« January 25, 2008 | Today | January 29, 2008 »

January 28, 2008

Tonight: Indian classical and jazz fuse at Chan's

There's Indian classical music and jazz mixed together in the works of the Bombay Jazz quartet, which features jazz guitarist Larry Coryell and plays tonight.

George Brooks is on saxophone, Ronu Majumdar on flute, and Vijay Ghate on tabla.

There are two shows at Chan’s, 267 Main St., Woonsocket, at 8 and 10 p.m. Admission is $22 for the 8 p.m. show; $18 for the 10 p.m., or $25 for both. For information and reservations, call (401) 765-1900.

Posted by Mike McKinney at 6:50 PM | Comment

These R.I. citizens join lawmakers for State of the Union

In his final State of the Union speech, President Bush tonight will ask Congress to swiftly pass $150 million in economic stimulus funds, urge no tax increases, talk about tougher borders and immigration, and stress that some level of troops should remain in Iraq, citing statistics of what he says is decreased violence there.

The president will also pledge to veto any budget appropriations bill Congress sends him unless various congressional earmarks -- sometimes called "pork" -- are hacked in half. That goes for both number, and cost of, earmarks. It is one part of what the president's speech will say is the goal of balancing the budget by 2012 -- years after Bush has left office.

Video: Projo.com will stream the State of the Union, scheduled to start at 9 p.m., and the Democratic response, live tonight, and offer a survey for your reaction.

But don't wait for the speech and the talking heads: Read for yourself about what the president is expected to prioritize here.

Many Rhode Islanders will watch the address on television. But four others will watch from the halls of Congress -- and not just the state's congressional delegation.

-- projo.com staff writer Michael P. McKinney

Bank Rhode Island president and chief executive officer Merrill W. Sherman is Sen. Jack Reed's special guest tonight.

She spearheaded the creation of the bank in 1996, has been head of two other New England banks, and, before that, practiced law with a major Providence firm.

Mike Tracy, a cancer survivor from East Providence's Riverside section, is slated to be a guest of U.S. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-Rhode Island.

According to Whitehouse's office, Tracy suffered from a misdiagnosed case of squamous cell carcinoma on his foot, and his cancer therefore went untreated for years. He was told his leg would have to be amputated to prevent the cancer's spreading. After he got a second opinion at a Boston hospital, his final diagnosis had to be delayed several weeks so his complete records could be moved from Providence, the release said.

“A mistaken diagnosis changed my life forever. Paper medical records meant I had to wait in limbo -- knowing my life was in danger -- while my chart was transferred from one hospital to another. Nobody should have to go through an experience like this,” Tracy said in the statement released last week. “We need to fix the health care system.”

Cumberland Mayor Daniel McKee, a Democrat, will be a guest of U.S. Rep. Patrick Kennedy, D-Rhode Island, watching the speech from the House Gallery.

“Mayor McKee epitomizes the plight of mayors across the country facing diminishing resources from the state and federal governments, as well as the challenges innate in running a municipality,” Kennedy said in a statement last week. “He is quickly becoming known in national circles as an innovator and strategic thinker, particularly in the area of education.”

McKee stated he looks forward to the trip “and the opportunity to discuss some of the key issues that are having an impact on the state of Rhode Island."

U.S. Rep. James Langevin's guest at the State of the Union will be Anne Nolan, president of Crossroads Rhode Island.

“She works every day to make sure those less fortunate have a warm, safe place to lay their heads at night as well as all the support services they need to help get them back on their feet," Langevin said of Nolan in a statement.

Nolan joined Crossroads in 2000. Formerly Travelers Aid, Crossroads, under Nolan’s leadership, has opened a headquarters on Broad Street overlooking Route 95, including a state-of-the-art medical clinic, and launched Operation First Step, an emergency assessment shelter to the newly homeless.

