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February 26, 2008

Tonight: Debate watches or Superstar at PPAC

Dueling Democratic debate watches are on tonight in Providence.

The Cleveland, Ohio, debate between Democratic presidential contenders Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton begins at 9.

You can go to Local 121 at 121 Washington St., Providence, to join Obama supporters.

Or you can join Clinton supporters at Clinton headquarters at 175 Broad St., Providence at 8:30 p.m.

An alternative:

A touring performance of Jesus Christ Superstar is tonight at 8 at Providence Performing Arts Center, 220 Weybosset St.

Tickets are from $43 to $65. For information, call (401) 421-2787 or go to ppacri.org

Posted by Mike McKinney at 7:00 PM | Comment

Update: Prospective jurors for smoke-shop trial grilled

PROVIDENCE -- Prospective jurors in the trial of the seven Narragansett Indians accused of resisting and fighting with state police during the 2003 smoke-shop raid were barraged today with questions ranging from their thoughts on smoking to their opinions about casino gambling.

Prosecutors and defense lawyers are trying to pick a jury for the estimated month-long trial in Providence County Superior Court, and today the state got its first chance to question those who might end up hearing the case.

Special Assistant Attorney General Maria Deaton asked the 16 people seated, at least temporarily, about their thoughts on cigarettes, whether they had strong opinions about casino gambling or had participated in rallies or given money to the cause.

A court spokesman earlier today said the judge excused jurors this morning who could not attend what could be a month-long trial

Seven Narragansett Indians, including Chief Sachem Matthew Thomas, face misdemeanor charges related to the state police raid on a tribal smoke shop that grew violent in July 2003.

-- Journal staff writer Katie Mulvaney, with Associated Press reports

And while the case is not about the tribe’s efforts to get a casino, Deaton and Judge Susan E. McGuirl asked prospective jurors whether their views on gaming would impair their ability to consider the case with an open mind. The Narragansetts have sought to open a casino, or other gaming venture, in Rhode Island for approaching two decades.

McGuirl broadened the inquiry to touch on thoughts about Native Americans, in general, and the Narragansett Indian tribe specifically.

Likewise, Deaton quizzed those seated about their past interactions with police and their reflections on being stopped for speeding. Had they or their relatives been charged with or the victim of a crime?

Prosecutors will continue their questioning this morning, with the defense to follow. The lawyers will then be able select which jurors they’d like to go or stay.

Posted by Mike McKinney at 6:44 PM | Comment

Generosity that came with makeover was extreme, too

Journal photo / Bob Thayer
Workmen play with some of the Silva children on the new basketball court outside their new home today, where a press conference was held by the family.

WARWICK -- As the Silva family prepared to spend their first night in their new “home sweet Extreme Makeover home” today on Yucatan Drive, they learned that the road ahead lies strewn with further generosity.

Free flat-screen televisions and computers. A house full of furniture from Cardi’s (AKA Nick, Ron and Pete). A $20,000 donation in their name to Adoption Rhode Island. Free visits to Six Flags, all summer long. And, for the next year, all the Dunkin’ Donuts coffee they can drink; all the Friendly’s ice cream they can eat; and all the free cable TV they can watch.

“Thank you isn’t enough,” said Kenny Silva, as he hugged one donor after the next.

The gift parade occurred in front of the New England shingle-style house that was one feverish, round-the-clock week in the making and courtesy of the reality TV program, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.

The finished product was unveiled to the Silvas yesterday afternoon.

-- Journal staff writer Karen Lee Ziner

Posted by Mike McKinney at 6:00 PM | Comment

Two Bristol men charged in molestation case

BRISTOL -- Two men who serve as foster parents have been arrested for allegedly molesting a 14-year-old child, according to the police.

The Department of Children, Youth and Families, which conducted its own investigation and involved the police, took custody of two foster children and two adopted children from the couple’s home months before Friday’s arrests, according to an agency spokesman.

Today, the two men, Sedonio Rodriques, 57, and Raymond Grenier, 53, both of 26 Sampson St., were arraigned in District Court, Providence. They face multiple counts of first- and second-degree child molestation and attempted first-degree child molestation. They are being held without bail until a March 10 hearing.

The DCYF began its investigation after receiving a tip to its child abuse hot line in late November, said Kevin Aucoin, the agency’s executive counsel. The tip concerned the licensed foster home of Rodriques and Grenier, who had two adopted children and two foster children, he said.

