennedy said that, after watching TV reports, he received word through the U.S. Embassy that Bhutto’s wounds were superficial and that the Pakistani media were exaggerating the severity of the attack.

After learning Bhutto had died, Kennedy and U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pa., went to the headquarters of her political party, where they laid a wreath and expressed the condolences of the United States. They chose the party headquarters over her home because of the protesters that were gathering outside her residence. “There was no way we were going to get close to her house,” he said.

Kennedy had met earlier in the day with Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf and, separately, with Afghan President Hamid Karzai.

-- Journal staff writer Paul Edward Parker

Posted by Andrea Panciera at 3:54 PM | Comment

Update: 3 teens arrested in Fall River shooting

The Fall River police have arrested three city teenagers in connection with a shooting last night that left a 33-year old local man seriously wounded.

The police have arrested Sunny Mao, 18, of 1454 Pleasant St.; Chantra Say, 17, of 227 Stevens St., Apt. 304; and a 16-year old boy, whom the police are not identifying because he’s a juvenile, according to police Sgt. Paul Bernier. The teens were charged with armed assault with intent to murder, discharging a firearm, assault with a dangerous weapon and conspiracy, Bernier said.

The victim, whom the police are not identifying, was shot at about 11 p.m. outside 1640 Pleasant St., the police said. He suffered a stomach wound and was initially taken to Charlton Memorial Hospital, in Fall River, before being transferred to Rhode Island Hospital, where he was in stable condition this afternoon. The police have not yet been able to speak with the victim because of his medical condition.

The three teenagers fled the scene and were spotted nearby by Sgt. Gil Costa, who followed the three to a Pleasant Street address where they were arrested after the police searched the building.

_ -- Journal writer Meaghan Wims

Posted by Karen Bordeleau at 3:51 PM | Comment

Harwood asks pension board to consider Corrente's wife

Journal photo / Steve Szydlowski
Frank E. Corrente listens as his lawyer, former House Speaker John Harwood, talks to hearing officer Larry J. Ritchie about his pension today.

PROVIDENCE -- In a hearing that lasted less than a half hour, lawyer John B. Harwood cited four reasons that his client should have his pension reinstated, even though former city director of administration Frank E. Corrente was caught accepting bribes on videotape and eventually convicted in a federal corruption probe.

Corrente, former Mayor Vincent A. Cianci Jr.’s top lieutenant, is fighting to have his $70,576-a-year pension reinstated after the Providence Retirement Board suspended the payments and suggested ending them entirely.

Harwood, the former speaker of the Rhode Island House, argued today that:

- Corrente’s pension was suspended illegally;

- Corrente and his wife, Thelma Corrente, deserve to be compensated for the illegal suspension;

- The board should consider Thelma Corrente – who, as a long-time employee of the School Department, draws her own state pension – because she was not implicated in the federal Plunder Dome investigation of City Hall;

- Even if Corrente loses credit for two or three years of tainted service, he should get a pension based on his years of honorable service.

After the hearing, Harwood reiterated the argument, saying, “Twenty-six out of twenty-nine (years) is a good record.”

Facing pressure from allegations of sexual harassment and misspent campaign funds, Harwood stepped down as speaker of the House in 2002 after serving a decade in the post.

Larry J. Ritchie, a law professor at the Roger Williams University School of Law, presided over the hearing today. He will use today’s testimony, along with other evidence to produce a report and recommendation to the Pension Board. He expects to have the report completed within a month.

Corrente, now 79, has finished his prison sentence and is living at home in Cranston.

Your Turn: Should Corrente have his pension reinstated?

-- Journal staff writer Gregory Smith

Posted by Brandie Jefferson at 3:39 PM | Comment

Raptakis sponsors R.I. air passenger bill of rights

Sitting in an airplane for three hours while it sits on the tarmac can be a drag, to say the least.

But when there’s no air circulation, the toilets begin to overflow, and there’s nothing to drink, that, says state Sen. Leonidas P. Raptakis, is "unfair and irresponsible."

The senator, who represents Coventry, East Greenwich, West Warwick and Warwick, home of T. F. Green Airport, is introducing an "air passenger bill of rights," which would require airlines to provide a certain level of service after being on the tarmac for more than three hours.

The proposal is modeled after a similar law in New York which was recently upheld by a District Court who ruled that states could regulate such conditions because they concerned public health issues, not service issues.

Click below to read about the law's specific requirements.

-- projo.com staff writer Brandie M. Jefferson

The law would require that after spending three hours on the tarmac, airlines would provide:

Drinking water, snacks and other refreshments.