Posted by Mike McKinney at 6:34 PM | Comment

Photo: Giving his seal of approval

Journal photo / Andrew Dickerman
Eight-year-old Kyle Allhusen, of Scituate, "signs" his hand print on a steel beam to be hoisted to the top of an addition to Women & Infants Hospital in Providence during a topping-off ceremony today. The new structure will include space to expand the overcrowded neonatal intensive care unit, where Kyle and his twin brother, Dylan, were patients after their birth.

Posted by Andrea Panciera at 6:12 PM | Comment

Ex-Lincoln official's trial on bribery charges begins

PROVIDENCE -- The trial of ex-Lincoln Town Administrator Jonathan F. Oster on bribery and conspiracy charges began this afternoon as the prosecution and defense made opening arguments to the jury.

Prosecutor Bethany Macktaz laid out the state's case in Providence County Superior Court alleging that Oster and his former political ally and ex-Lincoln Planning Board member Robert Picerno had extorted money from two sets of would-be buyers of a piece of industrial property on George Washington Highway in Lincoln.

Macktaz said the state's evidence will show that Oster and Picerno twice tried to sell the land, which the town controlled, for $105,000 -- and a $25,000 bribe.

The defense contended that the only conspiracy was by Picerno and the state police against his client.

Defense lawyer C. Leonard O'Brien portrayed Picerno as a "personable scoundrel" and "a flim-flam man" who successfully plea-bargained his way out of more serious charges by implicating Oster in a plan that O'Brien said the town administrator knew nothing about.

The trial covers activities that allegedly occured while Oster was town administrator from 2000 to 2002. He was arrested in February 2002 on two counts of bribery and two count of conspiracy to commit bribery

The trial will resume tomorrow at 9:30 a.m.

-- Journal staff writer John Hill

Posted by Mike McKinney at 4:56 PM | Comment

Assembly cancels sessions to attend senator's services

PROVIDENCE -- State lawmakers have canceled sessions and hearings to attend the wake and funeral of Woonsocket Sen. Roger Badeau, who died last week.

Badeau was 71 and died from pancreatic cancer. He was first elected to the state Senate in 1984.

A spokesman for Senate President Joseph Montalbano says Badeau's wake is scheduled for today, and his funeral is scheduled for tomorrow.

The Senate has canceled several committee hearings so lawmakers can attend the wake. The Senate has also canceled its scheduled session on Tuesday evening in honor of Badeau.

Governor Carcieri is also scheduled to attend the funeral tomorrow, according to his calendar for the day.

Read Badeau's obituary, check calling hours and funeral information, and sign an online guestbook.

-- The Associated Press

Posted by Mike McKinney at 4:40 PM | Comment

'Superman' building in downtown Providence is sold

Journal file photo
The Bank of America tower, built in 1927, is the tallest building in the state.

PROVIDENCE -- The Inland Real Estate Corporation has sold the Art Deco-style Bank of America tower, known locally as "the Superman building," to High Rock Westminster Street LLC, a company affiliated with Compass Realty Associates in Burlington, Mass., according to the broker, NAI Hunneman Commercial.

The deal closed on Friday, Jonathan Aron, a vice president at NAI Hunneman, said. High Rock paid $33 million.

“It’s such a landmark building,” Aron said. “It’s such an identifiable building in Providence.”

The Superman reference, for those of a certain age, stems from the similarity to the Daily Planet building, workplace of Clark Kent, aka Superman, in the 1950s TV series about the comic-book hero.

Posted by Benjamin N. Gedan at 4:40 PM | Comment

Teachers rescue unconscious Cranston 7th grader

CRANSTON -- A seventh grader who could not swim well became unconscious after she jumped into the deep end of a Park View Middle School pool this morning. She was later revived and taken to Hasbro Children's Hospital and is expected to be discharged today.

The incident occurred at 11 a.m. today. The girl, who was not identified, was among those swimmers not considered proficient. But she saw some friends in the pool's deeper end, jumped in to be with them and ended up having troubles, according to authorities.

A physical education teacher jumped into the pool and pulled the girl out with help from another teacher who was on the pool's apron, according to Raymond Votto, chief operating officer of the Cranston schools. They called 911, and began administering CPR. She was alert and responsive when emergency services personnel arrived.