A preliminary investigation concluded that the children were in “immediate peril,” said Aucoin. On Nov. 30, DCYF workers, escorted by Bristol police, removed the four children from the home. The DCYF continued its investigation.

“We were able to substantiate the facts as alleged,” Aucoin said. At that point in a child-abuse investigation, he said, the agency informs the police.

Aucoin said the two men, whom he identified as a same-sex couple, first obtained a foster-care license in 2001. The license lapsed for several years before they obtained a new one last year, he said.

“They went through the rigors of the foster-care licensing process both in 2001 and 2007,” he said, noting that the process involves interviews, home visits and background and criminal record checks. “There is absolutely nothing in their background that would have indicated these individuals would have been prone to this type of conduct.”

The DCYF is currently in the process of revoking the couple’s foster-care license, he said.

The DCYF asked the police to participate during an interview on Feb. 15 of Rodriques and Grenier.

“As a result of that portion of the investigation, the arrest warrants were issued,” Guercia said. “These allegations go back over a three-year period.”

Guercia said there have been no allegations that any other children were abused.

The police encountered no difficulty when they arrested the men at their home on Friday, he said.

-- Journal staff writer Richard Salit

Posted by Mike McKinney at 5:55 PM | Comment

R.I. to get $500,000-plus for emergency food, shelter

Rhode Island is getting $543,321 for emergency food and shelter for families in need, U.S. Rep. James Langevin, D-Rhode Island, announced today.

The money, awarded under the federal Emergency Food and Shelter program, breaks down to $395,583 for Providence and several surrounding communities, and $147,738 for the Rhode Island State Set-Aside Committee, which may award money to additional communities, according to Langevin.

“As our nation faces uncertain economic times, it is more important than ever that we provide basic resources to the most vulnerable in our communities," Langevin said in the statement.

The Emergency Food and Shelter National Board, led by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and made up of representatives from organizations such as American Red Cross and Catholic Charities USA, provides money to shelters, soup kitchens and food banks. Also, it can provide one-month awards for rent, mortgage and utility assistance.

The money is used to help a person or people with non-disaster, temporary emergency situations.

In each community receiving money, a local board advertises the money availability, sets out local priorities, selects the local nonprofit and government agencies that will get the money, and keeps watch over program compliance.

-- projo.com staff writer Michael P. McKinney

Posted by Mike McKinney at 5:25 PM | Comment

Aquarium helps 3 distressed seals in R.I., Mass., Maine

MYSTIC, Conn. -- Mystic Aquarium is nursing three seals back to health after they were stranded in three different states within 24 hours.

The aquarium's stranding team was called to help distressed seals in Maine, Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

A male yearling harp seal was brought in after it beached itself Sunday in Little Compton.

On Sunday night, New England Aquarium in Boston called to say that a three- to four-week-old female gray seal spotted in Gloucester, Mass., had been brought in by a concerned citizen.

The next day, the Maine Division of Marine Resources called about a female harp seal that beached itself.

Experts at the aquarium say the prognosis is good and all three seals will likely be released back into the wild after they've been treated.

-- The Associated Press

Posted by Mike McKinney at 5:15 PM | Comment

Officials expect record turnout for March 4 R.I. primary

PROVIDENCE -- Election officials expect a record-breaking turnout for Rhode Island's presidential primary on March 4.

Secretary of State A. Ralph Mollis says he estimates that up to 30 percent of registered voters, or about 180,000 people, could cast ballots.

That would be a major increase over the 2000 primary election, the last closely contested ballot in Rhode Island. About 82,000 people voted then.

Mollis says his office has printed extra ballots and has set up a telephone hot line for voters who have questions. He's urging residents to vote late in the morning and early in the afternoon to avoid crowds.

Board of Elections Executive Director Robert Kando says local officials have reduced the number of polling stations but increased their staff to accommodate the turnout.

-- The Associated Press

Posted by Mike McKinney at 5:15 PM | Comment

Carcieri staff 're-examining' cuts in services for disabled

Governor Carcieri -- in a statement released just before developmentally disabled people and their family members rallied at the State House against budget cuts -- said he's told his staff to work with the Department of Mental Health, Retardation and Hospitals and providers for those disabled to "re-examine" a previously proposed budget cut.

