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« December 28, 2007 | Today | January 2, 2008 » December 31, 20077to7 taking a break for the New Year's holidayWe'll be celebrating New Year's Day tomorrow and not publishing our usual updates to the 7to7 news blog. But that doesn't mean that projo.com is completely off for the day. We'll be offering stories, surveys and more photo uploads, sports blog updates, and our continually updating feeds of national, world and sports news from the Associated Press. On Wednesday, 7to7 will be back on the job at -- 7 a.m. Until then, have a happy and safe new year! Posted by Karen Bordeleau at 7:00 PM | Comment Photo: New Year's at the Parthenon in Greece
Fireworks illuminate the ancient Parthenon atop the Acropolis Hill in Athens, at the start of the new year. Posted by Mike McKinney at 6:45 PM | Comment Mostly clear night for revelers, but rain/snow tomorrow
Journal photo/Connie Grosch Isabella Cooke of Providence, 3, poses for a Happy New Year photo at the Convention Center. The free event was sponsored by CVS.
Tomorrow, there's a 90 percent chance of rain/snow, the National Weather Service reports, but little accumulation is expected. A chance of snow is predicted between 9 a.m. and noon, then periods of rain -- which could make things even more interesting for those who intend to participate in one of the "polar bear" events around the state. Tomorrow's high temperature is expected to be near 40 degrees. Posted by Mike McKinney at 6:15 PM | Comment Photo: New Year's preparations in Boston
Posted by Mike McKinney at 5:20 PM | Comment Wall Street ends the year with another lossWall Street ended a painful year with another steep loss today as investors glumly anticipated that 2008 would see a continuation of the uncertainty and turbulence of 2007. The Dow Jones industrials fell about 100 points -- the latest in a string of triple-digit moves that became commonplace in the just-ended year, although they still managed to finish 2007 with a respectable increase of more than 6 percent -- not as large as the 16.29-percent increase in 2006, but a better performance than the modest loss in 2005. The Dow's annual gain came even after it posted its worst fourth-quarter drop in 20 years, as investors battled with billion-dollar losses at the world's biggest banks and cooler spending by consumers, whose budgets have been crimped by record-high oil prices and falling home prices. "Considering all that's going on, the market really acted pretty well," said Todd Leone, managing director of equity trading at Cowen & Co. It's tough to say what the primary market driver of 2008 will be, but he said the fourth-quarter earnings season in January should shed some light on how U.S. companies are surviving the recent slowdown and credit crunch. Today, the National Association of Realtors said November existing home sales rose 0.4 percent to an annual rate of 5 million -- the first rise in nine months. However, sales are still 20 percent below where they were a year ago, and the median existing home price has dropped 3.3 percent over the past 12 months. Falling home prices this year have made it hard for struggling homeowners to refinance their mortgages, and the slump in construction activity has hurt homebuilders and other housing-related industries. Investors have some reason to believe that Wall Street in 2008 might be able to put to rest some of its financial troubles. The U.K.'s Observer newspaper reported yesterday that Merrill Lynch & Co. was in talks over the weekend to line up capital from investors in China and the Middle East in exchange for portions of the Wall Street firm. Merrill, like many other financial houses, has seen its portfolio lose billions of dollar in value due to misplaced bets on mortgages. And as Citigroup Inc., UBS AG, Morgan Stanley and Bear Stearns Cos. have done, it has turned to investors in Asia for much-needed capital — Merrill has already gotten $4.4 billion this month from a Singapore fund, which bought a 9.9-percent stake in the U.S. brokerage. According to preliminary calculations, the Dow fell 101.05, or 0.76 percent, to 13,264.82. The blue-chip index remains below its Oct. 9 record high of 14,164.53, at which point it was up more than 13 percent year-to-date. Broader stock indicators also declined, but finished the year higher. The Standard & Poor's 500 index fell 10.13, or 0.69 percent, to 1,468.36, to end 2007 with a gain of more than 3 percent. It had reached a record close of 1,565.15 on Oct. 9. The technology-dominated Nasdaq composite index fell 22.18, or 0.83 percent, to 2,652.28, to finish the year with a nearly 10-percent gain. It was the best performance for the Nasdaq, still well below its tech boom highs, since 2003. -- The Associated Press Posted by Mike McKinney at 4:40 PM | Comment Drummers and fireworks tonight; polar plunges tomorrowYou can have a cold one on New Year's Eve -- just avoid driving -- or you can go for a cold one on New Year's Day -- just avoid hypothermia. In Providence, Bright Night is today and culminates this evening with fireworks, music performances and more. There will be clowns, jugglers, storytellers, and magic acts. And there will be two fireworks displays over the State House, at 5:35 p.m. and midnight. More than 200 performers