A school nurse went with the girl to the hospital. School administrators were notified the girl was all right and would at some point go home with her family.

"Our staff reacted in a very quick and consistent manner," said Votto. He added that by using their training, they did a commendable job.

-- projo.com staff writer Michael P. McKinney, with reports from Journal staff writer Barbara Polichetti

Posted by Mike McKinney at 4:30 PM | Comment

Whitehouse kicks off global-warming campaign at Brown

PROVIDENCE -- U.S. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse spoke to a supportive and packed auditorium at Brown University today about global warming challenges that lie ahead and how voters need to elect a president that will lead the nation, and complement the Democratic majority in Congress, in pushing more progressive legislation to slow the effects of climate change.

Whitehouse, a Rhode Island Democrat, criticized the Bush Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency for what he said were their inadequate efforts to address the nation’s environmental issues, making specific reference to the agency’s decision rejecting states’ right to set their own vehicle emission standards.

Whitehouse, a member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, said he has co-sponsored legislation that would allow states to regulate vehicle emissions.

Channeling the mantra of frustrated environmental advocates across the world, Whitehouse called for Bush to “lead or get out of the way.”

Whitehouse’s speech at Brown was the university’s first event of the global warming awareness campaign called Focus the Nation, which is a national effort to educate the public, especially students, about the dangers posed by unchecked climate change and to push legislative efforts that curb greenhouse gas emissions.

Several other universities in the state, including the University of Rhode Island and Johnson & Wales University, are participating in the effort by hosting screenings informational videos and asking teachers to stress the link between their areas of expertise to climate change during their classes.

-- Journal environment writer Natalie Garcia

Posted by Mike McKinney at 3:31 PM | Comment

Ice still too thin for safe skating, DEM says / Photo

Journal photo / Frieda Squires
Summer sandles left at Goosewing Beach in Little Compton wait out the winter today.

Remember, a little bit of ice does not an ice skating rink make.

That's what the Department of Environmental Management is reminding people of today.

To be considered safe, DEM officials say ice must have a uniform thickness of at least 6 inches -- something that requires about a week of temperatures in the 20s.

You can't tell if ice is safe just by looking -- there are many factors that determine how stable the ice is, including the salinity and presence of currents and streams.

The DEM checks the ice at several of its state park and recreational areas. Call the State Park Ice Information Line at (401) 222-2632 to get the results. Get more information about the ice skating safety in the DEM's ice safety guide.

So if you want to guarantee safe skating, find a man-made rink.

There's the Bank of America City Center rink in downtown Providence, a great place to take a half-hour twirl on the ice during lunch, or after work, while everyone else is skidding out on the highway, you can work on your double axel.

Other rinks open for public skating include these in Newport, Cranston, Woonsocket and the URI Kingston campus.

-- projo.com staff writer Brandie M. Jefferson

Posted by Brandie Jefferson at 3:18 PM | Comment

MBTA brings free WiFi to first set of commuter trains

No more excuses for these commuters to nap on the train.

Beginning this week, commuters on the Worcester/Framingham MBTA commuter rail line to Boston will have free WiFi service.

When the service comes online, you can use your laptop, PDA, mobile phone, mp3 player, or whatever else it is you use to stay connected to give yourself an extra hour of work – or online video games.

Lt. Gov. Tim Murray announced the program, saying the program is “an important first step in our commitment to improve commuter services throughout the Commonwealth.”

At least one passenger car on each of the 41 inbound and outbound trains on the Worcester/Framingham line will be equipped with a wireless router to begin with, Murray said. Signs will announce on the more than 40 cars that they’re WiFi ready.

During this first phase of connectivity, “feedback from our riders will be solicited to help us maximize the technology’s benefits, and then expand the program to other parts of the 13-line Commuter Rail system,” said MBTA General Manager Daniel A. Grabauskas.