The governor's afternoon statement acknowledged the proposed payment cuts over the next several months "will be particularly difficult for these contractors to absorb." So Carcieri's office, the MHRH and contractors providing the disabled the services will look at options for smaller spending cuts and other money-saving possibilities in the department’s budget.

“Resolving the budget crisis will require spending reductions in every area of state government, including human services," Carcieri said in the statement. "As a result, my revised budget plan for the current fiscal year included a provision that would reduce state payments to agencies that provide services to the developmentally disabled by $2.7 million over the next several months. This was designed as a very small part of the much larger solution to the state’s fiscal crisis.”

Over the last few weeks, Carcieri said, his staff met with community-service agency representatives and "we have come to better understand how difficult it will be for them to absorb all of the planned payment reductions. While we must still achieve the savings, it now appears impractical to expect these providers to shoulder that much burden in the very short time left before the end of the fiscal year in June.”

-- projo.com staff writer Michael P. McKinney

Posted by Mike McKinney at 4:14 PM | Comment

Biechele will be released from prison on March 19

CRANSTON -- The man who set off the pyrotechnics that sparked The Station nightclub fire that killed 100 people will be released from prison on March 19.

Daniel Biechele has been at the ACI since May 2006 for his role in the Feb. 20, 2003, fire at the West Warwick club.
The former tour manager of the 1980s rock band Great White had pleaded guilty to 100 counts of involuntary manslaughter and was sentenced to four years in prison.

But in the fall the parole board decided to release him in March, though it didn't set a specific date.

Kim Avedisian, the parole coordinator for the state Department of Corrections, said today that there's no schedule for exactly when Biechele will be released on March 19. Tracey Poole, a spokeswoman, confirmed the release date to projo.com.

Station nightclub co-owner Michael A. Derderian will be released one year early from his four-year prison sentence, receiving his freedom on parole in October 2009, the state’s Parole Board decided in January.

Derderian, who had pleaded no contest, was sentenced in September 2006 to serve four years in prison followed by three years of probation. He was also given an 11-year suspended sentence, which he may have to serve if he gets into trouble while on probation.

-- The Associated Press, with projo.com reports

Posted by Mike McKinney at 4:09 PM | Comment

Station fund concert raises nearly $200,000

The Phoenix Rising concert to benefit the Station Family Fund sold more than 4,000 tickets and, with the help of donations from sponsors and the artists, raised nearly $200,000, according to Todd King, a board member of the fund and co-organizer of the concert at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center last night.

“I’m speechless,” King said.

King added that all musical merchandise not sold last night would be displayed at various locations of Daddy’s Junky Music Stores and sold to benefit the fund.

And the higher profile won’t stop there. The music cable channel VH1 was at the concert, filming the show and interviews with the artists and fire survivors for a one-hour documentary on the aftermath of the fire, to be aired on Easter weekend.

King hopes the national exposure will focus renewed attention, and money, on the fund’s efforts to meet the medical and other needs of those injured in the West Warwick nightclub fire, and thinks that the fund has turned a corner.

“We’ve found our voice,“ King said.

Read coverage of last night's concert.
-- Journal pop music writer Rick Massimo

Posted by Mike McKinney at 2:26 PM | Comment

Potential investors eye Veterans Memorial Auditorium

Journal file photo / Ruben W. Perez
The Veterans Memorial Auditorium may be taken over by the Rhode Island Convention Center Authority.

PROVIDENCE -- Businesses interested in managing the Veterans Memorial Auditorium toured the performance hall this morning, examining both the building's new seats and repaired ceiling and its three floors of vacant and neglected office space.

The nonprofit group that runs the VMA had been scheduled to take full ownership from the state in July. But concerns over its fundraising ability have caused state officials to reconsider that agreement, The Providence Journal has reported.

Now, the Rhode Island Convention Center Authority, which also runs the Dunkin' Donuts Center, is moving to take over the VMA as well.

The authority organized today's tour, inviting management companies to study the building before submitting proposals to help operate it.

The current operator, the Veterans Memorial Auditorium Foundation, estimates that the building may need millions of dollars in improvements.

For more local breaking business news, visit the Biz Blog at projo.com/business.

Posted by Benjamin N. Gedan at 12:39 PM | Comment

Coming up: Three-and-a-half hours without Starbucks

Don't get jittery when you duck out of work later today for a grande skinny cafe mocha, only to find your favorite Starbucks closed.