Waste removal service for holding tanks for on-board restrooms.

Electric generation service to provide fresh air and lights.

“Air travelers are being asked to deal with more and more delays, while facing cutbacks in the kind of services and conveniences which airlines once provided,” Raptakis said in a statement.

“In that environment, I think government has an obligation to draw the line and make sure some level of basic service is being provided.”

Posted by Brandie Jefferson at 2:34 PM | Comment

Taunton, Mass., police seek driver in fatal hit-and-run

TAUNTON, Mass. -- Police are asking for help from the public in finding the hit-and-run driver who struck and killed a 13-year-old boy in Taunton.

The Bristol District Attorney's office says the victim was hit shortly after midnight today by a vehicle that veered off Poole Street.

The boy - a Taunton resident whose name hasn't been released - was pronounced dead at Morton Hospital.

Investigators believe the vehicle that fled the scene was a 1995-1997 model Ford Explorer, red or maroon in color. It most likely has damage to the front passenger side.

-- The Associated Press

Posted by Jack Perry at 1:02 PM | Comment

Weight restriction being added to Ten Mile River Bridges

The Department of Transportation is restricting the weight on two more bridges in the state while repairs begin and the state discusses options for replacement.

Beginning tomorrow, the Ten Mile River Bridges in East Providence will be restricted to vehicles weighing less than 7 tons. Heavier vehicles will have to find alternate routes.

“As we undertake our immediate repairs, we are utilizing detours that the City prefers and apologize in advance for any inconveniences this may cause area residents and businesses,” RIDOT director Jerome F. Williams said in a statement.

“We expect that our repairs to be completed in the next month will allow the posting to be increased to 19 tons.”

Both bridges have two 11-foot travel lanes, a 10-foot wide shoulder and two sidewalks which stay open during the construction.

According to a press release, construction could start on the bridge by spring 2009 and should cost about $2.5 million.

The DOT last month imposed a 22-ton weight restriction on the Pawtucket River Bridge on Route 95 in Pawtucket.

Extra: See the weight limits posted on bridges across Rhode Island, including the new restriction for the Ten Mile River Bridges. (The numbers under the axle columns refer to weight by ton.)

Posted by Brandie Jefferson at 12:52 PM | Comment

Lawyer: Drop murder charge in Barrington boating death

A lawyer this morning argued that the indictment charging Ryan Greenberg with second-degree murder should be dismissed because the Barrington teenager was indicted after the legislature had repealed a law treating 17-year-olds as adults for criminal purposes.

But state prosecutors disagreed, saying the alleged crime occurred and the criminal complaint was issued during the 4 ½-month period when all 17-year-olds were sent to adult court rather than Family Court.

The debate is part of a larger argument about whether the state has violated the rights of the 500 “gap kids” arrested during that period. Superior Court Judge Daniel A. Procaccini said he will try to issue a decision by mid-January that will apply to “gap kids” throughout the state.

Greenberg, the state’s most high-profile “gap kid,” had been charged with one felony count of operating a boat to endanger, death resulting, but earlier this month a grand jury indicted him on a charge of second-degree murder in connection with the July 17 boating death of his Barrington High School classmate Patrick Murphy.

-- Journal staff writer Edward Fitzpatrick

Greenberg was not in court when his lawyer, William C. Dimitri, argued that Greenberg should be transferred to Family Court. Dimitri noted that while the legislature enacted the law treating 17-year-olds as adults on July 1 and repealed it on Nov. 7, Greenberg was not indicted until Dec. 3.

So, Dimitri said in his motion, “there was nothing pending against this defendant in a court of competent jurisdiction at the time of the legislature’s repeal.”

But Special Assistant Attorney General Christian F. Capizzo said the legislature chose not to make the repeal retroactive, and Superior Court has proper jurisdiction over Greenberg. “The state proceeded under the law as it existed at that time,” he said.

Posted by Brandie Jefferson at 12:38 PM | Comment

Update: R.I.'s population loss worst in nation

WASHINGTON -- Rhode Island is losing residents at a faster clip than any other state in the nation.

New population estimates being released today by the Census Bureau show that in the year ending July 1, the smallest state's population declined by four-tenths of percent. Rhode Island lost just over 3,800 people to end up with an estimated 1.058 million residents.

According to the Census figures, the only other state to lose population was Michigan, which saw a decline of three-tenths of a point.

Nevada is the nation’s fastest-growing state, with a population increase of 2.9 percent between, according to the Census Bureau's estimates.