Posted by Brandie Jefferson at 2:57 PM | Comment

Update: 3 Kennedys take the stage to endorse Obama

WASHINGTON -- More than 40 years after the late President John F. Kennedy became associated with championing civil rights, three Kennedys today endorsed Sen. Barack Obama for the Democratic presidential nomination.

Veteran Massachusetts Sen. Edward M. Kennedy called the Illinois senator someone with "extraordinary gifts of leadership and character."

"I feel change in the air!" Kennedy bellowed during a rally at American University in Washington in which he made references to the late civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr.

He said Obama has what it takes to "make America good again, from sea to shining sea."

From the beginning, Kennedy said, Obama opposed the Iraq war. While he could have chosen a career in corporate law, he chose to serve the community in public life.

With an Obama campaign poster prominently featuring the word "change" behind them, the elder Kennedy, his son, Rhode Island Rep. Patrick J. Kennedy, and Caroline Kennedy -- daughter of President Kennedy -- lent the support of their political dynasty to Obama over New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton -- both dueling for the party's presidential nomination.

Rep. Kennedy, who spoke first, recalled words of his uncle, John F. Kennedy, whose life -- like King's -- was cut short by an assassin's bullet:

" 'Change is the law of life and those who only look to the past or present are certain to miss the future.' "

"We need to embrace change," Patrick Kennedy said, adding that he was there to declare his "complete support for a new generation of leadership," for someone who "dares to dream, who dares to hope."

The endorsements come as Obama enters the week following his trouncing of Clinton in Saturday's South Carolina primary.

Video: Watch a clip of Sen. Kennedy endorsing Obama, and his response.

-- projo.com staff writer Michael P. McKinney

Posted by Mike McKinney at 2:12 PM | Comment

Restraining order against Pats' Moss extended

BOSTON — Lawyers for Randy Moss and the woman who accused him of battery agreed to extend a temporary restraining order she obtained against the New England Patriots wide receiver, his agent said today.

A court hearing was scheduled today in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., on Rachelle Washington’s request for a permanent restraining order. The temporary order required Moss to stay at least 500 feet from Washington. No criminal charge has been brought, and they described each other as longtime friends.

David McGill, Washington’s attorney, did not return calls.

Moss is in Arizona for the Super Bowl on Sunday against the New York Giants. He has denied the accusation by Washington that he committed “battery causing serious injury” to her at her Florida home Jan. 6.

“The restraining order will be continued by agreement of the attorneys,” Tim DiPiero, Moss’ agent, told The Associated Press in a statement. “The parties won’t be there.”

Moss’ attorney, Richard Sharpstein, said he would appear at the hearing on his client’s behalf and agree to the extension of the restraining order until both parties can appear in court or the matter is resolved.

-- The Associated Press

“We have no contest over the restraining order given the current situation. He will stay completely away from her and has no desire to have contact with her,” Sharpstein said. “He’s in Phoenix busy preparing to win the Super Bowl and on a day like today his mind is elsewhere.”

The restraining order created a stir and potential distraction for Moss, who gave an emotional defense in the Patriots’ locker room for about 10 minutes on Jan. 16. Four days later, New England beat San Diego 21-12 in the AFC championship game at Foxborough. For the second straight game, he caught just one pass against the Chargers.

The issue quickly faded from the spotlight, replaced last week by the swirl of attention around quarterback Tom Brady being spotted wearing a protective boot on his right foot in New York. He didn’t comment on it until arriving in Phoenix on Sunday night.

“It’s feeling good. I’ll be ready to go,” Brady said.

Moss said the woman who obtained the order has been a friend for 11 years and that she asked for “six figures” for what he said was an accident in which she was hurt.

“They’re false allegations, something I’ve been battling for like the last couple of days of threats going public if I didn’t pay X amount of dollars,” Moss said. “This young lady by no means is hurt. I didn’t hurt her.”

On draft day last April, the Patriots sent a 2007 fourth-round draft choice to Oakland for Moss. He set an NFL single-season record of 23 touchdown catches, breaking Jerry Rice’s mark by one. He finished tied for eighth in the league with 98 catches and second with 1,493 yards receiving.