will strut their stuff around the city. The festival began at noon, goes to midnight and beyond and will include a performance by five drummers put together by Carmine Appice, former drummer for Rod Stewart. They are known as Slamm, and the music will be played on garbage cans, Dixie cups and more. Slamm will perform three times at the Providence Performing Arts Center, at 6, 8 and 10 p.m. A Bright Night wristband, which is $15 today, guarantees admission to one of the shows. A kids’ fair at Rhode Island Convention Center began at 1 p.m. and runs to 5 p.m. Appearing will be storytellers Bill Harley and Valerie Tutson, and Keith Munslow, along with entertainer Marvin Novogrodski. Harley and Munslow also sing. Read more about Bright Night and New Year's events around Rhode Island and in southeastern Massachusetts in Journal arts writer Bill Van Siclen's report. From Newport to Narragansett, from North Kingstown to Block Island, people will gather tomorrow at sea's edge, summon courage and take the Polar Bear plunge -- despite thermometer readings that suggest a flight to Hawaii if you really want a dip. Here's the portfolio of places to plunge tomorrow, many of them to benefit a cause: On Block Island, the Penguin Plunge is at Fred Benson Town Beach, off Corn Neck Road. There will be a beach bonfire to warm participants and spectators. For more information, call (800) 383-2474 or visit www.blockislandchamber.com. In Galilee, Bucks for Scups is at Salty Brine Beach, off Sand Hill Cove. Afterward, 1 to 4:30 p.m., at the Bon Vue Inn, 1230 Ocean Rd., Narragansett, the Dynamic Trio will give a live concert. There’s a recommended donation of $20, a complimentary buffet and free T-shirts. In Jamestown, the Penguin Plunge is at Mackerel Cove Beach, off Beavertail Road. For more information, visit www.specialolympicsri.org. In Little Compton, the Penguin Plunge is at South Shore Beach, off South Shore Road. There’s a spectator fee of $10 per carload, which supports local scholarships. In Matunuck, the ninth annual "Dip for Multiple Sclerosis" will be hosted by the Joyce Family Pub, off Matunuck Beach Road. In Narragansett, the Pier Plunge is at Narragansett Town Beach, off Beach Street. The event is conducted by the Narragansett Lions Club as a fundraiser. Registration is at 10 a.m. The fee is $20. The first 400 participants will receive a T-shirt. For more information, visit www.narragansettri.com/lions. In Newport, the Polar Plunge is at Easton’s Beach, off Memorial Boulevard. For more information, and registration, visit http://users.ids.net/cwwright/. In North Kingstown, the Polar Bear Plunge is at North Kingstown Town Beach off Beach Street. In Westerly, the Freezin’ for a Reason is at the Town Beach, off Atlantic Avenue. It benefits the Westerly Area Rest Meals (WARM) Shelter. Check-in starts at 9:30 a.m. at the Andrea Hotel. There’s a two-mile "waddle" for runners and walkers at 10:30 a.m. -- the entry registration deadline for that has passed. For information, go to www. westerlyconnections.com. Posted by Mike McKinney at 3:45 PM | Comment Central Falls firefighters at scene of blazeCENTRAL FALLS -- Firefighters have been at the scene of a fire on Dexter Street this afternoon. No other information was yet available. Posted by Mike McKinney at 3:25 PM | Comment Photo: New Year's in Iraq
Posted by Mike McKinney at 3:06 PM | Comment Start 2008 with a bang, not a crashIf you’re going to spend the night out on the town celebrating New Year's Eve, and if you’re going to drink, be sure to make arrangements for safe travels that do not involve getting behind the wheel of a car. However, there will not be additional bus or trolley service running tonight. The Rhode Island State Police say they will have an increased presence on the state’s highways, looking to get drunken drivers off the road. “New Year’s Eve is a night that a lot of people are celebrating and drinking and driving,” Capt. Jim Swanberg said on Friday. “Troopers are focusing on that… trying to put on additional patrols and have more of a police presence on the highways.” And another hazard: the roads will be pretty icy tonight. This afternoon's mild weather is melting snow and sleet, but temperatures are expected to drop to the mid 20s overnight, freezing what's left on sidewalks and roads. You can, of course, still partake in the spirit of the celebration without running the risk of a ticket, or worse – just be sure to plan ahead. Make a deal with a sober friend -- New Year's Eve for St. Patrick's Day? -- walk to your party, or arrange a taxi. If, after a long night, you’re not sure if you’re in shape to drive, chances are you’re not. But for an idea as to how a drink may affect your blood-alcohol levels, check out this blood alcohol content calculator. Remember, in Rhode Island, and other states, if your BAC is .08 or greater, you're legally intoxicated. And Happy New Year! -- projo.com staff writer Brandie M. Jefferson Posted by Brandie Jefferson at 3:01 PM | Comment URI men's basketball climbs to No. 23 in AP pollSOUTH KINGSTOWN -- The Rhode Island men's basketball team has scored its second-straight Top 25 ranking in the weekly Associated Press poll. The Rams moved up two spots, from 25th to 23rd in the poll released today. The increase follows back-to-back wins over the weekend over Eastern Michigan and Georgia Southern to improve the Rams' record to 13-1. Rhode Island cracked the rankings last week for the first time since November 1998, and is off to its best start since the 1946-47 season. The Rams play their last non-conference game of the season against Fairleigh Dickinson on Wednesday. -- The Associated Press Posted by Mike McKinney at 2:46 PM | Comment Photo: New Year's in the Philippines