Arizona, which was the fastest-growing state between 2005 and 2006, slipped to second place.

This is the first in a series of population estimates that will be released through the summer of 2008, according to the Census Bureau.

Your turn: Have you left or are you planning to leave Rhode Island. Why or why not?

-- The Associated Press with projo.com reports

Posted by Jack Perry at 12:28 PM | Comment

NTSB: Plane 'porpoised' after landing at Green Airport

The US Airways Express flight that went off the runway at T.F. Green Airport this month did so after it touched down hard and "porpoised," according to a preliminary synopsis issued byThe National Transportation Safety Board.

The brief report, now posted in the NTSB's accident query database, is labeled as preliminary information and subject to change.

The synopsis describes the incident, in which none of the 31 passengers and 3 crew members aboard the Bombardier CRJ-200, this way:

"Initial information indicates that the airplane touched down hard at approximately 1000-1200 feet from the threshold of runway 5. The airplane porpoised after touchdown and exited the left side of the runway.

"Fiberglass parts consistent with the main gear door were found nearby broken runway edge lights about 2500 feet from the threshold. At approximately 3000 feet from the threshold the left main gear entered the snow and grass area, and by 3200 feet, both main gear had exited the runway.

"The airplane came to a stop on a magnetic heading of approximately 320 degrees at about 3700 feet from the threshold. Runway 5 is 7,166 feet long by 150 feet wide, and is a CAT II instrument runway.

"The left main gear collapsed, the drag brace or trunnion was seen fractured, and the wheel punctured the flap and left upper wing skin. Wing tip damage was also observed. There was no fuel spill."

Porpoising occurs when a plane cannot maintain a level flight path and goes up and down like a porpoise diving in and out of the water. When striking the ground, it can mean an uncontrolled, or series of uncontrolled, bounces.

Passengers had told The Providence Journal that the plane seemed to hit the runway quickly and hard after coming out of thick clouds at dusk on Sunday, Dec. 16.

Brown University Prof. Thom Jones, who watched from his seat in front of the left wing, said, “I can’t tell you the force when we hit the ground. It felt like we were in an elevator and we dropped four floors.”

Posted by Andrea Panciera at 12:02 PM | Comment

Woonsocket boil water advisory continues/ Photo

Journal photo/ Bill Murphy
Woonsocket firefighter Bill Young counts cases of water at Station 4 on Mendon Road this morning. Young estimates that firefighters have distributed 80 cases of water since a water main broke on Diamond Hill Road yesterday.

Woonsocket water department officials said they hope to know by late tomorrow morning if they can lift the boil-water advisory they issued for residents in the northeast corner of the city after a water main break yesterday.

Water Supt. Carol Lariviere said the work of fixing the 12-inch water main underneath Diamond Hill Road went fairly smoothly last night, with actual construction work done by 10 p.m. It took department crews about five or six hours more to bleed air out of the pipe network.

“By 2 or 3 a.m. a majority of people did have some kind of water,” she said. Estimates are around 3,000 people are affected by the break, which knocked out water service altogether for some and caused discolored water for others.

Residents in northeast Woonsocket are still being advised to continue boiling water before drinking it or using it for cooking. Lariviere said it takes about 24 hours for the needed tests to be completed, so results from samples taken after the work was done this morning won’t be known until around 11 a.m. or so Friday.

-- Journal staff writer John Hill

So far, water tests have come up negative for any harmful bacteria, but bottled water is still available at Fire Station No. 4 at 806 Mendon Road. Even though the test have been negative so far, city officials are recommending anyone in the affected area vigorously boil for at least a minute any water they plan to drink or use in cooking.

The affected area is bounded by Elder Ballou Meeting House Road in the south, from McArthur Road east to Bound Road on the Cumberland line. Water lines on Bound Road north to the Bellingham town line were also affected, as well as the pipe network along Diamond Hill Road from the Cumberland line west to Mendon Road. Pinecrest Road in Woonsocket and Pine Swamp Road and Stephen’s Way in Cumberland were also suffering from the break. Restaurants in the area were closed.

The rest of the city’s water system is unaffected by the break, Lariviere said, and water there can be used without any special precautions.

See the state health Department’s Web site for a map of the area involved.

Posted by Brandie Jefferson at 11:57 AM | Comment

Two teens arrested in Fall River shooting

FALL RIVER – The Fall River police have arrested two teenagers in connection with a shooting last night that left a man seriously wounded.