Posted by Brandie Jefferson at 2:10 PM | Comment

Dairy the cause of chicken recall

If you have a dairy allergy, pay close attention:

Purdue Farms, Inc., has recalled about 25,000 pounds of its boneless, skinless chicken breast products because they may contain milk in the seasonings that is not listed on the label.

The company’s 28.8-ounce package of “Perfect Portions,” are affected. They will have an establishment number: EST P-7903; UPC code: 72745-06819; Sell by or Freeze by Feb. 02, Feb. 03, Feb. 04, Feb. 05 or Feb. 06.

Click here to see a .PDF file of the product and its label.

Consumers with questions about food safety can have their questions answered online. Or call the USDA meat and poultry hotline at 1-888-674-6854.

-- projo.com staff writer Brandie M. Jefferson

Posted by Brandie Jefferson at 2:05 PM | Comment

Tests show bones in N. Smithfield date back 500 years

NORTH SMITHFIELD -- Initial tests on bone fragments found in mounds in North Smithfield show they are 500 to 600 years old and belonged to a young girl.

Conservation Commission Chairman Donald Gagnon presented the results to the town council last week. The town is looking for more information about more than 100 stone mounds discovered last year near where a housing development had been scheduled to be built.

The preliminary carbon dating testing on the remains appears to support the belief of a local archaeologist that the mounds are American Indian burial grounds.

The town council approved money for more extensive testing that will help pinpoint the age of the other remains on the site.

-- The Associated Press

Posted by Brandie Jefferson at 1:59 PM | Comment

State police turn over 213 pages in smoke-shop case

PROVIDENCE -- More than a week after the trial of seven Narragansett Indians in the smoke-shop raid case was scheduled to start, the state police today provided 213 pages of e-mails to the court.

A judge last week expressed concern that the state police hadn't turned over all documents ahead of trial.

The state and the defense are going through the e-mails. The state will argue that some of the documents should remain confidential.

Computer experts for the defense and the state police will also look into whether deleted state police files can be recovered. They are expected to argue that matter in court on Friday.

Late last week, testimony centered around the state police process for gathering and submitting evidence in preparation for the trial. The state police used a search warrant on the tribe's smoke shop in Charlestown under order from Governor Carcieri on July 14, 2003, to halt the Narragansetts from selling cigarettes without Rhode Island taxes.

Two state police officials testified last week “it didn’t occur” to them to give defense lawyers the internal investigation into the raid or the witness statements that led to that report, until being subpoenaed by defense lawyers. One said he had put that file on a bookshelf, where it was until two weeks ago.

Judge Susan E. McGuirl also heard in testimony from a state police official last week that officials failed to turn over internal affairs files based on complaints about the raid.

“If you don’t ask, how are you going to have the knowledge?” McGuirl said in court last week.

McGuirl last week ordered the state police to inspect the department’s files over the weekend to be sure all relevant information has been disclosed.

-- projo.com staff writer Michael P. McKinney, with reports from Journal staff writer Katie Mulvaney

Posted by Mike McKinney at 1:53 PM | Comment

Mill's Tavern again earns 4 stars on Mobil Travel Guide

PROVIDENCE -- Mill's Tavern has again made the national list of restaurants meriting four stars by the Mobil Travel Guide, the only eatery to do so from Rhode Island for 2008.

The travel guide today announced four-star and five-star restaurants, hotels and spas from around the country. Nationally, 41 lodgings, 17 restaurants and 3 spas got five-star ratings this go-around while 125 lodgings, 149 restaurants and 84 spas got four stars.

According to the restaurant's Web site, it made the Mobil four-star list in 2005 and 2006, too.

Read a Providence Journal review of the restaurant this month.