Filipinos watch a fireworks display in a park as they welcome in the new year in Manila. Posted by Brandie Jefferson at 1:30 PM | Comment Photo: Traditional New Year's scuffle in Romania
Riot police try to hold villagers wearing fur masks at bay today before the start of the traditional annual confrontation in Ruginoasa, Romania, 400 kilometers north of Bucharest. Villagers from the hills and valleys engage in fights on the last day of every year in a centuries-old ritual that, according to locals, is meant to purge the evil spirits in their community. During the past few years, however, riot police have tried to keep the villagers from fighting each other because serious injuries often occur during the clashes. Posted by Brandie Jefferson at 1:20 PM | Comment Four charged in Fall River car-vandalism spreeFALL RIVER -- Four people have been arrested for allegedly blasting away at more than 100 parked motor vehicles with a pellet gun Saturday night and early Sunday morning. They each face 148 counts of both charges: discharging a BB gun on a way and vandalizing property, the police said in a news release today. The police say they have found thousands of BB pellets in the suspects' car during a stop. Arrested were Cherie Gagnon, 22, of 412 Dwelly St., Fall River, who drove the car from which pellets were allegedly fired; Kevin Couto, 20, of 196 Earle St., New Bedford, Mass.; Steven Guillette, 28, of 182 Durfee St., New Bedford; and, Jessica Ducary, 18, of 93 Hathaway St., New Bedford. "The out-of-pocket cost to replace these windows to the individual citizens of Fall River will be in the thousands of dollars," the police statement said. The police said a witness described the type of car involved in the shootings, and said four people had been inside. Officer Michael Digangi, who saw the car travel on North Main Street then turn onto Weaver Street, stopped it. The police said one person appeared to put something under a seat during the stop. The police said they saw several silver pellets on the car floor and found pellet guns in the car and thousands of BB pellets in a passenger compartment. -- projo.com staff writer Michael P. McKinney Posted by Mike McKinney at 1:00 PM | Comment Update: Suspicious material may be molotov cocktailA mystery substance that was believed to be toxic and sent four people to the hospital may have been an attempt at a molotov cocktail. A sample of a substance came back as “inconclusive,” Charlestown police said, citing findings by the state Department of Environmental Management, which tested the liquid. Michael Sweeney, chief of investigations for the State Fire Marshal office said additional samples have been sent to the University of Rhode Island Crime lab; he expects the results by next week. "We don't even know if we have a crime at this point," Sweeney said, "it appears to be a molotov cocktail." -- With reports from Journal staff writer Maria Armental “The sample that they were able to retrieve from the scene may have been diluted by the rainwater,” Lt. Patrick McMahon said. According to an earlier statement released by the Police Department, officers responded to a call at about 9:40 p.m. last night from a Post Road residence. The caller said she backed over a glass container that was in her driveway and had been exposed to an unknown substance. Patrolman Philip Gingerella and his brother Peter Gingerella, a reserve police officer, “were both overcome by low lying toxic fumes coming from the property,” according to a statement released by the police. The 4700 block of Old Post Road was closed until about midnight while HazMat Teams from the state and the Hope Valley Fire Department joined the state Department of Environmental Management in the investigation. The two officers, the caller, and a friend of hers who had been exposed to the substance were taken to a decontamination area, and then to South County Hospital. In addition to the effects of the substance, they were treated for hypothermia, according to the statement. Because of “the suspicious nature of the glass container and its contents,” the state Fire Marshal’s Office is also assisting the investigation. Posted by Mike McKinney at 12:45 PM | Comment Photo: New Year's in Hong Kong
A pyrotechnic show is set off around the International Finance Centre, Hong Kong's tallest building, at Victoria Habour, to celebrate the New Year, Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2008. See New Year's celebrations across the world on the EarthCam Webcams. Posted by Brandie Jefferson at 11:40 AM | Comment Photo: Teen faces drunk driving charges after man struck
Scene on Poppasquash Road in Bristol, overlooking Bristol Harbor, next to Colt State Park where a 17-year-old Barrington boy led police on a chase across the park off the road, through brush, into this seawall and striking a pedestrian before coming to a stop.