It's only temporary. And it's not just here. Almost all the stores' corporate locations will be closed today starting at 5:30 p.m. for retraining of "baristas" -- AKA wait staff. Stores with evening hours are scheduled to re-open at 9 p.m.

The international chain has been suffering the effects of poor growth, with sales falling at U.S. stores that have been open for at least 13 months.

As part of efforts to boost sales, the store is pulling its recently introduced expanded foods section, experimenting with $1 coffee, and a focus on international as opposed to domestic stores.

During the 3 1/2-hour sessions, workers will go through coffee quality and preparation training.

In the meantime, take a look, via Google maps, at other at other local coffee shops, or become your own barista.

And, it just so happens, competitor Dunkin' Donuts is offering small lattes, cappuccinos or espressos for 99 cents today, between 1 and 10 p.m.

-- projo.com staff writer Brandie M. Jefferson, with reports from the Associated Press

Posted by Brandie Jefferson at 12:32 PM | Comment

Sha Na Na leader to testify for 'Truth in Music' act

PROVIDENCE -- He played at Woodstock -- one of the '50s-style guys in gold outfits who went on right before '60s icon Jimi Hendrix -- but this afternoon the member of Sha Na Na fame has a different gig at the Rhode Island State House.

John "Bowzer" Bauman, will speak at a news conference for what sponsors call the "Truth in Music Advertising Act," legislation that aims to protect music performers from identity theft and to protect people who buy music from being misled into thinking they are seeing "legendary artists that made hit songs famous," according to a legislative news release. (Note: The release spelled his nickname/alter ego "Bauser.")

The proposal would ban advertising for certain live musical performances by "false and misleading affiliations with other musical groups," according to the summary in the legislative news release. A news report out of Tennessee last year described Bauman as lobbying states to "prevent phonies and fakers from passing themselves off as authentic members" of groups. MSNBC also carried a report last May on his efforts.

State Rep. Peter John Petrarca D-Lincoln, and Sen. John J. Tassoni Jr., D-Smithfield, said they will be joined by Bauman at 3 p.m. in the House Lounge.

Bauman is chairman of the Truth in Music Committee of the Vocal Group Hall of Fame and has promoted “truth in music advertising” legislation around the country, the news release says.

The release said Bauman plans to testify for the bill at a House Corporations Committee hearing. The committee will meet at the rise of the House -- about 4:45 p.m. -- in Room 203 of the State House.

-- projo.com staff writer Michael P. McKinney

Posted by Mike McKinney at 12:16 PM | Comment

Fire near Providence College

Fire crews are on the scene of a fire this morning near Providence College.

The call came in just after 11 for a basement fire in a 2 1/2-story house at 15 College Rd., according to James Taylor, chief of communications for the Providence Fire Department.

Posted by Brandie Jefferson at 11:27 AM | Comment

Fire crews called to Burrillville power plant

The Harrisville Fire Department was called to the Ocean State Power Plant on Sherman Farm Road, Burrillville, this morning for a small fire.

Asst. Fire Chief Mike Gingell said no one was injured and that the power plant’s internal fire protection system put the fire out.

There was a similar situation one week ago, when, according to a power plant spokeswoman, smoke from an oil leak in one of the plant’s turbines set off the fire alarm

The 560-megawatt power plant, operated by TransCanada Power Operations, was built in 1990.

-- projo.com staff writer Brandie M. Jefferson

Posted by Brandie Jefferson at 11:26 AM | Comment

Expecting large primary turnout, state plans ahead

The Secretary of State will go over plans today to try to ensure voting in the March 4 primary is efficient and accessible.

In a statement released this morning, Secretary of State A. Ralph Mollis said his office is predicting as many as twice the number of people will turn out to vote in this election than did for the 2000 presidential primary.

The State Board of Elections, local boards of canvassers and the Secretary of State worked together with different groups to try to make sure there are enough poll workers, and that employers give workers time to get to the polls.

More details on the state's plans to try to simplify March 4 voting will be released at a 3 p.m. press conference.
You can make sure you’re registered, and find out where to vote on the Secretary of State’s Web site.

Posted by Brandie Jefferson at 11:14 AM | Comment

Former President Clinton is coming to Bryant

Former President Bill Clinton is coming to the Ocean State this week, less than one week before Rhode Island's March 4 presidential primary election.