-- projo.com staff writer Michael P. McKinney

Posted by Mike McKinney at 12:27 PM | Comment

Live video, 12:15 p.m.: The Kennedys endorse Obama

PROVIDENCE -- Massachusetts Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, the Democratic Party’s liberal lion, and his son, Rhode Island Rep. Patrick J. Kennedy, will endorse Barack Obama for president today, giving the Illinois senator a new jolt of momentum in his campaign against New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton for the Democratic nomination.

Projo.com will carry live video of the event, which starts at 12:15 p.m. at a rally for Obama on the Washington, D.C., campus of American University.

The Kennedy endorsements come in the wake of Obama’s historic landslide victory Saturday in South Carolina’s primary. More important, they arrive eight days before the round of 22 state primaries and caucuses on Feb. 5 that loom as a de facto national primary that could decide whether Clinton or Obama wins the nomination.

In an interview yesterday, Patrick Kennedy said he and Edward Kennedy will be joined by Caroline Kennedy, the only surviving child of the late President John F. Kennedy, who announced her support of Obama this weekend.

Full story ...

-- Journal staff writer Scott MacKay

Posted by Andrea Panciera at 11:36 AM | Comment

Gas prices fall again

Gas prices in Rhode Island have fallen for the third straight week, according to AAA Southern New England.

The average price for a gallon of regular, unleaded gasoline at the self-service pump dropped three cents in the last week and is now $3.049, according to AAA's weekly survey.

The price has dropped nine cents in the last three weeks, but it's still well above the average of $2.209 at this time last year.

The average price nationally is $2.989.

Posted by Jack Perry at 10:58 AM | Comment

Accused hit-and-run driver pleads not guilty

A Rhode Island man accused of fatally hitting a woman as she walked down a Seekonk, Mass., street with her daughter pleaded not guilty today to motor vehicle homicide in Superior Court.

Police say after driving into 38-year-old Maria Aguiar on Oct. 14, Laudalino Camara drove off. The next day, prosecutors say, Camara’s wife staged an accident to account for the damage to the GMC Yukon.

Camara, of 626 Prospect St., Pawtucket, was arrested Nov. 9 at his Seekonk business, American Granite, on Old Fall River Avenue.

At his arraignment in New Bedford Superior Court this morning, Camara pleaded not guilty to motor vehicle homicide and to a charge of leaving the scene of an accident, death resulting.

He was released after posting $125,000 cash bail, and is due back in court for procedural matters March 27.

-- projo.com staff writer Brandie M. Jefferson, with reports from Journal staff writer Meaghan Wims

Posted by Brandie Jefferson at 10:38 AM | Comment

Janitors at PC ready to strike

Janitors at Providence College employed by Hurley of America, Inc., have three days left in their contract, and they’re not happy.

The group says they have faced harassment and threats for trying to get changes in the contract and that now, they're ready to strike.

At a rally today, janitors will be joined by PC students and faculty, City Council Majority Leader Terrence Hassett, and other council members. The Council unanimously approved a resolution two weeks ago supporting the janitors.

If an agreement cannot be reached on wage increases, benefits and overall working conditions by Jan. 31, the janitors, who are members of the Service Employees International Union, Local 615, say they’ll strike during the College’s Upperclassmen Family Weekend, Feb. 1 to Feb. 3.

The group plans to meet at 4:30 today in front of Providence City Hall.

-- projo.com staff writer Brandie M. Jefferson

Posted by Brandie Jefferson at 9:32 AM | Comment

Get help getting tax credits

Some Rhode Islanders could qualify for an Earned Income Tax Credit as high as $4,700 without even knowing it.

The 7th annual Providence Earned Income Tax Credit Campaign begins today with the goal of training volunteers to prepare income tax returns for low- to moderate-income families around the state so they can take advantage of the credits.

The volunteers will be stationed in neighborhoods around the city in Olneyville, upper and Lower South Providence, and in Elmwood and the West End at International Institute of Rhode Island, the RI Family Life Center, Socio Economic Development Center for Southeast Asians, Providence Spanish 7th Day Adventist Church, Community Co-op Inc., Olneyville Housing Corporation and RI ACORN.