The police have arrested a 16-year old boy, whose name isn’t being released because he’s a juvenile, and an 18-year old man, whose name the police are also withholding this morning, on charges of armed assault with intent to murder, discharging a firearm, assault with a dangerous weapon and conspiracy, according to police Lt. Paul Bernier.

The victim, whom police are also not identifying, was shot at about 11 p.m. outside 1640 Pleasant St., the police said. He suffered a stomach wound and was taken to an area hospital. No further information is available at this time.

-- Journal staff writer Meaghan Wims

Posted by Brandie Jefferson at 11:54 AM | Comment

Relatives of victims of drunken driving to join patrols

LINCOLN -- Relatives of victims of drunken driving crashes will accompany the police this weekend on special DUI patrols.

The patrols, with officers from 15 different law-enforcement agencies, will start today and continue through the weekend. They will target drunken drivers.

Gabrielle Abbate, executive director of the state branch of Mothers Against Drunk Driving, says each patrol will be named for a person who was killed or seriously injured in a drunken driving crash.

-- The Associated Press

Posted by Brandie Jefferson at 11:20 AM | Comment

Former Cape Cod Times publisher dies at 95

BOURNE, Mass. -- Daniel Bradley Gaylord, who sold the first advertisements for the Cape Cod Times and later became the paper’s publisher, has died. He was 95.

Gaylord died on Dec. 25 at Falmouth Hospital, his wife, Judith, told the Times. She said her husband suffered a fall in September and was recently receiving rehabilitation.

Gaylord was the last surviving member of the team the started the paper, which was first published in a garage in Barnstable in 1936. The paper was called the Cape Cod Standard-Times until 1975.

Gaylord graduated from the University of Virginia in 1935 and learned the newspaper business from his uncle, who was president and publisher of the Daily Oklahoman and the Oklahoma City Times.

The Cape Cod Standard Times’ first owners, E. Anthony & Sons Inc., hired Gaylord as one of two advertising representatives. Twelve years later, he became the paper’s publisher. In 1953, he became general business manager of the company, which included the New Bedford Standard-Times, two radio stations and the launch of a New Bedford television station.

Gaylord retired in 1967.

-- The Associated Press

Posted by Brandie Jefferson at 11:09 AM | Comment

Cranston Mayor to discuss concrete plant

Cranston Mayor Michael Napolitano has scheduled a press conference for tomorrow to discuss the controversy surrounding the Cullion Concrete batching plant off Pontiac Avenue.

The plant, which is half-built, has drawn criticism from residents, and spawned "Cranston Citizens for Responsible Zoning and Development,"a group that opposes the plant's completion.

The state Supreme Court in October ordered Cullion and the city to participate in mediation; since then, both sides have remained silent about negotiations.

Napolitano said in a statement that the controversy has been resolved. He plans to discuss the outcome of mediation at a press conference tomorrow at noon in Cranston City Hall.

-- projo.com staff writer Brandie M. Jefferson

Posted by Brandie Jefferson at 9:35 AM | Comment

Corrente returns to City Hall to argue for pension

PROVIDENCE — A former state official who was caught on FBI videotapes taking bribes during a federal corruption investigation is fighting to reinstate his $70,000 pension.

Frank E. Corrente, 79, was former Mayor Vicent A. Cianci Jr.’s top lieutenant. His pension, city-paid medical and dental insurance were suspended when he was convicted in Operation Plunder Dome.

The Providence Retirement Board will hold a hearing to give Corrente a chance to explain why he should be able to keep some or the entire pension.

Read more in today's Providence Journal

-- Journal staff writer Gregory Smith

Posted by Brandie Jefferson at 7:16 AM | Comment

This morning's rain could turn to sleet, snow

Don't let the rain fool you -- it may not be snow, but it's still cold!

Some of the rain may actually turn to sleet before noon, and then even snow. The National Weather Service is forecasting a high temperature of 37 degrees with a northwest wind up to 14 mph.

Tonight more precipitation before 9 p.m., then clearing skies as the temperature drops to about 29 degrees.

Friday looks nicer, with a high temperature near 44 degrees and a mild, northwest wind.

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

Posted by Brandie Jefferson at 7:01 AM | Comment

Today's front page

Today's front page features good news for Patriots' fans. They'll be able to watch the Patriots' attempt to finish the regular season without a loss. Saturday night's game against the New York Giants was initially available only to subscribers of the NFL Network in Rhode Island and many other parts of New England, but the league gave in to pressure and will allow NBC and CBS to also carry game.

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

Posted by Jack Perry at 7:00 AM | Comment