Clinton has been traveling the country, campaigning on behalf of his wife and presidential hopeful, Sen. Hillary Clinton.

He will be hosting a rally at Bryant University in Smithfield Thursday, according to a statement from the Hillary Clinton campaign. Doors open at 2:15 p.m., and the event is expected to begin at 3:15.

The rally, titled “Solutions for America,” will be at the Chace Athletic Center, and is open to the public. Attendees are encouraged to carpool because of the limited parking.

Sen. Clinton has already visited the state, holding a rally at Rhode Island College on Sunday.

Former Arkansas governor and Republican presidential hopeful Mike Huckabee was on the radio, and visited a school and this newspaper yesterday in a day-long campaigning tour of Rhode Island.

No word yet on Sen. Barack Obama's plans to visit the state, but his wife, Michelle Obama, was in town last week; she held two events on Feb,. 20: one private at the Biltmore Hotel, and one public at Community College Rhode Island.

Posted by Brandie Jefferson at 10:39 AM | Comment

Will new fishing laws affect you? Find out tonight

The Department of Environmental Management is holding a public hearing this evening to answer questions and get input from those who may be affected by proposed changes to fishing laws.

The changes to state’s marine fisheries regulations would affect monkfish, menhaden, striped bass, and scup for both commercial and recreational fishermen.

People can attend the hearing at the University of Rhode Island’s Narragansett Bay Campus Corless Auditorium at 6 p.m. today.

The Department is also accepting written comments, but they must be submitted by noon today, to DEM’s Division of Fish and Wildlife, 3 Fort Wetherill Road, Jamestown, R.I., 02835.

The proposals would affect the commercial tautog quota management plan; the recreational tautog management plan; the commercial scup quota management plan; the commercial striped bass quota management plan; the R.I. menhaden regulations; and the R.I. monkfish regulations.

-- projo.com staff writer Brandie M. Jefferson

Posted by Brandie Jefferson at 8:09 AM | Comment

Funeral today for convicted former Lincoln administrator

Funeral services for former Lincoln Town Administrator Jonathan F. Oster are scheduled for today at 11 a.m. at Sugarman-Sinai Memorial Chapel.

Oster killed himself less than a day after he was found guilty of two counts of bribery and two counts of conspiracy for a scheme he was involved in when he headed the town of Lincoln, from 2001 to 2002.

Because Oster died before an appeal -- which his lawyer says he planned to file -- was resolved, under Rhode Island law, his conviction must be vacated, according to the state's Attorney General's office.

Oster's family has asked that a donation to the Cove Center, which offers vocational training and support to people with behavioral and mental health problems, be made in lieu of flowers.

Posted by Brandie Jefferson at 7:41 AM | Comment

Conn. mom accused of hassling son's hockey opponent

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. -- Bridgeport police have accused a Trumbull woman of retaliating against a 10-year-old boy who bumped her son during a youth hockey game over the weekend.

Police have charged 47-year-old Madeline Fromageot for the incident that allegedly occurred Saturday at the Wonderland of Ice.

Police say the woman grabbed the boy's helmeted head and banged it against the Plexiglas partition around the rink until the player's mother interceded.

Fromageot is charged with breach of peace, but she strongly denies the allegations and insists she did not touch the other player.

Police say the incident took place during a hockey game between a team from Easton and the team on which Fromageot's 7-year-old son is a player.

-- The Associated Press

Posted by Jack Perry at 7:03 AM | Comment

Rain likely this afternoon

Rain is likely this afternoon, but the National Weather Service has also warned that a burst of snow is possible in the northern part of the state later this afternoon. The temperature is expected to reach 42 degrees with a calm south wind.

The rain is expected to continue into the early morning tomorrow, getting heavy at times over night when the temperature drops to about 37 degrees.

Tomorrow we'll still have a slight chance of even more rain. Expect cloudy skies and and a high temperature near 45 degrees with west wind gusts as high as 29 mph.

For updated information through the day, visit projo.com's weather page.

Posted by Brandie Jefferson at 7:01 AM | Comment

Today's front page

Today's front page features stories on presidential candidat Mike Huckabee's visit to Rhode Island and the return of the Silva family to their new home in Warwick, courtesy of the ABC television show Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.

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

Posted by Jack Perry at 7:00 AM | Comment