Deputy Chief Kurt Blanchard at the state Department of Environmental Management said environmental police saw the suspect drive through the park at about 8:15 Saturday night. The suspect stopped the car near the entrance to the park, but took off as the patrol officer approached, according to Blanchard. At that point, the teenager, who was alone in the car, drove through a field and out onto Poppasquash Road, Blanchard said. At about 8:30 p.m., the environmental police notified the state police. A 51-year-old local man saw the car approaching and jumped over the seawall "just in time," according to State Police Capt. James Swanberg. The car crashed into the seawall, pinning the man. The victim was taken to a local hospital, treated and released. The police found opened and unopened alcohol containers and marijuana in the car, Swanberg said, and, "troopers observed him to be impaired." After administering field sobriety tests, the teenager was arrested. The teenager faces drunken driving charges, as well as charges for driving while in possession of a controlled substance. He also faces several citations from the DEM for being in the park after hours and having alcohol in the park. Since he is 17, the teenager will face the charges in Family Court. “This is yet another sad incident in a string of tragedies involving our youth, particularly those from Barrington. Fortunately, in this instance, the victim has survived," said Attorney General Patrick C. Lynch. “We have been involved and working with law enforcement since the outset and are reviewing the case with the Rhode Island State Police and the DEM to determine the appropriate charges. Once that process has been completed, we will prosecute this case to the fullest extent of the law,” Lynch said. Posted by Brandie Jefferson at 10:31 AM | Comment Gas hits highest price of the yearThe price of gasoline in Rhode Island has hit its highest price of the year on the final day of year, according to AAA Southern New England. The average price for a gallon of gasoline is $3.109 at the self-service pump, up four cents from last week, according to AAA's weekly survey. The previous high was $3.08 on Memorial Day, AAA says. Posted by Jack Perry at 10:17 AM | Comment Exposure to suspicious material sends 4 to hospitalThe police in Charlestown are investigating a suspicious substance that overtook two officers with toxic fumes. According to a statement released by the police department, officers responded to a call at about 9:40 p.m. last night from a Post Road residence. The caller said she backed over a glass container that was in her driveway and had been exposed to an unknown substance. Patrolman Philip Gingerella and his brother Peter Gingerella, a reserve police officer, “were both overcome by low lying toxic fumes coming from the property,” according to a statement released by the police. The two officers, the caller, and a friend of hers who had been exposed to the substance were taken to a decontamination area, and then to South County Hospital. In addition to the effects of the substance, they were treated for hypothermia, according to the statement. The incident is under investigation while municipal authorities await the results of laboratory tests on the substance. Because of “the suspicious nature of the glass container and its contents,” the state Fire Marshal’s Office is also assisting the investigation. -- projo.com staff writer Brandie M. Jefferson Posted by Brandie Jefferson at 8:24 AM | Comment Storm could bring record for Boston
BOSTON -- A winter storm bearing down on the region could bring enough snow to break December's snowfall record in the Boston area. Boston only needs one more inch of snow to tie the December record of 27.9 inches set in 1970. A New Year's Eve storm moving through the area late Sunday and early Monday morning could drop several more inches. It's a dramatic shift from last year. Last December, Boston got less than an inch of snow. That was followed by 1 inch in January and less than 5 inches in February. Much of the snow this December piled up during three significant snowfalls between Dec. 13 and Dec. 20. The snow has been an economic boost, with fewer skiers and snowmobilers heading north. Boston Mayor Thomas Menino declared a snow emergency and parking ban effective at midnight tonight ahead of the snowfall followed by frigid temperatures midweek, creating possibly icy conditions. Posted by Jack Perry at 7:02 AM | Comment A wintry mix this morning but clearing laterIf it's involved in a "wintry mix," it's out there. There's rain, snow, sleet, ice ... and it's all on the streets, so if you have a personal day left in 2007, today might be the day to take it. If you have to drive, take it slow. Last Friday, icy roads led to a handful of accidents during the morning commute. Check for accidents at the Transportation Management Center's Web site. And although crews were out salting the roads, Jerome Williams, the director of the Rhode Island Department of Transportation sill warns: "Motorists should still leave extra time and be careful on the roadways during this morning’s commute,” and said crews are still de-icing the roads this morning. As for the rest of the day, the National Weather Service is forecasting cloudy skies until mid-morning when the clouds should clear and the temperature will climb to 40 degrees. Clear skies forecast for Bright Night, tonight, but cold, with temperatures dropping to the mid 20s There's a good chance of snow and rain tomorrow with cloudy skies and a high temperature in the mid 30s. For weather updates, visit projo.com's weather page. Posted by Brandie Jefferson at 7:01 AM | Comment Today's front pageToday's front page features a look back on the Patriots' record-setting regular season and a story about how invasive species are causing problems in Rhode Island's bodies of water. |
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ProJo 9 to 5 News Blog
Oct 2005 - March 2006