This year’s goal is to reach more than 2,000 households. In the six years since it began, more than 6,000 households have taken advantage of the campaign, capturing about $4.5 million in tax credits.

The EITC campaign is sponsored by the United Way of Rhode Island and Making Connections Providence. More details will be announced today at a 10 a.m. press conference at the John Hope Settlement House.

Mayor David Cicilline will be joined by U. S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse and local and federal representatives.

-- projo.com staff writer Brandie M. Jefferson

Posted by Brandie Jefferson at 9:25 AM | Comment

Who says the weather is milder on the Cape

Just a dusting of snow fell on the Providence area yesterday, but the story was far different about an hour away on Cape Cod, which was battered by high winds and heavy snow from yesterday afternoon into this morning.

A storm that the National Weather Service characterizes as a near blizzard dumped more than 13 inches of snow on Wellfleet, more than 11 inches on Brewster and 10 inches on Falmouth, according to unofficial results on the weather service's site.

See for yourself.

School was canceled today in many Cape towns.

The storm, which was expected to hit the Cape starting last night, turned nasty early.

The National Weather Service had predicted snow showers off and on for much of the daytime hours yesterday with little accumulation. But the wet snow started sticking to the roads by yesterday morning, and by midafternoon, side roads were slick and those "snow showers" could sting your face.

The wind was howling, and the snow appeared to be blowing sideways early last night. Cars were traveling about 10 mph. There were near whiteout conditions on the MidCape highway.

For the most part, the snow had stopped by 5 a.m. and plowing crews were hitting the major roads, but the strong wind kept blowing the snow back onto the road.

Posted by Jack Perry at 8:03 AM | Comment

Sen. Whitehouse focuses on the environment

"Global warming is real, and it has serious implications for the homes, businesses, communities, and ecosystems along our nation's coasts."

So says U.S. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, a member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee. But what does he think should be done to combat the the effects of climate change?

Find out today, when Whitehouse speaks at Brown University at a lecture sponsored by the University's Environmental Change Initiative and emPower, an environmental blog.

The lecture is the first event of "Focus on the Nation," an interscholastic program beginning this week that pledges to weave environmental studies into all aspects of education.

The talk begins at noon in Salomon Hall, room 101, on the university's main green.

-- projo.com staff writer Brandie M. Jefferson

Posted by Brandie Jefferson at 7:40 AM | Comment

Woonsocket school closed

Fifth Avenue Elementary School is closed today. A snowstorm also forced some closings in southeastern Massachusetts. Keep tabs on school and municipal closings throughout Rhode Island and southern Massachusetts on projo.com's closings page.

Posted by Brandie Jefferson at 7:39 AM | Comment

Trial of former Lincoln administrator begins today

PROVIDENCE — Former Lincoln Town Administrator Jonathan F. Oster’s trial on bribery and conspiracy charges will begin today, after lawyers for the state and the defendant agreed on the makeup of the jury Friday.

Oster is facing two counts of bribery and two counts of conspiracy dating to his 2000-2002 tenure in office.

The case was delayed for several years while disputes over evidence, some of it gathered for the first time under the state’s wiretapping laws, were appealed to the state Supreme Court.

That appeal, and others on the procedures that would be used to manage the trial, resulted in many of the tapes being thrown out because they were not stored in accordance with state law and the judge’s orders.

Posted by Jack Perry at 7:02 AM | Comment

Gusty and sunny with temps in the high 30s

Today should be sunny with the National Weather Service forecasting temperatures in the high 30s and high winds gusting up to 33 mph.

Skies should stay clear into the night, with temperatures dropping to the low 20s and winds gusting around 14 mph.

The clouds return tomorrow, with milder temperatures upwards of 45 degrees and milder winds from the west of about 8 mph.

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 a story about the Kennedys' endorsing presidential candidate Barack Obama and coverage of the Patriots' Super Bowl sendoff yesterday in Foxboro.

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

Posted by Jack Perry at 7:00 AM | Comment